The Sun Newspaper

Brooklyn Beckham sends sly swipe to estranged dad as family feud takes new toxic twist after David liked video post

BROOKLYN Beckham let his shirt do the talking as he ramped up his family feud. 

The eldest son of Sir David Beckham and ex-Spice Girl Victoria strolled with wife Nicola Peltz shortly after his dad liked their snap online. 

Brooklyn Beckham lets his shirt do the talking as he strolls with Nicola Peltz Credit: BackGrid
Nicola out and about Credit: Getty

But the telling ­message on Brooklyn’s top read: “It’s not clocking to you.” 

It refers to pop star Justin Bieber’s 2025 paparazzi meltdown, when he complained: “It’s not clocking to you I’m standing on business.” 

The singer meant photographers were not understanding he was busy and wanted to be left alone. 

Brooklyn’s clothing statement, in a Paris flea market on Sunday, came after his dad, 51, seemed to reach out to his estranged son. 

SHOW’S ELECTRIC

Oasis MUSICAL plotted by TV comedy legend after collaring Noel Gallagher


BALANCING ACT

Louis Tomlinson reveals reality of juggling being a superstar singer & a dad

Sir David liked Brooklyn’s video he posted Credit: BackGrid
David likes Brooklyn’s video – sparking speculation he might be offering an olive branch to his son Credit: BackGrid

Fans spotted ex-England footie star Becks had liked a video of the couple posted on Friday after the Messika Womenswear show in Paris.  

Brooklyn and Nicola ­previously told his parents to stop reaching out to them on social media. 

Nicola wore a simple black crop top and flashed her abs for the Messika bash.

The event was held two miles from where designer Victoria later unveiled her own collection in the French capital. 

Brooklyn, 27, and Nicola, 31, have been estranged from the Beckhams for almost two years Credit: Getty
Brookly’s shirt efers to pop star Justin Bieber’s 2025 paparazzi meltdown, when he complained: ‘It’s not clocking to you I’m standing on business’ Credit: Getty

Brooklyn, 27, and Nicola, 31, have been estranged from the Beckhams for almost two years.

He claimed his family treated him as a commodity and said: “I do not want to reconcile.” 

Source link

Five of the best ‘Cinderella’ destinations that are becoming MORE popular among Brits with new flights and low prices

IT’S out with the old and in with the new, as holiday-makers seek out less visited destinations.

This year will see growing interest in “Cinderella destinations”, previously overshadowed by more heralded neighbours, finds research for operator Riviera Travel.

Romania’s Bran Castle, inspiration for the Dracula tale Credit: Getty
Dracula, played by Christopher Lee in 1958 Credit: Alamy

Bookings for South Korea are up 167 per cent, year on year, while those for Uzbekistan have risen by 42 per cent.

So, before securing next year’s getaway, take a look at Sophie Swietochowski’s alternative suggestions . . . 

TRANSYLVANIA

You might think Transylvania, a Romanian region strongly linked to vampires, should only be visited at this time of year as we approach the spooky season.

But there’s so much culture and fascinating history to be explored, beyond the Dracula myths.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands


TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Glorious hiking trails make it a rambler’s paradise while animal lovers should keep their eyes peeled for brown bears, which are highly concentrated in this area of Romania.

This eight-day Transylvania and Bucharest tour will tick off the must-sees, from tiny villages with medieval squares and clocktowers to Bran Castle, inspiration for the Gothic lair in the Dracula books.

GO: The eight-day trip costs from £1,749pp based on two people sharing and including return flights and transfers, accommodation in four-star hotels, daily breakfast, two lunches and two dinners, and 12 experiences. For details, check out rivieratravel.co.uk.

SRI LANKA

Go Bananas and spot monkeys in Sri Lanka Credit: Getty

While Sri Lanka is not exactly an undiscovered destination, it has become more popular in recent years as more and more travellers favour it over the much-visited Thailand.

Tourist numbers are lower than for other nearby destinations, meaning prices are still cheaper and travellers can get more bang for their buck.

Also, you won’t be dealing with mega crowds and tourist traps.

Instead, you can expect high-end accommodation and loads of wildlife (a half-day safari trip should be top of your list of things to do).

If wildlife is what you’re after then a stay at the 5H Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers great value for money — and you’re likely to spot monkeys and cows strolling the beach or elephants in the backstreets nearby.

GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the 5H Sun Siyam Pasikudah is from £1,379pp including flights from Gatwick and transfers on April 13. Book by October 15. See travelbag.co.uk or call 0203 393 9620.

SLOVENIA

Peak time viewing in the Slovenian Alps Credit: Getty

Those on the hunt for glorious alpine views and vast lakes tend to make a beeline for Switzerland or Austria.

These destinations can make a heavy dent in the wallet, though.

So why not look to Slovenia instead?

Its glacial rivers and snow-drenched peaks could rival those in the fanciest resort towns of popular holiday countries, with the dramatic Lake Bled offering the most glorious backdrop for tourist snaps.

Make sure to visit the Vipava Valley, too.

It’s Slovenia’s answer to Tuscany and home to some unique white wines that you won’t find anywhere else.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at the 4H Triglav Bled is from £459pp including flights from Luton on February 22. See loveholidays.com.

UZBEKISTAN

The Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand, which was built between the 11th and 15th Centuries Credit: Getty

Brits can visit Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days, which is more than enough time to indulge in the country’s fascinating architecture.

Turquoise domes and colourful mosaics are a key feature of many notable buildings, including the Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand, which was built between the 11th and 15th Centuries.

The ancient trading route that makes up the Silk Road passes through the heart of the country and, if you have got cash to splash, you can soak up the best of it on an 11-day adventure.

The trip starts in Tashkent before heading to the Ayaz-Qala desert fortress, Khiva (a Unesco World Heritage city), Bukhara and Samarkand.

GO: The Silk Road trip is from £3,249pp based on two people sharing, including return flights and transfers, nine nights in three to four-star accommodation, daily breakfast and nine meals, plus ten experiences. For details, check out rivieratravel.co.uk.

SOUTH KOREA

The wondrous Gyeongbokgung Palace in South Korea Credit: thianchai sitthikongsak

Forget Japan, South Korea’s K-pop music, quality beauty products and fascinating culinary scene have the younger generations hooked.

And with the recent launch of direct Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow to South Korean capital Seoul, the country is now easier than ever to reach.

So if this sounds like your cup of tea (or bowl of kimchi), book now before visitor numbers skyrocket.

Seoul, in particular, blends history and culture with modern-day living — palaces sit between skyscrapers, and traditional markets are close to contemporary shopping areas.

GO: Eight nights’ room-only at the 5H Grand Hyatt Incheon is from £1,458pp including flights from Heathrow on May 12. Check out virginatlantic.com/holidays.

Source link

Dakota Johnson looks sensational as she poses as a Playboy bunny with a cig to promote a TV stint

ACTRESS Dakota Johnson looks as glovely as a Playboy bunny for a guest TV appearance.

She posed in rabbit ears with an unlit cig to promote her stint hosting the US version of Saturday Night Live.

Dakota Johnson in a black bunny outfit and long gloves, posing with a cigarette on a New York City rooftop.
Actress Dakota Johnson poses in rabbit ears with an unlit cigarette Credit: X
Host Dakota Johnson and special guest Taylor Swift on the Saturday Night Live stage during the monologue.
Saturday Night Live guest host Dakota Johnson with special guest Taylor Swift Credit: Getty

The 37-year-old was joined on the show, above, by best pal Taylor Swift, who she joked is her love-life therapist.

Dakota and Coldplay’s Chris Martin ended their eight-year relationship last year, and she has recently been linked to rapper Machine Gun Kelly.

Taylor’s video for No 1 single Patient Zero stars Dakota, who was also in New York to plug film Verity. Its promo tour has seen her travel the globe.

Wonder where she’s hopping off to next?

Read more on Dakota Johnson

DULCIE PEARCE

Dakota Johnson feels miscast in Verity and delivers a lacklustre performance


SEXUAL HEALING

Dakota Johnson reveals how her MUM taught her to be ‘really sexual person’

We told last month how Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota and rapper Machine Gun Kelly were said to have grown close at Taylor Swift’s wedding in July.

They enjoyed a weekend date at in New York, where Dakota was spotted heading to Taylor’s apartment alone — joined soon after by Kelly, real name Colson Baker.

The pair later headed to Michelin-starred restaurant Estela, and it is claimed they spent the night at a hotel.

A source said: “Dakota and Kelly were properly introduced and started hanging out after Taylor’s wedding.

“They are both single and getting to know each other.”

Dakota, daughter of Hollywood stars Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and Coldplay frontman Chris were understood to have got engaged in 2020 but neither confirmed the news publicly.

Source link

Louis Tomlinson reveals heartbreaking reality of juggling being a superstar singer and a dad

LOUIS TOMLINSON has opened up about juggling being a globetrotting singer and a proud dad.

The former One Direction star said: “Being a dad is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also challenging.

Louis Tomlinson has opened up about juggling being a singer and a dad Credit: Getty
Louis shared this pic online when son Freddie was born Credit: PA:Press Association

“On my recent American run of shows, my son Freddie came to two shows.

“I normally do a really good job of splitting myself down the middle – me as dad, and me at work as a singer.

“When those two worlds meet, I find it incredibly stressful because all I want to do is give all of my time to Freddie, but the mental game to stand up on stage is also quite consuming.

“Me and my son almost pretend that I don’t do this job – we live our lives as normally as we possibly can.

Read more on Louis Tomlinson

BIG ISSUE

Zara McDermott shares stress of moving between £500k flat and Louis’ £2.5m home


it’s a …

Louis Tomlinson’s sister Phoebe reveals gender of unborn baby in sweet video

“When home and work collide, it’s a bit uncomfortable as, truthfully, all I want to do is spend my time with him.”

Louis made the candid comments to The Snuts’ Jack Chochrane for the Finding Joy In Short Moments podcast with Calm.

Despite completing two as-good-as-sold-out world tours, Louis says he still doubts himself at times now he’s without his bandmates.

He added: “It can be tough for me. Sometimes I might not think I am good enough to be on the stage.

“But I never leave the stage with that feeling.”

Coming from a band is always hard – let alone one that contained superstar Harry Styles – but I think Louis is killing it.

LOLA STARS IN STRIPES

Lola Young in a bold, multicoloured co-ord as she performs at the 2026 Austin City Limits Music Festival Credit: Getty

LOLA YOUNG is stripe on trend as she takes to the stage in Texas.

The Messy singer wore this bold, multicoloured co-ord as she performed at the 2026 Austin City Limits Music Festival at the weekend.

Lola’s set went down a treat with festivalgoers, but just days ago the star revealed she sometimes struggles to breathe due to her love of vapes.

Taking to TikTok, Lola explained: “Somebody once said to me, ‘Lola, there will be a day when you wake up, you’ll be 25 or 26, from a deep sleep, and you’ll start to feel the effects of vaping’.

“You know what I said? I said ‘nah’ and rolled my eyes.

“But let me tell you something, the day has come.

“My lungs feel like they’re battery-powered, like they’re just one big battery.

“Breathing feels like a chore, it feels like hard work, it feels like I should be paid for breathing. It feels like there will be no tomorrow.”

MARRIED JOY APPEALS TO TROYE

Aussie star Troye Sivan with Charli XCX Credit: Getty

AUSSIE star Troye Sivan says attending Dua Lipa and Charli XCX’s glitzy weddings gave him a kick up the bum to find a husband.

The Rush singer, who is 31, explained: “All of my friends in Australia, they all got married when we were young, early 20s vibe.

“I felt nothing because I was like, ‘I’m on such a different track of life from them. I’m living in the US, I’m gay and I’m surrounded by people who are not married’.

“Then I started to feel the pressure for the first time when I started to go to music peers’ weddings.”

