reveals

Jesy Nelson reveals she wanted to leave Little Mix just TWO YEARS in

JESY Nelson has revealed that she wanted to leave Little Mix after just two years of being in the band.

The singer, 34, joined the popular girl group after winning The X Factor in 2011, subsequently catapulting her into fame.

Jesy revealed that she wanted to leave Little Mix after two years of being in the bandCredit: YOUTUBE
It was actually her brother who convinced her to stayCredit: YOUTUBE
She won The X Factor alongside Jade, Leigh-Anne and Perrie in 2011Credit: Rex

The group toured all over the world, accumulated numerous number one hits, and were only one year off celebrating their 10th anniversary as a band – when Jesy decided to call it quits.

But now Jesy’s shared that she actually wanted to leave Little Mix seven years sooner than she did.

Speaking on the Great Company with Jamie Laing podcast, Ms Nelson sat across the table wearing a knitted camouflage patterned zip-up.

Jamie praised her for having the courage to go her own way, and then she explained how doing that “had presented itself” way before she made the final decision to leave.

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“That [leaving] presented itself far before I made that decision,” Jesy said.

“There was a time where I was like ‘oh, I want to leave’ and I remember sitting down with my family… and it was actually because of my brother that in the end I stayed.”

She continued: “The first time I wanted to leave I remember I went home and we were kinda weighing up the [pros and cons]… and at that point we weren’t even like at our biggest.

“We were, it had only been like two years, but we were still big. Everyone still knew who Little Mix were so it was like ‘if you leave now, what are you going to do?’”

Her brother praised her strength, encouraging her to stay, but also encouraging her to make as much money as she could off of Little Mix‘s fame.

“My brother was like ‘you are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for and I think you can stick this out for another few years.’

Little Mix continued as a trio until going on hiatus in 2022 after their Confetti tourCredit: Getty

“I’m going to be completely honest about what he said, he said ‘just make as much money as you can, you’ve got a chance to really change your family’s life. If somewhere in you can do this for another few years, do it, and then leave, because you’ll never get this opportunity again.’”

Jesy continued to note that her brother “was right” and said she’s now grateful that she stayed and could “change her family’s life” – including getting extra treatments for her twin girls.

She gave birth to Ocean and Story last year and heartbreakingly discovered that they both have spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA), and may never learn how to walk.

If SMA is caught early preventative treatments can assist newborn’s quality of life. However, the symptoms weren’t realised instantly in Jesy’s children, who will now suffer with unknown permanent difficulties.

Jesy did get her twins the treatment they needed, but they were at that point around 8 months old.

The brave mother has since been rallying for SMA screening to be mandatory after every birth to stop the 50 babies per year born with it from suffering.

Around the time of the devastating diagnosis Jesy and her partner Zion called time on their relationship.

They continue to co-parent their daughters during an incredibly tough time.

Jesy gave birth to her twins with Zion last yearCredit: jesynelson/Instagram
They tragically have both been diagnosed with SMA type 1Credit: Instagram/Jesynelson
Jesy and Zion announced their split last monthCredit: Instagram

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Chantelle Houghton reveals she’s got a new boyfriend after being celibate for over two years

CHANTELLE Houghton has revealed she’s got a new boyfriend after being celibate for over two years.

The 42-year-old has seen a number of relationships play out in public after rising to fame on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.

Chantelle Houghton has revealed she has a new boyfriendCredit: Rex
Chantelle rose to fame on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, where she fell in love with singer PrestonCredit: Not known clear with Picture Desk
The couple married later that year but split after 10 months, with the pressure of their relationship being in the spotlight a major factorCredit: WireImage – Getty

Chantelle had entered the Big Brother house as a non-celebrity but had to pretend she was in a girl band.

She won the hearts of viewers and it lead to her winning the series, and becoming a fixture on TV and in the press.

But being in the spotlight made it hard for her relationships, with her whirlwind marriage to CBB co-star Preston falling apart after just 10 months.

Over the years she has also dated TV presenter Rav Wilding and has a daughter with Katie Price‘s ex-husband, Alex Reid.

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In 2021, Chantelle split from her fiance Michael Strut, after things fizzled out when they moved in together during Covid lockdown.

So for the last few years, Chantelle has focused on being a mum, and admitted in past interviews she was celibate.

But in an exclusive chat with The Sun Online, Chantelle has now revealed she’s in a new relationship with a mystery man.

She said: “I think my smile says it all. I have met someone. He’s not in the public eye, but that’s all I’ll say.”

Explaining her reasons for keeping her new romance under wraps, Chantelle said: “I feel like all of my relationships have been public.

“The two relationships I had before Big Brother were the only ones that were private, but they weren’t really proper relationships because I was so young.

“Every relationship I’ve had since has been in the public eye, and hasn’t been mine, almost. Especially with Preston.

“Preston and I were everybody’s, and I get it. I understand why people were invested, and I totally found that flattering, but it was hard.

“It definitely put a strain on the relationship, and that was one of the biggest challenges we faced.”

As well as being happy with her new man, Chantelle is also content with her body after years of diets.

Chantelle has a daughter with ex Alex ReidCredit: FilmMagic – Getty
She also dated TV presenter Rav WildingCredit: Rex
Chantelle wants to keep this latest relationship under wraps after all her others played out in publicCredit: Stewart Williams

Chantelle, who is working with Betway, explained: “I’m really happy with myself, and I feel great.

“When I was younger, I did the Special K diet, I did the cabbage soup diet, and I even did the ‘not-eating’ diet.

“I actually saw something the other day on TikTok that said, ‘Here’s to all the Special K breakfast diet survivors.’ I was one of them!

“I think back then, you really believed you could only get slimmer by going to extremes.

HEALTHY DIET

“We just didn’t have the knowledge we have now about diet and exercise.”

Last year, Chantelle revealed she had lost five stone through diet and exercise and she said: “These days, I’m so much healthier.

“I enjoy the food I eat, and I’m slim, whereas back then it felt like you had to starve yourself to get thin.

“Looking back, it’s actually very simple. Eat healthily, move more, and you’ll lose weight. But we didn’t see it that way at the time.”

Chantelle split from fiance Michael Strut in 2021Credit: The Sun
Chantelle is also happy with her body now, after adopting a healthy diet and exercise regime rather than the fad diets she followed when she was youngerCredit: instagram

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Molly-Mae reveals exactly how many months pregnant she is

MOLLY-MAE Hague has revealed exactly how many months pregnant she is – and she’s much closer to giving birth than anyone thought.

The former Love Islander shared the happy news she is expecting her second child with Tommy Fury on Thursday evening.

Molly-Mae has revealed how far along she is in her pregnancyCredit: Instagram
The star shared the news on Instagram on ThursdayCredit: Instagram
She’s now revealed she’s actually six months into her pregnancyCredit: Instagram

Molly-Mae, 26, quietly broke the news to family and close pals months ago, but shared a surprise video with fans on Instagram, which showed her revealing her bump.

However, she has now gone into more detail about her pregnancy and confirmed she’s actually six months pregnant already.

Taking to Instagram on Friday, she shared a snap from her L’Oreal catwalk in late September and wrote above it: “Little baby with me in this moment…and I didn’t even know.”

She also reshared her pregnancy announcement video and wrote below it: Nearly 6 months on….and it still hasn’t sunk in.”

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Molly-Mae then shared a video from last weekend showing her growing bump in a black top and jogger bottoms as partner Tommy bent down to kiss her stomach.

Molly-Mae, who also has three-year-old daughter Bambi with Tommy, had filmed her pregnancy reveal video on January 23, and captioned it: “Soon to be four.”

However, some fans had guessed she was pregnant the week before, when they spotted her reflection in the window of one of her videos.

Molly dropped various clues about her pregnancy before announcing the news, which is said to have strengthened her relationship with Tommy after they got back together early last year.

A source told The Sun: “Finding out Molly is pregnant has really helped bring them close together again.

“Tommy is determined to do things right this time he has cancelled all of his summer trips with his friends, as he wants to stand by Molly every step of the way.

“Their new home is in a better place for both of them and has more than enough space for two children.”

However, the star hasn’t been able to avoid being trolled over her second pregnancy.

Taking to Reddit, the cruel users gathered to compile a list of reasons why Ms Hague shouldn’t be welcoming baby number two.

“If it makes her happy, then it’s good but Molly seemed to be quite overwhelmed with one child considering she basically hinted that Tommy is always at events or away from home anyway. Obviously, that comes with his job.”

Molly reshared her announcement video as she gave more detailsCredit: Instagram
Molly-Mae and Tommy reunited early last year and are excited for daughter Bambi, three, to become a big sisterCredit: Instagram

“Knew it would happen but still is so disappointing as a molly Stan,” said another.

A third added: “The concept of having a second child when you can’t handle the one you already have is abysmal.”

Molly has been open online about the struggles she’s faced as a first-time mum to her daughter Bambi, 2.

From noting Bambi’s challenging behaviour when she was on holiday in the Maldives to at times feeling like Bambi “hates” her, she’s documented the ups and downs – and then been further accused of giving Bambi no privacy.

