Viv Rollo is attempting to trace her father’s historically significant ring after it was lost or stolen.

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A “hidden” fragment of the Stone of Destiny was set into a ring which was lost or stolen shortly afterwards, it has emerged. The pieces of the historic rock were separated from the artefact in 1951.

The daughter of the ring’s previous owner is now appealing for help in tracking down what she says could be a precious family heirloom. Viv Rollo’s father David was gifted part of the ancient stone following the famous raid in which a group of nationalist students took it from Westminster Abbey and returned it to Scotland.

The Stone of Destiny broke in two during the daring heist and it was repaired in secret by a supportive stonemason called Bertie Gray. A research project recently revealed Mr Gray’s work may have resulted in around 34 fragments of the original Stone of Destiny.

These were distributed by Gray to people around the Scottish nationalist movement. One ended up at the SNP’s headquarters after being gifted to Alex Salmond.

David Rollo is believed to have been gifted one of the fragments in 1951, which he had set into a ring. He was good friends with Gavin Vernon, one of the four students who took the stone from Westminster Abbey, after they shared a flat as students in in Glasgow.

Mr Rollo died in 1997, aged 70, and his daughter Vivienne is now trying to unravel the mystery of the ring’s fate. Her father left few clues as to what became of it, and only told her the ring was either lost or stolen and that he had an idea of who had it – but he would not name the person he suspected.

Ms Rollo, who lives in Wester Ross, told Press Association: “I would definitely like to know what happened to it. It would be such a thing to have as a family heirloom.”

She said she believes Mr Vernon had asked her father to join him in the fateful Christmas Day heist at the end of 1950, but he declined to take part.

“I’m pretty sure Gavin asked my dad if he wanted to come along for this,” she said. “My dad said ‘don’t be daft, you’ll never do it’.”

Mr Rollo was called in for questioning by police in the days after the raid, as the authorities tried to recover the Stone of Destiny.

He told the police nothing and was not directly involved in hiding the artefact before it was later found by police at Arbroath Abbey in April 1951. However in a strange coincidence, Mr Rollo shared a surname with a man who did hide the Stone – John Rollo.

Ms Rollo said: “There must have been about 100 people who knew [about the stone], but they all kept quiet.”

Mr Gray’s work is thought to have resulted in at least 34 fragments of the Stone of Destiny, which has been associated with the crowning of Scottish and UK monarchs for centuries.

Ms Rollo, 70, said: “[My father] managed to get one of them and he said he got it made into a ring with a Celtic design. He said he knew who had taken it but he couldn’t prove it. Obviously you wouldn’t want to accuse one of your friends about something like that.”

Mr Rollo was well-known among the group of nationalist students involved in the Christmas Day raid – the parties at his house were famous and even immortalised in a song called The Lane Outside Dave Rollo’s Door.

He was tight-lipped around exactly who gave him the fragment or what may have become of it. He got married in 1956 but did not have the ring in his possession at that point. The ring is likely to be made of silver or a similar metal and has a Celtic design with three points.

The missing ring is one of several stories which have emerged as a research project seeks to document the fate of the fragments from the sandstone block, which were considered “hidden” for many years.

Professor Sally Foster of Stirling University has been working to trace the stories of the fragments. She is still keen to hear from people who may have knowledge of the whereabouts of the pieces.

“I treated every call as a privilege, even the most horrible and gruesome ones, I was the one to go in there to try and help”

A semi-retired paramedic has written a memoir on his experiences of working on the front lines of the Troubles.

North Belfast Blues by Brendan Magill details his journey from a troubled childhood where dead bodies would be left in his neighbourhood, to returning to those same streets as a paramedic, helping those most in need.

Through a turbulent upbringing on Adela Street and the New Lodge, the now 61-year-old was shaped by the things he saw at such an early age. He told Belfast Live he was “terrified of death”.

He said: “I was forced to deal with death at a young age and where we lived on that corner of north Belfast, we had a couple of bodies dumped in our street.

“When I was growing up, it felt like if it wasn’t on the news, it was on your doorstep. During those early years in the Troubles, I was hounded by death.

Magill has previous experience in writing, including children’s novels to encourage them to learn first aid. But it was in writing North Belfast Blues that he discovered a therapeutic experience, even if he didn’t originally intend for it to be that way.

