Dressed in a pastel pink corset complete with bunny ears and a bow tie from Ann Summers, Helen’s cheeky Easter outfit quickly caught the attention of fans.

One wrote: “You look so beautiful Helen, wishing you and your family a lovely Easter.”

Another added: “Wow, that’s an Easter bunny.”

Helen Flanagan in her Easter finery (Image: Instagram/HelenFlanagan)

The 35-year-old regularly teams up with the high-street lingerie retailer for seasonal collaborations.

It comes after a whirlwind few months for the mum-of-three, who swapped the stage in Bolton for the drama of reality TV.

In February, the former Westholme School pupil took to the stage at the Octagon Theatre, starring in The Memory of Water.

Playing Catherine in the emotional yet witty production, Helen showcased a different side to her talents in front of a home crowd, with the show proving a hit among theatre-goers.

More: Corrie’s Helen Flanagan says Travelodge ‘threatened police call’ over late check-out

More: Memory of Water at Octagon is beautifully observed black comedy

More: Celebrity Ex on the Beach – 2 Blackburn stars looking for love as new series airs

But there’s been no rest. Just weeks later, she was back in front of the cameras — this time appearing on Celebrity Ex on the Beach.

Filmed in a luxury villa, the Paramount+ show sees a group of famous faces navigating explosive relationships, shock arrivals and plenty of jaw-dropping moments.

Helen has long-standing links to Lancashire and Bolton, and fans will no doubt be enjoying seeing her back in the spotlight — whether on stage, on screen, or lighting up social media.

In a recent interview, she said: “I know who I am. And I think my children will always have respect for me, because all they see is their mum working hard to provide for them.”

She added: “In ten years’ time, I think I will have a lovely husband; a man who will be my best friend. By the time I am 45, I think my life will be peaceful and that I will be really, really happy…”

Our thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one

Announcing the passing of a loved one in local news media is a long standing tradition and we are proud of the trust placed in us to make these important announcements. Every notice published to our newspaper and news site also appears on funeral-notices.co.uk – the UK’s number one site for death notices and memoriams.

Every notice remains online forever providing friends and families with a lifelong tribute to their loved one, a safe place online to share memories, add tributes, photographs and make donations in memory.

Each week we pay tribute to the loved ones remembered in our area with a funeral notice and online tribute page. To read the latest announcements and add tributes to those from our area who have passed away, or to create a funeral notice yourself, click here. Alternatively, you can create a notice by calling 01482 908084.

Here are a selection of notices published earlier this week.

Death Notices

Janet (Née Dawson) BOUNDY (Jan)

(Jan) (Née Dawson) of Cambridge, passed away at her home on Saturday 7th March 2026. Loving wife of Ian, much loved mum of Rachel and Lorraine and adored nana, who will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Funeral service at Histon Baptist Church on Monday 20th April at 1.00 pm followed by private burial at Fulbourn Cemetery. Family flowers only please, but if desired, donations, made payable to Addenbrookes Charitable Trust (for the Breast Unit) may be left at the service or sent c/o R. J. Pepper & Son Family Funeral Directors 1, Telegraph Street, Cottenham, Cambridge, CB24 8QU Tel: 01954 251919

Malcolm William CATON

Passed away peacefully on Saturday 14th March 2026, aged 76 years. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. A funeral service will take place at Cam Valley Crematorium, on Monday 20th April, at 10.30am. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be made in memory of Malcolm to Macmillan Cancer Support via his ‘In-Memory’ page www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk or sent c/o Peasgood & Skeates, Shire Hill, Saffron Walden, CB11 3AQ.

