They say love conquers all, but it doesn’t always conquer snoring.

In the US, it’s estimated that 82% of couples share a bed. Sharing a bed with your partner is often seen as an essential part of a romantic relationship. But have you ever wondered whether sleeping apart might actually be better for your health?

Good quality sleep is essential for both physical and mental health. As most adults spend between six and nine hours asleep in every 24-hour period, our sleeping arrangements can have a major effect on wellbeing.

Sleeping arrangements have also evolved over time and across cultures. Until the early 20th century, sleeping together with a partner, children, extended family members or even pets was common. However, the discovery of germs and growing concerns about hygiene led to fears about disease transmission. Sleeping in close proximity began to be seen as a potential health risk, and a new trend emerged for couples to sleep in separate beds or even separate rooms. More recently, we have seen a surge in celebrities announcing their “sleep divorces” from their partners – but are they right?

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Sleeping together does appear to bring several benefits. It can strengthen closeness and attachment within a couple and support intimacy. Research suggests it may also have physical effects: couples’ breathing and heart rates can synchronise during sleep, which may contribute to feelings of safety and security. Sleeping together can also reduce stress and increase the production of the hormone oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the “love hormone”.

Couples often report that they sleep better together than when sleeping apart. This has been examined not only through self-reports but also through research using specialist sleep-monitoring methods, including laboratory sleep studies and wearable sleep trackers that measure movement during the night.

When sharing a bed disrupts sleep

However, what happens if your sleep is actually disrupted by your partner rather than improved?

There can be many reasons for this. A partner may snore, get up several times during the night to use the bathroom, read with the light on, or watch television in bed. They might have a sleep condition such as sleep apnoea or restless legs syndrome. Hormonal changes can also play a role, for example menopausal hot flushes or night sweats. Pregnancy, caring for an infant, or different work schedules and shift patterns can also disrupt sleep.

When these disturbances occur frequently, they interfere with fundamental sleep processes, including how quickly you fall asleep (known as sleep onset), how often you wake during the night and how long you remain asleep. Disruption to these processes can have a range of detrimental effects on general physical health.

Poor sleep can impair the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections such as coughs and colds. It can also disrupt digestion and metabolism, increasing the risk of weight gain and conditions such as diabetes by affecting insulin regulation.

In situations like these, sleeping apart may help. Separate sleeping arrangements allow each person to optimise their own sleep environment. This might include choosing different mattresses or bedding, adjusting light levels, controlling room temperature, or even changing scents and air quality in the bedroom.

Sleeping apart can also support better sleep hygiene. Each partner can adapt their habits around their own sleep patterns, such as going to bed at different times, reading before sleep, or avoiding screens in bed. This behaviour is known to promote better sleep and, in turn, better overall health.

Why relationship quality matters for sleep

But the physical sleep environment is only part of the story. Relationship dynamics also play an important role.

Couples who report being in happy, supportive relationships tend to experience better sleep overall. By contrast, people in unhappy relationships often report poorer sleep quality. Lack of sleep can then worsen emotional regulation, increase anxiety, lower stress tolerance and reduce empathy. These effects can create a negative cycle in which poor sleep contributes to further relationship strain.

Although sleeping in separate beds is sometimes seen as a sign of relationship trouble, this is not necessarily the case. If a partner’s behaviour is consistently disrupting sleep, the health benefits of sleeping separately may outweigh the drawbacks.

Ultimately, whether couples sleep best together or apart depends on both partners and the quality of their relationship. For some couples, sharing a bed strengthens connection and comfort. For others, a “sleep divorce” may simply be a practical way to ensure everyone gets the rest they need.

The crash happened on Broadway, Royton between the Elk Mill Shopping Park and Netherhey Lane at around 5.20pm on the afternoon of Tuesday March 17.

A Mercedes, a Toyota Prius and a Ford were all believed to have been involved, with the area taped off for much of Tuesday evening.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We are currently responding to a traffic collision on Broadway, Oldham close to Elk Mill Shopping Park.

“Officers are in attendance with colleagues from the ambulance and fire services.

