worst

Consumer group Which? has ranked hotels based on customer feedback – with pub chain Wetherspoons given a ‘great value’ gong and Premier Inn losing Recommended Provider status as it slips down the list

The Britannia Hotels chain has been ranked the worst place to stay for the 12th year running in a poll, as Wetherspoons beat Premier Inn and took home the ‘top value’ prize.

Consumer group Which? gave Britannia, with more than 60 sites, a lowly customer score of just 44%. It managed just one star out of a possible five for the quality of its bedrooms and bathrooms.

One Britannia customer at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent, described witheringly as a “total dive”. Another said they had three nights booked but left after one because of the poor service, room and food.

READ MORE: Beautiful small town perfect for autumn is home to one of the world’s best hotelsREAD MORE: UK’s 5 most ‘underrated’ Christmas markets that offer ‘better value and local crafts’

Britannia’s chain include a number of historic and landmark hotels. They include Liverpool’s famous Adelphi, which scores just 2.6 out of possible five on Tripadvisor as the website says guests “frequently cite noise issues due to thin walls”. Britannia’s Grand Hotel in Scarborough gets an even lower 2.4 on Tripadvisor, which says rooms are “basic and dated, with mixed reports on cleanliness.”

The firm’s hotel in London’s Docklands has been the scene of protests amid reports it was being used to house asylum seekers. It has been given a score of 2.8 on Tripadvisor. The Britannia group is controlled by tycoon Alex Langsam, who also owns holiday camp Pontins and was criticised after its Southport’s site sudden closure in early 2024.

The Mirror confronted Mr Langsam at the time at his 10-bedroom mansion in Cheshire. But when asked if he had anything to say to the workers who left in tears, he claimed: “It’s nothing to do with me, I am nothing to do with Pontins.”

Top in the Which? large hotel category was a pub chain with 35 inns. The Coaching Inn Group received a customer score of 81%, with “often historic buildings located in beauty spots or market towns where they aim to be ‘the best venue in town’.”

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon, which has over 50 hotels across the country, was also praised. It came fifth and was the only chain to be awarded a Which? Great Value badge. At just £70 for an average night’s stay, Wetherspoons got four stars for value for money and the majority of other categories, including customer service. One guest commented that the hotel was “clean, comfortable and good value”.

It came above Premier Inn, which slipped to seventh in the large chain table, and lost the Which? Recommended Provider status. While customers still ranked Premier Inn’s beds as some of the most comfortable in the survey, some guests told Which? their stay wasn’t good value and suggested that standards were slipping.

One guest said that “Premier Inn has lost its way. Prices no longer budget levels and service is no longer a priority”. An average night’s stay is £94. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “A night away should be a real treat but with hotel prices climbing, finding a hotel chain that consistently offers comfort, good customer service and a charming location at a fair price has become harder. “

A spokesperson for Premier Inn said: “At Premier Inn we help millions of people have a great night’s sleep and sell over 20 million room nights every year to families, leisure and business guests. We’re pleased that the 2,746 Which? members who answered for Premier Inn as part of this summer survey awarded us five stars for bed comfort and that they also rated our customer service and cleanliness highly.

“Whether it’s our estate-wide roll-out of brand new, high-quality beds all with a choice of soft or firm pillows, providing relaxing shower products in every room or keeping our food and drink menus updated with new offers to tempt and excite customers, we’re continually investing in our guest experience. We are always looking to improve and welcome comments and feedback– indeed we actively seek them through our own customer surveys. We will certainly pay special attention to address anything that feedback suggests we need to.”

Britannia Hotels was contacted for comment.

Pickpocketing is a major issue in popular tourist cities such as Barcelona, but it’s not Spain that tops the list as the prime location for this slick-fingered crime

While Barcelona is infamous for its high levels of pickpocketing, it’s not Spain that takes the crown as the prime hotspot for this nimble-fingered crime. Despite pickpocketing being a major issue – particularly for tourists – in Barcelona, the problem is rampant across Europe and beyond, with one European holiday destination dubbed the “worst” for light-fingered theft.

In tourist-heavy areas, holidaymakers must be extra vigilant with their belongings, especially in airports, train stations, underground systems, hotel lobbies or even while strolling down certain streets. UK travel insurance firm Quotezone.co.uk revealed last year that it had pinpointed where travellers were most likely to fall prey to pickpockets, singling out a location visited by 3.5 million Brits each year.

Tourists have corroborated the research with reviews on one particular visitor hotspot warning of “a lot of pickpockets in the area”. Data gathered by Quotezone showed that Italy was the prime spot where tourists are likely to be separated from their possessions by nimble-fingered thieves.

Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain has been flagged as a hotbed for pickpocketing, with the landmark boasting over 100,000 reviews – and hundreds of mentions of “pickpockets” on TripAdvisor, reports the Express.

As a site that becomes packed from spring through to summer, visitors are cautioned to “be careful” at this “beautiful” Roman landmark.

One disgruntled holidaymaker took to TripAdvisor to vent: “You have to elbow your way to the front of the fountain. Many people gather in front and sit for hours, so sitting is almost impossible.

“We didn’t spend more than 15 minutes. Be aware of pick pockets, as you are body to body in front and around the fountain.”

Another tourist, also reviewing on TripAdvisor, described a “beautiful fountain” but warned that the area was “extremely crowded”, cautioning others to “beware of this area” due to “lots of scams and pick pockets”.

According to research by Quotezone, Italy tops the list as the prime hotspot for pickpockets, closely followed by France, with the Eiffel Tower in Paris being particularly notorious.

Currently, Google reviews of the Eiffel Tower reveal over 800 visitors citing pickpockets as a problem – and the area is swamped with tourists throughout the year.

One Google reviewer shared their experience, describing the Eiffel Tower as “enormous and breathtaking”, but they also issued a warning.

The visitor penned: “It’s a very popular place, so expect big crowds; people from all over the world gather here to admire the monument and take in the scenery.

“Because of that volume of visitors, be mindful of your belongings. Pickpockets operate in crowded tourist spots, and there are street hustles and game scammers who may try to distract you or pressure you into playing quick ‘games’ that aren’t fair.”

The reviewer added: “Keep bags zipped and close, avoid carrying valuables in easily accessible pockets, and politely decline invitations from anyone hawking games or insisting you join impromptu activities.”

Quotezone’s comprehensive European pickpocketing index has revealed Italy as the top spot, with France coming in second and Spain taking third place. These rankings are based on mentions of “pickpockets” or “stolen” per million visitors.

The researchers reached their conclusions by analysing the number of mentions of “pickpocketing” or “stolen” on traveller review websites for Europe’s top destinations, compared to the number of visitors to each country.

Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, warned: “Theft can happen anywhere, and tourist hotspots are convenient places for criminals to target holidaymakers’ wallets and purses while they are busy taking in the sites.

“Many holidaymakers are unaware that some of the most popular destinations for Brits have some of the highest incidents of pickpocketing in Europe.

“Our research revealed some surprising results with Italy having the most pickpocketing mentions, yet France and Spain have much larger volumes of tourists.”

According to data from Quotezone, the “worst” European countries for pickpocketing are:

1. Italy
2. France
3. Spain
4. Germany
5. Netherlands
6. Portugal
7. Turkey
8. Greece
9. Poland
10. Republic of Ireland

There are a few places on a plane that are best avoided, and if you’re looking for a few ideas, some experts have shared their top tips for finding a seat that’ll make your trip more comfortable.

