Sun Club

AFTER taking a break from music to focus on her acting career, Ariana Grande made a triumphant return to the stage this weekend.

She kicked off her first tour in seven years with a show in Oakland, California, in front of 20,000 fans. In August, she will play ten sold-out nights at London’s O2 Arena. But among the celebrations, she’s sparked concerns from those close to her, who have been blindsided by the news of her break-up with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

In a cruel twist of fate, hours after she wrapped up that first show, news broke that she had split from Ethan after three years together.

After being burned multiple times while growing up in the spotlight,
I’m told Ariana keeps her circle so small that many in her wider team
had no idea she was single once more.

A source tells me: “Some artists have Zoom calls with their wider teams
almost weekly to keep everyone across what is happening in their lives, in case stories break.

“But with Ariana, it’s all on a need-to-know basis.

“She fully understands the interest in her life and openly channels
her personal experiences into her music and art, but at the same time,
she has no desire to give a running commentary about what goes on
off-stage.

“Her break-up with Ethan is a prime example of that.

“Many of her wider team thought they were still together until the
news broke.

“There has been no big ‘gotcha’ moment; things have simply
run their course.”

To make matters worse for the superstar, the toxic side of the
internet immediately began to speculate en masse about Ari’s body
image during her latest performance.

It is a topic she has repeatedly asked fans to drop and was so upset by previous speculation about weight loss that she felt forced to speak out online.

Posting on TikTok in 2023, Ariana said: “I just wanted to address your
concerns about my body and talk a little bit about what it means to be
paid such close attention to.

“The body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the
unhealthiest version of my body.

“I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating
poorly, and at the lowest point of my life, when I looked the way you
consider me healthy.

“But that in fact wasn’t my healthy. You never know what someone is
going through, so be gentle with each other.”

Ari also used the lead single from her 2024 album to tell fans to back off.

On Yes, And? she sings: “My face is sitting, I don’t need no disguise.
Don’t comment on my body, do not reply. Your business is yours, and
mine is mine.”

She added in November 2024: “I love my fans. I love them always, but I
think they can sometimes hurt my feelings, and sometimes I don’t like
them — but I love them always.”

In my experience, Ariana has always been sweet and kind.

I met Ariana when she was attending the 2025 Baftas. That year, the glitzy bash was brimming with A-list stars, with Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez, Cynthia Erivo, Pamela Anderson, and Demi Moore all in attendance.

Despite arguably being the biggest name in the room, Ari seemed almost
overwhelmed by the hysteria around her and was surprisingly shy.

When I was making my way to an unplanned toilet break after enjoying one too many glasses of bubbles, I bumped into Ari being escorted to another part of the venue for official photos.

It was just her, her chaperone, and me in our part of the corridor. Being a fan, I shamelessly saw my chance and took it.

Keen not to make eye contact with her security, who I knew would
rebuff my request, I smiled at the superstar, quickly telling her how
I had supported her career for years and asked for a selfie.

Ariana immediately took pity on me, thanking me and saying “of course” to a quick snap.

Clearly on a tight schedule, her chaperone tried to move her on.

“No, no, it’s okay,” she sweetly told him, before we got into position
and posed for a few pictures.

After a brief chat about the evening ahead, where she was nominated for
Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Glinda in
Wicked, we went our separate ways.

Someone at her level could easily be cold and uninterested—believe me,
I’ve met enough stars like that over the years.

But despite a decade of torrid luck, Ariana clearly hasn’t let the industry jade her.

Ari has endured more in the last few years than most of us will in a lifetime.

In 2017, 22 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured when her concert at the Manchester Arena was bombed in a horrific terror attack.

The following year, her former boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, tragically died from an accidental overdose shortly after their break-up.

The singer then endured intense, highly unfair harassment from online
trolls blaming his passing on her.

While reps insist there was no overlap in either relationship, the fact that both she and Ethan were married when they first met on the set of Wicked fuelled the rumour mill once again.

As is so often the case, it was Ariana, the woman, who became the
lightning rod for abuse, while Ethan largely escaped scot-free.

The Wicked press tours were also pounced on as an opportunity for mass
speculation about her changing image.

Speaking to the Sun, fashion designer and singer Laura Marshall says:
“Often changes in body image aren’t surface-level; they are the side
effects of a deeper pain that manifests in control.

“Being questioned in this way makes it so much worse.

“Speculating doesn’t help. Judging doesn’t help. Showing kindness and compassion is the only way to handle it.”

Before her split from Ethan, Ariana had finally begun to find inner
peace and confidence once more.

Her eighth album, Petal, is set for release on July 31, penned about
finding life again after something “cold and challenging.”

Ariana explained: “Petal is something that is full of life and growing
through the cracks of something cold and hard and challenging.

“It’s definitely from a place where I have been maybe too shy or
polite to tap into before. This kind of just feels like, ‘f*** it.’

“It was about breaking up with all different kinds of negative
attachments—whether it’s my own monsters in my own head, external
voices, or things that no longer serve me.”

The lead single, Hate That I Made You Love Me, has already given Ari
her eighth UK No.1 single since 2020’s Positions.

I can’t imagine having to go on stage while navigating a break-up at
any point, let alone performing a show explicitly based on my own past
heartbreaks and traumas.

And the new show has it all.

A truly spectacular pop concert packed with hit after hit,
interspersed with thought-provoking interludes hinting at Ariana Grande’s turbulent past decade.

The production is based on her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, which
chronicled the breakdown of her marriage to Dalton Gomez and her finding love with actor Ethan Slater.

During the opening night, she broke down in tears, seemingly overcome
with emotion at being back on stage after previously admitting she
thought she would never tour again.

I hope for Ari’s sake that spectators and fans think twice before
speculating en masse as she continues to take to stages around the
world.

After everything she’s been through, the fact that she even wants to
perform is remarkable. At the very least, she deserves kindness.

GEMMA Collins spent years convincing the world she was living her best diva life – but behind the designer handbags and larger-than-life personality, there was a time when the empire she had worked so hard to build started crumbling around her.

Incredibly, the GC pulled herself back from the brink and banked more than £1.4 million last year. But friends say the feat would have been nearly impossible without the help of one very special man.

Those closest to Gemma have revealed the secret to the Romford-born star’s success is her dad, Alan, who is credited as the only person who can keep Gemma grounded.

A source tells us: “People see Gemma as this unstoppable force of nature, but behind the scenes, Alan has always been her rock.

“When things got difficult financially, he stepped in and took control.

“Gemma trusts him completely. There aren’t many people she would hand that responsibility to.”

For years, Gemma has openly admitted that Alan is effectively the gatekeeper to her fortune.

In one interview, she confessed: “My dad controls all my money. Seriously, I have to ask him if I want to upgrade my car.”

It’s a remarkable admission for a woman who has built a reported £4million fortune and can command up to £75,000 for a single sponsored Instagram post.

But those who know the family say it perfectly sums up their relationship.

Another source tells us: “Alan has always kept Gemma grounded.

“She’s the star, but he’s the sensible head behind the scenes.

“When she gets excited about a new project, he’s often the person asking the difficult questions.”

The latest figures suggest that the approach is paying off.

Accounts for her personal brand, Gemma Collins Ltd, show the company landed profits of around £1.4 million last year.

For fans who remember the financial turmoil of previous years, this is a huge turnaround.

Back in 2017, Gemma Collins Boutique Ltd was forced into liquidation owing around £88,000 to creditors.

The problems continued when she was disqualified from acting as a company director for three years in 2020 after repeatedly failing to meet VAT return deadlines, with HMRC pursuing claims worth more than £71,000.

A separate clothing business was later voluntarily dissolved, while her cosmetics venture, GemmaCollagen Ltd, survived for just a matter of months before disappearing altogether.

One insider tells us: “There was a period where it felt like every business venture came with a headache.

“Gemma never stopped working, but there were definitely lessons learned.

“That’s when Alan became more involved.”

It is perhaps fitting that Gemma’s biggest supporter is also somebody who understands business himself.

Alan built a successful career in shipping and has long been regarded as one of the most influential figures in his daughter’s life.

Fans caught a glimpse of their bond on her reality shows, where Alan frequently offered advice, not just about money but about life itself.

During one emotional conversation about her turbulent romance with James Argent, he told her: “You’ve just got to find some stability in your life when you find the right person.

“As much as we all like Arg, you’ve got to decide if he’s the right person.”

He later added: “For my daughter, I want somebody who’s top dollar.”

Those close to the family say that attitude explains exactly why Gemma places so much trust in him.

One source tells us: “Alan isn’t interested in celebrity.

“He cares about Gemma being secure and looked after. That’s always been his focus.”

Their relationship has only strengthened in recent years.

Gemma has spoken emotionally about her father’s devastating battle with Covid in 2020, when he spent weeks fighting for his life in intensive care.

She has also supported both Alan and mum Joan through a series of serious health scares, including Joan’s breast cancer diagnosis and terrifying hospitalisation last year after she stopped breathing.

The ordeal brought the family even closer together.

These days, Alan and Joan live with Gemma in her £1.3 million Essex home alongside fiancé Rami.

Speaking previously, Gemma said: “They live with me now. They’ve moved into my home, so we’re like one big Irish family.”

And remarkably, there appears to be very little tension under the roof.

Previously speaking to The Sun, Gemma explained: “Rami was absolutely fine with it.

“He loves my parents. They get on really well.

“You’ve got to remember, Rami has been in my family for nearly 15 years.”

The happy family dynamic comes as Gemma prepares for what insiders believe could be one of the biggest chapters of her career.

Later this year, she will return to screens with a new Sky reality series, Four Weddings and a Baby, which follows her wedding plans with Rami and her hopes of starting a family.

One insider tells us: “This show is incredibly important to Gemma because it’s the most personal thing she’s ever done.

“People know The GC, but this is about the woman behind the character.

“She’s genuinely in a really happy place.”

And for Gemma, that happiness feels hard-earned.

Perhaps that’s why those closest to her believe the latest financial success means far more than a healthy bank balance.

It’s proof that after all the setbacks, Gemma Collins is finally enjoying the stability she spent years chasing.

And standing beside her through every twist and turn has been the same man all along.

IT was meant to be the Lewis Hamilton show as the F1 veteran celebrated after a record-equalling eighth podium finish at the glitzy Monaco Grand Prix.

But girlfriend Kim Kardashian, in a figure-hugging, backless Gucci cream dress, put that all in a spin as it was her bolshy disregard for trackside etiquette that made headlines.

During the pre-race build-up, she and her heavies barged race fans Holly Willoughby and Michael McIntyre in the paddock while they were being interviewed — and snubbed F1 legend Martin Brundle as he tried to interview her on the start grid.

After seven-time world champ Lewis, 41, had rung back the years to claim a surprise second-place finish, Kim then turned spoilsport as she ducked under a brolly to avoid being splashed with celebratory champagne.

Oh, and she whipped the towel laid out for the race winner, Italian teen Kimi Antonelli, to dry himself with.

The 45-year-old US reality star’s diva ways riled the fellow drivers’ Wags, sparking calls for her to be banned from the exclusive paddock and grid areas at future F1 races.

Our source trackside said: “Kim’s behaviour might pass in LA but the Europeans see it differently. The day should have been about the drivers, but it became the Kim K circus.

“People were watching in horror as she failed to embrace any of the F1 traditions. Snubbing Martin Brundle is one thing, but hiding from the champagne spray with an umbrella was a step too far for many — and the fact she just pushed Holly ­and Michael McIntyre out of the way was mind-blowing.

“Some of the other Wags were horrified and Alexandra Leclerc, the wife of Lewis’s Ferrari teammate Charles, was clearly unimpressed by her new trackside companion.

“Kim’s body language towards her as they watched the race was verging on rude. It was very uncomfortable to see.”

The Sun revealed earlier this year how Kim and Lewis had begun dating — but last weekend was the first time she has turned up to watch him race, joined by sister Khloe, 41.

Her dress was also a talking point because last month it was announced Gucci had become the first luxury fashion house to partner with an F1 team — launching Gucci Racing Alpine.

Our insider said: “The timing of Kim wearing Gucci can’t have been a coincidence. In fact she’s been wearing the brand a lot since she started dating Lewis.”

But as the Kardashian circus rolled into town, everyone and their VIP card was expected to make way, including former This Morning presenter Holly and TV funnyman Michael.

The moment was caught on film — with Holly and Michael left gobsmacked as their interview was disrupted and shouts of “mind out!” could be heard ringing out while Kim’s minders stormed past with her hidden away in their midst.

Michael could, at least, see the funny side as he reacted in his signature excitable tone, quipping: “It’s the Kardashians . . . I’m joining them!”

He also could not resist a cheeky reference to Kim’s famously mighty toosh — joking: “My back’s gone! I think something belonging to Kim, I’m not mentioning anything, may have struck me in my lower back area, and I’ve got to tell you that it hurt.”

But others were far from amused by the unwelcome Kardashian chaos.

Another source said: “Some of the other Wags thought Kim totally took over Monaco. It’s like the circus came to town — even the F1 Instagram account was posting about her. Many of the drivers’ wives and girlfriends are influencers, and races are their opportunity to shine. But all anyone spoke about was Kim.”

Race-goers also noted that after Kim barged her way into centre stage, no one was talking to her, as she was moved swiftly from one place to another by her huge team.

The Hollywood hoopla was in full swing but Kim had clearly failed to do her homework on paddock and grid dos and don’ts, and she had those in the sport’s inner circle blowing gaskets left, right and centre.

Cocking a snook at veteran Sky Sports interviewer and former F1 driver Martin Brundle got her off to the worst possible start before the race had begun.

In clips that have since gone viral, the Kardashians star can be seen briefly waving at 67-year-old Martin before then stone-cold blanking the ex-Benetton driver of Eighties and Nineties race fame.

When it came to the uncorking of champagne after the race, Kim went down about as well as a flat tyre as she recoiled in horror at the prospect of champagne spray detracting from her queen bee look.

To add insult to injury, she then grabbed the towel traditionally set out for the race winner and used it to wipe down her sunglasses before walking off with it.

A fan watching aghast as these antics unfolded, blasted: “What is Kim Kardashian doing on the F1 grid? She is making the moment all about her — it is one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen. Ban celebrities from the grid.”

Another equally revved-up onlooker demanded: “Can we please ban these disrespectful ingrates like Kim Kardashian from F1? If you won’t show the people who make the sport what it is the respect they deserve, then you have no place in our world.”

Liv Blankson, a creator of online content for Formula 1, who has been following the sport since childhood and is a huge fan of Lewis Hamilton, was also baffled by Kim’s carrying on.

She told us: “There is an F1 etiquette and when someone takes a step wrong, it’s very obvious. I have no issue with her being there, but do worry that she will overshadow the racing, which is what us fans are actually there for.

“If you’re on the grid just before the race, you have to expect to be spoken to, it’s just what happens.

“You have to be prepared. The fact she didn’t talk to Martin could be seen as disrespectful. He was a well-known racing driver and I hate it when he gets blanked.

“That was my main gripe with Kim being there. If you are going to be there, then please do some research. Celebrity culture in F1 is getting bigger and will grow even more now that Kim is on the scene, but us fans like it when they make the effort to get to know racing, the drivers, the teams and all the people that make it happen.

“Lewis just seems happy and relaxed and he did well, so maybe she is good luck.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

Indeed, Lewis certainly seemed oblivious to the drama around his biggest and brashest new fan.

On the contrary, he even blew her a kiss from the podium as he gushed: “It’s amazing to have good people around you and good people supporting you.

“She does that for me every day. With my friends, incredible turnout just overall with people. I don’t really know what else to say.”

Thanking Kim again, he added: “It’s amazing to have her come this weekend and have the support.” A source said of the pair’s romance,

“They are in a serious, committed relationship” — and this latest public display of affection only sends the story into turbo-drive.

Lewis failed to take the winner’s spoils on race day as 19-year-old Mercedes wonderkid Antonelli, who replaced him on that team last year, beat him to the chequered flag and became the youngest ever winner of the Monaco Grand Prix.

