Giovanna Fletcher has revealed she suffered a miscarriage last year following a ‘surprise’ pregnancy at the age of 40.

The author and podcaster, now 41, shared the news on the 300th episode of her hit show Happy Mum Happy Baby, as she swapped seats with her best friend Emma Willis and became the one being interviewed.

Fletcher, who has been married to Tom Fletcher since 2012, shares three sons (Buzz, Buddy and Max) with the McFly singer.

But during Tuesday’s episode, she disclosed that she experienced what she described as a ‘chemical pregnancy.’

‘I had another miscarriage last year, a chemical pregnancy, well it was a surprise pregnancy,’ she told Willis, becoming emotional. ‘I haven’t talked about it publicly, but also my response to it was very different this time. Don’t get me wrong, it was f**** ing hard.’

Holding back tears, Fletcher explained that the loss had prompted her to reflect on how miscarriage is discussed — and when.

‘I don’t agree with the 12-week rule, you need the support of the people around you,’ she said, challenging the long-held convention that couples wait until the end of the first trimester to share pregnancy news. ‘So allow yourself to feel other people’s joy, but also their sadness if there is a loss.’

The pregnancy, she revealed, had already begun to reshape her plans. She had reorganised the year ahead in anticipation of welcoming another baby and had even felt relief at the prospect of slowing down.

‘When the pregnancy ended, I suddenly thought well, I need to maybe change how I do things in 2026, because I need to be able to enjoy the things I am doing, rather than constantly feeling like I am just getting through the things, because they’re all things I love doing,’ she said. ‘Let’s not get through, let’s enjoy life.’

Fletcher reflected that discovering she was expecting at 40 felt markedly different from her previous pregnancies.

‘It did feel so different and it’s a very individual thing and for me I’ve got three incredible kids and four is a lot of kids,’ she said.

‘It’s one of those things where if the pregnancy had worked out, then it would have been a blessing. What a blessing to have another baby, like that is such an incredible thing.

‘However, I am so comfortable with this chapter that we’re in now and it felt very different to be going through a loss that isn’t surrounded by desperation and that fear that it might never happen.

‘I am not pining, but it’s been a different thing to get my head around.’

The honesty will not surprise listeners. Since launching Happy Mum Happy Baby eight years ago, Fletcher has helped reshape the public conversation around motherhood.

The podcast — which grew out of her 2017 Sunday Times bestselling debut, Happy Mum, Happy Baby: My Adventures in Motherhood — has run for nearly 300 episodes and amassed more than 30 million downloads, featuring guests including Davina McCall, Keira Knightley and the Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Topics ranging from birth trauma to maternal mental health and ‘mum guilt’ have become central to its appeal, and miscarriage has long been part of that conversation.

In a 2020 interview with The Sun, Fletcher said: ‘I think it’s so important that people are open about miscarriages, every time someone brings this topic of conversation up it helps so many people, because it’s such a lonely thing to go through and hearing other people express themselves when you can’t find the words to help people understand what you’re going through is so important.’

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Several criticised the decision to freeze thresholds as “moving the goal posts” and changing the terms of loans retrospectively, and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, compared the terms of student loans “to something that a loan shark would offer”.

“We are delighted that permission has been granted to improve access to Tyrella beach”

A Co Down Blue Flag beach is to be opened up for disabled access as the latest all inclusive beach in Northern Ireland.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has approved designs for an accessible pathway to its award winning beach in Downpatrick.

The path at Tyrella beach will connect to the nearby amenity building allowing people with a physical disability to enjoy the world class sandy shores in comfort for the first time.

READ MORE: NI council looks to use CCTV to tackle ‘appalling’ litter problem

READ MORE: Newry hospital group urges council not to make ‘mistake’

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Mae Murray Foundation spokesperson said: “We are delighted that permission has been granted to improve access to Tyrella beach.

“From summer 2026, Tyrella Beach, in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, will become our sixth inclusive beach in Northern Ireland.

“This will ensure that people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to enjoy a day at the beach, something many of us take for granted.”

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The Mae Murray foundation facilitates the use of beach equipment such as specially designed buggies or wheelchairs to allow people with disabilities easier access to the beaches, which will also be stored at the amenity centre

There are currently five inclusive beaches in Northern Ireland including, Benone, Cranfield, Groomsport, Portrush and Portstewart managed by the Mae Murray Foundation.

