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Strictly’s Dani Dyer joins glam Delta Goodrem and Jaime Winstone as this year’s celebs meet for the first time – after fans panned ‘worst ever’ lineup

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The Strictly Come Dancing class of 2026 came together for the first time on Thursday as they headed to their first dance rehearsals (pictured: Dani Dyer)

The Strictly Come Dancing class of 2026 came together for the first time on Thursday as they headed to their first dance rehearsals. 

Despite fans branding the lineup the ‘worst ever’ in the show’s 22-year run, the contestants still looked in great spirits as they arrived at the studio in London. 

Ready to give Strictly another go after an injury forced her out of last year’s lineup was Dani Dyer, who flashed a smile as she walked in.

Dani – who was paired with Nikita Kuzmin last year but fractured her ankle before the first show – looked effortlessly stylish in a black top and leopard print skirt. 

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Also looking chic was Delta Goodrem, who paired a white top with a brown leather skirt and towering heels. 

Meanwhile, Jaime Winstone embraced the UK heatwave in a pair of denim hotpants and brown cowboy boots. 

The Strictly Come Dancing class of 2026 came together for the first time on Thursday as they headed to their first dance rehearsals (pictured: Dani Dyer) 

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Despite fans branding the lineup the 'worst ever' in the show's 22-year run, the contestants still looked in great spirits as they arrived at the studio in London (pictured: Delta Goodrem)
Jaime Winstone pictured

Despite fans branding the lineup the ‘worst ever’ in the show’s 22-year run, the contestants still looked in great spirits as they arrived at the studio in London (pictured: Delta Goodrem, left, and Jaime Winstone) 

Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, who was announced as the final star to join the line up this week, couldn’t stop beaming as she met up with her fellow contestants.

Also in this year’s lineup is EastEnders’ Lacey Turner, celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, Love Island star Cach Mercer, Big Brother host Will Best and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey. 

They are joined by House Of The Dragon’s Bethany Antonia, footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, presenter Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hall, Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb, YouTuber John Nellis and Olympian Tabby Stoecker.

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Strictly is one of the BBC‘s most popular shows, with millions tuning in every weekend and the professional dancers quickly becoming household names. 

This year, however, there’s been one big problem – that the dancers are better known than the ‘stars’ they’re set to partner up with. 

YouTuber John, for example, doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page. 

But that doesn’t seem to matter to producers, who are said to have specifically selected stars who have large social media followings.

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Stars such as Kim Kardashian’s hair stylist Chris might not be a household name, but he does boast a huge social media following with 4 million fans on Instagram. 

John has an even bigger fanbase, with 15.7 million YouTube subscribers.

Ready to give Strictly another go after an injury forced her out of last year's lineup was Dani, who flashed a smile as she walked in

Ready to give Strictly another go after an injury forced her out of last year’s lineup was Dani, who flashed a smile as she walked in

Dani - who was paired with Nikita Kuzmin last year but fractured her ankle before the first show - looked effortlessly stylish in a black top and leopard print skirt

Dani – who was paired with Nikita Kuzmin last year but fractured her ankle before the first show – looked effortlessly stylish in a black top and leopard print skirt

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Dani also shared a selfie on her way to the studios

Dani also shared a selfie on her way to the studios 

Also looking chic was Delta, who paired a white top with a brown leather skirt and towering heels
She accessorised with a small snake print handbag

Also looking chic was Delta, who paired a white top with a brown leather skirt and towering heels. She accessorised with a small snake print handbag

Jaime Winstone embraced the UK heatwave in a pair of denim hotpants and cowboy boots

Jaime Winstone embraced the UK heatwave in a pair of denim hotpants and cowboy boots

Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, who was announced as the final star to join the line up this week, couldn't stop beaming as she met up with her fellow contestants

Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, who was announced as the final star to join the line up this week, couldn’t stop beaming as she met up with her fellow contestants

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EastEnders star Lacey Turner looked summery in a pastel striped midi dress

EastEnders star Lacey Turner looked summery in a pastel striped midi dress 

Love Island's Cache Mercer sported a grey vest and baggy jeans

Love Island’s Cache Mercer sported a grey vest and baggy jeans 

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton opted for double denim in a shirt and jeans

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton opted for double denim in a shirt and jeans 

Chris was spotted giving fellow Strictly star Lawrence Robb a hug

Chris was spotted giving fellow Strictly star Lawrence Robb a hug 

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Lawrence was casually clad in a navy vest paired with white trousers and sandals

Lawrence was casually clad in a navy vest paired with white trousers and sandals 

Former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips opted for a black T-shirt and white trousers

Former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips opted for a black T-shirt and white trousers

Graeme 'The Dogfather' Hill kept things casual in a paisley shirt and shorts

Graeme ‘The Dogfather’ Hill kept things casual in a paisley shirt and shorts 

Olympian Tabby Stoecker paired a white vest with linen trousers and flip flops

Olympian Tabby Stoecker paired a white vest with linen trousers and flip flops 

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Tabby also shared a throwback from when she met last year's Strictly contestant Montell Douglas who taught her how to waltz

Tabby also shared a throwback from when she met last year’s Strictly contestant Montell Douglas who taught her how to waltz

However, loyal fans have been left scratching their heads over the lineup, with many of the comments on the Strictly social posts asking who the celebrity is, rather than expressing any excitement. 

