ONE in five Brits admit Valentine’s Day is always an anti-climax, according to research.

A survey of 2,000 adults found while 21 per cent believe Valentine’s Day should be the most pleasurable day of the year, 42 per cent expect to miss out entirely.

Nearly a third (64 per cent) reckon Valentine’s Day celebrations fail to deliver because they feel forced.

As a result, 24 per cent plan to dial up indulgence more than ever this Valentine’s Day by treating themselves.

And this trend is being driven by the younger generations, with 43 per cent of Gen Z and 40 per cent of Millennials planning to do so.

The research, commissioned by Gü Desserts, went on to reveal that outside of Valentine’s Day many Brits also aren’t prioritising pleasure in everyday life.

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Nearly half say they are stuck in the same routine and cycle (48 per cent), 43 per cent aren’t making enough time for themselves and 39 per cent blame fast-paced, busy lifestyles.

However, many are most commonly getting these small uplifting moments from enjoying delicious food (46 per cent), and sitting on the sofa at the end of the day (33 per cent) and even sex and intimacy (30 per cent).

The UK is also increasingly turning to sound to regulate their moods and escape the mundane.

More than one in seven (16 per cent) are turning to auditory escapism to intensify their daily lives, including Romantasy (42 per cent) and audio erotica (32 per cent).

The findings mark the launch of Gü’s ‘Saucy Stories’ campaign with Mark Wright and food psychologist Professor Charles Spence.

The immersive audio recordings are designed to create a sensory experience using deep, husky tones can intensify flavour and richness.

Charles Spence said: “Flavour is more than just a matter of what tickles our tastebuds; it is a multi-sensory symphony.

“The science of sound proves that certain audible frequencies can alter our perception of food.

“Deep, ‘husky’ tones, like the ones used in the Saucy Stories, have been shown to intensify the richness of chocolate and the creaminess of textures.

“By matching the right sounds with the right flavours, we’re essentially ‘hacking’ the senses to make every bite feel more intense and every flavour deeper and more enjoyable.”

Almost half of Brits (49 per cent) found that multi-sensory satisfaction can enhance their pleasure, yet 27 per cent feel they are missing out on this satisfaction their lives crave.

What’s more, the nation is stuck in a cycle of distracted consumption as 67 per cent regularly eat in front of the TV, averaging five days a week.

While 34 per cent admitted to scrolling on social media while snacking.

Mark Wright, who also appeared in a saucy video to promote the decadent desserts, said: “We’re all guilty of distracted eating, scrolling through our phones while we are meant to be enjoying a treat.

“This Valentine’s Day, I’m showing the nation the “Wright” way to indulge.

“Narrating the Saucy Stories was about setting the ultimate mood, an audio experience that matches the intensity of dessert, helping people shut out the world, prioritise pleasure and treat themselves this February.”

The number 10 bus from Whinfield will stop at Sadberge and surrounding villages from April to July as part of a loop route to the east of Darlington and west of Stockton. 

The extension has been agreed with Arriva to serve the village, which would otherwise be left with no service after the Tees Flex on-demand bus service halts at the end of March. 

Service 10 will operate once an hour via Great Burdon, Sadberge, Little Stainton, Bishopton, Redmarshall, Carlton, Thorpe Thewles, Stillington and Great Stainton in an anticlockwise loop, returning to Sadberge and rejoining the service at Whinfield.

Darlington Borough Council Leader Steve Harker said: “For Sadberge, having a regular bus service is very important.

“This service means the village stays connected to Darlington town centre, Stockton and neighbouring communities, which will help residents get to work, education, healthcare and shops.”

The extension comes after council leaders said they were exploring ways to enhance local bus services. Services in the West End and extensions to new developments such as West Park have been mooted. 

Cllr Harker, who is also TVCA Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, added: “While we’re seeing some positive trends in service coverage across Tees Valley, what really matters is how people experience those services day-to-day. 

“We want to look at how we can strengthen and improve the network in the longer-term as part of a wider review with increased investment in our transport system.”

Meanwhile, two new Stagecoach routes will also begin in April and run until July.

