From thinking about whether you’re allowed to travel with a power bank to catching yourself wondering why planes have ashtrays when you can’t smoke, jetting off abroad takes some serious brainpower.

However, the one thing we can never prepare for? Poorly behaved passengers – something (or someone!) that can ruin your trip before it’s even begun.

I’ve been on so many trips where I can’t sleep or get comfortable because people are reclining in front of me – and don’t get me started on people unnecessarily blocking the aisles.

If you want to avoid becoming that person, you’re in luck. In a HuffPost UK exclusive, etiquette expert Grant Harrold spoke to SMC Coach Hire about the biggest mid-air mistakes travellers make on planes – and his golden rules for surviving the skies with your dignity intact.

“If you’re on a normal day flight, you don’t need to sleep on the plane, therefore you do not need to recline in that seat. If it’s under two hours, you shouldn’t recline it. If it’s over three hours, you have the possibility of reclining it.

“People get really annoyed as they’re trying to eat, trying to watch movies, they’re trying to do stuff. If you do want to recline, ask the person behind you first out of courtesy. If they say yes, tell them to let you know if they want you to put it up at any point.”

“For shorter flights, some passengers opt to take on their own food – but it’s important to be courteous when making your choices. Don’t eat anything with a strong smell, it’s a small space and smells can really travel.

“Definitely avoid fish, but also things like crisps with a strong smell. Also, from a safety point of view, don’t buy anything that could put people with allergies at risk – so nuts are a definite no-no.”

“There should be strict rules about the armrests. If you’ve got a window seat, you do not get the armrest on the left-hand side. You can lean on the side where the window is.

“If you’ve got an aisle seat, you’ve got the luxury of being able to go up and down to the toilet. You have got access to the whole plane. If you have the middle seat, you need to be diplomatic, and people need to allow that person to rest their arms.”

“People who put the blinds down during the day on the plane are quite annoying. While it’s technically next to them, it has an impact on everyone around them. If it’s very bright and it’s in your eyes, ask the people next to you if they mind you closing it.

“But if it’s just because you want some darkness, closing them is rude and selfish. If you plan to sleep on a daytime flight, take an eye mask with you. It’s not acceptable to make everyone else sit in darkness so you can have a quick nap.”

“I’ve been on flights where you hear the whole conversation the whole way. I’ll have a short conversation occasionally, but also, if people are trying to sleep next to you, do not have conversations, especially if it’s a night flight.

“If you do need to talk, speak quietly in hushed tones so it doesn’t impact those around you.”

Grant adds: “Offer to help people with luggage and be polite to fellow travellers. Being a good passenger is all about showing respect to those around you.

“If you’re in a three-seat situation and if somebody’s trying to pass something to the cabin crew, you should always pass it to them. Also, help people put their bags into the overhead compartments.”

One of my favourite YouTube blunders is from creator Brittany Broski, who complained to drag queen Trixie Mattel (busy giving the online star a heavy-lashed makeover at the time): “When I close my eyes, I can’t see.”

It’s hard not to laugh at Trixie’s disbelieving “Well…”, given that we all know the world goes dark when we lower our lids.

Except ― does it? While we clearly can’t “see” the real world when our eyes are closed, many of us do start to notice patterns, shapes, and colours when our retinas are deprived of light.

Why is that, how common is it, and what does it mean?

According to health information site Healthline, these are called “closed-eye hallucinations.”

They’re technically hallucinations because, well, when you close your eyes you can’t see ― the visions come completely from your brain.

Common “closed-eye hallucinations” include swirling shapes, pixel-like squares, seemingly random objects, and even flashing lights.

Mine often look a bit like the ever-moving Windows ’98 screensavers and it never occurred to me that not everyone sees them.

These come from phosphenes, healthcare providers Cleveland Clinic explains, which create “flashes of light with or without structure that you see when there isn’t an actual source of light entering into your eye.”

They’re most often present when there’s pressure on your eyes (I sleep with my face mushed into a pillow, so that makes sense) ― but they can also arise from your brain or retina.