Sara CLARK

Of Cambridge. Passed away on Thursday 19th March 2026 at Arthur Rank Hospice, aged 52 years. Dearly loved Mother to Jake, Tom, Alfie and Mollie (and Oscar the dog). Treasured Sister to Matthew and Ben. Sara shall be deeply missed by all. Funeral service to be held on Friday 10th April 2026 at Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel at 10:15am. Donations, if desired, to the benefit of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity may be made online via Sara’s personal InMemory page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk All other enquiries to 617 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8PA Tel: 01223 415255

Judy DEMPSEY

Sadly passed away peacefully on 20th March 2026, aged 75 years. She will be greatly missed. Funeral service to take place at Cambridge City Crematorium on Friday 17th April at 1:30pm. No flowers please. Donations in memory of Judy will be gratefully received for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and can be made by visiting her In Memory Page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk or sent c/o Peasgood and Skeates, 45 Moorfield Road, Duxford CB22 4PP.

Linda Ann (Lynne) HARVEY

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Died peacefully at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, Lynne (formerly of Borrowdale, Cambridge) aged 78 years. The dearly loved mum of Nick, Nadine, Nathan and Laurence and granny of Daphne and Zachary. Funeral details to follow. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Woodland Wishes funeral services, 4 High Street, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5DH 01223 880002

Kenneth Graham (Ken) LUXON

Ken, beloved husband, father, son and brother died suddenly and unexpectedly on 2nd March 2026. The Thanksgiving memorial service will take place on Tuesday 31st March at 2.30pm, Victoria Methodist Church BS8 1NU, following a family cremation at noon at Canford. Formerly of Mill Hill and Muswell Hill London, Ken followed his wife, Pearl’s church ministry which took them to Cambridge, St Ives, Kenton, Sunbury and Lambeth, finally Downend, Bristol and retirement in Shirehampton. Ken died at 66, a few months after stopping work in late 2025. He was an admired and diligent colleague in many fields, especially social work, advice work, volunteer coordinating and working wiith both adults with learning difficulties and the elderly. He was bookish and his last job was with Bristol Home Library Service. Ken was an especially gifted storyteller and Methodist preacher. He was also an enthusiast for history and tour guiding. Noteably Ken had been Mr Brunel for a season and acted as a guide on the Bath buses a few seasons running. Tributes and donations here please: https://kennethgrahamluxon.muchloved.com/ or to ‘All we Can’ and ‘Hope and Play’

Sean MUNNELLY

Sadly passed away on 10th February 2026, aged 61 years. Much loved son, brother, uncle and cousin. He will be greatly missed. Funeral service to take place at St. Felix Catholic Church, Felixstowe on Friday 17th April at 11am. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Sean may be made to Diabetes UK online at seanmunnelly.muchloved.com or sent c/o David Button Independent Funeral Directors, The Old Bank, 225 High Street, Walton, Felixstowe IP11 9DT.

John SEVE

Died on 19th March 2026 aged 92 years. Funeral Service to take place at St Peter’s Church, Duxford on Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 2.00pm. All enquiries to Peasgood & Skeates, Tel: 01223 833463.

Rosemary Edith Alice WELLS (Mitchell)

(Mitchell) Wife of the late Professor Alan A Wells, died peacefully on 18th March 2026 at The Grange, Littleport. Late of Grove House, Mepal. Deeply missed by her children, Nick, Nigel, Sophie, Robin and Adrian, and their partners, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The funeral will be held in St Mary’s Church Mepal, CB6 2AJ on 22nd April 2026 at 3pm, followed by private cremation for family only. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired, for Great Ormond Street Hospital, may be given at the service or online donations can be made via RJ Pepper, Funeral Directors, 14 Prickwillow Road, Ely, CB7 4QT. Any enquiries to RJ Pepper, tel: 01353 665300.

Wilfred WILLIAMSON

Sadly passed away at Littleport Grange on Tuesday March 24th 2026 aged 96 years. Husband to the late Daphne and Father to Katharine, Sheila and Leslie, father in law to Paul and Ben and a dear grandfather and great grandfather Funeral service at Fenland Crematorium, March on Thursday April 16th at 2-30pm. Family flowers only, donations if desired will be gratefully received for the British Heart Foundation at the service or c/o A.G. Carter Funeral Director, 6 Froize End, Haddenham, Cambs, CB6 3UQ.

To add your own tributes to the loved ones from our area, or to publish a notice for your loved one, visit funeral-notices.co.uk

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those we have lost.

