The two explosions at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant came decades apart in the dead of night.
The first, at 1:23 a.m. on April 26, 1986, spread a cloud of deadly radiation that raised fears across Europe and shook the very foundations of the Soviet Union. Some say it led to its eventual collapse.
The second, at 1:59 a.m. on Feb. 14, 2025, was blamed by Ukrainian officials on a Russian drone with an explosive warhead. While not as catastrophic, it sparked new anxieties about Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor, striking the site that symbolized so much suffering for Ukraine.
“What once seemed unthinkable — strikes on nuclear facilities and other hazardous sites — has now become reality,” said Oleh Solonenko, head of a radiation safety shift at Chernobyl, which Ukrainians transliterate as Chornobyl.
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The drone hit the outer layer of what is known as the New Safe Confinement structure, or NSC, the vast, $2.1 billion archlike shell that was completed in 2019 to enclose the original, hastily built concrete “sarcophagus” to keep the damaged Reactor No. 4 and its deadly debris from leaking radiation. Moscow denied targeting the plant, alleging Kyiv staged the attack.
It sparked a fire on the structure — which is tall enough to cover the Statue of Liberty — but did not penetrate it, damaging an area with low contamination. Monitors detected no rise in radiation levels outside the arch, and no one was injured.
Still, the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that the damage could significantly shorten the arch’s 100-year lifespan, upending its core safety function.
For Klavdiia Omelchenko, who works with over 2,200 engineers, scientists and others at the defunct plant, it rekindled memories of a horrible spring day 40 years ago.
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A lifetime near Chernobyl
Omelchenko was a 19-year-old textile factory worker in 1986, asleep in her home in Pripyat, where most of Chernobyl’s workers lived. She didn’t hear the explosion at Reactor No. 4 during a routine test.
She woke to rumors of an accident, but only understood its scale weeks later — after being evacuated with a small bag holding her documents and some cosmetics. Her former home was now inside Chernobyl’s “exclusion zone,” a 2,600-square-kilometer (1,000-square-mile) area that remains uninhabited.
Soviet authorities did not immediately reveal the scope of what became known as the world’s worst nuclear disaster, which spewed a cloud of radiation over what is now Ukraine and Belarus, and caused alarm across Europe. Dozens of people died in the immediate aftermath, while the long-term death toll from radiation is unknown.
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Omelchenko never found another home and came back in 1993 to work in the plant’s cafeteria. That return “wasn’t as scary as now. Back then, at least, there was no bombing,” she added.
To her, the full-scale invasion in 2022 and last year’s drone attack are more fearful than radiation.
She said she got headaches after the 1986 accident and later had surgery for a precancerous condition, but at age 59, she dismisses the risk of contamination.
“We grew up in it,” she said. “We don’t pay attention to it anymore.”
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Covering the sarcophagus
Yellow daffodils bloom beside wartime fortifications at the Chernobyl plant as workers in ordinary clothes, with badges and special permits, pass through the restricted zone.
It has not produced electricity since 2000, when the last of four reactors was shut down. A global effort built the protective NSC — a landmark project designed to stabilize the site and enable the dismantling of the crumbling Soviet-era sarcophagus covering the reactor.
But Russia’s invasion has put that project on hold.
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Liudmyla Kozak, an engineer who has worked at Chernobyl for over two decades, was on duty when Russian troops seized the plant in February 2022. The staff kept operations running under armed guard for nearly three weeks, exposing personnel to radiation doses well beyond the limits of their normal rotation schedules.
“We had no hope we would make it out alive — it was really that scary,” she said.
Kozak said workers slept on floors and desks, with Russian soldiers occupying key areas. Equipment was damaged and stolen, she added. The troops also drove heavy vehicles through contaminated areas and dug trenches, stirring up radioactive dust.
“With the drone strike as well, it will be much more complicated,” Kozak said.
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The IAEA found the damage has left the arch unable to fully perform its core functions, which is containing radioactive material and enabling the safe dismantling of the reactor remains. Left unrepaired, the structure would gradually weaken, increasing radiation exposure risks to Ukraine and other countries.