Troye split from model Jacob Bixenman in 2020. He told the Therapuss podcast: “Seeing Charli and Dua get married, I’m like, ‘Oh, f**k, my excuse of I’m really busy . . .  I’m nowhere near as busy as them and they managed to make it work’.

“So I’m like, ‘OK, yeah, I should try and lock this down somehow’.”

KAI’S SCARY TRIP IS STRICTLY BUSINESS

Kai Widdrington and Chloe Wells attend the VIP night of Shocktober Fest at Tulleys Farm Credit: Getty

IT seems Kai Widdrington has been getting in the mood for Strictly’s Halloween special later this month.

The pro dancer took time out from his gruelling training sessions with celeb partner Delta Goodrem for a date night at the weekend.

The buff star and his girlfriend Chloe Wells headed to the VIP launch of Tulleys Shocktober Fest – the largest scream park in Europe.

Luckily, the scare mazes were the only fright Kai got this weekend as last night he and Delta sailed through to the next week of Strictly.

I honestly think they could go all the way.

GLASTO’S A 42-MIN SELL OUT

Harry Styles is set to headline Glastonbury 2027 Credit: Getty Images

CONGRATULATIONS to all who secured tickets to Glastonbury 2027.

Yesterday hundreds of thousands of hopefuls battled to get tickets to the greatest festival on earth.

Tickets to Glasto 2027 were the highest price ever at £408 each, but they still sold out in 42 minutes.

Headliners are set to be announced soon – with Harry Styles a dead cert for one of the slots. I previously told how Lily Allen has also been officially asked to perform at Worthy Farm.

The last time she was on the bill was in 2014, so I’m sure her set next year will be a moment.

The Bizarre team will be there to bring you all the gossip.


BUSTED’s Matt Willis revealed neither he nor wife Emma thought she would manage to land the Strictly hosting job, but he couldn’t be more proud of her.

He said: “Strictly was a curveball. Taking the biggest job on TV was not on our bingo card for 2026, but I’m so proud of her.

“And if anyone can do it, it’s Emma. I’m stoked for her, she’s perfect for it, and loves the show so much.”


TAKE THAT £73M TO THE BANK

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald earned £73million from their Circus Live stadium tour Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage

TAKE THAT are laughing all the way to the bank.

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald pulled in a staggering £73million from their summer Circus Live stadium tour.

In a report from Pollstar – the leading music analytics firm –  the trio earned £4,299,605.67 every night of their two-hour celebration.

The bank-balance-busting fees break down to £195,436.62 a song, £35,830 a minute, or £597.17 a second.

I was invited to hang out with the lads for their first night in Sheffield, and honestly, it was one of the best nights of my life.

FEARNE IS IN A REAL HAPPY PLACE NOW

Fearne Cotton’s wellness brand Happy Place banked £2million last year Credit: Getty

FEARNE COTTON’s wellness brand Happy Place has put her in just that, as it banked £2million last year.

The former Top Of The Pops host set up the company after mental health struggles left her too scared to continue as a live TV or radio host – and her venture has certainly paid dividends.

As well as Happy Place being a podcast, she now holds the Happy Place Festival, has written books, and has built a market place where she gets a cut if people make purchases.

Latest accounts filed at Companies House show the star’s firm paid £500,000 in tax last year. After paying bills, the company has £1.4m in equity, including close to £1.2m cash in the bank – a rise from £900,000 the year before.

Fearne has been in the spotlight since the age of 15, when she won a nationwide talent search to present TV’s The Disney Club.

While her career has had a few twists and turns over the years, this is sure to have helped put a smile back on her face.

THE WEEK IN BIZNESS

MONDAY: Vicky Pattison takes on her most ambitious challenge yet with Tyne To Thames – a five-day, 250-mile journey from Newcastle to London by kayak, bike and on foot for Global’s Make Some Noise charity.

WEDNESDAY: Danny Beard will host the Attitude Awards at London’s Roundhouse where a host of stars will receive awards ahead of performances from Sugababes and Orville Peck.

FRIDAY: The Social Reckoning, a sequel to The Social Network, starring Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White hits cinemas, as Oasis’ film Don’t Look Back In Anger airs on Disney+.

SUNDAY: Andrew Garfield will be in town for the London Film Festival gala screening of his new movie Artificial with Monica Barbaro and Chris O’Dowd, about the firing and reinstatement of OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman.

Source link

I visited the winter sun destination with new TUI flights

THE docile dugong munches on the swaying grasses ­covering the seabed, kicking up billows of sand as it lazily grazes.

Just a few feet above, I’m snorkelling in the warm waters of the Red Sea and fascinated by this gentle giant, also known as a sea cow.

The stylish Jaz Elite Amara Credit: Supplied
A dugong, aka a sea cow, eating in the Red Sea Credit: Supplied

But it isn’t long before my attention is diverted by a magnificent green turtle gliding effortlessly to the surface for air.

And then there are the reefs, where shoals of vibrant fish dart between the thickly-carpeted colourful corals mere feet below me.

Best of all, this stunning marine life is just steps from my hotel, the beachfront 5H Jaz Elite Amara in the Egyptian resort of Marsa Alam.

This hot new winter-sun destination for tour giant Tui offers the chance to swim in the Marsa Mubarak reef in the bay right by the hotel, with a long pier bringing you to within metres of the natural wonders.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands


TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Further south than Hurghada on the Red Sea coast, direct flights to Marsa Alam this winter mean less time travelling and more time relaxing.

And I can’t think of somewhere more suited to that than the all-inclusive Jaz Elite Amara.

This sprawling resort features four huge pools fringed by loungers and over-water sunbeds as well as the largest outdoor whirlpool in Egypt.

And that’s before you get to the vast swathe of sand looking out on to the Marsa Mubarak reef, complete with a relaxed beach bar.

A turtle in the sea off Marsa Alam Credit: Supplied
A spacious room at the Jaz Elite Amara Credit: Supplied

The 272 spacious rooms are set in six two-storey blocks around the pools amidst swaying palms and manicured gardens.

My second-floor room was cool (nice, quiet air con), calm and very comfortable, with two queen beds, a sofa and bathroom with twin sinks and huge rainfall shower.

The roomy terrace was perfect for relaxing, day or night.

You can upgrade to a sea view but I was perfectly happy with my room overlooking the pools. And you can also splash out a little extra on swim-up pool rooms.

Kids are well catered for with their own club space as well as dedicated pools, ideal for allowing Mum and Dad a chance to enjoy the gym and spa, with its sauna, steam room and range of treatments.

But the natural wonders of this environment are not to be missed.

The resort’s 5H PADI dive centre offers the chance to learn to scuba dive in gloriously warm waters with so much to see.

And while the desert landscape is stark, jumping onto a quad bike to roar through the wilderness is another thrilling way to explore.

Lisa on a quad bike on safari Credit: Supplied
Lisa in a hot air balloon over Luxor Credit: Supplied

The landscape — and the driving — are surprisingly varied.

One minute we’re whizzing along flat, sun-baked plains, the next we are bouncing over rocky tracks along dry river beds.

It’s full throttle through narrow paths surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, then we’re kicking up plumes of golden dust as we bank around dunes.

Do as we did and book a late-afternoon safari for the piece de resistance, though.

After an hour weaving our way through the desert, nothing could prepare me for the view as we crested a hill and looked down upon the glistening Red Sea as the sun began to set.

With the desert falling into the water, we paused to watch as the sky turned brilliant orange.

Making our way back to the Bedouin camp where we’d started as dusk fell, there were more treats to come with a generous buffet of lamb, chicken, veg­etables, rice and salads.

Bellies full, we took a walk away from the bright lights of the camp with a guide to look skywards.

Lisa enjoys a spot of snorkelling Credit: Supplied
Tutankhamun’s mummy in a tomb Credit: Supplied

Free from light pollution, we were soon spotting stars and planets aplenty in the vast desert skies.

Back at the Jaz Elite Amara, there was still time for a nightcap and a little live entertainment on the hotel lobby’s generous terrace before bed.

And refuelling was never an issue with the all-inclusive hotel offering a huge buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with live cooking stations and a vast amount of choice.

Breakfast featured all your usual hot favourites — with fresh omelettes and pancakes — as well as a vast array of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Lisa at the Temple of Hatshepsut Credit: Supplied

GO: MARSA ALAM

GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Jaz Amara Elite, Marsa Alam, is from £975pp including flights from Gatwick on January 10, 20kg checked luggage and transfers.

See tui.co.uk.

OUT & ABOUT: Snorkelling cruise from Port Ghalib, Marsa Alam, with lunch and drinks, £62 per adult.

Quad Bike Morning Safari with Bedouin Tea Tasting, £43; Desert Sunset with Stargazing and Bedouin dinner, £53.

See tuimusement.com.

Lunch and dinner sees more choice, with meat and fresh fish cooked to order in front of you as well as a huge choice of salads, dips and mezze delights.

Hotel guests also get one a la carte meal a week in the hotel’s Tao Tao Asian restaurant, and day and night, fresh ­pizzas, burgers and salads are also served at the pool snack bar and Bay View beach restaurant.

My short stay proved just the tonic after a few long winter months — and even in February, when I went, we enjoyed temperatures in the mid to high 20s every day and glorious blue skies.

Add in the ease of flying directly into Marsa Alam, just a ten-minute drive from the Jaz Elite Amara, and you get a fuss-free, luxury sunshine break.

And after all that wonderful food, I possibly returned home looking not a little unlike my dugong friend.

Lisa in the Valley of Kings Credit: Supplied

IF YOU MISS THIS TOMB THEN TUT TUT

HE lies to one side of the tomb in a simple, clear glass box. Covered in a white shroud with just his head and feet visible, is the mummy of Tutankhamun.

The boy king died more than 3,300 years ago. Yet seeing him resting so quietly in his underground tomb in the Valley of the Kings was the absolute highlight of my trip to Luxor.

While the sparkling treasures discovered by Howard Carter in the tomb are now in the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, standing just inches from the king himself feels far more atmospheric.

The setting is surprisingly modest compared to the colourful, intricately decorated tombs of other pharaohs nearby – and all the more otherworldly for it.

And the best part is you can easily tick off a bucket-list wonder like this from your Red Sea beach holiday.

Staying in Marsa Alam, holidaymakers can book a tour to visit Luxor, the bustling city on the banks of the Nile, at the heart of the ancient Egyptian empire.

It’s an early start and a long drive – around four to five hours each way across the desert – but worth every single minute.

Accompanied by an expert Egyptologist, we kicked off our whistlestop tour at Karnak Temple.

The scale is astonishing – columns soar skywards and endless sphinxes stretch out before you.

From there, we clambered aboard a traditional felucca open-decked boat for a trip along – and across – the Nile to the west bank where waiting coaches ferried us to the Valley of the Kings.

You’ll have time to access three of the incredible 63 tombs that lie beneath the desert landscape.

Visiting Tutankhamun’s tomb requires a separate ticket – bought at the main visitor centre for around £11 – but coming all this way and skipping it would be a crime.

The scale of the tombs can take your breath away.

From the unique paintings of everyday ancient Egyptian life in Ramses III’s final resting place to the grand pillared hall and huge granite sarcophagus lid in the tomb of Merenptah, it’s almost too much to take in.

Emerging into the bright sunshine we made our way onwards to the equally impressive terraced Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, carved dramatically out of the cliff-face, and the mortuary temple of Ramses III, the second largest ancient temple in Egypt.

Our last gem sits unassumingly at the side of a road alongside a jumble of cafes and touristy shops.

The Colossi of Memnon are two huge, quartzite sandstone statues.

Nearly 60ft high, they depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III and once stood as guardians of the entrance to a vast mortuary temple complex and Egypt’s greatest ancient temple.

