It’s two miles of gloriousness, taking about an hour. Just check the tide times first.
Bude Sea Pool is a large, semi-natural tidal pool between the two beaches. It’s free and an ideal place to swim safely.
Go early morning or later in the evening for the quietest times.
If you want to upgrade your trip, hire a beach hut from the local council.
My favourite place in Bude is the wood-fired Ocean Soul Sauna overlooking Crooklets Beach.
During the summer months, you can book a sauna/yoga combo.
Bude has dramatic, fiery sunsets and watching the sun go down while enjoying a barbecue on the beach makes for a memorable evening.
If hiking is your thing, the South West Coast Path has incredible scenery.
Unlike many High Streets up and down the country, Bude’s is thriving.
It’s the perfect mix of independent shops and eateries, combined with the larger chains we know and love.
Buffy’s is my go-to for breakfast, which is under a tenner for quality food and a coffee.
Newly-opened Coffee Bay is a favourite stop for an afternoon pick-me-up, with the most decadent cakes and cookies in town.
Turn up the heat at the Ocean Soul SaunaCredit: SuppliedShore looks fun at Bude Sea PoolCredit: Alamy
When it comes to dinner, Elements is my favourite for a family meal.
The menu of pizza, pasta, salads and specials is simple but perfectly cooked and presented.
Even on busy evenings, the service is fast and the delicious cocktails are guaranteed to go down well.
My favourite summer tipple is Cornish Country Garden — Bude gin, vodka and elderflower cordial — enjoyed on their seafront terrace.
Fans of local ale should visit The Barrel At Bude.
The award-winning micropub doesn’t have wifi, fruit machines or a jukebox, meaning, shock horror, you have to talk to each other.
My favourite shop in Bude is Spencer Thorn, which has a lovely combo of books and gifts.
When the weather is good, it’s easy to have a great day without shelling out a fortune, too.
Natasha Harding and family on the Monster Slip And SlideCredit: SuppliedIf hiking is your thing, the South West Coast Path has incredible sceneryCredit: Alamy
Bude Castle, built on shifting sand dunes in 1830, is free to enter, with an exhibition covering prehistory to the present day.
Here, you can learn about the unique geology of the coastline, which is so unusual it is known as Bude formation.
There’s also information on the town’s maritime links and the history behind the Bude Canal.
The circus comes to the outskirts of town each August, and during the summer holidays there are weekly, free circus-skills workshops on the castle’s green, where you can try juggling and riding a unicycle.
For the energetic, the 360ft inflatable Monster Slip And Slide water slide on the outskirts of Bude should feature on your holiday to-do list.
For somewhere to stay, you can’t beat the Premier Inn, with its central location and free parking.
Whether you fancy an active holiday of surfing, walking and swimming or prefer to relax with great food and drink, Bude hits the spot.
GO: BUDE
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Premier Inn Bude from £35 per night out of season and around £154 per night in summer.
TAKE this as your sign to grab your faves and book a brilliant spa break.
From Champneys, Tring to The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham and a Fab find in Faversham – we’ve got you covered for rest and recuperation.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Champneys, Tring is set in 170 acres of beautiful countryside, and was once owned by the Rothschild familyCredit: JACK HARDY
THE FRIENDS’ GET-TOGETHER – Champneys, Tring
Editor in chief Sinead McIntyre and pals found R&R in Hertfordshire.
THE PAD
Set in 170 acres of beautiful countryside, this stately home, once owned by the Rothschild family, gives immediate Downton Abbey vibes, thanks to the sweeping staircases, huge chandeliers and grand fireplaces that are home to roaring fires on cooler days.
As do the rooms, with their opulent floral curtains and plush carpets.
Much to our delight, on arrival we are upgraded to two deluxe suites – mine has a super-king-size bed, adjoining lounge and two bathrooms, as well as stunning views of the grounds.
There is no scrimping on the toiletries here either, with both Champneys and Elemis products, as well as soft white robes and slippers.
The standalone bath is the centrepiece of one bathroom, while the second has an invigorating rainforest shower.
The lounge is the perfect spot for a much-needed gossip, washed down with complimentary bubbles. Champneys, which celebrated its 100th birthday last year, also has more exercise classes than you can shake a stick at, from reformer Pilates to pickleball and HIIT, so we sign up for a legs, bums and tums class, followed by stretch and relax by candlelight.
There are also maps for walks in the extensive grounds and we enjoy a wholesome 45-minute stroll before dinner.
THE SPA
Its spa featured a 25m pool, sauna, steam room and alfresco JacuzziCredit: Supplied
With its 25m pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool and alfresco Jacuzzi, this is relaxation at its best – and that’s before you even book a treatment.
However, definitely do!
My 50-minute Upper Body Bliss massage, £105, using Elemis oils, was absolutely gorgeous and got rid of the tension I was holding in my shoulders after a stressful few months at work.
THE GRUB
The evening menu at Champneys is the star of the showCredit: Supplied by STEVE LANCDFIELD
There are so many delicious food options – stays are full-board, and breakfast and lunch are both buffets with tasty cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit and bagels each morning and delicious meats, salads and pasta dishes come lunchtime.
But the evening menu is the star of the show.
We loved the pulled oyster mushroom taco and the crab and prawn summer rolls to start, while the sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce and the monkfish curry were both melt–in-the-mouth.
Make sure you leave room for the deconstructed honeycomb cheesecake for pudding, while the cheeseboard is also a winner.
OUT AND ABOUT
Forget it, you’re here to chill and chat.
BOOK IT
Full-board stays at Champneys, Tring, cost from £210 per person, per night (Champneys.com).
THE COUPLE’S ESCAPE – The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham
Senior Assistant Editor Sarah Barns and husband Patrick cosied up in the Cotswolds.
The Cotswolds is pretty inside and outCredit: Supplied
THE PAD
Suite dreams at The Greenway Hotel & SpaCredit: Kieran Brimson
Throw open the velvet drapes, take in the stunning views and relaaaax. Winner of four AA Red Stars, this gem, just 13 minutes’ drive from Gloucester train station, offers the perfect rural recharge.
The Elizabethan manor house blends historical charm with modern luxury, and although there are 21 newly refurbished bedrooms to choose from, our pick is the Manor Suite, where the bed is so large you can both starfish, the marble bathroom comes with a bath and walk-in rainfall shower, plus there’s a cosy living area.
THE SPA
Make a splash in the hydrotherapy poolCredit: Kieran Brimson
Take a dip in the hydrotherapy pool and outdoor vitality pool, sweat it out in the sauna and steam room, and indulge in a TempleSpa treatment at the Elan spa, awarded five bubbles by the Good Spa Guide.
Hot stone massages, which use warm basalt stones (essentially giant black rocks) to harmonise energy points throughout the body, fixed our tense muscles and helped us instantly de-stress.
The Rocks Of The Mediterranean 75-minute treatment costs from £119 per person.
THE GRUB
Posh picky bits at The Garden RoomCredit: Supplied
The Garden Room restaurant, run by talented head chef Abhijit Dasalkar, offers a brilliant value à la carte dinner.
Think treats like Cornish crab with lemon, yuzu gel and edible flowers – one of the prettiest plates I’ve ever seen – and beef wellington served perfectly pink.
Three courses cost £67.50 per person.
Opt for the veggie Full English come morning – it’s a winner.
OUT AND ABOUT
Hit Cheltenham, 15 minutes’ drive away, for indie shops, as well as faves like Jo Malone, Toast and Reiss, plus Regency architecture.
Hatchards bookshop gives Hogwarts library feels, and Society Coffee serves up excellent flat whites, £4, and scrumptious chocolate cruffins, £3.95 (Society-cafe.com).
A short walk from the hotel is the Leckhampton Loop, a four-and- a-half-mile amble in gorgeous Cotswolds scenery.
Some parts are hilly, so you’ll have earned your lamb roast, £25.95, and sticky toffee pudding, £8.95, at The Frogmill (Thefrogmill.co.uk).
Enjoy the therapeutic heat of the Finnish barrel saunaCredit: Supplied
You don’t need a swish spa hotel in this Kent town, says Contributing Picture Editor Ruth Greatrex.
Embracing the therapeutic heat of the Finnish barrel sauna, my friend Katie and I gaze out at the vivid green fields, our skin slathered with sea-salt scrub, fragrant with rose petals and uplifting orange oil.
Staff are poised to bring juices, kombucha, or even a cocktail at the ding of a bell, too.
Once suitably baked, we brave the chilly overhead water bucket, then plunge into the ice-cold barrel.
A restorative soak in the wood-fired hot tub later, we both emerge with baby-soft skin and feel thoroughly revived.
This Sea Scrub Sauna sits on the site of Macknade, one of England’s best farm shops and a family-run spot where apples and hops have grown since 1847.
We grab lunch at the new street-food village, digging into miso cream mushrooms, £11, at Hop Shed Bar & Kitchen, washed down with zingy Faversham bacchus, £9 a glass, and finishing with brown butter popcorn ice cream, £4.15, from Bears Ice Cream, before checking out the amazing food hall (Macknade.com).
Family-owned country estate Mount Ephraim Gardens is 10 minutes’ drive away and offers rooms.
We play ladies of the manor, strolling through the pretty rose gardens and even spy the sea from the Sir Edwyn Suite, which has a freestanding bath.
Come morning, we’re tempted back to Macknade for pancakes with blood orange and rhubarb compote, £12.
Although there are HIIT and spin classes on offer, I go for a soothing hot-stone aromatherapy massage, from £35 for 30 minutes (@Serene_ massage_therapies).
You don’t need long here to rediscover your zen. . .
THEY are set to release their new album Foreign Tongues in July — and it seems The Rolling Stones could also be heading to foreign shores.
After abandoning plans to hit the road on a UK and European tour this summer, I can reveal that Start Me Up hitmakers Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are now looking into playing five nights in Buenos Aires, Argentina, next year.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
The Rolling Stones could be heading to foreign shoresCredit: GettyFrom left: Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Bill WymanCredit: Getty
A source told me: “The band are discussing options for a residency.
“They love the thrill of doing a huge stadium tour around the globe, but the physical demands are immense.
“A residency would mean they can still bring their best to the fans, without the toll that comes with travelling.”
This summer would have been the rockers’ first string of live performances since their Hackney Diamonds tour in the States in 2024 — which sold almost one million tickets.
The band will release their new 14-track album on July 10 after recording it at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, West London, over four intense weeks.
It features a cover of the song You Know I’m No Good by Amy Winehouse, who Mick performed with at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2007, four years before she died aged 27.
The track Hit Me In The Head includes old recordings in LA with the late Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who died in 2021, aged 80.
Earlier this month, at the launch in New York, Mick confirmed the newrecord spans a number of genres, saying: “We have the ability to do ballads, country and dance music.”