Service X86 will connect Redmarshall to Stockton High Street via Whitton, Stillington and Bishopton, Roseworth and University Hospital of North Tees, while Service 51 will link Dalton Piercy and Elwick with Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Hartlepool Town Centre.

Local Conservative MP Matt Vickers said rural communities deserve proper access to public transport. 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “If we’re serious about creating good jobs and growing our economy, then local people must be able to access new opportunities right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“We’re already seeing more stops getting more frequent services, which shows progress is being made, but we want to do more across road, rail and in the air.

“With increased funding coming into our region, and big transport projects nearing completion, we’re determined to go further and build a network that genuinely supports our people, backs our businesses and helps our growth as a region.”

When Durde returned from further internships in 2015 and 2016 – with Dallas and the Atlanta Falcons – he continued to work for the NFL in London, sharing an office with two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora.

The pair came up with the idea of a programme to help international athletes transition to the NFL, effectively an American football crash-course which became known as the International Player Pathway.

Durde later ran the programme, which helped Obada get signed by the Carolina Panthers in 2017. Later that year Durde was the first American football coach to work-out ex-rugby league player Jordan Mailata.

As with Obada, Durde soon saw his potential and the Australian came through the programme before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. He is now one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles and won last year’s Super Bowl.

“Jordan went from not knowing any of the position names to being drafted in four months,” said Henry Hodgson, general manager of NFL UK & Ireland, who used to write a players’ diary for Durde on the NFL Europe website.

“For Aden to have uploaded enough of his knowledge for someone to be drafted and go on to where he is now, that tells you what a great teacher he is.”

It was then that Durde realised he could become an NFL coach.

“To do that from the UK is unprecedented because there isn’t an obvious pathway,” Hodgson added.

“The fact that Aden not only has done it, but has got to the level he’s at now speaks to someone who is single minded, will figure stuff out for themselves and has the wherewithal to make something work if it’s their passion or their dream.”

Allen always felt that Durde, who had two head-coach interviews last month, had “the juice” to become an NFL coach.

“He has the authenticity and the communication skills, and when you have that, you can conjure belief in people,” he said.

“He’s a very honest person and I think a lot of people buy into that, pretty much instantly.”

An Australian man has been charged with child abuse-related offences after an investigation uncovered more than 23,000 videos and images linked to 459 victims, some as young as seven.

Queensland Police said a 27-year-old suspect, initially arrested in February 2025, has now been charged with 596 offences.

Detectives alleged he actively targeted children, most aged between seven and 15, on social media and gaming platforms in Australia and overseas between 2018 and 2025.

The investigation, known as Operation Xray Wick, has so far identified 259 children. In a statement, the force said it was working with international partners “to ensure every victim is identified and supported”.

Police allege the man, who has not been named, created multiple online profiles, posing as male and female to groom victims and record thousands of images and videos.

Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Group released body-worn camera footage of their operation in 2025, showing officers seizing electronic devices from the man’s home in Maryborough, about 140 miles (230km) north of Brisbane.

Acting chief superintendent Denzil Clark, from Queensland Police, said: “Due to the volume of images and videos of children on the alleged offender’s devices, the process of identification took time, skill and commitment.

“This is extremely concerning and disturbing offending. We are seeing an increasing prevalence of children being groomed, coerced, or threatened into taking and sending sexual images of themselves, often through popular apps, games, and social media sites.

“The trauma that this causes a child is significant.”

The man is due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

He is charged with: 244 counts of producing child abuse material for use through a carriage service; 163 counts of using a carriage service to procure persons under 16 years of age; and 87 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child using a carriage service.

Man Utd have three players out injured but one is due back sooner rather than later.

Mason Mount is close to returning to the Manchester United squad after picking up an injury in training last week, but Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back problem. Mount missed the win against Fulham with a minor injury and didn’t train on Wednesday, but Michael Carrick confirmed he was close to making his return, which could make him available against Tottenham on Saturday or West Ham on Tuesday.

But De Ligt’s absence is continuing to drag on. The Dutch centre-back has missed more than two months with a back injury and Carrick confirmed he was still absent, but that he was remaining positive during his recovery.