‘I spend my days walking the streets I love, telling the story of the city that shaped me. What started as an idea during a run has now become my career’

Meet Corey McConkey, a 25-year-old entrepreneur who swapped a warehouse job to follow his dream: running one of Belfast’s top-rated walking tours.

Just a few months ago, Corey was working as an Amazon packer, feeling stuck and unfulfilled. Then he decided to take a leap and build something of his own.

Spotting an opportunity in the city’s growing tourism sector, Corey launched a walking tour – Belfast Dander Tours – from scratch, listing it on GetYourGuide, promoting it with QR-code flyers, and building momentum through grassroots outreach.

Today he runs one of the city’s highest rated tours and has turned his passion for local history into a profitable full-time business. And he hasn’t looked back especially since he can now earn more in a single tour than he once made in a week.

Corey credits his brother with giving him the nudge towards his career change, telling Belfast Live: “One day my brother was doing a run at City Hall. He ran past and saw a huge group of people. He got a listen in, found out it was a tour group and he came home and he said, ‘Corey, I think you’d be great at that You love history, you’re very good at communicating and also you’re a Belfast local too’ which I think adds the experience to people want to do tours with local people.

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“I laughed at first and thought it sounded ridiculous but the idea stuck. I love talking, I love communicating. I got the idea to just try and do it. At the time I was working in an Amazon warehouse and feeling miserable. I’m naturally sociable – I like people, conversations and the back-and-forth. But in the warehouse, there was none of that; it was just noise, repetition and long shifts.

“I began researching walking tours in Belfast and many of them focused heavily on The Troubles. Don’t get me wrong – that history is important. It shaped this place. But it’s not the whole story.

“I’m a local man and felt I’d be able to give a good experience. So one day I just pulled the van over and texted my boss, saying this will be the last shift I ever do at Amazon.”

Corey says his tour is all about craic and culture: “We’re not just going to talk about dates, facts and figures, we’re going to walk around the city centre, you’re going to learn about the culture but also you’re going to have the craic.

“Belfast is a very young city in terms of tourism. For a long time there wouldn’t have been tourists in Belfast, the hop-on, hop-off buses would have had maybe one or two people at most. There was no such thing as a tour guide, there was no such thing as tourism.

“I’ve tried to make my tour unique in that I’ve tried to combine all of Belfast’s history in the walking tour from its industrial beginnings from the linen to shipbuilding to World War II to The Troubles.

“Instead of joining an established operator, I listed my experience directly on GetYourGuide and launched my own walking tour. I printed simple flyers with QR codes linking to my page and walked into hotels around the city, asking if they’d leave them at reception.

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“I’ll never forget the first big group that I got I remember when 19 people in a French school group booked in so in just a few hours, I’d earned more than I would in a full week at Amazon. That was the moment it all felt real: this wasn’t just a side hustle – it could actually work. I initially thought it would just be a stepping stone to the next job, but then I realised, ‘Wow, people really enjoy this’.”

And Corey says he’s only just getting started: “I want to develop new themed tours, expand what I offer and build ‘Dander’ into a recognisable Belfast brand. Tourism here is still growing, and I see huge potential in that. Belfast keeps changing – and I want my business to grow alongside it.

“It’s great when you wake up and you see a load of bookings from all different people, you know it’s gonna be a good day, you have a nice walk around the city centre. I remember that saying ‘if you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life’. I just thought that was a phrase and I really do feel it now to be honest – it’s awesome.

“Now, I spend my days walking the streets I love, telling the story of the city that shaped me. I turned a throwaway comment from my brother into a sustainable business. What started as an idea during a run has now become my career.”

You can find out more about Belfast Dander Tours here.

Video: Justin Kernoghan

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Enzo Connolly was transferred to Edinburgh – 60 miles from home – after doctors in Dundee discovered a blockage in his bowel.

A ‘frightened’ mum has warned how she was not being taken seriously by doctors before her seriously ill toddler was taken to a hospital 60 miles away for emergency surgery. Danni Connolly, 35, has opened up on her experience after son Enzo, two, required an operation to treat a blocked bowel at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh earlier this month.

