CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych lost an appeal of his disqualification from the Milan Cortina Olympics on Friday, yet already knew there was no pathway for him to compete in the race.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport denied the appeal, agreeing with the International Olympic Committee and the sliding sport’s federation that Heraskevych’s plan to wear a helmet showing the faces of more than 20 Ukrainian coaches and athletes killed since Russia invaded their country four years ago would be in violation of Olympic rules.

CAS, in a brief statement, said the sole arbitrator who heard the case had no choice but to side with IOC policy about what athletes at an Olympics can say on a field of play — and that the “memory helmet” Heraskevych brought to the Milan Cortina Games would not align with the rules athletes have to follow.

The arbitrator, CAS said, “found these limitations reasonable and proportionate, considering the other opportunities for athletes to raise awareness in mixed zones, in press conferences, on social networks, or in Mr. Heraskevych’s case, wearing the helmet during four training runs.”

CAS added that the arbitrator “wished to state that she is fully sympathetic to Mr. Heraskevych’s commemoration and to his attempt to raise awareness for the grief and devastation suffered by the Ukrainian people, and Ukrainian athletes because of the war.”

The appeal, which Heraskevych felt he would win, was largely moot anyway. He was disqualified from the competition 45 minutes before its start on Thursday, and whatever CAS said on Friday wouldn’t have rolled back the clock on that.

“Looks like this train has left,” Heraskevych said as he left the hearing in Milan on Friday morning.

He was blocked from racing by the IOC and the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation on Thursday, after the slider and his father emerged from a last-minute, last-ditch meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry — who was unable to get Heraskevych to change his mind.

Heraskevych trained in the helmet but never got to the official starting line.

“From Day 1, I told you that I think I’m right,” Heraskevych said, draped in a Ukrainian flag. “I don’t have any regrets.”

Heraskevych’s attorney, Yevhen Pronin, reacted with disappointment to CAS’ decision.

“The court sided with the IOC and upheld the decision that an athlete could be disqualified from the Olympic Games without actual misconduct, without a technical or safety threat, and before the start,” Pronin wrote. “This case was much broader than an individual dispute. It concerned the freedom of expression of athletes, the limits of discretion of sports bodies, and the very understanding of Olympic values.

“More on that later,” he said.

Heraskevych left Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Olympic Village on Thursday night and said he has no plans to return to the mountains during these games.

Even if CAS had said Heraskevych should race, the logistical hurdles — the distance between Milan and Cortina and the fact the competition was half over when his appeal was heard — would have been too big to overcome.

His disqualification was justified because he insisted on bringing his messaging onto the field of play, Coventry reiterated Friday. The IOC made its decision, one that moved Coventry to tears, off the guidelines for athlete expression at the Olympics.

They say, in part, “the focus on the field of play during competitions and official ceremonies must be on celebrating athletes’ performances.” Heraskevych never made it to the field of play — not in competition, anyway — but was found to not be compliant with that guideline anyway.

“I think that he in some ways understood that but was very committed to his beliefs, which I can respect,” Coventry said. “But sadly, it doesn’t change the rules.”

The IOC contends that the rule is in place for multiple reasons, including protecting the athletes from pressure from their own countries or others about using Olympic platforms to make statements.

“I never expected it to be such a big scandal,” Heraskevych said, adding that he believes the IOC turned the story into a massive one by banning what he calls “the memory helmet.”

But the Ukrainian slider also said he found his accreditation for the games being taken away, then returned in short order on Thursday in what seemed like a goodwill gesture, was puzzling.

“A mockery,” he said.

CAS did agree that Heraskevych should keep his accreditation.

Heraskevych said he felt his disqualification was unfair and fed into Russian propaganda, noting that he and other Ukrainian athletes have seen Russian flags at events at these games — even though they are not allowed by Olympic rule. He has previously spoken out against the IOC’s decision to allow some Russians and Belarusians to compete at Milan Cortina as “neutral” athletes, and said the IOC empowered Russia by awarding it the 2014 Sochi Games.

