Valentines

MILLIE MACKINTOSH has admitted she spent Valentine’s weekend “sobbing” following her split from husband Hugo Taylor.

It was revealed earlier this month that the couple had parted ways after seven years of marriage.

As she celebrated Valentine’s Day as a newly-single woman, it turned out to be an emotional one for the 36-year-old mum-of-two.

She went to watch the new romantic drama Wuthering Heights in cinemas before coming home and reviewing the Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi film in a video.

The movie follows the love story between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, a woman from a wealthy family in 18th-century England.

Millie said: “So I saw Wuthering Heights over the weekend, it was very spicy. The way Heathcliff loved her ah! Everyone in the cinema was just sobbing.

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“I would definitely recommend to go and see it. They had great chemistry and the costumes were so good.”

It comes after she opened up about having an “alternative” Valentine’s Day this year as she nurses her heartbreak over the end of her marriage.

She took to Instagram on Friday to share a photo of a London Underground board titled: “Valentine’s Day Alternatives.”

The suggestions included: “Galentine’s Day” with the girls, “Malentine’s Day” with the lads, and “Palentine’s Day” with friends.

According to the Daily Mail, Millie and Hugo, 39 – who share two daughters – went their separate ways after a series of discussions in the New Year.

An insider told the publication: “Millie and Hugo are currently going through a separation and have sadly decided to split.

“They have known each other for many years, and in recent weeks, have had serious conversations about their future, ultimately deciding it’s better for them both to part ways.

“Their main priority remains their children and family life, and separating is not something they ever hoped would happen.”

The source added they are living a part and figuring out how best to co-parent.

The pair got married in 2018, seven years after initially dating on Made in Chelsea.

However, they ended up parting ways, with Millie marrying rapper Professor Green in 2013.

But, following their divorce in 2016, Millie and Hugo got back together before tying the knot themselves two years later at Whithurst Park in West Sussex.

Millie said at the time: “Even in my wildest dreams I didn’t imagine it would be this ­perfect. I am so excited to finally be married to Hugo — he’s the love of my life.”

They had their first daughter, Sienna, in 2020 and second daughter, Aurelia, in 2021.

After the news broke of their split, Hugo was pictured still wearing his wedding ring while Millie was seen without hers.

TRAVIS Kelce showered Taylor Swift with gifts from the heart at the weekend – but that’s just the start of something special, insiders have told The U.S. Sun.

Loving Travis wanted to commemorate their last Valentine’s Day together before their blockbuster wedding this summer with a string of surprises.

A source close to the A-list pair said the Cruel Summer star was treated to three stunning Louis Vuitton items, a beautiful Hermes caftan and two classy, stylish watches costing in excess of $100,000.

The insider says NFL legend Travis wanted to make their last Valentine’s Day as an engaged couple “unique and special” and ended up spending $141,000 in total.

But The U.S. Sun understands in the build up to the big day, which is slated for June, the romantic three-time Super Bowl winner, who has a strong track record of beautiful gift surprises, has something very loving in the works. 

“Starting 100 days before the big day — then again at 50 days, 30 days, and every day during the final month — he will have flower bouquets delivered to her,” claimed the well-placed insider.

“She’ll receive all her favorite flowers: roses in many colors, hydrangeas, and orchids. He wants her to feel overwhelmed in the best possible way — surrounded by one of the things she loves most in life: flowers and their sweet scent.”

The U.S. Sun revealed last year that Taylor wants to turn the proposed wedding venue – her sumptuous $32 million pad in Rhode Island – into a floral wonderland. 

There are plans to reportedly spend a whopping $1.2 million on the landscaping, including hiring specialist gardeners to ensure their dreams are transformed into a stunning reality.

But as our insider revealed, Taylor will have fallen further in love after Travis’ super thoughtful Valentine’s day surprises.

The couple love keeping up with the latest trends – it’s claimed they regularly text each other with pieces they are interested in.

So Travis, knowing Taylor had mentioned the Louis Vuitton pieces recently, snapped up a $3,900 knit jacket, a $2,330 skirt and a signature patch varsity jacket. 

“Travis had them very high on his list of gifts for his fiancée,” said the source.

According to the official description, the Denim-Effect Knit Jacket looks like classic denim but feels far more luxurious. 

It’s tailored and polished, and effortlessly cool – perfect to throw on for a casual day out or dress up for a night in the city. 

Ever the fashionista, Travis paired it with the matching Denim-Effect Knit Skirt, while the Varsity Jacket is described as a “statement piece.”

THOUGHTFUL GIFTS

The Hermès caftan was spotted in a magazine recently and Travis reportedly “immediately thought” of his superstar singer partner. 

The source said Travis felt it was the kind of piece she would love wearing on upcoming trips — especially with trips to warmer destinations in the coming weeks and for their honeymoon.

“They fit her style perfectly,” added the insider. 

It’s a wonderful haul – but Travis wasn’t finished there. 

He also bought her an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch costing a cool $91,600.

The couple noticed the shiny, extremely luxurious piece on someone’s wrist a couple of weeks ago. 

Travis, says the source, loves watches and wants his wife-to-be to build a strong collection too.

