Virgin Island series 2 has returned to Channel 4, with cast members required to follow a strict set of rules during filming

Virgin Island has returned with a fresh series launching tonight (April 27).

The Channel 4 programme follows 12 adult virgins participating in a distinctive intimacy retreat where they receive practical sexual guidance from specially qualified therapists, including sexological bodyworkers and sex surrogates.

This second series has been described as “bigger, bolder and even more transformative” and features an enlarged team of specialists, now incorporating a BDSM coach, reports the Daily Star.

Channel 4’s synopsis reveals: “Twelve new young people arrive on the island, each struggling with intimacy anxiety. This time, they know what the course offers and are determined to make the most of it.

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“But Celeste and Danielle, backed by an expanded team of sex therapists, have surprises that push them to confront their sexual issues-from religious shame and online bullying to body image anxiety. The experts also tackle sexual disorders on the rise among young people, such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and vaginismus.

“With many scared of intimate touch, will anyone fall in love, fall into bed, or even lose their virginity? The results are remarkable – more life-changing than ever before.”

As this latest series begins, audiences might be curious about the regulations governing the programme, particularly considering how hands-on things can get.

Mobile phones are prohibited

This probably won’t surprise viewers too much, as the cast are filmed surrendering their mobile phones immediately upon arriving at the lavish private Obonjan Island Resort in Croatia.

Yet, it emerges that the phone prohibition extends beyond filming periods, meaning the cast cannot access their devices for the entire duration of production. Series 2 required slightly over three weeks to complete, with the participants only receiving their phones back on the vessel returning home.

Speaking about the restriction, Series 2 star Millie explained: “You can’t have them [phones] for the three and a bit weeks when you arrive on the island, and it’s good in a way because you’re there to focus on you and you’ve got no social media.

“You’ve just got no negativity to look back on. So we only got it back once the therapy had finished and we were on the boat back to the airport.”

One telephone call is permitted weekly

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While their mobile phones are confiscated, the cast are permitted one telephone conversation per week with a family member or loved one during filming breaks.

Series 2’s Ed remembered: “We nominated a person who we’d want to talk to – I said my mum – and when we had a down day we’d get the opportunity to speak to them.

“It was really nice, but I think because everyone was so nice and I felt comfortable with everyone, I didn’t feel like I needed that phone call because I felt I had a support group with me.”

They must remain out of each other’s rooms

Each of the Virgin Island cast members receives their own room, which Millie described as being “big enough to fit a family of four in.”

Despite their generous living quarters, cast members are strictly forbidden from entering one another’s rooms. However, Ed acknowledged this rule was “easy enough to follow” given they spent as many as 15 hours together each day during filming.

The cast did push the boundaries somewhat by socialising on each other’s patios well into the early hours.

No contact with the therapists after the show

Season 1 participant Dave, who lost his virginity to sex surrogate Kat Slade on the programme, confirmed that ongoing contact with the therapists was not permitted.

In a 2025 interview with the Daily Mail following his appearance on the show, Dave revealed he was forbidden from maintaining contact with Kat. He revealed: “It was explained very clearly to us that you don’t stay in touch after – it’s sort of two weeks, and that’s it and then you move on.

“It’s not easy to just detach from feelings, but I think it’s an important lesson of it to like have those feelings and then let go of them, which probably is one of the most important lessons.”

Virgin Island airs Mondays and Tuesday nights from 9pm on Channel 4.

Emergency services worked for around two hours to tackle the blaze at a residential property on Lightbounds Road in Bolton.

Fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels, a positive pressure ventilation fan and a gas monitor to extinguish the fire.

The teenager was taken to hospital by ambulance crews.

Circumstances around the cause or nature of the fire are unclear at this time and we will provide updates as we have them.

The fire broke out on Lightbounds Road Bolton this evening, Monday, April 27 (Image: supplied)

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 6.30pm this evening (Monday 27th April), three fire engines from Bolton Central, Bolton North, and Horwich fire station were called to reports of a building fire involving a property on Lightbounds Road, Bolton.

