Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw, who played Maxine Peacock in the ITV soap from 1995 to 2003, has shared an emotional update after visiting A&E during her breast cancer chemotherapy treatment

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Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw was left in tears following an emergency visit to A&E. The 52-year-old, who portrayed Maxine Peacock on the ITV soap between 1995 and 2003, revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and has since embarked on gruelling rounds of chemotherapy in her fight against the illness.

The former soap star took to Instagram with a fresh update, appearing in a hospital bed as she emotionally described how difficult it can be to attend hospital when others present may have comparatively “minor” complaints.

She said: “So I’m in AandE, I had really really high temperatures yesterday and they spiked several times. I didn’t want to go to AandE in the hot weather so my body has suffered today. As a consequence, I came in to AandE early this morning and I just want to say thank you to the NHS and everyone in the AandE department.

“It isn’t easy coming in when we have cancer because there are a lot of people with – I’m not disregarding it – minor things, and some have just drank too much.

“It’s really hard at this point when my immune [system] is so low to get through that part of the department without catching anything else.”

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It was at this point that Tracy, who also enjoyed a brief pop career with a cover of the Lonnie Gordon track Happenin’ All Over Again before going on to appear in Casualty, Doctors and a string of theatre productions over the years, wiped away tears as she spoke candidly about the harsh realities of undergoing cancer treatment, reports the Mirror.

She went on to express her gratitude to the medical staff who had managed to find her a private room, while also voicing her frustration over a broken air conditioning system during a sweltering heatwave, as well as workmen moving around her without wearing masks.

She added: “Anyway, thank you to the NHS and all the staff. They’ve been amazing, and they have been able to put me in a separate room for now. It’s really important to try and protect us.

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“But I just wanted to raise a few things – the aircon isn’t working in this hospital, and we’ve had workmen here outside my door and one guy was trying to do some work and when the nurse asked if she could close the door, he was really rude to her. Really rude to her. And then the nurse had to go away and it was 15 minutes before she got back.

“He felt like he had a job to do, and he’d put his work bag on the bin which was holding my door open. I’ve normally got a mask on as well, but no one else has a mask on around me.

“Then I had three guys come in…the nurse said the aircon wasn’t working and they said it was. Three guys just walked in, no masks, nothing. It wasn’t working – she was right and in the end they went away and she asked if it was okay if they came back. I said ‘With masks on!’”.

The RNLI said the vessel from Whitby Yacht Club was returning from the Netherlands on Saturday evening around 8pm when it was alerted by the Coastguard to the presence of the drifting jet ski which had broken down.

The Whitby inshore lifeboat was launched around the same time as the small pleasure craft was drifting south towards Ravenscar.

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The yacht an eye on the jet skier until the RNLI inshore lifeboat arrived and towed the jet ski back to the nearest safe haven.

Neil Williamson, from Whitby RNLI, was on board the yacht.

He said: “It was a good job that the person aboard the jet ski had a phone with him as he could have ended up a long way from home.

“It just shows the importance of carrying a means of calling for help, as you never know when you might need it.”

The RNLI recommend carrying a VHF radio when at sea as it is not always possible to get a mobile signal.

The DWP is rolling out Support Conversations to 33 Jobcentres across Great Britain, giving up to 40,000 benefit claimants personalised support tailored to their circumstances

Up to 40,000 individuals claiming out-of-work benefits are poised to experience a significant shift at their Jobcentres as the DWP introduces Support Conversations. The hour-long sessions aim to assist people in overcoming obstacles preventing them from progressing into meaningful employment or activities such as volunteering.

The additional support is designed to identify any assistance the benefit recipients might qualify for, including help with their health, debt, skills, employment, rehabilitation services and housing. This forms part of the Government’s £3.5 billion investment to support disabled people into employment.

Support Conversations will differ from standard Jobcentre appointments by taking a holistic view of the claimant’s life, examining a variety of factors rather than solely their employment situation. The sessions will be conducted by Healthcare Professionals, Pathways to Work Advisers, and Disability Employment Advisers.

