Soap stars

BELOVED Brit soap actor Tony Adams who starred in Crossroads has died aged 84 with tributes pouring in.

The legend died at Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on Saturday, with his wife Christine by his side.

Anthony Sawley Adams was born in Anglesey, Wales, in 1940 and later trained as an actor at the Italia Conti theatre school.

Following performances on the stage, he made his name as Dr Neville Bywaters in the 1970s soap General Hospital and appeared in the Dr Who series The Green Death.

In 1978, he took on the role of accountant Adam Chance in soap Crossroads – the role for which he became best known.

The series ended in 1988 after more than 4,500 episodes, with Adams staying until the end.

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He was one of the original cast members, including Jane Rossington and Kathy Staff, who returned when the soap was revived in 2001.

Adams then appeared in the stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium Theatre, where he played Grandpa Potts, in 2004.

In 2023, he had a cameo role in Nolly – a three-part drama created by Russell T Davies which tells the story of Crossroads actress Noele Gordon.

Actor Augustus Prew, who played Adams in the drama, described him as a “magical man” during interviews at the time.

Michael Rose, of The Michael Rose Organisation Ltd, paid tribute to Adams as an “absolute joy” and a talented actor, dancer and singer.

“He was one of the warmest gentlemen you could wish to work with,” Mr Rose said.

“He was an absolute joy. He was a dancer originally but there was nothing Tony couldn’t do.

“He was a very accomplished actor, he was a really good dancer and singer.

“He played Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and was a joy to have in the company, as he was in every company.

“We shall miss him.”

CORONATION Street fans have been left with their mouths open after discovering TWO of the soap’s legends once were a couple.

What is even more surprising, is that these pair of actors were on the soap almost a decade apart.

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The soap stars in question are Phil Middlemiss, who played love rat Des Barnes in the 90s, and current Corrie star Alison King, who is known for her role of Carla Connor.

Reddit sleuths have unearthed an old article from October 8, 1995 that confirmed they were once a couple who were “madly in love”.

The story was from when actor Phil was at the height of his Corrie fame.

Alison, however, who was just 22 at the time, was not famous and was referred to as a “surf shop girl” in the story.

In the article Phil claimed that he had “bedded 100 women” but was now “in love” with Alison.

Posting the story on the discussion forum, fans went wild at this revelation.

One wrote: “No way!!”

Another added: “How random,”

This Corrie fan said: “I still can’t get my head around this!”

A fourth added: “Small world!”

According to reports the pair dated for five years, Phil telling the Scottish Daily Record: “I’ve never been happier. She is a wonderful girl. I love her to death.”

They reportedly met at a Tenerife bar in March 1995, before splitting in 2000.

Phil confessed: “I was in love with Allie. She’s the only person I’ve ever really loved.

“But she was working in London and I was in Manchester.

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“In another life, if I had been a bus driver and she had worked at the local baker’s shop, we would have got married and had kids by now.”

Corrie fans will well remember lothario Des Barnes who graced the cobbles throughout the 90s.

Actor Phil was a regular fixture of the ITV soap from 1990 to 1998 when he quit the show.

Phil’s character Des was known for being a charming ladies man.

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On the soap he was married to Natalie Barnes, the Rovers landlady played by Loose Women star Denise Welch.

However, during his time on Coronation Street, Des went onto to also have an off-again romance with Raquel, who was played by the legendary Sarah Lancashire.

Raquel later moved onto her famous screen partner, Curly Watts, but it was Des that played havoc with the pair in a bid to get revenge on Raquel leaving him.

Des even sabotaged their engagement party as an act of jealousy and rage.

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Since quitting the cobbles in the late 90s, when his character was killed off, Phil has enjoyed a varied career mixed with a series of personal setbacks.

In 2012, the actor faced bankruptcy after a film he had put his life-saving into in 2008 failed to take off as a result of the financial crisis.

It forced Phil to take money from family and friends as he told the  Manchester Evening News: “It was partly-funded by myself but I didn’t have the money to fund the rest of the film.

“Filming came to a grinding halt. It was nearly three-quarters of the way along the line. It has been a difficult time. Three-and-a-half years is a long time to fund myself without any income.

” I have had to get money from family and friends.”

Meanwhile, his former girlfriend Alison joined the soap in 2006, almost a decade after Phil left, and six years after their split.

The actress’ character Carla is best known for being the boss of the knicker factory, Underworld.

Over the last two decades she has been involved in numerous high-profile storylines, from steamy affairs to battles with alcoholism.

This is turn has seen her win numerous awards, including Best Actress at the British Soap Awards in 2012.

Coronation Street Spoilers: News & Cast Updates

The beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.

The show follows the lives of the residents as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.

Here’s the latest on:

EASTENDERS star Natalie Cassidy claims she was “damaged” by doing her fitness DVD, which saw her pocket £100,000 for shedding four stone.

The actress – who quit playing soap favourite Sonia Fowler in April after 32 years – was offered a bumper pay cheque to release two weight loss DVDs in 2007.

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Speaking on Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, Natalie, 40, opened up about the damaging effect the weight loss deal had on her. 

Host Giovanna said: “I know that in the years to come you do find yourself in a place where you are completely comfortable with your body.”

Natalie, who has been promoting her new book Happy Days, replied: “I am but I think it damaged me doing that.

“Well I still would look in the mirror and go ‘oh I could be this, could be that.’

“But I think that is just us today.

“I just think it’s what we’re seeing all the time as women and men, but as women, I think it’s a scary world when you think about what we look like all the time.”

The soap actress opened up about signing up to do the DVD at a vulnerable time – and said she regrets her decision.

She added: “I’d lost mum at 19 so all of that weight stuff was happening through all of that time.

“Silly decisions were being made, shouldn’t have done that, not the right guidance.

“It’s a silly thing to do but if someone says ‘here’s £100,000 you want to lose some weight?’ I was like ‘yeah, I’ll take that’.”

Natalie said losing weight for the DVD left her “worse off” with her body.

She explained: “It took a turn for the worse, I put loads of weight on very, very quickly afterwards, if not more.

“I think I just ate loads and then I started taking laxatives at some point.

“And you know I would never say I had an eating disorder, I’m very fortunate to say that, but you know I think if I had carried on with laxatives and this and that, who knows where I’d be.”

Natalie said that raising her daughters Eliza, 14, and Joanie, eight, helped her snap out the cycle. 

She said: “I think because you’re not the be all and end all. You have those kids and that’s it. You forget about yourself.

“All you worry about, all you focus on is if they’re well cared for, their dinner, what they’re eating, what they’re wearing, are they sleeping. that that was my focus and  the idea of worrying about what I look like kind of fell to the wayside.”

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DIET PILL RUMOURS

However, attention on her weight has not eased up over the years.

Just last year, Natalie, who has been with her BBC cameraman fiance Marc Humphrey since 2014, was forced to deny she used diet pills to lose weight.

