The Ofgem-funded CoolDown scheme is running a trial in Bolton over the summer, inviting residents with air conditioning or cooling heat pumps to take part.

Households will receive notifications through the Equiwatt mobile app to temporarily reduce their use of cooling systems during short peak demand periods on selected evenings.

Participants can earn more than £85 in incentives through a combination of sign-up rewards, participation payments, and short surveys.

Their energy savings will be measured using smart meter data, with rewards based on their actual reductions.

Joanne Edwards, chief of staff at Equiwatt, said: “Equiwatt is delighted to be part of the CoolDown project, which explores how Bolton households can play an active role in shaping the future UK energy system while being rewarded for taking part.

“As our summers become warmer and demand for cooling grows, initiatives like CoolDown are essential to understanding how flexible energy use can support the electricity network.

“Through the Equiwatt app, households in Bolton can easily get involved, reduce their energy use at key times, and earn rewards for doing so.”

The project is led by SP Electricity North West in partnership with Equiwatt.

Other partners include Oaktree Power, Guidehouse Europe, Ricardo-AEA, Impact Research, National Grid Electricity Distribution, and UCL Consultants.

CoolDown is part of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund, which supports efforts to accelerate the transition to a more flexible energy system.

The trial will explore how adjusting home cooling patterns could help ease pressure on the electricity network during peak periods, especially as climate change drives up cooling demand.

Richard Moulton, head of innovation for SP Electricity North West, said: “Electricity networks must anticipate how energy demand patterns will evolve, particularly as higher temperatures drive increased use of cooling technologies in homes.

“CoolDown provides valuable insight into how this emerging demand can be managed more efficiently.

“By exploring new ways to balance the network during periods of strain, the project will help ensure we can continue to deliver a reliable, low-carbon energy system while adapting to changing customer needs.”

To take part, households must have a working smart meter and use air conditioning or a cooling heat pump at home.

Registration is open until May 1.

Eligible residents can sign up by downloading the Equiwatt app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

The Sidemen will host a charity football match against YouTube Allstars at Wembley Stadium on April 18 and fans can still book VIP and hospitality tickets.

The hugely popular Sidemen have taken the internet, terrestrial TV and social media by storm across the globe, and now they’ve turned their attention to a worthy cause. In keeping with their annual tradition, the group will be hosting a charity football match in a matter of days.

This year’s event will be held at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, with proceeds going to BBC Children in Need and Bright Side. Kick-off is set for this Saturday, April 18, 2026 at around 3pm, and will feature all of the Sidemen regulars.

The Sidemen FC line-up will include KSI, Miniminter, Zerkaa, TBJZL, Behzinga and more. They’ll be facing YouTube Allstars in ‘a game that mixes sporting fun with unforgettable atmosphere’.

READ MORE:

Tickets for this landmark match went on sale a while back, but supporters needn’t despair just yet. While the initial batch of tickets were snapped up almost instantly – with roughly 90,000 seats sold in record time – VIP and hospitality packages are still available.

These premium tickets can still be purchased through Seat Unique and they all come with a range of added benefits on top of standard entry. Across various tiers of access, fans can secure seats within the first two rows of the ground, reports Wales Online.

Book Sidemen Charity Match tickets at Seat Unique

From £139

Seat Unique

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Book tickets here

The Sidemen are playing a football match on April 18 and tickets are out now from Seat Unique.

Furthermore, certain ticket categories include complimentary food and drinks, as well as entry to The Bobby Moore hospitality lounge. At the foot of this article, we’ve laid out every offer Seat Unique has available for the Sidemen Charity Match at London’s Wembley Stadium.

First, here’s the link fans need:

SEAT UNIQUE – Buy Sidemen Charity Match tickets here

Alternatively, tickets may still be available directly from the official Wembley website, where fans can purchase standard tickets for the match without any additional extras they might not require.

Here’s the link:

Buy Sidemen Charity Match tickets from Wembley Stadium here

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Below, we’ve outlined everything on offer within Seat Unique’s VIP and hospitality ticket options.

