The Sun on Sunday

SWIMMING with sharks in the dark and no cage? Well that is a Jaws-droppingly bold idea.

Just a couple of hours after arriving at the Sun Siyam Iru Veli resort in the Maldives, and being wowed by my over-the-water villa, I’d plunged straight into the aquatic action with an intense but exhilarating experience.

My group of five guests would be night swimming by a coral reef with nurse sharks, which are generally docile around humans.

But they are up to 10ft long and have around 75 teeth!

As the sun set over the Indian Ocean, we gathered at the dive centre to get kitted out and be briefed by guides Alex and Ammaday.

I’m an experienced snorkeller, but it took me a while to get the hang of following the group and coping with the current and waves.

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I was definitely not hanging back to avoid being first on any shark buffet.

Armed with underwater torches, we spotted colourful fish and corals before several nurse sharks swam towards us, some of which were 8ft in length. Absolutely fin-credible.

It is one of various extra-charge activities (£80pp) at the cosy five-star all-inclusive resort in Dhaalu Atoll, now with Privé Collection status after Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam rebranded to mark its 35th anniversary last year.

And now that the Foreign Office has scrapped its advice against travel to destinations such as Doha, flights to this sun-soaked hotspot will be smooth again.

The bucket-list experiences don’t end with sharks.

Another on offer at this resort is the chance to be “cast away” on a desert island, a couple of miles offshore and only accessible by speedboat.

Just us and a resort host on a 200-yards-long by 30-yards-wide sandbar surrounded by pristine sea that’s perfect for snorkelling.

Like the radio show, your Desert Island Discs-covery comes with a “luxury item” — a Japanese bento box and prosecco lunch under a sunshade to refuel you while you enjoy blissful seclusion (experience costs £158pp).

There are plenty of activities included in the price of a stay, too, including guided daytime snorkel tours of the house reef (I found Nemo) and a trip to neighbouring island Ban’didhoo, where some of the 125-villa Iru Veli’s staff live.

Most of the 600 inhabitants work in the fishing industry and our guide Altho showed us the marina where mackerel, yellowfin and bluefin tuna are landed.

To stop overfishing, only rod and line is legal.

After checking out the 17th-century coral-walled mosque, kids’ parks, outdoor gyms and a football ground financed by Sun Siyam, I nosed around a souvenir shop, a 24/7 convenience store (Maldivian WD-40, who knew?) and the small shipyard by the beach.

While there are no resorts on this local island, there is one guest house, the friendly Divhoni, with clean rooms from £55 a night B&B. It’s well worth seeing where Maldivians actually live and work.

As for the other excursions, guests staying at Iru Veli are also entitled to a complimentary sunset cruise to spot dolphins, and £77pp spa credit or scuba, if PADI certified.

All of the swimming and snorkelling requires high energy and the resort’s restaurants can certainly help with that.

Much as I liked the food at the Aqua Orange main buffet, which is included in the price of a stay (the butter chicken curry with ginger pickle was awesome), the most memorable meal was at extra-charge Japanese-themed Teppanyaki, with incredible egg juggling, groan-worthy jokes and stellar chicken, steak, lobster and yellowfin tuna from chef Irvan (set menu £108pp and veggie £71pp). No prizes for guessing where the tuna came from.

One paradise island is never enough, though, and I spent the second half of my week at Sun Siyam’s five-star Iru Fushi resort in the North Male Atoll; like Iru Veli, a 45-minute seaplane transfer from the international airport.

And no sooner had I arrived than I was leaving!

Wild horses couldn’t normally drag me away from a tropical beach, but the throbbing 200 horsepower of a four-seater white “Rolls-Royce” jet car was irresistible.

After a briefing, I was behind the wheel of the £51,000 car-boat, driving across the ocean and getting 007 vibes like the scene with the aquatic Lotus Esprit in the movie The Spy Who Loved Me.

But you don’t have to be a secret agent facing down metal-mouthed baddie Jaws to bag this showstopper.

Starting at £94 for two, you can take the jet car out (escorted by a guide on a jetski) for a thrilling 45mph blast across the ocean that you’ll be telling your mates about for months.

Add drone videos to smash it on socials.

It’s one of various extra-charge activities at the gorgeous Luxury Collection all- inclusive resort.

Others include an Insta-fave floating breakfast in your villa’s infinity pool (£108 for two with fizz).

But there’s so much already included, you can have a brilliant week without spending more than the cost of your holiday in this archipelago of 1,200 islands.

Top of your list will be the Secret Sundowners pop-up bar (alcoholic and non- alcoholic cocktails at Sun Siyam resorts are terrific), wine tasting, kayaking and SUP, guided reef snorkelling and the excellent Sax On The Beach music session.

Food is also a highlight of any Maldives getaway and Sun Siyam’s inclusive restaurants and buffet are so good, you don’t necessarily need to visit a la carte venues.

However, the prawn thermidor I had at Islander’s Grill was sensational.

As was my accommodation, an over-the-water butler-service villa larger than some flats I’ve lived in and with an infinity pool, spa bath and direct sea access.

Iru Fushi has 221 villas and you will rack up your daily steps count getting around this sizeable resort, be it to the dreamy, award-winning Thalgo spa, Fluid bar and its terrific family pool, the adults’ pool and adjacent beachfront No Mistake bar (an unmissable spot), the highly-rated (and included) curry and pan-Asian restaurants or the water sports and dive centre.

You could just lie on the blissful beaches in the Maldives — or you could also drive on the sea like Bond and swim with sharks in the dark.

The choice is Jaws . . . 

DRAGGING your kids away from their screens can be a never-ending battle – but I think I’ve found the solution.

Tucked away in Brean, a short walk from the sea, Unity Beach holiday park in Somerset is a hive of activity.

With everything from swimming and football to archery and axe- throwing, the caravan site will make iPads seem dull to young eyes.

I was visiting with my lads Wilf, nine, and Jasper, six, plus their dad Simon — and for the first time ever, it was a doddle finding varied entertainment that suited everybody.

While Jasper and I were sticking coins in the 2p slot machines at the Family Fun Arcade, Wilf and Simon were getting stuck into an energy-burning axe-throwing class.

Wilf had so much fun that he was still proclaiming it as his holiday highlight by the end of the trip.

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The staff were excellent, too, giving him lots of tips and hyping him up as he launched the axe at the targets ahead.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though. For young footie fans inspired by the World Cup, there’s a superb football skills class with first-rate coaches.

There are also entertainer-led activities at 11am every morning at Unity Beach’s family pub, Wonky Donkey.

Jasper particularly enjoyed the Wizard’s Workshop, where he created a magic wand and cast lots of silly spells.

The swimming pool is not to be missed, either. It’s large and all one depth, which meant my youngest could swim in safety as his feet always touched the bottom.

Next to the pool, there’s a fun splash park complete with little slides, flumes and equipment, but my kids were too obsessed by the mini inflatable jet skis.

Bookable for little ones aged three to ten, these mini motors look just like the real deal, only smaller, and kids love racing each other up and down the water.

And if that’s not enough water fun for you, come the school summer holidays, families will also have access to a brand new lido and flumes.

Swimming and the site’s soft play area — which my kids were too old for but looked fun — are included in the price of a stay if you book directly with Unity Beach.

Other activities can either be pre-booked or paid for on the day.

If you prefer the beach to a pool, you won’t have to wander far to reach the shores of Brean.

It doesn’t quite have the same clear seas as Devon or Cornwall as it is situated on the Severn Estuary, but the vast golden sands are perfect for playing cricket, tennis, football or frisbee.

A word of caution, though — it is very important to read the beach’s warning signs because as the tide goes out, the sand can get rather muddy and is not safe to walk on.

When we weren’t getting stuck into mini jet ski action or playing games at the beach, our three- bedroom platinum caravan was the perfect place to unwind.

I must admit, I was expecting something a little like the scruffy caravans of my Nineties childhood, but this was smartly decorated and with a very modern feel to it.