He continued: “The only way I could do my story was to deal with the calls I faced as a paramedic, but when I started chronicling them, they reminded me of similar incidents from when I was a kid, and it became a form of therapy for me.”

“Before I started writing I would have said my childhood would have been very unhappy.

“After writing, I rediscovered that there were good things, like when I went out with my dad, or playing football despite the hassle we had. I realised we tried to make the most of things, despite the horrible backdrop of the Troubles.”

Through the tough years of childhood, Brendan admits there was an element of trauma, something he “buried through his teenage years”.

“It wasn’t until I was dealing with the deaths in the ambulance service that I was forced to look back.

“When you go to so many sudden deaths and murders, you can’t help but go and look back at your childhood. It didn’t matter that I had tried to bury those experiences; they eventually came back around.”

The retired paramedic never had any desire to join the ambulance service while growing up, and in his early twenties, Magill roamed aimlessly from job to job searching for a purpose.

It was one morning on his way to work when everything changed for him.

“I heard sirens behind me walking up the Dublin Road in a suit, to a job I didn’t want to go to. I looked around and it was a fire engine. Everyone’s heads turned to see what was going on, and I imagined what it would be like to do that job, to put on a uniform and have a sense of responsibility.

“That night I saw an advertisement in the Belfast Telegraph for the ambulance service, and that was it.”

After working in the ambulance service for 37 years, with many of those being during the Troubles, the retired paramedic has seen a lifetime of hardship.

He was one of the first on the scene for the Sean Graham Bookmakers shooting, in which five people were murdered and nine were injured.

“One shift, I was called to Dan’s Bar on Roden Street, where the INLA had killed two people. Then two hours later on the same shift, we were called to another shooting, where a Catholic had been killed.

“It really showed the brutality of what was happening on a daily basis. Tit-for-that, retaliation killings.”

Despite the challenging aspects of his job, Magill still found an identity within the Ambulance Service, and for the first time in his life, he had a purpose.

He continued: “When you’ve dealt with so much trauma and fear in your life and no one was helping you, it’s a privilege to walk into someone’s house as a paramedic, when they are at their worst moments in life, and offer some form of comfort.

“It’s nice to be able to go in and help people when you weren’t getting any help yourself.

“I loved wearing the uniform and the respect you got from it. I treated every call as a privilege, even the most horrible and gruesome ones, I was the one to go in there to try and help.

“I’m under 5ft 6ins and was always called shorty and that’s how I’ve felt most of my life. But when you put that uniform on and walk into someone’s house when there’s mayhem happening, you feel like the biggest person in the room. When I put that uniform on, I’m not small anymore.

“That uniform and call gives you a sense of purpose, and all of a sudden that height doesn’t matter.”

Brendan’s novel, North Belfast Blues is available now as an e-book on Kindle, with a physical copy expected in April.

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Emergency services were called to Holcombe Road at around 6.30pm today

Images from the scene shortly after it happened show a white car on its roof in the middle of the road.

Crash on Holcombe Road (Image: Phil Taylor)

It is understood that two other vehicles were involved in the crash, but believed to have been parked at the time.

Crash on Holcombe Road (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

Police were also on hand to manage the road closure, which is believed to have been in place until around 8.30pm.

Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.

We will bring you more on this incident when we get it,

The tower was lived in by an Italian religious figure

A tiny tower in Cambridge was once gifted to and lived in by Italians. History is all around in Cambridgeshire, with some historic buildings standing the test of time for hundreds of years.

One in Chesterton, known as Chesterton Tower, is a building that’s stood since the mid-14th century in Chapel Street.

This tiny tower was built in a gothic style. In 1227, Chesterton Church was gifted by Henry III to an abbey in Vercelli, northern Italy.

This was given as a thanks for the cardinal’s help in preventing a civil war. A procurator, who was most likely a canon of the abbey, lived in the tower.

It’s believed the procurator would have watched over affairs of the area. In 1440, the tower’s ownership then changed hands, as Henry VI gave the buildings to King’s Hall in Cambridge. King’s Hall later became Trinity College, as named by Henry VIII.

In 1949, the tower was fully restored and today it is now used as offices. It also stands in the former vicarage garden of nearby St Andrew’s Church.

The tower is made up of two storeys. It was built from field stones, clunch, brick and ashlar quoins. Inside, there are vaulted ceilings, a spiral staircase and garderobe, making it a home. It also includes original windows and old fireplaces.

