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How Heads up Gentlemen is supporting men through troubled times

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How Heads up Gentlemen is supporting men through troubled times

According to the Mental Health Foundation, around three-quarters of UK suicides are men, with around three times as many men dying by suicide than women.

But despite this, men are less likely than women to seek help – only 36 per cent of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men.

This is something Jeff Moritz, 47, CEO of Little Hulton-based group Heads up Gentlemen, is hoping to change.

Award winner Bill (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“My initial idea was just to do a podcast”, said Jeff, “but I saw Pete posting wellbeing stuff on Facebook, so I thought we could do something more.”

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Pete is the co-founder of Heads up Gentlemen with Jeff. The group meets every Wednesday at the Peel Park Pavilion, Little Hulton, with other meetups taking place on Fridays and Mondays at Pendlebury Social Club, Swinton, and Hug in a Mug, Walkden.

Any local men can join in and turn up if they want, coming for the games, the chat, and the sense of togetherness.

The group celebrated its one-year anniversary on Friday with an awards ceremony dedicated to everyone who’s helped them reach this significant milestone.

Co-founder Pete Day (left) with Lee, who handles the group’s media (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“I’m very proud of my lived experience,” said Jeff, “I’ve had mental health issues, I’ve had addiction issues, I’m used to talking because I have done it from a very young age.”

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The guys host game nights, bring in guest speakers and lecturers, go out into the community, do charity work. Most important, however, is the friendships forged between men who otherwise might find it difficult to meet people.

It’s this authenticity that Jeff believes has led to the relative success of his organisation compared to other similar groups.

“It’s a real brotherhood,” Jeff told me, “and that’s what keeps me going – it’s the feedback from the guys.”

Even the basic opportunity to socialise with a like-minded, empathetic group of people is enough to significantly boost some men’s mood.

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“One of our members – Bill – got married last year, and he invited all of us to his stag do”, Jeff told me.

“Some of our guys don’t have the best social skills, so this is the kind of opportunity they may not have had before.”

Mike wins an award (Image: Dan Dougherty)

Attendee Douglas Short, 81, echoed much of what Jeff said.

“The support is invaluable,” said Douglas, “it helps you in ways you can’t see.

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“When you ask me how important this is in the community, I’d have to say ‘extremely important.’”

Douglas, who started as an attendee, has moved towards working with the group to organise events. Several current Heads up Gentlemen collaborators were former attendees, a testament to how willing people are to help the organisation they feel has helped them.

“It is extremely important to put something back into the group that gave me so much,” said Douglas.

Other members gave stories of being near suicide, or mired in the depths of drug or drink addictions, before finding the group.

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Douglas Short said that Heads up Gentlemen had made a ‘fantastic change to his life’ (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“I put the success down to our authenticity,” said Pete Day, co-founder of Heads up Gentlemen.

“We try to keep it fun – if we were too serious then it could trigger some people.

“And I’ve got a lot of experience myself with addiction and things like that.

“I relate with the guys a lot.”

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‘Guys talking to guys’ was a phrase that came up repeatedly, based on the belief that men find it easier to open up in an all-male environment than in a mixed one – another thing that Heads up Gentlemen does differently.

Of course, running an ever-expanding group isn’t an easy – or cheap – enterprise, and Jeff is constantly battling to keep his head above water.

“This is a seven-day-a-week job.

“I have savings from when I ran a company in America, but I’m going through them quite quickly.

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Award winner Trevor (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“People want proof of concept, which I have now, but I didn’t know that at first.”

He wants to get the point where NHS doctors are able to signpost directly to his group, but this is a process – one that’s going to require hard work and patience.

“We’re going to work on getting qualified as counsellors,” Jeff said, “and do that training.

“We put flyers in the GP surgery, but doctors can’t refer people to us directly.”

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The six ways the war in Middle East will hit UK household bills

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Manchester Evening News

Here are six ways the conflict in the Middle East could hit the pockets of Brits

The US and Israeli war on Iran has now surpassed two weeks – and there is no end in sight. Shockwaves from events unfolding thousands of miles away in the Middle East are already being felt here in the UK.