Her fans were targeted by scams online and the actress took to her social media to clarify that she recently lost her weight by cutting out treats.

The actress previously told The Sun: “I cut out rubbish. I cut down on alcohol too, even though I love white wine.”

“Alcohol is full of hidden calories, which all add up when it comes to a person’s daily limit.”

WEIGHT LOSS JABS

On the podcast, she denied using weight loss jabs too.

Natalie explained: “I’ve never gone through any injectable route. 

“I’ve not done Botox before or lip filler. I just haven’t. So to inject something, I’m just scared of it.”

Giovanna, 40 – mum to Buzz, 11, Buddy, nine, and Max, six – gave her own views on weight loss jabs and admitted that they have come up on her radar. 

It’s a silly thing to do but if someone says ‘here’s £100,000 you want to lose some weight?’ I was like ‘yeah, I’ll take that’

Natalie Cassidy

The wife of McFly’s Tom Fletcher, explained: “Only because I’ve had people going and doing it in a way where it’s almost discussed in a way that they’re trying to encourage you to do it.

“I’m like, I don’t want to do that. No, I’m not interested.

“It feels so bizarre to go from ‘this is me’ to a ‘let’s change myself’, and for what? 

“I don’t think anyone would like me more if I’m skinny. 

“I don’t think anyone would love me more. I don’t think I’ll be happier. 

“I think it would do the opposite.”

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FORMER Home and Away actress Isabel Lucas, 40, is expecting her first child and has revealed her partner for the first time.

The actress announced her happy news with a series of beachside photos where she showed off her growing baby bump and shared a smooch with her partner.

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Isabel posed in a flowing white linen dress which she wore completely unbuttoned and showed her lacy black underwear, as she cradled her belly.

Other photos in the post shared to Instagram showed the Aussie actress sitting beach side in a white top and skirt, and where her baby bump was proudly on full display.

Also in the photos was her partner, Cyrus Sutton, a US filmmaker, surfer and the owner of a luxury spa home in Washington State.

Isabel captioned the post: “Sometimes words flow and sometimes the mystery is too vast and all that remains, is to feel. A new forever exists here. Among petals of silent wonder and pure love.

“Together we hold this miracle with tender heartful hands.”

Her fans and famous friends rushed to congratulate the star in the comments.

“Another perfectly healthy and beautiful 40 year old woman having a baby. don’t let anyone tell you there is a deadline by 30,” wrote one fan.

Fellow Aussie actress Teresa Palmer wrote: “Can’t wait to see you as a mother and for these little babies to be together. We love you guys xxx”

And Slumdog Millionaire actress, Freida Pinto added: “Oh Izzy!! This made my heart so happy. Sending you and your sweet baby so much mad love.”

Isabel rose to fame playing Tasha Andrews on the Aussie soap, Home and Away.

It was on the set of that soap where she met future Hollywood A-lister, Chris Hemsworth, and they dated for around three years.

Isabel later dated Entourage star Adrian Grenier and Australian folk singer, Angus Stone for two years.

The actress’ other TV roles include in the MacGyver reboot and Steven Spielberg’s war miniseries, The Pacific.

Her film credits include Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and 2022’s Bosch & Rockit opposite her ex, Chris’ brother, Luke Hemsworth.

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DAME PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE created a monster, and we loved her for it.

The actress, who has died aged 96, turned Hyacinth Bucket – pronounced “Bouquet” – into one of the most memorable TV characters of all time.

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Decades on from Nineties sitcom Keeping Up Appearances the pearl-wearing snob, with her candlelight suppers and white slimline telephone, is still as embedded in the national psyche as a character from Charles Dickens.

In Patricia’s own words: “She was grotesque.”

But the actress, like viewers, could not help but admire her: “She was always getting it wrong and slipping on the banana skin, and then coming back and flying the flag.”

By the time the sitcom first hit screens, Patricia had been acting for nearly 40 years, in roles from Coronation Street to Broadway musicals, with co-stars from Sidney Poitier to Jerry Lewis.

She was also a favourite of writer Alan Bennett, who wrote his first great TV monologue especially for her in 1982.

Its success led to the landmark series Talking Heads, in which she also starred.

Alan said in 1998: “She has an enormous amount of zest and brio and she puts a lot of air into the language, so it lifts dialogue which might otherwise seem quite banal.”

After leaving Keeping Up Appearances, Patricia had a second smash-hit with Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, and in 1996 was voted the nation’s favourite actress of all time.

But Patricia managed to keep her private life out of the spotlight.

She never married or had children, and for years refused to discuss her relationships except to say: “I do know what it is to have loved and suffered.”

Eventually, she revealed she had had three great love affairs, including one with a married man, which tormented her as a devout Christian.

She also admitted: “I didn’t make a decision not to be married and not to be a mother -– life just turned out like that because my involvement with acting was so total.

“Now I think it’s a pity I didn’t have children. But I’m not sure you can have a career and a family and do both satisfactorily. I always knew, deep down, that everything has a cost.”

But whenever she was asked how to become a success, she had the same answer: “I say, I can give you a tip. It’s called risk. And if you’re prepared to risk everything, then you can do anything.”

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Katherine Patricia Routledge was born on February 17, 1929, in Birkenhead, Wirral, and grew up in a house behind father Isaac’s “high-class gentlemen’s outfitters” shop.

The family was theatre-mad and Patricia acted in school plays but never saw it as her future: “I always intended to be a go-ahead headmistress in a red sports car who had romances all over Europe in the holidays.”

With that in mind, she studied English at the University of Liverpool but spent so much time in the student drama club that older brother Graham urged her to audition for the Liverpool Playhouse.

She said: “He was the one who said, ‘That’s what you ought to do.’”
In 1952, aged 23, she made her professional debut with the company as Hippolyta in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Just two years later she was in the West End, showing off her roof-raising contralto singing voice in musical comedy The Duenna.

By early 1961 she was so well known on stage stage that the makers of Coronation Street, which had begun a couple of months earlier, pounced: “They created a character for me – Sylvia Snape. She had a little cafe.”

Their idea was for the no-nonsense proprietor to become one of the cobbles’ stalwarts, but after just three episodes Patricia quit.

She recalled: “I just knew inside that I needed to have other adventures.”

That included belting out satirical songs on That Was The Week It Was, as well as her big-screen debut in 1967’s To Sir with Love.

She played a teacher who offers support to Sidney Poitier’s character, and years later recalled the actor’s generosity: “I just had one scene alone with him, and he gave it to me.”

Patricia had less happy memories of working with Jerry Lewis in 1968’s Don’t Raise the Bridge, Lower the River: “An absolute nightmare. And I’m afraid I didn’t find him funny at all.”

BROADWAY DEBUT

That year Patricia also took Broadway by storm, with the New York Times critic describing her performance in Darling of the Day as “the most spectacular, most scrumptious, most embraceable musical comedy debut since Beatrice Lillie and Gertrude Lawrence came to the country.”