“We would urge people to avoid the area where possible and check for alternative routes to avoid delays if you are planning on travelling through the area.

“Thanks for your patience.”

Police and fire crews were called (Image: Phil Taylor)

The Bee Network warned that buses heading to the Etihad for Manchester City’s Champions League match with Real Madrid were likely to be affected by the crash.

The bus operator warned that Match Day Bus 13 may be hit by delays as the emergency services dealt with the incident.

As police officers went about their work, one eyewitness said that the scene “looks like someone’s thrown a car show room on the road”.

Emergency services were on the scene (Image: Phil Taylor)

The area around the retail park remained taped off as the emergency services went about their work.

Staff members at the Elk Mill Shopping Park were allowed to leave as they finished their shifts but other members of the public  were blocked off from going into the retail park.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Shortly after 5.20pm this evening Tuesday March 17, two fire engines from Chadderton and Oldham fire stations alongside the Technical Rescue Unit from Ashton were called to attend a road traffic collision involving three vehicles on Broadway, Royton.

“Crews arrived quickly and are currently working alongside Greater Manchester Police to make the area safe.”

Anyone with any further information or concerns about the incident can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Morocco have been declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial walk-off.

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the final on 18 January in a match which was overshadowed when the Senegalese players refused to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.

Following a delay of around 17 minutes, the players did eventually return and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.

However, that result has now been overturned after a decision by an appeal board at African football’s governing body.

A statement from Caf said that Senegal are “declared to have forfeited the final match” with the “result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.

The decision follows an appeal by Moroccan FA (FRMF) which Caf said is “declared admissible in form” and was upheld.

Caf added that “through the conduct of its team” Senegal infringed on Article 82 of regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations and as a result Article 84 became applicable.

Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Articles 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.

A statement from FRMF said that their decision to appeal the final result was “never intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams” but was a request for the “application of the competition’s regulations”.

“The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions,” the FRMF statement added.

“It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the Afcon, which has been a major moment for African football.”

The Senegalese Football Federation has yet to comment but a video was posted on the X account of their men’s national team, external of their players celebrating on a bus parade with the Afcon trophy and an ‘OK’ emoji.

Enzo Fernandez has refused to rule out the possibility of leaving Chelsea at the end of the season and claims Paris Saint-Germain were ‘tactically’ better than Liam Rosenior’s side after their defeat in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Chelsea faced an uphill battle to reach the Champions League quarter-final after their 5-2 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 tie against PSG last week.

Rosenior’s side got off to a nightmare start in the return leg at Stamford Bridge as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG after just six minutes. Bradley Barcola then doubled PSG’s lead in the 14th minute to put the tie beyond doubt before Senny Mayulu completed the 3-0 win for Luis Enrique’s side in the second half.

Chelsea are now out of the Champions League but face Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final on April 4 and are currently sixth in the Premier League with eight games remaining.

Fernandez, meanwhile, still has a contract with Chelsea which runs until 2031 but the midfielder raised doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge following the convincing defeat to PSG.

When asked if he could guarantee that he will be a Chelsea player next season, Fernandez told ESPN Argentina: ‘I don’t know, I don’t know.

‘There are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.’

Giving his verdict on Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to PSG in the return leg, Fernandez suggested that Rosenior’s tactics were not good enough to beat the Champions League holders.

‘I think we lost control in the first leg,’ Fernandez said.

‘In the last fifteen minutes, I think they scored three goals. A difference of three goals is a lot in today’s football.

‘We made mistakes, we paid for them, and in football, it’s all about details. In the end, PSG took advantage of those opportunities. And well, after that, it was an uphill battle. Obviously, they score a goal in the first five minutes, and in the end, it’s all about details, that’s how football is.

‘Congratulations to PSG because they were much better than us, and I think they beat us tactically.’

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Controversial legislation that would have made Scotland the first nation in the UK to legalise assisted dying has been defeated at Holyrood.

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) voted 69 against to 57 in favour, with one abstention, effectively striking down the Bill.

