If you missed the display on Friday night, forecasters at the Met Office Space Weather Prediction Centre say it could be seen again on Saturday night.

They say “geomagnetic activity is expected to remain… with a chance of reaching a strong storm”.

The Northern Lights could therefore be seen across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern areas of England and Wales.

There’s also a small chance they could be seen further south.

Cloud could spoil the view for those in Scotland and Northern Ireland but elsewhere, especially during the first part of Saturday night, there will be some clear skies.

To have a go at spotting the lights, look to the north for a faint glow at first and, if you can’t see the colours, try through a camera lens or on your phone.

Geomagnetic storms and solar flares are perfectly safe for us as we are protected from the radiation by our atmosphere, but they can interfere with technology.

Finance expert Martin Lewis says people should avoid using it where possible

Personal finance expert Martin Lewis says one ‘demon appliance’ is the biggest energy guzzler in the home – and should be avoided to get bills down. Household energy bills in the UK are set to climb by £332 a year in July, experts say.Big increases in wholesale prices due to the conflict in the Middle East are set to feed through into Ofgem’s price cap. Analysts at Cornwall Insight say forecasts for the watchdog’s price cap from July to September have gone up to £1,973 a year for a typical dual fuel households.

That is an increase of £332 – or 20% on April’s cap. In advice shared last year on his BBC Radio 5 podcast – which is still relevant today – Mr Lewis highlighted one key appliance to use as infrequently as possible that might help as bills rise.

The appliance in question is the tumble dryer, which costs £1 per load. He said: “Do you know what the real ‘demon appliance’ is in most people’s houses – the one that you don’t want to use because it’s really expensive? Tumble dryers. You’re typically paying up to a quid per load so dry your clothes on an airer outside, to shorten the amount of time you’re using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. Those who have dehumidifiers can take some of the moisture out of the air. It’s less wattage than a tumble dryer, so it can be more cost-effective.”

Martin Lewis’ verdict on dehumidifiers

Mr Lewis spoke on the issue after listener Rob said he had noticed that his flat had become damp since he started drying his washing indoors. He asked: “If I were to buy a dehumidifier, would it be cheaper than using the heating to keep the place dry?”

Martin responded: “Dehumidifiers take water out of the air rather than use the heating and they’re much lower wattage appliances than standard heating. So if the dehumidifier works for you, it will definitely have lower electricity bills.”

One of the problems is radiators heating spaces which do nothing to increase the temperature and escape outside rapidly. Speaking previously on his BBC podcast, Mr Lewis said that households should consider using reflective panels behind radiators – to send the heat back into the room rather than through the wall to outside.

He said: “A tip for you reflective panels behind radiators. Sheets of reflective material can be placed behind radiators. Crucially, this is on external wall radiators, so the heat doesn’t escape. If you don’t want to pay for those, then tin foil can work, although it doesn’t work quite as well.”

Radiator heat reflector foil

Currently a 4 metre long roll of the radiator heat reflector foil can be purchased at Screwfix for £6.39. Mr Lewis also shared other suggestions for radiators. He said: “If you’ve got radiators in rooms that you’re not using, go and turn them off before you turn the heating on so you’re not wasting cash overheating empty spaces.

“Changing the flow rate on your boiler can cut gas bill by over 9% and you won’t notice the change.” He added: “Other general tips included: “Check your TV’s on a low energy setting too and walk around your house. Be a draft detector – what drafts can you spot as you walk around your house? And then try, if you can, to seal them up.”

Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has confirmed that she’s quit the BBC show after 14 years.

Karen Hauer has announced her departure from Strictly Come Dancing after a 14-year stint.

Karen, 43, is the longest-serving professional dancer on Strictly, having joined the cast in 2012. There were rumours that she had been dropped from the BBC programme.

However, Karen has now clarified that it was her decision to leave, stating it was “the right time”. She shared an emotional video on Instagram discussing her exit from the dance show.

In the video, she expressed: “After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing I’ve decided it’s the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about.

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READ MORE: Alison Hammond shares bizarre Strictly confession and says ‘it was awful’READ MORE: Greg James says ‘I’m not doing it again’ after £4m Comic Relief challenge

“Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much.”

She went on to say: “None of this would have been possible without the amazing fans. You’ve been there since day one when I just moved to the UK and had no idea what I was getting myself into.

“I’m so grateful you watched me grow over the years and witnessed all of my different hairstyles.

“I’m going to miss everyone who makes the show possible. To my fellow professional dancers who I adore – I will always be cheering you on,” reports the Daily Star.