It landed her a Tony Award, presented by Groucho Marx.

Back at home, Alan Bennett had been a long-time fan and so when he wrote his first ground-breaking TV monologue, he wrote it for her.

Initially, Patricia turned him down: the piece was 47 minutes of just one character speaking directly to the camera.

Patricia recalled: “I said it wouldn’t work – people would switch off in their thousands.”

But Alan told her: “If you don’t do it, nobody will. I’ve written it for you.”

A Woman of No Importance screened on BBC2 in November 1982, with Patricia as Miss Schofield, who bubbled away about office gossip and the goings on at a hospital where, it slowly dawned on viewers, she was dying.

It was a sensation, and won Patricia a British Press Guild award for best actress. She later said of the writer: “He turns cliche into poetry.
“He sees a world in a grain of sand – the sympathy, the humanity.”

Its success led to 1988’s beloved Talking Heads series of six monologues, with Patricia in A Lady of Letters as a lonely busybody who finally finds friendship when she is sent to prison.

She said: “It’s about salvation, about learning to love at a tremendous cost. Oh, it was a joyous thing to do.”

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A second series was made in 1998, with Patricia’s monologue this time about a shop assistant who ends up in the thrall of her chiropodist.

In 2004 she admitted she found that part “very kinky”: “I didn’t really enjoy it. I didn’t understand it, deep down.”

Alan said later: “Patricia has a very strong moral streak and very strong views, and I think if a part doesn’t conform with those she’s very dubious about it.”

In between all this, she showed off her comedy brilliance again in Victoria Wood’s series As Seen on TV, playing an overconfident recurring character called Kitty who came out with lines like: “I’m something of a celebrity having walked the entire length of the Pennine Way in slingbacks, to publicise mental health.”

But when sitcom writer Roy Clarke, already famous for Last of the Summer Wine, presented the BBC with scripts for a new series about a suburban social climber, he did not have a lead actress in mind.

He recalled in 2004: “People do assume I must have written Keeping Up Appearances for Patricia Routledge, but I didn’t.”

It was director and producer Harold Snoad who Roy credited for “that perfect bit of casting”.

Harold said: “I wanted the character of Hyacinth to be a sort of stately galleon. I didn’t want somebody lightweight, either in size or vocal terms.”

Patricia said of the character: “She leapt from the page.”

GLOBAL HIT

The first series began on BBC1 in October 1990; soon 13million people a week were tuning in, including superfan the Queen Mum.

Nobody could have delivered lines like her (“I hope that’s a first-class stamp. I object to having second-class stamps thrust through my letterbox”) but she also brought a bursting energy to the role that was unmatchable.

The late Clive Swift, who played Hyacinth’s long-suffering husband Richard, said in 1998: “I can’t think of an another actress who could have brought the physical clowning to the part, which isn’t there particularly in the script.”

It was a global hit, but in 1995 after five series Patricia announced she would not do any more, despite the BBC’s pleas: “There were other adventures to have.”

They included, at the time, a new relationship.

Speaking to The Sun in 1996 she opened up about her private life for the first time, admitting: “A corner of my heart is taken. I’ve got a sneaking feeling that I might have almost everything in the end.

“He’s someone I’ve known for years and years. He’s in theatrical management but we hadn’t seen each other for a long time and then we met again.

“Life is full of the most wonderful surprises.”

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Patricia moved to Chichester, West Sussex, in 1999 to be closer to this new love, whose identity was never revealed, and lived there for the rest of her life.

She also told The Sun: “I had my heart broken when I was young. It was a grand passion, but it was complicated because he was married and, of course, I felt very guilty.

“I would gladly have lived with him and I wanted his children. But I couldn’t do it because I thought it would kill my parents.”

Her second great passion came in the late Eighties, when she least expected it: “Out of the blue this enchanting person appeared.

“He was a theatre director – a very funny and delightful man. But he had a heart condition, which I didn’t know about for a while.

“One day I went to rehearsal and was told he’d died in the night. This dear man was no more. I was just so hurt, so sore with the pain of loss.”

‘ILLUMINATING LIFE’

Work was always a refuge. In 1996 she was back on screen in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates as pensioner-turned-crime fighter, who was a down-to-earth, proud working-class opposite of Hyacinth.

Patricia later said of that character: “I loved her.”

It was another hit and the actress never forgave the BBC for axing the programme after four series without telling the cast: “No word ever came – how rude.”

Hetty was her last major TV role; afterwards she focused on theatre.
Her final role was in Oscar Wilde’s play An Ideal Husband in 2014 in her adopted hometown of Chichester, where she worshipped at the cathedral each week.

In 2017 she was made a dame for services to the theatre and charity.

On getting the news, she said: “I started to laugh, and then I started to cry. It was extraordinary.”

But Patricia believed her profession was important.

She once said: “It sounds a bit high-faluting, but I think acting is the physicalisation of the imagination.

“If the word becomes flesh, then you are illuminating life for other people.”

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EMMERDALE and Coronation Street have officially begun filming crossover episodes in a historic first for ITV.

ITV has pulled off the ultimate soap shocker with the first-ever Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover – and it’s been called Corriedale.

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Cameras are rolling on this one-off extravaganza, bringing together the nation’s favourite telly titans.

Expect Weatherfield’s lot to collide with their Yorkshire neighbours in a whirlwind hour of drama, secrets, and epic soap action.

Fans are already buzzing about what could go wrong… or right!

The two soaps are going all out, with production teams cooking up a jaw-dropping stunt that promises life-changing consequences for the characters involved.

ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain Macleod said: “It’s beyond exciting that filming is underway on Corriedale.

“There is a massive buzz around both the Leeds and Manchester sites and the images coming out of the shoot are utterly spectacular.

“And that’s before we’ve even got to all the brilliant transpennine interactions between characters from the different shows!

“As a soap fan myself, I think my head is going to explode when the episode airs next year.

“It will be mind-blowing, historical and unmissable.”

There will also be an interactive twist for fans to determine one part of the episode.

A vote will be opened allowing soap fans to choose which Emmerdale and Coronation Street character will share a carefully-written scene together as part of the episode.

Corriedale is set to hit screens on ITV and YouTube in early 2026 – kicking off the brand-new soap power hour.

From then on, Emmerdale will roll out at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8.30pm, every weekday in a double dose of drama.

The schedule change sees both soaps lose one episode a week amid dwindling ratings.

Biggest soap stunts

By Conor O’Brien

Soaps are no stranger to dramatic stunts in the storylines. Not only do these moments create a spectacle for viewers, they also fundamentally change characters’ lives.

Here is a look at some of the biggest soap stunts from over the years.

