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Cruise packing tips: The items you do and don’t need in your sailing suitcase

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Cruise packing tips: The items you do and don’t need in your sailing suitcase

From sightseeing to sunbathing and avoiding seasickness, there is plenty to consider when packing for a cruise.

You need to prepare for different temperatures at a variety of cruise port stops and there may even be dress codes on board.

Storage space can vary on cruise lines depending on the type of cabin so it is important to pack efficiently.

Cruise lines tend to have similar weight limits to airlines for luggage but unlike going on a aeroplane, you can have as many suitcases that will fit in your cabin.

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This is especially helpful if you are UK-based and sailing from a port such as Southampton as you just need to fit your cases into a car and transfer them onto the ship.

You can take as many suitcases as you like on board but there are weight limits

You can take as many suitcases as you like on board but there are weight limits (Marc Shoffman)

There is no need to overpack, though.

While there are, of course, the holiday essentials you’d expect to ack – such as a toothbrush, suncream and spending money, as well as the obvious items including swimming costumes and comfortable shoes for exploring – it’s worth noting that many essentials may be available to buy on the ship or even provided for free.

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We asked cruise experts what items passengers really do and don’t need in their suitcase for a sailing.

Themed and formal nights

If you like getting dressed up, don’t forget to pack your tuxedo or cocktail dress.

Most cruises will have a formal or cocktail night where guests are encouraged to wear smart attire.

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These aren’t compulsory but can be a fun way to have a more elegant evening and get some smart pictures while on holiday.

There may also be themed party nights such as a 1980s disco so you may want to pack your leg warmers or come equipped with fun accessories.

Marc and Danielle Shoffman went back to the 1980s with Ambassador Cruise Line on a themed cruise

Marc and Danielle Shoffman went back to the 1980s with Ambassador Cruise Line on a themed cruise (Marc Shoffman)

You can often find out what the themes will be by checking Facebook groups for previous sailings or reading through your booking information and itinerary before you board.

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“Staterooms have plenty of storage, so guests have more space than they think,” said Janet Parton, vice president of business development for the UK, Europe and Australia at Celestyal.

“We favour relaxed style cruising, and our cruises include casual days and a few slightly smarter evenings, so a small selection of versatile outfits that can be mixed and matched is ideal.

“It’s also worth considering dining. Breakfast and lunch are generally casual, while dinner is usually smart casual, with more formal wear for gala nights. On Celestyal, we also host sail away parties and celebration evenings such as our blue-and-white themed Greek night and a white night, which are always popular and give guests the chance to dress up if they wish.”

Read more: My wild weekend on a 1980s cruise

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The essentials

Most cruise lines such a MSC Cruises will supply towels so you don't need to pack your own

Most cruise lines such a MSC Cruises will supply towels so you don’t need to pack your own (Marc Shoffman)

You will want to bring your own toiletries such as a toothbrush and makeup, but there are some items you can leave at home.

Parton added: “Before setting sail, always check what’s already included on board. Items such as hairdryers, pool towels and toiletries are provided, which saves luggage space for gifts and unique souvenirs from destinations.”

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Read more: The best cruise deals for winter sun

The benefits of a backpack

There are lots of items you may need to carry around a cruise ship such as you phone or cruise card, and you may need your passport and money when exploring ashore.

A backpack is therefore a pretty useful item to pack for a cruise.

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Ambassador Cruise Line’s chief experience officer Bob McGowan said: “Having a compact bag whilst at dinner, enjoying a show or popping to the bar can be handy – helping to avoid that moment of panic when you realise you’ve left your phone in the restaurant – whilst a rucksack is great for a big day of exploring once in port.”

Parton added:”Keep a small day bag handy for shore excursions, with essentials such as a swimming attire for a cooling dip in the sea or pool onboard when you return, sunscreen and a hat, a reusable water bottle and local currency. Any necessary medication should go in your carry-on so it’s accessible straight away.