Block 249 – Front 5 Rows – £139 each

• Official Wembley Tickets in the premium seating area on Level Two
• Premium, padded seating in Block 249, Front five Rows
• Premium dining options available to purchase on the Level 2 concourse
• Drinks options available for purchase on Level 2 concourse

Block 249 – Front 2 Rows – £199 each

• Official Wembley Tickets in the premium seating area on Level Two
• Premium, padded seating in Block 249, row one or two
• Premium dining options available to purchase on the Level 2 concourse
• Drinks options available for purchase on Level 2 concourse

Silver – £249 each Reserved premium ticket on the halfway line in the Level Two Bobby Moore seating blocks

• Exclusive access to relaxed and informal lounge style from doors opening until kick-off
• Pre-match hand-held food
• Complimentary beers, wines and soft drinks before Kick-off and at half-time
• Purchase bar available at full time
• Lounge open one hour post full time

Gold – £349 each

• Reserved premium ticket on the halfway line in the Level One Bobby Moore seating blocks
• Exclusive access to relaxed and informal lounge style from doors opening until kick-off
• Pre-match handheld food
• Complimentary beers, wines and soft drinks before kick-off and at half-time
• Purchase bar available at full time
• Lounge open one hour after full time

Private Box – £349 each

• Exclusive access to an eight-seater box (must be purchased in its entirety)
• Access to your own private box from thre hours prior to kick-off and 1.5 hours after the final whistle
• Premium padded seating directly outside your box on Level 3/4 of the stadium
• Pre-match meal served in the box
• Complimentary bar including beer, wine and soft drinks
• Dedicated chef & host/hostess in attendance throughout
• 42″ flat-screen TV with AV functionality and pre-game coverage
• Official matchday programme for each guest

Samantha Merrilees, from Falkirk, says her son Scott was left waiting for nearly a year for mental health treatment before he took his own life aged 16.

A mum has told how her teenage son was denied urgent mental health care in the months before he took his life- despite repeated suicide attempts.

Samantha Merrilees, 46, said her 16-year-old son Scott was failed by the system and left waiting nearly a year for specialist help while his condition deteriorated.

The grieving parent spoke to the Record about the state of Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in Scotland (CAMHS) after a recent report showed young people have been left waiting more than 4.5 million days for treatment since 2019.

Samantha hit out at the figures, branding them “a disgrace” as she gave her harrowing account of her fight to keep her son alive.

She told the Record: “Scott died five years ago in desperate need of help and the latest figures are disgusting.

“They show that drastic changes are needed and the system is not fit for purpose.

“It’s a disgrace that kids are still being turned away and that they aren’t being heard, taken seriously or supported.”

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Scott, from Falkirk, died aged 16 on January 1, 2021 – just six days before his 17th birthday.

The talented sportsman played in youth squads for Falkirk FC, Hearts, Rangers and Partick Thistle, as well as local sides Syngenta Juveniles and LK Galaxy.

And after moving from football into boxing in 2018, he quickly excelled and became Scottish Amateur Boxing Champion within a year.

After leaving St Mungo’s High School in Falkirk in 2020, he started work as an apprentice joiner for his dad, David.

Samantha continued: “Scott was a popular boy and had loads of friends.

“He was doing well in sport and work.

“But he had a cancer scare at age 12 when a tumour was removed from his bladder and then he began struggling with his mental health.”

Scott developed paranoia when he was 15 but his symptoms were dismissed as “teenage hormones”.

She added: “I went to the GP and they told me he was hormonal.

“But he later confided in a family member that he had been self-harmig and walked out in front of a car.

“I phoned the NHS straight away and took Scott to hospital. I asked them to keep him in, to keep him safe.

“I didn’t know what else to do.”

But Scott was discharged and sent back to his GP surgery where he was given medication and a referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

A few months later, Scott was found attempting to buy suicide materials in a shop. Staff refused the sale out of concern.

Samantha said: “He slept in my bed that night and the GP changed his medication and marked his referral as urgent, but we were warned it could still take up to 18 weeks just to receive a letter.”

Instead, Scott remained on a waiting list for 11 months, receiving only brief telephone calls every couple of weeks.

Samantha claims that during that time, CAMHS also attempted to discharge him twice.

She said: “They kept saying he wasn’t ill enough for immediate support, but he was getting worse and worse.”

Samantha believes that her son had developed psychosis.

She added: “He thought he was being filmed 24/7 and thought people could read his thoughts when he made eye contact.”

Scott finally received CAMHS appointment on December 21, 2020.

During the appointment, Scott told the clinician that he believed people could read his thoughts but his mum said a recording of the assessment reported that he appeared well, had “good eye contact”.

He was advised to return after four weeks.

Nine days later, Scott was dead.

Samantha said critical opportunities to save her son were missed.

She continued: “If Scott had been properly assessed, I honestly believe he would still be here today.

“We begged for help for so long and wasn’t heard.”

