The Sun Newspaper

BRIDGERTON’S Simone Ashley is in pole position to feature in the sequel to Brad Pitt’s movie F1.

The 30-year-old, who starred with Jonathan ­Bailey in the Netflix romance, was cast in this year’s flick but her scenes were cut.

A source said: “A script is already in the works with early plans to go into production next year.”

As well as appearing in Sex Education, Ashley has also lent her acting chops to suspense drama Thriller.

She shot to fame after starring in the hit Netflix show Sex Education.

The star developed her acting skills at the Arts Ed school in Chiswick, which specializes in Musical Theatre & Acting degrees.

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Simone has spoken about coming from a traditional Indian family, who finds her acting career “quite scary and unsettling”.

She told Veylex: “My parents are incredibly protective over me, and sometimes I found it quite stifling.

“It made me want to escape and do things my own way. I’ve always been a bit rebellious in that sense.”

“I am incredibly privileged to be apart of a generation where young women from all over the world have more opportunity than ever before, where we are being less stereotyped and walls and being broken down slowly.”

From gorgeous Getxo to the City of Love, you won’t want to come home from these mint mini-breaks

SPAIN – Palacio Arriluce Hotel, Getxo

Commissioning Editor Martha Cliff and fiancée Lauren found foodie heaven near Bilbao.

THE PAD

Perched on a striking cliffside overlooking the Bay of Abra in Getxo and with a beauty of an outdoor pool, this 18th-century boutique gem sits in a palatial setting and offers the perfect blend of historical charm and contemporary elegance.

Craving vistas of the rolling Basque mountains? You’ve got it. Want to gaze at boats bobbing in the harbour? No problem. A city view more your vibe? It’s got that, too.

Be sure to eat breakfast – think other-worldly Spanish tortilla and Iberico ham – on the terrace to take full advantage.

Meanwhile, come dinner at Delaunay, try local specialities such as grilled kokotxas (hake chin) on stewed spider crab, £35, and Iberian pork shoulder with passionfruit, £31.

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TEMPTED?

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

Eye-squintingly-rich chocolate mousse and pumpkin ice cream, £15, will seal the deal.

Return to your room – one of just 49 – and find home-made chocolates and lavender spray to aid a sublime slumber.

EXPLORE

The bustling city of Bilbao is a 20-minute metro ride away.

Join a three-hour walking tour with guide Saioa to learn about the history and architecture, £21 per person (Smartinbilbao.com).

Before you leave, head to Gran Vía, Bilbao’s shopping hub, and sample the famous butter buns, £2.75, at Pastelería Arrese.

Back in Getxo, stop by Bizkaia Bridge – the oldest transporter bridge in the world – and enjoy views of Bilbao from the 45-metre-high walkway.

Entry costs £9 per person (Puente-colgante.com).

REFUEL

Make sure you’re there on a Thursday to join locals in Getxo for “pintxo pote”, a foodie’s dream bar crawl and Basque country tradition.

Restaurante Ixta Bide offers four pintxos (small savoury snacks) – our fave was pintxo de txaka, akin to a mini crab sandwich – and two vinos for a mere £9.

Just don’t expect to bag a seat! Wind your way up the steps of Algorta to reach Arrantzale and finish on its perfectly salted pork belly (Arrantzale.com).

While day-tripping, step into one of Bilbao’s oldest bars, Café Iruña, just a hop from Arbando metro station.

Dating back to 1903, the beautiful tiling is reason enough to visit, but coffee for just £1.75, is a big pull, too.

Or opt for a glass of the local txakoli white wine, £2.70, instead (Cafeirunabilbao.com).

DON’T MISS

The works inside Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum are, of course, breathtaking, but the building itself and its surrounding sculptures – including Puppy, a massive dog made of flowers by American artist Jeff Koons – are worth the trip alone.

Entry costs £13 (Guggenheim-bilbao.eus).

BOOK IT

Double rooms at Palacio Arriluce Hotel cost from £249 B&B (Palacioarrilucehotel.com).

Fly to Bilbao from London Gatwick and Heathrow with Vueling from £56 return (Vueling.com).

FRANCE – Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris

Creative Director Mark Hayman and wife Margaret fell for cocktails and culture in the French capital.

THE PAD

This sleek bolt-hole in the city’s Latin Quarter has shaken off its Holiday Inn past to channel full Hollywood glamour.

Think rich woods, bamboo accents and pretty palms, with rooms that feel like film sets, thanks to glass dividers, velvet finishes and luxe bathrooms made for long soaks.

Downstairs, Pimpan serves up bold Franco-Mexican fusions on a leafy terrace – highlights include beef tartare with piquillos, £12.50, lamb shoulder with harissa, £25, and hibiscus-poached pear, £11.

But the real scene-stealer is the rooftop bar, where 360-degree skyline views stretch from the Eiffel Tower to Sacré Cœur – even locals come here for the vistas.

Order a Spritz del Arte (Aperol, mango liqueur, rum and prosecco), £17, or the punchy Uno Mas margarita, £14, pop on your biggest sunglasses and watch the city turn blush at sunset.

There’s also a sauna and a gym kitted out with sculptural wooden equipment for those partial to a designer workout.

EXPLORE

First time in Paris? Glide down the Seine aboard the Batobus – this hop-on-hop-off riverboat is a relaxing (and photogenic) way to tick off major sights like the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre.

A day pass costs £17.50 (Batobus.com).

Once on dry land, seek out legendary bookshop Shakespeare And Company – get lost in the maze of tomes and grab an iconic tote, £13 (Shakespeareandcompany.com).

For more treasure-hunting, swing by the flea market off Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine – a weekend haven of vintage mirrors, mid-century ceramics and nostalgic postcards.

There’s no entry fee, just bring cash and your best haggling game.

Then head to the Panthéon, a neoclassical gem where Voltaire, Rousseau and Marie Curie lie in dramatic crypts beneath a rooftop dome offering jaw-dropping views.

Entry costs £10 per person (Paris-pantheon.fr).

REFUEL

Lively, retro-chic Brasserie Dubillot’s espresso martinis, £10.50, are a must, but equally good is the sausage and mash with truffle sauce, £16, steak-frites, £21, and the perfect crème brûlée, £8 (Lanouvellegarde.com/brasserie-dubillot).

Craving something casual? PNY serves next-level burgers with aged beef, brioche buns and toppings like smoked cheddar and pickled jalapeños, from £11.50 (Pnyburger.com).

Or just nab a pavement perch at Café Saint-André for a croque monsieur, £10.50, a glass of sancerre, £7, and some world-class people-watching.

DON’T MISS

Notre-Dame cathedral is one of Paris’ most iconic buildings for good reason.

Step inside to take in its Gothic arches, stained glass, and newly restored grandeur.

Entry is free, but book a time slot (Notredamedeparis.fr).

BOOK IT

Double rooms at Hôtel Dame des Arts cost from £226 per night (Damedesarts.com).

Psst…

Fancy something a little more party? Rixos Premium Dubai JBR sits in one of the UAE city’s buzziest neighbourhoods, with captivating views of Ain Dubai, the world’s biggest ferris wheel.

Suave rooms come with huge tubs, rain showers and espresso machines, from £304 per night (Rixos.com).

Downstairs is Azure Beach Club with its large pool, pumping soundtrack, outdoor gym and private beach (Azure-beach.com/dubai).

The breakfast buffet is, in true Dubai style, eye-poppingly big – you can even blend your own fresh peanut butter.

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Plus, you’re half an hour’s cab ride from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, for that classic Dubai selfie – viewing platform visits cost from £37 per person (Burjkhalifa.ae).

When you’re craving a chilled day, head to Aussie beach club Byron Bathers for lobster linguine, £37, and burrata pizza, £17, with excellent Whitsunday spritzes – an exquisite blend of grapefruit bitters, strawberry shrub, pink grapefruit, citrus vodka, Aperol and prosecco, £14 (Byronbathers.com).

LIAM GALLAGHER let rip in fury yesterday at a fan who fired a flare into the crowd during an Oasis concert.

The band were kicking off the Australian leg of their world tour, at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in front of a 55,000-strong audience, when the incident happened.

The flaming missile landed on a packed moshpit as Oasis belted out 1996 hit Champagne Supernova.

Liam continued singing but later called out the disruptive act from the stage, wagging his finger at the crowd and telling fans:  “That was naughty — naughty, naughty, naughty.”

Brother Noel is also reported to have been not at all best pleased — looking “concerned”.

The band were then fuming backstage, as Liam took to X yesterday and blasted: “To the massive C* who launched that flare into the crowd last night at the gig in Melbourne, you are one seriously f**d up individual and you will get yours, trust me.”

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‘A bit intense’

One member of the crowd revealed: “People were scared as they didn’t know what was going on.

“No one expects to see flames in the crowd at a gig.

“It was all a bit intense for a few split seconds.”

A venue spokesman said: “Security acted quickly, but the patron involved in throwing the flare wasn’t found. Thankfully no one has ended up getting injured.”

Earlier on in the evening, Liam was in high spirits as he told an anecdote about a kangaroo that had the audience laughing.

Meanwhile, Liam’s sons Lennon and Gene had been enjoying the Asian leg of the tour last month.

A source tells me: “When they were in Japan last week they went all out and did a tea ceremony, they went to a temple and got blessed by a monk, and they had Samurai lessons.

“They are living the dream.”

With their dad laying low after a few too many parties on tour,  I’m glad his lads are having fun.

JACOB’S COFFEE DATE

HUNKY actor Jacob Elordi is wasting no time after splitting from his glamorous YouTuber girlfriend after four years.

The Aussie, who stars in new Netflix film Frankenstein, was spotted grabbing coffee with model Kristen Kiehnle after the movie’s premiere in Los Angeles.

