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THE Christmas Day ratings battle was won by Gavin and Stacey: The Finale – with 12.5million viewers and climbing.

Part two of the 2019 BBC special was must-watch telly last night.

BBC

It spelled the end of Ruth Jones and James Corden‘s series for ever – 17 years after it was first created.

At the end of the day, when all’s said and done, it delivered an unforgettable final episode.

Fans broke down in tears as Nessa and Smithy finally said: “I do” after a shock twist.

Meanwhile Stacey and Jason’s mum Gwen found love with Nessa’s ex, Dave Coaches.

And viewers were on tenterhooks waiting to hear the truth behind Uncle Bryn and Jason’s fabled fishing trip – but the story remains untold.

The one-off episode, which aired at 9pm, has been confirmed as the final instalment of Gavin & Stacey, which first screened in May 2007, after three series and three Christmas specials.

It was a big day for the BBC, with the return of Wallace & Gromit after 14 years bringing in 10m for Vengeance Most Fowl.

And it was a huge Christmas for EastEnders – with an astonishing 8.7m watching Cindy Beale clobbered with a shovel and left for dead. 

Just 2.8m tuned in to watch Gail Platt’s goodbye on Coronation Street. 

Meanwhile some 5.1m watched The King’s Speech, and 6.9m sat down for the Call The Midwife Christmas Special. 

FORMER Sky Sports host Richard Keys has shown off his incredible transformation thanks to a HAIR TRANSPLANT.

And it will suit his self-proclaimed moniker of the ‘once-hairiest man on TV’.

instagram @richardkeysofficial

instagram @richardkeysofficial

The British Hair Clinic in Essex uploaded a clip of the now-BeIN presenter showing off his locks on TikTok.

Pointing at his re-growth, Keys, who married his daughter’s best friend after leaving his wife for her, says: “The once-hairiest man on TV has done a little bit today to restore his reputation.

 “I’m laughing because I’ve heard the joke.

“What an irony that someone who spent his lifetime trying to remove hair finds himself in the British Hair Clinic looking for them to add hair. I mean, you couldn’t make it up really.

“But here we are, at the direction of Jason McAteer, who’s been through this process and looks well for it – at least that’s what he told me – and Sam Matterface, a very good friend of mine.

“Sam, I spoke to this morning, and he said: “Brilliant, easy, you’ll love it.”

Later in the clip Keys, who was sacked by Sky Sports for his part in a sexism storm, admires a pen-drawn hairline guide, saying: “So that’s the new hairline.

“That’s where the new hairline will be.”

In 2012 rumours did the rounds that Keys had his hands lasered or waxed after being dubbed ‘werewolf’ by eagle-eyed fans.

A source told The Standard at the time: “Richard is incredibly touchy about his body hair and has put up with years of stick about it.

“Richard won’t divulge whether it was his idea or Sky’s to get his hands done.”

Keys was sacked in disgrace from his £500,000-a-year job fronting Sky’s Premier League coverage in 2011 after making disparaging remarks about female referee Sian Massey-Ellis.

He is now the face of the BeIN Sports channels which broadcast all 365 Premier League games per season mainly on its flagship “Super Saturday” programme.

The clinic added: “Richard came in to our Essex clinic back in July and his new hair line is starting to take shape.

“We will keep you updated on the progression.”

PA:Press Association

A recording caught out Keys and Andy Gray, left, making vile comments[/caption]

X / beINSPORTS_EN

Keys now works for BeIN Sports 14 years after he was sacked by Sky[/caption]

YOU’LL be hard pressed to find a Brit who doesn’t like Greggs, but their flaky pastries are more than a tasty treat – they can reveal your whole personality. 

Psychologist Jo Hemmings has dug deep into our order history to uncover just what your favourite Greggs snack says about you…

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From sausage roll to sweet doughnuts, your snack says more about you than you think[/caption]

Sausage roll

This staple snack is a classic choice, and so are you. You’re a salt of the earth kind of person and know exactly what you want. 

Jo says: “You are confident, decisive and proud of being a traditionalist. Loyal and caring, you’re a good friend who is there to support other people when they can’t make the sort of firm and clear decisions that come so easily to you.”

