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AN 80s rock icon, who was once in a love triangle with Hollywood A-listers Brad Pitt and Christina Applegate, looked unrecognisable as he strolled through an airport.

This famous singer, now 58, passed by fellow travellers unnoticed – but can you guess who it is?

The rock star in question is none other than Sebastian Bach, known for the heavy metal band, Skid Row.

The group shot to fame almost four decades ago with hits like Youth Gone Wild and 18 and Life.

With his trademark long locks tied back in a ponytail, Sebastian strutted through LAX Airport with his haul of luggage in tow.

The rocker is currently on tour with Skid Row and fellow heavy metal band Twisted Sister, and was jetting into Los Angeles after playing in Oklahoma.

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Sebastian was dressed down for his flight and was wearing a black t-shirt and matching jogging bottoms.

The singer went unnoticed in the airport as he got ready to head home, before his next gig in Washington at the end of the month.

During his heyday, the rock legend was famously caught up in a love triangle with two of Hollywood’s now-elite stars.

The twice- married singer, who is currently wed to wife Suzanne Le, got in the middle of Brad Pitt and Christina Applegate‘s romance.

Known for his heartthrob status, back in 1989 Sebastian, who was 21 at the time, caught the eye of a 17-year-old Christina – who was dating rising star Brad Pitt, who was 25.

Things kicked off when the young couple attended the MTV Video Music Awards together that year.

However, despite having hunky Brad on her arm, Married With Children star Christina found her head had turned in the direction of Sebastian – and she ditched her date for the rocker.

Speaking in her memoir earlier this year, the actress told fans exactly what happened.

“I had spent all night staring at Bach, who was then a long-haired hunk fronting the band Skid Row,” she penned in her book, You With The Sad Eyes.

“I hate to put it like this, but Brad back then was still making his way as an actor, and he wasn’t yet THE Brad Pitt, the man of so many people’s dreams.”

Continuing, Christina wrote: “And it gets worse: Brad was left to sullenly drive my mom … home.

“Apparently, at a gas station on the way, Brad almost got into a fight with a bunch of gang members, and, not surprisingly, was subsequently very mad at me.”

The Dead To Me star also revealed that Brad didn’t speak to her after the incident for many years. – but added that they are “friends again” now.

“Eventually, we agreed that I’d been a kid, and though he deserved much better, it was time to forgive the child who dumped him for the lead singer of Skid Row,” Christina said.

“Of course, Brad is now THE Brad Pitt, and Sebastian Bach … well, he still has long hair, I guess.”

Sebastian also reflected on him stealing Christina, now 54, from Brad, now 63, and told Billboard earlier this year: “I was a single guy on tour, in a band, and I met a lot of girls and Iapologisee if I hurt her…If I hurt anybod,”.

“When you’re young you get thrown into the whirlwind of rock ‘n’ roll, meeting a lot of people and you’d better hold on tight.

“It’s like being on a roller coaster.

“It was a long time ago. If I hurt anybody, I apologise for it.”

ONCE dubbed “the most boring man in football” Michael Owen’s choice to sign up for a fly-on-the-wall Amazon documentary about his family was unexpected to say the least.

The former England striker turned pundit, 46, allowed cameras to follow him, his wife Louise and their children Gemma, James, Emily and Jessica as they balance family life with running a horse racing business in Cheshire.

And it was a distinctly left-field move from Michael, who – unlike celebrity documentary subjects David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and the larger-than-life Tyson Fury – has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

He is seen joking in six part series Meet The Owens that he is now best known as a “boring p***k” or “Gemma Owen’s dad” after she appeared in Love Island, raising questions about why he would agree to film the at-home-with style show.

And we can reveal that the ex-footballer – often referred to as ‘the most boring man in football’ – signed up for his TV payday after ploughing £13 million into his racing business pushed him to his financial limit.

While he may have other streams of income, accounts for Michael’s company Owen Promotions show it holds just £7,219 in cash and owes £2.3m to creditors.

It also has three outstanding loans, two of which were taken out in March 2022 and February 2024 with Leeds-based MR Denton Properties.

A further loan was taken out in February 2024 with Andrew Black, who co-founded Betfair.

Two other loans with Grosvenor Funding, which claims to offer “fast and flexible” bridging loans were paid off in 2023.

And all five loans were secured using parts of the Owens home estate – a 42-acre estate he bought in 2001 for £4million.

Speaking in Meet the Owens, which is now number 3 on the Amazon Prime UK chart, Michael revealed he has had to put “£12 or £13 million” into Manor House Stables to build it to its current level.

But he admits the business – which makes cash by persuading investors to back the horses they buy at auction – still desperately needs investors.

And he describes their current status as: “Premier League. Brighton, but not seventh, but kind of bottom half.”

Footage from the first episode shows the racing enthusiast giving pal Jamie Carragher a tour of the impressive grounds and stables, showing off a horse owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and another he owns along with Paul Scholes, Steve McManaman and Owen Hargreaves.

Drone shots show the impressive site from the air, while graphics also flash up on screen showing how the structure works – a handy guide for any would-be investors.

