Our survey revealed most Sky Mobile customers are content with the value they’re receiving, with 77 per cent declaring themselves satisfied.
As I stated earlier, the best deals are on offer to customers who already take other Sky products, as on a standalone basis, they aren’t always great value. For example, Sky’s cheapest tariff is only £5 per month for 1GB of data, but Lebara will offer you five times that amount of data for 5p less per month.
You need to do your sums when comparing Sky tariffs, as it often offers discounts for the first six months of a deal. For example, at the time of writing, it’s offering 40GB for £18 a month and 50GB for £20 a month, but the 50GB tariff is half price for the first six months. That means it’s £36 cheaper over the course of the year to plump for the 50GB contract than it is the 40GB. How confusing.
Sky also offers different discount offers on airtime if you’re buying a phone at the same time, so check the deals carefully if you’re in the market for a new mobile.
Advertisement
Speed
Score: 3.5/5
The Sky Mobile customers we surveyed gave the network a 72 per cent satisfaction score when it came to speed. That largely chimes with the experience of other companies that use O2. Giffgaff had a higher speed satisfaction score of 89 per cent, while O2 itself had a score of 73 per cent. Of the three main networks (O2, VodafoneThree and EE), it seems O2 has the most customers satisfied with their speeds.
Reliability
Score: 4/5
Again, there’s little to worry about when it comes to reliability on Sky Mobile. Overall, 83 per cent of Sky Mobile customers were happy with the reliability, with similar scores for Giffgaff (95 per cent) and O2 (84 per cent).
Advertisement
According to Ofcom’s latest figures, the O2 5G network reaches between 70 and 76 per cent of UK premises outdoors, which is some way behind the coverage offered by EE.
Support
Score: 3.5/5
Sky’s a big business, so you would hope its support is up to scratch, but generally, our survey revealed a few problems here. Seven out of ten Sky Mobile customers said they were happy with the ease with which they could contact the support team, while 73 per cent were happy with the quality of that support.
Those scores are better than those recorded by other big beasts, including BT Mobile, Vodafone and EE. However, they’re significantly down on the scores registered by Tesco Mobile.
Advertisement
Roaming
Score: 2.5/5
Roaming is something of a sore point for Sky Mobile customers. For many countries, you can use your contracted allowance of data, minutes and texts when travelling, but you must pay £2 a day for the privilege. Many destinations, such as India, Israel and Saudi Arabia are not included in that deal, meaning you must pay a ridiculous £2.16 per MB of data when you’re travelling. You’d be mad to even switch roaming data on in those countries. Opt for a travel SIM instead.
Little wonder Sky Mobile customers don’t rate the roaming value, with only 56 per cent satisfied.
Huge ‘No Kings’ protests against Donald Trump and the far-right have swept across the US.
Advertisement
People opposing Trump’s policies, like the Iran war, ICE and rising prices, gathered in major cities yesterday, with banners and effigies against the US president, JD Vance and other government top brass.
Organisers of the protests said they hoped the latest No Kings outing could attract millions of people.
While most of yesterday’s action is believed to have been peaceful, in West Palm Beach, Florida, tensions were high after Trump supporters engaged in verbal altercations with No Kings protesters.
A woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty was apprehended by the police in Los Angeles (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
A protester is knocked to the ground by an LAPD mounted police horse as officers evacuate the area following clashes near the Metropolitan Detention Center during the ‘No Kings’ rally (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
The protesters came face to face with competing flags and signs, with swearing and shouting until the police intervened, CNN reports.
In the metropolitan Los Angeles region alone, 40 protests were planned, including at the police detention centres.
Advertisement
Some clashes were reported between the demonstrators and the police, with officers launching tear gas at the people near the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison, according to the LA Times.
Protesters carried a large baby Trump blimp at the protests (Picture: Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
In London, an estimated half a million people gathered in London for ‘the biggest demonstration ever against the far right’, organisers said.
Protesters carrying placards saying ‘No to racism, no to Trump’, and ‘Refugees welcome’ marched through the capital to Whitehall amid a heavy police presence, with officers lining the streets.