Time and man have ravaged the ancient wonder and just the two Colossi remain – standing guard in the shadow of the sun-baked cliffs of the Theban Hills.

The long journey back to Marsa Alam saw me quickly nodding off – my head full of the day’s adventures and still marvelling at the astonishing mummy at rest in his tomb.

LISA MINOT

  • Ancient Luxor tour from Marsa Alam with private Egyptologist guide, from £195pp, see tuimusement.com.

Source link

I tried Alton Towers’ Scarefest and it was more terrifying than Universal

HAVING braved Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights in Los Angeles, I thought I knew what terror felt like.

I was wrong. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer, spine-chilling fear of being shoved into a four-by-four cell, separated from your family and having a twitching, masked lunatic scream repeatedly in your face.

Get in a spin on the Nemesis Reborn Credit: Alton Towers
Piper gets a fright Credit: Supplied

Welcome to Scarefest 2026.

I’d dragged my two thrill-obsessed kids — 12-year-old son Corben and daughter Piper, ten — along to Alton Towers for the grand opening.

We went in expecting a few cheap jump-scares, fake cobwebs and a bit of a laugh. Instead, we got a Hollywood-level masterclass in pure, unadulterated fright.

The big buzz this year is around Final Exhibit — the park’s newest scare maze which promises to “immerse guests in a world of fear”.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands


TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Beyond the doors of the abandoned warehouse lies The Curator’s forgotten collection, where each room reveals a dark secret.

Upon entry, a strange, long-haired woman sits seemingly frozen at a desk.

But as we approach, what I think is a mannequin is in fact a terrifying, ghostly creature that comes to life, furiously thumping the desk with a stamp.

The corridors are filled with archivists — a silent workforce of hypnotised servants whose primary job is to terrify the bejesus out of you.

The scare actors are an army of performers
Take on the Spinball Whizzer ride Credit: Alton Towers

But this is more than just a scare experience. Visitors are told that those who fail to escape will be transformed into living exhibits, trapped within the archive forever.

The production value is off the charts and it all feels authentic.

Fortunately, my kids and I did eventually escape but we were blown away by the movie-style special effects.

But the real stars of the show are the scare actors — an army of performers that don’t just jump out from behind doors.

They stalk you from the shadows, crawl along the floors and track your every move before “attacking” with menace.

Monsters keep their distance in the other scare mazes, but at Alton Towers they reach out, touch your arms, grab your shoulders and brush past your neck in the dark. It turns a simple walk-through into an immersive nightmare.

Corben gasped in horror as a creature reached out from the shadows and grabbed his arm, sending us sprinting for the exit.

A serious word of warning to parents thinking of taking under-12s inside any of the scare mazes — they are NOT for the faint-hearted.

Terrify yourself on the Wicker Man ride Credit: Alton Towers
The Hypnotiser has the power to disorientate, mesmerise and disrupt your self-awareness Credit: Alton Towers

Visitors are spoiled for choice, with scare mazes including Final Exhibit, Edge of the Forest, Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny’s Revenge and the epic Compound. If Final Exhibit tests your nerves, Compound utterly destroys them.

In this terrifying attraction, visitors are torn away from their group and thrown into individual cells in a brutal mental asylum.

I was shoved into a tiny padded cell with a screaming lunatic frothing at the mouth. It was one of the most intense theme park moments I’ve ever experienced.

Thankfully, Alton Towers hasn’t forgotten about families with younger kids who want the Halloween atmosphere without the trauma.

The park is packed with fantastic, family-friendly frights that hit the sweet spot for younger children.

Piper loved Trick O’ Treat Town, which allows kids to knock on doors down colourful Spooky Avenue, collecting sweet treats along the way.

Another hit for families is Amigos in the Afterlife — a vibrant, Day of the Dead-themed walk-through bursting with brilliant costumes, upbeat music and glowing displays.

And, of course, a trip to Alton Towers wouldn’t be complete without tackling the world-class line-up of rollercoasters and rides, which take on a completely different personality once the sun goes down.

For those who fancy an overnight stay, the monorail will take you to the Alton Towers Hotel where family rooms come with a double bed for the adults, and bunks for the kids.

Good luck getting to sleep after those frights, though.

GO: ALTON TOWERS

STAYING THERE: B&B at Alton Towers Hotel from £100, based on a family of four sharing and including one-day ticket per person to Alton Towers Resort and a free round of golf.

MORE INFO: Scarefest runs until November 1.

Day tickets from £37pp, including entry, or a Thrills combi costs from £80 which includes entry plus access to all four scare mazes.

If you’ve stayed the night and have entry to the theme park, a four-maze Thrills Combo ticket is from £43.

See altontowers.com.

Source link

Huge 00s pop group to reunite for 25th anniversary

THEY rose to fame in the Noughties with No1 hit Pure And Simple.

Now, 25 years on, I can reveal that Hear’Say are reuniting for a huge reunion tour to celebrate the milestone.

Hear’Say are reuniting for a huge reunion tour to celebrate their 25th anniversary Credit: Getty
Myleene Klass will not be joining the reunion due to a schedule clash with her other commitments Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

The group formed on ITV reality television show Popstars and debuted in 2001.

Band members Kym Marsh, Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan and Danny Foster split two years later after a couple of No1 singles and a chart-topping album.

But my sources tell me that I’m A Celebrity star Myleene will not be joining the reunion due to a schedule clash with her other commitments.

A source said: “The group have been asked multiple times over the years about a reunion but it was never the right time.

next gen star

Inside Scarlett Thomas’ plan to be top star & why this month is turning point


out & about

Princess Andre, 19, spotted with Love Island bad boy for 2nd night in a row

“The 25th anniversary feels like a special moment to celebrate the success of the band and give something back to their fans. Myleene was invited but their diaries did not align.”

The band set tongues wagging this week as they reignited an Instagram page to tease their tour.

They posted a screen recording of a WhatsApp conversation between them, with Danny writing: “Wow . . . can you believe the response to that tour clip we posted?!”, referencing a video they had shared of an old performance. Suzanne replied: “I know right, amazing! Ahhh the memories . . . can you believe it was 25 years ago?!”

Noel said: “OK, so hear me out . . . ” Kym urged: “Go on,” before Noel added: “Fancy getting the band back together?”

Fans spotted how Myleene was included as a member of the group chat but her Instagram was not tagged and she did not send a message.

Myleene previously ruled out reuniting, saying: “If I go backwards, I won’t know who I am.

“I hope it works. I will be cheering the loudest.”


Biz on Sunday is giving away two tickets to see Westlife in Birmingham this month Credit: Getty

BIZ on Sunday is giving away two tickets to see Westlife in Birmingham this month.

The prize is for Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour on Saturday, October 17, at the Utilita Arena.

For your chance to win, email sundayfeatures@the-sun.co.uk and quote “Westlife” with your name, telephone number, email address and postal address.

Entries close at 11.59pm on Monday, October 5. T&Cs apply and can be found at thesun.co.uk.


GOLDEN CURL SABRINA

Sabrina Carpenter shows off her golden locks in a new 1960s-themed haircare advert Credit: @redken
Sabrina posed in a butter yellow mini dress to match her lush curls for the clip Credit: instagram/sabrinacarpenter
Sabrina, who is a global ambassador for Redken, said it is a ‘dream’ to work with the brand Credit: instagram/sabrinacarpenter

SABRINA CARPENTER shows off her golden locks in a new 1960s-themed haircare advert.

The Manchild hitmaker posed in a butter yellow mini dress to match her lush curls for the clip.

Sabrina, who is a global ambassador for Redken, said it is a “dream” to work with the brand.

She added: “Beauty, and especially my hair, is a big part of my identity.”

SHARON’S M25 ‘IRELAND’

Sharon Horgan has landed a £250,000 payday to become the face of an airline Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

Catastrophe star Sharon Horgan has landed a £250,000 payday to become the face of an airline.

The Irish actress filmed an ad for Ireland’s Aer Lingus to show off the beauty of the Emerald Isle – but eagle-eyed fans may notice it was set just a stone’s throw from the M25 in London.

I can reveal filming took place in Surrey’s Virginia Water, which boasts a lake, 30-foot waterfall and tree-lined pathways.

A source said: “Virginia Water is the backdrop, which gives the illusion of Ireland’s stunning scenery. It is an odd decision given how close Virginia Water is to London Heathrow.

“They could have jetted over to Ireland in less than an hour to film the advert there.”

Virginia Water is at the edge of Windsor Great Park, which is managed by The Crown Estate.

Sounds like a right royal mix up.

CHRIS’S BIG STORY ENDING

Chris O’Dowd who created drama Small Town, Big Story Credit: Getty

HIT drama Small Town, Big Story will not be back for a second series.

The show, which featured Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks, was a big success for Sky Atlantic when it aired last year.

But Irish actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd who created the show, says he’s too busy to make more.

At the opening night of play Hay Fever in the West End, he told me: “Getting everybody together is tricky with such a strong cast.”

He is now focusing on other projects, adding: “I’m going to be writing something else.

“I want to do more stuff in Ireland. All will be revealed.”

MICAH & GINGE LINING UP

ANGRY GINGE and Micah Richards are set to become the new Ant and Dec after filming a pilot for a Netflix gameshow called The Line.

The hilarious programme focuses on our love of queuing and sees contestants compete to win a cash prize of £250,000.

It’s set to be one of Angry Ginge’s biggest TV gigs since he won I’m A Celeb last year.

A source said: “The duo had so much fun filming and are hoping the show gets greenlit for a series.”

I hope content creators the Bov Boys don’t mind Micah nicking their head honcho.

LOUIS MANE ATTRACTION AFTER SPLIT

Former Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has joined dating app Hinge Credit: Supplied

FORMER Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has signed up for dating app Hinge.

It comes after I revealed that the 2012 Strictly champion had split from jazz dancer Charlie Bruce.

On the app, Louis has revealed that he is Christian and is looking for monogamy.

He has also included a snap of him in his Carwash costume on ITV show The Masked Dancer, which he won in 2021.

A source said: “Louis and Charlie are focused on co-parenting their young daughters.

“Louis signed up for the app when he felt the time was right and is hoping to find new connections.”

Louis also made a flirty reference on Hinge to his skills on the pommel horse, which earned him three Olympic medals during his sporting career.

A note on his profile says: “Dating me is like . . . Riding a wild horse but on the world’s most comfortable saddle.”

Sounds like Louis is cantering into the dating pool.


Deja Vu have been given the seal of approval from The Pussycat Dolls Credit: Supplied

DEJA VU have been given the seal of approval from The Pussycat Dolls.

Nicole Scherzinger has invited the girls to join her group on the European dates of their PCD Forever tour.

Deja Vu reached the semi-finals of The Voice in 2023.

Carolina said: “It still feels like a dream.”

ROCHELLE IS PERFECT MATCHA

Rochelle Humes looked like the cat who got the cream as she launched her new venture Credit: instagram/rochellehumes

ROCHELLE HUMES looked like the cat who got the cream as she launched her new venture.

Holding what appears to be an iced matcha, the ex-Saturdays singer wore a trench coat and matching top to promote beauty brand Eulah.

The “cashmere coconut lip blanket” is my fave.

Source link

From its colourful capital to forests, feasts and lush lakes, Latvia serves up one special summer escape

PADDLING kayaks through the serene 8,000-year-old bog, we’re about to enter the “second maze”, according to our guide Elina.

Locals call it this because the small islands of shrubs, moss and reeds we’re navigating are constantly shifting above the mineral-rich water, making the route through ever-changing.

The cobbled streets and colourful art nouveau buildings of Latvia’s capital, Riga Credit: Shutterstock / Altug Galip
You’ll find lush landscapes at Kemeri National Park Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

If you want a moment to really pause, Latvia’s the place.

