11 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Snowflake TV bosses slap trigger warning on Michael Portillo travel doc because it shows ex-MP sipping sherry
TELLY bosses slapped a trigger warning on a Michael Portillo travel documentary — as it showed sherry being sipped.
Viewers were asked to confirm they were over 16 to watch Portillo’s Andalucia because it “may not be suitable for children”.
In the 2023 episode on Channel 5, the politician-turned-broadcaster, 71, visited Spanish city Jerez, known as the sherry capital of the world.
He then enjoys a 15-minute tasting session, telling viewers: “This one region has such an enormous variety of wine.
“My friends in Andalucia put a couple of bottles of pale sherry in an ice bucket on the lunch table and experiment to see what foods it can be paired with.
“In my experience, the answer is most.”
The alert, on the My5 online streaming service, was ridiculed.
Tory MP Sir John Hayes said: “Most people find these types of trigger warnings very bizarre.
“It’s less about the programs and more about these people who feel we have to protect everyone from any kind of fear or stimulus.
“If these warnings can go on family-friendly shows, it makes you wonder where this woke Puritan culture ends.”
It comes after we told how the BBC warned of upsetting scenes on Michael Palin’s Around The World In 80 Days in which a snake was cut up in China.
Channel 5 sources say the Portillo alert is a generic warning which is applied to many of its shows on the streaming platform.
TV bosses slapped a trigger warning on a Michael Portillo travel documentary as it showed sherry being sipped
I’m a former Wolves striker but I left football behind to become a vicar
Usually, if we had an away game on Boxing Day, we would have to train in the late afternoon or early evening on Christmas Day — and then it was straight to wherever the hotel was.
I’d get up in the morning on Christmas Day, do stuff with the kids, have a light breakfast, probably run a 5k on the treadmill, then the family came over to have dinner but you are always watching the time.
Let’s say we had dinner at 1:30pm.
I would then get on the scales at 2:45pm and I am two kilos over. So, I have to jump in the sauna for 20 minutes.
Then it is in the car, down to training, weigh yourself again and into a hotel with 20 other lads who also don’t want to be there.
You’re looking on your social media and everyone is posting videos of themselves enjoying some drinks, opening presents, spending time with their kids. It really hits you.
By the time Boxing Day comes around, everyone is in the mindset of, ‘Thank God that’s over’.
I always tried to have a bigger dinner that day to make up for what I missed.
For me and my family, our Christmas Day would be on the 27th, so you could enjoy yourself and have a few days resting before the New Year games.
As players, we were generally well behaved during those periods.
Sometimes at Watford, depending on the manager we had, we would have to come in for training at 8am on Christmas Day, so everyone would be home by midday.
Get in, get out.
There used to be a rule whereby you then did not have to report until Boxing Day morning.
But that was stopped after a few players would turn up with red eyes after staying out until 2am.
Those Christmas Day morning sessions were the worst, because my kids would wake up all excited wanting to open their presents and I would have to say: “No, wait until dad gets home!”
It’s torture.
And even when I got home, I would have to eat, shower, have a little nap and then drive back to the hotel for 7pm.
When I first met my wife, she thought I would only train a couple of times a week and then play on a Saturday.
She then got the biggest shock of her life. My life was so regimented, even at Christmas.
Look, it’s part of the gig. You’re paid to put up with it but it was a mental strain at times, especially with kids and those who were really family-orientated.
11 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Bizarre TV show with no dialogue is Netflix’s No1 programme beating mega-budget second series of Squid Game
MORE Brits watched a video of a log fire on Netflix at Christmas than the big-budget second series of Squid Game.
The 60-minute film of crackling birchwood topped the streaming service’s list of the UK’s most watched programmes on Boxing Day.
Film of crackling birchwood topped Netflix’s list of UK’s most watched programmes on Boxing Day
Since its release in 2021, South Korean drama Squid Game has become one of the most watched Netflix series to date.
It has pulled in 265 million views and clocked up 2.2 billion hours worldwide.
But the new series, released on December 26, was no match for the digital fireplace — little more than burning wood on a loop.
The programme information says “snapping, crackling birch logs set the mood for a relaxing good time as a beautiful fire comes to life with glowing embers and dancing flames”.
The third most watched TV show on Boxing Day was also a variation of the birchwood favourite.