“Mason sooner. He’s not too far away. We’re hopeful it won’t be too long,” said Carrick. “Matta is working his way back, taking his steps and improving and being really positive.”

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Patrick Dorgu is the only other absentee, with the wide man picking up a hamstring injury against Arsenal. United didn’t strengthen during the January window and although plans are now afoot for the summer window, the 44-year-old insisted uncertainty over who would be in charge wouldn’t be a problem.

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“The players have been spot on and fully focused,” he said. “We’re all aware of the bigger situation and what might happen.

“As a player, you focus on what’s ahead of you, trying to achieve what you can. I’ve got no concerns. The lads have been better than you can imagine. We’re focused on being better, improving and getting to where we want to be. Small steps but it’s a big end to the season.”

One person has died, and three others have been hurt after a double-decker bus crashed into pedestrians in Dublin city centre.

Ireland’s justice minister confirmed the news to the Irish parliament, adding that those injured are being treated in hospital.

It is understood that the incident, in the pedestrianised North Earl Street, is being treated as a road crash.

Emergency services were called shortly after 12.30pm to the junction of Talbot Street and Marlborough Street.

Images from the scene show a police cordon has been established and a tent erected around the crash site.

The front window of the bus, which remains at the location, has been smashed, but it is not clear how that happened.

The operator, Bus Eireann, confirmed one of its vehicles was involved but said it was not in service at the time of the incident.

Dublin Fire Brigade said it “received reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus and pedestrians”.

In a statement, it said: “Over 20 firefighter/paramedics and advanced paramedics responded on four engines, two emergency tenders with heavy rescue tools and an advanced paramedic response car.

“Two district officers also responded to the incident along with four ambulances and a rapid response vehicle from the National Ambulance Service.”

Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan told the Irish parliament: “I regret to say that there has been a fatality there and three others have been taken to hospital.

“Obviously our thoughts are with the family of the person who has been fatally injured, and indeed the people who are in hospital. We wish them well.”

People have been asked to avoid Marlborough Street, North Earl Street, Talbot Street and the surrounding areas while emergency crews deal with the incident.

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A churn of saliva. A clashing of teeth. Way too much tongue.

These are just some of the components of a kiss many of us would rather forget.

So, it might come as a surprise to hear that more and more Brits have been searching for this kind of smooch on porn sites.

In fact, in the past two years, searches for the term ‘kissing fetish’ have surged by 67% on adult content marketplace, Clips4Sale, making it one of the most lucrative categories.

That’s kisses that are ‘wet’ and ‘smokey’, according to search terms, as well as those that you might associate with a good snogger, including ‘erotic’, ‘romantic’ and ‘SFW (safe for work)’.

In the r/dating subReddit, users have been sharing their love of a ‘sloppy and wet make-out session.’

‘I yearn for a sloppy make out session,’ wrote one user, while another said: ‘I love spit swapping, tonsil wrestling, tongue tied make out sessions.’

Our jaws hurt just thinking about it, but sex therapist Courtney Boyer is hardly surprised that kissing fetish is finally having its moment.

‘Kissing sits right at the intersection of emotional intimacy and physical arousal,’ she tells Metro. ‘The lips are packed with nerve endings, so even light contact can send strong sensory signals through the body.

‘Throw in eye contact, anticipation, scent, and emotional connection, and it becomes a powerful erotic trigger.

‘This is often more psychologically charged than overt sexual touch.’

Why are so many Brits getting off to kissing videos?

Courtney explains that, like most fetishes, our penchant for the intimate act develops through early imprinting. ‘Because kissing is often our first intimate act, it can hold emotional and erotic significance that carried into adulthood.’

That certainly makes sense, but what’s the appeal of the ‘washing-machine’ style snog?

Well, Courtney says the wet noises can hold a particular allure.

‘Sound and sensation amplify arousal,’ Courtney adds. ‘Wet kissing noises can heighten realism, and signal a mutual desire and immersion in the moment.’ Essentially, it shows that the pair are really digging the smooch.