Samantha spoke out amidst the Record’s Save Young Lives campaign to back our demands that waiting times are cut for children’s mental health services and that suicide prevention to be taught in schools to help educate kids in a crisis.

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie described Scott’s case as “scandalous”.

She said: “My thoughts are with Samantha and her family. They should not have had to go through this experience.

“Sadly, the reality is that far too many young people are facing painfully long waits for CAMHS treatment, with thousands being turned away.

“It is scandalous that they are being failed in this way.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added that the details of Scott’s case are “barbaric”.

He said: “This is a tragedy that should never have happened, and my thoughts are with Scott’s friends and family, particularly his mother, Samantha, who has shown an incredible amount of bravery in speaking about this.

“Scott’s experience illustrates that we are dealing with a broken system in urgent need of repair.

“It is impossible to fathom how Scott could have been neglected like this. It is inhuman, barbaric and wrong.”

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In response to Scott’s death, the family set up The Scott Martin Foundation to support young people struggling with their mental health.

The charity provides funded counselling and therapy sessions for children who need immediate help. The foundation has already supported more than 200 children in Falkirk, funded entirely through community donations.

“Parents or children can refer themselves and get help straight away,” she said. “If someone asks for help, they will get it.”

The Scottish Government declined to comment.

An NHS Forth Valley spokesperson said: “Significant investment has been made in developing and improving mental health services and support for children and young people across the area. This, along with other changes in the way services are designed and delivered, has resulted in NHS Forth Valley having some of the lowest waiting times in Scotland for CAMHS and it has met or exceeded the national waiting times target since February 2024.”

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Malton Rackets Club is gearing up for 2026, with the club celebrating the building of the clubhouse a half-century ago.

With racketball, tennis, and bowls in full swing, with courts ready and various leagues in progress, the club says there is no “closed season”.

Although the squash competition season just ended, coaching options remain available. 

Members of the club take a combined effort to actively maintain and upgrade the club’s facilities.

This includes squash and racketball courts, tennis courts (grass and hard), bowls green, licensed bar, changing facilities, and table pool areas.

The club fosters a sense of camaraderie among its members through in-club competitions, an enjoyable inter-sport challenge, participation in local leagues, and a common summer barbecue.

With 360 members across the sports, Malton Rackets Club also offers social sessions across the sports.

The clubhouse across the bowls green (Image: Malton Rackets Club)

These social sessions allow members and potential newcomers to check out the club’s environment.

The club also gives the opportunity to learn a new sport and reconnect with ones from the past.

With room for new members, the club invites all levels of play and provides coaching.

Details about the social sessions can be found on the club’s website: maltonracketsclub.com.

Malton Rackets Club has also planned a forthcoming Bingo Night, scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026.

The bar will open at 6.30pm, with the main event starting at 7:30pm.

Attendees have the opportunity to win from the many prizes that will be on offer. The standout top prize is £50 in cash.

Tickets are priced at £10, which covers six games and snacks.

Those interested in attending the Bingo Night can book online via the club’s website: https://www.maltonracketsclub.com/EventsV2

The Red Hands lost their captain and vice-captain to injuries in the first half of Sunday’s Ulster SFC clash against Armagh and went on to lose by one point after extra-time

Malachy O’Rourke said criticism of the Tyrone team “didn’t sit well” with his players as they came agonisingly close to beating Armagh at the Box-It Athletic Grounds on Sunday.

The home side were odds-on favourites on the basis that they had a strong League campaign in Division One whereas the Red Hands picked up just five points in a disappointing Division Two campaign.

However, the League form went out the window as the two teams traded blows in a pulsating Ulster SFC dogfight that almost went all the way to a penalty shootout.

That was probably the least Tyrone deserved, but Niall Morgan couldn’t find the target with a last-gasp ’45.

O’Rourke said that he was pleased with the character displayed by his team in the wake of some stinging criticism.

“We knew that the performances during the year weren’t good enough and we weren’t happy with it, but there were different factors playing into that,” stated O’Rourke.

“We were determined to come here today and put on a big performance. We had a number of setbacks during the game, but we just showed great resilience to bounce back each time. I’m just glad that people showed, a lot of people outside who are critical of a lot of things in the camp, that there’s a bit of faith and a bit of spirit there and a bit of quality there as well.

He added: “It’s just annoying, I suppose, for the group and annoying for the lads involved who are putting serious commitment in.