He has also wondered why other tributes from these Olympics, such as U.S. figure skater Maxim Naumov displaying a photo of his late parents — killed in a plane crash last year — have been permitted without penalty.

Italian snowboard competitor Roland Fischnaller had a small Russian flag image on the back of his helmet during these games and Israeli skeleton athlete Jared Firestone wore a kippah with the names of the 11 athletes and coaches who were killed representing that country during the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The IOC said each of those cases were not in violation of any rules or the Olympic Charter. Naumov showed his photo in the kiss-and-cry area and not while he was actually on the ice, Fischnaller’s helmet was a tribute to all the past Olympic sites he competed at with Sochi included, and Firestone’s kippah “was covered by a beanie,” Adams said.

The IOC offered Heraskevych the chance to compete with a different helmet and bring the tribute on through the interview area, called a mixed zone, after he got off the ice for his runs or make other tributes such as wearing a black armband. It just didn’t want him making a statement by competing in the helmet or wearing it on the field of play.

“I think it’s the wrong side of history for the IOC,” Heraskevych said.

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Associated Press journalists Annie Risemberg and Stefanie Dazio in Milan and Vasilisa Stepanenko in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Despite Mr Salmond’s death, work has been ongoing in the background, led by Professor Peter Watson, who said: “Litigation is a remedy of last resort, but it is hoped that this litigation will result in answers to many troubling questions that were first asked by Alex Salmond and will now be pursued by Paul McManus and the team we have assembled.”

Jesy Nelson has opened up about a previously unknown attempt to take her own life before she quit Little Mix.

The 34-year-old exited the hit girl group – also comprised of Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall – in 2020, citing her mental health as the reason for her shock departure nine years after the band first formed on X Factor.

Now, in a new docuseries on Amazon Prime Video – Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix – Boyz singer had shed further light on the depths her mental health had plunged to, which ultimately led to her leaving.

Feeling that no one in the band ‘cared’ about her, the music artist revealed for the first time that she attempted suicide through an overdose and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.

Explaining how the rest of the band made her feel, she said: ‘I basically just sat everyone down and I just explained how I was feeling.

‘I just felt like no-one cared… And I remember one of their responses being like “are you done now, is that it?”‘

Recounting the interaction through tears, she continued: ‘I was like “okay” and she was like “can I go now?” I remember feeling like “whoa” and that just made me feel alone and like there’s no point to this, no-one cares.’

Suspecting her daughter was in a very dark place, her mum Janice desperately tried to contact Jesy.

Recalling the entire incident for the first time, she said: ‘A few days before she had just been down, really down, and not talking much, and I think she was seeing horrible things written about her again.

‘She just wanted to be on her own quite a lot, I just got a gut feeling that something wasn’t right and so I kept ringing and ringing and then I wasn’t getting no answer.

‘Eventually she answered the phone, but she was talking really slurry and then I could just hear the phone drop, and then I didn’t hear anything else. I knew she’d done something. An ambulance was called, we went to hospital with her.’

This is not the first time Jesy has almost died by suicide. She also overdosed in 2013 when she reached a low point after a performance on the X Factor.

Opening up about what drove her to that point, she told the Fearne Cotton Happy Place podcast in 2021 that she ‘physically couldn’t tolerate the pain anymore’.

Recounting the circumstances around her overdose, she added: ‘I just remember obviously the first time, so obviously I’d taken an overdose. I went into hospital and then I had a music video like a week after…’

Mum Janice was ‘distraught’ and tried to intervene at the time.

As Jesy shared: ‘She was like: “This is it, you’re not doing this anymore”. Because my mum’s the kind of mum that’s like, “I couldn’t give a s**t what you do as long as you’re happy…

“That’s all I care about”, So she was like, “No. This isn’t happening anymore….” And obviously I didn’t know what to do at the time because it was very early stages of Little Mix as well.’

The past year has been another tough one for Jesy, after she revealed her twins had been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Their prognosis means they could ‘never walk’ or potentially not even survive to their third birthday.

