missing

The celebrities were said to be taking a big risk as they swam with ever-increasing sized sharks in the Bahamas in a new ITV series to mark the 50th anniversary of Jaws

The seven celebrities who agreed to swim with sharks in an ITV series which marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws, were taught to dive by an instructor with missing limbs.

The seven stars – who all admit to being scared of the sea – were Call the Midwife’s Helen George, comedians Sir Lenny Henry and Ross Noble, Countdown’s Rachel Riley, McFly’s Dougie Poynter, Amandaland’s Lucy Punch and TV presenter Ade Adepitan.

All have now returned from filming Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters with their lives intact, but were constantly reminded of the dangers involved by their Australian instructor – who was missing an arm and a leg, courtesy of a tiger shark.

READ MORE: Holly Willoughby returns to ITV’s You Bet! after Netflix blow – but not as a presenter

For the five-part series, due to start next month, the celebs were challenged to confront their greatest fear and flown to the island on Bimini in the Bahamas, home to around 10 different species of shark. Once there, they took the plunge together alongside hammerhead, bull and tiger sharks.

While there is no voting or elimination process in the show, the dives got progressively harder, with each involving a bigger and tougher breed of shark, and the celebrities were allowed to sit out if they felt overwhelmed.

One insider said: “The sharks they were free diving with were definitely dangerous and they were shocked when they realised what had happened to the expert, who’d had an arm and a leg bitten off.”

Despite the series being shown as tribute to half a century since the Oscar-winning Jaws was released in 1975, the “ocean-phobic” stars did not attempt to recreate the movie scenes. “There were no Great Whites involved in the making of this show,” the source said. “But it was not for the faint-hearted, that’s for sure. Some were more scared than others.”

Viewers will have to wait to see if any of the stars sustained injuries during the making of the programme, which was filmed last year.

Yesterday presenter Rachel said that taking part was a “dream come true” adding: “It was the best trip, the best experience, the best everything, of my life.” Describing it as “wet and wild” she added: “Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters is a totally new type of entertainment show, with so much integrity and a love of sharks and conservation at its heart. And with the best bunch of people you could hope to work with.”

The mum-of-two said she’d first been asked to take part a year ago. “They said we’re thinking of sending some celebrities out to the Bahamas for a few weeks to swim with some of the biggest, scariest wild sharks in the world.”

Helen agreed that it had been brilliant, saying: “One of the most insane experiences of my life, learning about this incredible creatures, with equally incredible humans.”

Ross described it as a “great adventure” and quipped: “No, it’s not a wind up, it’s a real thing.” And pop star Dougie marvelled that it was the closest he’d ever get to a “real Jurassic Park experience”.

ITV entertainment boss Katie Rawcliffe said audiences should enjoy the combination of blue chip natural history programming with ITV’s skill at entertainment, and called the famous faces taking part “some of the bravest celebrities out there”.

Karen Plumb, of Plimsoll Productions, said the aim was to give viewers a new perspective on sharks. “We’re constantly looking for innovative approaches to wildlife storytelling and are certain that our fish-out-of-water spin – delivering 50 years after Jaws – will transform the world’s perception of these critical predators before it’s too late.”

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

EastEnders fans are over the moon as spoilers reveal a ‘return’ for one missing Walford resident next week

Spoilers for next week’s EastEnders tease plenty of drama to come including a return for one ‘missing’ resident. There’s trouble in paradise for a number of couples next week, as Kat and Alfie face wedding day drama. But will the day go ahead?

The BBC soap have also confirmed a rocky patch for George and Elaine as Elaine learns where her husband really was on Christmas night. The final couple confirmed to be having trouble are Patrick and Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter). Although fans are gutted the two are having marriage troubles, they’re also overjoyed that Patrick will be making his return.

Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) has been notably absent from the soap lately, although his partner Yolande has been seen in a number of storylines. She’s been a big support to Nigel Bates who has been suffering from dementia.

However, next week, the soap has confirmed Patrick will be back onscreen, but it’s not good news for him or Yolande, as she confides in Denise about their struggles. It all starts off next week with Patrick refusing to give Yolande a massage – but things quickly escalate when she raises her concerns with Denise.