The Classic Crackling Fireplace lets viewers “enjoy the sights and sounds of a real crackling fire that lends warmth and a festive glow to parties, family gatherings — or a quiet night at home”.
By yesterday both fires had slipped to No6 and No9 in the list.
Netflix has been streaming virtual fireplaces since 2013.
11 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on I’ve been a travel expert for 26 years and here are the best 2025 destinations to visit for every month of the year
FIND your perfect holiday inspiration for 2025 with our month-by-month guide to the best breaks.
From carnivals to special anniversaries, along with new theme parks and hotels, we have collated the best places for you to stay in the New Year.
GettyWe have a month-by-month guide to the best breaks in 2025[/caption]
Here, Lisa Minot selects her favourites . . .
JANUARY – CANARIES
SAIL into the New Year with a fly-cruise to the Canary Islands.
GettyA trip to the Canary Islands is a great way to start the year[/caption]
Fly to Tenerife and enjoy time in Santa Cruz with an overnight stay in port before the P&O Azura sets sail for Madeira, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.
With two days at sea you can enjoy the ship’s many attractions, including four pools and six whirlpool spas.
Seven nights’ full board is from £519pp including flights from London, Birmingham or Bristol on January 24 as well as entertainment, open-air cinema and sport facilities.
EXPERIENCE the magic of New Orleans as the city’s historic neighbourhoods come alive with weeks of stunning decorations and carnival celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, on March 4.
Corbis - GettyVisit New Orleans in February for carnival celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras[/caption]
Follow the parades through the streets with thousands of astonishing costumes, vast floats and energetic music.
Trailfinders has an eight-night Louisiana self-drive trip taking in New Orleans, Plantation Country and Lafayette from £885pp including seven nights’ 3* or 4* accommodation and five days’ car hire.
TO mark 60 years since The Sound Of Music was released, you can enjoy private, expertled tours of the film’s classic locations around the Austrian city of Salzburg on a four-day luxury trip with Wexas Travel.
AlamyThe city of Salzburg is celebrating 60 years since The Sound Of Music was released[/caption]
It includes a stay at the Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron, where many of the film’s scenes were shot.
Three nights’ B&B is from £1,150pp, including airport lounge access, flights, transfers and private guided tour.
AlamyCruise specialist Riviera Travel has a new series of themed breaks for 2025[/caption]
RIVER cruise specialist Riviera Travel has a new series of themed breaks for 2025, plus a new cruise ship, the Riviera Rose, sailing on the Danube from April.
Its eight-day Gardens & Natural Beauty Of The Rhone cruise sails from the vine-clad slopes of Burgundy to the floral displays and lavender fields of Provence and features the Gorges de l’Ardeche and the Eden Gardens in Tournon, as well as historic Arles and its landscaped garden, L’Espace Van Gogh.
Departing Lyon on April 24, from £1,949pp including full board, free drinks package, return flights and transfers and 11 included experiences.
GettyUniversal Orlando Resort in Florida opens its Epic Universe theme park on May 22[/caption]
THE Universal Orlando Resort in Florida opens its Epic Universe theme park on May 22, and by June, visitors will be clamouring to explore its five fabulous new worlds as well as three new hotels.
The park covers 750 acres, with more than 50 attractions, from kids’ rides to rollercoasters.
Worlds include Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe.
British Airways Holidays has seven nights’ room-only at the 4H Universal Terra Luna Resort from £1,229pp on select June dates, including flights from Gatwick and 23kg luggage.
GettyGalicia in northern Spain is a great place for sunshine[/caption]
WITH temperatures at their highest across Europe, finding a destination where the whole family can enjoy sunshine without the fierce heat is becoming ever more important.
For a chance to achieve that goal, try renting a villa in northern Spain’s gorgeous Galicia.
For 2025, villas-with-pools specialist Vintage Travel has added several properties in this beautiful but often overlooked region.
Just a few metres from the water’s edge just outside the pretty coastal village of Oia, the Casa do Seixo sleeps seven across three bedrooms and has a pool and table tennis onsite but is within walking distance of local bars and restaurants.
Seven nights’ self-catering, arriving August 16, is from £429pp or £2,998 in total. Fly to Vigo from Stansted with fares from £204pp.
GettySeptember’s pleasant weather make it a great time to visit India[/caption]
DIVE into India’s rich heritage with a tour of the Golden Triangle cities — Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — with September’s pleasant weather making it an ideal time to explore landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort.