He added: “It’s not stuck in one particular style.”
I can’t wait to hear it.
FROM 10 TO THE ONE
Influencer Tallulah MetcalfeCredit: InstagramDanny Bretherton is dating influencer TallulahCredit: Instagram
DECEMBER 10 are the latest Gen-Z heartthrobs – but Danny Bretherton is set to break fans’ hearts, as I can reveal he is dating influencer Tallulah Metcalfe.
The singer has even introduced her to his family in Chorley, Lancs.
A source said: “Danny has been spending lots of time with Tallulah. He is very family-orientated so taking her to meet his family was a big deal.”
This month, Tallulah shared a TikTok of her and Danny dancing in the street to his band’s song Infinity (123), captioned: “Look who I bumped into.”
Seems Danny has a new No1.
BIOPIC BOYLE
Susan Boyle is working on a biopic, I have heardCredit: Michael Schofield
The model, who married comic Jack Whitehall last month, is believed to be in talks with a company to make a film about living with Type 1 diabetes, which she was diagnosed with in 2021.
A source said: “Roxy has been amazing at raising awareness of living with the chronic condition.
“She now wants to delve deeper and speak to experts.”
Shakira’s miami mini break
Shakira looked her very zest as she stepped out in a bright orange outfitCredit: BackGrid
SHAKIRA looked her very zest as she stepped out in a bright orange outfit.
The Colombian singer flaunted her toned legs in a mini dress at Miami Swim Week.
She was attending an event on Thursday for her haircare brand Isima.
We’ll soon be humming Shakira’s track Dai Dai, the official anthem for the 2026 Fifa World Cup that she made with Burna Boy.
KELLY SET FOR MIGHTY COMEBACK
Kelly Osbourne is preparing for her first performance since dad Ozzy died last yearCredit: Instagram/kellyosbourne
The TV presenter and singer will join headliners Scissor Sisters at Mighty Hoopla festival in South London’s Brockwell Park today.
A source said: “Kelly is excited to get back on stage and doing it with the Scissor Sisters is a huge honour.”
Black Sabbath legend Ozzy passed away last July, with Kelly and her mum Sharon Osbourne honouring him at The Brit Awards.
Kelly and Sharon accepted the Lifetime Achievement gong for Ozzy at Manchester’s Co-Op Live arena in February.
Speaking to Biz on Sunday’s Emily at the ceremony, Kelly said: “A Lifetime Achievement award is such an honour, I couldn’t think of anyone else more deserving.
“It’s bittersweet.”
I am sure Ozzy would be proud of Kelly today.
Heidi hi, Nat & Nic
Nicole Appleton and Natalie Appleton attend the Mighty Hoopla in Brockwell Park, London
HALF of All Saints performed as Appleton at the Mighty Hoopla yesterday.
Nicole and Natalie Appleton took to the stage at the festival in Brockwell Park, South East London, in their typical cool girl style of tracksuits.
Nicole said: “Guys, you have to realise it’s been quite a long time that Nat and I have sung as Appleton.
“But we are so emotional that it’s our first festival.”
Nicole, left, and Natalie, right, were joined by their pal and ex-Sugababes member Heidi Range, centre, for a surprise performance.
The duo release Ready To Begin next month, and their Appleton EP will be out in September.
Welcome back, ladies.
It’s go for pro with ex
Professor Green is back with his ex Karima McAdamsCredit: GettyKarima shared an Instagram snap of the lad with Pro Green – real name Stephen Manderson – referring to the chart star as her ‘partner’Credit: Instagram
HE failed to find The One on Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating, but it seems Professor Green is back with his ex Karima McAdams.
I am told the couple who have five-year-old son Slimane, have been taking things slowly after their split in 2024.
Karima shared an Instagram snap of the lad with Pro Green – real name Stephen Manderson – referring to the chart star as her “partner”.
Explaining her little boy had a suspected wrist fracture after falling from a zipwire, she said: “Son is coming back in plaster and partner medium rare.” Looks like the rapper is back in the game . . .
I CAN’T help but feel like a young Lord Alan Sugar as I negotiate a handmade mug down to half price in one of the most beautiful market streets.
In May sunshine, the glorious blue sky pops off the glistening white walls of the stunning coastal town of Sidi Bou Said in northern Tunisia.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The local colour scheme helps reflect away the sunCredit: GettyThe historic ruins at CarthageCredit: Getty
All the buildings are decked out in white and blue, providing a gorgeous visual as the perfect sky kisses the crystal clear, calm Mediterranean sea.
My guide, an affable local named Madhi, tells me the striking colour scheme also helps combat the effects of the incredible heat, which can reach well over 40C in summer, by reflecting away the sun.
Sidi Bou Said is reminiscent of Santorini and symbolic of the blend of cultures that modern-day Tunisia infuses.
It is an Arabic country but there are French and Roman influences too, due to the country’s colonial past.
Madhi tells me there is a liberal view among many Tunisians as he points out that if one sister decides to wear an Islamic veil, and the other opts for no veil and multiple tattoos, both can expect to be treated respectfully.
Just down the street from Sidi Bou Said, and via Tunisia’s presidential palace no less, are the remarkably well preserved ancient ruins of Carthage.
I marvel at the fact this site isn’t more heaving with visitors, given its historical significance.
Around 2,000 years ago, this was one of the most important sites in the Roman Empire, following a bloody battle between the Romans and the Carthaginians.
Now it offers a brilliant insight into Tunisia’s past, just a 20-minute drive from the country’s capital Tunis.
Rather than stay there, however, we have booked in at the plush five-star Les Orangers Garden Villas and Bungalows, an hour’s drive south in the popular coastal town of Hammamet.
With Enfidha Airport (served by several EasyJet flights from the UK every day including a new route from Newcastle) just 30 minutes away, Hammamet offers an intriguing alternative for tourists.
And our stay at the all-inclusive Les Orangers didn’t disappoint.
The entrance is lined with palm trees and we are greeted by friendly staff bearing mocktails and dates.
Once through reception, we walk out into an enormous courtyard full of plants, seating areas and more palm trees.
There is a gym, two outdoor pools and an indoor one as well as a spa featuring sauna and traditional Tunisian-style hammam with massages available to book.
The hotel has an international buffet restaurant and three a la carte restaurants offering Italian, Tunisian and Asian specialities.
The restaurant overlooking the seaCredit: SuppliedThe Sun’s Etienne Fermie taking in the stunning sea viewsCredit: Supplied
There is also a rooftop tapas bar, beachfront snack bar and an Italian-style deli bar so you’re never short of spots to refuel — plus four bars, including one by the beach.
My spacious modern room, which has a view of the sea so good I can even enjoy it from the shower, came complete with air conditioning and mini bar.
I’ve never felt sand so soft as I walk to my lounger on their private beach.
The sea itself is beautifully clear and the perfect temperature; offering a pleasant shock to the system before settling down and feeling really quite warm.
As I lay back to soak up the sun I can hear German, Italian and French accents but only a few British ones.
I can’t help but feel that we might be missing a trick not flocking here in even greater numbers.
Those that do will enjoy the country’s remarkable food.
For a true taste of authentic Tunisian cuisine we head 15 minutes inland to Douar Laroussi, a family-run farm and restaurant.
Each door has a woman’s name written above it, which Madhi informs us is to stress that the woman is the true boss of each household.
Our host, and his charming aunt Jdidia, greet us warmly as they prepare to show us how their food is made.
Here Jdidia works her magic, and even gets us to join in.
She moulds tabouna bread into shape with her hands before baking it in an outdoor oven.
Next is the couscous, which she masterfully crafts from just semolina and water.
For our starter we mix olive oil made on site with mouth-watering local harissa and our homemade bread, which took barely ten minutes.
After tucking into my divine vegetable couscous I just had to buy some of their olive oil and harissa, I absolutely had to take some back to the UK to share.
In Hammamet itself are two Medinas; the old and the new.
The old, part of a second century fortress looking out over the sea, gives me an opportunity to test my bartering skills again as local Tarek engraves my name into a plate in Arabic.
I don’t quite manage to haggle down to half price this time but I’m happy with my unique souvenir, not to mention this wonderful trip as a whole.
GO: TUNISIA
GETTING THERE: Fly with easyJet to Enfidha– Hammamet from Gatwick, Southend, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and the newly-launched twice-weekly service from Newcastle.
STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Les Orangers Garden Villas and Bungalows is from £1,267pp including Gatwick flights on July 15, 23kg luggage and transfers.
Noel Gallagher is seen out on a date with his new girlfriend who is 30 years his juniorCredit: Click News and MediaThe smitten Oasis star, 58, and events boss Nina Johnson, 28, left a West London gastropub togetherCredit: Click News and Media
A source said: “There was no mistaking the spark between them.”
Noel and Nina — who works for an events company — were seen smiling before getting into a car on Thursday night after a date at The Hart gastropub in Marylebone, West London.
An onlooker said: “They were laughing and joking, but keeping a slight distance so they did not look like a couple. However, there was no mistaking the spark between them and they were clearly together. They had been engrossed in each other’s company inside and spent hours together, just the two of them.
“Noel looked particularly happy when he came out — and who can blame him? As they got to the waiting car, Noel opened the door for Nina and they got in the back seat together.”
Originally from the South West, Nina is a marketing manager at London firm Rhubarb Hospitality, which organises corporate events, weddings and posh private functions.
She is said to have met dad-of-three Noel through mutual friends, and has spent a lot of time with him over the past few weeks.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “She is a lot younger than him but that doesn’t bother either of them.
Stand by me Noel and new girlfriend Nina, above seen leaving the London pub, are said to have met through mutual friendsCredit: Click News and MediaNina has spent a lot of time with the rocker over the past few weeksCredit: Click News and Media
“They have been seeing a lot of each other in the past few weeks.
“Her career is going great guns. She is really bright and taking her career seriously.
“She’s her own woman and Noel really respects that.
“They really enjoy each other’s company and both love the finer things in life and go to a lot of the same places. It is fair to say Noel is smitten and he is telling people he couldn’t be happier.”
We revealed in March the Half The World Away star had split from girlfriend Sally MashCredit: GoffCareer-focused Nina Johnson’s social media profile shows she is an events manager based in London
We revealed in March that Noel and private members’ club boss Sally had split after two years with “no bad blood”.
In 2024, Noel said of his attractive partners: “I’ve punched above my weight several times in my life, and I think if you can make a girl laugh the battle is more than won.”
He married Meg Mathews in Las Vegas in 1997 and they had daughter Anais in 2000.
After they split, Noel started dating Scots publicist Sara MacDonald, who he wed in 2011 after almost a decade together.