It felt like a home away from home and the boys really loved the simplicity of evenings spent indoors gobbling up homemade pasta (the caravan has a well-equipped kitchen) followed by a night of board games.

If you don’t fancy cooking though, there are so many restaurants onsite that you could have a different dinner every night of the week.

Scoop & Swirl was a big hit for ice creams and other sweet treats, plus there are takeaway options for fish and chips, pizza and fried chicken.

Our foodie highlight was breakfast at the Wonky Donkey, where the grown-ups tucked into a huge full English while the kids wolfed down decadent waffles drizzled with maple syrup.

There’s also RJs — a restaurant that dishes up burgers, pizzas and chilli con carne with a side serving of entertainment.

From kids’ discos to energetic magic shows, there’s something on here every night of the week, so you’ll never get bored.

And to top it all off, we didn’t have one single request for the iPad.

That’s the biggest result of all, if you ask me.

BAYWATCH reboot star Brooks Nader wears a bejewelled bikini ahead of the show’s upcoming launch.

The 29-year-old American model-turned-actress sported the jewelled two-piece ahead of a Sports Illustrated show in Miami, Florida.

She won fame by winning the publication’s swimsuit model search in 2019.

Since then she has been cast in the new Baywatch as Selene, captain of the lifeguards patrolling Zuma Beach in California’s exclusive Malibu.

The remake of the Nineties favourite – which starred David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson – is set to hit screens next January.

Brooks said putting on the show’s famous red swimsuit brought her to tears.

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And she said: “We’re going to pay homage to Pam and all of Baywatch to the best of our ability.”

In addition to her modelling career and stint on DWTS, Brooks stars on the new reality TV series, Love Thy Nader, which premiered on Hulu earlier this year.

The show follows Brooks and her sisters, Mary Holland, Grace Ann, and Sarah Jane, as they navigate building careers in the Big Apple.

She has been dating actor Taron Egerton, who starred in Rocketman and Apple TV+ prison drama Black Bird.

WHETHER you’re slogging it to Cornwall like writer Ellie O’Mahoney, or journeying to Scotland like Editor in Chief Sinead McIntyre, find a sleepover fit for a king en route.

Living in London, we dread the long drive back from my mum’s in Cornwall – on a bad day, it can take eight hours.

So, for a half-term treat, we check into historic pub The Crown, sitting on Chertsey high street in Surrey, not far from the M3.

Tucking into pea, wild garlic and ham soup with house focaccia, £8, and pork, honey and mustard sausages with mash and greens, £16.50, soon melts away memories of roadworks and brake lights.

As does a rhubarb rosé aperitif, £11, while the kids wolf down the pub’s signature cheeseburger and fries, £9.

Delicious sticky toffee and banana pud with salted caramel ice cream, £6, almost defeats us before we stroll over to the pub’s modern extension.

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While the exterior has the air of a municipal building, our room is fab.

The bed is huge and the kids’ sofa beds are, according to my eight year old, the “comfiest in the world”.

A jar of insanely good brownies, Cadbury’s hot-choc sachets and the “borrow box” full of age-perfect reads, including Percy Jackson and Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, plus playing cards and mini Jenga, also go down a treat.

The kids even have their own TV!

The decor is anything but childish, though, with an air of 1950s university lounge, complete with a cream Roberts Radio.

The only thing to improve?

The skylight with no blind directly over the kids’ beds means we all wake up at sunrise.

French toast with mascarpone and raspberries, £10, soon hits the spot, however, and with Thorpe Park just five minutes’ drive away, there’s really no excuse not to drop in.

It’s just a good job my husband left some time after brekky before braving 80mph coaster Stealth!

Family rooms at The Crown, Chertsey, cost from £150 B&B (Crownchertsey.co.uk).

Entry to Thorpe Park for adults and kids over 1.2m costs from £32 (Thorpepark.com).

Lake District Layover: The King’s Arms, Cumbria

Half an hour off the M6, in the tranquil Lake District village of Hawkshead, this pub offers a top-notch reset on our way to Scotland.

The eight beautifully decorated bedrooms are all named after kings.

Ours, the King Charles, has a super-king-size bed, window seat and ensuite, where a drench shower and local toiletries are a welcome refresh.

Across the hall, my 15-year-old twins sprawl out in the twin King William room, digging into home-made biscuits.

The pub is as traditional as they come, and we enjoy drinks and card games before dinner, which is royally good.

All ingredients are locally sourced, so the menu changes with the seasons.

We loved the smoked haddock scotch egg with curry alioli and puffed wild rice, £12, and king scallop with kashmiri sauce, £13, while the fisherman’s pie with spinach and asparagus, £24, makes for a delicious main, as does beef cheek with confit chateau potatoes, £27.50.

The beef suet sticky toffee pud with spiced whisky sauce, £12, is also a delight.

Come morning, yoghurt, muesli, mini pastries and an incredible full English leaves us stuffed all the way to Aviemore.

Double rooms cost from £113 B&B (Kingsarmshawkshead.com).

SANTORINI’S latest move to limit numbers of cruise-ship visitors descending on the Greek isle is into its second week – and looks to be easing congestion.

The local authorities have said no more than 8,000 trippers – equivalent to the passengers of two or three ships – can disembark daily over summer.

Previously, as many as 17,000, from seven or eight vessels, had choked the streets of Santorini hotspots Fira and Oia during peak season.

It comes as the island also introduces a controversial 20-euro port tax per passenger, which has led to some cruise lines cancelling visits in protest.

Other new changes, first announced last year, mean a maximum of 30 per cent of a ship’s passengers can now arrive at the island’s Athinios ferry port, which has road access.

The rest must use island capital Fira’s Old Port and head up to the town by cable car (which has long queues on busy days). Or sweat their way up 588 steps.

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The latest change, which came into force on June 1, means tender operations – where passengers are ferried ashore in small boats from ships parked in the 1,200ft- deep waters of the island’s caldera – are now carried out by vessels of the Santorini Boatmen’s Association (SBA) rather than cruise ships’ lifeboats.

The Greeks have also set a 500-passenger limit on numbers waiting for the cable car or a tender at the Old Port – and to keep to that figure, tendering schedules will be controlled by SBA vessels rather by than the ships’ crews.

I visited gorgeous Santorini earlier this week – aboard Tui’s Marella Voyager, one of three ships in the caldera – and was pleasantly surprised by how well things are working, having faced horrendous overcrowding on previous trips.

The SBA tender to Athinos, to catch a tour bus to the south of the island, was on time, the boat was lovely and modern and the crew were friendly.

When I later stopped at Fira for lunch, it was busy but not overcrowded and I could stroll the pretty streets easily and stop for photos with no jostling.

There was no queue for the cable car down, though there was one at the bottom waiting to head up.

My tender back to Voyager was also very easy, with a short queue and swift boarding.

Only time will tell how things pan out this summer, and no doubt the island authorities can make further changes if required, but my visit this week was seamless and Fira was fun, not frightful.

AN Interrail adventure around Europe was once a rite of passage for many a British teen in the days before low-cost flights.

Now, a growing number of mid-lifers are taking to the rails to repeat the journeys of their youth, or even experience it for the first time.

But with age comes the need for a little comfort — picking a hotel instead of a hostel and a wheelie case over a rucksack.

The principle the same, though. Buy a rail pass, plot your route — and adios.

With the kids grown up, my husband and I joined the rail revolution to have our very own Interrail fun.

The beauty of a rail pass is that you can destination-hop for little or no extra cost, so we created a 12-day itinerary visiting several places we had never been to. First-class, too, as it’s only £90 more.

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We start with a ten-hour train journey from London to Milan, rattling towards the French Alps and Italy in plush, extra legroom seats.

An overnight stay is followed by a whizz round Milan’s hotspots — including its impressive Duomo and glitzy shopping gallerias — then we’re back on the rails, snaking through the valleys and vineyards of northern Italy’s Trentino region towards the town of Riva on Lake Garda.