Tyrella, one of only 16 award winning beaches in Northern Ireland with an iconic Blue Flag, is now set to become the sixth after a previous 2022 plan to develop Newcastle beach fell through due to access issues.

The foundation spokesperson added: “An inclusive beach provides enhanced access, dedicated parking, fully accessible toilets, including a changing places facility, and an equipment loan scheme enabling families and organisations to borrow beach wheelchairs and other mobility aids so they can make the most of their time by the sea.”

NMDDC chairperson, Philip Campbell said: “The new boardwalk development at Tyrella beach will allow more people to access this fantastic facility.

“The council has invested heavily at Tyrella, which is one of the district’s award-winning beaches and one of our most prized tourism assets. The Blue Flag award recognises the beach’s excellent cleanliness, safety, water quality and environmental management.”

He added: “The continued investment at Tyrella copper fastens the council’s commitment to ensure the beach is all inclusive.

“I am delighted planning approval has been secured for this latest development at one of our most popular visitor facilities.”

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Dr Francesco Lo Monaco is a preventative cardiologist

A cardiologist has revealed the foods he avoids – and those he eats regularly to maintain optimal heart health. Dr Francesco Lo Monaco is a preventative cardiologist and founder of The National Heart Clinic on London’s Harley Street.

He has also written Heart Saviour, a new book demonstrating how small, consistent lifestyle modifications can deliver life-changing improvements to health and longevity. Dr Lo Monaco said: “Heart disease is often preventable but too many people only start caring about it when something goes wrong.

“Every week I see patients who are surprised when I tell them the foods they eat daily are damaging their arteries.”

Processed meats and excessive quantities of red, ‘fatty’ meat

Bacon, sausages and deli meats contain high levels of salt, which increases blood pressure, and saturated fats, which elevate levels of low-density lipoprotein, or ‘bad’ cholesterol. Both factors are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, reports Plymouth Live.

Meanwhile, consuming excessive quantities of red meat, particularly fatty cuts, can also heighten the risk of coronary heart disease.

Dr Lo Monaco said: “I tell patients that red meat should be occasional, not daily, and that the quality of the meat matters. Go for a lean cut and really try to limit any processed meat in your diet, as there’s strong evidence they do harm, and replace the protein with eggs, fish and nuts.”

Ready-made meals and processed snacks

Convenience foods are often packed with sodium, saturated fats and processed meats – all of which are detrimental to heart health. Dr Lo Monaco said: “Preparing healthy meals does take time and for people with busy lives this can be hard. That’s a fact, not an excuse.

“Despite this, I think most people can make meaningful dietary improvements that dramatically reduce cardiovascular risk by aiming to eat well most of the time. Look at the list of ingredients on any ready-made meals or snacks and if it’s long and there’s things on there you can’t pronounce, put it back.”

Sugary drinks

Excessive sugar consumption heightens the risk of cardiovascular disease, and Dr Lo Monaco warns that the sugar content in beverages is easily overlooked. He said: “We often look at calories in the foods we eat but forget about liquid calories. Sugar-sweetened beverages should be cut out entirely.”

What to eat instead

Dr Lo Monaco said: “The Mediterranean diet is the one I was raised on in Sicily and this is what I always recommend to patients. It prioritises whole foods and healthy fats and doesn’t mean restriction, so it’s easy to stick to.

“Use vegetables such as tomatoes, leafy greens, onions and carrots as the foundation for all meals. The goal is to have multiple servings a day and with variety. Enjoy fresh fruits such as berries, citrus and stone fruits every day. Lentils, chickpeas and white beans are a great source of fibre and protein. Healthy fats are key, with extra virgin olive oil being the primary fat source in Mediterranean diets.

“A handful of nuts or seeds such as almonds or sunflower seeds should be consumed daily, despite the calorie content. Avocados and olives are also good for additional healthy fats. Great protein sources include Omega 3-rich fish especially salmon and sardines, and poultry over red meat. Eggs are great too, and not the cholesterol villain we once thought.

“To enhance flavour in your foods, use herbs and spices such as garlic, basil and oregano over salt, as they also provide antioxidant effects. The important thing to remember is you don’t have to change everything overnight. Start small and make gradual changes for a long-term approach to prioritising your heart health.”