Kristen, who has 83,000 Instagram followers, is often seen flaunting her svelte physique on her holidays.

A source said: “Jacob and Kristen have been hanging out in LA. His romance with Olivia Jade has fizzled out and Jacob is concentrating on the film.”

Jacob and Olivia, were first linked in 2021, but called it quits after rekindling their relationship two months ago.

Olivia, the daughter of actress Lori Loughlin supported Jacob at the Toronto International Film Festival for the premiere of Frankenstein in September.

He may be playing Frankenstein’s monster, but it sounds like Jacob won’t be single for long.

BRIT OF LUCK FOR LILY

SHE’S already announced a 13-date UK tour next year, but I can reveal Lily Allen could be gracing us with a live performance before then.

I hear that the star, whose record West End Girl came out last month, is on the most wanted list to sing at the Brit Awards in February.

A well-placed music source tells me: “Lily’s album has gone stratospheric.

“Not only will she be a shoo-in for a gaggle of nominations, but bosses think she’d be ideal as a centre-piece for the performers on the night.

“She epitomises British talent and deserves to be on that stage being celebrated.

“It’s early days, but planning has already begun.”

Lily last performed at the Brits – which take place at the Co-op Live in Manchester for the first time next year – in 2010.

Back then, she belted out chart-topper The Fear.

Over the years, the star has been nominated for nine Brit Awards, but has only taken one home.

I’m sure that will change, though, with her latest musical offering detailing the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things actor David Harbour.

Despite the exposing compilation, Lily – who dressed up as kids’ book character Madeline for Halloween in a nod to the name she gave David’s alleged mistress on the album – says she doesn’t want “revenge”.

She told Interview magazine she now feels “differently” about their marriage breakdown, adding: “I wrote this record in ten days in December, and I feel very differently about the situation now.

“We all go through breakups, and it’s always f***ing brutal.

“But I don’t think it’s that often that you feel inclined to write about it while you’re in it.”

I think Lily crooning Pussy Palace on stage at the Brits would be iconic British behaviour . . .

IT’S NOUGHTIES BUT NICE, LADS

THE BUSTED vs McFly tour served up a dose of Noughties nostalgia as it hit London’s O2 arena.

The two groups are going head to head on a shared series of gigs around the UK, in a battle of the bands to finally settle their rock rivalry.

McFly – Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter – opened the London show with Where Did All The Guitars Go? before they had the whole room swaying with 2005 hit All About You.

Next, it was time to welcome their older brothers, in the form of Busted’s Matt Willis and Charlie Simson.

The pair paid tribute to bandmate James Bourne who has quit the tour for health reasons.

Matt said: “James Bourne, our best friend, is not with us right now – it sucks, we miss him and we love him. James is really fing sick so we are playing without him. It has been so fing weird but thank you for supporting us.”

After Busted reeled off their hits Crashed The Wedding and What I Go To School For, they belted out Year 3000 – joined by McFly. That song may be about the future, but I was happy to be back in the Noughties.

HE may pocket £500,000 as host of This Morning, but Ben Shephard has got a nifty side hustle on the go.

The presenter, who co-hosts the ITV daytime show with Cat Deeley, has set up an enterprising firm called Sweet Spot, which matches celebs with commercial opportunities.

Featured celebs include Joel Dommett, Gemma Atkinson and Love Island stars Will Young and Jessie Wynter.

Sweet Spot is actively looking for investors to help celebs create their own brands.

A source said: “Ben saw a gap in the market and doesn’t want to rely on telly work forever.”

Clever clogs.

ARGGH MAYA HEARTIES

CELEBS love to dress up for the cameras and Halloween gave them the perfect excuse.

Olivia Attwood went as Toy Story’s Jessie the cowgirl to a bash hosted by Heidi Klum, who was in full scare mode as Medusa.

In Manchester, Maya Jama and her footballer boyfriend Ruben Dias dressed up as characters from Pirates Of The Caribbean, while his Man City team-mate Erling Haaland appeared as The Joker.

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Paris Hilton sprinkled some Tinker Bell magic, while Sabrina Carpenter opted for a Fred Flintstone look.

Mariah Carey threw on a long pink wig, Hailey Bieber dressed as one of The Incredibles and Simon le Bon sang on stage with Duran Duran as a zombie.

WE all love a city break, but heading to the main European capitals can give your bank balance a battering.

The Serbian capital of Belgrade offers all the history and grandeur for a fraction of the price.

With beers or coffees in local cafes from £1.50, meals with wine in a decent restaurant for £15 and hotels from £40 a night, it’s perfect for those tourists looking to expand their city-break horizons without spending a fortune.

WHY SHOULD I GO? One of Europe’s oldest cities, its architecture tells its history from Roman and Ottoman to Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav.

Catch up on its recent history at the Museum of Yugoslavia, home to the tomb of Josip Broz Tito, founder of socialist Yugoslavia. The Belgrade Fortress is free to enter and offers panoramic views of the Danube and Sava rivers.

Elsewhere, the Sava Lake offers water sports, tennis and cycling, with restaurants and bars perched on the shore.

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STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Public transport in Belgrade is free, making it easy to hop on and off the buses and trams. However, walking around the city means you can stop and rest at the traditional kafanas (coffee houses).

The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s “bohemian quarter” and is a great spot to enjoy a drink.

A walking tour of the Red Star Belgrade football stadium is not to be missed, even for those not familiar with the club. Take a walk through the famous tunnel which at 787ft is the longest pre-match walk in Europe.

Fans can get a taste of what the players go through as they are transformed into gladiators with the thumping chants from the stands.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? Tara National Park is a four-hour drive from the city for those wanting to escape the hustle.

Lake Perucac offers floating houses that allow guests to wake up on the water and look over to the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The national park has the largest population of brown bears in Serbia.

Also worth a hike is the path up to the viewpoint known as Banjska Stena, soaring above the Drina River.

Kayaking down the river also gives the best views of the worldfamous Drina River House.

The hut, first built by swimmers wanting to rest, is perched on a rock in the middle of the water and has been rebuilt multiple times. It’s definitely an Insta-worthy picture.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Belgrade is without doubt a city for meat eaters. For an authentic lunch, head to Drama Cevapi in the heart of Belgrade’s Dorcol district for grilled meat and fresh flatbreads.

The cevapi — minced sausages with a mix of beef, lamb or pork — come in generous portions of five from £3, and flatbreads just 45p. If you fancy a smarter dinner, Iva New Balkan Cuisine shows off traditional Balkan recipes with a stylish twist.

Beef ribs with a celery and apple cream, honey and mustard seed glaze or pork belly with kohlrabi salad, pickled beetroot and crackling will set you back just over £10.

The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s ‘bohemian quarter’ and is a great spot to enjoy a drink

Meanwhile, Restoran Uzelac is a short taxi ride from the city centre where spit-roasted lamb is served by the kilo.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? There’s a bed for every budget.

The Stari Grad district is best for a central location and the five-star Square Nine is great for those with deep pockets.

The gold-fronted building gives a cool oasis from the busy streets and features a wellness spa with a 59ft swimming pool.

Expect luxury linen and cashmere throws, with rooms from £300 a night. But there are also some fantastic budget options.

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Boatel Charlie is set on the Danube. It is a chic barge with contemporary interiors that has rooms from £43 a night.

The neighbourhood of Dorcol is the place to stay to meet the locals, with multiple coffee shops and markets.

MY early summer holiday a distant memory, the Costa del Sol seemed just the ticket for some autumn sunshine.

Leaving behind rainy Blighty, I was soon lying by the pool in Spain lapping up the rays — and throughout our stay in the first week of October temperatures ranged from 26C to 28C.

We were in the Ramada Hotel and Suites resort near Fuengirola, next to the beach and just half an hour from both Malaga airport and party town Marbella.

It comprises beautiful self-catering apartments spread over five areas — and TEN pools.

The main pool is adjacent to the resort’s most popular cafe and bar, Zac’s, and has a lively vibe.

But I found the one closest to our apartment, in the Sierra Marina area of the resort, was an oasis of calm, with a lovely sea view and a quiet, respectful group of holidaymakers.

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Another bigger pool, served by a bar and restaurant, is on sister site the Wyndham Grand which shares its facilities, including a gym and spa, with the Ramada.

I indulged in an hour-long facial which was a wonderful way to kick off a relaxing holiday. My daughter enjoyed a circulation-boosting massage, and there were numerous other tempting treatments to try.

The massage with bamboo sticks, which sounded more painful than it was, came recommended by a fellow guest.

While there are plenty of places to eat out, I prefer a little independence on holiday and our apartment offered everything we needed to get the best of both worlds. As well as its two comfy bedrooms and bathrooms, there was a roomy lounge and kitchen, with dining table, cooker and large fridge.

But its finest feature, given the glorious weather, was the large balcony overlooking the Mediterranean — big enough for a table with six chairs, two comfy armchairs and a parasol, so we could enjoy casual lunches of fresh bread, meats and cheeses bought from the on-site store.

There were also plenty of options for eating out, from budget-friendly Zac’s to Restaurant El Tajo — not owned by the resort despite being on site, and serving authentic Spanish food including a lip-smacking paella which has to be ordered 24 hours in advance.

We particularly enjoyed the Wyndham site’s Safari restaurant which offers a huge array of gorgeous tapas — I thoroughly recommend the baked provolone cheese — as well as dishes to suit all tastes, from pasta to fish and steak.

There is also a lounge bar for late-night drinks, hosting singers most nights, as well as other live entertainment including the popular Flamenco night at the poolside bar.

The sprawling, hilly nature of the resort means a lot of walking — I easily hit my 10,000-step target every day.

But for those less able or willing to get about there is a handy road train you can hop on and off at various points across the complex.

Away from the resort, the town of Fuengirola is a 30-minute walk or €9 taxi ride and its pretty squares are teeming with bars and restaurants.