The illusions “may or may not be” a sign of medical issues, Cleveland Clinic says ― though Healthline assures us that, “Closed-eye hallucinations aren’t typically a cause for concern.”

They can sometimes arise after a blow to the head, as a result of retinal or neurological conditions, due to chemo and radiation, or as a withdrawal symptom.

They can also appear when you cough or rub your eyes and even reveal low blood pressure.

“If you see phosphenes frequently and you have other symptoms that worry you, like double vision (diplopia) or blurry vision, you should consult an eye care provider, such as an ophthalmologist,” Cleveland Clinic shares.

“If you know you have diabetes, or if you’re seeing floaters in conjunction with the phosphenes, you should also consult an eye care provider.”

Healthline adds that “if closed-eye hallucinations are so significant that they cause insomnia or anxiety, consider seeing a doctor.”

The majority of cases, however, are nothing to worry about.

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Pride started as a protest, there’s no disputing that fact. And while that sentiment needs to continue today more than ever, allow me to present something radical: pleasure is resistance.

While of course it’s important to recognise and shout about the myriad ways queer people continue to be excluded from rights and society, if there’s one thing that’s going to stick it to the man, it’s us having a banging good time.

And I mean that literally: partying and drinking, duh, but also chasing that orgasm high.

So you can get your socks off this Pride month, whether you have a penis or vulva, I’ve consulted sexologist and therapist for Passionerad Sofie Roos to help me round up the best LGBTQ+ sex toys to shop now.

Best LGBTQ+ sex toys at a glance:

A sex toy is a sex toy, meaning any type can work for straight people and queer folk alike (if you get creative enough), according to Roos.

“The most common queer sex toy categories are basically the same as for straight people, which includes:

• Clit vibrators
• Dildos in all its shapes, sizes and materials,
• Anal toys such as butt plugs,
• Cock rings,
• Masturbators,
• Couples’ vibrators and long-distance sex toys, even though prostate massagers, strap-ons and harnesses always are a bit extra trendy and relevant among the LGBTQ+ community!”

“Do you want the toy to focus on the clitoris, give vaginal stimulation, stimulate the G-spot, your penis, balls, anal, the prostate, nipples or something else, and do you value how it looks or only how it feels?” Roos recommends asking yourself.

“Look for toys made out of bod- safe materials, such as medical silicone, glass or stainless steel,” Roos adds. “Pay attention to user reviews, try to pick well- established retailers and brands, and go for one premium toy rather than two or three budget options.”

“You don’t need to go for the most popular sex toys, but rather you should try to find something that feels right for your body and identity, and looks like it will help you discover what gives you pleasure,” Roos emphasises. A good sign you’ll like something is if the mere sight of it excites you.

Keep reading to find our round up of the best LGBTQ+ to shop, and our tips for how to figure out which you’ll enjoy the most.

In 2026, non-realistic dildos are especially popular, according to Roos. “This includes fantasy dildos, such as dragon or beast models, and dildos that are gender-neutral and don’t look like penises, but instead have strong colours, no glans and no balls,” she says.

“More queer people are entering relationships with folk who live far away, for example because the dating scene is too small where they live, which has made everything from WiFi controlled vibrators, to remote butt plugs, and distance controlled sleeves extra trendy,” Roos explains.

In 2026, sex toys are also starting to focus less on orgasm as the end goal, and more on the experience of pleasure as a whole, Roos adds.

“I’ve noticed a bigger interest in sexual wellbeing products, rather than to only focus on giving strong orgasms,” she says. “More and more, sex toys are talked about as an important part of mental health, in getting to know your body better, and for creating better and stronger intimacy both with yourself and your partner.”

“Bring it up outside the bedroom in a situation where you’re both relaxed,” Roos recommends. Rather than bring these conversations up during sex, which can make your partner feel pressured, approach it in a neutral setting with curiosity, and ask whether it’s something your partner would be interested in.

“Bring up your expectations, boundaries, needs and what you feel comfortable and curious about, as well as what you don’t want to try, this as it gives much better opportunities for having a great experience from the start,” Roos adds. “The more you talk, and the more honest you are, the easier and safer it will be to go from theory to actually testing a sex toy together.”