But it was still a fine day for Lewis who matched the late, great Brazilian Ayrton Senna for Monaco podium finishes.

He moved up into second in this season’s drivers’ championship, leapfrogging his old Mercedes teammate George Russell and showing he has plenty left in the tank after a difficult season.

There have been rumblings that Lewis, now one of the oldest on the F1 circuit, may soon be on the home straight of his superstar career — but more results like the one this weekend will likely put such talk on hold.

And Kim may yet prove an asset.

Our insider said: “Lewis and Kim have the potential to be the next Posh and Becks of the racing world.

“Kim is a career mastermind and will no doubt be laying the groundwork.”

Next weekend, Lewis competes in the Spanish Grand Prix — but will Kim be along for the ride? Or consigned to the pits?

It is certainly too early to declare her his lucky charm, despite the weekend’s podium finish — but she sure knows how to command pole position.

AND SIX MORE BEAUTIES…

Alexandra Saint Mleux (Instagram followers: 4.6million)

SORRY ladies, but Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc, is officially off the market.

Having dated Alexandra, 25, since May 2023, Charles broke millions of hearts when he tied the knot with the Mexican-French art historian in an intimate ceremony in, where else, Monaco earlier this year.

Kelly Piquet (Instagram followers: 2.5million)

IF there’s one woman who knows her way around a pit lane, it’s Kelly.

Not only has the Brazilian bombshell, 37, been dating former world champ Max Verstappen since 2020, but she’s the daughter of three-time F1 world champ Nelson Piquet.

She welcomed her first child, Lily, with Max last year.

Lily Muni He (Instagram followers: 1.4million)

WILLIAMS driver Alex Albon and his girlfriend Lily are a sporting power couple.

The 26-year-old Chinese sensation is a professional golfer who tears it up on the US-based LPGA tour.

Alex finally put a ring on it in January 2026 after six years of dating and the pair are now planning their wedding.

Rebecca Donaldson (Instagram followers: 815,000)

SPANISH driver Carlos Sainz has been smitten with 28-year-old Scottish model Rebecca since 2023.

The Perthshire-born beauty, who has a degree in International Fashion Branding, has fronted campaigns for massive global brands and has been spotted cheering on Carlos everywhere from Austin, Texas, to Jeddah.

Carmen Montero Mundt (Instagram followers: 849,000)

STUNNING Spanish finance professional and fashion influencer Carmen has been dating British F1 driver George Russell since 2020.

Engagement rumours have been swirling since the start of this year and just this month, George said they would be married within the next five years, declaring she is “without doubt my future”.

Lily Zneimer (Instagram followers: private)

LILY met Aussie F1 driver Oscar Piastri at boarding school in England and they started dating in 2019, when they were 17.

Unlike some of the other Wags, Lily likes a quiet life, doesn’t have a public Instagram and is rarely seen out with Oscar.

She is an engineering graduate though, so we might be seeing more of her in the paddock in future.

HANGING up the phone after her landlord told her he’d be selling her home, Melanie Bentley-Moore looked out at the pouring rain and decided to leave the UK.

The mum-of-one, from Manchester, has now packed her bags to move across the world. Her rent will be half of what she pays back home, and she can eat out for just £1 a meal.

“I got a call from my landlord saying he’s selling, and I said, ‘Do you know what? I’m just going to leave the UK,’” Melanie, 33, tells the Sun.

“I’m scared, but obviously I’m doing it anyway.”

She has booked flights to Thailand in early September, and is staying at a friend’s house until then.

Explaining why she’s so desperate to move overseas, Melanie explained how Asia is much more affordable than the UK.

“Petrol, energy, food, you notice the food goes up in price; however, they decreased the packaging sizes,” she says.

There, she explains, she will be paying significantly less rent, with a “really nice apartment” costing around £400 a month, compared to the £750 she pays at home, and an evening meal just £1.

Melanie left the UK in 2017 to travel around Asia, using Vietnam as her main base.

But she returned to the UK two years later because she was missing chip shops and Nando’s.

Then her son Antares was born in 2020, and she decided to stay.

But astrologist Melanie claims she has wanted to “get back out there” ever since.

And she has slammed those who also yearn to leave the UK for sunnier shores, but just “talk” about it, and never move.

She has now sold all her belongings, and she and her son will be jetting off to Asia to live their “best lives”.

“Here it feels like we’re surviving; however, I know in Asia, where I’m heading, I’d be able to thrive instead,” she says.

“I wouldn’t get anxiety paying for a food shop, the contrast is massive.

“Your money goes a long way.

“I could stay on the beach somewhere, and it would cost half my rent.

“When I used to live in Vietnam, I wasn’t really doing food shops there because it’s so cheap to eat out. I was having my tea for £1.

“After looking now, it will be around £400 rent per month, that’s for a really nice apartment.”

But the cost of living isn’t the only reason she’s quitting the UK.

“The energy here just feels heavy, it’s dark,” she says.

“There’s no room to grow. The majority of people are miserable because of all the stuff that’s going on, the cost of living, everything’s rising.

“I just don’t feel alive here, and I think that’s not just a ‘me’ problem either; everyone that I’m speaking to just feels soulless.

“I’m just bored, I can’t live ‘Groundhog Day‘, I can’t just continue this way.

“Just hearing everyone else complain, that weakens my spirit.

“Most people are miserable, and they’re always complaining; it seeps into everything.

“It’s like an infinite cycle of ‘rinse and repeat’ complaining. It’s just a feeling, I just don’t feel alive. It sucks the soul out of me.”

Explaining how she chose her destination, Melanie says “I lived in Asia for two years, so I’m very familiar with that area of the world.

“I was only meant to go for three months, but I ended up staying out there for a couple of years, travelling around Asia.

“My main base was Vietnam, I did some English teaching out there and came back home because it’s something random, I really wanted chippy and Nando’s.”

According to the single mum, she also wants to show her son “real life”, and she prefers the values in Asia.

And she has taken Antares out of school, as she prefers education systems where children start school later.

Discussing how she believes the move will positively impact her son, she says: “I’m going to do some charity work and volunteering with him. There is no better learning than real life.

“He’s only five, I prefer the Scandinavian way.

“In Scandinavia, there’s a reason why their children are the happiest and most successful because they don’t start school till they’re seven.

“With the values and stuff, life’s just better over there. It’s slower, it’s sunny, the scenes are beautiful, and you realise there is so much more to life than what I’m used to. It’s a completely different culture as well.”

Melanie has also said that she wants people to “follow their hearts”.

“It’s no good talking, there’s a lot of talkers out there – I ‘do’.

“I refuse to stay here in a life of struggle and misery. The energy is dark, it’s always raining, it’s grey.”

“I feel so soulless and miserable in this place, and I’m not doing it anymore, and I thought f*** this.”

“Life is for living and feeling joy and love and wonder, I don’t feel any of that here.

“There is something about England energy-wise that is just so off.”

WE might have racked up hundreds of flights between us but that doesn’t mean the team at Sun Travel never make mistakes.

Here are some of the silly things we’ve fallen for on holiday – and how to make sure you don’t too.

Underestimating airport queues with EES

I consider myself an airport aficionado – always allowing just the right amount of time to get through an airport and to the gate on time – and while that works in the UK, it doesn’t always abroad.

In some international airports you have to have your passport checked twice – once before security and once afterwards. Many forget about the second security check, which can have long queues.

And with the recent introduction of the European Entry/Exit System seeing some passengers miss their flights back to the UK as queues build up, it’s more important than ever to check the lay of the land.

On a flight back from Rhodes a few years ago, my husband dismissed my claims that we needed to leave time for passport control, preferring to enjoy his last pint of Mythos in the departure lounge.

So when I finally did manage to drag him to the gate – and discovered a queue of more than 100 people trying to filter through two customs desks – there were some choice words between us (mainly me saying: “I told you so!”)

Remember this summer, if you have not done passport control at the same time as security, make sure you leave enough time to get to your gate and do the checks there. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Booking a late flight home without a late hotel check out

It always seems logical to book the earliest flight out and the latest flight home – because why wouldn’t you want to make the most of your getaway? I tend to forget about the logistics, however. What will I actually do on the last day when hotel checkout is at 10 or 11am?

It’s an error I’ve made (embarrassingly) too many times now, enduring a late night flight home after a day of lugging my suitcase around in sweaty temperatures.

Of course, most hotels allow you to leave luggage at reception for the day, but I like to be able to shower, too – especially if I’ve been out in the sun all day.

Best thing to do is request a late check out. Most hotels will charge a small fee for this and the length of extra time given will vary, although if you’re lucky and no one is checking into your room that day, you may be allowed ample extra time at no charge.

It’s also worth asking if there is changing room or shower you can use. Hotels often allow guests to use the facilities on check out day and usually accommodate for this by offering a space to get changed and freshen up ahead of the journey home. Sophie Swietochowsi, Assistant Travel Editor

Visiting Europe on Sundays – when everything is shut

If there is one thing I love doing, it’s going on holiday without using any annual leave.

That means cramming in as much as possible to a weekend, heading off after work on a Friday and leaving on a Sunday.

However, in lots of places in Europe, you will struggle to find much to do on a Sunday, meaning you really only have one day to explore.

I found this out the hard way on a trip to Lille, planning to spend all Sunday exploring – only to find all of the shops and cafes completely closed. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Not checking what is nearby when booking an all inclusive

The perk of a decent all-inclusive is you never have to leave the hotel – it’s all there for you.

BUT… even the best hotel will leave you wanting some outside space after a while.

The problem is, many of these big resorts require lots of land, which means they’re often far from a vibrant town and good attractions.

So don’t get caught short. However good the hotel looks, if you’re the kind of person who still wants a few independent restaurants or bars during your stay, or even just a few extra beaches to visit, make sure to have a good look at the map before you book.

I’ve been to plenty of excellent all-inclusives that are within walking distance of a nice town with a few decent local restaurants. And in other situations where it has been pretty remote, there has been an excellent local bus service that takes you to the nearest busy spots. Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Fined for not checking in before the airport

In the fun and chaos of getting ready for a holiday, I have previously forgotten to check in to my flight and as a result had to do it at the airport.

While with most airlines there is no problem doing this, that is not the case for Wizz Air.

Due to fly to Albania, the window to check in online for my flight had closed so I had to check in, in person, at the Wizz Air desk at Stansted Airport. And to print off my boarding pass I had to fork out £35.

Needless to say, I now make sure I set aside time to check in to a flight online before heading to the airport – an easy way to avoid the nasty fee. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Not checking when big attractions are closed

I’m always telling readers, friends and family to do their research before they head off – but that doesn’t mean I always follow my own advice.

On a recent trip to Seoul, I was keen to spend my first day, straight off the plane, visiting the main Gyeongbokgung Palace – only to realise it was closed on the day we arrived (Tuesday). 

We instead had to head to the pretty but smaller Changdeokgung Palace (which for the record, is then closed on Mondays).

Even there, our failure to prepare was a mistake. The palace itself was open and we wandered the ancient courtyards with ease, but the much-recommended Secret Garden, with its blossoms in bloom, was already sold out for the day.

While no one wants to plan any trip with military precision, it makes sense to research your bucket list must-sees before you go.

Or look to the very many experience companies like TUI Musement or Get Your Guide to take some of the pain of organising a visit away. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Boarding first on a plane with kids

Flying with kids is a tricky business. After the trip to the airport, getting through security and walking to the gate they’re already cranky.

So when the cabin crew offer for families to board first, the temptation is strong.

But in my experience, after travelling several times every year with my seven-year-old son, if you don’t need to squeeze a small suitcase into the overhead cabin, resist getting on that plane until the last minute.

Because your kid may well want to get settled into their seat to watch their favourite shows on the iPad, but that distraction will lose its appeal relatively quickly.

That’s particularly problematic if they close the plane doors and suddenly announce there’s an extra hour on the tarmac because of some ATC strike or other over Europe.

I always try to let my child have an extra ten minutes or so to stretch his legs, before making our way on to the flight. Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Foreign scam websites

When I think of falling for scam websites, I tend to picture somebody from an older generation who doesn’t use computers all too often.

But literally anybody can fall for a scam website, even a Gen-Z travel writer who spends most of her day on the internet.

On holiday in Japan, I booked myself in for what I thought was the famous Pokémon Cafe, and rocked up with my email reservation on hand, ready to try some themed dishes.

But I was turned away for turning up with a fake reservation, which I had paid £30 for. With the booking website entirely in Japanese and turning up at the top of my Google search, I had stupidly assumed it must be the one.

The remedy? Read plenty of reviews, check out Trust Pilot, and where you can, book with brands or apps whose names you already recognise. It’s always worth double-checking the website’s URL too, and showing a friend for a fresh pair of eyes to look something over before you book it.

And most importantly – don’t assume you’re too smart to be scammed! Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Thinking free WiFi is enough abroad

Despite having not been a student for more than a decade, I’ll never stop wanting to save the pennies on holiday.

So why on earth would I pay for a WiFi package or an eSim?

It turns out, this is a pretty stupid way to look at the problem especially when it comes to trying to use Google Maps, call an Uber, or even message a lost mate when suddenly the free McDonald’s WiFi isn’t working.

Trust me – the eSim is worth the fiver. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Packing the wrong passport – yes really

As a travel journalist of 27 years, it is still astonishing to me that I have not once but TWICE left home with the wrong passport. (I blame it on the change to a new blue passport when my old pre-Brexit one ran out.)

The first time, I’d made it as far as one stop along the Thameslink train to Gatwick before glancing at my passport and realising I’d taken my husband’s old – but still current –  burgundy one.

Cue a dash BACK on the train to my local station, a run across the car park to my poor husband waiting with the correct one, and a 20-minute delay that had frightened me half to death, swearing I’d never do it again.

So I have NO excuse for literally getting as far as Heathrow the second time and realising I had the wrong passport only when I tried to check in my bag.

With nowhere near enough time to travel all the way back home and to the airport again, I was forced to wake up my sleeping husband, order a cab to pick up my passport and ask the driver to bring it to me.

With just FIVE minutes to spare before the bag drop closed, my knight in shining cab arrived and handed over the passport while I threw £60 cash through the window to him. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Not checking in straight away so left with dud seats

There’s just minutes to go, and my finger is hovering on that check in button.

If there is one thing you should never do, its check in at the last minute.

I used to just do it whenever I remembered, rather than as soon as that 24 hour window opens – and nearly always I was left right at the back, in a middle seat, by the toilet. For 11 hours.

The early bird really does catch the best seat if you check in first – promise. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Falling foul of strict luggage rules

Sometimes for something to fully sink in – you have to make the mistake yourself.

I found this out the hard way when I flew with two different airlines – Wizz Air and Ryanair – and not realising that the requirement for hand luggage was slightly different (by a meagre 3cm, I might add).

On my flight back, I was asked to put my suitcase into the dreaded Ryanair sizer and was told to try and repack, or put it in the hold.

Note to self for next time – Ryanair do take oversized bags seriously and you will be pulled up on it. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Not realising you need a passport for Eurostar

What’s the number one thing you need for your holiday? A passport, right? Well, according to my younger self, I turned up to the Eurostar in London St Pancras without it – thinking it’s train travel, why would I need it?

If I actually took a moment to think I would’ve soon realised I was travelling into another country, and therefore will always need my passport – whether I be travelling by boat, train or plane.

After forking out for another two Ubers to South London and back and paying to change my Eurostar train to a later option, I certainly learnt my lesson.

Now I pack my handbag first, and the first item I put in there? My passport. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Forgetting about ‘free attraction’ days

I’ve travelled to a few different destinations including San Francisco and New York (usually very expensive destinations) to discover that if I had better planned, I could have saved myself cash on some of the attractions while there.

Museums, galleries and other attractions often have days or times where admission is free.

For example, in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco there are a number of different attractions to explore such as the Conservatory of Flowers, which usually costs $15 per adult to visit but is completely free on the first Tuesday of each month.

