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Several Hollyoaks actor have fallen in love with their Channel 4 soap co-stars from Rory Douglas-Speed and Nadine Mulkerrin to Ruby O’Donnell and Nathaniel Dass

Love is in the air in Hollyoaks village.

Numerous romances and real-life weddings have blossomed on the set of the Channel 4 drama since its debut in 1995.

The continuing series is renowned for its passionate plotlines which have featured countless love triangles and explosive affairs across the last 30 years.

It’s hardly shocking that many stars from the acclaimed continuing drama have carried their romance beyond the cameras throughout the years.

Whilst certain relationships amongst cast members fizzled out, others clearly remain rock solid.

As the soap marks its 30th anniversary, let’s take a look at some of the couples still together.

Ruby O’Donnell and Nathaniel Dass

The latest romance to blossom from the fictional village is Ruby O’Donnell and Nathaniel Dass.

Ruby, best known for her role as Peri Lomax, and her beau Nathaniel, who debuted as Dillon Ray in 2023, might not cross paths on screen often but off-screen their romance is blossoming since going Instagram official in 2024.

The actress marked their first anniversary on Instagram by sharing a series of loved-up snaps. She delighted fans by posting a quartet of adorable pictures, alongside the caption: “1 year with u” capped off with a pink heart pierced by a blue arrow.

Gregory Finnegan and Ariana Fraval

Hollyoaks heartthrob Gregory Finnegan previously shared scenes with his real-life wife Ariana Fraval.

The actress portrayed DS Cohen in the programme with her husband Greg playing scheming solicitor James Nightingale.

The duo exchanged vows in 2011 and Ariana has posted some personal photographs from their wedding day on Instagram.

DS Cohen was brought in to examine the demise of Gregory’s on-screen love interest, Harry Thompson.

The duo shot multiple scenes together during that period, and viewers were thrilled to discover that the two performers are actually wed in real life.

Anna Passey and Kyle Pryor

Kyle and Anna, famous for portraying Hollyoaks adversaries Laurie Shelby and Sienna Blake, disclosed their romantic involvement in 2019, the identical year his character Laurie met his end.

Following their decision to cohabit and unveil their secret behind-the-scenes romance, Anna revealed to New magazine: “We just don’t feel the need to put it out there.

“It’s nice to keep something for yourselves. But we’re not trying to keep it private to build the mystery. We became really good friends first and it went from there.”

Sienna remains a Hollyoaks mainstay and Kyle made his way back to the Hollyoaks studios in 2021 to kiss Anna on-screen due to coronavirus filming restrictions.

Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory-Douglas Speed

Rory and Nadine met on the set of the Channel 4 soap and got engaged in December 2018 after dating for just over a year.

The actor proposed just weeks after they filmed their characters’ Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter’s wedding.

Nadine previously told OK! that they aren’t in a rush to tie the knot after welcoming two sons.

“We’ve been too busy to make plans,” the actress said at the time.

“We got pregnant, we moved out, then the world went crazy with COVID, then we got pregnant again. I’d love to have a wedding when the boys are older, so they’ll remember it.”

Danny Mac and Carley Stenson

Danny and Carley both appeared in Hollyoaks but the pair didn’t meet on the set of the Channel 4 soap.

The talented duo never appeared on the programme at the same time and actually met in a pub back in 2011.

Speaking on Loose Women previously, Danny explained: “We met in a pub in London when she was doing Legally Blonde on the West End. I went to see a mate who was in it at the time and we met in the pub after and that was it.”

Former Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Danny portrayed Dodger Savage in Hollyoaks from 2011 until 2015 and recently reprised his role.

Carley took on the role of Steph Cunningham in the programme from 2000 until 2011. The pair revealed their engagement in March 2016 and subsequently tied the knot in September 2017.

Danny and Carley are parents to two children.

Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy

Former Hollyoaks stars Luke and Daisy revealed their engagement whilst on holiday in Greece in August 2019.

The actor dropped to one knee and proposed on the beach in front of Daisy’s family.

Daisy was eager to share the delightful news on Instagram, with photographs displaying her “dream” engagement ring that Luke had crafted.

“She said yes,” Luke captioned the same photo in Greek on his profile, before translating the phrase into English and adding: “Daisy is going to be my wife. I’ll take that.”

Luke portrayed Jesse Donovan on Hollyoaks from 2016 until 2020, whilst Daisy departed her role as Kim Butterfield in late 2018.

The couple first met back in 2011 through a mutual friend and are now married and parents to two children.

Emmett Scanlan and Claire Cooper

Claire, who played Jacqui McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2006 to 2013, met her now-husband Emmett in 2010 and they got hitched in New York on New Year’s Eve in 2015.

Emmett previously reminisced about their wedding day with The Sun, saying: “It’s something I’ll never forget. Everyone got behind the wedding with such love that it was overwhelming at times.”

Emmett and Claire have two chidlren and the actor also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am

The Great British Bake Off star Iain Ross has been a firm fan favourite on the Channel 4 baking show, but some viewers have only just noticed one thing about him

The beloved Channel 4 programme The Great British Bake Off has returned to our television screens as hopeful contestants compete to claim the title of Britain’s finest amateur baker, with Iain Ross, from County Derry, Northern Ireland, already capturing the hearts of countless viewers. Yet some are only now cottoning on to exactly who the 29-year-old software engineer bears a striking resemblance to.

Iain, who harbours a passion for live music alongside his sourdough obsession, originally had zero intentions of gracing the show with his presence, but when his girlfriend Dervla refused to accept defeat, he eventually submitted his application. Channel 4 audiences are undoubtedly thrilled he did, with legions branding him ‘adorable’ across social media platforms.