Dismantling work on hold
Serhii Bokov, who oversees operations for the NSC, said he was on duty early on Feb. 14, 2025, when the dull blast from the drone rippled through the structure.
He and his colleagues ran outside, smelling smoke, but initially saw nothing. A nearby military checkpoint confirmed a strike, and firefighters arrived about 40 minutes later.
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Climbing up into the structure, they finally found fire smoldering through the outer membrane. Hoses were stretched across the arch as crews battled flames that kept resurfacing. The fire took more than two weeks to extinguish fully.
“There was no feeling of fear, none at all. It was just a fire — something we practice in drills — only this time it was real,” he said. “I didn’t think, honestly, that we could lose the entire arch.”
The damage is patched and hidden on the inside, while a sealed breach is visible on the outside.
Every night, Bokov walks more than a kilometer (about 1,100 yards) through the structure via what workers call the “golden corridor” — a passageway lined with yellow panels shielding them from radiation. It passes abandoned control rooms, including that of Reactor No. 4.
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When the NSC was completed in 2019, he was proud of being part of something extraordinary, watching it rise and take shape, and being a member of the team keeping it running.
Now, however, the structure is no longer fully sealed. While there is no immediate radiation risk, work on dismantling the sarcophagus is on hold — set back, Bokov believes, by at least a decade.
“Everything depends on how quickly we can restore this and return to normal operations — and to preparing for dismantling,” he said.
Bokov believes the arch can continue functioning in its current state for some time. But the real concern is the stability of the sarcophagus beneath it — and why it’s urgent to resume its dismantling.
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Oleh Solonenko, head of a radiation safety shift at the plant, said the drone damaged the outer layer of the protective NSC but did not fully penetrate it. The damage occurred in an area with low contamination, with no rise in radiation detected beyond the arch.
Still, the incident showed how the war has upended assumptions about nuclear safety, he said.
Without urgent repairs, the risk of the sarcophagus collapsing significantly increases, Greenpeace Ukraine warned in a report by engineer Eric Schmieman, who spent years at Chernobyl and helped design the NSC.
“It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the deadly, hazardous conditions inside the sarcophagus,” he said. “There are tons of highly radioactive nuclear fuel, dust and debris. Now it is critical to find a way to restore the key functions of this facility.”
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AP reporters Vasilisa Stepanenko and Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv contributed.
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The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/
Mr Reichental was deported from his home in Slovakia to the Bergen-Belsen Nazi concentration camp at the age of nine, where he survived until the site was liberated in 1945.
21:21, 31 May 2026Updated 21:30, 31 May 2026
Irish President Catherine Connolly has led tributes to Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental, who has died at the age of 90.
Mr Reichental was deported from his home in Slovakia to the Bergen-Belsen Nazi concentration camp at the age of nine, where he survived until the site was liberated in 1945.
Thirty-five members of his family were murdered in the Holocaust.
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Mr Reichental moved to Ireland in 1959 and went on to become an educator on the horrors of the Holocaust.
Ms Connolly expressed her “deepest condolences” to Mr Reichental’s family and friends.
“Tomi made an exceptional contribution to Irish society, bringing his personal experience of Bergen-Belsen and of his family’s suffering in the Holocaust to public attention and, through his experiences, made a very significant contribution to the causes of peace and understanding,” she said.
“He will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of learning from him.”
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In a statement on social media, Taoiseach Micheal Martin wrote: “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tomi Reichental, someone who dedicated his life to teaching new generations about the evil of the Holocaust.”
Oliver Sears, founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland, said in a statement on social media: “Everyone who met Tomi remarked on his ability to tell his story with honesty, dignity, and humanity.
“Through his testimony, he demonstrated how easily people can be othered and how entire communities can be demonised.
“His unwavering contribution to Holocaust education and interfaith relations will never be forgotten.
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“The Jewish community has lost a beloved son. Ireland has lost a cherished citizen.”
Founder of the Irish Muslim Council, Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, described Mr Reichental as “a remarkable human being, whose life journey embodied both the tragedy of humanity’s darkest moments and the hope that can emerge from resilience, forgiveness, and compassion”.