Framed by Alpine foothills, this 32 mile- long lake (Italy’s biggest) is idyllic — as is our base, the family-run Garda Suite Hotel, where every room comes with a balcony. Ours overlooks the hotel’s heated swimming pool as well as the lake.

The next 72 hours are spent admiring Lake Garda from in it, on it and above it.

From the Ponale Path, a trail carved high into the mountainside, there’s a sheer drop to the water which shimmers below, a magical turquoise.

Less knee-trembling are the vistas from the colourful town of Riva’s Apponale Tower (mind your head as you climb its 165 steps) and Bastione funicular.

Entry to both, as well as local transport, is included in the Garda Guest Pass, free to hotel residents.

Other highlights include saffron risotto at La Capannina Pizza and Grill, wine-tasting at the local Comai vineyards (their Merlot’s superb) and a sunset sail-boat excursion.

Skipper Alesso explains how Lake Garda is 350m deep and home to freshwater sardines and giant pike.

“Any monsters?” I ask. “Yes, Bennie.”

He shows me a picture. Not a patch on our Nessie.

Then, we’re back on the rails and watching four countries roll past the window — Italy, Germany, Austria and then our next destination: Slovenia’s Lake Bled.

Alpine Lake Bled differs from Garda. It’s much smaller and circled by a four-mile walking trail. There’s a fairytale island at its heart with a church.

You can hire a boat to explore (£26 for 90 minutes) although the rowing is tough on arms. Happily, the hot tub at our Bled Rose spa hotel (no hostels for us) eases aching limbs.

While Bled is prominent on the tourist and Interrail trail, Slovenians have been keeping neighbouring Lake Bohinj (11 miles away) to themselves.

Surrounded by the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park, signposts keep leading us — slightly alarmingly — towards a “slap”. But it’s a relief to learn that this word is Slovenian for waterfall.

We follow a two-hour trail toward thunderous Slap Mostnice before lazing on one of the lake’s empty beaches.

The real taste of Slovenia, however, comes when we move on to capital Ljubljana and try strukli — cottage-cheese filled steamed dumplings. They’re served warm, sweet or savoury and the sugary ones are delicious.

Afterward, we climb to the castle on a hill for a panorama over the city’s jumble of steeples and turrets.

Our trip includes three ten-hour journeys, seven travel days, 14 trains and one missed connection. No matter, we take the next one. Some trains require seat reservations costing extra, but most don’t.

Working it out is part of the Interrail experience. Free wifi is the norm and everything’s done on the Interrailing app — no physical tickets. My only complaint is that time passes far too quickly.

Soon, we’re circling back toward France and our penultimate destination of Strasbourg, whose location close to Germany’s border lends it a Germanic feel.

The street signs are bilingual and Riesling’s the local wine. We enjoy a glass over dinner at our boutique Leonor Hotel — an 18th-century former police station which has a grandiose internal courtyard.

Round the corner is Strasbourg’s gothic Cathedral de Notre Dame which, for 400 years, was the tallest building in Europe.

A lung-busting 350 steps lead up to its viewing platform, from where we enjoy grandstand views over the city’s half- timbered Alsatian houses on backstreets criss-crossed by waterways.

Our biggest high, however, comes in Paris, where our trip ends. The new 4H hotel (built for the 2024 Olympics) towers over the city and is close to the Stade de France stadium where footie fans can enjoy tours.

Our room on the 35th floor affords a jaw-dropping view of the River Seine and Eiffel Tower. And on floor 40 is the highest swimming pool in Paris.

On the Eurostar back to London we toast an Interrailing trip which covered 2,509 miles, averaged 20,000 steps a day and crossed six borders.

Every moment felt fresh, exciting and youthful. Best lesson learned? To roll back the years, you must head for the rails.

SEAGULLS glide peacefully overhead, waves lap gently on the shingle shore and locals natter as they stroll along, pulled forwards by their eager dogs.

This is everything the British seaside should be. But something’s missing — and I’m not sure what.

As I make my way up Aldeburgh’s promenade, soaking up the Suffolk sunshine, it suddenly dawns on me — there isn’t a pier in sight.

And where are the loud arcades, slot machines and screams of kids on fairground rides?

There is none. In fact, there’s only beautiful scenery, peace and quiet. And I absolutely love it.

I’ve always been keen to stop by this Victorian seaside town, drawn in by its rows of pastel-pink merchant houses and its pretty beach peppered with old fishing boats.

WAIL OF A TIME

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

TEMPTED?

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

Unlike many coastal towns, where you have to dodge carts selling sticks of rock to get to the beach, Aldeburgh’s esplanade is protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There are, however, plenty of souvenir shops, chippies, cafes, ice cream parlours and pubs along its high street.

The White Hart Inn is one of the best spots, pouring pints of Adnams, which is brewed up the road in Southwold.

There’s pub grub too, but if you’re after something a little more fancy, a short walk from here is local favourite, The Suffolk (the-suffolk.co.uk).

It’s consistently named one of the best restaurants in the country, with a menu that focuses on seafood, including whole lobsters and a catch of the day.

I opted for poached cod which came with chunky pancetta, mussels and chard in a delicious cider sauce.

My waitress recommended I wash it down with a Sea Buckthorn Margarita.

Apparently this drink is so loved by locals that there was uproar when it was removed from the menu.

Regulars demanded it be put back on and I’m grateful the restaurant obliged.

If you’re more of a gin lover, be sure to sample some Fishers Gin.

The spirit is produced locally and the family-run distillery offers regular tours.

The 90-minute experiences begin with an ice-cold G&T, followed by a tea-making session with botanicals.

Then there is a look at where the gin is created followed by some more tastings.

After knocking back all those drinks, I was grateful that I only had to walk a few paces to my hotel, The Brudenell.

This coastal retreat has a great spot on the seafront, with beautiful views across the water from its patio.

My room featured an enormous bay window and an adjoining balcony where I could enjoy the fresh sea breeze.

The breakfast is a real treat, too — fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, and a classic fry-up with local produce.

If you’re keen to explore a little further, the neighbouring town of Snape is well worth a visit.

Here you’ll find Snape Maltings, a series of impressive buildings that were once used to process barley into malt for brewing beer.

The venue hosts Aldeburgh’s annual summer music festival as well as regular classical performances, jazz and lunchtime concerts.

It’s also a shopping destination and a prime spot to pick up house and garden supplies, plants, antiques and musical instruments.

For nature lovers, Snape Maltings borders the River Alde, and boat trips can be booked via Suffolk River Trips that will take you past some impressive points of nature, including the mudflats.

Or, if you fancy simply taking in the views instead, head up to the Snape Maltings cafe that overlooks the reed beds which are teeming with bird life.

After spending a few tranquil days in this neck of the woods, you certainly won’t be missing the piers and arcades.

TICK off a plethora of UNESCO stunners, feast on incredible street food and slurp the best coffee – all on this unforgettable tour, says writer Donna Smiley.

Hopping on to the back of the scooter, I slip my arms around the driver’s waist as we weave through the narrow streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter – a dizzying rush of colour, noise and scent.

I’ve only just arrived in Vietnam’s chaotic capital, so a Grab taxi, £1.40 for 40 minutes, turns out to be a great way to loop this kilometre-square maze of 36 streets and get my bearings.

Every corner is packed with vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and steaming bowls of pho, to clothes, silver and stacks of cooking utensils.

The air is thick with the scent of broth and grilled pork drifting out from hidden alleys.

Down each passageway lies another surprise — an ancient temple, a bustling market, a tiny coffee house or a tucked-away shop.

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

TEMPTED?

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

Initially, crossing the road feels like a death-defying act as hundreds of scooters stream past without stopping.

But soon enough, I’ve stopped flinching and I’m ready to begin my G Adventures X National Geographic 13-day tour, which will whisk me from the country’s north to its south.

First off, my nine fellow explorers and I delve into Vietnam’s past at Hoa Lo Prison – known to American prisoners of war as the Hanoi Hilton – a place that’s as fascinating as it is harrowing (Hoalo.vn).

Later, we visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, one of the nation’s most influential political figures, and learn more about his life at the Presidential Palace, a grand French-colonial building.