She opens up about the state of her relationship with Patrick, as she fears things will never be the same between them – but will they be able to get on track?

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter upon seeing the spoilers, one fan wrote: “Patrick and Yolande are back next week I prayed for their return!”

Patrick and Yolande tied the knot in 2004, however, things came crashing down five years later when they got divorced. The pair rekindled once again in 2023 after Yolande returned to Walford from Birmingham.

The couple recently won a British Soap Award for Best On-Screen Partnership. The soap scooped up eight awards on the night, including Best British Soap, Best Single Episode and Scene of the Year for Angie Watts’ surprise return.

On the night, fans claimed there was an apparent mixed reaction to Rudolph and Angela’s win. However, fellow star Colin Salmon has now had his say on the incident.

Colin, who plays the role of George Knight in the long-running soap, voiced his opinion on X/ Twitter. Trying to explain exactly what had happened, he said: “Just want to clarify; No one was booing Rudi and Angela at the@SoapAwards we were singing RUUUDI , RUUUDI , RUUUDI. “

He added the interaction had “obviously confused some people”. “Appreciate some were concerned, as we should be, but it’s all good,” he added before signing off: “‘#NoDrama#WeLovePatrickandYolande @bbceastenders.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram ,Twitter ,Facebook ,YouTube and Threads .

June 2 (UPI) — German police have launched new searches for Madeleine McCann in the same area in southern Portugal where the 3-year-old from England was last seen 18 years ago.

Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007, from a resort in Praia da Luz, a town in the Algarve. Her parents, medical doctors Kate and Gerry McCann, had gone to dinner and left her sleeping in a room with her 2-year-old twin siblings.

On Monday, Portuguese police confirmed to the BBC that a search will be carried out from Monday through Friday on warrants issued by German prosecutors.

Searchers last looked in 2023 near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, The Guardian reported.

The prime suspect is Christian Bruecker, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman at her home in Praia da Luz in 2005. He has denied any involvement in the girl’s disappearance and is due to be released from prison in September.

In October 2024, Bruecker was acquitted of rape and child sex abuse charges in Portugal between 2000 and 2017 after an eight-month trial by Braunschweig District Court judge Uta Engemanndue, who threw out the case due to lack of evidence.

The new search will focus on the area between the Ocean Club resort where the McCann family was staying and the house where Bruckner lived.

In 2022, a German documentary found evidence that Bruckner occasionally worked at the Ocean Club as a handyman. German prosecutors also have linked his mobile phone data and a car sale to their case against him.

“We are aware of the searches being carried by the BKA [German federal police] in Portugal as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Metropolitan police said. “The Metropolitan police service is not present at the search. We will support our international colleagues where necessary.”

In April, British ministers approved more than $135,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating her disappearance.

She would be 22 years old now.

“The years appear to be passing even more quickly and whilst we have no significant news to share, our determination to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is unwavering,” Kate and Gerry McCann and other family members said in marking the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month. “We will do our utmost to achieve this.”

.

June 2 (UPI) — Missing American journalist Austin Tice was imprisoned by the regime of the since-deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2012 with his whereabouts now not known, according to top secret intelligence files uncovered by the BBC.

Former Syrian officials also have confirmed Tice’s detention to the BBC. The material was part of a BBC investigation more than one year ago for a Radio 4 podcast series in accompanying a Syrian investigator to an intelligence facility.

The Assad regime had denied they had imprisoned him, and didn’t know where he was.

The U.S. government believes he had been held by the Syrian government.

Tice was a freelance journalist, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a law student at Georgetown University.

He had gone to Syria to report on the civil war.

Tice vanished near the Syrian capital of Damascus in August 2012, just days after his 31st birthday.

About seven weeks later, a video posted online showed him blindfolded and with his hands bound. He was also forced to recite an Islamic declaration of faith by armed men.

U.S. officials and analysts doubt he was abducted by a jihadist group and the scene “may have been staged.”

Instead, Tice allegedly was held by members of a paramilitary force loyal to Assad called the National Defence Forces.

