robbed

A former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has said they want to return to the BBC show

Anita Rani, the Countryfile star and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has confessed she’ll “never get over” her time on the dance show. The 48 year old telly favourite took part in the BBC competition a decade ago, narrowly missing out on the final by just two weeks.

She was partnered with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko during her stint on the show, which saw The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness and his partner Aliona Vilani take home the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Soap stars Georgia May Foote of Coronation Street and EastEnders‘ Kellie Bright were the runners-up that year. However, Anita is still convinced she was “robbed” of a place in the final alongside Aliona.

In a chat with The Sun’s TV Magazine, she revealed: “I wish I could do it again – I think they should bring back ‘the robbed’! I’ll never get over it, I should have got to the final.”

During the semi-final, Anita found herself in the dreaded dance-off against BBC presenter Katie Derham. Despite giving it her all, it was Katie and her partner Anton Du Beke who progressed to the grand finale, reports Wales Online.

Anita confessed that she used to turn down reality shows like Strictly, but has recently decided to say “yes” if the “offer arise”. Since then, she’s appeared on popular programmes such as Celebrity Gogglebox, The Chase, and Blankety Blank.

She even hinted that she’d consider joining the cast of Celebrity Traitors if the BBC decides to commission a second series. Meanwhile, Anita and her dad Bal are gearing up for their appearance on Celebrity Race Across the World.

She added: “I used to say no to other reality shows, but now I’m like: ‘If an offer arises, why not?’ The Traitors, I’m A Celeb… But I’ll tell you what me and Dad want to do next – Antiques Road Trip. Let’s put that out there!”.

Before taking part in the travel programme, Anita confessed she wanted her father to enjoy “an adventure”.

She told the BBC: “We get on, he makes me laugh and if I ever want help in making a decision, dad’s the person I call.

“Also, I want dad to have the experience. It’s about my dad having an adventure – he’s never had one before. I think we’re competitive, but I think we’re just really keen to have an amazing experience and give it our best shot.”

The Woman’s Hour presenter reveals she’s currently in a “new era” following the “confirmation” of her fresh romance with partner Alex Lavery.

This comes two years following her separation from spouse Bhupi Rehal. The former pair had been wed for 14 years before they ended their marriage.

Following their break-up, she revealed to Love Sunday Magazine: “‘Life is good, I’m in a good place. I’m focusing on myself and my own wants.

“It’s nice to be able to think about the second phase of my life. I’ve been calling it Chapter Two.”

Influencer Harry Poulton, who lives full-time in the Spanish holiday hotspot of Benidorm, said conmen are targeting tourists at the side of main roads and his issued a call to action

A British expat has warned that tourists are getting robbed in Benidorm.

Happily, there is one thing holidaymakers can do to avoid the same fate. Harry Poulton, known on TikTok as @harrytokky, claims that the robberies are going underreported and should be taken more seriously.

The influencer, who lives full-time in the Spanish holiday hotspot, said conmen are targeting tourists at the side of main roads.

“If you’re renting a car, if you’re driving to Spain on the motorways — do not pull over,” Harry said in a video.

“Not for someone that is on the side of the motorway with their hazards on, trying to flag you down. There are signposts in Spain at the moment, all the way from Barcelona up to Valencia and Alicante, saying ‘Be warned: highway robberies.’

Have you been targetted by highway robbers while on holiday? Email [email protected]

“People are being flagged down — there are normally two people in these cars. One will try to ask for help while the other distracts you. They then rob all of your valuables out of your car.

“This scam is happening all the time in Spain and in parts of France. But no one seems to be speaking about it. Has anything like this ever happened to you before? This is a warning. It is not worth it. Do not pull over.

“You might be doing a good favour, you might think you’re helping someone out. But next thing you know, you could have all of your valuables stolen.”

The British Embassy in Madrid has previously issued a similar warning, urging holidaymakers to “watch out for ruthless gangs of modern-day highway robbers who are preying on people driving foreign-registered vehicles and hire cars.”