The Japanese Tea Garden – another popular spot in Golden Gate Park – usually costs $16 per adult to visit but is free on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 10am.

Likewise, in New York, the Morgan Library & Museum is free on Fridays between 5pm and 8pm.

The best way to see when different attractions are free is by picking up a travel guide – I find Lonely Planet is good at highlighting free times and days – but you can also do a quick Google search about the attractions you want to visit. Cyann Fielding Travel Reporter

Wrong plugs even in Europe

I’m guilty of being a last-minute, careless packer, throwing things in here and there without thinking about it all too much.

And so, headed on holiday to Switzerland, I threw in my Europe plug adapters without a second glance.

But it turns out I should’ve done my research first, as just because a country is in Europe, it doesn’t mean that they use an EU plug adapter.

So I ended up having to fork out some Swiss francs on a type-J plug adapter…in a country where just a bottle of water cost me £5. Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

(To save you the research, here’s the outlier countries in Europe that don’t use an EU plug)

• Ireland, Cyprus, Malta: Type G (UK-style 3-prong plug)
• Switzerland & Liechtenstein: Type J (3 round pins)
• Italy: Some older hotels still only accept a Type L (3 pins in a line)
• Denmark & Greenland: Type K (3 round pins in ‘smiley face’ shape)

Nearly falling for pickpocketers

One of my biggest pet peeves is slow-walking tourists looking at their phones in London and not paying attention. But I’m a hypocrite because when I visit a foreign country, I do exactly that.

And having my head down, looking at my phone is how I almost got pickpocketed in Barcelona.

Distracted trying to find my bearings meant I was the perfect victim. Only when I felt something on my shoulder did I turn around to see a man with his hand in my backpack.

Luckily I caught him in action before he got his hands on my purse, but it taught me to be aware of my surroundings, especially in countries where tourists can stick out like a sore thumb. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

I WORK in travel, which basically means I spend most of my life looking at holiday prices, booking trends, destinations and deals.

Now and then, a destination suddenly appears on my radar where I think: “this place is about to have a BIG moment”.

Montenegro is that place for me right now.

A few years ago, hardly anyone in Britain was talking about it.

Now, searches for Montenegro holidays are up more than 120 per cent year-on-year, while bookings have surged by more than a whopping 500 per cent.

And after looking at the prices people are paying compared to what they’re actually getting, I completely understand why.

Because Montenegro feels like somebody merged Scandinavia and the Mediterranean, then forgot to charge Monaco prices for it – and the value genuinely shocked me.

Holiday prices in general have crept up massively over the last few years, with the average beach holiday now sitting close to £2,000 in 2026.

Montenegro, though, is still coming in around 10 per cent cheaper than that, despite looking far more premium than many destinations which charge significantly more.

I found a five-night all-inclusive stay at the 4* Carine Hotel Kumbor Superior in Herceg Novi for £288pp in October 2026.

Beachfront hotel, direct flights from Gatwick, strong reviews,
mountains dropping into the sea behind the hotel – the sort of place most people would assume costs a fortune.

Then I compared it to similar all-inclusive beachfront hotels elsewhere in Europe.

A comparable 4* all-inclusive stay at Hotel Osmine on Croatia’s Dubrovnik Riviera was coming in at £530pp for similar dates.

In Turkey, the 4* Justiniano Club Alanya was £440pp.

Portugal’s AP Adriana Beach Resort came in around £395pp, while Greece’s Tsilivi Beach Hotel sat at roughly £360pp.

And that’s the bit people haven’t really clocked yet.

Montenegro is still priced closer to budget beach destinations, despite visually feeling far closer to luxury resorts in Croatia, northern Italy or the French Riviera.

This is the easiest way I can describe Montenegro to people who’ve never been: imagine Norway, but warm.

You’ve got dramatic fjord-like bays where mountains crash straight into bright blue sea, but then layered into that are old Venetian towns, beach clubs, marinas and proper Mediterranean weather.

The Bay of Kotor, in particular, looks almost fake in places. One minute you’re driving around scenery that feels Scandinavian, the next you’re sitting eating seafood by a marina in 25-degree sunshine.

It doesn’t feel like your standard “fly and flop” beach holiday. It feels more cinematic than that.

The question I always get asked when I mention Montenegro is whether it’s easy for British tourists.

Honestly, that’s probably one of its biggest strengths.

Whenever I read reviews or speak to people who’ve been recently, the same phrases keep coming up: relaxed, calm, safe, welcoming.

And I think that matters more than ever now.

Montenegro consistently ranks as a very safe destination for tourists, and the resorts themselves feel noticeably more laid-back than some of the bigger mainstream Mediterranean hotspots.

Places like Kotor, Tivat and Herceg Novi feel more like relaxed marina towns than loud tourist machines.

You can walk around at night, eat outside by the waterfront, wander through old towns, and it all just feels very smooth and stress-free.

This is another reason I think bookings are suddenly climbing.

Montenegro stays properly warm far longer than many people realise.

If you travel in May, June or October, you can still comfortably get low-to-mid 20s temperatures while paying a fraction of peak summer prices.

That’s where the value becomes almost ridiculous.

The October deal I found at the Carine Hotel Kumbor Superior for £335pp is a perfect example of that.

In peak August, you’d expect to pay far more for that sort of scenery and hotel quality elsewhere in Europe.

But interestingly, the value isn’t just limited to shoulder season either.

I also compared two similar July deals in peak summer.

In Montenegro, I found a five-night stay at the 4* Hotel Rivijera in Petrovac for £395pp with flights and breakfast included.

Meanwhile, a comparable 4* stay at the AluaSun Costa Park in Torremolinos, Spain’s Costa del Sol, came in slightly higher at £410pp. And that’s quite telling.

Because Spain is traditionally seen as the “cheap and easy” summer holiday option for Brits.

Montenegro still somehow manages to compete with it on price, despite feeling far more undiscovered and dramatically different visually.

That long season is a huge advantage.

Whether you travel in peak July or as late as October, Montenegro seems to consistently sit in this sweet spot where the weather still feels premium, but the prices haven’t completely lost their minds yet.

It’s basically cheaper sunshine.

A lot of destinations only really work for one type of traveller. Montenegro somehow does several things at once.

You can do long weekends wandering around Kotor’s old town. You can stay in Budva if you want beaches, bars and more going on.

You can head to Becici for quieter beachfront hotels and a slower pace.

Or you can go full luxury around Porto Montenegro in Tivat, where the
Marina genuinely feels like a mini Monaco at times.

That flexibility is a huge reason I think it’s growing so quickly. It works whether you’re a couple looking for scenery, a family wanting an easy beach holiday, or someone who normally does city breaks but fancies adding sunshine into the mix.

This is the big opportunity with Montenegro right now.

It’s not overrun. It’s not absurdly expensive. It hasn’t quite hit that point where every single person you know has already been there three times.

But the growth numbers suggest that it probably won’t last forever. You can already see it happening in the data.

Searches are climbing rapidly. Bookings are exploding.

More Brits are starting to realise they can get this sort of scenery, weather and hotel quality without paying Croatia or Italy prices.

And yet somehow, deals still keep appearing that make absolutely no sense for how premium Montenegro feels.

I found a five-night stay at the highly rated D&D Apartments Tivat in Tivat for £270pp in late September 2026 with direct flights from Luton included.

Tivat is home to Porto Montenegro – the luxury marina development that genuinely feels closer to Monaco than somewhere people still think of as an “undiscovered” Balkan destination.

That’s why Montenegro feels so unusual right now. You keep finding prices that belong to mainstream beach destinations, attached to places that look considerably more expensive.

Honestly, Montenegro feels exactly like Croatia did about five years ago – before everyone caught on and the prices started creeping up.

If I were booking Montenegro tomorrow, there are probably three places I’d look at first — and interestingly, they all offer completely different types of holiday.

Budva is probably the easiest all-rounder. It’s got the broadest appeal overall – beaches, bars, restaurants, beach clubs and enough going on that you could happily spend a full week there without getting bored.

It’s probably the closest Montenegro gets to a classic Mediterranean
beach holiday destination, just with far more dramatic scenery around it.

I found a five-night stay at the 4* Hotel Moskva in Budva for £255pp in October 2026 with flights and breakfast included, which feels absurdly cheap for somewhere that looks this polished.

Then there’s Kotor, which is probably the most visually impressive place in the country.

This is the “wow” one. Think medieval old towns, mountains dropping into the bay and scenery that makes you stop every five minutes to take another photo.

For Kotor, I found a five-night stay at the 4* Splendido for £325pp with flights and breakfast included – again, in a setting that most people would probably assume costs significantly more.

And finally, there’s Becici, which I actually think might be the sweet spot for a lot of British travellers.

It’s calmer than Budva, has a really good beach, feels a little more premium overall and still gives you easy access to everything nearby.

I found a stay at the 4* Katamare Hotel for £280pp in October with flights and breakfast included, which feels like exactly the kind of deal people will look back on in a few years and wish they’d booked sooner.

Honestly, you can’t really go wrong. It just depends on whether you want beach holiday in Montenegro, a luxury Montenegro or a wow-factor Montenegro.

But whatever your choice, I completely get why more Brits are suddenly choosing it for 2026.

THIS weekend, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner will say “I do” again in a lavish, three-day wedding in Sicily.

The world’s media is set to descend on the picture-perfect venue, alongside a guest list packed with the great and the good of the entertainment world.

It comes just days after the loved-up couple shocked fans by legally tying the knot in central London.

Images of the superstar singer and her hunky actor, 36, husband beaming as they left Old Marylebone Town Hall immediately went viral, with fans branding them the ultimate power couple.

Dressed in custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture, Dua, 30, looked flawless as she walked arm-in-arm with her new husband.

And while the showbiz world is no stranger to carefully curated PR moments, I know first-hand the type of man Callum really is.

After years of the singer dating the wrong guys, I know Dua has finally found Mr. Right because of how he discreetly supported me at one of my lowest moments.

Back in February 2024, I was lucky enough to attend the BAFTAs as a guest of EE at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

That year, Dua was presenting the award for Outstanding British Film, with Callum proudly by her side.

I was excited for the night ahead when, just minutes before taking to the red carpet, the guy I was seeing brutally dumped me.

I was unceremoniously blocked on WhatsApp, only to watch him put tickets we had bought for a West End show up for sale on his Instagram Stories – knowing full well I would see it.

To say it felt like a dagger to the heart would be an understatement.

Thankfully, no one was looking at me – especially as I arrived at the exact same time as Sir David Beckham – but making my way into the venue was one of the most surreal moments of my life.

I tried to hold back tears as screaming fans cheered for their favourite stars and cameras flashed all around me.

Inside the reception, Taittinger champagne was free-flowing and smiles were plastered on the faces of the rich and famous.

I quickly sank a glass of bubbles and, feeling myself getting choked up, slipped away to a secluded side corridor for a moment to myself.

I’m not entirely sure how long I stood there, staring blankly into space.

It was at this exact moment that Callum appeared, being led down my not-so-glamorous corridor to avoid the bustling crowds in the main foyer.

Realising I was unintentionally staring straight at him, I quickly apologised as we made eye contact.

Seeing how visibly upset I was, Callum stopped dead in his tracks and doubled back — leaving a member of the BAFTA press team looking thoroughly confused as to why he’d changed direction.

“Are you ok?” he asked kindly.

As I tried to mumble that I was fine, he replied: “You have tears in your eyes…”

His warmth prompted me to come clean and admit that I’d just been dumped.

By this point, Dua, surrounded by her own team, had caught up with him as they were being hurried to their seats before the live broadcast began.

“He’s not worth it,” the actor, hotly tipped to be the next 007, told me firmly, as Dua offered a warm, supportive smile.

I managed to raise a half-hearted laugh, and with that, they were whisked off into the glitzy night.

I stood there for a moment, taking stock of a brief interaction that felt like a fever dream.

While short, it made it crystal clear to me that Callum is one of the good guys.

In a self-centred, shallow industry, believe me, men like him are hard to come by.

I saw Callum a few weeks later at The O2 Arena, where our tables were located just a few spots away from each other at the BRIT Awards.

I wanted to thank him for his kindness that night, but aware I would have to out myself as a tabloid reporter, and the can of worms that might open, I decided against it.

Instead, I quietly watched as he was the first on his feet to cheer on Dua as she opened the ceremony with an epic rendition of her hit Training Season.

Aptly, the track, which featured on Dua’s third album Radical Optimism, is all about her struggle to find ‘The One’ before Callum came along.

Prior to their romance, Dua dated filmmaker Romain Gavras, 44, US TV host Trevor Noah, 42, and Anwar Hadid, 26.

Dua previously revealed on The Drew Barrymore Show: “Training Season is about when I was in my singledom.

“I went on a couple of dates. All terrible.

“I went into the studio with my friends and normally every studio session starts with a little chat and a gossip about my life.

“I just went, ‘Guys, training season is over. I am done training up these boys. No more.’”

Speaking to Vogue last December, Callum was asked: “If there is an eternity, who do you wish to spend it with?”

Without a second’s thought, he decisively replied: “Dua.”

With Callum, the singer has clearly hit the jackpot.

I wish them every success as they head down the aisle this weekend.

AS RAIN starts pouring in the UK and temperatures dip, you might be craving some warmth and somewhere to take the family that feels like a holiday.

But you don’t need to jet off abroad to escape the British weather.

Across the country, high-tech, indoor aqua parks are offering an oasis away from the rain – with tropical 30C climates, record-breaking wave pools and adrenaline-pumping speed slides.

From waterparks with their own VIP hot tubs and thermal spas for adults, to multi-lane racing chutes for kids, these are the ultimate indoor waterparks that guarantee a fun day out while the British weather does its worst.

Alpamare, Scarborough

Alpamare describes itself as “unlike any waterpark you’ve seen before”, and they might just be right.

This alpine-themed water world has four massive waterslides named after ski runs: the Cresta Run, Olympic Run, Black Run and Snowstorm.

Race down these thrilling water rides through twists, turns and even stops to spin around giant funnel bowls.

There’s also a massive wave pool which erupts with waves every 30 minutes. Or for something more chilled, there’s a huge main indoor pool and even a heated outdoor infinity pool for when the weather picks up.

The relaxation doesn’t stop there – this waterpark has its own spa with a ‘Sauna World’, hammam and health bar.

Inside the Sauna World you’ll find a panoramic Finnish sauna, LED ice showers, a reflexology foot bath and even a unique ‘Hay Bath’.

Here you can lay back on a lounger in a wooden relaxation area packed with fresh hay harvested from the fields of North Yorkshire – a unique form of aromatherapy.

Tickets start at £10 per adult, £7.50 per child and £2.50 per toddler. Book ahead online for the best rates.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell

One of England’s biggest indoor water worlds, Coral Reef Waterworld is ideal for a family rainy day out with plenty of fun including a giant pirate ship and erupting water volcano.

Indoors, expect tropical temperatures at 30C and a rapid river, bubble pool and children’s splash zone.

The pirate-themed splash area houses a pirate ship called The Coralina, surrounded by water cannons and interactive water features for kids of all ages.

There are also five high-tech waterslides, including The Cannon, which launches riders down a 67 metre-long chute like a cannonball.

Another popular ride is Poseidon’s Peril, where two people are attached to an inflatable raft as it rotates and swirls through colour-changing lights.

Grown-ups can head to the Coral Spa to unwind.

It has heated loungers, three saunas and even a Japanese steam room.

Adult tickets cost £20.55 and children’s cost £14.55. Book tickets ahead online.

Splashdown Waterpark, Poole 

Home to some of the UK’s wildest waterslides, Splashdown Waterpark in Poole is a total paradise for adrenaline junkies.

This action-packed waterpark boasts 13 indoor and outdoor flumes that operate whatever the weather.

Daredevils can conquer The Screamer, which plummets you through a near-vertical 40-meter drop in under five seconds, or dive into the pitch-black Black Thunder.