He posted on social media: “He consistently spoke out against hate, division, and the dehumanisation that paves the way for violence and atrocity.
“He was also a passionate supporter of Syrian refugees in Ireland. Having experienced persecution and displacement in his own life, he showed immense empathy towards those fleeing war and oppression.
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“His compassion for refugees was a testament to his belief in our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to care for the vulnerable.”
He said: “Today, I join people of all faiths and backgrounds in mourning his loss. I am heartbroken by his passing.”
The garden, in Harrogate, which has launched a new on-site charging facility, is offering free charging from June 2 to June 4.
The scheme is part of a partnership with RAW Charging, and the offer is available through the RAW Rewards programme.
Malcolm Anderson, head of sustainability at RHS, said: “RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a vital part of our garden network, and this major new charging facility exemplifies our ambitions to make sustainable travel easier and more accessible for our visitors in the north and across the UK.
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“By enabling EV charging on-site, we are not only supporting lower carbon travel but also enhancing the experience for our environmentally conscious guests who want to enjoy the gardens with peace of mind.”
The site features 16 charging bays, including four rapid chargers (up to 50kW) and 12 fast chargers (up to 22kW).
The project supports the RHS’ wider plan to install 90 charging bays across its five UK gardens.
Standard contactless payment will be available for future use, but the launch-week offer requires visitors to register for RAW Rewards.
The proposals include new homes as well as a café and healthcare facility
New homes, a café, public cark park, and an NHS healthcare facility could be built in a Cambridgeshire village. Ceres Property has submitted a planning application on behalf of landowners Mr & Mrs Duberly for the development of land at Brook Farm in Great Staughton.
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Great Staughton is a small village around eight miles south-west of Huntingdon. The applicant has submitted full planning permission to Huntingdonshire District Council for the demolition of an existing building and the construction of up to 10 new homes, a café, a flexible commercial unit, public car park, and upgraded site access. They have also submitted outline planning permission for a new healthcare facility.
The GP surgery in Great Staughton is currently on the Highway, but has outgrown its current location, and the new location would allow the surgery to expand. It would be in the centre of the site, opposite the café. All patient services would be provided on the ground floor, with office and staff spaces on the first floor.
A planning statement says: “The size and layout of this has been developed in conjunction with Great Staughton Surgery to provide the functionally they need to improve and develop their services. The size and amount has been driven by the number patients the surgery needs to serve and the spaces and facilities required to deliver this level of care.”
The plans say the café would be a modest building which could potentially accommodate approximately 40 covers internally, with more outside dependent on the weather.
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The 10 new homes will be a mixture of apartments, two storeyhouses , and single storey houses. Existing silos on part of the site could be converted into a four-bedroom home.
On another part of the site, a two storey agricultural style building is proposed to contain four homes. These would be accessible single level apartments with a mix of one or two bedrooms. Attached to this would be a single storey two bedroom unit.
The new homes will also include two semi detached homes, each with three bedrooms, and two detached four bedroom homes.
All the residential plots have access to private amenity space and aim to be provided with parking in a courtyard arrangement around the buildings. A footpath links the courtyard with the public car parking area which the applicant says would be “convenient for visitors”.
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A surface level public car park is shown within the site to accommodate approximately 46 vehicles including some disabled bays. The planning statement says: “This would be available for community use, the occupiers and visitors to the commercial building, visitors to the café and also visitors to the new medical facility.
“This would help to alleviate parking problems and congestion in The Highway, providing an alternative safe location for local people to park when visiting the new facilities provided by the development and elsewhere in the village.”
Lewis Firth, 26, and 25-year-old Nathan Bowen each denied a charge of robbery at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court.
The alleged offence took place in Darlington, on Sunday, April 26.
Firth also denied having an article with a blade or point, a knife, in a public place, in Jedburgh Drive, on the same day.
Two men are to stand trial at Durham Crown Court later in the year accused of robbery in Darlington in April (Image: The Northern Echo)
He also denies further charges of damaging property, a house and tree, belonging to a woman, plus assaulting a man, both also in Darlington, on Tuesday, April 7.