 “Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels, a positive pressure ventilation fan and a gas monitor to extinguish the fire.

“A 13-year-old boy was taken to hospital by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service. Firefighters were in attendance for around two hours.”

We have contacted Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) for more information.

Belfast Live reached out to PSNI for comment.

A police spokesman said: “Road users are advised the M1 heading eastbound at its Blacks Road junction, Antrim is closed at the junction 6 off-slip due to a concern for safety in the area. “Please avoid the area at this time – and seek an alternative route for your journey.”

Patricia Heaton is calling on left-leaning people to abandon divisive rhetoric after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and several members of Trump’s administration were rushed out of the annual event Saturday while attendees sheltered in place after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton. Suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was taken into custody after allegedly shooting a Secret Service agent who was injured and later released from the hospital. No one else was hurt in the incident, according to police.

The security scare predictably sparked online debates about what led up to the attack, with MAGA warriors blaming anti-Trump media while critics speculated over unfounded conspiracy theories.

On Sunday, Heaton — known for her roles on sitcoms Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle — weighed in on the discourse by pleading for one side to cool down.

“I wasn’t happy when [Bill] Clinton, [Barack] Obama or [Joe] Biden won, but I didn’t call them fascist/dangerous/threat to democracy,” the 68-year-old actor said in an X post shared Sunday. “I didn’t hope someone would assassinate them. I went on with my life with gratitude. Friends on the left, please try this. Your life and our country will be better.”

Heaton has been vocal about her conservative views in the past, and was a registered Republican until 2021. She previously spoke out against heated political discourse and slammed violent rhetoric in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination in September 2025. Representatives for Heaton did not immediately return The Independent’s request for further comment about her most recent remarks.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that the shooter’s motive is still being investigated, but that early findings indicate that Trump administration officials were being targeted at the gala.

Heaton is not the only MAGA ally to turn attention on anti-Trump rhetoric after the shooting.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press conference Monday: “This crazed rhetoric about the president, day after day after day, it inspires them to do crazy things.”

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She added, “When you read the manifesto of this shooter, ask yourselves, how different is the rhetoric almost-assigned than what you read on social media and hear in various forums every single day? The answer, if you’re being honest with yourself, is that there is no difference at all. Much of the manifesto of the would-be assassin is indistinguishable from the words we hear daily from so many.”

Allen, a computer programmer from Torrance, California, allegedly had a manifesto in which he referred to himself as a “friendly federal assassin.”

The document, reportedly sent to Allen’s family members before the alleged attack, read that “I’m no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”

In his first court appearance Monday, Allen was hit with three charges, including trying to assassinate the president.

Retailers including Tesco, Primark, Matalan, Smyths Toys, The Entertainer, Aldi, Argos, Asda and M&S have taken the toys off shelves after they were found to contain the substance, recall information on the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) website shows.

A minister has outlined upcoming reforms to address the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit ‘cliff edge’ for claimants in supported housing and temporary accommodation, due in autumn 2026

The DWP has issued an update regarding forthcoming changes that will affect housing benefit and Universal Credit claimants who face a so-called ‘cliff edge’. Ministers are finalising amendments to legislation that could have far-reaching implications for the financial circumstances of claimants.

The underlying cause appears complex but carries significant weight. At present, claimants experience what is described as a ‘cliff edge’ if they reside in supported housing or temporary accommodation.

This leads to them losing benefits when they start to earn income. The point at which this occurs is now set to be revised, with modifications anticipated before the year concludes.

The regulation centres on what is referred to as ‘earned income disregards’. The Department for Work and Pensions is looking to raise the amount people can earn that is disregarded when calculating housing benefit.

The matter was brought to public attention following a parliamentary question tabled in recent days. Lola McEvoy, a Labour MP for Darlington, asked the DWP what the ‘planned timetable is for the implementation of the earned income disregards; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of these changes.”, reports the Mirror.

Changes were announced during Rachel Reeves’ Budget last year. However, specifics regarding the implementation date remain to be confirmed. The Budget papers stated at the time: “The government is introducing new earned income disregards in Housing Benefit for claimants in supported housing and temporary accommodation. This will reduce the financial cliff edge when moving into, or progressing in, work, ensuring that work pays.”