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Fuel prices have shot up in recent weeks due to a rise in the cost of oil, the costs of a new mortgage have risen, and the conflict has the potential to drive up the cost of energy bills, goods in shops, flight prices, and motor insurance premiums.

The Mirror has explored what the cost to Brits has already been so far over the past two weeks, and how ‘Trumpflation’ could impact us here in the UK if the conflict continues.

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Little over two weeks ago, inflation was easing, wage growth was slowing and the smart money was on its Monetary Policy Committee voting to reduce its base rate from 3.75% to 3.5% – with the hope of more to come as 2026 went on. Lenders were busy reducing fixed rate mortgages in anticipation, in welcome news for those looking for a new home loan or coming off often cheap deals and needing to re-mortgage.

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Now, an interest rate cut next week looks unlikely, with talk of possible rate rises later in the year. This in itself has been a blow for borrowers with variable rate mortgages or home loans linked to the Bank’s base rate.

Meanwhile, lenders have been rapidly pulling cheap fixed-rate deals and replacing them with ones that cost more. Industry experts Moneyfacts says the average new five-year fixed rate mortgage has now hit a near 12-month high of 5.19%, up from 4.95% just before the conflict erupted.

The average two-year fix has jumped to 5.10%, from 4.83% a couple of weeks ago. For someone applying a typical two-year fixed rate deal, and borrowing £180,000, that means an extra £336 on their annual repayments. With all important swap rates – which determine lenders’ costs – rising, the hit to borrowers will likely worsen.

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And to make matters worse, the number of fixed deals on offer has crashed by 530 since the chaos caused by the conflict began on February 28..

Adam French, Head of Consumer Finance at Moneyfacts, said: “Even the very cheapest deals are shooting higher, with the lowest available mortgage rate climbing from 3.51% at the start of March to sit at 3.78% today, its highest level since April 2025.

“It’s unwelcome news for borrowers, as hopes of steadily falling mortgage rates have collapsed and given way to a much more uncertain outlook. The destination is now heavily dependent on how global markets and inflation expectations evolve in response to the conflict the Middle East.”

Estate agents fear the war could shatter hopes of a fragile recovery in the housing market. A survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors showed new buyer enquiries had already weakened further in February.

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Tarrant Parsons, RICS’ head of market research and analytics, said: “The recent rise in oil and energy prices has increased the likelihood that mortgage rates will remain higher for longer.”

Here are six ways the Iran war could affect UK household costs.

House prices and rents

Drone strikes on Dubai has spooked British expats living there, leading to speculation that they – along with property investors – may look for safe havens to put their money. That could include the UK, and especially London, which has the potential to push up house prices.

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Even in the short term, it could lead to a spike in rents in some upmarket areas. According to reports, Brit who settled in Dubai are contacting luxury property agents to arrange emergency £5,000-a-week rentals in London.

If even a few thousand of the wealthiest British expats among 240,000 who live in the UAE come home as a result of the war, it could have a big impact property prices and rents in certain postcodes.

Fuel prices

Petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply, causing fresh misery for motorists here in the UK. And the price of heating oil has doubled, with households in rural areas among those left reeling.

Data from the RAC revealed the nationwide average for unleaded has reached 140.60p a litre. Diesel has risen even faster, surging to 158.23p. The surge has added nearly £9 to the cost of a typical fill-up for a diesel driver, and £3.85 a go for unleaded.

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RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Households, especially those that depend on the car, are under increasing financial pressure as a result of the conflict in the Gulf.

“The average price of a litre of unleaded has now risen by 6%, or nearly 8p, to 140.6p since the start of the conflict and is it at its highest in 18 months. Diesel has rocketed by 12% – or almost 17p – to 159.18p a litre, a price we’ve not seen since November 2023. Filling a family car is now £4 and £9 more than it was less than two weeks ago.

“The fact the cost of a barrel of oil has exceeded $100 and wholesale fuel prices continue to rise is concerning, but it’s the speed at which drivers are feeling the effects which is under the spotlight now.