On top of that, there was also a classy, $33,600 Rolex 1908 — a more masculine model, which fits her taste. 

“She likes incorporating slightly masculine pieces into her style, whether it’s jackets, vests, or watches, to add edge to her outfits. He enjoys spoiling her with beautiful, high-end items like that.”

STRANGER Things star Maya Hawke has married her long-term boyfriend in a surprise wedding on Valentine’s Day.

The actress, 27, tied the knot with musician Christian Lee Hutson in New York City on Saturday.

Maya’s famous Hollywood star parents, Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman were among the famous faces in attendance.

Her Stranger Things co-stars Finn Wolfhard, Natalia Dyer, Joe Keery, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Gaten Matarazzo and Charlie Heaton attended the big day.

Photos showed Maya looking stunning in a classic sleeveless white gown paired with a veil over her head and a long trail.

Maya wore her hair in a chic updo and completed her look with subtle makeup.

Her father appeared full of pride as he walked alongside his daughter on the streets of New York while holding her bouquet of flowers.

Other snaps showed the happy couple taking photos outside the venue, while Maya’s bridal team helped rearrange her dress.

Maya and singer Christian were first romantically linked in 2023.

The pair frequently worked together on music projects. and even collaborated on Maya’s second studio album Chaos Angel in 2024.

Maya also appeared on Christian’s album Paradise Pop. 10 and joined him for a few stops on tour early 2025.

“Christian has been so encouraging to me as a musician, helping me to make the transition from a being a poet in a band to sort of being a musician,” Maya told Variety in June 2024.

In 2023, Maya and Christian were first spotted sharing a kiss in New York City.

They were seen strolling through the city and stopped at a jewellery store.

The couple went on to make their relationship red carpet official on April 2025, at the opening night of Broadway’s John Proctor Is the Villain.

Maya attended the event in support of her co-star Sadie Sink, who was starring in the play.

The pair were good friends for four years before they took things to the next level.

Maya previously said she ‘cannot recommend dating a friend enough’.

“It’s the best,” she said.

“They know you, they understand that you are a person and a human being who has dated other people … not just a piece of paper for them to project their image of a perfect girlfriend onto.”

DANI Dyer looked blissfully in love as she celebrated her first Valentine’s Day since marrying her footballer husband Jarrod Bowen.

The Love Island alum flashed a smile as she glammed up in a LBD for the pair’s date night at the lavish Estelle Manor, loved by celebs including Molly-Mae, Tommy Fury and Kim Kardashian.

Rooms at the rural Oxfordshire venue cost a whopping £1,400 a night but meant the parents, who married last May, could spend their special February 14 in luxury.

Dani, 29, uploaded a series of images from their getaway, kicking off with a snap showing her posing in her stylish long-sleeve attire with a colourful cocktail.

She styled her brunette locks into loose waves and kept her make up natural.

Another image saw her posing in the stunning estate’s stone-arch entrance before the pair took a walk outside.

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Dani then shared a selfie showing her and Jarrod enjoying a stroll before she captured a bunch of roses.

In her caption, the podcast anchor wrote the word: “Valentine’s” and two red Emoji love hearts,

Her Instagram followers were quick to comment and one wrote: “You are stunningggg”.

A second posted: “Beaut!!! deserved weekend xx”

A third then put: “Such a classy vibe. You look absolutely radiant! Happy Valentine’s Day!”

One then put: “Gorgeous couple”.

Her high-end surroundings were a far cry from the Celeb SAS camp during Dani’s recent stint on the E4 programme.

She told how the show was “the hardest experience of my life” ahead of passing the brutal test.

Recently, we told how Kim Kardashian had enjoyed a date with Lewis Hamilton at the celeb hotspot.

And Molly-Mae and Tommy are fans of the picture perfect estate, with the couple visiting numerous times.

TRUE LOVE

Dani often opens up on her relationship and family life on her podcast.

She recently opened up about what she does to cheer up her spouse should his West Ham team lose.

She said the Hammers captain, 28, is a fan of luxury bath soak from beauty brand Neom.

Asked how she cheers Jarrod up, she said: “He loves a bath.

“He loves a Neom bubble bath so I always make sure I run that for when he gets home.”

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday on the Elf the Musical red carpet at London’s Aldwych Theatre, Dani added: “But he’s very chill.

“He’s very good at leaving his work when he gets home.

“He loves his family so when he gets home it’s really nice.”

LISA Armstrong has seemingly confirmed she’s back on the market with a savage Instagram rhyme.

The Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist, and ex-wife of Ant McPartlin, hinted she’s single again with a post celebrating those “on their own”.

The 49-year-old is reported to have ended her romance with Grant Kilburn, 34, earlier this month.

In wake of the alleged split, Lisa’s pointed Valentine’s Day post included a rhyme that appeared to take aim at her former flame. 

It read: “Roses are flowers, pebbles are stones. Here’s a big shout out to those on their own.

“Count yourself lucky and try not to snob. Look on the bright side, you’re not with a nob!”

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Reports last month claimed she was “happier than ever” with actor Grant who had been touring in the play 2:22 A Ghost Story. 

But friends say they have since quietly gone their separate ways after deciding it wasn’t working.