The files, which are labeled “Austin Tice,” include communication from different branches of Syrian intelligence. Law enforcement verified their authenticity.

In one “top secret” communication, he was held in a detention facility in Damascus in 2012. A Syrian official confirmed to the BBC he was there until at least February 2013.

The BBC reported Tice briefly escaped by squeezing through a window in his cell, but he was later recaptured.

Tice had developed stomach issues from a viral infection.

A man who visited the facility told the BBC that Tice “looked sad, and that the joy had gone from his face.”

A former member of the NDF told the BBC that Tice was a “card” that could be played in diplomatic negotiations with the United States.

After Assad’s ouster in December 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden and mother, Debra Tice, said they believed he was alive. She said he was “treated well,” according to a “significant source.”

Rebel forces stormed his regime-run jails in Damascus and other Syrian regions and freed them. Tice was not among them.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it has registered 35,000 cases of people who have gone missing in Syria in the past 13 years. Syria’s Network for Human Rights put the number of Syrians “in forced disappearance” at 80,000 to 85,000 killed under torture in Assad’s detention centers.

Only 33,000 detainees have been found and freed from Syria’s prisons since Assad’s ouster, according to human rights network.

On May 14, Trump met with the Syrian Arab Republic’s new president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Trump told reporters, “Austin has not been seen in many, many years,” and gave no other details.

Rescuers have already pulled a dozen injured people from the debris during a gruelling search effort at the site.

At least 10 people have been killed after a stone quarry collapsed in Indonesia’s West Java province, with the country’s disaster agency saying search efforts are ongoing to find missing people buried beneath the rubble.

The collapse took place early on Friday at Gunung Kuda mining site in Cirebon, West Java. Footage from the scene of the accident shows excavators moving large rocks and emergency workers placing victims in body bags in an ambulance.

Footage circulating online showed rescuers struggling to retrieve a body from the devastated area. Another showed people scrambling for safety as thick dust rose from a pile of rocks and soil that had collapsed.

Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) said at least 10 people had been killed, but gave no estimate on the number of people missing. It said heavy machinery – including three excavators – were buried and rescue operations would continue throughout Saturday.

Rescue teams have already pulled a dozen injured people from the debris during a gruelling search effort, according to Cirebon district police chief, Sumarni, who uses a single name.

Sumarni said authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse, adding that the owner and quarry workers have been summoned for questioning. He said police, emergency personnel, soldiers and volunteers – supported by five excavators – are trying to locate any further trapped workers. Rescue efforts are being hampered by unstable soil, risking further slides, he added.

On his Instagram account, West Java governor Dedi Mulyadi said the site was “very dangerous” and did not “meet safety standards for workers”. The governor added that the mine was opened before he was elected and he “didn’t have any capacity to stop it”.

Mulyadi said he has taken action to close the Gunung Kuda mine and four others in West Java considered to be endangering lives and the environment.

Illegal mining operations are commonplace across Indonesia, providing a tenuous livelihood to low-wage workers while coming with a high risk of injury or death due to landslides, flooding and tunnel collapses. Much of the processing of sand, rock or gold ore also involves workers using highly toxic materials like mercury and cyanide with little or no protection.

In May, torrential rain triggered a landslide and floods near a small mine run by local residents in the Arfak Mountains in Indonesia’s West Papua province, killing at least six people.

Last year, a landslide also triggered by torrential rain struck an unauthorised gold mining operation on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least 15 people.

A BODY has been discovered amid a major hunt for a schoolgirl who fell into the water whilst out on a walk with her dad.

Emergency crews had been frantically searching for the 13-year-old who vanished under the water at Baitings Dam yesterday afternoon.

3

3

3

A cordon was put in place at the reservoir in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, after cops were called at around 1.20pm on Wednesday.

Search teams worked around the clock in an attempt to find the youngster, with two RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) spotted at the site this morning.

The teenager, from Halifax, had been posing for pictures with her dad when she tragically fell into the 140ft-deep water.

It is understood she hit the water after falling roughly 30ft from the parapet of the dam.

Local resident Sue Ferris helped comfort the girl’s family, who told her that the youngster had a “bright future“.