Jesy welcomed the twins – Ocean Jade and Story Monroe – prematurely in May last year alongside her partner, Zion Foster.

Since the news broke of the twins’ condition earlier this year, however, Jesy and Zion have reportedly ended their relationship and continue to co-parent.

Metro had reached out to Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thrilwall for comment.

Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video now.

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MORE: Jesy Nelson ‘mortified and embarrassed’ after Gary Barlow ‘tore her to pieces’ at her X Factor audition

MORE: Jesy Nelson reveals ‘understandable’ reason behind her split from fiancé Zion Foster

MORE: Jesy Nelson hits out at ‘worrying’ healthcare staff who missed SMA symptoms in twins

Across three 60-minute episodes, the eighth series follows the celebrity pilgrims as they make their way through the heart of Northumberland on a unique 390 km collection of trails exploring the lives of early Celtic Christian saints.

Along the way they visit Whitby Abbey, Durham Cathedral and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

Taking part in this year’s series are Diversity leader Ashley Banjo, actors Hermione Norris and Patsy Kensit, TV personality Tasha Ghouri, radio presenter Jayne Middlemiss, comedians Ashley Blaker and Hasan Al-Habib.

Travelling north on the Way of St Hild, the group headed towards Durham, climbing the 224 steep and uneven steps known locally as the “Steps of Doom” before catching their first glimpse of the cathedral.

Canon Charlie Allen, of Durham Cathedral, met the group as they arrived via Prebends Bridge.

The celebrity pilgrims meeting with Canon Charlie Allen at Durham Cathedral. (Image: Durham Cathedral)

The celebrity pilgrims meeting with Canon Charlie Allen at Durham Cathedral. (Image: Durham Cathedral)

She said: “Durham is such a significant place of pilgrimage. To see their faces of astonishment as they encountered it for the first time was wonderful. It is such a place of awe and wonder.”

At the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pilgrims were invited to take part in the medieval tradition of foot washing before visiting the shrine of St Cuthbert.

Ms Allen said: “Their arrival in 995 started that culture of pilgrimage here in Durham – people came because Cuthbert was here. He was a northern saint so dear to people.

“Pilgrims were coming from across the globe to the North East because St Cuthbert was someone so inspiring.

“People still come in the hundreds and thousands each year. Durham is a place where lots of pilgrimages either begin, end, or pass through.”

The celebrity pilgrims at Durham Cathedral. (Image: Durham Cathedral)

The celebrities, who all come from different faiths and beliefs, shared their reasons for joining the journey.

Ashley Banjo said: “As a Christian I wanted to do this pilgrimage, to continue my journey of discovery through discussion, by asking questions, and to be asked questions in the context of faith. But I’m also taking part to have a really good hike!

Patsy Kensit said: “I’m joining Pilgrimage at a time when I feel the need to slow down and really listen, to myself, to others and to something beyond the noise of everyday life.

“I’ve spent much of my life moving forward, but this feels like a rare chance to pause and reflect. I’m not sure what I’ll find along the way but I hope the journey will help me reconnect with what matters most and give me a deeper sense of perspective, gratitude and understanding – both of myself and the world around me.”

The celebrity pilgrims at Durham Cathedral. (Image: Durham Cathedral)

Hasan Al-Habib said: “For a practising Muslim like me, this show is an incredible opportunity. If, on the Day of Judgement, Allah asks me why I didn’t perform the mandatory Islamic Pilgrimage of Hajj, I can now say: “Sorry, I didn’t realise BBC Two’s Pilgrimage Series 8 was set in Northumberland.”

Canon Allen said welcoming the group was a “privilege and a joy”.

She said: “It was great fun and a privilege to welcome them; in the same way it is with every pilgrim that arrives.

“At the end of the day, we’re all just people. To see their openness in wanting to find out more was a highlight.”

Jean, 83, was reported missing this morning (February 13), from the Silksworth area.