“With a little planning, guests can pack lighter, stay organised, and enjoy every moment on and off the ship.”

It is also worth having a backpack ready with swimwear and any other essentials you may want on embarkation day while you are waiting for your suitcase to be delivered to your cabin.

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Prepare for seasickness

Seasickness can strike any sailors

Seasickness can strike any sailors (Marc Shoffman)

Even seasoned sailors can get seasick so whether you are a first-time cruiser or an experienced passenger, it is always worth packing motion-sickness tablets.

Some passengers also use sea bands or put special patches behind their ears, which are designed to alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness.

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Read more: How to avoid getting seasick on a cruise

“Having a few seasickness tablets stowed away in your suitcase can provide peace of mind, even if you don’t end up using them,” McGowan added.

“Alternatively, many cruise brands including Ambassador have seasickness tablets freely available to offer to travellers when on board.”

Holiday reading

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You may not need to pack many books if there is a library on the ship

You may not need to pack many books if there is a library on the ship (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A book is a must-have item on any type of holiday but McGowan says passengers shouldn’t worry about bringing too many on a cruise.

He explained: “Most cruise ships have their own library or at the very least a book swap arrangement so you can find a whole selection of literature to choose from during your sailing.”

Read more: The best cruise ships you must travel on in your lifetime

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Create your own storage

Most cruise cabins will have a cupboard and drawers, but you can create extra storage. One top tip is using metal hooks that you can purchase off Amazon for around £5. These cling to the walls of a cabin to provide another area for your items.

Lindsay Haslehurst, head of product and commercial at Cruise118.com, said: “Almost all cabin walls are metal, so metal hooks are a game-changer for hanging hats, lanyards, or even wet swimwear.”

Cruise ducks and decor

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Amelie and Isabelle Shoffman with their cruise duck collection aboard Discovery Princess

Amelie and Isabelle Shoffman with their cruise duck collection aboard Discovery Princess (Marc Shoffman)

Many cruise passengers take part in an onboard scavenger hunt tradition where guests hide ducks around a ship for other travellers to find. You can either keep your stash or hide it for someone else.

This can be a great way to keep the kids occupied while on long sea days so it is worth packing your own to take part.

Some guests even bring magnets or items from home to decorate their cabin door, which can make it easier to spot your stateroom.

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Read more: The best bucket list cruises

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Netflix fans declare ‘weekend sorted’ with return of hit legal thriller

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Netflix fans declare 'weekend sorted' with return of hit legal thriller

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Netflix’s hit legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer has dropped all episodes of its latest season for viewers to binge at home this weekend.

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Based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels, the series follows defense attorney Mickey Haller (Manuel García-Rulfo) on the other side of the courtroom as the defendant in a murder case.

Adapted from Connelly’s novel The Law of Innocence, Mickey races to clear his name after being accused of killing a former client.

Last year, fans threatened to ‘revolt’ if the series was cancelled, which was originally a remake of the 2011 Matthew McConaughey film of the same name.

Drawing on his legal expertise and support network form over the years, a number of familiar faces from previous seasons return.

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Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.

Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.

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This includes Becki Newton as Lorna Crane, Jazz Raycole as Izzy Letts and Angus Sampson as Cisco.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo returns as Mickey Haller in season four of The Lincoln Lawyer (Picture: Netflix)
The Lincoln Lawyer. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller in episode 409 of The Lincoln Lawyer. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix ?? 2025
The roles are reversed in this season for the main character Mickey (Picture: Netflix)

In addition, Scream star Neve Campbell returns as Maggie McPherson, reprising her role as Mickey’s ex-wife and former prosecutor.

Taking to X following the release of all ten episodes of the show’s fourth season, viewers heaped praise on the Netflix series as @shvnique said: ‘The Lincoln Lawyer is one of the best shows Netflix has put out.’

@alentyler also declared that: ‘Lincoln Lawyer has to be one of the best legal series I’ve watched in recent times, it’s up there with Suits and Boston Legal.’

