Clare Adams, 45, from Widnes, started to fall ill in the summer of 2023 after going on holiday to Marmaris

A British woman who fell ill after a sunshine break in Turkey now has no idea how long she has left to live.

Clare Adams, 45, from Widnes, started feeling “really bad” after catching flu on a trip to Marmaris, and says she’s never felt the same since. For months she battled terrifying breathlessness, but medics were unable to explain why her condition kept getting worse.

Speaking to the ECHO, Clare explained: “I went on holiday to Turkey and caught influenza. After coming back, my breathing was really bad. I couldn’t breathe at all. I couldn’t take two steps without being really breathless. I was getting really bad heart palpitations and just feeling poorly.

“I ended up in hospital for a week, where they treated me then for influenza and sent me home. Then I went to the doctors afterwards, who thought I had a long covid.”

A subsequent medical consultation led another doctor to suspect complications affecting the right chamber of her heart, though numerous examinations and scans failed to reveal any irregularities, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Clare ultimately received a diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension in November 2023, an incurable condition. The NHS describes this illness as elevated blood pressure within the vessels supplying the lungs.

It represents a severe and uncommon disorder capable of compromising the heart’s right side. Breathlessness features amongst its characteristic symptoms. While influenza doesn’t directly cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, it can lead to severe lung-related complications.

Reflecting on receiving her diagnosis, Clare, who has a partner called Chris, said: “It was more of a relief that I knew what was wrong with me. But the biggest shock was when the doctor told me that I couldn’t have children. I don’t have any children myself. That was the hardest thing to deal with.”

Yet despite receiving treatment, Clare’s condition deteriorated over the following 18 months. She explained: “My breathing was getting worse. I was checking my heart rate and my oxygen levels all the time, they were really low.”

Come May 2025, Clare received a diagnosis of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) – a rare and life-threatening form of pulmonary hypertension.

Medics gave Clare a prognosis of mere weeks to months at most, though devastated by the news, she remained determined to defy the odds. She said: “It was obviously a big shock to the system but I just refused point blank [to accept it]. I thought, I’m not letting you decide when I die.”

Following consultation with another specialist, Clare began treatment with epoprostenol, a drug designed to dilate blood vessels. While uncertain about her remaining time, she’s pinning her hopes on securing a transplant to extend her life further.

Clare said: “We have had very slight improvements over the last 12 months and along with a massive one stone loss, I’m fighting my way to get a double lung transplant.

“I am in a wheelchair and on oxygen 24/7, having to wear a mask, as my body doesn’t hold oxygen at all. I didn’t think I was a strong person, but to get through this last year…I wouldn’t say it’s been like a massive fight, but it’s been a steady fight of continuously just laughing through everything, working on my mindset and watching what I eat.”

Drawing from her personal journey, Clare is now penning a children’s book titled My Auntie, which chronicles what living with her condition entails. She hopes the publication will shed light on life with a disability.

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Clare said: “One of my nephews broke his kneecap playing rugby. To keep him occupied, because he couldn’t go to school, I said to him, ‘come on, we’ll write a book together about little things that we used to do.’ So the first book we wrote was called Auntie Cra Cra and Frankie Go to the Park.

“And then he said, ‘why don’t we talk about the way that you look?’ So that’s where my auntie book comes from. It’s really just a book to tell people that even though I look different, I can still do the same things as what a normal auntie can do.

“It hits children really hard when people are sick. My nieces and nephews have never once treated me any differently. They’ve just got on with everything that has been thrown our way. I think the children can teach the adults sometimes.”

My Auntie (Adventures with Auntie Cra Cra) is available to buy on Amazon.

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Alex Hughes, who was 38, was Grimsby’s player recruitment lead, having previously held roles at clubs including Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and 1860 Munich.

In a statement released via the League Managers Association, former City and Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: “Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex.

“Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo.

“Alex was Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town FC, and had many good friends and colleagues. He will be so deeply missed by us all.

“We ask for privacy during this sad time as we come to terms with our family’s loss.”

Alex Hughes had a brief playing career, on the books of Stockport and Wrexham, before joining Blackburn in 2007, working as a performance analyst during his father’s time as manager.

He followed Mark to Manchester City in 2008 and worked with him again at Fulham before forging his own path abroad. He joined Grimsby in 2025.

Mark Hughes has said he and his family are “heartbroken” following the sudden death of his son Alex. (Image: PA)

In a statement, Grimsby Town said: “Everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club is devastated to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of our Player Recruitment Lead, Alex Hughes.

“Alex was a devoted husband, proud father, beloved son, brother, and friend, and a highly valued member of the Grimsby Town family.

“Alex joined the Mariners in 2025 and quickly became a valued and highly respected member of the football club.

“Working closely with Head Coach David Artell and the football department, he played an important role in shaping the Club’s recruitment strategy and supporting the continued development of the men’s first-team squad.”

The statement added: “Beyond his professional achievements, Alex was deeply valued by those who knew him.

“His warmth, professionalism, and positive personality made a lasting impression throughout the football club and the wider football community.”

