Think about how many people you know who suffer with their gut. The bloating, the cramping, the urgent dashes to the loo, the miserable mornings spent doubled over in pain.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) alone affects around one in five people in the UK, yet for most the reason they suffer remains frustratingly out of reach.

They have been scoped and scanned, poked and prodded. They have cut out gluten, dairy and everything else a well-meaning friend once read might help. And still nobody has ever thought to ask them about their childhood. Yet new research suggests that this might be exactly the right place to start.

As a psychiatrist, I have seen this pattern more times than I can count. Patients with IBS are often referred to specialists like me because they’ve developed depression, anxiety or disordered eating as a consequence of their gut problems. They arrive with a long and fruitless medical history – years of gut problems that nobody has been able to explain – and we go through it together.

And then, almost as an aside, a different kind of story starts to emerge: a difficult start; a parent who struggled; a home that felt, for a young child, unsafe or unpredictable; parents who argued a lot; abuse; neglect.

Most people with IBS know that stress makes their symptoms worse – but what medicine has paid far less attention to is not the stress of today, but the stress of 30 or 40 years ago. It turns out there may be good scientific reasons why that early history matters so much.

A new study from New York University, published in the journal Gastroenterology, has findings that should stop every gastroenterologist in their tracks.

We know that stress in early life can raise the chances of anxiety and depression in adulthood.

But what this latest research showed is the effects of childhood stress reach beyond the brain.

The researchers found that stress in early life – from birth to the first years of school – may fundamentally alter the way the gut and the brain communicate with each other, increasing the risk of digestive problems that can persist for decades. And we’re not talking about minor tummy troubles. We are talking about chronic abdominal pain, constipation and IBS.

To understand why, you need to know that the gut and the brain are in constant, two-way conversation, known as the ‘gut-brain axis’.

The two are talking to each other every hour of every day (via a complex system of receptors and nerve signals, and even our gut microbiome, the vast community of bacteria, viruses and fungi).

When something disturbs that relationship early in life, the consequences can be profound.

Digestion slows or speeds up erratically. Pain signals are amplified. Research also suggests that early stress alters the gut microbiome – another pathway through which a difficult childhood can leave its mark. The gut becomes in effect exquisitely, miserably sensitive.

To test this, the New York University team separated young mice from their mothers for periods every day, mimicking the kind of disruption and insecurity that early adversity can produce.

By the time these animals reached adulthood, they displayed heightened anxiety and were significantly more prone to gut pain and disordered bowel function than young mice that hadn’t been subjected to the same stress.

The way that disruption expressed itself differed between the sexes too, with females more likely to develop looser stools and males more prone to constipation – a pattern that will feel familiar to any clinician who sees a lot of patients with gut problems.

The researchers also found that different symptoms appeared to be driven by different biological pathways. Gut pain and motility problems, it seems, are not simply two sides of the same coin – as is often assumed.

This matters enormously, suggesting that the same drug or intervention is unlikely to help everyone with a gut-brain disorder, and that we will need more personalised approaches.

The mice findings were then supported by two large studies of children, carried out by the same research group. The first tracked more than 40,000 Danish children over 15 years, comparing those born to mothers whose depression during or after pregnancy went untreated with those born to mothers who had no depression at all, or whose depression had been treated.

The children whose mothers had depression yet received no treatment were considerably more likely to be diagnosed with digestive disorders, such as constipation, colic and IBS. The worse the mother’s mental health, the greater the risk to the child’s gut.

A second study, involving children aged nine and ten in the US, looked at the full range of adverse childhood experiences, from neglect and abuse to having a parent with mental illness.

Any form of early stress was linked to a greater likelihood of gastrointestinal problems. It did not matter what kind of stress.

The lead researcher, Professor Kara Margolis, a paediatric gasteroenterologist, put it plainly.

When a patient comes in with gut problems, she said, doctors should not only be asking about their current stress levels – what happened in childhood is equally important, and something medicine needs to take far more seriously.

