They’re the YouTube power couple known for sharing every aspect of their lives, but for the past six months, Zoe Sugg, aka Zoella, and Alfie Deyes have vanished almost entirely from social media.

They disappeared without a warning: no goodbye, no statement explaining their disappearance.

Yet fans maintained hope, pointing to Alfie’s sporadic Instagram posts as proof that the couple, who soared to fame as ‘vloggers’ in 2012, would return to their regularly scheduled programming.

However, signs are emerging that this may never happen.

I can reveal that Alfie, who has always shared his love for photography and filming, has even started selling his camera equipment on Vinted.

In recent days, the 32-year-old has uploaded Canon camera lenses to the second-hand marketplace. One was originally listed for £600 but the price has already been dropped to £550. It retails for £2,000 on the Canon website.

Another lens, the EF 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II USM, has been listed for £750. A third camera lens, a Samyang fisheye, which retails at around £275, is listed for £130 and was uploaded by Alfie four months ago.

His Vinted account now has more than 5,000 followers and has 154 positive reviews.

Fans have maintained hope that the couple, who soared to fame as ‘vloggers’ in 2012, will return to their regularly scheduled programming

Elsewhere, Zoe, 36, has been posting life updates to her private Instagram account, which only her close friends are allowed to follow – including her best friends and fellow influencers Mark Ferris and Jim Chapman.

While it is unknown what specific content she has shared on the page, @tigerlilyneverland, it seems she is not having a total social media detox, as some originally thought.

Many of Zoe’s loyal fans now say that the news of her private social media activity has come as a ‘slap in the face’.

‘What a slap in the face to all the loyal fans who have supported her for over a decade and who have bought the products she has released, liked the videos she has made, helped drive her engagement and thus increase her earnings via YouTube and Instagram for years,’ one wrote online.

‘She is more than entitled to step away, but when she decided to share her life online, build a community, and profit off that community, she does, in fact, owe them a brief explanation, or a few words. It’s just rude now.’

Over the past six months, I have contacted Zoe and Alfie’s manager, Maddie Chester, on several occasions to get answers for fans and to make sure the couple is well. Maddie has been with them for more than 12 years and has helped their careers flourish.

I have never received a response. In fact, there has been radio silence from the ‘Zalfie’ camp.

That hasn’t stopped the couple from continuing to profit from their business ventures, clothing line Future Self and journal brand Dear Sunday.

The products are still available to buy, and Alfie returned to social media with a one-off post on Zoe’s birthday in March with a discount code.

Alongside a picture of her three-tier cake, Alfie wrote: ‘To celebrate Zoe’s 36th Birthday, we’ve just put 36% off the entire DearSunday website!’

Again, fans were left disappointed that the couple are still trying to cash in on their followers despite not giving anything back.

Ahead of their disappearance from social media, the couple had been gradually reducing their online output, while becoming increasingly protective of their lives.

Some have speculated that Zoe’s disappearance is linked to her children.

Her eldest started school last September, and the couple have spoken openly about limiting her online exposure to protect her privacy now that she’s of school age.

Others were concerned that different issues were behind the couple’s absence. But there have since been sightings that suggest things are well.

Zoella fans have posted about bumping into Zoe and Alfie in their hometown of Brighton.

‘I saw her and the girls at our village fete last weekend. She looked happy, enjoying normal family life,’ one wrote online.

Zoe and Alfie were also pictured on an outing with Zoe’s brother and Strictly Come Dancing star Joe and his partner Dianne Buswell – whom he met on the ballroom competition – shortly after the arrival of their baby boy, Bowden, in March.

Many of Zoe’s loyal fans now say that the news of her private social media activity has come as a ‘slap in the face’

Zoe joins Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg on a family walk in Sussex with the Strictly couple’s new baby Bowden back in March this year

Elsewhere, behind the scenes, the couple have become embroiled in a bitter countryside row after creating a new home for two donkeys behind their £2million Sussex mansion without planning permission.