Opponents of the proposed law, which would have allowed terminally ill Scots to seek help to end their lives, hailed the outcome as a “victory for the vulnerable”.

The decision followed an emotional debate within Holyrood, during which Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who introduced the legislation, issued a stark warning.

He stated that many who voted against his Bill would come to “regret deeply” their choice.

Mr McArthur added that this regret would not be felt “as deeply or as painfully as those dying Scots and their families who desperately need us to act with courage, compassion and urgency”.

open image in gallery

The Liberal Democrat MSP had insisted the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill – if it had been passed – would have been the “most heavily safeguarded assisted dying law anywhere in the world”.

But Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of the Care Not Killing campaign group, said: “We are relieved that MSPs have decided not to back this legislation.

“We believe the Bill posed serious risks to the most vulnerable in society – including disabled people and those suffering from domestic abuse.”

He added: “Now the debate in Scotland has been concluded, I hope we can move on to the real issue, how to care for people at the end of life, because the real scandal is that one in four people who would benefit from palliative care across our country are currently not receiving it.”

Meanwhile, Dr Stewart Weir, head of the Christian charity Care for Scotland, said: “We’re delighted members have rejected this irredeemably flawed Bill. It is a real victory for the vulnerable.”

He added: “This Bill would have opened a Pandora’s box which would have fundamentally changed healthcare across Scotland.

“There is no doubt in my mind that members have made a positive and truly compassionate decision today.”

The Bill had proposed that to be eligible for an assisted death a person would have to have two doctors certify they have a terminal illness and the mental capacity to request help to die.

An amendment passed last week meanwhile meant that only those reasonably expected to die within six months could make such a request.

However, opponents of the legislation raised concerns about the impact the legislation could have on vulnerable people, such as the disabled, and about the risks of coercion.

open image in gallery

Others meanwhile warned of a lack of safeguards for medical professionals in the Bill, which cannot be included as employment issues are reserved to Westminster.

That saw groups in the medical profession, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCS) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society, speak out against the Bill.

The Bill marked the third attempt by Holyrood to pass assisted dying legislation – though Mr McArthur’s was the first to make it past the first vote.

However, after that vote a number of MSPs withdrew their support, citing concerns about the legislation.

If the vote had passed Scotland would have been the first nation in the UK to back assisted dying – with a similar Bill at Westminster now likely to run out of time to clear the House of Lords.

In February, Jersey passed its draft assisted dying law and the legislation is awaiting royal assent so it can formally become law on the island.

The move follows the passage of legislation in the Isle of Man, where the Tynwald became the first parliament in the British Isles to agree a framework for assisted dying in March 2025.

Mr McArthur said afterwards he was “obviously deeply disappointed” with the result of the final vote.

He thanked his supporters, and told terminally ill Scots and their families: “I am sorry that Parliament has denied you this compassionate choice tonight.

“However, for now we should be proud that this is by far the most votes that an assisted dying Bill has ever secured in the Scottish Parliament.

“This is not a conversation that is going away. For so long as dying Scots continue to suffer as a result of the lack of choice and safety afforded to them by the current law, I’m certain that it will be an issue in front of Parliament once more.”

Similarly Ally Thomson, director of campaign group Dignity in Dying Scotland, said: “I am so deeply sad that the dying people who want this choice have been dealt this blow.

“But for as long as dying Scots continue to suffer, this debate is not going away.

“There is now near universal recognition that the current law is harmful to dying people.”

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals by will be broadcast later this year

Two staff members from a Belfast-based theatre school have received recognition as local theatre heroes at The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals for their community contributions.

BBC Local Radio’s Make a Difference Show will broadcast a segment about the Local Theatre Heroes on Sunday, 22 March, showcasing how National Lottery funding has supported theatre initiatives across local communities.

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than 29,000 theatre-related projects have received support across the nation, with investment exceeding £1.4 billion dedicated to restoring venues, fostering creativity and maintaining theatre accessibility for everyone.