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A-list movie star reveals bloody face and forehead full of welts in shock photos after getting painful ‘Botox & filler’

ACTRESS Florence Pugh revealed her bloody face and welts on her forehead in new photos after undergoing “Botox and fillers.”

The A-list star got candid about the beauty treatments she’s endured and their shocking side effects in a series of social media posts.

Florence Pugh shared photos of herself undergoing ‘Botox and filler’ injectionsCredit: Instagram/florencepugh
The actress joked that she was being a ‘responsible adult’ by receiving the beauty treatmentCredit: Instagram/florencepugh

Earlier this week, Florence, 30 – who is set to star in the first James Bond Amazon spin-off – shared several snapshots from her recent visit with her plastic surgeon, showing herself receiving injections in her forehead and lips.

One pic captured the Oppenheimer star sticking her tongue out at the camera while her doctor smiled as she injected a needle into her forehead, which already showed multiple red bumps.

“Just mama Pugh freezing her forehead like a responsible adult,” the Thunderbolts star teasingly wrote over the clip.

A second snap showed Florence with a neutral expression as she received filler injections in her top lip.

The Don’t Worry Darling star then showed the after-effects of the injections, including visible marks on her face.

“I wasn’t stung by a bee. I repeat: I wasn’t stung by a bee. Just had some tox and fillers,” Florence jokingly clarified in her caption.

The Pretty Woman star appears to have made a habit of prioritizing herself from a young age.

Last February, during an appearance on the National Geographic series No Taste Like Home, Florence opened up about her childhood battle with severe respiratory issues.

“I wasn’t supposed to live,” the United Kingdom native revealed.

“When I was born, they told my parents that it wasn’t going to happen, and just enjoy the time whilst you have it.

“I had many struggles growing up with my breathing, constantly being ill. Going in and out of the hospital,” Florence added.

The We Live in Time star previously revealed that she was diagnosed with tracheomalacia as a baby, a condition that causes the windpipe to collapse and makes breathing difficult.

Her parents uprooted their lives to Spain when she was three years old after doctors suggested that a warmer climate would help her breathe better.

“We were in Spain because I have a breathing issue,” Florence said in a past interview.

“I have asthma and this thing called tracheomalacia. From a young age, I’ve just had a different breathing system.”

Florence was initially on the show to trace her family’s roots through culinary creations in Oxford.

She then discovered that her 3x great-grandparents, Mauritz and Anna, who emigrated from the Netherlands to London in the mid-1800s, had a daughter, Florence, who died at just four days old.

The actress learned that her relative likely died from tuberculosis, prompting her to reflect on her own health struggles growing up.

Florence also shared a pic of her bloody face and welts on her forehead following the procedureCredit: Instagram/florencepugh
The movie star previously opened up about her childhood health battlesCredit: Rex
Florence revealed that she was diagnosed with tracheomalacia, which made breathing difficultCredit: Getty

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Gordon Ramsay denies slamming Adam Peaty’s family in wedding speech and reveals cheeky ‘dad joke’ he wrote himself

GORDON Ramsay has slammed rumours he took a swipe at Adam Peaty’s estranged family in his wedding speech at his daughter Holly’s nuptials.

Speaking for the first time about the family feud that the Ramsays have found themselves caught up in, Gordon addressed speculation he took a pop at Adam’s parents on the big day.

Gordon Ramsay has denied slamming Adam Peaty’s family in his speech at daughter Holly’s weddingCredit: Getty
Adam has been estranged from his mum Caroline since NovemberCredit: Shutterstock
Gordon and Tana have given their first interview about the scandalCredit: Instagram

Gordon reportedly took aim at Adam’s mum Caroline in his speech, making an unfavourable comparison to his wife Tana.

He is said to have quipped to Adam: “Look at Tana and that’s what you have to look forward to.” 

And in a sly dig at Adam’s absent parents, he allegedly Holly, 25: “Shame you don’t have the same.” 

But in an interview with Daily Mail, Gordon claimed he didn’t say anything rude.

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‘NOTHING INAPPROPRIATE’

 “I was told we were accused of saying inappropriate things,” Gordon said. “Nothing at all was said that was ­inappropriate, I promise you.

“I was very warm, very witty. I talked about when they first met. I was nervous, hearing the words no father would ever want to hear, ‘Your daughter’s gone on a date with the world’s best breast- stroker.’ We knew something big was going on when she came home and all we could smell was chlorine.’”

Gordon went on to share a cheeky dad joke he penned himself.

“They were the bits I really worked on, ” he recalled. “I paid tribute to Holly, then welcomed Adam into the family: ‘I know you’ll give Holly all the love she deserves, but be aware that her twin, Jack, is a Royal Marine. I know you can swim fast, but he has a boat with a big f****** gun on it!’ Light-hearted stuff like that.”

It comes as Gordon also addressed the feud directly elsewhere in the interview.

He insisted he and his wife had “done nothing wrong”.





We sent a chauffer-driven car for them to tome to the engagement party and treated them like royalty.”


Gordon Ramsay

Gordon said: “It’s just upsetting. It’s all self-inflicted from their side, because we’ve done nothing – none of what you’ve read: no rudeness, no ignorance – we welcomed them.

“We sent a chauffeur-driven car for them to come to the engagement party and treated them like royalty.

“So to get that barrage of press was very hurtful. Tana took it very seriously.”

ENDING THE FEUD?

Talking of a potential reconciliation, he added: “I would like to go up to Nottingham with Tana and see them and draw a line in the sand.”

Gordon and Tana would like to travel to Nottingham to meet with CarolineCredit: ANL
Gordon said it was Adam and Holly’s decision for his parents not to attend the nuptialsCredit: instagram

“It was Adam and Holly’s wishes for them not to attend and so we had to respect that. There’s stuff they need to sort out as parents.

“That’s nothing to do with Tana and me.

“But we are very mindful we want to move on and allow Holly and Adam to continue starting their lives together.”

Adam’s feud with his mum Caroline, 60, exploded In November after she was not invited to Holly’s hen do. 

And a source close to the Peatys recently told The Sun they had given up home of mending bridges.

An insider close to Adam’s parents said: “It’s been a really emotional time for them as a family.

“They’re coming to terms with what has happened and that Adam has picked his side.

“It’s dashed any hope of reconciliation in the near future.”

Holly shared a series of stunning snaps from her honeymoonCredit: Instagram/@hollyramsaypeaty

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Top travel mum influencer reveals her best cheap, family-friendly hotels

WHEN it comes to family holidays parents want plenty of entertainment, splash parks and great food – and you’d expect all this to come at a cost.

However, not all hotels have to break the bank, and a woman who knows how to be savvy with holidays is Jenna Carr aka ‘Travel Mum’ who is constantly finding the best deals and shares how others can do the same.

Jenna Carr shares how families can travel where they like on a budgetCredit: Jenna Carr
One of Jenna’s favourite hotel stays was at the AluaSun Costa Park in SpainCredit: Love Holidays

Jenna has travelled all over the world with her young family finding super cheap deals and the best locations for kids along the way.

She’s documented all her top tips on The Travel Mum – and there will be even more in her book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids‘ which will be released on February 12, 2026.

Jenna has two children ages six and one, so there are a few necessities when it comes to book hotels from splash pools, kids’ clubs and of course, being affordable.

Talking to Sun Travel, Jenna revealed some of her top hotels – some of which still have spaces this half-term.

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Jenna said: “The best all-inclusive, cheap, hotel I’ve been to was AluaSun Costa Park in Torremolinos.

“The Costa del Sol is always great for cheap hotels and this one was all-inclusive. We didn’t go during the school holidays, so it wasn’t busy either.

“It was a really easy pick because it was so close to the airport with a short transfer time, and a free shuttle that went down to the beach.

“There was a little splash park for the kids too and the food was good.”

The AluaSun Costa Park hotel sits on the Costa Del Sol, in Torremolinos.

It has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace filled with loungers – and for kids, there’s a big splash park.

It’s within walking distance of two beaches; Playa de los Álamos and Playa de la Carihuela.

With HolidayGems you can still book a full-board five-night holiday for a family of four for £401.65pp.

Flights depart on February 17 returning on February 22, 2026.

If you don’t want all meals included, you can book a three-night stay at the AluaSun Costa Park from February 18 with loveholidays from £189pp (with breakfast included).

Hold off until Easter holidays and you can get an all-inclusive break at the AluaSun Costa Park from £305pp for a family of four.

Flights leave on March 31 from London Luton returning on April 4, 2025 – you can book this deal through On the Beach.

Allegra Agadir is another of Jenna’s top hotels for familiesCredit: Jet2Holidays
For the three of them Jenna managed to get a deal for £600 – with all-inclusiveCredit: Jet2Holidays

One of Jenna’s top all-inclusive stays was in Agadir where she paid just £600 for her family of three at the time.

She said: “Allegro Agadir was amazing, it was very cheap and cheerful and right on the beach.

“It was just the three of us at the time and we paid £600 for a five-night all-inclusive.

“That didn’t include flights though, we did it DIY.”

The hotel is a short walk from the beach where there are complimentary sunbeds for hotel guests.

There are also two outdoor pools including one for children along with a buffet restaurant and three bars.

On Booking.com a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir for three-nights at £601 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) from February 16, 2026.

This works out at just £50pppn.