A minister has now provided further details in response to the Labour MP’s enquiry. Stephen Timms – Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions), said: “As announced at Autumn Budget, the department will be introducing new earned income disregards for those in receipt of Housing Benefit and live in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation. These disregards will help smooth the transition between the Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for individuals in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation as they move into work or increase their earnings, ensuring work always pays.”

“The new disregards will be in place from autumn 2026. This will require legislative changes and be accompanied by IT changes made to local authority IT systems. In preparation for this, we have already begun engagement with stakeholders to ensure that the implementation meets the needs of those affected. This is accompanied by clear communications to support local authorities, housing providers and third sector organisations to ensure that eligible customers are aware of and able to utilise this change.” Industry specialists argue the present system is deterring numerous individuals from pursuing work. In a briefing note to the DWP, homelessness charity St Mungo’s explained: “Supported housing exists to help people to live as independently as possible, helping improve their quality of life, their well-being, their health, and their employment prospects.”

“Yet people in supported housing face a specific barrier and disincentive to work due to the way the welfare system is configured. Whereas people in receipt of benefits in the Private Rented Sector become steadily better off the more they work, people in supported housing see their benefits taken away more quickly and can actually become worse off when they work more hours.

“This is because of an anomaly in the benefit system where people in supported housing are still receiving Housing Benefit for their rent but are on Universal Credit for their living costs. The way these two benefits interact, and the high Housing Benefit taper rate (set at 65%), means that people hit a ‘cliff edge’ after which they become worse off as they increase their hours. This puts residents at risk of accruing arrears as the rent becomes unaffordable.”

The charity stated that “because of this cliff edge and the fear of people not being able to afford their rent, we often see residents’ securing jobs that they need to turn down because they are ‘too many hours’.” It cautioned that those already in full-time employment frequently request reduced hours or abandon work altogether when part-time options are unavailable.

It noted: “Residents can also understandably be anxious about entering employment whilst in supported housing, due to the complexity and risk associated with the current benefit rules. When St Mungo’s clients were asked in its 2023 survey – ‘What barriers put you off from going into work, if any?’ 27% of its residents stated ‘I’m concerned that working whilst living in homelessness accommodation will cause problems with my benefits’.”

Beau Greaves became the first woman to win a PDC ranking title by defeating Michael Smith 8-7 in the Players Championship 11 final in Milton Keynes.

The 22-year-old checked out with 142 in the deciding leg to seal victory against the former world champion, closing with a double 11.

She also took out 170 in leg nine, on her way to a 80% checkout success and an average of 96.49.

Greaves enjoyed a strong run to the final, defeating two more ex-world champions in Rob Cross 6-5 in the quarter-finals and Gary Anderson 7-1 in the semi-finals.

It is the latest step in Greaves’ ascendant career, after she recorded a 114-match winning run in the PDC Women’s Series and became the first woman to hit a nine-dart finish on the PDC ProTour.

“I’ve had a great year, but I never thought I’d win one of these, never ever,” said Greaves.

“Today I played really well. I’m so happy, I can’t even describe the way I feel. I feel so proud of myself.

“I beat Gary Anderson – I can’t believe it. Even beating Michael – I’m beating players I watched growing up. Hopefully I can kick on and keep doing it.”

Elsewhere in the tournament, world number two Luke Humphries exited in the third round 6-5 to Max Hopp, while Premier League Darts players Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock fell in the first round.

The event did not feature world champion Luke Littler, who is yet to play in a Players Championship event this year, while Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall were also not in the field.

There are 34 Players Championship events across the year, with the competition’s finals held in Minehead, Somerset from 26-30 November, featuring the 64 best-performing players.

Greaves currently sits fifth in the Players Championship order of merit after her win on Monday.

Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley both deny all offences. WARNING: This article contains distressing details

A couple subjected a toddler they were in the process of adopting to sleep deprivation and sexual assaults before he died, a court heard.