Becoming emotional, Karen concluded: “Strictly will always be in my heart. I love you all.”

Karen was showered in support from fans and co-stars, with Rylan Clark writing: “You’re amazing and you’re gonna be missed so much xxx.”

Amber Davies said: “YOU DID THAT,” while pros Luba Mushtuk and Lauren Oakley also shared their support.

“Love you dear all the best,” Motsi Mabuse wrote, while head judge Shirley Ballas posted a series of hearts.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who was partnered with Karen on the most recent series of Strictly, also said: “A true inspiration! Purely unique! Thank you for everything! Cant wait for the next chapter.”

During her stint on Strictly, Karen danced with Jamie Laing, Charles Venn and late Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers.

Paying tribute to him in an It Takes Two clip months ago, she broke down in tears as she said: “It was my second year on the show and I was still quite lost on who I wanted to be on the show and how to present myself.

“He unlocked that key for me, and went, ‘This is how you have fun, Karen.’”

She added: “He showed me how to make fun of myself, and since then, I’ve definitely taken that on board. He took care of me, and I just miss him.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

The beach is also said to have some of the best sunsets in the county

A hidden beach that is very close to a royal estate is “perfect to walk all year-round”. Beaches are some of the most peaceful places to walk with views out over the waves.

One beach that is only an hour and a half drive away from Cambridge is at Snettisham. This beach is considered one of Norfolk’s most secret beaches, as it’s a less touristy spot. It has beautiful unspoilt sands that feel like a dream to walk along.

Rather than a beach to sunbathe on, this is a better beach for walking as it is made up of a mixture of shingle and sand. The beach also provides some pretty panoramic views across its lagoons, salt marshes and mudflats.

If you’re looking for a romantic date location or want to see a picturesque view, the beach is the perfect place to watch the sunset. According to locals, Snettisham beach offers some of the best sunsets in Norfolk.

For anyone who likes wildlife, it is also a great spot to see some. While on a visit, people may be able to spot different types of geese at the right tide times, as well as avocets, bar-tailed godwits, and shelducks.

The beach is also a popular place for sports, as the Snettisham Beach Sailing Club is nearby. If you visit there, you can enjoy a go at wind and kite surfing, paddle-boarding, or kayaking. There is also a busy social club.

A big draw for the beach is a royal estate only a stone’s throw away. This is the Sandringham Estate, a much-loved country retreat for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. At Sandringham, there are more than 600 acres of parkland to explore, as well as gardens on the estate.

For anyone seeking a secluded beach getaway, a visit to Snettisham beach may be worth it.

A good frying pan should be versatile, durable (it won’t end up in the bin after three months) and good value for money, meaning it’s either pleasingly affordable or so long-lasting that it will be the last you ever buy.

There are lots of different frying pans out there, so we narrowed our search to three main fields: iron pans, which are highly durable but harder to maintain; non-stick pans, considered easier to maintain but generally less durable, and stainless steel, which are loved by the pros but trickier to use. For boiling or stir frying, you’ll want a saucepan or wok.

We’ve tested all the best frying pans on the market and you can read our reviews below, followed by advice from a cookware expert.

The best frying pans: At a glance

How to choose the best frying pan

The most important thing is to decide what you’ll be cooking, as each type of frying pan is suited to different tasks. For example, if frying eggs in the morning, non-stick is the best option and has the benefit of needing less oil.

If high temperatures are required – to sear steak, say – iron pans are superior. Stainless steel pans are a great in-between and are great for cooking sauces as well as frying vegetables. The downside is they tend to stick, so you’ll need plenty of oil.

Non-stick loosely describes pans that have one of two types of coating: Teflon (a form of plastic) or ceramic (a natural, mineral coating that’s non-stick and hard, but more fragile). However, several new technologies are emerging, included in the reviews below.

Non-stick pans are sold ready to use – you don’t need to season them – and they should retain their slick cooking surface through multiple uses.

How we test frying pans

His latest crimes were exposed by a bag of Walkers Sensations crisps

A high-level drug trafficker who boasted of “banana boat” smuggling routes and million-pound profits has been jailed for 13 years, the Liverpool Echo reports.

James Hitchmough, who operated under the EncroChat handle “Brutal Whale”, was brought to justice after detectives matched his fingerprints to an image he shared of himself holding a bag of Walkers Sensations crisps.

Hitchmough, of Kingsway in Huyton, had been a wanted man since 2020, fleeing to a bolthole in Dubai to avoid the fallout from the French police infiltration of the EncroChat network. However, the 35-year-old returned to the UK last October to “face the music”, telling the court through his lawyer that he “simply could not carry on any longer” as a fugitive.