If you book in advance now for October half-term a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir from £972 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) – which works out at £48pppn.

Or, a five-night all-inclusive package with loveholidays starts from £589pp with flights departing on October 26, 2026.

The mini club at the GF Victoria has little go-karts for kidsCredit: Jet2Holidays

Another top pick when it comes to hotels for Jenna was the GF Victoria in Tenerife.

She told us: “It was fantastic and so good for families, especially the restaurant.

“There was a play area right next door with a glass wall. So when the kids start whining they’re finished and want to get up and go – you can finish your meal and let them play.

“There was a huge kids’ buffet with all the beige stuff they love. And there was a baby club along with a kids’ club.

“It was a holiday for us rather than a promotion, but I ended up promoting it anyway because it was such a great place – I had to tell everyone about it.”

Guests can enjoy the great weather in Tenerife at one of the four swimming pools, splash park and aqua park.

Inside is a baby club, mini club with a racing track, teen club with games like table football and air hockey.

There are also six bars and three restaurants across the resort all with children’s menus.

For more of the best best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week, head to thetravelmum.com

Jen Carr, family travel expert and founder of The Travel Mum, shares the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week. https://thetravelmum.com

Jen’s new book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids’ is available launches February 12, 2026 and is available to preorder on Amazon.

For more on great family stays – check out the top-rated hotel named the best for families with colouring stations for kids and baby concierge.

And is this the best family hotel in Europe? The ‘insane’ resort has six floors of play zones, mini Land Rovers & a water park.

Jenna Carr reveals her favourite family-friendly hotels with all-inclusive offersCredit: Jenna Carr



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Zelenskyy reveals 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed fighting against Russia | Russia-Ukraine war News

Kremlin spokesperson says Russian forces would continue fighting until Kyiv makes necessary ‘decisions’ to end the war.

The number of Ukrainian soldiers killed on the battlefield as a result of the country’s war with Russia is estimated to be 55,000, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that a “large number” were also missing.

President Zelenskyy’s remarks on Wednesday came in the run-up to the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and amid crucial ceasefire talks in Abu Dhabi, where negotiators are trying to end Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.

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“In Ukraine, officially the number of soldiers killed on the battlefield – either professionals or those conscripted – is 55,000,” said Zelenskyy, in a prerecorded interview with France 2 TV.

Zelenskyy, whose comments were translated into French, added that on top of that casualty figure was a “large number of people” considered officially missing.

The Ukrainian leader did not give an exact figure for those who are still missing.

Zelenskyy had previously cited a figure for Ukrainian war dead in an interview with the United States television network NBC in February 2025, saying that more than 46,000 Ukrainian service members had been killed on the battlefield.

In the middle of 2025, the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, estimated that close to 400,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded since the war began.

Last month, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that Russian attacks had killed 2,514 civilians and injured 12,142 in Ukraine in 2025, almost a third higher than the number of casualties in 2024.

Russia has also incurred heavy losses in the ongoing war.

In January, Ukraine’s military commander, Oleksandr Syrskii, was quoted as saying that in 2025 alone, almost 420,000 Russian soldiers were killed and wounded while fighting against Ukrainian forces.

An October 2025 estimate by British defence intelligence put the overall number of Russian soldiers killed or wounded in the war at 1.1 million.

Both Ukraine and Russia rarely disclose their own casualty figures in the war, though they actively report enemy losses on the battlefield.

Analysts say both Kyiv and Moscow are likely underreporting their own deaths while inflating those of the other side.

A woman visits the snow-covered memorial for the fallen Ukrainian and foreign fighters on Independence Square in Kyiv on January 13, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP)
A woman visits the snow-covered memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers and foreign fighters at Independence Square in Kyiv [File: Sergei Gapon/AFP]

 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Russia would keep fighting until Kyiv made the “decisions” that could bring the war to an end, while in Abu Dhabi, Ukrainian and Russian officials wrapped up a “productive” first day of new US-brokered talks, Kyiv’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov said.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has been pushing both Kyiv and Moscow to find a compromise to end the fighting, although the two sides remain far apart on key points despite several rounds of talks.

The most sensitive issues are Moscow’s demands that Kyiv give up land it still controls and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which now sits in a Russian-occupied area of Ukraine.

Moscow has demanded that Kyiv pull its troops out of all the Donbas region, including heavily fortified cities regarded as one of Ukraine’s strongest defences against Russian aggression, as a condition for any deal to end the fighting.

Ukraine said the conflict should be frozen along current front lines and rejects any unilateral pullback of its forces from territory it still controls.

Russian forces occupy about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea and parts of the eastern Donbas region seized before the 2022 invasion.

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Kate Ferdinand breaks down in tears as she reveals she’s ‘struggling’ with Dubai move but Rio ‘loves it’

KATE Ferdinand has emotionally revealed that she is “struggling” with the overhaul of moving her life to Dubai.

The TV star, 34, and her husband Rio uprooted their London life for Dubai in a switch-up last summer.

Kate Ferdinand has emotionally admitted that she has been struggling since moving to DubaiCredit: YouTube/Blended
Kate and her husband Rio moved last summer with their three youngest childrenCredit: Instagram
While Rio is ‘loving’ their new life, Kate says it’s taking her more time to settle inCredit: Instagram

And while former footballer Rio “loves” their new life, Kate got teary during a new episode of her podcast Blended as she admitted it’s tough for her.

Beginning positive, she said: “I think it’s an amazing place to live, I think it’s amazing for the children. The children are thriving and happy and living a life of just outside freedom.

“Rio loves it so much. I am enjoying it, but I miss home quite a lot. I can’t talk about it because I get upset,” said Kate as she grappled with tears.

Kate and Rio have a blended family of five children, which consists of their two kids Cree and Shae, and Rio’s children Lorenz, 19, Tate, 17, and Tia, who he welcomed with his late wife Rebecca.

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The family of seven have a very close-knit bond, but eldest sons Lorenz and Tate have remained in the UK amid the UAE move to focus on their budding football careers.

Admitting being apart from her stepsons is making things harder, Kate continued: “I miss the big boys a lot and I’m just struggling with that. 

“I know this decision is right for my younger children and as a family we are settled there, but the boys are following their football careers.

“So they’re doing what they want to do otherwise they’d be with us.

“But it’s very hard because we’ve been through so much as a family and we’ve always been together and that’s a huge adjustment.”

Kate also said that while she feels happy in their new home, a part of her is “missing”.

She and Rio met in Dubai back in 2016 while visiting on respective holidays, and later got engaged in the UAE.

Last summer, Kate revealed they were making the move as she said: “

A new chapter, a fresh start — because if we don’t try, we’ll never know.

“Ahhh! We’ve talked about this for so long, and now it’s finally real… we’re here, we are making a new home in the place we met!”

They have since shared a myriad of snaps from their stunning mansion over there.

Kate said that a part of her felt ‘missing’Credit: YouTube/Blended
Kate said that while the move has been ‘amazing’ for her kids, she is missing her two stepsonsCredit: Instagram

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Jesy Nelson reveals heart-stopping moment her mum raised the alarm on twins’ SMA struggle after moving to Cornwall

JESY Nelson has described the terrifying moment her mum raised the alarm about her twins’ SMA struggle.

The pop star secretly moved to Cornwall after giving birth to the two little girls following a high-risk pregnancy.

Jesy Nelson with her mum Janice White
Ocean and Story have been diagnosed with SMACredit: Instagram

She says her mum Janice noticed Ocean and Story’s lack of leg movement on a trip to visit them.

Speaking on Jamie Laing’s podcast Great Company with Jesy Nelson, the former Little Mix star said:  “Me and Zion decided we wanted to move to Cornwall because our babies had been through all this trauma, and we just wanted them to grow up in a peaceful setting and just be around the sea and live like a kid.

“I honestly was not even taking notice of their legs because they’re my first set of children, so I don’t know how they should be moving their legs, or what they should and shouldn’t be doing anyway.

“Because we had just moved six hours away, my mum wasn’t with me every day.

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“I think she noticed how much it had deteriorated, and she said, ‘Jesy, they don’t move their legs very much. Have you noticed that?’

“She kept comparing them to my nephew, but I said George was a full time baby and because the twins were premature you can’t compare them.

“She said, ‘I know Jesy, but something’s not right’.

“My mum is such a such a worrier. She worries about everything – a bit like me, she thinks the worst in every situation.

“And so I just thought that was her over-worrying then a week went by, and I remember changing their nappy and just thinking ‘oh, god, they actually don’t move their legs at all’.

“For some reason they just stopped.”

Jesy with her now ex-partner Zion gave birth in May 2025Credit: jesynelson/Instagram

Fearing her mum was right, Jesy booked to see a paediatrician straight away.

After being told the babies needed blood tests and a brain scan, Jesy left the doctors in tears.

She was later told the identical twins have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 — the most severe form of a rare disease affecting muscle strength and movement.

Jesy is now working tirelessly to raise awareness of SMA and campaigning for the condition to be added to the NHS newborn heel-prick test, which currently screens for ten other conditions.

She spoke to The Sun about the diagnosis and her new new six-part docuseries on Prime Video, which follows her journey into motherhood as she reflects back on her time in Little Mix.