“But look, that’s the way of the world and we just have to put up with it. But at the end of the day, it was up to us to try and answer that as best we could. At least with regards to the effort and application, I think we couldn’t have asked for any more.”

“I know the character of the lads is there, I know they’re working very hard. It wasn’t sitting well with them, some of the criticism we were getting, but look, we have to take it in the chin and go on. Just disappointed, obviously, we didn’t get the victory out of it.”

The Tyrone boss added that Darragh Canavan picked up a hip flexor injury while the full extent of Brian Kennedy’s injury isn’t known.

“I was just saying that I think some ligament injury. I’m not sure exactly what it is,” O’Rourke said of his captain.

“I think Darragh is possibly a hip flexor. It wasn’t a contact injury. It was more something that he made a pull.

“Again, we’ll just have to wait and see how long they’re out for. Kieran McGeary I think was more a dead leg. It should clear up that wee bit quicker.

“We’ve a mounting injury list. We’ve a couple of lads who weren’t able to talk out today. I suppose the break will do us good from that point of view.”

Kieran McGeeney, meanwhile, was relived to see his side progress, admitting it wasn’t Armagh’s “finest day” while he also questioned how Tyrone were completely written-off in the build-up.

“I’ve been watching football for almost 40 years now. I’ve yet to see Tyrone put out a bad team,” said McGeeney.

“A bit like Kerry last year, you always have to be careful who’s writing the stories.

I think when we were 7-1 up, we stopped playing well. We started getting sloppy. We just gave the ball away a lot.

“Didn’t test them at different times but you have to give credit to them. They were able to slow the game down, get vital scores at different times. A couple of two-pointers. It’s not our finest day but credit has to be given to Tyrone too. They came here, written off and fought and fought.”

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Scottish Labour will launch their manifesto on Monday but opinion polls show John Swinney is coasting to victory on May 7.

It’s a crucial day in the Holyrood election campaign for Scottish Labour. Anas Sarwar will this morning unveil his party’s manifesto at an event in ­Edinburgh.

It will include a welcome pledge to reduce inflation-busting water charges for households across Scotland. The cost-of-living crisis has not gone away and too many Scots are still ­struggling to make ends meet.

Scottish Water is publicly owned. It doesn’t need to line the pockets of ­shareholders. But it still announced a nine per cent hike in bills this year.

The Scottish Parliament does not control the levers of the UK economy but it does have enough powers already to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

The SNP has been in power since 2007 but opinion polls show John Swinney is coasting to victory on May 7.

Scottish Labour is trailing behind and Sarwar must find a way to convince voters he’s worth their ballot. The unpopularity of Keir Starmer has dragged the party in Scotland down.

Labour now faces a battle just to finish second in terms of MSP numbers, with the arrival of Reform UK on the scene and the increasingly vocal and confident Scottish Greens climbing in the polls.

Many younger Scots, fed-up with soaring property prices and stagnant wages, are equally fed-up with Labour at Westminster and the SNP at Holyrood.

Sarwar has just three weeks left to make his case to the public.

A bold policy offering on how to tackle the cost-of-living crisis would be a good place to start.

Harrowing figures

None of Scotland’s major political parties can plead ignorance when it comes to the state of children’s mental health services.

Waiting times for initial appointments are months long in too many cases, with young people and their families left distraught as a result.

It cannot be said too many times that suicide remains one of the largest causes of deaths among young Scots, a tragic state of affairs made worse by mental health services not being available when needed.

Samantha Merrilees today shares her heartbreak over losing her 16-year-old son Scott. He was denied urgent care in the months before he died – despite repeated attempts took take his own life.

The grieving mum said Scott was failed by the system and left waiting nearly a year for specialist help while his condition deteriorated.

Too many other families have faced similar harrowing experiences.

Mental health waiting times must come down. The next Scottish Government must ensure they do.

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Turton Road will be shut on April 12, between where it meets Chapeltown Road and Shady Lane, for maintenance work on the railway bridge at Bromley Cross Railway Station.

Traffic will be diverted via Blackburn Road and Crompton Way for those looking to pass between Tonge Moor and Bromley Cross.

Turton Road and the railway bridge. (Image: Google Maps)

Commenting on the road closure, Cllr Nadim Muslim, representing Bromley Cross and Egerton, said: “It’s a bit of a shame we weren’t told any sooner, but hopefully on a Sunday there won’t be any delays.

“They’re looking to do some safety work on the bridge, nothing majorly serious just to update stuff like some signage.

“Cars will have to have longer diversions but pedestrians will still be able to pass by the bridge by going through the train station.”