Jetting off on holiday is always exciting, especially during the chillier months when the idea of swapping the UK for somewhere warm and sunny is enough to lift anyone’s spirits. However, even if you’re simply heading to a European destination, the journey there isn’t always plain sailing.

We’ve all endured the horror of a dreadful flight before. Whether it’s down to discomfort, fellow passengers’ antics, or something else entirely, it can cast a shadow over your holiday before it’s even started.

So, to help travellers kick off their trips on the right foot, I decided to consult some experts about the worst spot on the aircraft to reserve your seat – and they all had very similar answers.

Nearly all of the specialists I spoke to agreed that the very last row of the aircraft might not be your best bet if you’re after a peaceful journey, reports the Express.

Nicholas Smith, Holidays Digital Director at Thomas Cook, warned that anyone who struggles with turbulence will want to steer clear of this section. He explained: “Seats at the very back are typically less desirable. They are close to the galley and restrooms, service can be slower, food choices may be limited, and it is also the area where movement during turbulence feels strongest.”

He also emphasised the importance of being organised when reserving aircraft seats. This often comes at an extra charge, but if you’re anxious about securing a decent seat, then there’s a good chance it’ll be money well spent.

The expert continued: “Thinking about your priorities in advance also makes a difference – nervous flyers will be more comfortable over the wings, those with a tight connection should choose an aisle near the front, while couples booking a row of three might secure the window and aisle, leaving the middle free for a chance at extra space.”

Izzy Nicholls, a travel expert and founder of road trip blog The Gap Decaders, agreed, saying: “Seats at the back are best avoided. They’re typically noisier because of engine proximity and galley activity, and you’ll be among the last to board and leave the plane.”

Unsurprisingly, the front of the aircraft proved to be the best location for the smoothest experience. Izzy explained: “Travellers who want a calmer journey should book seats at the front of the plane. This area is away from restrooms and heavy foot traffic, so you’ll experience fewer interruptions.

“Choosing an aisle seat here also gives you the freedom to stretch your legs and get up easily without disturbing others. Select these placements to make long flights more comfortable and reduce the effects of motion.”

The rear section of the aircraft isn’t just problematic for comfort – it’s also less ideal when it comes to storage space, particularly if you’re late boarding. Jacob Wedderburn-Day, CEO and Co-Founder of luggage storage firm Stasher said: “Avoid sitting near galleys and toilets, where staff members often store their things in overhead bins, leaving less space for passenger baggage.

“The last few rows are a concern because if you board late, the bins above you may be filled, which means you may have to store your luggage several rows away. Also, stay away from seats that are located behind bulkheads, as these spaces often have limited storage.”

Travel expert Andrea Platania from Transfeero also warned passengers to avoid the back row when flying, explaining: “The very last row is typically the least desirable: limited recline, proximity to bathrooms, and more cabin noise. Middle seats anywhere are usually least popular unless you’re traveling in a group.”

However, for those seeking maximum legroom, there are two areas offering the most space. Andrea said: “Exit-row and bulkhead seats offer more space, but they come with trade-offs: fixed armrests, limited recline, or restrictions for passengers traveling with children.”

And for travellers prone to airsickness during turbulence, one specific location is recommended. The expert added: “Sit over the wings. This area is closest to the aircraft’s centre of gravity, so you’ll feel less turbulence compared to the back, where bumps are magnified.”

West Ham’s miserable Premier League campaign continued with a defeat at Leeds on Friday which ensured their worst start to a season for 52 years.

The result was their third consecuitve defeat under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who remains winless since replacing Graham Potter in September.

The Hammers, who sit 19th in the table, have recorded just one win this season and ironically it arrived against Nottingham Forest, when Nuno was in charge at the City Ground.

A dismal return of just four points in total represents West Ham’s joint-worst at this stage of a league campaign, with the club replicating that tally in the second tier in 1932-33 and 1973-74, when they finished bottom.

Having been appointed with the task of making sure West Ham don’t suffer a relegation that would leave them outside the top flight for the first time since 2011-12, Nuno, who took a point in his first match against Everton, is struggling to find answers.

“There is many problems in our club unfortunately. It is not up to us to hide ourselves behind the problems. Everyone has to be alive and to do much more and be in the right position,” said the Portuguese.

“We were not dealing with our defensive situations and I felt like we needed a striker to hold the ball, so maybe that’s not the greatest from me.

“These kind of mistakes are unacceptable in the Premier League.”

Nuno, also the first West Ham boss to fail to record a win from any of his first four Premier League games since Manuel Pellegrini in September 2018, added: “There is quality there, there is time, but nothing will happen if we don’t change.

“We must change our attitude, we must change the way we approach things, we must commit ourselves better, prepare better, work harder.

“All the things – that is the reality. We don’t expect things to change by themselves. Realising we have time can be a mistake if we don’t change things around quickly.”

This seaside town has recently been in the spotlight for negative reasons but I was surprised by what I found there

This seaside town has been previously dubbed the “worst seaside town” in Yorkshire by a Which? poll, a label that has made national headlines and painted a bleak picture of life on the coast. It is true that Bridlington faces its share of challenges: a third of residents live in some of the most deprived areas of England and child poverty rates are among the highest in the region.

The most recent Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) ranked Bridlington South as the 45th most deprived area in England out of 32,844 areas, a measure that takes into account income, health, housing, education, and quality of life. Data from the East Riding Intelligence Hub (2021/22) also found that 69.2% of Bridlington neighbourhoods are among the 10% most deprived nationally.

But to call it “the worst” is not fair or accurate and to stop with that statistic would be to miss half the story. Despite the grim headlines, tourism brings nearly five million visitors to Bridlington every year. The harbour remains one of the busiest shellfish ports in Europe, and it’s not called the “lobster capital of Europe” for nothing.

An impressive 300 tonnes of lobster arrive here annually, destined for markets across Europe and beyond. By the harbour you can also find delicious fish and chips at the Naked Fish on Queen Street, a recommendation given to me by Mike Cohen, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, who used to run the fishermen’s association in Bridlington.

Although the day wasn’t the sunniest, many visitors were out enjoying the sea air along the promenade, while families made the most of the golden sands and beaches that first made the town famous.

When I visited, I was surprised to find that Bridlington wasn’t the rundown resort I was expecting. Many of the headlines suggest a town in decline yet what I saw was a community that, while facing hardship, continues to show resilience, pride, and warmth.

Everyone I spoke to was incredibly friendly, and many local residents spoke with passion about regeneration efforts, independent traders, and the year-round events like the iconic Bridlington Regatta or the Bridlington Kite Festival that keep the town alive long after the summer crowds fade.

That welcoming, friendly spirit combined with a determined drive to overcome challenges and push for positive change is the main reason I’d return. It gives Bridlington a sense of warmth, resilience, and community that stays with you long after you leave.

The Old Town is a charming maze of Georgian streets, vintage shops, art galleries, and cosy cafés. It’s easy to see why parts of Dad’s Army were filmed here.

Down by the seafront, the promenade stretches for miles, perfect for a windswept walk with a bag of chips in hand.

In the town centre, the impressive 12th-century priory church offers a glimpse into Bridlington’s medieval past and a market selling a variety of different products as well as a range of independent shops.

The Bridlington Spa, a beautifully restored Edwardian theatre and events space, sits proudly on the South Bay and draws acts from across the UK from comedians and touring musicians to ballroom dancers.