It’s the first time she’s opened up about quitting the band in 2020.

Read our full interview with Jesy about hope of reconciling with her former Little Mix friends and mending her relationship with Simon Cowell here.

  • Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix will be aired on Prime Video from February 13.
  • Listen to Great Company with Jesy Nelson whereever you get your podcasts.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Signs and symptoms

Spinal muscular atrophy is a disease which takes away a person’s strength and it causes problems by disrupting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord.

This causes an individual to lose the ability to walk, eat and breathe.

There are four types of SMA – which are based on age.

  • Type 1 is diagnosed within the first six months of life and is usually fatal.
  • Type 2 is diagnosed after six months of age.
  • Type 3 is diagnosed after 18 months of age and may require the individual to use a wheelchair.
  • Type 4 is the rarest form of SMA and usually only surfaces in adulthood.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of SMA will depend on which type of condition you have.

But the following are the most common symptoms:

• Floppy or weak arms and legs

• Movement problems – such as difficulty sitting up, crawling or walking

• Twitching or shaking muscles

• Bone and joint problems – such as an unusually curved spine

• Swallowing problems

• Breathing difficulties

However, SMA does not affect a person’s intelligence and it does not cause learning disabilities.

How common is it?

The majority of the time a child can only be born with the condition if both of their parents have a faulty gene which causes SMA.

Usually, the parent would not have the condition themselves – they would only act as a carrier.

Statistics show around 1 in every 40 to 60 people is a carrier of the gene which can cause SMA.

If two parents carry the faulty gene there is a 1 in 4 (25 per cent) chance their child will get spinal muscular atrophy.

It affects around 1 in 11,000 babies.

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Millie Mackintosh back in contact with newly single ex husband Professor Green before Hugo Taylor split, rapper reveals

MILLIE Mackintosh got in contact with her ex-husband Professor Green before splitting from Hugo Taylor, the rapper has revealed.

Yesterday, it was reported that Millie, 36, and her husband Hugo Taylor have split following seven years of marriage.

Millie Mackintosh was back in contact with her ex-husband Professor Green months before she split from Hugo TaylorCredit: Getty – Contributor
The rapper says he and ex-wife Millie bonded over their respective children and both being diagnosed with ADHD in recent yearsCredit: greatcompanypodcast/Instagram
It was reported this week that Millie and Hugo have split after seven years of marriageCredit: Refer to Caption

While it’s been a decade since their split, Professor Green – real name Stephen Manderson – admitted that the pair have recently been in contact.

Appearing on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast in October, he dubbed Millie “beautiful” while sharing that the pair have bonded over both being diagnosed with ADHD in recent years.

“It was really recently that we spoke actually about our mutual diagnosis and, you know, our kids,” said the music star, 42.

He added that the pair were toxic for one another at the time of their marriage, describing it as a “trauma bond”.

FORMER FLAMES

All the signs Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor had split up


it’s over

Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor SPLIT after seven years of marriage

Back in October, a source told The Sun that Millie and her ex were on good terms, sharing: “They have started speaking again, and they are on better terms than they have been in a decade.

“Both being parents has played a huge part, and they have both grown up a lot. They have also both given up booze, which was a huge issue when they were together.”

Millie shares two daughters with Hugo; Sienna and Aurelia.

Professor Green has been single since he split from fiancée Karima McAdams in 2024 after welcoming son Slimane three years prior.

The rapper is set to appear on this year’s Celebs Go Dating alongside the likes of Coleen Nolan and Love Island’s Gabby Allen.

Millie married Professor Green in 2013 after a failed relationship with Hugo.

But, following their divorce in 2016, Millie and Hugo got back together before tying the knot themselves two years later.

According to the Daily MailMillie and Hugo, 39, went their separate ways after a series of discussions in the New Year.

An insider told the publication: “Millie and Hugo are currently going through a separation and have sadly decided to split. 

“They have known each other for many years, and in recent weeks, have had serious conversations about their future, ultimately deciding it’s better for them both to part ways.

In October, Professor Green described Millie as ‘beautiful’, almost a decade on from their romanceCredit: greatcompanypodcast/Instagram
Millie married Professor Green in 2013 but they split less than three years laterCredit: Getty

“Their main priority remains their children and family life, and separating is not something they ever hoped would happen.

“At present, they are considering what living apart might look like and how they plan to navigate co-parenting their young children.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult start to the year, and one they hope to continue managing in private.”

Millie shares two daughters with her estranged husband HugoCredit: instagram/milliemackintosh
They met as teenagers and were together for years before she met Professor Green, later rekindling thingsCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Olivia Attwood reveals surprising Love Islander she’d date after splitting from husband Bradley Dack

TV star Olivia Attwood has opened up on the surprising Love Islander she’d date after removing her wedding ring and telling pals she’s going to divorce Bradley Dack.

The 34-year-old recently revealed who she would pursue if she was on this season of Love Island All Stars.

Olivia and Pete discussed who they would pursue on Love Island All StarsCredit: YOUTUBE
Bradley Dack and Olivia Attwood, 34, recently split after what was called a ‘breach of trust’ on his partCredit: Shutterstock
The TV presenter surprisingly said she would choose to couple up with Curtis PritchardCredit: ITV

Just last week, the presenter addressed her marriage breakdown saying she cries herself to sleep and wants both her and footballer Brad to be happy.

But now putting on a brave face Olivia sat down to chat with her pal Pete Wicks, 37, on their Sunday Roast podcast.

The duo then asked each other which islander they would pick out of the line up.

ITV‘s Olivia gobsmacked fans by opting for Curtis Pritchard.

Read more on Olivia Attwood

NO GOING DACK

Olivia Attwood ‘to divorce’ Bradley Dack and removes wedding ring


dog house

Olivia Attwood and ex Bradley Dack locked in battle over their dogs after split

She said: “I don’t know any of the boys names.”

And Pete replied: “Well you know one. Curtis. He’s a big lad, tall. I think you’d be a real power couple.”

Olivia surprisingly agreed, she said: “I would probably go for Curtis.”

Curtis found himself in the limelight after appearing on Love Island series five, but he didn’t stop there returning for Love Island games in 2023 and now this season of All Stars.

While Olivia picked the dancer, Pete was certain he would couple up with Belle Hassan.

Loose Women panellist Olivia also appeared on Love Island back in 2017 on series 3.

Olivia made her mark as she appeared on season 3 of Love IslandCredit: Rex Features

She finished in third place alongside Chris Hughes but they later split as she got back together with her long-time love Bradley Dack, 32.

The Sun previously revealed the split was down to what was called a “breach of trust” on his part.

A source close to the star told us: “Olivia is already talking about divorce because it is feeling very final and over for her.

“She’s worked too hard on her career to let it fall apart because of her relationship going south.”

Olivia was spotted last Friday on Loose Women without her £200,000 engagement ring meanwhile Bradley was snapped leaving football training still wearing his wedding band.

The couple are already locked in a tug of love over their dogs.

Carpathian/German shepherd mix Lola and rottweiler Stitch, both rescue dogs, are staying with Olivia in South London as they sort out their care.

Olivia was coupled up with Chris Hughes on the show and the pair came third but later split as she got back together with Bradley DackCredit: Rex Features

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Epstein email reveals plan to access Libya’s frozen state assets | News

Email sent to US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2011 outlines what the sender described as financial and legal opportunities in Libya.

A newly released document shows that an associate of late US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had outlined plans to pursue access to Libya’s frozen state assets, including seeking potential support from former British and Israeli intelligence officials.

The tranche of documents released by the United States Department of Justice on Friday included an email sent to Epstein that outlines what the sender described as financial and legal opportunities linked to political and economic uncertainty in Libya at the time.

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The email dated July 2011 was sent several months after a NATO-backed uprising against then Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi began. Gaddafi was killed by Libyan rebels in October of the same year.

According to the email, about $80bn in Libyan funds were believed to be frozen internationally, including roughly $32.4bn in the US.

“And it is estimated that the real number is somewhere between three to four times this number in sovereign, stolen and misappropriated assets,” the email states, adding that “if we can identify/recover 5 percent to 10 percent of these monies and receive 10 percent to 25 percent as compensation we are talking about billions of dollars”.

The sender also said certain former members of Britain’s foreign intelligence service, MI6 and Israel’s external intelligence agency, Mossad, had expressed a willingness to assist in efforts to identify and recover “stolen assets”.

The email also referenced expectations that Libya would need to spend at least $100bn in the future on reconstruction and economic recovery.

“But the real carrot is if we can become their go-to guys because they plan to spend at least $100 billion next year to rebuild their country and jump start the economy,” the email said.

The email characterised Libya as a country with significant energy reserves and strong literacy rates, factors it said could be advantageous for financial and legal initiatives.

It also stated that discussions had been held with some international law firms about working on a contingency-fee basis.

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Sydney Sweeney reveals inspiration behind her new lingerie range as she poses in lacy underwear for new magazine shoot

SYDNEY Sweeney has told how her first bra inspired her new lingerie range.

The Housemaid actress, 28, revealed she was a 32DD at 12.