CORONATION STREET

• Tram crash (2010): The ITV soap marked its 50th anniversary with a intense tram crash – and live episode to boot. Overall, the crash and its effects were broadcast across a week in December 2010. Its resulting chaos saw regular characters Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) die.
• Richard Hillman tries to kill the Platts (2003): Of all the men unlucky-in-love Gail tied the knot with, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) is probably the one she regrets most in hindsight. In 2003, murderer Richard tried to kill his step-family: first by gassing them with car fumes and then driving Gail (Helen Worth), Sarah (Tina O’Brien), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Bethany (Amy and Emily Walton) into a canal.

EASTENDERS

• Queen Vic fire (2010): In September 2010, EastEnders bid farewell to matriarch Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) as a permanent fixture on the soap – she returned as a guest before the character’s death in 2016. In the build-up to her initial exit, Peggy had trapped crack cocaine-addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) in the Queen Vic. However, he escaped and set the boozer on fire.
• Bus crash (2017): In April 2017, a total of 11 Albert Square residents had their lives at risk in a terrifying bus crash. The stunt saw a double decker bus – the 764 to Barking – lose control and crash through the Albert Square market before hitting a low-level bridge. Notable passengers at the time included Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).

EMMERDALE

• James Barton’s death (2016): Interestingly about James’ (Bill Ward) death was that it came in a spiral of events. After wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) locked James up in a jealous rage, he escaped and they tussled on a bridge over the bypass. Emma pushed him and James fell into traffic, in turn causing a 12-vehicle pile up, As well as James dying, key characters including Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were injured.

IN one of the most beautiful places in the country is a holiday cottage owned by the Fletchers.

The family, headed up by Emmerdale star Kelvin and his wife Liz Fletcher, renovated the home on Fletchers’ Family Farm, and you can stay there yourself.

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Called Stag Cottage, the house is found in the village of Wincle – on the site of the Fletcher farm, and you can book it on Sykes Holiday Cottages.

Inside, the cottage has been renovated into a cosy rental that sleeps up to six, there’s a sitting room with a woodburning log fire with squishy sofa and chairs.

The kitchen has a central island and is fully-equipped with everything visitors need to make home-cooked meals.

Upstairs are three bedrooms all with king-size beds with plush bedding, and one has an en-suite.

For any musical guests, there’s even a grand piano to tinker on; there’s also a snug and conservatory.

Outside is a garden with lawn, patio area, decking, furniture and hot tub.

The cottage is getting lots of bookings and has been getting five star reviews from visitors.

One visitor wrote: “The cottage was cosy, peaceful, and full of charm—just what our family needed to unwind from city life. The hosts were truly fantastic – so welcoming and easy to chat with, like catching up with old friends.”

Another added: “The cottage is more than just somewhere to stay, it’s the most relaxing place ever. The decor makes it so relaxing we had to force ourselves to go out. Kelvin, Liz and family are a pleasure to meet.”

Sun Travel found a seven night stay in May 2026 for £1546 which works out as £220.86 per person.

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However it can be more expensive with a one night stay in November 2025 being £1015 which works out at £169.16 per person.

Wincle is found just outside of Sutton near Macclesfield, where visitors can easily explore the Peak District – one of the most beautiful places in the UK.

The Peak District is well-known for being one of the prettiest places in the UK with huge hills, moors, valleys, and chocolate box villages.

For anyone planning a visit to the Peak District, writer Jennifer Sizeland, who is also a local, reveals the spots where you should go to, rather than the busy tourist places.

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For views, Jennifer said: “Head to Hen Cloud in Leek, Staffordshire, where you can see the rock formations of The Roaches — including the pretty Lud’s Church chasm and Doxey Pool, where a strange mermaid is said to live.

“You can go there for sunrise or sunset, and park for free in the bays on Roach Road. Or visit Tittesworth Reservoir, £5.50 for two to four hours of parking, and walk from there.

“This lake is a wonderful place for spotting birds and wildlife and it has a play park for children.”

Other suggestions include Coombes Valley, Padley Gorge, and ditch Matlock Bath for the quirky village of Bonsall.

For fans of Emmerdale, read more from one Sun Writer who toured the TV set in the Dales.

And the hotel named the best in the UK has Peak District views and guests say is ‘worth every penny’.

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STRICTLY Come Dancing is already in a fix row midway through the launch show.

The complaints from fans come after one of the star’s YEARS of dance experience was revealed.

Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope isn’t just good at acting, because he is an experienced dancer too.

He previously competed in a dancing world championship final three times.

The soap hunk has been dancing since the age of 10-years-old and has appeared on TV before.

Reacting to Lewis’ prior dancing experience, one fan said: “I need lewis to stop pretending he’s not a trained dancer.”

“Another Billy Elliot ex-pro dancer. tut tut,” penned a second.

A third then wrote: “Just give lewis the trophy now. He looks the part without seeing him move.”

While a fourth said: “Lewis is such a natural mover. His theatre experience will really help him as well. He’s definitely making that final I can feel it.”

“How will Lewis Cope on the dancefloor? I reckon he’ll be just fine,” said a fifth.

A sixth then penned: “the way lewis is blatantly gonna win is p***ing me off.”

While a seventh said: “So lewis is a dancer.”

Lewis previously spent eight years in the dance group, Ruff Diamond who were runners up in Sky TV’s Got to Dance competition.

When he was 18-years-old, Lewis found himself performing in front of judges Ashley Banjo, Kimberly Wyatt and Aston Merrygold.

The group also appeared on Children in Need where they danced
with the cast of EastEnders and they were twice voted as UK Hip Hop Champions.

They also represented the UK at the 2013 World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas.

Lewis quit Ruff Diamond in 2015 at the age of 20 so he could study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

EASTENDERS legend Rita Simons has married her “best friend” in a stunning rural wedding.

The BBC One show alum, 48, only revealed the pair had got engaged back in January, with a sweet Instagram upload.

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Now Rita, who is best-known for playing EastEnders‘ Roxy Mitchell, has tied the knot with Ben Harlow in the same year.

The actress took to her social media grid to reveal the happy news as well as a handful of snapshots showing her stunning boho bridal look.

Rita opted for an off the shoulder flowing cream dress adorned with a floral print for the ceremony in Carlisle, Cumbria.

She styled her blonde hair into waves and a half-up style with fresh make-up.

Her new groom Ben opted for a handsome beige suit and crisp white shirt.

The lovebirds shared images showing them enjoying a kiss while in front of a lake as well as holding hands when strolling through a park.

Rita also gave a snapshot of the ceremony, too, with the pair looking blissfully in love as they read their vows in a wood-floored barn.

She then hopped onto the stage with Blue’s Duncan James during the wedding reception to mark their special night.

In her emotional caption, the soap star wrote: “Well this happened yesterday!

“I married my best friend @benjyharlow. Just a little teaser before I have the good stuff from @the.event.editor content creator.”

She added: “I can’t even put into words how special our day was…mostly because we have the most incredible bunch of humans who love us unconditionally and who were prepared to travel to @hiddenriverbarn from all over the world to share our day.

“We love you all. You know who you are …sorry there’s gonna be a ton of pics to follow!