A source told The Mirror: “It’s very sad but it wasn’t to be.”

Lisa is believed to have met Grant through her friends, former Strictly professional Kevin Clifton and his partner Stacey Dooley.

The break-up follows her divorce from TV presenter Ant in January 2018 after 11 years of marriage.

The split happened just two months before he ploughed into two other cars while more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

He later admitted drink-driving, was fined £86,000 and handed a 20-month ban.

After the crash, he entered rehab and stepped away from TV presenting for 10 months.

The presenter later tied the knot with his former personal assistant, Anne-Marie Corbett, in 2021.

The couple went on to welcome their first child Wilder Patrick McPartlin last year.

Meanwhile, Lisa dated Sky electrician James Green in 2020, but they split in August 2023.

Pals said the break-up was “unexpected” and had “come out of nowhere”, though it was believed to be on friendly terms.

Despite their divorce, Lisa and Ant continued to share custody of their much-loved dog Hurley until his sad passing last week.

The couple were forced to make the agonising decision to have Hurley put to sleep after vets explained the 12-year-old pet was too ill to recover.

Ant, 50, and Lisa were both able to spend time with him beforehand, and Ant was by Hurley’s side as he peacefully slipped away.

Lisa posted an image on Instagram of a girl releasing hearts into the sky to mark the heart breaking news.

KATE Cassidy has posted a Valentine’s Day tribute to the late Liam Payne – declaring him her “best friend from afar”.

The social media star had been dating Liam for two years before his sudden death in October 2024 – and despite his passing, she makes sure to remember him on key dates.

This Valentine’s Day, Kate shared a never-before seen photograph of the pair in happier times.

The polaroid snap shows Kate sitting on Liam’s lap as they pose for the picture in somebody’s garden.

She simply noted: “Happy Valentine’s Day to my best friend from afar.”

Kate and Liam dated for from October 2022, through to the time of his death in October 2024. He was 31 years old.

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The One Direction star died after a horror fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, where he was due to attend his old bandmate Niall Horan’s show.

Kate had been holidaying with him in the country, but had returned to their home in Florida alone to look after their dog, Nala, just two days before the tragedy.

Kate has been left heartbroken by the loss, and continues to remember him by sharing photos, videos and memories on special occasions, including his birthday.

In February this year, Kate was seen in tears as she visited the UK home she once shared with the singer.

“I’ve been sitting outside of the house that I used to live in with Liam for the past 45 minutes just in my car and it’s just really hard to wrap my head around the fact that I’m not pulling in the driveway and going home to him being there,” she said.

“You really just never know what life is going to bring. Life can bring you plenty of happiness and plenty of joy, I’ve experienced it all.

“But I’ve never felt this much pain.”

When facing criticism for her public heartache, Kate hit back by reminding fans that he was a “real person in her life” and she can grieve how she wants.

In December last year, in retaliation to another fan who said they “wanted her to move on and stop talking about him”, she declared she will always love him.

Posting a video in tears, Kate said: “I want to make something clear. Whoever I end up with in my future will have to accept the fact I will always love Liam, I will always talk about Liam I will always laugh about Liam, I will always cry about Liam.”

She said she normally pays no mind to critical comments but this topic really riled her.

“Let me tell you something, Liam Payne was my boyfriend,” she continued. “He wasn’t just this famous figure to me. It hurts so bad because I am just criticized all the time for speaking about my boyfriend that passed away, the person that I loved and still do love.

“I would never settle for anyone in this lifetime who did not feel comfortable enough with me speaking about Liam.”

Single on Valentine’s Day? Skip the predictable romance films and celebrate with these nostalgic, feel-good movies to lift your spirits

Valentine’s Day has come round once more, and if you’re not getting caught up in all the soppy, romantic nonsense, there’s loads of other ways you can spend your evening. If you’re staying in and swerving all the loved-up couples out there, telly is an excellent means of escape.

Valentine’s Day needn’t revolve around romance, after all. If you’ve had your fill of formulaic, predictable romantic flicks, here are some brilliant alternatives that’ll rekindle your appreciation for those nearest and dearest.

So whether you fancy a giggle on your own or with mates, ditch those rom-coms for some feel-good nostalgia this Valentine’s Day.

Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging (2008)

For anyone wanting to grasp what life was like as a British teenage girl in the late noughties, Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging hits frighteningly close to home. At some stage, we’ve all caught ourselves relating to Georgia’s worldview, however misguided it might be, reports the Express.

Adapted from Louise Rennison’s bestselling book series, we follow 14-year-old Georgia Nicholson (Georgia Groome) as she tries to navigate adolescence whilst pining after the new lad in town – a breakthrough performance from Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Throughout her mission to bag a boyfriend and organise a spectacular 15th birthday bash at a nightclub, we witness the inner workings of the teenage brain manifesting in reality through some absolutely hilarious and toe-curling antics.

Shaving off an eyebrow? Absolutely. Faking the disappearance of a beloved moggy for sympathy? Naturally. A massive pair of granny pants? Without question.