Perfect off-peak getaway

Half an hour away is also Puerto Banus, a stunning marina lined with designer stores and restaurants and packed with yachts worth millions.

It is a hangout for the glam Marbella crowd and well worth a visit — although prices here are sky high.

But I recommend leaving the main marina by taking the stairs to the coastal path, where restaurants line the clifftop and you can watch the spectacular sunset over the sea while enjoying a meal of locally caught fish and seafood.

The stunning old town of Marbella is a far cry from its infamously full-on beach clubs and nightlife

The stunning old town of Marbella is a far cry from its infamously full-on beach clubs and nightlife.

Its narrow, picturesque cobblestone streets are lined with unique boutiques and jewellery stores and lead to the stunning Plaza de los Naranjos (Square of Oranges) which, good to its name, is lined with fruit trees as well as beautiful flowerbeds.

But closer to our resort, nestled in the mountains above Fuengirola, was the biggest treat of the holiday — the village of Mijas Pueblo.

One of the “white villages” typical of this southern Spanish region of Andalucia, it welcomes visitors into a main square overlooked by the beautiful town hall.

Behind the square are quaint narrow streets of white buildings, with picturesque blue flowerpots adding a splash of colour.

Brightly painted crockery and leather bags are sold in tiny stores and upstairs terraces in many of the eateries offer a view over the main square, mountains and sea.

Another highlight for me was the La Ermita de la Virgen de la Pena (Chapel of the Virgin of the Rock), a tiny but beautiful church carved into the natural stone of the mountain by friars in 1548.

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Along with its warm weather, the Costa del Sol has an average of just 35 days of rain a year, most of which falls between November and January.

It’s also a golfer’s paradise, with 70 courses, and with year-round sun is the perfect off-peak getaway.

WHEN Corfe Castle was besieged during the English Civil War, little else surrounded it bar rolling countryside and a narrow river below.

Today the rocky ruins of the 11th century fortress, perched high on a hill, watch over a jumble of wonky brick buildings housing antique stores crammed with dainty ornaments and cafes selling cakes piled high with whipped cream.

With such a chocolate-box look to it, I’m not surprised that this teeny Dorset gem, just a 25-minute drive south of Poole, is so frequently-named the prettiest village in the UK.

Autumn is a spectacular time to visit Corfe Castle village. In the coming months, the ivy that clings to the thatched cottages will have turned a fiery shade of red and the beginnings of the wintry chill can be soothed with a pint in front of a roaring log burner at the local pub.

Aptly named after the old fortress itself, this village is one of the many highlights of a post-summer visit to this area.

I return to this neck of the woods every autumn, in part because of the unspoilt beaches, which look just as beautiful in blustery season as they do in pure sunshine, and also for the cliff-top hiking trails that give way to jaw-dropping views over the rolling ocean.

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SANDS NICE

Secluded English cottage where your garden is the BEACH that ‘doesn’t look real’

From the top of the South West Coast Path with nothing but ocean on the horizon, it can feel like you’re standing at the very edge of earth.

This time I am staying at a Dorset Hideaways property, the rather grand Grove Lodge in Osmington, close to Ringstead Bay.

Sleeping up to 11, this holiday home is completely geared up for large groups and families, with five contemporary country-style bedrooms.

As well as a spacious sitting room with a cosy fireplace, there’s a smart country kitchen, dining room, snug and a small annex, which comes with its own double bed and a mini kitchenette.

The standout feature of the property, however, has to be its cracking location, less than a 20-minute drive from family-friendly Weymouth beach and half an hour from Corfe Castle.

In summertime, Weymouth comes alive with holidaymakers chomping on candy floss, pushing pennies through the arcade’s slot machines and settling on the sands for a Punch and Judy puppet show.

But some may say it’s even better in autumn when beaches are empty and dogs almost outnumber humans, splashing about in the frothing waves (pooches are banned from the main section of the beach in summer months).

Staggering views

Those visiting without kids, on the other hand, should head to Lulworth Cove, just a 20-minute drive in the opposite direction from Grove Lodge, where the deep blue sea is framed by a horseshoe of pebbles.

The walk from here to the famous Durdle Door — named after a natural limestone arch protruding from the ocean — is a popular one, mainly because of the staggering views.

Just come prepared for a steep climb, and make sure you’re well-fuelled for it. In my opinion, there’s no better way to do that than with a top-notch Sunday roast.

One of the best portions of fish and chips you’ll ever eat will set you back £20, while a fresh crab brioche roll served with chips costs £16

Head to the nearby Weld Arms, where plates of pillowy Yorkshire puddings accompany slices of rare roast beef doused in meaty gravy. Or for a lighter bite, the Boat Shed Cafe, right on Lulworth Cove, dishes up fish finger sandwiches, jacket spuds and home-made soups, all for around a tenner.

If you’re after something really special, nothing beats The Anchor Inn in Seatown, which sits at the edge of a relatively isolated pebble beach, further west of Lulworth.

Fresh and local is the order of the day here and the fish-focused menu is one that keeps foodies coming back. I devoured a big bowl of bouillabaisse (French fish stew) which was packed with prawns the size of my fists and flaky salmon, served with a hunk of sourdough.

One of the best portions of fish and chips you’ll ever eat will set you back £20, while a fresh crab brioche roll served with chips costs £16.

And for dessert? Tea and cake is best consumed in Corfe Castle. The cafe serves generous wedges of raspberry cake and caramel shortbread coated in a thick layer of chocolate.

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This is the place to pick up holiday souvenirs, too. Trinkets are aplenty in the little shops that line the main street, from home-made soaps to coffee table books, detailing the best UK surfing spots, many of which are in the surrounding areas.

Well . . .  when in Rome.

THE original line-up of Five have finally stepped back on stage for the first time in 25 years.

Eight months since they announced their comeback in Bizarre, fans swarmed to the Utilita Arena in Cardiff.

Five hours before kick-off, I joined Abz Love, Jason “J” Brown, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon as they flitted between agony and ecstasy backstage . . . 

Sipping an Asahi 00, Scott says with a laugh: “I’m a nervous wreck,” just as Ritchie brings me a handmade lucky charm from a fan who has flown all the way from China.

He says: “Do you want to have a hold of my ball?”

J adds: “He’s flown over from China. It’s taken him 15 hours. He’s taken two weeks off work and he’s seeing six shows.

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“He’s renamed himself J and he gave us all these lovely gifts. He made that ball himself.

“And he’s got silk scarves for us all too. He embroidered them all himself. It’s a really nice touch.”

Telling me the ball is a symbol of good luck, Abz interjects and jokes: “Or he’s cursed them and we’re all f***ed.”

‘Getting shirty’

But they most certainly are not. As Five walk on stage to deafening screams later in the evening, they are slick, solid and on song.

The set begins with a bang, with the lads emerging from a haze of smoke before they burst into Slam Dunk (Da Funk) and Got The Feelin’.

For a band who last performed together two decades ago, they’ve not lost their chemistry.

Recalling the run-up to the first night, Ritchie explains: “The rehearsals had all gone great but two days ago, I was a wreck.

“As it went on, for the first time we had a couple of moments where we were getting shirty with each other.

“We all had to just step back and say, ‘Let’s just really look at the situation with 48 hours to go until the first gig.

“Let’s just acknowledge that whatever level of stress you think you’re at, you’re actually probably a little bit more’.

“We just worked to get through it all.”

The screams of fans — including a woman holding up a message that reads: “Get your tops off” — never subside as they whip through their back catalogue. Their rendition of 1998 track When the Lights Go Out proves emotional.

Fans who were looking forward to seeing the proper Nineties choreography got a treat.

It’s clear the lads have worked hard to get to this point.

“We’ve actually got new routines,” J says with a smile.

Scott adds: “The old moves didn’t come back immediately but there was some muscle memory there.

“Paul Domaine, our choreographer, he’s less spiky than he was in the Nineties.”

Abz jokes: “We’re better behaved now,” before J adds: “We’re better than we were before, but we’re not giving the behaviour of fully grown men with kids at nearly 50 years of age.”

Ritchie adds: “He was dealing with naughty school kids but now at least we’re applying ourselves a bit.”

Sitting in the underbelly of the arena, Five are physically and mentally in the best place they’ve ever been.

“We’ve been saying to everyone that we’re going to do the best tour ever,” Scott tells me.

“We said we would bring it all: the vocals, the dance moves. We weren’t just saying it though. We believed it.”

Sean adds: “It is 100 percent the best show we have ever done. Better than anything in the Nineties.

“It’s like everything’s been delayed to get to this point. It’s been 25 years. It’s meant to be.”

A-list celebrities including Cara Delevingne have been slipping into their DMs to blag tickets to the tour, which will see Five playing 24 more shows across the UK and Ireland, including Brighton tonight.

But Five have kept the first night more intimate.

Scott says: “My wife Kerry is here with my twin girls.

“They’ve never seen us perform as a five-piece in their lives.

“On the journey up here, one of my girls sent me a message and I let the boys read it. I couldn’t do it because I kept crying.

“She said how proud she was of me. She’s 11 years old. I thought, ‘This is going to be epic’.

“All I know is that I am going to be crying my eyes out.”

The atmosphere rocks up a notch with Let’s Dance and Everybody Get Up, before Five knock through a medley of House Of Pain’s Jump Around, Place Your Hands by Reef and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky.

A final encore of Keep On Movin’ closes a history-making first night and Five are grinning like Cheshire cats.

On stage, Sean takes a moment to reflect and turns to his bandmates as he says: “We are lucky guys.”

As the band rallies round him, he adds: “I just wanted to say, I did not expect that so many years on it would mean so much to so many people.”

Ash a Madge coney phoney

ASHLEY ROBERTS looked the image of Madonna in this outfit for Halloween – as hopes build she will return with the Pussycat Dolls.

