revealed

Manchester City will claim as part of their appeal that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government, rather than the club’s owners.

Owners Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) – a private investment company belonging to United Arab Emirates vice-president and deputy prime minister Sheikh Mansour – are said to have topped up the value of commercial deals as part of a “disguised funding scheme” to the scale of £830.69m.

This, it was argued, enabled the club to appear to comply with Premier League and Uefa financial rules.

However, as first reported by the Daily Mail and Times, sources have told BBC Sport that City are expected to tell an appeal board that they have evidence showing the money directed to sponsors came from the Abu Dhabi government, rather than from ADUG.

Premier League rules allow state-owned bodies to sponsor clubs.

The independent commission detailed how City had “denied there had ever been any disguised funding scheme of the type alleged by the Premier League. Its case was that [it] had misunderstood how Abu Dhabi sponsorship agreements had been funded… The reality was [the club contested] that Abu Dhabi sponsors had always been liable for all recorded sponsorship fees and all had in fact been paid to the club by Abu Dhabi sponsors from their own funds/resources.

“No part of any recorded sponsorship fee had been paid by ADUG or from using ADUG funds. Abu Dhabi sponsors had from time to time applied for financial assistance from the Abu Dhabi government toward their liability to pay the recorded sponsorship fees – such applications had been granted…”

The independent commission rejected this submission as “untrue”, saying: “We concluded that it was an ‘explanation’ that the club had concocted well after the event in an attempt to obscure and conceal the realities of the disguised funding scheme.”

City’s argument is likely to lead to renewed debate over the extent to which City’s ownership is separate from the Abu Dhabi state, and over the ramifications of club ownership with state connections.

Mansour is a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, and the brother of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Since the takeover in 2008, City have insisted the club is a completely private enterprise, and not state-owned. However, some critics have questioned the distinction, with human rights campaigners claiming the ownership of City has been used to “sportswash” the UAE.

On Saturday, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak referred to “irrefutable evidence” that he claimed supports the club’s claims of innocence. City have claimed the commission’s decision contained “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe”.

It has emerged that Al Mubarak, who was appointed chairman of City following the takeover in 2008, is named as an Emirati diplomat on the UK government’s current directory of all foreign representatives.

Representatives of foreign states and their diplomatic staff “enjoy privileges and immunities under the Diplomatic Privileges Act (1964)”, giving diplomats immunity from prosecution under criminal, civil and administrative laws.

City’s principal sponsor Etihad Airways has said it is considering legal action against the Premier League, claiming the release of the commission findings had “damaging implications… despite the airline not being named in the redacted published findings”.

The UAE’s state-owned national airline said it “categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements”.

Etihad is owned by sovereign wealth fund L’Imad which is chaired by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the son of the UAE president.

The Premier League declined to comment when contacted by BBC Sport.

Additional reporting from James Landale, diplomatic correspondent for BBC News.

TRAIN stations are no longer just a place to get from A to B, but are now attractions in their own right.

And a new awards has named some of the most beautiful ones in the world.

The World’s Most Beautiful Stations were revealed by Prix Versailles, a prestigious architecture and design award,

Prix Versailles Secretary General Jérôme Gouadain said they “give us proof that 21st-century passenger stations can be the bridges to a more desirable future”.

While none in the UK made the list, there were three in Europe.

One was Colosseo – Fori Imperiali Station in Rome which only opened last year on the city’s metro line.

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It was praised for turning “travel into an archaeological adventure” as well as its “unexpected view of the Colosseum“.

Another Italian train station on the list was Monte Sant’Angelo Station in Naples.

Said to be inspired by city’s Mount Vesuvius, Dante’s Inferno and volcanic terrain, the dark orange doughnut-like structure above ground was called a  “sculpture that the public can enter”.

The final European entry was Lyon Part-Dieu Station in France.

Despite having opened in 1983, it recently underwent a huge update last year.

According to Prix Versailles: “This regional, national and international train station, one of Europe’s top stations in terms of the number of connecting passengers transiting through it, has doubled in size thanks to the architectural teams at AREP and L’AUC, with additional access points and pass-throughs to boot.”

Outside of Europe, Melbourne‘s Town Hall Station also made the top seven list.

Also a new railway station having opened last year, it was praised for both its “eight imposing columns like trees whose branches hold up the canopy above” as well as its “cathedral-like feel”.

Over in the US, LAX/Metro Transit Center was the only American station to be named one of the world’ most beautiful and one of the most futuristic designs on the list,

Saudi Arabia had two stations in Riyadh to have made the list.

There’s National Museum Station, inspired by the Arabian Tuwaiq Mountain and a gateway to the National Museum.

And there was also Western Station, Riyadh which only opened in May this year and was “inspired by desert dunes”.

Here are last year’s most beautiful train stations.

And earlier this summer, these were museums named the most beautiful in the world according to Prix Versailles.

OXFORD Street is set to be pedestrianised in the run-up to the Christmas period – and it’s sooner than expected.

Once pedestrianisation is complete, all vehicles and bikes will be blocked from accessing the world-famous street.

The London Mayor has revealed the date which all cars, buses and taxis are set to disappear from one of the capital’s most recognisable streets.

On October 26, a one-kilometre stretch of the road will become vehicle-free as a “transition-phase” prior to being fully pedestrianised.

The entire section between Selfridges near the Marble Arch end and Great Portland Street (including Oxford Circus) will be the first to be impacted – with buses rerouted and cars set to be banned.

Transport for London (TFL) has also confirmed that e-bikes, pedal bikes, and e-scooters will no longer be allowed to go through the area.

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Sadiq Khan announced: “Following strong support from Londoners and businesses, I’m excited to see my bold vision for Oxford Street really coming to life next month as we start going traffic-free, just in time for the busy Christmas shopping period.”

The transition phase comes as works still need to be carried out to sort out any potential problems, including relocating bus stops and changing the direction of travel in some areas.

Sections of Oxford Street will also be transformed with new planters and seating areas to replace traffic lanes.

However, Westminster Council said there was still a “long list of unanswered questions about how it will work” and questioned whether traffic would be pushed to small streets nearby as a result.

Councillor Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council and cabinet member for growth and planning, added: “If this is going to be the ‘greener, better and more prosperous’ success that the Mayor has promised, then issues around access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety, need answers urgently.”

The project to make part of Oxford Street traffic- free follows two public consultations in 2025 and 2026.

Following support, TFL has been working alongside the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) to regenerate London’s most famous street.

THE EERIE last words of Deadliest Catch star Todd Meadows to his children have been revealed in the season 22 finale.

Meadows, 25, was killed when he fell overboard while he and his crew mates were filming this latest series which ended on The Discovery Channel on Friday.

The rookie deckhand fell off the Aleutian Lady in a fishing accident on The Bering Sea and died from downing with possible hypothermia on February 25, 2026.

In the final episode of Season 22, a touching segment showed before and after his death, and captured his final conversation with his children just moments before the accident.

In a FaceTime call, he told his three children, all under five, that he was “being safe” and promised a fishing trip when he saw them again.

“I hope you’re being safe,” his daughter said on the call.

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“If you’re not being safe, you better be safe.”

“Oh, I’m being safe,” he told her.