Just a short drive away, you can also go see the beautiful Bempton Cliffs, a nature reserve famous for its breathtaking sea cliffs and is home to thousands of nesting seabirds, including puffins.

Bridlington may not be perfect, but it’s far from the “worst.” Behind the statistics and the surveys lies a town with grit, history, and heart, one that deserves to be seen for more than just its headlines and challenges.

Thrill-seeker Orson Bourne visited a theme park in Italy, but later outlined several complaints and branded it the ‘worst’ he’d visited – but people don’t agree with his assessment

A thrill-seeker has expressed his frustration by admitting he “felt so disappointed” after visiting one of the most popular theme parks in Europe. Orson Bourne travelled to Italy and headed to Gardaland – a park in Verona owned by Merlin Entertainments, which also operates Alton Towers, Legoland and dozens of other resorts and attractions.

The resort boasts numerous rides and ‘lands’ dedicated to a variety of well-known franchises, including Jumanji, Peppa Pig and Peter Pan – but Orson was clearly unimpressed as he revealed in a review shared to TikTok. “Gardaland takes the biscuit, it’s the worst theme park I’ve ever been to,” he said in a video.

Orson he had to “penetrate a wall of Italian policing” prior to entry, such is the high level of security enforced by Gardaland’s owners.

He continued to complain, claiming that ropes had “cut off” half of the park on his arrival owing to their later opening times.

Orson’s first port of call was the Jumanji ride, however, he was clearly less than impressed. “All it was was screens, pitch-black corridors and emergency exit signs,” he said.

Next was the rollercoaster, Sharman, which again didn’t live up to it’s billing, according to Orson. “I spent 20 minutes queuing up, but found it actually opens at 12 – not 11, or at 10 when the park actually opened.”

Orson moved on to the newly remodelled Dragon Empire only to discover the China-themed area was also closed until 12pm.

Like its UK cousin, Alton Towers, meanwhile, Gardaland is also home to an Oblivion ride, which sees guests plummet vertically through a black hole underground. “Only a 40-minute queue to get into the queue – where you have to then queue for another 80 minutes,” Orson alleged, pointing that the park’s app only stated a 60-minute waiting time.

He added that whilst it is longer than the Oblivion back home, the Italian ride “lacked any forces”.

Orson gave another coaster – Blue Tornado – “a miss” due to its 120-minute waiting time, before slating the park’s policy on drinks – alleging staff prevented him from refilling his bottle with water. “Coffee machines at other kiosks we broken so I gave up and bought a Coke instead,” he added.

Hoping to cool off on a water ride, Orson was again put off by a “two-hour queue” on the Fuga da Atlantide log flume, before his second attempt to ride Sharman proved futile as the ride broke down an hour after he joined the queue.

Orson continued, moving on to the ‘wing coaster’, Raptor. “I waited 20 minutes in the single-rider line and it’s advertised at 80 [minutes],” he said. “It’s only one train though. It’s diabolical… one train for your main coaster.”

He closed: “I hate to be a grouch, but I think I’m going to leave. The park’s getting busier and it’s open until nine and I’m just not having fun, so what’s the point?”

Orson couldn’t resist riding steel rollercoaster, Mammut on his way out though – something that left him pleasantly surprised. “Credit where it’s due,” he praised. “A fantastic family coaster, though not so fantastic with the operations – I was told ‘no single riders’, but luckily I was able to squeeze on.”

He summed the day up in a caption: “Never has a park been so disappointing. Jumanji was so high on my bucket list for dark rides but the ride just wasn’t in a good state, it felt old and uncared for, 0 immersion and broke done frequently. As did most of the park, Its a shame as the park has the infrastructure to be an amazing place. I struggle to find a positive.”

Writing in response, however, others detailed their positive Gardaland experiences. “Love Gardaland, I live close by and go there each summer with the ticket from 6pm,” one person said. “Last time I did 11 rides (Shaman twice, Raptor, Oblivion, Jungle Rapids, Prezzemolo Magic House). I think parks in US are better, but for Italy it’s fine.”

Another praised: “You were just unlucky to go on a crowded day. I’ve always gone in October during the week and the longest I’ve waited for any attraction has been ten minutes. I love Gardaland, but you have to go when you know that children are at school and many are working.”

And a third TikTok user added: “I went to Gardaland multiple times. You went on a busy day without express so that explains the queues. In my later visits the operation were awesome and they were running all trains and everything was good. Raptor is pretty forceful in my opinion.”

One individual who agreed with Orson, hit out: “Happens when there is no alternative. There are only 2-3 big theme parks in the whole country with actual coasters, all of them are always so busy at the point that it isn’t possible to have fun.”

A Gardaland spokesperson said: “We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us improve and offer the best possible experience at Gardaland Resort. We appreciate that this visitor’s experience did not meet his expectations, and we’re always committed to learning from such feedback to continue enhancing our guests’ enjoyment. Every season, we welcome millions of visitors who share very positive experiences, and we always strive to ensure that each guest leaves with great memories.

“Gardaland Resort welcomes around 3 million visitors every year and, in over 50 years of operation, has hosted more than 100 million people from all over the world. Our daily commitment is to offer memorable experiences to families and visitors of all ages, thanks to the quality of our attractions, food and beverage offerings, and the many dedicated services available.

“We understand that the guest’s visit took place during Gardaland Oktoberfest, one of our most popular seasonal events which – together with Gardaland Magic Halloween (currently underway) and Gardaland Magic Winter – has been attracting thousands of visitors for over 20 years, consistently receiving extremely positive feedback. As is the case in all major theme parks, waiting times can vary depending on attendance levels and attraction opening hours. An unfortunate single occurrence does not represent the experience that thousands of families enjoy at Gardaland every day, and we would be delighted to welcome this guest back to rediscover the magic of the Park.

“Confident that we will continue to offer magical and memorable experiences for all our guests, we remain available should the visitor wish to provide us with further details, so that we may look into this further.”

Broad retired from playing after the Ashes series in England in 2023, when Australia retained the urn with a 2-2 draw.

He added: “You wouldn’t be outlandish in thinking – it’s actually not an opinion, it’s a fact – it’s probably the worst Australian team since 2010 when England last won, and it’s the best English team since 2010.

“So those things match up to the fact it’s going to be a brilliant Ashes series.”

The first Test starts in Perth on 21 November and Australia’s preparations have been hit by the potential absence of skipper Cummins, who has not played since July because of lumbar bone stress in his back.

The pace bowler is still recovering from the injury and has said he is “less likely than likely” to play in the opener.

His absence would leave Australia with a bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, who are all in their mid-30s, with their other seamers inexperienced or untried at Test level.

The packed Ashes schedule – five Tests in seven weeks – also means both sides will be tested by injuries.

“Australia have been so consistent for a long period of time that you just knew who was going to open the batting, who was going to bat where, what bowlers there were – and they don’t have that,” said Broad.

“It’s very much a similar situation to 2010-2011 when England went and won there.

“The fact of the matter is Australia generally have to be bad to lose in Australia and England have to be very good.

“England have a great chance of being very good and Australia have a decent chance of being bad.

“I don’t think anyone could argue that it’s their weakest team since 2010… it’s just a fact.”