One source told us: “Michael is passionate about Manor House and racing, and he has done an incredible job on Manor House.

“The problem is that it is a big money pit and you can pour millions into it without any guarantee of winning horses.

“He loves it, and would never walk away, but it would be naive to say it hasn’t had a massive impact on his finances.

“And the pressure is never ending because as a business, you have to buy horses each year – for £90,000 or more – and try to find investors for them.

“Then the million-dollar question is whether or not those horses win, as the stables need winners to succeed.

“But the reality is that you only win a very small percentage of the races in which you have horses.”

Michael is now the sole shareholder for Manor House Stables LLP, which owns the stables, after director and co-owner Andrew Black resigned in March 2022 after six years.

Accounts show the company has healthy assets of approximately £13.6million.

Yet the source said the business still has a way to go before it becomes a money-spinner, rather than a money pit.

They added: “The Amazon payday has come at a good time for Michael, but he is also hoping the airtime for Manor House will attract more investors.

“The more money that comes in, the better the horses and the more winners we will see here.

“That will help the business move higher up the rankings among the top British stables.

“Michael loves racing and he is driven by passion for the sport, but he is also very competitive and wants to win.”

Previously, a source told us: “Michael is extremely determined to succeed in racing. He has poured millions of his own money into Manor House, and he will not stop until he’s at the very top.

“Signing up to broadcast this to the world was a huge risk for him, and he’s desperate for it to work.

“Michael is keen to show off how much Manor House is a reputable and successful stable, and he hopes putting the business on screen ends up being a help rather than a hindrance.”

A spokesperson for Michael declined to comment.

POWER banks are an essential when it comes to travel – but there are strict rules in place for them.

Most know the main ones – like it cannot be used inflight – but here’s one some of you might not know about which could see it taken off you before boarding.

Most airlines allow power banks up to 100Wh without special approval onboard.

But anything over that, without the say-so from the airline, and they could be confiscated for being too big and some countries being particularly strict.

The Wh – which translates to watt-hours – should be printed on the label of your power bank and if travelling on most planes it needs to be under 100Wh or less.

In places like China and Japan, some passengers have had their large power banks taken off them.

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Someone on Reddit explained: “Accidentally brought a power bank that was larger than 100 watt-hour on my international trip.

“It passed US TSA as under 100, clocked 106 and 136 watt-hour in two airports in China and refused on board as over 180Wh at Guangzhou International Airport.”

Rules are strict in Japan too with Japan Airlines currently allowing two power banks with 160Wh or less in hand luggage – but that is going down to 100Wh from January 2027.

A lot have warned that the label with the Wh must be clear or risk it being taken off you as well.

Someone else said: “It is the label that matters and if you have old ones that is too faint, it is almost foregone conclusion that it will be taken.

“Friends encountered in Korea and China recently where their older power banks were taken as it wasn’t clear enough.”

For those travelling to China, there is another requirement and this is that all power banks must be marked clearly with the mark ‘CCC’.

The 3C mark is a China Compulsory Certification and the power banks must also be 100Wh or under for all flights.

Any power banks over 160Wh require airline approval – and anything over that is banned.

Most airlines will also only allow one power bank onboard – but check prior to flying as some do allow two.

Power banks must be stored in hand luggage during a flight but not used while in the air as the lithium battery inside is a fire risk – and storing them in the wrong way can cause huge disruption.

In May of this year, an easyJet flight travelling from Egypt to the UK was forced to divert to Rome after a passenger revealed they had left a phone connected and charging via a power bank in their checked luggage

In July last year, a power bank caught fire on a Bangkok Airways flight from Samui to Hong Kong.

THEY were the cool Brit pop duo that broke onto the music scene in 2007 with a number one album and chart-topping smash hit.

And almost two decades later, the husband-and-wife pair are still releasing new music – though their look is worlds away from their noughties heydey.

The Ting Tings, comprised of married couple Katie White and Jules De Martino have taken to TikTok to share a clip of them singing their brand new song Home.

In the video, rock chick turned boho babe Katie can be seen showing off her impressive vocals, while hubby Jules plays guitar.

They look world’s away from their earlier rock and roll vibe with Katie in particular then known for her heavy eye make-up and platinum blonde Debbie Harry-esque locks.

They wrote over their new video: “Hey, we’re Katie & Jules from a band called The Ting Tings and you might remember us from our song That’s Not My Name.

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“This is us, 18 years on singing Home from our latest album with our daughter. A lot has changed since 2008.”

The caption read: “18 years & 5 albums later… we are back in the studio, song writing and working on our 6th record.”

The iconic band made a shock comeback to the music industry back in January 2024.

In a cute video posted to Instagram, they added the caption: “Where have we been? Here, making the record of our lives. Get ready. J K x”

The scenes showed a blonde-haired toddler strolling around, leading one fan to quiz: “Is that a baby Ting Ting?”

During a chat with the BBC in 2022, they confirmed their happy news – with the tot dubbed “mini Ting” aged one at the time.

Katie admitted: “We never particularly spoke about it.

