As part of its International Sporting Code, motorsport’s governing body has outlawed “any words, deeds, or writing that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally interest of motorsport on the values defender by the FIA.”
Drivers will be slapped with a €10,000 (£7,900) fine for a first offence.
A second penalty will be met with a $20,000 (£15,800) fine and a one-month suspended ban.
If they breach rules for a third time, they will receive a one-month suspension, $30,000 (£23,700) fine AND a championship points deduction.
Last year, Verstappen was made to complete community service in Rwanda after swearing in his Singapore Grand Prix press conference.
Asked about the new rules on swearing last night, he said: “I prefer not to speak about that. Otherwise I’ll get in trouble.”
The moment was reminiscent of Mourinho’s famous “if I speak I’m in big trouble” post-match interview.
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Mourinho delivered his famous line after a defeat to Aston Villa
He said the famous line after a 1-0 Chelsea defeat to Aston Villa in March 2014.
Verstappen went on to add: “If you look at everyone’s reaction to it, I think that says enough.
“I think we shouldn’t take it so seriously. I’m also not going to tell you how you should behave in life.”
Verstappen’s rival George Russell took a different stance.
He said: “As an individual it’s going quite far with everything.
“As drivers we do show personality but I do think there is merit and no need to swear in an environment like this [press conference].”
The season is set to get underway in Australia on March 16.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on ‘Wow you look so much younger’ people cry as mum, 51, wipes ‘years off her face’ by REMOVING a makeup step
WE all have a tried-and-tested make-up routine that we reckon compliments our features the best.
But after years of sporting the same eye make-up look, one woman shaved years off her face by ditching one popular step – and people can’t believe the difference.
tiktok/@jeep_mom_tryingThe mum was once convinced she’d sport the heavy eyeliner up until she was 85[/caption]
tiktok/@jeep_mom_tryingFans noted that ditching the jet black eyeliner has wiped ‘years off her face’[/caption]
The 57-year-old stunned everyone with her natural beauty at a film festivalEPA
The blonde beauty and TikToker Jen Jeep joked that it wasn’t until she hit menopause in her 50s that she realised she had fallen victim to ”eyeliner blindness”.
Before that, Jen would ”religiously” apply jet black liquid eyeliner on the bottom waterline – a key step in her routine for the past five years.
”It was pointed out to me that this is no longer in style, that this is no longer acceptable.
”I just don’t understand how black eyeliner could ever, ever go out of style underneath your eyes – I was planning on wearing this until I was 85.
”The kids would be taking me to the nursing home and the first thing that I would do is ask ‘Did you pack your mum’s black eyeliner?’,” she joked in a recent video.
But although getting used to the more natural look was by no means easy – with Jen bravely admitting she wasn’t sure whether she’d even make it past an hour – the mum eventually got there.
It’s now been more than a year since Jen ditched the heavy eye make-up look – a milestone which she celebrated by posting an epic transformation video on her page.
The video, which has been viewed close to a whopping 750k times in just two weeks, sees Jen sharing what she looked like before the makeover – and after giving up the black eyeliner.
Not only did the viewers insist her eyes looked brighter, but hundreds of people were stunned by how much youthful and fresh Jen appeared.
One social media user was lost for words, writing: ”Wow! You look so much younger and fresh faced makeup free.
”Crazy how much of a difference it makes. Beautiful.”
Someone else chimed in: ”THAT TOOK OFF YEAAAARRRRSSS.”
”You look PHENOMENAL,” a third commented.
”You most certainly do not look 51!” said another person, as many reckoned Jen now looked like a famous Baywatch star.
Biggest beauty mistakes
Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty.
“No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you’re not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted.
“There aren’t many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime.”
Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital.
Using expired products: Best case, they’re ineffective and don’t deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ – for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the ‘POA’ symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it’s safe once opened. If you can’t remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging.
Not knowing your undertones: If you’re using make-up with the wrong undertones, it’ll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist – if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they’re green, you have warm and if they’re a mix you have neutral.
Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you’re trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key.
Not washing your face before bed: it’s as simple as this, if you’re not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that’s been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn’t going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you’re probably going to end up with dirty pillows too – yuck!
One mum wrote: ”I’m telling my kids this is Pamela Anderson.”