In the mood for another legal thriller?

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Despite the Super Bowl in America coming on Sunday, Salaman said: ‘Forget the Super Bowl, I’m locking into the Lincoln Lawyer season 4.’

Meanwhile, Santana said: ‘I need season 5 of the Lincoln Lawyer today. I binged the entire new season last night.’

Nina furiously added that ‘work is keeping me from watching The Lincoln Lawyer’, as @lizzymax411 said: ‘Glad The Lincoln Lawyer was renewed for seasons 5 cause can’t wait to see where this sister story line will take us.’

The Lincoln Lawyer. (L to R) Jazz Raycole as Izzy Letts, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller in episode 404 of The Lincoln Lawyer. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix ?? 2026
The latest series is once again based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels (Picture: Netflix)
The Lincoln Lawyer. (L to R) Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, Becki Newton as Lorna Crane, Constance Zimmer as Dana Berg in episode 403 of The Lincoln Lawyer. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix ?? 2026
Fans have heaped praise on the latest season of the legal thriller (Picture: Netflix)

However, not all fans were as equally happy with the latest series, as Chris argued: ‘Lincoln lawyer s4 I’m sorry but this is possibly the weakest case the prosecution has come up with throughout all the seasons.’

There is good news, though, for those of who have already binged every episode of the latest season, after Netflix confirmed that the series has already been renewed for a fifth season.

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Production is expected to begin shortly after the premiere of the latest season.

This comes after Netflix sparked backlash using AI to disguise case studies in a new Lucy Letby documentary.

The 90-minute feature examines the Lucy Letby case and shows unseen footage from Chester police of her arrest.

Letby was arrested in 2020, with the former neonatal nurse charged with seven counts of murder and 15 counts of attempted murder in relation to 17 babies between June 2015 and June 2016.

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The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 is available to watch on Netflix.

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Winter panzanella with cauliflower, radishes and raisins

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Winter panzanella with cauliflower, radishes and raisins

Winter comfort food isn’t always the healthiest, but this recipe for panzanella – a Tuscan chopped salad traditionally made with tomatoes and chunks of stale bread – makes a gorgeous, healthy dinner packed with vegetables. It’s quick to cook and so easy to prep.

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Where is Our Yorkshire Farm and Our Farm Next Door filmed?

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Where is Our Yorkshire Farm and Our Farm Next Door filmed?

Both programmes are filmed in one of the most isolated parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where Amanda Owen, known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess, has raised her family and worked the land for decades.

Where is Our Yorkshire Farm filmed?

Our Yorkshire Farm is filmed at Ravenseat Farm, located in Upper Swaledale, North Yorkshire, at the head of Whitsun Dale.

Amanda, Clive and Kids altogether outside Anty John’s. (Image: CHANNEL4)

The hill farm covers around 2,000 acres of upland terrain and has been in the Owen family for generations. It operates primarily as a sheep farm and sits several miles from the nearest village.

The closest settlement is Keld, approximately three and a half miles away, a small hamlet with no shop and only a handful of buildings catering mainly to walkers.

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Ravenseat previously welcomed visitors for cream teas and overnight stays, but public access was closed in 2022, and it now operates solely as a private family farm.

Where is Our Farm Next Door filmed?

The More4 series Our Farm Next Door is filmed nearby at Anty John’s, a historic farmhouse located close to Ravenseat in Swaledale.

The programme follows Amanda and Clive Owen as they renovate the long-derelict building, while continuing to run Ravenseat and care for their livestock with help from their nine children.

Amanda with crook and sheep at Ravenseat. (Image: CHANNEL4)

Series three of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids was filmed between spring and winter 2025 and documents the renovation entering its second year, with work shifting from making the building weatherproof to interior restoration.

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How remote is the Owen family farm?

Ravenseat is widely regarded as one of the most remote farms featured on British television.