Enzo has been in and out of hospital since he was born at 37 weeks when he showed signs of necrotising enterocolitis – a disease where part of the intestines becomes inflamed, damaged or dies. He was also diagnosed with sacral agenesis – a rare congenital disorder which affects the lower spine. In Enzo’s case, he is missing the last five bones in his back.

At just two days old, Enzo had his first operation to remove 10cm of his bowel. Two days later, he had his second to create a stoma. The tot also has a blood disorder and mobility issues.

However, when he became ill last month, Danni felt she had to fight to be heard when he wasn’t getting any better.

Speaking to our sister title Edinburgh Live, Danni said: “I had known for about four weeks that something wasn’t right with him. He was pulling at his [stoma] bags when normally he’s perfect with them, screaming in pain and vomiting.

“They wouldn’t do tests, they just palmed me off with stomach bugs or viral infections, until it came to a head the night before his birthday.”

Enzo was admitted to the family’s local hospital in Dundee on Wednesday, March 25 where blood tests showed that his white cell count was extremely high. The blockage in his bowel was then discovered and Enzo was transferred to Edinburgh for surgery.

Danni said: “He was very, very unwell. The surgeon said to me he was glad Enzo came in when he did, because we could have been having an entirely different conversation.

“It was frightening because nobody would listen to me, and I know my son inside out.”

His condition has greatly improved since his surgery but it has still been a difficult time.

Danni said: “It’s hard and draining, even though I’ve been through it all before.

“Seeing him after surgery on Friday with the breathing tube in just gave me flashbacks to when he was in neonatal on a ventilator after he was born. He looked like a doll.”

The Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) has provided support to Danni throughout Enzo’s stay at the hospital.

Around 3,800 youngsters are admitted to its surgical wards every year – over 10 a day – and the charity aims to make every visit as positive as can be.

This ranges from fun activities and support via youth work, to complementary therapy and time away from clinical settings to spend time as a family.

For Danni, it was a small thing that made the biggest impact. She added: “You just need someone to sit and listen when it’s so mentally draining, and that’s what the charity has helped with.

“What these guys do is just second to none. Although this is very, very stressful, it’s taken some of the stress away knowing someone is there at the end of a phone. The help we’ve been shown is unbelievable.”

The charity is entirely independent from the NHS, and receives no government grants – meaning it is exclusively funded by donations.

Pippa Johnston, Deputy CEO of ECHC, said: “Every single day, 500 seriously ill children face a potentially life-changing hospital visit. And every day, with the help of our supporters, we can make those visits as positive as possible.

“Children tell us that coming to hospital can be frightening. Parents tell us they’re sick with worry; they feel no one else is going through the same. Facing illness, and its impact, can be lonely and isolating.

“Right now, we can only reach 1 in 10 children that come through the doors of the hospital. We want to change this – to reach every family who needs us. But we rely solely on donations to be able to do this.”

More information about the charity can be found here.

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The warmer days could come later in the week

People planning a day out in Cambridgeshire this Bank Holiday Monday might be able to enjoy the sun – but the warmer days could be later this week. Many people might be planning to get out and about, checking out the things to do in Cambridgeshire, and potentially meet up with friends or family.

The Met Office is forecasting a sunny Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with temperatures predicted to rise gradually from 15 to 18 and 22C over the few days. It could then be sunny intervals with temperatures and 16C and 15C on Thursday and Friday.

BBC Weather are forecasting similar conditions over the run of days. They forecast sunny intervals and a gentle breeze with temperatures around 14C on Monday, followed by a sunny Tuesday with possibly 17C warmth. Wednesday could be even warmer at 20C but with sunny intervals. Thursday and Friday are both forecast to be cooler (16C), but Thursday could see some light rain come to the region.

The Met Office’s East of England forecast for Monday, when temperatures could be for the region at 13C, states: “Starting chilly with a slight frost in places. A dry day to follow with variable cloud but also bright spells at times. Generally light winds, with near average afternoon temperatures.”