Responding to all the kind comments – almost 400 so far- Jen also noted that saying goodbye to her eyeliner routine was all thanks to TikTok users.
”I’ve come so far, and it’s all because of all of you on here.
”Habits. All of them. Are hard to break. Love all of you for getting me here.”
She went on: ”I look back at these pics and was like why didn’t I see it. Definitely had black eyeliner blindness.”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme –Sun Club.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Liverpool tipped to make major change with Scotland captain Andy Robertson
AFTER 330 games, and 80 caps, Andy Robertson is a bona fide Scotland and Liverpool legend.
The left-back’s storied career is a tale of perseverance after being released by Celtic, plugging on with Queen‘s Park then rising through the ranks to the very top via stints at Hull and Dundee.
Kenny Ramsay - The Sun GlasgowAndrew Robertson (right) made the breakthrough at Hampden with Queen’s Park[/caption]
Kenny RamsayHe’s been Scotland captain since September 2018[/caption]
AlamyHe’s played 330 games for the Reds too[/caption]
Since breaking into the big-time and moving to Liverpool in an £8.5million move in 2017 he’s become a Champions League winner, and claimed the English Premier League crown.
And played a vital role in the process.
Robertson has been an inspirational leader in both teams he plays for.
Plsu he’s a potent attacking threat from left-back, for club and country – laying on 66 goals in 330 Liverpool games – usually from those wicked crossses from the left-flank.
But last season he scored more goals than he assisted – three in 30 games and two assists.
This season he’s just set up ONE.
And usually dependable Robbo has picked up a series of strains and niggles along the way.
Now, that’s prompted one former Anfield favourite to suggest a major change at the back is needed for Arne Slot‘s team.
But one that STILL includes Robertson.
Just not as we have come to know him.
Ex-Reds hero Stan Collymore toild William Hill Vegas the Dutch boss should be looking to make a change in the Scotland captain’s position.
He said: “Andy Robertson is a Liverpool legend, but time waits for no man.
“Injuries over the last couple of years have slightly clipped his wings, making it harder to build momentum with a consistent run of games.
“When you’ve played as many matches as he has and had injuries, there’s always that little thought in the back of your mind: ‘Will I break down again?’
Robertson lifted the CHampions League trophy in 2019Getty - Contributor
“At his peak, he had an incredible ability to defend deep in his own box one moment and deliver a pinpoint cross in the final third the next. He doesn’t do that quite as often anymore, so he needs to manage his workload.”
But while speculation rages over the future of team-mates Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Collymore insists the Scotland captain still has a future on Merseyside.
He went on: “I still think Robertson has a couple of years left at Liverpool as a very solid full-back.
“If the team utilises him primarily for defensive duties while allowing someone ahead of him to focus on attacking, he can continue to be a key asset.
“He won’t be the Robertson of four years ago, relentlessly bombing forward alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, but he remains a vital presence in the dressing room, a great professional, and still a top-class left-back.”
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Bonnie Blue sparks pregnancy rumours with cryptic post just weeks after bedding 1,057 men in a DAY
THE CONTROVERSIAL Only Fans star Bonnie Blue has sparked ‘pregnancy’ rumours just weeks after reportedly bedding over 1,000 men.
The 25-year-old, who has made millions from her X-rated content, took to her Instagram page to share a cryptic snap of her ‘cravings’, which included pickles drizzled in chocolate sauce and sprinkles.
InstagramBonnie Blue has sparked pregnancy rumours with a cryptic post on Instagram[/caption]
InstagramThe adult content creator only recently claimed that she bedded over 1,000 men[/caption]
InstagramBonnie has now since social media ablaze with speculation[/caption]
The picture, shared with her 369k Instagram followers, also had chicken nuggets and dry noodles.
Since posting the picture, Bonnie – real name Tia Billinger – from Derbyshire, has set social media ablaze with speculation, particularly on X (formerly known as Twitter).
While she has not confirmed a pregnancy, she appears to have fuelled the rumours herself.
Many are now questioning who the father could be, especially after she claimed to have broken a world record by reportedly bedding 1,057 people in 12 hours.
One wrote: “Tough times ahead for the lad who got Bonnie Blue pregnant, partly for actually having the kid with her but mostly for the amount of abuse he’ll get when the world finds out he lasts less than 40 seconds.”