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A trial date was agreed for all four charges to be heard at the court in October.
Recorder Mark McKone set a timetable for the presentation of evidence in the case by the prosecution, on June 17 with a signed defence statement by both defendants to be submitted by July 15.
The Recorder remanded Firth, of Whitby Way, Darlington, who appeared by video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton, to remain in custody until the start of the trial, on Monday October 19.
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Bowen, of Ringway Grove, Middleton St George, near Darlington, was granted extended bail until the start of the trial.
A 92-year-old great-grandmother has become the first person in the UK to receive a pioneering cancer treatment after being told her liver tumour was inoperable.
Brenda Iveson, from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, was initially told conventional cancer therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, would be ineffective against the six-centimetre tumour in her liver.
However, medics at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust offered her a minimally invasive alternative, robotic-guided electrochemotherapy – a treatment that combines a small dose of chemotherapy with targeted electrical pulses.
Surgeons used robotic needle guidance to precisely position needles around the tumour, directing the treatment in a method never before performed in the UK.
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Now Mrs Iveson’s tumour has shrunk by around 80 per cent.
Due to the tumour’s location and her frailty, Mrs Iveson had been told “nothing could be done” following her diagnosis in late 2025.
Brenda Iveson (PA)
But when Professor Tze Min Wah, research and innovation lead for the interventional oncology programme at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and professor of interventional radiology at the University of Leeds, saw Mrs Iveson’s case, she realised that the pioneering treatment could offer hope to Mrs Iveson and her family.
Clinicians used robotic needle guidance to precisely place needles around the tumour.
The technology helps improve the accuracy of the electrochemotherapy, particularly for tumours in complex or hard-to-reach areas.
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The treatment was carried out under general anaesthetic and does not use heat, which means it can safely treat tumours located close to vital structures such as blood vessels and bile ducts.
It is the first time this treatment has been delivered alongside the robotic guidance in a liver in the UK, Leeds Teaching Hospitals said.
Mrs Iveson said: “I had been told there was nothing that could be done.
“So to be offered this treatment gave me real hope. I’m so glad I went ahead — it wasn’t painful or debilitating, and I feel very well.”
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Medics at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust offered Mrs Iveson a minimally invasive alternative, robotic-guided electrochemotherapy (PA)
Professor Wah said: “This treatment allowed us to offer an option where there would otherwise have been none.
“The addition of robotic guidance improves precision and opens up new possibilities, particularly for patients with tumours in difficult locations or who are not suitable for other treatments.”
She said: “Introducing robotic guidance really helped with this particular case, the needles provided more accurate placement and made the treatment times shorter – she is the UK first for the robotic guidance to insert the electrode chemotherapy needles into the tumour for treatment.
“She is doing well and she is very grateful that she has had this treatment because otherwise she did not have any other options.”
Main symptoms of liver cancer
NHS
Symptoms of liver cancer can include:
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the whites of your eyes turning yellow or your skin turning yellow, which may be less obvious on brown or black skin (jaundice) – you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
feeling tired or having no energy
feeling generally unwell or having symptoms like flu
a lump in the right side of your tummy
Other symptoms can affect your digestion, such as:
feeling or being sick
pain at the top right side of your tummy or in your right shoulder
symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling full very quickly when eating
a very swollen tummy that is not related to when you eat
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is currently the only hospital in the UK delivering liver cancer electrochemotherapy as part of a European research study.
The study is assessing the safety and efficacy of the treatment for patients with liver cancer. It is also examining the impact of survival, quality of life and pain.
Mrs Iveson, who has been happily married for 70 years, said: “Research may offer real results when there are no other options.
“You’re looked after so well, and it’s how medicine moves forward. If it helps me and future patients, then it’s worth it.”
Current scans show that Mrs Iveson’s tumour is in a stable condition and she is being monitored closely by experts at the hospital trust.
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“We are all happy that something could be done that might prolong my life and which was not painful or debilitating in any way,” Mrs Iveson added.
“It seems to be a very effective treatment and particularly useful in older patients who are frail.”
With the stadium awash with shirts bearing Kohli’s name and iconic number 18, the former India captain delivered once again on the biggest stage.