“Drivers deserve – and should expect – to be treated fairly when it comes to filling up, especially with pump prices still heading north.”

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To add to concerns, a report from experts at Fathom Consulting warned a prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to oil prices above $170 per barrel and a global recession.

Energy bills

Another big threat is a potential surge in energy bills for both households and businesses. As it is, most households are protected for now because of Ofgem’s price cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge per unit of energy.

The cap will actually fall from April 1, with average annual bill coming down by on average £117 a year, to £1,641. That’s mostly due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement in the last Budget that an average £150 worth of policy costs were being removed from what customers pay.

This was before events in Middle East blew up, and wholesale costs – which account for the biggest chunk of customers’ bills – soared. The problem will hit when Ofgem’s price cap next changes, in July. It’s early days but the surge in wholesale costs is likely to mean the cap going back up.

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The price cap is determined by the average cost of wholesale gas over the next three months. Industry experts Cornwall Insight has estimated the cap could jump back up by £186 a year to around £1,827. That was based on the closing price of gas on March 3, since when prices have risen a further 10%.

Holidays

Even many families’ precious week or so in the sun could cost more this year. The cost of jet fuel has leapt by about 80% since the start of the Middle East crisis a week ago.

The Middle East and its Gulf states is a major source of aviation fuel, accounting for about 50% of Europe’s imports, meaning ticket prices could rise, further fuelling inflation.

Some Brits are putting holiday plans on hold and making big changes because of the Middle East crisis. Leading holiday firm On the Beach reported a “significant” drop in demand from families for getaways to normally popular hotspots Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt.

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While higher jet fuel prices will put upward pressure on fares, falling demand for certain destinations could work the other way.

Data from the website Travelsupermarket shows people are already making different booking decisions because of events in the Middle East. Online searches for holidays to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean soared 123% in the first 11 days of March, it said, with Cape Verde and Antigua both doubling. Higher prices for foreign breaks could prompt more people to holiday at home.

Richard Young, chief executive of holiday company selfcatering.co.uk, told the Mirror: “Global uncertainty and rising fuel prices can quickly influence how people plan their holidays, and when overseas trips become more expensive and potentially dangerous, many start looking closer to home. We saw this during the pandemic, periods of airline disruption and previous fuel price spikes, and at times like this interest in self catering breaks tends to rise as they offer families a chance to enjoy a proper getaway with more space and flexibility, without the stress, anxiety, rising costs and unpredictability of travelling abroad.

”Yorkshire Dales and Norfolk – not always at the top of people’s list, but likely to see a spike as people venture out of the hot spots. Northumberland always popular (Alnwick, Bamburgh), Devon popular and crowded (Salcombe, Dartmouth), Cotswolds (expensive anyway but will likely see a further increase), anywhere around the Lakes and Highland hot spots such as Braemar, Fort William and Inverness.”

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Insurance

It might not be an obvious impact, but it is claimed the conflict could also drive up the cost of getting your motor insured.

Kara Gammell, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, explains: “The conflict could disrupt supply chains, which in turn could lead to higher shipping costs and make some raw materials used in car parts harder to source. If replacement parts become more expensive or take longer to arrive, repair costs could rise too.

“When insurers set premiums, they look at how much it costs to repair vehicles and settle claims, so any increase in those areas may put some upward pressure on what drivers pay. You might not notice any big changes straightaway, but if your renewal is coming up, it’s always worth shopping around.”

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Police launch appeal after resident returns home to find house burgled

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Belfast Live

The PSNI are asking the public for help following a midweek burglary in Co Tyrone

Detectives are appealing for information following the report of a burglary in Cookstown on Wednesday, March 11.The incident was reported to police around 9pm after the resident of a property in the Rathmore area returned home to discover that they had been burgled.Officers attended and it was observed that entry had been gained via the back door of the property which had been smashed. A number of rooms had been disturbed, with jewellery and personal items being stolen during the burglary.