Whilst this flick might centre on Georgia’s romantic pursuits, beneath the surface lies a tender coming-of-age tale exploring insecurity, platonic bonds, and that distinctly teenage sensation that everything is utterly catastrophic. Plus, it boasts what’s arguably one of cinema’s finest original songs, guaranteed to transport you straight back to those nostalgic days.

Planning to mark Valentine’s Day with your mates this year? Nobody’s turning down this gem. Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging proved a defining British picture for younger audiences back then, and continues to supply countless cultural touchstones we reference today.

In fact, Georgia Groome recently resurrected that legendary olive outfit for a cameo appearance in the reveal video for Maisie Peters’ latest album ‘Florescence’. Nearly two decades on and that immortal line still echoes: “Boys don’t like girls for funniness”.

The film is available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Wild Child (2008)

The year 2008 was evidently peak teen cinema. On one side sits Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging, offering a relatively authentic portrayal of adolescent life for girls during the noughties, whilst on the other stands Emma Roberts ‘ Wild Child.

What do you do with a spoilt, glamorous Malibu Barbie teenager who leaps off cliffs into the ocean? Simple – pack them off to an all-girls boarding school deep in the English countryside.

A genuine fish out of water, Emma Roberts’ Poppy Moore couldn’t be more different from the seemingly prudish, eccentric pupils she encounters at Abbey Mount. It’s quite the exaggerated portrayal of boarding school life, but that’s rather the point – to knock the protagonist down a peg or two.

Gradually, the crisp English climate begins breaking down Poppy’s defences as she develops authentic bonds with her roommates – Kate (Kimberley Nixon), Josie (Linzey Cocker), Kiki (Sophie Wu), and Jennifer “Drippy” Logan (Juno Temple). Naturally there’s a love interest (Alex Pettyfer) and a sworn enemy (Georgia King) determined to see her fail, though that’s really beside the point when there’s such entertaining mischief afoot.

Beneath the rebellious and entitled façade lies genuine warmth, drawn out through the connections she forges. Ultimately, Poppy emerges transformed – having discovered a missing piece of herself through real mates who embrace her for who she truly is, whilst wreaking havoc around campus. Whilst Wild Child might not be the most universally relatable picture, there’s something in all of us that yearns for that kind of school adventure.

The film also marks one of Natasha Richardson’s final performances (as headmistress Mrs Kingsley) prior to her tragic passing in 2009.

Wild Child is available to stream on Netflix.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

This film boasts what’s arguably one of cinema’s most iconic closing sequences and exit tracks. The Breakfast Club, a coming-of-age comedy-drama, follows a group of outsiders whiling away the hours together during an all-day Saturday detention.

Each teenager belongs to a different social circle within the school, and their paths would ordinarily never cross in daily life. They’re set the task of penning a thousand-word essay on “who you think you are” by their notoriously harsh vice principal (Paul Gleason).

Alongside the usual rebellious teenage shenanigans and storylines, the film explores the realities lurking beneath the stereotypes presented on screen. It tackles themes including peer pressure, abuse, neglect, troubled relationships, and suicide in a manner that resonates with its audience, rendering the characters relatable to viewers.

Despite their contrasts, the group discover they’re all grappling with comparable struggles and form connections with one another. It serves as a reminder that surface appearances can be deceiving.

Whilst the group suspect their newly-formed bonds will dissolve once detention wraps up, they acknowledge they’ll view their classmates through fresh eyes going forward. As the film reaches its conclusion, we hear their moving message to their vice principal, declaring: “Each one of us is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.

“Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.”

Cue Judd Nelson’s fist raise and Simple Minds’ ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’.

The Breakfast Club can be watched via Netflix, Amazon Prime and NOW TV.

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)

There’s something about a 90s comedy that hits all of the right spots, something the 2020s can learn from. The film follows underachieving best friends Romy (Mira Sorvino) and Michele ( Lisa Kudrow ) who decide to reinvent themselves with fake careers to impress their former classmates at their ten-year high school reunion.

The film kicks off with the drama of the girls’ prom in 1987, where they find themselves targeted by bullying from the high school cheerleader clique. Some stroppy behaviour leads the girls to do the classic slow dance together.

Fast forward, the duo don’t appear to have achieved much success since leaving school, stuck in dead-end jobs – or jobless – living a life lacking in some sort of purpose. They’re fine, totally fine.

It’s the invitation from one of their high school tormentors to their high school reunion that makes them pull their socks up, but only in the pretence sense. It’s your typical American movie that takes you on a journey, both literally and figuratively.

Following a catastrophic falling out over their friendship, the pair go their separate ways after their drive cross-country to the reunion. Or do they?

The film is madcap, light-hearted, and chock-full of clichés, but sometimes that’s just the ticket. Let’s face it, we all need a good giggle now and then, and anything featuring Lisa Kudrow is guaranteed to leave you in fits of laughter.

You can catch this film on Disney+.

Frances Ha (2012)

Whilst we’re accustomed to seeing Greta Gerwig behind the lens, she’s equally at home in front of it. The film stars Gerwig as a struggling dancer in New York, grappling with the rollercoaster ride of her twenties alongside her best mate, Sophie (Mickey Sumner).