Professor Kara Margolis, a paediatric gasteroenterologist, says when a patient comes in with gut problems, doctors should be asking them what happened in childhood

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And yet, IBS is still all too often dismissed as a neurotic complaint, as though being partly psychological makes it somehow less deserving of proper care. Patients are handed a leaflet and sent away.

I’ve seen too many of them spiral into serious depression, or starve themselves to a dangerous weight after years of cutting out food groups in desperation, simply because nobody took their symptoms seriously enough to offer proper support.

Just because something has a psychological component does not make it any less of an illness. This is what stigma around mental health looks like when it is hiding in a gastroenterology clinic.

None of this means that gut problems are inevitable for anyone who had a difficult start in life, or that they cannot be helped.

Psychological interventions, such as CBT, can have dramatic and lasting benefits for people with IBS, for example.

But this new research raises the possibility that for those whose gut problems are rooted in early adversity, more targeted approaches may prove more effective, ones that address the original trauma directly.

What this means is that the next time a patient sits down across from a doctor and describes years of unexplained gut problems, the most important question might not be about what they are eating, but what happened to them, a very long time ago.

A former charity shop employee at a large chain has shared the reasons why she thinks so many stores are forced to close down and what she believes needs to change

A former charity shop worker believes ‘the end is near’ for thrift stores. In a brutally honest post, she detailed a number of issues she believes have to change to keep customers engaged.

While you may think charity shops are busier than ever during the cost of living crisis, it isn’t that simple. Existing on the high street comes with challenges such as rising rents, utility bills, and other obstacles that customers do not see.

For that reason, Meg wanted to highlight some of the struggles. The ex-employee, who used to work in an unnamed chain charity shop, listed four reasons the thrift stores could be in serious trouble.

“Charity shops are dying,” Meg boldly stated at the start of her video. “I worked in a big chain charity shop and here’s why I think the charity shops aren’t gonna last much longer.”

She also reminded viewers that her views were her own. They are based on her personal experiences working in a chain charity shop and do not reflect all stores.

1. ‘Out of touch’ head office

For her first point, Meg explained that some charity shops would go for a “more expensive, high-end boutiquey feel”, which she thought was a mistake.

While some chain charity shops have become ‘incredibly corporate’, they offer a ‘mid-range retail experience’ that does not leave customers wanting to come back for more.

Meg claimed that, in her experience, they often ‘wasted money’ on campaigns and new goods to compare with a high street store.

“They had shops open in central London that made no money, but they kept them open for brand awareness when it was dragging the rest of us down,” Meg argued.

2. Overworked staff members

For her second point, Meg went on to claim that volunteers and staff in some charity shops she worked in were ‘completely overworked’ and faced poor working conditions, mould, and dirty donations they had to sort through.

She also claimed that theft and aggression were common occurrences in the stores, as she spoke from her personal experience. She added: “Just for someone from head office who’s paid 10 times more than you, to tell you that you’re not selling enough f***ing lottery tickets.”

3. Pricing

“This is a touchy subject and it’s a difficult one. I stand on the fact that charity shops exist to raise money for the charity, not to give you a bargain,” Meg said. “However, something’s got to give.”

She found some charity shop chains consistently more expensive due to stores raising prices, which sometimes has nothing to do with the shop floor employees.

“Head office will send a price guide in and you have to follow it,” she explained, revealing she often couldn’t afford the items in the store she was working at. “And at the end of the day, charity shops cannot compete with vintage.”

4. Fast fashion donations

Lastly, Meg claimed that the vast majority of donations she received were from fast fashion brands and did not attract much money.

“Charity shops need to make money to stay open, and they can’t make that kind of money on Primark and Shein,” Meg argued. “The overconsumption these days is actually insane. People buy and buy and buy and then just give it to the charity shop.”

After wrapping up her list, Meg had a recommendation for those who want to go thrifting without encountering all of these issues. Her top tip is to try out some different stores to see which suits you best. After all, every shop is different!