Sydney Sweeney says her first bra inspired her new lingerie rangeCredit: Morgan Maher for Cosmopolitan
Actress Sydney revealed she was a 32DD at 12Credit: Morgan Maher for Cosmopolitan

She told Cosmopolitan: “I remember going to the store to get my first wire bra.

“It was silk and the only bra I felt good in.

“I literally wore it to the point that it had holes in it.”

Her new SYRN range include bras up to size 42DDD.

Read more on Sydney Sweeney

Sydney said she still had her first bra, adding: “It has stood by my side my entire life.

“I want to make bras that stay with women.”

Sydney last week unveiled her SYRN range with a raunchy campaign.

Sweeney is said to be currently dating US music executive Scooter Braun, 44.

Cosmopolitan’s 2026 Love Issue cover, featuring Sydney SweeneyCredit: Morgan Maher for Cosmopolitan

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I had secret affair with ‘charming and passionate’ Terence Stamp when I was 23 and he was 53 reveals Patsy Kensit

PATSY KENSIT has told how she had an affair at 23 with Sixties acting icon Terence Stamp – 30 years her senior.

The unlikely relationship was sparked while they were filming 1991 crime thriller Prince Of Shadows in Madrid.

Pin-up girl Patsy Kensit in 1990Credit: Getty
Patsy in a scene with Terence Stamp in the 1991 thriller Prince Of Shadows – which led to flingCredit: Kobal
Oscar-nominated Terence, star of the original Superman movies and an accomplished author, died in LA last year aged 87Credit: Kobal

Actress and former rock chick Patsy, 57, who has more recently appeared in EastEnders and Death In Paradise, recalled: “I had a lost few months with Terence when I was very young, but it was all a dream and he was the perfect gentleman.”

Oscar-nominated Terence, star of the original Superman movies and an accomplished author, died in LA last year aged 87.

Patsy said in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday: “I first met him at a dinner party in Chelsea through a girlfriend. I was sitting next to him on the table plan and had read all of his books, The Stamp Collection Cookbook.  He was such a great writer, so I was a bit of a superfan.”

She added: “He was probably the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.”

Weeks later, Patsy signed up to play beautiful prostitute Rebeca in the Spanish movie and she suggested Terence to appear opposite her as hero Darman.

He had been making his first attempt at directing a film, but after three weeks it was abandoned with a loss of $5million, so the Spanish project marked his return to acting.

Patsy recalled: “I was offered this film in Spain and the director had wanted Anthony Hopkins to play opposite me, but he was busy, so I mentioned Terence and they jumped at the chance.

‘Little monkey’

“So as soon as we knew we were going to do the movie together, he took me to a fish restaurant called Greens and he had the most beautiful eyes, stunning blue.

“On location, our friendship grew stronger and more intense.

“We had several love scenes in the film — shooting them is never sexy, but having said that, it can feel intimate.

“The food was fantastic in Madrid and, after filming, he’d take me to little restaurants he found. We had a very strong connection immediately, and spent a lot of time together.

“He told stories about Julie Christie [his co-star in 1967’s Far From The Madding Crowd] and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Billy Budd, which was his breakthrough.

“He knew Michael Caine. I was born the year of the monkey and he always used to say to me, ‘You’re such a little monkey, Patsy’. He was so old-school and a forgotten era.

“We were star-crossed lovers and he was a total gentleman. Even though there was an age gap, we had a strong bond. He was an amazing and generous lover.”

Terence loved to write, and sent Patsy dozens of love notes, as well as regularly writing to her mum Margaret, who joined her on set during filming.

Patsy said: “He used to write me these wonderful love letters about lucid dreams he had.





We were star-crossed lovers and he was a total gentleman. Even though there was an age gap, we had a strong bond. He was an amazing and generous lover


Patsy Kensit

“His handwriting was like art. I’ve still got them in storage, I couldn’t bear to part with them.

“He was really ahead of the game with modern medicine and homeopathy and my mum was dying of cancer at the time. When she died, I discovered all these letters he had been writing to her. They were in regular correspondence and he was encouraging her to take all these supplements and eat certain foods.”

Back in London, Patsy and Terence carried on dating. She said: “He was living in Piccadilly, in an incredible apartment with a roaring fireplace and a big, beautiful kitchen.

“The doorman would let me in — he had a twinkle in his eye and would say, ‘Are you here to see Mr Stamp?’. I imagine he had many visitors. Terence took me to restaurants and museums.

“It was a lost few months in my life and a beautiful time.”

Then Patsy had to leave London for Los Angeles to film 1991 sci-fi film Timebomb, and she ended their brief fling.

Patsy with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in The Great GatsbyCredit: Alamy
Patsy with her second husband Jim KerrCredit: Doug Seeburg – The Sun
Patsy and ex Liam GallagherCredit: Getty

She said: “And suddenly, it was over. I was young and stupid.”

Ironically, Patsy — who has been married four times — first met her second husband, Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr, in Madrid while she was filming with Terence. They married in 1992 and had a son, James.

She recalled: “We were filming at the Palace Hotel and we were shooting in a corridor.

“We heard this strong Scottish accent saying, ‘I need to get out of my room, I can’t wait’, and it was Jim Kerr.

“And he looked at me and went, ‘Oh hello’, at which point Terence walked back into the bedroom.

“At the end of the day, an assistant appeared with a note from Jim saying, ‘If you’re ever in Scotland, I’ll happily show you the mountains’. Eventually I did, and it led to a marriage and a baby.”





The doorman would let me in — he had a twinkle in his eye and would say, ‘Are you here to see Mr Stamp?’. I imagine he had many visitors. Terence took me to restaurants and museums


Patsy Kensit

Patsy, who also has son Lennon with ex-husband Liam Gallagher, is writing an autobiography — and has plenty of material.

Her dad Jimmy, a sharp dresser who drove an Aston Martin, was an associate of the Kray brothers, and her glamorous mum Margaret acted as a chaperone to Patsy, who began her career as a child actress.

She appeared with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in The Great Gatsby in 1974, and she and her mum often hung out with Elizabeth Taylor when Patsy played her daughter in 1976’s The Blue Bird.

Elizabeth would cook spaghetti for Patsy and her mum, and let the six-year-old play catch with her Krupp diamond, given to her by husband Richard Burton.

Recalling working with Robert Redford, who died last year, Patsy said: “I was only four and a half, but I remember it all so clearly.

“He was a handsome, tall, blond man and whenever he walked on to the set, all the women would get giggly, including my mum.

“I remember being driven to Pinewood in a Rolls-Royce to get fitted in Ralph Lauren costumes for the movie. It was another world.”

Patsy looking glam last yearCredit: supplied
Terence Stamp as Sgt Troy with Julie Christie in 1967 film Far From The Madding CrowdCredit: Alamy

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Catherine O’Hara was ‘struggling to breathe’ before being rushed to hospital, audio reveals after actress’s death at 71

CHILLING dispatch audio has revealed screen legend Catherine O’Hara was “struggling to breathe” before she died early on Friday morning.

O’Hara, 71, best known for her roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Schitt’s Creek, was reportedly rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in a serious condition.

Catherine O’Hara, 71, has sadly passed away after a brief illnessCredit: Getty
Annie Murphy and Catherine O’Hara in Schitt’s Creek, 2020, which catapulted her back into the spotlightCredit: Alamy
Catherine O’Hara became a household name after appearing in the Home Alone franchise in the 90sCredit: Alamy
The Home Alone star made her final public appearance with husband Bo Welch at the Primetime Emmys in September 2025Credit: GETTY

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to reports of a medical emergency after a 911 call was placed from her Brentwood home at 4.48am.

Dispatch audio obtained by PageSix revealed the actress was having difficulty breathing in her final moments.

Tragically, she passed away hours later in hospital.

A cause of death has not yet been confirmed, though her talent agency CAA said she suffered from a “brief illness” just before her death.

SHOCKED CAST

Catherine O’Hara forced to miss start of The Studio filming days before death


‘ONE & ONLY’

Heartbroken Macaulay Culkin leads tributes for Catherine O’Hara as stars mourn

O’Hara is survived by her husband of 33 years, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew, 31, and Luke, 29.

Tributes to the comedy icon have begun to pour in from across Hollywood after her untimely death.

Macaulay Culkin, who starred as the actress’s son in the Home Alone films, remembered O’Hara as “mama” in a heartbreaking post on Instagram.

“Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you, but I had so much more to say,” Culkin wrote.

“I love you. I’ll see you later.”

O’Hara played Kate McCallister, the mother of Culkin’s character, Kevin, in the first two Home Alone movies.

Heartbroken Macaulay Culkin calls Catherine O’Hara ‘mama’ in a tribute on InstagramCredit: Instagram/culkamania
Catherine O’Hara and Macaulay Culkin were still close after starring in Home Alone togetherCredit: Alamy

Catherine O’Hara dead at 71

Iconic Home Alone actress Catherine O’Hara died on January 30, 2026. O’Hara was 71.