Specific searches for things like ‘smokey kisses’ also point to a desire for sex acts that feel a little bit wrong.

‘These refer to kissing where smoke, often from cigarettes or vapes, is shared mouth-to-mouth,’ Courtney says. ‘For some, the appeal lies in taboo, the combination of all senses (taste and smell), and the intimacy of sharing air.

‘It blends rebellion with closeness, which can feel edgy and erotic.’

The fetish can also overlap with kinks like breath play, oral fixations, sensory play and even romantic dom and sub dynamics.

‘All of these center on closeness, control, and sensory immersion, which are core elements of erotic kissing,’ Courtney explains.

Keeping it PG

On the other end of the spectrum, SFW (safe for work) kisses were another frequently searched-for term, suggesting there are those out there looking for a more PG exchange.

‘Despite an increase among the younger generation in more aggressive acts like choking, there is also a growing appetite for softer intimacy,’ Courtney says.

‘Kissing that feels affectionate, slow, and emotionally grounded rather than overtly sexual.

‘In times of stress or digital overload, people often crave comfort, safety, and nostalgia. “SFW” content offers arousal rooted in connection rather than explicitness.’

While the kissing fetish spans all genders, Courtney says that research and clinical insights suggest women are more likely to eroticise kissing because they tend to ‘link arousal with emotion’.

‘That said, men absolutely share the fetish,’ she adds, ‘particularly when kissing is framed as a marker of mutual desire or conquest. It’s less about gender and more about how individuals eroticise intimacy.’

But why the sudden uptick?

With a dramatic increase in demand for kissing fetish videos in the past two years, you do have to wonder what sparked the surge in interest.

For Courtney, post-pandemic psychology plays a major role. ‘Periods of isolation heightened our awareness of touch deprivation,’ she says.

‘Kissing, intimate but accessible, became symbolic of reconnection. At the same time, dating culture has been recalibrating toward slower, more intentional intimacy.’

And while the act of kissing itself has always been erotic, the expert suggests its rise as a standalone fetish is tied to online culture, too.

‘Particularly, it’s the growth of searchable, niche content over the past decade,’ she says. ‘As people realise their specific turn-ons are shared by others, interest and visibility increases.’

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This is the second time this week the soaps have been axed from the nightly ITV lineup after the 2025/26 Carabao Cup semi-final fixture between Arsenal and Chelsea aired in their place on Tuesday (February 3).

Once again, it is a major sporting event that will keep Coronation Street and Emmerdale off air tonight.

Why are Coronation Street and Emmerdale not on ITV tonight?

Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be replaced tonight by the Guinness Six Nations match between France and Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris.

The France v Ireland match, which marks the beginning of the 2026 Six Nations tournament, will air on ITV1 and ITVX from 7.20pm until 10.35pm.

This latest change follows a major schedule shake-up in January, with the introduction of the “soaps power hour”.

Emmerdale now airs on ITV1 at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8.30pm, Monday to Friday, with episodes still dropping each morning at 7pm on ITVX.

The longest-running UK soaps

This is a move away from the previous weekly schedule, which consisted of:

• Three one-hour-long Coronation Street episodes
• Four 30-minute and one hour-long episodes of Emmerdale

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Announcing the new schedule last year, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo, said: “The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led. 

“We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them, in the most digestible way.

“In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.”

Emmerdale and Coronation Street will return to their usual 8am and 8.30pm time slots on ITV1 on Friday (February 6).

When we think about iron imbalance, most people are familiar with iron deficiency and the health problems it can cause. What many may not realise is that the opposite problem, iron overload, can be just as serious – yet many aren’t even aware of the condition.

Haemochromatosis is an inherited genetic condition that affects the amount of iron the body absorbs. The condition disproportionately affects people of Irish, Scottish and Welsh descent, which is why it’s been nicknamed the “Celtic curse”. Yet this label can be misleading as it is also prevalent in other northern European countries – and this may contribute to why so many cases still continue to go undiagnosed today.

Haemochromatosis causes the body to absorb too much iron from food. Iron is essential for health, particularly for the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.