A second added: “All time shocker Bonnie Blue is pregnant and for some reason she also doesn’t know who the dad is.’”
Whilst a third said: “Let’s find the needle in the haystack!”
Others simply joined in on talking about the rumour, with one writing: “Rumour has that Bonnie Blue is pregnant!!
Pregnant women are known to crave pickles for a number of possible reasons, including hormonal changes.
Fans will have to stay tuned for what Bonnie announces next as she has not confirmed or denied these rumours.
The cryptic post comes just after a bombshell exclusive interview with The Sun Newspaper where she spilled the beans about her relationship status.
Before becoming an adult content creator, Bonnie had a normal life, married to private schoolboy Oliver Davidson, who she met aged 15.
Oliver, a talented rugby player who studied at Trent College in Nottingham where school fees can reach £45,000 a year, tied the knot with Bonnie in 2022.
The couple moved to the Gold Coast of Australia, where Bonnie ditched her 9 to 5 to become a cam girl.
She previously claimed that Oliver gave her the confidence to enter the adult entertainment industry.
“Before this, I’d only slept with five people and I didn’t know what I was doing,” Bonnie added.
Instagram/bonnie_blue_xoxShe shared a picture of her ‘cravings’ which included pickles[/caption]
instagram/@bonnie_blue_xox/Bonnie previously revealed that she is currently in the process of a divorce[/caption]
However, the pair are now in the process of a divorce.
She exclusively told The Sun: ”I saw a lot of articles saying oh I’m now getting a divorce because I’ve slept with over a thousand men.
”That’s not the case; we’ve been separated for a long time now.
”And he’s still very much supportive and very proud because I have seen articles which say he doesn’t associate himself with me, and that’s not the case.
“We’ve still got a very close relationship.”
Earlier this year, Bonnie sparked fresh controversy by ranking the men she had slept with during her “record-breaking” event – one of whom was Brandon Beavis, also known as Beavo.
Beavo also documented his visit to the London mansion to take part in Bonnie’s contentious event, with reports suggesting footage of their encounter even ended up on adult websites.
Who is Bonnie Blue?
Born in May 1999, Bonnie – whose real name is Tia Billinger – grew up in a small Derbyshire village, and attended the Friesland School in the village of Sandiacre.
She has two half-siblings – a sister and a brother – who have always remained out of the public eye.
She never knew her biological father, and considers stepfather Nicholas Elliott her dad.
Bonnie also became something of a dance star in her local area, and competed in the British Street Dance Championships alongside her sister back in 2015.
She also had a part-time job at Poundstretcher as a teenager.
After school, she began working in recruitment.
In October 2022, Bonnie married Oliver Davidson, who she had started dating when she was just 15.
Once they were married, they moved to Australia, where Bonnie continued working in recruitment.
However, it was in Australia that she decided to pursue a different line of work, and tried her luck as a ‘cam girl’ – crediting Oliver for giving her the confidence to enter the adult entertainment world.
She quickly made a name for herself in the industry, and was soon making £5,000 a week.
But while her work life was going from strength to strength, her relationship was crumbling, and she and Oliver split after almost a decade together.
She moved over to OnlyFans following her cam girl success, and once again found fame on there.
She quickly became a favourite on the site, especially thanks to her “niche” of sleeping with young male students – such as when she bedded 158 students during Nottingham Trent University’s freshers week in September 2024.
Bonnie is now estimated to be worth £3 million, and makes around £600,000 a month on OnlyFans.
Her family are also supportive of her work, with mum Sarah Billinger even claiming she’s her daughter’s PA, and helps clean up after Bonnie’s events – as well as handing out condoms to young clients.
In January 2025, Bonnie claimed to have broken the world record for the most amount of sex in 12 hours, after apparently sleeping with 1,057 men from 1pm to 1am at a secret London event.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on I caught my husband of 9 years cheating using a baby monitor – then I found out something that made it worse
BABY monitors were invented to give parents reassurance and peace of mind.
However, one woman was left shocked by what she overheard on her parenting gadget.
GettyA Reddit user revealed how she accidentally discovered her husband is cheating on her (stock image)[/caption]
In her post, the Reddit user explained how her baby monitor revealed a harsh truth about her relationship.