Organisers said their estimates showed they had successfully outnumbered the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom rally in London in September.
Latest London news
To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub.
Advertisement
Thousands marched in California’s Huntington Beach, Orange County, against Trump (Picture: Ron Lyon/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
That demonstration – organised by right-wing activist Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people, while about 5,000 were involved in an anti-racism counter-demonstration.
There were several incidents of violent disorder which left some police officers injured on that occasion, and the event was condemned at the time by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who said it had left people feeling ‘more scared than they were before’.
On Saturday, organisers said people had gathered for a ‘peaceful’ demonstration against ‘hatred and division and racism’.
Advertisement
Rally co-organiser Kevin Courtney, chairman of the coalition, told crowds gathered on Whitehall: ‘Our estimate is now that there are half a million people on this demonstration – the biggest demonstration ever against the far right.
Advertisement
Protesters demonstrate during the ‘Together Against the Far Right’ protest in London (Picture: EPA)
‘And it gives us all confidence to carry on. Thank you very much.’
Speakers included former Labour MP Diane Abbott, who now sits as an independent in Parliament.
She told a cheering crowd: ‘The turnout today is the largest anti-racist march that I have seen in my lifetime, and you should all be proud of yourselves for coming out in such numbers today.’
Demonstrators carry a figure depicting US President Donald Trump (Picture: Reuters)
Sabby Dhalu, who is joint secretary of the Together Alliance and co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism, said the UK is seeing an ‘unprecedented growth’ in support for far-right organisations – but that she believed the size of attendance on Saturday had ‘intimidated the far right’ away from a counter-protest.
Speaking before the event, she said: ‘The Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom demonstration back in September 2025 was the biggest far-right mobilisation in British history.
‘We believe that the majority of British people stand against the hatred and division and racism that was being encouraged at that demonstration and by these types of organisations, and it’s time to act.’
Advertisement
People take part in a Together Alliance march through central London (Picture: PA)
Organisers said their estimates showed they had successfully outnumbered the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom rally (Picture: PA)
Asked if she was concerned about potential counter-protests and disorder, Ms Dhalu said: ‘We’re confident that the size of our mobilisation here today has actually intimidated the far-right, and I think they feel that they are not confident enough to stand against us because they know that we’re going to be out in big numbers.’
Singer Billy Bragg, who ahead of the march criticised US president Donald Trump as ‘a constant reminder of the cruel realities of the politics of division’, performed some protest songs onstage at Whitehall.
He said while concerns some have about migration might be justified, ‘their solutions are not justifiable in any way or sort’.
A person carries a placard as demonstators gather prior to a march against far-right extremism from Park Lane to Trafalgar Square (Picture: Reuters)
He added: ‘Re migration, the forced deportation of our fellow citizens, we’ve seen what that looks like in the United States of America.
‘And if it does come to that in this country then we will have to be as courageous as the people of Minneapolis who stood in the streets to deny (deportations).’
“It’s a lovely wool rug. Lovely to look at and lovely to walk on.”
Eleanor Fleming Regional Content Editor
11:34, 29 Mar 2026
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Adding a rug to a space can be a great finishing touch – whether it’s for extra colour, style or cushioning. At Dunelm, there is currently 50% off selected items, including one rug that shoppers are praising as ‘lively to look at and lovely to walk on’.
Dunelm’s half-price Elements Wave Natural Border Wool Rug is currently available from Dunelm for £49 to £229, depending on the size chosen. It is crafted from 100% wool for ‘a warm underfoot feeling’, and there are hand-carved scalloped edges for a ‘premium finish’.
Advertisement
Dunelm’s Elements Wave Natural Border Wool Rug features a neutral central colour, with bolder colours on the scalloped edges, making it a standout piece. To care for it, Dunelm recommends using a suction-type vacuum to ensure that rotating brushes don’t damage the wool pile.
Or, in the case of an accidental spillage, shoppers should ‘blot with a clean and dry cloth’. It is also worth noting that due to the woollen composition of the rug, there might be some fibre loss, but shoppers can trim any loose fibres with household scissors.