“We always wanted to keep it quite separate from the music, but it’s quite hard when you have literally a mini person.

“We’ve been together a long time now.”

The Salford-based duo formed in 2007, with their debut album We Started Nothing topping the UK charts just a year later.

Their iconic track That’s Not My Name became a huge success and has been streamed more than 1.1million times.

The group then fine-tuned their material in New York, yet a tour scheduled for three years later was scrapped after Katie suffered a hand injury.

Following their comeback, they went on to release their fifth album Home and are now gearing up for their sixth offering.

FROM #ad posts to children launching their own fashion lines, the world of influencing is no longer reserved for reality stars and celebs – but their mini-mes too.

Amy Childs became the latest star to cash in on her daughter Polly when she revealed last month that the nine-year-old was launching her own fashion range – with a crop top-clad Polly telling the camera all about her new venture.

The announcement didn’t go down quite as positively as Amy had hoped, with many fans slamming her for ‘exploiting’ the youngster for the money-spinning venture – leaving her ‘devastated’.

It comes as a whole host of celebs have welcomed their offspring into the world of business.

Ferne McCann’s daughters Sunday and Finty often feature in her social media brand deals, Molly-Mae’s three-year-old Bambi joined her in fronting a campaign for laundry detergent brand Comfort and Persil, and Rochelle Humes’ three children often appear in front of the camera for her brand, My Little Coco.

But why are so many celebs turning to using their children for new cash-grabbing ventures?

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PR expert Luana Riviera says celeb parents are a ‘goldmine’ when it comes to money-making, as she says: “Being seen with their children makes even the most famous faces seem more down-to-earth and relatable.”

However, fans have been left concerned over the rise in celeb children on their screens.

Amy Childs’ was flooded with comments about ‘exploitation’ after revealing daughter Polly’s clothing brand.

Something feels off about this. Sorry but it’s a money making thing and doesn’t seem right.

“She isn’t old enough to do this sort of thing and have the maturity to understand,” said one.

Another echoed: “God let her be a child a little longer.”

Molly-Mae faced similar backlash after showing daughter Bambi in the bath on her Amazon Prime series and taking part in campaigns together.

“From a PR point of view, the use of families is appealing and will certainly get people talking about the brand and the marketing campaign,” explains Launa, who is the founder of Dauntless PR.

She continued: “But it is important to remember that these decisions are forever and when children get older they may wish they had been given more privacy and normality in their younger years.”

“Whether or not celebrities SHOULD put their children in the public eye in this way is an area which people will have lots of opinions on.

“Some will argue it is a safety risk and that the children themselves aren’t old enough to fully consent or understand the implications of establishing a level of fame in their own right.”

With the move such a controversial one, will the young stars see any of their hard-earned profits?  

PR expert Carla Speight believes they will reap the rewards, just not anytime soon.

“These industry savvy parents will be making sure their kids won’t work for free, especially in the case of Molly Mae’s Bambi in the Comfort ads.

“Bambi will have been paid for that and the money will sit in a trust earning interest until she’s at least 16, which gives her a good financial head start.

“Just like most of the celeb children, they’ll either have shares in the brands or they’ll get a wage for each time they showcase the brands and in the case of their parent’s brands, it’s likely they’ll get both.”

WHILE this beautiful hideaway hotel looks like it’s in Asia, you’ll actually find it two and a half hours away in Spain.

The 5-star Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is described as having the “serenity, peace and quiet of South-East Asia”.

It was named Spain‘s Leading Hotel in the World Travel Awards in 2024.

A number of famous celebrities have stayed too, including Wayne Rooney, Bruce Willis, Joan Collins and Zinedine Zidane.

The hotel itself is a 10-minute drive inland from Benidorm by the slopes of the Sierra Cortina mountains.

But thanks to being surrounded by 370,000sqm of pine forest and its own lush garden, it lives up to its name, and feels more like being in Thailand.

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The tropical grounds have 3,000 Asian plant species, including a 200-year-old bonsai tree as well as other bonsai and palm trees.

The hotel has a total of seven swimming pools, four of which are heated, and all are surrounded by jungle.

The Caras de Angkor pool is an adults-only Balinese style pool, while another is the Zen pool which has hydromassage.

Thailand is known for its massages and the hotel has its very own Thai spa on-site too.

Treatments include various types of massages, foot reflexology and beauty pamper sessions.

There are nine restaurants too, ranging from Asian cuisine at Koh Samui as well as a range of Mediterranean options and a poolside snack bar.

The hotel has its own fitness centre, tennis, volleyball and padel courts as well as football field.

Hotel staff can even advise guests on the best running routes in the area.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Incredible place, not only for its design, floral decoration, gardens, atmosphere… but once you set foot in the lobby, you could perfectly believe you are anywhere in Asia.”

Another described it as: “A taste of heaven amongst beautiful gardens a feeling of being whisked away to Thailand without the long haul flight!!!“

Rooms range from Bali-style Deluxe to Deluxe Suites which have huge outdoor terraces with a Jacuzzi.

