Welsh woman Summer shed 11 stone after a humiliating experience but has now transformed herself and people don’t recognise her

A woman has transformed herself after a humiliating experience where ‘everybody stared at me’. Summer Thomas has lost 11 stone. Now people are unable to recognise her. Summer would previously spend her days consuming sharing bags of crisps, entire packets of chocolate digestives and calorie-laden takeaways.

The 27 year old had turned to food for comfort following the death of her mother during childhood and her step brother during her teenage years. At her heaviest, she tipped the scales at 19st 3lbs and wore a UK dress size 22.

Despite being self-conscious about her figure, the wake-up call came during a trip to a funfair with a friend – when she became stuck on one of the attractions. “As I sat down and pulled the seat belt over the top of me, the clip wouldn’t go in,” the care assistant, from Blaenau Gwent, said.

“I thought I had gotten a dodgy one by mistake. The attendant saw I was struggling and came over to help – but it wouldn’t click into place.

“I was told I had to get off as I was too big for the ride. It was a struggle getting off the seat and I thought I was stuck.

“Until my friend hoisted me up. I was so humiliated – everyone was staring at me.”

Summer would secretly consume biscuits and sweets as a youngster, burying the wrappers at the bottom of the bin to conceal the evidence, a habit that began following her mother’s death from a brain haemorrhage.

Food became her mechanism for managing her emotions, and it wasn’t until she started secondary school that she began to notice the impact of her weight. Summer explained: “I was surrounded by people who were so much smaller than me.

“I became self-conscious of how I looked. I tried to diet, but would quickly fall back into old habits.

“When I got my first job at McDonald’s, the access to burgers and endless fries each shift meant I only piled on more weight.” Summer chose to join her local Slimming World and, within 12 months, shed three stone.

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The success proved temporary, however, as tragedy struck when her step brother died in a car crash. Breakfast would consist of a sugary cup of tea accompanied by an entire pack of chocolate digestives, followed by sharing bags of crisps as a snack and large multi-packs of chocolate bars.

For dinner, she’d opt for McDonald’s or KFC. Before long, her previously loose work uniform had become uncomfortably tight.

She recalled: “It had spiralled out of control. I tried to still enjoy myself and went on nights out with friends.

“But once, while in Wetherspoons, a person looked at me and said: ‘Look at the size of her.’ I felt sick.

“I knew I had let myself go, but for a stranger to say that about me – it was mortifying.” Shortly before the distressing incident at the fairground in September 2021, Summer had rejoined Slimming World and had shed a stone.

Resolute in maintaining the diet programme and refusing to remain the “fat friend”, she transformed her eating patterns. Breakfast became granola with strawberries, lunch featured chicken and salad, while dinner comprised a low-calorie ready meal accompanied by vegetables. Sharing-size crisp packets were swapped for a single portion of a fat-free alternative.

Within two years, she had shed five stone. Yet the progress then ground to a halt.

Having grown despondent, she discovered weight loss injections and took out a monthly subscription for Mounjaro. Now, just over a year on, she tips the scales at 8st 9lb and fits into a UK dress size eight.

She went on to say: “I feel fantastic. I no longer get out of breath walking upstairs anymore.

“And I take our dogs out for two long walks every single day. I’m finally happy with my weight and slowly coming off the injections.

“Recently, I saw someone I knew in the supermarket and as I walked off, I heard them mutter that I must’ve had gastric sleeve surgery. I wasn’t offended – it was a sign of how different I looked and the progress I’ve made.

“I’m now in control of my relationship with food. And I’m excited to get back on those fair rides.”

After Amy and Chris contacted police, Peter Ferguson was given an antisocial behaviour order but breached the terms at least seven times.

A couple’s nightmare ASBO neighbour has been evicted after nearly two years terrorising them – caught on doorbell cam.

Chris and Amy Masterson have lived fear of Peter Ferguson as he carried out a campaign of verbal abuse and threats.

Ferguson was captured on camera calling Amy a “f*****g w***e,” and the couple were left barricading their own doors after a threat to petrol bomb their car.