They have rankled some of their well-heeled neighbours after three shepherd’s huts, fencing and gates were installed on a five-acre agricultural plot in the affluent village of Hassocks.

Work on the project – which includes a stable built for Zoe’s adopted animals and new access points to the field – started without planning permission being sought from the local council.

Objectors have now accused the social media star of failing to consult them over her plans and claim the development is harming the ‘character and charm of the area’.

Details of the dispute emerged in a belated planning application now submitted to Mid Sussex District Council by Zoe and Alfie.

It’s all a long way from the early days of Zoe’s career. She initially found an audience through blogging before turning to YouTube, where her videos documenting beauty products, shopping trips, house moves, and her personal life attracted millions of viewers.

At the peak of her online fame, she was one of the country’s most recognisable influencers and transformed her following into a multimillion-pound business empire.

She began dating Alfie in 2012 after he found success through his own YouTube channel, PointlessBlog.

The pair soon became one of the best-known couples to emerge from Britain’s ‘vlogging’ boom, building a combined following of more than 20million subscribers. They got engaged in September 2023 after more than a decade together and have two daughters, Ottilie and Novie.

For years, fans followed almost every major stage of their relationship, including their house moves, pregnancies, and family celebrations.

As someone who has followed Zalfie since those early days, I’d love to see the couple return to vlogging. However, I fear they have lost their passion for it.

And, besides, they would have a lot of making up to do with their followers.

The move was introduced last year as a pilot to provide flexibility for people visiting local shops

The one hour grace period for parking in on-street spaces within Controlled Parking Zones in two cities is now being made permanent.

The Infrastructure Minister confirmed drivers in the zones in Newry and Lisburn who have paid for on-street parking will have up to one hour to return to their cars after their paid parking period expires.

The one-hour grace period was initially introduced as a pilot in late 2025 to provide greater flexibility for people visiting local shops, cafés, and other city centre businesses. During this pilot scheme, more than 1,000 drivers availed of the extra flexibility it provided.

Minister Kimmins said: “I am committed to doing all I can to help support local businesses and encourage people to spend more time on the high street. We have all been in the position where we end up taking slightly longer than planned in one of our many fantastic local shops or chatting with friends over a coffee or lunch in a café or restaurant.

“I want people to have the reassurance that they can take that extra time to browse or order another coffee without the worry of having to rush back to their car.

“I introduced the pilot initiative while considering a longer-term approach to on-street parking for Newry and Lisburn that would help meet the needs of local communities, visitors and businesses.

“During the pilot, more than 1,000 drivers availed of the additional flexibility, while the arrangements continued to support the effective flow of traffic. I am therefore pleased to announce that effective immediately these arrangements will be made permanent.

“I encourage all visitors to Newry and Lisburn to continue to park responsibly to ensure we have safer streets, better access for disabled people, support for local businesses and a transport system that works for everyone.”

Eamonn Connolly from Newry Business Improvement District (BID) said: “Newry BID has consistently called for measures that make it easier for people to visit and spend time in our city centre, so we very much welcome the extension of the one-hour parking grace period. It is a positive step for businesses, shoppers and the wider city. We would like to thank the Minister for listening to the concerns of the business community and for her continued support for our city centre.”

Ruth Young, President of Lisburn Chamber of Commerce said: “Every extra minute a visitor spends in Lisburn without watching the clock is good news for our traders. The grace period has made a difference during the pilot, and making it permanent sends a clear message that Lisburn is open, welcoming and easy to spend time in.

“It’s a step in the right direction, but there is more to do for our city centre to compete on a truly level playing field with other retail destinations across Northern Ireland. We thank the Minister for listening to our business community and would encourage her to keep building on this progress.”

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Keir Starmer pledged ‘wholehearted support’ for Andy Burnham today as he took his last PMQs in the Commons. 

The outgoing premier was cheered into the chamber for the weekly set-piece, with the Speaker praising ‘his public service, his international leadership… his steadfast support for Ukraine‘.

Kemi Badenoch pointed out Sir Keir had predicted she would not last long as Tory leader, quipping: ‘Life comes at you fast!’ 