The surrounding villages are sparsely populated, with limited amenities and long distances between services.

The area is best known for walking routes, including the Coast-to-Coast Walk, which passes through nearby Keld.



Further east lies Muker, one of Swaledale’s larger villages, known for its traditional stone buildings and village pub.

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Anyone visiting the area is advised to plan carefully, as shops, petrol stations and mobile signal can be limited in the upper Dales.

Why the location matters

The remote setting is central to both programmes, shaping daily life for the Owen family and presenting challenges ranging from extreme weather to long journeys for basic supplies.

Despite changes in family circumstances, Our Farm Next Door continues the themes that made Our Yorkshire Farm popular: rural resilience, family life and the realities of farming in one of England’s toughest landscapes.

Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids is currently on More4, with a fourth series already confirmed.

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Liverpool vs Man City: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

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Liverpool vs Man City: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

Arne Slot’s Reds are on the hunt for a top-four finish after a below-par title defence, although two big wins over Qarabag and Newcastle United last week has restored confidence.

As for City, they have lost ground on Arsenal in the title race.

Pep Guardiola’s side are six points off the league leaders, and they were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham last time out, having led 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

They moved safely into the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday with comfortable second-leg victory over Newcastle in the semi-final at the Etihad Stadium, where Guardiola was afforded the luxury of resting some of his key players.

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Date, kick-off time and venue

Liverpool vs Man City is scheduled for a 4.30pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

The match will take place at Anfield.

Where to watch Liverpool vs Man City

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TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 4pm GMT ahead of the 4.30pm kick off.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Liverpool vs Man City team news

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Liverpool are in the midst of an injury crisis at present, particularly in defence.

Slot said in his pre-match press conference that he hoped Joe Gomez could train ahead of City’s visit, although he clarified that the defender would not be able to start if was passed fit.

There is also a decision to be made by the Dutchman as to who plays at right-back, with both of his natural options in that position, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, both sidelined long term.

As for City, Ruben Dias returned to the matchday squad against Newcastle after an injury lay-off that stretched back to New Year’s Day.

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Boost: Ruben Dias

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Liverpool vs Man City prediction

This is a big game for both sides, but both have different aspirations.

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For Liverpool, their title dreams are over, and it is all about consolidating a place in the Champions League next term.

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Darlington council tax rise and budget proposals ‘unfair’

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Darlington council tax rise and budget proposals 'unfair'

Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders at Darlington Borough Council have warned that the authority faces a “spiralling increase” in costs and demand for key services, including children and adult social care

A planned council tax increase of 4.99% is among the main proposals impacting residents. 

Changes to the government’s local authority funding formula means Darlington will receive a 14 per cent spending increase over the next four years. However, the council’s financial planning remains in a “fragile position”, with forecasted cost pressures of around £27 million over the same time period. 

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Town Hall officials plan to make £13.5 million worth of cuts over the four years, including £3 million in 2026/27 through back office efficiencies and energy savings. 

But Matthew Snedker, local leader of the Green Party, lamented the lack of funding that the council needs to deliver vital services and “start rebuilding a country battered by cruel austerity”. 

He told a cabinet meeting: “This is an unfair budget for the people of Darlington. We are left to take the money out of people’s pockets. This is a regressive and unfair state of affairs for us. 

“It’s deeply sad that we cannot do what we need to do for the people of Darlington because the funding isn’t there. We need a fundamental rebalancing of the economy.”

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The member for College ward also warned that the proposed council tax increase would outstrip the wages of many people living in Darlington. 

“I really hope that this Labour government steps up and starts delivering the funding that we need to serve the people of Darlington better,” he added. 

Steve Harker, council leader, said the authority has been paying the price after 14 years of a Conservative government. The council’s budget was reduced by £46 million between 2010 and 2019. 

He told councillors: “When we campaigned to win the 2023 elections, we said we would tackle the £7.5m annual overspend left by the Tories. This budget does just that. It brings to an end the need to raid our reserves to balance the books. We can see an end to the Tory era of massive overspending every single year.