Biography:

  • Catherine O’Hara, who was born in Toronto, Canada, began her acting career in comedy in 1974 after joining the cast of The Second City, which was televised in both Canada and the United States.
  • O’Hara expanded her career in television in the mid-1970s, appearing in small roles on the CBC series Wayne and Shuster, the film The Rimshots, and the children’s series Coming up Rosie.
  • She gained prominence in Hollywood in the 1980s, after she was cast in the classic horror-comedy film Beetlejuice.
  • Starring alongside Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Winona Ryder, O’Hara portrayed Delia Deetz.
  • In 1990, O’Hara starred alongside child actor Macaulay Culkin in the holiday blockbuster Home Alone.
  • She reprised her role as Kate McCallister, the mother of the young troublemaker Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Culkin, in the film’s 1992 sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
  • Both installments of Home Alone were massive hits at the box office, and to this date, remain among the most successful Christmas movies of all time.
  • After the success of Home Alone, O’Hara continued to appear in several films throughout the 1990s, including the comedy-drama The Paper, Waiting for Guffman, and the Western film Wyatt Earp.
  • O’Hara also had several voice artist appearances, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Chicken Little, and Monster House, among others.
  • She had a career resurgence in 2015 when she appeared as Moira Rose in the Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek.
  • In 2025, O’Hara had a main role in the Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio.
  • Throughout her career, O’Hara received various awards, including two PrimeTime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
  • She had two children with her husband, Bo Welch, whom she met on the set of Beetlejuice.

AWAY FROM THE SPOTLIGHT

O’Hara skipped the Golden Globes on January 11, despite receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Performance by a Female Actor for her role in the Apple+ TV series The Studio.

It was not clear why she did not attend the ceremony.

She made her last public appearance on September 14, 2025, posing on the red carpet with Welch at Apple TV’s Emmys party in West Hollywood.

Days earlier, she was all smiles at a Toronto Film Festival party.

As The U.S. Sun exclusively reported on Friday, she was expected to film Season 2 of The Studio in mid-January, but did not appear on set.

O’Hara’s plans were changed at the last minute due to “personal matters,” a source claimed.

Catherine O’Hara and Seth Rogen in The Studio currently streaming on Apple+Credit: Apple TV
Catherine O’Hara, Patrick J. Adams and Seth Rogen at The Studio world premiere in March 2025Credit: Getty

“She was scheduled to film, but they reworked the schedule to focus on scenes without her character,” the source said.

“It was not widely known she was dealing with any health or major issues.

“I don’t believe she ever filmed anything for season two,” the production insider claimed.

Catherine’s unexpected passing has sent shockwaves through the cast and crew of the Apple+ TV series, who were completely blindsided by the tragic news.

LONG, STORIED CAREER

O’Hara was born in Toronto, Canada, before moving to the United States.

Her career spanned more than 50 years, stretching across TV, movies, and sketch comedy.

She started out in sketch series Second City Television in the mid-1970s.

O’Hara won an Emmy as part of the show.

But she shot to superstardom in the beloved 1990 Christmas movie Home Alone, in which she played Kevin McCallister’s mother.

Catherine O’Hara regained popularity during her run on Schitt’s Creek alongside long-time collaborator Eugene LevyCredit: AP
Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara had a long comedy relationship, starring together in Best In Show in 2000Credit: Alamy

She remained close with onscreen son Macaulay Culkin, and supported the actor in 2023 at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

Later in her career, she had a pop culture resurgence with smash hit comedy Schitt’s Creek, opposite her longtime friend Eugene Levy.

The show aired from 2015 until 2020, and earned O’Hara two Emmys for her role as eccentric former soap star Moira Rose.

She was featured in a documentary about late Home Alone co-star and close friend John Candy, which premiered in 2025.

O’Hara also stole scenes as heartbroken therapist Gail on The Last Of Us’ second season opposite Pedro Pascal.

Catherine O’Hara Tributes

Iconic actress Catherine O’Hara, who is best known for her role as Kate McCallister in the Christmas classic Home Alone, died on January 30, 2026. She was 71.

Tributes:

  • Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin: Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”
  • Home Alone co-star Devin Ratray: “One of the greatest people I ever met. It just doesn’t register. Bewildered and numb.”
  • The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal: “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always. The one and ONLY #CatherineOHara.”
  • Bravo host Andy Cohen: “Fell in love at first sight on SCTV and it only got stronger. Rest in Peace, Angel Catherine O’Hara.”
  • Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux: “Catherine. You will be so so missed.”
  • Comedian Tom Green: “I’m so sorry to hear the news that Canadian comedy legend Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71. She’s kept me and millions of others entertained throughout my lifetime – from her brilliant work on SCTV, to Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, Schitt’s Creek, and so many other films and television classics. Her characters brought so much joy and laughter to the world. It’s with a heavy heart that I share this today. Rest in peace, Catherine O’Hara — one of the greatest Canadian comedy icons of all time.”

Catherine O’Hara hosted Saturday Night Live twice, once in 1991 and again in 1992Credit: Getty

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Helen Flanagan reveals what really happened in bed with James Argent

ACTRESS Helen Flanagan has spilt the tea on her relationship with former Towie star James Argent – and what happened with a big X Factor singer.

As well as detailing behind-the-scenes beef on the Coronation Street set, Helen, 35, has lifted the lid on her time on Channel 5 reality show, Celebrity Super Spa.

Helen has opened up about a flirtation with James Argent and James ArthurCredit: Instagram
Helen and Arg bonded on the Channel 5 reality TV showCredit: Channel 5

Helen took part alongside Towie’s James Argent, celebrity chefs Rusty Lee and John Burton-Race, Shameless actor Jody Latham and Most Haunted’s Yvette Fielding.

The show aired in 2013 and followed six celebrities as they worked in a real-life spa in Liverpool.

The actress has now spilled the beans in her explosive new memoir, Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie on her romances on and off screen.

The former Corrie star, who shares three kids with ex fiance Scott Sinclair, spoke about chemistry with Towie star Arg while they were on Channel 5’s Celebrity Super Spa.

hel no

Helen Flanagan ‘opened up about sexuality’ on hit TV show but scenes were cut


UNHINGED

Helen Flanagan reveals shocking proposal from disgraced influencer Andrew Tate

She revealed: “I became firm friends with James ‘Arg’ Argent from The Only Way is Essex and we would spend all our time together. 

“I know the producers were hoping for a show romance to develop and they’d try to push me towards him, dropping hints like, ‘Ah, you and Arg are so cute together…’ 

“But I was too mixed up over Scott and I didn’t even know if I actually fancied Arg although I did like him a lot. 

“He definitely wasn’t my usual type. I usually went for sporty guys who were into their health and fitness whereas Arg would eat four Greggs sausage rolls for breakfast. 

“I think he was probably more into me than I was him, but there was a brief moment of heat between us which felt… weird. 

“We were in my hotel room, lying on the bed while he was stroking my back – I think it could have spilled over then, but there was something holding me back. 

“And when that moment passed, it was like it was done. I wasn’t over Scott so it would have been a mistake to use Arg as a rebound.”

Opening up about a flirtation with former The X Factor star James Arthur, she said: “When I got back, I was booked to do a BBC Three comedy panel show called Sweat the Small Stuff which was presented by Nick Grimshaw and had Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom as the team captains. 

“The episode I was on also happened to feature James Arthur who had won The X Factor in 2012 and you could say that we, erm, hit it off. 

“Egged on by Grimmy, me and James flirted pretty outrageously throughout the filming and swapped numbers afterwards with a loose arrangement to meet up for a drink in the not too distant future

“Nothing ever came of it apart from the exchange of some harmless WhatsApps, but once the episode aired a few days later, the press got hold of it and ran multiple stories saying we were dating.” 

The Celebs Go Dating star added: “Scott was livid about it and tried everything he could to get hold of me, ringing my mobile and calling my parents’ landline. 

“I didn’t want to speak to him. He’d been so horrible to me and I was trying to get over him, something I felt like I was making good progress with.”

The soap star split from her “toxic” relationship with her footballer ex in October 2022 after 13 years together and share three children – Matilda, Delilah and Charlie.

Following her split from footballer Scott, Helen enjoyed a “situationship” with boxer David Hayes.

While she first met David on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here back in 2012, things didn’t turn romantic until 11 years later – but they broke off their fling in December 2023.

She also revealed that she once batted off the attention of disgraced influencer Andrew Tate after matching with him on a dating app.

The actress shot to fame as a child star on the ITV soap playing tearaway Rosie Webster.

The mum-of-three now works as an influencer and model, and has starred in reality shows like Celebs Go Dating.

The Rosie Webster star on the ITV soap opera also confirmed a rift with Corrie co-star Ryan Thomas at the time of her soap departure.

She revealed she told him to “f*** off” during one tense moment on set before she quit altogether.

Helen’s book Head & Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie is out now

Helen starred on Celeb Super Spa with James ‘Arg’ Argent and had a momentCredit: Splash
The X Factor winner James ArthurCredit: Rex Features

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Alan Carr reveals ‘very different’ location for next BBC series with Amanda Holden

They’ve spent the last four summers in searing heat but next year they won’t be needing to pack a bikini or trunks

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr will return with a fifth series of their hit BBC1 property renovation show next year – but this time it will have a very different feel.

Because while the shows have so far been set under the hot Mediterranean sun in Italy, Spain and Greece – the next one is going to be a lot chillier. For the first time, the pair will be taking their lump hammers and hard hats and heading to Scandinavia.