“I don’t know what the future holds. I think the future of the high street is already kind of in jeopardy,” Meg said. “And I, as a consumer, I much prefer shopping in a small independent charity shop. They’re always so much better.”

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By IAN HERBERT, DEPUTY CHIEF SPORTS WRITER

Published: 02:00 BST, 7 July 2026 | Updated: 03:33 BST, 7 July 2026

As one of the foundation stones of a fully functioning and successful Manchester United team, there was a time when Rio Ferdinand could call himself an analyst. 

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Ferdinand saw Declan Rice as a box-to-box midfielder before many others did and once offered as good a technical assessment as any of how central defenders might handle pressing.

But his nauseating celebration of FIFA rescinding USA striker Folarin Balogun’s red card — three clapping-hands emojis — put him in a minority of one beyond the US’s own cheerleaders, sent his name across the world as a Gianni Infantino shill and ate away at what professional integrity he imagines he has as a dispenser of wisdom at this World Cup.

Trilling a penny whistle for FIFA amid the World Cup’s moment of gravest reputational damage for years looked a hell of a lot like reciprocation from Ferdinand, for getting to host that that atrocious World Cup draw at Washington’s Kennedy Centre, last December.

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Rio Ferdinand’s reaction to FIFA’s scandalous decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension has eaten away at what professional integrity he imagines he has left

Ferdinand co-hosted FIFA’s atrocious World Cup draw last December – and he has gone into bat for his old pal Gianni Infantino

You might remember how that one played out for him. Ferdinand suffered a sense of humour failure when a questioner asked him about his heading ability. He tends to wobble on FIFA duty when stuff pops up that’s not in the script he’s been told to read out. 

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In 2022, no one seemed to have informed him that the deaths of workers on Qatar stadium building sites might get a mention. Or the fundamental lack of credibility of the reptilian Infantino. Awkward. Having sold out to FIFA, he presumes to think that everyone would be going along with their happy-clappy fluff.

He doesn’t seem to need media work so much, given the huge wealth that his vast footprint as an influencer and lifestyle guru has raked in. 

Yet Sunday night was a serious blow to his reputation and studio presence, given the robust and articulate responses of Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher, who were responding in real time to the scandal of FIFA kow-towing to Trump. Keane, you might remember, was also impressive in his uncompromising discussion of Qatar human rights. Ferdinand was an apologist.

The brief spat which ensued in the social media space between Ferdinand and Piers Morgan over the red card on Sunday night was not the height of sophistication — with its basis residing in Ferdinand managing to get #PiersHasMoobs trending years ago — but Morgan can be confident that he’s on the right side of the argument.

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That became increasingly clear on Monday when Trump waded deeper into the episode, delighted to insinuate himself into ‘the soccer’ by confirming that he’d pulled levers with ‘Janni’ — as he described Infantino — to get the USA’s best striker back into the tournament.

Trump dragged the World Cup down into his usual mode of trash talk, throwing a vial of poison out at the Brazilian referee who sent Balogun off. 

‘The referee, who is a little bit suspect — if you check his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. If you’d like, I’ll provide you with his past.’ Raphael Claus testified at the Brazilian FA’s inquiry on match-fixing in 2024. He was found not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Former Man United and England star Ferdinand is now based in Dubai with his wife Kate

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Trump’s public admission that he’d pulled levers with Infantino to overturn Balogun’s suspension was a humiliation for the FIFA chief

For Infantino, every word spewing out of Trump’s mouth deepened the personal humiliation. The FIFA chief insisted that the Balogun decision had nothing to do with the President’s call – yet before that intervention FIFA sources were insisting that the referee’s decision was final and there would be no appeal. 

This episode has stained a tournament which for a long time had been flying with neither sight nor sound of Trump.

A Pandora’s Box has been opened now. France want Michael Olise’s yellow card overturned. Brazil are infuriated by the slight on their nation’s referee. 