In healthy people, this iron is safely stored in the bone marrow and liver in the form of a protein called ferritin. But in people with haemochromatosis, iron stores gradually exceed safe limits. As the body has no effective way to excrete this excess iron, this means the mineral accumulates in their tissues and organs, resulting in damage to these tissues and organs.

Most cases of haemochromatosis are caused by mutations in a gene called HFE, which regulates hepcidin – a hormone made by the liver that helps regulate iron absorption. When this system is disrupted, iron absorption continues unchecked. In people with haemochromatosis, this mutation is usually inherited from both parents.

Iron overload can also occur in people who need repeated blood transfusions – such as those with sick cell disease.

The liver is particularly vulnerable, and excess iron can cause inflammation, irreversible scarring and damage and, in advanced cases, liver cancer. Once liver storage capacity is exceeded, iron begins to accumulate in other organs – including the pancreas, heart, joints and brain, impairing their function.

Diagnosing iron overload

Genetic haemochromatosis has been identified from human remains as far back as bronze age and neolithic Irish populations. It’s thought that humans with the HFE mutation were resistant to iron deficiency caused by iron-poor diets, offering a survival advantage.

But while haemochromatosis is more common people of Celtic ancestry, the condition can affect anyone. The “Celtic curse” label may even have unintentionally contributed to the misconception that the condition is rare.

In reality, around one in 200 people of northern European ancestry carry the mutations that can cause the condition. However, in Ireland, around one in 83 people carry this mutation.

Before the genetic basis of haemochromatosis was discovered, patients were often diagnosed incidentally or after developing cirrhosis or diabetes.

Today, it’s widely understood that symptoms can be wide ranging and of varying severity. The most common complaint is joint pain, particularly affecting the knuckles and hands. Other symptoms include chronic fatigue, bronzing of the skin, reduced libido, heart rhythm problems and difficulties with memory or concentration.

Many people have no obvious symptoms for decades – and when symptoms do occur, they’re often attributed to age-related conditions, such as arthritis. This makes haemochromatosis easy to miss.

Large UK population studies suggest that up to 40% of patients with genetic haemochromatosis will develop at least one symptom related to iron overload in their lifetime. Men with the condition are at the highest risk of developing liver cancer.

Despite this, many people remain undiagnosed – even when serious organ damage has already occurred. According to the charity Haemochromatosis UK , undiagnosed haemochromatosis costs the NHS an estimated £300 million per year, due to to avoidable illness and complications associated with the condition.

Diagnosing haemochromatosis is actually quite straightforward. Blood tests are performed to measure iron and liver function. If results suggest iron overload, genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis.

But the challenge is knowing who to test. Because symptoms are often vague and the condition is still perceived as rare, haemochromatosis is often overlooked.

Many people are diagnosed incidentally during routine blood tests for unrelated reasons. When a diagnosis is made, close relatives are usually offered testing because of the inherited nature of the condition.

When diagnosed, treatment is simple and highly effective. The standard approach is regular blood removal, known as venesection or phlebotomy. Removing blood removes mobilises stored iron to make new blood cells, helping to deplete these stores. Initially this may be weekly or fortnightly until iron levels normalise – followed by lifelong monitoring and occasional maintenance venesections.

Dietary changes, such as avoiding iron and vitamin C supplements, limiting alcohol and reducing red meat consumption, may help slow iron accumulation, but these cannot replace or be as effective as venesection.

Not all patients tolerate regular blood removal – particularly older people or those whose veins may not be as visible or easy to access. In these cases, iron-chelating drugs (which make it possible for iron to be passed in urine) can be used. However, their side-effects – such as diarrhoea, pain and tiredness – limit their use.

Encouragingly, new treatments are emerging. Drugs that mimic hepcidin, restoring the body’s natural iron regulation, are currently being trialled. Other approaches aim to block ferroportin (which transports iron), using a synthetic inhibitor that competes against the natural protein and is known to reduce iron levels in mice.

Haemochromatosis is common, treatable, and when caught early, the health effects are largely preventable. The greatest challenge is increasing awareness among both doctors and the public, so the condition can be caught before it causes serious harm.