Extensive enquiries and appeals have been carried out by officers throughout the day to locate her, where it was understood Jean could have travelled to the Durham area.

Tragically, a body was discovered not far from her home address in the Silksworth area today.

While formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be Jean and her next of kin have been informed.

A spokesperson from Northumbria Police said: “We do not believe there to be any third-party involvement in Jean’s death, and a report will now be prepared for the coroner.

“This is an extremely sad conclusion in our search to find Jean and our thoughts firmly remain with her loved ones.

“We would also like to recognise all of those who came forward with information and shared our appeal.”

“This is the most proportionate approach we can take, acknowledging the decision reached by the court while recognising that proceedings are not yet fully concluded,” the force said. It added that the temporary pause applied solely to “the expression of support for Palestine Action”, and that officers would continue to intervene where protest crossed into intimidation, property damage, violence, racial hatred or other criminal offences.

A woman gave birth to her daughter in her friend’s husband’s car at 38 weeks pregnant, but she wasn’t prepared for what happened after she welcomed her newborn into the world

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Whilst birth plans can be carefully prepared, they don’t always go according to plan, as nature follows its own course. That’s precisely what one 27-year-old woman discovered when she delivered her daughter in her friend’s husband’s car.

She described how, at 38 weeks pregnant, she stayed at home whilst her wife spent the day helping her brother. Fortunately, her friend, Alice, visited her house to keep her company throughout the day – just in case anything happened. She said on Reddit: “We just watched some movies and hung out, and even though I was so uncomfortable throughout the day, I didn’t consider that I might actually be going into labour. (I had been feeling discomfort for ages.)

“At some point, we did realise this was the real deal and I called my wife. We considered waiting until she got back, but things started to get real very fast and I asked Alice to drive me to the hospital. (She was fine with this, I think.)”.

However, they failed to reach the hospital in time, and she ended up delivering her daughter in the car.

Whilst she’s grateful everyone is well, she says Alice has been “weird” with her ever since her daughter arrived into the world.

She added: “We’re both fine, luckily. I had a few complications, which are now okay again. Our baby is beyond perfect and, though my wife is having a hard time having missed her birth, we have a wonderful tiny human to focus on.

“Things have been really messed up with Alice and her husband, though, and I don’t know how to solve it.

“Two days after all that happened, I sent her a message thanking her again for everything she had done and told her (lighthearted but sincere) to please send me a bill for having the car cleaned. She didn’t reply for a while and, in the end, just ‘liked’ the message.

“I’ve messaged her a few times since and she hasn’t replied, and her husband sent me a message saying not to message her and congratulating us on the baby, but thanking me sarcastically for ‘f***ing up’ his car.”

In response to the confusion, she sent another message apologising for the situation – both the trauma it might have caused Alice and the mess it created in the car – and offered to pay for therapy and a car cleaning service.

However, Alice ended up blocking and deleting her contact information, leaving her at a loss as to what to do.

She said: “I feel so lost and please don’t get me wrong, of course my priority is with my little family right now, but this does keep crossing my mind.

“This is so unlike her. Her husband and I were never the closest (I don’t love how he speaks to her sometimes) but we were still friendly.

“I’ll continue trying to make this right and reach out to some places to get some estimates, contact insurance and so on. We’re taking this very seriously, I promise.”

One user commented on her post: “You didn’t really have a choice. When the baby is ready, it’s coming; it doesn’t matter where you are.”

Another user added: “Is her husband controlling? With his message, my bet would be that he is the one that is p***ed off about the situation and she might be distancing herself to avoid consequences from him if she stays friends with you after you ‘f***ed up his car’. “

They suggested: “If you want to try to clear the air with her, maybe doing it in person when her husband is not there (e.g. a girls’ night or a group gathering he is not attending) would get you a clearer picture, as he might be monitoring her texts and emails.”

A third user shared their experience: “I also had precipitous labour at 38 weeks and gave birth at home, thankfully in the bathroom, but still a lot to clean. It’s a lot of liquid; it soaks into everything and is a biohazard as well.