Graham Norton has finally revealed the Hollywood star he deemed to be his worst guest while hosting his BBC chat show as he describes the interview as ‘hell’

It is one of the main questions asked of TV chat show hosts and now, Graham Norton has finally revealed who has been his worst guest on The Graham Norton Show. He has welcomed huge A-listers onto his red sofa for over 18 years but not all of them have been a joy to be around.

Step forward Hollywood royalty Mark Wahlberg. The legendary actor was invited on to the BBC show back in 2013 to promote his movie Broken City. And Graham believes that the star was under the influence, making the interview “hell.”

Presenter Graham, 62, was speaking at the Henley Literary Festival last week Friday when the claim was made. In a revealing admission, he shared: “Mark Wahlberg was a weird one because when he arrived, he didn’t seem drunk.”

READ MORE: ‘I was at Graham Norton Show and awkward Taylor Swift baby question was cut from air’READ MORE: Robbie Williams’ ‘prostitute’ admission leaves Julia Roberts speechless

He added: “He told me about his film, told me a couple of stories about stunts going wrong or whatever, and then it was only 15 minutes into the show when whatever the hell was in his system really took hold – and it was hell.”

Things became so bad, Mark interrupted other guests when they were asked questions, until Mark reportedly fell asleep while actor Michael Fassbender, was in the middle of recalling an anecdote.

According to The Independent, Graham continued: “I thought, ‘this one is going well – I wonder why’ and I looked over at Mark Wahlberg and he was asleep, so yeah, we don’t encourage that.”

Earlier this month, the future of his TV show was announced and it looks as though fans of the show can breathe a sigh of relief as it has been commissioned for another three series. The 34th series is set to air next year.

Speaking of the return of his hugely popular show, the legendary presenter said of the news: “Getting to host my own chat show is a huge pleasure as well as a privilege. I’m thrilled that the BBC are allowing me to continue for another three years. The whole team is looking forward to bringing the world’s brightest stars into the homes of the great British public!”

And Head of Entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight said: “We are thrilled that The Graham Norton Show will remain a flagship part of the BBC’s entertainment offering for another three series. Graham sets the gold standard for celebrity interviews and continues to attract the best global talent to his sofa, it’s no wonder that the show remains so beloved by our audiences.”

Graham will continue to work with So Television production company as well as the BBC. Managing Director of So Television Graham Stuart, went on to say: “We began the Norton Talk Show journey in 1998 and have never felt like stopping. So happy the BBC feel the same way.”

But it’s not just his work life that appears to be busy, so too is his home life as the TV star is currently in the middle of moving home after selling both his London and New York properties. Informing his podcast fans of the move, he said that the whole situation has left him “frazzled.”

Addressing the move on his Wanging On with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane, he said: “I’m very frazzled. We are attempting to move. We are very lucky in that we are able to move slowly, bit by bit. But the house we are moving out of, which I didn’t think had that much stuff in it.”

READ MORE: Shoppers say hair removal device ‘results speak for themselves’ and it’s £140 off

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

In hindsight, Mookie Betts made the mystery of his worst career season sound rather simple.

Looking back on it now, the reasons were right there all along.

There was the stomach virus at the start of the year, which caused him to lose 20 pounds and develop bad swing habits while overcompensating for a decline in physical strength. There was the defensive switch to shortstop, which occupied much of his focus as he learned a new position on the go.

There was also an unfamiliar mental strain, as the former MVP slumped like he never had before.

There was a newfound process of having to flush such frustrations, forcing the 12-year veteran to accept failure, concede to a lost season, and reframe his mindset as the Dodgers approached the fall.

“I just accepted failing, so my thought process on failing changed,” Betts said in an introspective news conference on the eve of the playoffs.

“Instead of sulking on, ‘Well, I tried this and it failed, now I don’t know where to go,’ I just used it as positive things, and eventually turned.”

Betts’ full season, of course, will remain a disappointment. He posted personal low-marks in batting average (.258) and OPS (.732). He spent most of the summer with his confidence seemingly shot.

But from those depths has come a well-timed rebirth.

Amid a year of continuous turmoil, Betts finally found a way to mentally move on.

Over his final 47 games of the regular season, he batted .317 and nearly doubled his home run total, jumping from 11 on Aug. 4 to 20 by the end of the term.

During the Dodgers’ 15-5 finish to the schedule, he was one of the lineup’s hottest hitters, posting a .901 OPS that was second on the team only to Shohei Ohtani.

In the club’s wild-card-round sweep of the Cincinnati Reds, Betts’ production was even more prolific. He had six hits in the two games, including three doubles and three RBIs in the series clincher Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.

And afterward, having helped the team book a spot in the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, he reflected on his turbulent campaign again — attributing his recent success to the grind that came before it.

“I went through arguably one of the worst years of my career,” Betts said. “But I think it really made me mentally tough.”

All year, speculation swirled about the root causes of Betts’ struggles, which saw him miss the All-Star Game for the first time in a decade and bat as low as .231 through the first week of August.

His shortstop play was the most commonly blamed public culprit. The correlation, to many, seemed too obvious to ignore.

At the time, Betts pushed back against that narrative. He noted the MVP-caliber numbers he posted during his three-month stint at the position in 2024.

But this week, he finally granted some credence to the dynamic, putting the difficulties of the transition in a different, but connected, context.

“It’s hard to go back and forth,” he said of the balance between learning the fundamentals of shortstop while also trying to work through his offensive scuffles. “It’s a learned behavior going back [and forth] between offense and defense.”

This wasn’t a problem for Betts when he played right field, where he has six career Gold Glove awards.

“When I was in right, I didn’t have to do that,” Betts said. “I was just playing right. I didn’t have to think about it.”

At shortstop, on the other hand, he “had to think about everything,” from how to attack ground balls, to how to remake his throwing motion, to where to position himself for cutoff throws and relay plays.

“I was making errors I never made before,” Betts said. “I had never been in these situations.”

The Cincinnati Reds’ Spencer Steer is forced out at second base by Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts on a ground ball from Gavin Lux during the first inning of Game 2 of the National League Wild Card series on Wednesday.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

It hearkened back to something teammate Freddie Freeman said about Betts early in the season.

“It’s a lot to take on, to be a shortstop in the big leagues,” Freeman said in late May. “But once he gets everything under control, I think that’s when the hitting will pick right back up.”

Eventually, that prediction came true.

By the second half of the season, Betts finally stopped thinking his way through the shortstop position, and developed a comfort level that allowed him to simply play it.

“Now when I go out and play shortstop, it’s like I’m going out to right field,” Betts said. “I don’t even think about it. My training is good. I believe in myself. I believe in what I can do. And now it’s just like, go have fun.”

“Once short became where I didn’t have to think about it anymore,” he added, “I could really think about offense.”

Shortstop, of course, failed to explain the full extent of Betts’ hitting problems. Those started with the stomach virus he suffered at the beginning of the season, which wreaked havoc on his swing as much as his body.

Even after Betts regained the weight he lost, his strength remained diminished. It left his already underwhelming bat speed a tick lower than normal. It rendered his usual swing fixes ineffective as he battled mechanical flaws to which he struggled to find answers.

“It’s just hard to gain your weight and sustain strength in the middle of a season, when you’ve been traveling and doing all these things,” he said.

It felt like one domino kept bumping into the next. To the point where everything was on the verge of falling apart.

“My season’s kind of over,” Betts ultimately declared in early August. “We’re going to have to chalk [this] up for not a great season.”

That, though, is precisely when everything started to turn.