While talking about sex toys, make sure to emphasise their purpose is to add to both partners’ pleasure, rather than replace them. “Try to be clear that sex toys are a complement, and something that enriches your already fun, hot, and intimate sex life,” Roos says. “This is to avoid your partner feeling like the toy is a replacement for them.”

Once you’re done, talk about the experience and what you both enjoyed. “Ask what felt good, what would you want to try next time, and what didn’t feel comfortable,” Roos recommends.

Ageing can bring a variety of unwelcome surprises, from digestive changes to disrupted sleep.

But if you’ve noticed you’re having trouble reaching overhead, getting dressed or lying down comfortably due to shoulder stiffness, you might be dealing with more than just typical aches.

You could be experiencing frozen shoulder, a condition that affects women at a disproportionately high rate, particularly during midlife.

And while you may be tempted to quietly chalk it up to getting older, experts say that’s exactly the kind of thinking that can delay the care you need.

Those who have developed frozen shoulder are in good company. Amy Poehler, Naomi Watts, Amanda Peet, Sheinelle Jones, Jenna Bush Hager and Teri Hatcher have all spoken publicly about their own experiences with the condition – shining a light on something that many have suffered through in silence, assuming it was simply part of ageing.

But just because it’s common, it doesn’t mean it’s something to ignore. Here’s what you should know about frozen shoulder and what to do if you think you have it.

Known medically as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a condition in which your shoulder becomes painful, stiff and tough to move over time.

“Frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, which results in limited movement,” said Rachael Jones, a family nurse practitioner and senior vice president of clinical client strategy at the fertility and family well-being company WIN.

“It can feel like the shoulder is ‘locking up,’ which can make daily tasks such as getting dressed, reaching overhead, lifting your arm or even sleeping feel incredibly uncomfortable.”

The condition can look different from person to person, but there are some telltale signs to watch for.

“Common symptoms of frozen shoulder include persistent shoulder pain – which is often worse at night – along with a gradual loss of motion and difficulty reaching, lifting or rotating the arm,” Jones explained.

“It can also show up in more subtle ways, like trouble reaching behind your back, avoiding certain movements because of discomfort or sleep disruption due to shoulder pain.”

Frozen shoulder doesn’t happen all at once. It actually develops through three phases.

“The first is a freezing phase, when pain increases,” Jones said. “The second is a frozen phase, when stiffness becomes more pronounced, and the third is a thawing phase, when recovery begins.”

She noted that the full cycle typically lasts between one and two years, which is part of why catching it early makes a difference.

Some people are more likely than others to experience frozen shoulder. And while men are more prone to some shoulder injuries linked to physical wear and tear, frozen shoulder doesn’t follow that pattern. It’s actually women who bear the greater burden.

“It is most common in adults between 40 and 60, especially women over 50, as well as people undergoing hormonal shifts or metabolic conditions,” Jones said.

“Frozen shoulder seems to be more common in women in this age group because it often coincides with perimenopause and menopause, as hormonal changes may increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal issues. Women may also experience a more gradual onset, sometimes assuming it is just normal ageing or overuse, which can delay care.”

She broke down the role that menopause can play in the development of frozen shoulder.

“As oestrogen declines, inflammation levels can change, collagen and connective tissues become less elastic, and the body’s healing capacity may slow. Musculoskeletal concerns – including joint stiffness and frozen shoulder – are regularly experienced during this transition. While menopause may not be the sole cause, it can trigger or worsen frozen shoulder.”

The good news is that frozen shoulder is treatable, and there’s quite a bit you can do, both at home and with professional support.

“Treatment for frozen shoulder can include physical therapy, which is a cornerstone of recovery, anti-inflammatory medications and in some cases, corticosteroid injections,” Jones said.

“At home, practical strategies to treat frozen shoulder include daily gentle stretching such as pendulum swings and wall walks, using heat before stretching to loosen tissue, applying ice after activity if there is inflammation and staying hydrated.”