Room rates start from around £240 per night, but can increase to around £400 during peak season.

The most luxe room is the Presidential Suite which has its own lounge, kitchenette, outdoor terrace with sea views and a hot tub.

It also comes with 24-hour room service and guests can enjoy private in-room breakfasts.

Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, a Royal Hideaway Hotel can be booked with On the Beach – a seven-night stay for two adults in September 2026 starts from £840pp.

This includes return flights to Alicante and a stay in a Deluxe Room.

A stay with TUI in November starts from £985pp – which also includes bed & breakfast and return flights to London Stansted.

WHEN it comes to girl groups going solo, there can only ever be one really successful member, while the others trail behind pretending to be happy for them.

Beyoncé is the obvious example – her Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams never stood a chance. 

In terms of their UK counterparts, Cheryl led the way for Girls Aloud and – although she’s not known for her music – Victoria Beckham will always be the standout Spice Girl. 

As for Little Mix, it’s Jade Thirlwall who’s come out on top after her debut releases were met with huge critical and commercial success.  

While her bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards haven’t totally flopped – all three girls landed at number three with their solo albums – 33-year-old Jade’s highs have unfortunately highlighted their lows. 

The Sun revealed last week how Perrie, 33, has split with her management company of 15 years and also parted ways with Columbia Records. 

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And Leigh-Anne, 34, has turned her attention to reality TV after a lukewarm reception to her solo music. She’ll appear on Celebrity Traitors later this year and is also set to star in an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?.

A well-placed insider told The Sun: “Perrie and Leigh are ready to come back now.

“They’ve done what they needed to do and would announce a Little Mix tour tomorrow if they could.

“It’s kind of ironic that Jade didn’t want the hiatus but she’s had the most success.

“But as much as she is, in her own words, Little Mix’s biggest fan, for Jade it’s just not the right time. She knows she’ll never get this chance again.”

Speaking of a possible Little Mix comeback, Perrie confessed recently she’s “ready and raring” while Leigh insisted she’s “a hundred per cent” behind getting back together. 

Meanwhile, Jade has been a bit more coy in terms of timings. The Angel of My Dreams hitmaker said recently: “There will be a Little Mix reunion.” 

But, suggesting her focus is elsewhere for now, she added to Capital: “It doesn’t matter how long that takes.” 

We’re told that there is nothing but love between the three girls and they are as close as ever but Perrie and Leigh know that the more successful Jade becomes the longer they’ll have to wait to be back on stage with her. 

She’s full-steam ahead with the follow up to debut solo album That’s Showbiz Baby! and has spent the last two summers performing at the likes of Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds festivals.

Our source added: “Perrie and Leigh are super proud of Jade. 

“They always knew she’d go on to do great things. They’ve each found the perfect balance as working mums but Jade doesn’t have kids so, for now at least, it’s all about her career. 

“Perrie and Leigh just hope that it won’t be too much longer before Jade can clear some space in her schedule so they can be together again.” 

IF you need a loud announcement to tell you when it’s time to board, you might be in trouble at certain airports.

More silent airports are being introduced all over the globe – and these ones have no background noise, but it means you could potentially miss your flight.

Silent airports were first launched in 2015 to create a calmer, less stressful environment for travellers.

Essentially these are terminals that significantly reduces certain sounds like general boarding calls, final calls, and flight updates – or gets rid of them altogether.

Airports Council International (ACI) Angela Gittens previously told CNN Travel that silent airports are designed to “create a calm, relaxed ambiance.”

She added: “Passengers can wind down while they wait for their flight to board in the common airside lounges, commercial, and food and beverage areas.”

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Instead of announcement over loud speakers, lots of airlines are opting for live updates when it comes to their flights on apps or text messages.

Any sort of changes are usually sent straight to the passenger.

But for anyone not paying attention, it could cause problems – and even mean missed flights.

If any passengers are running late, in a silent airport, they will not be called to board their flight.

It’s likely that any last-minute gate changes won’t be announced either.

The very first silent airport was Helsinki Airport in Finland and many others have since followed suit.

Currently only two airports in the UK are ‘silent’ – Bristol and London City.

Around the world, other silent airports include Riyadh Airport, Barcelona El Prat Airport, and Venice Marco Polo Airport in Italy.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey almost missed her flight at the airport at Amsterdam Schipol Airport in the Netherlands because there were no announcements.

Kara said: “Returning from Amsterdam Schipol Airport and having checked what gate I would be flying from, I headed straight there and sat down with my headphones on, waiting to board.”

Kara continued: “Yet I didn’t realise the gate had changed until I saw a group of people from the corner of my eye all get up and start running.

“It was only when I saw the women leaving the boarding gate desk that I asked and she told me the gate had moved to one on the other side of the airport.

“So while they can be “less stressful” – keep an eye on your flights.”

WE ALL love a Maccies, but instead of you bog standard local, you could head into one where there are dining train carriages.

Along one of America’s most iconic roads, Route 66, you will find a McDonalds like no other.

Barstow McDonalds in California is made from renovated train carriages and sits roughly halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The restaurant opened back in 1960 and soon became such a popular spot that it needed to be expanded.