READ MORE: Derry vs Tyrone: Live stream and TV information, throw-in time, betting odds and all you need to know ahead of today’s National Football League Division Two clashREAD MORE: Free street parking on St Patrick’s Day announced for 3 NI cities

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The incident is believed to have happened sometime between 11:30am and 9:00pm.Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything or who may have any information that could assist in the investigation to get in contact on 101 quoting reference 1714 11/03/26.

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

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Ireland beat Scotland with bonus point to go top and pile pressure on France

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Ireland beat Scotland with bonus point to go top and pile pressure on France

Good afternoon and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of Ireland vs Scotland from the final round of this year’s Six Nations at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, with both teams still in contention for the title. 

Heading into ‘Super Saturday’, France are top of the pile on 16 points, but they lead Scotland on points difference alone after being stunned by Gregor Townsend’s side at Murrayfield last weekend. 

It is an extremely healthy points-difference advantage for Fabien Gaelthje’s side, though, 58 points better off than Scotland in that respect, which could prove decisive. 

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Ireland, meanwhile, start the afternoon in third place, but only two points adrift of the two pace-setters, with a points difference only marginally worse than their opponents this afternoon. 

With France hosting an out-of-sorts England this evening, the title cannot be clinched by full time in Dublin, but the two teams can certainly put some pressure on the defending champions. 

If Scotland can beat Ireland – for the first time since 2017 – and France fail to beat England, the Scots will clinch a first-ever Six Nations title, while a bonus-point win would be enough for Townsend’s men if France win, but without a bonus point.

A 12th successive victory for Andy Farrell’s side against Scotland would almost certainly take them to the top of the standings by full time, and if France then fail to win in Paris, the title could well be going their way. 

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However, there is the remarkable scenario in which Ireland could win this afternoon without a bonus point, and France could still retain their title with defeat – and one fewer win than Ireland – should they claim two losing bonus points in the process. 

Both Ireland and Scotland have beaten England and Wales so far this campaign, meaning the Triple Crown title is also up for grabs, with Scotland hoping for their first since 1990. 

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Block of flats where people aren’t safe is having major work done

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Wales Online

There are serious concerns about fire safety

Crucial fire safety works are set to go ahead at a prominent waterfront apartment block in Cardiff. Adventurers Quay, in Cardiff Bay, has received permission to redo its outdated cladding over a potential fire risk at the property.

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According to planning documents, a fire engineer was appointed to prepare a “comprehensive” FRAEW (fire risk appraisal for external wall) report which outlined deficiencies that need to be brought up to current standards. The issues identified in the report include insulation that used combustible spandrel panels, insulation with the lowest rating for building materials, other combustible insulation, and “aluminium decorative mullions on spandrel with adhesive bonding”.

The works will be carried out in such a way that allows the building to remain operational throughout the construction period, minimising disruption for residents. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

The application reads: “The upgrade of the materials outlined in this document is essential for the long-term safety of the building.

“The design approach is sensitive to the architectural character of the development.”

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In addition to the full removal and replacement of the render, cladding and spandrel works, work will also include replacing timber on the balconies.

Internal layouts, doors and window arrangements will remain by any external work the site will undergo.

Originally built in the late 1990s, Adventurers Quay is a gated residential complex containing flats and townhouse properties in Cardiff Bay.

It was built as part of the wider regeneration of the area.

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The remedial works will take place on the southern edge of the property.

It is within walking distance of the Cardiff Bay Barrage and Mermaid Quay which consists of retail and restaurant premises.

During the works, site access will remain unchanged from its current state and will continue to operate during the works.

Planning documents read: “Replacing the proposed materials would enhance the visual aspects of the external façade which include giving a renewed look, with durable materials.”

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This Morning star hits back at ‘disgraceful’ fake weight loss pill claims

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This Morning star hits back at 'disgraceful' fake weight loss pill claims

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This Morning star Ashley James has responded after AI was used to create a disturbing advert with her likeness, promoting weight loss pills.

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Ashley has been left ‘devastated’ at the thought of anyone buying such pills upon her so-called recommendation, branding the fake ad a ‘violation’.

Taking to Instagram this weekend, the presenter and activist began in a video: ‘I have a confession. I’ve been taking weight loss pills.