Over half of the country, which is a quarter of the UK’s size, is covered in forest, and with a population of fewer than 2 million, it’s not hard to find a stunning spot all to yourself – even in the height of summer.

We return to the shore to find Elina’s mother-in-law cooking up a feast on a portable stove.

Slices of ham and bread are served alongside a huge flask of coffee, helpings of traditional grey pea and bacon broth, and piles of fresh pancakes, both savoury potato and apple, which are demolished by my kids Poppy, seven, and Raffy, five.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands


TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

It’s a brunch made from simple ingredients, but it is utterly delicious, especially when devoured in the vivid green landscape of Kemeri National Park.

Kayaking tours cost from £21.50 per person (Boardsyou.lv).

Ravishing Riga

Suite digs at Hotel Grand Poet By Semarah Credit: Supplied

The starting point for our trip is the cobbled streets and colourful art nouveau buildings of Latvia’s capital.

Riga sits little more than half an hour from the white sandy beaches of the Baltic coast (with a sea warmer than Cornwall’s come summer, FYI) and an abundance of nature, like those ancient bogs.

We arrive during celebrations for the city’s 825th anniversary and to streets alive with brass bands and artistic performances.

Even at its busiest, though, Riga still feels gloriously uncrowded, despite striking architecture and sculptures at every turn – the black felines perched on the turrets of Cat House and the Bremmen Town Musicians Statue of four animals balancing upon each other (said to bring luck if you rub their noses) our favourites.

Hotel Grand Poet By Semarah, with its flamboyant interiors, lies opposite pretty Bastejkalna Park, just a short stroll from the beautifully kept Old Town.

Its spa – where kids are welcome throughout the day – is home to a swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and two saunas, and we even spot TV chef Prue Leith at the breakfast buffet one morning.

Family rooms cost from £280 B&B (Grandpoet.semarahhotels.com).

Lots to lake

The black felines perched on the turrets of Cat House are said to bring luck if you rub their nose Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

One of Riga’s most popular weekend spots, Mežaparks, is set on alluring Lake Kišezers, where pedalos, rowing boats and SUPs are for hire, and swimming from its sandy shore is a breeze.

Cabo, with its hammocks and swinging seats, is an idyllic spot for sipping a rhubarb spritz, £7.70, while the kids splash about, and we hire a four-seater pedal kart to whizz around the forest trails, £17 per hour (Cabo.lv).

It would be easy to while away a whole day shoreside, but with Riga Zoo also here, we soon find ourselves giggling at the swaggering chief gelada (similar to a baboon), then wide-eyed at the glow-in-the-dark scorpions in the tropical house.

A family ticket costs £35 (Rigazoo.lv).

Another morning well spent is at Marupe Wake Park – its inflatable water obstacle course is one of Europe’s largest, with slides, swings, zip wires and climbing challenges.

As we hop across a giant panda and unicorn, the kids’ confidence grows with each leap, before we all revive ourselves in the sauna overlooking the lake, chuckling about our most spectacular splash landings.

Sessions cost from £16 per person (Udensatrakcijuparks.lv).

Later, among vibrant Mediterranean-inspired wall murals, we find a meal worthy of any great city.

We’re at Italissimo, where the little ones tuck into proper lasagne, £4, and pasta in butter broth with parmesan, £3, glugging down home-made berry lemonades, £3.70, while I dig into sublime truffled burrata with parma ham and wine-poached pear, £13.50, and tiger prawn ravioli with asparagus and a creamy bisque sauce, £14.50.

Cocktails, such as the Malfy Sour – a limoncello and citrus gin blend, £9 – are also excellent.

We soon clock children disappearing downstairs and discover a pastel playroom with a giant ball pit and interactive games screen, much to the kids’ glee (Facebook.com/restaurant.italissimo).

Going medieval

Turaida Castle towers over Gauja National Park Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Restaurant Rozengrals, meanwhile, is a celebration of Riga’s medieval roots.

One lunchtime, we descend the steep steps and follow torch-lit tunnels to an underground dining hall for a huge platter of oven-baked duck with cherry-onion jam on a bed of pulses, £25, and pastry parcels stuffed with spinach and cheese, £7.20.

Sea buckthorn with honey, £4, is quickly declared a hit by all and we finish off by sharing Countess Amelia’s Caprice – tiny iced cakes encased in filo pastry, made from another 15th-century recipe, £6 (Rozengrals.lv).

Nearby, we discover GunsnLasers, an entertainment arcade tucked away in Galerija Centrs shopping centre, where e-karting proves to be a blast for kids and we all tear around the interactive Pixels Room, trying to avoid stepping on the ever-moving red squares of a giant light-up grid.

Donning VR headsets for family challenges is also a lot of fun for everyone.

Three activities cost £24 per person (Gunsnlasers.lv).

Tree-rific times

Expect al dente deliciousness at Italissimo Credit: Italissimo Restaurant/Instagram

Still, we’re here to explore Latvia’s stunning landscapes, and an hour’s drive from Riga is Gauja National Park, the home of Turaida Castle – a reconstructed medieval fortress in lush grounds dotted with sculptures.

The kids love spotting ancient weapons and climbing the main tower with its views of the Gauja river.

Later, after venison stew with figs, £17.50, at quaint Kungu Riga (Kungurija.lv), we check out adventure park Tarzans.

Here, alongside the thrills of high-rope obstacle courses, tubing and bungee trampolining, there are activities such as a downhill hamster wheel, giant catapult and a toboggan track that hurtles us through the trees.

Packages cost £26 per child, £30 per adult (Tarzans.lv).

It all makes for a cracking afternoon – just as Latvia makes for a cracking summer adventure.

Source link

Four of the best Oktoberfest events across the UK from bottomless brunches to beer tents with live oompah bands

IT’S beer season! The world-famous Oktoberfest has landed in Munich, its original location, where locals don traditional lederhosen and sip on steins of foamy nectar.

But why leave all the fun to them?

A low-angle shot of people in traditional Bavarian clothing clinking giant beer steins together at a festival.
The world-famous Oktoberfest has landed in Munich Credit: kamisoka
A woman with braided hair holding a candy apple at the Munich Beer Fest.
Locals don traditional lederhosen and sip on steins of foamy nectar

There are plenty of nods to the traditional beer-drinking event here in the UK and dress-up is often encouraged.

Whether you’re an avid pint drinker or simply want to revel in the fun, these experiences will leave you bottoms up . . .  one way or another.

ALBERT’S SCHLOSS: The Bavarian-inspired Albert’s Schloss is hosting a special event until October 25 at its locations in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Liverpool.

Visitors will be able to knock back the Big Six brews served at Munich’s Oktober-fest while listening to a live oompah band blasting out traditional music.

LOTH OF FUN

Lothar Matthaus, 65, parties with girlfriend, 27, at Oktoberfest and makes vow


OKTOBER-BREAST

Heidi Klum can’t contain her boobs as she buttons up corset at Oktoberfest

Go on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday to witness the ceremonious wooden keg tapping, performed on stage using the traditional method – a big wooden mallet.

Expect special Bavarian sharing platters of pork knuckle, bratwurst and kraut, too.

Entry is generally free while the Das Big Six Bier Masterclass costs £55pp. See albertsschloss.com.

OKTOBERFEST UK: Don’t live near a big city? The official Oktoberfest UK travels far and wide across the country, bringing its large beer tents to mid-sized towns and coastal regions, as well as larger cities.

The events are running until October 31, with tickets still left in Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Chelmsford and Plymouth, among other destinations.

The huge tents can hold up to 1,000 visitors and are lined with long wooden tables where punters can knock back their pints while joining live sing-alongs. Expect brass bands, massive steins, plus food vendors selling bratwurst and currywurst.

Afternoon and evening sessions last four to five hours. Tickets cost from around £15 for standing and around £25 for seated. See oktoberfestuk.co.uk.

CAMRA BEER FESTIVALS: The Campaign for Real Ale is hosting events all over the UK until early November.

Instead of German lagers, the focus will be on British cask ale, real cider and perry.

Don’t expect any lederhosen either – just like-minded beer fans.

Festivals are taking place in Berkshire, Nottinghamshire and Dorset, among many other locations.

CAMRA members can typically enter free, while prices usuallystart from £3 for non-members, depending on the location. See camra.org.uk/events.

BIERKELLER: These Bavarian-style venues – in Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London – are hosting special bottomless brunches until the end of the month.

Visitors have 90 minutes of unlimited draft beers and steins (there’s also prosecco, or cocktails for the non-lager drinkers of the group).

Most locations serve pretzels on arrival, followed by your pick of Bavarian dishes such as Bratwurst in a brioche or pretzel roll topped with sauerkraut, cheese frankfurters and pretzel-bun burgers.

Those visiting in the evening can get stuck into fun games such as stein-holding competitions and pretzel-tossing.

Brunches cost from £35pp at the Nottingham venue.

See thebierkeller.com.

Source link

I’ve found the much-quieter Croatian city with rare Roman amphitheatre, truffle hunting and tours with unlimited beer

FORGET about home away from home, welcome to Rome away from Rome.

Millions of tourists visit Italy’s capital each year to marvel at the Colosseum, queue at other attractions and squeeze into the city’s packed squares.

Porec town and harbor on Croatia’s Adriatic Credit: Getty
The Sun’s Lloyd Canfield wanders around Pula Credit: Supplied

But you can experience a slice of Roman history without the crowds and steep prices ­— in ancient Croatian city Pula.

On the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula — comprised largely of Croatia but also Italy and Slovenia in the north — it is also a more peaceful alternative to the country’s party city, Split, and postcard-pretty Dubrovnik.

This gem on the Adriatic coast features heaps of history and fabulous food but moves at a gentle pace — and is under three hours from the UK.

The most obvious comparison between Rome and Pula is one remarkable building.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands


TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Standing proudly in the latter’s city centre is the Pula Arena, one of the world’s largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres.

Built at the same time as the Colosseum — the daddy of all amphitheatres — it has a dramatically storied past.

Until the 5th Century, it was a place where Christians, criminals and slaves were executed and gladiators fought lions and bears.

In more recent years, it has hosted concerts by the likes of Robbie Williams and Dua Lipa — and was decked out in pink for a screening of the Barbie movie when that was released in 2023.

The historic Roman arena in Pula Credit: Getty
The Valamar Marea Suites Credit: Supplied

A day tour of Pula, just one of the many trips offered by Jet2 Experiences, will allow you to discover the city’s highlights.

As well as the amphitheatre, you will visit the Roman Forum, Temple of Augustus and Old Town, and sample ale and local charcuterie at the Kampanjola Brewery, home of Istria’s only organic beer.

The Istrian Peninsula is often compared to Tuscany in Italy because of its rolling hills, vineyards and medieval hilltop villages that feel a world away from Split’s busy beaches in summer.

But it is also home to a prized traditional delicacy — truffles.

Arriving in the remote hilltop town of Buzet, we were welcomed by a guide who owned, for my money, some of the world’s smartest dogs.

From a few months old, they have been trained to associate truffles with reward, and so learn an extraordinary ability to sniff out the forest fungi.

On our truffle hunt, we followed pooch Sky through the woods.

She stopped in her tracks and within moments was clawing at a patch of ground, nose covered in mud, before unearthing a large black truffle.

The relaxing pool at the hotel Credit: Supplied
Black truffles can fetch more than £400 a kilo, and their rarer white counterparts up to five times that Credit: Supplied

These finds do not look glamorous but are worth a fortune.

Black truffles can fetch more than £400 a kilo, and their rarer white counterparts up to five times that.

Our day ended in the best possible way with a generous, three-course truffle feast, also featuring cheese, salami, sweet treats and wine.

I tucked into a plate of fresh truffles shaved over scrambled eggs, as well as truffle-honey vanilla ice cream — all of it absolutely delicious.