That afternoon, it’s time to leave city life behind for Mai Châu, a valley just over two hours’ coach drive away, and one that is framed by verdant hills and dotted with traditional houses raised on stilts belonging to the White Thai ethnic communities.

Our home for the next couple of nights is the lush, peaceful Mai Châu Hideaway Lake Resort (Maichauhideaway.com).

On one guided walk, we spot workers planting rice seedlings, water buffaloes grazing lazily, and children playing along the paths. It’s nothing short of idyllic.

It may be another long bus ride to get to UNESCO site Ha Long Bay – four hours to be precise – but an overnight cruise here on a traditional wooden junk boat is simply unmissable.

We stare in awe at the hundreds of towering limestone karsts, their rainforest-topped peaks rising dramatically from the emerald water, before bedding down in a cosy cabin.

The next morning, we take a small boat to explore Sung Sot Cave – it’s the bay’s largest, best-known cavern with vast, illuminated chambers, which we explore by foot.

We then set sail again to Thien Cung Cave, famous for its intricate, mythical-looking rock formations.

Once back in Hanoi, we fly to Vietnam’s former imperial capital, Hue, just over an hour away.

This UNESCO-listed city is where one of the Vietnam War’s most dramatic battles took place.

We tour Hue’s walled citadel, exploring its lavish palaces, serene gardens and courtyards, its shrines and colourful gates – some scarred by bullet holes from the fierce fighting – before entering the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once reserved for the imperial family.

Later, we stroll along the Perfume River to the magnificent tombs of Vietnam’s emperors close to the water.

That evening, craving one of the country’s most iconic street foods, bánh mì – a light, crispy baguette stuffed with meat, pickled veg, herbs and creamy spreads – I head to local favourite Bánh Mì Truong Tien O Tho on Tran Cao Vân for a pork roll. It’s utterly mouth-watering and costs just 25p!

Vietnam also has the best (and cheapest) coffee I’ve ever tasted.

As salt coffee is a Hue specialty, I seek out Cà Phê Muoi on Dang Thái Thân Street, to give the robust Vietnamese coffee made with condensed milk, £1, a try, and the lightly salted whipped cream delivers a delicious sweet-and-salty hit. I’m instantly addicted.

After an early-morning, four-hour drive, we arrive in Hoi An, another UNESCO spot.

The Old Town’s narrow streets decked in colourful silk lanterns that sway gently above the crowds are instantly enchanting, but as night falls, its riverfront is truly magical.

Bridges glow in vivid colours and hundreds of candle-lit lanterns drift along the Hoai River.

We hop on a boat to release a paper lotus lantern, a tradition symbolising peace and good fortune – as I light my lantern, I think of a loved one and watch the tiny flame float away.

Even surrounded by so many tourists doing the same, it is incredibly moving.

Our last stop is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon and home to 14 million people.

Alongside iconic sites, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the ornate Central Post Office sit communist-era landmarks and futuristic skyscrapers, which light up at night and dominate District 1’s skyline.

The War Remnants Museum serves as a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War (Baotangchungtichchientranh.vn), as does Independence Palace – the site marking the end of the war (Dinhdoclap.gov.vn).

Come dusk, rooftop bars glow and I find myself back on a scooter for the Ho Chi Minh: Food Tasting & Sightseeing Tour, from £24 for four hours.

Zipping through the city, we venture into neighbourhoods I’d have struggled to find alone – stopping first for the delicate beef stew at Quán An Cô Liêng on Võ Van Tan Street, a humble spot in the Michelin Guide that’s packed with locals (Getyourguide.com).

From here, we cruise through the vibrant Ho Thi Ky flower market, filled with the scent of jasmine and marigolds, before stopping at a nearby food market to sample an array of delights, including Vietnamese pizza and chè chuoi – a warm, creamy dessert with bananas and rich coconut cream.

It’s safe to say this whole trip has certainly been one incredible ride.

AS the biggest heart-throb on the planet, Harry Styles is the last person you’d expect to be ringing in New Year alone.

But the pop superstar has revealed how he “shut out” the world after struggling to live up to the “perfect” image his fans projected on to him.

In a candid new interview, the 32-year-old, who kicked off a record-breaking 12-night run at Wembley Stadium on Friday, said: “I was supposed to spend New Year’s with friends and I landed in Italy and felt really unwell, so I just went home.

“And I woke up and I had this kind of beautiful New Year’s by myself. I was feeling the most alone I’d felt in a really long time, but in the most beautiful way. I didn’t feel lonely at all.”

Harry added that he became a “hermit” after his last tour ended in 2023.

Flying into Italy for a “quiet time”, he rejected all invites as he ­recuperated from the gruelling Love On Tour series of live shows.

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In an interview on the Q With Tom Power podcast, Harry said: “I was just feeling myself kind of shut out from a lot of the world.

“I think I got used to saying no to invites from friends and maybe a weekend trip or a birthday party or something.

“I just got used to, you know, if I have a week at home, I don’t want to go somewhere else for three days. I just want to stay home.

“And when I got to Italy and was in this quiet place, I felt like, ‘OK, if I’m going to spend all this time out here and I’m going to keep ­saying no to everything, I’m just going to shut myself off from the world’.”

Harry released his latest album — Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally — in March and it immediately shot to No1 in the charts.

And his Together, Together tour is currently making history at London’s Wembley.

But the As It Was singer admits that he struggled to live up to his fans’ adoring perception of him, saying: “I had this relationship with my own image where people had this projected version of me that was perfect.

“And when the standard you hold yourself to is this perfect person, it’s impossible not to feel like you’re falling short.”

He confessed that any criticism could take a devastating toll, saying: “If you don’t feel great about yourself and someone says you’re terrible, it’s like the claw is in and it’s ripping you.

“But if you have a more solid sense of yourself, you can hear those things and it doesn’t destroy you in the same way.”

It is a frank admission from a man who has conquered the world of pop, and America, after spending half his life in the glare of the global spotlight.

Harry was 16 when he stepped on to The X Factor stage in 2010, where music mastermind Simon Cowell grouped him with four other hopefuls to form One Direction.

What followed was global ­hysteria. And as the breakout star of the record-breaking boy band, Harry was propelled from a quiet Cheshire upbringing into a whirlwind of stadium tours and platinum records.

He then defied the odds to build a critically acclaimed solo career, with hits such as Watermelon Sugar, and a £235million fortune, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

But during his period of isolation in Italy, Harry realised that avoiding the downsides of global fame also meant missing the best parts of life.

He added: “You can sit at home and think it’s hard for me to do these things — people are looking at me, taking pictures. But when you shut out those things that might be negative, you also shut out a ton of ­positive things.

“If you think it’s hard to go to a bar and hang out with friends because people might act a certain way, there are also incredible people you could meet in that bar that you’re shutting out.”

Taking his own advice and stepping back into the world clearly paid off.

It was during this period that Harry met his fiancée, US actress Zoe Kravitz.

The couple, who began dating in late 2025, are reportedly planning a small wedding in London this winter.

Harry also said that he has spent the past two years learning to love himself and accept that ­he can make mistakes.

He said: “I’m still figuring a bunch of stuff out and it’s OK to have a little self-compassion around making mistakes. For a long time, I struggled to admit when I’d made a mistake because the reward when you meet people’s expectations is so loud and shiny.”

Ultimately, Harry believes that taking a step back from the spotlight saved him.

He reflected: “Having time to sit at home and be bored and really look at the emotions I was feeling allowed me to lean into them instead of being afraid of them.

“And it means I’m now in a much healthier place than I was last time I was putting music out.”

Now back on the road, he wants his latest dance-pop record to be less about his personal life and more about his fans’ experiences.

He said: “With this record, I want the listener in the front seat and I’m in the seat behind you.

“It’s not really about me or what clubs I’m going to or who I’m hanging out with — it’s about you having your own experience.”

Ariana risk for musical

RUMOURS are sweeping theatreland that Ariana Grande is set to drop out of musical Sunday In The Park With George.

