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Love Island’s Cach cosies up to stunning TikTok star just weeks after split from Toni Laites

LOVE Island winner Cach Mercer has shared a new video with a stunning TikTok star as they appeared to get to know one another better, weeks after his split from Toni Laites.

The ITV2 star won the show with Toni last summer and she even moved from Vegas to London following the series, but things took a turn for the couple following a row at the BRIT Awards in February.

Love Island’s Cach Mercer has shared a video with a stunning influencer, weeks after his split from Toni Laites Credit: Instagram
Cach and Toni parted ways in March after an explosive argument at the BRIT Awards the month prior Credit: Splash

Toni and Cach attended the star-studded awards ceremony together earlier this year, but The Sun revealed they had an explosive row inside the ceremony.

This led to them unfollowing one another on social media, before promptly adding one another back. We revealed they had split the following month.

Now, Cach has been getting cosy with influencer Tallulah Metcalfe, who boasts over half a million followers on Instagram and a whopping 5.4 million on TikTok.

In an unexpected crossover, the pair recorded a video dancing together on Tuesday, which Tallulah shared to her Instagram.

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In his new post, Cach danced alongside TikToker Tallulah, who has been single since splitting from her boyfriend late last year Credit: Instagram
Cach and Toni began dating last summer on Love Island and bagged the show’s £50K prize pot Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

She captioned the post: “Made this dance ourselves btw”.

Fans were shocked to see the pair together, with several commented that they were an “unexpected duo”.

Cach and Tallulah were both staying at celeb hotspot Soho Farmhouse for an event with Snapchat when they filmed the dancing clip.

Also in attendance was the likes of new couple Samie Elishi and Tyrique Hyde.

Tallulah is thought to be single since her split from fellow social media star Owen Lazenby late last year.

Whilst both Cach and Toni are yet to speak out on their split.

However, it appears things are over for good this time around as the former couple unfollowed each other on Instagram yet again earlier this month.

At the time of their split, a source confirmed to The Sun: “It’s definitely over with Toni and Cach and they’ve called it quits.

“It’s a really sad situation but after being on the rocks for a while, the Brits ended up being the final straw and they couldn’t make it work.

“They kept talking and tried to make things work but have now called it a day.”

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Tiny island with no crowds is ‘absolutely stunning’ and just 4 hours from the UK

This hidden gem provides the perfect no-crowds experience for summer 2026.

Summer is just around the corner and many of us are already dreaming about our next sunny escape. With so many destinations to pick from, settling on the perfect spot can feel like quite the challenge.

Many of the world’s most coveted holiday hotspots are now bursting at the seams, which can turn a much-needed break into something of a headache. If you’re after a getaway unspoilt by hordes of tourists, it pays to explore the roads less travelled.

Travel specialists at Solmar Villas have scrutinised more than 160 destinations worldwide to reveal the most tranquil spots for a laid-back summer holiday in 2026 – and Greece has taken the top spot.

Greece boasts more than 6,000 islands to explore and while some are overrun with visitors, others remain blissfully peaceful.

Each location in the top 10 was rated across eight key factors: crowd density, climate, nature and scenery, pace of life, affordability, safety and ease of access.

Remarkably, eight of the top 10 destinations were found in Greece.

Topping the list is Alonissos – a tiny, serene island nestled in the northern Sporades – an archipelago in the Aegean Sea.

To reach it, travellers can fly from the UK to the neighbouring island of Skianthos before hopping on a high-speed ferry across to Alonissos.

The island feels worlds apart from everyday life.

Verdant hills blanketed in pine trees cascade down towards crystalline waters, ideal for a summer dip. Life moves at a leisurely pace, with traditional villages dotted across the hillsides.

The island also houses the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades, one of the largest protected marine areas in Europe, reports the Express.

This transforms it into a haven for divers and snorkellers.

A boat trip around the island reveals caves, reefs and colourful marine life thriving beneath the sea’s surface.

It’s also home to the rare Mediterranean monk seal – fewer than 700 of them survive in three or four isolated subpopulations in the Mediterranean.

On her blog Asinglewomantraveling, travel blogger Melissa said that Alonissos is “absolutely stunning and peaceful”. She added that the island is “quiet, a little wild, totally underrated”.

The top 10 most peaceful holiday destinations

  1. Alonissos, Greece
  2. Kefalonia, Greece
  3. Peloponnese, Greece
  4. Skopelos, Greece
  5. Lefkada, Greece
  6. Mani Peninsula, Greece
  7. El Hierro, Spain
  8. Naxos, Greece
  9. Koh Yao Noi, Thailand
  10. Paxos, Greece

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Closest Spanish city to UK with stunning views & tasty food has new TUI holiday breaks

LOVE a holiday but hate a long flight? Bilbao should be your go-to destination. 

