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Former state Sen. Ronald Calderon, once the most powerful member of a politically influential family, was sentenced Friday in Los Angeles to 42 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in a federal corruption case.

The Montebello Democrat, who served in the state Senate for eight years ending in 2014, admitted in a plea deal in June that he had accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from undercover FBI agents and a hospital executive in return for official favors.

Federal prosecutors had asked for a five-year sentence for a charge for which the maximum possible penalty was 20 years. U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder, who handed down the sentence to Calderon, said five years was too severe but that a significant prison sentence was needed to punish Calderon and send a message to other elected officials that corruption will not be tolerated.

“The crime is significant,” she said during the court hearing. “This is a true public corruption case.”

In addition to three and a half years in prison, Calderon was sentenced to one year supervised release and 150 hours of community service, but no fine. Instead of having Calderon taken into custody immediately, Snyder granted him a reprieve, allowing him to surrender to prison officials in January.

“Mr. Calderon betrayed the public trust,” said U.S. Atty. Eileen Decker. “A basic premise of our society is that elected officials will not exchange their votes for monetary gain and that’s what Mr. Calderon did.”

Mark Geragos, Calderon’s attorney, suggested during the court hearing that his client should serve no time in prison. He alleged that the government had entrapped Calderon and raised the former lawmaker’s poor health. The former state senator’s legacy has been ruined by his guilty plea in the case, he added.

“This is going to be the opening paragraph of his obituary, unfortunately,” Geragos told Snyder.

When Snyder rebuffed Geragos’ appeal and said Calderon needed to spend some amount of time behind bars, Geragos switched tactics, asking her to consider a two-year sentence.

Striking a defiant tone throughout, Calderon, 59, refused to admit any wrongdoing or to apologize.

“My goal was always to do the right thing for California,” he said. “At no point did I intend to break the law.”

Faced with the prospect of going to trial on nearly two dozen charges that could have sent him to prison for many years, Calderon said he had been put in a “tough situation” when the government proposed its plea agreement.

He said he ultimately decided to plead guilty to one count of mail fraud in order to spare his family the ordeal of a trial, but persisted in his innocence, saying he never agreed to any quid pro quo to benefit himself or his family.

Calderon, his voice wavering with emotion at times, then told Snyder of the toll the case has taken on him and his family, saying he had “learned a hard lesson.”

Unemployed and tens of thousands of dollars in debt, he said he was not only banned from running for public office again but had been stripped of his real estate license and had been unable to get a job. His wife, he said, would likely have to declare bankruptcy and sell their house.

“I had so much potential for life after politics,” he bemoaned.

Professional relationships had been ruined as had his relationship with his brother, he said.

“My reputation is destroyed,” Calderon said.

Snyder was unmoved.

“I did not really hear Sen. Calderon accept responsibility or apologize,” she said. “It was really about himself.”

Snyder said that after listening to Calderon she was tempted to tack on several months to his sentence, but chose to stick with the 42 months.

Calderon learned his fate a month after his brother former state Assemblyman Tom Calderon was sentenced to a year in federal custody for laundering bribes taken by his brother.

Updates from Sacramento »

As part of the plea, Ronald Calderon admitted accepting trips to Las Vegas, jobs for his adult son and daughter and cash for him and Tom Calderon.

In exchange, Calderon advocated for legislation that would help a hospital owner. He also acknowledged that he had pushed for a law to give tax credits to independent films while an undercover FBI agent posing as a film producer showered him with bribes.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Mack E. Jenkins wrote a blistering brief urging the federal judge for a prison sentence for the former state senator, who had asked to be allowed to serve time in home detention or be released after the brief time he already served in jail.

“Here, defendant’s trafficking in his legislative votes (for, by contrast, over $150,000 in benefits) caused a reverberation of negative effects throughout California and put a stain not just on his career, but on the reputation of the state legislature,” Jenkins wrote.

“Here, defendant sold his vote not just to help pay for the expenses of living beyond his means, but for the more banal and predictable aims of corruption — fancy luxuries, fancy parties and fancy people,” Jenkins wrote, attaching to the file a photo Calderon took with rappers Nelly and T.I. at a Las Vegas event.

The Calderon family was a political dynasty for decades in California. A third brother, former Assemblyman Charles Calderon, was not implicated in the corruption scandal. Ronald Calderon’s nephew Ian Calderon is a state assemblyman and the last family member in state elected office. He was not alleged to have any part in the scheme.

The indictment of Ronald Calderon in 2014 was part of an ugly chapter for the state Senate, which saw two other members also suspended after being charged with crimes.

Former Democratic Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco was sentenced in February to five years in prison for doing political favors in exchange for campaign cash in a separate scheme. Former Democratic state Sen. Roderick D. Wright served a brief jail sentence in 2014 after he was convicted of eight felony counts, including perjury and voting fraud, for lying about living in his state Senate district.

Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) said Friday that with the sentencing of Calderon, “the Senate can close the book on a very dark period in its history.

“But its lesson will not be forgotten — that those who seek to trade a sacred trust for self-enrichment will be disgraced and punished,” he added. “There is no room for corruption in this house of democracy.

Good government advocates, including Kathay Feng of California Common Cause, were generally supportive of the judge’s decision. “The sentence of three [and a half] years sends a message that bribery does not pay,” Feng said.

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), whose district overlapped Calderon’s and who had been first to call on Calderon to resign, said, “Today, our community received some justice for his crimes,” She added that the “dark cloud over our community will live with us longer than” Calderon serves in prison.

Patrick McGreevy reported from Sacramento and Joel Rubin reported from Los Angeles.

[email protected]; [email protected]

Follow @mcgreevy99 and @joelrubin on Twitter

ALSO

Sen. Ron Calderon surrenders to authorities in corruption case

Ex-Assemblyman Tom Calderon is sentenced to a year in federal custody in bribery case

Former state Sen. Ron Calderon’s guilty plea in corruption case marks blow to political dynasty

UPDATES:

4:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional quotes.

A BRITISH grandad has revealed how he was shackled to a wife-and-child killer during his horror months locked up by the Taliban.

Peter Reynolds and his wife Barbie, 76, were arrested in February and dragged through ten different jails in Afghanistan, sometimes held in cages and sometimes split apart, with weeks spent in solitary confinement.

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Peter, who spent his 80th birthday behind bars instead of celebrating with his family in the US, told The Sunday Times: “We felt huge powerlessness.

“We were told we were guests. But when I was taken to court, I had my ankles and hands cuffed together with murderers and rapists.”

At one point, the grandfather found himself shackled to a man who had murdered his own wife and three children.

Peter and Barbie were finally freed this week, flown out on a Qatari aircraft and back to Heathrow on Saturday, where they reunited with their family after months of agony.

The couple’s release came after months of behind-the-scenes mediation led by Qatar, whose diplomats in Kabul arranged medication, doctors and calls with their family.

Footage showed the pair smiling as they finally boarded a flight out of Afghanistan.

They had lived in Afghanistan since 2007, running a community project called Rebuild.