Indeed, while bosses may be keen to attract Gen Z – the majority of Strictly viewers are in fact Gen X and Baby Boomers.  

Audience demographic data indicates that around 60 per cent of the audience is aged 55 or older, putting the average viewer age firmly in the mid-50s and above. 

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Yet this year, it’s time for an overhaul, with suggestions Strictly is following a similar, hugely successful social media strategy employed by its US counterpart Dancing With The Stars. 

Dancing With The Stars has used their celebrity contestants’ followings to their advantage, introducing a TikTok Night last year – an episode which saw the contestants perform viral dance routines, sparking an uptick in interaction from younger viewers.

The Dancing With The Stars TikTok account now has more than 5 million followers, in comparison to Strictly’s 670,000.

‘Although your traditional Strictly audience might not know who some of the signings are, that’s not as important as bringing in new viewers who are more than familiar with them,’ a source told The Sun.

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‘Their followers are vast in numbers, enthusiastic and, by sharing content on Strictly, raise the profile of the show massively.

‘And, in time, the viewers who don’t know these people get to know them. If anything they end up going on much more of a “Strictly Journey” than the stars you’d describe as “household names.”‘

The following day the celebrities were back to meet the professional dancers for the first time and for their first rehearsal

The following day the celebrities were back to meet the professional dancers for the first time and for their first rehearsal 

Delta looked great in a plunging black top paired with flared leggings and blue trainers

Delta looked great in a plunging black top paired with flared leggings and blue trainers 

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Dani opted for a skintight co-ord and trainers for the rehearsals

Dani opted for a skintight co-ord and trainers for the rehearsals 

Chris donned a plaid shirt and jeans
Cache opted for a vest and shorts

Chris donned a plaid shirt and jeans while Cache opted for a vest and shorts

Jaime rocked a pair of oversized shades as she headed into the studio

Jaime rocked a pair of oversized shades as she headed into the studio 

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This year has seen a number of changes to the show – which was previously known for its formulaic regime in its 22 years on air. 

Perhaps most pertinent is the change in presenters, after longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit the show. 

There are now a trio of new hosts – all of whom have a strong online presence. 

Comedian Josh Widdicombe has more than half a million Instagram followers on his personal account whilst the Insta page for his hugely popular podcast Parenting Hell has 250,000.

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Emma Willis has two million Instagram followers and fan-favourite dancer Johannes Radebe, who will act as a co-presenter this year, has 458,000 followers. 

The celeb lineup was also announced on social media this year rather than on radio and TV. 

And before the celeb reveals, there was a big reshuffle with the professional dancers.  

In recent months popular dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Marquez have all been given the boot.

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It’s understood pros with bigger online followings have been chosen over dancers who are not so TikTok friendly as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience.

One example appears to be axed Nadiya, who has 214,000 Insta followers, while Dianne Buswell, with 1.2 million Instagram followers and 973,000 on TikTok, has kept her place in the line-up.

Meanwhile five new young pros have been recruited with ballroom champ Maddie Ingoldsby boasting 364,000 TikTok followers. 

Former Strictly judge and renowned choreographer Arlene Phillips recently criticised the pro hirings, telling Good Morning Britain last month: ‘The new pros, as long as they can dance. I mean, most of them are sort of influencers and they talk an awful lot. As long as those pros can dance.’

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The trio of new hosts also have a strong online presence. Comedian Josh Widdicombe has over half a million Instagram followers (pictured with Johannes Radebe and Emma Willis)

The trio of new hosts also have a strong online presence. Comedian Josh Widdicombe has over half a million Instagram followers (pictured with Johannes Radebe and Emma Willis)

Five new young pros have been recruited. From left, Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi and Mark Karmalita

Five new young pros have been recruited. From left, Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi and Mark Karmalita

Yet while there is clearly a pull for stars with a large online presence, an insider claimed that part of the problem with booking celebrity shows now is that the landscape has changed.

The source continued: ‘Crucially the pipeline that used to feed these big shows has changed.

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‘Boyband and girlband stars aren’t as prevalent any more and, once upon a time, getting someone from a soap or a big drama was a massive deal, but now even that has diminished somewhat.

‘Now, though, social media is continuing to boom and big stars from the world of TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are known to a vast section of society.’