The 80-year-old said: “She had just got into grammar school, they told me.

“She wanted to walk round the reservoir with her dad because it was half term, but the rest of the family didn’t want to go.

“It was just dad and daughter at the reservoir when she fell in. The rest of the family came after the accident.

“Dad had been taking photographs, according to a witness, and he also heard dad screaming and shouting her name after she fell in – but he did not go into the water.

“He had some kind of heart problem and was clutching his chest soon afterwards and was taken away by ambulance.

“They were very proud of her. She had a really bright future.”

Mrs Ferris, who has lived in the same house overlooking the reservoir for 20 years, slammed officials for a buoyancy aids around the water.

She added: “It is disgraceful that there are no life rings anywhere on the parapet.

“Yorkshire Water added the white metal railings on top of the stone structure some years ago now.

“But it only adds about half a foot to the barrier height and actually helps people to climb onto the wall.

“It gives them something to grip on to.

“All it is doing is helping people to stand on the wall.”

Four West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue crews were sent out to the dam on Wednesday, assisted by Littleborough crew.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service also confirmed they sent officers from their Hazardous Area Response Team.

Speaking on Wednesday, a West Yorkshire police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 1.17pm this afternoon police were called to a report a girl had fallen into water at Baitings Dam near Ripponden.

“Emergency services are currently on the scene, with searches ongoing to locate the girl.”

A BRITISH backpacker has gone missing after spending a month living on the streets of Peru following a violent robbery.

Hannah Almond, 32, travelled to Cusco in March for a yoga retreat to “find herself” – but was left stranded, penniless and traumatised after being assaulted and robbed of her passport.

5

5

5

With no way to get home, the fashion graduate was sleeping rough under the Belén Bridge, where her remaining belongings were torched by local thugs.

Footage from local media appeared to show her clothes and personal items in a flaming pile on the street.

Hannah was last seen three days ago after befriending an elderly homeless man at a makeshift camp, and has not been heard from since.

A desperate search is now underway to locate the missing Brit from Grimsby.

A family friend told the Daily Mail on Monday: “She is one of the most pure loving souls ever — she is very generous and always wants to help people.

“But she does not trust anyone after getting robbed and assaulted.

“Some locals burned all her belongings from under the bridge.”

They added: “She was contacting her mum every now and then through other people’s phones.

“Police went to check on her two days ago and she has not been seen since. Cusco is a trafficking hotspot, so it’s very worrying.”

The British Consulate in Peru has confirmed that Hannah’s tourist visa has expired and her immigration status is now in limbo.

“She is in an illegal situation. Her tourist visa has already expired,” British Consul Mark Atkinson told local media.

“Sometimes we’ve paid for hotel stays, given her money for food, that sort of thing. But she always ends up coming back here,” he explained, referring to the bridge camp.

Hannah’s friends have since launched a GoFundMe page to fund urgent efforts to help her.

As of Tuesday, it already pulled in £7,930 from 306 donations — just shy of its £9,000 goal.

The funds raised will be used to cover urgent travel and support costs, including a flight and accommodation for a close family member or friend to fly to Peru and gently persuade Hannah to come home.

Her loved ones hope that a familiar face on the ground will help break through the fear and confusion that has kept her from accepting official help.

The money will also go towards providing Hannah with safe accommodation, food, and access to emergency medical or psychological care — which may be vital before she is well enough to travel.

5

5

Additional funds will cover logistical costs needed to get her home, such as securing a replacement passport, renewing her visa, and arranging her journey back to the UK.

A message on the fundraiser reads: “Hannah travelled to Peru in March hoping for an adventure, but instead, she has found herself in a terrifying and heartbreaking situation.

“She was robbed and assaulted, losing her passport, phone, and all of her money.

“Since then, Hannah’s mental health has severely declined.”

“Despite attempts to help her through official channels, Hannah is deeply fearful and unable to accept support from the embassy or local authorities.

“She is extremely vulnerable, isolated, and not safe living on the streets of Peru.

“Hannah is a deeply kind and gentle soul, and we are desperate to get her the care and safety she deserves. We need to bring her home.”