They had sons Donovan, now 18, and Sonny, 15, before divorcing in 2023.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘She is a lot younger than him but that doesn’t bother either of them’Credit: FacebookNoel will join thousands of fellow Manchester City fans at a huge farewell bash tomorrow for departing manager Pep GuardiolaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ahQWotxpH/
NOEL Gallagher will join thousands of fellow Manchester City fans at a huge farewell bash tomorrow for departing manager Pep Guardiola.
A team bus parade in Manchester will celebrate them winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup — before an after-party at the city’s Co-op Arena to say goodbye to Pep.
Around 100,000 fans are due to gather in the city and Noel is expected to play a big part in heaping praise on Pep, 55, who delivered 20 trophies over a decade in the job.
During Pep’s reign, he developed a close friendship with Noel after they first met in 2016.
And in his farewell video released last week, he mentioned the Oasis star in his opening words.
He said: “When I arrive my first interview was with Noel Gallagher. I walk out thinking, ‘OK Noel is here this will be fun.’ And what a time we have had together.”
And Pep signed off by saying: “Noel, I was right, it has been so f***ing fun.”
Noel last month praised Pep in an interview, saying he was grateful for their relationship.
He added: “He’s a fan and a romantic, and he’s hardcore, a winner, and a bad loser, all the things you would want your football manager to be.”
Brother Liam Gallagher, also a City fan and Pep pal, will not be able to attend the celebrations, it is understood.
An open-top bus parade will kick off the festivities at 5pm.
It will be followed by a special ticket-only celebration event at Co-op Live, where the sell-out crowd of 17,000 will be treated to live music, entertainment, player interviews and special guests.
It will also be a farewell for long-serving players Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
EASTENDERS star Jacqueline Jossa confronted estranged husband Dan Osborne over his holiday romance with a stunning Brazilian bikini model.
The 33-year-old actress challenged ex-Towie star Dan, 34, about his relationship with fitness influencer Etila Santiago after he arrived back from his US trip with a pal last week.
Dan Osborne and Jacqueline Jossa split in March after 13 years togetherCredit: GettyStunning fitness influencer Etila Santiago, who Dan has grown close to after a recent trip to the USCredit: Getty
The Sun on Sunday can reveal that Dan has grown close to the model, 33, after bonding with her over fitness and their mutual support of Arsenal — and has vowed to see her again soon.
But Jacqueline, who plays Lauren Branning on the BBC1 soap, was alerted to the rendezvous after she and her pals noticed Dan and Etila posting matching sunset and poolside photos on social media.
It comes after Jacqueline and Dan, who have two daughters, Ella, 11, and Mia, seven, split in March after 13 years together. Dan is living in a separate home.
A source said: “Dan started chatting to Etila on Instagram before his trip to Miami as he saw they both had a passion for fitness.
Dan ‘started chatting to Etila on Instagram before his trip to Miami’Jac’s marriage has been rocked by cheating allegations against DanCredit: PA
“They met up a few times during his trip and really hit it off, spending a lot of time together hanging out and chatting. He fell in love with the city and is hoping to go out and visit Etila again.
“However, Jac’s mates notified her about Dan’s movements having suspected who he was with online. So when he was back in the UK, she asked him about it.
“It’s obviously very sensitive as they are co-parenting, but Dan is a single man now. Jac is upset as she still feels there’s a chance her and Dan could rekindle their marriage.”
Etila, who used to compete in bikini bodybuilding competitions, recently broke her engagement with bodybuilder fiance Tyler Manion.
After his trip to Miami, fitness enthusiast Dan shared several photos of himself topless on Instagram.
He wrote in the caption: “Happiness is found in 3 things: Letting go of what was. Enjoying what is. And having faith in what will be.”
Jac and Dan met at an awards ceremony in 2013 and tied the knot at a Cheshire manor house in 2017.
After Mia’s birth in 2018, Jacqueline posted: “I couldn’t ask for a better family, filled with strong women! My girls are my absolute world and I can’t actually get over how lucky I am.”
But her marriage has been rocked by cheating allegations against Dan.
A month later, it was reported that a then-pregnant Jacqueline had confronted a mystery girl over allegedly having sex with Dan just months after their wedding.
Etila posted this sunset picture on her InstagramDan posted a matching sunset picture on his social media
Dan was accused in September 2018 of having a threesome with Celebrity Big Brother model Chloe Ayling and US reality TV star Natalie Nunn, which he denied.
Later in 2019, Jacqueline threatened to leave I’m A Celebrity after campmate Myles Stephenson told her he believed Dan had cheated on her with his ex, Gabby.
She told producers she did not want to continue without talking to Dan and she was allowed to leave temporarily to send him a voicemail and receive one back.
Etila recently broke off her engagement with a bodybuilderCredit: GettyFitness enthusiast Dan is currently living in a separate home to JacCredit: Getty
She then walked out on Dan in 2020 after she confronted him over a flirty message to Gabby, who apparently did not respond.
Dan confessed to having made “mistakes”.
He said: “I’ve done things I shouldn’t have done.”
Dan and Jacqueline’s representatives were asked to comment.
But it seems that Madonna also has royal standards when it comes to travel. I can reveal that the Like A Prayer hitmaker brought her own private chef on to a British Airways flight last month.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Madonna has royal standards when it comes to travelCredit: instagram/madonnaThe Queen of Pop brought her own private chef on to a British Airways flight last monthCredit: instagram/madonna
She jetted from Los Angeles to London’s Heathrow with former foot- baller boyfriend Akeem Morris.
Her chef plated her up some sushi before they took off for the 11-hour flight to England.
A source said: “Madonna is strict about her lifestyle and avoids processed foods.
“She has the luxury of taking her private chef when travelling. He knows exactly what she eats to ensure she is sufficiently nourished when travelling between timezones.”
Madge is understood to follow a strict macrobiotic diet which is favoured by A-listers including actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
She avoids sugar, caffeine, alcohol and processed items, instead favouring fruit, veg and protein.
Functional nutritionist Pauline Cox previously told The Sun: “Madonna has a carefully planned diet that allows her to carry on performing at a high level.
“She eats complex carbohydrates — brown rice, beans and oats — for slow energy release.”
I previously told how Madonna turned night owl for a new music video, shooting between 5pm and 2am.
She is set to premiere the ten-minute film at the Beacon Theatre at the Tribeca Festival in New York in the US on June 5.
It is built around the first six tracks from her album, Confessions II, out on July 3.
ELLIE KNUCKLES DOWN
Ellie Goulding returned to the stage for the first time after giving birth to baby number twoCredit: GettyShe wore a baggy white tee and diamond knuckle-dusterCredit: Splash
ELLIE GOULDING let her hair down as she returned to the stage for the first time after giving birth to baby number two in March.
Wearing a baggy white tee, leather shorts and diamond knuckle-duster, inset above left, for her show at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland, the singer revealed that her five-year-old son Arthur was watching.
She said: “So, guys, this is kind of a big deal, because my son is watching me for the first time today.”
Ellie also sang her new song Black Prada Dress.
Great to have you back, Ellie.
BBCRADIO 1 host Charlie Hedges has pleaded for Harry Styles to return to the Live Lounge.
The DJ, who hosts Dance Anthems, revealed how she was presenting a 24-hour show when the former One Direction star was in the building.
She told Biz on Sunday: “Harry was confirmed to be in the Live Lounge however it was the same day that I’d decided to do a 24-hour Radio 1 dance day. So I missed Harry Styles.
“I stitched myself up because it was my idea to do the 24-hour show. I can’t blame anyone. I am fuming.”
Meanwhile Charlie – who is in Sunderland for Radio 1’s Big Weekend – revealed Lewis Capaldi is one of her favourite guests.
She said: “He is probably the funniest man I have ever met in my entire life, let alone being an incredible performer.”
ZARA McDERMOTT cheered on boyfriend Louis Tomlinson from the side of the stage yesterday.
Louis Tomlinson performs during Radio 1’s Big WeekendCredit: SplashZara McDermott was cheering her boyfriend onCredit: Getty
Sam Workman is hoping to make sparks fly in the Love Island villaCredit: Instagram
HUNKY electrician Sam Workman is hoping to make sparks fly in the Love Island villa.
The lad, from Dudley, is lined up for the next series of the ITVdating show in Majorca, which kicks off on June 1.
A source said: “Sam is ready to use his electrician charm in the villa.
“He has also been hitting the gym to make sure he’s villa ready.”
Sam has started his summer in style and was spotted at Coachella Festival in California, US, in April.
Hopefully Sam finds himself a festival sidekick in the villa.
STORM OFF, YAS
Yasmin Pettet has left modelling agency Storm ManagementCredit: Getty
SHE signed up with top modelling agency Storm Management after leaving Love Island last year.
But I can reveal that Yasmin Pettet has left the company that has launched the careers of supermodels Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne.
A source said: “Yasmin loved working with Storm and learned a lot from the agency. However her career is going in another direction.”
The agency posted a snap of Yasmin – who finished third with Jamie Rhodes on the dating show – on their Instagram last year to announce the new signing.
It read: “Yasmin’s fearless, edgy aesthetic positions her within the new wave of British It girls: challenging conventions and breaking the mould.”
MARRIED MILEY’S WEBBED BLISS
Miley Cyrus was joined by designer Donatella Versace and actress Anya Taylor-Joy at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonyCredit: Reuters
MILEY CYRUS is a married woman, according to her mother.
The revelation came at the singer’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in LA on Friday, where Miley wore this webbed maxi dress.
Onlookers witnessed Tish call Miley’s fiancé Maxx Morando, who proposed in winter 2025, her “husband”.
As Miley’s mum herded together family and friends for photographs, she looked over at Maxx, drummer for the rock band Liily, and declared, “We’re gonna bring the husband.”
Miley wore this webbed maxi dress to the ceremony in LACredit: ReutersMaxx Morando posed next to Miley at the eventCredit: Reuters
Maxx then posed next to Miley and kissed her on the cheek.
Tearful Miley lavished praise on her father Billy Ray even though he wasn’t present to see her being honoured with the Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
The singer, who was also joined by designer Donatella Versace and actress Anya Taylor-Joy, declared, “My dad used to say a skyscraper starts with a jackhammer” as she vowed her career is fuelled by making her art immortal.
With tears on her face, Miley continued: “To my family, my future family, parents, my mom, my siblings, my friends, my collaborators, thank you for loving and supporting not only the choices that I make, but my fears, and then facing them with me.
“Today is something that I’ll never forget and I’m always going to cherish.”
AD SUITS YOU, TOM
Tom Hiddleston has shot a top-secret Ralph Lauren collaborationCredit: BBC
The actor has shot a top-secret Ralph Lauren collaboration, which will be unveiled later this year.
Thor star Tom has been a mainstay at the American label’s events lately, including sitting front row at Milan Fashion Week and attending the post-runway dinner party where he sat pride of place next to Ralph’s son.