He promised his son a salmon fishing trip when he returned, telling producers on-camera that it was a “heart-wrencher” to leave his children at home for long stretches.

“It’s been one of my dreams and goals to make it up here,” he said, speaking of joining the crew for the season.

“That’s why I’m up here to make it and to try to support my family.”

Another part of the season finale captured the chaos surrounding the moment he fell overboard, without the actual fall or subsequent actions being shown on camera.

Captain Rick, who announced Meadows’ death, is filmed manning the vessel and asking “Everybody OK?” before the crew say that a man has gone overboard.

As he turns the boat and instructs them to ready the ring and crane, he tells the crew: “I got my eye on him.”

They successfully got Meadows out of the frigid sea and the Captain instructed them to perform CPR.

“Come on, man, come on, someone go get the AUD right now,” he says off camera with him tearfully telling the crew to “keep pumping” before a producer says, “He’s gone, Rick.”

A statement on screen read: “On February 25th, 2026, deckhand Todd Meadows went overboard.

“After six minutes and twenty-six seconds in the water, he was recovered unresponsive.”

The episode then showed the aftermath of his death and its impact on the crew.

It ends with a cut back to Meadows as he prepares food in the kitchen and answers a producer’s question about what he would want to say to his children.

“Work towards your dreams and goals, don’t let anything slow you down. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything.

“Just want my kids to know I want them to work hard and be successful in life.”

Weeks before his fall, Meadows suffered a serious head injury onboard and was sent home on medical leave before being cleared again for work on September 18.

His week of medical leave saw him go back to his family while nursing his concussion which would tragically be the last time he saw them.

“The last photo I got of him was when he was building a fire. He was listening to music in the moment and was so happy,” his mom Angela said at the time.

“That’s how I want to remember him.”

SHOWBIZ star Amanda Holden takes it nice and kneesy in a little black dress — as she plots her own wellness empire.

She has filed papers to trademark her name for future use on beauty products and websites.

The Intellectual Property Office application also covers cosmetics and perfumes.

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda, 55, is hoping for the same ­success as Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow’s £323million Goop brand.

She has previously admitted that her beauty regime before her Heart Radio breakfast show is rather rushed.

The mum of two said: “I get up at 5am . . . and get ready in 20 minutes.

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“I sleep in my lashes and have all my make-up set out.

“I have my outfit laid out and leave my shoes at the door.”

Amanda has been married to record producer Chris Hughes since 2008.

The couple share daughters Lexi and Hollie.

THEY’RE two of the nation’s biggest content creators with over 700,000 YouTube subscribers between them.

But Joe Baggs, 29, and GK Barry, 27, are no longer flying the flag for each other’s media careers and their once close friendship appears to be in tatters.

A source told The Sun: “GK and Joe used to be joined at the hip but they have quietly grown apart. They haven’t been seen together publicly since GK left the jungle, and never like each other’s posts on social media.

“Even when GK released her book, which was a big deal for her, there was radio silence from Joe.

“There’s lots of whispers about what went down, some have speculated that Joe was jealous when Grace got her spot in the jungle as he’s always wanted to do that show, while others have rubbished that suggestion and said they just drifted as she got busier.

“What’s really sad is that she always used to be round his family’s house for dinner, went on holiday together and they always posted it on the ‘gram, and now she’s never seen with the Baggs lot. It’s like they just disappeared from each other’s lives.

“Tellingly, Joe’s boyfriend Kane used to seem pretty pally with Grace too, but even he doesn’t comment on her posts anymore, so something sad has definitely gone down.”

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Another source close to Joe insisted, however, that there is no bad blood.

They said: “Joe couldn’t be prouder of everything Grace has achieved since leaving the jungle. The reality is that both of their careers have taken off in different directions and, with increasingly busy work schedules, they simply don’t get to spend as much time together as they once did.

“There’s absolutely no bad blood, they remain friends and continue to champion one another from the sidelines.”

Just this week, however, Joe appeared to give away the lack of closeness between him and Grace, where he revealed fellow podcaster Chloe Burrows is his best pal at the Fellas Studio, where they both record their podcasts.

Interestingly GK also records her hit podcast, Saving Grace, at Fellas, as they are all part of the same podcast company, so the fact that he named Chloe as his work bestie and not Grace has caused a flurry of gossip in their inner circle.

“Joe and GK have lots of mutual friends, and they are all talking about this,” a pal spilled.

“The fact that Joe said this about Chloe on his pod was basically admitting that he and Grace aren’t close anymore, but few fans will have clocked it because they don’t understand they all work out of the same studio.

“Strangely, both GK and Joe are being very tight-lipped, even with their friends, about what went down, which has only made the rumour mill even more frenzied.

“It’s a shame as they were so close and they are very similar, but sadly, right now it’s looking like they aren’t going to be BFFs again anytime soon.”

The Sun has contacted representatives for Joe and GK for comment.

Both YouTubers have been chasing mainstream fame and have had successful years.

GK – real name Grace Keeling – was one of the standout stars on I’m A Celebrity last year and has gone on to establish herself as a Loose Woman. She’s also landed her own weekly show on Radio 1 as the station underwent a major reshuffle to appeal to a young more online-driven audience.

However, listeners of the BBC station criticised her first show and questioned if it was recorded live like her predecessors Matt Edmonson and Mollie King after she failed to interact with the audience.

Meanwhile, Joe is now a panellist on Love Island: Aftersun and hosted an official Britain’s Got Talent spin-off.

WHAT makes a city the best in the world? Well, there are lots of factors that go into it, according to Oxford Economics which has just named the top 100.

Looking at subjects like governance and quality of life, it has created the Global Cities Index 2026 and four UK cities have made the cut, with one coming in second place.

It might be a surprise to some, but London was named second best city in the world – only beaten by New York City.

Oxford Economics made their decision on the factors of economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.

Talking about the city, Oxford Economics said: “London remains one of the clearest examples of a truly global city.

“Its influence extends across business, science and technology, education, and the arts, giving it a reach that few other cities can equal.”

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It named its top strengths with its universities, large GDP size and low emissions.

It’s not the first time London has been named one of the world’s best cities – earlier this year it was named THE best city by Tripadvisor.

Almost as many as 80,000 people visit every day to see its historic landmarks like Big Ben, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge.

Or its more modern ones like the London Eye, The Shard and the Sky Garden.

And if you want some ideas on what to do in the capital for all ages, Sun Travel has some recommendations for you from its attractions to rooftop bars and free things to do.

The next UK city in the top 100 is Edinburgh in Scotland which came 71st on the list.

The historic city has cobbled streets – one of which being the Royal Mile which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Edinburgh also has around 385 pubs, plenty of cafes, independent shops and of course it’s hilltop castle.

Another activity that lots of visitors embark on during a trip to Edinburgh is the hike up to Arthur’s Seat.

The extinct volcano is the highest peak in Holyrood Park just east of the city and you can see across the whole city from above.

Coming in at number 90 on the list is the city of Manchester – it was also named one of the world’s up-and-coming cities.

The publication described the city as “booming” thanks to its “productivity growth”.

It was also praised for its “thriving cultural scene” thanks to its two football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United – as well as Co Op Live and AO Arena which both hold live events.