However, others are now spotting another fascinating detail about him – his uncanny likeness to a particular children’s television character.

Which character might that be, you wonder? None other than Sir Gadabout from the beloved children’s tale Zog, which has since been transformed into an animated BBC production.

A viewer named Katie recently took to X to highlight the remarkable similarity, penning: “For weeks I’ve struggled to think of who Iain reminds me of and it took my son wearing his Zog pyjamas for me to finally realise that it’s Sir Gadabout. #GBBO.”

Clearly, numerous others shared her observation, as the post accumulated over 66,000 views alongside thousands of likes.

One individual responded: “Thank you. I’ve been thinking exactly the same thing!”.

Meanwhile, another chimed in: “Oh my goodness! Absolutely nailed it!”

A third chimed in: “Thank you, I’ve been so confused why he looked so familiar,” while a fourth said: “You are not wrong!”

A further fan exclaimed: “It’s literally him,” while another simply concurred: “Yes!”

Speaking about securing his spot on the programme, Iain told Radio Times: “Every step of the way I kept it a secret from everyone apart from Dervla, I didn’t think I’d make it to the following stage and I didn’t want to let anyone down.

“Then when I got the call to confirm my place I was in sheer disbelief, I had no idea it would actually happen.”

He added: “I thought it was a prank at first, I got a call a few minutes after being told and I thought they were going to tell me they made a mistake and I wasn’t actually on the show!”.

“I was in the office at work and had to go out to the foyer to take the call and speak in code, everyone who was walking past heading to the toilet looked very concerned and confused.”

Iain, who lives in Belfast with Dervla and their cat Victor, disclosed on the programme that he was planning to pop the question to her, and has since announced on his social media pages that she said yes.

His heartfelt post featured Dervla flaunting a dazzling ring with Crawfordsburn waterfall in Northern Ireland as the stunning backdrop.

Captioning the snap, he penned: “Don’t suppose you know anyone who can make a decent wedding cake?”

He then added: “A picture at this waterfall every year for the past 8 years, and a special lil one to complete the frame.”

After my marriage ended, I blithely thought it would be easy to enjoy holidays as a single parent. I soon found out they were either outrageously expensive, or they seemed only suitable for “traditional” families, or they were so cheap that I came home more knackered than when I’d left.

My first attempt, camping with friends, was fine until I had to pack up the tent. Four hours of wrestling with it in the heat later, I hated camping. Next, the adventure holiday for single-parent families. The abseiling and caving were brilliant, but sleeping in a bunk bed ruined my back. We tried a budget all-inclusive in Tenerife, but the hordes of nuclear families were overwhelming, and pool-side conversations with other women fizzled out because I didn’t come with a handy husband for their own husbands to talk to. A trip to Mallorca with a friend and her children was brilliant, but the cost was eye-watering.

Then, last autumn, a friend asked if we’d house-sit her dogs in Devon while she went to a wedding. For one tranquil weekend, we walked on the beach, and curled up by the fire in the evening. That led to house-sitting for her friend in Dorset, which also went well. Encouraged, I paid an annual £99 fee to join a house-sitting website, where, in exchange for looking after people’s pets, you stay in their homes free of charge. Within a few days, I’d arranged a 10-day house-sit in Sussex, looking after a labrador named Buzz while his owners were abroad.

It was our first sit for strangers, but any nerves dissipated the moment we arrived at the gorgeous four-bedroom house and met the gentle Buzz, who lived for tummy rubs. Our daily dog walks gave us the opportunity to explore stunning nature spots, and, once we returned home, we could relax in the garden for important conversations about our favourite “Ghosts” characters in the BBC sitcom. There were no expensive tourist traps to traipse through – instead, we browsed bookshops, treated ourselves to manicures, and went on kayak trips. I felt lighter and happier than I had in years, and could feel my bond with my daughter Polly strengthen every day. I’m not afraid to say that I cried with happiness. Things felt possible again.

House-sitting isn’t for everyone. Some people want no responsibilities on holiday apart from choosing their next cocktail, aren’t into dogs or cats, or feel odd about sleeping in a stranger’s bed, emptying their dishwasher, and putting out their bins. But the gentle rhythm of ordinary life, with work stripped out and new places to explore, is perfect for me.

It keeps me from descending into complete idleness, which leaves me feeling twitchy and oddly hollow. And, financially, house-sitting is a life-saver for a single parent. A 10-day break in a similar-sized house in the same area we stayed would set me back about £2,500 on Airbnb.

As for staying in a stranger’s house, I found it nourishing. Although house-sitting is a transaction, it’s also an act of trust between strangers and animals, which has brought out my best self – my patient, loving and measured side, full of appreciation for the people and places we discover. I’ve already lined up another four days away, caring for a whippet in leafy Surrey, and, next year, I’d like to try house-sitting abroad. Thanks to a bit of creative thinking, we can see the world from the comfort of home – it just happens to be someone else’s.

BRITISH actor James Norton has said he “worked hard” to perfect his Dublin accent for his upcoming series House Of Guinness.

Norton, 40, plays Sean Rafferty, foreman of the Guinness brewery, in the eight-part Netflix series from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

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House Of Guinness brings to life the real scandals, power struggles and generational secrets of Ireland’s most famous family.

The series reimagines the fallout from Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death, set against the backdrop of 19th-century Dublin and New York.

The Happy Valley actor said he was adamant to get the accent right.
Norton said: “I worked hard. I was aware that many actors have gotten it wrong, and the Irish are a proud bunch so if you get it wrong, you hear about it.

“I worked hard and had great guidance from my fellow cast members.”
Norton, who recently starred in and co-produced historical drama series King & Conqueror for BBC One, said he learned a lot about 19th century Irish history from the Guinness show.