Turning towards Tuesday until Thursday, it adds: “Chilly start Tuesday, then fine with warm sunshine and breezier, but cooler where any onshore winds. Very warm sunshine Wednesday, cloudier later. Thursday, cooler and breezy with sunshine and showers.”

It comes after Storm Dave caused road closures and train disruptions on Easter Sunday morning. An amber wind warning covering parts of northern England, north-west Wales and southern Scotland was lifted at 3am. Three yellow warnings across parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales were lifted later in the morning.

The forecast is based on temperatures and conditions predicted for Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Details were correct at the time of writing.

A ‘fun, bright, and athletic’ boy has been named as the teenager killed in a horror crash that left two others seriously injured.

Noah Campbell, 13, died in the crash between a car, a bike and a scooter on Greenfield Road, Flitwick, at 11.50pm on Friday.

Two other teenage boys were taken to hospital to be treated for serious injuries.

In a statement issued by Bedfordshire Police on Sunday, Noah’s family said: ‘Noah was a fun, bright, handsome, athletic and incredibly well-liked boy.

‘Above all else, he cherished spending time with his friends and family; they were the heart of his world.

‘Noah was a talented and versatile sportsman. While football was his favourite sport — playing for many local teams — he was a gifted all-rounder who excelled in rugby, cricket and athletics. Outside of organised sports, Noah stayed active and adventurous; he loved challenging himself at the gym and spending time at the bike park.

‘Some of his happiest memories were made enjoying attending Liverpool FC and Luton Town FC matches alongside his dad.

‘We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this incredibly difficult time.

‘We are utterly devastated; Noah’s death has left a hole in our lives that will remain forever.’

It comes as Jamie Fountain, 24, and Ellie Ireland, 23, were charged in connection with the crash.

Fountain, of Fir Tree Close, Flitwick, was charged with causing death by careless driving, and an additional charge of causing death by careless driving while over the legal limit for alcohol and drugs, police said on Sunday.

He was also charged with two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving in relation to two other boys who were injured in the incident.

Fountain has been further charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Ireland, of Wingate Drive, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, has been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

They have both been remanded in custody to appear before Luton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, officers said.

Of the two other boys who were injured, one remains in hospital in a serious condition.

The other was treated for serious injuries and has been discharged, police said.

Detective Sergeant Shona Searle, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire serious collision investigation unit, said: ‘This incident has sent shockwaves through the small community of Flitwick and the surrounding area, and we maintain a community policing presence around the scene for reassurance.

‘While we understand the strong feeling associated with the loss of a young life, and the serious injury of others, we would ask that people do not speculate on the circumstances of the situation.

‘The families of the victims, who we are supporting through family liaison officers, have requested that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.’

MORE: Boy, 17, arrested for ‘murder’ after pedestrian killed in Barnsley crash

MORE: Woman, 23, killed in crash involving three cars and a lorry on M25

MORE: First picture of girl, 3, killed after horse-drawn carriage crashes into truck

EastEnders’ Lucy Speed, The Bill’s Peter De Jersey and His Dark Materials star Amir Wilson join the cast

The ITV detective drama adapted from Peter James’s bestselling novels has made its return.

Grace’s sixth series, which is both set and shot in Brighton, resumed earlier this month with John Simm returning as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, alongside Richie Campbell as DI Glenn Branson and Zoë Tapper as Cleo Morey.

Audiences will know John from his performances in Life on Mars, Mad Dogs, The Village, Intruders, The Catch and Doctor Who, in which he portrayed The Master. Richie, meanwhile, has appeared in Top Boy, Liar and Wisting, while Zoë has featured in Survivors, Mr Selfridge and I, Jack Wright.

Following the usual format, guest performers will join the principal cast throughout each episode. While the opening instalment featured Grantchester’s Rishi Nair, the second episode will welcome actors from The Bill, EastEnders and His Dark Materials. Here’s the cast list for series 6, episode 2, entitled Capture You Dead, according to The Mirror.