For more on what to do in Manchester, one local has lots of recommendations like exploring Warehouse Project for seeing live bands or DJs and stopping by the bars on Canal Street.

Just about making the list is the city of Cambridge which placed in 100th position.

The city in the East of England is most famous for its prestigious university which is often ranked as being one of the best in the world.

Popular activities include exploring the historic colleges, punting along the River Cam and exploring the shops and its many pubs.

One of which, The Eagle, is where Francis Crick and James Watson burst in to announce they discovered the DNA.

Other cities that deserve a mention are Dublin in Ireland which came in at number six.

It’s is largely known around the world for its lively nightlife, but it also has world-class museums, restaurants and historical sites.

Also in the top 10 were Paris and Zurich, as well as Tokyo in Japan and American cities, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.

Within the top 100, Europe represents almost half with 44 cities, a lot also belong in North America with its 34 cities making the list.

There are the top 100 cities according to Oxford Economics…

1. New York City, USA
2. London, UK
3. Paris, France
4. Seattle, USA
5. San Francisco, USA
6. Dublin, Ireland
7. Boston, USA
8. San Jose, USA
9. Tokyo, Japan
10. Zurich, Switzerland
11. Oslo, Norway
12. Los Angeles, USA
13. Sydney, Australia
14. Washington DC, USA
15. Stockholm, Sweden
16. Melbourne, Australia
17. Dallas, USA
18. Copenhagen, Denmark
19. Munich, Germany
20. Toronto, Canada
21. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
22. Berlin, Germany
23. Geneva, Switzerland
24. Vancouver, Canada
25. Brussels, Belgium
26. Helsinki, Finland
27. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
28. Houston, USA
29. Singapore, Singapore
30. Madrid, Spain
31. Atlanta, USA
32. Denver, USA
33. Minneapolis, USA
34. Tel Aviv, Israel
35. Vienna, Austria
36. Brisbane, Australia
37. San Diego, USA
38. Seoul, South Korea
39. Hamburg, Germany
40. Bergen, Norway
41. Phoenix, USA
42. Dubai, UAE
43. Basel, Switzerland
44. Perth, Australia
45. Canberra, Australia
46. Austin, USA
47. Chicago, USA
48. Taipei, Taiwan
49. Bern, Switzerland
50. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
51. Prague, Czechia
52. Miami, USA
53. Portland, USA
54. Utrecht, the Netherlands
55. Gothenburg, Sweden
56. Philadelphia, USA
57. Antwerp, Belgium
58. Lausanne, Switzerland
59. Salt Lake City, USA
60. Auckland, New Zealand
61. Warsaw, Poland
62. Montreal, Canada
63. Frankfurt am Main, Germany
64. Istanbul, Turkey
65. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
66. Nashville, USA
67. Rotterdam, the Netherlands
68. Ghent, Belgium
69. Calgary, Canada
70. Adelaide, Australia
71. Edinburgh, UK
72. Barcelona, Spain
73. Charlotte, USA
74. The Hague, the Netherlands
75. Wellington, New Zealand
76. Aarhus, Denmark
77. Malmo, Sweden
78. Gold Coast, Australia
79. Baltimore, USA
80. Eindhoven, the Netherlands
81. Orlando, USA
82. Colombus, USA
83. Osaka-Kyoto, Japan
84. Abu Dhabi, UAE
85. Raleigh, USA
86. Milan, Italy
87. Hong Kong, China
88. Lyon, France
89. Las Vegas, USA
90. Manchester, UK
91. Reykjavik, Iceland
92. Tampa, USA
93. Shenzhen, China
94. Riverside, USA
95. Madison, USA
96. Christchurch, New Zealand
97. Stuttgart, Germany
98. Düsseldorf, Germany
99. Linz, Austria
100. Cambridge, UK

CENTRAL Cee has shared a cryptic response after buying Love Island’s Yasmin Hadlow a £7k Chanel handbag.

It was revealed on Tuesday that he splashed the cash on the designer purchase as he continues to woo her.

The Sun’s Bizarre revealed the news of Cench’s date with Yasmin at 77 London on Friday night and then told of a Harrods trip before.

Now the 28-year-old has taken to his Instagram stories to share a mysterious picture.

In the snap, his pals Ruby Lyn and Lily Chee are seen covering their faces with designer handbags as they sit in a luxury store.

The two girls are pictured surrounded by the different coloured bags as Cench played up to the rumours about him and Yasmin, 23.

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The pair enjoyed a cosy date on Friday night at 77 London.

Before their evening out, the musician treated the reality star to the Chanel bag as well as some designer heels.

A source said that the Doja htimaker – real name Oakley Caesar-Su, told Yasmin to “buy whatever she wanted”.

Central Cee first revealed his crush on Yasmin last month during an interview.

While speaking on 60 Seconds with Missy, he expressed: “I do have one, I’ve got one I’m sure. Yasmin from Love Island.”

When asked about Cee at the National Television Awards, Yasmin replied coyly: “No comment… Watch this space.” 

Fans were recently left confused about his equation with Yasmin after he was previously rumoured to be dating Ruby.

She even posted a video of him on her social media of him walking Burberry’s catwalk on Monday night.

However, those rumours have been debunked.

A source said: “Cench and Ruby are just friends. No one knows where this comes from. He’s very much single and free to date Yasmin.”

She split from Tommy Stagg just weeks after coming out of the villa.

The pair were at the centre of plenty of speculation after they weren’t spotted together and didn’t post each other on social media.

FANCY staying in a top rated spot? Well, the best hotels, inns and B&Bs in the UK have just been named.

AA has announced the winners of its 2026 Hospitality Awards including the AA Hotel of the Year and AA B&B of the Year.

Coming out on top as the AA Hotel of the Year in England is the Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

Spread across 220 acres, Calcot & Spa is a country house hotel, around four miles from Tetbury in the Cotswolds.

It dates back to the 14th century and is surrounded by wildflower meadows.

The hotel boasts around 35 individually designed bedrooms, that are contemporary but also retain the building’s historical charm.

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Stays cost from around £300 per night.

The AA Hotel of the Year in Scotland was named as Crossbasket Castle in High Blantyre, while in Wales it was Porth Tocyn Hotel in Abersoch, Gwynedd.

In Northern Ireland, Culloden Estate & Spa in Holywood, County Down nabbed the top spot.

There is also an AA Hotel of the Year for London, which was The Emory.

When it came to the AA B&B of the Year, Lys-Na-Greyne, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire secured the award.

The B&B features six rooms with en-suites and there is also a lounge, conservatory and gardens for guests to explore.

The B&B also sits in the Cairngorms National Park making it the perfect spot for those who want to explore Royal Deeside by hiking, fishing and biking,

And for a slightly further afield day trip, Balmoral Castle is only a 20-minute drive away.

If you want to pamper yourself, visit Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, St Andrews in Fife, which won AA Spa Hotel of the Year.

The spa at the hotel is one of Europe’s top spa facilities, with a number of hydrotherapy treatments and a 20-metre indoor swimming pool.

There’s even a rooftop hot tub.

The Penny Bun, Otley, West Yorkshire took the award for AA Inn of the Year.

And last but not least, the AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year award was given to House of George W. Davies, Broadway, Worcestershire.

Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services said: “Every year, the AA Hospitality Awards shines a light on hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, Inns and Chefs going above and beyond to deliver memorable experiences for guests and diners.

“This year’s winners showcase the breadth and quality of hospitality across the UK, giving consumers a host of trusted recommendations and inspiration for their next meal or stay.

“Behind every award is a commitment to quality and service, which is what helps sets British hospitality apart, underpinning its world-renowned reputation.”

THE world’s best airlines have been revealed – including the best budget carries in Europe.

Often dubbed the ‘Oscars of the aviation industry’, each year The Skytrax World Airline Awards awards the best airlines in each region and the world.

Around 300 airlines are included in the awards, which are voted on by millions of travellers from over 100 nationalities each year.

Coming out on top of the European list was Turkish Airlines.

The airline operates direct routes from six UK airports including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Flights head to destinations including Istanbul and Lagos, costing from £177 return.

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Coming in second place was Air France, which connects the UK to Paris, while Lufthansa came in third, who has flights from the UK to Germany from eight airports.

When it comes to budget airlines, Vueling was named the best in Europe with Wizz Air taking the top spot for the best low-cost airline in Central Europe.

As for UK airlines, they didn’t fair as well sadly.

Virgin Atlantic was named fifth in Europe and 18th in the world whereas British Airways was named seventh in Europe and 23rd overall.

Ryanair was then named the best low-cost airline in the UK while TUI Airways was named the best leisure airline in the UK.

The airline that came out on top across the whole globe was Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines operates from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester airports.

The airline flies direct to Singapore Changi Airport, which is a major hub for connections to a number of destinations including Australia.

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans raged at bosses over an “unfair pairing” after the celebrities and pro partners were revealed during the launch show’s twist.

The BBC show kicked off last night in spectacular style with the pairings being announced live on the dance floor.

In a complete overhaul, the 15 celebs were split into three groups of five and danced alongside multiple pros as their partners were revealed live in the studio.

While the celebs beamed as they finally found out who they’d be vying for the Glitterball Trophy with, some fans were not happy about one particular match.

Lauren Oakley, who has appeared on the show for four seasons, was paired with telly dog trainer Graeme Hall.

And fans are furious, slamming bosses for “doing Lauren dirty.”

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One fan wrote on X: “Oh Lauren. Dear dear Lauren has her work cut out with Graham. Unfair pairing in my opinion. Graham was exhausted after 3 minutes. Poor thing.”

“Lauren putting on a brave face knowing she’s the best dancer and she’s been set up again,” penned another fan.

A third fan said: “Awww I was so hoping Lauren would get a decent partner this year (sorry canine expert) she’s such an underrated pro.”

Meanwhile, a fourth fan added: “Think they may have done Lauren bad this year.”

In 2023, Lauren was paired with Krishnan Guru-Murthy and they came 8th place.

The following year Lauren and her partner JB Gill were runners-up.

Just last year she took to the dance floor with former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – they came 11th place.

Graeme, 59, Lauren’s partner this year, is best known for being the host of the hit Channel 5 programme Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.

Strictly Come Dancing has finally confirmed which professional dancer each celebrity will be taking to the dancefloor each week, following weeks of speculation

It was all cha-cha changes at Strictly Come Dancing as the celebrity and pro dancer partnerships were finally revealed amid a big show shake-up.

The launch of the 24th series BBC juggernaut kicked off with a new presenting team – former Big Brother host Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdecombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe – and announced who will be dancing with whom as the hotly-anticipated refreshed series finally began.

This year, though, there was a twist. While the celebrities often find out who their professional partner is ahead of the series, they actually found out while recording the launch episode. They each rehearsed with a dancer in the lead-up, but this didn’t mean they were paired with the professional for the rest of the series. Instead, they rotated partners throughout the day.

What do you think of the pairings? Let us know in the comments below by clicking here.

Dani Dyer said the twist had “thrown a spanner in the works” after she danced with Nikita Kuzmin during their training day, before the pros rotated once again.

EastEnders favourite Lacey Turner has former champ Vito Coppola as her teacher. Lacey said she felt “amazing” after being paired with Vito, and the Italian dancer added that he was “very, very happy” before saying he would cook for Lacey.

Dame Sarah Storey has been paired with Julian Caillon. She told Josh and Johannes that she was excited to be working with Julian. Meanwhile, returning star Dani Dyer, who had to leave the 2025 series early following an injury to her ankle before the live shows began, is back dancing with Nikita Kuzmin.

“I’m so happy, I can sleep now, I’m over the moon,” Dani said about making history. Nikita said he had “tears of joy” hearing the audience react to the news that he had been paired with Dani again. The reality star said she was hoping to make it to week one of the live shows after having to withdraw last year.

Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters has teamed up with show veteran Aljaž Škorjanec. “I’m absolutely thrilled, on the very first day when we had to dance with everyone, you put me in a practise hold, I said it’s like steering a tractor,” Melanie said of dancing with Aljaž. The dancer said that the twist was one of the “funnest” experiences on the dancefloor.

Actress Jaime Winstone has been partnered with Carlos Gu. Speaking of working with reigning champ Carlos, Jaime said: “I’m so excited, I feel like we match energies. I’m super ecstatic.”

Former Manchester City midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips is with American dancer Alexis Warr. Shaun said of wanting to excel on the show: “I like to enter things and be as good as possible, the pros are the margin, and that’s what I’m aiming for.” Alexis thinks that Shaun is already at a professional level.

House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia is part of this year’s same-sex pairing with Nancy Xu. The actress credited Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, who danced as a same-sex couple on the show, with playing a huge part in her coming-out journey. She said she was incredibly excited to follow and lead with a woman.

Reflecting on working with Nancy, Bethany said that the pair instantly bonded when they first met. Bethany later explained that she was a “perfectionist” and Nancy had been “amazing” at reassuring her. “My nanny’s name was Nancy, and she passed away at the start of the year,” Bethany said, adding that it was “special” to be dancing with the star.

Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker will be working with one of the show’s five newbies, Mark Karmalita. “I’m so happy, and I get to be your first partner on Strictly,” the Olympian told Mark.

She added: “That’s sort of amazing.” Mark said: “I’m going to try and be fun, caring and supportive,” he said of his teaching skills. The sports star went on to reveal she’s keen to learn the rumba – and score a perfect 40 for the dance!

Songstress Delta Goodrem is dancing with Kai Widdington. The singer said she was “honoured” to dance with “incredible dancer” Kai.

Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb and Jowita Pryzstal will dance together. Speaking of dancing with Jowita, Lawrence said that fans will have to “stand by” to see more excitement from him. “Now we’re into hard work mode, what a feeling, what a rush,” he joked. Jowita said she was “so nervous” before being paired with Lawrence.

Kim Kardashian’s hairdresser, Chris Appleton, is dancing alongside show legend Amy Dowden. Chris said he was overjoyed to dance with Amy. “Over excited, I’m that little kid that used to watch this show on a Saturday night,” he said. Amy, however, said that her hair would get bigger every week if Chris were her partner.

Love Island winner Cach Mercer with Maddie Ingoldsby. The reality star said he was “pleased” to have Maddie, adding that she was “strict but cheeky” and that she’s able to cut the “banter”.