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The UK has inadequate means to stop ballistic missiles fired from Iran, military experts have warned – although they also voiced doubts over Iran’s capability and its desire to carry out such a strike.

British defences lack the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles, they have claimed, and the systems that they do have are out at sea, and in numbers too small to be fully effective.

It follows a warning from Israel’s military that Iranian missiles were a threat to European cities – including London, Paris, and Berlin – after the failed attack on the British military base of Diego Garcia.

The base on the Chagos Islands is 3,800km (2,360 miles) away from Iran, further than previous estimates on the range of Iran’s missiles.

On Sunday morning, senior government minister Steve Reed stressed that Britain was safe, as he called Israel’s threat exaggerated and an attempt to garner support for the war. Hours later, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson doubled down on Mr Reed’s comments, stating that the country had the resources to “keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks”.

However, some military experts have suggested that Britain could be left vulnerable if Iran did have the capacity to strike.

Professor Michael Clarke, who was director general of the Royal United Services Institute think tank, told The Independent: “Could Britain defend itself against ballistic missiles coming from anywhere, whether it’s Russia or Iran? The answer is absolutely no. We have nothing.”

The only line of defence the UK had was its Sea Viper systems, he said, which are carried on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers and can counter ballistic missiles. One of the six destroyers, the HMS Dragon, has been ordered to Cyprus, while three others are in port and are effectively non-operational, Mr Clarke added.

However, Britain, as a member of Nato, is protected by the organisation’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, which includes sites in Poland and Romania. It also features four US Navy destroyers, which are better equipped than the Type 45 destroyers and can intercept the missiles.

Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Rusi think tank, told The Times: “If launched towards the UK, this is what Nato’s BMD is designed for. The UK isn’t actually defenceless against a threat launched from Iran.”

Speaking on Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, Mr Reed said: “We have systems and defences in place that keep the United Kingdom safe, and that will continue to happen.”

The housing minister refused to say how close Iranian missiles had come to Diego Garcia, but said the fact that one was intercepted and the other failed shows “that our defensive capabilities are correct”.

Mr Clarke also said he was doubtful Iran had the missile range to reach the UK. “I’m not sure they could have reached Diego Garcia. We don’t know. The fact that they tried, it may have been just a political gesture,” he said.

Retired Brigadier Ben Barry, who was formerly a Nato commander and director of the British Army Staff, described the UK’s defence system as “not adequate” against the threat of weapons such as ballistic missiles, if they reached the country.

He told The Independent: “UK’s ability to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, is not adequate to protect the UK homeland, and it’s not clear that it’s adequate to protect UK troops deployed overseas where there’s a considerable threat.

“If an enemy had ballistic missiles that were capable of reaching the UK, just having three ships would mean protection was pretty minimal. One could sit in the Thames covering London, but there’d be hard choices about what to do with the other two.”

Mr Barry, now a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that if Iran were to attack the UK, the defence force would have “the option of attempting to attack missile launchers. But to do that, it would effectively have to join the war along with the US and Israel. So far, the UK has said it supports only defensive action in the conflict.

“You could argue that it would be preemptive self defence, but in practice, to coordinate RAF aircraft looking for missile launches with Israeli and US aircraft, it would be very risky to do that unilaterally,” he said.

An MoD spokesperson said: “We have the resources we need to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself.

“The UK operates a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working in tandem with our Nato allies.

“This government has prioritised the need for air and missile defence for UK national security after years of underfunding, and that is why last June, following recommendations in the Strategic Defence Review, we announced up to £1bn in new funding to improve air and missile defence and keep the UK secure.

“This includes a new £118m contract announced last year to deliver six state-of-the-art Land Ceptor missile systems, which as part of the Sky Sabre system can hit a tennis ball-sized object travelling at twice the speed of sound.”

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Dylan Darling hit a driving layup as time expired for his only bucket of the game, and St. John’s advanced to its first Sweet 16 since 1999 with a 67-65 victory over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

Darling, the Johnnies’ tenacious point guard, coolly won it after Kansas (24-11) erased a 58-45 deficit with 7 1/2 minutes to play, making a furious 20-7 run capped by Darryn Peterson’s two free throws to tie it with 13.1 seconds left.

The Jayhawks had four fouls to give, and they used all four to wind the clock down to 3.9 seconds. That was plenty of time for Darling, the Idaho State transfer who had missed his four previous shots.