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“We committed to making savings and efficiencies across the council. We have done that over the last two years, and that work continues.”

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CCTV shows killer watching girl, 9, play in street before fatal stabbing

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Daily Record

The footage was shared by Lincolnshire Police after Skebas was found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Lilia in Boston

Deividas Skebas arrested by police after stabbing Lilia Valutyte

Disturbing footage captures the moment Deividas Skebas observed Lilia Valutyte playing with her hula hoop before launching his fatal attack.

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The CCTV material released by Lincolnshire Police reveals Skebas, then aged 22, lingering at the end of the street whilst the nine year old played outside her mother’s embroidery business in Boston. Skebas, previously of Alcorn Green, Boston, is visible waiting at the top of the road until pedestrians pass before approaching Lilia at approximately 6.15pm on July 28, 2022.

A separate CCTV recording captures Skebas, dressed in a grey T-shirt and dark trousers, fleeing the scene shortly afterwards. Additional footage reveals Skebas wandering the vicinity nearly an hour prior to the assault, whilst he was also recorded purchasing the weapon used to stab Lilia at a Wilko shop two days beforehand, on July 26, 2022, reports Lincolnshire Live.

Two additional video recordings, believed to be from police body worn cameras, depict armed officers surrounding Skebas at a residence before detaining him on July 30, 2022. In the video recording, a voice is audible informing Skebas that “you are under arrest on suspicion of murder”, to which he responded “yeah”.

Skebas, now 26, had a documented history of mental health difficulties, and, following his detention, he was deemed unfit to stand trial.

He was held in a secure hospital, and, at a trial of fact in 2023, he was determined to have been responsible for Lilia’s killing.

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Subsequently, in Spring 2025, he underwent further assessment and was declared fit to plead and participate in a trial. After a fortnight-long trial at Lincoln Crown Court, Skebas was convicted of murder on Thursday, February 5, with sentencing set to take place at a future date.

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Police search London property as part of Peter Mandelson investigation

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Police search London property as part of Peter Mandelson investigation

On Friday, Starmer said in a letter to the Intelligence and Security Committee that a “very significant volume of material” will likely need to be reviewed in relation to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US but said the Government wanted to “ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves”.

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Coronation Street’s Sue Devaney reveals major change as she details Debbie Webster’s ‘fright’

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Manchester Evening News

Debbie has been sentenced to time behind bars

Coronation Street star Sue Devaney has revealed the changes she’s had to make as she portrays Debbie Webster’s prison plight in the long-running show.

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Fans have been desperate for the much-loved character not to face time behind bars, with her taking the blame for the crash which killed Weatherfield vicar, Billy Mayhew, last month.

As those who watch the ITV soap know, the incident took place after a drunk Carl Webster left Debbie and Ronnie Bailey’s wedding, which was taking place in Yorkshire, with Debbie in the passenger seat. Viewers saw tensions rising between Carl and Debbie in the car.

And just as the latter was about to tell him something Carl ended up losing control, ploughing into the existing wreckages that had already piled up between Becky, Lisa and Betsy Swain, Emmerdale’s Aaron Dingle and John Sugden, and the minibus, carrying a number of Debbie and Ronnie’s wedding guests, driven by Billy.

In a cruel twist, Carl pulled an unconscious Debbie from the passenger side into the driver’s seat to make it seem like she was behind the wheel. He later collapsed and was aided at the side of the road by trainee paramedic, Asha Alahan. Meanwhile, Billy perished the minibus burst into flames, which came after Theo Silverton seemingly stopped him from freeing himself, knowing he knew of his abuse towards partner Todd Grimshaw.

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As he recovered after the tragic accident, Carl was quick to convince Debbie she was the one driving. But little did he know, Debbie knew the truth, and was just keeping up the lie to protect him as she’s his biological mother.

