Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have addressed the I’m a Celebrity all-stars finale furore after McPartlin had a live run-in with contestant Jimmy Bullard – with the host revealing what he said to the contestant in the car park outside.

The hosts – popularly known as Ant and Dec – were forced to step in and, in a rare move, take sides after repeatedly being interrupted by former footballer Bullard and boxer David Haye, who questioned the show’s decision to edit down a row Bullard had with actor Adam Thomas.

Bullard and Thomas locked horns after the former decided to quit the ITV show despite the fact his decision would have sent Thomas home as well. In scenes shot eight months ago, Thomas was infuriated by the move and angrily confronted his campmate, with the fallout spilling into the live final last Friday (24 April).

When Bullard outright asked the presenters if Thomas had been intimidating during their argument, the always impartial McPartlin shocked viewers by telling him: “I didn’t think it was intimidating. I was there. I was there, Jim.”

The presenters have now spoken out on the chaotic finale, which saw them struggle to retain control of the bickering stars – as well as a photo showing an awkward interaction between McPartlin and Bullard after the show had finished recording.

“If you didn’t see the finale on Friday, I bet you read about it,” McPartlin said on the latest episode of their podcast Hanging Out. “The first question was to Jimmy about why did you call ‘I’m a celebrity… get me out of here’ on the night. I said I disagreed with it.”

The pair said they knew tensions were frayed as they had heard that Thomas and fellow contestant, TV personality Gemma Collins, had left a WhatsApp group set up after the show was filmed last year.

McPartlin said he encountered both Bullard and Haye in the car park outside, quipping: “I thought, ‘Oh God, how’s your luck?’

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“I went over to David Haye, and he was like, ‘How brilliant was that? Wasn’t that great?’ And I was like, ‘Well, it was certainly talk-about-TV. I wouldn’t call it great,’ but anyway, we had a laugh and we were cool. And then I walked off and saw Jimmy Bullard, and I just shook his hand and I was like, ‘Look after yourself’ and he was like, ‘Yeah, cheers.’’

He said “there was no confrontation”, adding: “He wasn’t shouting at me, I wasn’t shouting at him.”

Donnelly added that Haye told him: “Hope you get some good ratings for that one.”

It’s been reported that Bullard and Haye are contemplating taking legal action against ITV.

According to The Sun, Bullard wants to sue for unfair representation of his row with Thomas, claiming the actor’s behaviour was “abusive, aggressive and intimidating”. It’s been confirmed that the channel edited out several c-words Thomas used, with McPartlin calling the footage “unbroadcastable” after Bullard to him: “You didn’t show any of the c-bombs, it’s a liberty.”

One person corroborating Bullard’s version of events is former singer Sinitta, who walked off stage at the live final after the crowd started chanting Thomas’s name in support. “It was abusive – you weren’t there,” she told the audience. Thomas eventually won the show.

The Independent has contacted Haye and Bullard for comment.

In September last year, The Wellbeing Farm received an unexpected call from a Channel 5 producer about a new show called Rich Wedding Poor Wedding.

Airing at 10pm this Sunday (May 5), it follows two couples from contrasting financial backgrounds as they plan their dream weddings.

The Wellbeing Farm in Edgworth is one of a select few featured in the hour-and-a-half-long episode.

The Wellbeing Farm (Image: Creative Camera)

Liv Chase, 26, head of sales and marketing at The Wellbeing Farm, shared what’s in store for viewers.

“One of the brides-to-be told the producers that she loved our venue and wanted to view it,” Liv explained.

The couples looked at three venues each, with starkly contrasting budgets.

Describing itself as “a wedding venue like no other”, The Wellbeing Farm is an option for the “rich wedding” couple.

When Channel 5 arrived, Liv said the team was introduced to couple Janet and Gary.

Together, founder of The Wellbeing Farm, Celia Gaze, and Liv led the tour, “doing what they always do”.

“We showed them round, offered a nice coffee and brownie, and discussed what they were looking for.”

The Wellbeing Farm (Image: Creative Camera Photography)

Liv said the experience was “completely different” from anything they had done before, but it was “still the natural reaction of anyone getting married and looking at a venue”.

“It was just like a normal viewing, but with a camera in your face,” she joked.

Liv added that the on-site llamas and alpacas stole the show, as always.