She revealed that she often takes her 15-month-old son to her mum’s while her husband works long hours.
This time, she accidentally left one of her baby monitors switched on in the family home before leaving.
While minding their child, the Reddit user overheard a phone call her husband made.
She recalled how he asked the person on the other end of the phone to “come over”.
The mum was even able to hear the response, which came from a female.
“He said: ‘I love you baby’ and she said: ‘I love you too,'” the original poster said.
“I also heard him say he’s off work tomorrow, he conveniently didn’t send me his schedule so I didn’t know.”
The Reddit user discovered that the affair had been going on for nine months.
She confronted her husband and he claimed that he had cut all ties with his mistress before that night.
“He said: ‘I’m here by myself, being faithful to you, why can’t you get over this?'” she said.
The poster described how she felt “sick” being under the same roof as him.
She revealed that her husband confirmed that he has had this other woman in their home and in their bed before.
As well as lying straight to his wife’s face, the man proved he couldn’t be loyal to anyone.
His wife, who had been continuing to spy on him via the baby monitor, learned just how bad his cheating habit was.
Four red flags your partner is cheating
Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating.
They start to take their phone everywhere with them
In close relationships, it’s normal to know each other’s passwords and use each other’s phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something.
Aaron says: “If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful.”
“You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something.”
They start telling you less about their day
When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you.
“If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don’t want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag.”
“Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it’s an easy way to get caught out,” says Aaron.
Their libido changes
Your partner’s libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron.
Aaron says: “Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating. You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren’t there before.”
They become negative towards you
Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify.
“To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere. Maybe you haven’t walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating,” warns Aaron.
“A couple days ago, he was on the phone with her, while talking to her he texted me,” the Redditor explained.
“Then, he got a call and said: ‘Sorry baby, this is important, I have to take it.'”
She revealed that the suspicious phone call was with his ex-girlfriend.
“I know his girlfriend has no idea he’s talking to her too,” she said.
Reddit users shared their thoughts on the situation in the comments section.
“I’d honestly start having your mom come there. Make it inconvenient as hell for him,” suggested one reader.
“He’s probably told her you split so no longer coming to your home will raise some red flags.”
“Time to become a mother first and protect your child for their future,” another commenter said.
“Shut off wife mode and do everything you can to secure your baby’s future.”
“You’ve got to think long game. If you play along and get your ducks in order behind the scenes the fallout will be more beneficial for you,” wrote a third person.
GettyThe mum-of-one overheard her husband talking his mistress on their baby monitor (stock image)[/caption]
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Curtis and Ekin-Su finally go Instagram official as he gets her phone number after Love Island final
CURTIS Pritchard and Ekin-Su have finally gone Instagram official, as he got her number after the Love Island final.
The couple were seen on social media looking happier than ever as they finally got their phones back and put in each other’s digits.
InstagramCurtis Pritchard and Ekin-Su have finally gone Instagram official, as he got her number after the Love Island final[/caption]
InstagramCurtis put Ekin’s number into his phone[/caption]
InstagramThe pair giggled away at the table[/caption]
Curtis and Ekin, who placed third in this year’s All Stars, were seen laughing and joking at the table as Curtis named Ekin ‘my little one,’ in his phone contacts, followed by a cupcake and heart emoji.
Ekin could be heard saying: “He’s finally saved my number,” as the smitten pair laughed together.
They were also pictured holding hands as they made their way through the airport, as Ekin told fans: “We are so excited to come home.”
In another clip, Curtis could be seen carrying Ekin’s shopping through the airport.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on I thought I was getting a bargain when I ordered a £10 handbag from Temu – but I was left crying with what arrived
A FASHION fan thought she was getting her hands on a bargain when she ordered a gorgeous bag from Temu – but was left in tears when her online order arrived.
Sally, a savvy shopper from the US, bought herself a black crossbody handbag, which as advertised, comes with a stylish pompom pendant.
TemuA bargain hunter has revealed that she thought she was getting her hands on a real steal when she ordered a black handbag from Temu for just £10[/caption]
But Sally was left gobsmacked when it arrived and was much smaller than what she was expectingTikTok/@sallytp_01But social media users clapped back at Sally and stressed the importance of reading descriptions before ordering from TemuTikTok/@sallytp_01
Whilst the handbag was originally priced at £83.99, it’s no surprise that Sally was eager for her purchase to arrive, as it had been slashed down to just £10.04.