Earlier this week, Debbie was continuing to get her affairs in order as she prepared for a prison stint, while also trying to create peace in her family by staging an intervention for her brother, Kevin.

However, they were interrupted by a fuming Carl, who wanted to have it out with Debbie after discovering she had chosen Ryan to take charge of the Chariot Square Hotel while she’s gone. Later, as he visited her at the flat, Debbie admitted to Carl that she was frightened about going to prison, especially following her dementia diagnosis last year, and Carl appeared to show a glimmer of guilt.

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Carl finally had a change of heart about Debbie taking the blame for him when a distressed Ronnie told him that Debbie had called him ‘Ray’ and expressed his concerns that her dementia would only get worse when she’s put behind bars. Carl vowed to put things right, and when Ronnie explained his confusing exchange with Carl, Debbie rushed to stop him from going to the police. As Carl admitted it was him driving, Debbie said she knew and eventually blurted out that he’s her son.

An emotional confrontation then ensued between the pair, in which Debbie explained she was 17 when she gave birth and that while her step-mother, Elaine, wanted her to have an abortion, their dad, Bill, agreed to bring Carl up as their own. But Carl admitted it wasn’t the dream childhood and that he now knew why Elaine never wanted him.

Debbie broke down in tears as Carl said that she only wanted to go to prison for him to ease her own guilt, branding her selfish and a liar and that he hopes she enjoys prison as he won’t be visiting her when she’s behind bars.

During Friday’s (February 6) Corrie, ahead of her appearance in court, Debbie was upset to find Carl’s key to her flat behind the bar at the Chariot Square Hotel. Not wanting to go to court without him there, she headed to the cafe to find him, where he only confirmed how much he hated her for what she had done.

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Later, as she took the stand, the judge explained how he would have given her a four-year prison sentence. However, after taking into account her guilty plea and dementia diagnosis, Debbie was handed two years and eight months inside. There were emotional scenes before, in the cell, she began to remove her false eyelashes as the noise of her fellow prisoners began to intensify.

Seeming to lose her vision, she cried for someone to help her. Her family were then informed that Debbie had suffered yet another mini stroke, and had been rushed to receive medical attention.

Speaking about playing Debbie’s upcoming prison scenes, actress Sue Devaney confirmed the changes that have been made to her long-standing alter-ego. She said: “So, I go into the dressing room, and there’s not a lot of makeup. So, I just give myself some mascara, scruff my hair up a bit. I have a really cheap lipstick ’cause you can buy makeup in prison.

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“But it’s not the expensive Chanel that Debbie has. It’s cheap. She’ll have a little cheap lipstick and she’ll have a little cheap bottle of perfume so I’ll make sure that I don’t put my perfume on when I’m in prison. And the nails are off. No nails.”

On how Debbie is, she continued: “Oh, she’s scared. She’s frightened. She’s so frightened. She’s never been anywhere like that. Everything’s going to be stripped from her. Debbie’s mask is going to be gone, isn’t it? The dementia is taking every last bit from her, but also the prison is gonna be taking everything from her. And it’s how she survives that.”

But playing a different side to Debbie is something the soap star is loving. She said: “It is fantastic.Just a bit of mascara, you know, nothing else. It’s interesting to play somebody that, the whole front, the makeup, the way that they look, the what they drive, who they marry, everything has to be on show. So when you strip all that back, it’s interesting to play Debbie when it’s all stripped back. Who is she?”

And she’s also relishing the different storylines being thrown her way. “I love it,” Sue said. “Just when you think, oh, right, okay, I’m playing this dementia story then Oh, I’m getting married with a dementia choir. Oh now I am in a crash in a crossover episode, and to top it all my brother is really my son and I’m in prison for a crime I didn’t commit! How fabulous!”