The destination then became Barstow Station, where several buildings are attached by several train cars.

Currently there are 17 train cars that make up the Barstow Station complex, four of which are now McDonald’s Dining Cars.

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In 2013, Barstow Station McDonald’s also underwent an extensive renovation to make it more contemporary.

The location even still features a life-sized Ronald McDonald figure in the lobby.

Customers head inside the main restaurant to order, before walking through to the carriages where you can eat.

Inside the carriages, you can expect a barrel-roof with booths for seats and historic photos of the Old West and Route 66.

Don’t just head to the McDonald’s though – next door you will find a huge souvenir shop selling Route 66 merch as well as a giant sweets counter.

You’ll find the McDonald’s in the city of Barstow in the Mojave Desert in South California.

In the city, make sure to visit Harvey House Depot, where you will find the Route 66 Mother Road Museum.

You an also explore a number of street art murals.

There are several places to stay in Barstow including Route 66 Motel, which costs as little as £37 a night.

And just down the road are two Holiday Inn’s, a Hampton Hotel and a Marriott Hotel.

A HIDDEN Greek island is set to boom next year thanks to a major blockbuster movie.

Ithaca in Greece is known as being the home of Odysseus from Homer’s Odyssey.

And thanks to the recent Hollywood movie release, the island is expecting more tourists.

Quieter than its famous neighbours, you’ll find olive groves across the island as well as secluded coves that are ideal for snorkelling.

In the capital, Vathy, you can head to one of the world’s largest natural harbours.

The town is also home to an Archaeological Museum with artefacts dating back to the Roman times.

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And if you hadn’t had enough of museums, you could then head to the Nautical and Folklore Museum, which dates back to 1923 and showcases the lifestyle of Old Ithaca.

Like many places in Greece, there are also a number of archaeological sites to explore such as the School of Homer.

Or you could visit Aestos – an ancient acropolis sat on a hilltop.

According to Sunvil, the island has “barely changed for centuries” making it the perfect Greek holiday without the crowds and influences of modernity.

There are several beaches across the island to explore including Gidaki Beach, which is a white pebble beach with clear waters.

You can get to the beach by hiking or boat.

Filiatro Beach is probably the most accessible; it is a short drive from Vathy.

At the beach you can rent a sunbed and there is a small beach bar as well.

A recent visitor said: “Love this beach, parking simple, turquoise waters, calm, great for snorkeling, toilets available, paddle boards to hire kept our kids happy, loads of shade under the olive trees.”

From Ithaca you can also head to a number of other islands, including Kefalonia and seasonally to Lefkada, Corfu and Zante.

There are lots of places to stay on Ithaca, though most of the options are villas – including ones with breathtaking views and pools.

The best way to get to Ithaca is by flying to Kefalonia Airport, which costs from £28 per flight.

The drive is around 30 minutes to the port of Sami where you can catch a ferry over to Ithaca, which takes around another 30 minutes.

A NEW area of one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions is being opened to the public.

The Natural History Museum in London is officially the UK’s most popular attraction, with seven million tourists visiting each year and soon a new area in the museum will open.

Closed since World War II, the Nature and Us gallery will open to the public next month.

Opening on September 16, the gallery will be free to visit and will be home to 50 objects linked to humans’ relationship with the natural world.

The space has been closed to the public since 1943 and includes a miniature model of a Crystal Palace dinosaur and Jenny, a Victorian skeleton of a monk seal.

Visitors will also be able to touch a replica jaw of one of Britain’s earliest known domesticated dogs, which dates to around 14,300 years ago.

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All visitors can then have their say on their favourite stories from the gallery, which will then be moved into the permanent collection in 2029.

The gallery is located on the second floor of the museum.

It used to be a skeleton gallery and mammal gallery.

When the museum’s original herbarium was damaged during the Second World War, it was then turned into the botanicals new home.

Today, the original wooden herbarium cabinets remain.

Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Museum, said: “Reopening this remarkable gallery is an exciting moment for the Museum.

“For the first time in over 80 years, visitors will be able to step into this beautiful historic space and explore our changing relationship with the natural world.

“It’s another important step in our NHM150 transformation as we create new spaces that inspire people to become advocates for the planet.”

The reopening of the gallery is part of the NHM150 campaign which includes opening a new or revitalised gallery each year until 2031.

BEFORE Netflix dominated TV screens, quiz shows were all the rage in many British households.

Due to the limited channels, primetime shows would see figures reach 19million for the peak-time shows with the presenters becoming huge household names. 

However, would these dominant shows from the 60s to 90s be put in front of modern TV viewers today?

Times have evolved and many of the outdated jokes would not land well with audiences – especially families on a Saturday night.

Here, we look at some once-popular TV shows that quite possibly wouldn’t make it to air today… 

Man O Man 

Hosted by Chris Tarrant from 1996 to 1999 before his Who Wants To Be A Millionaire stint, Man O Man effectively was a beauty pageant for men.