They were among the few foreigners who chose to remain after the Taliban seized back power four years ago, settling in the mountainous Bamiyan region — better known for the giant Buddhas destroyed by the regime in 2001.

The couple, who first married in Kabul in 1970, insisted they had lived peacefully for years without trouble from the authorities.

Barbie described watching her husband struggle into a police truck with his hands and ankles chained as the “worst moment.”

The pair endured months of solitary confinement, a basement cell with no windows, and illness from “oily and salty” prison food.

Meals were scarce and left them sick. Barbie, who suffers from anaemia, grew weaker by the day.

Peter, who has a heart condition, often went without the beta blockers he relies on after a mini-stroke last year.

He is believed to have suffered a silent heart attack while in custody.

At one stage they were transferred to the Taliban’s intelligence HQ and locked in an underground cell, cut off from sunlight and phones.

UN human rights experts later warned their health was deteriorating so rapidly that they were at risk of “irreparable harm or even death.”

The couple insist they had done nothing wrong.

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The Taliban later claimed they had “violated Afghan laws” but gave no details.

And a search of their home and staff turned up nothing.

They were originally detained alongside their American friend Faye Hall, who was freed in March after a court order.

But the Reynoldses remained locked up for another five months with no explanation.

At one point, relatives back in Britain said they were “pretty frustrated” after repeated pleas to Taliban officials went ignored.

Back in Britain, the couple are exhausted but jubilant.

Barbie wants salad and Marmite, while Peter wants baked beans.

But most of all, they want time with the grandchildren they feared they’d never hug again.

“It is a mystery how or why we have been released,” said Peter.

“There’s a lot to process. I’m looking forward to listening to our family’s narrative of all that has unfolded in the last eight months.”

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AN ELDERLY Brit couple wrongfully jailed by the Taliban for eight months have finally been freed.

Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, were snatched by Taliban thugs and tossed into Afghanistan’s most notorious prison.

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The parents-of-four had lived in Afghanistan for 18 years managing training projects – but were kidnapped on February 1 with no explanation.

They were locked up separately at the maximum security Pul-e-Charkhi in Kabul, and later moved to an underground cell beneath the Taliban‘s intelligence HQ.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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JIMMY Kimmel has fans wondering what’s next for the nighttime talk show host as his multi-million-dollar contract is set to expire.

ABC suspended its long-running show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely following his ill-received remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder.

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A permanent decision has yet to be made about the program’s fate, although Jimmy has been ordered to publicly apologize to Charlie’s family if he wants to get the show back on the air.

It appears that the outcome might be in Jimmy’s hands, as he could take the bait and issue an apology, or walk away altogether.

According to numerous outlets, Jimmy’s $48 million contract with Disney, which owns ABC, is set to end in 2026.

The network also reportedly wants to keep Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which Jimmy hosts, going, despite the New York native’s controversial comments.

As of this publishing, Jimmy hasn’t shared a statement in response to ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its weeknight lineup.

However, many notable celebrities have shown that they’re in Jimmy’s corner, such as Ben Stiller, Jean Smart, and Wanda Sykes, who argued that the host was wrongly penalized for exercising his freedom of speech rights.

On the other hand, President Donald Trump was thrilled about the show’s suspension, calling it “great news for America,” in a post on Truth Social.

He also claimed that Jimmy had “zero talent” and that the show’s ratings were “horrible.”

The abrupt halt of Jimmy Kimmel Live! came months after CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which had been on the air for a decade.

This leaves a glaring uncertainty for the future of late-night TV, especially given the frequent criticism of Trump’s leadership by many nighttime hosts.

Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, who host The Tonight Show and Late Night with Seth Meyers, respectively, have also frequently scrutinized the president on their shows.

Both hosts’ contracts with NBCUniversal are up in 2028.

The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed on Thursday that Jimmy’s crew was “blindsided” by the sudden suspension, which occurred on Wednesday night.

It happened less than 48 hours after Jimmy’s Monday night monologue, in which he claimed that the so-called “MAGA gang” was trying to score points off of Charlie’s assassination.

Current Late-Night Shows

Late-night shows have become a staple on American television, filled with humorous takes on news, interviews with guests, and music performances.

• Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC
• Late Night with Seth Meyers, NBC
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NBC
• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS
• After Midnight, CBS
• Watch What Happens Live, Bravo
• The Daily Show, Comedy Central
• Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO

Charlie was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking to students at Utah Valley University.

His suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, was arrested three days later and charged with murder.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was replaced on Wednesday with Celebrity Family Feud hosted by Steve Harvey.

During that time slot on Friday, a Charlie Kirk tribute special will air on Sinclair’s ABC affiliate stations.

Jimmy has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its debut in 2003, making him one of the longest-running hosts in late-night television.

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MILLIONS of households are facing a £100 rise in their energy bills next year due to the Government’s net zero policies, according to new analysis.

Energy analysts Cornwall Insight said changes being made to push the country towards net zero will fuel a rise in energy bills for the average household.

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It predicted the changes will add more than £100 to the energy price cap in April 2026 compared with January.

The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy and standing charge, and it’s updated every three months.

Cornwall Insight said bills will increase for households because of the cost of connecting new wind and solar farms, the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power station, and upgrades to the gas networks.

It also suggested further rises will follow later because of the construction of pylon lines, underground cables and substations.

It means households are likely to be paying more for their energy at a time when inflation remains high and many are struggling with the cost of living.

The UK has legally committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

This means the total amount of emissions produced is equal to or less than the amount removed from the atmosphere. 

But the Government is having to balance this with extra costs to households up and down the country.

Ahead of the election, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband had pledged to cut household energy bills by £300 by 2030.

He repeated that promise again last month.

Cornwall Insight’s Dr Craig Lowrey said investing in renewables would eventually reduce bills and it was necessary in the long run.

But he said: “Rising energy bills are never welcome, and this latest view of transmission charges – although only indicative – will add yet another cost to the long list of pressures on household finances.”

The average energy bill for a dual-fuel home is currently £1,720 per year.

However the energy price cap is set to rise at the beginning of October, bringing it to £1,755.

Yet another rise is expected in January because of seasonal increases in wholesale costs.

The £100 bill increase predicted by Cornwall Insight is unrelated to the wholesale cost of gas.

The experts say it’s due to the cost of maintaining and expanding the UK’s power grid.

It said electricity network costs alone would add £30 a year, and this will rise to £50 a year by 2028.

Meanwhile green levies will add another £18, including £12 of advance payments for building Sizewell C.

Upgrading the gas network, which is partly needed to accommodate the introduction of green hydrogen, will add another £53.

Cornwall Insight said the bill increases were “not totally unexpected but highlight potential further financial pressures than households will face”.

It’s expected households will end up paying higher standing charges.

A standing charge is a fixed daily fee added to your energy bill, charged by your supplier regardless of how much energy you use.

Increasing standing charges is controversial as households aren’t able to avoid paying them.

While you could bring down your energy bills by cutting down on how much energy you use, there isn’t a way of reducing the cost of a standing charge.

This can leave struggling households forced to pay extra.

Ofgem has said households will later feel the benefit of an expanded electricity network through their bills, but this will take time.