Steve Bell

Sausage roll lovers are the salt of the earth and great friends to be around[/caption]

Vegan sausage roll

Being in with the in-crowd is the last thing on this alternative snacker’s mind. 

Jo says: “You move with the times, but you’re not prepared to be taken advantage of. Self-assured and living life as healthily as you can, you don’t need to be showy about your choice of food, or go ‘artisan’ -you’re unassuming, modest and kind-hearted.”

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No one takes advantage of the vegan sausage roll selector[/caption]

Pepperoni pizza slice

Spice up your life – that’s a pepperoni-lover’s motto. You’re an energetic soul who’ll never turn down a good time. 

Jo says: “The combo of meat, cheese and bread is a staple in your life. But you also like to shake things up a bit. Spicy and hot is how you like to live, you’re the sociable one and the first to say ‘yes’ to a party invite.”

Steak bake

Friends flock to a steak bake lover when they’re in need of a bear hug. Your thick skin and warm heart makes you the most popular member of the flock. 

Jo says: “Warm-hearted and positive in your outlook on life, you’re always on the go. Food needs to fill you up fast and feel satisfying, so you can get on with everything else in life. You’re the leader of the pack and the glue that holds your group together.”

Louis Wood

Everyone comes to a steak bake chooser for a big warm bear hug[/caption]

Sausage, bean & cheese melt

Wild and wacky, you live life to the fullest and fill a room with laughter – but your free spirit can make you forgetful. 

Jo says: “An eccentric, scatty type, you always have multiple projects on the go. You are fearless in your everyday life and what might feel daunting to other people, feels exciting to you. An eternal optimist, nothing wears you down and you’re a friend everyone depends on to set them back on a happy track.”

Doughnut

A proper sweetie, you sprinkle your love far and wide for anyone who needs it. 

Jo says: “Not someone who likes too much of an unexpected surprise, you prefer to know what life holds in store for you and avoid too much change. You have that predictable soft centre and act as a listening ear for friends in need. You’re quietly confident, but if pals can lure you out of your comfort zone, you actually have a good time.”

Greggs

A big softie at heart, you’re a listening ear for all your friends[/caption]

Yum-yum

There’s a lot of layers to a yum-yum lover and only the closest friends will unwrap you to the core.

Jo says: “You’re a super cuddly, maternal type who everyone leans on in a crisis. A nurturer and a carer, you also have a streak of extroversion and wildness. Only your closest pals know that you’re a party animal underneath that sweet nature of yours.”

Dan Charity - The Sun

Yum-yum lovers have loads of layers to their character[/caption]

Belgian bun

People might think you’re a sickly sweet angel but dig beyond your thick iced exterior and there’s a cheeky devil just waiting to have a good time. 

Jo says: “The cherry on top of every good party, you’re the icing who holds together your friends and family and always has nuggets of advice in sticky situations. You can be naughty – fruity even – under that grown up, sophisticated exterior of yours.” 

Handout

Milk chocolate cookie

You’re far beyond your childhood years but there’s one thing folks know about you: you’ll never grow up.

Jo says: “You’re playful, a little bit naughty and it doesn’t take much to bring out the childish side of you. You like nothing more than to be in your own company, but you’re not a loner. You like to have challenging people around you, as you get easily bored.”

Triple chocolate muffin

Some might say you’re too clingy and share stodgy stories everyone’s heard before. But it’s not all bad news – you’re an unforgettable character who really sticks with people you meet.

Jo says: “Generous with your time and your care, you have a wide circle of friends but only a few are close to you. More is more in your eyes, and you’re attracted to people who are honest and trustworthy. You don’t appreciate people who pretend to be someone they’re not.”

A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to their “vibrant” daughter, 20, who died suddenly.

Poppy Eagle, from Washington, in Tyne and Wear, died on August 7 this year after her heart stopped, despite no known history of health problems.

The fashion student left behind four siblings and devastated parents Vicki and Peter.

 Her family have since created the Poppy’s Light Foundation, which aims to help cardiac screening for children and young people.