A source said: “Tom has a busy filming schedule, but he managed to squeeze in this ad as he was delighted to be asked.
“He loves the brand and plans to wear it on red carpets and at awards dos.” Tom, who is engaged to Fresh Meat actress Zawe Asthon, gushed about fashion earlier this year.
Speaking to Esquire he said: “There’s a certain element of respect when you wear a suit. Not just for yourself, but for the people you’re in the company with.
“I admire the craft of it all, and there’s something about how tailoring can honour shape and athleticism as a man. I love texture. I love the idea of getting dressed up.
“I love the construction of it and the details add up to a whole that I find pleasing.
“My tan shoes match my watch strap, and my pocket square gives a flourish.”
AIR WE GO… OFF TO AMERICA
Donna Air is quitting the UK as she hopes to land some roles in the USCredit: Getty
SHE’S kept her head down since appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files earlier this year, but I can reveal that Donna Air is quitting the UK.
The ex-Byker Grove actress is returning to her acting roots and hoping to land some roles in the US.
This follows The Sun on Sunday story in February revealing her links to the paedophile businessman. Plus, earlier this month, Donna lost her dad Trevor to cancer.
Posting on social media she wrote: “I’ve packed up my home, and I’m off to pastures new.”
A source said: “It’s been a tough year for Donna. She wants a change of scene and a fresh start. She is hoping to audition for some roles in America and see what comes her way.”
STARS OUT FOR THE BBC
A 1986 BBC advert starring comic John CleeseCredit: Supplied
A HOST of top stars from music, films and telly are backing the BBC after filming a new ad promoting the licence fee.
“DOES the hunchback of Notre-Dame still live here?” my eight-year-old daughter Molly asks, as we look up at the gleaming white towers of Paris’ recently restored Notre-Dame cathedral.
Although we don’t find any secret medieval residents inside, we do adore gazing at the gold stars dotted across the sky-blue ceilings of the side chapels, and the stunning stained-glass windows that cast rainbows of light across the floor.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A trip to Paris provides fun for all the familyCredit: Getty Images/iStockphotoEntry to Notre-Dame is free, but make sure to book aheadCredit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The five-year restoration project – after Notre-Dame burned down in 2019 – cost more than £600million and involved around 2,000 craftspeople, with 1,200 oak trees sourced from French forests – and the results are miraculous.
Entry is free, but save queuing time by booking ahead (Notredamedeparis.fr).
Stairway to heaven
Dine on the city’s famous cuisineCredit: Instagram/Bouillon Pigalle
We’re staying at NoPi Chic, a gorgeous Airbnb just off the main drag in Pigalle and down the road from the Moulin Rouge.
The two-bedroom apartment has high ceilings and a treasure trove of objets d’art. The kids’ room comes with the cutest bunks, and we love climbing the classic Parisian spiral staircase to our front door.
Each morning, I sit on the balcony with an espresso watching locals on their baguette runs, while Sundays are market day on nearby Rue des Martyrs, where tables are laden with cheese, wine and paintings.
Just five minutes’ walk away is Bouillon Pigalle, a modern French bistro, where Molly and her older brother Elliot, 11, marvel at the black-and-white uniformed waiters buzzing about.
We order a litre of citronnade, £8.85, which the kids speedily drain, before digging into oeufs mayonnaises, £2.20, as a starter, and demolishing steak frites, £10.90.
Our puddings – crème brulée, £3.30, and chocolate mousse, £3.25 – are also a triumph (Bouillonlesite.com).
The next day, we head to the incredible Fondation Louis Vuitton in north-west Paris, designed by architect Frank Gehry using thousands of custom-carved glass panes, making the building resemble a boat.
Kids can borrow iPads that guide them through the gallery’s modern and contemporary art exhibits.
From the top terraces, we soak up the view over the city and the Eiffel Tower, before heading next door to Le Jardin d’Acclimatation, included in the entry fee, to explore its landscaped gardens and amusement park, complete with fairground rides, minigolf and a house of mirrors.
Another gem we all adore is Passage Jouffroy, one of a series of 19th-century covered arcades.
The kids love roaming around Pain d’Epices, a magical toy shop (Paindepices.fr), while the original, stunning site of the oldest chocolatier in Paris, À La Mère de Famille, which opened in 1761, sits close by on Rue du Faubourg Montmartre.
The chocolates here really are miniature masterpieces (Lameredefamille.com).
That evening, we check out Bouillon Julien, half an hour’s walk away from our apartment.
The jaw-dropping art nouveau paintings and glasswork must make this bistro one of the capital’s most beautiful.
The two-bedroom apartment had high ceilings and a treasure trove of objets d’artCredit: SuppliedThe Sun’s Ellie O’Mahoney enjoyed watching locals on their baguette runs each morningCredit: Supplied by Ellie O’Mahoney
The food is excellent, too.
We order the avocado and prawn cocktail, £4.35, then yet another steak and chips with an amazing house butter, £11.25, washed down with a carafe of merlot, £6.90 (Bouillon-julien.com).
Santé to being well-fed and well-cultured!
GO: PARIS
A three-night stay at NoPi Chic costs around £1,179 (Airbnb.co.uk).
Eurostar train tickets from London to Paris cost from £39 each way (eurostar.com).
ANIMATION movie favourites Wallace and Gromit needn’t have hopped on that rocket to the moon in search of cheese.
The chocolate-box Somerset village of Cheddar is closer – and no prizes for guessing what the star of every quaint cafe’s menu might be.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Somerset’s ancient and majestic Cheddar GorgeCredit: SuppliedWallace and Gromit art in the gorgeCredit: Supplied
In fact, Cheddar cheeese can be enjoyed in any and every way imaginable here – piled into a sandwich with chutney, blended into a savoury scone . . . or even in ice-cream form.
These cafes sit alongside cheesy souvenir shops, clothing boutiques and attractions all dedicated to the well-known dairy delight.
The duo are at Gough’s Cave in Cheddar Gorge until May 31, starring in a new illuminated trail that celebrates 50 years of their creators, animation firm Aardman.
Dotted throughout the ancient, cavernous structure are sculptures of Wallace and Gromit, and franchise characters Feathers McGraw and Shaun the Sheep, for kids to gawp at, while adults can uncover facts about the gorge itself.
It’s pretty much the only local attraction that’s not dedicated solely to cheese, although if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll still spot some of the yellow stuff (more on that below).
Labelled as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Gough’s Cave began forming over half a million years ago and shows how incredible nature can be.
Most of the stalagmites have been developing for hundreds of thousands of years and there are areas of the cave that resemble the remnants of a giant candle with a waxy exterior that has melted into a puddle on the rocky floor.
Pick up some of the local stuff from the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co, including the cave-aged Cheddar – rich and complex in flavourCredit: SuppliedTuck into a hearty ploughman’s platter, with big hunks of white bread accompanied by dollops of piccalilli and generous wedges of Cheddar at Cafe GorgeCredit: Supplied
As I wandered the damp tunnels, my audio guide kicked in, like my personal geographical expert, highlighting how the minerals have transformed the colour of calcites into shades of rusty red and yellow over many years.
About a third of the way in, hidden in a cool, damp area, you’ll find huge wheels of cave cheese, placed carefully on shelving units.
Cave-ageing is one of the traditional methods for maturing cheese, in cool and dark conditions.
Although much of the UK’s Cheddar production sadly no longer occurs in these parts, you can still pick up some local stuff from the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co, including the cave-aged Cheddar – rich and complex in flavour.
Anyone who buys a ticket to the caves can climb Jacob’s ladder, an historic set of 274 steps that leads to the peak of the gorge, with a lookout tower offering spectacular views.
The village itself is also a great place for a stroll.
Or meander past the shops, following the river and visit quaint cafes featuring walls decorated with flower-filled pots.
Cafe Gorge is one of the best spots for lunch. Its ploughman’s platters are properly hearty, with big hunks of white bread accompanied by dollops of piccalilli and generous wedges of Cheddar.
If you’re a wildlife lover, keep your eyes peeled for furry mountain goats grazing on the craggy hillside.
The whole experience is rather cheesy, but that’s what makes it so Gouda!
REMOTE, rugged, and refreshingly underrated, Montenegro doesn’t scream and shout for your attention.
Everyone goes wild for Croatia’s polished reputation when planning their summer travels, but that comes with a conveyor belt of tourists pottering through various old towns and restaurants lining the Adriatic Sea.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Boats moored in Kotor harbourCredit: GettyThe pool at the Hyatt Regency Kotor BayCredit: Supplied
An understated alternative, Montenegro is every bit as beautiful, but far less busy.
Explore further and you’ll find an abundance of great food and adventure without needing to reserve any sun loungers or doing serious damage to your bank balance.
On the way through various towns, you won’t find any attempts to cater for mass tourism, a testament to their “Polako, Polako” approach to life, which translates as “slowly, slowly”.
Nothing reflects that more than McDonald’s attempt to crack the market in the country.
The fast-food giants opened a restaurant that was so unsuccessful they quickly closed it — the people here prefer to eat locally.
Surprisingly, while the culture and people are beautiful, warm and welcoming, they’re far from the standout feature of this stunning country.
Variety is perhaps the word that describes it better than any other.
Take in the stunning views over KotorCredit: GettyThe scenic Lake Skadar National ParkCredit: Getty
In a matter of hours, you can go from ski slopes to beach sun lounger — and that’s without considering its stunning lakes.
Montenegro is not somewhere you go to sit still for a week, although you could. It’s somewhere you must explore.
For me, the best way to ease into the “Polako Polako” way of life was on a boat trip through Lake Skadar.
Getting there is an experience in itself. Winding along one-track roads, we arrive in the village of Rijeka Crnojevica.
Clambering aboard a local’s traditional wooden boat, we glide silently along narrow channels lined with towering reeds.
As we emerge into the open water, the lake reveals its true scale, a shimmering body of water framed by the dramatic, jagged peaks of the Albanian Alps on one side and the rolling green hills of Montenegro on the other.
Keeping our eyes peeled — it’s a sanctuary for more than 280 species of birds — we attempt to spot the rare Dalmatian pelican, known to perch on the ruins of the 19th-century Lesendro Fortress.
The rare bird evades us, although we do spot a lone heron and plenty of other birds chirp overhead.
Looking at the almost turquoise waters, you see colours you would expect in the Maldives or Australia — not somewhere less than a three-hour Jet2 flight from Stansted.
The lake tour is around two and a half hours.
Try to spot the rare Dalmatian pelican, known to perch on the ruins of the 19th-century Lesendro FortressCredit: GettyThe Church of Our Lady of Remedy, perched on the slope of St. John MountainCredit: Getty
For couples, it’s an easy win: Relaxed, scenic, and just enough activity to feel like you’ve done something with your day.