Dr Lowrey said: “These costs are not just another item to tag onto the bill, they are essential to the long-term security and affordability of Great Britain’s energy system.

“For years, households have been at the mercy of global energy markets, with prices soaring and crashing in response to events happening thousands of miles away. It’s unpredictable, and it’s ultimately unsustainable.

“Investing in Britain’s transmission network means building a cleaner, more resilient energy system – one powered by renewables grown right here at home. Yes, it will take time. Yes, it will cost money. But every pound we invest today is a step toward a future where our energy is not only greener, but also more secure and, in time, more affordable.

“People rightly expect renewables to bring bills down, and they will. But first, we need to lay the foundations. There are a lot of costs involved in the transition, but the costs of doing nothing will be far greater.”

Help with energy bills

If you are struggling with your energy bill then there is plenty of support on offer.

For example, the Winter Fuel Allowance offers £300 to pensioners to help cover the cost of their heating during colder months.

Around 75% of pensioners are expected to receive the support this year, after Labour U-turned on the tighter eligibility criteria it announced last winter.

Struggling families can also get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF).

Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need.

Exactly how much you can get and how the money will be paid depends on your council and situation.

Plus, thousands of households will receive the Warm Home Discount, which is worth £150.

The discount is given to households on a low-income or claiming certain benefits, such as Universal Credit.

It is not paid as cash and is instead applied as credit to your energy bill.

If you are falling behind on your energy bill then you can also get help through your energy supplier.

British Gas has announced a £140million support package to help customers facing financial hardship.

This includes free energy grants, tailored support for households and small business customers and funding for advice centres and charities.

It has also launched You Pay: We Pay, which gives households the opportunity to have their payments matched by British Gas for a period of six months.

Octopus Energy’s £30million Octo Assist fund is designed to help customers keep on top of their energy bills.

It includes free electric blankets, Winter Fuel Payments and standing charge waivers.

EDF’s Customer Support Fund gives grants and help to vulnerable customers who are struggling with energy debt.

It can support customers with electricity or gas bill debts, and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.

ALL medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and even herbal remedies, have the potential to cause side effects.

But experts have warned weight loss jab users to pay real attention to any side effects they experience, as they could actually be signalling deadly cancer, as Dawn Clegg tragically found out.

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The 51-year-old, from Morecambe, Lancashire, had been using Mounjaro to treat her diabetes, but in March this year, she began suffering from chest pain, which she initially put down to a side effect of the jabs.

When the pain persisted, she headed to A&E before doctors made a shocking discovery.

After undergoing several X-rays, doctors spotted shadows on her lungs, kidneys and breast, and she was diagnosed with soft-tissue cancer, known as sarcoma.

Dawn was then given the life-shattering news that she had less than a year to live.

Her heartbroken husband, Arron Clegg, 51, is planning to hold a “living wake” in November to celebrate the life of his wife.

He said: “We were devastated on hearing news of cancer in these areas – there is no cure and she is now terminal.”

Weight loss expert at The Lagom Clinic, Dr Jack Ogden, said he has also been made aware of a fat jab user mistaking symptoms of cancer for side effects, though they weren’t linked to the clinic.

He tells Sun Health: “As a clinician, hearing about cases like this is always sobering. It reinforces how easy it is for both patients and healthcare professionals to attribute symptoms to the most obvious cause.

“In this case, weight loss injections, when something more serious may be underlying.”

The fat jab user, a 52-year-old who remains anonymous, began experiencing persistent fatigue, feeling full quickly, and mild nausea while on a GLP-1 weight loss injection.

They initially assumed these symptoms were routine side effects, but they persisted beyond the expected two to three-week adjustment period.

Further investigation by their GP revealed a diagnosis of stage two stomach cancer – which isn’t very common in the UK but can be deadly.

When detected early, stomach cancer has a high chance of being cured.

But it’s often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, which makes it harder to treat and means survival rates can be low.

Dr Ogden said: “It’s important to monitor persistent symptoms, keep a log of side effects, and seek prompt medical advice if anything unusual arises.”

So what cancer symptoms could people mistake for the side effects of fat jabs?

Here, a team of experts offer their life-saving advice…

THE SYMPTOMS YOU MUST NOT IGNORE

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THERE are more than 200 different types of cancer, and they all have different signs and symptoms.

While some affect specific areas of the body, symptoms can be more general and similar to those caused by less serious conditions or medication side effects.

Superintendent pharmacist at pharmica.co.uk, Ana Carolina Goncalves, said symptoms such as persistent indigestion, heartburn and abdominal pain are potential side effects of weight loss injections, but could also be signs of liver, bladder, pancreatic or stomach cancer.

She says: “Thyroid swelling or a lump in the neck might be dismissed as an injection side effect, but it could also indicate thyroid cancer.

“The risk of thyroid swelling has been confirmed as a potential side effect by the manufacturers of both Mounjaro and Wegovy.

“And nausea is another common side effect of weight loss jabs that can also indicate liver, bladder or pancreatic cancer.

“There’s a lot of overlap between the symptoms of different organ cancers (like liver and pancreatic cancer) because they affect similar areas of the body.

“This can make identification of cancer symptoms difficult, especially when side effects of weight loss injections are also present.”

It’s also important to note that while use of the jabs results in weight loss, sudden, unexplained, unintentional, and significant (more than 5 per cent of your body weight in six to 12 months) weight loss could be a red flag for cancer.

HOW TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

THERE’S not always an easy way to tell the difference between cancer symptoms and weight loss side effects.

It depends on the symptoms you experience, says Ms Goncalves.

She explains: “High levels of acid reflux or heartburn that persist even after you’ve stopped weight loss injections should definitely be looked into by a doctor or GP.

“Also, a lump in the neck, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing could indicate thyroid cancer.

“It’s not possible to fully tell on your own, so you should consult your doctor or GP if you experience these symptoms.”

WHAT’S THE RISK?

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KEVIN Joshua, clinical lead at Juniper, an online healthcare provider, says while it’s not very common, confusing symptoms and side effects are a real risk.

He warns: “The danger is that someone may put persistent or worsening symptoms down to the medication, rather than seeing their GP.

“That missed time can make all the difference in cancer treatment and survival.”

Ms Gonclaves adds: “Cancer caught early is far easier to treat. If people assume ongoing pain, nausea or weight loss is just a side effect, they may only get checked once the cancer is more advanced – and that can be life-threatening.

“Given the increasing use of weight loss injections in the UK, the potential for confusion is likely growing, especially for cancer symptoms that overlap with common injection side effects.

“However, there’s currently no large-scale study that estimates how frequently cancer symptoms are misattributed to jabs.

“But it’s important to note the safety of Wegovy and Mounjaro has been proven in clinical trials, and they are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for weight management in the UK.”

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

IF you experience any symptoms after starting weight loss jabs, Dr Ogden recommends you do the following:

1. Track your symptoms – keep a daily log noting timing, intensity, and duration.
2. Monitor persistence – common side effects usually settle within two to three weeks.
3. Note severity changes – sudden worsening or new symptoms are red flags.
4. Consult a healthcare professional promptly – don’t wait to see if symptoms pass if they are unusual or severe.
5. Communicate openly – share your symptom log with your GP or specialist for accurate assessment.