With a hefty saving of £73.95, Sally couldn’t contain her excitement with her new fashion find, but things quickly came crashing down when she opened up her package.
Keen to show off her hilarious fail, the content creator, who was left gobsmacked with her package, took to social media to give her followers a close-up look at her hilarious fail, leaving many totally stunned.
In a short clip shared online, Sally posted a screenshot of the online listing – a gorgeous and versatile black bag.
But alongside the snap, Sally penned: “Temu did me dirt.”
Moments later, alongside the viral ‘Oh No’ TikTok sound, Sally uploaded a picture of what actually arrived, as she wrote: “What I got”.
Alongside crying emojis, Sally held her new bag – which was so small it fit in her hand.
Instead of a large handbag perfect for running errands, Sally was left speechless with what instead resembled a tiny coin purse.
Clearly gutted at her blunder, she admitted: “I’m crying”.
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @sallytp_01, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and has now racked up a jaw-dropping 2.2 million views.
But social media users were left totally divided – whilst many claimed that they have also had a similar experience when ordering from Temu, others found it hilarious.
Despite this, at the same time, other Temu shoppers claimed that it was actually Sally, and not the bargain retailer, at fault – with countless people advising her to accurately read descriptions before making purchases.
Why is Temu so cheap?
TEMU exploded onto the scene in late 2022, with people all over social media raving about the low prices.
The company is a Chinese-owned digital marketplace – essentially an online shopping app where people are connected to the retailer directly while the app takes care of the shipping element.
The frenzy over the app is not completely unfounded either as it offers a wide variety of products, including fashion, make-up, electronics and furniture.
According to a report from the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Temu takes advantage of a trade loophole that allows the company to ship duty-free goods directly to the US.
The loophole is called the de minimis exception and it means they can ship goods valued up to $800 (£643) to the US without it being inspected or taxed by US customs.
Temu connects customers directly to manufacturers and only manages how the items are sent to customers.
It means Chinese vendors can essentially sell their products directly to customers and ship it without building a network of warehouses across the globe.
By doing this, they cut down on huge costs and ensure the product itself isn’t marked up extra.
While many of the products seen on the Temu app are from brands with extensive, original collections, many more are dupes of designer brands.
One person said: “Temu also did that to me.”
Another added: “Can’t help but laugh, daylight robbery.”
Nope! It’s all your fault as you need to pay attention to the description and dimensions
TikTok user
Meanwhile, one user claimed: “Temu did nothing wrong, it’s very important to read the description. Try again.”
Someone else agreed: “These are keyholders guys, normalise reading descriptions.”
Whilst another Temu shopper chimed in: “Nope! It’s all your fault as you need to pay attention to the description and dimensions mate.”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on 40 of EastEnders biggest storylines as BBC soap turns 40 – from Sharongate to Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell’s shock death
TODAY is a big day in soapland as EastEnders celebrates its 40th anniversary.
The BBC One soap made its debut on Tuesday, February 19, 1985 and since then, it has firmly established itself as a British institution.
BBCEastEnders is celebrating its 40th anniversary today[/caption]
Over the years, the goings on in Walford have had viewers gripped, from shock affairs to devastating deaths.
In honour of EastEnders‘ milestone, here’s a look back on a major story line from each of the 40 years it has been on air.
1985 – Dirty Den revealed as father of Michelle Fowler’s baby
BBCDirty Den got 16-year-old Michelle Fowler pregnant[/caption]
EastEnders first year saw Dirty Den Watts get his adoptive daughter Sharon’s best friend, Michelle Fowler pregnant when she was just 16.
Despite the age-gap, the pair had a one-night stand which lead to the birth of Michelle’s daughter Vicki.
1986 – Dirty Den serves wife Angie divorce papers
BBCDirty Den serving wife Angie divorce papers was one of the most viewed episodes ever[/caption]
Truly one of the show’s most iconic moments, the Christmas Day episode saw Den serve alcoholic wife Angie with divorce papers after he learned she was lying about having cancer.