Moving forward, the 32-year-old decided then, he would commit himself to a new mindset: “I can go out and help the boys win every night,” he said. “Get an RBI, make a play, do something. I’m going to have to shift my focus there.”

Suddenly, where there was once only frustration, Betts started stacking one little victory after another. He would fist-pump sacrifice flies and ground balls that moved baserunners. He turned acrobatic plays on defense that refueled his once-dwindling confidence.

“When he kind of said that the year was lost, when he made that admission, that’s when I think it sort of flipped for him,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Just freeing his mind up.”

It helped that, down the stretch, Roberts committed to keeping Betts at shortstop; last year, the Dodgers shifted Betts to the outfield when he came back from injury in August.

“I take a lot of pride in it,” said Betts, who wound up leading all MLB shortstops in defensive runs saved this year. “At the start of the season, I wasn’t sure I would end the season there. I thought there may have to be an adjustment at some point, from lack of trust or whatever. I just didn’t know. So I’m just proud of myself for making it all the way through the year, and actually achieving a goal that I kind of set out to do: Being a major league shortstop, and say I did it and I’m good at it.”

His bat also started to gradually come around. Part of the reason was simple. “I was just able to finally get my strength back,” he said. But much of it was the result of hard work, with Betts spending long hours in the cage with not only the Dodgers’ hitting coaches, but former teammate and longtime swing confidant J.D. Martinez as well (who worked with Betts during both an August trip to Florida and a visit to Los Angeles for Betts’ charity pickleball tournament a few weeks later).

“I didn’t really have to try and add on power anymore,” Betts said. “I could just swing and let it do its thing.”

All of it amounted to one long process of Betts learning to move on. From his early physical ailments. From his persistent mental anguish. From a set of season-long challenges unlike any he’d previously endured.

“Slowly but surely,” Betts said, “started to get better and better.”

And now, entering Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, it has him back in a leading role for the Dodgers’ pursuit of a second straight World Series title: Starting at shortstop, swinging a hot bat, and having solved the mystery of a season that once looked lost.

“Better late than never,” he quipped Wednesday night. “It’s just one of those things where, you’ve just gotta keep going, man … So now, there’s just a different level of focus.”

Leg room can be an important factor for many passengers. Here are the airlines that offer the most room without having to pay extra

When it comes to jetting off, whether it’s a short-haul or long-haul flight, comfort is often a top priority. For those who are taller or struggle with leg space, the prospect of a cramped flight can be less than appealing.

The size of the seats and the amount of leg room can vary greatly depending on which airline you choose to fly with. As we head into the shoulder season for travel, many holidaymakers might be planning ahead for their Christmas or next summer.

Starting your holiday on the right note with a comfortable plane journey can be a deciding factor when choosing an airline. So, without having to fork out extra for additional legroom, which airlines offer the most space when buying a standard ticket?

According to a survey by consumer watchdog Which?, one airline offers more legroom than 15 other short-haul carriers from the UK. The survey measured seat pitch, which is the distance between your seat and the one in front – to determine legroom.

Taking the leading position is Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, offering 29 to 30 inches. However – British Airways provide the same amount of room with exactly the same pitch.

The poorest performer regarding leg space is TAP Portugal, which provides just 28 inches of legroom, reports the Express.

Here’s a rundown from the airlines offering the most legroom to those offering the least:

More so than with other directors, it’s always tempting to overly psychologize Paul Thomas Anderson’s films, looking for traces of his personal development and hints of autobiography: the father figures of “Magnolia” or “The Master,” the partnership of “Phantom Thread,” parenthood in the new “One Battle After Another.” Yet two things truly set his work apart. There’s the incredibly high level of craft in each of them, giving each a unique feel, sensibility and visual identity, and also the deeply felt humanism: a pure love of people, for all their faults and foibles.

Anderson is an 11-time Academy Award nominee without ever having won, a situation that could rectify itself soon enough, and it speaks to the extremely high bar set by his filmography that one could easily reverse the following list and still end up with a credible, if perhaps more idiosyncratic ranking. Reorder the films however you like — they are all, still, at the very least, extremely good. Simply put, there’s no one doing it like him.

Perhaps nothing marks Anderson as a filmmaker from the ’90s as much as his impeccable use of music, from the drowned-in-sound deluge of “Boogie Nights” to his ongoing collaboration with Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood as a composer. So just to add to the arguability of the following list, we’ve also noted a favorite song or two from each movie, the song titles often becoming surprise summations of the plots themselves.

This list is made in good faith, without any purposeful stuntery (honest). Feel free to let us know how your opinions vary.

Hi and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell, reminding you to return your tray table to its full upright and locked position before the regular season comes to a landing.

So, what do we talk about as we prepare for another postseason? The same thing we’ve been talking about pretty much all season. The bullpen. It hasn’t been all that great this year. There have been flashes of solid work, but for the most part, you hold your breath any time a reliever comes into the game.

And that’s the way it’s going to be all postseason. It doesn’t matter if the relievers don’t give up a run in the final six games of the season. It will still be nervous time once Game 1 against whomever begins.

One thing readers ask me often is, is this the worst Dodgers bullpen ever? Well, no, but let’s take a look:

Worst bullpen ERAs since the Dodgers moved to L.A.:

1. 1958, 4.74 (team record: 71-83)

2. 2001, 4.70 (86-76)

3. 1994, 4.69 (58-56)

4. 2005, 4.42 (71-91)

5. 1999, 4.37 (77-85)

6. 2025, 4.28 (88-68)

7. 1995, 4.22 (78-66)

8. 1979, 4.17 (79-83)

9. 1961, 4.15 (89-65)

10. 2006, 4.12 (88-74)

11. 2010, 4.07 (80-82)

Those are the only L.A. Dodger teams with a bullpen ERA over four. This year’s Dodgers are the sixth-worst among the 68 L.A. Dodger bullpens.

Just to complete the thought, here’s the 10 best bullpen ERAs since they moved to L.A. before the 1958 season:

1. 1968, 2.14 (76-86)

2. 1988, 2.35 (94-67)

3. 1966, 2.38 (95-67)

4. 2003, 2.46 (85-77)

5. 1983, 2.50 (91-71)

6. 2020, 2.74 (43-17)

7. 1989, 2.75 (77-83)

8. 1980, 2.83 (92-71)

9. 1978, 2.84 (95-67)

10. 1964, 2.86 (80-82)

Last season’s World Series champion team had a bullpen ERA of 3.53, which puts them around the middle of the pack, 30^th-best in L.A. Dodger history.

Now let’s look at the 10 worst again, but compare them to the league ERA that season. After all, a team with 4.10 ERA in a league that averages a 3.90 ERA is better than a team that has a 4.10 ERA in a league that averages a 3.20 ERA.

1958
Bullpen ERA: 4.74
League ERA: 3.95
Difference: +0.79

2001
Bullpen ERA: 4.70
League ERA: 4.36
Difference: +0.34

1994
Bullpen ERA: 4.69
League ERA: 4.21
Difference: +0.48

2005
Bullpen ERA: 4.42
League ERA: 4.22
Difference: +0.20

1999
Bullpen ERA: 4.37
League ERA: 4.56
Difference, -0.19

2025
Bullpen ERA: 4.28
League ERA: 4.24
Difference: +0.04

1995
Bullpen ERA: 4.22
League ERA: 4.18
Difference: +0.04

1979
Bullpen ERA: 4.17
League ERA: 3.73
Difference: +0.44

1961
Bullpen ERA: 4.15
League ERA: 4.03
Difference: +0.12

2006
Bullpen ERA: 4.12
League ERA: 4.49
Difference: -0.37

That 1958 bullpen, featuring Clem Labine, Fred Kipp and Johnny Klippstein was pretty bad, while the 1999 bullpen (Jeff Shaw, Alan Mills, Onan Masaoka) and the 2006 bullpen (Takashi Saito, Jonathan Broxton, Joe Beimel) don’t belong in the discussion of worst Dodger bullpens.

