Create these delicious superfood salads.
Read More »
Sarah Di Lorenzo shares superfood salads for summer … the fresh and easy recipes to help fuel your body from the inside out
Mattaes Phillipou and Dougal Howard injury blows add to St Kilda nightmare
The Saints’ injury list has grown to seven with scans revealing an ‘extremely disappointing development’.
Read More »
ASICS launches new netball shoe for the 2025 season with advanced technology and support
These new sneakers will take your netball game to a whole new level.
Read More »
Fuming Strictly fans call for Wynne Evans to be DROPPED from tour despite apology for ‘crude sexual comment’
ANGRY Strictly Come Dancing fans have called for Wynne Evans to be ‘pulled’ from the Live Tour after he made a lewd comment to his co-star.
Wynne, who turned 53 today, was caught on camera as he made the sexual remark to tour host Janette Manrara during a photo call.
The Welsh warbler was hauled over the coals by bosses for making the crude comment and he issued an apology.
But although he has accepted a break from his BBC Radio Wales show, Wynne is still continuing on the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.
Strictly fans are shocked that the Go Compare legend has not been dropped and say ‘a warning is not enough’.
Writing on Reddit, one Strictly viewer said: “I don’t think a warning is enough. He shouldn’t be allowed to say something so vile about a stranger and continue to make money from the tour.”
Another added: “He’s revolting, shouldn’t even be on the tour with behaviour like that. It’s clear that it isn’t ‘misunderstandings’ or one-offs, this is who he is.”
And a third demanded: “He needs to be removed from the tour immediately.”
Wynne’s comment, referring to Janette and their tour co-star, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, was caught on camera and came to light over the weekend.
He made a joke using the hugely demeaning term ‘spit roast’ during a tour photocall in Birmingham earlier this month.
Wynne has since apologised for making the remark, saying: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”
Janette’s spokeswoman said she had been “unaware of this comment” Wynne had made.
And BBC and Strictly Live producers insisted: “We have made it clear to Wynne we do not tolerate such behaviour on tour.”
Wynne has now accepted an offer by the BBC to take some time away from his BBC Radio Wales show.
He is being replaced on the airwaves by comic Robin Windsor.
All your Strictly Come Dancing winners
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.
Here is a full list of who has been lucky enough to win the famous Glitterball Trophy:
- 2004 – Natasha Kaplinsky
- 2004 – Jill Halfpenny
- 2005 – Darren Gough
- 2006 – Mark Ramprakash
- 2007 – Alesha Dixon
- 2008 – Tom Chambers
- 2009 – Chris Hollins
- 2010 – Kara Tointon
- 2011 – Harry Judd
- 2012 – Louis Smith
- 2013 – Abbey Clancy
- 2014 – Caroline Flack
- 2015 – Jay McGuiness
- 2016 – Ore Oduba
- 2017 – Joe McFadden
- 2018 – Stacey Dooley
- 2019 – Kelvin Fletcher
- 2020 – Bill Bailey
- 2021 – Rose Ayling-Ellis
- 2022 – Hamza Yassin
- 2023 – Ellie Leach
- 2024 – Chris McCausland
Wynne’s Strictly Come Dancing co-stars are said to be rallying round after news of the crass comment emerged, reports claim.
According to MailOnline, they are worried about Wynne’s “low spirits”.
The publication states he has taken a break from BBC Radio Wales ‘amid the furore’, and because he is still grieving the loss of his brother Huw, who passed away earlier this month.
Wynne is apparently feeling the physical strain of being on the road with the live UK tour, as well.
An insider told MailOnline: “Wynne is being supported by his co-stars, they’re making a big push to ensure he’s ok as they’re worried about his low spirts.
“He’s had a tough few days and with it being his birthday today, they’re making a real effort to show he’s not alone.”
Cougars such as Madonna are as common as male playboys like Leonardo DiCaprio, study reveals
COUGARS such as Madonna are as common as male playboys such as Leonardo DiCaprio.
Men and women are both more attracted to younger partners, a blind dates study found.
Both sexes also gave a maximum age for potential suitors — with the blokes’ lower — but they did not stick to them.
The findings reflect the reality of DiCaprio, 50, whose current lover is Vittoria Ceretti, 26.
Madge, 66, meanwhile, recently dated Ahlamalik Williams, 30, and is now with Akeem Morris, 28.
Researchers studied 6,262 mostly middle-aged men and women.
Study author Professor Paul Eastwick, of the University of California, said: “After a blind date, participants were slightly more attracted to younger partners, and this trend was equally true for men and women.
“This preference for youth among women will be shocking to many people because, in mixed-gender couples, men tend to be older.
