Sykes

THE Wanted star Nathan Sykes has taken a swipe at bandmate Max George amidst bitter feud. 

Nathan, 32, tied the knot with his girlfriend of six years Charlotte Burke earlier this month and broke his silence as to why his former pal was not in attendance.

Feud rumours have recently reignited inside the huge UK boyband following a wedding snub. 

Nathan opted for an intimate celebration inviting just 61 of their closest friends and family, among them was The Wanted star Jay McGuinness.

But, Max was noticeably absent from Nathan’s wedding alongside Siva Kaneswaran – Max and Kiva now have their own boyband The Wanted 2.0 together.

Following the wedding Nathan opened up about why Max and Siva weren’t in attendance, speaking to OK! he said: “We haven’t touched base recently, so I’m not sure they would have known the wedding date. 

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“With them being out in America at the time, we’ve not had the chance to [catch up], but I’m sure we will soon.”

He added: “We had a room full of people we’re comfortable with, so it was a really safe space and allowed us to relax.”

The band was first formed in 2009 by Max, Nathan, Jay, Siva and the late Tom Parker.

The group had massive hits between 2009 before it was disbanded in 2014, with plans to bring the boys back together.

But now it seems The Wanted aren’t reuniting, and Max and Nathan might not be talking at all.

Recently, fans on Reddit noticed that the pair unfollowed each other on Instagram, cutting off social media communication.

One wrote: “Not to sound parasocial or anything, but for some context, I have been a fan of The Wanted since 2012.

They added: “Couldn’t help but notice Max and Nathan unfollowed each other?

“I wonder if there’s any beef between them lol.”

Another fan replied to the Reddit thread, saying: “I’ve always suspected Max and Nathan had a falling out before they broke up the first time.”

A third said: “It’s a real shame because teenage me loved Nathan and Max’s interactions.

“I remember when Nathan used to comment on Max’s ig posts around 2 years ago.

“They haven’t followed each other in a very long time.

Released by Arsenal as a youth player, Burgess went to university before he was offered a trial at Championship side Middlesbrough during his second year of study.

He earned a two-year professional contract, but was encouraged by then-manager Tony Mowbray to continue his education.

“It was something you couldn’t turn down,” he said of his first professional deal. “So I took it and finished my degree at Teesside University. They allowed me to transfer my first two years.

“Mowbray told me to make sure I finished it because the contract was a foot in the door, not a guaranteed career. I listened to his words and thankfully, I’ve been able to carve a career out with the game as well.”

Burgess enjoyed spells in League One with Peterborough and Portsmouth, before taking the plunge with a move to Belgium in 2020.

And, remarkably, he is not the only English centre-back who has swapped life in the third tier for a crack at the Belgian top flight.

Defensive partner Ross Sykes was picked up from Accrington Stanley in 2022 after Union “took a chance” on him.

The pair went on to help Union win their first league title in 90 years last season after Sykes, like Burgess, overcame adversity in his formative years.

Sykes may be 6ft 5in now, but he was previously released by Burnley because he was deemed to “too small” as a kid.

It ended up proving a turning point in his career.

“I didn’t want to keep going with academy football,” he said after he was let go at the age of 11. “But my mum and dad persuaded me to go on trial at Accrington Stanley one or two weeks later. I didn’t look back after that.”

Sykes and Burgess have gone on to make 318 appearances between them for Union on a journey that has taken the Belgian league leaders to Europe’s top table for the first time.

And Union’s 3-1 win against PSV in their first Champions League fixture did not come as a surprise to Sykes last month because his side are “not afraid to come up against anyone”.

Burgess certainly looked at home at Europe’s top table. The Union captain was rated 9.39 out of 10 by BBC Sport readers, finishing the match as the top-ranking player.

An Englishman who has only played one league game in the top two tiers of English football might not seem the most obvious to lead a European campaign – but Union have always taken the road less travelled.

“It’s a club built on the profile of bringing youngsters through from unknown leagues,” Burgess explains. “We have players from the Estonian, Latvian, Croatian, Austrian leagues and Union will give them a chance to shine if they see potential.

“My role is to help them and keep demanding high standards and usher them through, and then they get big moves all over Europe, which is a pleasure to see.”

Veteran L.A. anchor Leslie Sykes signed off from behind KABC-TV Channel 7’s “Eyewitness News” desk for the last time Tuesday. She is retiring after more than 30 years at the station.

“It is so hard to believe that this is my last day on this set,” the longtime co-anchor of the morning news show said while flanked by her colleagues. “It’s been the privilege of my life to wake up with you and to share your stories and to be welcomed into your homes every morning. I carry with me so many memories, so much laughter, endless gratitude for the trust you’ve placed in me.”