It’s the closest major Spanish city to the UK — flights take just an hour and 45 minutes — but is now even easier to visit thanks to Tui’s new city break packages. 

Bilbao is the nearest major Spanish city to the UK Credit: Getty
Knowing where to start with Spanish tapas — known as pintxos in northern Spain — can be hard Credit: Getty

These include flights from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol. 

Tui Commercial Director Chris Logan said: “Bilbao offers a truly special city break. With incredible art, fantastic food and beautiful scenery all in one trip, it’s ideal for customers who want the authentic taste of Spain.” 

After a sunshine stay in the city this month, Kara Godfrey reveals everything you need to know about it . . .  

WHY SHOULD I GO? Spain is set to hit record tourism numbers this year, expecting to reach 100million for the first time. So trying to find a quieter destination to visit can be tricky.  

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But Bilbao gets just a fraction of the tourists — just 1.6 million visited last year compared to Barcelona’s 16 million. The city is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Bilbao BBK Live music festival.

This year’s event, from July 9 to 11, has headliners including Calvin Harris, Lily Allen and FKA Twigs.

ARE THESE STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Most of the city’s top attractions can be walked between, taking no more than 30 minutes.  

There are extensive bus, tram and metro systems if you need to rest your feet. But with the beautiful estuary running through the city, you’d be mad not to want to explore by foot. Want to grab a taxi? Opt for the Spanish Cabify rather than Uber, as it is normally more affordable. 

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKETLIST? The impact of the Guggenheim Bilbao museum since it opened in 1997 has been huge. So powerful, in fact, it created the phrase “the Guggenheim effect”, which is when a huge architectural project transforms a destination.  

Tickets to the museum come with a free audio guide (from £13, see guggenheim-bilbao.eus) which helps to understand the modern art pieces ranging from sculptures to paintings. 

The 43ft floral sculpture Puppy, by Jeff Koons Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

One of the most popular — and my favourite — is installation The Matter Of Time, where mighty steel walls guide you throughout the space. 

Other current exhibits include work by Ruth Asawa, a Japanese-American artist known for her unique wire sculptures.  

Also on display at the museum are the 43ft floral sculpture Puppy, by Jeff Koons, and 30ft spider creation Maman. by Louise Bourgeois.

Afterwards, make sure to take a ride on the bright-red Artxanda funicular, which takes you to the top of Mount Artxanda for the best views of Bilbao. Tickets cost from £3,. Check out funicularartxanda.bilbao.eus.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Knowing where to start with Spanish tapas — known as pintxos in northern Spain — can be hard. 

But help is at hand. Tui Musement offers locally guided food tours to take you to gastronomic highlights off the beaten track. 

We gorged on everything from Spanish omelette to spicy mushrooms, while learning a bit about the history of them courtesy of our guide Cristina. 

Guided tours aside, if you just fancy hopping between tapas bars for snacks and drinks — a practice locals call txikiteo (pronounced chee-kee-tey-oh) — do try all of them at Plaza Nueva. 

My number one was Cafe Bar Bilbao for its tasty pork sliders, as well as Taberna Ona for freshly sliced Iberian ham. 

Just expect to have people waiting in the wings for your table — seats are much sought after. 

I FANCY A DRINK: The most famous Bilbao drink is txakoli, a Basque white wine which you can find pretty much anywhere. Squeeze into the family-run Taberna Basaras, a tiny bar with barrels for tables and bottles from floor to ceiling, for a hearty glass. 

You might also spot the locals ordering a mariano, a vermouth “daytime” cocktail that’s lighter than a negroni. 

But only order if you’re ready for an early night — it certainly packs a punch. 

The adult-only Axel Hotel has one of the city’s only rooftop swimming pools Credit: supplied

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? For some of the best views, try 5H hotel The Artist where a rooftop bar overlooks the Guggenheim. 

Another stylish option is the adult-only Axel Hotel, which lays claim to having one of the city’s only rooftop swimming pools. The covered Skybar right next to it is a great place to dry off, over a cocktail or two. 

Even the basic rooms have views of the estuary and Old Town, each one snug but chic — think industrial interiors with extremely comfy beds. 

Also save some time for the wellness area, too, where you can book a massage or just relax in the sauna and hot tub. 