Alan told the Mirror: “The producers are looking at Sweden or Norway for the next one. I think maybe it will be an eco-house up there. It will probably be an igloo or something, knowing them.” He said that moving the popular programme to a different landscape within a Nordic country was a very good idea. “I think there’s only so many times you can sort of look at a tile in the heat and go, ‘You need this…’” he laughed.

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“And actually, I’m never going to be like Handy Andy, but I do know how to use a drill now – so it just feels like I do need another challenge. It will be something very different. We’re excited. And it will be so nice to not be working in the searing heat.”

The series kicked off with The Italian Job, which filmed in the summer of 2022 in 40 degree temperatures. It was similarly sweaty in Tuscany the following year, and again in Andalusia for The Spanish Job in 2024. And there was no respite from the heat of high summer during filming on The Greek Job, currently entertaining 4million viewers every week, which was filmed in Corfu last summer.

But the temperature in the north of Norway during July can be just 10 degrees, and while further south it tends to be around 20 degrees – the same as the average Swedish temperature – the experience is guaranteed to be far fresher for them next time around.

In the show, which always airs on BBC1 from January, the pals don boiler suits and grab power tools to renovate and decorate a dilapidated property which is then sold off, with all profits going to the BBC charity Children in Need.

The new project is likely to focus on using natural and sustainable materials to create a well-insulated and energy efficient home which respects the local landscape. It may involve solar panels or a green moss roof, plus plenty of timber.

The Italian properties featured on the series each cost just 1Euro to buy, then sold for £125k and £185k respectively. The Spanish house also made a tidy profit, having been bought for £55k and sold for over £200k. “That’s good, because the money goes to charity as well, so it’s really positive,” Alan said. One reason that the filming location needs to stay within Europe – rather than moving further afield – is so that Amanda, 54, can travel back and forth to present her Heart Radio breakfast show.

Alan and Amanda were both delighted when the production team chose Corfu for the current run, because it is a regular holiday destination for Amanda and her family, and Alan, 49, has even joined them there.

But when they arrived on the idyllic Ionian island ahead of filming, they were horrified by what they found. “It’s a dump,” Alan lamented about the house, while Amanda agreed it was “definitely the worst” they had encountered. Nevertheless, they soon set about turning it into a dream family escape, with their efforts on display in the final two episodes from Friday.

The pair believe that the secret of their success is that “we muck in and we encourage each other”. Alan has told how, after four years, he’s even started to have fun while knocking down walls. “I have got much better,” he said of his skills earlier this month. “I was thinking, the latter end of The Greek Job, I was actually enjoying it, and I’ve never, ever enjoyed DIY.”

They said that making the series had deepened their friendship and they now texted each other on a daily basis. “We are the same,” Amanda explained. “We laugh at the same stuff. The worst time was when he was filming The Traitors and I didn’t hear from him for three weeks. I knew he must have done quite well because he was gone for so long.” After seeing Alan’s triumph on The Celebrity Traitors, Amanda is now in talks to take part in the next series later this year.

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



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Katie Price reveals HUGE new tattoo after surprise wedding and getting new husband’s name inked

KATIE Price has revealed a brand new tattoo on her shoulder just days after getting her new husband’s name inked.

The former glamour model, 47, stunned fans when she revealed that she had married businessman Lee days after meeting him.

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Katie Price revealed her new tattoo on her left shoulder after jetting back to the UKCredit: BackGrid
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The former glamour model tried the knot with Lee Andrews – just a few weeks after meetingCredit: Instagram/@wesleeeandrews

The mother-of-five got hitched for a fourth time in a quiet ceremony in Dubai with no loved ones present.

It came just hours after Katie revealed they had got engaged, calling it a “wedding at first sight”.

Katie has since returned to the UK after without her new man, while Lee took to social media to dispel reports that their marriage wasn’t official in the eyes of the law.

Now Katie has showed off yet another new tattoo – and it’s huge.

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The media personality posted a picture of her revealing a new design on her left shoulder.

This is the latest inking to her massive collections.

Just a a few days ago, Katie revealed she had her new man’s name inked on her hand, while he had her name on his.

And earlier this month, the podcaster showcased her huge flower tattoo on her bum as well as horses on her forearm and stomach.

Her various leg inkings were also on display.

Katie wrote: “I absolutely love it!! Now that is what you call a piece of ART!”

When it came to her bum art, Katie said: “Tattoo round 3,” with a picture of her full behind peeking out from red tracksuit bottoms.

Earlier this year, Katie stripped naked to show off her tattoo-covered back and captioned the revealing shot: “Join my Onlyfans link in my bio,” referring to the X-rated online subscription service.

Katie Price’s relationship history

We take a look back at the highs and lows of Katie Price’s relationship history.

1996-1998: Katie got engaged to Gladiators star Warren Furman – aka Ace – with a £3,000 ring. But their relationship didn’t make it as far as ‘I do’.

1998-2000: Katie described Dane Bowers as ‘the love of her life’ but she broke up with the singer after he allegedly cheated on her.

2001: Footballer Dwight Yorke is the father of Katie’s eldest child Harvey. He has had very little to do with his son throughout his life.

2002: Rebounding from Dwight, Katie famously had one night of passion with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, allegedly taking his virginity.

2002-2004: Katie was dating Scott Sullivan when she entered the jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He threatened to “punch Peter’s lights out” when chemistry blossomed between her and Peter Andre.

2004-2009: The jungle romance resulted in Katie marrying Aussie pop star Peter. They had two kids, Junior and Princess, before their bitter split in 2009.

2010-2011: Fresh from her break-up with Peter, Katie enjoyed a whirlwind relationship and marriage with cage fighter Alex Reid. They split 20 months after their Las Vegas wedding.

2011: Katie briefly dated model Danny Cipriani… but it ended as quickly as it begun.

2011-2012: They didn’t speak the same language, but Katie got engaged to Argentinian model Leandro Penna in 2011. He later fled home to South America.

2012-2018: Wedding bells rang once more after Katie met Kieran Hayler in 2013. They had two kids together, Jett and Bunny, before their break-up and divorce.

2018-2019: Katie moved on quickly with Kris Boyson. They had an on-off romance for one year and even got engaged. They split for good in 2019.

2019: Katie was linked to Charles Drury during her on-off relationship with Kris. Charles, who also dated Lauren Goodger, has always denied being in “official relationship” with her.

2020-2023: Car salesman Carl Woods took a shine to Katie in 2020. Their relationship was up and down for three years. They broke up for a final time last year.

2024-2026: After weeks of rumours, Katie confirmed her relationship with Married At First Sight star JJ Slater in February 2024. The pair split in January 2026 after two years together.

2026: Katie shocked fans when she revealed she is engaged to businessman Lee Andrews.

KATIE’S JETS HOME

Earlier today, Lee revealed the real reason he had not jetted back to the UK with Katie.

He said: “I’m going be meeting Katie tomorrow in the UK.

“I just need to wrap up a few things here.

“She had to get back for her children because she’s a good mother and she’s lovely like that.”

Despite currently being apart, a smiling Lee said that he and Katie “are so happy” and that more information would be coming out via their publicists in the coming days.

“Hey guys, how are you?” he began in a video posted on his Instagram Stories.

“So yeah, myself and Katie are legally married okay. I think you know that.

“No, I’m not a gigolo,” he added. “There is a press release going out.

“I wish,” he said of the gigolo nickname. “I would have got more money from it wouldn’t I, I don’t think those are the going rates in Dubai, but let’s look at it obtusely.

“So yes, I’m in Dubai, she’s in England,” he confirmed again of their current locations. “You’ll see us reunite.”

Before signing off, Lee made a brief swipe at online speculation over the couple’s wedding rings.

Some eagle-eyed fans claimed that Katie previously wasn’t wearing her diamond engagement ring and wedding band on the correct finger.

“Our rings are on the correct hand,” he said in the video, jokily adding: “Which is on the right hand, no I’m joking, it’s on the left hand.”

“And the tattoos still remain,” he added, flashing a glimpse of his Katie tribute inking on his hand.

The Sun understands Katie’s family, including her children, Princess and Junior Andre, had no idea she was getting married for a fourth time.

A source has exclusively told us that her loved ones are set to take action after growing alarmed by the quick nuptials.

“They’re planning on sitting down with her for a serious talk today,” the insider said.

“Everyone is worried she’s spinning out of control.

“They haven’t even met this man and if she’s only known him a week, he could be anyone.

“Nobody is planning to hold back.”

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Helen Flanagan reveals she thought she was ‘being drugged and her kids taken away’ amid tough split from Scott Sinclair

HELEN Flanagan has revealed she thought she was being drugged and feared her kids would be taken away from her following her split from ex-fiance Scott Sinclair.

The former Coronation Street actress opened up on the breakdown she experienced after parting ways with the footballer in 2022 after 13 years together.

Helen has opened up on the terrifying breakdown she experienced after splitting from ex Scott SinclairCredit: Getty
Helen shares three children with her footballer ex – and feared losing them during the dark timeCredit: instagram/hjgflanagan
Helen and Scott’s relationship remains strained, with the actress recently branding him a ‘d***head’Credit: Instagram

She told The Mirror: “It was the worst time that I’ve ever struggled with my mental health.”