The singer was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey at London’s Barbican Centre next summer, but ticket sales have been delayed until autumn.

I’m told that bosses have also met with actresses who could step in to replace Ariana, who last week kicked off her energetic Eternal Sunshine Tour.

A source said: “Ariana has a lot on her plate and there are concerns she is over-subscribed.

“It’s too risky to start flogging tickets until it’s all locked down. It will be a demanding production with eight shows a week.”

In the last few years, Ariana has transformed herself into a fully-fledged actress as Glinda in the Wicked films.

She will appear in the 13th series of American Horror Story and will voice a character in the 2028 animation Oh, The Places You’ll Go!.

Ariana, whose tour includes a ten-night residency at London’s O2 Arena in August, said: “I’m very excited to do this small tour. But I think it might not happen again for a long, long time.”

I hope we do get to see her treading the boards . . . 

Wa-Haye David

DAVID HAYE is on dating site Raya “looking for a third” for a throuple with him and girlfriend Sian Osborne.

The ex-boxer posts with a tux snap: “I’m a selfish p***k, nothing is ever good enough. I always want more, rarely satisfied. But I’m working on it.”

THE Isle of Wight Festival kicks off on Thursday with some surprises in store.

As well as headliners Calvin Harris, The Cure and Lewis Capaldi, chief John Giddings says: “We’ve introduced new areas, the Last Chance Saloon, our country music destination, and new onsite pub Wild Horses.”

John also revealed that Sir Paul McCartney had the craziest rider.

He said: “We had to track down a nail technician to apply acrylic nails to strengthen his fingernails for playing acoustic guitar.

“And Jay Z wanted somewhere private to have dinner with Beyonce, so we ended up hosting them in the Boat Museum and our caterers took care of it.”

This week who would I…

Snog

Marry

Avoid

NOT everyone sees their childhood dream become a reality, but Sian Welby is one of the lucky ones. 

The This Morning and Capital radio presenter has wanted to be in Toy Story since she was ten. 

And Sian says she was so surprised to get the call asking her to be in the new movie that she thought she was being pranked by one of her co-hosts.

In an exclusive interview, the 39-year-old, who voices the Inflatable Flamingo, says: “If you’d told me as a nine or ten-year-old when the very first Toy Story movie came out, that one day I’d have a role in one of the sequels and that I’d be laughing and joking with Tom Hanks, I’d have never believed you.

“If a clairvoyant had predicted it, I’d have said, ‘No way, what a con’.

“I’m from a village in the Midlands with no showbiz connections, without a hope or a prayer of making it in the TV industry so what’s happened to me is just magical.”

Sian and her radio co-host, I’m A Celeb star Jordan North, 36, were talent-spotted by the Disney UK team, who were looking for people to do regional voice cameos.

Jordan plays a Garden Gnome in the film, which will be released in cinemas on Friday.

Sian says: “I honestly thought it was a Capital Radio prank by Jordan and Chris Stark, because we always begin the year telling each other what’s on our bucket list.

“Jordan said he wanted to interview Barack Obama, Chris said he wanted a barbecue with David Beckham and I said I wanted to be a little voice in a Pixar movie.

“Then, in March, I got the call. I was actually a bit angry as I thought, ‘That’s really mean to pretend I’ve got a role in Toy Story as they know it’s my dream’.

“I told my agent the email must be a con but she came back and said, ‘I have double-checked and triple-checked and it’s definitely from Disney’.”

Weeks later Sian, who has presented the flagship breakfast show since 2020 and been a main studio co- host on This Morning since 2024, recorded her voice role.

Then she was given the job of interviewing Tom Hanks, who plays cowboy doll Woody, and Tim Allen — Buzz Lightyear himself — before the film’s premiere last month.

Sian has spoken to many A-list celebrities but giggles as she says: “I grew up watching Tom Hanks in Big and I loved Tim Allen in The Santa Claus.

“These guys are absolute legends and there I was, meeting my heroes.

“I’ve interviewed huge stars like Harrison Ford, and they make you feel on edge the entire time, but Tom and Tim were so nice and warm and giving. They were brilliant.”

And when the duo took to the red carpet, Sian says Oscar-winner Tom treated her like a “full-on co-star”.

She says: “I had chronic imposter syndrome, but he was such a decent man and included us in all the cast photos. He was so welcoming.

“I was in disbelief the whole time and literally felt like a competition winner, but I rem- ember Tom saying to me, ‘You’re in good company, co-star’. We had such a laugh.

“I have to pinch myself most days at the moment. Every week, something else happens where I think, ‘Is this my actual life?’.”

In 2010, Sian, who hails from Newark in Nottinghamshire, would record videos from the New Look store where she worked as a shop assistant to try to get on TV.

One, filmed in the fitting room, was spotted by former Channel 5 boss Richard Desmond and Sian became the station’s lead weather presenter, despite having no experience.

She went on to present Channel 5’s Formula E: Street Racers show about electric car racing before landing a hosting role on Heart FM in 2017.

Instead of feeling over- whelmed when meeting and interviewing high-profile celebrities, Sian has ended up becoming friends with many of them.

Kylie Minogue stayed in touch after they chatted and American actor Chris Pratt even forgave her for giving him an electric shock with a cattle prod.

Sian recalls: “I got on famously with Chris Pratt. There was a scene in the Jurassic Park movie where they use electric shocks on dinosaurs, so we found these mini electric shock things and did a quiz where if you got an answer wrong, you electrocuted each other.

“Chris was like, ‘Sian, I can’t electrocute you’, but I said, ‘You can, because I’m going to get you’, then I gave him a proper zap like you’d feel from a TENS machine when you’re giving birth, and he said, ‘I kind of liked that’, so we carried on.”

Another famous name who got on board with Sian’s sense of mischief was Mariah Carey, who she interviewed a year ago.

Sian says: “I bonded with her and we talked about the fact that she gets followed around with this Mariah Carey lighting rig and gets a lot of jip for it.

“She has this special Mariah Carey light — like a floor light, that lights upwards.

“I said to her, ‘You get a lot of heat for being a diva, but I bet you carry these lights because you’ve had some interviews where you were lit so badly and you felt gross’, and she was, like, ‘I’ve had hundreds’. She was basically saying that she did so many interviews where she felt like she looked awful because of the lighting that she was, like, ‘I’m solving this problem and I’m bringing my own’, and I really applauded it.

“I thought she was actually a very nice person — very sweet. And I don’t know how to phrase this without swearing, but I think that she is just a diva, not a d*ck.

“She’s not awful for the sake of it or difficult for the sake of it, but she’s definitely got high standards.”

The one celebrity who almost made unflappable Sian lose her cool was Bridgerton, Wicked and Jurassic World Rebirth actor Jonathan Bailey, who was voted People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive last year.

Sian says: “Whether you’re boy, girl or beast, there is something about that man. He’s gay, but absolutely everyone fancied him and he’s got the most charming charisma you could ever ask for.

“I was interviewing him for Capital last summer and when he entered the room, I just got lost. I was hanging off every word he said.

“And what was really lovely, too, was that even though he’s been in these massive movies and might have gone all Hollywood, he was just really nice and down to earth.”

Sian has presented at both the Baftas and Brits. Last weekend, she hosted the Capital’s Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium, which was headlined by acts including Fatboy Slim, Calvin Harris, Raye and former One Direction singer Niall Horan.

But she says her biggest challenge to date is juggling her career with being a mum to her two-year-old daughter, Ruby.

Sian is also planning her wedding to Heart Breakfast producer Jake Beckett, 33.

She says: “I try not to think too much about how I do it, or I’ll have a nervous breakdown.

“There have been moments when I have been physically and emotionally exhausted, and I’ve burst out crying.

“I’ve literally been running from a Timothee Chalamet interview to sort out an explosive nappy at home.”

When she and Jake get married next year, little Ruby will play a key part in the ceremony.

Sian says: “It’s great Ruby will be old enough to be involved. Jake is my biggest fan and I’m his, and we make such a good team. He’s definitely the groomzilla — he’s a man that plans an outfit three months in advance.