Kerry Rodgers, Creative Arts Manager, and Conor Anderson, Performing Arts Executive at Belfast’s Rainbow Factory Performing Arts School, were honoured as local theatre heroes at The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals, filmed in Manchester in January, acknowledging the school’s community work. They appeared on stage alongside six other local theatre heroes from around the country to rapturous applause from the 12,000-strong audience.

They spoke with BBC Local Radio’s Make a Difference Show presenter Gaby Roslin, joined by six other local theatre heroes from different regions. They have significantly influenced their communities, made possible through National Lottery funding.

Rainbow Factory, which forms part of YouthAction Northern Ireland – a regional youth organisation with over 80 years of operation – runs weekly dance and drama sessions for young people between 9-25 years old. The organisation utilises performing arts across all disciplines to transform young people’s lives and perspectives.

They strive to keep their services affordable or free wherever feasible, ensuring everyone feels welcome regardless of their background. The organisation has secured over £4M in National Lottery funding spanning 1998-2025.

Kerry Rodgers Creative Arts Manager, and Conor Anderson Performing Arts Executive, Rainbow Factory Performing Arts School said “We’re proud to have Rainbow Factory recognised as a Local Theatre Hero at The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals and to have been given the platform to share the transformative work that Rainbow Factory does for young people. All of this has been made possible because of you, The National Lottery players.”

The Local Theatre Heroes feature will air on BBC Local Radio’s Make a Difference Show on Sunday 22 March, whilst Big Night of Musicals by The National Lottery will broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during Spring 2026.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was stretchered off in the latter stages of Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has delivered an injury update on Trevoh Chalobah after the defender was stretchered off in agony against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. The Englishman was carried off the pitch in the 85th minute following a late challenge from PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.

And Rosenior has revealed the latest when questioned about his condition on TNT Sports after Chelsea‘s 8-2 on aggregate Champions League last 16 exit. He said: “I just asked the medical team, he’s got a high ankle sprain, so I’m praying it’s nothing too serious because of the way Trevoh’s been performing and we can’t afford to lose another defender at this moment.”

The news marks another setback on a difficult evening for Chelsea. Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu secured an emphatic victory for PSG.

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Rosenior’s side were second-best across both legs, and former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole believes his old club now have some soul-searching to do.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, he said: “That is a real leveller of where this club is compared to Paris. PSG are the gold standard, they are the champions of Europe, but it showed that Chelsea are a million miles away over the course of two legs.

“This isn’t a Liam Rosenior problem. Liam’s doing what he’s doing; he’s just come through the door. This is a problem with strategy and the direction of where the club are going. This is a real eye-opener to where we are as a club at the moment.

“There’s a lot of money being spent, and we need to really think of what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. That’s simply not good enough.

“There’s 20-year-olds and 19-year-olds on the pitch today. There’s time to grow, improve and get better.

“They’ll have better nights in their career. But as a football club, you’ve got to go football club first, not business first. Simple as that, or else you’ll get performances like that.”

The FA Cup now represents Chelsea’s sole opportunity for silverware this campaign. The Blues have been handed a favourable home tie against League One stragglers Port Vale, though Premier League giants Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all remain in contention.

Chelsea are also locked in a fight to secure next season’s Champions League qualification. Their current standing, sixth place, would see them fall short, although they trail fifth-placed Liverpool by just a single point, which ought to prove sufficient given the collective showing of English sides in Europe this term.

Rosenior’s squad are next in action at Everton on Saturday evening (5:30pm GMT).

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Liam Rosenior said Trevoh Chalobah suffered a ‘high ankle sprain’ after he was stretchered off in Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Chalobah went down in pain after twisting his ankle in a challenge with Achraf Hakimi in the closing stages of the last-16 second leg at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues centre-back was eventually stretchered off the pitch, with Chelsea forced to play the final minutes with ten men.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game about Chalobah’s withdrawal, Liam Rosenior said: ‘I just asked the medical team, and he’s got a high ankle sprain.

‘So I’m praying it’s nothing too serious because the way Trevor has been performing. We can’t afford to lose another defender in this moment.’