Darling got the ball up top and drove the lane for a shot that banked in as time expired. His teammates tackled him in front of the St. John’s band in celebration.

Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins scored 18 points apiece for the fifth-seeded Red Storm (30-6), who have roared back to college basketball prominence in just three seasons under coach Rick Pitino.

St. John’s advanced to face No. 1 overall seed Duke in the East Region semifinals in Washington.

The 73-year-old Pitino and 63-year-old Bill Self coached against each other for only the second time in the Hall of Famers’ decades-long careers, meeting for the first time in March Madness. They’re two of the three active coaches with multiple national titles, and now Pitino still has a chance to claim his third.

With Kansas transfer Ejiofor leading the way, St. John’s has won 21 of its last 22 games since early January, capped by the Johnnies’ second and third NCAA Tournament victories in the past quarter-century this weekend.

St. John’s won the Big East regular-season and tournament titles during its surge, and this Red Storm haven’t eased up a bit.

Peterson scored 21 points and Melvin Council Jr. had 15 points and nine rebounds for the fourth-seeded Jayhawks, who still haven’t returned to the Sweet 16 since they claimed Self’s second national title in 2022. After Kansas ended Arizona’s unbeaten season in a landmark victory on Feb. 9, the Jayhawks subsequently lost six of their final 11 games.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Golden Fish Inn, based in Delves Lane, Consett, confirmed that the transformation of the building is around 80 per cent complete on the outside, marking a significant step forward in its plans to expand and modernise.

Sharing the latest progress, the business said: “From the original drawings to where we are today, the transformation is well underway, and we’re now around 80 per cent complete on the externals.”

The Consett chippy shared pictures of its planned expansion online. (Image: Golden Fish Inn)

The next phase of the project will focus on installing a new shopfront and completing the block paving in the drive area, with both expected to be finished in the coming weeks. After that, attention will turn to structural changes inside the property.

The update continued: “The new shopfront and block paving drive area will be going in over the next few weeks… and then it’s time for the knock-through!”

Internal works are set to follow, as the takeaway prepares for a relaunch that will include a refreshed offering for customers.

The business added: “Next up: the internal works. We can’t wait to share our brand new menu with you! Golden Fish Inn 2.0 Coming soon!”

Earlier plans revealed the refurbishment and extension would almost double the size of the long-standing chippie, which has operated with limited space for two decades.

A spokesperson previously said: “We’ve had limited space for the last 20 years. More equipment will make it easier for our staff.”

They also confirmed ambitions to broaden the menu, adding: “We are looking to expand our menu too and include pizzas and smash burgers.”

The original announcement drew strong support from the local community, with residents welcoming the investment and looking forward to the upgraded facilities and expanded food options.

The Gemini Moon aligning with Pluto in Aquarius means inspiration is firmly on the cards. A new idea or direction could spark big things.

Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius, ask the right questions today and revelations will flow. Don’t be afraid of collaboration through the day ahead.

Change is brewing, so prepare yourself for this transformation. Whether internal or external, don’t resist this new chapter.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Monday March 23, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To download your free Unique Personal Horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com/free-birth-chart/.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Your mind may be buzzing, so a casual comment could unlock a powerful realisation. Change is in the air when you listen as intensely as you speak, and ideas need depth, so give them time. This is a chance to question old assumptions, rewrite mental habits, and say the brave thing you’ve been thinking about. Words are tools, so use them to build bridges, not burn them.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Your usual rhythm picks up a clever new tempo. With the Moon keeping pace with Pluto in Aquarius, a conversation about money, values, or self-worth could shift something deep inside you. Curiosity nudges you to question what you need versus what you’ve grown used to. Insight arrives through words, numbers, or news, so let fresh ideas transform old habits.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

The Moon in your sign nudges you forward, and a tie to potent Pluto hands you a microphone you’ll be keen to make use of. A conversation, idea, or sudden insight could change how you see your future path. This is not small talk territory, as you’re rewriting beliefs, updating goals, and surprising yourself with how focused you can be. When your mind commits, doors open.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Inner tides are rising and falling, and a realisation may surface through a dream, a message, or an offhand remark that lingers. You don’t need to react instantly; just let insight slowly reveal its meaning. It’s time for some mental decluttering and emotional honesty about what you’re ready to release. Old fears lose their grip when named, and you’ll find rest deeply healing.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