But Maddie said she was a “little bit strict” depending on the day. Cach’s family have also vowed to provide honest feedback, which is making him “doubt himself even more”. “This is a whole different playing field,” he said.

Football interviewer and former air traffic controller John Nellis is partnered with Katya Jones. The pro star revealed that John “messed up” in the lead-up to being partnered with the social media star. John later explained that he had “worked out” that he was dancing with Katya.

The ‘Dogfather’ Graeme Hall has been partnered with Lauren Oakley. “Tonight, I got four tens getting you, I’ve always wanted Lauren,” he told his professional star. He explained that his pals told him he would be “really lucky” to get Lauren as a partner. And the dancer believes that Graeme is a “dark horse” and will put his “all” into the show. However, she will have to “put a lead on him.”

Big Brother and Hits Radio presenter Will Best is dancing alongside show regular Dianne Buswell. Speaking about getting Dianne as a partner, Will said that when he “gets down it’s difficult to get back up again”.

He added: “I’m already a winner, I feel like a champion already just getting her. We’ve been having so much fun training. We finish each other’s sentences.” Dianne added that they were the “perfect pairing”.

Ahead of the first episode, Emma Willis revealed her nerves over the new show starting. Speaking on her BBC Radio 2 show, she said: “It feels like a very long lead-up to this, but also very quick.”

Talking about being a part of the Strictly experience, Emma added: “It’s very strange having that peek behind the curtain – I mean this in a positive way – it’s a beast of a show. It’s just fantastic. It is so exciting, me and Josh and Jojo are looking forward to it so much…

“I’m excited but nervous. I’m going to turn my phone off and disappear for a few days.” Joining her on the radio show – her last for a while as Ellie Taylor will be manning the fort until Strictly is finished – was one of the show’s judges Anton Du Beke. He told her: “I love it as much now as I did when I first walked in.

“It’s only Craig [Revel Horwood] and I left from the very first show – and that fills me with great pride.” Speaking about the five new professional dancers, Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark, he said: “What I love though, there’s no place I’d rather be is in the rehearsal studio with dancers, it’s the most brilliant place.

“These five are as giddy – they can’t believe their fortune.” Giving his verdict on the celebrity line-up, Anton and Emma were discussing British cycler and swimmer Dame Sarah Storey, before he began pitching for his own knighthood.

“Love it when we have a Dame or a Sir,” Anton said. “We don’t have enough of them – we need more of them. If they make me a Sir, then we can just cover that base every year, straight away. I’ve been around long enough to be a Sir. Surely a knighthood should come my way at some stage? Can we start a petition?”

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Aussie queen Delta has been working in the music industry for over 25 years, as she was just 15 when she signed her first record deal!

Since then, she’s toured with Celine Dion, Olivia Newton-John, Andrea Bocelli and more. She even competed for Australia at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest and in typical Australian fashion, has had a recurring role on Neighbours.

Now, she’s head to the Strictly ballroom. “I feel very much ready to grab my dancing shoes, hit the ballroom, find as much glitter as possible to put on my shoes,” she said. “I am approaching it with a total open heart, and I am just wanting to learn the new skill set!”

Delta will be cheered on at home by her husband Matthew Copley, whom she married in 2025 and has been in a relationship with since 2016. Delta has previously been in relationships with Brian McFadden and Nick Jonas.

TWO years ago, Cat Deeley was in a very different place to where she is now.

The TV presenter, 49, who had replaced Holly Willoughby on This Morning in March, was grappling with a punishing work schedule, the pressure to save the ITV show from its tarnished reputation and a marriage faltering under the pressure of two “tricky” work schedules.

In the three month period she became tearful three times on screen, and appeared at times “visibly overwhelmed.”

And speaking five months after stepping into her new hosting role, she admitted the scrutiny she was under had “shocked her.”

However, the popular star has rebuilt her life after her divorce from Patrick Kielty, 55, with a second National Television Award under her belt with This Morning, a series of lucrative commercial deals and new man Charlie Coleman, who she hopes to spend Christmas with.

And friends of the star this week told how ex Patrick’s new relationship with businesswoman Michelle McManus – the pair were seen cosying up at a North London boozer – is the icing on the cake – saying she told them: “She seems nice, and she is doing me a favour, he’s a better person when he’s happy.”

One said: “Cat’s attitude is: ‘Good luck to them. At the end of the day, that’s the whole point of separating in the first place.’

“She is genuinely happy for him, and knows it’s good for them that he’s happy and positive.

“Cat herself is in a great place and that’s where she wants to stay.

“She and Charlie are getting on really well and are already talking about spending this Christmas together, though they will have to work out the practicalities as she and Paddy share the childcare arrangements 50/50.”

Former So You Think You Can Dance? host Cat – who swapped her $5 million family home in Beverly Hills for a £4.9 million five-bedroom house in Hampstead in 2020 – joined This Morning during a period of extreme turbulence.

Former host Phillip Schofield had quit ITV in May after an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger co-worker was revealed.

Holly, who appeared on This Morning for 14 years prior to her exit, stepped back from the spotlight in October, following stalker Gavin Plumb’s terrifying plot to kidnap, rape and murder the TV star being uncovered.

Plumb was jailed for life in July following an eight-day trial.

Against this challenging backdrop, Cat and Ben Shephard, 51, took the reins of the popular daytime show.

Sources told how the pair appealed to bosses as a “safe pair of hands” who could steer them out of a crisis.

But even her early interviews showed signs she feared wading in too deep, as she said: “If it gets too much for me, I’m going to quit. I don’t need to do it – I could be a mum for most of the year and go and do the shows in America.”

And in one interview she opened up about juggling work and motherhood: “I do the juggle – the juggle is real, the struggle is real. You know, we know, we’re all just trying to make everything work. It’s all a juggle.”

Cat shares two sons, Milo and James, with ex husband Patrick – who she was married to for almost 13 years before they announced their split in July 2025.

But sources say the fault lines had appeared in late 2023, when the pair were struggling to balance their schedules.

Patrick – the host of RTE‘s The Late Late Show in Ireland – commuted to film the show in Dublin, while Cat’s So You Think You Can Dance? schedule had also created issues, requiring her to jet back to the US for long stretches.

Her move back to UK television was supposed to lessen the pressure on the duo – one of TV’s power couples.

But fans noticed that the star appeared increasingly emotional on the This Morning set.

In March 2024, just days after she joined as host, Cat burst into tears backstage upon meeting Buddy, an autism assistant puppy introduced to the studio.

She explained to viewers that meeting Buddy triggered her grief over losing her family dog, Lilly, the previous summer.

Weeks later in April, while introducing guest Kerry Irving – whose late springer spaniel Max had helped him overcome depression – Cat broke down in tears and had to ask co-host Ben to take over reading her lines.

And two months later Cat fought back tears during an interview with the family of William Reckless, eight, who had to have both of his legs and nine fingers amputated due to a severe battle with sepsis and scarlet fever.

Her 48th birthday broadcast in October also caused the presenter to break down in tears, after she was surprised by a recorded message from British poet Pam Ayres – who she said had inspired her as a child.

But 2025 seemed to bring a more positive standpoint – and a bombshell, as Cat and Patrick announced their divorce in July.