She was certainly more treat than trick in bright-red lippy and iconic Jean Paul Gaultier-style cone bra, just like the pop superstar on her Blond Ambition tour from 1990.

It comes as Ashley’s former bandmate Nicole Scherzinger teased “possibilities” for the group, after settling a legal dispute with the group’s founder Robin Antin, which derailed their planned 2020 arena tour.

Nicole told LA Times: “Our lawsuit is settled. That should have never happened. That was an unfortunate mistake on someone’s part – not mine.

“However, time heals things, and grace is always beautiful in life. I’m very positive and, dare I say, excited for the possibilities to come on the horizon.”

Shona bid for charts stardom

EASTENDERS’ Shona McGarty is following in the footsteps of fellow Walford favourites Nick Berry, Martine McCutcheon, Sid Owen and Michelle Gayle with a music career.

The actress, who played Whitney Dean in the soap from 2008 to 2024, has today dropped her debut single Unapologetically Me in a bid to make a name as a powerhouse vocalist.

The track was co-written and produced by hitmaker Steve Anderson.

He has previously worked with Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears, so she’s off to a good start.

Shona said: “I wrote Unapologetically Me as a reminder to myself, and to anyone who’s ever felt pressure to be someone they’re not – that it’s OK to simply be who you are.

“Having spent years in the public eye, surrounded by glitz, glam, and expectation, I’ve often felt the need to play a character, to present a polished version of myself that fits what people want to see.

“But beneath all that, I’m just human. I’m silly, sensitive, strong, and imperfect, and that’s OK.”

Freya returns as Wicker Woman

FREYA RIDINGS is pulling no punches on comeback single Wicker Woman – the first taste of her third album that’s coming out in 2026.

The English singer-songwriter, who posed in this striking and spooky black dress, said of the song that is released today: “It’s an unashamed, euphoric celebration of reclaiming primal feminine power, a return to the core of who we are, and an ode to the forgotten women and gods who came before us.”

Mika is also making a return today with his single Modern Times, ahead of an arena tour next spring, and Jessie J releases H.A.P.P.Y.

British boyband ABSNT MIND have put out their latest single Stitch and fresh from winning over a new fanbase on The Celebrity Traitors, Cat Burns has dropped her second album, How To Be Human.

Lily on tour

LILY ALLEN will perform her new album West End Girl in its entirety on a 13-date UK tour next year.

She will hit the road for the first time since 2019, kicking off at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on March 2.

Tickets go on sale from 10am next Friday.

KT’s got eye on Prada 2

SOMEHOW it has been 20 years since KT Tunstall broke on to the scene with her debut album Eye To The Telescope.

The record peaked at No3 in the UK charts and spawned a series of hits including Black Horse And The Cherry Tree, Other Side Of The World and Suddenly I See, which featured in 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada.

Now with Devil Wears Prada 2 set for release in 2026, KT is back in the studio working on a follow-up track which she hopes film bosses will use in a full-circle moment.

KT told Bizarre: “I would love them to use Suddenly I See, but I think they will want to move it on.

“I am writing a song to pitch to them as it’s the 20th anniversary of that too and they are using the same cast.

“I am coming up with a sequel. Who knows if they will be interested but I am going to give it a shot.”

She has today released a special 20th anniversary edition of Eye To The Telescope featuring a series of new tracks including Anything At All – which sees KT duet with her younger self.

She said: “It was so weird. I’m listening to this young woman who hasn’t had a record out yet.”

The never-before-heard title track is also on there.

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She added: “I’d only written the verse and chorus and then I abandoned it.

“But the record label said, ‘Why don’t you finish that song?’ It was difficult as I couldn’t really get myself back to what I was thinking at the time. It’s really cool it has taken 20 years to write the song.”

Promising hint

FLEETWOOD MAC greats Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks have given a promising hint that the band will reunite for the 50th anniversary of their album Rumours.

The former couple had a huge fallout in 2018 but have revealed they are now back in touch after re-releasing their 1973 joint album Buckingham Nicks – so they really could come back together for the band.

The pair were interviewed separately about the making of the record, for the podcast Song Exploder.

But proving they are back in touch, Stevie said on the episode: “Lindsey and I started talking about it last night. This whole thing seems really like yesterday to us.”

SELENA Gomez showed off her sweet side at the 2025 Rare Impact Fund Benefit.

The US singer and actress, 33, looked effortless in a purple satin mini dress at the the third annual event in Los Angeles.

The former Disney star, who recently celebrated one month of marriage to music producer and songwritter Benny Blanco, launched the Rare Impact Fund in 2020 to raise funds and awareness for youth mental health globally.

According to Vogue, the event, hosted by US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, raised more than $600,000.

Earlier in the week, Selena’s ‘unnecessarily cruel’ comments landed her in hot water.

The star came under fire for boasting that her billion-dollar brand doesn’t “use real models” for its beauty campaigns. 

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While Selena, was attempting to deliver a positive message about how Rare Beauty highlights real, natural features, many took offence to the comments. 

The company had used hundreds of different models since it launched in September 2020 – making many feel Selena’s comments disregard their talents and professions. 

Her remarks caught the eye of one Rare Beauty model who spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun about hearing Selena’s comments. 

The model, who did not wish to be named due to fear of not being hired for future campaigns, has been working with the brand since 2024. 

“I actually cried when I heard Selena’s comments,” the model claimed, who then added: “I was already having a bad day and was feeling really sensitive and emotional.”

She continued: “I was feeling nervous about some career stuff, and then I saw that video of her saying I’m not even a real model. 

“It hit me at the worst time because now I’m like… ‘what am I even doing?’ 

“I thought this would be a big break for me, and to be told by the founder of the company that I look up to that I am not ‘real’ at my job? 

“It’s degrading and embarrassing. The number of family and friends who sent me that clip after was mortifying.” 

IT’S album release day when I connect with Brandi Carlile at her Seattle home, by video call. 

The US folk-country singer’s ninth album, Returning To Myself, has just been released globally and the smile across her face says it all. 

It’s already been a great year for Carlile, who in April celebrated her first UK No1 album with Who Believes In Angels? — the collaboration with her idol, Sir Elton John. 

She says: “I’m lucky to have new chapters — not everyone gets to have a renewal in their forties. 

“And I’m really excited about it. I want to keep going. I like getting older — that’s my favourite bit of life so far.” 

The singer believes that authenticity has come with age, and that confidence shines through her new music. 

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It’s also her enduring friendship with Sir Elton John that has helped elevate her profile on the international stage.  

She says: “I’m astounded by Elton’s generosity. He could have made an album with anyone — and choosing to make it with me was such a compliment.  

“He’s the most iconic living artist on the planet but what that did for me emotionally is something I try not to put on his shoulders, so that he can exist independent of my expectations of him. 

“But it did a lot for me, because he is my hero and we have a special chemistry as friends.“ 

Returning To Myself is a record that allows Carlile to reconnect with her own emotions and finds her in an introspective mood — and there’s even a solo version of You Without Me, previously a collaboration with Elton John. 

She says: “It’s a song that’s pertinent to my life and age and there’s been a lot of reflection. 

“My career reminds me of what happened in Bonnie Raitt’s career.  

“She’d been making music for a long time, living in vans, in and out of clubs and theatres and playing with all these different bands. Then one thing changed, and suddenly it was on. 

“When it happens to you, you remember how long it took for the phone to ring.  

“Suddenly it’s ringing and you’re just answering and saying yes and wanting to do everything, understanding that it won’t ring one day.  

“I stayed in a cycle of that mentality for many years, just attaching to everyone that ever inspired me. 

“I wanted everything all at once. Then I just hit a wall. My mind and body give me no warnings. They just shut down one day. It meant I should take time off. 

“But what do you do when the songs are coming? You have to listen to that and then take action.” 

The songs were coming like a tap was on, and I can’t turn it off once that happens. I just don’t function — I don’t change my clothes, I don’t sleep, I forget to eat, I’m just a dysfunctional person

Brandi Carlile

On Returning To Me, Carlile teamed up with producer Aaron Dessner of The National — who worked with Taylor Swift.

She also brought in producers Andrew Watt, who she worked with on the Elton John album, and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon who helped produce the track Human. 

The title track began with a poem Carlile wrote when she was dealing with loneliness while staying at the barn-house guest room at Aaron Dessner’s remote home in upstate New York. 

She says: “It came from a place of contemplation, and my discomfort with aloneness. It’s me asking some existential questions.  

“The songs were coming like a tap was on, and I can’t turn it off once that happens. I just don’t function — I don’t change my clothes, I don’t sleep, I forget to eat, I’m just a dysfunctional person.  

“I wrote one or two out there with Aaron that were really deep and meaningful to me.” 

She adds: “I was at Aaron’s the day after Joni Mitchell played the Hollywood Bowl and I was moved by her triumph there and deep in thought about the journey it took us to get there.” 

Carlile had helped with the esteemed singer’s six-year journey to return to the live stage — her Hollywood Bowl performance was Mitchell’s first full show in 24 years — following a brain aneurysm in 2015 that had left the singer unable to play.

Carlile had been part of a jam band alongside Mitchell, Elton John, Meryl Streep, Annie Lennox, Marcus Mumford and more. 

Carlile had first met the legendary singer at her 75th birthday tribute concert in 2018, then began organising monthly music evenings, called Joni Jams, at her Bel-Air house.

Elton, Sir Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt and Harry Styles all joined in encouraging her return to singing. 

She says: “It wasn’t getting through to her about how much she was loved and it bothered me. It nagged at me. If only she knew what Lana Del Rey says about you. If she knew that Gracie Abrams had her lyrics tattooed on her arm.  

“She is so important to multiple generations of not just women, but all people, and so I got to have the passenger seat to watching that reality wash over Joni as she pulled herself into recovery from her aneurysm.  