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Liverpool Crown Court heard that Hitchmough ran a sophisticated criminal business that operated every single day across Merseyside.

Using the handles “Brutal Whale” and “Roll Play”, he orchestrated the supply of massive quantities of Class A and B drugs – including 64.5kg of cocaine, 37.5kg of heroin and 33kg of cannabis.

Prosecutors revealed that Hitchmough acted as a wholesaler, frequently purchasing 5kg blocks of cocaine for over £38,000 per kilogram. He was so established that he offered “deals of the day” to customers and invested over £2.4 million in dirty cash into properties abroad and luxury items.

The sentencing also brought to light Hitchmough’s history of extreme violence. In 2013, he was sentenced to nine years for a sickening assault on a 44-year-old dog walker in Bootle.

During that incident, Hitchmough and an accomplice waited in a white van before ambushing the victim and battering him with a hammer, rendering him unconscious. The victim, who suffered a fractured skull, was found bound and bleeding in the back of the vehicle.

Judge Garrett Byrne noted that this history showed a man “deeply entrenched” in a criminal lifestyle.

Despite his attempts to hide behind encrypted technology, Hitchmough left a digital trail that proved his undoing.

Merseyside Police identified him through several key errors which included other EncroChat users referring to him as “Jim” and “Jimmy” in messages and a series of images from a fishing trip Hitchmough had paid for which included a picture of his specific lakeside pitch.

The most definitive evidence, however, came from a photo he sent of himself holding a bag of crisps, which allowed forensic experts to map and match his fingerprints.

Hitchmough admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, and cannabis, as well as transferring criminal property.

Jailing him for 13 years, Judge Byrne remarked: “On any view, this was an established, large scale, highly active and sophisticated operation… Those who engage in this sort of conduct must expect to receive lengthy periods of imprisonment.”

Merseyside Police have now confirmed they will pursue a Proceeds of Crime Act application to seize Hitchmough’s international assets and ill-gotten gains.

Lewis Rimmer was critically injured when a Range Rover struck him and pinned him against a steel pillar outside Sainsbury’s on Darwen Road on October 27 last year.

Having spent over 140 days in hospital, Lewis has undergone more than 40 hours of surgery, spent three weeks in a coma and nine weeks in intensive care.

He has since been transferred to Salford Royal Hospital as he begins the next stage of his rehabilitation.

Lewis Rimmer with close friends and best men Andy and Ben. // A devoted dad is fighting (Image: Rimmer Family / SWNS)

Family friend Andy Tonge said Lewis has started an “intense” physiotherapy programme to help maintain muscle strength and flexibility.

However, he will require further surgery to reset the right side of his pelvis, a major procedure doctors say cannot yet go ahead while his abdominal injuries continue to heal.

Despite the challenges, there has been some positive news for the family.

A recent biopsy on a fluid collection in his pelvis came back clear.

Lewis’s partner, Sarah, said his recovery remains slow and painful, with progress measured in small steps.

She posted: “There’s also been a lot of physio.

“At the moment it’s focused on basic things, like simply sitting on the edge of the bed.

“The injuries were so serious and caused a lot of damage, so recovery is happening in very small steps, and it’s very painful.

“But progress, even small, is so important to us right now.”

Lewis was transferred from Royal Preston Hospital to Salford Royal on February 22.

Lewis Rimmer, 41, with wife Sarah and their daughter. // A devoted dad is fighting for his life (Image: Rimmer Family / SWNS)

Paying tribute to the care he received, Sarah added: “We can’t thank the team at Preston Hospital enough.

“Saying they saved Lewis’s life still doesn’t feel like enough to express what they’ve done for us over the past 15 weeks.

“We truly owe them everything.

“Now it’s a new place with new faces, and we’re hopeful this means we’ll soon be having that long-awaited conversation about discharge.

“I never imagined in a million years that Lewis would be away from us at home for this long after being admitted on October 27.”

Lewis suffered devastating injuries in the crash, including multiple breaks to his pelvis, both femurs, and a compound fracture to his right shin.

He also sustained internal injuries including a ruptured bladder and two bowel ruptures, as well as three fractured ribs.

His left foot was so badly damaged it had to be amputated.

Since the incident, more than £110,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe page to support Lewis and his family as they adjust to the long road ahead.

Lewis, a dad of two young daughters, had been out celebrating one of their birthdays shortly before the incident and had gone into the supermarket when the collision happened at around 12.50pm.

Greater Manchester Police said a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

He is on bail pending further enquiries.