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Peter De Jersey plays Stephen Welling

Peter is most widely recognised for his portrayal of Jerome Taylor in The Bill and Steve Waring in Holby City. He’s also known for his roles as Brian Young in Broadchurch, Goran in Atlantis and Kristian in Warrior Nun.

His recent work includes DCI Devereaux in Sanctuary and Andrew Bains in Steal.

Robert Lonsdale plays Carl Orton

Audiences will remember Robert from Chewing Gum, in which he played Connor, and from The Interceptor, where he took on the part of Tommy. He has also featured in Finding Alice, Chivalry, and most recently The Marlow Murder Club.

Amir Wilson portrays Noah Welling

Amir is renowned for his roles as Will Parry in the HBO and BBC One series His Dark Materials and Tiuri in the Netflix series The Letter for the King. He appeared in the 2020 film adaptation of The Secret Garden and as Philetius in the 2024 film, The Return.

Lucy Speed takes on the role of Gina Poole

Lucy is best known for her portrayal of Natalie in EastEnders between 1994 and 2004 and Stevie Moss in The Bill. She has also had parts in Jamie Johnson, Unforgotten, The Rumour and The Hack and stars in the popular podcast series The Archers as Stella Pryor.

Michelle Greenidge plays Dr Noreen Allen

Michelle is recognised for her role as Valerie in the Netflix comedy drama After Life, Lola in the BBC Two comedy Mandy, and PC Williams in the television series Code 404.

She also starred as Maggie Jenkins in Queenie, The Tacita in Kaos and Carla Sunday in Doctor Who.

Andor stars Rachelle Diedericks and Dylan Corbett-Bader portray Rachel Sanderson and Davey Carlton.

Also featuring in Capture You Dead are This Town’s Shyvonne Ahmmad, Bridgerton’s Kaja Chan, Showtrials’s Dana Haqjoo, Masters of the Air’s Charlie Beck, Red Eye’s Michael Epp, and Industry and Holby City’s Verity Marshall. As well as Alexander Holley, Ferdy Roberts, Cornelius Booth, Jamie Martin and Esme Hough.

Grace continues on ITV on Sunday night at 8pm.

The Countryfile and The One Show presenter is also known for his work as a commentator on the BBC’s gymnastics coverage

BBC presenter Matt Baker has opened up on the “heartbreaking” decision he had to make as he was forced to abandon his childhood dream following a health diagnosis.

The 48-year-old is best known to TV audiences for his work on Countryfile and The One Show, as well as children’s show Blue Peter and a stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. But as a child, he harboured ambitions of representing his country on the global stage as a professional sportsman.

In his youth, Baker was a keen and successful gymnast, competing in junior events and winning a North of England title as he dreamt of making it to the Olympics.

While he would later work as a commentator on the BBC’s coverage of the Games, however, that’s as close as he would get as a medical diagnosis at the age of 13 brought his own sporting ambitions to an end.

Unsurprisingly, Baker was left devastated as he was forced to abandon gymnastics, as he recalled in an interview with Wiltshire Farm Foods: “Ever since I was a little lad, it was my dream to be part of the Olympics.

“But I ended up having to stop my gymnastics in my mid-teens because I got anaemia. It meant I just couldn’t train to the level that was needed, so I made the heartbreaking decision to stop.”

Iron deficiency anaemia is characterised by symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath, palpitations, pale skin, and headaches, with the cause, as the name suggests, being a lack of iron.

In women, it can be brought on by heavy periods and pregnancy. It can also be caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, piles, stomach ulcers, inflammation in the bowel or oesophagus and certain cancers.

Less common symptoms include tinnitus, food tasting strange, itchiness, a sore tongue, hair loss, difficulty swallowing, a desire to eat non-food items, ulcers in the corners of your mouth, restless legs and changes to your nails.

Baker had previously told The Telegraph that he had been “really upset” when he was forced to change his dream career path during his teenage years, in light of the diagnosis.

“When I was told aged 13 that I was anaemic and had to slow down my gymnastics training, which meant that I wouldn’t be able to continue at the level I was at, I was really upset,” he said.