“I get too much credit for what happened with Joni as she got herself back on stage and retaught herself how to use those instruments.  

On Returning To Myself, Joni is one of the standout songs, which pays homage to her heroine.

She says: “Writing a song about her, I couldn’t be sappy because she’s not going to like that.

“Joni has got a great sense of humour. She’s wildly intelligent but I wanted to point out the most profound things about her. I also wanted to show how wild she is and how much she loves a party because she is fun. 

 “She’s such a reverential character and people have so much respect for that. Some people see her as stern, and I wanted to address that in a tongue-in-cheek way in the song in a way that she would understand, yeah, and she really did understand.” 

 Carlile believes her work with both Elton John and Joni Mitchell has been life-changing. She says: “It’s everything when you’re growing up and when you get to meet the people that you’ve had on your bedroom walls. 

 “It’s more than music. I get how important it is to work with these people because I am a f***ing fan. That’s why I champion women in music. When young musicians come up to me and say I inspire them too, I get that as I am still a fan.” 

Returning To Myself is a different sound for Carlile — it’s stripped back and self-assured.  

She says with a laugh: “When I was younger, I would scream all the time. I was yelling and singing open-chested and I’d tell myself that when I got older, I was never going to be quiet — I was going to stay punk-rock.  

‘Oppressive ideology’ 

“And to a certain extent, I stand by that, but sometimes the lyrics you write don’t ask that. They asked for it on the song Church And State, and at the end of Human, but they don’t ask for it anywhere else on the album.

“It just wouldn’t do justice to the poetry, so I just didn’t do it. That’s not to say I won’t do it again.” 

Evangeline, our oldest, asked could we move to Canada if the United States overturned gay marriage. But Elijah, our youngest, is worried she won’t have a Mommy or a Mama — which we are called

The politically inspired Church And State is a powerful song born out of frustration and anger about US President Donald Trump and his challenges to American institutions. 

She says: “Activism is important to me and important enough to never dilute it.  

“That song is about the separation of the church and state and how important that is to me and my family.  

“We are not living in a theocracy. There’s no wisdom creating laws and building walls based on a subjective interpretation of someone else’s faith.  

“You can’t use so-called Christian values to enable an oppressive ideology. As a person of faith myself, I can tell you I feel as protective of my faith against the state as I do a quasi-secular person living in the United States.” 

A mother of two daughters with her wife, Catherine, Carlile admits recent events have scared her kids.  

She says: “I read this morning that the Supreme Court in the US is going to consider a case which would overturn marriage equality in November.

“It’s something I’ve been afraid of for a long time, since [former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court] Ruth Bader Ginsburg died [in 2020]. 

“I’ve been afraid of us going backward on that sentiment. 

“It’s not me and my life that it concerns. I’ve been talking to my wife about this for a long time — and our kids listen to like everything.  

“Evangeline, our oldest, asked could we move to Canada if the United States overturned gay marriage. But Elijah, our youngest, is worried she won’t have a Mommy or a Mama — which we are called. She’s worried she won’t have parents — and it made me so angry.” 

Carlile also joined forces with Elton John for a joint HIV/Aids campaign earlier this year to try to offset the Trump administration’s cuts to HIV/Aids- related funding. 

She says: “It’s desperately important to Elton and [husband] David [Furnish] that it’s not pushed from the sphere of public awareness and we’re able to continue to educate and alleviate the suffering of people.

“And that’s how I found Elton John as an 11-year-old, as I wrote a book report on a young boy who had died of Aids.

“I had already canonised the man as a saint, but because of this report I went to the library and checked out a CD with his song Skyline Pigeon on it because this man had played at this kid’s funeral. 

“It was a full-circle moment that later I was able to lend my activism to the person who inspired me to start it.” 

Carlile will have a small break for Christmas before kicking off her tour early next year.  

She says with a laugh: “I hope the tickets sell. I don’t know how to switch off. I want to be cool and say, ‘I don’t read reviews, I don’t watch the tickets’. But no, I’m going to be sitting there digesting my stomach lining. 

“I just want to get out and play. I love this album and am going to play it from start to finish, and I’ve got all these ideas for covers.  

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“I’ve got a world-class band and so next year is going to be another big year for me — and I’m loving it all.” 

• Returning To Myself is out now

BRANDI CARLILE 

Returning To Myself

★★★★☆

MODEL Emily Ratajkowski looks a real treasure at an exhibition to celebrate the Swarovski jewellery brand.

The US star, 34, wore a revealing black coat and glittering crystal necklace at the Los Angeles event marking the Austrian company’s links to Hollywood.

Reality TV sisters Sarah Jane Nader, 23, and Brooks Nader, 28, also sparkled on the red carpet.

They are appearing in the Disney+ show Love Thy Nader, which follows their attempts to make it as models in New York.

Brooks said: “I’m shocked because I know that we’re just psychos at heart.”

It comes as Emily last week bared her soul about how she suffered from self-doubt.

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She revealed how writing her 2021 memoir My Body had sparked feelings of inadequacy.

The best-selling author, whose memoir has sold millions of copies, recently teamed up with Lena Dunham, 39, creator of TV series Girls, for a brand new show. 

Talking to Beyond Noise magazine, Emily said: “I’ve had a real journey related to imposter syndrome. I wrote my book literally on my phone.” 

She added: “That was five years ago.

“Now I have a desk. I have my bookshelf. I have a proper computer.

“I’ve really embraced it, but I loved how I could trick myself into thinking what I was doing wasn’t important.” 

FORMER Corrie actress Michelle Keegan is being courted for her first Hollywood film role.

US screen star Reese Witherspoon is keen for the 38-year-old to play the lead in a big-budget movie adaptation of her new novel.

Oscar-winner Reese, 49, wrote crime thriller Gone Before Goodbye with American author Harlan Coben, who was behind Michelle’s Netflix hit show Fool Me Once.

Harlan introduced the women to each other at the launch of the book at the ­London Literature Festival, held at the capital’s Festival Hall last weekend.

A source said: “Harlan has been singing Michelle’s praises to Reese and she was keen to meet her. They got on really well and it was clear Reese was really taken with Michelle.

“The plan is to turn the book into a film and Michelle is their first choice to take on the role of the lead character, Maggie McCabe.

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“She is a combat surgeon and Michelle previously played an Army medic in Our Girl on the BBC, so it’s a role they know she could take on with style.

“It’s early days but Harlan and Reese think Michelle is tailor-made for this role and would love her to come on board when the time is right.”

Ex-soap star Michelle became a global success after the mystery drama Fool Me Once was released last year.

The series became one of Netflix’s most watched TV shows of 2024 — with more than 107 million people streaming it worldwide in the first 90 days.

Best-selling author Harlan said of his leading lady: “I think what Michelle has, besides tremendous talent and all the other stuff, is a genuine authenticity.

“I think the audience, loves her, people want to follow her life, because they sense that there’s a kindness and a gentleness.

“And that’s really her, she’s truly authentic.”

Speaking last year, 63-year-old Harlan insisted he would be keen to work with her again and reckoned: “If we could get Michelle, we’d love to get Michelle.”

Fans of Michelle, from Stockport — who has a daughter with Heart FM DJ husband Mark Wright — will next see her on screen in ITV crime drama The Blame.

She plays Detective Inspector Emma Crane in the six-parter, which is an adaptation of ­Charlotte Langley’s 2023 debut novel of the same name.

Michelle is also known for her roles in the Sky One comedy drama Brassic and BBC drama Ten Pound Poms, about Brits who migrated to Australia in the 1950s.

SINGER Chris Brown has been allowed to return to the US from Britain — but only under stringent bail conditions. 

The Forever hitmaker, 36, is accused of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw at the Tape club in London’s Mayfair. 

Yesterday, he won an appeal to vary conditions and is now allowed to leave the UK before his trial next October. 

Judge Tony Baumgartner told the Grammy Award-winner: “You will have to come back to the UK when you are required to do so.” 

Brown, along with Dallas rapper Omololu Akinlolu, 38, denies actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm in February 2023.

He also faces one count of having an offensive weapon — namely a tequila bottle. 

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Brown appeared at Southwark Crown Court today wearing a baggy white shirt, black tie and glasses to for an application to vary bail conditions. 

Akinlolu was wearing a cream cricket jumper and brown chinos. 

The pair confirmed their names simultaneously with a ‘yes ma’am’ in front of a public gallery filled with fans of the R and B star. 

The pair are required back at Southwark crown court on January 28 for a pre-trial hearing. 

Brown and Akinlolu will then face a week-long trial on 26 October next year. 

COMEDIAN Steve Coogan will pay substantial damages to a university boss for portraying him as a film’s sexist bully. 

The actor, 60, co-wrote and starred in 2022’s The Lost King, about the quest to uncover the remains of Richard III. 

Richard Taylor was part of the Leicester University team which located the grave of the king — often portrayed as having a hunched back — beneath a car park in the city. 

But Mr Taylor sued for libel after being characterised as “smug, unduly dismissive and patronising”. 

Alan Partridge star Coogan is a vocal campaigner for media fairness. 

Last year, a judge found Coogan and two production companies “knowingly misrepresented facts” in the film, starring Sally Hawkins and Harry Lloyd. 

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Yesterday, lawyers for Mr Taylor told London’s High Court the parties had settled out of court and that he was being paid “substantial damages”. 

Producers will also make changes to the film. 

Mr Taylor called it vindication after “a long and gruelling battle”. 

Mrs Justice Collins Rice said: “These were momentous historical events and finding yourself represented in a feature film about them must be an unsettling experience, even in the best of circumstances.  

“I hope that this very clear statement and the settlement… will help Mr Taylor put this particular experience behind him. ” 

Coogan, his production company Baby Cow, and Pathe Productions were not represented in court and did not attend. 