‘At least, that’s what you’ve been led to believe…’

Footage then cuts to a digitally generated version of Ashley being interviewed on the This Morning sofa by Ben Shephard, where she appears to reveal her weight loss results and the benefits of taking such drugs.

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It’s incredibly realistic, featuring the This Morning colour scheme, ITV logo, and an AI character that both looks and sounds exactly like her.

A frighteningly realistic AI video has been made using Ashley James’s likeness to promote weight loss pills (Picture: Instagram)
This Morning star hits back at 'disgraceful' fake weight loss pill claims Picture: ashleylouisejames
The This Morning star called it a ‘violation’ (Picture: Instagram)

‘I’ve tried everything. Seriously, everything. Each new diet was hopeful and disappointing,’ begins her AI persona.

‘I thought I should just give up, but then I saw an interview with Doctor Rangan Chatterjee, where he explained being overweight is not your fault – it’s a metabolic failure caused by age, and he’s developed a formula that restarts that metabolism, so I decided to try it.’

As text on-screen boldly states, ‘She lost 27 pounds in just one month!’, the character adds: ‘One week later, I was down nine pounds. Three weeks later, I’m down 27.

‘I feel light again. I love my reflection in the mirror again.’

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In her own expert takedown of the clip, the real Ashley then informs her followers: ‘So many of you have sent me this advert, so I just want to be really clear – that is not me. It is completely AI-generated.’

‘Not only did I never say this, I’ve never taken these pills, I’ve never heard of these pills, and most importantly, nor would I ever promote them,’ she insists.

This Morning star hits back at 'disgraceful' fake weight loss pill claims Picture: ashleylouisejames
Ashley has firmly stated that she ‘always turns down’ any sponsorships for diet or weight loss products (Picture: Instagram)

‘I’m honestly devastated that anybody might buy these products believing that I recommended them.’

The former Made in Chelsea star, who is known and loved for her body-positive content on social media, added that she ‘always turns down’ any sponsorship opportunities involving diets or weight loss pills.

‘So not only does this feel like a total violation, but the message behind it makes me incredibly angry.

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‘We already live in a world where women are constantly told to shrink themselves, be smaller, be thinner, take up less space. And that’s only getting worse with the rise of weight loss injections.’

Continuing her rant in the caption, Ashley admitted that, ‘if [she] didn’t know better,’ she would assume the AI ad was real too.

‘Someone has taken my face and my voice and turned it into an advert telling women they should lose weight. If you know anything about me, you’ll know that is the exact kind of messaging I’ve spent years fighting against.’

Ashley James reveals she was raped at university after years of 'living in shame and silence' instagram
She has said that becoming a mum helped her become more confident in her body and view it differently (Picture: Instagram)
Ashley James during a reception at St James's Palace, London, to mark International Women's Day and the fifteenth year of WOW. Women of the World is a global alliance of partners, working together to drive an equal and inclusive future for women, girls and non-binary people. Picture date: Tuesday March 10, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Ashley often speaks out against oppression and the standards placed on women (Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

She further cited other examples of public figures being targeted by deepfakes, with Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis forced to call out similar content in the past after members of the public were scammed out of thousands of pounds from following bogus financial advice.

‘I do not support these products and I would never tell you, or anyone else, that you need to shrink yourself or diet,’ Ashley concluded in her written caption. ‘And if you see this advert please report it. Because how social media platforms are allowing this is disgraceful! It’s scary when you think about it.’

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In the comments, famous friends were eager to offer their support, expressing shock over the advert.

‘This is absolutely shocking’, wrote Carol Vorderman. ‘What is the recourse in law?’

Sarah Jayne Dunn commented: ‘😮 this is so scary!!’

‘This is terrifying!!!’, echoed Dani Harmer, while Faye Tozer raged: ‘Nothing about this is ok 🤬’

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Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (16687798i) Ashley James 'This Morning' TV show, London, UK - 20 Feb 2026
The broadcaster recently published her first book, Bimbo, which explores the labels she’s been given by society (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Ashley has long been a public advocate for body acceptance, particularly when it comes to motherhood.