Strictly is set to return for its 24th season next month, when loyal viewers will finally be able to give their say on all the changes. 

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Man arrested for stalking offences after vehicle stopped in Belfast

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Belfast Live

“We will always take your concerns seriously”

A man has been arrested for stalking offiences after a vehicle was stopped in Belfast city centre.

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Officers arrested a man in his 30s on Wellington Place on Friday, August 14, at around 8am following reports of stalking that had been made on Tuesday, August 11.

Officers stopped a white vehicle in the city centre during the arrest and the man remains in police custody at this time. Police have said they will always take concerns regarding offences of this nature seriously.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police arrested a man aged in his 30s in the Wellington Place area of Belfast this morning, Friday 14th August. The arrest followed a report of stalking made to police on Tuesday 11th August. He remains in custody at this time while enquiries continue.

“Stalking is a pattern of unwanted, repeated behaviour which can leave you feeling scared or distressed. You do not have to be threatened with violence to be a victim of stalking, and any kind of persistent, unwanted contact which causes distress is stalking.

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“Sometimes stalking behaviours can appear small in isolation, but when they are combined into a pattern which follows the FOUR mnemonic – Fixated, Obsessed, Unwanted, Repeated – then you should record it, keep a log of evidence and report it before it escalates further.

“Thousands of our officers and staff have now been trained to recognise and respond to these crimes and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to bring offenders to justice.

“We will always take your concerns seriously. You can find more information on this at https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/psni-romantic-comedy-trailer-highlight-stalking-behaviours.

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

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ITV bosses forced to delay I’m A Celeb return as first campmates leaked

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Wales Online

It comes as several famous faces have reportedly signed up for the new series in Australia

ITV bosses are set to push back the launch date for the new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! due to a scheduling clash.

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The hit series, which is now in its 24th year, will return to our screens this autumn, and typically gets underway on a Sunday in mid-November. However, there is set to be a change to the show’s scheduling this year, after ITV secured the rights to broadcast live coverage of the UEFA Nations League.

The tournament kicks off next month, with the broadcaster set to show the hotly-anticipated clash between England and World Cup winners Spain on Sunday, November 15 – which had been earmarked as a likely start date for I’m A Celebrity.

With that game set to get underway in Madrid at 7.45pm BST – just over an hour before the jungle series would usually air – bosses have been forced back to the drawing board to find a new launch date.

According to The Sun, the show is now set to kick off on Monday, November 16 instead.

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It comes as the first campmates for this year’s series have emerged, with a series of famous faces reportedly signing up to head Down Under this autumn.

They include former Paralympic wheelchair basketball player and presenter Ade Adepitan, who is set to make history as the show’s first contestant to use a wheelchair.

Producers are reportedly set to adapt the famous camp to make it accessible for the 53-year-old, who contracted polio as an infant.

Legendary ice skater Sir Christopher Dean is also being lined up to head to the jungle, with show bosses reportedly confident of finally landing the Dancing on Ice star after he ended his performing career alongside Jayne Torvill last year.

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Meanwhile, Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page is said to be in “advanced talks” with show bosses about becoming a campmate for the upcoming series.

Other names to be linked include professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, who has left Strictly Come Dancing after nine years, and Mis-Teeq singer Su-Elise Nash.

Diversity dancer Perri Kiely, broadcaster Nick Ferrari and actress and singer Denise van Outen have also been tipped to appear, with former England cricket captain Ben Stokes also reportedly an outside bet following his shock retirement from the sport.

The new series will follow an eventful All Stars run, which ended in chaotic scenes during a dramatic live final in April.

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Based in South Africa, the series was overshadowed by an explosive argument between former Premier League footballer Jimmy Bullard and actor Adam Thomas, with ex-heavyweight boxer David Haye also accused of bullying the Waterloo Road star

It all culminated in a remarkable final, which saw Bullard accuse Thomas of being “abusive, aggressive and intimidating” as two other campmates – Gemma Collins and Sinitta – stormed off the stage in fury, with hosts Ant and Dec struggling to control the situation.

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Reform UK accuses Vodafone of ‘facilitating migrant invasion’ over handing of free SIM cards to asylum seekers

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Reform UK's Zia Yusuf has threatened action against Vodafone after they defended the distribution of free mobile phone SIM cards to migrants

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Reform UK has threatened action against Vodafone after they defended the distribution of free mobile phone SIM cards to migrants.

Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesman, pledged a Reform government would ‘immediately review’ the mobile network operator’s public contracts.

He also said, if Reform wins the next general election, then it would exclude Vodafone from ‘all defence, national security and emergency services procurement’.

Mr Yusuf questioned whether the firm would be ‘as bold’ after a Reform administration additionally toughened laws on aiding and abetting illegal immigration. 

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He lashed out after Vodafone rejected his demand to stop donating SIM cards to the Care4Calais charity, which then hands them to asylum seekers.