“But because my job is so stressful, I’m way more relaxed. I’ve learned to just go with the flow.”

First though, Sian will be celebrating her 40th birthday this September.

Laughing, she says: “It feels like being a proper grown-up and I feel like I have been masquerading as an adult for years. When I look back at my sliding doors moments in my career, it was probably a bit of skill versus luck versus chance versus opportunity.

“As for the future, I still want to be doing radio.

“I’d love to do a big Saturday night TV show and maybe I could co-star in a comedy movie with Tom Hanks.

“We could be the new comedy double act no one saw coming.”

THE premise was sound, I still insist. Whisking sociable teens Reggie and Stanley away from distractions in the run-up to their A-levels and GCSEs for a week of intense relaxation and revision.

And so we headed to Tui’s Magic Life Jacaranda beach-front complex in Antalya, the jewel of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.

I realised my “no distractions” argument was a mistake as soon as the boys’ jaws dropped when we rolled up outside the stunning, marble-floored hotel and glimpsed our new home for the week.

We might as well have checked into Alton Towers, or Chessington World of Adventures.

Only those popular family theme parks don’t boast 5H opulence, eight swimming pools, a thrilling aqua park, sandy beach, huge buffet diner and six à la carte restaurants.

And for sports-mad youngsters, the complex — the size of 18 football pitches — boasts a gobsmacking array of facilities which makes it feel like you’re living in an Olympic Village.

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From tennis, beach volleyball, basketball, badminton and table tennis, to football, archery, darts and cycling, there’s something for everyone.

The hotel puts on daily group sessions and courses, with expert coaches on hand if guests want to pay for extra tuition.

There’s also canoeing or windsurfing, catamaran sailing, water-skiing or wakeboarding off the “Turquoise Coast”, aptly named for its stunning blue waters.

A well-equipped gym is open for more than 12 hours a day — a dream for an 18-year-old and 15-year-old needing to let off steam between hitting the books.

There’s a big indoor pool and spa offering treatments, while classes can also be booked for zumba, Pilates, yoga, aqua aerobics, spin cycling, shuffleboard and trampolining.

And dedicated kids’ and teens’ clubs leave parents free to soak up the sun.

With the boys finding a window between the fun activities to do some revision, I tried out the “abs-blast workout”.

Despite the language barrier between the different nationalities, we were united in grunting and groaning as we were put through our paces in an outdoor fitness hut overlooking the sea.

Meanwhile, the Nordic walking class had a dozen intrepid guests gripping poles and striding off down the beach for a 45-minute cardio-busting thrashing.

Teenagers love their food — and with so many activities going on it’s easy to work up an appetite.

The main buffet was a dream for Reggie and Stan, with chefs rotating special cuisine nights including Turkish, Italian or Tex-Mex.

The fresh salads were incredible and cooks prepared pasta, grilled meats and flatbreads while we waited, mouths salivating.

With breakfast from 7am till 11am, lunch from 12.30 till 4pm, and dinner stretching from 6.30pm till 9pm, it’s hard to imagine ever feeling hungry.

But a coffee house, beach and pool bars offer snacks all day, and the dedicated Wunderbar opens 24 hours, providing drinks and food to insomniac guests.

It’s tempting not to leave the complex. But for guests choosing a break from the idyllic swimming pools, there are day trips offering a chance to learn some of Turkey’s incredible history.

I chose a half-day trip to the nearby ancient port city of Side and its 1,400-year-old ruins.

There’s a huge Roman amphitheatre which used to seat 20,000 locals cheering on gladiators, while the 2nd-century seafront shrines, the Temples of Apollo and Athena, were simply awesome.

Strolling through the modern-day Side, stopping to browse the bazaars selling sizzling kebabs and chunks of delicious Turkish Delight, we stepped on glass walkways, revealing the ancient Roman streets below.

Back at the hotel, the rooms are airy, bright and comfortable.

The vast, five-floor main building offers beds close to the buffet and gym, and glorious views across the sprawling complex.

Smaller, quieter rooms are available, spread throughout the gardens and closer to the gorgeous beach.

Some lucky guests can even opt for “swim-up” apartments, with a balcony stepping into one of the many shared pools.

The staff are friendly and happy to help.

A huge amphitheatre hosts professional shows at night, as well as movie nights and live music.

There are also themed parties and discos on site, and an indoor nightclub for guests wanting to boogie into the early hours.

Magic Life Jacaranda offers a classic “something for everyone” heavenly holiday — even for youngsters preparing for exams.

What the boys missed out on study hours, they more than made up for in memories that will last a lifetime.

Like most guests who have been lucky enough to experience this perfect holiday destination in southern Turkey — boasting blazing sun for more than 300 days a year — we’ll be returning as soon as possible.

SIR Ranulph Fiennes and Bear Grylls most likely pop into your head when you think of adventurers. But now, you can add Wizz Air customers to that list.

And me. Last month, I was invited to join some competition winners on a flight to . . . who knows where?

As part of the Hungarian airline’s Let’s Get Lost promotion, 22 lucky travellers and their plus-ones were going on an all-expenses-paid trip, to a secret destination.

We were given five possible locations for our three-night adventure — Moldova, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Lithuania, Armenia and Albania.

Even after boarding the plane we were still none the wiser, all we had was a pre-provided packing list and a rough idea of the climate.

It was only once the flight had exceeded three and a half hours that we could guess it was Armenia. A tannoy announcement confirmed it, prompting a round of applause.

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I’ll be honest, Armenia was never on my radar as a holiday destination, but that’s exactly what made this trip so special.

Arriving in Republic Square, the heart of the capital city Yerevan, the Saturday evening atmosphere was electric with hordes of people enjoying live music alfresco.

We stayed in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, perfectly located in the city centre of Yerevan.

A walking tour was the best way to get our bearings. We wandered the main streets past buildings made from pink volcanic stone, before reaching the Cascade Yerevan.

Made up of 572 steps (we took the interior escalator), this mighty landmark is a must-visit. From its peak, we had stunning views of the snow-capped Mount Ararat, now in modern-day Turkey.

A 30-minute drive away is Charents’ Arch, a monument dedicated to a much-loved poet in this region. The curved brick structure provides the perfect natural frame for the landscape and is a great photo spot.

The architectural highlight for me was the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin — the Mother Cathedral of the Armenian Church.

Remnants of it date back to the 4th century (Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301AD), and it is the most ornate church I’ve ever seen.

The ruins of the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral are also worth a visit.

The whole place has an otherwordly feel, and with the hot sun beating down on us, it felt spiritual.

In just two days, we ticked off key landmarks, including Garni Temple and the Geghard Monastery, with lunches and dinners in between, accompanied by Armenian wine, which I would highly recommend.

With such a short time on the ground, this trip didn’t allow for loafing, but that’s the brilliance of a Wizz Air mystery getaway — cramming in all the best bits.

Our final evening was spent at Tavern Yerevan Riverside. The setting, grub and entertainment were truly amazing. Armenian wine was flowing while we tucked into khorovats, traditional Armenian barbecued meats scorched over an open flame.

While we had a curated itinerary, Yerevan can be navigated independently and you can tailor-make a cultural and/or foodie break.

After attempting, and failing, to say ‘shnorhakalutyun’ — Armenian for ‘thank you’ — throughout, I was advised that the French equivalent would also be appreciated.

So, merci Armenia — a destination I’d never planned to visit, but am so glad I did.

THE friction between Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in 1970 will be brought to life in the upcoming Beatles biopic.

But I can reveal there is tension among the two actors playing the pop legends, too.

Oscar-nominated Barry Keoghan is playing drummer Ringo, alongside Gladiator II star Paul Mescal as Macca.

Sources on the set of the film, directed by Sam Mendes and due for release in 2028, have noticed that the relationship between the two Irish actors has become strained.

One said: “Barry has been rubbing people up the wrong way.

“His timekeeping is not always up to scratch and he often references that he is a parent — despite not living with his son.