He said: “It’s always a privilege, and part of our job is being given the opportunity to explore periods of history we might not otherwise encounter.

“For me, it was a massive revelation. I hadn’t realised how influential the Guinness family was on Dublin’s architecture, or the extent of their welfare and philanthropic efforts, like the pensions and support they provided, which are portrayed in the show.

“They were also pioneers as a brand, becoming one of the first multinational drinks companies and dominating North America as the biggest beer brand of their time. It was both eye-opening and an incredibly thrilling journey to delve into all of that.”

The show explores the impact of Sir Benjamin’s will on the futures of his four adult children: Arthur, played by Derry Girls actor Anthony Boyle; Edward, portrayed by Enola Holmes star Louis Partridge; Anne, played by The Responder actress Emily Fairn; and Benjamin, portrayed by Normal People actor Fionn O’Shea.

Boyle, 31, whose character is homosexual, said he drew inspiration from Irish poet and writer Oscar Wilde for his role.

He said: “I looked a lot at Oscar Wilde, particularly because of the threat of someone finding out about your sexuality at that time and you could have resulted in 20 years of hard labour, which is essentially a death sentence, which is what Oscar Wilde was sentenced to.

“And reading a lot of his work, like the Ballad Of Reading Gaol.”

Boyle, who leads the series, said he is particularly proud that the programme showcases Irish culture.

“I’m really, really proud Irish culture is having such an amazing moment right now on the global stage and I feel really, really proud of having artists like Kneecap and Fontaines DC being on the soundtrack. It’s class.”

Knight, 66, who is writing the script for the next James Bond film, said the series’ ability to showcase Irish culture is like a “Christmas present”.

He said: “It’s not an effort to force it in, it’s already there. And then there’s that whole generation of Irish music, along with this incredible generation of young Irish actors.”

Knight added that the Guinness family provided an excellent stimulus for dramatic storytelling.

He said: “I was immediately surprised no one’s done this because the story is dynamite, the characters are so interesting and the dynamic of the family. It’s all there ready for you.

“There’s the reading of the will, which is a dramatic moment. Sir Benjamin Guinness leaves millions of pounds, along with land, lakes and castles. Yet his four children are all left unhappy with the terms. They must then go on and live their lives. It’s fantastic.”

House Of Guinness premieres on Netflix on Thursday.

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Jack Stooks spent 21 years working at the royal residence of Highgrove House and Gardens

King Charles III’s former gardener of 21 years has revealed what it was really like maintaining the landscape garden at the Royal residence.

Jack Stooks was responsible for Highgrove House and Gardens, one of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s most cherished homes in Gloucestershire.

Speaking on Friday’s This Morning, Jack not only provided gardening tips but also disclosed how he secured his position and recounted the occasion he gatecrashed King Charles’ honeymoon with Queen Camilla.

Jack told presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary: “I went on honeymoon with the King!” prompting Dermot, 52, to ask: “What’s that all about?” whilst Alison, 50, gasped: “You gatecrashed it?”

Clarifying what had occurred, Jack recalled: “After the wedding at Windsor, I got to do some cut flowers from the King’s garden, from the Queen’s garden and actually take them down to the wedding. They were actually used at their wedding!”, reports the Express.

“After the wedding, there were trees and things that came out of the chapel and I took those up to Scotland, to Birkhall, so I got to plant them with the King, which was amazing!”

Meanwhile, Jack disclosed how he landed his role, saying: “I wrote and asked for a job, there I was at Highgrove!” following an encounter with the King at his aunty and uncle’s residence where he “seemed nice”.

Noting he served as a gardener for 21 years, he continued: “I left last year! [That job] just from a simple letter!”

Jack previously shared with the Mirror about the King: “He was very much on the ball all the time. If he came home at the weekend, he would be out in the garden checking what’s been done, what hasn’t been done.”

The King, according to Jack, had a deep affection for his garden and would often make comments indicating his keen interest.

“He would be like, ‘This needs doing, that needs doing’,” Jack remembered. “So, it was really good to know that you’re working for somebody that actually took everything in.

“He was interested in the garden he knew what was going on. So, we all had the sense of satisfaction that we would get something right and know that it was actually being enjoyed and admired by the person who owns it.”

Catch This Morning on weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV X

One person determined to get away despite the cost is Lauren Wright. The 20-year-old from Essex started working at 15 purely to fund her travels, juggling several jobs at the same time

A woman worked five jobs to save up to travel the world.

Going on holiday is not cheap. Research commissioned by travel insurance provider Staysure showed that families have had to slash their holiday budgets by an average of £941 in recent years, with the cost of a holiday now just over £2,800. As a result, 44% are now more likely to opt for a staycation than a trip abroad.

The desire to travel is still incredibly strong despite the costs going up. Holiday bookings have risen by about 10% in the UK this year, according to the Advantage Travel Partnership, despite overall growth hanging around close to zero.

One person determined to get away despite the cost is Lauren Wright. The 20-year-old from Essex started working at 15 purely to fund her travels.

READ MORE: Holidaymakers livid as upside-down hotel that inspired Star Wars faces demolitionREAD MORE: You’re right that European tea tastes rubbish – there are reasons why

“I am very fortunate to have such supportive and loving parents who made my saving process easier than most. I had very minimal outgoings, and therefore, every penny I made, I was able to save for my trip. I reached out to friends who had taken very similar trips and asked how much they had saved, setting myself a goal of around £14,000 as I never wanted to run out of money or feel like I couldn’t participate in a once-in-a-lifetime activity while I was away. I have always been good at saving my money, saving more than spending, from the time I started working at 15,” Lauren told Omeo.