The Wellbeing Farm staff taking the llamas out around Edgworth

To find out which venue Janet and Gary chose, tune in to Channel 5 on Sunday night at 10pm.

The Wellbeing Farm offers bespoke and fun experiences, with capacity for up to 300 standing and 200 seated guests.

There is a small barn for those wanting an intimate ceremony and even a licensed outdoor pavilion.

“We’re known for taking the stress out of wedding planning,” said Liv.

A wedding at The Wellbeing Farm (Image: TWO FOR JOY PHOTOGRAPHY LTD)

As a B Corp-accredited venue, as much as possible is upcycled.

“There’s so much waste involved in weddings, so we really try to counteract that.”

With a prop shed full of décor that couples are welcome to use for free, locally sourced food, and partnerships with One Woman At A Time and Be One G1, the venue emphasises sustainability.

“In everything that we do, we try and give back whatever way we can.”

Janet and Gary also got engaged on the Channel 5 show Rich Holiday Poor Holiday, so viewers can get to know them ahead of Sunday’s episode.

To find out more about The Wellbeing Farm, visit: thewellbeingfarm.co.uk

A manhunt remains underway for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis

Australian police have said they have found a body in their search for a missing girl. Police say the tragic discovery is believed to be the body of a five-year-old who vanished from her home on the outskirts of Alice Springs, in the Australian outback.

The girl, who the family has asked be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby in the wake of her death, went missing on Saturday night (April 25). Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples often avoid naming the deceased as a mark of respect and a cultural protocol, believing it disturbs the person’s spirit and prevents them from moving on to the afterlife, The Mirror reports.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole gave the tragic update at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, calling the shock find “an incredibly distressing development”.

“Just before midday today, police members of the search party located the body of a young Aboriginal girl we believe to be [the five-year-old]” he said.

“[Her]family have been formally notified and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time.”

A manhunt remains underway for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, a man released from jail only six days prior to the girl’s disappearance and the person police believe abducted her.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley told gathered media that NT Police’s “focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis”.

“It is our sole job in this investigation right now,” he said.

“I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he’s murdered this child. Do not assist him; get him to the police station and we’ll look after him.

“And I say to Jefferson Lewis, we’re coming for you.”

The devastating update comes after five days of searching by police and volunteers in the Northern Territory near the home at Old Timers Camp where the five-year-old was last seen.

NT Police assistant commissioner Peter Malley said earlier in the week there was a “bit of a party” happening in the camp at the time of the girl’s disappearance. She was at home in bed while her mother was doing washing nearby.

It seems that was when her alleged abductor struck, with an eyewitness revealing to police they spotted something stomach-churning at the time the five-year-old vanished.

As per police, Lewis was last seen “holding hands” with the little girl at about 11pm on Saturday, with police confirming they believe he then led her away from her home. This was the last time the little girl would be seen alive.

An NT Police spokesman told News Corp’s NewsWire service earlier this week that 60 or so people were taking part in the ground search on Tuesday, as well as using helicopters, drones, the dog unit, horses, motorcycle and ATVs as resources to help find the child in any terrain.

Police, emergency crews, and volunteers have so far searched about 46 square kilometres – that’s just more than 17 square miles – so far by helicopter, while officers and volunteers have scoured a further 20 square kilometres (7.7 square miles) on foot.

Indigenous trackers have also been deployed to assist with the search, NT Police executive director of cultural reform Leanne Liddle told news.com.au. “We also have the assistance of the volunteers, we’ve also got the assistance of the land councils,” she said.

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Running a successful football club in a country at war is no easy feat, never mind one with the history and prestige of Shakhtar.

Over the past 20 years the club’s model has been to buy promising young Brazilian talents, develop them and then sell them to Europe’s top clubs for profit.

Fernandinho, Douglas Costa, Willian and Fred are just a few who used Shakhtar as a stepping stone to Europe’s elite.

Shakhtar have always blended South American flair with homegrown talents from their academy – the £89 million sale of Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea in 2023 showed that can be a profitable avenue as well.

However, Fifa’s decision in 2022 to allow both foreign and homegrown players to leave Ukrainian clubs for free because of the war left Shakhtar in a difficult position.

“It was a big problem because we lost top talents. We lost 14 players and coaching staff,” said Palkin. “So we started to build a new Ukrainian team.”