Both were keen to insist that they remained amicable, and stressed that no third parties were involved in their decision to split.

They also made clear their intention to share the parenting of their children, Milo, 10, and James, eight.

A few months later, September brought an incredible boost for the star – when This Morning won the National TV Award for Daytime, after the repeated scandals engulfing the programme had seen it lose the title in 2023 and 2024.

After the cast and crew were seen going wild in the audience, Cat said on stage: “We are so lucky to get to do this show, we all love it.

“Every single person who comes on, we love this show and it’s like having a family.”

Sources told how the award was “a shot in the arm” for the entire team behind the show – appearing to signal they were back on track.

And in the months to follow, Cat was to build up a relationship with Amazon MGM exec Charlie Coleman – who she was spotted with at a Hyde Park Lewis Capaldi gig in July.

Two months later, she spoke out about how she was thriving as a single mum – saying it was about being “as organised as you can be.”

She also admitted she had an “amazing nanny” to keep their lives on track around her busy schedule.

And she added: “Everybody is doing their best.”

In the same month Paddy – who has signed a new deal with The Late Late Show which will see him host until 2028 – said he was “pretty good” adding that the divorce was “part of the tapestry of life.”

And now, with him also moved on with new love Michelle, it seems another piece of the tapestry is complete.

STACEY Solomon has explained why all of her sons are sleeping in the same room at her new £2million mansion – after it was revealed that she is the sole owner of the property. 

Yesterday The Sun told how Stacey, 36, bought the sprawling Essex home without the help of partner Joe Swash. 

The Sort Your Life Out host – mum to Zachary, 18, Leighton, 14, Rex, seven, Rose, four, and three-year-old Belle – has been keeping fans up-to-date on her makeover plans for the house.

In a new clip shared on social media Stacey shared how renovations mean the boys are currently packed into the same bedroom. 

She said: “All the boys are sleeping in one room because they don’t have bedrooms yet because we’re working on the upstairs.  

“They’re all sleeping in one room downstairs, it’s like The Brady Bunch when they go to bed.” 

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Stacey and Joe stunned fans earlier this month when they packed up their dream home Pickle Cottage – which she bought alone in 2021 for £1.3million – and moved to the new property. 

On Thursday The Sun revealed how the former Loose Women panelist purchased it without the help of Joe, 44.

A well-placed insider told us: “Stacey’s a canny businesswoman and was also the sole owner of Pickle Cottage, which sold for over £1million, so it made sense she’d buy the new home on her own.

“She even got some money knocked off the official asking price.

“Stacey paid over £2m for the new Essex mansion – but she’s worth over £10m so that’s not even a dent in her bank balance.”

Earlier this year The Sun told how Stacey – who it was previously revealed is not legally married to former EastEnders star Joe despite a lavish wedding at Pickle Cottage – had hit the £10million mark in her business empire.

LADY Gaga’s baby name has finally been revealed after the star welcomed her first child with fiance Michael Polansky.

The Born This Way hitmaker, 40, who had kept her pregnancy under wraps and spent months out of the public eye, gave birth in June.

Now, after rampant speculation, the couple’s baby has been revealed to be a girl named Rose Bean Polansky, reports TMZ.

The outlet, who obtained the birth certificate, says she was born in Los Angeles on June 9 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre.

Baby Rose was welcomed with the help of Dr. Robert Katz, who helped deliver Ciara and Russell Wilson‘s baby Sienna in 2017.

The inspiration behind the name remains unclear but some have speculated it could be linked to La Vie En Rose, the famous french song she sings in hit film A Star Is Born.

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As a toast to the song, the star had a rose tattoo inked down the length of her spine in 2019.

Meanwhile, the middle name Bean could be a nod to singer Carl Bean who provided the inspiration behind her hit “I Was Born This Way”.

Lady Gaga – real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta – was seen out and about with her new baby for the first time earlier this month.

The new mum was snapped taking a stroll with fiance Michael with the tot close to her chest while out and about in the California sunshine.

Baby Rose was wrapped in a beige sling and white baby-grow, with its face turned to her chest.

The popstar placed a tender hand protecting the tot’s neck as they spent some quality time together.

Lady Gaga gave a hint as to her family plans in 2025, when she spoke openly about her thoughts on motherhood in a series of interviews.

She told the New York Times: “I’m excited to be a mom. I used to have a lot of apprehension about it.

“The thing that’s the most important to me is to not force my children to live a life that they are not choosing.

“So the more that we can give them space to discover who they are on their own, that’s the thing that I believe in the most”.

She also told Rolling Stone last year: “Being a mom is the thing I want the most.”

And talking about her own relationship with her mum with Allure in 2019, she said: “I really hope that when I have maybe a little girl one day, or a little boy, and they see Mommy put her makeup on, that they have the same experience that I did.

“That’s the greatest gift of all, when you can connect with your parents.”

Lady Gaga and Michael first got together in 2019, but went public with their relationship in 2020.

They went Instagram official in February 2020, when Gaga posted a pic of her cuddling up to her new man.

IN LESS than five years the UK is set to get a new theme park that’s the only one of its kind in Europe.

Universal United Kingdom Resort, as it is officially known, will be located in Bedfordshire and is set to open in 2031.

Universal has always been at the forefront of new theme park upgrades, from letting guests use wands to cast spells in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to interactive dragon robots at How To Train Your Dragon – Isle Of Berk.

Now the company has applied for FOUR new patents, giving fans a sneak peek at what to expect at their theme parks in the future.

These include a hybrid ride vehicle that can transition between being suspended from a track – as if it is floating through the air – to floating on the water.

Images show that the boat-style car would connect to an overhead arm and then when it enters the water it would detach from the arm and float like a normal boat.

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Another patent reveals an AI guide – an audio tour that would be able to see your surroundings and then talk to you.

It isn’t clear yet what the AI guide would be used for by Universal, but it sounds like it could be along the lines of a Google Lens or Pokemon Go experience.

It is also unclear whether these patents are specifically for the UK park or all parks.

What we do know though, is that this week the Universal United Kingdom Resort announced the 23 contractors, engineers and architects that will be used for the project.

Contractors include the team behind the 2012 London Olympic Stadium as well as The Eden Project in Cornwall, the O2 Arena, a number of airport expansions and Battersea Power Station.

Previously announced details about the first Universal destination in Europe include that it will be located on a site in Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire – about 45 miles from London.

The park will spread across 476 acres and feature the theme park as well as hotels, restaurants, shops and even room for possible future expansion.

The theme park will be split into four “zones” – the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone.

Accommodation and business hotels will be in the Lake Zone, as well as an entertainment complex and a convention centre.

West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone will be where guests arrive by train and car, with restaurants and hotels.

This is also likely to be where the Entry Plaza area will be, as well as parking and a 500-room hotel.

When it comes to what will actually be inside the theme park itself, there are plenty of rumours flying around.

What we do know is that there will be indoor and outdoor rides, as well as areas for shows and entertainment.

The plans state: “[Guests will] experience blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars.

“They’ll come face-to-face with incredible creatures, heroes, and villains.

“They’ll discover great food, new laughs, new ways to play, and step into immersive worlds they’ve only ever dreamed of.”