Weight loss injections can be safe and effective, but awareness and careful monitoring are essential, added Dr Ogden.

“Early detection of serious issues can save lives and prevent complications.”

The majority of common side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin redness or fatigue, can be managed with adequate hydration, dietary choices, and over‑the‑counter medication.

Ms Goncalves advises: “You can try eating smaller meals, and using herbal teas or oral rehydration salts to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms.

“You should drink fluids regularly to ensure you are hydrated.”

But you should seek medical help if symptoms are severe, continue for more than a few weeks, or are linked with alarm signs like vomiting blood, blood in stools, jaundice, unexplained weight loss or a lump.

“These should never be written off as ‘just the jab’,” said Mr Joshua.

The Greek government is considering extending a ban on short-term rentals. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at the Thessaloniki International Fair, spoke on the topic of holiday lets

Holidays to parts of Greece may soon get a little trickier if Athens goes ahead with a new crackdown.

The Greek government is considering extending restrictions on short-term rentals to alleviate the strain on the nation’s property market. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at the Thessaloniki International Fair, said that the possibility of prolonging the ban on new short-term lets in three Athens districts for another year was under consideration.

He also suggested that the ban could be expanded to other regions of the country. To incentivize more property owners to switch from short- to long-term leases, a three-year tax exemption would also be extended in proposed legislation.

“I am open to extending the ban on the inclusion of new homes in short-term rentals outside of Attica, to other popular destinations, and it is something we will decide on in the next one to two months,” the prime minister said.

“The problem has arisen in recent years and is a result of a rapidly growing economy. The problem for the tenant is a benefit for the landlord. We need to see both sides.”

The abundance of holiday lets in the Mediterranean country is causing issues in the housing market. According to ekathimerini.com, official 2024 statistics indicate that the average number of properties available for short-term rentals per 1,000 permanent residents in Greece is 46.

READ MORE: Europe’s ‘best walking destination’ is also one of the cheapest for holidaysREAD MORE: Huge £400million UK water park set to open with 30 water slides

In the Cyclades, this figure rises to 611 per 1,000 residents, while in the Ionian Islands it stands at 340, and in the Dodecanese at 125.

The Greek government has been wrestling with a surge in short-term lets, driven by platforms like Airbnb, and the urgent need for local housing, reports the Express.

When the ban on short-term rental licences was announced in 2024, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni cautioned that it could be extended beyond a year. The ban came into effect on January 1.

Tourism brings in billions for Greece, with the country’s beaches, hot weather and warm seas attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. During the nation’s debt crisis following the 2008–09 financial meltdown, residential property values crashed by 42%.

They have since bounced back to the extent where homeownership has become an unlikely prospect for some residents trying to climb onto the property ladder. Estate agent Engel & Völkers Germany reports that Greek prices have kept climbing since hitting rock bottom in 2017, with this upward trajectory persisting throughout this year.

The estate agent has noted that Greece still provides “affordable” and “moderate” pricing compared to other European destinations.

Engel & Völkers, highlighting the dilemma facing the Greek administration, indicated that predictions for the coming year stay “positive”. It continued: “Greece is increasingly positioning itself as a safe and value-stable destination for investments in vacation and lifestyle properties.”

In June Mr Mitsotakis made a commitment to address overcrowding and manage the number of visitors on the country’s islands, including limiting the number of cruise ships allowed to dock.

Mr Mitsotakis acknowledged that the Cycladic Islands were “clearly suffering”, amid complaints from locals about the effect on their daily lives and the cost of living, according to Bloomberg reports.

The Greek Prime Minister has highlighted Santorini as the “most sensitive” to overcrowding, with around 800 cruise ships docking last year, closely followed by Mykonos with 750 in 2023.

In April last year, Athens was rocked by furious protests, with demonstrators reportedly shouting: “They are taking our houses while they live in the Maldives”.

Evelyn Plummer, the soap battle axe played by Dame Maureen Lipman, returned to Coronation Street on Friday after several months away as she helped celebrate Swarla’s engagement

Evelyn Plummer returned to Coronation Street on Friday after several months away.

The battleaxe, who is played by Dame Maureen Lipman, was last seen on the ITV soap for a brief appearance in March, but has mostly been away at university.

On Friday night, fans were delighted to see her make a return as she appeared in the hospital and bumped into Roy Cropper (David Neilson) as he was waiting for an appointment to get his bad back checked out.

In typical Evelyn style, she stormed down the hospital ward with a girl in a wheelchair, who was dressed as legendary painter Frida Kahlo for freshers’ week, as she complained about how complicated the signage was.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans predict history-making plot for anniversary as Swarla engagedREAD MORE: Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman getting married this weekend after proposing on train

She fumed: “I’m telling you, I am a highly intelligent woman and this signage is a challenge to me! Oh Roy!” When she explained that the girl with her had sustained an ankle injury whilst partying, she asked Roy what he was doing there.

She suggested ‘bobbing about on a beach ball’ to ameliorate his bad back as she said: “It’s all the rage in halls, nobody sits on a chair anymore!”

In the next scene, Evelyn explained that her fellow university student had had an allergic reaction to the glue she had used to secure her fake eyebrows on so was being kept in overnight.

Roy told Evelyn of the happy news that Carla Connor and Lisa Swain had got engaged and that they would soon be celebrating at the Bistro, so Evelyn promptly invited herself along. Carla was thrilled to see that Roy had made it to the party having already asked him to walk her down the aisle, and Evelyn threw her coat at her as she said: “We bumped into each other in the hospital!”

Carla said she she hoped it was ‘nothing serious’ but couldn’t have been less interested in the response. Evelyn then dropped a huge hint for someone to buy her a drink and asked for a double brandy.

She added: “Mind you, should I have a drink on an empty stomach?” as Nick offered to get her something from the kitchen. As she continued to gatecrash the proceedings, she said: “This is quite sophisticated for Weathefield.

“We’ve got loads of lesbians at uni! Gay weddings are two a penny. A month ago, we had a throuple handfasting, yep! That was nice.”

This all came after Carla and Lisa had already been dealt with a whole load of drama when a girl claiming to be Tia Wardley turned up on the scene, although all was not as it seemed.

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

HAVING struggled to lose weight for years, it was a simple diet change that finally helped Emma Dennison to shed the pounds.

But with her huge weight loss came a big surprise – hiding under her loose skin.

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Emma had tried to lose weight for years without success.

And after a catastrophic knee injury left her unable to exercise, she decided it was time to give up.

The 42-year-old weighed more than 20 stone, and as her size grew, her self-esteem shrank.

“I wasn’t always big. I was a bit heavier in school, but I stayed active through university,” she said.

“Then in 2006, I completely blew out my knee. I was in a full cast for eight months. That’s when the weight started creeping on.

“It wasn’t that I was eating junk all day – I just ate too much. And food became my comfort when life felt overwhelming.