The spotlight shifts to your social world, and it’s brighter than you expect. A conversation with friends, allies, or collaborators carries real influence. Ideas ignite quickly, and they’re not superficial. You’re sensing which connections are evolving and which have run their course. This is an opportunity to speak up about your hopes for the future and listen closely in return.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

The Gemini Moon aligning with Pluto in Aquarius means work conversations, career plans, or daily systems have the potential to inspire change. A question you ask or an insight you share could shift important dynamics quietly but decisively. You’re seeing how small adjustments create long-term impact. Don’t underestimate your knowledge; it’s truly golden.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Your thinking expands, as a conversation, article, or sudden idea could shift how you see the bigger picture. Beliefs evolve when your open mind replaces rigidity. You’re drawn to fresh perspectives, future plans and questions that don’t have tidy answers yet. Explore without needing instant solutions. This is a powerful chance to rethink goals, studies, or travel plans.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Today’s Moon-Pluto link asks you to talk about what is usually kept secret. Shared resources, trust, or emotional entanglements come into focus, and a conversation could lead to you feeling exposed, yet also liberated. Information is power when you ask the right questions. You’re gaining insight into patterns that have quietly shaped your choices. Let insight replace control.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Relationships are classrooms now. A conversation with a partner, client, or close ally could shift the dynamic between you. Words can be revealing and listening matters as much as speaking. You’re learning how collaboration really works, not just in theory. This is a chance to renegotiate terms, clear the air, or imagine a future together that feels more equal and alive.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 20

Are your routines, work patterns, or health habits ready for an upgrade? A conversation or idea could reveal where efficiency needs a tweak. This isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing better. You’re seeing how small mental shifts can improve daily life. Ask questions, modify systems, and release habits that drain you. Learning can be very productive now.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 21 to February 19

The universe is watching you and your ideas. The Moon in Gemini aligns with Pluto in your sign, so romance and self-expression crackle with intensity. A playful thought could turn profound, or a personal project can seem destined. It’s a chance to own your voice and let others see the real genius behind the intellect. Genuineness is a skill, so be sure to use it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Your thoughts drift homeward, and conversations about family or emotional roots carry quiet power. A casual remark could unlock a deeper truth about where you belong or what needs healing, so be sure to read between the lines. This is a chance to rethink emotional habits and update old stories you’ve been living in. You don’t need all the answers, just better questions.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of March here.

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MORE: What does the week have in store? Your tarot horoscope reading for March 23 to March 29

MORE: Daily horoscope March 22, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

MORE: Daily horoscope March 21, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

The Doctor Who actress was diagnosed with womb cancer and underwent a hysterectomy and radiation treatment in 2024

Alex Kingston has revealed how Strictly Come Dancing was the ‘perfect antidote’ to her cancer treatment as she provided a candid health update.

The Doctor Who and ER actress competed on the BBC dancing competition with professional dancer Johannes Radebe last year. Early on in the series, Alex was one of the favourites to lift the glitterball as she wowed fans with her commitment.

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Sadly, she and Johannes were eliminated during Musicals Week in November after landing in the dance-off with EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and Australian native Julian Caillon.

During her time on Strictly, Alex shared that she had been diagnosed with womb cancer and underwent a hysterectomy and radiation treatment in 2024. Speaking in a VT, Alex said of her cancer diagnosis: “It has made me fearless…

“It’s made me want to encourage people to just go for it. I do hope to help others by speaking out about what I have gone through. I hadn’t made it public, and I just thought, ‘I’m going to because I haven’t been voted off yet!’

In a new interview with Saga Magazine, Alex, who played River Song on Doctor Who, has opened up about how performing on Strictly provided an escape from her turbulent personal period.

“I knew I could hear a beat and that I didn’t have two left feet, and I love dancing to Latin music, but I certainly didn’t think that I was going to be able to do any ballroom dancing.

“I have to say, I truly loved my experience, and it was the perfect antidote to coming through cancer treatment. To be paired with Johannes Radebe was a dream. He’s got a beautiful soul,” she said.

Speaking about her diagnosis, she added: “I was due to start another TV show when I was diagnosed with cancer and had to walk away – something I’d never done before and which felt very uncomfortable.

“Like many actors, you always fear you won’t work again and I worried people might think I was unreliable.”

Alex is currently preparing for her new ITV drama Secret Service, which based the novel of the same name by Tom Bradby. The series follows the head of the Russia Desk of the British Secret Intelligence Service learning that a senior British politician could be a potential Russian asset.