They say your twenties are meant to be the time of your life, but in truth, you’re still figuring out who you are and where you fit into the world. We can all identify with the unpredictability of existence; flitting from one flat to another, settling for jobs you don’t really fancy, and witnessing friendships fade as they form new relationships.

Life in the Big Apple can be complex and unsettling, regardless of which side of the Atlantic you hail from. The trials and tribulations of everyday life can weigh heavily, with Frances battling to make her mark on New York.

The film masterfully blends comedy, drama and emotion to paint an authentic picture of struggling twenty-somethings.

In 2025, Frances Ha secured the 90th spot on The New York Times’ list of “The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century”. Writing for Harper’s Bazaar, Yasmin Omar noted: “Frances Ha has become a cult classic thanks to its relatable portrait of the bewildering life stage that is young adulthood.”

Frances Ha is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

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This Valentine’s Day, chocolate prices are no longer at last year’s peak, but cheap chocolate has not made a comeback, and it probably never will. Last year’s cocoa price crisis, driven by a combination of extreme heat, drought and disease in key producing regions, may have eased. But the aftertaste remains: A market that no longer behaves the way it used to, because the landscapes that grow cocoa are no longer the same. And the world’s unwitting appetite for cheap chocolate at the expense of biodiversity is part of the reason.

Cocoa is one of the most rainfall-dependent crops in the tropics, grown mainly by smallholders with few safety nets. Because cocoa production is concentrated in a handful of regions, a bad season in one place can quickly ripple across global supply. That fragility was laid bare in 2024, when the Ivory Coast and Ghana, which produce nearly 60 percent of the world’s cocoa, were hit by climate extremes that slashed harvests. Prices surged by more than 300 percent, squeezing some farmers, enriching others, and leaving consumers paying for the uncertainty.

The problem is not simply that cocoa is vulnerable. It is that we have built a cocoa economy that magnifies the vulnerability. For decades, the world has chased low prices and high output, and too often that has meant converting forest landscapes into farmland, from West Africa to parts of Latin America and Southeast Asia.

But forests are not optional. They regulate rainfall, protect soils, and create the microclimates on which cocoa depends. Full-sun cocoa farms can produce higher yields in the short term, but the sugar rush is followed by a costly crash: Depleted soils, limited protection from heat and drought that is on the increase, and little for farmers to fall back on when the monocrops fail. Yields fall, farms expand deeper into forests to compensate, and the cycle repeats.

This is why cocoa’s price volatility is not a temporary blip. It is a warning sign: We are weakening the natural systems cocoa depends on at the same moment that climate change is making harvests less reliable.

Research by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows how extreme heat undermines agriculture, reducing both the quantity and quality of crop yields and increasing pest and disease pressure. A recent study modelling cocoa under mid-century climate change finds that warming could wipe out as much as a third to half of today’s suitable cocoa area in some core producing zones, while shifting production towards new regions. Without safeguards, that transition risks trading climate stress in one place for forest loss in another. The details will vary across regions, but the implication is global: As climate change alters weather patterns, the geography of cocoa production will shift, and a stable supply will become harder to take for granted.

Unless we build resilience now, future Valentine’s Days may come with less chocolate and higher prices.

But we can eat our chocolate and keep forests too, by changing how cocoa is grown. It starts with bringing trees back to cocoa farms, reversing the damaging practices that are ultimately undermining production. Change can be made through climate-resilient agroforestry practices that rebuild shade cover, improve soil health and moisture retention, and reduce cocoa’s exposure to heat and drought. Cocoa grown under shade trees can stabilise farm conditions and support biodiversity, while producing higher-quality beans that meet premium market standards, giving farmers stronger incentives to maintain tree cover rather than clear more land.

Sceptics argue that growing cocoa with trees means accepting lower yields. But when it comes to unsustainable practices, high productivity today comes with a high cost tomorrow. A farm that exhausts its soil, loses shade, is exposed to drought, and needs ever more chemical inputs to maintain production is not a success story. It is a trap.

In a changing climate, the point is not how much cocoa a farm can produce in a year, but how reliably it can produce year after year. That requires resilience built into the landscape, now more than ever: More tree cover, healthier soils, and diversified farm systems that protect livelihoods when climate extremes hit.

This is not theoretical. It is already happening.

In Ecuador’s Amazon province of Napo, a project financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and supported with technical assistance from the FAO has helped strengthen a sustainable cocoa value chain built around the traditional Chakra agroforestry system used by Kichwa communities. Put simply, it is cocoa grown as part of a forest garden: Kichwa women known as Chakramamas help steward these farms, cultivating cocoa under shade trees alongside a diverse mix of other crops and native plants, rather than clearing land for a single crop. Recognised by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, the model is still expanding more than a decade on, helping Indigenous producer families earn more from premium cocoa through stronger processing, marketing, and partnerships with high-value buyers. High-end chocolatiers continue to source from Chakra producers, showing that cocoa grown alongside trees can deliver world-class quality while keeping forests standing for biodiversity, climate and land benefits.