They are hoping to prevent future deaths as they believe Poppy could have been saved if she had gone through screening.

Poppy’s Mum Vicki told ChronicleLive: “Poppy’s Light fundraising has been such a success and there’s a real comfort in that.

“What we have found is that there is really not a great deal of support around for bereaved children.

“Poppy was such a loving person, so vibrant, so full of light.

“So the charity is a way of keeping that light shining while doing something that can support other children.”

The family have a £25,000 fundraising target and Vicki said “the whole community” have been pulling together to support them.

Peter, one of Poppy’s brothers and other dads are setting off to climb Kilamanjaro next month to raise donations.

Vicki Eagle / Poppy's Light Foundation

Poppy Eagle died suddenly on August 7 this year[/caption]

The United Cup competition will kick-off at RAC Arena on Friday morning where Kazakhstan will take on Spain.

The Scorchers have rejigged their line-up in a bid to return to winning ways at Optus Stadium ahead of their Boxing Day blockbuster against Brisbane Heat.

Rangers have increased patrols at one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations.

Australia's newest cricketing sensation Sam Konstas has revealed he told his senior opening partner Usman Khawaja he would be taking the first ball at the MCG.

BRITS could face fines of up to £400 for putting their bins out on the wrong day over the Christmas period.

Rules vary between local authorities, but in general, if you put your bin out on the street on a day it is not going to be collected, councils can take action.

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A simple Christmas bin error could land you with a £400 fine[/caption]

Under Section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils have the authority to issue fines if bins are causing an obstruction on the pavement.

The maximum fine for such an offence can reach up to £80.

But some councils issue higher penalties, depending on the amount of rubbish that you leave out, because they class the offence as a form of fly-tipping.

In Kensington and Chelsea in London, for example, the council website states: “It is an offence to put your domestic waste out other than on the scheduled days of collection. 

“You could face a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150 or £400, depending on the amount you have left out. 

“You also run the risk of facing court action.”

Meanwhile, Stoke-on-Trent council will allow residents to leave a maximum of two additional black bags next to their normal bin on scheduled collection days – which might be useful to get rid of any extra wrapping paper and packaging over Christmas.

But the council says: “If it is left out days in advance of the collection day, it will be treated as illegal dumping and a fixed penalty notice will be issued.”

Birmingham Council threatens residents with a £60 fine if they don’t put their bins out on the correct day, or store their bins on the street, and could also remove your bins.

Over the festive period, bin collection days tend to change to take into account the various bank holidays, when collections generally do not take place.

Because Christmas Day is on a Wednesday this year, both the Wednesday and Thursday, the 25th and 26th, are bank holidays, as well as New Year’s Day, 1st January, which is the following Wednesday.

That means lots of bin collections which should have been on Wednesday 25th or Thursday 26th will be on Friday 27th or even Monday 30th.

You can find out when your bins will be collected by visiting your local authority website, or by searching “Christmas bin collection” and the name of your local area using an internet search engine.

Councils also usually post leaflets through people’s letterboxes in the weeks before Christmas to inform them of any change to the service.

If you are going to be on holiday or visiting family over Christmas, it may be worth asking a friend or neighbour to put your bin out on the correct day and bring it back in, so you don’t have to leave it out.

Although the government advises councils that “the use of these penalties should focus on those who cause genuine harm to the local environment”, there have been situations where people have been fined.

Last month, mum-of-one Ariane Sherine was slapped with a £100 fine for putting her rubbish out on Monday rather than Tuesday evening – ahead of collection on Wednesday morning.

The next thing she knew, her local east London council had gone through her rubbish to find her identity, which they did from packaging from an Amazon delivery.

Later correspondence stated that if she failed to pay this off, she could be prosecuted in the magistrates court and charged a whopping £2,500, the author and journalist claimed.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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AS the year winds down, most theme parks across the UK and Europe have locked up for winter.

But 2025 is set to deliver a fresh wave of thrills, whether that’s white-knuckle attractions or family-friendly fun.

From dual racing coasters to interactive dark rides and one-of-a-kind water flumes, here’s the biggest rides and roller coasters slated for opening across the UK and Europe in the year ahead.