As King Charles continues to distance the monarchy from Andrew, his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are reportedly being sidelined.

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson may already be considered unwelcome at major royal events, but now it appears their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, could also be facing growing exclusion.

Even before Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, King Charles had largely kept his younger brother out of the spotlight. Aside from attending a family funeral, Andrew had not appeared publicly with the rest of the Royal Family for some time.

Then last October, ahead of the release of his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, the King issued a strongly worded statement announcing that, “notwithstanding” Andrew’s denials of wrongdoing, he would formally strip him of his royal titles and styles. Since then, the controversy surrounding the monarchy has only intensified.

Although King Charles positioned himself as supportive of survivors and took decisive steps to distance the monarchy from Andrew, the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice has reignited public scrutiny. Newly surfaced photographs appear to show Andrew in the company of young women whose identities have been redacted. Other images reportedly show Epstein with political figures including Peter Mandelson, once again drawing attention to Andrew’s past associations.

With Andrew effectively exiled to Sandringham, attention has now turned to his daughters. Initially, it seemed that Beatrice and Eugenie might escape the scandal that engulfed their parents. In fact, Beatrice was appointed deputy patron of Outward Bound and attended a reception marking the role alongside her uncle Prince Edward at St James’s Palace last November. But in just a few months, the situation appears to have shifted dramatically.

During the Christmas period, the York sisters appeared to carry on as usual. They attended the traditional royal family lunch in London and joined King Charles and senior members of the Royal Family for church on Christmas Day. Now, however, reports suggest they may be barred from several high-profile royal events as the controversy continues.

According to reports, neither Beatrice nor Eugenie will attend Royal Ascot this year, and the restrictions could extend further. They may also be excluded from the Royal Family’s Easter Sunday church service and upcoming royal garden parties. A royal source reportedly said that King Charles believes their presence at public royal occasions could harm the monarchy’s image while the situation remains so sensitive.

Speaking about Royal Ascot, an insider told The i Paper that the sisters might still attend the races privately but would not be permitted to take part in the traditional royal carriage procession.

Royal biographer Russell Myers added that although Prince William previously invited his cousins to help host a garden party at Buckingham Palace with Catherine, Princess of Wales, it is unlikely that such invitations will continue this year. “He can’t be seen to go against the King,” Myers said, noting there is no indication William intends to take a different approach.

While King Charles is said to care deeply about his nieces, the ongoing controversy has reportedly forced him to distance the monarchy from them for the sake of its reputation. One insider told the Daily Mail that Beatrice and Eugenie have become particularly vulnerable as renewed attention is placed on their family’s links to Epstein. Although neither sister has been accused of wrongdoing, their past association with the financier has raised uncomfortable questions.

The situation has reportedly been emotionally difficult for both women, though they are said to be coping in very different ways. According to sources, Beatrice has tried to approach the crisis pragmatically but has been deeply affected by the collapse of the world she once knew and by what she perceives as the Royal Family’s cold response. Eugenie, by contrast, is said to be taking a more avoidant approach, hoping the controversy will eventually fade.

The sisters were reportedly taken by surprise by the decision to exclude them from this year’s Royal Ascot. Some commentators have pointed to signs of tension within the Royal Family long before the current scandal. Photographs from the 2017 Ascot show Catherine, now Princess of Wales, speaking with Zara Tindall while Prince William chatted with Mike Tindall. When Beatrice joined the group, observers noted a noticeable shift in body language, with William appearing to subtly position himself between her and the others.

Body language expert Judi James previously suggested that Catherine’s interaction with Beatrice in those images appeared somewhat distant, hinting that tensions between the York sisters and other royals may have existed even before the Epstein scandal intensified.

There have also long been rumours of cool relations between Catherine and the York princesses. Some reports claim that the sisters, influenced by their father, believed William was “marrying beneath his status,” which allegedly made Catherine’s early years within royal circles uncomfortable.

More recently, relations are said to have cooled further. Reports suggest that Beatrice and Eugenie were left off William and Catherine’s Christmas gift list. According to one source, once Andrew’s links to Epstein appeared more serious than initially believed, Catherine chose to distance herself from the entire York branch of the family.

The fallout has also affected Eugenie’s charitable work. She recently stepped down as patron of Anti-Slavery International, a role she had held for many years, and her name was removed from the organisation’s website amid the controversy. Both sisters have made only a handful of public appearances since the latest developments emerged.

Friends say, however, that Beatrice and Eugenie still feel a strong sense of public duty. They reportedly believe they should not be treated as though they have done something wrong, particularly given that neither has been accused of any crime.