But we’re looking at this year’s bullpen, and while they are about league average, the fact is the Dodgers spent a lot of money in the offseason to make it one of the league’s best. Tanner Scott got four years, $72 million, a signing that at this moment looks pretty terrible. Kirby Yates (one year, $13 million) is worse than Scott on the mound. Most of the usual stalwarts are either not pitching well (Blake Treinen) or injured (Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol). The best, most consistent relievers have been Jack Dreyer and Alex Vesia, both lefties. Edgardo Henriquez has been good, but is still very green and has pitched only 17 innings this season. Anthony Banda has been solid. Michael Kopech can’t find the strike zone (13 walks in 11 innings) and is back on the IL. And so on. In short, there is no one you really say “I’m glad he’s in the game.”

By the way, an interesting stat: In the last five Dodger losses, the pitcher of record (which means he got the loss) was Treinen. A Dodgers starting pitcher hasn’t recorded a loss since Sept. 4.

Are reinforcements on the way? Maybe, but what can we expect out of those reinforcements, namely Roki Sasaki and Brock Stewart? It would be hold your breath time if they came in too.

The good news is that, especially for the first round, which lasts only three games at most, a couple of starters can go into the bullpen. Having Emmet Sheehan coming in for relief could be a welcome sight.

But basically, if you have feelings of dread over the bullpen, they won’t be going away before October. Think of it as the perfect Halloween feeling. Frightened and anxious.

This week

This week is about winning the division and securing home-field advantage in the first round. The Dodgers have a 2 1/2-game lead over San Diego with six to play. In effect, it is a four-game lead (the Dodgers are three games up in the loss column), because if the two teams tie, the Dodgers have the tiebreaker. The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch the West is three.

The Dodgers close with three games at Arizona and three games at Seattle. The Diamondbacks are fighting for the final wild-card spot, while the Mariners are fighting for the AL West division title.

The Padres close with six games at home. Three with Milwaukee, which has clinched the NL Central division title and is 2-1/2 games up on Philadelphia for the best record in baseball, and three with Arizona. The Padres beat the Brewers in extra innings Monday. They have a day off Thursday, while the Dodgers have no days off remaining.

The first round starts a week from today, with the Dodgers (hopefully) playing host against either New York, Cincinnati or Arizona.

Poll time

If all goes as expected this week and the Dodgers win the West, which team would you prefer the Dodgers play in the first round, New York, Cincinnati or Arizona?

Click here to vote.

It wasn’t the Dodgers’ fault

The Dodgers have received a lot of criticism recently for being money hungry in “putting Clayton Kershaw‘s final home game on Apple TV+.” And while there are times the Dodgers seek the almighty dollar, this wasn’t one of them.

As Bill Shaikin explains in this story:

“The exclusive broadcast rights for the game belong to Apple TV+, as part of a package of Friday night games bought from Major League Baseball. Apple is guaranteed a minimum of four exclusive broadcasts for whatever teams it chooses to air, according to a league official. Friday’s game will be the Dodgers’ fourth on Apple TV+ this season, so it remains exclusive to Apple.”

People close to the situation not authorized to speak publicly have said that the Dodgers asked for permission to put the game on a local channel so everyone could watch, but Apple was not keen on that idea.

Will Smith

The worst thing for the Dodgers in the postseason might not be the bullpen, it might be the fact that Will Smith has a hairline fracture of his right hand. He won’t play this week, and the Dodgers are hoping he will be back for the postseason. The Dodgers have played well in his absence, but it would still be nice to have one of your best hitters in the lineup.

He will be replaced as a starter by Ben Rortvedt, who has usurped Dalton Rushing in the catcher hierarchy for the moment. Why, well, as Jack Harris recounts in this story, the pitchers love the guy. The Dodgers have a 2.92 ERA in 14 games with Rortvedt behind the plate, compared to 4.00 for Rushing and 4.04 with Smith. Granted, it’s a small sample size and the rotation was beginning to surge before Rortvedt took over for Smith, but it’s still impressive for someone to come from outside the organization and fit in as seamlessly as he has.

Rortvedt is also hitting .270.341/.324 with the Dodgers, far ahead of his career numbers of .192/.280/.269.

Up next

Tuesday: Dodgers (Shohei Ohtani, 1-1, 3.29 ERA) at Arizona (Brandon Pfaadt, 13-8, 5.02 ERA), 6:40 p.m., Sportsnet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Wednesday: Dodgers (*Blake Snell, 5-4, 2.44 ERA) at Arizona (Ryne Nelson, 7-3, 3.34 ERA), 6:40 p.m., Sportsnet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Thursday: Dodgers (Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 11-8, 2.58 ERA) at Arizona (Nabil Crismatt, 3-0, 2.61 ERA), 12:40 p.m., Sportsnet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

*-left-handed

In case you missed it

Hernández: Roki Sasaki a playoff reliever? Don’t put it past desperate Dodgers

Shaikin: Clayton Kershaw was always at the heart of the Dodgers’ franchise revival

‘I’m really at peace.’ Why Clayton Kershaw decided to make resurgent 2025 season his last

And finally

Vin Scully calls Hank Aaron‘s 715th home run. Watch and listen here.

Until next time…

Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

PLANE passengers need to be aware of this one boarding pass code which could land you the worst seat on the entire plane.

Although these tickets are small, they hold a wealth of information about flight details – some of which could impact where you are sat.

2

At the bottom of a typical boarding pass there is often a SEQ number, according to Simple Flying.

This is also known as the “sequence number”.

It refers to the passenger boarding order for the flight.

For example, if your ticket reads SEQ08, it would mean you are the eighth person to check in.

With this information, you may be able to determine what seat you have been allocated.

Some airlines reportedly assign seats in the order of how travellers have checked in.

This means that people who were last to show up may be given a less desirable seat, reports say.

The SEQ code could also cause issues if the passenger is one of the last people to check in and the flight is full. 

In Groups

Other codes on boarding passes include the group number, with airlines like Air Canada and Finnair using these.

This code is designed to help make boarding easier.

It usually reads as something like “Group 1” or “Group 2”, which staff then call out at the gate.

These groups are often assigned based on things like families, passengers with disabilities and seating class. 

Enhanced Screening

Another common code on a boarding pass is “SSSS”.

This stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection – and works as an thorough security check.

It was created by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US.

Passengers who notice it on their boarding ticket should expect an “enhanced” screening.

This can take longer than normal security checks.

And it can sometimes cause delays for travellers who don’t anticipate this factor.

Overbooking

Some airlines can also overbook planes.

When everyone turns up without anyone pulling out of the flight, those who check in last are at risk of being transferred to a different flight. 

Another code that appears on boarding passes is the booking reference or reservation number.

The Passenger Name Record (PNR) is a six-digit alphanumeric code that appears on each and every boarding pass. 

This randomly-generated sequence labels you as a unique passenger.

It can help distinguish you in case you share an exact first and last name with another person on your plane. 