Fresh Government guidance has confirmed that Support Conversations will be entirely voluntary. The scheme is intended to deliver one-to-one support for disabled individuals and those with health conditions who are receiving these benefits.

It will be made available to people awaiting a Work Capability Assessment who have registered a health condition or disability affecting their capacity to work. Individuals who have been assessed as having a Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) will also be offered Support Conversations, reports the Mirror.

Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson said: “Too many disabled people and people with health conditions face barriers that stop them from accessing the support and opportunities they deserve. That is why we are expanding the number of sites delivering Support Conversations from 6 to 33 Jobcentres across Great Britain, giving up to 40,000 people personalised help tailored to their circumstances.

“Getting more people into good work is central to our Plan for Change and Support Conversations will help us do exactly this.”

Initially piloted across six locations, the scheme received positive feedback from participants, who described feeling “listened to” and “supported” by the initiative. The programme will now be extended to a further 27 Jobcentres, bringing the total number of participating sites to 33.

As part of the expansion, the government says it will continue to monitor the effectiveness of Support Conversations through healthcare professionals and disability employment advisers.

A new 50p coin has been launched to mark 100 years of Grand Prix racing in Britain.

The Royal Mint unveiled the coin at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, the site of Britain’s first Grand Prix held in August 1926.

It launches today (June 29) and is worth at least 30 times its face value.

Royal Mint releases new 50p to mark 100 years of British racing

Rebecca Morgan, director at The Royal Mint, said: “This coin is a true landmark for us.

“It is the first time in The Royal Mint’s history that motorsport has been celebrated on a UK coin, and we couldn’t be prouder to mark such a momentous centenary in this way.

“For 100 years, the Grand Prix in Britain has captured the nation’s imagination, from the thundering engines at Brooklands to the wheel-to-wheel battles at Silverstone.”

The coin’s design was created in collaboration with London-based agency Interstate and marks the first time motorsport has appeared on an official UK coin.

The reverse side features a 1926 Grand Prix car alongside a 2026 Formula 1 car, symbolising a century of technological progress in the sport.

Some versions of the coin also include colour.

Alex Patterson, chief executive of Brooklands Museum, said: “We are thrilled that The Royal Mint has chosen to celebrate this very special centenary celebration with Brooklands Museum.

“The 1926 race was a defining moment not just for Brooklands but for the development of international motor racing in the UK, and it is fitting that it is commemorated by this very special coin.”

The collectible 50p coin is worth at least 30 times its face value (Image: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments)

The gold edition has been produced using recycled gold from old jewellery and coins.

The Royal Mint said it aims to use recycled gold in all its collectable gold coins by the end of the year.

The coin launches at 9am on Monday, with prices starting from £15.

Visitors to The Royal Mint Experience can strike their own version of the coin between July 7 and August 2.

What makes a coin valuable?

The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK.

Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures.

It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.

The rarest coins tend to be the most valuable, with mintage (the number of coins of each design made) being the primary attraction for collectors.

Along with the design, other aspects of the coin that increase its value are its condition and whether it has a design error.

The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value.

Some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, whereas others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.

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Royal Mint’s top 10 most valuable 50p coins

Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made, and how many were minted:

1. Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
2. Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
3. Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
4. Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500
5. Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500
6. Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500
7. Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000
8. Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000
9. Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000
10. Olympic Goalball (2011), 1,615,500

Have you ever collected or found a rare coin? Let us know in the comments.

A search operation is continuing for a US Marine who disappeared during a training exercise off the coast of southern California. Military officials confirmed that multiple agencies were involved in the effort on Sunday.

The Marine was reported missing from the USS Anchorage shortly after midnight on Thursday morning, during integrated training involving the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

This incident marks at least the second time in six weeks that the US military has had to search for missing personnel. In May, the remains of two US Army soldiers, who vanished during exercises in Morocco, were recovered following a multinational search operation that utilised air, naval, and artificial intelligence assets.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all who are affected during this difficult time,” the Navy said in the news release this week about the missing Marine.

The Navy transitioned from search-and-rescue efforts to a search-and-recovery operation Friday evening. The Marine’s name was being withheld pending the notification of family.