1987 – First same-sex kiss
BBCEastEnders aired the first ever same-sex kiss in a soap[/caption]
EastEnders has never been afraid to push the boundaries and in 1987 it aired the first UK soap same-sex kiss when Colin gave boyfriend Barry a light peck on the forehead.
1988 – Kathy Beale is raped
BBCKathy Beale suffered at the hands of rapist James Willmott-Brown[/caption]
Kathy was at the centre of a harrowing storyline which saw her raped by James Willmott-Brown, who would later go to prison after being found guilty of his crime.
1989 – Dirty Den is shot by the canal
BBCDirty Den was shot by the canal[/caption]
Den had always had a connection with criminal organisation The Firm and it lead to him being shot by the canal, with the character falling into the water.
1990 – Nick Cotton tries to poison mum Dot
BBCNasty Nick poisoned his own mother Dot[/caption]
Nick Cotton was always a nasty piece of work but in 1990 he stooped to a new low when he tried to poison his long-suffering mum Dot to steal her money.
1991 – Mark Fowler reveals HIV diagnosis
BBCMark Fowler was diagnosed with HIV in a groundbreaking storyline[/caption]
In another groundbreaking storyline, Mark Fowler became the first major soap character in Britain to be diagnosed with HIV.
It played a big part in changing the public perceptions of HIV and AIDS.
1992 – Pat Butcher is arrested
BBCPat Butcher was sent to prison for manslaughter[/caption]
Pat Butcher – who was running a taxi firm at the time – accidentally knocked a girl down while drunk driving.
She was found guilty and imprisoned for a few months for manslaughter before being released and returning to Albert Square.
1993 – Grant Mitchell released from prison
BBCBad boy Grant was released from prison in 1993 and more drama followed[/caption]
Grant was always a hard man alongside brother Phil and he was sent to prison after assaulting Sharon and Michelle.
But in 1993 he was released, and it marked the start of another big storyline….
1994 – Sharongate
BBCGrant played Sharon’s confession to sleeping with his brother Phil in front of the whole pub[/caption]
Sharon Mitchell confessed on tape to having sex with her brother-in-law Phil.
The truth was revealed when the tape was played in front of the entire Queen Vic pub, before her husband Grant attacked Phil.
1995 – Arthur Fowler wrongly imprisoned
BBCArthur was wrongly imprisoned prompting an outcry from viewers[/caption]
Arthur was a beloved character and there was outrage when he was wrongly imprisoned for embezzling campaign funds.
It lead to a national campaign to free Arthur and eventually, he was released after the truth came out.
1996 – Ian Beale shot by a hitman
BBCCindy arranged for ex husband Ian to be shot as she fought for custody of their kids[/caption]
Ian and Cindy Beale’s relationship imploded spectacularly and Cindy was so desperate to prevent him from gaining custody of their children, she hired a hitman.
Luckily for Ian, the bullet on grazed him.
1997 – Cindy Beale returns
BBCCiny returned from Italy to try and win back her kids[/caption]
After Ian survived the hit, Cindy fled to Italy with her sons, before the Mitchell brothers found her and abducted the kids to bring them back to Ian in Walford.
But on Christmas Day, she turned up demanding to see her kids and fought Ian for custody, but before she could triumph she was arrested for conspiracy to murder and sent to prison.
1998 – Tiffany Mitchell dies
BBCTiffany died in heartbreaking scenes on New Year’s Eve[/caption]
Tiffany and Grant had a rollercoaster relationship which reached a climax on New Year’s Eve when she made plans to flee with their daughter Courtney.
But after Grant grabbed their daughter, a hysterical Tiffany raced into the road after him and was hit by Frank Butcher in his car, before dying in front of a helpless crowd.
1999 – Mel Owen ditches Ian Beale
BBCMel ditched Ian after learning the truth about his lies[/caption]
Ian has never been very lucky in love and he stooped to new lows when he lied about his daughter Lucy dying of cancer to get Mel to marry him.
But on New Year’s Eve for the Millenium, Mel discovered the truth and ditched him at the altar, before declaring she had never loved him.
2000 – Sonia Fowler’s unexpected labour
BBCTeenage Sonia didn’t know she was pregnant until she went into labour[/caption]
Sonia Fowler was just as shocked as viewers when she went into labour, as the teen didn’t even know she was pregnant.