“The stars of the day were (apart from my babies @jaimee_silv @maiya.sammy ) @therocketscollective who rocked SO hard for the entire day and night! (Videos incoming!)”

She then told of All Rise singer Duncan’s role in the special day and added: “Thank you my darling @mrduncanjames for giving me away, I love you forever.”

EastEnders stars who QUIT

MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?

The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.

Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.

Yet what about the 2024 exits?

Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had “quit” the long-running series.

It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.

Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.

Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would “quit out of boredom” over recent storylines.

Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.

One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.

He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.

Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.

Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.

Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.

She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.

HAPPY ENGAGEMENT

The pair’s wedding comes just nine months after their engagement.

In the Instagram picture back in January, Rita can be seen showing off her engagement ring as she poses for the camera, while Ben beams for the camera as he sits beside her.

Captioning the post, Rita wrote: “… so this happened!”

The actress then added two sparkling ring emojis and an excited face.”

Rita and theatre actor Ben first met in 2017 when they both starred in the touring production of hit musical Legally Blonde.

They started dating a couple of years later after Rita split with her first husband of 14 years, Theo Silveston.

The former couple had met in 2004 and welcomed twin daughters together before they separated in 2018.

Their divorce was finalised in 2020.

Rita joined EastEnders as Roxy in 2007 and became a fan favourite before she was brutally killed off alongside on-screen sister Ronnie in a tragic New Year storyline in 2017.

She went on to appear on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2018 before joining Hollyoaks last year as Marie Fielding.

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A REAL life Coronation Street couple have shared a slew of snaps from their dreamy getaway to the posh Greek island of Santorini.

Actress Sally Carman and her co-star husband Joe Duttine appear to have had the trip of a lifetime after jetting off to the sought-after location in the Mediterranean.

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The Abi Webster actress looked glam as she uploaded a series of snaps from hers and Joe’s loved-up getaway.

Joe, who plays Tim Metcalfe, could be seen beaming alongside his proud wife in one of the couple’s shots from the getaway.

Sally simply captioned the snaps with: “Santorini sun.”

It appeared to be no expense spared as Sally shared a photo of the pool at their resort which overlooked the sea and featured a floating bed in the middle of the water.

In another candid snap, Sally looked the picture of happiness as she sipped on a cocktail through a straw as she enjoying a sunset tipple.

She wore a leopard-print headband in the picture and kept her make-up simple.

In one of the other photos, Sally could be seen laid by the front of a boat wrapped in blankets as it appeared she had taken a tumble.

Their Corrie co-star Samia Longchambon commented on the snaps: “Gorgeous every bit”

Another fan added: “Lovely photo of you Sally. Enjoy yourself.”

As fellow soap actress Sue Devaney added: “Oooooooh I want to hug you in all that there cuteness of yours!!

“Stunning stylish sexy Sal in Santorini! So beautiful xx.”

Sally and Joe began romancing one another after meeting on the set of the ITV soap opera.

They tied the knot in Salford in 2022.

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A FORMER Hollyoaks star is unrecognisable after quitting fame and launching an international property career.

The star will be back in people’s minds as his on-screen sister has announced she is making a return to the Channel 4 soap.

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Zoe Lister is making a shock return to the Channel 4 soap – eight years after her last appearance.

The actress – who played Zoe Carpenter in the long-running soap – spent four years between 2006 and 2010 on the show.

She went on to make a brief return in 2017 before bowing out for good.

And more recently she’s found worldwide viral fame as the voice of the Jet2 Holidays advert that’s become an internet sensation.

But now The Sun has revealed that Zoe will be going back to the job that made her famous.

A source said: “Zoe will be returning to Hollyoaks for a brief stint soon.

“She’s really excited and it’ll be a huge treat for fans as the show celebrates its 30th anniversary.”

However it will spark theories on where her former on-screen brother Stephen Beard is these days.

His character Archie was involved in some huge storylines, including drug addiction and being kidnapped by gangsters,  throughout his two years on the soap.

Viewers last saw Archie on screen in 2010 when the character exited after falling out with his friends due to his continuing drug habit.

And now the former actor has given up a life of fame and reinvented himself as a property expert in Dubai.

It’s world’s away from Hollyoaks!

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EASTENDERS actress Jessie Wallace has made her social media comeback after darting out of the NTAs after-party in tears.

The soap star left partygoers at The O2 Arena stunned when she fled the venue inconsolable.

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Before she was left in tears, she was seen dancing with her co-stars and being labelled as the “life and soul of the party”.

Now, Jessie has taken to Instagram to share a collection of snaps from the evening and has made no reference to the reasoning behind her tearful exit.

The Kat Slater star, 53, shared images from both before, after and during the NTA ceremony in which she could be seen beaming from ear-to-ear.

Keeping coy about her tearful antics, Jessie captioned the snaps: “What a great night! Thank you to everyone who voted for @bbceastenders and my pal Steve and the gorgeous @jacjossa you are AMAZING!

“Love all me EE faaaaaaamily.”

Jessie cuddled up to many of her co-stars in the pics including Michelle Ryan and Jacqueline Jossa.

She even included a shot from the after-party in which she could be seen with Love Island host Maya Jama.

Jessie’s night turned eventful unexpectedly when she was seen running through the after-party in tears.

Jessie, 53, had been seen in high spirits during Wednesday night’s ceremony at London’s O2 Arena.

She was later spotted at the official after-party with her colleagues, including Scott and former co-star Charles Venn.

An onlooker said: “Jessie was the life and the soul of the party and was on a high after they’d picked up their big award.

“She was seen chatting with Charles and a few other people and was having a real laugh.

“But then suddenly out of nowhere she just burst into tears in front of everyone.

“Scott was like a superhero and just scooped her out and took her out of the party.

“No one could work out why Jessie was in tears. People just looked a bit baffled.”

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SHE was just seven years old when she landed a job on Emmerdale – catapulting her to fame almost overnight.

But without warning, Daisy Campbell’s career was ‘ripped’ away from her when she was brutally axed, after dedicating 13 years of her life to the soap – leaving her ‘in a dark hole’ and questioning her future.

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Suddenly Daisy, now 22, who played Amelia Spencer, found herself without steady work, struggling to find purpose and reflecting on how much of her childhood she had sacrificed for the ITV soap.

Now, Daisy has opened up to The Sun for the first time about her shock exit, telling us: “When it’s been ripped away from you, because that’s what it genuinely felt like, it was so out of the blue – you do just get into a bit of a hole of, oh god, like, can I do this?”

Remembering the moment her world as she knew it fell apart, she recalls: “It was weird, because it was so abrupt, obviously Liam Fox, who played Dan, my dad, he left the year before (in 2023), and I just had a feeling… I always get gut feelings.

“It was at the beginning of the year, things were quiet. Obviously, we had the new producer come in. And then when it came to contracts, nothing came through, so I was like, “oh”… and then obviously it happened.