After Amy and Chris contacted police, Ferguson was given an antisocial behaviour order but breached the terms at least seven times.

Finally, after what the pair described as am ongoing “toxic” situation, South Lanarkshire Council have confirmed that Ferguson has been evicted.

Chris, 46, told the BBC: “It’s a weight off our shoulders. When he was in the street, we couldn’t have sat outside without getting abused. We would get shouts and threats so it has been a massive weight off everybody’s shoulders.”

The couple, who had lived in their Forth home since 2016, described the area as “absolutely brilliant,” until Ferguson moved to the street in 2024.

Chris, who suffers from mobility issues following a stroke, described how he feared for the lives of Amy and their two children.

Chris said: “Ferguson started verbally abusing my wife for no reason. Then he started abusing our visitors, and it’s continued to escalate ever since.

“After he threatened to petrol bomb our car, the council took him to court to get an ASBO – which he’s broken many times.

“He’s rang the doorbell at half past one in the morning, and a few seconds after that, our car windscreen was smashed.

“My mobility is poor, so I can’t look out the window – I keep an eye on the doorbell to see if he’s going to start abusing her or be violent towards her. He’s a ticking time bomb.”

The couple appeared in court nearly 20 times over the last two years for various hearings relating to Ferguson’s behaviour, and said the legal battle had a negative effect on the whole family’s mental health.

They say they are deeply relieved to have the situation resolved.

South Lanarkshire Council said: “Eviction proceedings were concluded at Lanark Sheriff Court on 23 February 2026, and the tenancy was subsequently recovered by the council on an agreed date.

“An anti-social behaviour order granted in relation to the former tenant remains in place.”

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Trump’s strikes on Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have driven oil prices up, with a barrel of Brent crude, a major oil benchmark, hitting a four-year high of $126 on Thursday. It has since fallen back to $111 but it was trading at around $73 before the war broke out at the end of February.

The Balmoral Hotel, in Bradshawgate, said that a female worker at the venue was the victim of an alleged assault on Friday night, May 1.

Police have now confirmed that Liam Jenkinson, 31, of no fixed abode, has been charged with common assault.

A pub spokesperson said: “Here at the Balmoral, we do not condone or accept any form of violence towards our staff or management. May it be verbal or physical, you will feel the full force of the law.

“Don’t know what has happened tonight, full moon or what not, but all the plastic gangsters have been out!

“No member of staff in any venue deserves violence against them, from verbal to physical.

“We are lucky that these instances happen extremely rarely, as we do not attract these types of people and never intend to do so!

“But across venues daily, you see these sorts of things happen, and it shouldn’t. We stand by every venue in the town centre in making sure the full value of the law is given.”

Jenkinson has been bailed to appear at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates on July 15.

Ray Wood found within the Castle Howard Estate in the Howardian Hills near Malton turns into a “stunning maze of colourful displays” and is especially worth a visit during spring.

As the warmer weather arrives and the sun shines a little bit more, the hundreds of rhododendron varieties begin to flower and offer a “colourful spectacle” for locals and visitors to admire.

Those who have recently visited the Castle Howard house and gardens have complimented the grounds, including the “beautiful” woodland, lakes and walled garden.

When it comes to Ray Wood in particular, many on social media have hailed it as “magic” and “too gorgeous”.

North Yorkshire woodland ‘must be seen to be believed’ in spring

The Castle Howard website reveals about Ray Wood: “Explore the serpentine paths which meander through Ray Wood and discover an impressive botanical collection from around the world.

“Such a large and varied collection means that there is normally something of interest all year round.

“However, make sure to pay us a visit in spring when the rhododendrons begin to flower; it’s a colourful spectacle that must be seen to be believed.

“With nearly 800 species of Rhododendron as well as glades of Pieris, wild roses, magnolias, hydrangeas, viburnums, maples and rowans, Ray Wood is a stunning maze of colourful displays.”

Ray Wood stands on the site of an ancient woodland and has undergone “several transformations” during the past three centuries. 