Royal historian Andrew Lownie has suggested that both sisters are eager to maintain good relations with the Royal Family, partly because their futures — including potential business opportunities — remain tied to their royal status. Remaining princesses, he argues, allows them to maintain influence and credibility, particularly in international circles.

However, some experts believe their long-term position within the monarchy may become increasingly uncertain. Royal commentator Richard Palmer has predicted that the sisters could eventually lose their titles as the monarchy continues to streamline its ranks. In his view, being princesses who are not working royals already creates confusion, as they retain status without official duties.

Privately, the strain is said to be taking a heavy toll on Beatrice. Reports suggest she has been struggling emotionally as she confronts the allegations surrounding her father and the damage done to her family’s reputation.

Meanwhile, additional scrutiny has emerged after reports that both sisters received payments from David Rowland, a controversial billionaire associate of Prince Andrew. Sources close to the princesses have said they have no recollection of the alleged payments. Rowland previously helped settle a £1.5 million loan owed by Andrew in 2017, and he later attended Eugenie’s wedding.

Such revelations have prompted some commentators to call for greater transparency from the York family. Others argue that remaining silent may be the wiser course. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward suggested that speaking publicly could worsen the situation and that the sisters have likely been advised to keep a low profile.

Questions also remain about how well Beatrice and Eugenie knew Jeffrey Epstein. Their names appear in documents connected to him, though this alone does not indicate wrongdoing. Most observers assume their initial contact with Epstein came through their parents’ social circle. However, even as adults, the sisters appear to have had at least some level of acquaintance with him, which continues to fuel public speculation.

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Nicholas Brendon, who was best known for playing Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer between 1997 and 2003, and Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds, has died.

TV star Nicholas Brendon, famed for his sex year stint in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 54.

The actor passed away on Friday, March 20, in his sleep, his family has confirmed. They said in a poignant post on his Facebook page: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes.

“Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart.”

The actor, born in Los Angeles, California, was well-known for playing Xander Harris on the 90s hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He played Xander for six years and was in all but one of the shows 144 episodes, according to Australian news site news.com.

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Brendon also appeared in Criminal Minds as as Kevin Lynch between 2007 and 2014. His family, though, said that while most people know Nicholas for his acting work, he had found a love for painting and art in recent years, reports the Mirror.

Their statement continued: “In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

“While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”

Before his role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Brendon was in other popular films and programmes, such as sitcoms Dave’s World and Married… With children on CBS and Fox respectively.

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This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has confessed to an ‘awful’ moment on Strictly Come Dancing.

Alison Hammond has revealed a mortifying Strictly Come Dancing confession, admitting to an embarrassing incident during her time on the programme.

The This Morning host shot to prominence on Big Brother in 2002, and has subsequently featured on shows including Strictly, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and as presenter of The Great British Bake Off.

Alison graced the Strictly dance floor in 2014, paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, with the duo placing 10th overall. She has now owned up to “breaking wind” during the competition.

The 51-year-old recounted a particular incident from the show whilst appearing alongside Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar, comedian Richard Ayoade and Ready or Not 2’s Kathryn Newton on The Jonathan Ross Show, broadcasting tonight (Saturday).

She recalled performing to Robin Williams’ Friend Like Me during week seven of the competition, hoisting Aljaz off the ground at one stage, before confessing: “Oh, it was awful. At the time he couldn’t lift me so we thought don’t worry I’ll lift you, I can do it,” reports Birmingham Live.

“There is a moment where he does a cartwheel and I had to kind of pick him up and then help him over. He goes into this cartwheel and I pick him up and I break wind. I look at him and I go, ‘Let’s never talk about this again.’

“I didn’t realise that he’s quite a heavy guy – it literally took the wind out of me.” Alison has previously spoken about her experience on Strictly, and her bond with her former dance partner, Aljaz.

Amid several scandals Strictly has faced in recent years, including Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice being dropped from the professional line-up, Alison said: “I had Aljaz Skorjanec and he was absolutely incredible and as you know going back into Strictly.

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“He was so amazing to me and gentle as well and kind. I’ve never experienced anything bad really.”

Elsewhere on The Jonathan Ross Show, Alison speaks about her new programme, Your Song.

She explains: “Your Song is exactly that. It’s your song that you feel emotionally attached to – it got you through a rough time at school or you know, it reminds you of someone who has passed on. A song that really means something to you.

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“People come from around the country and perform it on a stage. People go on stage who have never sung before and they sing a song to a random audience. It’s just one of the most beautiful shows ever.”

The Jonathan Ross Show airs tonight from 10pm on ITV1 and ITVX.