Sir Keir declined to take a shot at his rival – who was not in the Commons as he prepares to take over in Downing Street on Monday – when asked what advice he would give.

‘I will give my wholehearted support. I want this Labour Government to be a success,’ he said. 

As his wife Lady Starmer and their two children watched from the Commons’ gallery, Sir Keir said he believed he was leaving the country ‘in a better place’. 

Earlier the PM held a final Cabinet meeting in No10, where ministers presented him with a carriage clock.   

Sir Keir has been rushing out a slew of announcements as he tries to forge some sort of legacy, despite being ousted just two years after winning an historic election landslide.

Meanwhile, Mr Burnham has been racking up even more nominations from ‘crawling’ Labour MPs as his coronation moment nears. An extraordinary 369 MPs – 92 per cent of the Parliamentary party – have now endorsed the former Greater Manchester Mayor.

Only one nomination has been made for anyone else, with backbencher Neil Coyle proposing Catherine West for leader – even though she has nominated Mr Burnham. 

‘There was no room left to crawl into Andy Burnham’s backside,’ he told Politico. 

Mr Burnham has been racking up even more nominations from ‘crawling’ Labour MPs as his coronation moment nears

Kemi Badenoch pointed out Sir Keir had predicted she would not last long as Tory leader , quipping: ‘Life comes at you fast!’

Opening PMQs, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle thanked Sir Keir ‘for his public service, his international leadership, particularly in his steadfast support for Ukraine’.

He added: ‘I am sure members will wish to join me in wishing him and his family well in the future.’

Mrs Badenoch said: ‘I remember when I started this job, the Prime Minister was very helpful to me, saying that I wouldn’t last the year. Life comes at you fast…

‘But everyone in politics would do well to remember how quickly political fortunes can change. I know that he has been asked and he’s been diplomatic, but on that note: does he have any advice for his successor?’

A laughing Sir Keir responded: ‘I will give my wholehearted support to my successor. I want this Labour Government to be a success. I want our country to be a success. I shall give my support privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for.’

After Mrs Badenoch suggested Mr Burnham should be extending the Parliamentary term to face questions next week, Sir Keir replied: ‘As Prime Minister, I’ve participated in over 60 PMQs. Always a pleasure. Always something to look forward to. And I’ve answered, or at least given answers, 2,800 times, and I’m sure she will question my successor in the same way.’

Jockeying for positions in Mr Burnham’s team is at fever pitch, despite him insisting no decisions have been made.

There is briefing from allies of the PM-in-waiting that Ed Miliband’s prospects of becoming Chancellor are waning, with MPs warning the Net Zero Secretary would be too ‘risky’ and businesses taking fright at his left-wing views. 

Shabana Mahmood and Yvette Cooper are among the other names in the frame for the key job. 

Darren Jones, a key ally of Sir Keir, confirmed he was ‘definitely’ not going to remain in post next week, telling LBC he had been ‘writing a handover note’ and ‘tidying up loose ends.’

He admitted it had been difficult to get anything done during the transition period, adding: ‘I’ve not been able to make new decisions in the last couple of weeks. I’ve been able to respond to issues, whether it’s national security related or operational issues, but essentially, I’ve been spending my time making sure that’s looked after.’

Mystery remains over Mr Burnham’s plans on almost all policy areas. 

He gave another vague signal last night after making his first speech in the Commons since returning as an MP last month. 

He told reporters that the cost of living is ‘the issue of our times’, referring once more to his bus projects in Manchester.

‘If we want to connect politics better with people, well, let’s deal with some of the pressures people are under in terms of the everyday cost of transport, the bills that they’re paying. I heard it so often on doorsteps in the campaign,’ he said.

‘You know, life has changed for people, and it’s not necessarily got better. And I think we just need to be relentlessly focused on that.’

Sir Keir, who spent the last two days in France where he bizarrely received the Legion d’honneur from Emmanuel Macron, is said to be sad but philosophical about the crumbling of his political career. 