“I combined the money I had been saving since the age of 15 with the money I made during the six months I spent working various jobs, in order to make sure I had the money I needed in the pot. I worked as a lifeguard, duty manager, team leader, receptionist and recreational assistant in various roles, most of them being zero-hour contracts, which allowed me to work as much or as little as I wanted. I jam-packed those six months, sometimes working 60-hour weeks and 18-hour shifts, going straight from one job to another throughout the day.”

Saving to travel didn’t come without sacrifices, either. Lauren cut back on a number of things she considered luxuries in order to keep her savings pot growing.

“I stopped eating out as much, reduced the amount of takeout coffee I would buy whilst out and about and started making more at home to save money. I also reduced the number of pub trips I went on with friends. Most importantly, I stopped all unessential shopping unless I was buying something that I was going to be able to take on my travels,” she continued.

Lauren’s best advice for those wanting to save money to travel the world is to research other people’s journeys on social media, especially TikTok.

“I did a lot of TikTok research, watching videos on how much money people spent per location and for their entire trip. I used all these figures to set a budget for myself. I budgeted around £30 a day while I was in the more ‘budget-friendly’ countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos. This £30 a day would include my hostel or hotel, food, activities and basic fees such as my SIM card and laundry. I had a separate budget for activities, which was definitely needed to make the most of my trip,” Lauren added.

READ MORE: Passengers warned ‘routine’ airline rule means they might not get seat they paid forREAD MORE: UK caravan owners ‘devastated’ and ‘lost everything’ as holiday site suddenly closes

“In the more expensive countries like Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia, I would attempt to budget by seeing how much I was spending daily and trying to stick to that average, like £60 a day, which also included accommodation, which was much more expensive in these countries. I also didn’t eat out as much in Australia and New Zealand, and often opted for grocery shopping and cooking in the hostel’s kitchen.

Thanks to her savvy saving, Lauren has managed to visit many countries around the world.

“I have backpacked to Dubai, the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, as well as being lucky enough to travel a huge chunk of Europe, too. I initially started travelling with my boyfriend, but we broke up on the trip, causing me to travel solo, which taught me so many lessons and helped me to meet amazing people I may not have met otherwise. I wouldn’t change my travels for the world, and I can’t wait to see even more of the world as I continue to grow,” she said.

A WOMAN busted her bigamist husband’s secret marriage after the second wife gave birth at the hospital where she worked.

Vaithialingam Muthukumar from India married his Singaporean wife in 2007 – only to cheat on her 15 years on.

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He then moved to Singapore and got into a relationship with Salmah Bee Abdul Razak, a younger work colleague.

She reportedly knew about his marriage.

In 2022, Muthukumar married Salmah in a secret wedding, promising he would divorce his first wife.

The sick liar managed to juggle both wives until last year, when Salmah got pregnant.

She was rushed to a hospital for delivery, which also happened to be Muthukumar’s first wife’s workplace, according to CNA.

To his nightmare, Muthukumar was caught emerging from the hospital’s delivery suite – where no guests were allowed – by his first wife.

When confronted, Muthukumar revealed he was secretly married to Salmahn in a bigamy, which is a criminal offence in almost all countries.

Salmah later reported to the Ministry of Manpower that he was still married to another woman, leading to a police probe.

Investigations revealed that Vaithialingam had also lied in immigration documents when applying for permanent residency as the spouse of a Singapore citizen.

He falsely declared he had no other marriages, though his application was rejected.

Muthukumar pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiring to commit bigamy and another for making a false declaration in his permanent residency application.

A Singaporean court jailed him for three months and three weeks.

Bigamy carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and a fine of up to Singaporean $7,800 (£5,800).

It comes after a Brit bigamist married his 16-year-old stepdaughter while wed to her mum – then had children with both of them.

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John Ingram, 69, changed his name so he could tie the knot with the schoolgirl in a 1988 ceremony in Kent attended by his wife.

The sick liar then went on to father several children with the mum and daughter, although many of the kids were unaware who their dad was.

Ingram’s vile web of deceit was only discovered in February 2020 – a staggering 32 years after he committed bigamy.

He was facing a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty to the offence, but was spared jail.

Ingram was instead handed a two-year community order and told to pay £450 in total.

WASHINGTON — President Trump said Monday that he ended his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and threw the now-disgraced financier out of his private club in Florida after Epstein betrayed him more than once by hiring people who had worked for him.

Trump did not say what the people’s jobs were or where they worked, and the White House had no immediate comment. But with the fresh comments, Trump shed a little light on the reason why he has said he had ended the relationship with Epstein, though Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, recently said on X that, “The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep.”

Epstein killed himself, authorities say, in a New York jail cell in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Trump and his top allies stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death before Trump returned to power and are now struggling to manage the fallout after the Justice Department said Epstein did in fact die by suicide and that it would not release additional documents about the case.

The president and his allies, some of whom are now in the administration, had promised to release the files.

The case has dogged Trump at home and abroad and even followed Vice President JD Vance during an appearance in his home state of Ohio on Monday. A small group of protesters assembled outside a factory in Canton that Vance toured, holding signs that spelled out “JD Protects Pedophiles” and indicating that “GOP” stands for “Guardians Of Pedophiles.”

The Republican president spoke at his golf property in Turnberry, Scotland, as he sat with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the leaders had met and were answering questions from U.S. and U.K. journalists. Asked to explain why the relationship had faltered, Trump said, “That’s such old history, very easy to explain, but I don’t want to waste your time by explaining it.”

He then explained, saying he stopped talking to Epstein after “he did something that was inappropriate.”