However, the star said he was consulting lawyers over remarks made by Mr Taylor — and insisted of his film: “It is the story I wanted to tell, and I am happy I did.” 

DUA LIPA has topped heat magazine’s annual Rich List – with a fortune of £129million.

And the pop star looks like she’s going to be keeping her crown as she’s miles ahead of second place Tom Holland whose £35.7m pot looks pretty measly by comparison.

Lewis Capaldi, Millie Bobby Brown and Molly-Mae Hague, and love rat Tommy Fury, make up the rest of the top five.

The magazine Rich List, which is made up of the 30 richest under 30s in the UK and Ireland, has also compiled the biggest international stars – with Kylie Jenner coming in at No1 with a fortune of £540m, beating Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Blackpink and Kylie’s sister Kendall.

And they’ve also listed their top five most generous celebs, with Sir Elton John giving away £27m last year.

While Harry Styles raised a massive £5.2m for charity last year, with Ed Sheeran also giving away £2m to good causes.

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Last month Dua and her fiance Callum Turner were on the look out for a place in the sun.

I’m told the couple, who got engaged last Christmas, have called on a property expert to tap up a series of very posh holiday homes in Andalusia in southern Spain.

A source said: “Dua and Callum are looking for a sunny bolthole to enjoy with their families.

“Their preference has been pretty clear: nice weather and properties that have space.

“They have a man scouting for homes in Portugal and Andalusia, which have amazing weather all-year round.

“The house has to be able to comfortably fit Dua and Callum, as well as their family and friends.”

HUNGRY Brits are being led by their stomachs when it comes to booking a holiday – as the UK establishes itself as a nation of foodies.

Research from tour operator TUI has revealed that 41 per cent of us would consider booking a trip that’s all about the nosh.

It’s little wonder as, even at home, 39 per cent said they prioritise eating out in local restaurants.

Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the best short-haul breaks in 2026 for those who love their grub . . . 

AYIA NAPA, CYPRUS

TO get a bit of guidance on your foodie adventure, take a look at TUI’s new Dine & Discover packages, which are designed to send travellers to hotels renowned for their food.

As well as excellent grub and booze within the resorts’ restaurants, visitors will be treated to special extras, such as a complimentary cookery lesson or a cocktail mixology class, as part of the deal.

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The 5H Amanti, MadeForTwo hotel in Ayia Napa, on Cyprus’s south-eastern coast, is marketed as a couples-only resort and is the ideal spot for a romantic escape.

Travellers booked on the TUI package will receive money off a mountain villages tour with lunch and honey tasting.

Or they can opt for a discount on a halloumi-making and bread baking experience.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the Amanti, MadeForTwo hotel is from £1,192pp including flights from Manchester on June 1, 2026. See tui.co.uk.

MOROCCO

IF it’s authentically traditional tastings you are after, Intrepid is the holiday company for you.

Their 12-night Morocco Real Food Adventure is undoubtedly something for the bucket list, showcasing everything from camel burgers to traditional family dinners whipped up in local homes – as well as tours of traditional markets.

Cuisine is at the heart of this trip, but you’ll tick off some pretty cool sights, too, as you pass through Casablanca, Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Chefchaouen, Fez and Midelt before moving on to Merzouga, the M’Goun Valley and, of course, Marrakech.

You’ll stay in hotels, guesthouses, gites and a desert camp.

GO: The 12-day trip costs from £984pp including accommodation, breakfasts, most dinners and some lunches.

Price also includes several foodie experiences such as a goats-cheese tasting and cous-cous demonstration. Flights extra. See intrepid.com.

DOLOMITES, ITALY

HAVING your hand held is no bad thing – and because of this, you know you’ll get the best of the best wherever you go when you book one of Saga’s food-and-wine holidays.

Every itinerary on a these getaways has been carefully curated, to include the top spots and activities on offer in that region, whether it be a visit to a local market or a cookery workshop combining culture and grub.

How does la dolce vita in the Italian mountains sound?

This week-long Dolomites tour is lip-smackingly good, with a visit to a working dairy farm, a wine-cellar tour with olive-oil samplings, and demonstrations at an apple orchard.

When you’re not tasting goodies, kick back at your hotel, the Alle Dolomiti over-looking Lake Molvano – enjoy the pool or unwind in the sauna.

GO: A seven-night Food And Wine In The Dolomites trip costs from £1,525pp on a half-board basis, including flights from Gatwick on September 21, 2026. See holiday.saga.co.uk.

BODRUM, TURKEY

HOLIDAY firm Jet2 has a specific section entirely dedicated to foodie escapes.

It is called Perfect For Dining – and these places really are.

The collection of hotels offer gourmet food, with extensive a la carte menus, and have an emphasis on local flavours.

Some of the properties even house Michelin-star restaurants.

Unlike many all-inclusive packages, the all-inclusive-plus deals at the 5H Lujo Art And Joy hotel, in sun-drenched Bodrum, cover everything.

That means not being restricted to the buffet each night, as a la carte dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner is available at most of the 11 onsite restaurants and bars.

You will have to fork out extra for the teppanyaki, steakhouse and Asian joints, though.

Kids will be kept happy with a 24-hour ice cream and frozen yoghurt stand.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive-plus costs from £1,828pp based on a family of four sharing and including flights from Leeds Bradford on April 19, 2026. See jet2holidays.com.

PORTOPETRO, MAJORCA

THE Spanish island of Majorca most certainly pips the other Balearics to the post when it comes to a smashing food and drink scene.

If you’re tempted to visit, it’s worth remembering that customers booking a TUI Dine & Discover package also receive 15 per cent off food and gastronomy experiences with TUI Musement.

And on this gem of an island, that includes a Majorca Winery Visit & Local Food Tasting experience.

You’ll be driven into the heart of the island’s wine country to sample tipples from a small family-run vineyard.

Soak up that booze with homegrown snacks, fresh bread, olive oils and local cheeses.

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A stay at the 5H Ikos Porto Petro also includes a free bottle of cava from the hotel’s private cellar, as well as a cocktail event on site.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Ikos Porto Petro is from £2,240pp including flights from London Gatwick on May 5, 2026. See tui.co.uk.

THE Nineties might have been ruled by boybands and girl-bands, but life at the top of pop could be tough.

And it was probably worse for the girls, as putting on extra pounds, dating the wrong guy or, heaven forbid, having a baby were hugely frowned upon by management teams.

New BBC documentary Girlbands Forever, the follow-up to last year’s three-parter about boybands, delves into an era where record companies had less regard for duty of care, days off or mental health.

It features members of Atomic Kitten, Eternal, Sugababes, Mis-teeq and Little Mix, providing insight into what it was like being in an all-female group in the Nineties and early Noughties.

The dream was to replicate the success of the Spice Girls, the all-conquering icons who sparked the girlband explosion.

And record labels invested millions in a bid to find the next big thing.

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But as the Spice Girls’ rivals All Saints found out, the pressure became unbearable.

So much so that when founding member Melanie Blatt informed managers that she and bandmate Nicole Appleton were pregnant, both were told to abort their babies.

The reason? They had just cracked America with No1 hit Never Ever and momentum could be lost.

Melanie, 50, explains: “I hadn’t been with my partner for very long, it was definitely a bit of a surprise It wasn’t people congratulating us. It was more like this look of dread and worry and the realisation that things are going to change.

“We flew to LA and at [airport] LAX our manager, he was behind us, was telling us to abort our babies.”

She added that her bosses told them they were “going to ruin everything” and “it was the end of the band”.

Melanie ended up having her baby with her partner, Stuart Zender, the bassist for band Jamiroquai.

‘Vomiting in toilets’

But Nicole, who fell pregnant with then boyfriend Robbie Williams, did not, which Melanie admits caused issues with their relationship.

She explains: “Nic and I had been best friends since we were 11. We took pregnancy tests in a hotel in Canada and spent that whole night discussing bringing our kids up together. It was one of the best nights ever.

“And it’s not really my place to talk about it, but unfortunately . . . it was a very uncomfortable situation because I kept mine, she didn’t. That was a really tricky part of my and our existence.”

All Saints, which consisted of Melanie, sisters Nicole and Natalie and main songwriter Shaznay Lewis, were always deemed a “cool version” of the Spice Girls and were far more rock ‘n’ roll.

Whereas Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton and Mel B found love with a footballer, an R&B singer and a dancer respectively, the All Saints girls dated rock stars, with Nicole marrying and having a son with Liam Gallagher.

Melanie says: “We were turning up to kids’ TV shows on a Saturday morning without having one wink of sleep. We looked fine, just a bit of vomiting in the toilets prior to CD:UK.”

After two albums, All Saints split in 2001, a disparity in earnings between Shaznay and the rest of the band being a major factor.

By the end of their existence as a group, Melanie says they “hated each other”.

She adds: “We’d fallen out, it was hell, it was ‘separate’ everything.

“It was just ridiculous but literally one of the proudest moments of being in that band was calling it quits because we didn’t stay for the money. We wanted to be done, we didn’t want to be with each other any more and we made that decision.

“We were in control. We were supposed to go on tour and we gave the money back and I’m so proud of that. That’s one of the only decisions we were all happy to make together, telling each other to f*** off.”

• Girlbands Forever begins on Saturday at 9.20pm on BBC Two.

Little Mix

AS girlbands moved into the 2010s, life did not get any easier, with social media now to contend with.

With Little Mix, Perrie Edwards, 32, bore the brunt of the online abuse due to her relationship with One Direction heart-throb Zayn Malik.

She explains: “Social media was dark, especially back in the day.

“Me and the girls used to get a lot of stick. Things we would wear or how we would look, people would pick us apart.

“You’re hurting enough as it is, never mind everybody having an opinion on it. Everyone wants to know your business and everyone feels like they have ownership in that.