“For a car, I think you should offer to pay for a forensic cleaning service and expect it to cost a few thousand pounds. They may need to do ozone treatment to get rid of the smell or to replace the carpet and the seat.”

Storm Nils has killed two people in France, with around 450,000 people still without power as of Friday morning. 

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said that France had recorded two deaths linked to Storm Nils: one on Thursday in the Landes department and a second “in the last hours” in Tarn-et-Garonne.

She said the second victim was a man who was found in his garden.

The storm was described as having “uncommon strength” by French weather service Meteo-France, with key southwestern parts of the country remaining on high flood alert.

Electricity network operator Enedis said the storm left up to 900,000 customers without power at its peak.

Power crews have been racing to restore electricity, with Enedis deploying 2,100 technicians.

By Friday morning, around half of those affected had had their power restored.

Red flood alerts for Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne will remain in place until Saturday.

Read more from Sky News:
Met Office warns of snow and ice
Palestine Action wins challenge over group’s ban as terrorist organisation

A red alert was also issued in the northern Spanish regions of Galicia, Cantabria and the Basque Country on Wednesday due to Storm Nils, the eighth storm to hit Spain this ‌year.

Meteo-France said the storm had now moved eastwards into Europe.

Efekan Karahan, 18, and Ashley Corbin, 21, intended to ‘send a message’ from a rival organised crime gang to the victim’s older brother

A member of an organised crime gang fired a loaded shotgun through a letterbox and hit a 15-year-old boy who suffered gunshot wounds in his legs. An accomplice filmed the shooter, who was wearing a balaclava, and both fled in a stolen car parked nearby.

Efekan Karahan, 18, and Ashley Corbin, 21, drove to an address in Cardiff on June 7, with the intent of “sending a message” to a member of an organised crime gang in Cardiff. They targeted his mother’s house where his two younger brothers lived.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard the victim and his younger brother were home alone at the time of the incident after their mother had attended a birthday party. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The defendants had travelled from their homes in Bristol in order to carry out the shooting, and “wanted to send a message” from a rival organised crime gang (OCG). Corbin drove them both to Cardiff in a stolen grey Volkswagen Golf.

The 15-year-old boy had gone downstairs to make himself a coffee when he heard a massive bang at the front door. He went into the hallway and saw a black figure through the glass of the door.

Prosecutor Clare Wilks said the 15-year-old heard a gunshot and saw the letterbox come off. He heard a second shot fired and he felt pain in his legs.

The boy was bleeding from his legs and his younger brother witnessed a man running away from the property. He could hear his brother screaming downstairs, and later saw he was bleeding.

Before the shooting, the defendants had attended a Costa Coffee and parked the other side of a field to the property they planned to target.

Both Karahan and Corbin were seen on CCTV walking up and down a path leading to the house. Both of the defendants were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, and used bushes to conceal themselves.

Karahan was in possession of the loaded shotgun and Corbin was filming his associate with a mobile phone.

At 7.36pm, Karahan was seen to cross the field and approach the front door of the address before slipping at the front door, alerting the boys inside the house.

Having got himself back on his feet, Karahan was seen to push the shotgun through the letterbox and fired twice.

After firing for the second time, the defendant turned and ran away but he tripped over a low railing on the outskirts of the field, and dropped the gun.

He picked the gun up and he and Corbin ran back to the Golf and drove off at speed. As they pulled out of the estate, the two boys’ older brother pulled up, having been called about the incident.

The older brother briefly pursued the defendants before heading back to the house to check on the two boys.

An ambulance and the police were called, and the 15-year-old was treated for multiple pellet wounds to his legs, which had caused swelling and bruising.

The victim was described as “pale, alert, talking and scared”. He was given pain relief and transferred to the University Hospital of Wales.

He was found to have 30 pellets embedded in his leg, the deepest being 5cm near the victim’s shin bone. A number of the pellets were too deep to be removed as surgery could cause further damage.