There will also be a maximum height of anything in the theme park of 115metres – which if this were to be a rollercoaster, it would take over from Red Force at Ferrari Land (part of PortAventura World) in Salou, Spain, as the tallest in Europe.

Despite Universal not confirming the park map or rides that will feature, industry speculation expects the attraction to focus on its British roots with much-loved franchise Harry Potter featuring.

Other famous films set to play a part in the theme park include Paddington Bear and James Bond.

There are also rumours that Jurassic World, How to Train Your Dragon, Despicable Me/Minions and Shrek could also feature.

Rail lines near the theme park will also get upgraded with a new station on the East West Rail and Midland Main (Thameslink) Line.

It is expected to cost £5billion to bring to life.

IT’S NO secret that Brits love a cuppa – and what better way to enjoy your hot drink than with a view?

As autumn sets in, it’s time to pack up the flash and head off to some of the country’s most scenic spots.

According to new research from coffee roaster, Taylors of Harrogate, which is known for the UK’s best-selling coffee bags, more than half of Brits opt for a weekly coffee break with an outdoor view.

Nearly a quarter drink coffee with a scenic outdoor view at least every other day.

Win one of five incredible holidays to Turkey, the Norwegian fjords and Spain by voting in The Sun’s Travel Awards – enter here to win.

And it’s not just about taking a moment to yourself – the science says that a cup of coffee or tea actually tastes better if you drink it outdoors.

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Coffee flavour is influenced by aroma, so when you’re in fresh air then the coffee is competing with less additional smells and will taste more intense.

Your brain also links the hot drink to a reward if you enjoy it at the end of a long walk, which makes it taste better too.

If you’re feeling inspired to combine your flash of tea or coffee with an autumn hike soon, here are the best spots with a view to enjoy your tipple across the UK:

#10 Quiraing, Skye

Found on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, Quiraing comes in as the 10th best spot for enjoying a cuppa with a view.

It is a massive rocky area with dramatic, towering cliffs covered in vibrant green grass.

Head on a circular walk around the area or simply sit and admire the landscape.

Key spots to visit include The Prison which is a towering slab of rock that looks like a medieval fort and The Needle, which is a huge 37-metre rock.

#9 White Cliffs of Dover, Kent

The White Cliffs of Dover in Kent are famous for a reason – and come in as the ninth best spot.

These 110 to 150-metre tall natural chalk cliffs are the ideal spot to enjoy a walk with a cuppa.

On clear days you can see all the way to France.

While enjoying the view, look out for birdlife as well as Exmoor ponies grazing on the grass.

#8 Buachaille Etive Mòr viewpoint, Glencoe

Buachaille Etive Mòr Viewpoint in Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands is known for being one of the country’s most photographed spots.

With a cup of coffee in hand, admire the imposing mountains often topped with snow.

There is also a short walk from the main viewing areas to second spot that overlooks a river with a number of small waterfalls.

The area was also used as a filming spot in Skyfall.

#7 Surprise View Derwentwater, Lake District

Surprise View is exactly what it sounds like on the tin – a elevated clifftop viewpoint that has a surprisingly stunning view of Derwentwater and the surrounding mountain fells of the Lake District National Park.

Sit and enjoy the view or head on The Watendlath Loop to explore the hamlet of Watendlath.

If you forgot your Thermos, grab a hot drink at a traditional cash-only tearoom in the hamlet.

Alternatively, sit on the hillside and admire the calm, mirror-like water.

#6 Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire

Sat on a hilltop on North Yorkshire, Whitby Abbey is a 13th-century Gothic abbey looked after by English Heritage.

The ruined abbey has inspired many famous writers over the years too including Bram Stoker who used key facts about the abbey including the windswept headland, bat populations and the 1999 steps leading up to the ruins as the backdrop for Dracula.

#5 Three Cliffs Bay, Gower

Three Cliffs Bay in Gower, Wales, is known for its pretty shoreline which is framed by three limestone cliffs.

The beach features a mix of sand dunes and salt marshes, and the Pennard Pill stream.

While not great for swimming, the beach is nice for taking in the salty, fresh breeze with a cuppa in hand – dogs are allowed on the beach all year round too.

Spot Pennard Castle at one end of the beach – the ruins date back to the medieval period.

#4 Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey

Also in Wales, Llanddwyn Island is a tidal island on the coast of Anglesey.

It features a sprawling beach, lighthouses and a hidden connection to the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

Sit with a warm cup of coffee and look out at the Tŵr Mawr lighthouse which was built in 1845 and is shaped like a windmill and the older Tŵr Bach tower.

Also catch a glimpse of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).

#3 Old Man of Storr, Skye

Having featured in several films including The Wicker Man and Snow White and The Huntsman, the Old Man of Storr looks like something out of folklore.

The tower rock on the Isle of Skye towers 55-etres into the sky and is a basalt rock that dates back 2,800-mllion-yers.

Marvel at the rock with your cuppa or head on the Storr trail which takes about an hour and 15 minutes.

#2 Calton Hill, Edinburgh

In the Scottish capital, Calton Hill takes second place among the best spots to have a cuppa and a view.

The park has 360-degree views of the city skyline, including Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle.

And what makes it even better is that you don’t have to hike there as it is only a five to 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.

In the park you will find the Nelson Monument, which is a telescope-shaped tower with a public viewing gallery at the top.

There’s also the Dugald Stewart Monument – a circular neoclassical temple that is one of the city’s most photographed landmarks.

Make sure to visit at sunset as well to capture orange-yellow skies above the city.

#1 Giant’s Causeway, Belfast

Coming out as the best place to enjoy a cuppa with a view is Giant’s Causeway in Belfast.

The natural phenomena boasts 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns and was caused by violent volcanic activity.

The UNESCO World Heritage site managed by the National Trust genuinely looks like something out of a fairytale.

Head along one of the trails, where you can see views of Scotland on clear days.

A visitor centre features exhibitions on local geological history and folklore.

THE UK’s best theme parks have been announced and coming out on top is a little-known seaside spot.

Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk has been named the best theme park in the UK for under one million visitors by the UK Theme Park Awards 2026.

More than 260,000 members of the public voted on the awards that included 36 theme parks.

Pleasurewood Hills is a 59-acre coastal theme park that originally opened back in 1983 and today has more than 35 rides and attractions.

The biggest ride at the park is Wipeout, which stretches nearly 40 metres into the air and has six inversions.

There are also other rides such as Cannonball Express, Marble Madness wild mouse coaster and the Jolly Rodger drop tower.

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The park introduced some new rides for this year, which include a Big Wheel, Starflyer and a spinning coaster.

If you don’t mind getting a little wet, head on the Water Fun Factory log flume as well.

Little kids aren’t left out either as there is a double-decker carousel, miniature railway and a classic theatre.

Tickets cost from £16 per person when bought online in advance and kids under 90cm go free – though it is worth noting that the park closes at the end of October for the season.

One person who visited the park this week, said in a review: “Park has had a massive regeneration, new rides and a general tidy up.

“Place has improved loads and the staff were all super cheerful and polite.”

Another visitor simply said: “Great value for the money.”