In a two-year period, police in the Catalonia region of Spain dealt with 126 British victims of robbery on the AP-7 motorway between the French border and the Valencia region.

British consulates across mainland Spain said they receive regular reports of roadside robberies occurring along the coast between Barcelona and Alicante, across Andalucía in the south, and in the Madrid region. Consular staff estimate that one in 20 of all emergency passports issued last year due to theft were following motorway robberies.

Earlier this year, Moggy McIntyre told The Times how she and her husband Greg were victims of ‘highway pirates’. They stopped on a motorway on the outskirts of Barcelona after being flagged down by a driver who spoke to them in fast Spanish they couldn’t understand.

“After a few minutes, he gestured for us to wait and walked back to his car as if he was going to get something. Then he suddenly drove off,” Moggy explained.

“We were like, ‘What was that?’ It was so weird, because we couldn’t see anything wrong with the car. So we got back in, and only then did we realise that my handbag was gone.

“It had been in the footwell of the passenger seat, so the person I saw in the back of their car must have sneaked out and taken whatever they could. We didn’t see or hear a thing.

“Thank God I had picked up our phones and credit cards. But they got our passports — both my British and Australian ones — and also lots of inconvenient things like my Australian medical card, make-up, and glasses.”

People heading abroad this summer are being warned to beware of a growing airport scam targeting holidaymakers’ precious items, with thieves going for those who’ve just arrived on holiday

Brits warned of airport scam where most people don’t realise they’ve been robbed

People heading abroad this summer are being warned to beware of a growing airport scam targeting holidaymakers‘ precious items.

Jeweller, designer goods and high-end watches are all in the sights of sticky-fingered thieves who operate at airports. Security experts say distraction thefts and “switch” scams – where a thief subtly swaps your real item with a fake – are rising in hotspots like baggage claim areas, duty-free counters and outside taxi ranks.

And it’s not just obvious valuables like Rolexes or diamond jewellery at risk. Mid-range watches are also being eyed up by organised thieves who strike when tourists are tired, distracted or unaware.

READ MORE: Jet2’s ‘final chance’ message to people booking summer holidays

Danny Toffel, managing director at Watches2U, says there are a few simple ways to protect your valuables when travelling.

“We’re seeing more reports from customers who’ve had close calls or actual thefts at airports abroad. It often starts with a small distraction – someone asking for directions, offering to help with bags or creating a minor commotion,” Danny said.

“While you’re looking the other way, they or an accomplice take the opportunity to grab a loose bag or swap an item.”

The most common locations for watch and jewellery thefts in airports include baggage reclaim areas, especially if you step away from your trolley or bags even momentarily.

Duty-free counters are another hotspot, particularly when people are distracted trying on jewellery or inspecting items behind glass. Outside taxi ranks and pick-up zones, thieves often work in pairs, using the moment someone is loading luggage to make a move on a visible item or unsecured bag.

Danny warns that visibly wearing high-end items, or placing watches in easily accessible bag pockets, makes you a prime target.

“Scammers tend to look for signs that someone is carrying something expensive – and whether they’re too distracted to notice something being taken or switched,” he said.

READ MORE: Ryanair forced to cancel 800 flights and reroute planes amidst ongoing tensionsREAD MORE: Greece holiday warning as tourists face huge fines for wearing common item

The security expert recommends keeping your watch on your wrist or in secure hand luggage rather than in jacket pockets or checked bags. Tourists should also be wary of helpful strangers at baggage belts or taxi queues who seem unusually interested in assisting with bags or directions.

“Wearing a cheaper travel watch is a smart move if you’re flying into busy tourist hubs. Keep your expensive pieces for secure evenings or hotel safes – not airport terminals,” Danny said.

He also stressed that most thefts are opportunistic, adding: “Being aware of your surroundings and keeping valuables close – and discreet – can make all the difference.”