Thanks to the relationship they had built up with clubs and players in Brazil, Shakhtar have gradually returned to their model.

Turan has 12 Brazilians in his squad, with more expected to arrive in the summer. Even with the uncertainty of war, Brazilians jump at the chance to join them.

“We are not selling them comfort, because everybody understands the war, it’s not comfort. We are selling them their career pathway,” Palkin said.

“We lost our home, but we didn’t lose our identity. We follow our procedures, we follow our model, what we are building.”

The presenters have spoken out after the I’m A Celebrity South Africa final when Ant appeared to be confronted by Jimmy Bullard

Ant McPartlin has revealed what really happened with Jimmy Bullard in the car park after the dramatic I’m A Celebrity… South Africa final, in which the presenter seemingly backed Adam Thomas in his row with the former footballer.

Ant and his long-standing friend and co-host Dec Donelly have said they had “quite the night” as they broke their silence on the chaos that unfolded out during the live final of the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here spin-off show last Friday (April 24).

Waterloo Road star Adam won the ITV reality show, in which former campmates compete in trials and challenges to be crowned the show’s ultimate ‘legend’. But the win was overshadowed by the drama which unfolded, as he was accused of being “abusive, aggressive and intimidating” by Jimmy following their spat while in the South African savanna.

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Days before the final, viewers saw explosive scenes in the last week of the pre-recorded series as Adam almost lost his place in camp after the former footballer Jimmy quit a trial, Adam forfeiting his time on the show, where he was a late arrival alongside former football manager Harry Redknapp.

As they worked in pairs, it meant that Adam would also lose his place on the show, leading to Adam hitting out at Jimmy. The former Emmerdale star stormed over to the sportsman and, during a heated exchange, said: “Taking the f****** piss, are you taking the f****** piss?” He added: “I’m in there getting covered in f****** ants!” Jimmy responded by telling him to “calm down” and described his outburst as “pathetic”.

Adam ended up making it to the final of the series, alongside Harry, Sir Mo Farah, and Craig Charles. But as all the campmates reunited for the first time during the final, Jimmy discussed their explosive row on the show, claiming Adam dropped “c-bombs” which were not aired, and asked hosts Ant and Dec for their opinion as they had “front row seats”. But Ant disagreed that the exchange was intimidating and said: “No, it wasn’t, I was there!”

Following the final, pictures emerged of Ant appearing to be confronted by Jimmy as he left the studio. But the presenter has now set the record straight. The pair said they didn’t find out until “quite late on” that Jimmy would be attending the final, but he had a “bee in his bonnet” and wanted to tell his side of the story.

But as viewers of the live final saw, things became chaotic after David Haye joined in the conversation to accuse the ITV show of editing footage to make Manchester-born Adam look like a “victim” and, after defending the actor, Gemma Collins, who followed Sinitta, who shouted to the audience that they “weren’t there” and it “was abusive and aggressive”, walked off set.

After what unfolded on live TV, Ant said on the new episode of the podcast, Hanging Out with Ant and Dec: “I went up to David Haye and he went, ‘How brilliant was that? Wasn’t that great?’ I went, ‘Well… It was certainly talk about TV, I wouldn’t call it great’, but anyway we had a laugh and we were cool.

“Then I’ve walked off and seen Jimmy Bullard and I just shook his hand and I was like, ‘Look after yourself’ and he was like, ‘Yeah, yeah cheers, cheers, cheers!’ So there was no confrontation. He was shouting at me, I wasn’t shouting at him. I wasn’t flanked by two security guards as it said in the paper. One of them was carrying my bag to the car in Beyoncé style.

Ant then clarified once again there was no argument in the car park. Dec then said: “I saw David Haye and he said ‘What about that then, hope you get some good ratings for that one!’ and I was like, ‘Thanks for that David!’” Ant added: “See, he doesn’t care! That’s what he does, he’s a boxer!”

It comes after Dec said: “It was quite the night!” Ant replied: “Oh my God… it had a flashback of Jimmy Springer over it… There were walk-outs, there were people goading each other. It was a weird night of TV!”

Ant later said of Adam’s winning moment: “I just thought it was a shame that the crowning moment of I’m A Celebrity.. South Africa couldn’t have been more celebratory!

If you’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed, and have a few minutes to spare, you should keep reading.