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Ten chaps competed in front of an all-female audience in just swimwear for one section, and would perform chat-up lines and show their muscles.

Then, 125 women would vote for them, and if a female contestant wasn’t impressed, she’d push the man into the pool.

While some described the show as inverting stereotypical tropes and being tongue-in-cheek, others felt it was degrading and encouraged public humiliation.

Bullseye 

During its peak from 1981 to 1995, Sunday night darts show Bullseye drew up to 20million viewers.

The show saw host Jim Bowen – known for catchphrases such as “super, smashing, great” – guide three pairs of contestants through the darts and quiz questions.

However, ex-teacher Bowen’s comedy frequently relied on punching down at contestants, including body shaming women.

In one toe-curling exchange, he asked Jane Groves about her weight loss journey after she did a sponsored slim.

Bowen cruelly asked: “How much do you owe?” and when audiences stopped laughing, he added: “That’s very unkind of me.”

The show has been rebooted in recent years, with ex cricketer Andrew Flintoff taking the helm, and guest appearance by Britain’s teen darts hero Luke Littler.  

3-2-1 

From 1978 to 1988, the TV show 3-2-1 brought Ted Rogers, his sidekick Dusty Bin, and a large dose of sexism into millions of homes. 

Rogers commanded the stage while surrounded by silently objectified “3-2-1 girls,” whose main purpose was to wear revealing outfits that often matched to the prizes. 

Rogers’ routine heavily featured old-fashioned sexist “nagging wife” tropes and jokes that modern audiences could find intolerable.

They Think It’s All Over 

Airing from 1995 to 2006, this sports panel show fostered a hyper-masculine, “locker room” environment.

Panelists routinely demeaned female guests and admitted they “behaved like teenagers” whenever they were booked in.    

The show was originally hosted by Nick Hancock, and saw two captains, often David Gower, Gary Lineker, Phil Tufnell, Ian Wright, and David Seaman, joined by comedians and sporting stars.

Ex Manchester United footballer Luke Chadwick received a public apology from Hancock and Gary Lineker over jokes made about his physical appearance, including his teeth and acne, on the show.

One example of the bullying was: “This photo of Luke Chadwick was ruined… when Luke Chadwick turned up.”

He admitted to BBC in 2020 that the comments affected his mental health.

Chadwick shared: “I became a picture of fun, and that was probably the hardest thing. 

“Obviously people were finding it funny, but it was eating away at me a bit inside while that was happening.”

Olympian Fatima Whitbread settled for an undisclosed figure when she took the show to court in 1999, with Rory McGrath saying: “We joked she failed the urine test because she got her c*** stuck in the bottle.”

Mr and Mrs 

Running from 1965 to 1999 after originating in Canada, Mr and Mrs championed old family dynamics that feel rather archaic now. 

Host Derek Batey questioned heterosexual couples, consistently reinforcing a dynamic where the husband was the primary breadwinner and the wife a homemaker.

The game, which many people will know from hen or stag parties, involved each person answering questions about their partner, with the aim to get enough right to bag a jackpot.

Its narrow definition of marriage and with Batey referring to some ladies as “my darling”, mean it probably wouldn’t land well with modern viewers. 

The Generation Game 

Occupying prime Saturday night viewing from 1971 to 2002, The Generation Game featured casual sexism despite its massive popularity under hosts Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson, and later Jim Davidson.

Contestants would watch prizes go past on a conveyor belt and would have to recall what they saw in order to take a haul home. 

Glamorous assistants like Anthea Redfearn and Rosemarie Ford were relegated to secondary roles on the Saturday night BBC show, and were seen modelling prizes and smiling silently.

Bruce famously courted and married his hostess, Anthea, before they divorced six years later in 1979.

During their tenure together, Forsyth regularly flirted with her on camera, and instructed her to spin around so the studio audience could “have a look at you.”

The Price is Right 

Brought to ITV from the US, The Price is Right – which has aired between 1984 and 2007 – was first hosted Leslie Crowther, who had previously fronted the deeply controversial Black and White Minstrel Show.

Later Bruce Forsyth took the helm, and airing on Saturday night at 7pm, audience contestants would guess the cost of various items to win prizes.

A rather sexist element of the show were the ‘Host’s Hostesses’.

Typically models were hired for the role, which involved them smiling and looking glamorous as they’d drape themselves across the prizes without uttering a word.

Blankety Blank 

A recent reboot of Blankety Blank, hosted by Bradley Walsh, was cut in July by the BBC to reduce costs.

However, the original version – which ran from 1979 to 1990 – would certainly raise eyebrows today. 

Deadpan comedic presenter Les Dawson was known for sharing numerous offensive jokes about his mother-in-law and wife, and relying on sexist quips.

SOMETIMES finding a holiday spot just for adults that encourages the ultimate relaxation can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Fortunately, one Greek island is home to a premium five-star resort that’s adults-only an will transport you straight to the Maldives.

Stella Island Luxury Resort in Crete, Greece looks as if it belongs in the bucket list destination thanks to its crystal clear water and overwater bungalows.

A massive lagoon-style pool also snakes through the villas.