Preston Davey had been placed with Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley at their Blackpool home in April 2023 when he was nine months old, Lancs Live reported.

Over the course of the following three months, until Preston’s death on July 27 that year, the couple are alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted Preston and inflicted serious injuries said to have been caused by 37-year-old Varley sexually assaulting the toddler.

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The couple today (Monday April 27) went on trial at Preston Crown Court accused of a total of 29 offences. Varley, a former teacher, is accused of murdering Preston as well as 25 further charges of sexually and physically mistreating the child.

McGowan-Fazackerley, 32, is charged with causing or allowing the death of the child, sexual assault and four other offences relating to neglect and ill-treatment. Both men, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, deny all charges.

A jury made up of seven men and seven women was sworn in this afternoon before Peter Wright KC opened the case on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Wright KC warned the jury from the outset that the trial would likely last six weeks and include distressing details, images and videos. Some of those images and videos, taken from Varley’s phone, were shown to jurors including a series of three pictures which showed a sleeping Preston slumped over the bars of his cot.

The prosecutor said that stains in the cot were examined and were “consistent with the presence of fluid containing saliva, the microscopic characteristics of a sperm cell and a mixed DNA result that could have originated from cells from Preston and Mr McGowan-Fazackerley were found”.

The court heard that Preston had been born on June 16 in 2022. In April 2023, when he was nine months old, he was placed in the defendants’ care as they looked to formally adopt him.

Mr Wright KC said: “The defendants were living together as a couple at an address in Blackpool. They had been together as a couple for some considerable time. Less than four months later, at about 6.30pm on Thursday July 27 in 2023 Preston was brought to the accident and emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital by these defendants.

“Preston was unconscious and he was in a state of cardiac arrest. His heart had stopped. By now he was aged just 13 months. Despite the best efforts of medical staff Preston was in terminal decline. His condition was irreversible and at 7.20pm that evening he was pronounced dead.

“A post mortem examination revealed the cause of his death to be, in the opinion of the pathologist, the result of acute upper airways obstruction. In the opinion of the forensic pathologist that obstruction which led to his death was as a result either of a smothering, most likely with a hand or soft fabric, or by the insertion of an object or objects into his mouth.

“Someone, with something, so compromised this little boy’s ability to breathe that he was smothered to death. This tragedy was not some unforeseen accident or natural phenomenon. The evidence gathered revealed a much more sinister pathology.”

The prosecutor outlined some of the injuries which Preston sustained and which the Crown alleges were caused by the defendants.

“In his brief life [Preston] was routinely ill treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted,” the KC said. “At the time of Preston’s death he was found to have sustained around 40 traumatic injuries over the course of the time he had been in their care.

“He had a healing fracture to his left upper arm that was non-accidental.”

Jurors were told that Varley is accused of taking various images of Preston “in a state of undress in which the focus is the genitalia of that little boy” including when he and Preston were in the bath together. Varley is said to have sent some of these images and videos to McGowan-Fazackerley.

Turning to the day of Preston’s death, July 27 in 2023, Mr Wright KC said: “These events took place in the defendant’s home when Jamie Varley was the only person at home.

“It was only later, when Preston’s condition became so extreme that it led to his collapse, that the defendant Jamie Varley together with his then recently-returned partner Mr McGowan-Fazackerley took that little boy 0.9 miles to the hospital. They didn’t live very far away. But it was all too late.”

Turning to McGowan-Fazackerley’s role on the day Preston died, the prosecutor added: “He was working in the Manchester area and it was only when he returned home they took that little boy to the hospital.

“But that doesn’t absolve him. He had joint responsibility for Preston’s care and his well-being. Mr McGowan-Fazackerley failed to take steps to protect Preston. The unlawful act that caused his death occurred in circumstances that he foresaw or ought to have foreseen. He must have known about it and we say he had, on one occasion, participated in sexual assault.”