Whether you’ve recently fallen out with a friend or are still reeling from a frustrating interaction with your manager earlier in the week, attempting to shake off a bad mood isn’t easy.

Not everyone has an hour to dedicate to the mindful art of crochet, watch their favourite film, or channel their bad energy into some junk journaling.

But, there is one quick method therapists recommend that, despite sounding ‘ridiculous’ when you first hear it, could be the thing that helps you shake off the funk you’ve been stuck in.

And it all starts with your feet.

What is the ‘toe challenge’?

Shared with Metro by psychotherapist Stefan Walters, the ‘toe challenge’ is pretty straight forward.

All you’ll need to begin is a pen or pencil. Place it on the floor and then, using only your toes, lift the object into the air.

And that’s it. Yes, really.

Stefan emphasises that while it might sound ‘silly,’ it’s rooted in psychology. The challenge is about how achieving a weirdly specific small goal can result in a ‘mood payoff’, prompting a sense of accomplishment.

‘When we’re feeling down, we can get into big picture thinking and feel like there’s no hope, no future,’ he says.

‘And, just bringing it to the mundane, something as ridiculous as the toe challenge, it’s very grounding – it can shift that perspective.’

‘It’s a small way for us to find glimmers’

It’s these accomplishments, Stefan explains, that are examples of ‘glimmers.’

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Described by Stefan as the ‘opposite of triggers,’ they’re easiest to think of as little things that boost our endorphins and give us a positive feeling.

Originally coined by clinician and author Deb Dana in her book, ‘The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy’, Deb defines glimmers as ‘micro-moments that begin to shape our system in very gentle ways.’

Whilethe experts aren’t saying that a glimmer is going to solve serious mental health issues, they certainly can lift your mood.

He continues: ‘The toe challenge is just an easy way for us to create a glimmer ourselves, by doing something that gives us a sense of achievement or reward.’

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Other small glimmer tasks could be things like rolling up a piece of paper and seeing if you can shoot it into the bin, or peel an orange by removing the entire peel in just one piece.

Alternatives to the ‘toe challenge’

While little movements of achievement can boost the mood, there are other ways to turn that frown upside too.

Less about accomplishing a minor task, these hacks can help you recentre the body and mind.

1. The orange hack. Sniffing specific scents, particularly orange or lavender, has been shown in studies to reduce anxiety and improve mood almost instantly.
2. The 30-second physiological sigh. Instead of trying to ‘think’ your way out of a bad mood, you can use a specific breathing pattern to reset your nervous system. Inhale deeply through your nose, follow it with a second short ‘sharp’ inhale to fully expand the lungs, then exhale slowly through the mouth. This signals to the brain that the body is safe, lowering heart rate and reducing the physical feeling of being under threat. 
3. The ‘mock commute‘. For those working from home, a ‘bad day’ often stems from a lack of transition.
4. Creating a simulated commute, a 10-minute walk or a specific ritual before and after work, provides a mental ‘buffer’ that protects personal time from work-related stress.

Good news from Metro to help turn your bad day around

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Specsavers East Kilbride, which is locally owned and run, was awarded the Total Care Award at the annual Specsavers Awards for Excellence ceremony, having been selected above every other store across the UK.

The team at a South Lanarkshire opticians is celebrating after being presented with a top industry award recognising the highest standards in customer care.

Specsavers East Kilbride, which is locally owned and run, was awarded the Total Care Award at the annual Specsavers Awards for Excellence ceremony, having been selected above every other store across the UK.

The Total Care Award is presented to teams that show exceptional passion for delivering fantastic service to customers, as well as an outstanding experience for colleagues across optics and audiology.

The annual awards recognise the achievements and professionalism of Specsavers stores across the UK and Ireland.

“We’re over the moon to have been awarded the Total Care Award this year,” said Marianne Keys, store partner at Specsavers East Kilbride.

“As a team, we’re always striving to be the best we possibly can be, and being recognised by the wider business with this prestigious award is down to the amazing job the team does every day.

“It’s a testament to their skill, hard work and ongoing dedication to excellence and customer care. Winning this award is recognition of the dedication, care and pride our team brings to work every day, as well as our commitment to delivering the very best for both our colleagues and our customers.”

To book an appointment or speak to a member of the team at Specsavers East Kilbride, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/eastkilbride or call 01355 260 505.