GO: BILBAO

GETTING THERE/STAYING THERE: Three nights at Axel Hotel Bilbao, room only, with return flights from London Gatwick on May 17, is from £306pp. See tui.co.uk

OUT AND ABOUT: Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local is from £75pp. See tuimusement.com

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The stunning Greek island that will pay you to move there AND give you a house

DO YOU WISH you could live out the Mamma Mia dream on a remote island, away from cars, pollution and social media?

Well, in Greece you can, as one island is offering to pay people to move there.

Antikythera is a small, eight-square-mile island found between Crete and Peloponnese Credit: Alamy

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Antikythera is a small, eight-square-mile island found between Crete and the Peloponnese and is home to only 24 permanent residents.

One recent visitor even described it as “a small, peaceful planet that moves at its own unique pace”.

And the local church is inviting people to move to the island.

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Not only will those who move there be paid €500 (£433.49) a month for three years, they will also be given a newly built house to live in.

Of course, there are a couple of catches including that you must be a family with four children and you must have a skill or work in trade, such as fishing.

This is because the scheme is aiming to grow the island’s population as well as its economy.

To apply, you will need to contact the local council.

As for life on the island, it couldn’t be further from other tourist hotspots in Greece.

The entire island remains untouched and boasts natural, rugged beaches and to get to it, you’ll have to hop on a two-hour ferry from Kythera.

Once you reach the island’s port, you’ll see white houses and chapels, as well as a statue dedicated to a diver who discovered a bronze man, underwater, just off of the island.

The statue is believed to date back to between the first and second centuries and one of the divers mistook it for a heap of rotten corpses.

Today, you can see the statue in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece.

While there isn’t much to do on the island, as you’d expect with Greece it does boast beautiful beaches.

The island is offering to pay people to live there Credit: Alamy
As you reach the port, you will see a statue of a diver who found a bronze statue off of the island which is now in a museum in Athens Credit: Alamy

One beach found near the port is Paralia Potamos Beach, which according to local reports, is about 80metres long, with pebbles and clear water.

A recent visitor commented: “Peaceful beach on a peaceful, charming little island.”

Another beach you can head to on the island is Xiropotamos, which is about a 20-minute walk from the port and is bigger than Paralia Potamos.

Across the rest of the island you’ll find ancient ruins, with the Greek Ministry of Culture often carrying out excavations on the island.

There’s also a number of small chapels and ruined windmills and just off its coast there’s a shipwreck that dates to around 82BC where parts of a mechanism thought to be the world’s first computer were found.

If you get hungry, there’s only one place to eat on the island – Strato’s Corner – which is run by one of the locals and sells typical Greek dishes as well as local goat and fish caught off of the island.

When it comes to shopping, the island has only one food store which doubles as a coffee shop, where you’ll often find the locals hanging out.

If you don’t fancy living on the island but do want to visit, there is a small hostel as well with 15 rooms.

The island also has a few beaches to explore Credit: Getty

Our favourite Greece holidays

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Blue Bay Beach Resort, Rhodes

The four-star Blue Bay Beach Resort sits a stone’s throw away from this beach, and has its own pools, splash park and water slides. Here you’re only a 15-minute drive away from Rhodes Old Town, where UNESCO-listed medieval streets wind through castle-like architecture. Make sure to check out the Street of the Knights, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe.

BOOK HERE

Gouves Bay Hotel, Crete

Gouves Bay Hotel keeps things simple on a sunny Greek island location right by the sea. This hotel has a relaxed, family-friendly feel with two pools, a kids’ club and easy all-inclusive dining. And if you fancy a change of atmosphere, Gouves’ bars and tavernas are just a short walk away for your choice of evening drinks with a view.

BOOK HERE

Aegean View Aqua Resort, Kos

The picturesque hotel is perched up high and surrounded by lush greenery in the historic harbour town of Kos. Here you’ll find a huge swimming pool and a waterpark, as well as activities like darts, tennis, football and more. There’s evening entertainment six days a week, and an on-site spa with a hot tub and sauna to unwind.

BOOK HERE

TUI Blue Lagoon Queen, Halkidiki

This mega resort with six pools and its own waterpark is rated five stars by TUI. In the main restaurant, you’ll see show cooking displays as you take your pick from an extensive international buffet. Plus, Kalives beach is on the doorstep of this hotel, with its strikingly blue water and soft golden sands.

BOOK HERE

And if you do travel to the island, make sure to head there on August 17 when the island celebrates its patron saint – Saint Myron.

The celebrations bring about 1,000 people to the island, where they enjoy a festival.

In addition to the ferry from Kythera, there is also a small airport in Kythera with flights to Athens, which take about an hour each way.