“I may be signing off but I will always be cheering for this city and this station, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you for letting me be part of your lives,” she concluded, before the St. Joseph High School marching band filed onto the set to salute their alum.

Sykes, who was born in San Diego, grew up in Compton. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta before eventually heading to Hattiesburg, Miss., for her first on-air post. She returned to her hometown to join KABC in 1994 as an on-air reporter before moving behind the anchor desk for the weekend, daytime and, eventually, the morning news show. Sykes announced her plans to retire last month.

ABC7’s tribute package to Sykes included a sendoff from David Muir as well as a sit-down interview with fellow anchor and friend Jovana Lara.

“[Sykes will] admit to some jitters in the beginning, but she was mostly fearless even when some of those stories proved bigger and more impactful,” Lara said in a voice-over on the reel that included clips highlighting Sykes’ life and career. “She’s been among the best covering local news and reporting from abroad.”

When asked about what it feels like to know that she is cherished by the local community, Sykes said she couldn’t believe it.

“I feel the love,” she said. “I feel the connection. And I just feel like this is my hometown, these are my people, and I’m just very grateful.”

Ever dreamt of stepping foot inside some of the incredible houses won through the Omaze prize draws? Well, now you can, as a couple of them are available to book

Winning one of the stunning Omaze houses in the competition’s monthly prize draws might be a dream for many, but now you can get a taste of what it’s like to live in some of them, as two Omaze mansions are now available for holidaymakers to book via Sykes Cottages.

As, if you’re the lucky Omaze winner, the house is yours to do with as you please, whether that’s live in it, sell it or rent it out, we assume that the winners of these two properties chose to do the latter.

One in the Lake District and one just outside Bath, these two properties allows you to get a taste of how the other half lives, even if just for a week or long weekend. And they’re perfectly properties for a luxury stay with family of friends – and they’re clearly proving popular, as available dates are going fast.

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Deer Close is a modern build on the shores of Conisiton Water in the Lake District that sleeps 10, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, balconies with beautiful views over the lake, and even its own wellness suite.

The next available dates to book are in January, when a three-night stay costs £2,500 – split between 10 people, that’s £83 per person per night.

In completely contrasting style, Batheaston House, a few miles from Bath, looks like something straight out of Bridgerton, a Georgian country pile that retains plenty of period features and considered decor. With six bedrooms and four bathrooms, Batheaston House sleeps 12 people and pets are allowed.

There aren’t really any bookable dates left at this property in September so you’d need to be looking at October onwards; a three-night stay from 17-20 October is currently discounted from £6,060 to £2,798, working out at, if you fill each bed, around £77 per person per night.

Of course, these are at the grander end of the many holiday cottages that Sykes offers. For something smaller (and cheaper) in the Lake District, we like the look of the historic Courtyard cottage in Cumbria, whereas this four-floor townhouse in Bath gets our vote too (but there’s loads to choose from on the website).

Other sites to browse for similar UK self-catering holiday lets include Holiday Cottages (this Cartmel cottage looks very cute), and Rural Retreats, which has over 900 countryside cottages across the country.

CANTON, Ohio — Vice President JD Vance used a speech in his home state on Monday to promote the GOP’s sweeping tax-and-border bill as a small group of protesters outside a northeast Ohio steel plant brandished signs critical of the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Vance spoke to a crowd of steel workers in neon green, orange, yellow and red hard hats and safety glasses gathered inside a rolling mill at Metallus Inc. in Canton, about 60 miles from Cleveland. It was his second trip this month as chief promoter of the hodgepodge of conservative priorities that Republicans have dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Echoing themes expressed at an industrial machine shop in West Pittston, Pa., Vance said American workers should be able to keep more of their pay in their pockets and U.S. companies should be rewarded when they grow. He highlighted the law’s new tax deductions on overtime and its breaks on tipped income.

Vance decried Democrats — including U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, whose competitive House district he was visiting — for opposing the bill that keeps the current tax rates, which would have otherwise expired later this year.

The legislation cleared the GOP-controlled Congress by the narrowest of margins, with Vance breaking a tie vote in the Senate for the package that also sets aside hundreds of billions of dollars for Trump’s immigration agenda while slashing Medicaid and food stamps.

The vice president is also stepping up his public relations blitz on the bill as the White House tries to deflect attention from the growing controversy over Jeffrey Epstein.

The disgraced financier killed himself, authorities say, in a New York jail cell in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Trump and his top allies stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death before Trump returned to the White House and are now reckoning with the consequences of a Justice Department announcement earlier this month that Epstein did indeed die by suicide and that no further documents about the case would be released.

Vance insisted that the administration of President Trump isn’t trying to cover up information from the investigation that’s in the public interest.