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: “It’s a very unusual, very rare spell of very hot weather, so it’s one of those ones where people should take care, try to keep their houses as cool as possible, check in on those that are vulnerable, so the very young and very old, in particular, are more vulnerable to extreme heat.

Londoners have been told to reduce car journeys amid fears severe pollution could ‘raise Ozone levels’.

Sadiq Khan announced a high air pollution alert for Monday, as the capital is set for a week of sweltering 39C temperatures.

The Mayor of London urged Londoners to look after vulnerable residents, cut down car journeys and avoid engine idling to help mitigate the predicted poor air quality.

‘Hot, sunny weather and pollution from continental Europe are expected to raise ozone levels’, he wrote on Sunday afternoon.

‘Please help protect yourself and others, especially vulnerable people, by reducing car journeys and avoiding engine idling.’

The capital and much of southern and central England have been placed on an amber alert for extreme heat for four consecutive days between Monday and Thursday.

The Met Office warned of ‘adverse health effects’ which could affect the wider population including sunburn and heat exhaustion.

It also said that heat-sensitive equipment and systems were at risk of failing, leading to the possibility of power cuts and a loss of some services.

The mercury is forecast to rise to 38C by Tuesday in London and stay at that level until Thursday.

If borne out, it would mark Britain’s hottest June on record, beating the previous highest figure of  35.6Cwhich was reached both in 1976 in Southampton and in 1957 in Camden Square, London.

The summer of 1976 saw Britain experience one of its most intense heatwaves to date, with 15 consecutive days hitting 32C or higher and 36 days without rainfall recorded across England and Wales.

A water shortage led to Parliament passing the Drought Act, which brought in water rationing and the use of standpipes.

Some £500million of crops were destroyed that year.

This year has already seen the hottest spring on record, with temperatures tipping over 30C in May.

Last year’s summer was the hottest since records began, with a mean temperature of 16.1C recorded between the start of June and the end of August.

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge warned that spells of extreme weather were becoming ‘more frequent’ due to climate change.

‘That’s unfortunately just the way things are going at the moment and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down’, he said.

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The Funny Way To Be Comedy Club will host four evenings of new material at The Witham in Barnard Castle throughout July and August.

Acts will include established names and rising stars as they prepare for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and upcoming UK tours.

Craig Hill (Image: Steve Ullathorne)

Peter Dixon, who manages Funny Way To Be Comedy, said: “July is always an exciting month for live comedy, with performers preparing for new tours and Edinburgh Fringe appearances.

We’re delighted to welcome such a high-quality mix of established favourites and rising stars to Barnard Castle.

It’s one of our strongest summer seasons yet.”

Brennan Reece (Image: Supplied)

The season kicks off on Thursday, July 9, with a double bill featuring Larry Dean and Brennan Reece.

Dean is a three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee known for his sharp storytelling and self-deprecating humour.

Reece, an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and winner of English Comedian of the Year, is known for his heartfelt routines and comedic family tales.

Gareth Mutch (Image: Supplied)

On Saturday, July 18, the popular Sneak Peeks format returns with Scottish comedians Craig Hill and Connor Burns.

They will be joined by special guest Daniel Petrie, winner of the 2023 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year.

Later in the month, on Saturday, July 28, Funny Way To Be Comedy’s annual showcase will feature four performers in one day: Gareth Mutch, Bilal Zafar, Hayley Ellis, and Jess Carrivick.

Larry Dean (Image: Supplied)

Discounted day tickets are on sale until the end of June, after which individual show tickets will be available.

Jess Carrivick (Image: Supplied)

The season wraps up on Friday, August 21, with Carl Hutchinson previewing material for his forthcoming Fine Whine tour.

Tickets for Hutchinson’s show have already sold out.

Tickets for all other performances are still available through the Funny Way To Be Comedy website.

The full programme and booking details can be found at www.funnywaytobe.com.

Hayley Ellis (Image: Supplied)

Connor Burns (Image: Melody Joy Main)

The North Yorkshire County Show returned on Sunday (June 21) at Otterington Hall near Northallerton.

The show was temporarily cancelled back in 2024 due to a shortage of volunteers, but after it returned in 2025, it was back again for 2026 on Father’s Day.

(Image: Andy Futers)

The 2025 return proved a triumphant one, with the show scooping a hat-trick of awards including Best Agricultural Tourism Experience of 2025 at the UK Enterprise Awards.

More than 100 trade, craft, and food stalls filled the showground this year, alongside livestock judging, show jumping, vintage tractors, baking competitions, and emergency services displays.

Other main ring highlights included the Grand Parade of Champions, high-stakes show jumping, and the Parade of the Hurworth Hunt Hounds.

The show secured sponsorship from H&H Insurance Brokers for its 2025 and 2026 editions.

The show has roots back to 1840 when it was known as Northallerton and District Agricultural County Show, but for many years it was simply known as Northallerton Show until 1974, when local county boundaries were re-drawn and it became known as the North Yorkshire County Show.