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“He also brings his brother Eric on set as his assistant, which doesn’t always bring out the best in his character.

“Barry is professional and can bring out the best in any script.

“But he can test the boundaries off-camera.”

Paul and Ringo, the last surviving members of the band, clashed in 1970, shortly before the group split in April that year.

Paul was preparing to release his first solo album, McCartney, just a few weeks before The Beatles album Let It Be was due to come out.

His bandmates wrote him a letter asking him to delay it, and Ringo hand-delivered it to Paul’s home in London.

Paul, who is now close friends with Ringo, later admitted it was the only time he threw someone out of his house.

The new screen project is a series of four biographical films based on the lives and careers of each member of The Beatles.

The four intersecting biopics, written by James Bond screenwriter Jez Butterworth, will tell the story of the group from their humble beginnings in Liverpool to becoming the biggest band on the planet.

Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn will portray George Harrison and Harris Dickinson stars as John Lennon.

Earlier this week, Harris and co-star Paul went to the Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona, where they were filming.

Of the four films, Mendes explained: “Each one is told from the particular perspective of just one of the guys. This is a chance to understand them a little more deeply.”

Even so, it sounds like there’s another meaty story behind the camera.

Reza’s sharpe move

MADE In Chelsea couple Reza Amiri-Garroussi and Bella Sharpe have got back together.

The pair, who first dated in 2024, have been spotted together in London.

It comes as Reza’s ex Ruby Adler announced her engagement to multi-millionaire Luxe Listings Sydney star Gavin Rubinstein after just a year of dating.

An insider said: “Reza and Bella split due to the pressures of filming Made In Chelsea. But now they’re taking a break from the show, they’ve reconnected.

“Reza always wanted to give the relationship another chance. With Ruby out of the picture, there’s nothing to stop them.”

Hopefully it’ll be second time lucky for these two.

CHLOE’S PRICE IS RIGHT

TOWIE’S CHLOE BROCKETT is dating a new man – her co-star’s ex.

I can reveal the reality star is courting Essex lad Daniel Price, who used to romance Yazmin Oukhellou.

Chloe recently split with Love Island champ Jack Fincham.

A source said: “Chloe and Daniel have kept their relationship quiet. They are enjoying getting to know each other. He treats her well and she is happy.”

It’s not the first time Yasmin and Chloe have shared the same taste in men after they both had trysts with James Lock.

Small world . . .  

BEBE AND JASON ON THE BALL

POP’S finest didn’t let the relentless rain dampen their spirits yesterday as they took to the stage to perform for Capital FM’s Summertime ball at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Bebe Rexha belted out hits in a denim corset teamed with a fluffy pink cardie, Jason Derulo ripped his shirt off to bust out some signature moves, and superstar DJ Fatboy Slim got fans dancing.

Lola Young was back on fine form as she sang her anthem Messy and expressed her gratitude to the crowd for their support.

Opening up about her sobriety on the socials this week, she wrote: “Sometimes I feel like I am grieving an old version of myself that I have chosen to let go of. Even though I chose a path that is better and safer, there are days where it still all feels wrong.”

 HOPEFULS GIVE XTINA ROLE A BURL

CHRISTINA AGUILERA has cast three young stars to share the lead role in her upcoming production of Burlesque The Musical.

British newcomers Natalia Jacques and Gracie O’Brien will portray Ali, the waitress-turned-dancer played by Christina in the 2010 movie.

American Cecilia Petrush will also star in the role.

Writer and director Steven Antin said: “When Christina brought Ali to life in the film, she created something truly iconic.

“Bringing Burlesque from screen to stage is about honouring that legacy. These three exceptional actresses step into those heels not to imitate Christina, but to continue the legacy she began.”

Burlesque The Musical returns to London this September at the new West End venue The Arts At Marble Arch.

Netflix boosts brand

NETFLIX has added rape- accused Russell Brand’s hit film St Trinian’s on to the streaming service.

The actor and comedian starred in the 2007 movie about rebellious schoolgirls alongside Colin Firth and Rupert Everett.

Netflix added the flick under “comedies” last month.

Brand starred as crook Flash Harry who taught the schoolgirls about “the seven laws of crime”.

He is accused of three rapes, three sex assaults and an indecent assault on six women from 1999 to 2009.

His trial at Southwark Crown Court is due to start in October and is expected to take up to eight weeks.

The former TV and radio presenter denies all charges against him.

Rupert, who played headmistress Camilla Fritton in the film, claimed Brand behaved “perfectly well” on set.

He said: “There were a lot of beautiful women on St Trinian’s and there was never any scandal to do with Russell Brand.”

Sean sis: it’s real deal

LOVE Island star Sean Fitzgerald has uncovered a perfect match in Lola Deal, according to his sister.

Gaelic footballer Sean, who is in a couple with former police detective Lola, sealed their romance with a kiss at the villa in Majorca earlier this week.

The hunk’s sister Katie revealed: “I absolutely adore Lola.

“She is gorgeous, so sweet, kind, and the smile she puts on Sean’s face is really nice to see.

“As of right now in the villa, I think Lola is best suited to him.”

She said of her brother: “I would just like to see more of his goofy side that we all see at home.”

JEANIE IS OUT FOR B*WITCHED

THEY rose to fame in the late Nineties wearing double denim – but Irish pop band B*Witched have revealed that the outfits in their 1998 hit video C’est La Vie were not actually planned.

Twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, who supported their brother Shane and his Boyzone bandmates last night, sat down with Biz on Sunday’s Emily ahead of their performance at London’s Emirates Stadium.

Edele said: “The day before we were doing the C’est La Vie video, our clothes got stolen from the record company and they never knew where they went.

“So in a panic they ended up going to Levi’s in the morning to just grab some clothes.”

She added: “I still have my outfit from the 1998 tour and I still fit into it. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing at this point. My eldest daughter borrows stuff all the time and I’m always coming across it.

“In the winter she wears this white fluffy jacket which I wore for the To You I Belong video.”

The twins, along with bandmates Sinead O’Carroll and Lindsay Armmaou, released their single Firefly on Friday ahead of an EP in August – but as they gear up for their 30th anniversary, they don’t plan on hanging up their jeans any time soon.

Edele explained: “We’ve realised that if we turn up without denim, we might as well not sing.”

Asked about the possibility of being in a campaign with Levi’s, the singer said: “I think they are missing a trick.”

KATE’S SEACRET TALENT

KATE MOSS has made her debut as an artist this week by unveiling her first watercolour for sale.

The supermodel painted a green and blue seahorse, left, which is being shown alongside new pieces by Rolling Stone bandmates Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards, Hollywood actress Sharon Stone and Guns N’ Roses legend Slash.

The collection is being auctioned online to raise funds for Doodle Drop For Coral, a new campaign led by Project Zero, the ocean conservation charity co-founded by Ronnie’s son TYRONE WOOD.

Kate has signed her seahorse by hand, writing: “Love, Kate Moss”, alongside a tiny heart.

The current bid stands at £285.

A nude portrait of Kate was painted by the late British artist Lucian Freud in 2002. It sold for £3.5million.

Tyrone told me: “Kate’s seahorse is one of those pieces that makes you smile.”

NIGELLA LAWSON has revealed the secret ingredient she tucks into that keeps her skin looking young and plump.

The Great British Bake Off judge, left, said: “I’m a great believer in butter. I just eat what I want.

“I’m not punish-ing myself trying to look like a model. I just waddle over and enjoy myself.”

Speaking at London’s Japanese restaurant Nobu, Nigella insisted she will not jump on the tweakment bandwagon, adding: “Cosmetic work is a tyranny. I just think there’s no point.”

Remind me to include a tub of Lurpak on my shopping list.

FIND super spas, a cracking castle and Kendall-Jenner-approved cocktails in the gorgeous Hungarian capital, says writer Margaret Hussey.

From thermal water to drinking unlimited beer, the city is perfect for a weekend getaway.

Soak in hops

Budapest is known as the City of Spas, thanks to its 123 natural hot springs and 50 thermal bathhouses.