Other strategies she listed include adjusting your sleep position so as “to avoid lying directly on the affected shoulder” and eating anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, berries and turmeric.

“The key is consistency without pushing through sharp pain,” Jones said. “If symptoms persist and home remedies are not enough, physical therapy is strongly recommended. In some cases, steroid injections may reduce inflammation and improve mobility. In rare and severe cases, minor surgical intervention may be considered.”

She also highlighted the importance of not waiting: “Early evaluation is important because it can help prevent prolonged stiffness.”

With the right support, those afflicted with frozen shoulder can reduce pain, increase shoulder function and return to their regular activities. Jones urged women in particular to resist any urge to simply endure shoulder pain as an inevitable part of getting older.

“Women should not ignore shoulder pain as ‘just ageing,’” she said. “If pain is lingering or mobility is decreasing, early intervention can make a difference.”

Dwayne Johnson has spoken candidly about missing out on an Oscar nomination for his role as mixed martial arts legend Mark Kerr in the sports biopic The Smashing Machine.

The former WWE star earned widespread praise for his transformation into the troubled MMA pioneer in the Benny Safdie drama, with many critics hailing it as the best performance of his career.

While it earned him a Golden Globe nomination and plenty of Oscar buzz, no Academy Award glory followed.

The wrestler-turned-actor has now revealed to Esquire that his disappointment at this awards snub has only fuelled his determination to push himself further in Hollywood.

“It would have been incredible to get nominated for an Oscar,” he explained, before adding: “I realised very quickly that it’s a rare thing to reach this pinnacle where you’re even having these conversations. And it’s exciting!”

Dwayne continued: “It would have been amazing. I wish it happened. But it didn’t.

“But in no uncertain terms did I ever think, ‘Oh, that doesn’t matter’. I always thought it mattered. And it has lit a fire in my spine, which is: Let’s go back to work.”

In December, Dwayne reflected on the experience of making The Smashing Machine to IndieWire, telling them he needed to take on the role and step outside his comfort zone for his “soul”.

“I need to challenge myself and I need to listen to my gut and my instinct and this little voice that has now become very resounding, banging on my rib cage, ’You must do this. A change has to happen, and it’s scary, and that’s K,” he said, before adding that he didn’t want to “wake up 25 years from now” and regret not having taken on the role.

Despite its critical acclaim, The Smashing Machine underperformed at the box office, but at the time, Dwayne felt like the film was more than just about numbers and making money.

“My relationship with success for The Smashing Machine is not a number,” he told IndieWire. “And it may sound convenient, but I mean this from the heart, it’s just peace. Being at peace with it, and being at peace with the performance.”

The Smashing Machine also starred Oscar nominee Emily Blunt and UFC’s Ryan Bader, and when it premiered at last year’s Venice International Film Festival, it received a 15.5-minute ovation and won the Silver Lion.

Looking ahead, Dwayne is already preparing for his next collaboration with Benny Safdie on Lizard Music.

His next film is the live-action reimagining of Disney’s Moana, which is released in cinemas in July.

Andy Burnham is likely to become Labour leader and prime minister without a contest if he wins next week’s Makerfield by-election, a former aide to Keir Starmer has said.

James Lyons told the HuffPost UK podcast Commons People that “we will see a significant number of MPs nominating Andy in a way that makes it very difficult for the prime minister to fight on”.

In those circumstances, Lyons said Starmer could agree to “some sort of stable and orderly transition” to Burnham.

The prime minister has told ministers that he will stand in a Labour leadership contest if one is triggered.

But Lyons, who was No.10 director of communications between 2024 and 2025, said that once his former boss is confronted with the reality of the situation he faces, he will be forced to think again.

He said: “The prime minister can survive, the question is ‘will he’, and I think if Andy Burnham is elected next Thursday, I don’t think he will.

“I think there’s every chance that what we will see is a coronation and we will see a significant number of MPs nominating Andy in a way that makes it very difficult for the prime minister to fight on.

“I know in his heart he will want to [fight on], he definitely feels he is the best person to be leading the country during this omni-crisis that has been created by the conflict in the Middle East and the conflict in Europe.