There are 12 room types to choose from, including overwater nests where ground floor rooms have swim up pools.

And it isn’t just the pools that are great – the complex also has seven restaurants to choose from including a buffet, fine dining venue, Greek taverna, steaks and cuts restaurant, an Asian spot, a Mexican spot and a more casual lunch restaurant.

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You won’t be short of places to grab a tipple either, as there are five poolside bars.

Inside the hotel you can indulge yourself too, at the spa with an indoor heated pool, Turkish bath, hot tubs and massages available.

There’s a gym, tennis courts and padel courts too as well as the option to paddleboard on the pool that weaves through the complex.

If you really want the Maldives treatment, you could even have your breakfast floating in the pool.

A recent visitor said: “Such an amazing place in every way. The resort is exceptional from the moment you arrive.

“The food in the restaurants is amazing but I have to say that the buffet is the best I have encountered.

“First class entertainment and service in all areas.

“We enjoyed it so much, we’ve already booked for next year.”

Just 15 minutes walk from the resort is the village of Analipsi, where you will find a selection of small shops as well as tavernas.

What makes all of this even better is that from stepping outside of Crete airport the resort is only 15 minutes away.

The easiest way to get to the resort is by flying to Heraklion Airport on Crete, which costs as little as £29 per way.

JUST over an hour from the UK you could visit a pretty village famous for revolutionising European travel.

Schengen is a quiet village in the southeast of Luxembourg, bordering Germany and France and just an hour from Luxembourg city.

The village was the precise spot where the 1985 Schengen Agreement was signed, creating Europe’s passport-free travel zone.

The small village – home to just 500 people – was chosen due to its location on the borders of the three countries.

In Schengen, you can head to the Schengen Museum, which costs just €3 per person to enter and showcases the history of the Schengen Agreement.

The museum even has items that have been seized at borders.

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Visitors can even step into the signing room where the agreement was signed, onboard the Prinzessin Marie-Astrid Europa vessel.

When having a wander around the village look out for the Schengen Memorial which is formed of steel columns displaying national stars, located along the waterfront.

Nearby, outdoor enthusiasts can also head to Stromberg Nature Reserve, with picturesque hikes through vineyard trails.

Once you reach the top of Stromberg hill, you will see panoramic views of all three neighboring countries.

If you want to stay in the town and enjoy its peacefulness, you can head to the Schengen Castle.

The grand chateau dates back to the 13th century when it was a moated fortress although reopened in 2024 as a hotel.

Rooms cost as little as €100 (£85.64) for a double room, but you could splurge and get the Royal Suite for €180 (£154.16) a night.

You can fly from London Stansted with Ryanair in an hour and 15 minutes for as little as £14.99 a way.

Then once in Luxembourg, bus transport is entirely free.

ONE tiny village in the North of England has been dubbed one of the best places to visit.

It’s surrounded by ‘Little Switzerland’s‘ rolling hills, not to mention it has a wild swimming spot that’s is considered England‘s highest beach.

The Independent put the village of Todmorden in top spot when ranking its ‘best places to visit in summer‘.

It said: “Hebden Bridge, up the road, is a tourist magnet. Happy Valley put Calderdale on the TV pilgrims’ map. But Todmorden at the eastern end of the valley has retained a down-to-earth, organic quality.“

It continued: “With the historic Lancashire-Yorkshire border running through the town – even cutting the Town Hall in half – it’s a mix of rural and urban, Mancunian and West Riding, poshed-up and proletarian.“

Found in Lancashire, Todmorden sits in the Upper Calder Valley in West Yorkshire.

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It has a few pubs like the Golden Lion, Hare & Hounds and The Polished Knob as well as cafes, an indoor market.

Some of the houses sit on the waterfront as the River Calder runs directly through Todmorden.

The village is also very close to Hardcastle Crags, a wooded valley managed by the National Trust.

It’s often referred to as ‘Little Switzerland‘ thanks to its steep Alpine-style hills, valley, streams and rock ravines.

It also has a 19th-century mill that is open to visitors.

One of its most popular attractions in Todmorden is Gaddings Dam which is a Victorian reservoir high up on the moors.

At 1,150 feet above sea level, it’s actually considered the highest beach in England and is a wild swim spot managed by the local communities.

One visitors said: “Wow! Went here one sunny, but windy day in July. Took about half an hour to walk to the top but well worth it when we got there!

“Make sure you take water and refreshments as there is nothing at the top apart from beautiful scenery! Only a small beach and only a handful of people there but was really peaceful.”

Another added: “Gaddings Dam is a fab place to go for a walk, swim, and picnic.”

Another popular site near Todmorden is Stoodley Pike, a landmark along the Pennine Way.

It overlooks both Todmorden and the neighbouring town of Hebden Bridge.

Lots of hikers say the spot ‘gets windier every single time you visit’ but is worth the walk for the ‘unreal’ views.

Meanwhile, Hebden Bridge is Todmorden’s more well-known neighbour considered ‘quirky’ and ‘bohemian’ thanks to its many artists, crafters, brewers and beekeepers.