In a letter to Margherita Della Valle, the chief executive of Vodafone Group, Mr Yusuf this week accused the firm of ‘helping to facilitate the invasion of Britain by unvetted military-age men’.

The latest Care4Calais annual report revealed it had received 2,500 SIM cards loaded with six months of free data through its partnership with Vodafone.

Some 2,221 SIM cards were distributed by the charity at a former Royal Air Force base in Wethersfield, Essex, which is now used to accommodate migrants – including those who have crossed the Channel in small boats.

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Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf has threatened action against Vodafone after they defended the distribution of free mobile phone SIM cards to migrants

The latest Care4Calais annual report revealed it had received 2,500 SIM cards loaded with six months of free data through its partnership with Vodafone

The latest Care4Calais annual report revealed it had received 2,500 SIM cards loaded with six months of free data through its partnership with Vodafone

Some 2,221 SIM cards were distributed by the charity at a former Royal Air Force base in Wethersfield, Essex, which is now used to accommodate migrants

Some 2,221 SIM cards were distributed by the charity at a former Royal Air Force base in Wethersfield, Essex, which is now used to accommodate migrants

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In his letter to Ms Della Valle, Mr Yusuf urged Vodafone to ‘immediately cancel’ the SIM cards, terminate its relationship with Care4Calais, and ‘publicly pledge to stop facilitating illegal entry into the UK’.

He said a Reform government ‘will hold each and every officer and director of Vodafone Group Plc and all relevant subsidiaries personally and criminally liable for distributing SIM cards to illegal migrants’.

‘If found guilty, you would be liable to go to prison,’ Mr Yusuf added. But, in response to Mr Yusuf’s letter, Vodafone appeared to reject his demands.

A VodafoneThree spokesman said: ‘VodafoneThree’s programme provides mobile SIMs to registered UK charities for distribution in the UK.

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‘Participating charities are regulated by the Charity Commission. All calls, texts and data are for UK use only.’

Mr Yusuf later posted on social media: ‘Vodafone have confirmed they will continue to hand out free SIM cards to “charities” helping military aged men to break into Britain.

‘Let’s see if they’re as bold when Reform makes aiding and abetting illegal entry a strict liability criminal offence.’

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Care4Calais said: ‘Zia’s claim is that Care4Calais has been handing out Vodafone SIM cards to refugees in Calais. The problem? That’s not true.

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‘The SIM cards, obtained through Vodafone’s “charities.connected” scheme (which is open to all registered charities in the UK), were all handed out in the UK. Many were provided to people living in ex-military camps like Wethersfield.

‘Unbelievably, Zia Yusuf wrote to Vodafone’s CEO threatening that a Reform government would jail them based on his false claim. A Vodafone spokesperson rebuffed his nonsense.

‘Zia Yusuf has never stood for election but he has been gifted a political platform by Nigel Farage. He chooses to use that platform to spread hate, division and bulls**t.’

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Dad ‘broken’ after schoolgirl dies in river at Scots beauty spot

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Daily Record

Faith Curran, 11, died after falling into water while on a day out with her family in a woodland park in Gorebridge, near Edinburgh.

A dad has been left ‘broken’ by the death of his 11-year-old daughter on a day out at a beauty spot in Midlothian.

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Faith Curran was reported missing in Gore Glen Woodland Park near Gorebridge, at around 12:40pm on Thursday August 6, prompting a massive police led search of the area. She was found in the Gore Water river near Shanks Bridge in the local beauty spot several hours later.

Police say her death is being treated as unexplained, though not suspicious, with enquiries ongoing.

Faith leaves behind her father Joe and younger brother Jude, and had been due to start high school.

The local community has rallied round the family to help raise funds for her funeral.

Family friend Rebecca Campbell revealed that Joe had been left “broken” by his daughter’s sudden death.

She said: “After speaking with Joe, neighbours, friends and family have decided to set up this gofundme page in memory of Faith.

“Sadly Faith passed away suddenly as the result of a tragic accident while out exploring with family & friends.

“Faith was 11 years old about to start her next adventure into high school, she was a happy adventurous little girl and has been taken far to soon.

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“Leaving behind her dad Joe, and little brother Jude. As a community we aim to raise as much funds as possible to help the family at this heartbreaking time. Whether it be for funeral costs, a memorial or even for Joe and Jude to have some time away in the coming months.

“We ask that you give no matter how little it may be, any fundraising you can do in faiths memory would be much appreciated and on behalf of Joe and his family he is terribly grateful. Lets help give Faith the send of she deserves or help a broken dad let some stress of his shoulders.”

In an earlier statement issued through Police Scotland, Faith’s family who live locally described her as a “happy, adventurous and outgoing girl who enjoyed life”.