Sharing more about its history, the Castle Howard website says: “In the 18th century it was renowned for its natural style: the 3rd Earl favoured a design of irregular, serpentine pathways – in fact so mazy were these pathways that members of the Howard family are known to have got lost in them.

“Ray Wood was filled with statues, cascades, fountains, pavilions and summerhouses, but all of these features had disappeared by the middle of the 18th century.

“All that remains of these sophisticated waterworks is the Reservoir, which was rebuilt in the 1850s to supply both of Nesfield’s fountains.

“In the 1940s Ray Wood was clear felled, but in the 1970s George Howard and his designer, James Russell, decided to reinstate the winding paths.”

Fast forward to today, and the botanical collection found within the woodland is of “national importance”.

What’s your favourite kind of spring bloom? (Image: Tripadvisor)

Castle Howard continues: “Many of the plants have come here from across the globe and were brought back to Ray Wood by some of the great plant hunters of the 19th and 20th centuries.”

Over on Tripadvisor, Castle Howard house and gardens currently has a “very good” 4.3/5 rating based on just over 4,000 reviews – more than half of which are rated as “excellent”.

Additionally, it has a 4.6/5-star rating on Google from an impressive 8,619 reviews.

In one review, which also includes praise for Ray Wood, this person posted: “I have always wanted to visit Castle Howard for years, but now having a car and with the weather nice, we went for the first time last Friday.

“The car park was free and there is plenty of spaces. We went through the entrance, and the staff member was genuinely friendly and helpful, it was a nice warm welcome.

“We only went to look round the grounds and garden and it was a real treat.

“We had a picnic, whilst looking out at the views from the boathouse and afterwards we shared a tub of ice cream.

“We then walked through the lovely woods, which lead to the temples.

“We walked around the lake, which offered breathtaking views of the house in the distance.

“We eventually ended up at the gardens which were a joy to look around.”

Someone else wrote: “Beautiful gardens and forest. The walled garden is one of the best around.

“The audio house tour is highly recommended. One can easily spend a day wandering the grounds and forest trails.

“Excellent farm and garden shop, and a children’s play area that makes adults want to join.

“Excellent cafe. All in all, a wonderful place to wander alone, or for a day out with the entire family.”

This visitor put: “If you enjoy a walk round some fabulous gardens, lakes, temples then this is for you.

“I didn’t go in the house as I had a dog with me but the tea rooms, gift shop and farm shop all had something to give you joy. Really worth a visit.”

Elsewhere, one explorer commented: “Stately home open to the public, extensive parklands and beautiful gardens and lake.

“Lovely play area for children. Land train which you can get on which drops you off at either the house or the lake, saves walking back uphill.

“When we visited there was a brass band playing which was very entertaining, combining modern songs with humour, really enjoyed it.

“Several places to eat, I had a Yorkshire rhubarb cake and it was delicious.”

Have you discovered Ray Wood at Castle Howard? Let us know in the comments below.

A chilling photo shows a man brandishing a knife he allegedly used to stab a woman to death in a suburb of Barcelona, with police confirming an arrest

A woman has been stabbed to death in a Barcelona suburb in what appears to be a random street killing.

A chilling photo of a man brandishing the weapon he allegedly used to attack the victim emerged overnight as police confirmed they had made an arrest.

The horror crime happened in broad daylight yesterday morning in Esplugues de Llobregat, near to Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium and home to former footballers Gerard Pique and Dani Alves.

Police are still trying to establish whether the attacker knew his victim, whose age and nationality have not yet been revealed.

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But they have said there was no romantic relationship between the two they were aware of and well-placed sources said they were focusing on the theory it was a random stabbing.

The woman, described locally as “young” and in one unconfirmed report as being of possible Asian origin, was knifed in the throat, chest and stomach.

A man aged 50 was also injured in the incident after intervening. and suffered wounds to his arm but his condition is not serious. The brutal killing occurred in a residential area near Sant Joan Deu Hospital, around 11am yesterday.

The suspected killer, who was wearing jeans and a hoodie and carrying a large black rusksack, was arrested around midday in Barcelona’s Les Corts neighbourhood.