More than 100,000 Brits travel to Peru every year, with Cusco – the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail – one of the most popular spots.

FCDO travel advice warns tourists to remain alert, saying: “Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but do happen, mostly in the Cusco and Arequipa areas.”

Jetting of to a country you’ve never visited before is an exciting adventure but it can bring risk. Here’s what to do case one of your loved ones go missing, according to the experts at the charity Missing People

Ahead of the summer holidays, here are three key things you should do as soon as someone you know goes missing. The charity Missing People have shared a plan of action to follow.

With over 13.5 million Brits jetting off last year according to a Kwik Fit study, and 82% of Brits saying their “number one holiday priority in 2025” is to explore somewhere new, according to the Great British Holiday Audit report – it’s wise for holiday makers to have a plan of action in case a member of their party goes missing.

The UK police define a missing person as anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established. They will be considered missing until located and their wellbeing confirmed. By this, the definition means that if a person is expected at home and aren’t there, or did not arrive at an expected location, they can be reported missing. Once they are reported missing to the authorities, a public appeal is released via social media.

READ MORE: When is a person considered missing? And how long until they’re presumed dead

Following a number of recent tragedies involving Brits on holiday abroad in recent years, it is safe to say there is a now a certain nervousness about travelling, especially as a young person. The Missing People’s charity have developed guidance, along with the Lucie Blackman Trust, to help prepare jet setters in case of such emergency.

Providing sympathy and support, the advice can be summarised as such:

Think of simple steps to try and find your loved one

If you know the location of where they were staying, try to call the establishment to ask whether the missing person has been spotted on the premises or if someone there knows where they are. If this is unsuccessful, you should contact the local police or any nearby hospitals to ask whether they may be held there or whether they are aware of the person’s location.

Contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or UK police

If they appear to be missing after these steps, the charity advise you to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 020 7008 1500 and ask for the Consular Directorate. The Foreign Office will then assign a caseworker if appropriate and contact the British Embassy in the country of said visit on your behalf.

Despite not being in the UK if travelling, you are advised to contact UK police for either the area where the missing person lives, or your own local police station. Request that they inform the UK National Central Bureau of Interpol.

If needed, Interpol can contact the relevant foreign police, however this is normally only the case if the missing person is considered to be at risk of harm.

Be prepared with information about your missing person

To help aid any potential searches, Missing People also advise travellers to collect as much information as you can about the missing person and their recent activity and travel plans. This could be essential to an effective search and result in the local authorities finding them. See below for a list of questions to consider as seen on the Missing People Guidance Sheet:

• The missing person’s full name, date of birth and place of birth
• His/her mobile phone number and email address
• The last time you or anyone else that you know had contact with him/her and where this was
• His/her travel plans
• His/her passport details
• His/her travel insurance details
• Any travel blog/personal website/social network details
• Bank or building society account details (the police may ask the bank or building society for details of when and where the account was last accessed)
• A recent photo
• When you were expecting the missing person to contact you and why
• Whether there was anything in his/her last email/phone call/text/blog/social network message which could give a clue as to whereabouts and/or who he/she could have been with
• Whether the families of fellow travellers could provide any useful information
• Whether there is anyone else the missing person could have been in touch with
• Any other relevant information which could be of use in the search such as, and including any physical or mental health issues

The Lucie Blackman Trust can provide help and support tailored to your situation. It is open 24 hours a day and you can contact them for support and advice by calling 020 7047 5060, emailing [email protected] or visiting their website: http://www.lbtrust.org

If you suspect a child may have been abducted abroad then see here (p. 3) for Missing People’s advice to further ensure their safety, how to proceed.

For advice, support and options, if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call Missing People’s Helpline on 116 000 or email [email protected]. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental, and sightings information can also be taken. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk

COPS are desperately searching for a man and his two children – last seen speeding through a major seaside town.

Authorities are concerned over the welfare of the passengers and have sent out a police helicopter to help them in their search.

1

Emmerdale spoilers have teased one character goes missing next week despite them planning to be at the wedding of Aaron Dingle and John Sugden, with a new mystery

There’s a new mystery on Emmerdale next week it seems, with spoilers suggesting a character goes AWOL in the build-up to a wedding.