READ MORE: Wishaw golf tournament in East Kilbride schoolgirl’s memory returns next month

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THIS has been an amazing week for our home.

But before I get on to York City’s promotion, I want to start this column a little differently.

Can I be honest?

One of the things you learn quickly in this job is that you can’t please everyone.

When I was elected to represent York Outer, I said I’d give it my all. It made the front page of The York Press, but for me it was a commitment to the place I’m proud to call home.

Since then, I believe I have done exactly that. There’s more to come.

I’ve secured funding for Haxby Station, worked closely with the Town Council to save the Post Office, and helped secure flood alleviation investment across York, including Fulford. I worked to introduce the Number 15 bus service for Bishopthorpe and Woodthorpe, and much more besides.

I’ve welcomed brilliant people from York to Parliament and introduced them to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, including representatives from the York City Football Club Foundation and Ladies, Piglets Adventure Farm and Menfulness. I’m always speaking up for constituents, tabling issues and attending debates.

This is the bread and butter of the job. It’s what I’m here to do.

What I’ve found harder to reconcile is that, for a small but vocal number of people, nothing I do will ever be the right thing.

I’m sometimes criticised when I visit local organisations or businesses, dismissed as “another photo op”. In reality, those visits are about listening, building relationships and being there when people need help.

In just the last month, those visits included Lakeside Primary Academy, the Wilberforce Trust, Goddard’s, an anti social behaviour community event at Derwenthorpe, the newly reopened Haxby Post Office, the Easter Egg Trail, Osbaldwick Primary School, Enterprise Car Club, a World Down Syndrome Day coffee morning, Askham Bryan College for lambing season, and York City Rowing Club. And yes, there’s even a video of me and Askham Bryan students bottle feeding the lambs!

I take a very public approach to the role, yet strangely, I’ve effectively been accused of being too visible.

I suppose that is a 180 from my predecessor!

Alongside what people see, my office and team run a day in, day out operation helping residents with complex issues, from NHS appointments to housing problems and immigration cases. Since being elected, we’ve handled more than 10,000 pieces of casework.

I worry sometimes that we’re losing nuance in politics, and our ability to see politicians as human beings. One of my friends, Joe Morris, the MP for Hexham, was recently criticised for ordering a starter as a main course in a local pub, a totally reasonable thing to do. We say we want MPs to be normal and then criticise them for being exactly that.

But now I want to turn to the thing we’ve all been talking about: York City’s promotion.

What happened at the weekend was one of the greatest promotion achievements in English football. To amass 108 points and still need to go through that drama to get promoted is extraordinary.

Like many others, I was one of the 4,500 supporters at the stadium screening, sharing the journey from devastation to absolute euphoria. Those moments are why football matters, and why this promotion will do the world of good for our city.

Here’s another example of clashing expectations. I’m a York City fan. I try to get to as many home games as I can, and the occasional away match when possible. Like many parents, I juggle that with family life, and missing time with my three year old and ten month old on a Saturday isn’t easy. I can’t wait for them to come to their first game.

This season has been an absolute rollercoaster, especially after last year’s heartbreak against Oldham. I was there at Boreham Wood at the end of the 24 game unbeaten run, stood in Barnsley for the heartbreak of the last-minute cup defeat, and have spent countless Saturdays at the LNER Community Stadium. To be back in the EFL is simply amazing for both our club, and city.

More recently, when I supported efforts to organise an open top bus trophy parade, a couple of people commented online that I wasn’t focused on “the right things”. I disagree. This is the club’s first promotion in a decade, and hopefully it won’t be the last either. Meanwhile, I’m of course continuing to crack on with everything else besides.

I have to admit, though, I’m really disappointed by the decision not to hold an open top bus trophy parade this week. I’m doing everything I can to help ensure a proper celebration takes place in the city, including speaking with City Cruises about options such as an open top boat parade.

These celebrations are not about politics. They’re about bringing our city together. They allow families, lifelong supporters and the wider community to share a moment of collective joy, and they can also provide a real boost to hospitality.

Finally, once again, congratulations to everyone connected to the club. This promotion reflects the hard work of Stuart Maynard, Ollie Pearce, the squad, the backroom staff, Julie Anne and Matt Uggla, and, above all, the fans, volunteers and supporters who have stuck with the club through thick and thin over the past decade.

Bring on 25 June, when the League Two fixtures come out!