Chelsea are set to be without Reece James for an extended period after he picked up a hamstring injury, while Malo Gusto missed Wednesday’s defeat due to illness.

Chalobah’s injury blow adds salt to the wounds after what was a damaging night for Chelsea against the tournament’s defending champions.

Trailing 5-2 after the first leg, Rosenior’s side needed a miraculous comeback, but instead went further behind when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored after just six minutes.

Bradley Barcola doubled the lead on the night just eight minutes later with a superb finish before Senny Mayulu rounded out an 8-2 aggregate win for the Parisiens with a second-half strike off the bench.

Reflecting on his side’s defeat, Rosenior added: ‘A tough night. We knew it was a tough ask and to start the game in the manner that we did.

‘We had the ball in the final third but you can’t make mistakes at this level. We had the ball in their box and Barcola hit one from 25 yards into the top corner. Their belief grows..

‘They were clinical. The third goal, ball breaks and he hits in the top corner. I haven’t looked at the stats yet, but we had a lot of shots. They didn’t make mistakes. I want to thank the fans because they saw how hard the lads worked.’

PSG now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Galatasaray and Liverpool, with the English side trailing 1-0 after the first leg in Turkey.

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Gemma Germeney, 31, and her two children Lilly Peden, eight, and Oliver Peden, four, died after a house fire in 2023

A modified e-bike battery is believed to have caused a fire that killed a mum and two children, a pre-inquest review hearing heard. Gemma Germeney, 31, and her two children Lilly Peden, eight, and Oliver Peden, four, died after a fire at their maisonette in Sackville Close, Cambridge.

Firefighters were first called to their home at around 1am on June 30, 2023. Gemma died at the scene, while Oliver and Lily later died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Scott Peden, Gemma’s partner and Oliver and Lily’s dad, suffered serious injuries in the fire.

At the time, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said the likely cause of the fire was an e-bike. A pre-inquest review was held by Coroner Elizabeth Gray at Vantage House in Huntingdon on Tuesday (March 17).

Mr Peden, who was in a coma for a month after the fire, appeared remotely. Ms Germeney’s parents and other family members attended the hearing in person.

Miles Bennett, counsel for Mr Peden, asked if a man named Mr Severinov would be called as a witness and declared as an interested person. Mr Bennett told the court that Mr Severinov may have been involved in modifying the e-bike battery that caused the fire.

Mr Bennett said: “Someone carried out a quick fix to that lithium battery.” He added that “after that quick fix was carried out, there was a tumultuous fire at that residence” which led to the deaths.

Mr Bennett said the inquest should consider “the changes to the battery and the problem with the battery and the problem with the battery”. He said someone who may have modified a battery that led to the fire should “at very least be a witness”.

Ms Gray said that at the future full inquest, the “purchase of the bike, the battery being stolen and the modification” would be included in background information.

Mr Bennett also raised concerns about investigation into smoke alarms at the family home. He said there were “mixed messages” about whether the alarms worked or “did not go off” at the time.

Steve Fleming from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, who appeared remotely, told the court that there were smoke alarms at the property. Due to the “intensity of the fire”, Mr Fleming said it was “nearly impossible” to look at the alarms and only part of the alarms could be recovered.

Mr Fleming added that he didn’t think the smoke alarms were a relevant factor “due to the escape route being blocked due to the fire itself”.

A representative from the Office for Product Safety and Standards was also present in court. Ms Gray adjourned the hearing for a two-day inquest to be held from August onwards into the deaths.

At the full inquest, several witnesses will be called including representatives from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, and Cambridgeshire Police. There will also be two witnesses from OPSS, one who investigated and another on policies. Mr Peden and Mr Severinov may also be called as witnesses.

Eberechi Eze has played down his injury concerns after Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old scored a brilliant goal in the first half to open the scoring for Arsenal before Declan Rice struck in the second half to secure the victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal will now play Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final after they overturned a 3-0 defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the first leg with a 5-0 win in the return fixture in Portugal.

Eze, meanwhile, went down injured in the second half and was replaced in the 69th minute by Kai Havertz.