There are more examples. In the Ivory Coast, FAO-backed efforts supported by the Green Climate Fund are already delivering results, restoring 1,084 hectares (2,679 acres) of degraded land and converting 3,527 hectares (8,715 acres) of conventional cocoa into improved agroforestry systems while reducing pressure on forests. Meanwhile, 234 farmers now have access to cocoa cooperatives, ensuring access to international fair-trade and organic certifications and a better price for their products. In Sao Tome and Principe, FAO has supported cocoa agroforestry through the GEF-funded Restoration Initiative, helping restore nearly 10,000 hectares (about 25,000 acres) of forest and improve land management across a further 23,000 hectares (about 57,000 acres). These are not boutique experiments. They are working models for stabilising supply, supporting farmer incomes, and reducing the forest loss that fuels cocoa’s growing volatility.

But projects alone will not be enough. Scaling them will take serious investment: From governments, companies, and consumers. It will also require rules that shift incentives across the entire cocoa economy, such as a new European Union law that requires cocoa and chocolate entering the EU market to be deforestation-free. By tying market access to how cocoa is grown, these rules are pushing governments, producers, and companies to rethink production models, improve traceability, and strengthen zero-deforestation cocoa systems.

Governments will also need to invest in farmer adaptation and long-term productivity, not just short-term output. That means accessible finance, practical support on farms, and policies that reward sustainable production instead of expansion into forests.

And chocolate companies need to promote resilience across their supply chains, not just chase volume. In a world of climate disruption, the cheapest cocoa is not necessarily the best bargain if it comes at the expense of farmers’ livelihoods or the ecosystems that keep cocoa viable in the years to come.

Paying farmers for chocolate that keeps forests standing is not a luxury. It is part of what makes cocoa more available and keeps farmers in business in a warming world. Chocolate is sold as a simple pleasure, but cocoa is no longer a simple crop: Its future depends on whether we treat forests and biodiversity as essential infrastructure for stable and resilient agrifood systems.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

A SAUCY Valentine’s Day strip model Abbey Clancy had planned for her hubby Peter Crouch was dashed when he invited a chef to their home to cook for them.

The 40-year-old dressed in skimpy underwear and covered up with a mac, intending to make a big reveal.

But she was forced to swelter under the coat when the former Liverpool, Spurs and England striker arrived with the chef.

Abbey said: “That was the worst surprise ever because I got a gorgeous outfit from Agent Provocateur and just put it on with a coat on top.

“And Pete was like ‘Surprise! We’ve got a chef’.

“So I had to just wear my coat for the whole dinner — at home.

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“I had to wear my coat for the whole meal in my own house.

“And I was literally sweating because I was so worried.”

Asked if she was in a Burberry Mac, Abbey said: “Yeah, I was.

“That was highly embarrassing.

“And he kept asking ‘Aren’t you hot in that coat?’”

Peter, 45, eventually cottoned on to why Abbey would not remove her coat but by then was helpless to ask the chef to leave because it would have appeared rude.

He said: “He wouldn’t go away as well.

“You know when they come over and they want to explain the meal.

“It’s like ‘p*** off mate, will you’.”

Mum-of-four Abbey said Valentine’s nights indoors can be romantic too and couples should not feel pressure to always have a great meal out on February 14.

She added on their Therapy Crouch podcast: “That is nice, to stay in.”

It was not the first time Abbey had tried to woo Peter using the same tactic — although last time she was a bit more successful.

In November 2003 she told The Sun how she lured Peter home from training by picking him up in a car while wearing only a Burberry mac.

He said her teasing tactic “worked very well” — but that he is also very easily pleased.

Peter said: “It’s easy to surprise me.

“If I came home and you had no clothes on, it’d be the best surprise ever.

“It’s so simple and I’ll be so happy.

“I’m just being honest.”

FOR striped houses that look like giant beach huts and beautiful stretches of coastline – head to Aveiro.

The city in Portugal sits on the west coast and is much less known than its neighbour and is considered to be the country’s ‘Venice‘.

Along with its waterways, Aveiro is known for its beautiful waterfront houses, bars and boat tours along the waterways.

The city is built around water including the Ria de Aveiro which is a shallow coastal lagoon – and throughout Aveiro are lots of canals.

The largest is Canal Central de Aveiro, right in the city centre and it’s here where tourists can hop onto a boat and take a river cruise.

Dotted along the water are the brightly coloured Moliceiro boats which were historically used to collect seaweed.

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Now, these are used for leisure tours which you can book from €13 (£11.22).

These start on the Central Canal of Ria de Aveiro before working their way through the waterworks to Canal de São Roque in the north of the city.

On the banks of the canal are lots of bars, restaurants and cafes.

Some of the most popular include Boteco Aveiro, Taberna do Canal, and Luxor Lounge.

A popular drinking spot is Neighbourhood Alavarium Bar which has deckchairs in the courtyard.

A local pint will set you back just €2.75 (£2.38).

Just a short trip from Aveiro is the Bairrada Region Proximity, which produces plenty of sparkling and red wine, so the city is also perfect for wine lovers.

It is an excellent hub for exploring vineyards on reasonably priced tours, and bars and restaurants in the city centre offer glasses from as little as €2.30 (£2).

Aveiro is known for a local delicacy called ‘ovos moles’ – these traditional Portuguese pastries are essentially a sweet, creamy egg yolk and sugar mixture inside a thin wafer shell.