Freddy Stokes, Director at Pleasurewood Hills, said: “To have all the hard work that’s gone into Pleasurewood Hills over such a short period of time recognised by people from across our own industry is a massive achievement for the park and the whole team.

“We’ve always believed in what Pleasurewood Hills can be, but to receive an award like this in our first season really shows what can be achieved and, more importantly, where we can take the park from here.”

Paultons Park was named the country’s best theme park for more than one million visitors, on the other hand.

It is the second year in a row the much-loved family theme park has won the award.

And it also scooped up awards for the best new attraction, best large theme park for families, best theme park for toddlers, best Christmas event and best customer service.

Lawrence Mancey, Marketing & Technology Director at Paultons Park and winner of Theme Park Personality of the Year said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded 11 awards at the UK Theme Park Awards, and honoured to have been crowned Theme Park of the Year once again.

“These trophies are a reflection of the hard work of the whole Paultons Park team.

“We couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved over the past year; from the teams who brought Drakon and Valgard to life, to everyone across the park who works so hard to give families and toddlers unforgettable days out in Peppa Pig World and across the park.”

A Gogglebox cast member has quit the show after emigrating to Australia with their partner

A Gogglebox star has bid farewell to the show.

Glasgow-based star Calum, 31, first joined the Channel 4 programme last September, alongside his best friend Jake, 27. But now, Calum has left the series after emigrating to Australia with his partner.

Speaking about the move, Calum said: “I am very far away from Scotland right now, and that’s because me and my partner have moved to Australia. That means a few things, the most obvious one being that unfortunately I am leaving the show.

“I had the most wonderful time, and I can’t sing the praises enough of everyone on and off camera, the entire Gogglebox family, so it’s very bittersweet to be leaving.” Calum will be replaced by Jake’s childhood friend, Louis, 28, who will make his debut on Gogglebox this Friday (September 11) at 9pm on Channel 4.

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MIS-TEEQ will reunite for a one-off 25th anniversary concert next Saturday – and have hand-picked a special line-up of UK garage artists to warm up the crowd.

Insiders told The Sun Alesha Dixon, Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash want the show to bring a party atmosphere to London’s OVO Arena Wembley.

We understand the supporting acts are Damage, Egypt, Kele Le Roc, Malika, Gracious Kay and Monsta Boy and Rampage Sound – who are presenting the acts on stage.

A source said: “This concert is all about celebration for Mis-Teeq and they knew they wanted to have multiple acts to really whip the audience up.

“They’ve secured Damage, Egypt, Kele Le Roc, Malika, Gracious Kay, Monsta Boy and Rampage Sound.

“It’s going to be off the charts.”

Tickets have already sold out, as excitement builds for their reunion following their huge performance at Capital’s Summertime Ball in June.

Alesha and Su-Elise, both 47, and Sabrina, 45, confirmed they were reuniting for a one-off show in May, after The Sun exclusively revealed their plans earlier this year.

Speaking about their return, Alesha said: “We’ve been offered reunion stuff over the years, but it’s never felt right. 

“This time, everything just lined up. “It feels like it is just slotting back into place.”

The band’s reunion is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, Lickin’ On Both Sides.

The record, which came out in October 2001, peaked at No3 in the Official Album Charts and bagged them five Top Ten singles including All I Want, One Night Stand and B With Me.

The Sun were first to reveal in January that the band would be getting back together.

The truth about the last words uttered by Australia’s famed ‘Crocodile Hunter’ have now been laid bare, two decades after the Wildlife Warrior’s untimely death

A close confidant of legendary eco-warrior Steve Irwin has detailed the Aussie icon’s final moments, just as he realised death was moments away.

September 4 marks the anniversarry of Irwin’s untimely death. The passionate animal lover was known around the world for his infectious approach to conservation, capturing hearts with his zoo, TV show, and adoration for all creatures great, small, and even scaly.

It’s been two decades since Irwin’s shock death, and family and friends have paid tribute to a man considered an icon and animal-loving legend Down Under.

ICYMI: Irwin died while doing what he loved; he was out on Australia’s famed Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, filming a nature documentary about stingrays when he copped a barb to the heart from the very creature he was there to film.

Cameraman Justin had been filming the crocodile hunter at sea when disaster struck. Speaking on 60 Minutes’ Steve Irwin: A Wild Life, Justin revealed the devastating moment Steve realised he was dying, and his final moments.

Justin told the programme: “We zipped around for 10-15 minutes before we found the stingray. And then, it was like, okay, game on. I mean, we’d only filmed with stingrays a hundred times before. They were awesome to film with. So we both slipped over the side of the rubber ducky and, yeah, started filming this amazing massive — it was massive — bull ray.

“Anyway, we chatted about the final shot, which would be the opening shot, because by now, the stingray was calm. It had buried itself in the sand. I said, ‘We’ll start this thing. I’ll just be close in front of this stingray. I’ll be a couple of metres from it. You go round behind it and swim up behind it.'”

Justin went on: “He swims up, swims over the top of it. It doesn’t move. But as he’s directly over the top of it, of course, it thought he was a tiger shark and started stabbing madly towards him with its tail. The water just boiled. I couldn’t see anything that was going on. Bubbles and thrashing.

“And then, all of a sudden, it stopped. The stingray swam away, the water calmed, so I just panned with the stingray. And as I let it go out of shot, as I panned back to Steve, he came jumping up out of the water, screaming, and the water around him is now full of blood.

“And he screamed out, ‘It’s punctured my lung!’ I threw the camera into one of the rubber duckies, dragged Steve into the boat. His khaki shirt is open, and he’s just got blood pouring out of a gash like that in his chest, right over his heart. But he’s conscious, and he says to me, looks me right in the eye, and he says, ‘I’m dying’.”

Bindi was just eight years old when her father died, and she shared a video of him as he recounted “the most incredible wildlife encounter of my life” – the birth of his daughter. Bindi said: “Twenty years ago, today, the world lost the most passionate and dedicated wildlife conservationist. Our family lost our superhero. My mum lost the love of her life; my brother and I lost the greatest dad.

“Grief never truly leaves us; we walk alongside it every day. Where there is enormous grief, there is even greater love.I always thought that my dad’s legacy is wildlife conservation; it turns out, his legacy is love. For our planet and for each other.”

Bindi added that her five-year-old daughter watches her grandfather’s documentaries every morning and feels “utterly loved by her ‘grandpa crocodile’, despite never meeting him. She went on “My dad left a lasting impact so poignant that it will ripple out for generations to come. I believe with my whole heart that his love will live on forever.

“Dad, I love you with my whole heart. Thank you for being our guardian angel. And most of all, thank you for watching over my daughter now, too. She loves you so much. We all do.”

Robert also shared a snap of him and his father with the caption: “Your legacy is forever.” Terri, also remembered her final few weeks with her husband, saying “grief still walks with me like my shadow”. She said: “With the passing of time I have gained more perspective and understanding. We were together as a family, on our crocodile research expedition, for what was to be our final six weeks together.

“Ours was to be a long and sweet goodbye. Steve spent time with Bindi and Robert building swings and climbing trees. We all slowed down. Time slowed down. I believe that all of us, every one of us, gets to say goodbye.

“We just may not know that we’re saying it. Hold every moment dear with the ones you love. Until we meet again.”