Cabinet is gifting him a carriage clock this morning after deputy David Lammy organised a whip-round. He is likely to attend the World Cup final in the US on Sunday if England manage to beat Argentina tonight. 

‘It’s not the way he wanted it to end, but he is doing the right thing by the country and the party,’ one close ally told the Daily Mail. 

‘He won’t be shouting from the sidelines.’ 

The outgoing PM held a reception last night for campaigners whose causes he had supported.

Neil Coyle proposed Catherine West for leader – but the ‘flattered’ MP said she has nominated Mr Burnham

There is briefing from allies of the PM-in-waiting that Ed Miliband’s prospects of becoming Chancellor are waning

The Prime Minister said: ‘I’m pleased to have delivered on the promises that I made to many people in this garden, and I’ll make this last promise, which is I will stand with you and walk with you for as long as I’ve got breath in my body.’

In a sign of the closer relationship he has tried to forge with European neighbours, he also attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris on Tuesday with Emmanuel Macron, who awarded him the Legion d’honneur in recognition of his work with France on European security.

EXCLUSIVE: Affiliated trade unions have sounded the alarm on the running of Scottish Labour.

Scottish Labour is facing calls for sweeping transparency reforms in the wake of the Peter Murrell scandal.

Trade unions have claimed the party’s governance is poor and want full access to information on finance and membership numbers.

Anas Sarwar’s party has led the way in accusing the SNP of secrecy over the Murrell row.

As SNP chief executive, Murrell pled guilty to embezzling over £400,000 of party funds during a twelve year crime spree.

His crimes have led to claims that the SNP’s internal structures are not fit for purpose.

Party treasurers were unable to spot Murrell’s corruption and the SNP’s National Executive Committee was seen as a block on openness.

However, a document obtained by the Record reveals there are also concerns about the running of Labour north of the border.

A briefing note by trade unions affiliated to the party was produced ahead of a meeting of Scottish Labour’s governing Executive last Saturday.

It stated: “The Murrell scandal has shown the inadequacies of SNP governance. The Scottish Labour Party governance arrangements are also inadequate – it cannot continue that the SEC does not have full oversight of finances and membership information.”

Scottish Labour has made no commitment to publish membership figures, with Sarwar refusing to do so.

Sarwar said after the 2024 general election: “Our membership has actually increased since the election but I’m interested in not membership numbers, because parties can all argue about membership numbers.

“It’s well known that a different party other than mine [the SNP] has probably the largest membership number of any political party in the country, but what matters is the number of votes you get, not the number of members you have.”

Scottish Labour has launched an internal review of their Holyrood election defeat to the SNP.

Far reaching changes are expected to be recommended, including a rethink of the link with UK Labour.

Keir Starmer’s performance as Prime Minister is believed to have been a major factor in Sarwar’s defeat and party sources say structural change is inevitable.

Meanwhile, the unions also criticised Labour for their effectiveness at Holyrood since May 7th.

The party secured the convenorship of the Public Audit and Public Petitions Committees – a haul that disappointed the unions.

In their briefing, they said the failure to “vigorously seek” the Economy or Health committees showed a “disconnect” with their members.

Scottish Labour has been contacted.

Despite having no memory of the collision, Kye Dymond is said to have crashed into a lamppost possibly after two deer ran in front of him in the park in Bowburn, on April 28, last year.

Dymond, himself, suffered a broken nose and teeth in the incident, but his victim is understood to have suffered a serious head injury.

Appearing at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing, 18-year-old Dymond, who was 17 at the time, admitted a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Defendant Kye Dymond to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court next month for causing serious injury by dangerous driving while riding a quad bike in a public park (Image: The Northern Echo)

His counsel, Helen Towers, told the court there were no witnesses and, due to his injuries, Dymond has no memory of the incident.

“But he accepts his decision to drive on a footpath in a park was dangerous and a basis of plea will be drafted.

“He was not speeding, swerving or showing off, or anything of that nature.