He may turn 38 later this year but a player famed for his ability to master a chase shows there is plenty left in the tank as he chalked up his fastest IPL half-century.
Kohli and fellow opener Venkatesh Iyer, who struck 32 from 16 balls, gave RCB the perfect start with a rapid 62-run opening stand.
Mohammed Siraj made the breakthrough by dismissing Iyer, before Kagiso Rabada removed Devdutt Padikkal to give Gujarat with an opening.
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Rashid Khan then swung momentum further in the Titans’ favour, claiming two wickets in an over as captain Rajat Patidar fell for 15 and Krunal Pandya followed soon after.
But Kohli, who retired from T20 internationals after the 2024 World Cup, remained stoic, as he shared a crucial 41-run partnership with Tim David to steady the chase.
David made 24 before departing, which left Kohli to guide RCB home alongside Jitesh Sharma.
Kohli even provided the iconic ending the majority of those inside the stadium craved as he crashed Arshad Khan over long-on for six to seal the victory.
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“Such is the demand of the sport today. You have these super young players pushing you all the time and asking you to change your game and up the ante,” said Kohli after winning the player-of-the-match award.
“It’s an exciting situation because it gives you something to improve on, something to work towards. And I just take a lot of pride in getting better and just trying to figure out areas where I can improve.”
The free community event, backed by Darlington Borough Council, took over the Market Hall on Sunday (May 31) from midday until 4pm, with stalls, food and activities.
Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, is one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar, marking Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God and falling on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Pictures show visitors at the market sampling a range of food and drink, with Rumi’s Kitchen, Deli-cious and Ambi Ambi Mocktails among those serving up dishes and alcohol-free cocktails.
Families headed to Darlington Market today as the town came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Families headed to Darlington Market today as the town came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Families headed to Darlington Market today as the town came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Families headed to Darlington Market today as the town came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Stalls also offered sweets and savoury treats, adding to the festive atmosphere.
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There was a variety of arts and crafts, with Islamiccalligraphymb creating personalised Arabic calligraphy and canvases, and Khurshada showcasing handmade arts, crafts and henna.
Families headed to Darlington Market today as the town came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Families headed to Darlington Market today as the town came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Families headed to Darlington Market today as the town came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Meedhi Mehendi Henna Artist was also there offering traditional henna designs.
Shoppers browsed clothes, jewellery, accessories, knitwear and other items from a variety of traders.
The event formed part of a series of council-supported activities aimed at bringing communities together in the town centre.
The five-part drama follows Leo and Clive, two neighbours in Manchester who have always managed to tolerate one another despite their many differences. However, they suddenly find themselves in an all-out war spurred on by the divided world they’re immersed in.
Given the past success of Russell’s shows, it’s no great surprise that Tip Toe’s cast features a mix of acclaimed British drama veterans who you might recognise for their past work, as well as some exciting upcoming TV stars.
Here’s a quick guide to where you have seen some of the stars of Tip Toe before…
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Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming in The Good Wife
Reality TV fans will likely recognise Scottish actor Alan Cumming for his Emmy-winning work as the host of the American version of The Traitors.
However, long before he entered the castle, he had a long and illustrious career on both stage and screen.
Alan began his TV career with a stint on the Scottish soap opera Take The High Road before going on to become an international household name.
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Some of his best-known movies include projects as varied as the James Bond film GoldenEye, cult comedy Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion, 90s pop explosion Spice World and Stanley Kubrick’s final offering Eyes Wide Shut. No stranger to a franchise, Alan also played Fegan Floop in the Spy Kids trilogy and blue-skinned mutant Nightcrawler in the world of X-Men, a role he’ll reprise in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
On TV, Alan was nominated for three Emmy Awards for his role as political manipulator Eli Gold in The Good Wife, starred as the Mayor in Apple TV+ musical series Schmigadoon! and hosted both the Tony Awards and Baftas.
A modern icon of the West End and Broadway, Alan is a two-time Tony and one-time Olivier award winner. Although he has played a string of eclectic roles, he is best known for his seminal work as the Emcee in Cabaret.