“I didn’t recognise myself in the mirror. I’d stopped shopping for clothes I liked. I always had to go to the ‘fat shop,’ and even then, I hated everything. I stopped being in photos. I’d take a thousand of my kids and husband, but I’d avoid the camera.”

Emma is a full-time sheep farmer and mum to Henry, now ten, and Thomas, 8.

Her life never slowed down and she struggled with emotional eating and portion control.

When Emma and her husband Mervyn, from Tipperary, Ireland, began trying for a third baby, she didn’t suspect her weight might be a factor.

She said: “All my hormone levels were fine, but we tried for two years and nothing happened. Eventually, I just said, ‘That’s it. We’ve got two beautiful boys. It’s not meant to be.’”

With the baby dream put to rest, Emma decided it was finally time to focus on her health and gave the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan a go, a programme that mixes meal replacements and normal food with consultant support.

Starting the plan in September 2021, Emma steadily lost weight.

She said: “By May, I was down nearly six stone. Then the scales stopped moving. I was confused. Until that point, I had been consistently losing weight.”

THEN CAME A SURPRISE…

“One night, just for the craic, I took a pregnancy test. I was sure it would be negative… but it wasn’t,” she recalled.

“I was sitting on the toilet at half eleven at night, staring at it thinking, ‘Oh my God. I’m pregnant.’ I didn’t want to wake Mervyn so I lay awake half the night thinking about how I would tell him.”

When she saw the doctor the next day, the news got even more shocking.

“He said, ‘Emma, you’re not just pregnant – you’re already 15 weeks along.’ The weight loss had hidden my bump under loose skin”, she says. Her third pregnancy, Emma says, was worlds apart from her previous two.

“I had no Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. I was active right up to the end. Two days before my C-section, I was shearing sheep. I honestly believe losing weight made the difference. I felt strong and capable for the first time in years.”

After giving birth to her miracle baby Alistair two years ago, Emma focused on expressing milk, a goal she hadn’t achieved with her older sons.

“I was constantly hungry while expressing. A lot of the weight went back on, but I didn’t panic. I knew I had a plan,” she said.

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She returned to the 1:1 Diet in May 2023, and by December had lost the additional weight, reaching a total loss of eight stone.

Emma now fluctuates comfortably between a size 12 and 14.

She said: “Size 10 doesn’t suit me. I’m curvy and that’s okay. I’m in my 40s now, not my 20s. I want to be healthy, strong, and confident.”

One of the biggest changes came when she began to love fashion again.

She said: “I remember walking into a shop and picking up a top, knowing it would fit. I sat in the car afterwards and cried. That was a freedom I hadn’t felt in years.”

Since then, Emma has become a 1:1 consultant herself, training up while on maternity leave so she can help others see a similar transformation.

And her proudest moment came when she completed Couch to 5k – something her 14-year-old self never imagined.

She said: “I was forced to run a 1,500m race in school. I came dead last – and I mean a long way last. People laughed. When I hit 5k, I thought, ‘Up yours’ to every single one of them.

“Losing weight gave me back my fertility, my health, my confidence and my identity. And I no longer hide from the camera.” 

Aug. 30 (UPI) — Spirit Airlines announced it filed for bankruptcy, less than six months after emerging from Chapter 11 reorganization.

The budget carrier said Friday it is “executing a comprehensive restructuring of the airline to position the business for long-term success.” The company filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

After the filing, the South Florida-headquartered airline assured customers the carrier will continue service to most current locations.

“The most important thing to know is that Spirit continues to operate and offer high-value travel options,” Spirit said in a letter to all guests. “This means you can continue to book and travel with Spirit.

“Our flights continue to operate normally. You can use tickets, credits and loyalty points. You can continue to benefit from our Free Spirit loyalty program, Saver$ Club perks and credit card terms.”

Wages and benefits will continue for employees and contractors. Also, Spirit intends to pay vendors and suppliers for goods and services provided on or after the filing date.

“Our Team Members remain focused on offering you a safe journey, with excellent service and an elevated experience,” the airline told guests.

After emerging from bankruptcy the first time, Spirit said it planned to furlough about 270 pilots and downgrade some 140 captains to first officers between Oct. 1 and Nov. 1.

The total number of employees is 11,000.

Reorganization plans are focused on four areas:

• Redesigning its network to “focus its flying on key markets to provide more destinations, frequencies and enhanced connectivity in its focus cities.” That includes ending service in certain markets.
• Rightsizing fleet size “to match capacity with profitable demand in line with the redesigned network. This will significantly lower Spirit’s debt and lease obligations and is projected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual operating savings.”
• Addressing cost structure “to build on its industry-leading cost model by pursuing further efficiencies across the business.”
• Offering three new travel options of Spirit First, Premium Economy and Value. “Spirit will take full advantage of its lower costs to offer consumers more of what they want — value at every price point,” the airline said.

In March, Spirit said it was “emerging as a stronger and more focused airline” after declaring bankruptcy on Nov. 18 after poor quarterly performances. Spirit had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020 with revenue severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the first bankruptcy, the airline received a $350 million equity investment from existing investors to support Spirit’s future initiatives. The airline emerged from its financial restructuring, completing a transaction that equitizes approximately $795 million of funded debt.

Common shares will now be traded on the over-the-counter market and delisted from the NYSE American Stock Exchange.

After emerging from the first bankruptcy, Spirit said Ted Christie would remain as chief executive but two months later, David Davis, 58, was named president and CEO. He most recently worked as the chief financial officer and a board member of Sun Country Airlines.

“Since emerging from our previous restructuring, which was targeted exclusively on reducing Spirit’s funded debt and raising equity capital, it has become clear that there is much more work to be done and many more tools are available to best position Spirit for the future,” Davis said. “After thoroughly evaluating our options and considering recent events and the market pressures facing our industry, our Board of Directors decided that a court-supervised process is the best path forward to make the changes needed to ensure our long-term success.

“We have evaluated every corner of our business and are proceeding with a comprehensive approach in which we will be far more strategic about our fleet, markets and opportunities in order to best serve our Guests, Team Members and other stakeholders.”

After the airline released its quarterly report earlier this month, Spirit revealed that it had “substantial doubt” about its ability to stay in business over the next year, citing “adverse market conditions.” It reported a net loss of $245.8 million for the second quarter of 2025. Revenue was $1.02 billion, down 20% from the previous year.

The carrier rejected repeated acquisition proposals from rival discounter Frontier Airlines and in January 2024, JetBlue’s purchase plans of the rival airline were rejected by antitrust regulators.

Spirit has 550 daily flights to 77 destinations, through the United States, the Caribbean and South America.

In terms of market share, Spirit is 4.4%. Delta Airlines is No. 1 at 17.9%, followed by American Airlines at 17.3%, Southwest Airlines at 16.3% and United Airlines at 16.2%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation statistics from June 2024 to May.

Spirit’s main hub is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Its two other major hubs: Orlando International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

A former Coronation Street star is set to make his debut in Casualty tonight less than a year after leaving the Manchester based soap three years after joining

A former Coronation Street star is set to star in rival BBC soap Casualty less than a year after leaving the Manchester based soap.