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Playboy model Mayra Dias Gomes in emotional plea after worrying health scare

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Daily Mirror

Playboy model and TV personality Mayra Dias Gomes has opened up about her health scare and her anxious wait to find out her diagnosis

A Playboy model and TV personality has revealed she has been living through a serious health scare in recent months and has a clear message for her followers. Brazilian-born Mayra Dias Gomes has candidly shared how she found a a 7cm lump in her breast that doctors feared could have been cancer.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror about her scary discovery and anxious wait for results, Mayra said: “What prompted me to get it checked was actually another woman sharing her diagnosis online.

“Because of medical backlogs, it took months to get clear answers, and that waiting period was the hardest part. The uncertainty leaves a lot of room for anxiety and catastrophic thinking.”

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READ MORE: Bianca Censori breaks silence in first interview about life with Kanye WestREAD MORE: Margot Robbie hails Wuthering Heights one of the greatest love stories of all time

The stateside-based star revealed that trying to continue as normal in the public eye was challenging and admitted the situation had an affect on her mental health. “The uncertainty was difficult,” she said. “But I’ve always been very attentive to my mental health.

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“I allowed myself to feel scared while staying grounded, and I found a sense of acceptance in knowing that whatever the outcome, I would find a way to move forward.”

Mayra, 38, admitted she didn’t expect to deal with such a health scare at her age, but insists the situation just reinforced that health concerns don’t follow timelines. “It reminded me how fragile certainty is,” she confessed.

“You can’t take your health for granted, and you never know how your life story will actually play out. It also reinforced the importance of acceptance and inner strength, and it deepened my gratitude for the people who showed up quietly and consistently.”

Thankfully for Mayra, the lump wasn’t cancerous. She explained how it had been caused by past breast reduction and fat injections. The benign issue has now been resolved immediately during an aspiration.

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However, Mayra says that if sharing her scare “reminds even one person to listen to their body and get checked, then it mattered”.

And in a message to the public, she said: “Listen to your body and don’t delay getting checked. If something feels off, advocate for yourself. And if you’re waiting for answers, be gentle with yourself.”

Mayra recently took to the red carpet with FAB TV to interview stars at the latest Dracula premiere.

According to Cancer Research, one in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In the US, it is the most comment cancer in women.

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Common breast cancer signs and symptoms include a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. It’s possible that this will only be noticeable by touch.

Other signs, according to Breast Cancer Now, include a change in skin texture or colour and unusual discharge from either nipple.

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

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Stockton man strangled and repeatedly kicked his mother

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Stockton man strangled and repeatedly kicked his mother

Samuel Henley had been sharing a takeaway and drinking with his mother before exploding into violence after he started antagonising her.

The 32-year-maintained that his mother hit him with a bottle before he launched his violent attack on her, Teesside Crown Court heard.

John Crawford, prosecuting, said the defendant was pushed away by his mother before violently attacking her.

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He said: “He dragged her by her hair while on the floor and trying to get her hands out of the way of her face.

“She started shouting for help and the defendant started kicking her numerous times while she was on the floor.

“He has then placed two hands around her neck, strangling her. She described herself starting to lose her breath.”

Mr Crawford said a neighbour came to the property and the defendant released his grip on her, allowing her the opportunity to smash her way out of her home and escape.

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Hanley, of Brusselton Court, Stockton, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and common assault on his mother on January 5.

Lee Goodchild, mitigating, said Hanley maintained that his mother hit him with a bottle, but accepted that was no excuse for his violent reaction.

“He was candid in the police interview,” he said. “He told them exactly what happened and said the argument was caused by the consumption of alcohol.”


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Recorder Ayesha Smart sentenced Hanley to 20 months in custody for the sustained attack.

She said: “There has clearly been a history of a torrid relationship between you two – borne out of both of you using crack cocaine.

“There was some sort of verbal altercation. She obviously started things by grabbing something and striking you, but you went above and beyond by dragging her by her hair, you kicked her repeatedly and when she shouted help, you strangled her.”

Henley was also made subject to a three-year restraining order to protect his mother.

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