“Under those circumstances, if a sizeable proportion of the parliamentary party don’t want you, I think it’s very hard to carry on.”

Lyons added: “All things are possible on this earth, but if an overwhelming majority of the parliamentary party have said they’re backing somebody else I think it’s very, very hard to carry on.

“Of course he’s going to say that he’s going to fight, you saw that with Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Right until the last they said they were going to fight, and that’s the right thing to do.

“But come the early hours of next Friday morning, if it looks like Andy’s there, then I think that’s the time to start having some conversations about whether’s it’s in his interests or the country’s interests to have some sort of stable and orderly transition.”

Burnham is currently the clear favourite to see off the challenge of Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon and win next Thursday’s by-election.

He has confirmed that he will join any Labour leadership contest, with former health secretary Wes Streeting also saying he will throw his hat into the ring.

But Lyons said that even if Burnham loses, Starmer could still be replaced without the need for a leadership election.

He said: “I still think there’s a chance that people think the stakes are so high that they coalesce around another candidate.

“One of the names that’s been doing the rounds is Ed Miliband. I think Yvette Cooper is also underpriced. A lot of people in the Parliamentary Labour Party think it’s time that Labour had a woman prime minister.

“Anything could happen, but perhaps the bigger question is whether the Labour Party is a viable political vehicle if Andy Burnham can’t win Makerfield. It’s not obvious to me that the answer is yes.”

To listen to the full interview with James Lyons, as well as our report from Makerfield, download Commons People from wherever you get your podcasts

The animals of Ealing’s Paradise Fields have some unexpected new neighbours.

For the last couple of years, beavers have been making an enclosed 10-hectare site their watery home – and since more or less their 2023 arrival, a London Underground ticket office that used to be plagued by flooding has remained dry.

The city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has praised Ealing’s beavers for putting an end to soggy conditions in parts of nearby Greenford Tube station on Instagram.

“Beavers are nature’s engineers – we just didn’t realise how efficient they could be,” Khan said in his post, adding, “These incredible creatures have already stepped up to stop flooding at a Tube station and restore local habitats”.

We spoke to Elliot Newton, the director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, which worked with the Ealing Beaver Project to reintroduce the animals, about why they were brought back to the West London site and how they might help us humans.

It’s not just London. In recent years, beavers have been released across the UK, including other parts of England like Somerset and Cornwall. Scotland has kept the wild beavers spotted as early as the 2000s, the Natural History Museum said, with planned releases in the Glen Affric Nature Reserve and River Beauty set for 2026.

Wales seems keen on bringing beavers back, too. Northern Ireland hasn’t expressed interest yet, but the animals were probably never native there, unlike the rest of the UK.

“The Eurasian beaver is a native British species that was hunted to extinction around 400 years ago (and likely disappeared from London much earlier),” Newton told us.

“Over the past two decades, there has been a growing movement to restore beavers across Great Britain.”

And while the expert argued there’s a strong case for bringing all kinds of native species back to boost our ecosystem – including those we might not love the idea of, like the rat-sized, fish-eating fen raft spider – “beavers also deliver significant practical benefits”.

He continued, “As ecosystem engineers, they create and maintain wetlands that can reduce flood risk, improve water quality, increase drought resilience, and support a huge range of wildlife”.

Newton said that flood mitigation was one of the main reasons they secured funding for this project.

That’s because beavers (famously) build dams which stop the rapid flow of water down rivers during, e.g., periods of extreme rainfall. They also form ponds and mini “canals” that can create absorbent wetlands.

“Through building dams and creating wetland habitat, the beavers have increased the site’s capacity to store water and slow flows during heavy rainfall events, helping reduce downstream flood pressure. Interestingly, since the beavers arrived, the local train station ticket hall, which had previously experienced flooding, has not flooded,” Newton said.

“While more research is needed, this is an encouraging example of the potential for nature-based solutions to support climate resilience in urban areas.”

Other benefits people involved in the Ealing Beaver Project have noted include increased biodiversity, better community engagement (leading to a reduction in antisocial behaviour), and a more climate-change-resistant environment.