In a post discussing the harmful rhetoric surrounding postpartum bodies, Ashley wrote in January: ‘The world looks at a mum’s body and sees something to fix, but our children look at it as their first home and love it.’

She proudly stated that, ‘babies or not, we should never have learned to hate something so magical. Our bodies ARE magical.’

The mum-of-two also often posts bikini snaps from various angles to encourage other people to feel confident.

Earlier this year, she wrote: ‘I have more confidence in my body now than I ever did before. And I’m proud of that, and I never want my daughter to see me hating on my body.’

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The TV personality recently published her first book, titled Bimbo in a nod to the labels she’s been given online and in an attempt to reclaim them.

It became a bestseller, detailing her own raw experiences and unpacking the oppression and expectations of women throughout their lives.

While promoting it, she told BBC Woman’s Hour: ‘Often, if people don’t agree with me, they’ll go online and say, “She’s just a bimbo.”

‘But it’s not just “bimbo,” it’s all the labels that I feel like women are given, whether that’s “bossy,” “frigid,” “tarty,” and even into elderhood, like “crone” or “hag.” I really wanted to explore how these labels shrink us and keep us small.’

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Timothy Kusemi, 41, jailed after fatal crash outside Rudston

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Timothy Kusemi, 41, jailed after fatal crash outside Rudston

41-year-old Timothy Kusemi, of Lower Bedford Road in London pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving on Monday, 23 February 2026.

He had pleaded guilty to causing death whilst unlicenced at a previous court hearing on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, Humberside Police said.


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He has now been sentenced to six years imprisonment and given an 11-year driving ban.

Shortly before 3pm on Friday, 24 November 2023, Kusemi was driving his Audi A6 northbound on Burton Road towards Burton Fleming, outside the village of Rudston close to Bridlington.

At the same time, 70-year-old Sue Whittles was driving a Volkswagen T-Roc eastbound on the B1253 Thwing Road towards Bridlington with her husband Bill Whittles in the passenger seat.

As their vehicle reached the crossroads junction with Burton Road and Nine Dikes Road, Kusemi failed to stop and give way, and subsequently collided with the side of Mr and Mrs Whittles’ car.

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Mrs Whittles died at the scene and her husband was rescued from the vehicle by Humberside Fire and Rescue before being airlifted to hospital for treatment to serious injuries, which included multiple fractures to his spine, ribs, and sternum.

He remained in hospital and subsequently a rehabilitation centre for almost 12 weeks having required extensive treatment and surgery before being discharged.

Paying tribute to Sue, her husband Bill said: “Sue was a lovely wife to me and best pal over the years – we were a unit.

“She was a much-loved Nan to Anna and Oliver, and they miss her so much.

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“A much-respected local preacher, Guide leader and active supporter of Riding for the Disabled.”

Sergeant Rob Mazingham from the Humberside Police Serious Collision Unit said: “When speaking to key witnesses from the scene, Kusemi’s driving prior to the incident was described as swerving all over the road, showing a lack of care when driving his vehicle.

“During the investigation it was established that Kusemi held a driving licence that was no longer valid for him to drive legally in the United Kingdom, and he was not fully qualified to drive here at the time of the collision.

“This was a tragic and entirely avoidable incident which resulted in one person losing their life and another being seriously injured.

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“By driving dangerously and taking no consideration to any road signs ahead, this will now leave a devastating impact on the lives of the family involved”.

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Fit gym-goer, 23, now needs full-time carer after rare disorder diagnosis

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Daily Record

Lily Sillis noticed her face was spasming just weeks ago and since then her life has been dramatically transformed

Whilst applying her makeup one morning, Lily Sillis observed something peculiar. Her face began to spasm every time she touched it.

The active and health-conscious 23-year-old from Blackburn in Lancashire was a gym enthusiast who had a passion for animals and outdoor activities. However, whilst on the phone to 111, her face suddenly started drooping to the right.

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Despite normal blood test results following an urgent trip to A&E, upon returning home, her entire face sagged and she found herself unable to speak. This shocking event occurred just weeks ago, on February 10, and since then, her life has been dramatically transformed.