“It was upsetting, because I loved it, and I loved the job.

“You always think selfishly, like, why is this happening? Like, why me?

Daisy says she ‘fell into’ acting after her dance teacher suggest she tried a drama school because she was so confident.

She says: “I feel like if I were to look back on myself now at younger me – I would have always been an actress because it’s what I love doing – performing.”

Daisy, who lives near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, suddenly found herself looking back over the past 13 years, admitting: “You have so much time to reflect when you’re not working, especially this year.

“I feel like I did miss out a lot during my childhood – with friends and stuff. I used to want to stay at school with my friends rather than be on set.

“But I wouldn’t change it. I was in such a privileged position. 

“It was always such a hard job, but I never wanted to leave because Emmerdale’s the most stable job you will have in an acting career.”

Daisy’s was written out of the soap after her character Amelia decided to move to Leicester and leave the village following her manipulative boyfriend Tom King’s conviction.

Not long after her exit, Daisy landed a role on Casualty – she played Georgina Birch for just one episode, but it was enough to make the young actress feel confident she would be OK.

However, it wasn’t long until she was struggling to find work and unsure about what her next step should be.

She says: “I left Emmerdale in October, and then I filmed Casualty November, and it’s a depressing month, it’s darker nights, and I had a lot of time to think.

“At first, I liked just having my own time, being a bit free and not really having a schedule. Working there from being seven, I’d never had freedom before.”

When the new year came round, Daisy landed a number of auditions after being approached by some ‘amazing people’ but none came to fruition. 

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“I found it hard,” she admits. “I love my acting, I do, but I wanted something stable for myself, because I’m so, like, wanting to keep myself busy all the time. I was like, what can I do that’s gonna make me not just want to sit at home all the time?”

After a trip to New York and having some space to think, Daisy then came up with the idea of her own studio, named That Pilates Place, which will be officially opening next month. 

Using the money she had saved up from being on the soap, Daisy and her grandad spent hours transforming a 200-year-old court house in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, into a stylish and practical work out space – as well as training to be a teacher.

Her boyfriend Nick, who she has been dating for over a year, has been ‘incredibly supportive’ and she says he’s delighted she’s found a purpose.

“I passed both my exams first time,”  she explains. “And I really wanted to do a studio. I want to use what I’ve got from Emmerdale and put that into something positive that can give me longevity.

“I was always so good with my money and I was just saving, saving, saving, saving, putting it away, and then I was like wait, what do I do with this now?  I don’t want to spend it on crap, that I just don’t need.

“I couldn’t touch it until I was 18, so that’s why it’s nice to put it into something that hopefully will grow into something nice and big.”

She adds: “I want to build a community of people. I think from being on a soap and having that attention on you all the time, I feel like people don’t really know you… I want to take a bad situation, because it was a bad situation last year, and put it into something positive and just bring people together.”

And it seems that is exactly what Daisy is going to do. But does that mean she’s given up acting for good?

“Acting is something I can never let go of, but for now this business comes first, ” she says.

“When you’ve been in the industry for such a long time, you never really get sick of it. It’s just that sometimes you need that little bit of a break to focus on something else.”

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HELEN Flanagan has been forced to slash the price of her £1.5million mansion AGAIN after struggling to sell her family pad amid money woes.

The former Coronation Street star, 35, had already slashed more than £300,000 off the price of the house she shared with ex Scott Sinclair.

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Now Helen has been forced to reduce the price again for a second time after just fourth months of being on the market.

Helen first put the £1.5million six-bedroom family home up for sale in May, before reducing it to £1.195million just four weeks later. 

Now, the detached, 5,000sq ft home can be snapped up for a cheeky £995,000.

The former couple, who have three children together, bought the property at Belmont, near Bolton, in June 2021 for £840,000.

It has five reception rooms, six bathrooms and six bedrooms including two en-suites.

The house is situated on the edge of moors and is said to have “breathtaking views”.

Helen, who has spoken openly about “losing all her money” in the past, recently opened up being forced to downsize.

She said: “It actually makes me sad that I’m going to be leaving soon because I actually put so much effort into it.

“When we moved I put like a lot lot of my savings into doing the house up and making it look really beautiful. 

“But it’s a big house. It’s an eight bedroom house, which is obviously really hard to keep on top of.”

Meanwhile, Helen has shown off her evil stepmother credentials as she debuted her panto outfit for the first time.

The actress will play the evil stepmother in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Liverpool‘s M&S Bank Arena in December.

The stunning star donned a sequinned red and black dress, with black feathered sleeves, and wore a gold and red diamante tiara on her head.

She also held aloft a red apple, symbolic of the poisonous apple so relevant to the Snow White storyline.

A source previously told The Sun: “Helen is excited for panto season and can’t wait to get into character, she’s a brilliant actress and knows how to put on a show.

“She’ll also be pocketing a pretty penny, celebrities and soap stars make good money doing panto and always look forward to it as some extra income.”

But despite being about to make her first foray into the world of pantomime, Helen is not looking forward to being alone this Christmas.

Helen, shares daughters Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, as well as four-year-old son Charlie, with her ex Scott Sinclair.

However, the ex-Coronation Street star also recently told The Sun that she was spending Christmas without her children this year, as she and former Chelsea footballer Scott, who most recently played for Bristol Rovers, live so far apart.

But Helen explained: “”I’ll do something in November – a really nice long weekend then I feel like I’ve had my Christmas period with them.”

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CORONATION Street star Adam Hussain has broken his silence after quitting the soap.

The 24-year-old, who played Dev and Sunita Alahan’s son Aadi for five years, insisted it’s “not goodbye forever”.

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The ITV actor joined Corrie in 2020 when he took over from Zennon Ditchett, who had already played the character for ten years.

He announced his plans to leave in April this year – and has now revealed he’s landed a role in a new feature film.

In a video message shared by Coronation Street, Adam says: “I just want to say thank you so much to everyone for watching Aadi on Corrie over the years.

“These past five years have been so educational and such an experience.

“I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime.

“And I’ve grown not just as an actor, but as a person as well.

“But I just want to say that it’s not goodbye forever, more like a see you later.

“And if you want to keep watching me, then I will be around in other stuff so keep your eyes peeled.”

In an interview with the Mirror, Adam – who has been auditioning for new roles since filming his final scene in June – said: “I want to spread my wings a little, go out in the big world and see what else I can do.

“I am really excited as I’ve got a new role in a horror feature film. I can’t say too much yet, but I am looking forward to it.

“It’s very relieving to know I can always return whenever I want to.

“And they’ve told me the door will always be left open if I ever want to come back.”

He was flooded with support from fans in the comments.

One said: “Such a huge talent… all future tv and film dramas should count themselves very lucky that he is now available!”

Another added: “Wish you were staying! Your character had so much potential and would have loved to see your journey but wish you well in the future.”

Someone else wrote: “You are an amazing actor so we hope to see you back on TV very soon. All the very best buddy.”