After the cruise, a simple lunch of freshly prepared local fish rounds things off, and every bite tastes as fresh as the water we’ve been floating through.
That sense of authenticity carries through to the food more broadly, and nowhere is that clearer than at one of the country’s traditional olive farms.
Moric Olive Farm on the Lustica Peninsula is a perfect example and the journey there takes us past wild pomegranate trees, dry stone walls and into the silver-green olive groves.
We are welcomed by Ilija Moric, whose family has tended the trees for eight generations.
His passion is obvious as he takes us through the farm’s history, showing us the contrast between the ancient stone mill where donkeys once turned the heavy wheels to the shiny, modern organic production they use today.
If Lake Skadar is about slowing down, Montenegro’s vast black mountains are where the country comes to life.
Paved roads give way to rugged tracks, and the scenery becomes more dramatic with every turn, revealing sweeping viewpoints, scattered churches perched in improbable locations, and a sense of isolation that feels both exciting and grounding.
Exploring this landscape on foot, stopping to take in the silence or to light a candle and say a prayer in a small, weathered church, adds a layer of depth to the experience.
Rarely does a destination manage to balance contrast so well, moving seamlessly between rustic and refined, active and relaxed, without ever feeling disjointed, and it’s that consistency of variety that makes Montenegro so worth visiting.
Our base was the 4H Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, set right on the edge of the bay.
There’s an underground tunnel connecting the hotel with its private shingle beach, and the hotel itself features two pools including a vast, heated infinity pool overlooking the bay.
There’s three restaurants on site but it is just a 15-minute drive to the medieval maze of Kotor’s Old Town.
For couples searching for a summer escape that delivers on scenery, activity and atmosphere without the crowds or price tag of more established hotspots, Montenegro makes a strong case as the quieter, more affordable alternative to Croatia.
GO: MONTENEGRO
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4* Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay is from £1,389pp including flights from Stansted in September, 22kg baggage and return transfers.
GRACEFULLY stepping on to the red-carpeted gangplank, I turn and wave to the crowd.
Well, I say crowd. It’s a coach party from Aberdeen, who, like me, have come to snoop around our late Queen’s favourite floating home.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The Royal Yacht Britannia, docked in Edinburgh’s Port of Leith for the past 28 yearsCredit: Marc Millar/Royal Yacht BrittaniaThe royal ship attracts lots of visitorsCredit: Marc Millar/Royal Yacht Brittania
Built in 1953 in Clydebank, Glasgow, Britannia sailed more than a million nautical miles during her 44-year reign over the waves and accompanied the Royal Family on 968 state visits to 135 countries.
Her new £3million visitor centre leads with a photo-heavy exhibition about the ship’s history, including an interesting Day In The Life Of Queen Elizabeth II.
An excellent audio tour then guides me through the five decks on board.
On the bridge, I sit in the captain’s chair overlooking a rather grey Firth of Forth and imagine the sights seen from here over the years, such as the Sydney Opera House and Hong Kong skyline.
A modest royal cabinCredit: SuppliedThe regal state dining roomCredit: Supplied
But the Queen simply adored sailing around the Hebrides on her annual royal holiday, which she described as “the one place I can truly relax”.
Walking the scrubbed teak decks, I get a glimpse of royal life on board this floating palace.
There’s Her Majesty’s office, where she would work each day, and the Sun Room — a teak-panelled lounge with bar and rum tub said to have been the Queen’s favourite spot on the ship.
It overlooks the Veranda Deck, where Prince Philip would set up his easel to paint.
I can picture myself playing quoits with Princess Anne or enjoying a Dubonnet and a game of whist with Princess Margaret.
On board, it’s like time has stood still.
Not least because every clock is set at 3.01pm, when the Queen and Prince Philip disembarked for the final time on December 11, 1997.
Echoing the plush decor found in other royal homes, the State Drawing Room is the family room. In the corner is a Welmar baby grand piano — bolted to the floor to withstand the waves — which was played over the years by guests including playwright Noel Coward and Princess Diana.
The Vestibule Deck has the State Apartments — including the somewhat modest adjoining cabins of the Queen and Prince Philip, with single beds.
Only one suite has a double bed — installed on request by Prince Charles for his first honeymoon.
The Sun’s Tracey Davies sits on the bridge with a sea viewCredit: SuppliedThe Royal Yacht Britannia has been named the World’s Best Attraction at TripAdvisor’s The Travellers’ Choice Awards 2026Credit: Marc Millar/Royal Yacht Brittania
Like Princess Margaret, I’m also partial to a pre-lunch sharpener.
The Royal Deck Tearoom serves her favourite Dubonnet cocktail (£16), as well as Moet by the glass or bottle (£15/£78), and a great coronation chicken sandwich (£10).
But the State Dining Room — rarely open to us commoners — is where VIP guests, such as Sir Winston Churchill, would dine with the Royal Family.
Below deck, I wind through the galley, laundry and medical room — with operating theatre — to discover how the 220-strong crew ran the ship like clockwork.
In the gift shop, you can get everything from a stuffed corgi (£25) to a Launer handbag (£2,850), a favourite of Her Maj.
As the State Apartments are not yet on Airbnb, you can enjoy a similar experience nearby at The Fingal, a former lighthouse tender turned luxury floating hotel.
GO: LEITH
GETTING THERE: Advance tickets from London to Edinburgh Waverley Station from £41.40 each way.
Maura Higgins has asked a former Strictly Come Dancing pro for help trainingCredit: GettyShe asked former Strictly pro Karen Hauer to help her train for the US version of the showCredit: BBC
Maura is walking away from Love Island USACredit: GettyKaren was axed from Strictly this yearCredit: BBC
Earlier this year Maura, 35, lost out in the final of the US version of The Traitors.
We revealed this week how Maura is walking away from Love IslandUSA.
She revealed that she’s ready for a fresh start after three years.
Speaking to Vulture about whether fans would see her back on screens this summer, she said: “You won’t. I’ve done it for three years, and they’ll always be family to me, but I think it’s time to try something different.
“I’ve got amazing opportunities coming in the door.
“I think it’s time to say good-bye. But you know what? I won’t say forever.”
LOVE Island stars Whitney Adebayo and Yamen Sanders have split after five months.
The pair found love in the ITV All Stars villa in South Africa in January – finishing in fifth place.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Whitney Adebayo and Yamen Sanders have split after five monthsCredit: InstagramThe pair found love in the ITV All Stars villa in South AfricaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
However, rumours have swirled of their break-up after the couple were navigating a long-distance relationship.
PARIS Fury has revealed why Tommy Fury wasn’t at Venezuela’s wedding after his pregnant fiancée Molly-Mae Hague flew to the venue by private jet.
The proud mother-of-the-bride showered Molly, 26, with praise for going above and beyond to make it to Venezuela’s big day, while Tommy was nowhere to be seen.
Paris Fury said she was very impressed by Molly, who travelled by private jet to the weddingCredit: SplashBambi was one of Venezuela’s bridesmaids for the big dayCredit: Splash
Molly, who is heavily pregnant with her second child, was seen stepping onto the runway with her daughter Bambi, 3, and sister Zoe Rae.
The extravagant soiree is taking place at The Comis Hotel and Resort on the outskirts of Douglas, Isle of Man.
In awe of Molly, Paris told The Sun: “She is incredible. She is being fully supportive, and she is bringing Bambi over, so that Bambi could be a bridesmaid with the kids.
“But I have got to throw her props. She is making that journey while heavily pregnant and I wouldn’t have been able to face that while I was at her term of pregnancy.
Venezuela said ‘I do’ to her husband Noah Price, on the Isle of ManCredit: PP.Molly-Mae’s fiancé, Tommy Fury wasn’t able to join the wedding celebrationsCredit: Splash
“It’s very good,” Paris added.
Molly’s fiancé, Tommy, 27, Tyson’s younger brother, wasn’t able to join in the festivities.
Tommy, who Molly met on the reality TV hit in 2019, had to stay in Manchester for his boxing training camp.
She says: “I’m very glad that they are coming. It means a lot. It’s a big journey for anyone to come from home to here.
Venezuela with husband Noah Price, in a custom-made bridal gownCredit: PP.Molly-Mae and Tommy are expecting their second babyCredit: mollymae/Instagram
“It’s lovely that they are making the effort. It’s lovely that Bambi and the other little girls all get to be bridesmaids. They are all cousins and it’s sweet that they‘ll make memories together.”
Bambi is one of 13 of the child bridesmaids, including Venezuela’s little sisters Valencia, eight, and Athena, including four of Noah’s cousins, and family members, as well as five grown up bridesmaids.
Venezuela revealed: “I chose powder blue cupcake dresses for the little ones, they’re really cute, and fitted gowns for my friends.”
Paris said: “Evangeline Designs in Liverpool made the bridesmaid dresses and every day there it was like, ‘There’s a new little dress, there’s a new dress there’s a new dress, because we ended up having a few extra little bridesmaids’.
“They’re wearing flowers in their hair.”
Paris revealed: “We found £120 shoes for the little ones, and the only shoes we found in the right shade of blue for the women were stunning shoes that were £13 from Shein.”
Paris stored all the wedding party outfits in a specially allocated wedding room in the basement of their home.
Paris and Venezuela thoughtfully put together goodie bags, which included diamante Primark flip flops, matching pyjamas, a hairbrush, sweets, Doll beauty make up and a “little dolly” for each of the younger bridesmaids.
And it wasn’t just the women who dazzled on Venezuela’s big day. The men were looking just as dapper.
“The men are in black tuxedos, Tyson too and Noah is in an ivory tuxedo. Noah picked it,” Paris said.
“Collecting everything wasn’t easy. I felt like I was doing circles on ferries with carloads.”
FANCY grabbing a last-minute break during May half-term? There are lots of late deals offering adventures and attractions galore.
Cruise on a fabulous liner, escape to the countryside, explore a city or bed down in a zoo. Trisha Harbord selects ten top getaways for all budgets, at home and abroad.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
FRENCH FANCY
Le Touquet is holding a British Week over half-term
OOH la la! The French seaside resort of Le Touquet will be holding a British Week from May 25 to 31.
There will be a host of activities delivered in English, such as guided horse rides, while the seven miles of coastline and dunes make Le Touquet perfect for sand-yachting.
The resort, an hour’s drive from Calais, has over 70 restaurants, for all tastes and budgets.
GO: Two nights’ room-only at the 3* ibis Styles, for two adults and two children, is from £366. See all.accor.com. Return ferry from Dover costs from £118. See irishferries.com.
We really rate the no-fly MSC voyages on super-modern VirtuosaCredit: Supplied
YOU can’t beat a cruise for having everything on tap, and we really rate the no-fly MSC voyages on super-modern Virtuosa.