Despite multiple visits to A&E and her GP over the subsequent two days, Lily experienced her first seizure on February 12, followed by two more in the ensuing hours, reports Lancs Live.

Lily, who runs her own dog walking business, shared with LancsLive: “I could hear everything around me and feel everything happening but my eyes were closed and I couldn’t respond or move.”

“I was told to go back to A&E but when I arrived I collapsed on the floor having full body convulsions whilst still being able to hear and feel everything around me.”

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After being rushed to resuscitation, Lily was given oxygen and underwent further tests as her condition rapidly worsened, sometimes experiencing up to 20 seizures a day. Some of these seizures lasted up to an hour, and after each one, Lily was left with “full body paralysis” for hours, unable to move or speak.

Lily said: “One day I tried to stand up and my legs simply wouldn’t move. I tried with everything in me to put one foot in front of the other but my body just wouldn’t respond.

“I tried to stay positive because at that point I still had use of my arms so I could transfer myself onto a commode or into a wheelchair, even though I wasn’t allowed off the ward due to the seizures and couldn’t sit up for long. But a few days later even that was taken away.

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“I tried to get up using my arms like I had been doing and they wouldn’t work either. They were paralysed. Suddenly I couldn’t feed myself, couldn’t shower myself, couldn’t even go to the toilet independently.

“At 23-years-old, after being such an independent person, this completely broke me. I was lying in a hospital bed being showered by nurses, fed by my own mum and using a bed pan because I couldn’t move my body.

“Even when my legs sometimes decided to work again they tremored so violently that I couldn’t walk safely without falling or support.”

Following an EEG scan, it was confirmed that Lily was suffering from Non Epileptic Seizure Attack Disorder and she was moved to the neurology ward at Royal Preston Hospital. Here, she was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder and Functional Movement Disorder.

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She reflects that her life changed ‘overnight’.

She explained to LancsLive: “When I arrived there my condition deteriorated even further. I started having full body involuntary movements where I was hitting and kicking uncontrollably as if someone had completely taken over my body and these episodes could last for hours.

“One episode lasted seven and a half hours of non-stop convulsions, including facial spasms, my head and neck moving violently, and my arms and legs thrashing. Between seizures and episodes I was completely exhausted, paralysed and struggling to speak.”

Functional Neurological Disorder occurs when the brain struggles to transmit and receive signals correctly, resulting in seizures, paralysis, tremors, speech difficulties and uncontrolled movements. Upon receiving her diagnosis, Lily admitted she’d been entirely unaware of the condition’s existence, and is now adapting to life with it “day by day”.

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Whilst Lily acknowledged that certain days prove more manageable than others, the unpredictable nature remains “terrifying”.

She continued: “Just weeks ago, I was a 23-year-old gym goer who loved animals, the outdoors, and adventure, and now I need a full-time carer and have lost most of my independence, including the ability to drive and some days even walk.”

Her mother Sara described how the diagnosis has devastated their entire household. Sara reflected: “You’ve got this child that’s gone from being so independent to your parents having to feed you and wash you. It’s so devastating because you cant do anything to fix it.”

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Sara, now residing in Ripon, North Yorkshire, has set up a GoFundMe page to cover Lily’s treatment expenses whilst also highlighting the condition itself.

“It’s such a cruel horrible illness,” she added. “For now we are doing everything we can to raise money for lily for extra treatment.

“It’s not even about donating its just about getting her story out there to help other people know about this, if we can do anything we can to spread awareness that’s what we want for her.”

Lily’s donation page can be found here.

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White-coloured Ford Transit stolen from Fulford School

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A61 - Driver fails to stop after crash with Vauxhall Vivaro

The Fulford School minibus was stolen from its premises after last being seen on Wednesday, March 11 around 5.15pm.

North Yorkshire Police issued an image of the white-coloured Ford Transit vehicle which has school livery down the side, and a registration number GX63HKW.


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North Yorkshire Police released this image of the Fulford School bus which was last seen on Wednesday, March 11 (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

A force spokesperson said: “If you saw this vehicle being driven, or if you have dash‑cam footage or CCTV that may assist our enquiries, please get in touch by emailing charlotte.creasey@northyorkshire.police.uk, or by calling 101, or dial 999 if you spot the vehicle.