While an explanation is hinted at, fans will no doubt fearing the worst amid recent trouble with killer John Sugden. It’s his wedding to Aaron Dingle next week, and a key guest appears to be missing.

So has something bad happened to Mackenzie Boyd amid their run-in with enemy John? Perhaps not, as he’s involved in a separate storyline – but it is a bit weird that Mackenzie would go missing on Aaron’s big day just as things got heated with John.

According to the spoilers, as Aaron and John prepare to say their vows Mack has mysteriously vanished and no one knows where he is. Whether he shows up remains to be seen.

That said, he finds himself caught up in Ross Barton’s drama with his new brother Lewis Barton next week. After the pair try to steal Lewis’ cannabis plants from his secret farm in the attic of his home, Lewis catches them and Mack becomes trapped.

READ MORE: Emmerdale spoilers: Cancer diagnosis, wedding ‘nightmare’ and killer ‘exposed’

Prior to this, Ross gets Lewis’ keys and manages to get Mack to help him, with them soon finding the farm in the attic. But when Lewis gets an alert on his phone that suggests an intruder is in the attic he opens up a camera app and makes a discovery.

He realises it’s Mack and calls out Ross who he’s with, wanting an explanation from both of them – seemingly trapping Mack in the process amid the wedding. Lewis agrees to let Mack go on one condition, he wants to know the truth about his his mother Emma Barton died.

Whether something else happens to Mack after this and it causes him to go AWOL remains to be seen. There’s also every chance he’s vanished because he’s simply trapped at the home of Lewis.

It comes as John risks being exposed next week when more than one secret threatens to come to light.

Next week it’s confirmed that his ex Aidan has woken from his coma, and soon John is fearful Aidan will expose his lies and the truth about their past.

Then there’s the fact the lake is being dredged due to the slurry leak, caused by John to frame Mack last week. Viewers know that John dumped Nate Robinson’s body in this very lake after killing him in September – so is this the moment the body is found?

With that and Aidan being awake and Aaron having pre-wedding jitters, not to mention John plotting an escape, will the big day go ahead? Will they even make it to the vows? Of course the last thing John will need on top of all of this is for Mack to target him once more – so might John be pushed over the edge?

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

This Coronation Street star turned a few heads after he was spotted at this year’s film festival – not least the hordes of Corrie fans who have yearned for his return to the cobbles

Coronation Street fans were left stunned as one of the soap’s beloved actors swapped the Weatherfield cobbles for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Ryan Prescott, who is best known for playing Ryan Connor, was recently spotted on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.

Despite not revealing why he was attending the star-studded event, fans confessed they’ve “missed” seeing the 36-year-old on their TV screens recently, but agreed he looked fantastic mingling with the celebs. Ryan, who has also had stints in Emmerdale and Doctors, looked incredibly smart in a black suit and bow tie, posing with friends and soaking up the atmosphere of the annual festival, which runs until May 24.

Sharing snaps on Instagram, he simply captioned them: “CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2025.” Fans were quick to compliment the actor’s appearance after the photos were posted.

One fan commented: “Miss you when you’re not in Corrie but pleased you are having an amazing time,” while another added: “Looks like you are having a great time! You also clean up nice!”

A third chimed in: “Chuffed for you,” while a fourth fan remarked: “Looking dapper my brother.”

How Ryan managed to secure a spot at the exclusive event remains a mystery. As one would expect, the Cannes Film Festival is typically reserved for film industry professionals and accredited participants.

The festival is now an exclusive affair with restricted access, necessitating a badge for entry, keeping most of the festivities out of reach for the average Joe. This year’s event launched with much fanfare on May 13 and will run this Saturday, drawing in A-listers such as Nicole Kidman and Amal Clooney.

Meanwhile, Ryan’s entrance to Coronation Street came in 2018 when he became the much-loved Ryan Connor, stepping into Sol Heras’s shoes as the third actor to take up the role.