If you want a party with your plunge, the Infinity waterslide plays funky tunes alongside a flashing laser show as you whirl around a giant bowl.

Little ones aren’t left out either, with the interactive water cannons at Buccaneer Splash keeping younger kids safely entertained.

Admission for three hours costs £23 per person, £9 for 1-4-year-olds and £6 for children under 1.

Child tickets include entry for a companion adult.

Make sure to book tickets online in advance.

Calypso Cove, Barnsley

Inside the Barnsley Metrodome, Calypso Cove is the North’s ultimate indoor waterpark.

It’s designed to look like a tropical island paradise, making it a huge hit for family days out when the British weather misbehaves.

There are some high-energy water rides here to enjoy, like Terror Torrent, one of the UK’s fastest indoor water flumes.

This thrilling slide hurls riders through tight twists and turns before dropping them out into the pool.

There’s also The Eruption, a volcano-themed ride that spins you around a large bowl before dropping you out at the bottom.

Families with younger kids can climb onto the decks of the large pirate ship play area, while parents with babies and toddlers can enjoy the shallow waters and gentle water fountains of Barnacle Bay.

For a bite to eat, head to The Hideout poolside cafe. Here you can break up your swimming session by walking straight out of the water to grab burgers, chips, and drinks in your swimwear before heading straight back to the slides.

Adult tickets cost £16, under 10s tickets cost £13 and under 3s tickets cost £4. All tickets must be booked in advance online.

The Wave, Coventry

The Wave in Coventry is a giant indoor waterpark home to the largest wave pool in the UK.

Jump into the huge pool where the wave machine churns more than 20 million litres of water per day, or drift along in the lazy river.

There are six waterslides for thrill-seekers to brave, including The Riptide, a half-pipe slide that blasts riders in a rubber ring down a near-90-degree drop.

There is also The Cyclone, which spins swimmers around a giant open bowl before dropping you through the middle.

For younger children, The Reef is a vibrant splash pad with its own miniature slides and water fountains safely tucked away from the big flumes.

Meanwhile, grown-ups looking for some me-time can head to the Mana Spa.

There you can swim in a quieter spa pool, unwind in the aromatherapy room and relax in the sauna or steam room.

Tickets cost £15 per adult, £13 for children 11 and under and under ones go free.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, sitting on the South Promenade opposite popular theme park Pleasure Beach.

This water world packs 18 slides and attractions into a tropical 29C environment, making it the ultimate rainy day saviour.

Take your pick from white-knuckle rides like The Master Blaster, the UK’s longest water rollercoaster, or Montazooma, a head-spinning slide of twists and turns.

There’s also Aztec Falls, a water ride that plunges you into darkness before spinning you around a giant bowl.

The Caribbean Storm Treehouse is a hit with kids, featuring a giant climbing frame topped with a huge coconut that unleashes 600 gallons of water on swimmers below.

Little ones can also challenge each other on the multi-lane Treetops Water Chutes or explore the interactive HMS Thunder Splash pirate ship.

When you need a break from the noise, the adult-only Sea Breeze Spa offers a relaxing escape.

A £7 upgrade secures a three-hour session to unwind across the saunas, steam rooms, foot baths, and aromatherapy lounge.

And if you really want to splash out, the park offers premium Tiki Cabanas for adults.

Priced at £60pp, this VIP package bundles full-day waterpark entry and a free meal with your own private area with a hot tub, flatscreen TV and a fridge stocked with cold drinks.

Tickets start from £25.50 for ages 8+ and £16.50 for kids aged 3-7, with under 3s going free. Make sure to book online in advance, as same-day purchases here can cost you extra.

HE is the nineties pop star who finally found his happily ever after.

But for Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu, the road to marital bliss was paved with a painful history of what he now describes as mental abuse and emasculation by former partner Vanessa Feltz. Something which friends of the Channel 5 presenter vehemently deny.

A year on from his lavish £100,000 Cumbrian wedding to aesthetics entrepreneur Vanessa Brown – affectionately dubbed Vanessa 2.0 by the man himself – the 53-year-old musician is practically glowing.

He is happier, healthier, and four stone lighter. But behind his beaming smile and the tales of his idyllic new life, there lies a darker, turbulent history that he is only just now ready to reveal to the world.

In a searingly honest new interview with The Sun, Ben has opened up about the toxic reality of his 17-year relationship with television and radio veteran Vanessa Feltz, making explosive allegations about the profound psychological toll of their high-profile romance.

While the collapse of his engagement to the Channel 5 presenter in 2023 was highly publicised following his admitted infidelity, Ben claims the public has only ever heard half the story. Now, after intense therapy and finding true love, he is shedding light on what really went on behind closed doors.

Through his recent charitable endeavours with his new bride, the singer has found himself reflecting heavily on his own past.

“We do a lot of charity stuff for victims of abuse, and you come across a lot of men in these situations,” Ben explains.

“Men who’ve been mentally abused, not so much physically. People think abuse means physical, but you can be abused mentally.

“Everything from emasculation to being told you’re not good enough. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

When asked if this observation stems from his own personal experience with his famous ex-fiancée, Ben doesn’t flinch.

“Yeah, oh yeah, without a doubt,” he states firmly. “Emasculation, people referring to you as not being able to read, down-talking you, a constant barrage of insults. People don’t have to look too far to see where it came from.”

The trauma, he reveals, is deep-seated, creeping up on him over the course of almost two decades.

He recalls: “When I was out of it. When you’re in it, it’s so subtle, so gradual that you don’t quite see it happening, you don’t quite know. You question everything and ask, ‘Why did that happen? Why did I feel like that?’ When someone professional starts going through it with you, you can see the patterns and stuff like that. Yeah, I had therapy after that.”

Today, Ben refuses to even utter his ex’s name, a stark indicator of the deep freeze between the former couple.

“There is only one Vanessa,” he declares, referring lovingly to his new bride. “I don’t know that other lady. And I definitely don’t know her from the comments she’s said. I don’t know that lady anymore.”

He confirms that he has no contact with the 64-year-old broadcaster, nor does he have any desire to ever cross paths with her again.

He insists: “No, not at all, and I really wouldn’t want to. I’ve got nothing to do with her, I want nothing to do with her. People are in your life for a season, a reason, or a lifetime, and she was there for a season. It was a long season, but it was maybe a bit too long.”

The fallout from the split undeniably damaged his public reputation, painting him squarely as the villain of the piece.

But Ben is deeply critical of how his former flame handled the break-up.

“The truth is, I’m kind of a musician, and that’s kind of what it is, it’s only tied to her until something else happens and there’s a new story being written, it’s the past really, that’s what that is.

“I’ve not really much to say for her. I think she was completely classless the way she dealt with things, it’s not my sort of person, I don’t know her anymore, I don’t recognise her.”

Addressing the fallout and the damage to his reputation, Ben remains philosophical.

“Yes, completely. The great thing that happened was I got to know who my friends were,” he admits.

“I understand the general public doesn’t know me personally, but my wedding was a great testimony of the people who know me and the friends that I had, the people who really knew me. You reap what you sow; that’s all I can say. You reap what you sow. It doesn’t take a genius to see what’s going on.”

When pressed on the cheating scandal that ultimately torpedoed the relationship, Ben is defensive, taking a swipe at how his ex monetised the pain.

“Now about the infidelity, I never said that it was the way to do things,” he explains.

“For Vanessa, that was her story, and she used it and monetised it, and when it’s not working for her, she moved on to something else. I wouldn’t monetise a real relationship that had real problems. I think to tell the media that it’s over before you tell the person is not… I don’t know many situations that do that.”

When asked if his new wife worries about his history of being unfaithful, Ben is quick to shut down the narrative that he is a serial cheat.

He told me: “I don’t know if doing it once is a history, I don’t know if that constitutes a history of it. She made me look worse than I was, and it garnered a lot more attention. I don’t know if once is a history, that’s what I will say about that. There’s never been any conversation about that at all.”

He also casts doubt on whether his previous 16-year engagement was ever destined for the altar at all, bluntly suggesting the intention to actually tie the knot was not there “from the other side”.

He also has a brutal theory as to why his ex has failed to find lasting romance since their bitter split.

“I mean, I don’t know if I would want to be with a lady who’d want to discuss every single detail of their private life,” he said.

“I think how men saw me come out of that situation, they think, ‘No thanks, not for me’.”

But Ben is finally ready to reclaim his narrative. He is currently putting the finishing touches on his own autobiography, playfully titled Turnaround: Memoirs of an Ageing Boy Bander, which he hopes will hit the shelves this December.

“I’ve been writing it. I was going to put it out last year, but there were a few parts I missed out when I read through; I need to give the full context. Everything’s in the book; it’s about turnaround moments in my life, good and bad. That period of my life.”

“But it’s nice for people to see the actual context and how we got together and what happened behind closed doors, you’ve only heard her side of the story,” he adds, taking a thinly veiled swipe at his ex’s memoirs.

“I didn’t respond to anything she said in her book, and obviously it didn’t do very well, that’s the thing. I’m not doing it for that. I talk about my musical journey, it brings me up to the current day, and what a happy relationship can be like.”

He confirms no lawyers have had to get involved with his manuscript: “No, I won’t mention her name. She cleverly didn’t mention mine, she called me OHW [One Hit Wonder], but people will know.”

Asked if the book will definitely hit shelves this year, he says: “Aiming for December, but I don’t know. It’s not quite finished, I need to type two more chapters, making sure everything is real and really happened, making sure. We’re hoping for December, that’s what we’re pushing towards.”

The contrast between his turbulent past and his blissful present truly couldn’t be starker. Ben is buzzing with energy as he discusses his 30-year-old wife, Vanessa Brown.

The couple, who married after a whirlwind romance, are utterly inseparable.

“I found myself again, I am buzzing,” he says. “Every day is happy, we got together, and within six months we were married, when you know you know.”

He has strong advice for others when it comes to love, formed by the fire of his past mistakes.

“These long drawn-out engagements, unless you’ve got a couple of kids and are waiting to afford the wedding, I think they’re pointless,” he says.

“You’re engaged to be married, not to be engaged. I don’t think that works, and that’s just from experience. If you meet someone, within six months, you pretty much know whether you’ll get married or not. Don’t carry on the relationship more than six months if you’re not sure you want to spend the rest of your life with that person.”

He also revealed that the couple are actively trying for a baby.

“Hopefully, by the end of the year, that’s what we’re trying to do. If Vanessa fell pregnant late this year, that would be amazing news; that’s why we’re travelling and doing all the things couples do before they have kids.

“We want as many as God provides. I come from a big family, and I know what it’s like to have brothers and sisters. I always loved that growing up.”

For Ben Ofoedu, the dark days of his past are now firmly in the rearview mirror.

He insists that with Vanessa 2.0 by his side, a tell-all book on the way, and exciting baby plans for the couple, his life is now complete.

Representatives for Vanessa Feltz were contacted for comment.

IF you’ve got any theme park fanatics in the family, you’ll want to read on.

While the UK’s biggest theme parks are home to some world-class rollercoasters and rides, they aren’t always the kindest to your bank balance.

Once you add up entry for the whole family, parking, and a place to stay for the weekend, sometimes you’re looking at spending hundreds.

But we’ve mapped the most affordable theme parks in the UK, plus cheap hotels and holiday parks nearby.

Research from credit card brand Aqua has found the UK’s top 10 most affordable theme parks.

The rankings are based on factors like the price of a peak-season weekend adult ticket, and bang for your buck when it comes to the number of rollercoasters at the park.

10. The Milky Way Adventure Park / Twinlakes Family Theme Park

In joint-10th place for the best-value theme parks are The Milky Way Adventure Park in North Devon and Twinlakes Family Theme Park in Melton Mowbray.

Both parks have an average adult ticket price of £20, with just three rollercoasters in each park; however, they have plenty of other attractions and lots to do for younger children.

All rides at The Milky Way Adventure Park are included with the cost of your entry, and include the Gravity Rider tubing slide, the Cosmic Caterpillar coaster, and the Milky Way Train, which takes you around the scenic countryside grounds.

Twinlakes Family Theme Park is an all-weather option with indoor activities like soft play and the Davy Jones indoor water ride, plus outdoor fun like a splash park and live falconry performances.

Another plus of both attractions is that you can park for free.

However, when it comes to a place to stay, Twinlakes is drastically cheaper.

A hotel stay near Twinlakes averages £172 per night, whereas it averages £260 for a stay near Milky Way.

For an affordable stay just five minutes down the road from The Milky Way Adventure Park, opt for Parkdean Resorts Bideford Bay Holiday Park.

A two-night stay in June in a Bronze caravan, which sleeps up to six, starts from £141.

If you stay as a group of six, that works out to £11.75pp per night.

For an affordable stay near Twinlakes, try their heated pods. You can stay two nights in a lodge that sleeps up to six, with theme park tickets included, for £199 total.

If you fill the lodge, that works out to just over £33pp for two nights’ accommodation, theme park entry and all of your rides already paid for.

9. Paultons Park

Paultons Park in the New Forest ranks at number nine, with an entry ticket costing a pricey £46.75pp – but there are 10 thrilling rollercoasters here to enjoy, plus plenty more, including a brand new theme park land.

The new £12m Viking-themed land, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, which opened on May 16, will feature an inverted rollercoaster called Drakon.

The theme park has plenty more to see and do, such as the spooky Ghostly Manor ride and family-friendly, dinosaur-themed coaster Flight of the Pterosaur.

Even though the entry cost is steep, kids under 1m in height go free – plus the cost per coaster, if you ride them all, works out to an affordable £4.68.

When it comes to accommodation, a nearby hotel averages at £234 per night, which brings this theme park down in the rankings.

However, we’ve found an affordable stay at the nearby Sandy Balls holiday village.

A three-night stay in a six-berth luxury caravan from June 29 costs £296 total – working out at £16.44pp per night.

8. Adventure Island

Southend-on-Sea‘s Adventure Island ranks at number eight, and is a free-admission theme park, meaning it’s free to walk around. But to access the rides, you’ll need a £25 wristband.

There are more than 40 rides and attractions to choose from here, including seven rollercoasters.

Popular rides and attractions include Axis, the huge pendulum swing ride, and Rage, a thrilling, twisting rollercoaster.

The cost per ride averages at an affordable £3.57, according to Aqua, making this seaside theme park a wallet-friendly choice.

As for accommodation nearby, the average hotel would set you back £196 per night.

However, a stay at the Premier Inn Southend On Sea (Eastern Esplanade) starts at just £68 a night.

7. Alton Towers Resort

Popular theme park Alton Towers in Stoke-on-Trent comes in at number seven, with an average adult ticket price of £38 for 19 rollercoasters – some of which are world-famous.

Younger children will love the new Bluey coaster and Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop ride, while adrenaline junkies can take on The Smiler or Oblivion.

The average cost per coaster here is £2, so it’s fair to say that you get some great bang for your buck at this theme park.

However, it is worth noting that the cheapest parking available is £13, and the average cost of a nearby hotel is £171 a night.

For a budget-friendly base, opt for the Weathervane Hotel by Greene King Inns, where you can bag a double room for two nights for just £125.

6. Drayton Manor Resort

Drayton Manor in Tamworth offers a great-value family day out, with entry tickets averaging at £30, 12 rollercoasters, and over 50 rides and attractions.

Family favourites include Thomas Land, a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed area with 25 rides and attractions of its own, and adrenaline zones, Vikings and Adventure Cove.

Some of the park’s most popular coasters are The Wave, an inverting coaster, and Gold Rush, the wild west-themed ride that opened in 2024.

The average cost per rollercoaster works out to £2.46. Parking costs a reasonable £10, and the average nearby hotel costs £141 per night.

Stay at the nearby Travelodge Tamworth M42 with double rooms from £28.99 a night.

5. Codona’s

Codona’s Amusement Park in Aberdeen is a traditional beachfront amusement park with seven exciting rollercoasters.