“He hired help and I said, ‘Don’t ever do that again,’” Trump said. “He stole people that worked for me. I said, ‘Don’t ever do that again.’ He did it again, and I threw him out of the place, persona non grata.”

“I threw him out and that was it. I’m glad I did, if you want to know the truth,” Trump added.

Trump recently directed Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi to seek the public release of sealed grand jury transcripts in the case. One federal judge has denied that request; a second judge has yet to rule.

Vance on Monday visited the factory to promote Trump’s tax cut and border bill, but also addressed the Epstein matter, saying the president wants “full transparency” in the case.

“The president has been very clear. We’re not shielding anything,” Vance said in response to a reporter’s question. “The president has directed the attorney general to release all credible information and, frankly, to go and find additional credible information related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.”

“Some of that stuff takes time,” Vance said, adding that Trump has been “very clear. He wants full transparency.”

Trump had said back in 2019 that Epstein was a fixture in Palm Beach but that the two had had a falling-out a long time ago and he hadn’t spoken with Epstein for 15 years.

Trump on Monday also denied contributing to a compilation of letters and drawings to mark Epstein’s 50th birthday, first reported on by the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper said the letter believed to be from Trump included a drawing of a woman’s body.

“I don’t do drawings of women, that I can tell you,” Trump said.

Superville writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Julie Carr Smyth in Canton, Ohio, contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump promised to shake up global trade – and he says that is now paying off.

The United States has signed an investment deal with Japan, worth more than half a trillion dollars.

That follows Washington’s new trade agreements with the Philippines and Indonesia – all touted as wins by the administration from Trump’s policy of applying pressure through tariffs.

But are these short-term gains that could mask longer-term risks?

And who is winning – and who is losing?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests:

Tomohiko Taniguchi – Special adviser at the Fujitsu Future Studies Centre

Eric Ham – Political analyst

Nathalie Tocci – Director of Instituto Affari Internazionali

Former check-in agent Ashley Bautista debunks the truth behind an overweight baggage hack that many think will lead to them avoiding last minute fees

Working at one of the busiest airports in the world has taught me some tips and tricks when it comes to travelling – and one hack Brits think will work can actually backfire.

Now that the summer holidays have begun, many Brits are looking forward to spending time away from home. As light as your summer clothes might feel, don’t be fooled, as they can add up in the suitcase. That’s when your bag becomes overweight.

And there’s nothing more infuriating than arriving at the check-in desk and being told that your bag is overweight by a few kilos. Naturally, no one wants to leave their items behind, and no one wants to be financially stung on-the-spot. If you’re travelling alone, most of the time there aren’t any other options but to pay the extra fee, which tends to be expensive.

READ MORE: Tiny suitcase label which ‘guarantees’ your luggage is first off the plane

Different rules apply to all airlines, which is why it’s always good to check the weight allowance per passenger. These can vary between 23 kg and 32 kg, depending on the airline and the ticket fare. However, it’s important to note that no piece of luggage can contain more than 32kg, and this stern rule applies at all UK airports.

Mick Temple, managing director of Heathrow, said: “We are committed to implementing safe working practices airport wide, which is why we want to make sure that all our airlines adhere to the same guidelines to help lessen manual handling injuries among airport staff.”

READ MORE: Airport worker’s suitcase hack that means it comes off the plane first

Lifting your suitcase doesn’t work

As a former check-in agent, I would play the game of pretending that I didn’t see the person I was checking in had a kilo or two more than their allowance. However, there would be occasions when their bags would be too heavy as per the airport’s health and safety guidelines.

Don’t even try lifting your suitcase slightly to reduce its weight on the scales by also trying to distract the check-in agent, because it doesn’t work.

With honesty and a good attitude, if you’re lucky, the agent may waive the excess baggage fee if your luggage is a little bit over the limit, usually up to 2kg. Nonetheless, depending on the circumstances, exceptions can be made.

Passengers have to remember that check-in agents are travellers themselves, and they understand the feeling of having to open up a suitcase in the middle of the queue and rearrange it under pressure. During these occasions, the most important thing is to remain calm. If you’re travelling internationally, you should arrive at the airport two to three hours before your flight to avoid the stress.

Efforts should also be made to weigh the case before you come to the airport to avoid these awkward moments. No one wants to start their holidays on the wrong foot, right?

I used to find airports stressful. I mean, I still do – I’m the sort of person who glides mindlessly through security only to be swiftly apprehended (“Er, madam, why is there a litre of water and four bottles of sun cream in your bag?”). But I find them a little less stressful these days. I put it down to the fact that I mostly travel alone. I can arrive as early or as late as I want, drink as many overpriced coffees as I fancy and not go into total unadulterated panic mode when I grossly underestimate the distance to the gate. Because this is my holiday – and my holiday only!

Travelling solo is a pleasure, a tonic, and occasionally a character-building experience (more on that later …). I started doing it by accident. I was 29 when a friend couldn’t make a trip to Paris at the last minute. I went anyway, and also decided to make my life 500% harder by only speaking French, which I hadn’t done since I’d left university several years earlier. Having this goal also distracted me from the fact that I was visiting museums, galleries and restaurants alone, something that can seem almost taboo in a world set up for couples, pairs and groups.

Luckily, people definitely care less in Europe. I have floated around bars by myself in Barcelona; sampled the best Korean food for one that Toulouse had to offer; gone to the beach solo in Marseille; and almost caused security incidents on various European trains by trailing an illegally large suitcase behind me.

Over the past few years, it has become my thing. The people I used to go on holiday with were getting married, having kids or moving away. I didn’t want to wait for anyone to be free, so I started booking more solo jaunts, figuring that long-term financial stability was overrated anyway, and maybe a little incompatible with the freelance life I had chosen. It felt like a good mix of joyful and nihilistic.