For those with more traditional tastes, Dusk has the Zahra Persian Style Machine Washable Rug in the colour natural, which is ‘arriving soon’ and costs £35. This comes in two sizes and four colours, and is described as having a ‘modern take on classic Persian style’, with a detailed pattern and warm, earthy tones.
Or at Habitat, part of the Sainsbury’s Group, there’s the Habitat Scalloped Stripe Beige Flatweave Rug (120 x 170cm) for £48.75, down from£65. This features a ‘striking pattern’ and it is made from hardwearing natural fabrics, making it ‘neutral and timeless’, the site says.
But back to the Elements Wave Natural Border Wool Rug from Dunelm, shoppers have left an average overall 4.1 out of five rating. One said: “Good rug and good value, pleased with thickness and design, looks more expensive than it was.”
Advertisement
A second said: “It’s a lovely wool rug. Lovely to look at and lovely to walk on.”
While a third wrote: “We bought this rug for our lounge and we love it, it’s just as described and good material, have received lots of compliments.” Others left some feedback, with one writing: “So chic and looks so expensive… has a lot of wool shed at the beginning which is pretty normal of a rug this price – but looks great.”
Someone else said: “It’s a soft and cushioned underfoot rug. Only thing you should be prepared (for is) that wool rugs naturally shed, so it’s shedding a lot… but as it was only a “not polyester” option, we knew and bought it.”
Paige Rose, founder of creative agency Hapn Creative, rebuilt her brand after bricks were thrown through the window of her home, where she lives with her five-year-old son.
She said: “Last year brought a situation no business owner or parent should have to face, when my home where my young son lives was targeted.
“It was deeply unsettling, but I made a conscious decision not to allow that moment to define either myself or the business I had built with such care.
“Instead, I chose to move forward with clarity and resilience.
Advertisement
“It was deeply unsettling, but I made a conscious decision not to allow that moment to define either myself or the business.”
Instead, she used the experience as fuel to drive her business forward.
Over the past four years, Hapn Creative has grown from a one-woman operation into a multi-award-winning agency with a team of seven.
The company now serves clients across the UK and internationally.
Advertisement
Hapn Creative has also gained national recognition, winning the title of The Best Social Media Strategy in the UK by Business Awards UK earlier this month.
That brought its total to eight awards, alongside a recent nomination for a Wigan Business Award.
Rose explained: “What began as a solo venture four years ago has since evolved into a refined creative agency working with a team and clients across the UK and internationally, and receiving national recognition for our work is a moment I’m incredibly proud of.
“For me, this journey represents more than growth.
Advertisement
“It’s about building something with strength, integrity and intention, regardless of the challenges faced along the way.”
Hapn Creative now serves clients across the UK and internationally, helping clients achieve more than 184 million views on Instagram reels. (Image: Supplied)
Hapn Creative has delivered notable results for its clients, helping them achieve more than 184 million views on Instagram reels and generating significant ROI through social media strategy.
The agency has worked on high-profile international projects, including collaborations with global brands such as Temu, Brainzyme, and The Productivity Method.
It has also produced branding and creative work for businesses in Milan and Paris, helped a London office brand fully occupy a building through digital marketing, and produced content for Isle of Man TT riders – going on to receive recognition and appreciation from TT rider Davey Todd.
Advertisement
In addition to running the agency, Rose has built a network of business professionals through Ignition Networking, most recently hosting entrepreneur Vicky Owens as a keynote speaker.
She was also featured on Ms Owens’ podcast, currently ranked in the top 10 business podcasts in the UK, where she spoke about the brick attack.
As the business continues to expand, Rose said her focus remains on delivering work that is “commercially impactful and creatively elevated” while building a brand that represents a more considered, global standard within the industry.