“Plus, women generally say they prefer older partners but their preferences on the dates themselves revealed something else entirely.”
He said male preferences for youth may be an echo from the past when blokes held more power and chose to marry younger women.
Equally, women’s greater power and standing today “influences what they like”.
Free energy vouchers worth up to £300 available for thousands of families to help with bills
HOUSEHOLDS can claim free energy vouchers worth up to £300 to help with bills this winter.
Families can claim the cash through the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is distributed by local councils to help with the cost of living.
The HSF is a pot of money shared between councils in England to distribute among those living in their areas.
What you’re entitled to is a postcode lottery, dependant on the terms set by your local authority.
Councils in England are now distributing the latest round of funding, which amounts to £421million.
They have until April 2025 to make payments and each will set its own eligibility criteria.
While this means access varies, if you have a limited amount of money or savings, or are deemed to be vulnerable or on benefits, you will probably qualify for help.
St Helens Borough Council in Merseyside is offering support with essential bills.
Low-income families can apply for support with fuel, food and other living expenses, including utility debts, as well as help with the cost of purchasing furniture or white goods.
Direct payments of £200, or £300 for over 80s, will also be made to pensioners who are not eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment, but receive Housing Benefit or a Council Tax reduction.
Eligible households should receive their payments by the end of this week.
In previous years the winter fuel payment was available to everyone aged 66 and over.
However, cuts introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves now restrict the payment to retirees receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits, with thousands missing out.
St Helens Borough Council will also make direct payments to households where someone has a medical condition that could be exacerbated by inadequate heating.
Applications can be made through the council’s website.
The authority is not the only council to be offering support to its residents.
Worcestershire County Council is offering households grants of up to £500 to help with utility costs.
The funding can be used to pay for electricity, gas, water, oil or solid fuels.
Households with children under the age of 18 (or 21 if in full-time education) can receive up to £500, while adult households will be eligible for up to £300.
Meanwhile, those living in Derby could be eligible for financial support in the form of supermarket food vouchers – worth as much as £125 – if their household contains children under the age of 19.
Multiple adult households can claim a food voucher worth £75, while an eligible single adult household can claim £50.
Derby City Council is also using its funding to help struggling residents by offering energy grants, but the amount each household can get is unspecified and depends on individual circumstances.
Many councils are also offering support to pensioners after access to the winter fuel payment was scaled back.
Milton Keynes City Council is among those offering energy vouchers to struggling households.
The council said it will assess applicants on a “case by case” basis, but people who are just missing out on the winter fuel payment will receive help worth up to £300.
Coventry Council is also offering energy grants of up to £120 for single people or childless couples, and £160 for families.
Meanwhile Medway Council is also providing help. It will give electronic energy cards to the value of £100 to those in demonstrable hardship, with less than £500 in their bank accounts.
Every council will receive funding from the HSF, so if you’re worried about making ends meet, check your local authority’s website for further details.
To find your local council, use the Government’s council locator tool.
What is the Household Support Fund?
Households in need can claim support to help with the cost of living via the Household Support Fund.
The funding is supplied from a £421million pot by the Department for Work and Pensions.
It was first introduced in October 2021 and has been extended five times.
Councils up and down the country get a portion of the cash to allocate to vulnerable households.
Get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.
But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.
If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
You also do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.
Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.
How has the Household Support Fund evolved?
The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.
Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.
It was then extended in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a second time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
The DWP then confirmed a third extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fourth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.
In September 2024, the Government announced a fifth extension.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Wynne Evans’ sparks outrage as BBC travel show All At Sea with Joanna Page airs after crude comments on Strictly tour
BBC viewers have slammed Wynne Evans’s new travel show after his crude comments on the Strictly tour.
The travel programme with Joanna Page debuted on Monday night – hours after he was replaced on BBC Radio Wales.
The six-part show, which sees the friends explore the Welsh coast, premiered on BBC One days after Evans issued a grovelling apology for using the crude term “spitroast” during a Strictly photocall in Birmingham.
Evans said over the weekend: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”
Despite the apology, viewers have slammed the BBC for pressing ahead with his new series.
Outraged viewers took to X to vent their frustration, as one wrote: “Why are we being forced to endure Wynne Evans?
“Everyone hates the Go Compare ads, but the BBC seems determined to make him a thing.”
Another fumed: “Just a thought, BBC, but maybe this Wynne Evans #AllAtSea prime time claptrap could have been postponed for a while?”
“Wynne Evans… get him off my bloody telly,” ranted a third.