Esplugues de Llobregat Town Hall said in an initial statement: “We deeply regret the violent death of a person in the town and extend our condolences to their family and loved ones.

“The council condemns all forms of violence and expresses its concern over these serious incidents, which affect community life and public safety.

“The alleged perpetrator has already been arrested by the Mossos d’Esquadra regional police force. From the outset, the Council has been coordinating with the Mossos d’Esquadra, the force leading the investigation, and the Esplugues Local Police, and is offering all necessary institutional cooperation to help clarify the facts.”

In a second statement it confirmed it had decreed two days of official mourning which started at midnight today. It described the victim as a local woman.

The Mossos D’Esquadra regional police force said in its own statement in the aftermath of the fatal stabbig: “Officers have arrested a man as the suspected author of a violent death committed this afternoon in Esplugues de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona.

“At around 11 am the 112 emergency number received a report that a man had injured a woman and fled the scene. Police and and the Emergency Medical Service (SEM) attended the scene, but were unable to save her life. The alleged perpetrator was later located and arrested”

Footage from the scene shows a forensic tent erected, concealing the body from members of the public. Terrorism has been ruled out as a motive.

Chiefs have “no powers” to stop fans potentially causing title party mayhem if Celtic or Rangers win the league.

Bosses at Glasgow City Council have admitted they have “no powers” to prevent Celtic or Rangers fans causing carnage on the streets if either of them win the league.

Both sets of supporters have taken to the city’s streets in the last five years to celebrate title triumphs and left a wave of destruction in their wake.

Fears over repeat carnage with the final day of the Scottish Premiership season just two weeks away recently forced police and Glasgow City Council to hold talks in order to prevent similar scenes. But council chiefs have now said there are no tangible enforcements that could stop fans from gathering in the city centre.

A city council spokesman told the Sun: “It is clear there are no powers which could compel fans to not gather in the city centre.

“We have agreed to work together on facilitating celebrations which would be meaningful to fans and less impactful on communities.”

The talks between Police Scotland and the council came after violence marred the recent Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox when both sets of fans clashed on the Ibrox pitch in March.

Concerns about potential disorder are well-founded. In 2021, after Rangers won the league for the first time in almost a decade, fans descended on George Square in defiance of Covid restrictions to celebrate.

Chaos ensued as fans started fighting each other, and riot police on horseback were sent in to try and break up the crowd. The incident saw more than 47 police officers injured and more than 50 arrests made.

The following year, thousands of Celtic fans gathered in the city centre to celebrate their title win. Although the celebrations passed without major incident, a massive clear-up job was left for council staff and residents.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the SPFL, clubs and other partner agencies ahead of end of season fixtures. Proportionate policing plans will be in place to minimise disruption and ensure public safety,” while a council spokesman added: “We are continuing to engage with both clubs and police colleagues.”

In what is set to be one of the most enthralling season finales in recent memory, Hearts, Rangers and Celtic are all set to go toe-to-toe in the final four matches of the season.

The post-split fixtures will see Celtic host Hearts in a potential title decider at Celtic Park on the final day of the season, while Rangers travel to Falkirk.

The SPFL confirmed that the final fixture list had been signed off by police and was shared with the city council for any concerns to be raised.

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Mill Road is known for its “community feel” and “vibrant” culture

Mill Road in Cambridge is best known for the many independent restaurants, shops, and businesses that you can find there. With cuisines and grocery stores that stock food and ingredients from around the world, you will often see lots of students who have moved to the UK visiting the road for a taste of home or residents who want to learn more about different cultures.

Many people who work and own businesses along Mill Road mentioned how “welcoming” the area is. Abdullah Maqbool, who works at Kan Zaman, said the Middle Eastern restaurant sees a lot of people from “different countries and different cultures” coming in to try the food.

He added: “Along the road, you see so many varieties of food. You’ve got a fish shop, wine shop then you have Arabic cuisine next to Chinese cuisine and Korean restaurants. Even before the bridge, there’s so much variety and people have loads of choices to pick from. I think that’s a very good thing.”