The search has covered about 2,400 square miles (6,200 square kilometers) and involved three surface ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force, officials said.

The USS Anchorage is an amphibious transport dock ship based at Naval Base San Diego.

AmaWaterways has unveiled the designs for its second mega river cruise ship, which will include karaoke areas and an onboard pickleball court.

The new vessel AmaRudi will join sister ship AmaMagna on the Danube in spring 2027. Both are Europe’s largest river cruise ships.

AmaRudi is also the first ship in the fleet to be named after a man, honouring co-founder Rudi Schreiner, who was born and raised near Austria’s Danube river.

Measuring 443 feet long, AmaRudi will have capacity for 196 guests and 70 crew.

Passengers can eat at multiple dining venues from the Journey’s Restaurant and The Chef’s Table restaurant to al fresco dining experiences and the intimate Rudi’s Wine Bar.

AmaRudi will also offer a built-in Deck Club barbecue on the sun deck and public spaces inspired by the destinations along the river. There will even be a snooker table on board.

An onboard wellness area will feature massage treatment rooms, hair and nail services, a gym and a pickleball court, while a new entertainment options will include a cinema, karaoke, billiards and a jukebox.

Schreiner said: “AmaMagna changed what travellers believed was possible on a river cruise ship.

”We knew there would be a right time to revisit that concept, and with river cruising continuing to grow, that time is now. More travellers are making the transition from ocean cruising to rivers, and many are looking for a sense of space and choice.

“AmaMagna was one of the most rewarding projects of my career, so having this new ship carry my name makes it especially meaningful. I see it as part of the legacy we have built together over more than two decades of river cruising.”

AmaRudi is scheduled to begin sailing the Danube in spring 2027.

Read more: The best European river cruises

Alongside new homes, the development will feature a dedicated play area space for children

Work has begun on a new development to build 87 new homes in Cambridgeshire. The Tunkers Lane development in Bury will see a mix of homes built as affordable housing.

The homes will range from one and two-bedroom bungalows and one-bedroom maisonettes, to two, three, and four-bedroom houses. There will be 36 properties available for shared ownership, 32 allocated for affordable rent, 10 rent to buy homes, and nine available for social rent.

Housing provider Stonewater has implemented energy-saving measures to the homes. These include air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, and electric car charging stations for some plots.

The development will provide opportunities for apprentices to work on the site and develop their skills, helping to fill the skills shortage in the industry.

A piece of public art will be designed for the estate as well as a dedicated play area for children, and an edible garden. Fruit trees and bushes will be incorporated into the scheme for customers to enjoy, to promote sustainability and healthy eating, according to Stonewater.

An event to mark the beginning of construction took place towards the end of May. The scheme is expected to be completed in the 2027 to 2028 financial year.

Nicola Hillier, head of development (East) at Stonewater, said: “These homes will offer a range of options for local people to secure an affordable home in the village they have existing connections with, contributing to the local economy and broader society.”

The Tunkers Lane scheme is being built in partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council, Burmor Construction, Bury Parish Council, and Calfordseaden.

Patrick Burke, Director at Burmor Construction, said: “We look forward to working closely with Stonewater and our project partners as construction progresses and to seeing this new neighbourhood take shape over the months ahead.”

“There is a distinct art to finding calm in the heart of a bustling capital, and this hote has mastered it”

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There is a distinct art to finding calm in the heart of a bustling capital, and The Morgan Hotel has mastered it. Situated in the centre of Dublin’s most energetic district in Temple Bar, it serves as an elegant contrast to the humdrum of city life.

Whether you are spending your days exploring the nearby cultural gems like the Irish Film Institute or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the hotel provides a luxurious anchor for your trip.

The guest experience is built around thoughtful luxury. Inside my Deluxe King room, the decor—highlighted by striking pink armchairs—felt both contemporary and inviting. From the luxury feather pillows to the monsoon rain shower, everything felt designed for comfort. The ‘SuitePad’ is a particularly welcome modern touch, streamlining the way guests interact with the hotel’s staff, something I hadn’t encountered before at any hotel I’ve stayed in.