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Ferdinand was steadfastly avoiding the subject yesterday, reserving his tweets to posts about England, a ‘Rio Reacts’ video of him watching one of their goals, sponsored by Airbnb, and a post trashing the British press. A day in the life of Ferdinand the analyst.

Prosecutors seeking to convince a Utah judge to put the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk on trial are expected to present more law enforcement video and a recorded statement from the defendant’s roommate as a weeklong preliminary hearing continues Tuesday.

The court proceedings began Monday and so far have produced no major revelations but marked the most significant presentation of evidence to date in the case against defendant Tyler Robinson, 23, who is charged with aggravated murder in the assassination of Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump.

Former Utah Valley University Officer Christopher Bagley testified that he witnessed the shooting while the conservative activist was speaking to a campus crowd of thousands on Sept. 10. Soon after, Bagley went to a nearby gravel rooftop, where it appeared someone had been lying prone with a clear sightline to Kirk’s location, he said.

“It looks like a sniper pad,” Bagley told the court.

Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. They have, however, sought to get the death penalty taken off the table, so far unsuccessfully.

Court will hear statement from defendant’s roommate

If prosecutors follow the order of an exhibit list they submitted earlier this year, they will present a video from the Washington County sheriff’s office from Sept. 11 — the day Robinson turned himself in — and recorded testimony from Robinson’s roommate.

Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed in a note left for his roommate, who was also his romantic partner, that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

Robinson also reportedly texted his roommate that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred,” prosecutors have said.

Prosecutors have also said they plan to present DNA evidence linking Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, autopsy findings, witness statements and video of Kirk’s killing. In addition, they are expected to argue the shooting endangered others at Kirk’s campus event — an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law.

Kirk’s family briefly left the courtroom

Monday marked the first time Kirk’s parents, Kathryn and Robert, and widow, Erika, were in the courtroom since the case began.

Robinson’s parents also were present, sitting a few rows behind the Kirks. Robinson sat quietly between his attorneys throughout the hearing, looking at the prosecution’s exhibits on a monitor and occasionally taking notes. His wrists were shackled to a chain around his waist.

Prosecutors showed several graphic videos of Kirk’s shooting, including of the moment he was shot and security administering first aid, as they made their case to state District Judge Tony Graf.

Kirk’s family briefly walked out of the courtroom twice — when Bagley started testifying about Charlie Kirk’s arrival on campus and again when prosecutors introduced the videos. Each time, they returned.

Prosecutors have a low bar

The proceeding resembles a minitrial, but prosecutors need only demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk and should stand trial. The standard is lower than for a trial, where prosecutors must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Prosecutors, as a result, should have little trouble advancing their case, said Mark Kouris, a former prosecutor and state judge in Salt Lake City.

“This standard is extremely low and the chances of them not getting through it are, quite frankly, almost nothing,” said Kouris, now an adjunct professor at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law.

Defense attorney Kathryn Nester repeatedly objected to evidence introduced by prosecutors. She was mostly overruled by the judge.

When she asked Bagley about finding an empty pistol holster on the ground after the crowd fled, he acknowledged he never took custody of the holster and didn’t know whether it had been fingerprinted.

Utah is an open carry state, meaning people can carry guns openly or conceal them without a permit.

Graf sided with the defense to block the introduction of a compilation of surveillance videos from Utah Valley University because some had been altered to zoom in or had circles drawn around individuals. Prosecutors said they would try again Tuesday to introduce that video with the alterations removed.

Erika Kirk says court proceedings are a ‘painful reminder’

Before his death, Kirk and the organization he co-founded, Turning Point USA, galvanized the conservative youth vote to help Trump win a second term.

The Republican president has said he hopes Robinson receives the death penalty.

Erika Kirk said during her husband’s memorial service that she forgives Robinson.

Ahead of Monday’s hearing, she thanked supporters in a statement for their kindness and prayers.

“Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death,” she wrote, “and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children.”