Every passenger’s PNR is essentially a detailed travel itinerary which includes a trove of data.

This includes things like flight details to meal preferences and even frequent flyer status.

2

Skye Taylor, 50, from Southampton, travelled the world with Virgin Atlantic for 16 years and has revealed the worst routes for drunk and disorderly passengers

A former cabin crew worker has shared her experiences of “absolute chaos” on certain routes where passengers consumed the most alcohol.

Ex-flight attendant Skye Taylor, who spent 16 years travelling the globe with Virgin Atlantic, made her comments after a discussion on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne show. Travel correspondent Simon Calder sparked the debate by questioning whether it was time to trial alcohol-free flights.

Simon highlighted an increase in individuals combining alcohol with prescription drugs, leading Claire to ask: “If the airlines decide that they’re going to trial this and ban the sale of alcohol on flights, does it not just encourage us to get tanked up at the airport?”

After the conversation, Skye, 50, from Southampton, argued that a complete ban wasn’t the solution. However, she did advocate for restrictions on alcohol, attributing most of the issues she faced on the job to alcohol-related incidents.

Offering a troubling insight, she revealed: “Long haul flights… It is absolute chaos sometimes. I had an absolutely awful experience in upper class. I am going to say it because it was awful.

“There were a lot of quite well off guys off to a boxing match in Vegas and because they were in upper class there was no control on how much they were drinking.

“They literally drunk the bar dry which led to some behaviour that I couldn’t imagine seeing, like trying to touch the cabin crew, just in general, awful.”

She revealed that passengers mixing alcohol with prescription medication often caused the biggest headaches.

Skye also urged travellers to exercise caution, revealing how one drink at 30,000ft in the air was equivalent to downing three on the ground.

The mum, who left the industry after developing insomnia, said some upper class passengers felt overly entitled after splashing out so much cash for their seat.

However, she insisted this shouldn’t give them the right to make cabin crew workers feel threatened.

And discussing the contrast in different destinations, she added: “It is crazy to see the difference in routes. Say you are going to Dubai, the majority of your passengers are not going to be drinking because they don’t drink alcohol (in Dubai), so there are very very few incidents on flights like that.

“But the rest of the time the incidents are caused by alcohol and it is scary, it is scary sometimes when you are up there.”

So what does Skye reckon are the worst flights for drunken behaviour?

Las Vegas

Skye discovered the American party capital Las Vegas was the worst flight when departing from the UK.

She explained: “On the way out it can just be carnage. Which does make you feel unsafe as crew and other passengers if they are flying with families and stuff like that as well.”

But the return journey is frequently vastly different.

She revealed: “It is very different, if you come back from Vegas nobody wants to drink on the way home, so it is a very different atmosphere. Everyone is relaxed, chilled, everyone is going to sleep. It makes your job very easy.”

Magaluf and Ibiza

Predictably, two of Spain’s most legendary party hotspots featured on Skye’s list of the most challenging flights.

While detailing some of her tactics for handling disruptive passengers (see below), Skye highlighted the destinations as among the most problematic on budget carrier routes.

Jamaica

Remembering a flight to the Jamaican capital of Kingston, she revealed “it was absolutely chaos”.

Skye added: “And it was a big aircraft but we had the staff to deal with it then and I think most airlines now don’t have the staff. They are down to minimum crew and that’s not leaving anyone to watch for people drinking because they are too busy.”

The most challenging route, she discovers, is from the UK to Las Vegas.

Following her description of Las Vegas as the most difficult route, Skye noted that paradoxically, on the homeward flight to England, nobody aboard wishes to drink.

‘Booze ban is not the answer’

According to the International Air Transport Association, air rage incidents have risen by 8% in the past year. And while not believing that an alcohol prohibition on flights was the solution, Skye did offer one recommendation.

According to Skye, most difficulties emerged when travellers brought aboard alcohol purchased in the airport, before uncorking the bottle during the flight. She firmly believes any booze bought in duty free should be collected during boarding, then returned after touchdown.

Skye reckons this would prevent passengers “acting like they are in Wetherspoons” which occurs on numerous routes.

She concluded: “It definitely needs tighter restrictions and even if alcohol is free on board, just reduce that, especially routes that cause the problems, so low cost routes it is going to be Ibiza, Magluf, that type of flight.

“Stop them bringing alcohol on that board, because that is when they act up. I don’t know how they get away with it anyway, it is purchased outside the aircraft and it shouldn’t be in their hands, that’s my opinion.”

Great Britain and Northern Ireland failed to win a gold medal at a World Athletics Championships for the first time in 22 years, as they secured their joint-lowest overall return since 2005.

GB ended the nine-day competition with a total of five medals, just managing to achieve their target of winning between five and eight.

That was level with their 2019 tally in Doha, while they last won fewer 20 years ago in Helsinki – where they finished with three.

The team’s fortunes were summed up in the event which provided their final medal opportunity in Japan, as the women’s 4x100m relay quartet – winners of Olympic silver last year – finished two-tenths of a second off the podium.

That confirmed Great Britain would fail to win a relay medal, of any colour, for the first time since Paris in 2003.

That was also the last occasion they finished without a gold.

The 64-strong British squad finished 21st in the medal table.

It comes after the team equalled their best haul of 10 medals to finish seventh at the previous World Championships two years ago.

On that occasion, they brought home two gold medals, three silvers and five bronze from Budapest.

They also achieved GB’s best return at an Olympics for 40 years with 10 athletics medals at Paris 2024.

Reflecting on the championships, Great Britain head coach Paula Dunn told BBC Sport: “Definitely a mixed bag. Five medals which is good and I’m pleased to see, and some missed opportunities.

“So it’s time for us to go back sit down with the coaches and athletes, reflect and do a review and see how we move forward.”

STRICTLY Come Dancing has seen some iconic pairings during its two decades on screen.

Tonight, the class of 2025 will learn who their pro-partners are on the pre-recorded launch show.

6

But many will be hoping their Strictly partnerships don’t go the way of these past duos, who didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye, to put it politely.

Here’s a recap of some of the worst Strictly pairings ever.

Fiona Phillips and Brendan Cole

6

Former GMTV host Fiona took part in the third series of Strictly back in 2005.

She wasn’t a natural on the dancefloor, and she has claimed pro-partner Brendan Cole made his feelings on that very clear.

In her book, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s, Fiona – who is battling the disease – wrote: “He could also be seen looking at my dancing and saying, ‘Pathetic, it’s not good enough!’

“Then I’m begging him to ‘stop shouting’ and worrying that I look completely ridiculous. There’s a clip where I say to the cameraman that Brendan is looking at me like he’s stepped in something.

“I really don’t remember much of that time now – maybe I blocked it out because all I recall is the sense that it was incredibly traumatic.”

She added that she was on ‘the brink of tears’ most of the time and quickly regretted her decision to sign up.

Johnny Ball and Aliona Vilani

6

Legendary TV presenter Johnny, 87, was part of the 2012 series, where he was paired with the previous years winner, Aliona.

Aliona left the early stages of the 10th series due to an injury and Johnny was paired with Iveta Lukošiūtė instead.

Johnny ended up being the first to be booted off the show, but five years later, in 2017, Johnny launched an astonishing attack on his Strictly dance partners, accusing them of fixing it so he got booted off first.

He told The Sun on Sunday: “Aliona fell on a flat floor in flat shoes and said she had broken her leg.