The most famous, and busiest, is Széchenyi, where tickets cost from £32 (Szechenyibath.hu).

The Veli Bej baths date back to 1574, a remnant of the Ottoman Empire, with an octagonal thermal pool and several steam rooms.

A three-hour session costs £13.50 (Irgalmasrend.hu).

WAIL OF A TIME

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

TEMPTED?

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

Or try the locals’ fave, Lukács Thermal Bath, which has two outdoor pools, thermal pools and a sauna.

Entry costs £16.60, but upgrade to its beer spa, £62, and you can even sink into thermal water with therapeutic hops, while drinking unlimited beer from the taps beside (Lukacsfurdo.hu).

Feast on Ischler

Step back in time at Bambi Cafe – opened in 1961, it still has red vinyl chairs and doily-like tablecloths from its Communist days.

Prices seem frozen too, with traditional Ischler cake of shortbread, jam and chocolate just £1.90, and a cappuccino £2.15 (Facebook.com/bambieszpresszo).

Find delicious sharing mezze, £13, at Türkiz (Turkizrestaurant.com), while in the Jewish quarter, a cocktail at Balagan is a must.

“Balagan” means chaos in Hebrew – this place is anything but – and the Runway Mango, mixed with Kendall Jenner’s tequila, £13, is like sipping an alcoholic Solero (Balagan.hu).

Spy crown jewels

The city’s Castle District is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Buda Castle grounds are free to explore.

For the best views, climb the turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion or the 172 steps of Maria Magdalena Tower, £4.10 (Budacastlebudapest.com).

Admire the country’s crown jewels and more than 100 stained-glass windows at the Hungarian Parliament Building, where 50-minute guided tours cost £34 (Parlament.hu).

Later, check out the work of Budapest-born Robert Capa at the Contemporary Photography Centre, with 130 iconic images, from the D-Day landings to portraits of Picasso and Ingrid Bergman. Entry costs £11.80 (Capacenter.hu).

Meanwhile, the garden of sculptures at Koller Gallery is an unexpected and crowd-free delight, and entry is free (Kollergaleria.hu).

Hit the market

Fall for handmade stationery at Bomo Art – pretty designs include old city maps, fruit and foliage (Bomoart.hu).

You’ll find jewellery and ceramics by Hungarian designers tucked away in a courtyard at Paloma Artspace (Palomaartspace.hu), where Coque’ette has the softest leather purses, from £23 (Cqbrand.hu).

Fény Utca market on Sunday mornings has it all, from knitted animals to Harlequin’s mouth-watering rose-pistachio chocolates – and owner Krisztina happily offers samples (Fenyutcaipiac.hu).

Kip in a mansion

Formerly a 19th-century mansion, the Kimpton Bem hotel has 127 boldly designed rooms inspired by Hungarian culture and folklore.

Expect Nespresso machines, power showers with Balmain toiletries and yoga mats.

Hit the cute spa complete with steam room, hot tub and sauna, then grab a stool to perch on at Bar Huso from 5-6pm for free fizz.

Feast on divine green-pea gnocchi, £15, at Agos restaurant, before heading up to Fennen Skybar for moreish Thirsty Madonnas – vodka, ginger and prosecco, £14 – as you watch the lights twinkle on the Danube.

Double rooms cost from £173 per night (Kimptonbembudapest.com).

WITH two beaches, a canal and a castle, the town of Bude has a lot going on.

And as a one-time local, I’ve got the lowdown on all the best things to see and do in this seaside gem on Cornwall’s north coast.

The Summerleaze and Crooklets beaches have lifeguards between May and late September.

Both are ideal for surfing and bodyboarding and, if the sea is having a rare flat day, the swimmers and paddleboarders get their turn.

Book a lesson with the patient and knowledgeable instructors at Big Blue Surf School and you’ll be on your feet riding those waves before you know it.

When the tide is low, you can wander along the shore from Crooklets to Sandymouth.

WAIL OF A TIME

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

TEMPTED?

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

It’s 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WAIL OF A TIME

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

TEMPTED?

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

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

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

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 PAD

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

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

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).

BOOK IT

B&B for two costs from £97 per person, including 90 minutes of spa use (Thegreenwayhotelandspa.com).

A fab find in Faversham

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.

A 90-minute session costs from £18 per person (Seascrubsauna.co.uk).

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.

Double rooms cost from £150 per night (Mountephraimgardens.co.uk).

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.

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.

WRIGHT OFF

Mark Wright feeling ‘eclipsed’ by wife Michelle following TV gig snubs

SWEATY SESH

Kelly Brook turns up the heat in leopard bikini in sweaty holiday gym session

A US music critic has said that Keith told bandmates Mick and Ronnie he couldn’t commit to their UK and European trek’s planned shows.

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.

In April, the band released album track Rough And Twisted on vinyl under pseudonym, The Cockroaches.

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

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 heard.

The film will chart her rise to global fame from her humble beginnings in Scotland to appearing on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.

It comes as the singer is planning a comeback with new music.

A source confirmed: “Susan is working on a film and is hoping that a streamer will snap it up.”

I wonder who SuBo, above, has in mind to play her?

Raising awareness

ROXY HORNER is turning her hand to documentaries.

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 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 year.

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

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.

Gene, Nicole’s son with ex Liam Gallagher, watched from the side of the stage along with Nat’s hubby, Liam Howlett from The Prodigy.

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

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.

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.

WAIL OF A TIME

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

TEMPTED?

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

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.

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.

SMITTEN Oasis star Noel Gallagher is seen out on a date with his new girlfriend who is less than half his age.

The She’s Electric rocker, 58, and events boss Nina Johnson, 28, left a West London gastropub together.

A source said: “There was no mistaking the spark between them.”

We revealed in March the Half The World Away star had split from girlfriend Sally Mash.

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.

“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 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.

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.

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.

“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.

Dan also has an 11-year-old son with his ex, Megan Tomlin.

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.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star was suspected of having a fling with Love Islander Gabby Allen in April 2018, after they were seen cosying up on a yacht in Marbella.

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.

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.

Six months later, he was snapped kissing Love Island star Alexandra Cane.

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.

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.

SHE is regarded as the Queen of Pop.

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.

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.”

ETERNAL WAIT OVER

Louise reveals she’s working on new music after being inspired by Madonna

POP CARNAGE

Bitter feud brewing as Madonna targets Charli XCX with shady Instagram post

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 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.

BBC RADIO 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.

It comes after she was pictured hugging Joey Essex and sent the internet into meltdown.

An onlooker said: “Zara was all smiles.”

SAM SO WIRED

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 ITV dating 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

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 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.”

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

HE had viewers swooning over him in his suits in The Night Manager – and now Tom Hiddleston is cashing in on his style.

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

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 HOST of top stars from music, films and telly are backing the BBC after filming a new ad promoting the licence fee.

Chris Martin, Daisy Ridley, Cate Blanchett, Ruth Jones and Claudia Winkleman have remade the 1986 advert starring comic John Cleese, titled What Have The BBC Ever Given Us?

The original was a parody of his and Monty Python’s sketch from 1979 film The Life Of Brian.

The ad was filmed at a top-secret location in London earlier this month with scenes from Glastonbury festival and Wimbledon.

A source said: “The BBC has come under a lot of heat lately so this is its rallying cry to boost morale among the public.”

SCARLETT MOFFATT has revealed that she is expecting a baby boy.

The reality star and partner Scott already have a son, Jude.

She said: “I was born to be a boy mum. I’m so excited. All my family and friends knew I wanted another boy.

“My preference was a boy, to give Jude a brother. I’m just so happy for him.”

“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.

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

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.

CROWN JULES

I tried the European river cruise where your wine glass never goes empty

BEACH PLEASE

Spanish TUI hotel to reopen next summer for adults only and it’s on the beach

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).

Vuitton & Views

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, mini golf and a house of mirrors.

A family ticket costs £27 (Fondationlouisvuitton.fr).

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 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!