While another blasted: “They’ve taken Wynne Evans off air for a joke, but this will be glossed over with likely no apology.”
The comment, referring to Janette and their tour co-star EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, was caught on camera and published online.
That evening Wynne, also famed as the GoCompare ads singer, pulled out of a tour performance in Glasgow, claiming he had an ankle injury.
He did, however, sing on stage for the crowd instead.
This isn’t the first time Evans has sparked controversy on TV.
During his stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year, viewers noticed professional partner Katya Jones halting his wandering hand during a live routine.
The pair later brushed it off as “a very silly inside joke.”
Wynne Evans' Strictly scandals
‘Grope’
Wynne encountered a backlash after his Strictly pro partner Katya was filmed removing his hand from her waist.
Fans insisted she looked uncomfortable as she moved it away – but Katya later insisted there was no problem.
In joke
They then sparked further fury, when she was seen refusing to high-five the Opera singer.
The duo were quick to issue a video apology and insisted it was all an innocent “inside joke”.
Crude joke
Wynne came under fire for allegedly telling a “crude” joke to one of the show’s make-up artists.
Insiders claim the opera star made a joke that the folds of his double chin “looked like a vagina”.
A source said: “It was a bit of a vulgar dad joke.”
Vile comment
Wynne was recorded suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara, using the term “spit roast”.
His remark came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour, which pro Janette, 41, is hosting.
He reportedly pulled a suggestive face at actor Jamie Borthwick as Janette moved between them — which is when Evans allegedly made the joke.
Wynne has apologised saying: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”
Towie stars spark engagement rumours with ‘clue’ on romantic date night
TOWIE fans are convinced Roman Hackett and Matilda Draper are already thinking about marriage after spotting a big clue.
The reality couple, who confirmed their romance last month, looks like they’re in it for the long haul.
During a date night, Roman showed off an ‘eternity’ tattoo and wrote ‘wifey’ as he held hands with his beau in a new post.
The pair looked loved up as they dined at a swanky Essex restaurant.
Just days ago, Matilda shared photos as she tried on wedding dresses.
Alongside a crying face emoji, a delighted Matilda wrote: “Got to try on April Banbury’s new bridal collection and I can’t cope.”
April is a wedding dress designer who appeared on Married At First Sight UK.
The Sun revealed in December that Matilda was the latest star to join the ITVBe family on the long-running Essex reality show.
In exclusive photos, TV hunk Roman wastes no time is sharing his new blossoming romance with his co-stars for the brand new series.
Matilda looked stunning as she took to the cameras for the first time for a cameo role in the first episode.
The pair were spotted filming scenes at an Essex bar, as Roman introduced Matilda to some of his fellow cast members.
And ex Dani, who Roman briefly dated in 2023, was amongst the first to be introduced to his new girlfriend.
What could have been awkward encounter, appeared to be quite pleasant, with the trio smiling and laughing.
Dani was even seen giving Roman a warm embrace and seemed to be getting on like a house on fire.
Lovebirds Matilda and Roman later enjoyed some alone time, packing on the PDA with a little kiss.
Matilda, who appeared on Love Island last summer, went public with her relationship last month.
It comes after the brunette bombshell revealed she dropped out of All Stars talks after bagging herself a Towie star boyfriend.
Matilda said on Not My Bagg podcast last week: “I was speaking to them before, before I got with Ro and then as soon as I got with Ro, I just thought, ‘There’s no point.’
“I had the best time of my whole entire life. Do you know what I mean? I had the best time ever. It was literally like a six week holiday. I always had my feet up, I loved life. It was funny.
“I don’t think you realise how much you miss it until you miss it. Because some days, I don’t know, some days I’m like, ‘No I’d never,’ but then I’m like, ‘Oh, get me back in there.’
“When I watch it, back it’s just such a special feeling cos you would never do that otherwise.
“But All Stars is so different. It would never be the same.”
Matilda was coupled up with sweet salesman Sean Stone on Love Island – but just months later she was accused of dumping him by text.
Extraordinary memo leaked from Home Office exposes a broken department infested by left-wing radicals
Harm Office
THE extraordinary memo leaked from the Home Office exposes a broken department infested by left-wing radicals masquerading as impartial analysts.
Who else, supposedly focused on extremism, wants police to waste more time probing “non-crime hate incidents”, or even a new offence of “harmful communications” on social media?
Both are an open invitation for vexatious complaints from the perpetually offended, always on the Left, and infinitely more likely to crush free speech than catch anyone genuinely dangerous.
Only the Left, too, would apparently imagine some equivalence between Islamist extremists responsible for 94 per cent of UK deaths by terrorism since 1999 and yobs frothing online.