A forensic investigation concluded if it were not for a cage behind the letterbox, the shot could have hit the victim in the chest or in the head.

Karahan was believed to have been in possession of a full length double barrelled break action shotgun, but the gun has not been recovered.

An investigation into the whereabouts of the defendants began and it was established the Golf had been stolen on June 4.

On June 12, a resident in Newport reported a car being parked in front of her driveway and saw two young men getting out.

The vehicle was recovered by the police and used the telematics box to look at data of journeys the car had undertaken, which allowed the police to seek CCTV footage.

Karahan’s DNA was found on coins dropped outside the property in Cardiff, and Corbin’s DNA was found on false number plates attached to the Golf.

Both defendants were arrested on June 16 after being seen driving a stolen Range Rover in Bristol.

Their phones were seized and showed the defendants had attended the address in Cardiff and there were partial videos of the shooting.

There were also messages ridiculing Karahan for slipping twice during the shooting, with the incident being referred to as “funny as f***”. Another message from Corbin said: “I can’t stop looking at the video fam, it makes me laugh every time”.

The victim’s mother was shown a video of the shooting by others, with a voice over referring to her older son. It said: “Instead of putting hits out, how about paying your bills and stop stealing and robbing from your friends”.

Karahan, of Rousham Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, having a loaded shotgun in a public place, and unlawful wounding. The court heard he has two previous convictions for possession of a bladed article and dangerous driving

Corbin, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, having a loaded shotgun in a public place, and unlawful wounding. The court heard he has seven previous convictions for offences including wounding, battery and criminal damage.

In a victim personal statement read to the court by Ms Wilks, the 15-year-old boy said: “I was at home on a normal weekend day, my mum had gone out for a birthday party and my little brother was in his room. I went to make a coffee and the next thing I knew my world turned upside down. I can’t explain the pain of being shot, fortunately not many people go through this, even fewer experience it out of the blue in their home.

“It was the scariest experience of my life, being shot by two people who thought nothing of putting a shotgun through the letterbox of a family home and pulling the trigger. No one is safe from them”

The victim said he was worried he would lose one or both of his legs and was paranoid about his wounds becoming infected. Before the incident, he said he loved boxing and running but that has been taken away from him. He was left using crutches for two months after the shooting.

In mitigation, Ieuan Callaghan for Karahan, said his client had been “exploited” by criminal groups in the Bristol area and he associated with older and more sophisticated individuals.

The barrister said the defendant had racked up a debt with senior members of the crime group due to his use of cannabis, and was offered £10,000 towards paying off his debt for carrying out the shooting.

Mr Callaghan said his client was born in Turkey and raised in the UK, suffered violence in the family home and had been stabbed with a Rambo knife.

Ruth Smith, for Corbin, said her client had a traumatic childhood blighted by instability and domestic violence, and the defendant began using cannabis.

The barrister said her client was taken advantage of by more criminally sophisticated people to be used as a “foot soldier” and referred to his experiences of “inherent racism”.

The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, sentenced Karahan to eight years and four months imprisonment, with an extended licence period of one year and six months.

Corbin was sentenced to six years imprisonment, with an extended licence period of three years.

Following the hearing, Leighton Mawer of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The two defendants pre-planned their offending, including the use of a firearm, resulting in a person being seriously injured.

“When firearms are discharged, the consequences can often be fatal, but fortunately that was not the outcome in this instance.

“The strong evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service resulted in guilty pleas, and the offenders being brought to justice.”

Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea, from South Wales Police, said: “This was a reckless act of violence at a house where young children were present.

“When Karahan shot through the letterbox, he had complete disregard for who might have been behind the door. It was extremely fortunate that there was a letterbox guard inside the property which took the force of the pellets.

“The use of firearms in South Wales is extremely rare. But when it does happen, as Corbin and Karahan have found out, we will relentlessly pursue those responsible using all our detective capability.

“This investigation should serve as a warning to anyone contemplating bringing guns onto our streets. South Wales Police will catch you and we will put you before the courts.”