Despite his character’s on-screen drama, Ryan’s off-screen life is seemingly tranquil. The Merseyside-born actor made waves when he appeared in Emmerdale as Flynn Buchanan – Aaron Dingle’s romantic pursuit – before gracing the streets of Weatherfield.

Scoring the part was Ryan’s career milestone, leaving him initially gobsmacked by the limelight, even leading to fans hounding him for autographs post his stint in the ITV soap which lasted for 12 episodes.

Before hitting it big on the cobbles, Ryan secured parts in well-known shows such as Holby City, The Syndicate, Doctors and Casualty. But success didn’t come easy, as he encountered obstacles along the path to fame.

Confirming his Corrie gig opened the floodgates of online vitriol, with Ryan recounting to The Mirror: “I’ve had a few… you always get the occasional Facebook message. There’s always haters out there. Nothing too crazy but people give their opinion.

“Someone will say something like ‘I much preferred the other Ryan’, or something like that. I never reply. That’s where people go wrong.”

Aside from his TV appearances, the actor is quite the globe-trotter, frequently sharing snaps on Instagram from his globetrotting adventures. His passport boasts stamps from Thailand, Amsterdam, Monaco, and a significant part of the United States – yet he always finds his way back to his roots in the north of England.

May 19 (UPI) — Two adults are dead, a baby is injured and a 5-year-old is missing after multiple people were struck by a train in northern Ohio, authorities and officials said.

Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez told reporters at a brief press conference Sunday night that the victims appear to be a family from Indiana on a fishing trip. The two deceased have been identified as a 58-year-old woman and her 38-year-old daughter.

A 1-year-old was transported to the a local hospital, and responders are searching the Sandusky River for the missing 5-year-old, he said. The condition of the baby was not known.

“This is a very, very unfortunate tragedy that has hit our community today,” Sanchez said.

The Fremont Police Department said in a statement online that emergency crews were working near the Miles Newton Bridge, where the incident occurred. The bridge is currently closed, it added.

Crews responded to the scene at about 7:30 p.m. EDT, WTVG reported. The involved train began moving again at about 11 p.m.

This is a developing story.

May 16 (UPI) — A bronze statue of first lady Melania Trump was stolen from its perch in a city in her home country of Slovenia, five years after it replaced a wooden sculpture damaged by arson.

Police confirmed Friday they are now investigating after the bronze statue went missing earlier in the week from the Slovenian village of Rozno.

“[Police] conducted an inspection of the crime scene and collected information. The investigating judge and the district state prosecutor were informed about the theft,” Slovenian National Police Force spokesperson Alenka Drenik Rangus said in a statement Friday.

The Slovenian newspaper Delo reported the statue was “sawed off” at the bottom.

Officials unveiled the bronze figure of the first lady in 2020 to replace a wooden statue that was damaged after being lit on fire on July 4 of that year.

The statue site is near the first lady’s hometown of Sevnica in central Slovenia.

Artist Brad Downey constructed the bronze version, based on the original wooden statue crafted by conceptual artist Ales Zupevc, aka Maxi.

The damaged wood statue was quickly removed to a museum in Slovenia.

Bronze was chosen for the replacement to ensure it was fireproof.

May 16 (UPI) — A 27-year-old Georgia woman missing nearly three weeks in the California mountains has been found alive, according to authorities.

Tiffany Slaton of Jeffersonville was reported missing by her family on April 29 after they had not heard from her for nine days. She had gone on a solo camping trip in the Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake area on April 20.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the woman was found Wednesday near Lake Edison in a cabin belonging to Vermilion Valley Resort.

According to authorities, the owner of the wilderness resort found her while inspecting the property in preparation for opening it to the public for the summer season.

Snowplows had only cleared nearby roads that day, which permitted the owner to access the property, the sheriff’s office said.

“The owner said he had left a cabin unlocked as a precaution for this exact situation, where someone who is lost could seek shelter and increase their chances of surviving the outdoor elements and harsh weather,” the sheriff’s office said.

After finding Slaton, the unnamed owner contact the sheriff’s office, and deputies drove to meet them.

Slaton was reportedly in good condition, though she was dehydrated. She was transported to a hospital for further treatment, and her family in Georgia has been notified.