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

Liam Payne died without making a will but his entire fortune is expected to go to his nine-year-old son Bear, who he shares with his ex Cheryl Tweedy

Liam Payne’s son Bear is set to inherit a massive £21 million fortune from his late father when he’s older. The nine-year-old is believed to be the sole beneficiary of the One Direction star’s entire fortune. But it’s thought it will be put into a trust until he is an adult.

Mum Cheryl Tweedy and music lawyer Richard Bray – who has also represented stars like Ed Sheeran – are said to have been granted power of administration in legal documents related to Liam’s estate.

According to the Daily Mail, newly released probate documents lodged with the High Court show that Liam’s estate can be used immediately to ‘benefit’ Liam and Cheryl’s son, whose full name is Bear Grey Payne.

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Sources close to Cheryl told the publication that the Girls Aloud star will “always do the right thing by her beloved son”.

Speaking about Bear’s inheritance, the source said: “It’s a small consolation that Bear will never want for anything, that he will at least benefit from that.

“Liam had some very sensible people around him for a time and he adored Bear so much. He always wanted to do the right thing by him financially.”

The Sun added that court documents including the new Letters of Administration means that parts of the estate can potentially be spent to help Bear now, while the remainder of the fortune will be placed in trust for him until he is 18 years old.

But Kate Cassidy – Liam’s girlfriend at the time of his tragic death aged just 31 – may not get anything as they were not married or in a civil partnership. She claimed that they did plan to marry before he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aries in October 2024.

Sharing a tribute to Liam shortly after his death, Kate revealed how the couple were “manifesting their lives together” in the weeks before he died. He is even said to have written her a note saying he wanted to marry her within a year.

Calling him the “love of her life”, Kate penned on Instagram: “Liam, you had the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit. It feels like I’ve lost the best part of myself. I can’t imagine a day without your laughter and love. You brought so much light into my life.”

She continued: “A few weeks ago, we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our lives together. I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said, “Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444.” Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way we had planned. You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel.”

Concluding her heart breaking post, Katie wrote: “I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me everywhere I go. Forever yours, Katelyn 444.” The angel number, 444, conveys a message of love, support as well as guidance from your angels.

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If Starmer is to step down, one of the questions will be about what he will do next.

To be a former PM is an odd thing. Business in the House of Commons moves on, but the agenda is no longer set by you. A new pair of hands takes up the reins with different policy ideas and style. You might even have to remain tight-lipped as the new PM – dealing with the weight of the office, acquainting themselves with Larry the Cat and a poky London flat above Number 10 – tries to make a symbolic break with the past by making a critical parting shot.

Mired in a row over his resignation honours, Boris Johnson left Parliament altogether in June 2023, just nine months after he left Downing Street when the support from fellow Tories melted away.

Tony Blair, feeling the brunt of 10 gruelling years as PM, left Parliament straight away and took up a role as Middle East envoy for the United Nations, European Union, United States, and Russia. Blair is known to have made millions since he was PM.

Others choose to stay, taking to the quieter life outside of high office and instead engaging in good, old-fashioned constituency work. Starmer may want to ring Gordon Brown, Rishi Sunak, Theresa May or John Major if he wants the blueprint for that kind of work.

That said, if posh new jobs or the endless rigmarole of constituency casework doesn’t take your fancy, then you can always indulge in a bit of conspiracy theory-based ranting, blaming the ‘globalist elite’ for your shortcomings. Liz Truss, the expert, here.

The trains will be lifted from the site and transported away by road as an investigation remains ongoing to establish how the crash happened

An update has been issued by Network Rail following the train crash near Bedford, which killed one train driver and injured 100 passengers.

A temporary road has been built on the field next to the train track where the collision took place and will be used by cranes that will contribute to the “complex” recovery operation.

The process will see two 110-tonne rail-mounted Kirow cranes lift the carriages from the site before a road-mounted crane will move them onto a specialised trailer specialised in carrying extremely heavy equipment.

The carriages will then be transported away from the site by road, Network Rail has confirmed.

Following this, engineers will assess the track and carry out any repairs before reinstating the overhead lines and completing final safety checks ahead of reopening the railway.

A statement from Network Rail reads: “A complex recovery operation has begun to remove the damaged trains and carriages from the railway before engineers assess any damage and complete necessary repairs.

“The Overhead Line Equipment – the electrical wires that provide power to the electric trains – must be removed while a temporary access road and concrete foundation is constructed to support the operation of a crane.”

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Shaun Burton has been named as the train driver who died in the collision. The 60-year-old joined East Midlands Railway in 2019 and has been described as “a dedicated railway professional whose commitment, service and professionalism touched the lives of colleagues and passengers alike”.

One hundred passengers suffered a range of injuries during the incident, with nine of them in critical condition.

The crash took place on Friday afternoon (June 19) near Bedford when the 4.40pm EMR service from Corby to London St Pancras crashed into the rear of the 3.50pm service from Nottingham to London St Pancras.

Network Rail has warned those planning to travel through Bedford next week that the route will be disrupted until June 28.

As a result, there will be no Greater Thameslink Railway services north of Luton and no EMR services south of Bedford.