Vance said Trump asked Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi to release all “credible information” but that the process “takes time.” The Justice Department has asked for grand jury transcripts to be made public, but a judge in Florida has rejected that bid while requests remain pending in New York.

Vance said Trump, who was an acquaintance of Epstein before they had a falling out, wants “full transparency” in the case and alleged that prior administrations went “easy on this guy.” A few heads could be seen nodding amid the crowd.

Questions about the case continued to dog Trump in Scotland, where he on Sunday announced a framework trade deal with the European Union.

Asked about the timing of the trade announcement and the Epstein case and whether it was correlated, Trump responded: “You got to be kidding with that.”

“No, had nothing to do with it,” Trump told the reporter. “Only you would think that.”

The White House sees the new law as a political boon, sending Vance to promote it in swing congressional districts that will determine whether Republicans retain their House majority next year.

In a navy jacket and white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, Vance leaned into folksy word choices and characterized the administration’s immigration crackdown as an effort to keep gangs trafficking deadly fentanyl out of the country.

Vance’s decision to visit Sykes’ district comes as the National Republican Congressional Committee has named her narrowly split district as a top target this cycle. His northeastern Pennsylvania stop was in the district represented by Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan, a first-term lawmaker who knocked off a six-time Democratic incumbent last fall.

A spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called his visit “another desperate attempt to lie to Ohioans about the devastating impact the Big, Ugly Law will have on working families,” in a statement.

In the statement, Katie Smith said Sykes “fought tooth and nail against this disastrous law.”

Polls before the bill’s passage showed that it largely remained unpopular, although the public approves of some individual provisions such as increasing the child tax credit and allowing workers to deduct more of their tips on taxes.

Smyth and Kim write for the Associated Press.

As we step into summer, Sykes Holiday Cottages is giving away this fantastic prize to one lucky winner who will get to splurge on a fabulous cottage holiday of their choice

Sykes Holiday Cottages is offering one lucky winner the chance to enjoy a UK staycation worth £1,000.

The giveaway comes as new research reveals that food is now a key driver behind where Brits choose to holiday. According to the holiday home agency’s latest Staycation Index report, more than a third of Brits now choose their UK holiday destinations based on food.

In a poll of 2,000 UK adults commissioned for the report, one in five also said that the meals they eat on holiday significantly impact how much they enjoy the overall trip. The research revealed the top 10 foodie towns Brits most want to visit in 2025, with Cornwall dominating the list. The Cornish town of St Ives took first place, closely followed by Padstow and Falmouth in third. Other popular spots named in the list include Brixham on Devon’s south coast, northern favourite Blackpool and Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

As we head into summer we’ve got a fantastic prize up for grabs for anyone who’s dreaming of a staycation. To be in with a chance of winning a £1,000 Sykes holiday voucher, entrants simply need to provide their details using the form below. The winner will receive their voucher via email, to be redeemed against a cottage holiday of their choice. Click here if you cannot view the entry form.

Sykes research also revealed that for those seeking out food-inspired breaks, the biggest motivation was trying a local delicacy, followed by visiting a specific restaurant, and purchasing regional ingredients.

Dining experiences aren’t just shaping where people go – they’re also encouraging them to return. The report found that one in 10 travellers have rebooked a destination just to revisit a favourite restaurant, while many are willing to travel up to 70 miles for a specific culinary experience – with one in 10 prepared to travel more than 150 miles.

When it comes to eating out during their stay, traditional British pubs remain the top choice for travellers (58%), followed by independent local restaurants (52%) and fish and chip shops (51%).

James Shaw, Managing Director of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “Food is an essential part of the staycation experience, whether that’s indulging in fresh seafood at the coast, browsing local farmers’ markets, or seeking out a pub lunch. People are increasingly planning their holidays with their palates in mind – and that’s great for local businesses across the UK.

“We’re seeing more and more holidaymakers prioritise local experiences over abroad escapes, and with so many flavour-packed places to visit in this country, it’s no surprise that foodie travel is on the rise.”

The Index notes that almost two-thirds (63%) of Brits plan to take a UK-based holiday this year, increasing to 71% of Gen Z travellers – suggesting the younger generation is leading the charge when it comes to staycations. On average, Brits are expected to take three domestic breaks in 2025, each lasting around six days.

Spending is on the rise too, with travellers expecting to spend £1,292 on their main UK holiday – up from £1,070 in 2024 – contributing to a projected £24 billion boost to the domestic tourism economy this summer.

While average booking times have shortened to 105 days (compared with 114 in 2024), foodie hotspots like Cornwall and Cumbria are still being snapped up six months in advance, on average. Meanwhile, 24% of holidays are now booked within a month of travel, highlighting a growing trend for more spontaneous getaways.

This competition closes at 23:45 on 31st July 2025.