A GoFundMe page set up in memory of the schoolgirl has raised £2,500 towards a £4,000 target.

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The Gore Water river runs through the park, which has views of the Pentland Hills to the south of Edinburgh.

Colin Beattie, the MSP for Midlothian North, said previously: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a young girl at Gore Glen Woodland Park.

“My thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss. To donate to the fundraiser visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/faith-curran

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Essex Police’s full statement as Nigel Farage Clacton by-election count non-appearance row grows

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Polls close in Clacton by-election as Farage vies to retain seat

“The decision of candidates to attend or not attend the election count is a decision for individuals and their security teams, our role is to make sure our policing operation is sufficiently robust to ensure the safety of all and we are grateful to all of our officers, staff and the staff at Tendring District Council who worked through the night to ensure the safety of all.”

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The age when you MUST get slim to escape an early grave: Experts reveal the impact of losing weight in your 20s, 30s and mid-life…and at what stage it becomes pointless

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In the UK, nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight, and more than a quarter are obese

Overweight and obesity is perhaps the biggest risk factor for some of the UK’s biggest killers – heart disease, dementia and many types of cancer

Then there’s the impact of excess weight on the joints, bones and respiratory system, increasing the risk of debilitating conditions like arthritis and asthma.

Now, with the advent of highly effective slimming injections, Britain is seeing more weight loss transformations than ever before. But does a sudden shifting of several stone reverse the damage of years of obesity?

The impact of extra weight is, after all, significant. 

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‘Obesity generally leads to higher blood glucose levels, and this extra circulating sugar causes body-wide damage,’ says Stuart Gray, a professor of muscle and metabolic health at the University of Glasgow.

‘Much of this damage affects the heart and blood vessels. If it progresses to diabetes, you could face damage to your kidneys as well as nerves in the feet and eyes.

‘Excess body weight also tends to mean you have higher blood fat levels, which can lead to plaques in the blood vessels, narrowing the blood vessels and putting even more strain on your heart.’

So at what point in life is this damage set in stone – regardless of a change in lifestyle – and when is a healthy weight most crucial? Here, experts reveal the ‘sweet spot’ in life when it’s most beneficial to be slim.

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In the UK, nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight, and more than a quarter are obese

Keep a larger frame for less than a decade

The damage done by carrying excess weight begins roughly five years into obesity, according to a 2020 UK study.

However after a decade, the risk of heart disease as well as heart-related death climbs significantly. 

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A US study following 5,036 people found those who spent between five and 14 years with obesity had roughly a 94 per cent higher risk of early death compared to those who’d never been obese.

However, Prof Gray says the danger applies to those who are overweight for long periods of time, too.

‘It’s the cumulative exposure to excess weight that’s the problem,’ he says. ‘If you’ve had 10 or 15 years of being overweight or living with obesity, then the inflammation, vascular dysfunction [blood vessel damage] and high glucose levels will have caused some damage that you can’t get rid of.’

However he adds that being overweight for a long period of time, for instance 10 or 20 years or more, is perhaps more dangerous than a shorter period of time with obesity.

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‘Someone with obesity for five years may not have accumulated the same heart risk as a person in their 40s who has spent most of their life overweight,’ he says. 

Although joints and bones may be vulnerable to a short burst of extreme excess weight, he adds.

‘Really high levels of excess weight might accelerate things like joint damage, which is hard to recover from.’

Most critical decades for weight loss: Your 20s, 40s and 50s

Experts agree that there are two points in life that are the most crucial for getting into the best shape of your life – but for very different reasons.

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While the body has ‘considerable capacity to recover’ from metabolic problems in your 20s, compared to other decades, it’s the best time to set up healthful habits for life.

Dr Mayoni Gooneratne, Executive Medical Director at Personalised Health Clinics, says your 20s is the time in life when most people have very little reason not to pursue a healthy routine.

Age-related wear and tear is at a minimum, and time-consuming stressors like caring for children and managerial job roles are less common.

Studies show that the earlier in life individuals begin a healthy eating pattern, the more likely they are to stick to it through mid-life and beyond. 

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‘If you’re in your twenties, build a way of eating and moving that you’ll happily repeat for decades,’ advises Dr Gooneratne.

‘It’s the time to prevent years of gradual weight gain and inactivity from becoming normal.’

Your forties and fifties, aka midlife, are a key time to make changes, experts say.

A UK study published in the journal PLOS Medicine found that those who were obese for 20-30 years – mostly beginning around aged 10 – had double the risk of type 2 diabetes compared to those with just a decade of obesity.

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‘When you get to the forties and fifties, you see a much more dramatic increase in risk to your health associated with being overweight or obese,’ says Professor Gray.

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‘Although people should be thinking about their health earlier, if you haven’t already, once you get to that age group, that’s when you definitely want to start thinking about it.’