Interactive dark ride – Paultons Park, UK

Paultons Park, best known for Peppa Pig World, is gearing up to debut its latest attraction, Ghostly Manor, in spring 2025.

Replacing the park’s old 4D cinema, this family-friendly ride promises interactive fun as visitors help renowned ghost hunter Dr Kinley recapture escaped ghosts.

Armed with “phantom phasers” guests will zap spirits as they explore the spooky manor.

Work is already well underway, and the ride is set to be a hit with younger thrill-seekers and families when its doors swing open on May 17.

Known for its great value and short queue times, Paultons Park has also teased a Viking-themed land opening in 2026, replacing the current log flume and karting track.

Rumours of infamous flat ride, Alton Towers, UK

Fans of Alton Towers could soon see the return of a much-loved classic in 2025.

A new planning application submitted by the resort sparked speculation that Ripsaw – the iconic topspin ride that spun riders upside down while soaking them through – might be making a comeback.

According to the plans, the new attraction will be returning to the same spot in Forbidden Valley, and will reach heights of 59 feet, which also matches the height of the original Ripsaw.

The similarities between the proposed ride and the original Ripsaw have fans buzzing, with many speculating this could be “Ripsaw 2.0”. 

ghostlymanor

Paultons Park is getting a new ghost ride[/caption]

And to make things even more exciting, the queue line will reportedly be positioned right next to a “Ripsaw Café”, which is currently undergoing a major restoration.

The original Ripsaw was a guest favourite for years, offering adrenaline-pumping flips and soaking splashdowns before its removal in 2015.

While Alton Towers hasn’t officially confirmed the ride’s return, the park’s ongoing efforts to restore its magic using nostalgia – like they did with the popular Nemesis coaster remake – have fuelled the rumours.

Wolf-themed rollercoaster – Holiday Park, Germany

Holiday Park in Haßloch, Germany, is set to open a new family thrill coaster in summer 2025, forming the centrepiece of a new 100 per cent Wolf-themed land.

The coaster, based on the popular animated adventure film, is said to feature a vertical spike, offering younger riders a more thrilling experience while still catering to families.

Park officials have also described the addition as closing the gap between their indoor children’s roller coaster and their high-thrill attractions.

The ride will be Holiday Park’s fourth coaster, joining the line-up as part of its ongoing expansion.

The new themed area is just one part of Holiday Park’s ambitious plans. A €40million standalone water park is also under construction at the park as it attempts to broaden its appeal to all types of visitors.

ifthillsandthrills.

Holiday Park is getting a new rollercoaster[/caption]

Bermuda Triangle-themed wet ride – Futuroscope, France

France‘s sci-fi theme park, Futuroscope, is set to open Mission Bermuda in 2025, its first-ever flume ride.

Themed around the Bermuda Triangle, the ride will reportedly combine water flume elements with roller coaster dynamics – the first of its kind in the world.

As part of Futuroscope’s €300million 2025 plan to expand the park, the attraction will replace the Jardin des Énergies at the park entrance.

Riders will board eight-person boats for a journey starting on Bermuda Island, passing through rocky passages, jungle environments and an indoor cave with immersive scenes.

The adventure will build to a climax as the boat is lifted 15 metres in an elevator before plunging into a splash-filled finale.

Racing single-rail coasters – Walibi Holland, Netherlands

Dutch theme park Walibi Holland is going all out in 2025 with a double racing roller coaster featuring a bizarre name.

Called Yoy, the ride will be Europe’s first-ever duelling single-rail coaster when it opens in 2025.

Pronounced “joy”, it was unveiled at a press conference in September with the tag line, “ride the other side,” as the coaster features two distinct tracks: one a more gentle family-friendly affair and the other packed with adrenaline-fuelled thrills.

While the two tracks, one green and one blue, offer different experiences, the duelling design meaning riders can race each other.

Walibi Holland bosses say YoY is the first of its kind in the world, as no other single-rail coaster features a duelling layout.

While an exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, construction is moving fast, with both tracks now visible in the park.