Everything you need to know as car crashes off the M6 into water shutting motorway for over nine hours – Manchester Evening News
Need to know
One casualty was rescued by firefighters
The empty southbound carriageway of the M6 in Cheshire this morning during the closure
M6 closed for hours after car crashes into water near Greater Manchester
A stretch of the M6 in Cheshire was closed for more than nine hours this morning (Sunday, March 29) after a car left the motorway and landed partially in water
The serious crash was reported at around 12:40am between junction 19 for Knutsford and junction 18 for Middlewich and Holmes Chapel.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were responding to “a road traffic collision where a car has left the M6 south carriageway and come to rest on the edge of a brook with the rear of the vehicle partially in the water.”
One casualty was rescued around 45 minutes later and handed over to paramedics. Their condition is not yet known.
A fire service technician was deployed into the water to help rescue the casualty and stabilise the car, which was then winched to a fire engine.
The carriageway was shut for more than nine hours whilst the vehicle was recovered and repairs carried out to the barriers before it eventually reopened at around 10:30am
The iconic character was first the hero of children’s books before making it onto television
Over the generations, there have been numerous iconic children’s TV shows, stories, and characters – like Iggle Piggle, Postman Pat, SpongeBob SquarePants or Bob the Builder. Each of these famous characters really takes people from all ages on a trip down memory lane and back to the good old days when our biggest concern was whether Bob the Builder could really fix it.
Advertisement
One small village, nestled in the middle of some lovely countryside, happens to have played a part in creating a very popular children’s character. Elsworth is a small village located around nine miles southeast of Huntingdon.
At first glance, it may look like any other village in the county, but it has a unique claim to fame. It is not only home to some gorgeous cottages but it also played a part in creating a much loved children’s character, Thomas the Tank Engine.
Reverend Wilbert Awdry OBE, was born in Hampshire but had later moved to the village in 1946 when The Railway Series, featuring iconic Thomas, was published. Reverend Awdry served as a rector from 1946 to 1952.
According to Cambridge Past, Present & Future, Awdry had just become rector of the parish of Elsworth when the success of his first two books led the publisher to ask Awdry to write a new book for the Railway Series every year. He did so for the next 24 years, writing five titles at Elsworth before moving to serve another parish.
Advertisement
A blue plaque commemorating the Reverend was unveiled in December 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of his first children’s books. Cambridge Past, Present & Future put the plaque on the old rectory to mark the books he wrote there.
You may be wondering what else makes the village so special. Well, a pub, two schools, and a church are just a few reasons why Elsworth is lovely.
The George and Dragon, situated on Boxworth Road, is a popular gastropub with a focus on fresh fish and seafood from local suppliers as well as high-quality meats such as dry aged beef.
Advertisement
The village is also home to two schools – Elsworth C Of E Primary School, and Elsworth Pre School – making it an ideal location for families with young children.
The village, complete with many thatched cottages and farmhouses, is home to a 14th century church, the Holy Trinity Church (where Awdry was a rector), along with a local shop run by villagers to offer the basics including fresh bread, sweet treats, and meat.
According to Rightmove, properties in this village had an overall average price of £707,500 over the last year. The majority of properties sold in Elsworth during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £781,000. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £340,000.
What followed was an unlikely journey. He went to film school, spent time in India chasing creative opportunities, then returned to the UK. He also helped a YouTube channel grow to 70,000 subscribers in just a year. In a more unexpected turn, he found himself running a surgical supply company after a surgeon discovered his content online.
Doting mum Segen Ghebrekidan’s 17-year-old son Solomon was brutally murdered. She tells of his bravery, his heroism, and how he’s not just another victim of knife crime
When a 17-year-old lad from the next road gave Segen Ghebrekidan a hug as she returned home at midday, something felt strangely unsettling. The teenager had happily tucked into a Sunday roast with her family before now and mucked around on the PlayStation with her 18-year-old son, Solomon. But as he walked back to his house on August 15, 2019, Segen, 41, recalls: “I had a strange feeling something wasn’t right.” Her intuition was spot on, as less than two hours later, her life changed forever.
Advertisement
Until her encounter with the youth, Segen’s day had been full of hope. After years working as a carer, she had just completed the final registration process to start a four-year course in health and social care – hoping to build a brighter future for herself, Solomon and his sister Angel, who was just three at the time. She says: “I had an interview that day and everything seemed positive.”