“He was slightly over the limit for alcohol and accepts that.”

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said the Crown has sought an updated medical report on the victim, but has not received that information, as yet.

He asked for a formal seven-day period for the prosecution to accept the basis of plea as outlined by Miss Towers.

Judge Nathan Adams set a provisional date for sentence in the case in late August in the hope the medical prognosis on the victim is submitted prior to that date and that the Crown accepts the basis of plea.

Adjourning the hearing for six weeks, Judge Adams told the defendant: “You have pleaded guilty to this matter and the sentencing will take place on August 28.

“This was obviously a very serious matter, but I’ll give no indication as to what the sentence will be on that date.”

Dymond, of Durham Road, Bowburn, was bailed to return for the sentencing hearing at the court, on Friday August 28.

Celebrity interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has criticised Buckingham Palace and shared his views on Meghan Markle, the Prince Harry and Royal Family rift, and his life in the Cotswolds

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has delivered a scathing assessment of one of Britain’s most iconic buildings — while also sharing his views on Meghan Markle’s experience of life within the Royal Family.

The former Changing Rooms star, 61, has never been one to shy away from expressing his opinions and has revealed that he recently paid a visit to Buckingham Palace, suggesting the legendary royal residence could benefit from one of his signature makeovers.

“I was at Buckingham Palace recently and it looks like Fawlty Towers. Once a grand, lovely space, it now has a feeling of a shuffy old golf hotel, which smells of cabbage and sticky carpets,” he told Heat.

The interior designer, who presents the True Royalty podcast, also reflected on the Duchess of Sussex’s time within the Royal Family, claiming: “I think she felt that she was in The Princess Diaries and mistook joining the British royal family for Genovia.”

Addressing the ongoing rift between Harry and the Royal Family, he said: “I might live quite close to the King, but he keeps very close counsel on that. I’m sure it’s a source of great sadness that he doesn’t have easy access to Harry and his grandchildren. As a grandfather myself, it would break my heart not to see my silly, foolish, flighty grandchildren every day,” reports the Express.

Turning away from royal matters, Laurence also opened up about his home life with his wife Jackie, whom he has been wed to for 37 years, having first met as teenagers. “We’ve done everything together. Me being on telly and everything I’ve achieved has been with her motivating it and calling the shots. We are such incredible friends and have this great life with more than enough gin, because that is the secret to a happy life,” he said.

He jested that Jackie has now barred him from participating in any further reality television following his terrifying ordeal on Celebrity Bear Hunt, where he required rescuing after losing consciousness beneath a capsized raft during a task with Bear Grylls in Costa Rica.

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“I loved it! Despite the whole dying thing,” he said, before adding: “It was an extraordinary experience. In my head, I was James Bond, but in reality, I was Grandpa Pig.”

He also remarked: “Mrs Llewelyn-Bowen has forbidden me from doing anything. I can’t even do Bake Off because the cherry falls off the top of the cake and hits me in the eye.”

The television personality is now relishing what he describes as a “reinvention” as an artist and recently pondered the life he has established in the Cotswolds.

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Laurence and his family relocated to a 17th-century Grade II-listed manor house in Siddington, a village just outside Cirencester, in 2007. Laurence has previously spoken warmly of the nearby town of Cirencester, describing it as “a wonderful place” owing to its flourishing independent businesses.

He has also remarked that he and his family reside in the “slumming end” of the area, alongside the King, Princess Anne and the late Jilly Cooper, rather than the celebrity hotspot associated with the likes of David Beckham, Jeremy Clarkson and David Cameron.

“It’s all about start-ups,” he said. “It’s all about people who’ve got a real passion for what they do, be that furnishing accessories, be that fashion, be that coffee, be that restaurants. We’ve got some incredible restaurants in Cirencester now as well.”

A driver being sentenced for causing the death of a cyclist after a crash in Cardiff had failed his test just weeks before the incident, a court has heard. Brad Craven was out cycling with his brother on their routine morning ride when his bike was in a head-on collision with a car in the Grangetown area of the city.