There are challenges, of course, like the time that I had a heinous bout of food poisoning in Montreal, and found myself alternating between throwing up and sobbing (the French did at least help with the cleanup operation). But, travelling by myself is ultimately very freeing. I get to decide my timetable (read: start my days after noon), or maybe even extend my trip.

If I fancy some social time I might book into an art class or go to a language exchange (usually free, if you buy a drink at the bar it’s hosted in). But other than that, I quite like drifting – and starting one of the many books I carry around at home but never read.

I love a group trip, but travelling solo makes me pause, think, and stop nattering for a minute. I’m grateful for the peace – and for Duolingo.

Twelve weeks into the season, the Dodgers are already turning to a 12th different starting pitcher in their revolving door of a rotation.

For Ben Casparius, it’s an opportunity he’s patiently waited for all season.

Though Casparius is technically still a rookie, the 26-year-old right-hander has seen a lot in his young MLB career. Last year, he went from starting the season as an overlooked double-A prospect (one who didn’t even get an invite to big-league spring training) to finishing it pitching key innings in four postseason games, including as an opener in Game 4 of the World Series.

This spring, a rash of bullpen injuries ensured he’d have a spot on the opening-day big-league roster. More injuries to top right-handed relievers pushed him into a de facto leverage role.

At every step, the former fifth-round draft pick has excelled, posting a 2.86 ERA over 44 innings this year with 46 strikeouts and only nine walks.

Along with fellow rookie reliever Jack Dreyer, Casparius has become one of the unsung heroes responsible for helping the first-place Dodgers overcome their injury-riddled start.

“We don’t win this game tonight without Ben,” is the kind of quote manager Dave Roberts has uttered more than once, and most recently after Casparius pitched 2 ⅔ scoreless innings of relief in a come-from-behind win against the New York Mets on June 3.

“He’s had to grow up really quickly for us,” Roberts added that night, “and he’s got the respect of his teammates.”

Now, however, Casparius is getting a new level of respect from the team’s decision-makers, too.

After exhausting virtually all their other starting pitching alternatives to this point — from struggling minor-league arms such as Landon Knack, Bobby Miller and Justin Wrobleski, to a bulk-inning option such as Matt Sauer — the Dodgers are finally entrusting Casparius with a starting role.

For all the value he brought in the bullpen, they simply couldn’t afford to keep him out of the rotation any longer.

“Where we were at [earlier this season], we felt that there was more value [having him come] out of the ‘pen and being kind of a versatile type reliever,” Roberts said. “But where we are at now currently, he’s certainly showing that he’s 1 of 5.”

Casparius got his first shot at a more traditional start on Wednesday in San Diego, producing four innings of one-run ball in an outing he didn’t know he was making until the night before.

In the days leading up, the Dodgers had lost Tony Gonsolin to an elbow problem — already their fourth starter to get injured just since the start of the season. They had demoted Knack to the minors, and watched Wrobleski give up four runs in six innings to the St. Louis Cardinals as his replacement. They saw Sauer get roughed up as a bulk-innings pitcher Tuesday against the Padres, and Miller implode in a 10-run outing in triple-A that same night.

Suddenly, the team was down to just three healthy starters it could trust: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May and Clayton Kershaw.

Emmet Sheehan might be part of that group before long, continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery with a third triple-A rehab start on Thursday in which he pitched 3 ⅓ innings (once he completes four innings, Roberts said, he will be a viable option for the big-league club). Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are also making progress towards returning, though none of them are likely to be back until sometime next month.

Emmet Sheehan, left, with Ben Casparius and River Ryan during the World Series ring ceremony in March, made his third triple-A rehab start on Thursday.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Thus, with a Wednesday rubber match against the Padres looming, the Dodgers decided to reassign Casparius from multi-inning reliever to their latest fill-in starter.

“We like this kind of transition right now,” Roberts said. “Figuring out how we get through this period before we get other guys back to health … potentially there’s a chance to continue to build him up, which right now makes sense.”

In a win over the Padres that kept the Dodgers in sole possession of first place of the NL West entering another key series this weekend against the San Francisco Giants, Casparius responded with quality production. He limited damage (with the help of an Andy Pages outfield assist) to one run during a bases-loaded jam in the second. He retired the side in order in each of the other three innings he pitched.

Most notably, he also fought to take down an inning more than initially expected — lobbying to stay in the game for the fourth despite Roberts’ pregame assertion he likely wouldn’t pitch past the third (not since May 5 had Casparius thrown more than three innings in an outing).

“He wasn’t going to come out of that game after three,” Roberts said. “He wanted to stay in for the fourth.”

It gave Casparius the chance to flash his full arsenal of starting-caliber stuff; from a big-breaking combination of sweepers and curveballs, to a late-biting cutter that can induce soft contact, to an upper-90s mph fastball that, one point, even Padres star Manny Machado outwardly endorsed, pointing to Casparius with an approving nod of his head after swinging through a 98-mph heater up in the zone for a first-inning strikeout.

“I saw that,” Casparius said. “He’s one of the best players in the game, so it’s pretty cool.”

Casparius also showcased his evolved mental approach.

During his minor-league career, Casparius started in 57 of his 79 career appearances. Moving to the bullpen full-time at the start of his major league career gave him perspective he believes will benefit him in his return to a starting role now.

“Taking that reliever mindset, pitch by pitch, inning by inning, has helped me to slow the game down in general,” Casparius said. “So I think it’s been kind of a blessing. And then whatever happens going forward, I think I can just use that to keep going.”