The Framingham Heart Study – an ongoing study into the cardiovascular health of Americans – found that the risk of obesity-related heart disease was 62 per cent higher than average in those aged 50-74, compared to 37 per cent higher in 25 to 49 year-olds.

A big reason for this is the hormonal changes that occur at this stage of life. 

For women aged between 45 and 55, the decline in the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone, triggered by menopause, can lead to weight gain, particularly around the middle.

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Visceral fat, which is fat stored around organs, is strongly associated with insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to stabilise blood sugar.

‘Women start to lose muscle and bone at this age and the hormone change starts to affect blood vessel health too,’ says Professor Gray.

‘These hormonal changes happen differently in men but the downstream effects are broadly similar.’

Midlife can also be a hectic phase.

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‘Your work life might peak and it’s really stressful, you become less active, you’ve got more responsibility looking after older parents and kids, you’ve just got a lot of life demands,’ says Prof Gray.

‘All those things again contribute to metabolic risk; you start to gain a little bit of weight, you become less active, so on and so on, and you start that vicious cycle.’

The benefits of losing weight at this stage of life are perhaps more considerable than in younger years, experts say. 

Research published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that people in midlife who lost excess weight had a 48 per cent lower risk of developing chronic disease, than those who stayed overweight. 

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This means they developed chronic disease at about half the rate of those who didn’t lose weight during the 23-year follow up period.

This period is so critical that the NHS offers a free health check to those over the age of 40 every five years, which includes waist measurement, blood pressure, cholesterol and sometimes blood glucose testing.

Promisingly, experts say there’s not a point of no return when it comes to weight loss.

A 2010 US study found that a weight loss intervention for adults aged 69 to 75 halved the number of deaths in the group, said to be a result of the average of 10 pound fat loss.

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However, research has consistently shown that elderly adults who lose weight – those aged above 75 – are more likely to suffer an early death.

A 2024 analysis found that a 10 per cent reduction in body mass index, or BMI, in adults over 65 was linked to a significantly higher risk of death over the next seven years. 

Experts say this is likely because extra weight in your 70s and 80s protects against frailty and falls, which are a major cause of hospitalisation in old age.

What’s more, extreme weight loss at this stage of life is often a sign of an underlying deadly disease, such as cancer. 

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Even in those who don’t go on to develop deadly conditions, the benefit of weight loss in the over 75s is far less significant than in younger individuals, according to a 2014 meta-analysis of 20 studies. 

So, if you’re about to embark on a weight loss journey, where should you start?

According to Prof Gray, portion control is key. ‘ While diet quality should of course be considered, most of the evidence is that quantity is the biggest issue when it comes to excess weight,’ he says. ‘Compliment that with physical activity.’

Dr Gooneratne adds: ‘Make most meals from vegetables, fruit, pulses, wholegrains, nuts/seeds where appropriate and protein. 

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‘Reduce your reliance on sugary drinks, snack foods, takeaways and ultra-processed meals.

‘Build regular walking or other movement into daily life, alongside progressive resistance training while placing emphasis on good sleep and less stress will go a long way.’

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Charities issue urgent warning over ‘Frankenstein cats’ including Scottish folds, Persians and new ‘XL bully’ breeds

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Charities have issued an urgent warning over a wave of 'Frankenstein cats', including Scottish fold, Persians, Sphynx cats, and new 'XL bully' cats (pictured)

Charities have issued an urgent warning over a wave of ‘Frankenstein cats’ with extreme, unnatural features.

Breeds such as the Scottish fold, Persians, Sphynx cats, and new ‘XL bully‘ cats have seen ‘booming popularity’.

These popular breeds suffer from lifelong debilitating health issues that make it impossible for them to live a happy, healthy life.

Now, experts warn that cats could soon bear little resemblance to the traditional moggy unless urgent action is taken on ‘cruel cat breeding practices’.

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The RSPCA and charity Cats Protection say that social media and celebrity trends have created huge demand for cats with folded ears, shortened limbs and missing tails or hair.

Scottish folds, like those owned by Taylor Swift, now account for up to 2 per cent of the entire cat population in the UK.

However, the same gene which causes ‘cute’ folded ears affects cartilage, leading to abnormal bone development, chronic pain and sometimes severe lameness.

Alice Potter, senior scientific and policy officer in the RSPCA’s science and policy group, says: ‘Cats must not be forced to suffer unnecessarily because of physical traits that some humans find desirable.’

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Charities have issued an urgent warning over a wave of ‘Frankenstein cats’, including Scottish fold, Persians, Sphynx cats, and new ‘XL bully’ cats (pictured) 

Over the last few decades, cat charities have watched with alarm as designer cats spread around the world and rose to incredible heights of popularity.

Madison Rogers, associate director of advocacy at Cats Protection, says: ‘Cats’ body shapes have remained broadly similar for hundreds of years, but in a relatively short space of time this has dramatically changed.’