Bill Fellows, who played Stu Carpenter in Corrie, is set to star in tonight’s episode of Casualty, starring as pharmacy delivery driver, Terry. It comes a few months after it was announced that Fellows would be making a guest stint in the soap.

The star is set for a dramatic storyline, with his character set to be brutally attacked by a gang during the delivery, spoilers reveal. It comes after last week’s dramatic events, in which it was revealed that pharmacist Sunny was stealing missing morphine.

READ MORE: BBC Casualty’s Sammy T Dobson ‘hounded’ with messages from fans after ‘brutal’ scenesREAD MORE: Coronation Street’s Carla Connor taken aback by Betsy Swain’s emotional admission

Things are set to take a darker turn, as spoilers reveal that Rash finds out all – as Sunny explains she’s been doing it to protect her son Jake, who has been groomed by the gang.

It later unravels that Terry’s injuries are due to Sunny telling the gang about the drop-off, but how will things unfold?

The star teased his dramatic role back in February, where he posted a selfie of himself wearing an NHS pass around his neck with the caption: “Another day , Another Casualty.” Days later, he posted an image of himself with special effect make up that showed him with arm and head injuries.

The character of Terry is a far cry from his role as Stu in Coronation Street. ITV fans will remember the character joining the soap in 2021, later growing close to Yasmeen, and becoming a chef at Speed Daal.

However, in 2024, the character decided to leave the street and head to Germany for a fresh start with his granddaughter.

During his three years on the soap, Billy’s character Stu had been involved in a number of hard hitting storylines, including homelessness and wrongful imprisonment.

The character was previously imprisoned for 27 years for the death of Charlie Walter. It was later confirmed that it was actually his daughter Bridget that was responsible for the death. Stu took in his granddaughter Eliza, and later left for Germany with her.

Speaking about his departure at the time, Bill said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with Stu’s character.

“He started as a man struggling to survive, and now he’s a man who has rebuilt his life, found love, and made a difference. It’s been a complete story arc, and I’m pleased with how it’s all come together.”

He later said it had been ‘surreal’ to work alongside legends such as William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow. “Growing up, I watched it with my family, so being part of it has been surreal,” he said. “I’ve worked alongside legends like William Roache, and it’s been an incredible experience.”

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

Gogglebox fan favourite Georgia Bell has had fans sending their support after she shared an emotional announcement online

A cherished Gogglebox favourite has received overwhelming support from devoted viewers following her heartfelt family revelation.

Georgia Bell initially appeared on the Channel 4 programme in 2018 alongside best mate Abbie Lynn. It’s safe to say the pair quickly won over audiences with their infectious charm.

Throughout the years, Georgia and Abbie – who reside in Durham – have left viewers in hysterics with their brilliant quips and amusing commentary on television’s finest moments.

Beyond the programme, hairdresser Georgia is a devoted mother to two boys, Hugh – who arrived in July 2022 – and Ralphie – who was born in November 2024 – with partner Josh Newby, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Recently, Georgia expressed her melancholy in a touching family revelation. Posting to her Instagram account, the Channel 4 personality shared multiple photographs of baby Ralphie.

In her message, she disclosed to followers: “Maternity leave comes to an end tomorrow. An absolute rollercoaster it’s been, transitioning to a family of 5 welcoming our little Ralphie into the world.

“I feel like l’ve learnt so much more to motherhood this time round and I couldn’t feel any luckier to have our perfect little family.

“There’s been so many highs, absolute chaos, laughs, tears, tantrums and most importantly unconditional love.”

Delivering a relationship update, Georgia continued: “Even having more time with Hugh has been so special we have two happy and healthy boys and that’s all I could ever wish for. Onto the next chapter.”

Supporters quickly filled the comments section with messages of encouragement for Georgia. One fan penned: “It will be difficult you got this you have a beautiful family love watching your stories.xx.”

Another chimed in: “All the best in your new chapter, it will be worth it as you have an evening of family time together, with new conversations and new routines. You will be fine.”

Her Gogglebox colleague Abbie also expressed her admiration, stating: “Extremely proud of you Ge! You are the bestest mama to the most beautiful boys!”.

Gogglebox series 26 is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 5th, 2025, on Channel 4.

SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 25 (UPI) — After spending nearly two months unable to leave Antarctica with his aircraft, American pilot and influencer Ethan Guo, 19, is set to return to Punta Arenas aboard an icebreaker in early September.

Chilean authorities said Guo altered his flight plan and landed without authorization on the continent June 1, and they forced his small aircraft to remain at the Chilean air base in Antarctica at which he set down.

Officials said Guo was not barred from leaving, but he chose to stay at the base until the dispute was resolved. Prosecutors argued that the 19-year-old American influencer broke “multiple national and international regulations” by changing his flight plans without prior notice and landing in a sector of Antarctica claimed by Chile.

“Ethan Guo will board the icebreaker Almirante Viel in early September, which will allow him to return to Punta Arenas. I want to thank the Chilean Navy for helping resolve this humanitarian problem, because he had no way to leave Antarctica other than flying his own aircraft, which was not authorized,” his lawyer, Jaime Barrientos, told UPI.

Since 2024, Guo has led the campaign “Flight Against Cancer,” aiming to become the first pilot to fly solo across all seven continents in a Cessna 182Q, while raising $1 million for childhood cancer research after his cousin was diagnosed with the disease.

On June 28, Guo took off from Punta Arenas, bound for Ushuaia, Argentina, but changed course due to weather and landed instead at Teniente Marsh Air Base on King George Island, about 745 miles away.

Chilean officials said he filed a flight plan to depart from Punta Arenas, which he later failed to follow. By changing course without notice, an emergency protocol was triggered. The country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation accused him of violating aviation rules and jeopardizing air safety.

Barrientos countered that Guo had received clearance to modify his plan.

“There is irrefutable evidence that he established communication with the DGAC, made the change and was expressly authorized to land at Teniente Marsh,” he said.

Speaking with Chilean newspaper Las Últimas Noticias, Guo said he never lied about his route.

“What happened on June 28 was deeply unfair. I didn’t understand the language they spoke to me in, and I was not allowed to present evidence to defend my case,” he said.

Living at the Chilean base, Guo described the experience as stressful and isolating.

“I spend 90% of my time in my room, and there isn’t much to do. Not everyone here speaks English, but they’ve treated me kindly. Despite the unfair legal process I’ve faced, I have a very good impression of Chile and its people.”

The case was closed through an out-of-court settlement. Regional prosecutor Cristián Crisosto said Guo agreed to donate $30,000 to charity and is barred from returning to Chile for three years.

As for the aircraft, Barrientos said the DGAC reached a deal allowing an authorized pilot to fly it back to Punta Arenas and then to the United States.

“We are complying with DGAC requirements so the plane can be returned as soon as possible,” he said.

Guo’s lawyer emphasized the young pilot’s experience: “He has landed in 50 countries, including war zones, crossed the Atlantic twice and flown more than 10 hours over the ocean. He was fully qualified to make the return flight, but we accepted the alternatives provided by the DGAC.”

For now, Guo said he only wants to move on.