Here’s the full list of the best places to visit in the North of England…

1. Todmorden, Lancashire
2. Ouseburn, Newcastle
3. Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham
4. AND festival, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
5. The GM Ringway, Manchester and surroundings
6. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
7. Pub Festival, Preston, Lancashire
8. Queen Street Mill, Burnley, Lancashire
9. Whitehaven, Cumbria
10. Lune Valley, Lancashire and Cumbria

EVER watched a TV show or film and wished you could live in the characters’ worlds for a day?

Now, a growing number of iconic TV and film properties are opening their doors to fans to book to stay overnight.

Gavin and Stacey viewers, for example, can book the exact house that was home to Uncle Bryn (played by Rob Brydon) on Airbnb.

Based on the iconic Barry Island in Wales, it is decorated just as it was in Bryn’s ‘bachelor paradise’ during episode three of series three.

It can house six guests across two bedrooms, with two nights in September for three guests setting you back £455.

But it’s not the only filming location you can walk onto. 

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De Vere House (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1)

While it may not be Hogwarts, you can also have a magical stay sleeping at Harry Potter’s birthplace and childhood home in Godric’s Hollow.

Located in medieval Lavenham, the Grade I-listed De Vere House was built in the 14th century and features four-poster beds and traditional stone fireplaces.

You can separately book one of the two ensuite rooms, which have access to a guest sitting room where you can toast marshmallows and crumpets over the fire.

The stay also includes a full English breakfast and fluffy robes – but sadly no flying broomsticks.
You are required to book two nights minimum, which costs from £390.

Yew Tree Farm (Miss Potter)

Experience a slice of history by booking the exact home owned by Beatrix Potter herself in the 1930s.

The Grade II-listed 17th-century Lake District property also doubled as Hill Top Farm in the 2006 Miss Potter movie starring Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. 

The three-bedroom holiday rental comfortably sleeps six and comes with dark oak beams, four-poster beds, and antique furniture that belonged to Beatrix Potter. 

Guests can enjoy the surrounding fells, meet roaming Herdwick sheep, and relax in a private outdoor hot tub on the estate.

You can typically book the property out for around £750 per night.

The Spice Bus (Spice World)

It’s not only bricks and mortar filming locations that you can book. 

Spice Girls fans can have a night in the Union Jack-decorated Spice Bus, which featured in the 1997 pop movie Spice World.

Parked on the Isle of Wight, the original 1978 Bristol double-decker bus is now a cozy retreat that sleeps up to three people from £99 a night.

While it can be booked for nostalgic stays, it could also be the ideal party or hen do backdrop too.

Highclere Castle’s London Lodge (Downton Abbey)

Downton Abbey fans can step into the world of the privileged family by checking into filming location Highclere Castle.

While you can’t sleep in Lord Grantham’s main bedroom, you can stay on the Crawley family’s estate at the restored London Lodge for from £350 a night.

During the day, guests can wander the estate’s rolling parklands and enjoy views of the main castle facade. 

Porthpean House (About Time)

Nestled right above the coastal waters in St Austell, Cornwall, this 19th-century manor served as the beloved family home of Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) and his dad (Bill Nighy) in Richard Curtis’s About Time film. 

Known off-screen as Porthpean House, the 12-bedroom property sleeps up to 21 guests and opens straight out onto rolling lawns that lead down to a secluded beach. 

Guests can spend their time in the grand drawing room complete with a piano, play croquet on the grass, or potter barefoot down to the water just like the Lake family. 

Not only is it available for private family rentals, but also weddings too. 

Lostwithiel Manor (Poldark)

This wildcard rental is The Lostwithiel Manor Estate that sits deep in the Cornish countryside, four miles from Lostwithiel.

It’s a property perfect for a wedding, or special event due to its sprawling size.

Lostwithiel Manor that has been the filming location for so many shows from The Three Musketeers, My Cousin Rachel, Delicious starring Dawn French and of course, Poldark.

One guest said: “Fires and candles lit every morning. Flowers from the garden on the tables. Relaxed, attentive staff with a genuine love of the house and its history.”

The nine-bedroom property has a library, gallery, a drawing room with a working fireplace, and a beautiful garden room.

If you fancy getting married or having a party at a filming hot spot, head to Oliverstravels.

Bella Swan’s House (Twilight)

If you grew up watching Twilight, you will recall the iconic 1930s home used for the interior and exterior filming of Bella and Charlie Swan’s house.

Costing around $450 (£350) per night, the Oregon property has been kept as a homage to the 2008 hit film.

Movie memorabilia and photographs fill every room of the five-bedroom property, and you can even eat at the same dining table where Charlie and Bella shared their meals on screen.

Villanelle’s Art Nouveau Apartment (Killing Eve)

Many Killing Eve fans will recall the striking flat that assassin Villanelle stayed in during the third season of the show. 

Located in Barcelona‘s trendy Gràcia district, it features lofty ceilings and stained-glass details.

Not only can you soak up the stunning architecture in the two bedroom flat, which is around £232 per night, but you also get access to a garden pool.