Enjoy five pools, a waterpark, clubs for kids, superb shows and an indoor promenade with restaurants, bars and shops.
The ship, sailing from Southampton, also has the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea, who shakes and stirs cocktails.
GO: Two nights’ full-board from May 23 costs from £265pp. Five nights from May 25, visiting four ports including Bruges and Rotterdam, costs from £541pp. See cruise.co.uk.
MINT IMPERIAL
Enjoy a luxury break at the Imperial Island Resort in PaphosCredit: Supplied
SPOIL yourself at the 5* Imperial Island Resort in Paphos, which reopened this week. Everything has been upgraded, from the rooms to the food, spa and kids’ clubs.
There are new outdoor play areas at the Cyprus hotel and numerous sports on offer.
Soak up the sun on the adjacent beach or head to Paphos Archaeological Museum and the medieval fort that overlooks the harbour.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive, based on two adults and two children sharing a superior family room, plus Gatwick flights on May 24, is from £1,072pp. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.
ITALIAN JOB
Take the kids on a cultural trip to RomeCredit: Unknown
THERE aren’t many kids who don’t like pizza, pasta and ice cream – and they can have all those on a cultural trip to Rome.
The Vatican museums, beautiful Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum amphitheatre are all must-sees.
There are also many children’s attractions, including interactive museums about everything from video games to illusions.
GO: Three nights’ B&B at the 3* Hotel Morgana, including flights from Birmingham on May 25, costs from £469pp, based on a family of four. See jet2holidays.com.
STAR PLAYA
You won’t get bored at the Vibra Caleta Playa apartments in MenorcaCredit: Supplied
MENORCA may be one of the quieter Balearic Islands, but you won’t be bored here.
Choose from lying on the beach or going hiking, cycling or horse riding.
The 3H Vibra Caleta Playa apartments, surrounding a pool with kids’ area, all have air-con, kitchenettes and a balcony or terrace.
They are close to a sandy cove in Santandria and the historic former capital, Ciutadella.
GO: Five nights’ self-catering in a one-bed apartment for two adults and children, including flights from Gatwick on May 24, costs from £442 per person. See firstchoice.co.uk.
GO FOR ’BROKE
Enjoy a great deal at Pembrokeshire’s Ty Hotel Milford and take the kids kayakingCredit: Owen Howells
THERE’S a great deal from Pembrokeshire’s 4* Ty Hotel Milford Waterfront, with kids staying free during half-term.
The offer at the hotel, which overlooks the Milford Haven marina, runs rom May 22 to 31.
If the children love dinosaurs, be there on May 27 when Dinomania comes to town.
You can also rent kayaks from the beach activity centre, visit the maritime heritage museum, go hiking or enjoy ten-pin bowling.
GO: A family room for two adults and two children, including breakfast, is from £104. See ty-hotels.com and milfordwaterfront.co.uk.
RURAL SAVINGS
Enjoy up to 30 per cent off countryside breaks with LandalCredit: Supplied
GET back to nature with up to 30 per cent off countryside breaks with Landal, which has resorts in areas including Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northamptonshire and Scotland.
Woodland Lakes, near Thirsk, North Yorks, has indoor pool, kids’ play areas, archery, fishing and a wellness centre.
It’s close to the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales and only a half-hour drive from the historic city of York.
GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a lodge sleeping four people from May 25 costs from £639. See landal.co.uk.
PIER WE GO
Head to Great Yarmouth for an unforgettable time with the familyCredit: Unknown
IT should be a great week in Great Yarmouth, with plenty to do in the Norfolk resort.
A pantomime of The Wizard Of Oz is being performed at Britannia Pier’s theatre between May 28 and 31, and the town has a festival of circus and arts from May 28 to 30.
Stay at Richardson’s Hemsby Beach holiday park and you’ll be spoiled for family-friendly activities, too.
GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a two- bedroom chalet from May 25 costs from £419. Details at richardsonsholidayparks.co.uk and visitgreatyarmouth.co.uk.
SHOW STOPPERS
Telly favourites are appearing at Butlin’sCredit: Supplied
TELLY favourites are appearing at Butlin’s, and there are three-night late deals from £48pp. Headline acts include The Masked Singer Live and the new Maximum Pro Wrestling show.
The resorts – in Skegness, Lincs, Somerset’s Minehead and Bognor Regis in West Sussex – also boast Splash Waterworld pools with slides, unlimited fairground rides and soft-play areas for kids.
GO: Three nights for four people sharing a two-bedroom Comfort room in Minehead from May 29 costs from £192. For more information or to book, see butlins.com.
WHERE THE ART IS
Have a roaring time at Whipsnade ZooCredit: Supplied
HELP Whipsnade Zoo roar into the Guinness World Records book as one of more than 14,000 people taking part in a paint-by- numbers challenge from May 23 to 31.
The masterpiece featuring 200 animals will celebrate the 200th birthday of ZLS – the conservation charity behind the Bedfordshire zoo.
Families picking up a brush will need to register on the GWR Verify app. Stay overnight in one of the zoo’s lodges and enjoy zoo tickets, private tours, breakfast and dinner.
GO: A lodge for two adults and two children is from £520. See whipsnadezoo.org.
TAYLOR SWIFT and fiancé Travis Kelce were snapped on a whirlwind trip to London last week – and I can reveal why they were in town.
The couple are planning a wedding party at celeb haunt The Chiltern Firehouse in August, a month after their upcoming New York nuptials.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Taylor Swift and fiancé Travis Kelce were snapped on a whirlwind trip to London last weekCredit: GettyThe celebrity couple are planning a wedding party at celeb haunt The Chiltern Firehouse in AugustCredit: Getty
The American lovebirds met the venue’s owner, US hotelier Andre Balazs, to discuss their VIP soiree for 120 guests.
The Chiltern restaurant and hotel remains shut to the public after a pizza-oven fire wrecked it early last year, but it is in the market for one-off events.
Noel Gallagher threw a bash there to mark the end of the US leg of the Oasis reunion tour.
An insider said: “London holds a huge place in Taylor’s heart and she has so many British friends who she wants to celebrate with.
“Travis and Taylor partied at the Chiltern two years ago following her Eras tour dates at Wembley, and it is a special place for her.
“They are working on a personalised menu with bespoke cocktails and carefully selected wines.
“They’re looking at entertainment options but Taylor obviously has lots of talented friends in the music industry so it’s likely some could end up performing.”
I’m told she was hoping to use the venue’s five-star hotel rooms, too, but they have not yet reopened.
She has also written songs London Boy and So Long, London.
Now that she has finally found her forever man, I am so pleased she plans to celebrate in our capital.
Zara’s on a high
Zara Larsson looked stunning in yellow as she put on a performance in New York CityCredit: GettyZara was worried because she said her voice was ‘literally gone’ the morning of the performanceCredit: Alamy
ZARA LARSSON rides the wave as she kicks off US TV channel Today’s Citi Summer Concert Series in New York City.
But the Swedish pop star, who looked stunning in a yellow skirt and matching top, almost had to pull out of the performance.
She told her fans on Instagram: “I was sooo nervous this morning because my voice was literally gone!
“But we pushed through. I had so much fun! Thank you to everyone for pulling up on me so early.”
Nic ‘n’ Tom have dare necessity
Olympic boxing champ Nicola Adams is set to compete on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares WinsCredit: GettyApprentice star Thomas Skinner will also be attempting the toughest show on TVCredit: Splash
IT is known as the toughest show on TV – but ahead of the new series of CelebritySAS: Who Dares Wins, I can reveal at least two of the contestants, Olympic boxing champ Nicola Adams and Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, reckon they have the steel to prevail.
A source said: “Tom has been training hard with a weighted vest in preparation for the show, and Nicola is no stranger to an intense training regime.”
Meanwhile, singer Jojo Siwa and former Strictly pro dancer Giovanni Pernice are also lined up to take part.
Filming is taking place this summer in Malaysia, for the ninth series, which is expected to air next year.
Olivia in full bloom
Olivia Rodrigo looked super cute in dainty florals during a performance in SpainCredit: GettyThe Drop Dead singer wore a pink mini dress and black leather bootsCredit: Getty
OLIVIA RODRIGO looks super cute in dainty florals during a performance in Spain.
The Drop Dead singer wore a pinkmini dress and black leather boots to play a Spotify Billions Club Live show in Barcelona.
The concert on Friday night kicked off El Clasico weekend ahead of the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid today.
The American hitmaker, who embarks on her Unraveled Tour in September, also posed with her nine Spotify plaques to commemorate her songs which have surpassed a billion streams.
Stones play Amy tribute
The Rolling Stones plan to cover an Amy Winehouse song on their new album Foreign TonguesCredit: GettyThe legendary group will pay tribute to Amy’s 2007 track You Know I’m No GoodCredit: Getty
Sir Mick performed a duet with Amy during the Stones’ set at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2007, four years before she died aged 27.
The album’s track list which was leaked by fans, also features lead single In The Stars and song Back In Your Life.
The latter has a guitar solo by Ronnie inspired by The Beach Boys star Brian Wilson – and it was recorded on the day Brian died, aged 82, in June last year.
Hit Me In The Head includes old recordings in Los Angeles with the late Stones drummer Charlie Watts, who died in 2021, aged 80.
Last month the band released another album track, Rough And Twisted, on vinyl under pseudonym The Cockroaches.
Dec 10 in secret filming
DECEMBER 10 have secretly filmed a music video for their hot new single Infinity (123).
I can reveal that the boys – Cruz, Danny, Hendrik, Sean, John, Josh and Nicolas – jetted to Palma, Mallorca to shoot the promo which will be released on Friday.
It comes as the band gear up for their first appearance at Capital’s Summertime Ball next month and the Summer Sonic festival in Japan in August.
Biz on Sunday’s Emily was lucky enough to catch up with the boys at their gig at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire last month.
And they will be returning to the London venue in July, for two sold-out nights.
Looks like they have a jam-packed summer.
Tom: Paul and I may be family
Tom Grennan says he may have a family connection to Irish actor Paul MescalCredit: GettyGladiator II star Paul bumped into Tom at a hurling event in Dublin last yearCredit: Getty
The Little Bit Of Love hitmaker bumped into the Normal People star at the All-Ireland Senior HurlingChampionship final in Dublin last year.
And he told Cork’s 96FM radio station: “Paul was there and he was like, ‘Is your dad here?’.
“He said, ‘Mate, my dad has been going on about your dad and he wants to speak to him’.
“Apparently, there’s some sort of relation!”
Tom, who welcomed daughter Dotty with wife Danniella Carraturo last summer, is set to release an album this year inspired by becoming a dad.