There are several ticket options to choose from, which include various perks like food and rounds of mini golf, but the average adult ticket costs £25.

Popular rides include the Dead Man’s Drop, a tower ride that launches you into the sky before sending you plummeting back down, and the refreshing White Water Log Flume.

There’s also karting, bumper boats, adventure golf and a Ferris wheel that offers spectacular views of the city skyline. The average cost per rollercoaster based on ticket price works out to £3.57 per coaster.

The average hotel cost nearby is £149 per night, but you can stay in a double room at the Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen City Centre from £51 per night.

4. M&D’s Scotland Theme Park

M&D’s in Strathclyde is an all-singing, all-dancing attraction known as Scotland’s Theme Park, and it has an affordable entry cost of £20.

There are both fairground-style rides and thrill coasters here, making M&D’s a fantastic option for a family day out or staycation.

The Runaway Mine Train is a fan-favourite and takes riders through twists and turns through a mining town on an adorable miniature train.

For something more adrenaline-pumping, there’s Freak Out – a spectacular, spinning pendulum ride that can be seen (and heard) from the other side of the park.

The cost per coaster works out to just £2.49, and there’s plenty more weather-proof things to see and do, like 10-pin bowling and exploring one of the largest indoor amusement arcades in Scotland.

The average cost of a hotel in the area is £174 per night, but you can stay 3 minutes away in a double room at the Holiday Inn Express Strathclyde Park from £69 per night.

3. Fantasy Island / Gulliver’s Land

Coming in joint-third for the UK’s best-value theme parks are Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells near Skegness and Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes.

The average adult ticket price for both parks is £26. Fantasy Island has 10 rollercoasters, and Gulliver’s Land has just seven.

Fantasy Island offers colourful and thrilling loop rides right on the beach front of seaside town Ingoldmells, plus classics like water rapids, bumper cars and a log flume.

The big three thrill rides at Fantasy Island are The Odyssey, a looping coaster, Millennium, a high-speed ride and The Volcano, a tower ride that shoots you high into the sky.

Gulliver’s Land, on the other hand, focuses on rides and attractions for primarily younger children.

There are rides like The Wriggler, a caterpillar coaster, and the Rockin’ Tug, a gentle pirate boat ride.

Mini thrill seekers can also enjoy the tall Tree Top Swings, or soar into the skies on the 360° ride Dragon Siege.

There’s also a dinosaur sculpture area, and a farm park where you can meet the animals.

The average cost per rollercoaster at Gulliver’s Land is £3.71, whereas at Fantasy Island it works out to £2.61.

But Gulliver’s Land takes the edge when it comes to parking, as you can park for free, whereas parking at Fantasy Island starts at £8.

The average cost for a hotel near both theme parks is £135.

For a cheap place to stay near Fantasy Island, book a Silver Caravan at Coastfields in Ingoldmells – three nights over a weekend in a six-berth caravan starts from £205 total in June.

And for somewhere to stay near Gulliver’s Land, go for the Holiday Inn Express Milton Keynes, where you can bag a double room with a hot breakfast included from £86 per night.

2. Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park

Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire ranks as the second best-value UK theme park, with an average adult ticket price of £25.

With a lineup of 11 family-friendly coasters to choose from, riding each works out to just £2.23 per ride.

There are wholesome, family-friendly coasters like the Ladybird and Spin Bug, and fun extras like a Jeep Safari as well as several miniature train rides.

Plus, 2026 brings a new ride, the Spinning Racer, to the park, a colourful, curving rollercoaster that looks like a giant Scalextric track.

While you can park for free, which is a plus, the average cost of a hotel nearby is a hefty £222 a night.

Luckily, we’ve found a much cheaper option. You can book a double room at the Premier Inn Thirsk hotel from £57 per night.

1. Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The best-value theme park according to the data is family-favourite Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

While the average adult ticket price is £32, there are a whopping 26 coasters to have a go on – that works out to a cost of £1.22 per ride.

Rollercoasters include the Big One, with a 235ft drop, and Launch Pad, which shoots you to speeds of 80mph.

There are also dark rides like the Ghost Train and Valhalla, plus Nickelodeon-themed rides like SpongeBob’s Splash Bash and the toddler-friendly Bikini Bottom Bus Tour.

Plus, there’s a major new ride coming this year – the £8m Aviktas, a record-breaking gyro swing ride, is set to become the tallest in the UK, at 138ft tall, and is set to open this month.

The cheapest available parking nearby is £15, and the average price for a hotel in the area is £121.

For a budget-friendly base for your Blackpool staycation, stay at Haven Marton Mere, where four nights in a saver caravan which sleeps four starts at £49 this June.

DISGRACED reality TV star Stephen Bear has set up a market stall selling £2 smoothies with his pregnant teenage wife.

Bear, 36, was spotted on Sunday flogging fruit juice in Walthamstow, north-east London, with his Brazilian missus Miami, 19.

The former Ex on the Beach cast member was sentenced in March 2023 to 21 months in prison for uploading CCTV footage of himself having sex with ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison, 31, to his OnlyFans account without consent.  

An eyewitness who saw the Walthamstow-born sex offender, who won the 18th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, said: “I was walking past the market at about 1pm on Sunday and spotted him and recognised him from Ex on the Beach.

“He had set up one of those folding tables and someone stopped and asked him for a selfie.

“By the time I went back that way around an hour later they had gone.

“They were doing different flavours like strawberry and mango, putting the fruit in a nutribullet blender and selling them for just £2 in those plastic cups with the round lid on the top.

“It’s hard to think he’s even making a profit at that price, fruit is so expensive at the moment.”  

Bear announced his intention to set up a stall in the market in a social media video posted three weeks ago.

But he said it would likely be after he makes his boxing debut on July 25.
He is due to fight Andy “The Silencer” Lee at York Hall in Bethnal Green, east London.

In the clip posted to his TikTok on May 10, in which he can be seen being driven by his brother Rob, Bear said: “We’ve got some breaking news guys.

“Me and Rob’s decided we’re going to inquire and get a market stall down Walthamstow market.

“We’re thinking you don’t want to travel far to sell your bits and pieces, and if you never need to store anything, the house is, like, five minutes away from Walthamstow market.

“So send me a DM, what you think we should sell on our stall and then we’re going to inquire.

“Probably going to be after my boxing match, July 25, I’m going to get that out of the way first.”

After Rob suggested selling T-shirts or fruit and veg, Bear said: “I think if you’re holding fruit and veg, it’s going to go off, so we’re not going to do that.

“But we’re going sell something out of the ordinary.

“Send us a DM, what you think we should sell on our market stall.”

Bear married then 18-year-old Miami in her native Brazil in July 2025, around 18 months after he was released from HMP Brixton.  

The couple – who post X-rated content together – announced in March that they are expecting their first child.

Bear, who served 10 and a half months of his sentence, was ordered to pay his former Love Island and The Only Way is Essex star ex Georgia £207,900 in civil damages.

In March 2024, Georgia later said that she had received “not one penny” of it or the £212,515 she was owed for lawyers’ fees.

Bear was then ordered to pay HM Treasury the £22,305 he made in profits from subscribers after uploading the video and £5,000 in compensation to Georgia.

The Sun asked Bear for comment.

WITH the soaring cost of living, £500 doesn’t get you far as it once did. It’ll just about cover the average bills for a UK household or a shiny new iPad or games console.

But if you trade in the British high steet for a boarding pass, that same budget can work absolute miracles on a holiday abroad.

As the resident Holiday Expert at On the Beach, I’ve been digging through our latest booking tech to find out exactly where British couples are flying for £500 per person.

While some destinations force you to compromise on your stargazing (hotel stars, that is), others are letting you live like royalty for less.

Here is everything you need to know about what a £500 holiday looks like right now, from destination to star-rating.

Where does £500 take you right now?

Most Brits with £500 to spend on a holiday end up on a Spanish beach.

Our data shows the Canary Islands and mainland Spain are the most popular destinations, especially for couples within this price band.

But popularity doesn’t always equal the biggest value haul. While the masses fight over towel space in Spain, a savvy minority are flying past the western Med to Turkey and Egypt.

They might not pull the same volume of bookings as Spain, but they offer a much bigger bargain.

For example, you can currently fly to Side in Antalya, Turkey, for a 7-night getaway at the ultra-plush, 5-star La Benata Hotel for exactly £500 per person.

It sits right on its own private beach, along with waterslides on a sprawling pool layout.

Getting a full week at a bona-fide 5-star property on an All-Inclusive basis, with direct flights from East Midlands? An absolute steal.

What kind of hotel does £500 get you right now?

You might think a £500 budget means settling for a basic, creaky two-star hotel with a brick-wall view. Happily, you’d be dead wrong.

Our data shows that 4-star hotels are the sweet spot.

If you head to mainland Spain, the Balearics, Greece, Portugal, Italy, or Tunisia, the vast majority of £500 packages land you a very respectable 4-star property.

But if you want to find the poshest hotel for £500, Turkey and Egypt are the ultimate luxury outliers.

In Egypt, a staggering 60 per cent or more of bookings at this price point are for 5-star luxury.

You can lock in a 7-night, completely All-Inclusive stay at the 5-star Il Mercato Splash Aqua Park in Sharm El Sheikh for just £475 per person, including direct flights from East Midlands.

It is positioned right on the bustling Il Mercato Promenade, which means you have endless shopping and entertainment right on your doorstep.

There’s also a free shuttle service to zip you down to the private beach club whenever you fancy.

How many nights does £500 get you right now?

If £500 is your budget for the holiday, you can either have a full week away or a higher-quality but shorter break.

Our data shows that a full seven nights is still the most popular duration overall, and you can find holidays for this much in the Canaries, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Tunisia for under £500.

But if you look at mainland Spain, the Balearics, Portugal, Italy, and Malta, the most popular duration pivots to a sharp four-night break.

For example, you can secure a four-night escape to the 4-star Gran Garbi Hotel in the lively heart of Lloret de Mar for a mere £305 per person, flying directly from Bournemouth.

What makes this an absolute game-changer is that while the average short-stay break in Spain only includes a simple Bed and Breakfast, this deal upgrades you to an all-inclusive package.

Even better, it grants you free entry to the nearby Aqua-Splash waterpark, meaning you are effectively getting a week’s worth of food, drink, and waterpark entertainment packed into a high-octane 4-night luxury budget window.

And that leaves you with nearly £200 change from your £500 budget to play with.

What’s included for £500 right now?

How do you like your breakfast?

If you want to book a holiday in mainland Spain, Portugal, Italy, or Malta for £500, you’ll likely get it included in your stay.

But if you opt for the Canaries, for £500, you’ll most likely need to opt for self-catering.

If your idea of a holiday involves completely locking your wallet in the hotel safe the second you arrive, all-inclusive is king.

It’s the most popular option in the Balearics and Greece as well as Egypt and Tunisia.

An astonishing 98 per cent of British holidaymakers going to Egypt and more than 95 per cent of those going to Tunisia book all-inclusive trips for under £500-a-week.

Turkey isn’t far behind either, with All-Inclusive capturing around 77 per cent of the market. 

Choosing a “no wallet, no worries” deal is the ultimate way to beat inflation.

This is because when your flights, hotel, meals, and drinks are completely covered for under £500, the cost-of-living crisis officially pauses at the departure gate.

One example is you can head out on a massive 10-night holiday to the 4-star Nesrine in Hammamet Yasmine, Tunisia, for just £410 per person, flying direct from London Southend.

From the beautiful, authentic Moorish architecture and the outdoor pool to a private, white sand beach paradise and an energetic entertainment team.

And you know it is all covered, meaning you can max out your relaxation.

The lesser-known beach destinations Brits are opting for right now for under £500

If you want to truly travel better for less, you need to look where the crowds aren’t looking. Because once a resort gets flooded with British tourists, the prices rocket.

To get a bargain that leaves you feeling incredibly smug, these five lesser-known, off-the-radar beach gems are where savvy holidaymakers are booking right now for maximum bang for their buck.

Mijas, Costa del Sol, Spain

Think the Costa del Sol is all crowded strips and overpriced tourist menus? Think again – as Mijas gives you the best of both worlds.

You have a gorgeous, traditional white-washed Andalusian village in the hillside with cobbled streets and sweeping Mediterranean views, while Mijas Costa serves up a stunning, pristine seven-mile stretch of golden sand just below.

It’s a pure beach haven right near Marbella but without the eye-watering premium price tag. 

You can snap up a four-night stay at the 4-star Gran Hotel Costa Del Sol right in La Cala De Mijas for £305 per person, flying directly from Bournemouth on an all-inclusive package.

Mahdia, Tunisia

Mahdia is Tunisia’s calmer, historic fishing town where the streets are quiet, the sea is a deep blue, and the white-sand beaches look almost like they’ve been photoshopped.

You can easily nab a full week of luxury here for under £500. For instance, a seven-night getaway to the magnificent 5-star Nour Palace Resort costs just £405 per person, flying directly from Newcastle.

It boasts a massive, free-form outdoor lagoon pool that is just steps away from a private beach, giving you five-star all-inclusive indulgence with just under £100 to spare. 

Ovacik, Turkey

If you want a Turkish mountain escape that feels exclusive but keeps costs low, Ovacik is the place to go.

Tucked away in the picturesque hills near Fethiye and the famous Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz, it offers a calmer atmosphere surrounded by pine forests and fresh mountain air. 

You can lock in a seven-night escape here at the 4-star Sahra Su Holiday Village & Spa for just £315 per person, with direct flights from London Gatwick.

The hotel is styled like a luxury holiday village with swim-up rooms, thatched-roof bungalows, and a series of crystal-clear pools tucked between manicured lawns and palm trees on a fully all-inclusive basis.

Nabq Bay, Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh has plenty of famous bays, but Nabq Bay is the rising star for sheer value.

Sitting just up the coast, it looks right out over Tiran Island and boasts incredible coral reefs for world-class snorkelling.

Because it’s a newer resort development, Nabq Bay feels ultra-polished, where a £500 budget makes you feel like an absolute VIP.

You can secure a full week at the five-star Parrotel Lagoon Resort for just £455 per person, flying directly from East Midlands.

This resort is brilliant because it features its own multi-slide aqua park right onsite, alongside a sprawling pool and five-star dining options that will forever ruin you for a budget buffet.

Guardamar del Segura, Costa Blanca, Spain

Benidorm can keep its neon lights; Guardamar is the Costa Blanca’s best-kept secret.

Famous for its stretch of fine, powdery dunes backed by a lush pine and eucalyptus forest, this town is loved by Spanish locals, so you know you’re in the right place.

That means the tapas bars are authentic and the hotel prices haven’t been inflated by an influx of Brits just yet.

You can book a full seven-night stay at the 5-star Alannia Guardamar for just £450 per person, flying directly from Glasgow Prestwick.

While on a self-catering basis, the hotel itself makes up for it with everything from a tropical pool area complete with waterfalls, bridges, and a line-up of waterslides to luxury villas and a hidden-gem beach.

WE ALL know holidays are expensive, and costs can rack up faster than a flight from Southend to Newquay.

So, as a seasoned travel journalist, it really pains me to see holidaymakers shelling out over the odds, and unnecessarily so, on their once-a-year summer break.

By all means, this holiday is your time to celebrate. Have a 6am pint in the airport ‘Spoons (sorry to Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, but I disagree with banning pre-flight beers) and sure, treat yourself to that pair of sandals you’ve been eyeing up in Duty Free.

But why are you still wasting your hard-earned cash on an aeroplane lunch?

I just can’t fathom it. And it’s not because I’m a food snob. 

The other week on an easyJet flight back from Greece, the young lad next to me was practically jumping out of his seat in anticipation of the trolley to edge our way.

I thought he was gagging for a drink, but it turns out he was after the cheeseburger (who knew easyJet even sold cheeseburgers?).

But sadly, this lad never got his gnashers on that beef patty as they’d sold out already.

“Ugh, I’d been looking forward to that all day,” he muttered to his partner.