Southall Travel has a five-night tour from £1,099pp, departing throughout September.
Price includes flights, two nights’ B&B in Delhi and Jaipur and one night’s B&B in Agra, plus complimentary dinner at Chokhi Dhani and Jeep ride at the Amber Fort, guide, transport and internal flights.
Priced is based on departures between September 2 and 9.
GettyGet a different kind of Maldivian stay in October[/caption]
WHEN you think of Halloween, the Maldives may not be the first place that comes to mind.
But every October the 5* all-inclusive Siyam World goes from serene to spooky.
The private island resort’s lush landscapes take on a scary feel as the staff go full-on with fabulous costumes based on Stranger Things, Silent Hill and Insidious.
While there is Halloween fun after dark, by day you can enjoy all the traditional delights of a Maldivian stay, from multiple pools to gorgeous white-sand beaches and plenty of sports and fun for all the family.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £2,069pp, based on two adults and two children under 12 sharing, including Heathrow flights on selected dates in October.
GettyNovember marks the start of the dry season in Gambia[/caption]
WITH the colder weather well and truly under way, some winter sun is essential.
November marks the start of the dry season in Gambia, with ideal conditions for spotting wildlife along the River Gambia or simply soaking up the sun on the uncrowded golden beaches.
The 3* Palma Rima Hotel in Kololi, Banjul, has the biggest hotel pool in the country as well as landscaped gardens.
It is a short stroll to the restaurants, craft markets, bars and shops of Kololi Beach.
Expect to pay £30 for a three-course meal for two in town and £3 for a wine or beer.
Seven nights’ B&B is from £997pp including direct flights from Gatwick on November 4, 15kg luggage and transfers.
GettyTallinn’s medieval city centre is often dusted with snow in December[/caption]
HOW better to welcome in the festivities than by visiting a Christmas market?
New for 2025 are Jet2 flights from Birmingham and Manchester to Estonian capital Tallinn.
Perfect for a great-value getaway, its medieval city centre is often dusted with snow in December, and a tree has been erected in the Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree ever to be put on display in Europe.
There are all the usual stores and stalls selling a host of locally made artisan treats, from ornaments and wooden toys to alpaca wool accessories.
Food and drink prices are very reasonable compared to other European cities, with draft beers from £4 and Glogg mulled wine in the Christmas market from £5.
Three nights’ B&B at the 4H Centennial Nexus Hotel, Tallinn is from £589pp including Birmingham flights on December 19 and 22kg luggage.
11 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Gerwyn Price’s wife Bethan breaks down in tears and can’t stop shaking after epic World Darts Championship win
GERWYN PRICE silenced moody Joe Cullen as he survived a match dart to set up an all-Welsh clash with World Cup team-mate Jonny Clayton.
In one of the most memorable matches of this year’s tournament, the Iceman prevailed 4-3 in a sudden-death leg shootout – and threw his arrows to the ground in celebration.
Gerwyn Price’s wife Bethan broke down in tears after his victoryRexPrice came through a barnstormer against Joe Cullen[/caption]
His wife Bethan was left in tears and trembling with emotion in the VIP seats following this dramatic result.
It is the fifth time in six outings he has made the last 16 of the PDC World Darts Championship.
And next up is a clash with Clayton, his best pal on the circuit, with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.
It was another painful defeat for Cullen, who has a habit of being involved in humdingers at Ally Pally but ultimately going out.
Cullen had his own match dart – on double five – and showed tremendous bottle with two checkout finishes, including a 170 Big Fish, immediately after Price had wasted his own match darts.
It was not high quality as there were 75 missed doubles out of 112 attempts across the 37 legs.
Cullen had been in the news since last Sunday when he stormed out of a post-game press conference in a right old huff, claiming the media and bookies had shown him no respect.
But he did not have to worry about press duties this time as he got his coat and left the building without needing to say a word as the losing player.
11 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Amorim’s job in danger if United don’t improve soon
Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford with a glowing reputation and backed by many to be the one to turn around the club's fortunes, but he has struggled.
11 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Tribunal de Contas do DF terá de explicar ‘aprovação-relâmpago’ de benesse
Em segundos, conselheiros aprovaram para si compensação retroativa por excesso de trabalho nos últimos 5 anos, que pode custar R$ 7,8 milhões ao erário