Only the Left dismiss firm evidence of two-tier policing as a “far-right extremist narrative” — and see 15 years of grooming-gang convictions of mostly Pakistani-origin men as an “alleged” scandal “exploited” by the right.
The Home Secretary’s error in trusting activists to devise her extremism strategy is that they have their own skewed bias about what extremism is.
Belief will then trump evidence — with greater risk to the public.
Defend this
REFUSING to find the money to defend the nation is not the inevitable consequence of hard times. It is a political choice.
As it is a choice to spend £14billion on foreign aid instead, or hand Ed Miliband billions for Net Zero follies, or give militant unions inflation-busting rises.
Or pay Chinese ally Mauritius to take our strategically vital Chagos Islands.
It is a choice to prioritise ideological fixations while delaying spending even 2.5 per cent of our GDP defending Britain . . . let alone the three per cent minimum we really need or the five per cent the US wants from all Nato members.
Despite a world seemingly on the brink of war, and repeated warnings of how ill-prepared we are, the Government looks unwilling to hit even 2.5 per cent until at least 2032.
It is said that’s to prevent Labour copping flak for cutting other services right before the 2029 election.
Wasn’t it supposed to be “country first, party second”?
Never forget
SIX million Jews were slaughtered in the Holocaust, history’s most heinous evil.
It is shocking that it is increasingly denied or downplayed by bigots making political points about Israel.
But it was moving indeed to see our King at Auschwitz — and Kate with William at the London event marking 80 years since the death camp’s liberation.
Anti-Semitism has exploded again since Hamas triggered war in Gaza.
But we must never forget the Holocaust — the reason the State of Israel exists.
Whale-watcher ‘hero’ who survived 67 days on inflatable dinghy with corpses of his brother & nephew faces years in jail
THE whale watcher “hero” who survived 67 days at sea surrounded by the bodies of his family is facing jail over the deaths of his nephew and brother on the voyage.
Mikhail Pichugin, 45, from Russia, managed to survive more than two months in the sea of Okhotsk in a 15ft inflatable vessel after the engine cut out.
Pichugin was dubbed a hero in Russia a mere few months ago when he was found close to death after drifting hundreds of miles in the Sea of Okhotsk.
But now he faces up to seven years jail for allegedly causing their deaths on an adventure trip to watch whales in their natural habitat.
On board his tiny vessel when he was found were the bodies of his nephew Ilya, 16, who succumbed to starvation, and the boy’s father Sergei Pichugin, 49.
The family members were returning from a whale-watching trip near the remote Shantar Islands when their motor stopped working 37 miles from shore.
Ilya “had hardly eaten” and “died of starvation,” according to Mash media, citing Mikhail’s account to his rescuers.
It added: “After that his father went crazy – Sergei was crying, screaming and jumping into the water.
“Mikhail pulled him out of the water, warmed him up, tried to feed him, but he refused to do so, and after 10 days he also died.”
But now prosecutors have gone after Mikhail, accusing him of violating the rules of sea transport, and consequently causing the death of his brother and nephew.
Instead of being a witness in a criminal case, he has been made the suspect due to his alleged failure to comply with rules.
The whale-watcher survivor said in what appears to be a confession: “As a result of my violations of navigation, my brother Sergei and his son Ilya died.”
His inflatable boat apparently shouldn’t have gone more than three kilometres – less than two miles – from the coast.
When the engine broke he was 37 miles from the shore, reports claim.
Pichugin only survived the lack of food on board because he was overweight, reports said at the time.
He added: “I lost my relatives, it’s hard for me.
“They also want to put me in jail.
“I understand that I violated the law.
“I sailed too far from the shore.”
But Pichugin made it clear that his brother and nephew “died not because I went too far out to sea but due to a combination of circumstances”.
Previously, it was revealed that Pichugin covered the two bodies and tied them to the vessel to prevent them from going overboard.
As his vessel drifted at least 625 miles over 67 days, Pichugin lost 50kg, about half of his body weight.
He revealed that he survived only on the rainwater he collected, soaked dried peas, and freeze-fried noodles.
Despite this, Pichugin’s condition was described as “satisfactory” when he arrived at the hospital at the time, which experts called a double miracle.
“There are two real miracles here,” said Dmitry Lisitsyn, the head of Sakhalin Environment Watch, in October.
“The first is that such a small, uncontrolled boat was not capsized in the stormy autumn Sea of Okhotsk after more than two months of drifting.
“The second is that someone on this boat survived.”
When asked if he had any wishes, the whale watcher said it was “to be discharged from hospital and get home to bury my brother and nephew.”