Eventually, Casparius could be shifted to the bullpen again. Once the Dodgers get healthier, his value as a multi-inning relief option will likely mean resuming his swingman role.

But for now, Roberts has already confirmed that “the next time he’s on the mound, it will be as a starter.”

And for a pitcher who, despite his success out of the bullpen, has continued to view himself as a starter long-term, it represents an opportunity that might have been borne of out necessity, but was also long-ago earned.

“Obviously, I’ve been doing it for the majority of my professional career, so it’s something I’m comfortable with routine-wise,” Casparius said of starting games. “I’m just looking forward to what’s going on and what’s coming up next.”

A BEAUTY buff has shared how she banished her forehead wrinkles for good after ageing her skin with sunbeds.

Despite long being linked to cancer and banned in countries such as Australia and Brazil, sunbeds are still popular in the UK – and in fact, it seems that their use on the rise.

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Last year, a survey by the charity Melanoma Focus found that 28 per cent of UK adults use sunbeds, rising to a whopping 43 per cent among 18 to 25-year-olds.

In another study from Skin Health Alliance, 60 per cent of young people admitted to sunbed use, with 25 per cent using them on a frequent basis.

But while just one sunbed session can increase the risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 67 per cent, it’s also worth remembering the skin ageing factor.

Sunbeds emit extremely high levels of UV radiation, which damages the skin’s collagen and elastin fibres, leading to wrinkles and a loss of elasticity, warned Public Health Agency.

The faux golden glow can also cause increased melanin production, leading to the formation of sun spots or age spots, which can appear as dark patches on the skin.

One former beauty buff, Chloe White, recently took to TikTok where she showed the damage caused by soaking up the harmful UV rays – as well as how she drastically improved the appearance of her skin.

”I used to use the sunbeds and it aged my skin a lot quicker than I wanted to,” the young woman said in the video where she also shared a snap of her wrinkly forehead.

As well as saying goodbye to sunbeds, Chloe began to take better care of her skin – which also included using retinol.

Ideal to start incorporating into your routine as you approach your mid to late 20s, retinol increases skin cell production.

As well as unclogging pores, it also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.

While the high street is full of different retinols to suit every budget, there are also more affordable options – such as
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion Serum, £15.20 at Boots.

”Look at my forehead now – compare to that picture.

”I was actually thinking about getting Botox and I thought ‘Before I start injecting my face with things, why don’t I just try this?’

”And it was worked so, so unbelievably well for tightening up my skin.”

The blonde beauty went on: ”The only thing that I didn’t know when I started using it is that you do have to wear SPF as well, because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.

”But yeah, it’s worked amazing compared to what my wrinkles used to look like,” said Chloe, adding it too her just two weeks to see results.

”I actually promise I have no filter on my skin, my sister in law came over and she’s in her 30’s BEST SKIN EVER and that’s what she said she uses, never looked back,” said the TikTok who posts under the username @chloe.w.hite.

Risks of sunbeds

THE promise of a constant glowing tan is too tempting for some people to deny.

But while popping to the sunbed shop may seem harmless, people who use tanning beds should be aware of the risks.

Approximately 10 per cent of the population of Northern Europe use sunbeds on a regular basis, the World Health Organization says.

Some people use them for years on end, accumulating risk of serious disease.

We are here to give you the lowdown on sunbeds and if they are safe to use.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sunbeds are as dangerous as smoking.

Like the sun, they give out harmful UV rays that damage the DNA in your skin cells.

Over time, this may lead to malignant melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – studies have shown.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is significant evidence to show that using tanning beds causes melanoma.

They report that sunbeds increase the risk of skin cancer by up to 20 per cent, and also state that they have no positive benefits to our health.

Cancer Research back this statistic, adding that ” there is no such thing as a safe tan from UV radiation”.

One study found that sunbeds can almost double the risk of cancer compared to never using them – with women 83 per cent more likely to develop the disease.

While some people think tanning beds are safer than sitting out in the midday sun, according to Cancer Research, the risk is still twice as high when compared to spending the same amount of time in the Mediterranean sun at lunch time.

The Sunbed Association claim there is not enough evidence to link sunbed use with melanoma, adding: “It is over-exposure and burning that will increase a risk of skin cancer, not responsible UV exposure.”

But the WHO says: “The majority of tanning parlours provide inadequate advice to their customers.

“The use of eye protection such as goggles or sunglasses should be mandatory.

“However, as sunbed users aim to have an even tan, they often decide against protecting any part of their body.”

Referring to the link with skin cancer, the world health experts add: “Sunbeds for self-tanning purposes have been available for the last two decades and due to the long latency period for skin cancer and eye damage it has been difficult so far to demonstrate any long-term health effects.

“Even though the causes of malignant melanoma are not fully understood, tumour development appears to be linked to occasional exposure to intense sunlight.

“Sunbeds subject their users to intermittent high exposures of UVA and UVB radiation – this may provide the ideal setting for the development of malignant skin cancer.

“However, the few epidemiological studies that have been carried out to date have not provided any consistent results.”

Despite the WHO’s cautious stance on the skin cancer link, it discourages the use of sunbeds, quoting an expert who said the use of tanning parlours is like “an industrial-scale radiation exposure experiment”.

Regardless of skin cancer, sunbeds don’t just have long-term health risks.

Users have reported a range of short-term symptoms including itching, dryness and redness of skin, freckling and photosensitivity.

Common outcomes in the longer term, especially in fair-skinned people, may involve blistering of the skin.

“Sagging and wrinkling of the skin are an almost certain price to be paid by frequent sunbed users”, the WHO says – not quite the outcome you hope for when going to the sunbed shop for a beautiful, youthful look.