‘No stranger to A&E’

The court heard that Preston “was no stranger to Blackpool Victoria Hospital”. The prosecutor said: “After he was placed with [the defendants] Preston was admitted to Blackpool Victoria on three occasions in May, late June and early July with a variety of ailments including difficulty breathing, seizures, a nosebleed and a fracture to his elbow.

“Staff noticed facial bruising but it was explained by the defendants. On admission Preston appeared to recover quickly from any reported breathing difficulties or abnormality. Although physicians put it down to non-specific viral chest infections the tests conducted after death disclosed findings that were consistent with earlier episodes of respiratory obstruction.”

Mr Wright KC said that in one video found on Varley’s phone Preston was being spun on a playground ride “at such a force that his eyes were going in opposite directions”. That video was later set to music with Preston’s eyelids “spinning round and round which Mr Varley clearly thought was amusing and sent to a friend,” he added.

The jurors were also shown a video showing Preston struggling to keep his eyes open while sat up with very loud music playing in the room which keeps waking him.

The trial continues.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump after allegedly trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives.

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A man who purportedly attempted to force his way into the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives has been charged with trying to assassinate Donald Trump.

Cole Tomas Allen was apprehended following the shooting incident on Saturday evening and is facing charges in federal court in Washington.

He made his court appearance on Monday to answer charges stemming from a tumultuous confrontation that saw shots fired, Trump being swiftly escorted from the stage, and attendees taking cover beneath their tables.

Officials report that an officer clad in a bullet-resistant vest sustained a shot to the vest but is anticipated to make a full recovery.

Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, is being defended by solicitors from the federal defender’s office and sat alongside them in court dressed in a blue prison outfit. He faces additional charges of transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. No plea was entered, reports the Mirror.

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Authorities have yet to disclose a motive, though in a message that officials claim was sent by Allen to relatives moments prior to the attack, Allen described himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” made numerous references to the Republican president without explicitly naming him, and alluded to complaints concerning various Trump administration policies.

Investigators are treating these writings, alongside a series of social media activity and discussions with family members, as amongst the most compelling evidence of the suspect’s state of mind and potential motivations.

Allen, aged 31, is understood to have journeyed by rail from California to Chicago before continuing to Washington, where he registered as a guest at the hotel hosting the gala dinner, which featured characteristically stringent security measures, according to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

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Footage shared by Trump depicts a man, whom authorities claim was carrying firearms and bladed weapons, sprinting past a security barrier while Secret Service personnel rushed towards him and successfully tackled him to the ground.

Police have stated previously that the suspect was staying at the Washington Hilton, the venue for the dinner, and they are confident he operated independently.

Documentation reveals Allen is a well-qualified tutor and hobbyist video game creator. A social media account belonging to an individual with an identical name and photograph that seemingly corresponds to the suspect indicates he has been employed part-time over the past six years at a firm providing admissions guidance and examination preparation services to prospective university students.

Multinational manufacturing giant BYD has joined Teesside Airport as Gold Sponsor for the delegation which will be in the far east for a week.

The were joined by European Cargo, Autohorn, Sound Leisure, Tudor International, RJJ Software, Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy, China Marketing Corp, Jolene and QL Consulating.

A spokesperson for BYD said: “BYD is proud to host the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission.

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“As an enthusiastic supporter of UK industry and employment, we welcome the opportunity to build our links with both local business and government representives.

“The chance to showcase how our technology and expertise can add value to partners, which is very exciting.”

Over the course of the visit, which began last week, the Chamber will host meetings with the British Consulate General Guangzhou, Yantian Port, the China Britain Business Council, HSBC and the Consulate General of Hong Kong, among many others.

The Chamber selected the Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as Hong Kong, as the destinations based on recommendations from its membership and the mission follows highly successful visits to the United States, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber, said: “At a time when there is so much instability for businesses transacting abroad, we want to use our tried and tested Chamber brand to give our members confidence to take their first-class goods and services around the planet.

“Given that the total trade between the UK and China was £102.3bn last year and that China remains the country’s fifth largest trading partner, it makes complete sense why our members want to forge greater connections with these territories.

“In an ever-shrinking world, we want to ensure our members get all the support they can to trade internationally.”