Nature lovers are equally well catered for while visiting Pula.

A short boat ride from the coast awaits the Brijuni National Park, an archipelago once the summer retreat of former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.

Down the years, the islands have also welcomed many a world leader and celebrity, as well as royalty including, in 1972, our own Queen Elizabeth II.

Today, visitors can explore Roman villas, churches and archaeological sites.

You will also meet some more surprising residents — a herd of zebras as well as Lanka, the only elephant in Croatia.

The islands are also home to one of the most ancient olive trees in the Mediterranean — estimated to be more than 1,600 years old, and still producing oil today.

Our base was the fabulous 5H Valamar Marea Suites hotel in the coastal town of Porec, 45 minutes north of Pula.

The family-friendly resort is an aquatic paradise with four outdoor pools including a stunning infinity one overlooking the sparkling Adriatic.

It also sits on the sandy Val Marea beach with water ideal for adults and children to enjoy.

The hotel’s ultra-modern, spacious suites come with their own balconies, and direct access on to the beach means you can quickly unwind after spending a day chasing dogs through the forest and snaffling truffles.

The hotel’s Maro Club is a kids’ facility offering fun tailored to different ages and featuring soft play and multimedia game rooms, as well as evening entertainment and free soft drinks and ice cream.

The hotel buffet promises a 5H experience for lunch and dinner, with a massive variety of options and unlimited ice cream to cool down after time in the sun.

One of the standout features of the hotel, though, is its location.

A scenic waterfront promenade links the hotel to Porec’s beautiful old town.

Cobbled streets are alive with ice-cream parlours and gift shops — and in one of these I picked up a bobblehead of Croatia footballing legend Luka Modric.

If you really want to push the boat out, you can even walk from the hotel to the Porec seafront — and from there take a catamaran to Venice.

But Croatia’s treasures might well mean you are happy to miss the boat — and just chill out right where you are.

GO: CROATIA

GETTING / STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ half-board at the 5H Valamar Collection Marea Suites is from £1,459pp including flights from Gatwick in May, 2027.

Departures from Manchester, Birmingham East Midlands and Stansted also available.

Includes 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

See jet2holidays.com.

OUT & ABOUT: Brijuni National Park cruise, £48 per adult, £23 per child; Ancient Istria tour including Pula, from £82 per adult, £41 per child; Truffle huting including lunch, from £102 per adult.

See experiences.jet2.com.

Source link

I visited the English attraction that’s a ‘masterclass in escapism’

Collage of people enjoying various activities at a museum, including riding a carousel, blacksmithing, and walking down a historic street.

DOES everything feel a bit much at the moment? If so, I can let you in on the perfect way to escape the turbulence of 2026.

My family and I have just taken a step back in time to a bygone era — The Black Country Living Museum in the West Midlands.

The Black Country Living Museum in the West Midlands is like travelling back in time to a bygone era Credit: Supplied
Boys Jasper (left) and Wilf with grandad Dave Watkins, enjoyed exploring the 26-acre attraction Credit: Supplied

This gem is genuinely one of the most fascinating attractions I have ever experienced with my boys Wilf, nine, and Jasper, six. And it is a masterclass in escapism.

The open-air attraction spans 26 acres and is packed with history.

It’s so much more than your average museum, though. This is an extremely immersive way for families to experience, first-hand, the Black Country — a region in the West Midlands with a history of coal mining, ironworking and brickmaking.

There are life-sized streets, dockyards and blacksmiths, laid out as they would have been at the height of the Industrial Revolution.

CHOC ON

Tiny UK island with peaceful beach and chocolate factory closes to tourists early


SANDS GREAT

English seaside town with one of Europe’s best beaches reveals new attraction

Visitors can wander among more than 80 original shops, houses and buildings, with actors recreating what life was like inside — and the historic characters will chat to you as if they are really in the past.

It will take at least three hours to get around, but I would give it five.

Our day began with a double-decker bus taking us down the winding, cobbled streets as the old-time conductor gave my boys authentic tickets for their journey.

To make the experience more exciting for the lads, I brought along their grandad, Dave Watkins, 70, a Brummie who has lived and worked in the Black Country his whole life — and supports local football team, West Bromwich Albion.

The Blacksmith’s Workshop gave onlookers a demonstration of chain-making in a furnace Credit: Supplied
An old traditional English street features old school sweet shops and fish and chip shops Credit: Supplied

In one shop, he was delighted to find the brand of cigarettes his dad used to smoke. But it’s not just the sights of history you experience, it’s the tastes, too.

We ordered lunch at the Hobbs & Sons fish and chip shop — a reconstructed 1930s store that originally stood in this very town.

It was, hands down, the best cod and chips any of us had ever had.
Chefs follow a traditional recipe and the novelty of eating from chip paper on a picnic table beside the canal that runs through the museum got extra wow points, too.

If you’re not a fan of a chippy supper, you can bring your own picnic — or there’s the Workers’ Institute Cafe, where we grabbed a cheese sandwich for the boys to share on the car journey home.

There’s also the T. Cook’s sweet shop, where costumed staff weigh out classic sweets, like mint humbugs, into paper bags.

Next-door is the cute Veal’s bakery, where the boys gobbled down a brownie.

The museum captures authentic smells, too. The industrial scent of coal filled the air, the homes you can go inside smelled authentically lived-in and even the outdoor lavvies were stinky, which my boys obviously found hilarious.

As is the way with primary school kids, the lads were delighted to hear the gross facts the dressed-up characters cheerily shared.

The barman in one of several old-fashioned pubs was happy to answer their questions about why there was sawdust sprinkled on the floor (it was, disgustingly, to soak up the spit of the working men).

Wilf thought the best part was the tour of the faithfully-rendered boat docks — the dock worker was so charismatic.

Jasper, on the other hand, was most enamoured with the historic fairground filled with a few of the beautiful, vintage rides (which cost an extra £2.50 each), as well as the Blacksmith’s Workshop, where we all enjoyed watching an extremely engaging demonstration of chain-making in a furnace.

Fans of Peaky Blinders will get a thrill walking round the museum as its historic streets and buildings have been used as filming locations in all six series of the BBC show.

There really is so much to fit in that we didn’t have time to try the retro putting green or join in with an authentic Edwardian school lesson — we were kicking ourselves for only allowing ourselves three hours.

But the bonus of the Black Country Living Museum is that if you buy a day ticket, you have unlimited return visits for 12 months.

Grandad Dave and I vowed to have a pint together when we return.

These old-fashioned pubs really are the perfect place to distract yourself from the modern day.

GO: BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM

ADULT tickets cost from £27.95 when booked in advance, while child tickets cost from £15.50.

Day tickets come with an UnChained Annual Pass, which gives unlimited return visits for 12 months. See bclm.com.

Source link

Olivia Dean SUED by late music legend’s publishers after ‘copying melody of his 1981 classic’ in one of her hit songs

OLIVIA DEAN may be the queen of singing about self-worth, but she won’t be feeling the love right now.

The British chart-topper is facing a messy legal battle after being sued over her song I’ve Seen It.

Olivia is facing a messy legal battle after being sued over her song I’ve Seen It Credit: Getty
A lawsuit claims she copied the melody of Bill Withers’ 1981 soul classic Just The Two of Us Credit: Getty

A fresh lawsuit has been filed claiming she copied the melody of Bill Withers’ 1981 soul classic Just The Two of Us.

Publishers of the late singer’s catalogue allege Olivia’s track, which appears on her album The Art Of Loving, “shares musical features so striking” that they cannot be by chance.

Rather than going after Olivia or her co-writers directly, the lawsuit lists Olivia’s American record label Capitol Records and its parent company Universal Music Group as the defendants.

The song has been streamed 246million times on Spotify alone.

‘WHO HURT HER?’

Emotional moment Olivia Dean breaks down in tears during love song onstage


OFFER DEAN-IED

Olivia Dean turns down Glastonbury as other Brit set to be named headliner

In comparison, Bill’s hit has 948million global streams.

Talking about penning the emotional track, Olivia previously said: “I’d had a lot of red wine.

“When I heard it back for the first time, I burst into tears.

“It felt like the loveliest note to end on.

“Whether it’s within your friends, your family, or just the love that exists in the strangers around you, it’s there, and it’s inside of you, too.”

APPRENTICE DUO LAND SWEET GIG

Apprentice contestant Lawrence Rosenberg will dress up as a croissant to launch a new bakery Credit: BBC
He is reuniting with fellow contestant Kieran McCartney Jones Credit: PA

IT may sound like a flaky idea, but Apprentice star Lawrence Rosenberg will dress up as a croissant to launch a new bakery.

He is reuniting with Kieran McCartney Jones, his fellow competitor on the BBC One show, at Tuesday’s opening of Signorelli Broadgate in London.

And the pair will replicate the street-trader energy they wowed with on TV.

They gained an army of fans selling out supplies of their team’s carbonara at Greenwich Market this year in Lord Sugar’s talent hunt.

I don’t doubt they’ll make this stunt a success, too.

At the bakery, Lawrence will swap the egg costume he wore during the Apprentice challenge for a croissant outfit. He told me: “We’ll be begging for tips like Lord Sugar’s watching.

“I’ll be dressed in a croissant costume and you can even pretend to be Baroness Brady and mark our performance.”

Sounds like a recipe for making dough . . . 


CONGRATULATIONS to Chris Martin and Coldplay.

Their 2000 hit Yellow has just passed 4 BILLION streams on Spotify. It’s their first song to achieve this, but I’m sure it won’t be their last.

Viva La Vida isn’t far behind on 3.5 billion. No wonder they sold out ten nights at Wembley last summer.


AUSSIE rapper Iggy Azalea is plotting a comeback.

Sliding into Instagram DMs, Iggy wrote: “I stepped away from music for a long time, but now I’m back in the studio, this felt like the right place to share my journey.”

Iggy has had huge hits with the likes of Rita Ora and Britney Spears previously.


LILY STEPS UP DOWN UNDER

Lily Allen posed for an arty shoot after wrapping up the UK and US legs of her West End Girl show Credit: Sharna Osborne
She is enjoying a break before returning to the stage in Auckland, New Zealand Credit: Sharna Osborne

LILY ALLEN is legging it Down Under.

The Smile singer shows off her pins in an arty shoot after wrapping up the UK and US legs of her West End Girl show.

Lily is enjoying a break before returning to the stage in Auckland, New Zealand, on October 21.

She will then play six shows across Australia – belting out the brutal album about her divorce from Stranger Things actor David Harbour.

Lily said: “Doing the shows feels like an act of storytelling.

“It’s almost like I’m in a play every night, because I have to brush myself down and take myself back to a time and a place that isn’t now.

“It doesn’t really feel like it’s about me any more. It’s about other women who have experienced something similar.”

PIXIE SHOWS A LOTTA STYLE

Pixie Lott looks fashionable as ever as she heads home from another night on stage Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

PIXIE LOTT looks fashionable as ever as she heads home from another night on stage.

Dressed in a quirky jacket and tiny hotpants, Pixie strutted through London’s West End.

She’s currently starring in Who Killed Marilyn? At the Emerald Theatre.
Pixie plays the lead role of movie legend Marilyn Monroe, who died in 1962 aged just 36.

Talking about Marilyn, she said: “I grew up loving her. She was very strong and intelligent and witty.

“This whole story is told from her perspective.”


SUPERSTAR Ariana Grande is rumoured to be releasing a remix of a track from her hit album Petal.

In February 2024, she teamed up with Mariah Carey for a remix of her hit single Yes, And?

Previously, Ari featured on The Weeknd’s 2021 remix of Save Your Tears.

If she does have something in the works, I see history repeating itself.