The main highlight, however, was dining at the 10 Fleet Street Restaurant. The team here isn’t just serving food; they’re passionate ambassadors for their menu. I started with the burrata bruschetta. This consisted of burrata cream, heirloom tomatoes, shallots, garlic, parmesan, oregano, fresh basil, olive powder and balsamic glaze. All the items complemented the bruschetta so well that I was truly surprised by how delicious it tasted.

For my main course I had the cornfed chicken supreme. This came with sautéed French beans, shitake mushrooms, butternut squash puree, mashed potato, pancetta and white wine herb and mushroom sauce. The chicken was so succulent and tender, and it worked really well with the sauce it was covered in.

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I finished on a high note with the “Morgan Mess,” a light, strawberry-forward take on the classic dessert, it was beautiful, light and refreshing.

The restaurant’s mixologist and servers have a wealth of knowledge about the cocktails and food they serve, and their passion for what they do was evident from the moment I met them.

Cocktail lovers, take note: The Morgan’s bar also lives up to the hype. I particularly enjoyed the ‘Morgan Bubbles’—a refreshing mix of Prosecco, mango puree, elderflower, and lime—and the ‘Watermelon Sugar High,’ a complex Cuban-inspired delight shaking Havana 3-year white rum with watermelon, cucumber, lime, pineapple, and an egg-white wash.

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The following morning, I had a full Irish breakfast where each element tasted fantastic. This is one to definitely not sleep on if you visit The Morgan, a perfect start to a day of exploring the capital.

If you’re planning to explore Dublin, it’s hard to beat the convenience of The Morgan. It puts you right in the centre of the city while providing a stylish, quiet retreat to recharge after a long day of sightseeing. Add in the high-end dining, plush rooms, and a well-equipped health club, and you have every reason to make this your go-to spot for your next visit.

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

Prince Harry is said to be rethinking his decision to bring Meghan and his children to the UK next month after his request for police protection was denied.

It is understood that the royal has concerns for his family’s safety after learning on Friday that no taxpayer-funded security would be provided.

They had accepted an invitation to stay in a royal residence during their first visit to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex accused the Home Office and the committee responsible for assessing their security of “wilfully creating conditions that are making it nearly impossible” for them to safely travel in the UK, The Telegraph reported.

Harry is said to be trying to find a way for the trip to go ahead, as he is “desperate” for his seven-year-old son, Archie, and five-year-old daughter, Lilibet, to see their grandfather King Charles. It is believed that a final decision on the trip and the involvement of Prince Harry’s wife and children will be made in the coming days.

Harry had been waiting for a review by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) on his security requirements, but found out last week that no review had been taken and all assessments had been “paused”, the source told the newspaper.

“The precarious security situation and endless speculation about where the family will stay is making the planning and logistics for the private security team increasingly difficult,” they added.

His level of protection was downgraded in 2020 when he stepped back from royal duties, and he has not been given any police protection since, unless engaging in official royal occasions.

Prince Harry is in an ongoing legal battle with the Home Office over security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK.

Their visit was set to mark the one-year countdown to Harry’s Invictus Games, which is being hosted in Birmingham next July, and the Duchess of Sussex was expected to join her husband on several public engagements.

It would also be the first time the duke has seen his father in nine months after the two had tea at Clarence House in September.

His family was expected to stay on both royal estate and private accommodation.

A government spokesman said: “The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.

“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been approached for comment.

Facilities such as public toilets and waste disposal points – particularly the lack of them – are a big issue in parts of Skye.

Home to just over 10,000 people, it has few urban areas and is largely an island of dramatic mountains, rugged coastlines, and crofts.

Photographer Danielle Stewart travels all over the Highlands in her campervan in her free time and for work.

Skye is one her regular destinations.

“It’s freedom – you can wake up in beautiful places. That’s the best thing for sure,” she said on the benefits of owning a campervan.

She added: “Over last winter I went to Spain and Portugal for three months and that was great – it’s a very different van life in Europe though, because they have facilities.”