Helen, who is on medication for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), believes she experienced an adverse reaction to her prescription drugs which fuelled the feelings.

“He really wasn’t playing fair,” she said of Scott’s behaviour at the time.

“So I had quite a lot of financial stuff going on as well and the stress of solicitors. I was also totally heartbroken after David Haye.

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“It just all became too much and I began to experience psychosis,” she said of the post-break-up breakdown.

“I thought I was being watched, filmed, hunted, possibly even drugged, I was seeing things that weren’t there.

“It was really frightening – I thought my kids were going to be taken away, the nursery got involved,” she added.

“I do think the medication was really bad for me, but I became quite addicted to it.”

Helen shares three kids with Scott – Matilda, ten, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four.

The Celebs Go Dating star credited her parents and therapists as helping her to get through the dark time.

Helen Flanagan with her children Matilda, Delilah and CharlieCredit: Helen Flanagan Instagram
Helen thinks her prescription medication contributed to her dark thoughtsCredit: Getty

Her relationship with ex Scott continues to remain strained, with Helen recently taking several public swipes at the father of her children.

Just last week, The Sun reported how Helen was being forced out of her £1million family home by her ex.

A friend of Helen’s said: “Scott pays for the house and all the bills and he’s decided a six-bedroom place is way too big for Helen on her own with the kids.

“But Helen doesn’t want to move and is digging her heels in. She loves the place, the kids are settled at the local school and her mum and dad live around the corner.

In wake of the news, the lingerie model branded Scott “a d***head” in a new interview with the Daily Mail, confessing that the two have a “very bad relationship”.

“We only communicate through my father now. There is so much worse I could say,” she told the publication.

Over Christmas, Helen was also left furious after she spotted photos of Scott at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

She publicly hit out on her Instagram Stories: “You really are a piece of s***. How dare you not turn up to Charlie’s nativity.”

At the time, the former soap star was playing the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Liverpool‘s M&S Bank Arena.

Helen admitted she now takes jobs she usually wouldn’t do to pay the bills and that she feels “mum guilt” at leaving her kids to work.

“So, I can’t forgive Scott for stealing a lot of my time with my children. I resent him for that.”

Helen is expected to dish more on her break-up with Scott in her new book Head And Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie, which is released tomorrow.

Helen is expected to reveal more about her relationship Scott in a new memoirCredit: Instagram

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UK’s first seaside town reveals new £14million transformation of historic train station

ONE of the UK’s original Victorian seaside towns is set to get even more beautiful – thanks to a multi-million pound train station renovation.

Scarborough Train Station has revealed new images of the £14million upgrade which is set to be completed by March.

Work started on upgrading Scarborough train station in 2025Credit: Unknown
The work is set to complete on March 31, 2026Credit: Unknown

Repairs have been underway at the station in the popular seaside town at the cost of £14million.

The project includes a new station roof, drainage system as well as the restoration of the stonework and general preservation of the Grade II-listed building.

Still yet to be finished is the waiting room and ticket office which will also be refurbished.

The changes made are set to ‘enhance passenger experience’ at the station – which has remained open during the works.

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One of the most recognisable parts of Scarborough Station is the clock tower which is being restored thanks to a grant of £203,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust. 

Ann Shannon, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We’ve been able to repair all four clock faces, fully refurbish the tower and finials, and upgrade the uplighting.

“The finish line is now in sight, and visitors will see a real difference both inside and outside the station, with the beautifully restored clocktower providing the crowning glory.”

Trains from Scarborough generally call at Sheffield and York.

The town of Scarborough was made Britain’s first seaside resort in the early 17th century after the discovery of mineral waters running from the cliffs through the town.

This saw an increase of tourists visiting the town and the addition of bathing ‘machines’ – for people to change into swimwear which arrived in 1735.

With a rising number of holidaymakers, it opened a train station in 1845 to connect Scarborough to York.

Scarborough is well-known for being an incredibly popular destination for families heading to the seaside in the summertime.

The town has two beaches, North Bay Beach and South Bay Beach, and has been welcoming holidaymakers to its shores for over 400 years.

North Bay is the quieter spot along the coast, while South Bay is where you’ll find amusement arcades, cafes and a busy harbour.

Work is still ongoing to restore the clock towerCredit: Network Rail
The roof on Scarborough’s train station has been fully repairedCredit: Network Rail

Other seafront attractions include the miniature railway called North Bay Railway, Scarborough Open Air Theatre and Scarborough Sea Life Centre.

The Grand Hotel in Scarborough is one of the seaside town’s most recognisable buildings and sits high above the promenade.

The building was completed in 1867 and at the time was the largest hotel in Europe – and one of the largest in the world.

It’s had some famous faces stay there over the course of history too from Winston Churchill to The Beatles.

When the Sun’s Alex Lloyd visited last summer, she discovered brightly coloured beach huts on South Bay which can be rented from £50 a day in peak summer.

She also visited the South Cliff Gardens and hopped onboard the town’s funicular railway.

For more on train stations, the UK’s busiest has revealed new plans for massive £1.2billion transformation.

Plus, this is UK’s ‘best rural train station’ which is next to the seaside-themed town that is miles away from the coast.

Scarborough’s train station is finishing up a £14million upgrade

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Jet2 boss reveals the three cheap holiday destinations that Brits are booking over Spain this summer

SPAIN has always been a top holiday destination for Brits – but is quickly being taken over by a number of other destinations.

According to Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy, Spain has lost its appeal to holidaymakers with other destinations coming for its crown thanks to rising costs.

Spain is losing its appeal to Brits according to Jet2 boss thanks to rising costsCredit: Alamy
Mr Heapy predicts Brits will ditch Spain for Morocco, Tunisia and EgyptCredit: Alamy

In an interview with Hosteltur, Mr Heapy predicted that Brits are ditching Spain for other destinations, all in North Africa.

The reason being? Money.

Mr Heapy explained: “Price is critical; inflation has affected Spain more than other emerging markets, making the destination more expensive.

“Tourist taxes don’t help either; paying an additional five euros per person per night on top of the trip cost represents a significant expense.”

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In places like Barcelona, the surcharge for overnight stays is rising to €5 £4.34) per night.

In the Balearic Islands like Majorca and Ibiza, there’s an eco-tax added to accommodation which ranges between €1 (87p) to €4 (£3.47)pppn.

It will soon also be more expensive to fly to Spain, as previously reported, Aena, which operates the majority of airports in Spain, is increasing its airport charges by 6.44 per cent in 2026.

With the increase in cost, Mr Heapy said that Brits are heading to other locations instead – which are still just a few hours away from the UK.

He said: “North Africa is performing well, with Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt standing out.”

Morocco is a great option for Brits, especially those seeking winter sun – and some destinations are less than an hour from the UK.

A flight from the UK to the vibrant city of Marrakesh takes just three hours and 40 minutes.

In February there are highs of 21C – much warmer than being in the UK at that time of year.

It’s cheap too, according to Skyscanner you can fly with Ryanair from London Stansted from just £15 on February 23, 2026.

On that same day, it’s more expensive to fly to Madrid which is £17 – and the journey is one hour less.

Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot recently visited the Moroccan city where she discovered desert landscapes, colourful streets and new bars, restaurants and hotels.

Other popular destinations in Morocco include Agadir which has beautiful golden beaches, the country’s capital Rabat, Essaouira on the southern coast, Fez and Tangier.

Marrakesh has lots of vibrant streets and souks to exploreCredit: Alamy
The Red Sea coast promises warm weather to Brits wanting guaranteed sunCredit: Alamy

Tunisia is also back in the game according to Jet2’s Mr Heapy.

The number of Brits heading on holiday there has risen significantly with around 350,000 British visiting in 2024 – 65 per cent more than the previous year.

And numbers are rising thanks to its great weather, short flights and beautiful beaches.

And according to TravelSupermarket, Tunisia offers some of the very cheapest 5-star holidays on the market, averaging at £614pp.

Egypt has plenty of beautiful beachside resorts that will appeal to Brits seeking a fly and flop holiday.

You’ve got beach resorts like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, or if you want more of the city life, head to Cairo of Luxor & Aswan.

With loveholidays, breaks to Sharm El Sheikh including breakfast and flights start from as little as £219pp.

There were other Mediterranean destinations that Mr Heapy said are keeping a good level of tourism – like Greece.

There you get the best of both worlds from ancient cities to beautiful islands.

It’s also home to the world’s best island for 2025 – Paros, where travellers will find secret beach clubs and incredible restaurants where holidaymakers dance on tables.

The Algarve is still popular and is very cheap according to one writer who lives thereCredit: Alamy

Spain’s neighbour, Portugal, is also continuing to be popular especially in places like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve region.

One writer who relocated from London to Lisbon still can’t believe how cheap it is.

You can pick up booze for less than £5 – from local beer to wine, she said “you can still purchase a top-quality house white or red for just a few euros.”

Coffee can be bought up for around 80p if you like an espresso – or coffee with milk – called a ‘galão’ – will usually come in at under two euros.

For more on Portugal, here’s the secret side of the country crowned one of the best places in Europe to visit.

And hear from one Greece expert who names four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches.

Tunisia is another destination rising in popularity for 2026Credit: Alamy

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