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Brown reported from Billings, Montana.

First up, what actually is a cappuccino?

The word ‘cappuccino’ has a religious past

Huh. Anything else?

St Leonard’s Hospice opened its doors to its new store and donation at the Marrtree Business Park in Stirling Road, Clifton Moor on Thursday (July 2).

As reported by The Press, the site – measuring 16,0000 square feet – includes a drive-up donation centre, furniture shop, and £1 clearance store.

Recommended reading:

The furniture shop sells pre-loved sofas, tables, sideboards and beds, among other household pieces.

The charity was joined by players from York RLFC teams the Knights and Valkyrie at the new venue’s opening (Image: St Leonard’s Hospice)

St Leonard’s offers a delivery service for bulky items.

It also stocks clothing and accessories for adults and children, along with homeware in its clearance store.

The charity was joined by players from York RLFC teams the Knights and Valkyrie at the new venue’s opening.

Jason Lomas, head of retail at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “We’re thrilled to see so many people visit our new donation centre and shop at Clifton Moor.

“In our £1 clearance store, shoppers have been filling baskets high and leaving with a huge smile.”

The £1 clearance shop stocks pre-loved clothing and accessories, along with homeware (Image: St Leonard’s Hospice)

He added: “Not only are they getting real bargains, but they’re also helping to fund care right here in our community.

“Our furniture shop is also proving to be really popular, filled with lots of high-quality but affordable items.

“I’d encourage everyone to pay us a visit and experience it for themselves. We’re so grateful for the community’s support today.”

Kylian Mbappé pushed France through to the World Cup quarterfinals. Erling Haaland and Norway will be there, too.

So will Harry Kane after England’s epic 3-2 win over Mexico.

The stars are shining in this World Cup and it’s about to get brighter, even after Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out for the last time.

The last two round of 16 games are Tuesday, including Switzerland against Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Topping the marquee is a showdown between Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah in Atlanta.

One star will move on and add to his legacy. The other will head home from the World Cup, maybe for the final time.

Messi added the one thing missing from his resume by leading Argentina to the World Cup title four years ago and has shown he’s still one of the world’s best players at age 39.

Messi has scored seven goals in four matches, matching Mbappé and Haaland in a star-studded Golden Boot race. Messi has scored in a record eight straight World Cup matches, dating to the 2022 title run, and keeps adding to his record career total of 20 goals.

Salah has been the face of Egyptian soccer, a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner and the league’s all-time leading foreign-born scorer.

The 34-year-old “Egyptian King” has an Egypt-record three World Cup goals and is one behind national team coach Hossam Hassan’s record of 69 international goals.

Perhaps Salah’s biggest accomplishment is pushing Egypt deeper into the World Cup than it’s ever been.

The Pharaohs earned their first World Cup victory by beating New Zealand 3-1 in the group stage and earned their first knockout stage win by outlasting Australia in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

Neither star has decided on his national team plans after the World Cup.

One will be a step closer to a decision after Tuesday’s match.

Colombia’s long World Cup road takes it to Canada to face Switzerland

Colombia’s North American World Cup tour is headed to Canada.

With stops already in Mexico and the United States, Los Cafeteros will become the only team to play in all three host nations when they play Switzerland in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday.

Colombia opened with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in Mexico City, beat Congo 1-0 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and played Portugal to a scoreless draw in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Colombians opened the knockout stage with a 1-0 win over Ghana in Kansas City, Missouri, and now have the chance to clinch their first quarterfinal berth since 2014.

Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 for its first knockout-round win since 1938 to earn the trip to Vancouver.

The Swiss could be short-handed for the match.

Breakout star Johan Manzambi, Rubén Vargas and Djibril Sow all cut training short on Monday, leaving their availability in doubt.

“If they might not play tomorrow, it can be a huge issue for us,” coach Murat Yakin said.