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In the decade between 2016 and 2025, the RSPCA found a 200 per cent increase in the number of British shorthairs and a 180 per cent increase in Persians.

Both of these cats are brachycephalic, meaning they have been bred to suffer from an extreme skull deformity in order to have a very flat face.

Likewise, the so-called XL Bully cat has exploded in popularity after first appearing in the UK in 2024.

This breed was created by crossing hairless Sphynx cats with short-legged Munchkin cats.

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The result is a cat that has no whiskers to navigate and communicate with other cats, suffers from limb deformities that painfully restrict movement and cannot go out in the sun.

Yet, despite these well-known health issues, the RSPCA and Cats Protection say that popularity is ‘booming’.

Sphynx cats' hairlessness leaves them vulnerable to severe skin infections and exposes them to harmful UV rays
Without fur, Sphynx cats also struggle to regulate their body temperatures. Pictured: Cats named Spongebob and Pearl at RSPCA Millbrook

Sphynx cats’ hairlessness leaves them vulnerable to skin infections and exposes them to harmful UV rays. Without fur, they also struggle to regulate body temperature

Trendy cat breeds’ extreme health issues

Scottish folds 

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  • The fold is caused by a painful genetic disorder which affects cartilage, leading to abnormal bone development, chronic pain and sometimes severe lameness. 
  • All Scottish folds are born with this incurable disorder.

Sphynx cats 

  • Lack of fur leaves cats vulnerable to skin infections and UV exposure. 
  • They may struggle to regulate body temperature and some lack whiskers, which are vital for navigation and communication. 

Persian cats

  • Abnormal skull shape, which causes eye and dental problems such as conjunctivitis, ulcers and tooth misalignment. 
  • Also linked to significant breathing difficulties and exercise intolerance. 

Munchkin cats 

  • Associated with limb deformities which restrict normal movement and can cause pain.

Source: Cats Protection  

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Ms Rogers says: ‘If action is not taken quickly, we are likely to see more alarming examples of what we are calling “Frankenstein” cats – who bear no resemblance to our beloved moggy and, tragically, come with multiple health issues.’

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Persian cats’ flat faces cause conjunctivitis, ulcers and tooth misalignment, eye problems, and significant breathing difficulties that make it difficult to exercise

Sphynx cats’ hairlessness leaves them vulnerable to severe skin infections and exposes them to harmful UV rays.

Without fur, Sphynx cats also struggle to regulate their body temperatures, which can quickly become dangerous during summer heatwaves.

At RSPCA Millbrook, staff are working ‘around the clock’ to try and keep two abandoned Sphynx cats, named Spongebob and Pearl, cool and comfortable.

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Claire Jones, RSPCA Millbrook cattery supervisor: ‘They are struggling in the heat due to their inability to regulate their temperature, as they don’t have a coat that can help keep them cool – by deflecting heat, or trapping air against the skin.

Likewise, Scottish folds’ deliberate genetic mutations lead many cats to suffer from painful, untreatable mobility issues their entire lives.

Claire Chafer, from Staffordshire, adopted her Scottish fold cat Fenella from Cats Protection’s Derby cat centre in 2024.

Scottish folds like Fenella (pictured), suffer a genetic condition that produces their folded ears and also causes abnormal bone development, chronic pain and sometimes severe lameness

Scottish folds like Fenella (pictured), suffer a genetic condition that produces their folded ears and also causes abnormal bone development, chronic pain and sometimes severe lameness

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Ms Chafer says: ‘We’ve had a blind, three-legged cat before, and another one with a neurological condition, but neither of them have needed the kind of help that Fenella needs, and both enjoyed much more normal cat behaviour.’

Fenella’s joints were not properly formed, so she cannot groom herself and her flat face means she gets covered in food which she is unable to clean.

‘I see celebrities owning Scottish folds, but it’s not at all glamorous,’ says Ms Chafer.

However, would-be pet owners are often unaware of these severe health issues, often finding themselves facing complicated burdens of care and massive vet bills.

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Ultimately, that means many end up being given over to shelters, and both the RSPCA and Cats Protection have seen an increase in designer cats coming into their care.

The commercial breeding of cats in the UK isn’t subject to any specific oversight, except in Scotland where licensing rules apply to breeders with three or more litters a year.

That means the industry remains ‘largely unregulated’, with no rules restricting the breeding of extreme unhealthy traits.

The charities are now calling for urgent action from the Government to ban the breeding of cats with known harmful traits, and calling on the public to stop buying these cats.

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HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR CAT? THE 13 SECRET SIGNALS FELINES GIVE THEIR OWNERS

Cats are often branded aloof and solitary creatures who spend their days plotting their human owner’s demise, but such characterisations could not be further from the truth.