David Morrissey
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David Morrissey in The Walking Dead
David Morrissey has been consistently appearing on our screens since the 1990s, although to many he’s best known for his work as Gordon Brown in 2003’s The Deal and for playing The Governor in The Walking Dead.
He also appeared in the crime drama Red Riding and the BBC series Sherwood, as well as playing Aimee Lou Wood’s hapless dad in the sitcom Daddy Issues.
On the big screen, he played John Lennon’s stepfather in the biopic Nowhere Boy, appeared in Steve McQueen’s Blitz and recently acted with Keira Knightley in The Woman in Cabin 10.
His next role is Beatles-related once more, as he’s expected to star in Sam Mendes’ biopics as Paul McCartney’s father.
Pooky Quesnel
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Pooky Quesnel in The A Word
Pooky found fame playing Dr Monica Brome in the first series of Cardiac Arrest, before playing John Thompson’s love interest Emma Keaton in Cold Feet.
She will also be recognisable to soap fans, as she played Diane Short in Family Affairs, before taking over the role of Rachel Branning in EastEnders.
Her other TV credits include the 2007 BBC drama True Dare Kiss, the Doctor Who spin-off Class and the comedy W1A.
Like many of her Tip Toe co-stars, she appeared in Waterloo Road, playing geography teacher Olga in series 10 of the school-set drama.
More recently, she acted in the BBC drama The A Word and its spinoff Ralph & Katie as Maurice’s music teacher, as well as co-starring with Leslie Manville in Moonflower Murder.
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Jackson Connor
Jackson Connor as George in Tip Toe
Playing troubled teen George in Tip Toe is definitely Jackson Connor’s biggest role to date.
However, you might have seen him in the BBC series Phoenix Rise, or the star-studded Apple TV+ drama Masters Of The Air, in which he made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance as a soldier.
Joseph Evans
Joseph Evans in Coronation Street
A star on the rise, Joseph Evans can currently be seen treading the boards in the West End revival of David Hare’s Teeth N Smiles, as well as the adorable big-screen rom com Finding Emily.
He previously played Jackson Hodge, the father of Faye Windass’ child, in Coronation Street back in 2023 and, impressively, wrote an episode of Industry.
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Elizabeth Berrington
Elizabeth Berrington in The Syndicate
While you might not immediately recognise her name, you’ll definitely be familiar with Elizabeth Berrington’s work, as she’s one of the busiest character actors on British television, working across both comedy and drama.
Elizabeth first rose to prominence working with Mike Leigh in her on-screen debut in Naked, as well as his follow-up Secrets & Lies.
From there, she went on to appear alongside Tony Robinson in the 1997 comedy-drama My Wonderful Life, before landing roles in everything from the period drama Sanditon and the sci-fi drama The Nevers, to The Responder, The Syndicate and the feature-length episode of Black Mirror, Hated In The Nation.
As for her film career, Elizabeth appeared alongside her Tip Toe co-star David Morrissey in The Deal, playing Cherie Blair, in addition to her supporting roles in Nanny McPhee, In Bruges and the 2016 adaptation of Swallows And Amazons.
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Her most recent roles on the small screen include Lost Boys And Fairies, Virdee, Frauds and the Nick Cave penned Sky dramedy The Death Of Bunny Munro – and while her CV is long and impressive, there’s every chance that, like us, you know her best for playing food tech teacher Ruby Fry in Waterloo Road.
Iz Hesketh
Actor and drag performer Iz Hesketh is best known to TV fans for playing the groundbreaking Hollyoaks character Kitty Draper, as well as appearing as Valerian in the Disney+ drama Renegade Nell.
On stage, Iz has played Margot in Legally Blonde at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and appeared in productions of both Head Over Heels and Fury And Elysium.
The drag daughter of Drag Race UK winner Tia Kofi, Iz also performs across the country as Seriah Sis, in addition to her acting career.
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Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo
Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo in Wednesday
Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo is an actor who you’ll likely recognise for their role as Deputy Ritchie Santiago in Netflix show Wednesday.