Reigning champion Argentina will not underestimate Egypt

In a World Cup that has seen powers like Germany and Brazil eliminated by underdogs, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said there was danger of his team underestimating Egypt. After all, the defending champion was given a scare by Cape Verde in the last round, needing extra time to come through with a 3-2 win.

“I think this World Cup has been, is very tricky for everyone. It seems there is no clear favorite,” Scaloni said Monday. “I am convinced that if we didn’t resort to our character in the last match we would be out as Cape Verde was giving us a very hard day.”

Egypt is confident it can test Argentina as well and produce the tournament’s latest upset — especially because it has Salah.

“My dreams have no limits. My ambitions have no limits. I promise that we will do everything to live up to the expectations (of fans),” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said. “We’re no underdogs. We’re big in every respect. We are a civilization that is 7,000 years old, even more than 7,000 years.”

Round of 16 schedule

Tuesday, July 7:

— Argentina vs. Egypt, noon EDT in Atlanta (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

— Switzerland vs. Colombia, 4 p.m. EDT in Vancouver, British Columbia (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

Quarterfinals schedule

Thursday, July 9:

— Morocco vs. France, 4 p.m. EDT in Foxborough, Massachusetts (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

Friday, July 10:

— Spain vs. Belgium, 3 p.m. EDT in Inglewood, California (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

Saturday, July 11:

— Norway vs. England, 5 p.m. EDT in Miami Gardens, Florida (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

— Argentina-Egypt winner vs. Switzerland-Colombia winner, 9 p.m. EDT in Kansas City, Missouri (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)

More World Cup news

— Belgium beats US 4-1 to reach World Cup quarterfinals, taking advantage of defensive lapses

— US star Christian Pulisic exits World Cup match against Belgium with foot injury

— Integrity of World Cup is questioned as Trump, FIFA defend actions surrounding Balogun suspension

— A stoic Cristiano Ronaldo exits his final World Cup as Portugal falls 1-0 to Spain

— Spain sets World Cup record with 6th clean sheet in a row and keeper Simón extends scoreless mark

— US-Bosnia World Cup match sets US viewership records in English and Spanish

— Erling Haaland-led World Cup run is stirring up soccer pride for Norway fans at home and abroad

— Carlos Queiroz quits as Ghana coach after the team’s World Cup exit

— Day 26 of the World Cup in photos

Stat of the day

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who played his final World Cup game in a 1-0 loss to Spain, is one of three players to be both the youngest and oldest goal scorer in his country’s World Cup history, joining Denmark’s Michael Laudrup and Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Ronaldo scored his first goal as a 21-year-old against Iran in 2006 and his last against Croatia at 41 in the group stage this year.

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AP Sports Writer James Robson contributed to this report.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Angie Best has revealed that she has to undergo major surgery soon as she shared a new health update on Monday after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

The ex-wife of late Manchester United legend George Best and mother of TV personality Calum Best stunned fans when she revealed she was battling colon cancer back in January.

Angie, 73, is now having some of her colon removed and has said her battle feels ‘debilitating mentally as much as it is physically’. 

Taking to Instagram to talk about the procedure, Angie said this week: ‘Quick update homies… 

‘So on Thursday I go in for an operation where they cut out the part of my colon that… needs to be cut out.

‘Nerve-wracking… never mind. Got to do what we’ve got to do, and then hopefully all my hair will start growing back.

The ex-wife of late Manchester United legend George Best and mother of TV personality Calum Best stunned fans when she revealed she was battling colon cancer back in January

‘It’s very debilitating mentally as much as it is physically, all this stuff. But there’s a lesson there, I suppose. I’ve just gotta learn it.’

The star inspiringly penned in the post’s caption: ‘Nearly the end of this miserable journey. Stay strong and focused all who are on the same journey.’

Back in May Angie debuted her new hairstyle in a candid Instagram post as she said she’s only got ’15 hairs’ left after undergoing chemotherapy.

Angie has travelled to Switzerland since her diagnosis for an unconventional cancer treatment known as mistletoe therapy, so called because it uses extracts from the European mistletoe plant, which can be used alongside traditional chemotherapy.