Mr Maqbool mentioned always feeling “welcome” by people in Cambridge despite cultural and religious differences. He said: “I’m a Muslim. England is a Christian country but I always feel welcome. I remember a few years ago, it was Eid, which is a Muslim festival. I was dressed up in my cultural clothes and I was on Mill Road. An old English lady stopped me and said Eid Mubarak, which was lovely.”

Mirei Nelson, who is from Japan and works at Arjuna Wholefoods, loves how people ask about her culture and said she has “never had a bad experience” working at the grocery store. She added: “We get many customers from loads of different countries so I didn’t feel stressed about not being able to speak perfect English. It felt like we were supporting each other.

“Most of our customers are vegan or vegetarian and they don’t judge, they are really lovely people. They always ask about me. They always ask questions about Japanese food and I really love answering that question because I love people who are interested in other countries and cultures.”

Djamel Rerizani was born and raised on Mill Road and said the area is a “great community where everyone knows everyone”. He is now the managing director of Bedouin, a North African restaurant on Mill Road.

He said: “It’s a very vibrant road. It’s got a lot of variety and great places to eat with great restaurants and cafés. It’s a cool road. It’s definitely the most diverse road in Cambridge. If you want something different from the chains then this is the place to come. Everyone gets along really well. I was born on this road and lived here all my life. It’s got a really nice feel about it.”

Jay’s Fish and Chips only opened on Mill Road in July 2025 but its owner, Jay Cokyasar already feels at home here. He said: “I’m new to Mill Road. I used to be based in Ely. The difference is there’s a lot of cultures here, which we like. We felt more than welcomed when we first opened. Many people were really excited to have traditional fish and chips on Mill Road.

“Mill Road is a really food-focused street, which is really popular with people. When people think of food, I think the first thing most people think of is Mill Road.”

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Ultan Rowan is originally from Ireland and moved to the city three years ago. He mentioned how Mill Road feels “completely different” from the rest of Cambridge.

He added: “It’s just the vibrancy of the place. You walk 20 paces and find a whole other culture and different people. It’s a very welcoming place with a real community feel. There’s a real convenience. If I want to have Chinese or Korean food one day and then the next I can have a kebab made by people who have grown up in that culture.”

Whether you live in Cambridge or are just visiting for the day, it might be worth popping over to Mill Road to enjoy the cultures and cuisines on offer.

Stephen Mangan has been a staple of British TV for years, but the Green Wing star has suffered great personal tragedy.

Stephen Mangan has spoken candidly about a significant family investment made in the wake of two losses.

Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh returns this morning, Sunday, May 3, with the host welcoming actor and comedian Stephen Mangan alongside his artist sister Anita.

Despite enjoying a flourishing career, including a role in Charles Dance‘s forthcoming film The Inn At The Edge Of The World, Mangan has endured tremendous heartache in his private life.

In 1991, when he was just 22-years-old, his mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and passed away merely six months later.

Then in 2005, his father died of a brain tumour at 63-years-old, also six months after receiving his diagnosis.

“You feel so helpless when something like that happens to someone you love,” Mangan told Metro. “A lot of people live in denial and don’t want to think about what might happen because it’s depressing.

“I find being aware the clock is ticking makes being alive feel more special. You can’t go around thinking you’re going to die all the time but life is precious because there isn’t that much of it.”

He further commented: “It’s a source of tremendous sadness to me that my parents never got to meet my children. It feels wrong but what can you do? You have to get on with it.”

Following their father’s passing, Mangan and his two younger sisters Anita and Lisa combined their resources to purchase a £800,000 country house in Wiltshire.

Speaking candidly about the lavish acquisition, the star revealed to Lauren Laverne on Desert Island Discs: “I think it’s always there because we were so close as kids.

“When dad died, we bought a little place in the countryside, all three of us, that we could use and go to as a family because you no longer have a family home or a place that you can gather so we got somewhere.

“They are the people who made me, my mum, my dad and sisters. From that little family unit everything in my life has sprung.”