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Victoria Beckham is known to have a stunning figure and there is one kitchen staple she uses to keep her health in check

A highly popular addition to modern day health and wellness routines is something that Victoria Beckham is known to be fond of. Once a simple kitchen staple before it became a trend on social media, apple cider vinegar is now in the spotlight as a health supplement.

Apple cider vinegar is believed to have a whole host of health benefits from weight management, boosting gut health and potentially lowering cholesterol. The former Spice Girl, who is admired for her beauty and envious figure, previously told her Instagram followers that she begins each day with two tablespoons of it on an empty stomach.

The mum-of-four posted a snap of a large bottle of apple cider vinegar to her story and captioned it: “Be brave! Two tbsp first thing on an empty tummy!” Posh is not the only celebrity who has openly spoken about consuming apple cider vinegar on the daily as singer Cheryl Tweedy also revealed that she drinks it when chatting about her workout plan and diet to Dermot O’Leary on his Radio 2 show.

For those curious to try it, adding in some apple cider vinegar to your daily routine can cost as little as 45p a day, based on a tablespoon from a £15 bottle from Manuka Doctor. The science behind apple cider vinegar (ACV) lies in its production method: fermenting apples, which transforms their natural sugars into acetic acid, the Mirror reports.

Researchers believe this particular compound is responsible for many of the potential health benefits associated with ACV. Unfiltered, raw varieties contain what’s referred to as “the mother”: cloudy strands composed of enzymes, proteins and beneficial bacteria.

Emerging research suggests ACV may support digestive health, help maintain stable blood sugar levels following meals and, when combined with a balanced diet, could potentially assist with weight management.

Nutrition experts frequently emphasise that those who decide to incorporate it into their routine should select a raw, unfiltered variety. Sarah Dumount-Gayle, BANT CNHC Registered Nutritionist, said :”To get the full digestive benefits, it is important to consume raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar containing ‘the mother’.

One product currently generating interest is Manuka Doctor’s Apple Cider Vinegar collection, which combines raw, unfiltered ACV with 300 MGO Manuka honey. The honey is said to mellow the sharp, acidic flavour, making it more palatable when diluted in water, whilst retaining the naturally cloudy “mother”.

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The range features several options, all retailing at £15 for a 500ml bottle, equating to approximately 45p per tablespoon. Varieties include a classic apple cider vinegar with Manuka honey, a ginger-infused option, and a blend featuring turmeric and long pepper.

There’s also a “Fat Metaboliser” variant enriched with choline and vitamins B5 and B12, alongside a raw and organic option crafted from Hampshire-grown apples. Additionally, a 100% Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is available for £5, offering similar benefits but without the honey.

For those seeking alternatives, Holland & Barrett stocks Apple Cider Vinegar 250mg with the Mother Apple Flavour 60 Gummies, reduced from £13.99 to £8.39. Each daily serving is claimed to provide 500mg of apple cider vinegar combined with ginger rhizome extract.

That said, it doesn’t include the added advantages of Manuka Honey.

Returning to the Manuka Doctor Apple Cider Vinegar and Manuka Honey, one customer commented: “I liked this product, firstly I trust the brand , secondly mixing apple cider vinegar with Manuka honey have a great health benefits and I am using it to make a salad dressing.”

Another shared: “It’s really tasty. I add it to cordial drinks and different foods. It’s fantastic I buy it regularly and I recommend others to do the same.”

Naturally, not everyone will adore every product, with some deducting a star. One reviewer noted: “An acquired taste, but delighted with my purchase as it was on promotion.”

However, the majority of people were delighted: “Good to take with a cold, good mixture with honey. I also love the Manuka honey which especially helps with sore throat.”

Another chimed in: “Fantastic product for my health. I drink by the morning, just a spoon with warm water, I used with in my salads and sauces, I sincerely I recommend you to use and you see the benefits with your body, start slimming, Fantastic!”

You can buy the Manuka Doctor Apple Cider Vinegar and Manuka Honey in different variations here now.