DECEMBER 10’S HAIRY NIGHT OUT

Four members of Boyband December 10 were seen at the scare mazes at Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights Credit: Supplied

DECEMBER 10 are going from strength to strength, but four of the lads were in for a fright this week ahead of Halloween.

John, Hendrik, Cruz, and Nicolas were seen at the scare mazes at Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights.

Simon Cowell‘s boyband have a busy winter of gigs ahead including in London and Birmingham.

Not bad for a band many thought wouldn’t amount to much.

Source link

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola snub his family AGAIN by giving Victoria’s PFW show a miss despite being just two miles away

BROOKLYN Beckham seemed to snub his family again by attending a Paris Fashion Week event — then giving his mum’s nearby show a miss.

Brooklyn flew to the French capital with wife Nicola Peltz for a VIP bash just two miles from where designer Victoria was later unveiling her own collection.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz seem to have snubbed his family again by attending a Paris Fashion Week event but giving his mum’s nearby show a miss Credit: Splash
Victoria Beckham appears at the end of her ready-to-wear collection show in Paris Credit: Reuters

As their feud with his parents continued, they were at the Messika Womenswear 2027 show at the Grand Palais on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in a ­display of unity from the rest of the family, ex-Spice Girl Victoria was yesterday joined at La Conciergerie museum by hubby David, sons Romeo, and Cruz, daughter Harper and Cruz’s singer-songwriter girlfriend Jackie Apostel.

Despite being a car journey of just a few minutes away, it appeared Brooklyn and Nicola stayed away.

Brooklyn has been estranged from his family for almost two years.

A&E DASH

Alison Hammond breaks silence after being rushed off This Morning clutching chest


‘VERY WORRIED’

Fans fear for Alison Hammond as she’s pulled off air during This Morning

In January, he wrote a savage statement on Instagram — telling the world he had no desire to make up.

After cruelly accusing Posh and Becks of treating him as a commodity to further their image rather than as a son, Brooklyn, 27, wrote: “I do not want to reconcile with my family.

Smartly-dressed hubby David arrives at the show by designer wife Victoria Credit: Reuters

“I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”

Just days later, former footie superstar Sir David was asked about young people and social media.

In what many saw as a public response to Brooklyn, David said: “I’ve been able to use my platform and following for Unicef, and it’s been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children.

“I’ve tried to do the same with my children, to educate them. They make mistakes.

Harper and Romeo on the way to Posh’s show Credit: Instagram
Brooklyn cruelly accused Posh and Becks of treating him as a commodity to further their image rather than as a son Credit: Getty

“Children are allowed to make mistakes, that’s how they learn . . . but, you know, you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”

Last year, Brooklyn missed both his dad’s knighthood ceremony at Windsor Castle and all his 50th birthday celebrations.

Source link

Vinnie Jones wins planning battle to create guests units at his telly farm despite 5,000 objections

ACTOR Vinnie Jones has won a planning battle at his telly farm despite almost 5,000 objections.

The former footballer, starring in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit The Gentlemen, will be allowed to turn redundant buildings into seven guest units.

Vinnie Jones sitting by a lake.
Vinnie Jones has won a planning battle at his telly farm despite almost 5,000 objections Credit: Louis Wood
Vinnie Jones standing in a rural landscape near a pond and a cottage, with a small dog sitting in the grass beside him.
The former footballer has been starring as a gamekeeper in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix hit The Gentlemen Credit: Discovery+

Campaigners argued he wanted to host shooting parties and raised fears over gunfire, traffic and protected wildlife.

Blackwool Farm in the South Downs National Park, West Sussex, features in the Discovery+ reality show Vinnie Jones in the Country.

Protect the Wild said: “National parks are . . . not for commercialised bloodsports or luxury shooting retreats.”

But Jones’s planning team hit back, accusing opponents of making “false assumptions and inaccuracies”.

A GENTLEMAN

Vinnie Jones on going toe-to-toe with new love & fears over Meghan ‘sex scenes’


hitting out

Vinnie Jones blasts ‘addictive’ tech for ‘fuelling mental health struggles’

Planners sided with Jones, 61, saying: “The application is not for a shooting use, simply ­visitor accommodation that may or may not include shooting.”

Jones has made no secret of his love of country sports. He plays Geoff Seacombe, the loyal gamekeeper on the sprawling Halstead estate at the centre of the show.

After the recent streaming success, Netflix has already confirmed The Gentlemen will return for a third series.

And Jones could reportedly be joined by Meghan Markle, who has been linked with a possible role in the next series.

Source link

I never thought there would be a day without Dolly Parton

WHEN we mourned the loss of Dolly Parton in August, it was an especially emotional time for Carly Pearce. 

The much-missed Queen of Country — and theme park owner — once referred to Carly as “The Little Dollywood Girl”. 

Dolly Parton once referred to Carly Pearce as ‘The Little Dollywood Girl’ Credit: Dove Shore
Carly and Dolly pictured in 2021 when the Queen of Country invited the formerDollywood singer to join the Grand Ole Opry Credit: Supplied

As I discover, their lives became inextricably linked for more than two decades. 

“I never thought there would be a day without Dolly Parton,” Carly tells me. “I always loved her, right from when I was a kid.” 

Aged just 15, she successfully auditioned for the Country Crossroads show at Dollywood, the sprawling park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, not far from the Great Smoky Mountains where Dolly was raised in a humble log cabin with her 11 siblings. 

“At 16, my parents let me quit high school,” says Carly, picking up her story, “and my mom and I moved to Pigeon Forge, about a four-hour drive from our hometown in Kentucky. 

TICKET TRAGEDY

Glastonbury punters fume over website chaos as tickets go on sale


CASHING IN

Robbie banks £77m in a YEAR as ‘fat dancer’ leaves Oasis bros eating their words

“I jumped into six shows a day, five days a week, at Dollywood.” 

“It was then that I first met Dolly, as one of her performers,” she adds, recalling the moment she couldn’t help staring at the singer who gave us Jolene and I Will Always Love You, hardly believing she was real. 

Today, Carly, 36, is forging a stellar career of her own and has just released a career-defining album, Honest Woman. 

She’s on her tour bus in Chicago, where it’s 9am, and I’m in London when we’re connected via video call. 

Carly is set to play in the UK in December Credit: Dove Shore
Carly on stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in 2024 Credit: Getty

“For a day on the road, it’s too early for me to be ready yet,” she exclaims with her cloud of blonde curls framing a big smile. 

“Well, you look amazing to me,” I reply, before turning to talk about her life, her album and her beloved dogs, Johnny and June. 

But first let’s hear more about her connection to the incomparable Dolly Parton. 

By a twist of fate, it was up to Carly to lead the Grand Ole Opry’s tribute show for Dolly at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the spiritual home of country music. 

It took place on August 29, just four days after Carly’s guiding light passed away. 

She opened her set with a moving rendition of Those Memories Of You, a song recorded by Dolly, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris for their 1987 album Trio. Carly says: “It was kind of odd because I was already scheduled to play the Opry to celebrate my album.  

“Then it just so happened that the show to honour Dolly fell on the same day — so I got to run the show. I was everywhere.  

“I think it was meant to be because she had been such a big part of my life and such a part of my origin story.  

Carly’s dream of being a singer began, she says, ‘with my McDonald’s microphone when I was five-years-old’ Credit: Getty
Carly performs at a tribute to the late Dolly Credit: Reuters

“It was a heavy thing for me to be there and realise she’d gone but it was a big honour.” 

Years after her Dollywood stint, Carly and Dolly met again when both were appearing on TV promoting albums at the same time. 

“So I got to remind her of who I was,” says Carly. “After that, I’d see her during my time in Nashville.  

“But then I had the crazy, crazy surprise of my life. I thought I was doing a commercial for Dollywood, which I thought was a cool thing to do.” 

On June 17, 2021, Dolly suddenly appeared backstage at the shoot and told Carly, “You are now an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.”  

It was an invitation to the most exclusive and historic club in country music. Carly says: “There are three moments in my life which I think of as favourite career moments. And that is number one. 

“The other two are winning Female Vocalist Of The Year at the CMAs (2021) and a Grammy (2023, with Ashley McBryde for their duet, Never Wanted To Be That Girl).” 

Before we move on to more about her life story and her new album, I ask Carly what she admired about Dolly. 

“She had a way of telling a story that was unapologetic and honest,” she replies. 

“She was uniquely her own person in a way that freaked people out in the beginning. The way she looked and how she spoke. She was such a pioneer for women.” 

It’s clear that Dolly, along with the likes of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, paved the way for female country singers in what could be — and still is to some extent — a male-dominated world. 

Carly says: “Oh my God, I’m not trying to be mean, but there are so many songs on the radio that could be ten different dudes all sounding the same. 

“I have to say, as a female, you can distinctively tell who is who.  

“You have to have backbone and grit to break through — and I think you’re seeing that a lot right now with females in country music.” 

Listen to Carly’s new album, Honest Woman, a vibrant song cycle drawing on country pop, old school country and bluegrass, and you’ll detect some of that fierce determination. 

“I’ve always written from an honest and vulnerable place,” she says. “I don’t really know how to not be myself, which can be great and also a curse.” 

The rousing opener Dream Come True suggests that success doesn’t always bring happiness. 

Reflecting on being a single woman, unlucky in love, she sings: “Bought me a house at the end of a cul-de-sac. Four bedrooms but I only use one.” 

Later, she’s “sittin’ on the couch, cryin’ in the dark. Every plaque on the wall is a broken heart.” 

Carly says: “Dream Come True was the first song I wrote for the album. I was feeling a lot of pressure to write a hit.” 

She considered where her life had taken her, which, she confesses, made her cry — but she came up with a song straight from the heart. 

“I’ve chased this dream from the time I was a kid,” she says. “I think of the sacrifices I’ve made, that it comes with a price.  

“I saw young women my age with husbands and children and a more simple life that wasn’t as isolating as mine — and I wondered if I was missing out.” 

Carly’s dream of being a singer began, she says, “with my McDonald’s microphone when I was five-years-old”. 

“My parents loved music though not country music. But the only thing that would keep me from crying as a baby was (country star) Vince Gill. 

“My mom was so upset because she loved Fleetwood Mac, Heart and Black Sabbath. My dad loved the Grateful Dead and The Doobie Brothers.” 

However, Carly’s maternal grandparents, the Pearces, were into traditional country and bluegrass — artists such as Buck Owens and Ralph Stanley. 

She continues: “When I was six, my mom convinced a vocal coach to take me on. I don’t know why but she believed I had talent. 

“For the rest of my childhood, she supported that side of my dreams, whether it was making costumes for talent shows, driving me to recording studios, buying me karaoke CDs or getting me a guitar.” 

Carly’s move to Dollywood and into Dolly Parton’s orbit at 15 was her first big step into country music but another female pathfinder also inspired her.  

She was Loretta Lynn, the rags-to-riches singer whose turbulent story was told in Coal Miner’s Daughter with Oscar winner Sissy Spacek in the lead role. 

Carly says her new song You Can Have Him, with its trad country vibe, “is Loretta in spirit”. 

“I loved Loretta so much growing up,” she says. “I didn’t get to meet her, but there’s a song on my album 29: Written In Stone called Dear Miss Loretta. She sent me a voice text about it which I still have.” 

As for You Can Have Him, she adds: “Doing that was cool. I felt that traditional country was always such a big part of my story but I’d never honoured it on an album before.  

“So I went old school and wrote this tongue-in-cheek song about a guy with a wandering eye. 

“It takes me back in time. It’s as if I was Loretta Lynn singing at the Opry in the Sixties when she was 30-something.”  

Next, we talk about Carly’s “absolute favourite” song on Honest Woman, He Don’t Like My Dogs. 

It’s about an ex who got the boot because he didn’t take to the two loves of her life — shih tzus Johnny and June, named after the first couple of country music, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. 