“I haven’t seen my family or friends in months, so I hope to reunite with them soon. I just want to close this chapter of my life.”

SHOPPERS have slammed a bargain retail giant after spotting Christmas decor on shelves four months early.

Many have claimed it is “ridiculous” and an “absolute joke” to see the festive decorations so early in the year.

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Despite this August being sunnier and warmer for Scots than normal, The Range is already preparing for the winter months.

And shoppers were left fuming when the retailer showed off its range of Christmas buys that are now up for grabs.

The Range took to social media to share its brand new collection of festive decor, which is already stocked on shelves.

In one Facebook post, the shop showed a number of festive cushions and teddies, including cuddly Christmas puddings, gingerbread men, candy canes, and snowy trains and villages.

There was also a huge collection of different Christmas bedding sets, each with its own theme, and large Santa toys.

Fan favourite festive candles were also on display, as well as diffusers with classic Christmas smells such as gingerbread and cranberries.

Our Christmas candles have officially landed. Because it’s never too early for a little festive magic

The RangeFacebook post

Other pieces of decor for the home were up for grabs, like little gingerbread house ornaments, green glass trees and gold lanterns.

The Range captioned one post: “They’re here… and yes, it’s still summer.

“Our Christmas candles have officially landed. Because it’s never too early for a little festive magic.”

And another post on Facebook read: “Not to sleigh the surprise… but since you asked for MORE, here’s a little festive teaser.

“Too early? Snow way! Our full Christmas collection is coming soon – stay tuned!”

But the posts led to an outcry from shoppers who said it “spoils the magic” by being in shops so early – especially when the summer is still considered to be in full swing.

Many flocked to the comments to blast the shop for selling Christmas decor before the official start of autumn.

One person said: “Have a day off, it’s bloody August!”

Another added: “Spoils the magic of it. It’s ridiculous”.

Someone else wrote: “Absolute joke…”

While a fourth shared: “Ridiculous, it’s not even Halloween”.

And a fifth chimed in: “I love Christmas, but this is far too early”.

How to save money at The Range

THE Range shoppers can save extra cash by using these tips…

Shop, within a shop – In some The Range stores there’s a ‘secret’ shop within a shop.

You can purchase Iceland products in over 85 of the retailer’s branches.

The budget grocery items are a must for plenty of shoppers with hungry mouths to feed back at home.

Shop the sale – Even some of the biggest ticket items are slashed in price if you know when to shop.

A good tip for online shoppers is to use the “offers” tab on The Range website.

It’s where you’ll find deals like this and all the best bargains are saved in one place so you can browse hundreds of products that have been reduced.

It’s also where you’ll find the “Mega Drop”.

Use Facebook – You can use Facebook to your advantage before you head out to shop at The Range.

Like-minded bargain hunters flock to the social media platform to post all about their latest finds and how they managed to score the best prices.

Others, however, seem delighted to get into the Christmas spirit before summer’s over.

A user posted: “Woop woop, skip Halloween and just have Christmas”.

A second commented: “Can’t wait to see the full range of Christmas stock out in shops”.

And a shopper agreed: “Please hurry, I keep popping in to check”.

While a fourth cheered: “Sooooooooo excited, I love Christmas”.

Someone else added: “YASSSSSS, IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!”

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POLICE are urgently searching for two women who “may be together” after they vanished months ago.

Lorna Nightingale, 70, was last seen in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in February while Emma Nightingale, 36, has not been seen since being spotted in Colchester, Essex, in June.

Cops said it is known that both women have connections to Essex, suggesting that they may have travelled there.

Suffolk Police added that officers believed the women “may be together.”

Both women are from Lowestoft, cops said.

Lorna is described as being 5ft 2in tall, of a slim build, with short grey hair.

Emma is described as 5ft 8 in tall, with mousey-coloured long hair.

If you have seen Lorna or Emma, or have any information about them, contact police by calling 999.

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WITH huge smiles, cheering crowds and an incredible ten-year career of hits under their belt, Little Mix went out with a bang in 2022 as they completed their biggest ever UK tour.

Backstage, Perrie Edwards knew she was about to enter an exciting new chapter of her life because, just as the girl group was preparing to go on a break, she was secretly expecting her second child.

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But in a devastating new interview, the singer revealed that, months later, she lost her baby at 24 weeks.

Perrie, 32, who now has son Axel with footballer fiance Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, said she had discovered she was pregnant again “not even a year” after his birth.

She recalled: “I was rehearsing for the last Little Mix tour, and I thought, ‘I don’t feel good’. Every symptom under the sun. I was like, ‘I think I’m pregnant’.”

But as her pregnancy progressed past the five-month mark, Perrie began to suspect that medics had spotted something wrong with her unborn baby.

‘Loved being pregnant’

She said: “We went for what was a 20-week scan, but we were actually 22 weeks, and that was just the worst day of my life. Like, horrendous.

“I just knew something was wrong in the scan. I’ve never experienced an out-of-body experience where everything goes in slow motion.”

Two weeks later, Perrie and Alex were given the heartbreaking news that there was no heartbeat. She said: “So then I remember sobbing. Alex was injured at the time and couldn’t really drive.

“He was struggling to drive, but I couldn’t see straight. I was just distraught. We basically lost the baby at, like, 24 weeks.”

Perrie bravely opens up about her anguish on the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul C Brunson, out this morning.

And she revealed Axel, who turns four on Thursday, was a “rainbow baby” — the term used for a tot born after a previous pregnancy loss.

The star explained: “I had a miscarriage very early on with my first ever pregnancy.

“I remember finding out I was pregnant. Obviously, I started bleeding not long after, and I went to hospital and I had the scan and they were like, ‘There’s no baby.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve made this up.

“Maybe I got a false positive or something’. I remember being on my own at the appointments.” Perrie said of the cherished son she went on to have in August 2021: “Axel’s a rainbow baby.”

In heartbreaking detail, she also recalled how she had already planned out her baby’s bedroom before her second miscarriage.

She admitted: “It’s weird, because the first time it happened, I think because it was so early, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s hard’.

“But I think when you’re 24 weeks and you’ve planned out that room and all these things, it’s really hard. And nobody knows other than immediate friends and family.

“I remember shortly after, friends would message and be like, ‘How’s the bump?’ And I’d be like, ‘There is no bump’.”

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The You Go Your Way singer said her first pregnancy loss had made her naturally apprehensive when she learned she was expecting Axel.

She explained: “When I was pregnant with him, I loved being pregnant, it was one of the happiest times of my life. I just love carrying babies.

“And it was lovely. But I was a bit on edge, thinking, ‘Oh gosh, I want to get past the 12 weeks. I want to get past this’. And when I get past every scan, that pregnancy was complete bliss, it was perfect.”

Thankfully, Perrie had former England midfielder Alex, 32 — who fans nickname The Ox — by her side. The couple have been together since 2017 and got engaged in 2022.

I didn’t even want to meet anybody. I was like, that’s me done. I don’t think I could bear that pain.

Perrie Edwards

Their relationship came two years after Perrie’s engagement to first love Zayn Malik, of One Direction, fell apart before millions of fans.