“Detectives are now arranging to meet with Tiffany to learn more about her timeline of events and overall experience,” the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.

Vermilion Valley Resort celebrated Slaton’s discovery on social media.

“We are so happy Tiffany is safe! It is amazing what she went through. It is incredible what she has accomplished,” the resort said in a statement. “We went in to open the resort, found her using our cabin and brought her down the mountain to safety.”

The sheriff’s office had launched a search for the woman, during which it was discovered that she had last been seen April 24 at a general store.

From May 6 to Saturday, the sheriff’s search-and-rescue team conducted a full-scale search of the mountains for Slaton that spanned nearly 600 square miles, it said, adding that efforts were hampered by snow.

POLICE have launched a desperate appeal for information after a 17-year-old girl vanished with her baby girl.

Skye Conway was last seen with the infant near Strood town centre at around 7.30pm on Tuesday 14 May 2025.

1

Bold plans to transform the railway system as part of a £1 billion upgrade has garnered heavy criticism as bosses confirm new electrified trains will be missing one specific amenity

Railway plans to transform connectivity in south Wales have sparked heavy backlash amongst locals. Touted as the ‘Welsh Tube‘, the £1 billion mega project – which was first proposed back in 2013 – offers a ground-breaking solution to long waits and traditional timetables stagnating travel in the region.

But upon completion, a 105-mile long network will see 36 brand new tram-trains carry tourists and commuters across the core Valley Lines, linking areas such as Cardiff with Coryton, Rhymney, Aberdare, and Treherbet – with certain journeys running every five minutes in the day. As previously reported, the South Wales Metro project will operate on a colour-coded map and allow passengers to ‘tap in and out’ with contactless payment barriers.

Those living in or around Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, and Treherbert will have access to four trains per hour (every 15 minutes) while those around Caerphilly will get six trains per hour and Pontypridd will see 12 trains per hour (every five minutes) running to the Welsh capital. With new electric tram-trains already starting test runs in the Valleys – the project is nearing its first phase.

READ MORE: UK seaside town abandoned by Butlin’s with posh holiday village now in its place

However, locals weren’t too happy when they discovered the state-of-the-art vehicles did not feature any onboard toilets. According to Wales Online, one person described the lack of loos as ‘absolute madness’, adding: “We certainly are going backward in Wales.”

Another commented: “This is shocking, I have a funny feeling there’s going to be lots of urine on the floor on a Friday and Saturday night,” while a third penned: “People need toilets, what’s with the Welsh government?”

Others were quick to defend the decision, arguing that Tube trains, buses, and cars do not have toilets either. “Some people would whinge about winning the lottery!” one reader fumed. “How many buses have toilets on board?”

Another argued: “If you put toilets in they have to be accessible to all and as a result the area lost to seating and standing is huge. You also have to take the trains out of service to empty the tanks because you can’t just dump it on the tracks anymore. It’s much better to do away with them and have them in fixed locations so they have the space to do it properly and they have proper access to electricity, water and sewerage.”

Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter

When asked about the backlash, a Transport for Wales (TfW) spokesperson told the Mirror that it is currently ‘testing’ a brand-new modern Class 398 tram-trains that will run on electric and battery as part of the South Wales Metro. These will have the ability to run on-street as well as on the rail network, but ‘global rolling stock market’ for this type of train-train with onboard toilets is ‘limited’.

“They are built to quickly move as many people as possible and adding toilets on board would significantly reduce the capacity of the trains,” the spokesperson added. “This type of train is used successfully in other cities within the UK and no other Metro system in the UK runs this type of tram with toilets onboard.

“We want to ensure our passengers still have access to toilet facilities when using our network. To do this, we’re installing 10 new*, fully accessible toilets at key locations across these lines and upgrading our existing station facilities, so that passengers can be confident a toilet will always be available within a 20-minute journey on our network.”

*In addition to the existing toilet facilities across the South Wales Metro area, 10 stations getting new toilets are Abercynon, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Tonypandy, Treherbert, Cwmbach, Llwynypia, Merthyr Vale, Penrhiwceiber and Treorchy.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.