How to use retinol?

The beauty bag must-have, a form of vitamin A, is to be added to your evening skincare routine – and never in the morning.

Before you use a retinol product for the first time, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to see if you have any negative reactions.

If, after a couple of days, your skin patch isn’t very red or itchy, you can safely add it to the skincare regimen.

Fabulous’ Beauty Editor, Tara Ledden, explained how to safely use this beauty bag must-have to reap the benefits.

Once you wash your face in the morning, pile on the nourishing products, too. 

The golden rule is that less is more. Less product – a pea-sized amount should cover your whole face, using more won’t make it work faster – and less frequently.

Start with one night a week, then after a few weeks, once you know your skin is tolerating it, scale up to twice a week for a few more weeks and so on.

Don’t be disheartened if your skin can only handle it every other night, you’ll still be reaping the rewards and it’s better to use it consistently over a longer period than ramp it up and have to take a break because your skin reacts.

Avoid sensitive areas, like around your eyes and lips, as that’s almost guaranteed to cause problems, and our skin is porous so enough of the product will creep towards both when applied further away.

If you’re impatient, retinal works faster than retinol – yes, one letter makes all the difference.

Both have to convert into retinoic acid before unleashing their skincare benefits, and the former is one step further in that process, which many dermatologists I’ve spoken to mean it’s also kinder to skin, and better tolerated by those of us with sensitive complexions. 

A 20-year-old university student has shared her concerning experience of working in bars along Tenerife’s party strip, Playa De Las Americas. She now has a warning for other holidaymakers looking to work on the island

At the tender age of 20, having finished my second year at university, I embarked on a memorable adventure to Tenerife with a friend. We had landed jobs as bartenders and had our own flat just a stone’s throw from all the excitement in Playa De Las Americas – the island’s party central.

The thrill of independence was what excited us most. Like many young holidaymakers on the island, it was our first taste of such freedom. The resort is the ideal blend for a party holiday – a stunning beach hosting numerous boat parties, a plethora of bars featuring top DJs serving cheap drinks, and other fun-loving tourists ready for a good time.

However, there’s a darker side to the island, a hidden underbelly – a serious drug underworld. It’s easy to see how some unsuspecting Irish and Brits abroad can innocently land themselves in hot water, reports Wales Online.

READ MORE: ‘Hidden’ Greek island is ‘Europe’s cheapest holiday destination’ with few tourists

Seven years ago, working and living in Tenerife was an absolute dream – I loved it so much that I returned for another season the following summer. Despite earning less than €4 an hour and serving drinks six nights a week, I was having the time of my life.

Our days were spent lounging by the pool or basking in the sun on the beach, while our nights were dedicated to serving drinks with a smile. When we finished work, we had VIP access to all the top festivals and lively parties.

However, the vibrant nightlife came with an unspoken rule that you’d indulge in a tipple whilst on shift. In these tourist magnets, being a bartender wasn’t just about shaking up cocktails – you were expected to be the heart and soul of the party.

When the bar crawls descended, it was your signal to leap onto the bar, bust out some dance moves, and pour spirits directly into the party-goers’ mouths. That said, cavorting around on the bar wasn’t exactly my idea of fun – a sentiment my boss hinted at when they suggested I “needed to be more fun like the other girls”.

Eventually, I switched to a karaoke bar frequented by hen and stag parties, which didn’t exactly enhance my views on love, especially seeing how often newlyweds departed with the evening’s entertainers.

I observed other bars engaged in more sinister activities, serving as sanctuaries for dealers throughout the night. Many young workers on the strip, oblivious to the grave risks, found themselves entangled in perilous situations linked to these dealers.

Directing drug-seeking tourists to these dealers would net them a swift €10. Meanwhile, my mate and I were practically begging for tips just to be able to afford a drink, unlike others who seemed to live without such financial concerns.

While drinking on the job was encouraged, there were penalties for overindulgence. The punishment? A €50 fine, which was more than we made in a night.

We also had to dedicate three or four hours each week to giving the bar a thorough clean. If we failed to turn up, we faced another €50 fine.

The two summers I spent there were certainly memorable, but I consider myself fortunate not to have encountered any significant issues – except for the occasion when my handbag was snatched from me as I strolled home.

Every country or city has its challenges, but these party hotspots appear to operate within their own lawless microcosms. To all young people setting off on your first party holiday, have fun, but stay vigilant.

READ MORE: When Tesco F&F’s next 25% off sale starts as supermarket brand shares major news

FAN-favourite Survivor star Jane Bright – who won $100,000 in the reality TV show – has passed away aged 71.

Her daughter Ashley Hammett announced the tragic news of her mum’s passing on Thursday, saying that she was found dead in her home.

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She died nearly 15 years since appearing on the CBS competition series.

Bright was born in North Carolina, and worked as a dog trainer before appearing on Survivor in 2010.

After being crowned as fan-favourite on the show, she earned $100,000, but missed out on the $1million first place prize.

The beloved TV star placed 6th out of 20 contestants on season 21 the reality game show, and started the season in the Espada tribe.

She was known for her straight-talking personality and underdog story.

Her daughter announced her death on Facebook, saying: “Today Jane Hammett Bright was found passed away within her home by a good friend and county sheriff.”

Grieving fans poured out on social media, with many remembering her iconic moments on Survivor.

One fan said: “RIP. She was iconic, she had some of the most entertaining moments on that (slightly underrated) season.”

Another said: “Rest in peace Jane. one of if not the best part about Nicaragua.”

The user added: “She was a legend and of my favourite that season. I really wish I could have met her. RIP Jane.”

Her cause of death is currently unclear.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

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