“I’d lost my identity in a way. But then I just committed to something else: I went off and became a North of England pole-vaulting champion and did sports acrobatics.”

While speaking to Wiltshire Farm Foods, Baker also recalled becoming emotional when he was offered the chance to take part in the torch relay in his native County Durham ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

“When I got to carry the torch through my home city it was a real lump in your throat kind of experience,” he said.

“I’ve still got the torch that I had in the relay, it’s a real prized possession of mine.”

BBC Morning Live star Gethin Jones has stepped away from his presenting duties

Gethin Jones has temporarily left his role on BBC Morning Live to take on a new responsibility leading the Wales team at the Commonwealth Games.

The former rugby union player has been given leave from the BBC to serve as chef de mission for his nation. The BBC Morning Live presenter will support Team Wales at this year’s Commonwealth Games, assisting athletes, representing Wales at official functions, and acting as the team’s official spokesperson.

The Welsh star has recently been in Scotland with fellow chefs de mission attending workshops, presentations and seminars ahead of the major sporting event. Gethin explained that the BBC have been “incredibly supportive” of his new role, adding: “The detail is just phenomenal.

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“Everything is geared towards the athletes being in the best environment to succeed when they come here in the summer and every day, every hour there’s something to consider.”

Wales Online has now explored Jones’ career in the public eye, including a painful split and speculation surrounding his BBC colleague Helen Skelton.

Painful split

Jones revealed his separation from Katherine Jenkins left him struggling with depression. The couple ended their relationship in 2011 after five years together, which had included an engagement. Speaking to the Mirror in 2023, the BBC presenter revealed: “I was engaged and then breaking up, afterward, or even during that period, it was just awful. I remember doing BBC Radio 5Live and going into the toilet at 5.30 am going, ‘All right. Come on. Just focus for the next three hours, and then you can go back to being sad again.’”

He added: “I definitely had a bad bout of depression during that time.’ I was waiting for a friend to tell me what to do and they can’t do that.

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“It puts so much pressure on them… you need to figure it out yourself. I saw someone, I had therapy for a couple of years and I still do my homework on that.”

Birthday getaway with Sky Sports presenter

Jones marked his 48th birthday with mate and Sky Sports presenter Pien Meulensteen. The duo travelled to Morzine for a skiing holiday earlier this year, with the BBC star posting numerous photographs on social media.

The images captured the friends unwinding in a hot tub alongside some of Meulensteen’s companions. The Sky Sports presenter, who is the daughter of former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen, featured in Jones’ Instagram upload as the group wore matching headwear.

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Jones expressed his delight about the getaway in his caption, writing: “A quality few days in Morzine with a top class group ‘the padel princesses’. First time I went to the mountains I raced half pipe and tried a ski jump, this was around 20 years ago!

“I’ve been skiing a few times since then but decided to get my first lesson this time, and guess what, it really helped. Waiting for the queen of socials @pienmeulensteen to send some reels. Until then, here’s my offering!”

Helen Skelton rumours

Helen Skelton addressed the speculation surrounding her ‘relationship’ with Jones in an uncommon statement back in February. After her separation from rugby player Richie Myler in 2022, rumours emerged last year suggesting a potential romance between the BBC colleagues.

The duo had allegedly spent time together at an upmarket spa and appeared affectionate at the Pride of Britain Awards, where they were photographed embracing and leaning against each other on the red carpet. Nevertheless, Skelton dismissed any notion of a romantic involvement when questioned about further dates.

She stated: “No. Well, he’s in Manchester working away, so yeah, no, all good.”

When pressed on the matter, Skelton was swift to dispel the romance speculation. She continued: “We just work together, we are not together. No, no, no. We are just work friends. They printed pictures of us at work and that we’re together because we are at work together.”

Jones shares the same view, as he emphasised their close friendship during Comic Relief in 2025. When questioned whether their 24-hour roller-skating challenge might affect their relationship, the BBC star commented: “What’s different this time is that we have each other. We’re best friends.

“We’re very honest with one another.”