Nearby, Chapeltown road was closed for three days last month due to electrical repair works after homes and businesses lost power.

Gary Neville fears the selfish actions of two Chelsea stars will see the club miss out on Champions League qualification.

Liam Rosenior’s side saw their hopes of a top five finish suffer a further blow on Sunday when Manchester City left Stamford Bridge with three points following a swashbuckling second half display.

Goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku emphasised the chasm that currently exists between both teams as Chelsea struggled to get to grips with their rampant opponents.

The home side’s cause wasn’t helped by the absence of their skipper Enzo Fernandez who was sitting out the second game of a suspension imposed on him by his own employers for his outspoken comments over the course of the international break.

While Fernandez was forced to miss out, the club took a more lenient view of Marc Cucurella’s revelations but regardless of the former Brighton full-back being let off the hook, Neville believes Rosenior being undermined in such an obvious way can only lead to more unrest.

Neville told Sky Sports: ‘It’s a struggle and you add to that the ill-discipline of Enzo Fernandez and Cucurella who have been speaking up in the last few weeks.

‘As a football player in a dressing room what do the rest of their teammates think.

‘When you speak like they have, that’s entirely selfish. It’s entirely selfish. It’s not helping your manager who is young and inexperienced. It’s not helping your teammates. It’s not helping the fans because they’re thinking you’re discontent.’

Chelsea have now lost five of their six games in all competitions with their only win in that run coming against League One strugglers Port Vale in the FA Cup and Neville condemned the actions of two senior players, particularly given the less than ideal timing.

He said: ‘In a period when you need to knuckle down, you’ve just gone out the Champions League and been mauled by PSG, which is no embarrassment they’re a good team. You needed everybody to knuckle down and stay in that mode of tightness.

‘When you’ve got the two experienced players that they have are demonstrating discontent and saying that the previous manager was good and we liked him and not sure why it changed. I agree there had to be consequences.

‘What they’ve done is say you need to have the camera on you against Manchester City being in the stand with everyone knowing you’ve been ill-disciplined. That can’t be helpful.

‘The problem is those players are still going in the dressing room having an influence and if they’ve got a bottom lip down by their shoe and sulking and slagging the club off, I think you’re going to have a difficult end to the season.

‘It feels to me now that Chelsea will miss out on Champions League football. I think Chelsea are going to miss out because of what has happened over the last few weeks.’

MORE: Michael Owen makes Premier League title prediction after Man City thrash Chelsea

MORE: Rio Ferdinand warns Mikel Arteta ‘you can’t do that’ ahead of Man City vs Arsenal clash

MORE: Liam Rosenior names Chelsea’s problem after Man City loss and says he’s to blame

Nature, luxury, culture and 300 days of sunshine. Take just one of them and you’ve already got the basis for a great holiday. But all at once? That’s something else!

Introducing the Turkish Riviera – a lush, scenic stretch of Türkiye’s southwestern coastline fringed by the dramatic Taurus Mountains.

Spanning 620 miles (1,000 km), it’s a year-round Mediterranean paradise featuring a world-class collection of beachfront resorts, boutique hotels, golf, wellness and all-inclusive experiences. 

Alongside these modern indulgences is a rich local culture shaped by centuries of history, with ancient castles, temples, and ports sitting alongside vibrant coastal cities serving up exquisite local cuisine. 

It sounds idyllic – and it is! Here’s why the Turkish Riviera offers all the ingredients for a dream getaway.

History meets nature  

Visiting historical sites at home is often a rainy-day activity. But in the Turkish Riviera, it’s an open-air experience.

We’re talking sun-drenched ruins scattered among pine forests, Roman temples overlooking turquoise waters and tombs carved into soaring coastal cliffs. 

The area is home to the three ancient regions of Lycia, Pamphylia and Pisidia, which grew wealthy in antiquity and left behind an extraordinary historical legacy.

This includes the ancient cities of Side, Patara, Olympos and Phaselis – considered among the most beautiful in the world (and best admired from the sea via a boat trip from Antalya’s Roman harbour). 

Both are cultural hotspots, with Mersin putting on an annual music festival, while Antalya hosts Türkiye’s most important film festival.

Alongside these historical attractions, the Turkish Riviera is big on outdoor activities of all kinds. Sailing is especially popular, typically aboard a traditional two- or three-masted wooden boat known as a gulet.

The pristine, forest-fringed coves around the cities of Antalya and Mersin are ripe for exploring by boat, as is the picturesque island of Kekova. 