“Here they are on the back of my phone case,” says Carly, holding up her phone to show me pictures of two fluffy white balls of hair. 

“I love my dogs so much and always wanted to write a song about them, but it felt a bit cheesy. 

“Then I had a situation when someone was not nice to Johnny. So Johnny and I talked and he said, ‘Mom, you know what to do’.  

“So I wrote this song that I think a lot of people can relate to. If you’re a dog person and somebody doesn’t like your dog, get out!” 

Expressing just what Johnny and June mean to her, Carly continues: “I don’t have children, but they fulfil that need for me so much. I mean, I just FaceTimed them before I got on this call. They’re with my dad while I’m on tour.” 

Moving on to other aspects of Carly’s album, I guess you can judge her by the company she keeps. 

There’s a guest appearance by breakthrough star Riley Green on stirring duet If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay. 

“I always target my duet partners,” says Carly. “Riley’s having a serious moment, especially in the States.  

“I’ve known him for a long time and knew I wanted to do this song with him.” 

Elsewhere, How Long is one of several songs to feature bluegrass powerhouse, guitarist and singer Dan Tyminski, known for his work with Alison Krauss & Union Station. 

Carly says: “I know he’s not in Union Station any more but they were my favourite band growing up. 

“I wore out their live CD from Louisville, Kentucky. My band jokes with me because I play every song on air guitar or air fiddle.  

“For years, I said Dan was my celebrity crush but nobody even knew who he was. I would just say, ‘You know, the guy who was George Clooney’s singing voice on O Brother Where Art Thou?’” 

How Long also features sublime harmony vocals by Morgane Stapleton, wife of big, bearded country superstar Chris and a formidable talent in her own right. 

Carly explains: “When I did my song with Chris, We Don’t Fight Anymore, first I had to figure out how to get the song to him.  

“I thought, ‘OK, I probably have a better chance if I DM his wife on Instagram. 

“That’s what I did. Morgane wrote back and asked me to call her. She was the reason that song got to Chris and we became friends.” 

When it came to the sessions for Honest Woman, Carly called her new pal. 

“No offence to Chris — I love Chris,” she says. “But I wanted his wife on this album so I sent her a message. She came to the studio and crushed it.” 

The record ends with Why God Why Me, a heartfelt acoustic ballad reflecting Carly’s abiding faith.  

“The song is my North Star for this entire project,” she affirms. “Faith has been the one constant in my life in this wild ride through the ever-changing music industry.” 

Why God Why Me is also an example of how this unflinchingly “honest woman” goes about her work. 

Carly says her songs “help me state the way I feel, just like Dolly did”. 

Carly Pearce Honest Woman is out now Credit: supplied

CARLY PEARCE 

Honest Woman 

★★★★★

Source link

Airlines set to be banned from charging rip-off fees for parents to sit next to their children on flights

PARENTS will no longer be stung with rip-off fees just to sit next to their children on flights.

Airlines will be forced to seat under 14s beside a mum, dad or an accompanying adult for free.

A mother and her smiling daughter sitting together in an airplane, with the daughter holding a blue stuffed toy.
Parents will no longer be stung with rip-off fees just to sit next to their kids Credit: Getty
Row of three chairs with blue armrests inside an airplane.
Airlines will be forced to seat under 14s beside a mum, dad or an accompanying adult for free Credit: Getty

It could save families up to £104 on a return trip.

Passengers will also be able to fix simple spelling mistakes on bookings without being hit with charges of up to £40.

PM Andy Burnham said: “People are fed up with these little charges that add up.

“So I’m putting a stop to them.”

TAKING FLIGHT

Europe’s best airlines have been revealed and it isn’t good news for UK ones


‘UNSAFE’

Flights axed as Ukraine warns of ‘drone-infested skies’ leaving thousands stranded

“This is what our everyday fixes are all about.

“Giving people room to breathe by tackling the small irritations that catch people out.

“They waste their time and cost them money.”

Ministers are also drawing up a system to help airlines identify repeat troublemakers.

It comes after more than 1,000 serious disruptive incidents were logged last year.

It could make it easier to extend bans on passengers who repeatedly cause issues.

Source link

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley ENDS her lingerie link-up with M&S after 14 years leaving fans gutted

MODEL Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has ended her long-running lingerie link-up with Marks & Spencer. 

But the move has left fans of her fancy frillies forlorn. 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has ended her long-running lingerie link-up with Marks & Spencer Credit: PA:Press Association
Rosie for Autograph launched in 2012, selling more than three times the expected numbers Credit: Marks & Spencer

Rosie’s most recent M&S collection has already been removed from stores and the retailer’s website. 

One woman posted online: “That’s a shame — it’s the only underwear I buy and have bought it since it was launched.” 

Rosie for Autograph launched in 2012, selling more than three times the expected numbers. 

It is estimated that one in every 50 women now owns a bra from the range. 

SHOW MUST GO ON

Nicole Scherzinger opens up about horror burn which ‘scarred her for life’


SNUBBED

Boy George in new feud as he claims he was ‘uninvited’ to late friend’s memorial

It is estimated that one in every 50 women now owns a bra from the rangeCredit: Refer to source
Rosie has confirmed the end of the link-up Credit: M&S

M&S said the decision to end the deal was mutual as it was “evolving, modernising and broadening” lingerie lines. 

A spokesman said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we built with Rosie. 

“We wish her continued success in all that follows.”  

Rosie previously said of the range: “I wanted to create a line that’s for everybody, that’s inclusive and accessible, but still felt elevated and luxurious.  

M&S said the decision to end the deal was mutual as it looks to evolve, modernise and broaden its lingerie lines Credit: M&S
Rosie has two children with actor Jason ­Statham Credit: Splash

“Sometimes I’ll be in London and some lady will stop me in the lift and say, ‘I love your lingerie, it makes me feel fantastic’. 

“That’s really the most rewarding part of the job.” 

Rosie, 39, who has two children with actor Jason ­Statham, confirmed the move. 

Source link

‘Savvy’ Liam Gallagher made so much money from Oasis reunion tour that he bought his new Cotswolds mansion in CASH

ALONGSIDE his brother Noel, Oasis rocker Liam Gallagher is believed to have earned around £50million from their Live ‘25 Tour.

But rather than spending it on VIP boxes at Manchester City, or a palatial palace and gold-plated bone for his beloved rescue dog Buttons, Liam appears to have plunged part of his cash into a new house.

Liam Gallagher bought his £4 million Cotswolds mansion in CASH Credit: Splash
Liam and Noel Gallagher banked millions from their Oasis reunion tour Credit: AP

Paperwork for his pad in the Cotswolds, which he bought with fiancée Debbie Gwyther, revealed the singer paid the £4million bill in cash.

A source said: “Liam and Noel are both savvy and have ­people advising them when it comes to their earnings.

“The cash they earned from their Live ’25 Tour is just the start of it as, when they finish their second tour next year, they will both be so minted they’d never have to work a day in their lives ever again.”

And as they continue to ride the wave of success — with their 42-date tour next year totally sold out — Noel and Liam are doing everything they can to ­protect their ­legacy.

Read more on Liam Gallagher

OASIS MANIA

Liam Gallagher’s cheeky joke to fans who missed out on Oasis tickets


SOME MIGHT SAY

Liam Gallagher has ‘inside knowledge’ on City punishment & fans aren’t happy

Yesterday it was ­confirmed the brothers had taken legal action against an auction house over a proposed sale of old Oasis recordings.

London-based Littleton ­Auctions had announced they had a huge lot of archive ­footage — including audio from soundchecks and 100 hours of rehearsal tapes from Oasis’s Nineties heyday.

The lot was taken to them by Owain Richards, whose father Huw worked with the band from 1994 until 2001.

An injunction has now been taken out by Oasis to stop the ­auction going ahead.

The MD of the company said in a statement: “Littleton Auctions confirms that the Oasis recordings known as The Desk Tapes have been ­withdrawn from our October 3 auction in light of legal ­proceedings.

“We are very ­disappointed that we cannot offer this ­significant archive as planned.”

When asked about the legal row, Owain said: “It is true that Oasis have sued me and my father, to try to prevent the auction of the tapes made by my father many years ago.

“We have agreed to postpone the auction to enable the legal dispute to be resolved, either by litigation or otherwise in an orderly way.”

Some items have been allowed through, including original set lists and itineraries from Oasis’s early tours, as well as an original Kangol parka coat, and will go under the hammer on ­Saturday.

JIMI STILL IN RON’S ART

Ronnie Wood has put his never-before-seen portraits of Jimi Hendrix on display Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Ronnie with a bunch of flowers at Handel Hendrix House Credit: smart Pictures

RONNIE WOOD has put his never-before-seen portraits of Jimi Hendrix on display at the late rocker’s home, which has been turned into a museum in London.

Speaking at Handel Hendrix House, where he was given a giant celebratory bouquet of flowers, Ronnie also spilled the beans about the time when he and Jimi were young housemates in London back in the day.

He revealed they both nearly starved because neither of them had a clue how to cook.

Ronnie said: “Food was never an option.

“We had a few peas to shove around the plate.”

But life was certainly interesting.

Ronnie said of Jimi: “He could play the guitar right and left-handed.

“He used to play over the neck, upside down.

“In the end, he ran out of ideas and used to set his guitar on fire.”

Recalling Jimi’s passing in 1970, Ronnie added: “I was at Ronnie Scott’s the night he died.

“He was walking away with his arm around a girl, he said goodbye – and died that night.

“It was such a shock the next day.”

Ronnie also gave an update on The Rolling Stones after their last two planned tours were canned.

He said: “I take it as it comes.

“I don’t like waiting.

“That is why I get a band together, to keep playing.”

You can get along now to Ronnie’s show at Jimi’s old house in Mayfair, which was also once home to composer George Frideric Handel.

It runs until April 11 next year.

BIG NAMES LINE UP FOR MERCURY SHOW

Jade Thirlwall will perform at this year’s Mercury Prize show Credit: Getty

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, Olivia Dean, Raye, Suede, Pulp and Jade Thirlwall are all confirmed as performers at this year’s Mercury Prize show.

Dove Ellie, Knats, Kojey Radical and Nia Archvies will also take to the stage at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on October 22.

Each artist will perform one track from their Album Of The Year entry, while fellow nominees Dave and Sir Paul McCartney will be celebrated with two special, short films showcasing their records.


THE BEATLES’ Apple Corps company made a huge £41.1million profit last year.

That’s up £16million on the year before, with surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr each pocketing millions, as will the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison.


JUST A PERFECT DAZE

Daisy Edgar-Jones stuns in a demure white dress for a garden shoot in Australia Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

DAISY EDGAR-JONES reminds me here of an angelic ornament you’d find in your nan’s garden.

She wore this demure white dress for a garden shoot in Australia to promote her movie Sense And Sensibility, based on the romantic novel by Jane Austen.

As is the trend with actresses now, Daisy has taken a leaf out of Zendaya‘s book and is matching her fashion choices to the film she’s promoting.

And as she steps back in time to play sensible older sister Elinor Dashwood in the new big-screen adaptation of Austen’s 1811 novel, Daisy absolutely nailed the vibe while posing for pictures in Sydney.

But could her stylist have a bit more fun with her fashion? For sure.


BRIT Awards bosses say ­holding the ceremony in ­Manchester for the first time gave the city a major boost ­earlier this year.

A new report says the ceremony contributed £5million in direct spending, with £3.6million coming from visitors and the remaining £1.4million from organisers and ­partners.

On top of this, employment rates got a helping hand, with 3,099 temporary jobs created.

The report also revealed that 92 per cent of attendees rated their Brits experience as excellent or good – which is helpful, given the bash is going to be held at Co-op Live in the city for the next two years.