They had met in 2011, when X Factor stars One Direction returned to perform on the series of the singing contest that Little Mix won.

Months later, they were a fully fledged couple, but it was never plain sailing. Zayn was alleged to have cheated with an Australian waitress in a London club, and was later hit with more claims of infidelity.

In 2013, he demonstrated his commitment by getting a portrait of Perrie tattooed on his arm and even bought her mum a house in Dorset.

But in 2015, they split — and she was left devastated, with reports at the time that he had ended their almost four-year romance by text.

The ordeal inspired one of Little Mix’s biggest hits, the chart-topping Shout Out To My Ex.

‘Always the underdogs’

However, Perrie held a dignified silence on the ins and outs of their relationship and how it ended.

Reflecting on it now, she explained: “I think definitely, at the time, I thought everything we experienced in our relationship was normal. Because it was my first relationship, first love.

“I was like, ‘Oh, this is how it’s supposed to feel. It’s supposed to feel a little bit toxic. In some ways, this is probably normal, right?’.

“And then, when I became single, I was almost thinking, ‘I never, ever want to go through that again’. I didn’t even want to meet anybody. I was like, that’s me done. I don’t think I could bear that pain.

“But now, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, that probably wasn’t good’. And I’ve noticed it a lot.

“Like in the start of the relationship, I would handle things differently with Alex, and he’d come at it with such a level head that it would throw me.”

On what kind of man Alex is, Perrie continued: “He’s very mature. He’s very laid back. He’s very level-headed.

“He’s not the type to get mad or get angry or get funny about things. It might sound boring to some, but it’s so unproblematic.”

During her time in Little Mix, Perrie — alongside Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and, up until the end of 2020, Jesy Nelson — sold over 75million records, released six albums, had five No1 singles and became the first girl band in 41 years to win the British Group gong at the Brit Awards.

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Since then, she has signed a deal with Columbia Records, which has a roster featuring Adele, Beyonce and Harry Styles, and released a handful of solo singles, including Forget About Us, which peaked at No10 last year.

This Friday, Perrie is back with her latest single, If He Wanted To He Would. But she still feels like Little Mix were underestimated.

She said: “I still think they looked at us and thought it was four little girls in a pop group.

“I don’t think they really saw the graft and the dedication and the numbers and the success that we had. I still think people kind of overlook it a little bit.

“And we were always the underdogs. Like from the very beginning, it was like, ‘You won’t do very well. Bands don’t do that well and it won’t last’.

“That’s what gave us the fire in our bellies to want to work so hard to prove everybody wrong.”

Despite her later success, the Black Magic singer had a tough childhood as she was born with oesophageal atresia, a condition where the oesophagus doesn’t fully develop, and she was in and out of hospital as a youngster.

She told the podcast: “I was there every other week for an operation, so I was used to being put to sleep.

“Instead of counting down from ten, I’d be like, ‘Meet me downstairs in a van,’ (singing), off I went.”

It was Perrie’s passion and talent for singing which meant her mum Debbie was always confident she would make it in music.

She said: “I remember sobbing that I failed my GCSEs, and my mum was like, ‘It’s OK, darling, you’re going to be a singer’.

“I was like, ‘Why is she such an irresponsible parent? I’m never going to get a job.’ And she was like, ‘Well, you’re not going to need a job. You’re going to be a singer’.”

Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Wynne Evans appeared on a BBC show over the weekend despite his apparent departure from the corporation earlier this year

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans made an unexpected appearance on a BBC show tonight. It comes after the corporation said it had “no plans” to work with him following his exit from the live tour and his radio show.

Wynne, 53, however, appeared on an episode of Pointless Celebrities that aired on BBC One earlier tonight. He was paired up with Joanna Page, who was his co-star on Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea, which isn’t set to have a second series as the BBC said in June that it has “no plans” to renew it.

It comes following his apparent departure from the BBC earlier this year. It had been reported that it had severed ties with the opera singer, known for the Go Compare adverts, and had confirmed that it didn’t plan to work with him further.

READ MORE: ITV axes Noel Edmonds’ big TV comeback after just one series despite huge launchREAD MORE: ITV makes major decision on I’m A Celebrity’s future after talks with officials

The pre-recorded episode of Pointless Celebrities that aired tonight saw Wynne and Joanna make it to the penultimate round, but they missed out on reaching the final together. The other team, Jane Hill and Ben Boulos, who both work on BBC News, became the finalists instead after winning the round.

They had competed against two other pairs earlier in the episode. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard had been with impressionist Jess Robinson, whilst comedians Esther Manito and Rich Hall had worked together.

Prior to the episode airing tonight, Wynne had told fans on Instagram that he would be in it. He wrote beside a photo of himself and Joanna on the set: “Tonight back on [BBC One] for Celebrity Pointless with [Joanna].”

Some viewers seemed surprised to see Wynne on the show this evening. One wrote on X: “Wynne Evans? This must have been recorded 10 years ago?” Another said: “Seriously??? Who the hell thought Wynne Evans appearing would be a good idea.” A third wrote on the platform though: “Well done [BBC] – Wynne on Pointless – common sense at last.”

It’s not been confirmed when the episode was filmed. One viewer suggested it could mark Wynne’s final appearance on the BBC though. They wrote in a post on X earlier tonight: “This could be Wynne Evans’s last BBC appearance.”

The episode’s broadcast this weekend comes after the BBC was said to have cut its last remaining ties with Wynne. He had worked with the corporation for years, including hosting his own BBC Radio show for almost a decade.

it was announced back in May that the BBC had “no plans” to work with him in the future though. It comes following a series of scandals during his time on Strictly Come Dancing last year and its subsequent tour earlier this year.

During the tour, it was reported that he had used the term ‘spit roast’ to host Janette Manrara at a photocall. Wynne has, however, since insisted that it was instead part of a nickname for fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick and that it “wasn’t meant sexually”.

Wynne subsequently left the tour and his BBC Radio Wales show after the scandal broke back in January. It was said at the time that the decision had been made in agreement with the BBC and to “prioritise” Wynne’s wellbeing.

It was then announced in May that Wynne would not be returning to his radio show, which he had hosted since 2016. In a statement at the time, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “[Wynne] is not under contract with the BBC. He is not returning to the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Wales, and there are currently no plans to work with him.”

Whilst Wynne, who has since criticised the BBC, told fans in a statement: “It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract, so I won’t be returning to my radio show. I’m gutted. That show wasn’t just work – it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes. Into your hearts.”

He instead announced that he would host the Wynne Evans Show on other platforms. He’s since launched his new weekday radio and later told his followers on social media that he had more than 40,000 listeners for the first episode.

More recently, it was reported in June that the BBC had cut its last remaining ties with him. It was confirmed at the time that the corporation had “no plans” for a second series of his travel show Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea, which ran for six episodes between January and February.

A source had told the Sun that the decision to not renew it “marks the end” of a relationship between Wynne and the BBC. They said: “It means that Wynne has no TV show or radio show with the Beeb, and effectively marks the end of their ­relationship.”

Pointless Celebrities is available on BBC iPlayer.

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