You can pick these up in local cafes or bakeries for around €1.60 (£1.38) each – and if you treat yourself to a coffee, it will cost as little as €2.16 (£1.87).

One of these spots along Central Canal is Café a Barrica.

One visitor even wrote on Tripadvisor: “This is the very place to try the typical local sweet, Ovos Moles. It is a small place, but I recommend a visitor to try.”

A holidaymaker who treated their fiancee to a romantic holiday to the city, told The Guardian: I told my fiancée we were going somewhere where we would drink wine on a gondola so she was a bit surprised when we got on a plane to Portugal and not Italy.

“I had to explain that I meant the Venice south of Porto – the pretty canal town of Aveiro (half the cost of the real Venice and just as nice).

“I risked being dubbed a cheapskate but we both loved it – a great romantic choice for a Valentine break on a budget.”

Around 10-minutes outside of the city centre is the coastal village of Costa Nova.

The picture-perfect spot has been described by visitors as having “the most adorable houses”.

The waterfront buildings are famous for their brightly coloured stripes.

These were originally called ‘palheiros’ and were used by fishermen and were brightly coloured so that they could see them through the mist.

Its beach, called Praia da Costa Nova, is also considered one of the prettiest in the area, although it does have strong waves thanks to its location on the Atlantic.

It runs for just under one mile and is the perfect sunbathing spot thanks to its fine, white sand.

Costa Nova is also home to Farol da Barra which is the tallest lighthouse in Portugal.

Visitors can climb up the 288 steps for incredible views across the coast.

Aveiro doesn’t have an international airport – the nearest is Porto which is just a 34-minute train ride away.

One-way tickets start from £6 and in February, flights to Porto from Birmingham start from £13 with Ryanair.

And once you get to the station, make sure to check out the former station building.

It’s one of the prettiest in Aveiro covered in beautiful blue and white tiles.

Plus, here’s the secret side to Portugal crowned one of the best places in Europe to visit last year.

And these are the five lesser-known places where the Portuguese always go on holiday and where they avoid.

WHEN it comes to Valentine’s Day, there is often a lot of pressure to do something worthwhile, but you don’t have to splash out on a fancy meal to have a special day.

Skip the five-star restaurant meal and head to something more memorable for a fraction of the price.

Under £50

Scavenger Hunt

Couples who love to explore together should head off on a scavenger hunt.

Available in various cities across the UK, Will Breaker offers a number of themed scavenger hunts from just £16.50 per person.

Each lasts around one-and-a-half hours and you get a photo memento at the end.

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See the new Wuthering Heights in the cinema

Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights finally hits our screens on February 13 – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

The steamy film, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, will be shown at most major UK cinemas.

Tickets to see the new movie cost around £12.99 per adult, making it an affordable Valentine’s date.

Bouldering

For those who prefer a bit more of an active date, head bouldering.

The sport allows for lots of time chatting, but then also moments helping each other to reach the top of a climbing wall.

There are bouldering centres across the UK, so just search for the one neatest to you.

You can expect to pay around £10 for a pass, and if you need shoes and chalk a few more quid on top of that, per person.

Pottery Cafes

Pottery is booming at the moment and with The Great Pottery Throw Down currently on Channel 4, what could be a better excuse than to head on a pottery-themed date?

Across the country there are lots of pottery cafes where you can select an item to paint.

Each item usually has a price, with many starting from around £10-£15 per item.

You then get to paint before your item is fired, usually for a small additional fee.

It is the perfect activity for the creative, but also for chilling and chatting.

Some cafes will even let you bring your own booze…

Boom Battle Bar

Boom Battle Bar has venues across the country, and what is great about this attraction is that you can spend as little or as much as you want to.

Each bar has a range of activities including crazy golf, axe throwing, karaoke pods and shuffleboard.

You can either purchase a bundle to play multiple games and activities or pay as you go, with prices starting from £6 per person.

A trip to the seaside

Who doesn’t like to be beside the seaside?

Wherever you are in the UK, you are never more than two to three hours by car from the sea.

And Valentine’s Day makes the ideal excuse to jump in the car for a mini road trip to the beach.

Top spots include Brighton, where you will find a long pier full of fun activities, pebble beach and narrow alleys full of independent shops.

Alternatively, if in Cornwall or Somerset, why not explore the part of the South West Coast Path that runs through Devon.

National Parks

There are many things you can do across the UK for free as well, and one of those things is visiting one of our many National Parks.

For example, you could head to Dartmoor in Devon to discover disused quarries, explore tors and see wild ponies.

Some spots in National Parks even have free parking.

Or you could head to Kielder Forest, which is has a public observatory and organises over 700 events a year.

The Kielder Observatory is one of the best places to see the night sky as it sits in Europe’s largest Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park.

There are also lots of forests across the UK with biking trails too, such as Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

The forest spans across 27,000 acres of woodland and sits between the Severn and Wye Rivers.

It was also England’s first National Forest Park and today is enjoyed for its hiking and cycling trails as well as attractions such as Puzzlewood.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be expensive…

Under £100

Murder mystery train experience

For something truly unique, head off on a murder mystery dining experience on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway Steam Train.