But Segen never got to start that course. For, at around 1.30pm, Solomon was walking through Brixton, where they lived in south west London, with a female friend, when they passed the same lad near a kebab shop. Exchanging a fistbump greeting, before leaving him and turning into another street, they realised the teenager was following them.
Catching Solomon and his friend up, the youth confronted them, leading to an argument that turned violent. Protective over his female friend, Solomon tried to shield her – pulling the lad away. But, as they struggled, the 17-year-old pulled out a knife and stabbed him repeatedly — six times in the chest, neck and arms. Three witnesses watched in horror as Solomon collapsed onto the pavement and a friend raced to fetch his mother.
Segen doted on Solomon, who was born on June 26, 2001 at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south west London, a few years after she moved to Britain from Eritrea. Sociable and caring, he made friends easily. Segen says: “He lit up any room he walked into. People just loved him.”
A devoted Manchester United fan, Solomon loved playing football and hanging out with friends on their estate. Studying painting and decorating at nearby Lambeth College, he hoped to have a career in the trade. Raised as a Rastafarian, following the beliefs of his father, who lives in Ethiopia, Solomon was active in the Ethiopian World Federation and regularly helped out at his church.
Segen says: “He played the drums during gatherings, helped prepare food and drinks and was always volunteering. He did charity work and was very well known in the community. He would come with me to community events and help people. If neighbours needed shopping carried upstairs, he would help them. Everyone spoke well of him. He was respectful, kind, always smiling and he adored his little sister. He would do anything for her.”
But as Segen raced to Solomon’s side that August day, she could see that she was losing him. Surrounded by paramedics and police officers, all fighting to save him, Segen recalls: “They were pumping blood into him. There were ambulances, police cars and even a helicopter.”
Doctors worked frantically for 45 minutes, performing emergency treatment behind red medical screens. But his injuries were too severe and he died at the scene. “My world stopped,” Segen whispers. “Half of my heart went with my son that day.”
The killer fled, but was tracked through CCTV and DNA evidence recovered from burnt clothing discovered during police searches. Five days later, on August 20, the 17-year-old handed himself in to police, accompanied by his mother. During interviews he repeatedly answered “no comment”.
But the girl Solomon had protected – who now lives under witness protection – testified in court. And six years ago, in March 2020, following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of murder. His identity protected because of his age, he was sentenced to detention at Her Majesty’s Pleasure – the juvenile equivalent of a life sentence – with a minimum of 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Angela Moriarty from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Solomon was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack.” Semen says: “My son died a hero. He stepped between the blade and the girl walking beside him, shielding her as violence erupted.
“’Run,’ he told her. She escaped. Solomon did not. That bravery has never really been acknowledged, but I am so proud of him. He was so selfless.” Since Solomon’s death, Segen has been forced to refute rumours that he was part of gangland culture. She says: “That simply wasn’t true. He had friends everywhere, but he wasn’t part of that life.”
To her horror, Solomon’s grave has been vandalised repeatedly, and threatening videos linked to gang culture appeared online, mocking his death. “It was incredibly disrespectful,” she says. In fact, Segen was so worried about knife crime and the risk of her son becoming involved that she regularly searched his room and pockets. She says: “He used to joke and call me ‘the police officer’.”
Nine days after his murder, Segen organised a memorial gathering at Brixton Town Hall for Solomon, attended by 500 people. Galvanised by her grief, since her son’s murder, Segen has poured all her energy into fighting knife crime. According to the latest government statistics, in the year ending March 2025, there were just over 50,000 police-recorded knife offences in England and Wales – 205 of them were murders.
A voracious campaigner, she organises marches against knife crime, under the banner ‘Brixton Says No to Knife Crime’ and has protested outside Scotland Yard. She’s also created support groups for women whose lives have been shattered by youth violence.