Inland, there are even more outdoor adventures to discover, from caving, camping and biking to trekking along long-distance footpaths like the Lycian Way.

But to make the most of the region’s blend of nature and history, you need to sign up for a diving lesson. Gliding under the crystal-clear waters, you’ll find ruins and wrecks interspersed with vibrant corals and enchanting marine life, from rare Mediterranean monk seals to loggerhead turtles.

Pampering – Turkish style 

After all that exploring, it’s time to enjoy one of Türkiye’s other unforgettable experiences. 

The hammam, a centuries-old purification ritual set in a traditional Turkish steam bath, is the ancestor of the modern spa day.

When you arrive, you’ll be invited to douse yourself in water before lying down on a warm marble bed. 

An expert tellak or natir (male or female attendant) will envelop you in foam before scrubbing away dead skin with a coarse glove. Finally, they’ll treat you to a silky massage to leave you feeling utterly relaxed – and impossibly clean! 

The ritual also has a social element, so be sure to head to the communal refreshment area to enjoy an ice-cold drink or a cup of Turkish coffee.

The pull of the city

Relaxation and wellness are a major part of life in the Turkish Riviera, but there’s a livelier side to it too. Mersin and Antalya, two of its major cities, are major attractions in their own right – and the perfect complement to a nature-themed break. 

Keen shoppers will find plenty to delight them too, from tiny craft stores on side streets to ultra-modern malls. 

Antalya’s pedestrian-friendly, cobbled streets are lined with laid-back cafés and bars. As afternoon eases into evening, set aside some time to relax on a sunny terrace with a cocktail before heading to the harbour to tuck into traditional mezes, such as salted bonito or shrimp in butter and garlic sauce.

This part of the Mediterranean is particularly famous for its citrus fruit, such as oranges and mandarins, which make a refreshing end to an evening meal. And if you’d like the fun to continue, Antalya’s nightlife is second to none, ranging from snug live music venues to high-energy nightclubs.

Where to stay

The Turkish Riviera boasts an astonishing range of holiday experiences, and its accommodation offering is similarly varied. 

From all-inclusive hotels with spacious rooms to private villas featuring breathtaking sea views, there are hundreds of options for both couples and families. 

Think swimming pools, aqua parks and golf courses alongside luxurious spas and lavish buffet restaurants. In other words, everything you need for an incredible holiday!

If you’d prefer something more low-key, you can opt for a boutique hotel nestled in the countryside or tucked away on a side street in a coastal town. 

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While you can visit all year round, May, June and September are considered some of the best times of the year to go, while July and August are peak season. 

Plan your dream trip to the Turkish Riviera at turkishriviera.goturkiye.com

Joe Fishburn from Scarborough, alongside Amanda Wah, a gym owner from Warrington, triumphed in the final of the competition broadcast on April 12 on BBC One.

Joe paid tribute to his grandmother, Christine, who had raised him after his mother died when he was two years old.

He said: “I never had a father figure present, and she’s done everything for me.

“I hope you’re proud.”

Fishburn had a six-second head start on his fellow finalist, East London youth worker Mus Dumbuya, as they entered the Eliminator.

The coach set a new Eliminator record by finishing the course in 0.55 seconds, according to the programme.

Fishburn mentioned he would place the trophy on his “grandmother Christine’s mantelpiece” and described the experience as “definitely the best thing I’ve ever done”.

He said: “We were in an amazing final, and I felt like I already won coming into this process, but obviously it’s always nice to complete the whole thing and take the win.”

He told co-host Barney Walsh: “I have absolutely no words, I just want to say I couldn’t be happier to do this with someone like Mus, it means the world to me and Christine, this amazing woman brought me up from the age of two when, unfortunately, I lost my mum.

“Mus is an amazing opponent, contender, friend, everything he does is so amazing, and it was an honour to be in the final with him.”

In the women’s competition, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher from Manchester, had the upper hand in the final Eliminator battle, having earned a 1.5-second head start from their previous events, but was ultimately beaten to the finish line by Wah.

Cheering for Wah were her girlfriend, two children, friends, and family, while Fishburn was supported by Roddy Mackay, a contender from 1993, and his family.

Gladiators was revived in 2024 on the BBC, with army officer Finlay Anderson and personal trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson having been crowned champions.

The show originally aired on ITV for eight years until 2000 before being cancelled and briefly returned on Sky from 2008 to 2009.

This story was originally published in the York Press on April 12, 2025.