An A-list Netflix an HBO star is attached to an upcoming adaptation of one of the best classic novels of all time

A cherished literary masterpiece is set to receive the television treatment, with a prominent Netflix actress leading the cast.

Deadline has revealed that Aimee Lou Wood, known for her roles in Sex Education and The White Lotus, will headline a fresh adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, first published in 1847.

Wood takes on the role of the eponymous protagonist, a young woman who endures a harsh childhood and education before securing a position as governess at Thornfield Hall, where she becomes captivated by the mysterious Mr Rochester.

British production house Working Title is spearheading the venture, with acclaimed Succession writer Miriam Battye crafting the screenplay.

Additional casting details remain under wraps for now, and the broadcasting platform has yet to be announced, reports the Express.

Deadline reports that a UK broadcaster is currently in talks to come aboard the production.

Whilst the series remains in early development and won’t arrive on screens until next year at the soonest, the timeless classic boasts a substantial fanbase who will undoubtedly welcome a contemporary interpretation of Brontë’s work.

One enthusiastic Amazon reviewer awarded five stars, writing: “Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece was everything I hoped for and more, a novel rich with depth, passion, and a heroine whose strength still resonates today.”

Another devotee declared: “How this book has received reviews of less than 5 stars is alien to me; it is, by far, the best book I have ever read!” One devoted reader shared: “I first read Jane Eyre when I was 11 and have read it many many times since. It’s gothic, romantic, heart-rendering, dark, even funny on some occasions (What the deuce!!) and I could not recommend this masterpiece highly enough.”

A final enthusiast declared: “One of the best books ever written, in my humble opinion.”

They elaborated: “You can’t go wrong – it’s got all the stuff that keeps you gripped: Love, insanity, death, spookiness, lies, deception, happiness; and I’m not really a massive ‘classics’ fan. Buy it. You won’t regret it.”

The most recent significant screen version of Jane Eyre arrived in 2011, featuring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender in the lead roles of Jane and Rochester.

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‘Dearest gentle reader’, as the fourth season of Bridgerton follows second son Benedict love story, there’s a way to watch this fairytale-like season for less.

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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets customers watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes the new season of Bridgerton.

Luther actress Ruth Wilson previously brought Jane to life in the 2006 television adaptation, a four-part series which also featured Toby Stephens as her romantic counterpart.

Details regarding episode count for the forthcoming series remain under wraps, though viewers can anticipate an even deeper dive into the novel’s enduring themes and captivating bildungsroman narrative.

Jane Eyre has yet to receive a confirmed release date.

Buying a Fire Stick is a great way to upgrade your TV so you can stream the latest shows, play music and even access games.

But like any technology, over time the device can become sluggish, run slow or even start to buffer.

To solve this, Free Tech Official, a Yorkshire TikToker who specialises in streaming tips, has revealed a ‘super obvious’ trick to try to get your device running like new.

The ‘super obvious’ hack that could fix your Amazon Fire TV Stick buffering issues

When your computer or phone stops working, it is often suggested to turn the gadget off and on again in the hopes this will solve the issue.

And Free Tech Official claims this same process can be used for your Fire Stick to try to improve its performance.

He claims most people aren’t aware that a Fire Stick doesn’t power off unless you cut the power or unplug it.

By remaining in standby, it’s likely apps used previously on the device are still running in the background which can slow it down.

So this is why restarting the system is an ‘obvious’ yet effective way to try and conquer common issues with the device.

To turn off your Fire Stick, you can either switch it off directly from the remote or go to My Fire TV in settings and press restart.

Free Tech Official said: “Here’s something on the Firestick that’s super simple but not a lot of people do it. 

“Now, if you’re having problems with the Firestick running slow or when you’re navigating around it’s really sluggish, or even buffering at times. 

“Something a lot of people don’t do is simply restart the Firestick. 

“Now I know that’s super obvious but a lot of people aren’t aware that the Firestick doesn’t power off unless you cut the power or unplug it. 

“It only goes into standby. So when you come to use the Firestick again, it’s likely any apps you’ve been using previously are still running in the background, which can slow the Firestick down.

“Just simply restarting it refreshes it and it should make it that little bit snappier. Obviously, when it comes to restarting a Firestick, it’s very obvious. 