Through community fundraising events and selling donated clothes and books at stalls, she has raised thousands of pounds, funding several bleeding control kits, which are installed around the community in places like shops and chip shops, to help treat victims of knife crime or accidents. She says: “I even carry one myself now. I show people how to use them. If it saves just one life, then something good has come out of this tragedy.”
At the Baytree Centre – a social inclusion and educational charity in Brixton – she runs weekly workshops for women and girls whose families have been touched by knife crime, offering everything from exercise and baking classes to open discussions about grief and trauma.
She says: “It’s a safe space where women can talk about what they’ve been through. Before this, nothing like it existed.” Where knife crime is concerned, Segen believes education is key, as the police cannot stamp it out alone. She says: “The police cannot control everything. Parents and communities need to be involved.”
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Segen says the home she shares with Angel, now nine, feels empty without Solomon. She says: “He was brave. He thought about someone else before himself. My son was a hero. He was not just another victim of knife crime. And I will spend the rest of my life making sure people remember that.”
*Follow Segen’s campaign on Facebook at Solomon Legacy, and on Instagram at Solomon_Legacy_18
“The car boot sale is of substantial social and economic importance to Seaham and the wider area,” a planning statement read.
Advertisement
“On a typical Sunday, around 230 sellers and over 4,500 buyers attend, generating significant spend that benefits local traders, catering outlets, and the visitor economy.
“It is more than a market: it is a valued community meeting place, supporting social interaction, affordable opportunities for families, and the re-use and recycling of goods.”
In January, it was revealed the ITV presenter, 34, and Gillingham footballer, 32, were ‘over for good’ after a 10-year relationship, shocking fans.
Both parties initially remained silent on the split, but sources soon alleged that there had been a ‘breach of trust’ from Bradley, leading to Olivia ending the relationship.
Advertisement
Now, however, more details have surfaced about their split, shedding light on the reasons why they never actually made their marriage legally binding.
In June 2023, Olivia and Bradley held a lavish wedding at the five-star Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge, for which she stunned in a £30,000 Galia Lahav gown and adorned the venue with 25,000 individual flowers.
Their wedding was documented on an ITV reality show (Picture: ITVX)
The pair had reportedly intended to formalise the marriage weeks later, but Olivia is said to have decided against it after uncovering issues that caused concern.
Now, recent reports claim that multiple women have accused Bradley of being unfaithful during his relationship with Olivia.
In one alleged incident, he is said to have spent the night with a woman he met on a night out while Olivia was reportedly out of the country.
Advertisement
The Sun reported that Bradley spent the night at the woman’s house in Wythenshawe, before leaving the next morning and never contacting her again.
But it was reportedly never legally binding (Picture: ITVX)
The couple were married in 2023 (Picture: @bradleydack1)
The source continued, saying: ‘Olivia was ringing his phone all night and couldn’t get hold of him’.
Last week, Olivia hinted at more infidelity being revealed, writing on a selfie posted to Instagram in which she appears visibly emotional: ‘And reading “hey girly” texts on my break, gals come to the front today please and then I’m moving on with my life ty x’.
After Bradley and Olivia’s split was first revealed, she later took to Instagram as she updated her followers on the move into her new London pad, which she hadn’t ‘expected’ to be living in alone now.
The Kiss FM radio presenters and podcast co-hosts were out with friends at the Flute Bar in Soho, where they were seen locking lips, appearing to confirm that they were now more than friends, having previously shut down speculation that there was a spark between them.
Sources claimed Bradley felt ’embarrassed and upset’ upon seeing the snaps, which led to him unfollowing Olivia on social media.
Got a story?
Advertisement
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Brenda Fielding, from Atherton, marked the milestone by visiting the mill where she was employed in her younger years, bringing with her memories of its industrial past and sharing stories from her time on the mill floor.
Ena Mill welcomed Brenda and her family for the celebration, including a birthday cake provided by the team on site.
Reflecting on her return, Brenda joked about being “young and good looking” during her time working at the mill.
Advertisement
The visit offered a link between the building’s heritage and its present-day role, with Brenda’s story highlighting the mill’s place in the local community across generations.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login