Quantum of Solace’s Gemma Arterton, Men in Black: International’s Rafe Spall, Alexander Terentyev, Game of Thrones’ Roger Allam, The Walking Dead’s Avi Nash, Happy Valley’s Mark Stanley, The Responder’s Amaka Okafor and United 93’s Khalid Abdalla.

Speaking about the drama, Alex said: “Secret Service was the first job I was offered after treatment and it felt perfect – not a huge role but enough to ease me back in.”

Asked about how her diagnosis impacted her outlook on life, Alex noted: “I’ve always been a positive, glass half-full type of person, and going through a cancer journey has made me double down on that. It makes you confront your mortality but I intend to live to 100.”

Meanwhile, Alex has previously spoken about her struggles with fertility and has been open about undergoing multiple rounds of IVF treatment to conceive her daughter Salome, who was born in 2001.

When asked what the most challenging time for her has been, she said: “Going through IVF to have my daughter Salome was very tough.

“It builds up incrementally because you’re on this track and you knuckle down and do it because you have this end game. But it is hugely debilitating, and I think when one’s in it, one’s not fully aware of how debilitating it can be, particularly if you go through several cycles as I did…

“I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2024 and I do wonder whether it’s connected in some way.”

Cadbury Creme Eggs are a staple in many Brits’ homes around Easter, but what the ‘goo’ in the middle of the chocolate treat is actually made from is a mystery to many

Easter is right around the corner, and shop shelves are filled with Cadbury Creme Eggs. The small egg-shaped sweet treats are one of the UK’s most beloved chocolates, and even though you can only buy them around Easter, Brits gobble up millions of them every year.

Mondelez International, the parent company of Cadbury, previously disclosed that approximately 220 million Creme Eggs are sold in Britain annually, accounting for 44 per cent of the worldwide total. But there’s one question that has perplexed chocolate lovers for generations – what is the gooey centre in the middle of a Creme Egg actually made of?

Cadbury fans on social media have previously expressed their bewilderment over the delectable creamy concoction, which is designed to look like an egg with its white and orange colouring.

One perplexed X user queried: “I have a huge problem weighing on my mind: what is the substance in the middle of a Creme Egg called? What is it? A goo?”

Another puzzled chocolate enthusiast asked: “I have a question. What is the goo made from in a Creme Egg?”

So, with Easter Sunday around the corner on April 5th, we set out to settle the mystery once and for all. Brits can enjoy their Creme Eggs in peace – without pondering what it is they’re actually putting in their mouths.

The two halves of the chocolate shell are filled with a soft fondant. The fondant is designed to replicate the yolk and egg white of a real egg, hence why the ‘goo’ is both white and yellow.

The fondant is also the reason the product tastes really sugary – because there genuinely is a lot of sugar in it.

Each 40g egg contains 177 calories, 6.2g of fat (3.5g of which is saturates), 0.06g salt and 29g of carbohydrates, a staggering 26.5g of which are sugars.

While the information on the website claims that the egg is around 28% of the Guideline Daily Amount of sugar, the NHS actually recommend that adults and children over 11 only have 30g of “free sugar” a day – meaning one Creme Egg is almost your entire daily allowance.

Free sugars are sugars that are added to food or drinks, including sugars in biscuits, cakes, chocolates, flavoured yoghurts, breakfast cereals, and fizzy drinks. Sugar found naturally in milk, fruit, and vegetables does not count as a free sugar, so while we don’t need to cut down on these, they do still count toward our total daily allowance.

Creme Eggs do contain free sugars, so while they are only 28% of our overall sugar intake allowance, they are almost all of our free sugar allowance. This means that for a healthy and balanced diet, having one Creme Egg means the rest of your sugar intake for the day should only come from natural sugars found in things like fruit.

However, we do love treating ourselves to a Creme Egg all the same! Cadbury previously claimed that around two-thirds of the Creme Eggs made globally are sold in the UK. In monetary terms, that equates to around £70 million spent on the fondant-filled eggs every single year.

The Cadbury website previously stated: “Cadbury Creme Egg is the most popular and over 500 million Creme Eggs are made every year, with about two-thirds of that number being enjoyed in the UK. That is 3.5 Cadbury Creme Eggs for every person in this country to enjoy.”

So, next time you tuck in to a Creme Egg, remember that the “goo” is really just sugary fondant!