Talking about fatherhood, he said: “It has definitely had an impact on my songwriting.
“It’s opened up another chamber in my heart.”
Ramsay’s kitchen rebels
Gordon Ramsay’s production company is creating a documentary about top chefs including Heston BlumenthalCredit: AlamyMarco Pierre White is set to feature along with Gordon himselfCredit: Getty
GORDON RAMSAY’s TV production company is making a fiery documentary series with the BBC about some of the biggest renegades in the restaurant world.
Rise Of The Rockstar Chefs will focus on Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre White, and, of course, Gordon himself.
A source said: “This bunch are set to lift the lid on their early days in the competitive restaurant world and share some of their juicy stories.”
Studio Ramsay’s glossy production will feature guest appearances from foodies Stanley Tucci, Prue Leith, and Pink Floyd‘s Nick Mason.
I’m told it’s set to air in the autumn.
‘Sore’ Stacey snubs BAFTAS
Stacey Solomon will not be attending this years BAFTA TV AwardsCredit: GettyStacey was criticised for her emotional reaction to losing at last year’s ceremonyCredit: Instagram
Instead of putting on a gown and trundling down the red carpet, the presenter is living her best life in Miami on a PAID Space NK brand trip with her kids. Good for her.
The Sort Your Life Out star was criticised online – with some trolls branding her a “sore loser” and a “spoiled brat” – after she admitted on Instagram that she was “devastated” her BBC show failed to win.
Although Sort Your Life Out was nominated in two categories, it missed out on a BAFTA, prompting Stacey to defend her hardworking team in the emotional video.
She said: “I know I’m supposed to take it gracefully like a champ, but I’ll be honest, I’m devastated.
“The crew also deserve the BAFTA after the effort they put into making the show.”
Other telly presenters giving this evening’s ceremony a miss are Rochelle Humes and Olivia Attwood, who are both joining Stacey in the sun.
MODEL Candice Swanepoel is rocking her new line in swimwear.
The 37-year-old perched on a seaside boulder to show off a bikini from her Tropic of C label’s collaboration with Victoria’s Secret.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Candice Swanepoel perched on a seaside boulder to show off a bikini from her new lineCredit: Candice’s swimwear is from her Tropic of C label’s collaboration with Victoria’s SecretCredit:
Her environmentally-friendly collection is called Elemental, which she said “blends Victoria’s Secret’s iconic femininity with Tropic of C’s elevated, sustainable sensibility”.
South African Candice added: “Sustainability is a key part of my lifestyle.”
She didn’t scale back her modelling following motherhood and has shifted more lingerie than any other model.
Candice is considered the world’s top lingerie model not just because she has the most followers but because her online posts have far more impact than her catwalk contemporaries.
Glancing up from my chilli-prawn-laden pizza, I spot Declan Donnelly and his wife strolling into KOKO, our lunch spot in Portugal’s Quinta do Lago Resort.
It seems I’ve stumbled across people-watching heaven – this place is a playground for the rich and famous, with celebs including Niall Horan and Holly Willoughby also known to holiday here.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The Magnolia Hotel is a white villa designed like a ’50s motelCredit: SuppliedQuinto do Lago Lake sits nearbyCredit: Bernardo Lúcio
The setting is 15 minutes’ drive from Faro airport, where the landscape quickly transforms from rustic farmland to manicured streets, luxurious villas and luscious, green golf courses.
Designer-clad joggers take to the flower-lined paths, and sports cars meander down to the ocean.
If you didn’t know better, you could be driving through Palm Springs, not the Algarve.
My husband Grant and I have picked one of the more affordable stays – The Magnolia Hotel, a white villa designed like a ’50s motel, complete with illuminated sign and a kitsch, pastel interior.
Our favourite spot here soon becomes the sparkling pool, surrounded by bird of paradise plants, and boasting cabanas and a Balearic beats soundtrack.
Each morning, we find an abundant buffet, including top-notch ingredients for a full English, plus fruit, yoghurts, pastries and cheeses.
But the pièce de résistance are the cooked-to-order banana and toffee pancakes. Double rooms here cost from £124 B&B (Themagnoliahotelqdl.com).
Quinta do Lago itself is more like a town, so we hop on the hotel’s complimentary bikes to The Campus, a 15-minute ride away, to meet Luke, our calm and collected padel coach.
Enjoy a game of padel at The CampusCredit: SinenkiyGorge on zesty prawn tacos washed down with frozen margaritasCredit: Andre Pires Santos
By the end of our hour’s lesson, £70, we’ve mastered both a rebound backhand and a volley (Thecampusqdl.com).
The next morning, we hire mountain bikes from The Bike Shed, £45 per day, to explore the boardwalks lining the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Reserve, and spy a purple heron and Eurasian oystercatchers on our ride down to the white-sand beaches.
Quinto do Lago Lake sits nearby with seafood eatery Casa do Lago and trendy tiki bar The Shack either side of the crystal-clear water.
After paddling around in kayaks, lapping up views of the mansions lining the lake, £18 for 30 minutes (Arturwatersports academy.pt), we head to the latter and gorge on zesty prawn tacos, £17.50, washed down with frozen margaritas, £12.
Take on a Q Reformer Pilates 1-1 sessionCredit: Andre Pires SantosHire mountain bikes from The Bike ShedCredit: Supplied by Sasha Cunningham
All of the resort’s restaurants are overseen by British executive chef Gareth Billington.
At Casa Velha, we share beef pica pau, a traditional Portuguese dish served in garlic gravy, £16.50, while the delicate sole at Casa do Lago, £37, paired with tomato salad and roasted potatoes, both £4.50, is a real treat and prepared at our table.
I head back to The Campus to work off some of our feasts at a Q Reformer Pilates 1-1 session, £48 for one hour, where instructor Pedro really challenges my strength and agility, before I’m tempted again at boutique cafe Pure.
Sipping on prosecco in the sun, with an afternoon tea spread of coronation chicken wraps, smoked salmon on toast, quiche and an array of home-made cakes, £33, I resolve to book a Reformer class back home.
WE’VE all been there, desperately trying to lure the kids away from their devices.
But I’ve found the solution — head to all-inclusive activity specialists Club Med and there will be so much for them to do, the problem will be fitting it all in.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
On target Piper tried archeryCredit: SuppliedCorben had a ball and joined the Wolves academyCredit: Supplied
There’s nowhere better to tempt the kids away from tech than the golden sands of France’s Atlantic coast.
Sat somewhere between a 20-mile stretch of rugged coastline and the lush La Coubre forest, the world-class Club Med La Palmyre Atlantique is pure “Ooh La La”.
The resort itself looks a little like a chic oyster-farming village, with colourful bungalows scattered between lush trees and distant views of an old lighthouse atop a cliff.
Whether you’re keen to hire bikes and explore the nearby World War II bunker, or just stroll the beach to watch the famous Atlantic rollers with a book, holidays here can be taken at your pace.
I was visiting with my wife Emma and two children Corben, 11, and Piper, nine, and we switched instantly into holiday mode on arrival.
The whole vibe was uber laid-back, despite being an action-packed resort full of families with kids.
And this is where Club Med truly earns its stripes.
Kids’ clubs here cater to all ages, offering arts and crafts, archery and table tennis — although they should be prepared that the resort is heavily French-speaking.
Wind down and relax by the poolsCredit: Club MedPiper loved horse ridingCredit: Supplied
But the perk means they may pick up some Franglais.
There’s also a professional circus school where little ones can channel their inner Greatest Showman, as well as off-site horse riding.
Piper loved taking her horse Jacques on a ride into the woods.
The G.O.s (Gentils Organisateurs — meaning Kind Organisers) took her and a group of others to the ocean for a beach walk and sailing experience.
Meanwhile, my son Corben headed to the resort pitch to join the football camp hosted by Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, and exclusive to Club Med.
Each day, the Wolves coaches ran sessions on dribbling, passing, ball control and shooting, followed by a series of mini games.
The Wolves academy split into age groups from four to 17-years-old from all levels, and my football-mad son loved every minute.
The relaxed vibe meant it didn’t matter whether your child was destined to be the next João Gomes or just loved a kickabout.
And at the end of the week, the young players were congratulated with an awards ceremony.
Best of all, this was included in Club Med’s all-inclusive package and didn’t cost a penny extra.
While the kids are kept busy, adults can kick back by the pool or play a round at the Golf de Palmyre nine-hole course just next door to the resort.
The 2,992-metre course is set around 93 acres of pine wood with water obstacles, large bunkers and rolling fairways.
Ryan, Emma and kids having funCredit: SuppliedZen out at the hotel spaCredit: Club Med
Some holes boast ocean views and the course is ideal for beginners, offering group or private lessons from age 11.
If you’d rather stick together as a family, however, there’s group tennis, archery, sailing and windsurfing, too.
Even the spa offers treatments you can enjoy with the children so we booked in for a family massage beside the beach.
After action-packed days, we would spend an hour or so relaxing ahead of dinner.
Our rooms were in The Dunes area, an upscale space for those who want a bit of extra luxury, and came with a small lounge area and pine forest views.
Then it was time to feast.
The main restaurant, L’Atlantique, offers an impressive buffet which includes fresh seafood, local oysters, steaks, salads and a huge dessert table.
The kids were horrified when I explained what escargot is and how foie gras is made but at least it wasn’t nuggets and chips.
Enjoy tipples at Club MedCredit: Club MedTake in a round at Golf de PalmyreCredit: Club Med
For something a bit more upmarket, The Belle Époque speciality restaurant is perfect for a “date night” while the kids are at a supervised pyjama party.
This gourmet lounge serves up local Charentais wines and seafood with a view of the lighthouse.
And because it’s Club Med, the “all-inclusive” tag means exactly that.
Premium booze, cocktails, and snacks are all included.
Most nights a band played in the main bar and music went on ’til late but like most holidays with kids, Mum and Dad were shattered by 10pm.
Outside of the resort there’s plenty to do if you fancy exploring the region.
From the Île de Ré to the Île d’Oléron, from La Rochelle to Royan, the Atlantic coastline has tons to offer.
Book your family a ticket on “Le Train des Mouettes”, the 19th-century steam train, or climb to the top of the Phare de Cordouan, the lighthouse listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
It’s rare to find a resort that genuinely caters to every generation without feeling like a theme park.
But La Palmyre Atlantique manages to stay stylish and very French.
We returned home with a suntan, a slightly tighter waistband and kids who, for a second, forgot what an iPad is.
GO: FRANCE
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies from Stansted to La Rochelle from £38 return.
Wandering around the park, one notices an upmarket vibe.
The lobby has a high-spec finish and the attention to detail here is fantastic.
The luxe feel then continues in the new caravans, with large beds and master en-suites.
If your goal is to unwind, then you won’t be disappointed.