I raised an eyebrow. What had the breakfast buffet been like at his hotel if he’d been craving this floppy-looking easyJet cheeseburger “ALL day”? 

He wasn’t the only one in an ordering frenzy during this flight, either.

Looking around me, I’d say at least half – if not more – of the passengers had ordered their lunch on board, along with drinks and snacks.

This wasn’t entirely a shock to me. On another short-haul flight I took earlier this year, the plane food had proved equally popular.

And although there aren’t any hard stats to back this up, colleagues have said they’ve experienced the same; it seems Brits really love their on-board grub.

Selfishly, I was a little relieved that my neighbour didn’t get his burger, as I’m not sure I fancied inhaling the stench of microwaved meat for the final few moments of my journey.

I mean no disrespect to easyJet, either.

Other airlines I’ve travelled on can’t rustle up a better lunch, even the pricier and fancier carriers.

That’s simply because they don’t have the equipment on board, nor the space to carry fresh ingredients.

There isn’t a chef up in the galley scorching tender steak on an open flame, because, well… health and safety.

It’s not necessarily the poor quality that I can’t stomach, though. It’s the extortionate price tag.

It would have cost the fella next to me £7.50 for the burger alone. No chips. No side salad. No drink.

And judging by the menu picture, it looked smaller than a bacon bap from Greggs.

I’m not saying you have to pre-make the entire family a set of sad sandwiches at home, but you can pick up some pretty decent bites at the airport these days.

Plus, these airport meals won’t cost you as much as the food on board the plane.

While matey next to me disappointedly tucked into his ham and cheddar toastie (a more reasonable £5.75) and his partner, the lasagne (£7.95), I was ripping open the paper to my huge spinach and feta-stuffed filo pastry. 

I’d picked up this local bite from a cafe in the airport, just after security, for under £4.50.

Said cafe had sandwiches, too, as well as crisps and snacks – all of which were cheaper and more generously sized than the on-board grub. 

And that was just at a teeny airport in Greece – at larger airports, you’re spoiled for choice.

If you’ve left a sensible amount of time to bag drop and get through security, then you’ll also have time to kill on the other side. Grabbing a meal is the perfect way to do that. 

To those who insist on eating while sitting on the plane, I say: just get a takeaway.

Sack off your aeroplane sarnie and pick up a Boots meal deal, which includes a sandwich or main meal, snack and a drink for less than the price of one sandwich on board.

At Heathrow airport, a Boots meal deal comes in at an inflated (but still more affordable than food on board) price of £5.50 – and the quality of what you’re getting really doesn’t differ that much.

Or if you really fancy a slap-up meal, a lot of airport Wetherspoons offer takeaway versions of their dishes, meaning you can order a sit-down meal just before boarding your flight.

You don’t need to leave things to chance, either.

Generally speaking, you can look up what restaurants and takeaway options there are in the airport before you arrive. 

It’s also well worth taking advantage of the Too Good To Go app that lets you collect a “surprise bag” of goodies from an airport cafe or restaurant. 

You’ll have to log in and buy the bag in advance, but it can save you a fair whack of cash.

For example, if I were flying from Heathrow this evening, I could pick up a mixed bag of pastries for just £2.69, a fraction of what they would normally cost.

Or if I were travelling from Gatwick tomorrow morning, I could pick up a brekkie bag from Pure cafe for a fiver, containing two to three items such as toasties, porridge and egg muffins.

That’s almost enough for the whole family.

THEY are already two of the most in-demand Brits in ­entertainment – her selling out stadiums globally and him a front-runner to be the next James Bond.

But one week today, superstar Dua Lipa and her movie star fiancé ­Callum Turner will say “I do” at a lavish ceremony in Sicily, cementing themselves as our most high-profile power ­couple since Posh and Becks.

The Sun can reveal that showbiz pals including singers Charli XCX and Tove Lo are on the guestlist, with friends and family due to fly out on Thursday for three days of celebrations.

There are even whispers that Sir Elton John, who Dua collaborated with on the 2021 song Cold Heart, could perform.

An insider said: “Dua and Callum are both ecstatic that they’re finally getting married. They’re head over heels for each other.

“The original plan was for an ­intimate wedding, but it is now going to be a ­massive, luxurious affair across three days.

“She attended Charli’s wedding in Sicily last year and was really inspired to push the boat out for her own Italian celebrations.

“They have rented out multiple huge venues for the multi-event extravaganza, although the exact details are being kept under wraps due to security concerns, as fans are desperate to catch a glimpse of them.

“The couple have been doing daily workouts at stylish members’ club 180 House in London to prepare for their big day and Dua has been ­telling friends she cannot wait to walk down the aisle.

“It’s going to be a true fairytale ­wedding.”

As well as proving their love for each other, the ceremony will strengthen their position as showbiz A-listers, with the pair expected to bank hundreds of millions between them in the next two years.

Callum will be back on screens this summer in the rom-com One Night Only, but James Bond is the starring role he has his eye on, with the bookies ranking him as favourite to land the part.

There have been ­whispers they could both be involved in 007’s next outing, with Dua said to be in consideration to record the Bond theme, something she has said she has wanted to do for years.

While Callum has been building his acting career, his wife-to-be has been working on her business empire.

As well as making her highly-­anticipated fourth studio album with top producer Mark Ronson — who has been invited to the wedding — she is in the midst of launching her Dua By AB skincare line, which is forecast to become a major money-spinner.

She has also just become a global brand ambassador for Nespresso alongside George Clooney and is expanding her ­editorial and cultural platform ­Service95.

And just this week, she announced a new partnership with Google Maps to share her top travel tips.

Holiday-loving Dua knows all about those, having been on a string of getaways including, in the past month, a visit to Copenhagen with Callum and a holiday to Ibiza with more than 20 pals for her hen do.

Among the friends who joined her was fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, the man behind the label Jacquemus, who is believed to have created at least one of the dresses she will wear for her wedding ­celebrations.

Dua previously wore a sheer white dress designed by him when she attended his wedding to partner Marco Maestri in 2022.

The Sun first revealed Callum had popped the question to New Rules singer Dua in December 2024 after just a year of dating, and she ­confirmed the news in an interview with British Vogue last June.

Dua, who completed her 81-date, £100million-grossing Radical Optimism Tour in December, said at the time: “I want to finish my tour — Callum’s shooting, so we’re just ­enjoying this period.

“I’ve never been someone who’s really thought about a wedding, or dreamt about what kind of bride I would be. All of a sudden I’m like, ‘Oh, what would I wear?’.

“This decision to grow old together, to see a life and just be best friends forever — it’s a really special feeling.”

The singer also revealed Callum had her engagement ring made ­especially for her, after discussing it with her sister Rina, who is expected to be a bridesmaid along with her best friends.

Dua said: “It’s very exciting. I’m obsessed with it. It’s so me. It’s nice to know the person that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with knows you very well.”

But while their white ­wedding is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular in recent showbiz ­memory, they have some competition.

This summer will see a slew of celebrity services, with superstar ­Taylor Swift set to tie the knot with American football star Travis Kelce a month later on July 3.

That wedding is already one of the most talked-about events of the year, with the nuptials of America’s favourite couple potentially even competing with the 250th anniversary Independence Day celebrations the following day.

Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne are among the many stars who have been invited to the wedding, which is set to take place at a highly secure venue in New York City.

Security is so tight for the big day that guests have been warned they will not be informed of the exact location until hours before the ceremony.

But as the hottest ticket in town, some guests have this week fumed about their “no ring, no bring” policy, after one ­person claimed they had been invited, but told they could not bring a “plus one”.

The anonymous guest told one newspaper: “What am I supposed to do? Go alone? That is so awkward.”

Taylor and Travis started dating in 2023, shortly after the end of Taylor’s whirlwind month-long romance with The 1975 rocker Matty Healy, who she is now racing to beat up the aisle.

He is also engaged after finding love with model and musician Gabbriette Bechtel, and they are set to tie the knot in July, too.

Unlike Taylor, they have opted to do so on the other side of the country in ­California, where his bride is from. The couple have already spent more than £100,000 on flights for their friends and family to travel over from the UK.

Charli XCX has also been invited to their wedding after marrying Matty’s bandmate, drummer George Daniel.

And Matty’s mum, Loose Women star Denise Welch, has revealed she is relieved it is Gabbriette and not Taylor her son is marrying.

Last July, she said: “Obviously, on pain of death can I talk about that episode, but being her mother-in-law is a role I am glad that I lost.

“Not that I have anything against her at all. It was just — it was tricky.

“She . . . listen, you’re not allowed to say anything, and then she writes a whole album about it.

“Matty has taken it all in ­completely good grace. He’s very happy with his amazing fiancée Gabbriette, who is ­gorgeous. So, we’ve moved on.”

They aren’t the only exes who could both be saying “I do” this year.

Miley Cyrus got engaged to her musician boyfriend Maxx Morando at the end of last year and is believed to be planning an intimate wedding.

Meanwhile, actor Liam Hemsworth, who split from Miley in 2019 after less than a year of ­marriage, got down on one knee for his model partner Gabriella Brooks last September.

So while wedding bells will be ringing out at ridiculously opulent and over-the-top ceremonies this summer, you can bet their showbiz exes will be keeping an eye on whose was better.

IN just three days, Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews is due to be released from Dubai’s hell-hole Al Awir prison.

But the news of his imminent return to freedom has emboldened the women who have been caught up in his web of lies and deceit – and now they’re determined to see him locked up for good.

Over the past five months, I have spoken to the women who have survived Andrews, and their extraordinary stories are chilling.

From financial fraud on a life-changing scale to even more shocking allegations, the women painted a terrifying picture of the man Katie chose to marry just weeks after meeting him earlier this year.

For months, the women have shared evidence with The Sun – and the relevant police authorities – in the hope that the law will catch up with Andrews.

Together they stood firm as he desperately tried to smear their reputations, telling me in a long and rambling voice note that one of the women was disturbed and had spent time inside a “mental institution”.

He claimed they were fantasists, liars and angrily declared: “I know you’re a lady and everything, but women can be very harsh.”

I didn’t believe a word he said to me then, and I still don’t now.

But the patience of the women involved is understandably wearing thin.

His arrest in Dubai on a civil matter has, they tell me, been for Andrews just a brief taste of what they hope is to come.

Justice for these women, however, will be a war that will not be easily won.

“Lee is a dangerous man, and the authorities need to act,” one of the women tells me from their home in the US.

“All of the women Lee has conned in the past have come together in a group, and we are determined to fight to get justice.

“It does feel incredibly hopeless at times. No one in power seems to be properly acting. But we’re standing together, and we will do everything we can to make the police act.”

Criminal complaints have been lodged against Andrews by one woman with Hertfordshire Police.

Another of his victims, businesswoman Crystal Janke, reported an alleged theft of £123,000 to cops in America.

The uphill battle they face is the fact that Andrews resides in Dubai and is unable to leave due to a travel ban.

Andrews, ultimately, is able to dodge culpability because of where he is.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed to me they had handed the complaints filed to them to cops in Dubai because the alleged incidents happened in the UAE.

These allegations, to add, are incredibly serious.

They need to see him hauled in for questioning.

But so far, the police there have seemingly failed to act in any way to investigate Andrews, let alone arrest him.

The financial fraud complaint made to cops against Andrews in the US by Crystal is also dangling in the ether.

The police confirmed they can only act against Andrews if he lands on US soil.

And let’s be honest, Andrews isn’t going to be leaving Dubai anytime soon.

From the number of phone calls I had in the days leading up to Andrews’ arrest, the women who have joined forces to try and bring the con-artist to justice are not alone in their plight.

Andrews is alleged to owe vast sums of money to several people in Dubai.

Each individual wants him taken to task, and no one more so than the women whose lives he has irrevocably damaged in one way or another.

“We see ourselves as survivors of Lee, not victims,” one woman tells me.

“But to say the slow progress by the police in Dubai is frustrating is an understatement.

“The complaints are racking up, and nothing is being done.

“Some of us have even gone to the lengths of contacting the police when we know where Lee is and pleading with them to arrest him.

“Repeatedly, we have said, he is at this location, he is wanted for this, please act. And nothing ever seems to happen.

“We have no idea what else to do, but once he is out, we are going to carry on alerting the police, and we won’t stop until they act.”

After he was arrested and sent to the Al Awir prison, authorities confirmed to The Sun he had been apprehended on a private civil matter.

It proved once again that Andrews is a devious liar – after he told Katie he had been arrested for espionage.

“Lee saying he was arrested for spying is nothing new,” one of the women explained to me.

“It’s a claim directly out of his conman playbook.

“He’s said to everyone in this group at some point that he worked for the secret services. He bragged about being in MI5 in the UK.

“Lee would just tell so many lies. He told Katie he was an international arms dealer, too.

“By this point, we don’t think Lee would know what the truth is – even if he slapped him around the face.”

Previously, Andrews denied every claim made against him by the women who spoke out against him.

In the face of the weight of evidence they provided me with, including their bank statements and correspondence with their relevant police forces, Andrews stood firm and tried to paint them as scorned fantasists.

These women are nothing of the sort.

And I, along with my colleagues, will keep banging this drum until Andrews is locked up.

With any luck, they will throw away the key.

KISS goodbye to overpriced holidays abroad this summer as we’ve found six gorgeous European beach resorts where you can fly out from UK airports for £15.99 or less.

Our list includes an undercover island paradise with white sands that look like the Caribbean and a cheaper Marbella alternative that offers the same high-end glamour.

You really don’t need to spend a fortune on a coastal city break either, so grab your sunglasses and pack your bags.

These aren’t your typical, overcrowded tourist traps, either – plus, we’ve hand-picked cheap hotels for each destination, too.

Malaga, Spain

In the heart of the sunny Costa del Sol, Malaga has all the high-end glamour, palm tree-lined boulevards, and buzzy cocktail bars of Marbella -but without the eye-watering price tags.

This sun-drenched hotspot blends a trendy city break with a classic fly-and-flop beach holiday.

History buffs can wander through ancient Moorish fortresses, while art lovers can browse the world-class Picasso Museum.

The bustling seafront promenade is lined with traditional beachside bars where you can feast on seafood such as espetos – fresh sardines barbecued on skewers. Pair that with sipping on some frozen cocktails on La Malagueta beach, and you’ve got the traditional Malaga experience nailed.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights one-way from UK airports like Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Booking.com offers a 5-night stay for two at the Livensa Living Studios apartments for £242, working out to just £24.20pp per night.

Faro, Portugal

While some touch down in Faro only to sprint for the resorts of the central Algarve, staying put in Faro is well worth it.

This historic city is the gateway to the spectacular Ria Formosa Natural Park – a sprawling network of islands that feels a million miles away from the usual holiday chaos.

Hop on a ferry for a few euros to Ilha Deserta (Deserted Island), a stretch of pristine, white sand and turquoise water so bright that you could easily trick your friends into thinking you’re in the Caribbean.

After a day of sun-soaking on quiet beaches, wander back into Faro‘s beautifully-preserved Old Town.

Its cobblestone streets are lined with authentic pastelarias and traditional seafood taverns, where you can try locally harvested oysters washed down with a bottle of local Portuguese wine.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Luton and East Midlands airports.

Booking.com offers a 3-night stay for two at the Hotel Made Inn in Faro for £310.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is having its moment this year.

The city was crowned the World Capital of Architecture for 2026, and the Sagrada Familia officially became the tallest church in the world back in February.

There are plenty of famous spots to see here, and even if you’ve already visited, Barcelona is a city many return to time and again.

With 12 attractions to visit designed by famous architect Antoni Gaudí, nine golden sand beaches and thousands of bars and restaurants to try out, this city can never truly be ‘ticked off’ the travel list.

Stroll the famous shopping street La Rambla all the way along to the Port Vell to visit a harbour packed with market stalls selling hand-crafted goods, overlooked by a giant Ferris wheel.