Or you can also catch a boat trip from the island to Crete or Athens, though these services are less regular.

For more inspiration on Greek holidays, here are our top five Greek islands with white-washed houses and pretty beaches as Emily in Paris heads to Greece.

Plus, forget Mykonos and Santorini – TUI says these four less-popular Greek islands are set to be huge in 2026.

You can get to the island via a two hour ferry from Kythera Credit: Alamy



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My stunning home city is the REAL home of Harry Potter

IF HOGWARTS was a real place, it would be rammed with selfie-stick-wielding tourists – but one quiet spot in a Devonshire city is the ultimate hidden gem for Potterheads.

It’s no secret that J.K. Rowling studied at Exeter University, but for years Harry Potter fans have been convinced that part of the city actually inspired a major feature of the movies (though she did debunk this herself).

In the city of Exeter there is a hidden gem for PotterheadsCredit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding
Gandy Street is just off of Exeter high streetCredit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding
And many people believe it is the inspiration for Diagon Alley as J.K. Rowling attended Exeter UniversityCredit: Alamy

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Tucked away at a right angle off the bustling high street, you’ll find Gandy Street – a crooked, cobbled lane that looks remarkably like Diagon Alley.

To find it, you’ll have to venture down an opening between Urban Outfitters and Costa – and many visiting the city actually miss this.

The lane then opens up into a magical world of bunting, twinkling lights and higgidy-piggidy shops.

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While the film‘s Diagon Alley is actually a film set, the resemblance is clear.

According to Warner Brothers Studio Tour, the design of Diagon Alley was inspired by Charles Dickens’ descriptions of London.

However, director Chris Columbus realised that not many places look like 19th century London anymore, so a set for Diagon Alley was built specifically for filming.

Misshapen buildings tower over the lane and there is a flea market vibe similar to that of the bird cages and antique-style signs hanging from Diagon Alley’s shopfronts.

The entire street has dark-stone architecture, just like the gloominess of Diagon Alley.

Though the colourful shopfronts brighten the street in the same way Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes does for Diagon Alley.

While Diagon Alley boasts Flourish and Blotts, Mr Mulpepper’s Apothecary, Gringotts Wizard Bank and OIlivanders wand shop, Gandy Street has its own destinations worth visiting.

You might not be able to gobble a Chocolate Frog, but you can dive into Chococo for a hot chocolate.

At the Makers Market, you will find magical trinkets created by local sellers such as handmade handbags and quirky prints.

For pretty and unique jewellery head to Silver Lion and for gifts drop by Moko.

The Vaults nightclub is even compared to Gringotts BankCredit: Alamy

Even The Vaults nightclub looks a bit like Gringotts Bank, though don’t expect to find a dragon – just good cocktails.

If you are hungry there are a couple of spots on the street to grab a bite to eat including Red Panda, where you can grab a bao bun and salad for under a tenner.

For another interesting spot nearby, venture to Parliament Street which is thought to be the narrowest street in the UK and one of the narrowest in Europe.

It dates back to the 14th century and at its narrowest point measures only 63.5cm.

And your adventure around the city doesn’t have to end there…

Make sure to head to the Cathedral Quarter, where – in my opinion – you’ll find one of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the UK.

The 12th century Gothic cathedral has the “longest unbroken stretch of Gothic vaulting” remaining in the world, according to Visit Exeter, measuring 91metres – about the same as the height of Big Ben.

Whilst in the city, make sure to also head to the CathedralCredit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding

Our favourite UK hotels

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Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

BOOK HERE

The Alan, Manchester

The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.

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The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

BOOK HERE

The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

BOOK HERE

One of my favourite things to do here is enjoy the cathedral green and look at the 50-plus statues carved into the Salcombe and volcanic stone the cathedral is built out of.

Make sure to explore the lower part of the high street as well, just a short walk from the cathedral.

Here you’ll find most of the independent businesses in the city including cosy cafes and McCoys Arcade, which is home to a number of shops including a book store and record store.

If you do want to head to some of the bigger brand names, walk to the very top of the high street where you will find the likes of Lush, John Lewis, Next and Waterstones.

The best part to visiting the city? Unlike Harry, you won’t need to tap your wand on the wall to get in… You just need a train ticket to Devon.

If you are wanting to explore more of Devon, here’s the hidden town tourists often skip but locals love, with a coastline of secret coves and historic funicular.

Plus, here’s how to have a cheap Devon holiday this summer.

You can even see the UK’s narrowest street nearbyCredit: Alamy



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