Costing £100 for two people, you will solve crime while enjoying a meal.

The three-course meal is prepared onboard the train and over the duration of the journey you will see the Yorkshire countryside as you solve missions.

Fancy something more stationary? Then why not head to the stationary Victorian Train Carriage at Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration in London for a ‘journey’ on the Orient Express.

Over the course of 90 minutes, you will solve puzzles and enjoy cocktails and nibbles to unravel the truth behind a murder committed onboard.

The experience costs £80 for two people.

Valentine’s Silent Disco, Natural History Museum

On February 13, you can head to the Natural History Museum for a Silent Disco.

Dancing under Hope the Whale, you can listen to music via headphones and dance with your partner in crime.

The disco starts at 9pm and finishes at midnight.

Tickets cost £36 per person for members or £40 per person for non-members.

If a silent disco isn’t your thing, on actual Valentine’s Day you can head to a museum late event where you can sip on cocktails and learn from the museum’s scientists.

There are even dance classes hosted by Pineapple Dance Studios,

The event starts at 6:45pm and ends at 10:30pm, with tickets costing £36 for members or £40 for non-members.

The Big Bakes

Fan of Bake Off? Well, The Big Bakes might be the date spot for you.

The outdoor immersive 90-minute baking competition allows you to experience the thrill of a marquee just like the one from the TV show.

The Big Bakes has venues across London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool with only a few spots left for Valentine’s Day.

In teams of two, you will create a cake using the tools and ingredients supplied.

The experience costs from £47.99 per person.

ABBA Voyage

Unlike your usual concert, ABBA Voyage features digital ‘ABBAtar’ versions of the band as they looked when they performed in 1979.

The 100-minute show features the four members carrying out a concert as if they are actually on stage, with some of their biggest hits.

It truly is a mind-blowing experience, because you can’t believe the stars in front of you aren’t the real deal.

Seated tickets cost from £38.50 per person, but prices are higher on Valentine’s Day itself.

If you want to splash out extra, access to the Oceanbird Lounge costs £99 before the show and gets you unlimited food and drink.

One-night hotel stay

Why not check-in for the night at a special hotel?

Many hotels across the UK still have availability for Valentine’s Day with prices under £100 total.

For example, you could head to Furzen Farmhouse in Cirencester for £86.

Set in historic stone building surrounded by countryside, the farmhouse has a kitchenette, lounge and picnic area.

Or you could head to The Belfry at Yarcombe for £87 including breakfast.

The four-star B&B is in an old school building and sits in the Blackdown Hills area, making it a great countryside retreat with picturesque walks.

Each bedroom is unique with original features including stained glass windows.

Under £200

Murder Mystery break for two

Across the UK several venues host murder mystery breaks for couples wanting to tackle a challenge together.

For example, via WOWcher, you could book a murder mystery break for two people, with hotel, a three-course meal and breakfast includes at 100 hotels across the country.

Ran by Murder 57, guests can choose where they want to stay – with destinations including Cardiff, Nottingham and Manchester – with 60 different plot lines also to choose from.

For example, you could enter the world of Agatha Christie with A Midsummer Murder.

It costs from £92.99 per person.

Luxury break at The Belfry Hotel and Resort

A romantic getaway is a classic Valentine’s gift and for less than £200 you could head to the Midlands for a break at the Belfry Hotel and Resort.

The hotels’s Love & Luxury Break includes an overnight stay with a three-course meal in the evening including a glass of prosecco each and then a a full English breakfast in the morning.

There is live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights too and guests get full access to The Club for fitness and wellness.

It costs from £169 per room.

Amsterdam mini cruise

Fancy heading out of the country but don’t want to fly?

Well, if you happen to live near Newcastle you can head off on a two-night mini cruise to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.

Currently being offered on WOWcher for £92.99 per person, you could stay in a private two-berth cabin, get a glass of fizz each, have unlimited luggage allowance and get transfers to and from Amsterdam city centre.

The offer can be redeemed anytime until June 2026.

See a concert

While concert tickets do tend to sell out far in advance, sometimes people’s plans change and then tickets go on resale.

This is the case for some concerts on Valentine’s Day.

For example, you could see James Arthur at M&S Bank Arene Liverpool for £62.75 per person.

Or at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester you could see the Kaiser Chiefs for £51.75 per person.

Spa day

There are lots of different places in the UK where you can head off to for a spa day.

For example, you could head to Riverhills Spa in Ipswich, Suffolk, to experience refurbished facilities.

You can even grab the ‘Sweet Valentine Package’, which includes a 30-minute treatment of your choice, four hours in the spa, hot chocolate and homemade chocolates and a robe, towel and slippers for £85 per person during the week or £95 per person at the weekend.

Alternatively, you could head to Rena Spa at The Midland in Manchester for a spa day for two.

Costing £91 per person, you will receive a meal, spa access and a 50-minute Mud Rasul treatment.

You will also get a complimentary glass of prosecco.

For more ideas on days out, here are 15 attractions in the UK that have £1 per person tickets from huge castles to kid-friendly museums.

Plus, 10 days out in the UK that cost less than a pint from free-to-visit lidos to cheap cinema mornings.