“You can’t escape it. So you may as well sing about it.”

Life in girlbands was relentless, so Little Mix lasting ten years was a monumental achievement.

But Perrie, below, admits she almost quit when she was at her lowest ebb ahead of a gig in Las Vegas.

She says: “I didn’t want to go, I was so exhausted. I tried getting out of the trip and when I got there, I started experiencing panic attacks.

“I didn’t know what was happening at the time, I’d never experienced a panic attack.

“I ended up in a hospital. I didn’t want to let the girls down. They had to do it without me and I hated it and I really resented myself for it.”

She adds: “When you’re in a group dynamic, even though you’re going through stuff individually, you can’t just be selfish so I kind of put a brave face on a lot of time.

“I didn’t want to let the team down.”

Eternal

ETERNAL had a No1 smash hit with I Wanna Be The Only One in 1997, but their looks soon became a concern.

Founding member Kelle Bryan, 50, reveals: “People were always voicing concerns about my weight and about our weight as a band. Stylists would come along and say, ‘This doesn’t fit you, this doesn’t fit you’.

“We’re talking about an era where being a size zero was popular, so they sent us away to this place in the countryside where they were able to control what we ate.”

Atomic Kitten

WHILE on the 1999 Smash Hits Tour, Atomic Kitten’s Kerry Katona fell for Westlife singer Brian McFadden, but was ordered not to date him by management.

Kerry, 45, says: “They all went absolutely f*ing apes**t. I remember [Westlife manager] Louis Walsh saying, ‘I don’t like you, you’re trouble’.

Bandmate and best pal Natasha Hamilton, 43, adds: “It was definitely bad for the brand. Not from my point of view but from the label and management. They said girls can’t be seen with one of the boys in the biggest boyband in the UK because fan jealousy is a thing.”

Mis-Teeq

BEING an all-black group who rose up from the “underground scene” in 1999, Mis-Teeq felt they were discriminated against and given fewer opportunities.

Su-Elise Nash, 44, says: “We weren’t invited to the same premieres. Some magazines wouldn’t consider us for the cover because they didn’t think three black girls would sell.

“Our struggle to get there was definitely not as easy as it would have been if we had one white member or we’d all-white.”

Sugababes

WHEN Sugababes founding member Mutya Buena gave birth to her first child aged 19 – while the band were working on their fourth album – there was no let-up.

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Mutya, now 40, quit the group that same year in 2005 and was later diagnosed with post-natal depression.

Record label exec Darcus Beese says: “I remember standing in my kitchen trying to talk her down. I had no concept of post-natal depression. I would ask questions now like, ‘How’s your mental health?’.”

HE’S got some time on his hands after pushing back the release of new album Britpop until February.

And after announcing he was planning on opening a luxury hotel in Dubai, Robbie Williams is now working on another madcap idea.

“I want to open a University of Entertainment,” Robbie, right, revealed. “I did notice nobody else is doing it.”

He said of the inspiration behind his dream school: “I grew up as a vaudevillian. That’s what I am. I am cabaret.

“I spent all of my youth watching my dad do cabaret and watching all of the acts that he would bring off and on stage — and how talented and hard-working they were, and how genuinely funny the funny acts were, and how genuinely amazing the vocalists were.”

Robbie, who left Take That in 1995 before launching his hugely successful solo career, added: “I arrived in 1995, after Take That, I want to be Oasis.

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“I want to be Radiohead. Then, when I opened my mouth and my mind, I came out instead and I’m not cool. And you go, ‘OK, so what am I? Oh, I’m all of these people that I loved — Tommy Cooper, The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise.

‘In a different place’

“The way they made me feel is how I want to make people feel.”

Robbie will be back on stage next year, kicking off a mini-tour in Glasgow on February 4, before playing three more intimate shows in Liverpool, London and Wolverhampton.

And until then, he said he’s going to be busy working on his new plans.

He told the Heretics podcast: “I’ve got so many fingers in so many pies, giving me so much to peruse. My ambition and my want and my need and my desire has not abated. But the oxygen I once had in my career, where I couldn’t miss every time I went to the table, has been taken away from me just because I’m an older pop star now.

“The rise was a long time ago, 1990 till, say, 2010.

“It’s only different as it’s different for everyone else lucky enough to have had my kind of career. I was the most played artist for ten years in a row.

“And, you know, thank you. I’ve had a nice run, but I’m in a different place now.

“And it’s not over. Where does all of that naked ambition and drive go?

“It goes into purpose. It goes into creating.”

If it ever gets off the ground, I’ll make sure to sign up for a night class.

Good friendships in the Mix

THEY may no longer be making music together, but Little Mix are still best of pals.

Pregnant Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock were backstage at the Roundhouse in Camden to support Jade Thirlwall at her gig.

Leigh-Anne shared this sweet snap of them together, and one of my mates spotted them dancing and singing along to Angel Of My Dreams.

Jade, whose debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby, peaked at No3 when it came out last month, is now preparing to head Stateside in the New Year.

Let’s hope she can do what Little Mix couldn’t and crack America.

Jade kicks off a run of 14 shows in San Diego on January 30.

Fergie up fur reunion

IT looks like Fergie can’t decide if she’s too hot or too cold.

The Black Eyed Peas singer teamed this crop-top with a faux fur jacket as she performed at One Musicfest in Atlanta, Georgia.

The I Gotta Feeling singer wowed fans at the event in Piedmont Park, belting out some of her biggest hits including amazing 2006 single London Bridge.

Earlier this year, I revealed that Fergie had created a whole new music video for the track in the capital as part of Lena Dunham’s Netflix series, Too Much.

Fergie left the Black Eyed Peas in 2018, but I told you this summer that discussions are under way about a possible reunion with her bandmates Will.i.am, APL.DE.AP and Taboo.

I’d love to see this happen.

Jovi’s got the Midas Tuchel

I TRIED my hardest to make Jon Bon Jovi a Spurs fan when I hung out with him last week, but his legendary PR Alan Edwards – a die-hard Gooner – persuaded him to follow the reds.

Jon was obviously something of a lucky charm as Arsenal managed a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

He later hung out with England boss Thomas Tuchel and Jason Sudeikis.

It was Jon’s first Premier League game and I bet my last quid it’ll be his last given how rubbish Arsenal are.

You should have watched Spurs instead, Jon.

We battered Everton 3-0.

Is Geri in a bad Spice?

THE Spice Girls were all smiles at the launch of Victoria Beckham’s Netflix documentary this month.

But insiders say those grins were more like grimaces once the cameras were off – and the finger of blame is being pointed at Geri Horner.

A well-placed mole told me that while Mel C and Emma Bunton were together on row D, Geri was placed in a different area with her husband Christian Horner.

And the apparent snub is now the talk of the town.

Our source explained: “All people are still talking about what happened with Geri that night.

“She was seated away from Mel C and Emma, which seems weird given they were there to support Victoria. Inside the party she only seemed to talk to Victoria, too. It all felt rather frosty. No one has seen a photo of the four of them together either.”

Something is definitely up.

Last November, I revealed how Geri was dragging her heels over a new Netflix band biopic.

And last week, The Sun reported the band – completed by Mel B – were planning on implementing a “rule of four”, to allow the show to go ahead even if Geri wasn’t on board.

A telly insider said: “Geri has been dragging her heels for almost a year now and the rest are keen to plough ahead, as next year marks the 30th anniversary of first single Wannabe.”

Get it together, Ginger.

Cops get Raye on track

RAYE has revealed the police have found her stolen car – with her songwriting books on the backseat.

The Where Is My Husband! singer was forced to push back her second album after the thieves nicked her motor last year.

But now Raye is busy putting the finishing touches to the record after getting them back.

Appearing on Global’s Big Top 40, Raye, right, said: “It was a rollercoaster journey but what I didn’t tell people is that the police called me two or three months ago and said, ‘We’ve found your car.’

“Not only did they get it back but not one thing had been taken out of the car.

“All my songwriting books were there untouched.

“There was so much important stuff in there and when I was flicking through it I was like, ‘Thank God this has been returned to me’.”

Mark: I still get nervous

MARK RONSON has a load of hits to his name but has admitted he still questions if he’s any good every time he gets into the studio.

On Radio 2’s Tracks Of My Years, which airs all this week on Vernon Kay’s morning show, Mark said: “Every time I get into the studio with somebody for the first time, or even if it’s someone like Dua Lipa, or someone I’ve worked with a lot, it’s that combination of like, before the first day of school meets a blind date, meets every insecurity.

“Am I going to think of an idea? Am I going to be able to deliver?

“I still have that and I know people might be like, ‘That’s ridiculous, you’re good, don’t worry about it’.

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“But I think it’s served me well in my career because it’s always made me work extra hard.

“I wouldn’t know what to do if I fully lost that.”

BRILLIANT sunlight flickered against a blue, cloudless sky. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for my 10km hike around Derwentwater, the third largest lake in the Lake District.

Trundling along the grassy trail with a flask of coffee in hand, every direction I turned in offered impressive sights of sweeping mountaintops and the motionless body of water below.

The views are simply spectacular and should have been reward enough for my valiant hiking efforts.

But I was already thinking about the pint waiting for me back at the newly refurbished Royal Oak.

Slap bang in the middle of Keswick, this pub with rooms re-opened only a few months ago following a £1million facelift by its owner, Thwaites. And what a good job they’ve done.

Downstairs, the bar area is full of cosy nooks with huge armchairs to relax in, while the dining area is awash with indoor plants and countryside- inspired touches that make it feel more like a home than a pub.

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Add a roaring fireplace and dog-friendly bedrooms to the mix and you’ve got a proper ramblers’ paradise.

I was staying in one of the upper-floor bedrooms, where the piping-hot showers are a soothing antidote to aching muscles after tackling the surrounding hilly landscape.