Stacey Tang, co-president of RCA Records at Sony Music UK and chair of the Brits Committee, said: ­“Moving the Brits to ­Manchester was about more than moving an awards show.

“It’s about shining a light on ­talent and creative communities across the UK, opening up opportunities and widening participation.”

DESTINY TALKS HIT SETBACK

KELLY ROWLAND has issued a blow to Destiny‘s Child fans after admitting talks of a reunion had stalled.

Appearing on the Table Manners podcast, she said of her bandmates Beyonce and Michelle Williams: “It hasn’t been anything we talked about . . . I was just with the girls, and we had a great time talking, and our children are together.”

Kelly, who is a coach on the next series of The Voice UK, also revealed she’d chosen to go teetotal.

She said: “I just tried to see what a week was like, and then it was like, ‘Oh, I’ve gotten to two weeks.’

“Next time I knew it was like six months and I hadn’t had a drink, and I was like, ‘Oh, I like this feeling. It works.’”


R.E.M. are re- releasing their 12th studio album Reveal to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

The reissue – out November 20 – will be put out alongside The Black Sessions Revealed, a previously unreleased 17-song performance by R.E.M., recorded for Radio France in 2001.


THE house where ­Taylor Swift recorded her 2014 No1 album 1989 has gone up for sale.

The Pillsbury Estate in Beverly Hills, which was her home for seven years until 2018, has become a mecca for fans.

It is now on the market for $7.9million.


GRAND PLANS

Freddie Mercury’s grand piano is going under the hammer Credit: AFP

FREDDIE Mercury’s grand piano is going under the hammer today – and could fetch up to £400,000.

Before the auction began, the late Queen frontman’s godson, Freddie Mack, opened up about his favourite memories of his namesake.

In an exclusive chat, he said: “He came to my family home in Munich, and there was this big rocking horse.

“It was very fancy and I was kind of scared of it.

“He just waited with me then guided me to befriend this new toy.

“He put me on it and rocked me back on forth and showed me that this is a nice gift, nothing to be scared of.

“He just took his time to be there for me.”

The piano is up for sale at Propstore’s Music Memorabilia auction, alongside other big-ticket collectors’ pieces.

These include Michael Jackson‘s black and gold military-style jacket, which could fetch up to £500,000.

Or if you fancy John Lennon’s tinted glasses, they could cost you £200,000.

WAYNE’S TROPHY FOR ROB

WAYNE ROONEY has told Robbie Williams he wants the singer to take back the Brit Award Rob gave him more than a decade ago.

Angels star Robbie had sent his trophy to Wayne to cheer him up after learning the footie ace had broken his foot.

But Rob recently admitted he was under the influence when he told his manager to give it away.

Appearing on Absolute Radio, Wayne said: “I went to Knebworth to see Robbie and after I broke my foot, when I got home he’d sent me his Brit Award for Angels to somehow help me get my foot better.

“I’ve now offered to give it back.

“I’ve seen the documentary with his daughter talking about Angels and what it meant, so I’ve now been in touch and said, ‘Listen, take it back for your daughter,’ and he’s said to me, ‘No, I gave it to you,’ so I still have it.”

Pop it in the post, Wazza ­ ­– you’ll make Robbie’s day.

Source link

Cops threaten to force arrested suspects to listen to Taylor Swift’s new release on loop after it received mixed reviews

COPS have threatened to force arrested criminals to listen to Taylor Swift’s new release on loop.

Greensboro Police in North Carolina, US, jokingly swiped at the superstar’s album after it received mixed reviews.

Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Cops threatened to force arrested criminals to listen to Taylor Swift’s new release on loop Credit: FilmMagic
People Taylor Swift
Taylor re-released her Life of a Showgirl album with four new songs last week Credit: AP

They posted: “Those who are arrested tonight will be required to listen to Taylor Swift’s new songs on repeat.”

But following a huge online backlash, the force later wrote: “We apologise for stirring up the Taylor bots.

“Please continue to listen to The Life of a Showgirl.”

But the post remains up on X with more than 80,000 likes.

READ MORE ON TAYLOR SWIFT

BAD BLOOD?

Sienna Spiro trolled over ‘strange’ reaction to Taylor Swift backstage at VMAs


DIVA DUO

Madonna and Swift’s ‘diva’ antics at VMAs revealed as bosses bend over backwards

Cruel Summer singer Swift, 36, re-released her Life of a Showgirl album with four new songs last week, adding “The Encore” to the title.

But critics were not impressed.

Music magazine Pitchfork rated it 4/10, saying: “Taylor Swift has let the quality of her songwriting slide in favour of commercial domination.”

Critic Shaad D’Souza added: “Yes, Taylor Swift will always have one of the greatest songwriting catalogues of all time.

“Not even Taylor Swift could take that away from her — but she sure is trying.”

The album came out in 2025 as the first release since the end of her record-breaking Eras Tour, but failed to win acclaim.

Swift previously said she did not intend to add new tracks, but later admitted she went on a trip with her collaborators and “did what we do when we feel anything: we wrote more songs”.

Source link

Rihanna, Cara Delevigne and Kendall Jenner among stars worth more than £2BILLION stealing the show at Paris Fashion Week

A GALAXY of stars flocked to the L’Oréal show at Paris Fashion Week — and proved they were definitely “worth it”.

Models, actresses and singers with a combined net worth of well over £2billion descended on the French capital for a string of shows.

Brit model and actress Cara Delevingne striding the catwalk Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Billionaire singer and businesswomen Rihanna Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

L’Oréal Paris — whose slogan is “because you’re worth it” — kicked things off on Monday with a multi-billion-pound runway.

Guests striding the catwalk included British model and actress Cara Delevingne, US reality star and entrepreneur Kendall Jenner, Desperate Housewives’ beauty Eva Longoria and German supermodel Heidi Klum.

There was also a surprise performance from Canadian singer Celine Dion, who belted out her 2002 hit I’m Alive in the show underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Dion, worth an estimated £500million, is currently in a run of sell-out shows in Paris after suffering from a devastating neurological disorder.

DANCEFLOOR DIVA

How Katya Jones keeps Strictly scandals alive despite ‘kiss-gate’ warnings


SLIP UP

Watch awkward moment Madonna is caught lip-syncing at MTV VMAs

The annual L’Oréal display was followed by an equally lavish spectacle yesterday afternoon for the Dior show.

Barbadian singer and businesswomen Rihanna — worth an estimated £1.2billion — topped the bill, wearing a slashed black dress and shawl combo as she sat in the front row.

Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr in Paris Credit: Getty
US reality star and entrepreneur Kendall Jenner Credit: Splash

She was joined by Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence, The Queen’s Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy and Australian model Miranda Kerr — worth around a combined £200million.

British fashion legend Kate Moss was also in attendance, snapped in a pale green dress and large sunglasses as she left The Ritz for the VIP event.

The star has £55million to her name thanks to deals with countless global brands over the years including TopShop and Rimmel.

Taking place at Le Bassin Octogonal in the Jardin des Tuileries, the show saw British designer Jonathan Anderson display his spring/summer womenswear collection.

Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria struts her stuff Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Actress Jennifer Lawrence at the event Credit: Getty

In a quirky twist, guests received a pair of polished walnuts as their invitation.

The move was a nod to Chinese culture, where rotating them in the palm is meant to bring good health, calmness, and high social status.

Bosses were no doubt relieved that nine-time Grammy winner Rihanna made it on time for the bash.

She was said to have left guests waiting more than an hour on Monday night before she arrived at the Matières Fécales SS27 show.

Other stars at the Dior event included Wicked actress and singer Cynthia Erivo, South Korean rapper and singer Hyunjin, and American-Chinese Olympic skier Eileen Gu.

Fresh from Milan Fashion Week, actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, worth around £300million, was also snapped out and about shopping in the French capital.

Kate Moss was also in attendance—snapped in a pale green dress and large sunglasses as she left The Ritz hotel for the VIP event Credit: Getty
Netflix favourite, The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy Credit: AFP
Jennifer Lopez was seen shopping in Paris during Day Two Credit: Getty

Source link

Rita Ora stuns in blonde bombshell look as she shows off her ’80s moves in Flashdance-inspired music video

RITA Ora pulls up her socks and shows off her ’80s moves.

The singer and actress, 35, was seen dressed in long woollen socks and orange shoes as she shot the video to new single All Natural — directed by hubby Taika Waititi.

Rita Ora was seen dressed in long woollen socks and orange shoes as she shot the video to new single All Natural Credit: Instagram
Rita posted pics and footage online, with the caption: ‘Talk to me’ Credit: Instagram

Like Jennifer Lopez’s 2003 video to I’m Glad, it is inspired by the 1983 movie Flashdance.

She posted pics and footage online, with the caption: “Talk to me.”

Her fourth album is expected out next year.

Speaking to Bizarre’s Jack at a London screening to mark the 10th anniversary of his hit film, Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Taika said Rita’s long-awaited album was “amazing”.

CAST OUT

Inside Towie’s behind-the-scenes battle & huge name who fought for place


FULL OF JOY

A-list actor stuns fans as he goes wild dancing to Joy Division hit at tiny gig

He added: “This new record is incredible. I’ve heard a lot of it.

“It was such a departure from stuff that she’s probably known mostly for. It’s a different sound.”

Taika directed the sultry video for Rita’s latest ­single, All Natural, and also directed and starred in the video for 2023’s Don’t Think Twice.

Getting Oscar-winner Taika to work on your project can’t come cheap, but Taika assured us with a wink that he and Rita had come to an arrangement.

Rita in new single All Natural — directed by hubby Taika Waititi
Jennifer Lopez in her music video I’m Glad Credit: Splash News

He chuckled: “There is a very mates’ rates deal going on. I think it’s been free each time. It’s just fun to get to work together.

“It’s great because we’re kind of in similar ­industries, but they’re very different disciplines – and when you’re with someone, you want to be able to do some work together.

“I’m really amazed and surprised at what she does, but also super- confused all the time.”

Source link

Cruz Beckham gets mum Victoria back in the studio as pair record new track together

CRUZ Beckham has achieved what the Spice Girls failed to do — get mum Victoria back into a recording studio.

Posh Spice, 52, recorded a track with her musician son.

Cruz Beckham got mum Victoria back into a recording studio Credit: Instagram
Posh Spice recorded a track with her musician son Cruz Credit: AFP

And sharing this selfie online, Cruz, 21, wrote: “Yeah we got posh back in the studio.”

Posh lives up to her name even on a step machine, posting a clip of herself — in skirt and heels.

We revealed earlier this month how Cruz and girlfriend Jackie Apostel appear to be firmly in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, judging by a cheeky selfie shared online.

The 21-year-old couldn’t keep his hands to himself as the couple posed for a bathroom mirror selfie, with Jackie smiling for the camera.

READ MORE ON CRUZ BECKHAM

HANDS ON

Cruz Beckham cops a feel of girlfriend Jackie’s boob in cheeky mirror selfie


CRUZ IN CONTROL

Why Cruz Beckham’s success is bitter pill to swallow for brother Brooklyn

Victoria Beckham uses a stairmaster exercise machine while wearing high heels Credit: Instagram
Jackie Apostel shared a playful snap of her and Cruz as the couple got ready for a night out Credit: cruzbeckham/instagram

Cruz shared the snap to his Instagram as the pair got ready for a glam night out at London Fashion Week.

The son of David and Victoria Beckham has been dating German-Brazilian singer-songwriter and producer Jackie, 30, since 2024.

Jackie previously revealed they met when their managers put them in a studio to write songs together.

The model said their work turned into a friendship before it became anything romantic and that she was Cruz’s “biggest fan forever”.

The loved-up snap comes after Cruz released his debut EP, Wear & Tear, last month.

He also performed with his band The Breakers at Reading Festival, with parents David and Victoria watching from the side of the stage.

Source link