Or visit the famous market La Boqueria to have a taste of anything from authentic Jamón Iberico to chocolate treats shaped like people, dinosaurs, flowers – basically anything you can imagine.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Luton, with £16.99 flights available from Birmingham, Bristol and East Midlands airports.

Expedia offers stays at the easyHotel Barcelona La Sagrera from £132 per night for a double room.

Genoa, Italy

If you want the romance of the Italian Riviera without the prices of nearby Portofino, Genoa offers those same stunning Ligurian Sea views for a much lower price.

This coastal city is home to the Caruggi: Europe’s largest network of medieval alleyways.

Here you can discover hidden pastel palaces and buy freshly-baked focaccia from local bakeries for pocket change.

For a seaside day out, hop on a quick 15-minute train ride down the coast to Boccadasse, a historic fisherman’s town.

Here, a cluster of pastel-pink, mint, and terracotta-coloured houses frames a pebbled cove where the locals like to sunbathe.

Genoa provides an authentic slice of La Dolce Vita that feels untouched by mass tourism.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from Manchester and London Stansted airport.

Booking.com offer stays at the Hotel Britannia in Genoa from £68 per night.

Alicante, Spain

Unlike the sprawling concrete high-rises found further down the coast, Alicante retains authentic Spanish charm.

The must-visit beach is Playa del Postiguet, a sweeping crescent of powder-soft sand and calm waters that sit at the foot of Santa Barbara Castle.

Afternoons are best spent strolling the Explanada de España – a beautiful promenade paved with wavy marble tiles and lined with towering palm trees.

As the sun sets, head into the colourful, winding streets of El Barrio (the old town).

Here you can sample authentic tapas and paella at local prices, before hitting the city’s glamorous marina for a sundowner alongside the yachts.

Ryanair offers £15.99 flights each way from airports including Manchester, Bristol and Exeter.

Booking.com offers a 5-night stay for two at the B&B HOTEL Alicante Aeropuerto for £334 total, working out to £33.40pp per night.

Ancona, Italy

Tucked away on Italy’s Adriatic coast, Ancona is a lesser-known gem that completely bypasses the packed tourist trails of the west coast.

This historic port city has a well-kept secret – its unique, elbow-shaped peninsula, which is one of the only places in Italy where you can watch the sun both rise and set directly over the sea.

The city itself is a treasure trove of Roman ruins, grand cathedrals, and lively piazzas, but the magic lies on the shores of the Conero Riviera.

Here, the rolling green hills of a dramatic national park plunge into the turquoise Adriatic Sea, carving out white-pebble beaches like Portonovo and Sirolo.

You can spend the day sun-soaking beneath dramatic limestone cliffs, swim out to hidden sea caves, and then wander back into the city to feast on fresh mussels with local white wine.

This wildly beautiful slice of Italy is a quiet spot that’s still off the radar for most Brits.

Ryanair offers £14.99 flights each way from London Stansted to Ancona.

Lastminute.com offer stays at the Hotel Fortuna from £72 per night.

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

AS captain of actor Danny Dyer’s beloved West Ham United, Jarrod Bowen was seen as the perfect match for his daughter Dani Dyer.

But May 2026 will go down in history as a devastating time for the Dyers, after Bowen captained West Ham to relegation from the Premier League – for the first time in 15 years – which has put his and Dani’s future up in the air, and has broken his father-in-law’s heart.

Just two days before the Hammers’ relegation, Jarrod suffered more devastation when he missed out on a place in England’s World Cup squad, and insiders have now told us just what this might mean for him and Dani going forward, and how ex-EastEnders star Danny is coping.

Rivals actor Danny once famously joked he was probably “more in love” with Jarrod than his own daughter was, and he has previously been spotted singing an X-rated chant about Dani alongside the West Ham faithful: “Bowen’s on fire, and he’s s****ing Dani Dyer.”

Jarrod certainly rose to the occasion in June 2023, when he netted a last-minute winner in the Europa Conference League final to secure West Ham their first major European trophy for 58 years.

A day after the historic moment, Danny told talkSPORT: “I just didn’t think I could love a man anymore.

“It’s always a weird thing because it’s your daughter, they fall in love with people you don’t usually like, but she brought home Jarrod Bowen.

“I think I love Jarrod more than anyone, more than me own wife! I’m a bit jealous of my daughter.”

Since meeting in 2021, Jarrod and former Love Island star Dani welcomed twin daughters, Summer and Star, both three, in 2023, and two years afterwards, the couple married in late May 2025.

However, one year on from their big day, the pair have a crossroads to navigate this summer.

A source told us: “Dani has enjoyed a dream romance with Jarrod so far, made even better that he is the captain of her dad Danny’s beloved West Ham United.

“But part of that dream has turned into a nightmare this season after West Ham crashed out of the Premier League.

“Jarrod is one of the best players at the club, but, as captain, he has to take a lot of responsibility for the Hammers’ downfall.

“Die-hard West Ham fan Danny is absolutely devastated about his side dropping down to the Championship, and it could have major repercussions for the Dyers.

“Jarrod could do no wrong in Danny’s mind three years ago when he effectively won West Ham the Conference League.

“But that moment is a distant memory now.”

Following West Ham’s relegation, Bowen’s future at the club is up in the air.

He is under contract at the London Stadium until 2030, but that doesn’t mean a lot in football.

West Ham could cash in on their star man, and there are fresh concerns from Hammers fans after Bowen was revealed to be a client of a brand-new football super agency – Gersh.

He has been linked to several Premier League clubs in recent months, including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United.

A move to the north west of England would be particularly upsetting for Dani, because it would no doubt mean relocating from their Essex home, which is just down the road from her parents, Danny and wife Joanne Mas.

The source said: “West Ham’s relegation could have a huge impact on Dani, too.

“Jarrod missed out on a place in England’s World Cup squad this summer, and manager Thomas Tuchel even suggested West Ham’s poor form could have hampered Jarrod.

“He is desperate to win his place back in the England squad, with a European Championships on home soil scheduled for 2028.

“Jarrod has been heavily linked with a move elsewhere, and he is keen to keep testing himself at the very top.

“But this could be devastating for Dani, because they might have to relocate.

“Danny would also be gutted, because a West Ham with Jarrod has a much better chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking than a West Ham without their star man.

“The Rivals star is desperate for Jarrod to remain at West Ham, and he has been dropping hints to Jarrod to stay and help guide his beloved Hammers back to the top flight.”

Danny recently lobbied England boss Tuchel to take Jarrod to the World Cup, telling FourFourTwo his son-in-law “will damage any team” on the pitch.

But the Football Factory star’s plea fell on deaf ears when the England squad was announced on May 22nd – two days before West Ham’s relegation on the final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Bowen scored in West Ham’s final game, a resounding 3-0 victory over Leeds, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Hammers up due to Tottenham’s final-day win over Everton.

Following West Ham’s last Premier League match for some time, Bowen was asked about his future, saying in his post-match interview: “I’m under contract here. I’ve been here six-and-a-half years. I’ve had some really high moments, and this is a low moment that will outweigh everything.

“There’s going to be rumours, there’s going to be talk. Ultimately, what I see is getting this club back in the Premier League because that is where it deserves to be.”

A few days ago, he took to Instagram to write a lengthy apology to the West Ham faithful.

Bowen admitted winning the Conference League was the “best night” of his career, but being relegated with West Ham was his “worst”.

While the emotional statement may have provided some solace for die-hard Hammers fans, there was a notable omission.

He didn’t pledge his future to the club, signing off by saying: “One thing I know about this club is that it has the desire and fight to bounce back from this. This club belongs in the Premier League and deserves to be back there as soon as possible.”

But will this desire and fight to return to the top flight happen without their leader, Bowen?

Danny has previously said on his and Dani’s Sorted With the Dyers podcast that West Ham is his “one true love” and he loves the football club “more than anything else on this planet”.

He will be fiercely hoping his son-in-law can lead West Ham to further glory in the future, and while Dani no doubt wants this, too, remaining in Essex is one of her top priorities.

Relocating from Essex might also make it difficult for Dani to shoot more episodes of her and dad Danny’s popular Sky TV show The Dyers’ Caravan Park, which is filmed in Kent.

A source added: “One compromise for Jarrod could be a move to Tottenham, who he has been linked to for years.

“That would be OK for Dani, because Jarrod would still be playing for a London team.

“But it would leave a sour taste in Danny’s mouth, considering Spurs were the team that remained in the Premier League at West Ham’s expense.

“Jarrod has a massive decision on his hands this summer, which will have a huge impact on him on and off the field.” 

WITH the sun shining brightly across the country, many families are itching to get out to a waterpark and cool off from the soaring spring heat.

And there’s no more fun way to cool off than in a waterpark – and the UK is home to plenty of world-class ones, with thrilling slides, rides and even their own spas.

Whether you want to try an adrenaline-fuelling trap-door waterslide, tackle a Total Wipeout-style obstacle course, or let a lazy river do all the work – we’ve got you covered.

From indoor tropical waterparks with adults-only spas, to the UK’S largest wave pool and water rollercoaster, we’ve rounded up the top waterparks for families of all ages.

And to top it all off, the entry prices start from £5.31pp – proving you can have an action-packed summer day out on a budget.

Here are some of the best on offer across the UK…

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent

Crowned the UK’s number one indoor tropical aqua park, Waterworld is a massive water wonderland packed with over 30 different rides.

The top attraction for adrenaline junkies is Thunderbolt – the UK’s very first trap-door drop waterslide.

You stand inside a capsule, wait for the floor to drop beneath your feet, and plummet straight down a vertical flume at a staggering 25mph.

For more thrills, you can tackle Hurricane, a high-speed slide that hurls you down at 17mph through glow-in-the-dark neon lighting.

For something a little more family-friendly, the newly refurbished Python ride has plenty of slithery twists and turns that are gentle enough for toddlers.

You’ve also got a classic wave pool and fast-flowing rapids that swirl you around the tropical temperature waters.

Plus, if you visit when the weather‘s hot, you can soak up the sunshine outside.

The park has an outdoor pool and sun loungers where parents can relax while kids splash around.

You can also wind down in the calming bubble pools and relaxation areas, or hit the on-site restaurant to refuel the family on fresh pizza, bubble waffles, and thick milkshakes.

Single tickets start at £17.50 online for adults and children, including spectators. Baby tickets cost £7. Make sure to book online in advance, as walk-in tickets will cost you up to £8.50 extra.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest and home to Britain’s longest indoor water rollercoaster and 18 thrilling rides.

If you want to feel like you’re on holiday abroad, head here for a 29C tropical climate.

The Masterblaster holds the record for the UK’s longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide, with a 200m stretch of water tubing fun.

Meanwhile, the Sidewinder is the world’s first indoor half-pipe waterslide, resembling a giant, slippery skating ramp.

For the little ones, there’s the Treetops Water Chutes, multi-lane slides perfect for racing, and the HMS Thunder Splash – a giant pirate ship packed with water activities.

Another kid-friendly favourite is the Caribbean Storm Treehouse, a massive water climbing frame complete with a giant coconut that dumps 600 gallons of water onto unsuspecting swimmers every few minutes.

If you need a breather from the screaming and splashing, grown-ups can escape to the Sea Breeze Spa.

For an extra £7, adults can spend three hours unwinding in the sauna and steam room while making use of the foot spas and aromatherapy room.

And for the ultimate VIP treatment, you can upgrade to a Tiki Cabana experience.

For £60pp, adults get access to a private oasis with their own hot tub, a flatscreen TV, a fridge packed with cold drinks, and a dining and seating area.

You also get full-day admission to the waterpark and a meal deal included in the price.

Tickets start at £25.50 for ages 8+, £16.50 for children aged 3 -7, with under 3s going free. Make sure to book online in advance, as same-day tickets can cost you £2 extra.

Alton Towers Waterpark, Staffordshire

You don’t need to brave the theme park’s rollercoasters for an action-packed day out at Alton Towers.

The Alton Towers Waterpark at the Splash Landings Hotel is a massive, tropical-themed park with Caribbean-type temperatures in the middle of the Staffordshire countryside.

The Wacky Waterworks Treehouse is a sprawling interactive play area packed with more than 70 interactive features, including water cannons, pull-cords, and buckets.

Thrill-seekers can twist and turn down the Rush ‘N’ Rampage waterslides, or slip down the outdoor Flash Floods slides into a giant pool – perfect for a sunny day.

And if you just want to take it easy, you can drift along the lazy river or laze on a lounger while the kids hit the slides.

When you want something to eat, head to the Calypso Cave for lunches like burgers and chicken tenders, or grab an ice cream float or sundae from the Ice Cream Shack.

Tickets start at £18 online for adults and children, with those under 90cm going free. There are also parent and toddler tickets from £23. Make sure to book online for the best rates.

Dorset Adventure Park

If you prefer muddy knees, fresh air, the sun on your back and giant outdoor obstacles, Dorset Adventure Park is for you.

Set across two massive lakes on the grounds of Corfe Castle, Dorset Adventure Park is home to an action-packed outdoor inflatable course.

The Total Wipeout-style floating playground has huge trampolines, balance beams, wobbly bridges, and high-flying slides that launch you straight into the lake.

Plus, little ones even have their own inflatable, Splash Castle, manned by lifeguards and designed for kids aged 2 to 6.

If that isn’t muddy enough for the kids, the park is also home to a legendary Mud Trail.

On this 2km assault course, you can tackle mud pits, climbing walls, cargo nets, and tyre crawls that guarantee nobody leaves clean.

Back on dry land, the grounds have plenty more to see and do. There’s everything from axe throwing to relaxing woodland sauna pods.

For a bite to eat, the Snack Shack and Watering Hole have hot food, ice-cold drinks and ice creams with views of Corfe Castle.

The park provides wetsuit and buoyancy aid hire too, so you don’t need to worry about bringing anything other than a towel and a change of clothes.

Tickets start at £22pp for waterpark admission, £11 for the Mud Trail and £5 per child for Splash Castle.

The Wave, Coventry

Home to the largest wave pool in the UK which cycles 20 million litres of water per day, The Wave in Coventry is a high-tech indoor waterworld.

Above the huge pool are six speedy waterslides, including the colourful Cascade with its bright lights and The Rapids water coaster, described by the park as the ‘Big Dipper’ rollercoaster on water.

There’s also The Riptide, a rubber-ring ride that launches you down an exhilarating 90-degree angle.

The Cyclone, on the other hand, hurls you around a massive open bowl before dropping you out of the bottom.

Families with toddlers can head straight to The Reef, a colourful splash zone packed with mini-slides and water jets away from the big flumes.

Adults can slip away to the dedicated lane-swimming pool, work out at the fitness centre, or book into the luxurious Mana Spa to use its steam room, sauna, or enjoy a relaxing massage.

Tickets start at £15 per adult, £13 for ages 11 and under with under 1’s going free.

Time Capsule Water Park, Scotland

The Time Capsule Water Park in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire is an affordable option with plenty of activities for mixed-age families.

Plus this waterpark is attached to an indoor ice rink, making it an ideal spot to visit and cool off on a hot day.

Inside you’ll find a lazy river, splash zones and waterslides, plus water cannons and a giant tipping bucket.

The most unique attraction here is the Tornado Tantrum – a setup of 10m-high Storm Chasers, thunder and lightning effects and twisting water flumes.

For families with young children, the Cove Island area has plenty of splash play zones for toddlers.

There’s also a Tiny Tots Play Zone on site, a soft play area for children aged 5 and under.

Head to the Tsunami Café for poolside burgers or a sit down with a cold drink.

The Time Capsule Water Park is one of the most affordable on the list, costing £6.50 per adult to enter and £4.50 per child. There is also free parking available.

LC Swansea Waterpark, Wales

LC Swansea is Wales‘ biggest water park, packed with exciting rides, relaxing pools and even an indoor surfing machine.

Try out surfing or body-boarding on the Boardrider – a never-ending wave machine built for those who want to learn to ride waves like a pro.

Here you’ll also find the MasterBlaster water coaster, launching rubber ring riders uphill before gravity plummets them back down into the pool.