EMMERDALE has been hit by hundreds of Ofcom complaints regarding a ‘violent and tasteless’ soap death.

Viewers were left heartbroken when killer John Sugden claimed his latest victim.

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The August 21 episode saw Mackenzie Boyd shot in the back with an arrow.

The mechanic had worked out that John had killed Nate Robinson months ago.

Mackenzie fled into the woods, but John prevented his escape by firing an arrow at his back.

A final flashback saw John throw a heavy rock down at a helpless Mackenzie.

Viewers later saw blood stains in John’s van and a body covered by a sheet – seemingly confirming Mackenzie’s death.

The latest data shows Ofcom received 158 complaints following the grisly scenes.

After John’s brutal actions played out, fans soon took to X to complain.

One wrote: “Love emmerdale but this all seemed a bit much with the violence and the crossbow seemed in bad taste what with the recent real life tragedies.”

Another added: “@ofcom complaints incoming and this time you take action.”

A third said: “The writers have really crossed line bow and arrow after crossbow killings not right.”

A fourth chimed in: “Isn’t this a tad violent for early evening.”

While a fifth remarked: “A bit distasteful isn’t it having a serial killer kill someone with a bow and arrow havent you got any compassion for a presenter who lost his entire family by a bow and Arrow in real life.”

It came after the real life murder of three people by crossbow killer Kyle Clifford in July of last year.

 The Sun previously revealed that Lawrence Robb, who played Mackenzie, had filmed devastating murder scenes for his character.

A source said at the time: “The scenes are going to be really harrowing for fans to watch.

“Mackenzie has been in so many scrapes and dangerous positions but this time it looks like he’s bitten off more than he can chew. 

“Viewers will be on the edges of their seats watching what happens.”

Some fans believe Mackenzie may still be alive – as his corpse was not directly shown.

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and ITVX.

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HELEN Flanagan has hit back at cruel mum shamers while wearing a tiny bra and defending her boob job decision.

The former Coronation Street starlet, 35, has taken to Instagram to defend her boob job after cruel trolls left nasty comments on a recent snap she shared online.

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Over the weekend, Helen shared some glam snaps of her donning a chic dress.

Cruel trolls were quick to share their thoughts on her look, with one writing at the time: “Who on earth is she? dress is too small anyway.”

And in a sizzling video where she donned lingerie earlier this summer, another troll penned: “You really should save that for the bedroom.”

But now Helen has hit back at the haters with a defiant message.

Taking to her Instagram stories on Sunday, Helen explained how she attended the “most beautiful wedding” over the weekend before showing everyone her Pride outfit.

Helen could be seen donning a tiny bra with a silver sequin suit.

She then said how she would “probably get nasty comments” because she’s showing off her cleavage.

Helen went on to add how she has three kids and breast fed for around three years in total.

“Honestly, when I finished breast-feeding, I could have tied my boobs in a bow. They was so bad,” she confessed.

The next slide then saw Helen showing off her boob job after three pregnancies in an Instagram reel.

She explained how she went under the knife because she was “so self conscious”.

Helen then spoke to her fans again in the next slide where she said she has naturally always had “really big boobs”.

“Before I had kids, I had natural E cup boobs,” she confessed.

She later added how she gets comments “all the time” where people say “oh, you’re a mum, you should cover up” and “your kids would be ashamed of you”.

I don’t think there’s anything shameful about being confident or about being sexy. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Helen Flanagan

Helen hit back saying: “This is actually my body.”

She noted that even though she has had surgery from breast feeding and had excess skin, despite having had an implant put in each of them – they are now their natural size and how they always were.

“Should I be ashamed of how I look because I’m a woman and this is how I look?” she asked.

“So, I don’t think there’s anything shameful about being confident or about being sexy. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

“I don’t understand how that makes you a bad mum?” she said, sounding confused.

“I’m not perfect, but I try and show my children the importance of being kind,” Helen added, noting how she would never want them to “drag other women down”.

She explained how she wants her daughters to grow up being kind to other women, and kind in general.

“That, I think, is good parenting,” Helen slammed before making a dig at people who call her out for wearing a low cut dress, adding “that’s not nice”.

“That’s bad parenting,” she added.

Helen went on to say how she wants her daughter to dress in ways that make her feel confident as she grows up.

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EASTENDERS legend Cheryl Fergison has revealed she’s been left unable to walk following her stroke.

The actress was struck by the medical emergency in May which has left her walking with a stick.

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She told the Mirror: “You lose the ability to coordinate your hands, to walk properly, your balance is gone.

“It’s frustrating and makes you angry. But I’ve started to recover; I am coming on in leaps and bounds now.”

Recalling the terrifying experience, former EastEnders star Cheryl, 59, said: “I went to bed but couldn’t settle.

“When I got up in the night to go to the bathroom, my balance completely went and I had to stop myself from falling over. My whole right side felt numb, heavy and tingly.”

Cheryl admitted that her health battle has reminded her what’s really important in life.

She added: “Material things don’t matter; they can be lost or broken, but memories are everything. Friends, family and laughter – that’s all that matters.”

Cheryl, who shot to fame as Heather Trott in EastEnders, has been very open about her financial struggles since being axed from the soap in 2012.

Speaking to The Sun recently, she said: “Until I have steady work, I’m not rich or comfortable—I’m just surviving.

“I’ve been saying yes to everything for no money, but I need to start valuing my work and asking for fair pay. Even my agent insists on it.”

With no acting work, Cheryl turned to performing in a local Chinese restaurant to earn some cash.

She said: “I’ll never give in. I want to keep singing. If people criticise me for singing in small restaurants, so be it.

“At the end of the day, I’m an entertainer. Community has always been important to me, and I’ll perform no matter the crowd.

“If only two people show up, I don’t care—I’m still being paid, and I’ll still give it my all.”

HELEN Flanagan was flooded with praise as she shared her struggle to get her four-year-old off to bed.

The former Coronation Street actress was given a boost by her Instagram followers who gushed she was doing an “amazing job” and making little Charlie “feel safe” despite the night-time mayhem.

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Helen, 35, who shares three kids with her footballer fiancé ex Scott Sinclair, uploaded a video showing their hectic night time routine.

The pair’s daughter Matilda was born on June 29, 2015, with second little girl Delilah arriving on June 22, 2018.

Their third child, son Charlie, was born on March 25, 2021, and was the centre of attention in the clip which saw Helen attempting to call him over as she said: “Charlie I love you, can you come over to mummy please.”

He could be heard playing in the background before he sprinted across the screen.

Helen, dressed in her pyjamas and nightwear, tried to emphasise her point and said: “Charlie can you listen please because I love you and want to give you a cuddle.”

She then suggested he. go to bed in the cot which prompted him to come over for a hug.

She asked him: “Do you love your mummy?” to which he replied: “Yes.”

The ITV soap star then placed his little hand on her heart and said: “I am calm, I love my mummy,” words which he then repeated.