Their other credits include minor roles in 2020 Alex Garland miniseries Devs, a 2023 episode of Top Boy and the 2025 Cameron Diaz comedy Back In Action.
Luyanda is a prolific video game voice actor, too, lending their dulcet tones to Legends of Runeterra, Baldur’s Gate III and Eternal Strands.
Paul Rhys
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Paul Rhys’ most recent on-screen role came when he appeared briefly in Emerald Fennell’s controversial adaptation of Wuthering Heights as Heathcliff’s father, having also worked with the Oscar-winning filmmaker in Saltburn, where he played butler Duncan.
The British star made his film debut in 1986’s Absolute Beginners, before sharing the screen with Robert Downey Jr in the Oscar-nominated Chaplin, Johnny Depp in From Hell and Joaquin Phoenix in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon.
On the small screen, he had a supporting role in the BBC supernatural drama Being Human, played Vlad the Impaler in Da Vinci’s Demons and appeared as real-life military officer Sir John Conroy in ITV historical drama Victoria.
Charlie Condou
Charlie Condou in Coronation Street in 2014
Charlie Condou is best known to TV fans for playing sonographer Marcus Dent in Coronation Street on-and-off between 2007 and 2014, as well as playing the lothario Ben Sherwood in Holby City.
More recently, Charlie had a guest role in The Madame Blanc Mysteries and played Gary Gabbastone in the Eurovision-themed Doctor Who episode The Interstellar Song Contest.
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Denise Welch
Denise Welch in the Loose Women studio
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Denise Welch is a British TV icon making her first on-screen appearance in 1981’s Barriers, followed by her breakthrough role as Jean in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. From there, she went on to appear in Geordie staples Byker Grove and Spender, before being cast as Marsha Stubbs in Soldier, Soldier.
Her best-known acting roles include Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street, Steph Haydock in Waterloo Road and Mitzeee’s mother Trish Minniver in Hollyoaks. You may also know her for being a regular Loose Women panellist since 2005.
A lot of people think fitness has to stop when they go on holiday. They switch off completely, then struggle to get back into routine when they return home.
The good news is, it does not have to be all or nothing. You can enjoy yourself and still look after your body at the same time.
The key is to keep things simple. You do not need a gym or structured workouts. You just need a bit of movement each day. Walking is one of the best ways to do this.
Whether you are exploring, heading to the beach, or just moving around more than usual, steps quickly add up without it feeling like exercise.
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Swimming is another great holiday activity. It is easy on the joints and a brilliant full body workout without feeling like hard work. Even a short swim can help you feel refreshed and energised.
You can also do short bodyweight sessions in your room or outside. Ten minutes is more than enough to keep your body moving. Simple exercises like squats, lunges and press ups can help you stay on track without taking time away from your holiday.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they need to be perfect. Holidays are meant to be enjoyed. Food, drinks and treats are part of the experience. The goal is not to restrict yourself. The goal is to find balance.
A good approach is to focus on one healthy habit each day. It might be a walk in the morning, drinking more water, or doing a short workout before heading out for the day. Small actions like this keep you feeling good without taking away from your holiday.
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Hydration is also important, especially in warmer weather. Drinking enough water will help with energy, recovery and how you feel day to day. If you are drinking alcohol, try to balance it with water throughout the day.
The main thing to remember is that holidays should not undo your progress. In fact, they can actually help you reset mentally. A bit of movement, fresh air and balance can leave you feeling better than when you left.
Enjoy your time away, stay active in simple ways, and you will come back feeling refreshed rather than needing to start again from scratch.
Lancashire Police said they were contacted at 8.31pm on Saturday by the ambulance service informing the force it was treating two people who had been recovered from the sea off Rossall beach in Thornton Cleveleys by the coastguard.
Police said that, currently, they understand the pair had got into difficulty in the water after entering to rescue their dog which had become stuck.
The woman in her 60s was treated at the scene near Fleetwood Beach Cafe but was pronounced dead later in hospital.
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Inquiries to identify her next of kin are ongoing, the force added.
The man, also in his 60s, was taken to hospital where he remains in critical condition, while the dog was recovered safe and well.
Police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and a report will be passed to the coroner in due course.
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