“The next day she flew to the South of France for a pre-arranged weekend with her boyfriend.”

The star was then paired with Iveta – and he claimed that she devised a routine that was too difficult for him.

He said: “When I was knocked out she said, ‘That’s funny, my contract ends on Tuesday’.”

Aliona later took to X to deny his claims, saying: “I am aware that Johnny Ball has made allegations regarding my fractured ankle during 2012 SCD, which I strongly deny.

“I have instructed solicitors and am taking legal action in relation to his allegations.

“It’s therefore not appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev

6

Former This Morning host Fern, 68, has spoken on a number of occasions about her experience on Strictly.

Fern was paired with Artem, 43, in series 10 in 2012 and was the fifth celebrity to be eliminated.

While her run on Strictly wasn’t long, it was tough, with Fern previously telling The Times: “He would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me.”

Artem denied Fern’s claims of him ‘kicking or shoving her’ during tense rehearsals.

He told the Daily Express: “I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am.

“I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me.”

She added in her book, Fern Britton The Older I Get, how her confidence was knocked straightaway with Artem.

Describing the rehearsals as “challenging”, Fern added: “As the weeks went on, I found it increasingly hard to gather up my self-confidence and there were days I was crying before I even got into the rehearsal room.”

Lynda Bellingham and Darren Bennett

6

The late actress and Loose Women star Lynda Bellingham signed up for Strictly in 2009.

She was paired with series two champ Darren Bennett, but the duo were voted out on the fourth week.

Following her death in 2014 from cancer, her husband Michael Pattemore claimed in a book that Lynda had “hated” her time on Strictly.

He wrote: “There were two things about Strictly she didn’t like. One was her body image. She always thought she looked fat. I kept saying she didn’t.

“She picked this ruched gold dress and she said it made her look 20 times bigger than what she was.

“And the other thing, she said her partner Darren Bennett was such a miserable git. There was no laughter, no fun.

“All the way through rehearsals she didn’t mind training hard, but it was solid dance. He was just hard work.

“If Lynda had had a partner like Anton du Beke or someone, now they would have had some fun together.”

Danny John-Jules and Amy Dowden

6

Back in 2018, Red Dwarf star Danny was paired with pro dancer Amy Dowden.

While the pair produced some great routines, rumours of behind-the-scenes tension were rife.

The Sun revealed at the time that Danny, 65, had received a final warning by show bosses for “bullying” partner Amy.

The actor had reportedly left Amy in tears during training — at one point angrily telling her: “I’m the star, not you.”

When they were voted off in week eight, Danny opted not to take part in their exit interview on spin-off show It Takes Two, leaving Amy to do it on her own.

Strictly Come Dancing starts tonight at 6.20pm on BBC One.

Declan Minogue, a 63-year-old, felt a bit of hunger coming on while on a Ryanair flight, so he decided to order the £5.90 Hot Ham and Cheese Panini from a flight attendant

A hungry dad claims Ryanair served him the ‘worst airplane food ever’ after he received a miserable sandwich.

Declan Minogue and his wife Claire Minogue, 61, were travelling back from Faro to Dublin Airport on 21 July after seven relaxing nights in Portugal. The 63-year-old felt a bit of hunger coming on, so he decided to order the £5.90 Hot Ham and Cheese Panini from a flight attendant.

However, it was not the hunger-busting snack he had hoped for. Decland claims he was ‘stunned’ to open it up and discover just one piece of ham and the ‘tiniest bit of cheese’ with no butter. Despite polishing off the ‘bland’ sandwich that he compared to ‘something out of Oliver Twist,’ Declan claims he was forced to buy more food when he landed because he was still hungry.

READ MORE: Backpacker labelled ‘disgusting’ and ‘cheap’ for unusual sleeping hackREAD MORE: ‘My wife got up to use toilet on Ibiza holiday – I found her fighting for life’

Taking to social media, the dad-of-two shared a photo of the sandwich captioned ‘shocking and insulting’.

Users took to the comments to express their shock at the ‘disgusting’ meal, empathising with the hungry holidaymakers. Others were less sympathetic, questioning why he had decided to buy food on a budget flight.

Declan who lives in Lusk, Dublin, Ireland, said: “It was the worst airplane food ever. It was a massive rip off. I was shocked when I saw it. I got it and I opened it and couldn’t believe it so I took a picture. It had two slices of ham and the tiniest bit of cheese and the cheese was like butter. There was no substance to it. I was stunned.

“It was like something out of Oliver Twist. You wouldn’t be asking for more than that. It didn’t taste good. It was very bland but I was starving so what could I do. You wouldn’t really think you can mess up a ham and cheese sandwich. I left the flight feeling quite hungry and had to get something from the airport.

“I know it’s a budget airline but you’d expect better service. I wouldn’t buy anything on Ryanair’s flights again. The standards are a disaster. I didn’t complain about it, which I should have. My other half wouldn’t let me.”

One commenter wrote: “Never buy the food on board. Bring your own and cold drinks. Much nicer.” Another user said: “Take your own sandwiches. We never buy food on the plane.”

While Declan may have had a bad experience, Ryanair performed well in a recent ranking of airline food. Despite frequent jokes about Ryanair’s cost-cutting approach and their humorous social media responses to complaints, it ranked with the lowest percentage of negative food reviews, while a fellow Irish airline company Aer Lingus topped the charts for the worst feedback on food in the skies.

Ryanair has been approached for a comment.

Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri has defended her stunning National Television Awards outfit on social media, hitting out at those who placed her on the ‘worst dressed list’

Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star Tasha Ghouri has hit out at those who considered her to be the ‘worst dressed’ at the National Television Awards in a defiant post.

The 27-year-old took to the O2’s red carpet in a sheer, black corseted dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline. Despite the fabulous look, Tasha found herself defending the outfit on her Instagram earlier today after making The Mail’s ‘worst dressed stars’ list.

“Thank you SO much for all the love & support in the comments!! It truly means the world!” she said.

“But honestly it’s sad to see worst dressed lists still existing in 2025?! Fashion is meant to be FUN, bold, expressive, not something we get shamed for.

“Yes, I showed my legs. Yes, I owned it. That doesn’t make it ‘raunchy’. That makes me a confident, strong woman who wears what makes her feel powerful.”

She added: “Here’s to celebrating individuality & lifting each other up, not tearing each other down.

“Everyone looked incredible last night and as along as you felt beautiful who cares waht the F they think!”

Tasha took to the NTAs stage last night to accept the award for Best Talent Show for Strictly, alongside 2024 co-stars Pete Wicks, JB Gill, Sarah Hadland and others.

“It gives me a little bit of PTSD that theme tune,” Pete said, accepting the award. “But look, Strictly is one of the best things that I have done and as much as us guys are the ones dancing, it’s all about the crew and the people who work behind it.

“It’s a well-oiled machine and it just is a fabulous bunch of people. So from me, it’s all about them guys. Thank you to everyone who voted – now I’m going to hand you over to someone who actually made the final.”

JB Gill then went onto thank the judges as well as Chris McCausland and Diane Buswell who “made history” as last year’s winners. “Last but not least, thank you to all the viewers, all the people who voted for this incredible award. We absolutely love you.”

The biggest shock of the night was Ant and Dec losing the Best Presenter award after 24 years. Instead, Gary Lineker took home the award, breaking their winning streak.

Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News, TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads – or visit The Mirror homepage.