She gave birth on Dot Cotton’s sofa and the dad turned out to be Martin Fowler.
2001 – ‘You ain’t my mother’ and Who Shot Phil?
BBCAn iconic line still quoted today was delivered in 2001[/caption]
We couldn’t pick just one moment for 2001 as it featured the big Who Shot Phil? storyline – which turned out to be his ex-girlfriend Lisa Shaw – and an iconic moment for the Slater family.
Zoe had grown up believing Kat was her older sister, but in an iconic confrontation she yelled ‘You ain’t my mother’ and was stopped in her tracks when Kat shouted back ‘Yes I am!’
2002 – Steve Owen and Jamie Mitchell deaths
Jamie Mitchell died a sad death on Christmas Day
Another double whammy came the following year when villain Steve Owen crashed into two petrol tanks after a high speed chase with Phil Mitchell and his car blew up, killing him instantly.
Meanwhile Jamie Mitchell died in tragic Christmas Day scenes after being hit by a car, with sobbing girlfriend Sonia by his side.
2003 – Dirty Den returns
BBCDirty Den returned from the dead[/caption]
For years fans thought Dirty Den had died after being shot by the canal, but it turned out he had survived and fled to Spain.
He stunned daughter Sharon as he stepped out of the shadows and said ‘Hello Princess’.
2004 – Janine Butcher pushes Barry Evans over a cliff
BBCJanine pushed Barry over the edge – literally[/caption]
Bad girl Janine married hapless Barry on New Year’s Eve 2003 but the honeymoon period didn’t last.
While out for a walk in the Scottish hill the newlyweds clashed before Janine pushed Barry, who lost his balance and then fell to his death over the side of the cliff.
2005 – Dirty Den dies again
BBCChrissie ended up killing husband Den – for real this time[/caption]
There aren’t many soap characters who die twice, but it was second time unlucky for Dirty Den, when his manipulation and evil deeds finally caught up with him.
His wife Chrissie hit him over the head with a doorstop before teaming up with Sam Mitchell and Zoe Slater to cover up the crime as they buried his body in the pub cellar.
2006 – Pauline Fowler dies
BBCPauline died of a brain haemorrhage at Christmas[/caption]
Pauline Fowler was a soap matriarch who had her fair share of drama over the years.
But on Christmas Day 2006 her time on the Square came to an end when she died of a brain haemorrhage, collapsing in the snownext to husband Arthur’s bench.
2007 – Max Branning and Stacey Slater affair revealed
HandoutMax and Stacey’s affair was revealed in an epic fashion[/caption]
In another iconic Christmas episode, the Branning family sat around to watch her wedding DVD to husband Bradley, Max’s son.
But instead of the happy nuptials, Bradley witnessed his dad kissing his bride-to-be, revealing their months long affair, after Lauren had secretly recorded them.
2008 – Max Branning is buried alive
BBCTanya got her revenge by burying Max alive[/caption]
Max’s wife Tanya got her revenge on her cheating husband in the most cruel way as she drugged him and buried him alive in a coffin with the help of Sean Slater.
2009 – Stacey Slater’s bipolar
Not known, clear with picture deskStacey was diagnosed with bipolar after months of erratic behaviour[/caption]
Stacey’s behaviour spiralled for months, with her stealing money, drinking heavily and sleeping around.
She also smashed up her family’s living room in heartbreaking scenes before she was finally diagnosed.
2010 – Queen Vic on fire
HandoutPhil set the Queen Vic ablaze much to mum Peggy’s horror[/caption]
It’s only been 15 years since the Queen Vic pub was last ablaze, this time by Phil Mitchell after his mum Peggy made him go cold turkey from his crack cocaine addiction.
The fire played out across four episodes and prompted Peggy’s departure from Walford.
2011 – Baby swap
BBCRonnie swapped her dead baby for Kat Slater’s healthy son[/caption]
In one of the show’s most controversial storylines, Ronnie Mitchell swapped her dead baby son James for Kat Slater’s baby, Tommy.
Ronnie had been left devastated when James died of sudden infant death syndrome,and when she heard Tommy crying in the Vic, she sneaked in and swapped the babies over.