The park is less about pumping out late-night music than delivering holiday-site staples — pool, arcade, bar and karts — to a high standard.
The Coastal Bar and Restaurant hosts Saturday night entertainment for the whole family — which includes furry friends, with dog beds dotted around the terrace.
The spongy floor of the new pool felt lovely underfoot and made the splash area very safe for little ones, while the changing rooms were the cleanest I’ve ever encountered.
If you fancy heading out for the day, the lovely seaside village of Pakefield, near Lowestoft, is well worth a visit.
Keep your eyes peeled for Salty Sauna, a mini wood-fired sauna that can be booked for public or private sessions.
The upmarket vibe high street has sculptureCredit: SuppliedThe town has a rich maritime historyCredit: Supplied
If you wander along the beach up to Lowestoft, you’ll come to the Jubilee Parade pavilion, which is on the cusp of completion.
The two-storey restaurant-and-cafe complex includes a lift connecting the upper esplanade to the lower promenade, making access easier.
It’s set next to the futuristic Eastern Edge beach huts, which can be hired for the day.
Another spot that comes highly recommended by locals is the overhauled East Point Pavilion, an ornate glass Victorian-inspired venue that overlooks the sea and hosts concerts and makers’ markets.
And new art gallery Messums East is just about to open at the site of the old Post Office.
If you’re looking for more thrills, head to the Pleasurewood Hills theme park which sits on the coast between Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.
Brothers Freddy, Spencer and Davis Stokes took over the site at the end of last year and have already installed three new rides, with a spinning coaster on the cards for later this year.
The park has something for everyone.
Furry friends enjoy beachCredit: SuppliedThe overhauled East Point Pavilion, an ornate glass Victorian-inspired venue that overlooks the sea and hosts concerts and makers’ marketsCredit: Alamy
We stayed for most of the day and still didn’t make it round all the rides, despite there being next to no queues.
The chairlift that carries you from one side of the park to the other was a throwback to my childhood holidays, while my boys loved the adrenaline rides, including the 30 metre-high Riptide and huge, looping coaster, Wipeout.
As the easternmost point of England, Lowestoft celebrates welcoming the earliest sunrise to our shores, with its First Light beach festival in June.
Likewise, there is definitely a new dawn afoot for this coastal town.
GO: LOWESTOFT
STAYING THERE: Four nights’ self-catering at Park Holidays Pakefield is from £129 in total for a six-person Gold Caravan, for arrival on May 18.
MOVIE hardman Jason Statham and his model partner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley have bought a £20million beachfront “forever home” — and are spending another £5million renovating it.
Jason Statham and his model partner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley have bought a £20million beachfront ‘forever home’Credit: GettyThe couple are spending another £5million renovating the house
The contemporary new-build is set on 20 acres and has its own private beach, enormous tree house, boating lake and wild swimming pond.
Building work has been going on for some time, with experts estimating a further £5million is being spent.
He has always been upfront about his life goals, saying: “I just want to work hard, make money and eat with good people and love the same woman over and over again.”
Several high-profile celebrities also own homes in the area. Jason also has extensive properties in Hollywood and Cornwall.
The couple, who have a home in London, met at a party in 2009 and got engaged in 2016.
Jason also has extensive properties in Hollywood and CornwallCredit: AlamyRosie has a £30million fortune via fashion collaborations with M&S and Burberry, and acting rolesCredit: AFP or licensors
Rosie, 39, has a £30million fortune via fashion collaborations with M&S and Burberry, and acting roles in Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mad Max: Fury Road.
She recently revealed she was moving to the countryside.
Rosie said: “I’ve been dreaming of this since I left home.
“It will be mud and kids climbing trees.” The couple were approached for comment.
MATT GOSS has revealed how he bravely stood up to muggers who tried to steal his gold Rolex watch.
The former Bros singer sat down with Biz On Sunday’s Emily to speak about the scary incident, which occurred while he was walking his dog Reggie with fiancée Chantal Brown.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Former Bros singer Matt Goss has revealed how he fought off muggers trying to steal his rolexCredit: Paul HarriesMatt told Biz On Sunday’s Emily Webber that he would love to reunite on stage with his brother Luke againCredit: Supplied
Matt, who is back in the studio at London’s famous Abbey Road, said: “We were approached by two people asking for directions.
“We were friendly and tried to help them, but when I pointed the way, they noticed the watch on my wrist.
“One of them immediately became aggressive, trying to distract me by dancing while also grabbing at my wrist.
“I reacted instinctively and, feeling threatened, pushed my head into his before telling him firmly: ‘Don’t you dare’.
“Chantal and I then went straight into a nearby hotel and called the police.”
Matt, who was born in Lewisham, South East London, where he grew up with twin brother and fellow Bros star Luke Goss, said he would like to see more police on the streets.
He added: “I do feel safe in London overall, but I find it sad that, in such a beautiful city, you can’t always wear something nice without concern.
“I truly wish we still had more bobbies on the beat, with that sense of community, presence and understanding of the local area.”
Matt is back in the UK after spending 25 years in America, where he had a highly successful residency in Las Vegas for 11 years.
His new track, Thank You For The Pain, is out now and will form part of his upcoming album scheduled for September 29.
Matt said: “It’s back to commercial music. I love performing live and I loved the Vegas show and I am super proud of that.
“But there is something about going in the doors at Abbey Road that gives you a sense of occasion and, ‘you better bring your A-game’. It really makes you step up more because of the history.”
He added: “You are going into your church and you are baring all and being extremely truthful. Thank You For The Pain is about turning your pain into something that makes you a better person.
“We have all been hurt by people and that song really helps you recognise what hurts makes you stronger.”
Matt sold 17million records in the Eighties boyband Bros, with the brothers making their big breakthrough in 1988 with Top Ten single When Will I Be Famous?
But after the boyband split up in 1992, the pair went their separate ways until reforming in 2017 to play two dates at London’s O2 Arena.
The lead-up to the comeback was filmed for documentary Bros: After The Screaming Stops, which also showed the ongoing tension between the twins.
Matt revealed in 2024 that they were “completely estranged”.
But he is hopeful that they may manage to sort out their differences and step out on stage together once again.
He said: “I would love nothing more than to jump on stage with my brother again, I’m pretty sure we don’t hate each other but we have stuff to sort out.
“I believe there is respect for each other. I’d love to do Glastonbury with my brother.”
MATT GOSS has given Biz On Sunday readers the first full clip of his new video, Thank You For The Pain. It is Matt’s first animated video and is created by Nobody Asked Studios.
A source said: “Matt is a huge fan of Nobody Asked Studios and the track worked perfectly with the animated style.”
Millie’s book Taylor made
Millie Mackintosh is working on a new book following her recent split from Hugo TaylorCredit: Getty
The ex-Made In Chelsea star is working with publisher Little, Brown Group on a new book.
A source said: “Millie’s been through a lot in the last year and she’s writing it all down.
“Her first book was about her sobriety, but this one will look at motherhood, her ADHD diagnosis and the changes in her personal life, including her split from Hugo.
“Writing is very cathartic for Millie, so it’s also helping her process what’s been going on in her life. She will reveal a lot about the breakdown of her marriage and there will likely be a few surprises.
“Millie really wants to be honest and relatable.”
The book comes after Millie’s first husband, rapper Professor Green, gushed about her recently . . .
Zara’s Shak for more
Zara Larsson has joined forces with Shakira to remix her track EurosummerCredit: InstagramShakira reached out to congratulate pal Zara on the track’s releaseCredit: Instagram
ZARA LARSSON and Shakira look summer ready after collaborating on a new song.
The Swedish pop star has remixed her track Eurosummer with the Hips Don’t Lie hitmaker.
It comes as Zara releases remix album Midnight Sun: Girls Trip featuring Pinkpantheress, Tyla and Robyn.
Shakira posted on Instagram: “Happy release day, Zara Larsson. Can’t wait for our video to come out.
“In the meantime, starting my Euro summer from Rio.”
Dean’s back on market
HE is known for being a ladies’ man, but it looks like former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney is single once again.
I can reveal that he has split from Harvard graduate Kate Black after dating for a year.
A source said: “Dean and Kate have agreed to go their separate ways. “They enjoyed a whirlwind romance, but decided that their relationship was more friendly.
“Kate wasn’t Dean’s usual type, but he learned a lot from her.”
Kate studied international relations at the top US university and artificial intelligence at the University of York.
A mutual pal introduced them and they started dating in April last year, a month after she split from her long-term boyfriend.
Last June, Dean, who played market sweeper Robbie Jackson in the BBC One soap, was spotted on holiday in Ibiza with Kate.
DJ Greg: Will.I.Am so rude
RADIO 1 DJ GREG JAMES has named The Voice coach Will.I.am as one of the worst famous people he’s ever met and described his music as “s**t”.
Speaking at an intimate gig in North London for the launch of his book, All The Best For The Future, he said: “Will.i.am was a nightmare and he was rude.
“He barged into the studio and had his Bluetooth headset on, even though I was trying to interview him.
“He didn’t say hello to anyone in the room and he was just ignoring everyone.
“Eventually he sat down and took his headset off and I had to interview him. Mad, and his songs are s**t aren’t they? Apart from his Black Eyed Peas track I Gotta Feeling, if we’re being really honest with ourselves.”
I have to disagree. Scream & Shout and Heartbreaker are both bangers…
Stones face music for album launch
The Rolling Stones have teased the cover for their new album Foreign TonguesCredit: InstagramThe Rolling Stones’ album will be released in July and a clock is ticking downCredit: Getty
THE ROLLING STONES have teased the cover for their much-anticipated new album as they prepared for its press launch this week.
A poster appeared on social media yesterday showing Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood imagined as one face. The eyecatching design was dreamt up by American painter Nathaniel Mary Quinn.
On Tuesday, the band will hold the press launch of the new record, Foreign Tongues, in New York. Then, on Wednesday, Mick Jagger will appear on The Tonight Show, hosted by Jimmy Fallon.
The US TV star presented a global press conference in 2023 in East London for the band’s last album, Hackney Diamonds.
A countdown clock for the new record, out on July 10, has now appeared outside the group’s merchandise store on London’s Carnaby Street. It also shows the album’s title written in a variety of different languages.
One staff member claimed everyone was sworn to secrecy, adding: “I plead the Fifth Amendment.”
Another said: “They have not told us anything in case it backfires on them.”
And, yet again, the band have also updated their famous tongue logo, originally created by British art student John Pasche in 1970.
Last month, The Stones released a vinyl-only single, Rough & Twisted, under the pseudonym The Cockroaches. Meanwhile, I revealed that PAUL McCARTNEY will also feature on a new album track following his cameo on Hackney Diamonds.
Sounds like this is going to be the album of the year.