And the star shared on Instagram that she’s struggling with hair loss as a side-effect of her treatment, and paid a visit to the salon to have her pixie cut styled into a new look.

Hair loss is a common side effect for chemotherapy, and can begin 14 to 21 days after the first treatment.

Angie shared a snap of her new hairstyle, along with the caption: ‘Went to see the lovely @ginaconwaysalonandspa today and she worked wonders with what she had, 15 hairs.’

The week before she shared a video revealing the amount of hair she’d lost, posting a video of a large clump in her hand, while saying she’d need to ‘develop a sense of humour about going bald.’ 

Angie’s oncologist recently informed her that her treatment has been going well and has got rid of most of the cancer. 

‘I went to see my oncologist yesterday and he said, ‘Ange, you’ve done amazing. In four sessions we’ve got rid of 80 per cent of your cancer which is phenomenal.’ 

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Angie, 73, is now having some of her colon removed and has said her battle feels ‘debilitating mentally as much as it is physically’

‘I was thrilled but he said, ‘you have to come back for another four sessions.’ If four got rid of 80 per cent, why do I need four more? I said, ‘let’s do two’ and he said, ‘OK’.’

She added: ‘I was hoping I’d walk in and he’d say, ‘Ange, it’s all gone, you’re cancer free.’ I had that in my head for a week. ‘Ange, you’re cancer free,’ but then I would look at my face and say, ‘holy s**t no you’re not.’ ‘

Thanking her social media followers, she said: ‘Your support means the world and I love you. Sorry for moaning, I’m just feeling a bit sorry for myself.’

In February, Angie revealed she was struggling to put on weight because she has a healthy diet and those sorts of foods don’t help with weight gain.    

‘I’m having my mistletoe treatment today. I have to say, this being sick, it’s a very humbling experience,’ she said.

‘It makes you second guess everything. I’m trying to eat healthy because I’ve got to gain weight because I weigh 46 kilos and with the next two rounds of chemo, I need more weight.

‘But the problem is, I’m trying to eat healthy so I’ve now got to go and eat, not quite so healthy. I’m sure I’ll think of something.’

In a caption alongside the video, she wrote: ‘Today I’m having Mistletoe therapy, it stimulates your immune system and mitigates side effects of Chemo and radiation like pain nausea and fatigue.’

Angie’s son Calum commented on the video and wrote: ‘I love you’.  

Mistletoe treatment is an alternative cancer treatment that has been used in Europe for decades, particularly in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Some practitioners believe it can stimulate the immune system and improve quality of life for cancer patients, though its effectiveness remains debated in mainstream medicine.

It is not a standard, approved cancer treatment on the NHS, as robust evidence of its effectiveness as a cure is considered inconclusive by major UK cancer bodies.

It can be used alongside chemotherapy, which is what Angie is doing.    

Former Celebrity Big Brother star Calum, Angie’s only son, revealed his mother’s diagnosis in a devastating video posted to social media in January.

In the clip, the clearly distressed star said: ‘A few weeks ago, my beautiful, wonderful mum was diagnosed with cancer. For as long as I can remember, she has lived her life rooted in health, fitness and wellbeing.

‘She has always believed in taking care of the body, mind and soul. But as we all know, cancer doesn’t discriminate.

‘It doesn’t care where you’re from, how you live, or how healthy you try to be. And now, it’s here – and it’s with my mum.’

Calum admitted he ‘hasn’t cried in years’ but has been on an ’emotional rollercoaster’ since his mother’s diagnosis.

‘My mum has been diagnosed with colon cancer that has spread to her liver,’ he explained.

‘To move forward, we need access to specialist care and professionals who can offer the right treatment. This is incredibly hard for me to say, but financially, I can’t carry this on my own.’

The reality star set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of his mother’s specialist treatment, saying: ‘Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us access the specialists, treatment and care my mum needs during this time.’