Helen then told him they were going to stop “bouncing around” and go to sleep with “cuddles and kisses.”

She conceded they could watch a film but needed to “relax” – in order to then “go crazy” in the morning.

Helen, who successfully kept the youngster chilled, then let out a sigh before turning the camera off.

MUM BATTLES

In her lengthy caption, the proud mum explained the toddler’s behaviour in more detail.

She wrote: “Took this video a few weeks ago of me trying to get Charlie to bed and I think it’s cute.

“Think it was about 11.30pm and he’s still bouncing around the room.

“Love my little boy to death he’s so beautiful, he just has SO much energy. I wouldn’t want him any other way though as I know he’ll be an amazing boy.

“I have to take him to soft play or the park every day to burn off some energy less he’d be swinging from the ceiling. Boys are so different to girls, is it the testosterone?

“I feel like he looks like his dad but personality wise is a boy version of me.”

Helen, who played Rosie Webster in Corrie, added: “I don’t like to label children as I think we can over label now and children can play up to it but I suppose I’m neurodivergent and I’m his mummy.

“I also get very triggered by too many sounds all at the same time and struggle to keep calm, I also get really touched out.

“I still co sleep with my kids. Matilda’s too big now but we all just sleep in the same room, it’s what works for us and I’m that exhausted by the end of the day that I just want to sleep.

“Matilda cuddles up to her brother and Delilah sleeps next to me. I’ve tried to get them into their own rooms but they just get really upset and anxious so I don’t bother as they will naturally grow out of it.

“It can be really hard when they are little but also I know that I’m going to want these times back one day too.”

Referring to her plush cream room featured in the video she added: “All I do is tidy up and my house is always a mess and it’s always chaos.

“Charlie’s pulled down these curtains before and smashed my window with a football.

“He’s a different boy for his dad than he is with me. I do feel like with a boy having a constant male presence really helps. When he’s naughty I get too tired and he’s too heavy for me to carry and too fast to catch.

“I also really struggle with car journeys with Charlie, he thinks it’s a game to unbuckle his car seat, so I try and drive when he’s sleeping.

“I think reception and starting school for Charlie will be really good for him, I haven’t done phonics or practised writing his name, it will be a task in itself to get him sitting on his bottom.”

FAN PRAISE

Helen was inundated with messages of support from her famous mates as well as fans.

RHOC alum Tanya Bardsley said: “He reminds me of my Ralphi a beautiful energy.”

MTV’s Charlotte Dawson added: “This is so cute and chaotic at the same time … wouldn’t have it any other way.”

One fan then wrote: “Think this is amazing. You kept calm and in turn that helped him it’s called Co regulation for the uneducated out there who are saying show him who is in charge.”

Another wrote: “Adorable @hjgflanagan you’re doing amazing job.”

A third put: “Well done mumma. This is beautiful. You’re making sure he feels safe and loved.”

One simply added: “Thank you for posting this. So real.”

It came just days after she was cruelly mum-shamed for her glam outfit with a plunging neckline.

The social media positivity also comes after she was cruelly trolled on the Tube.

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NEIGHBOURS star Bonnie Anderson celebrated with friends and showed off her baby bump just days before she’s due to give birth.

The actress, who is best known for playing Bea Nilsson on the Aussie soap opera, is 39 weeks pregnant with her second child and revealed she’s “ready to pop.”

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Bonnie, 30, was treated to an extravagant lunch by some of her closest friends who all posed around the singer and actress as she showed off her bump.

“When the girls take you for a beautiful lunch before you pop,” Bonnie captioned a photo on Instagram.

She later danced with her group of friends as she lifted up her top to show her baby belly.

“Thanks for making me feel special ladies,” Bonnie captioned a photo of the group.

Bonnie has kept fans updated about her pregnancy journey and revealed in a post that while she “can’t see anything below me,” she can “see the finish line” of her second pregnancy.

The actress, who joined Neighbours in 2018, welcomed her first child with husband Samuel Morrison in December 2022.

They have a son called Bobby Ray.

The Sun revealed how the pair later wed in a lavish ceremony in November 2023.

Before joining Neighbours in 2018, Bonnie found fame when she won Australia’s Got Talent in 2007 at the age of 12.

She then went on to forge out a successful music career and toured with Olly Murs and worked with One Direction and Demi Lovato’s producers on a number of tracks.

In 2020, Bonnie was crowned the winner of The Masked Singer Australia.

Bonnie and Samuel revealed they were expecting their second child earlier this year with a sweet video.

In the clip, the 30-year-old was seen showing off her bump during a beach trip with her husband and their two-year-old son.

Neighbours stars who made it big

The long-running Aussie soap has launched the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Here are some of the Neighbours alums who went on to make it big after starring on the soap…

Kylie Minogue

• Before she hit the big time with her music career, Kylie shot to fame playing Charlene Mitchell on Neighbours. Shortly after her arrival, Kylie began an on and off-screen romance with co-star Jason Donovan, who played Scott Robinson, which gained the couple an army of adoring fans. 

Jason Donovan

• After his stint as Scott, singer and actor Jason became an international popstar and had his pick acting of roles. He moved to the U.K., married, had children and has since starred in over a dozen West End show, most notably Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Alan Dale

• New Zealand born actor Alan was one of Neighbours 12 original cast members having made his debut as Jim Robinson on the soap’s first episode on 18 March 1985. As the head of the Robinson clan, widower Jim lived at Number 26 Ramsay Street with his children Paul, Julie, Scott and Lucy, and was a real anchor in the community. He stayed with the show for eight years, before his character was killed off in dramatic scenes aired in 1993 but which still reverberate through the soap to this day.

Margot Robbie

• Way before she was Barbie or Harley Quinn, Margot was best known as Ramsay Street resident Donna Freedman. Her notable storylines included her marriage to Ringo Brown and becoming a young widow following his tragic death. After three years she bid farewell to the soap and Australia with a plan to make a name for herself in Hollywood which she did when she bagged the role of Naomi Lapaglia opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street.

Jesse Spencer

• Jesse rocked up on Ramsay street in 1994 with the rest of the Kennedy clan. He stayed for five years, literally growing up in front of the camera, but in 2000 felt it was time to spread his wings and head for Hollywood. It was certainly a smart move as he went on to bag leading roles in popular shows like House and Chicago Fire.

Russell Crowe

• New Zealand-native Russell had a brief arc on Neighbours, appearing in four episodes of the soap 1987 as Kenny Larkin, the former cellmate of Street resident Henry Ramsay. The role obviously got him noticed though because he quickly went on to become a fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister, winning the Best Actor Oscar for his standout performance as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator. 

Bonnie wrote: “Bobby’s going to be a big brother. We are beyond grateful for the new adventure.”

She then added: “Thank you for capturing these moments of the four of us @chelsdarnell I dressed the bump in @dissh and couldn’t be more obsessed with this outfit.”

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