In fact, our feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection to us, whether it be through their whiskers, tail, face or body language.

In her eye-opening new book Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat, author Lili Chin – with the help of animal behaviourists – explains how to interpret your pet’s movements.

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Below are some of the most common behaviours and what they could signal.

Our feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection to us, whether it be through their whiskers, tail, face or body language

Our feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection to us, whether it be through their whiskers, tail, face or body language

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Middleton Lodge hotel and wedding venue appeals restrictions

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Middleton Lodge hotel and wedding venue appeals restrictions

North Yorkshire Council granted planning permission in December last year for the relocation of a marquee and catering tent at the Middleton Lodge estate, near Middleton Tyas.

The marquee, which can accommodate events for up to 200 people, is on an existing gravelled area about 70 metres south of the Grade II*-listed Middleton Lodge.

However, Middleton Lodge Events Ltd has now appealed against seven conditions attached to the permission, including restrictions on music, fireworks and lighting.

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One condition states there can be no live or amplified music or entertainment anywhere on the site after 11pm.

Another requires music to be played through a noise limiter approved by the council.

The appeal argues the 11pm restriction should be removed, claiming noise assessments demonstrate events could operate without an unacceptable impact on nearby homes.

Instead, the company proposes specific noise limits at Little Kneeton, Mill Farm and Copperfield Farm, with different limits applying between 9am and 11pm and between 11pm and 2am.

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It proposes that no events take place in the marquee between 2am and noon.

The appeal states that while noise complaints have previously been made about the venue, Middleton Lodge is not aware of any being substantiated following investigation or resulting in enforcement action.

It claims complaints have even been received for dates when no events were taking place.

The company says it has installed its own monitoring equipment to record noise during events.

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Consultants acting for the venue argue a blanket 11pm restriction is unnecessary and disproportionate, particularly as modelling found noise at nearby homes would remain within acceptable limits.

The appeal also challenges a complete ban on outdoor fireworks and Chinese lanterns.

Instead, Middleton Lodge wants a condition preventing firework displays connected with the marquee between 10pm and 7am, except for exemptions contained within national fireworks regulations.

A lighting condition would also be amended so that it applied specifically to the approved marquees rather than potentially covering the wider estate.

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Another disputed condition requires the tents to be removed and the site restored by January 10, 2026 — just weeks after permission was granted.

The appeal describes this as an administrative error and proposes allowing the marquee to remain until March 31, 2031, with the site restored by the following September.

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Glyn Razzell refused prison release after killing his wife

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A woman sits looking at the camera with her chin resting on her balled fists. She is slightly smiling. She has curly dark brown hair and is wearing a dark green jumper. Behind her is a stone wall with some green plants growing out of it and behind that is a white house.

A man who killed his wife and refuses to reveal where her body is cannot be freed from prison, after the High Court overturned the Parole Board’s decision to release him.

Glyn Razzell, 66, was jailed for life in 2003 after being convicted of murdering his estranged wife Linda, who disappeared in Swindon the year before. He has never disclosed what he did with her body.

The Parole Board decided in April that Razzell could be released as his imprisonment was “no longer necessary” to protect the public.

It is the first time the Secretary of State for Justice’s power to refer the decision to the High Court has been used to overturn a Parole Board ruling.

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Announcing her decision earlier, judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said: “I am not persuaded that the risk has diminished to such a level that offender management is capable of keeping the public safe if the defendant is released.”

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Rutherglen to get ‘increased visible police presence’ after youth disorder

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Lanarkshire Police are responding to incidents around Western Avenue and Toryglen Road.

Police Scotland are responding to ‘ongoing incidents of youth disorder’ in Rutherglen.

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E-bikes and e-scooters have been ridden in a way that has alarmed the public, while fireworks have been thrown at windows.

Now, an ‘increased visible police presence’ has been promised to tackle the issues, around Western Avenue and Toryglen Road.

Lanarkshire Police said: “We are aware of ongoing incidents of youth disorder in the Rutherglen area, particularly around Western Avenue and Toryglen Road, and understand the concern this behaviour is causing within the local community.

“Recent incidents have included fireworks being thrown at windows and individuals riding e-bikes and e-scooters in a manner which has caused alarm to members of the public.

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“A dedicated policing action plan is in place, supported by local officers and additional policing resources. Residents can expect to see an increased visible police presence in the area as we work to prevent further incidents, identify those responsible and keep our communities safe.

“We would encourage parents and carers to speak with young people about the serious risks associated with fireworks and dangerous / anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters.

“We also ask members of the public to continue reporting incidents to the police. Information from the community helps us build a clearer picture of what is happening, identify those involved and direct our patrols to where they are most needed.

“Anyone with information regarding those responsible is encouraged to contact Police Scotland via 101, or 999 in an emergency.”

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