“You can unplug it or switch it off directly from the remote or you can go across to settings, go to My Fire TV and then you see an option which says restart.

“If you want to do it from the remote itself you can long hold the select or enter in the centre and then the play/pause button. 

“Press those at the same time and keep holding them down and then it’ll say your Firestick is powering off. Give it a moment and it’ll come back on.”

Politics

1) Typical electricity bills are set to fall by 7% in April

2) Streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX, and Disney+ will soon have to comply with broadcasting accessibility standards

Entertainment

3) Bridgerton has officially returned to Netflix

4) The Brit Awards will hit our screens this Saturday

Life

5) We’re a matter of days away from a 6pm sunset – and the endless rain may soon go away

6) It turns out that being really, really good at birdwatching might help to prevent dementia

Parents

7) New changes to GP contracts will help to protect more children from life-threatening illnesses

Actress Julia Goulding has made a ‘bring back’ demand as fans share their concerns for her character Shona Platt

Coronation Street star Julia Goulding has made a ‘bring back’ demand as fans share their concerns for her character, Shona Platt, amid the arrival of Jodie Ramsey.

As viewers of the ITV soap know, the new character arrived in Weatherfield before revealing herself to be the long-lost sister of Shona Platt, and she’s already trying to ruffle feathers for her sibling and her family.

Jodie was actually first seen tied up in the back of a van being driven by Emmerdale returnee Graham Foster as the two long-running shows joined forces for a historic crossover, dubbed Corriedale, back in January, with the episode featuring a horror multi-vehicle crash.

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While not directly involved in the horror crash that unfolded between the residents of Weatherfield and the Dales, Jodie did end up injured as she escaped and tried to get away from DC Kit Green, who came across Jodie while trying to locate Emmerdale villain John Sugden.

It was then, later in the hospital, with Shona and David Platt also among those at the hospital, that Jodie was reunited with her long-lost sister and has since inserted herself into the Platt family, after David invited her to stay at No.8 Coronation Street.

Since then, it’s become clear that Jodie isn’t quite who she’s trying to portray herself to be and it has been suggested that the newcomer is keen to take over her sister’s life and claim it for her own.

Despite Jodie’s seemingly sinister intentions, Shona is buying her sister’s hurt over their past. “Jodie has been invaluable,” Julia said when talking about her latest storyline. “She’s providing Shona with a real sense of safety and a solid grounding during what is an incredibly turbulent time. With Harper being ill, having that sisterly support is exactly what Shona needs right now.”

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Asked if Shona’s newfound stability is making her blind to Jodie’s calculated behaviour, the soap star admitted: “I wouldn’t necessarily say the Platt family is the most stable environment! But compared to how she grew up, it definitely is. I think it’s a bit of both.

“She’s so happy to have her sister back and so determined to make amends for leaving her in the past that she’s letting Jodie get away with more than she should. At this stage, she’s either genuinely unaware or just choosing not to see it.”

Corrie spoilers for next week have recently revealed that Jodie will try an impersonate her sister. Shona and her husband David nervously watch as the hospital staff prepare Harper for her operation. At Jodie’s suggestion the Platts arrive to lend their support. Having found out that Harper has suffered a minor bleed, David and Shona panic. As the family tries to rally round, David loses his temper and orders them to leave.

Jodie hugs David before heading out, where she passes a new mum. When she assumes that Jodie is Shona, Harper’s mum, and that David is her husband, will Jodie put her straight? Soon, David and Shona emerge from the hospital to find the family in the car park waiting for news.

Once back inside the NICU, David and Shona watch over Harper with concern. Later, once back at the hospital the mum from the previous day approaches Jodie and enquires after Harper. As Jodie talks about her daughter’s operation, she’s horrified to realise Shona’s standing right behind her. How will Jodie explain this one?

Speaking about Shona’s reaction, Julia revealed: “Oh, she’s fuming initially! She’s like, “What are you playing at?” But Jodie is so good at talking her way out of things that Shona ends up believing her. It’s hard to get into that headspace sometimes because it feels so risky, but Shona just wants to trust her sister.”

When Jodie’s deception is finally exposed, Julia was asked how would you like to see Shona react, to which Julia admitted: “I’d love to see Shona kick off and bring back that ‘Bad Shona’ energy! She’s been made a lot softer on the street lately. I want to see the hard Shona return – the one people should actually fear!”