Each of the 18 rooms reflects a similar ambience to the main pub, with rustic wooden headboards backing plump beds and autumnal coloured curtains that give the space a woodland feel.

Modern bathrooms feature fancy toiletries from Lake District company Bath House, while flat-screen smart TVs make it all too easy to enjoy a lazy lie-in.

Make sure you don’t sleep too late, though, as you wouldn’t want to miss out on breakfast.

The kitchen dishes up cracking homemade grub, most of which is sourced locally. Think loaded fry-ups with fat, juicy sausages and pub classics like fish and chips with mushy peas.

I kept things simple at dinner with a 10oz rib-eye steak which came with a roasted vine tomato, mushroom, rocket and chunky chips that were very moreish – all washed down with a bottle of red.

If the food and decor aren’t enough of a selling point, then the location of the Royal Oak sure will be.

At the centre of a charming high street, the pub is within walking distance of quaint wine shops, boutique clothing stores and excellent bakeries, including the newly opened Snack Shack.

I’ve never seen more sausage rolls stacked in a window before! That was all the persuading I needed to buy one. A great idea – the pastry was buttery and flakey and the caramelised onion filling was a delicious touch.

If you’re visiting on a Saturday, take a wander to Keswick market, where you’ll find stalls selling all sorts of local food, products – and more flat caps than you’d see in an old folks’ home.

If you prefer to carry on rambling, I’d recommend making the journey to Cat Bells fell.

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But only if you’re up for a challenge, as the summit is equivalent in height to ten Big Bens stacked on top of one another. I reckon I was about seven high when I decided to give up.

People in the Lakes are made of sturdier stuff than I – it’s probably those sausage rolls.

HERE comes the sun – even in winter. As it gets chillier in the UK, it’s time to book a break to escape to warmer climes.

And you don’t just have to lie on a sun bed.

How about biking on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts, walking through the Provence countryside or cruising around the Canary Islands?

Trisha Harbord has selected ten winter sun holidays for all budgets.

TENERIFE 24°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 7 

NEARLY three million holidaymakers from the UK head to the Canary Isle of Tenerife every year.

And it is no wonder — the place has so much to offer as well as year-round sunshine.

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Puerto de la Cruz in the north was the first place to attract tourists and still has its fishing port and historic quarter, with the old customs house and La Pena de Francia church.

Cobbled streets have art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Take a trip to Mount Teide and a cable car to the peak.

You can see Teide from the new adults-only luxury hotel Tui Blue Atlantic Hills, which is near the beach and has a spa.

GO: Seven nights’ half-board costs from £624pp including flights from Manchester on November 26 and based on two sharing. See tui.co.uk. 

OMAN 26°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 10 

A wellness break before Christmas would set you up nicely for the festive chaos.

Laze in a luxurious spa with pools, steam rooms, sauna and fitness centre at the 5H Sheraton Oman Hotel in Muscat.

There’s plenty of adventure, too. The Arabian Peninsular coastline is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding or diving.

And the desert offers dune bashing in a 4×4, sandboarding and camel rides. Watch the sun set from the hotel or explore the nearby Mutrah Corniche and natural parks.

GO: Five nights’ B&B is from £579pp including flights from Stansted on December 9. See loveholidays.com and experience-oman.om. 

TUNISIA 22°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 7 

Party peeps wanting sunshine and shots will be happy in lively Albufeira.

Known as the party capital of the Algarve, the neon-lit strip is packed with bars, open-air discos and clubs.

But the one-time fishing village also has 25 glorious Blue Flag sandy beaches, cliffs and coves which are perfect for friends and families.

There are dolphin-watching trips, waterparks, restaurants galore and world-class golf courses.

The 3H Clube Albufeira Garden Village is in lush Mediterranean gardens, has four pools, dining options and accommodation, including lovely, white-washed apartments and villas with fully-equipped kitchens.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only in a one-bedroom apartment with flights from Stansted on November 24 is from £193 per person, based on two sharing. See first choice.co.uk.

ALGARVE 20°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 6 

Party peeps wanting sunshine and shots will be happy in lively Albufeira. 

Known as the party capital of the Algarve, the neon-lit strip is packed with bars, open-air discos and clubs. 

But the one-time fishing village also has 25 glorious Blue Flag sandy beaches, cliffs and coves which are perfect for friends and families. 

There are dolphin-watching trips, waterparks, restaurants galore and world-class golf courses. 

The 3* Clube Albufeira Garden Village is in lush Mediterranean gardens, has four pools, dining options and accommodation, including lovely, white-washed apartments and villas with fully-equipped kitchens. 

GO: Seven nights’ room-only in a one-bedroom apartment with flights from Stansted on November 24 is from £193 per person, based on two sharing. See firstchoice.co.uk. 

ST KITTS 29°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 8 

GET on yer bike in gorgeous Saint Kitts and you’re in for a treat.

Take an easy ride along the edge of the Caribbean Sea, through lush rainforests and cane fields, or tackle tracks up the mountains and dormant Mount Liamuiga volcano.

The island is only 23 miles long and five wide, but is packed with activities including ziplining, golf, parasailing, watersports and boat trips.

Or just chill out on a beautiful beach — even the sea temperature will be 27C in winter. The family-run 4H Royal St Kitts Hotel is a short walk from the beach, has a private lagoon, pool, restaurants and spacious rooms.

GO: Seven nights’ self-catering is from £1,039pp including flights from Gatwick in January. Book by October 31. See ba.com and visitstkitts.com.

TURKEY 20°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 6 

THE city of Side, on the southern Mediterranean coast, dates from the 8th century BC and has some beautiful and unique structures.

They include the huge amphitheatre, which often hosts concerts, and the Roman Temple of Apollo — five white stone columns at the entry to the harbour.

Many traditional houses in the Old City have been converted into restaurants and shops selling Turkish fare.

The 5H family-friendly Numa Club Side, inset, has a private beach alongside the turquoise waters, plus a spa and children’s pools and play areas.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £378pp including flights from Liverpool on November 28. See jet2holidays.com.

CANARIES 22°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 8 

INSTEAD of ordering a turkey this year, hop aboard a cruise for Christmas winter sun, sailing around the Canary Islands and Madeira.

Board MSC Musica, following a quick flight from the UK, and enjoy fabulous festive food, West End-style shows, pools, a gym, casino and kids’ play areas and clubs.

You may never wish to leave the 2,500-guest ship but Musica, which does a round trip from Tenerife, calls at Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Gran Canaria and Funchal, the capital city of Portugal’s Madeira archipelago.

So there are plenty of chances to explore the islands before returning for evenings of fun.

GO: Seven nights’ full-board is from £1,339pp including flights from a UK airport on December 21. Check out msccruises.co.uk.

MEXICO 30°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 7 

IF you like a room with a view, try the AVA Resort Cancun, inset. The hotel’s modern wave design means that wherever you are, you’ll be looking out at the beautiful ocean.

Water babes will be in their element as an eco-lagoon offers sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking. The 5H hotel also has six pools and, of course, the Caribbean is almost on its doorstep.

There’s a spa, fine-dining restaurants and casual options. Excursions range from visiting Tulum’s Mayan ruins and Chichen Itza to going scuba-diving.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £1,704pp including flights from Gatwick on November 26. See ba.com and avaresort cancun.com.

CYPRUS 22°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 7 

SUPER Cyprus is worth a visit just to enjoy the freshest, healthiest food.

Family-owned tavernas are expert at serving up delicious salads, kebabs and fasolada, a bean-and-veg soup.

Stay at Limassol’s 5H Royal Apollonia, a beachfront hotel with a trio of gorgeous pools. Go B&B so you can try out the local restaurant fare.

Visit the castle where Richard the Lionheart married and crowned his bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, in 1191.

The old harbour has been transformed into a tourist hub and the palm-tree Promenade is lined with fantastic sandy beaches and has numerous bars and restaurants.

Then watch the sun set with a cocktail in hand.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B is from £564pp including flights from Gatwick on November 27. See easyjet.com.

FRANCE 16°C 

Daily sunshine hours : 6 

THE South of France has a mild winter climate and regular blue skies — perfect for a walking holiday.

Wander through olive and almond groves as you explore Provence’s two main mountain regions, Le Luberon and Les Alpilles, and see many of the landscapes painted by Van Gogh.

You’ll start the self-guided, moderate walk in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with its canal and antique shops, moving on to towns including St Remy and Gordes, before finishing in Arles.

Your luggage is transported between overnight stays in hotels and guest houses.

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GO: Provence Winter Sun & Walking includes five nights’ B&B from £850pp, bookable from now until December 15 and after January 5.

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COMIC Michael McIntyre has admitted turning to fat jabs after his doctor told him he was obese.

The 5ft 5ins star said wife Kitty ordered him to start after the medic ticked him off for being 100kg (15st 10lbs).

McIntyre, 49, said he first used Ozempic before switching to ­Mounjaro and the weight dropped off in only three weeks of injections.

The dad of two, who has long struggled with his weight, made the admission to an audience in London.

He joked: “Have you noticed how tiny I am? I have lost weight.

“Don’t applaud it because there is a little bit of cheating that has gone on.”

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McIntyre who once lost 7kg (14lbs) at a £2,000-a-week clinic, confessed that he did not want to use appetite suppressants but Kitty insisted.

He also blamed his problem on eating his kids’ leftovers.

On his trip to the GP, he told fans: “The ­doctor told me I weighed 100kg.

“He told me I was ‘obese’. How rude. He said, ‘It’s a medical term’.”

McIntyre, whose new series of The Wheel started last night on BBC One, also declared that his weight-loss success will “fall apart” if he ever eats something sweet again.

Other stars who have admitted taking fat jabs include Jeremy Clarkson, 65, James Corden, 47, and US model Chrissy Teigen, 39.