“Please quote reference 12260045284 when passing on information.”

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What you study in school shapes your voting choices in adulthood

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What you study in school shapes your voting choices in adulthood

Across Europe, education has become one of the biggest dividing lines in politics, and educational qualifications are now one of the best predictors of vote choice in Britain. This is particularly the case for new parties that compete more on cultural issues, including Reform and the Greens, who attract voters from different ends of the educational spectrum.

In the most recent UK general election in July 2024, 18% of voters with no formal qualifications voted for Reform – two and half times as many as among those with a degree. On the flip side, degree-holders were three times as likely to vote for the Green party than those without qualifications.

Our study shows that the link between education and politics starts far earlier than degree level, however. We’ve found that what you study at school affects your political choices both in adolescence and adulthood.

We looked at the political views of young people aged ten to 18, and then followed them into their 20s. Young people who were studying humanities subjects in school, namely history and art, became more likely to support more socially liberal parties.

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Those studying a technical GCSE subject, such as design and technology, became more supportive of more radical right parties. Given that we see this pattern before students leave school, it can’t only be explained by socialisation in the workplace, which makes us think that at least part of the association emerges in school.

Taking a GCSE in business studies meanwhile meant that someone became more economically rightwing in their vote intention. When they were 16 and had finished their GCSE in business studies, these young people were two percentage points more likely to say they’d vote for the Conservatives than when they’d started at age 14. This might seem small, but small differences add up over the course of a person’s life.

People develop their political orientations during adolescence, so parental socialisation of course matters a great deal. But much of those formative years is also spent in the classroom. And a student of history encounters different ideas and develops different skills to one studying physics – even if they both eventually end up with the same number of GCSEs or A-levels, or a university degree.

For instance, a physics class might focus on the scientific marvel of splitting the atom and nuclear power, whilst a history student would consider the catastrophic effects of these weapons in the second world war. As a result, the history student and the physics student might emerge from their studies with different perspectives on the world, which might ultimately lead them to support different parties.

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It’s unlikely that these findings relate to teachers indoctrinating students into supporting particular parties or ideologies. It’s more likely that certain subjects that focus on different human experiences – such as history or art – might lead students to recognise the importance of a variety of perspectives, and so be more favourable towards socially liberal parties. Likewise, studying economics might incline a young person to support a party that champions free markets.

Alternatively, it could be explained by the differing peer groups across these subjects, whereby the attitudes held when students select into these subject are mutually reinforced.

We also found that the differences we identified persisted in early adulthood, long after school had finished. Adults who had taken drama, music, art or history were more likely to vote for socially liberal parties such as the Greens or Liberal Democrats.

Some of these differences were very large in adulthood, even when we adjusted for other factors that might explain them, like overall educational attainment and income. For example, an adult who had taken an A-level in economics or business studies was 14 percentage points more likely to support the Conservative Party and six points less likely to support Labour than someone who had not.

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It’s also notable that students who took any of history, geography, foreign languages or religious studies were more engaged in politics. They were more likely to name a party they would vote for, rather than saying they wouldn’t vote.

Our findings may add a different angle to debates about curriculum reform. Recent governments have favoured increasing participation in STEM subjects, often to the detriment of subjects like the creative arts and languages. Our study suggests that this might in turn have consequences for young people’s politics.

Either way, our results show that what you learn in school is likely to shape your world view beyond the classroom.

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RMG Living warn residents over report of ‘suspicious package’

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RMG Living warn residents over report of 'suspicious package'

Overnight, RMG Living said it received a generic communication referring to the placement of a suspicious package.

Bosses say that they believe it was a “mischievous message” but told residents to report anything suspicious to the police.

In a message to residents, the company said: “Overnight we received a generic communication referring to the possible placement of a suspicious package, which was not specific to your development.

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“If you see anything suspicious, please report it to the police.”

RMG manage numerous properties across the North West, including Greenmount Court in Heaton.

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