Younger kids can make a splash at Volcano Bay, an interactive zone with fountains, a smaller slide and tipping buckets.

For a slower pace, you can drift along the peaceful, lazy river or soothe your muscles in the bubbling whirlpool.

There’s a range of sessions to book, including Toddler Splash early mornings, women’s only and evening splash sessions.

To burn off some energy outside of the pool, there’s a water-themed Climb and Play area with four storeys of obstacles plus a 30ft climbing wall.

There’s also a Costa Coffee on site, plus a shop where you can pick up any extras you might need like swim hats and goggles.

Tickets start at £5.31 per adult or child for a General Splash session, with infant tickets for ages 1 to 3 starting at £2.97 and under 1s going free.

WHAT a fortnight.

Over the past two weeks, I have been on the hunt for Lee Andrews – ably assisted by Katie Price, our man on the ground in Dubai, Sun readers… and literally thousands of social media followers.

The interest in the story is not like anything I can recall in 20 years of covering showbusiness.

To recap, it all kicked off on May 11th.

My investigation into Lee was published – a man whom several women had gone on record and accused of being a conman, largely thanks to excellent work by Bizarre’s Ellie Henman – and Lee rapidly went to ground.

Having spent two months befriending the fraudster – he was very charming and, absolutely, on a surface level, I really liked him – but it quickly became apparent his money-making ways were dubious. 

They needed to be exposed. I hoped, in so doing, I hoped we might finally open love-loving Katie’s eyes to the chap she had married in haste.

His brave ex-girlfriend Alana Percival also gave a podcast confirming he was a man not to be trusted.

Within 24 hours of publication, Lee had cut off contact from his frantic wife. (A woman, let’s not forget, who had been left humiliated live on air during *that* infamous GMB sofa appearance).

Despite repeated enquiries from our reporter out there, UEA police authorities would not confirm his whereabouts. 

There was seemingly no official record of him in prison, and the Foreign Office insisted they were supporting the family of a man detained. But would give no further information.

In the interim, several madcap theories were being circulated on both TikTok and Instagram by both Katie Price’s fans and her detractors.

I found myself, unexpectedly, at the centre of them.

She stood accused of staging a giant publicity stunt – one to garner attention for her forthcoming three-part documentary, and, bafflingly, I was accused of being “in on it too”.

So let me be clear. I am NOT in on anything. 

As far as I know, and I have to believe her, Katie genuinely did not have a clue where her husband was. Indeed, she took to Instagram to deny prior claims by Lee’s dad that he was holed-up in jail.

She contacted me today in a WhatsApp, simply writing: “I have an update.”

Lee claims, slightly implausibly, he has been arrested for “spying”. I will eat my sun-hat if that is the case; at this stage, I do not believe a word that emerges from that man’s mouth. But, crucially, Katie still wants to believe in him, and help.

So why the interest in this story – one which went on to spawn an international manhunt and one, really, that only Katie Price would find herself embroiled in? 

Well, she is a part of our fabric; love her or loathe her, she is an icon of British pop culture.

We have grown up with her as a nation, and seen first-hand her tumultuous string of wrong’uns (first husband Peter Andre notwithstanding, and perhaps her sweet, most recent ex-boyfriend, JJ Slater).

Katie is a woman who just wants to be loved.

Finally, she has found her missing husband. Perhaps now she can get the answers she so desperately needs.

IT’S set to be the biggest celebrity bash of the decade, with a roll-call of global A-listers you’d usually only see at the Met Gala set to attend.

And while the favoured few who have bagged an invite to the multi-million dollar upcoming wedding of Taylor Swift to Superbowl hunk Travis Kelce will no doubt get seven-star service, music from huge stars, and lifelong stories, there could also be a lot of awkwardness, as several former lovers and stars with mutual exes are set to cross paths.

Likely to be front and centre on the guestlist is Taylor’s best mate Zoe Kravitz, who recently got engaged to Harry Styles – the man who famously broke Taylor’s heart more than a decade ago.

In 2012, Harry, then 18 and at the height of his One Direction fame, dated 22-year-old Taylor. While their whirlwind romance only lasted a few months, Harry was the muse for Taylor’s fan-favourite album, 1989, which cemented their status in pop culture history.

Fans hoping for a Haylor reunion may be disappointed, though. Harry will miss the New York nuptials as they clash with the Wembley dates of his Together Together tour.

But he’s a shoo-in for Travis and Taylor’s UK celebration at Chiltern Firehouse on the arm of fiancée Zoe.

The Sun previously revealed Taylor and Travis are planning a UK wedding party for 120 guests at the Marylebone celeb haunt, with a source revealing London “holds a huge place in Taylor’s heart.”

The UK party will no doubt be attended by Cara Delevingne, another former flame of Harry.

Taylor and Cara have been close since 2013, with the supermodel even moving into the Wildest Dream singer’s New York penthouse after a brutal break-up in 2016. Cara’s other celeb exes include singer Halsey, who dated another Swift muse, Matty Healy.

Meanwhile, Zoe, whose dad Lenny says “is like a sister to Taylor,” will cross paths with another of the Swift girl squad she shares an ex with.

The Batman actress, 37, dated Penn Badgley, 39, from 2011 to 2013, shortly after his break-up from Taylor’s other close pal, Blake Lively. The pair remain friends, with Penn calling the relationship “a real, true, earth-shattering love” that “transformed him”.

Blake, who will be attending fresh off her lawsuit with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, dated her Gossip Girl co-star from 2007 to 2010 – before finding love with husband Ryan Reynolds. But there’s unlikely to be tension between Blake and Zoe – the pair have been pictured together previously at Taylor’s famous Rhode Island parties and are both happily in love.

Taylor is the godmother of Ryan and Blake’s children – and has even featured them in songs. The voice of the couple’s eldest daughter, James, 11, features on Taylor’s song Gorgeous from her 2017 album Reputation.

Meanwhile, James, Betty, and Inez are all named in her 2020 record-breaking album Folklore. The cover art for the project was also shot in the Lively-Reynold garden.

Meanwhile, Ryan will no doubt bump into Jack Antonoff, who was the high school sweetheart of Ryan’s ex-wife, Scarlett Johansson.

Jack is Taylor’s right-hand man and closest musical collaborator; she’s previously called him a “brother” and worked with him on 11 of her chart-topping albums.

He dated Scarlett while they were attending Professional Children’s School in Manhattan – and the pair went to prom together in 2002. Ryan was married to Scarlett from 2008 to 2010.

It’s unlikely there’ll be any bad blood between the superstar producer, who has also worked with Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Carpenter, and Ryan, but Jack could find himself in another icy encounter with another ex, Lena Dunham.

Jack, who married actress Margaret Qualley in 2023, dated the writer and actress for five years at the height of her fame from 2012 to 2017.

While the break-up was thought to be amicable, this year Lena released her memoir Famesick, where she admitted to cheating on Jack and said she discovered “incriminating texts and emails” that suggested Jack had cheated on her with New Zealand pop star Lorde, who was just 18 at the time.

Fans had long speculated that something happened between Lorde and Jack, who were living together to produce Lorde’s sophomore album, Melodrama. Neither Jack nor Lorde, real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor, has commented on the memoir.

Lorde, who is performing close by in New York a few days after the wedding, is also a close pal of Taylor. Taylor has previously thrown Lorde birthday parties and brought her out on tour.

Another guaranteed front row seat at the wedding is Selena Gomez, who met Taylor when they were both teenagers in 2008. At the time, Selena was dating Nick Jonas, and Taylor was seeing his brother Joe.

Selena, who last year married music producer Benny Blanco, famously inspired many of The Weeknd’s songs after the pair dated for 10 months in 2017.

The relationship came just months after the Blinding Lights singer broke up with supermodel Bella Hadid, causing a long-standing feud between the pair, which saw them follow and unfollow each other on social media several times.

Last year, however, The Only Murders in the Building star posted a picture of Bella to Instagram, praising her looks – and hinting they’d made up.

And before Selena, Benny dated model and actress Elsie Hewitt, who recently split from Margaret Qualley’s ex, Pete Davidson.

But that’s not the only Hadid sister Selena may find tension with. Selena also had a brief sling with Zayn Malik, who shares daughter Khai, six, with Gigi – who is one of Taylor’s best friends.

Taylor is close to both Gigi and Bella, with the older Hadid sister starring in Taylor’s music video for Bad Blood and attending several stops on her Eras Tour last year.

Taylor first met Selena when she was dating Joe Jonas, and Selena was dating his brother Nick. Both couples broke up, and Joe later went on to marry Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner. The pair divorced in 2024, and Sophie grew close to Taylor, despite their mutual ex, with Taylor even lending her New York home to Sophie and her two daughters.

Sophie is also expected on the guest list. After her split from Joe, Sophie was linked to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who dated Dakota Johnson for eight years following his split from Gwyneth Paltrow.

Dakota is another close pal of Taylor. Writing in Time magazine earlier this year, Taylor called Dakota “one of the most empathetic people I’ve ever known”.

And to add an extra layer of awkwardness, before Joe married Sophie, he also dated Gigi. She even directed the music video for Joe’s hit “Cake By the Ocean”. The split was said to be amicable.

And if Gigi brings her new beau, Bradley Cooper, he may be set for an awkward interaction, too.

Bradley’s ex, Suki Waterhouse, is friendly with Taylor and has often been spotted out for dinner with her. Suki, who dated the Hangover star from 2013 to 2015, has written cutting lyrics about the relationship on her recent albums – accusing the actor of treating her like a “trophy wife”.

While many of these relationships may be water under the bridge, there are more recent break-ups that could cause more tension.

Irish actor Paul Mescal is expected to come along, as he is currently dating Taylor’s pal and Eras Tour opener Gracie Abrams. This means he’ll likely cross paths with indie sensation Phoebe Bridgers, who also opened for a leg of the Eras tour and has collaborated with Taylor.

Paul dated Phoebe for two years between 2020 and 2022. Gracie also shares an ex with another Eras tour opening act, Sabrina Carpenter, a close pal of Taylor who will be attending.

Sabrina and Gracie both dated American actor Dylan O’Brien in 2022.

The Espresso hitmaker may also cross paths with another ex, Shawn Mendes, who has previously collaborated with Taylor and often spoken about his friendship with her.

Shawn, who features on Taylor’s 2020 song Lover, also dated Camilla Cabello, who opened for Taylor on her 2017 Reputation Tour.

Other likely attendees include Ed Sheeran, Graham Norton, the Haim sisters, Hayley Williams, and Emma Stone, as well as childhood best friend Abigail Anderson and influencer Ashley Avignone.

And if Taylor does invite her own exes along, Taylor Lautner is a shoo-in.

The Twilight star dated Taylor in 2009 after meeting on the set of Valentine’s Day. The pair are still close, and Lautner starred in Swift’s video for I Can See You in 2023.

On Travis’ side, his teammates Patrick Mahomes and his wife Britanny will join the guest list, as well as his NFL star brother Jason and his wife Kylie.

Taylor has been open about wanting an extravagant wedding and has even joked that “everyone she has ever spoken to” will be invited to avoid drama.

But in the incestuous circles of Hollywood, inviting everyone clearly brings its own repercussions.

FOR years, I’ve had a personal vendetta against bed runners in hotel rooms.

Upon entering the room, I’d have whipped it off and stuffed it in the wardrobe faster than you could say ‘late check out.’

Because while I love a crisp, white, freshly-laundered hotel bed, I am fully aware that the runners at the end of the bed see the inside of a washing machine far less than the sheets.

And I really don’t want to think about how many sweaty, bare bottoms have been pressed up against them before I checked in.

But… it turns out the random, possibly quite dirty piece of fabric actually has an important use – it’s to protect the bed sheets while you unpack.

So your bags, which have scraped the underbellies of aircraft, been dragged along airport floors and left to stand on grubby pavements, usually get spread across the duvet once you’ve checked in, so you can unpack.

The bed runner is there to stop any of that suitcase grime coming off onto the sheets.

Once you’ve hung up all your clothes, the runner can then take its rightful place at the back of the wardrobe.

The humble bed runner isn’t the only little-known travel hack provided by hotels, planes and attractions either – here are nine more that have the power to transform your holiday.

Find out which rows get served first

Different airlines start their in-flight trolleys at different rows on the plane.

Ryanair’s in-flight trolley service usually starts at row 1 and works its way towards the back of the plane.

EasyJet usually starts at row 1 and row 30, at the back of the plane. They work towards each other, with rows 17 and 18 being served last.

British Airways usually starts at the front of each cabin, then works towards the back.

So, if you’re hoping to be the first to get served, keep this in mind when reserving your seats.

Request a ‘special meal’ to get served first on a long-haul flight

Speaking from experience, if you opt for one of the speciality meals when making your flight booking, you’ll almost definitely get served first at mealtimes.

You can usually opt for a whole range of food, from veggie and vegan to religious restrictions.

Reserving sun loungers

We’ve all been there. You’ve enjoyed a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast, as is your right on holiday, then you get to the pool, for a perfectly respectable 10.30 am… and all of the sun loungers have been bagged.

But there are some unicorn hotels where they will actually let you reserve your sun loungers for the week, so that you can skip the early morning race for the beds.

Cyprus is leading the charge on this front, with the Sunrise chain in Protaras and the Kanika Hotels group both offering the service.

Alternatively, if you’re willing to tip the pool staff on the first day, in destinations like Hurghada in Egypt, many of them will get your sunbeds ready every day.

Some of them even bring your drink over as soon as you’ve arrived and settled in.

Free toothbrushes, razors and other bathroom items

Fancy hotels often come with bathroom amenity kits as standard, with everything from razors and toothbrushes to shower caps and toothpaste included.

But many lower-tier hotels also keep these items stocked behind reception, in case guests have forgotten something.

So next time you’ve left your toothbrush at home by mistake, have a friendly word with the receptionist before you pop out to the shops, as they may already have what you’re looking for, free of charge.

Free magazines at the airport

One of the most common items to buy at the airport is magazines and newspapers, especially when you have to kill time.

However, this can quickly rack up in price when many of the glossy mags cost as much as £4.99.

But did you know that many airports have free magazine stands?

They can often be found in the corridors when you are travelling to your gate, or even after you have gone through the gate agent and are waiting to board.

But the best are often found near the posh airport lounge exit.

They vary depending on which ones they have, so you can’t always be fussy.

On flights from London Gatwick, we’ve managed to pick up Wallpaper* magazine, as well as Escapism, Conde Nast Traveller and Stylist.

Freebies at Duty Free

Duty Free shops at airports are like Marmite – you either love them and spend a good half hour browsing, or dash through as quickly as possible.

But by skipping it, you could be missing out on some great freebies.

Many of the counters have samples of products to give away – everything from face serums and perfume to hand cream.

A lot of the larger airports often offer mini makeovers at certain high-end makeup counters, too.

Free airport lounge

If you’ve ever wandered past the easyJet Lounge before a flight after spending a small fortune on Pret, more fool you.

EasyJet passengers who book an Inclusive Plus fare automatically receive up to three hours of access to several airport lounges across the UK.

They include lounges at the following airports: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Jersey, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester and Stansted.

Visitors can get tea, coffee and soft drinks, as well as beer and alcohol, plus hot and cold food.  

The Inclusive Plus fare is more expensive than the standard fare, but it comes with a bunch of extras like fast track security and free meal deals onboard.

Max out the free hot water

This one might seem trivial, but you could save at least £15 on a flight by asking cabin crew for hot water fill-ups.

Bring your reusable cup and some teabags on a flight and have tea for the whole journey.

Alternatively, you can also bring an instant noodle cup and ask them to fill it with hot water for a very affordable and hot in-flight meal.

Loyalty perks

Plenty of hotel chains offer free perks for customers who sign up to their loyalty programmes – and many of those programmes are either free or cost very little to join.

Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy and IHG all have loyalty schemes that give you little extras like late check-outs, free wifi, booking discounts and even ‘extra night free’ offers.