The 72-year-old, from Roath, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, but never regained consciousness and died from his injuries on Friday, June 20. The collision occurred at around 8.40am on Saturday, May 17, on Dunleavy Drive, Grangetown.

Teddy Picton, 20, of Cog Road, Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and is being sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.

During the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, the court heard the defendant was seen drinking the night before the crash and was on his way to pick up his work laptop from Grangetown on the morning of Saturday, May 17.

The court was told by the prosecution that the car Picton was driving, a Fiat 500, belonged to a female passenger but he was behind the wheel because of the woman’s level of intoxication.

Dan Jones, prosecuting, said the defendant only had a provisional driving licence, having failed his driving test a few weeks earlier, so he did not have a licence or insurance.

At the time of Mr Craven’s death, his family said: “He was a confident and experienced cyclist and was with his brother on their usual morning cycle when he suffered fatal injuries and did not regain consciousness following a head-on collision.

“Brad, a retired social worker at Llandough Hospital, will be remembered by all, as a very thoughtful and caring man who always put the welfare of others before his own.”

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By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 11:06 BST, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 11:39 BST, 15 July 2026

Kylian Mbappe wasted no time in sharing his feelings after France were knocked out of the World Cup by Spain on Tuesday as he appeared to criticise the way Les Bleus were set up by manager Didier Deschamps. 

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France had been the heavy favourites throughout the tournament due to their rich array of attacking talent including the Real Madrid superstar, Bayern Munich‘s Michael Olise, and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele. 

But the side quailed in the face of a unified Spanish side, who swept aside France 2-0 to book their place in the final on Sunday against either England or Argentina. 

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of their defeat, Mbappe pointed at a technical mismatch on the pitch that he believed had played a role. 

‘We were three against two in midfield, and against Spain, that’s hard,’ Mbappe admitted. ‘Fabian (Ruiz) and Rodri had plenty of time to play. 

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‘There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us.’ 

Kylian Mbappe appeared to criticise the way that head coach Didier Deschamps set up the national team against Spain after the final whistle

The heavy favourites were knocked out of the World Cup semi-finals 2-0 in Dallas on Tuesday

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Mbappe also shared that he did not believe France had played the game they wanted, ‘technically, tactically’. 

‘When you don’t do what you have to do in a World Cup semi-final, you don’t win,’  he added, in an apparent jibe at his team-mates. ‘Spain respected their game plan and what the team usually does. 

‘They like to control the ball and the tempo. Our plan was to press them high so they could not install their rhythm. Because they are better than us at controlling a game. We didn’t manage to do it. We were too sloppy technically. We could not hurt them when we could have.

‘Even when we recovered the ball, our first touches were not good enough. That gives a defeat. It is a huge disappointment. But if we are objective, we didn’t put all the ingredients to go to the final.’ 

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Mbappe has been managed by Deschamps for the entirety of his international career, with the head coach overseeing his breakout World Cup debut in 2018. 

The 1998 World Cup winner also handed Mbappe the armband three years ago, after stripping Antoine Griezmann of the honour in favour of the then-24-year-old. 

Mbappe was also quick to ensure that he was held responsible for the defeat, adding matter-of-factly: ‘At the end of the day, you take all the glory when you win, and when you don’t win, you have to – sorry – to take the s***’. 

Mbappe is believed to have a positive relationship with the France manager-in-waiting Zinedine Zidane

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Tuesday’s exit marks Deschamps’ final match in charge of the side, with the national team coach stepping down at the tournament’s end. 

He is set to be replaced by his old national team-mate Zinedine Zidane, who has been seen to be treading water waiting for the role after his 2021 departure from the dugout at Real Madrid. 

Daily Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that the France legend plans to bring another former team-mate into the fold – Fabien Barthez – with the national team keen to firm up plans for Zidane’s appointment in wake of defeat in Dallas. 

Zidane is believed to have a similarly strong relationship with Mbappe, which stems from their mutual friendship with France’s head of security Mohamed Sanhadji. 

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