Heather was a fan favourite but in 2012 she got into an argument with troubled Ben Mitchell, who then hit her over the head with a picture frame.
The blow caused Heather to fall back and hit her head on the kitchen counter, killing her, before Ben’s dad Phil and friend Jay Brown helped him cover it up.
2013 – Lauren’s drinking problem
HandoutLauren Branning had a serious drinking problem[/caption]
Lauren Branning had already dealt with a lot from a young age, especially with her dad Max’s affair with Stacey Slater.
In 2013 she started drinking heavily, to the point it caused her to develop a serious liver problem.
2014 – Who Killed Lucy Beale?
BBC Press HandoutThe Who Killed Lucy? storyline played out for months[/caption]
Lucy Beale’s death triggered a year-long Whodunnit? storyline featuring members of her family.
It turned out younger brother Bobby Beale had killed her during a confrontation, before his adoptive mother Jane covered for him.
2015 – Kathy Beale returns from the dead and Nick Cotton dies
PA:Press AssociationKathy Beale returned from the dead in 2015[/caption]
Another year where we couldn’t pick between two major stories, as Kathy Beale returned from the dead after allegedly dying in a car accident in South Africa.
That year also saw Nasty Nick finally get his comeuppance of sorts as he died after a fatal reaction to heroin, with his mother Dot choosing to let him die rather than seek medical help after finally realising her son was rotten to the core.
2016 – Peggy Mitchell dies – Pat Butcher returns
BBCPeggy Mitchell ended her life after her cancer returned in tragic scenes[/caption]
A true soap icon left the soap in 2016 when Peggy Mitchell returned to Walford to end her life after her cancer returned.
As she prepared to take an overdose, her best friend and rival Pat Butcher appeared alongside her, in an iconic moment soap fans were left sobbing over.
2017 – Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell die
HandoutFans will never forgive bosses for Ronnie and Roxy’s watery death[/caption]
EastEnders fans will never forgive bosses for killing off popular Mitchell sisters Ronnie and Roxy on New Year’s Day.
After Ronnie’s wedding to Jack Branning, sister Roxy fell into the swimmingpool drunk, with her sister leaping in to save her, only to drown alongside her in her wedding dress.
2018 – Shakil Kazemi stabbed to death
The soap tackled the issue of knife crime in 2018
EastEnders tackled the serious issue of knife crime in 2018, with Shakil Kazemi being stabbed to death in the Square by a gang.
2019 – Hunter Owen shooting and death
BBCHunter Owen was shot dead after taking hostages[/caption]
Hunter went on the rampage in 2019, taking a number of residents hostage in the Vic after becoming hellbent on getting revenge on Jack Branning.
He was eventually surrounded by a SWAT team in the middle of the Square and shot dead.
2020 – Boat Crash
BBC/Kieron McCarron/Matt Burlem/Amy SharpA boat party ended in disaster and the sad death of Dennis Rickman Jr[/caption]
To mark the show’s 35th anniversary, the residents of Albert Square headed out on a boat party on the Thames, but it ended in disaster.
It lead to the death of Sharon’s son Dennis after Ian Beale had locked him below deck. His death came as his mother gave birth to son Albie.
2021 – Gray Atkins kills again
BBCGray Atkins was a serial killer, and Kush became one of his victims[/caption]
Every soap needs a serial killer and Gray Atkins was a particularly sinister one, having caused the death of his wife Chantelle, who he abused.
He subsequently killed Tina Carter and then pushed Kush Kazemi in front of a tube train.
2022 – Mick Carter lost at sea
BBCMick Carter was lost at sea after trying to save Linda[/caption]
Mick had just married Janine Butcher but discovered her lies on Christmas Day.
He then reunited with ex and true love Linda, only for the trio to end up in peril after a car accident, with Mick ending up lost at sea as he tried to save Linda.
2023 – The Six and flashforward
BBCThe soap featured it’s first ever flash forward for The Six storyline[/caption]
In a show first, EastEnders flashed forward months ahead to Christmas Day to reveal a dead body and The Six, involving some of the Square’s biggest matriarchs.
The storyline dominated much of 2023 before it was revealed that Keanu Taylor was the victim, and Linda Carter the accidental murderer.
2024 – Sonia Fowler falsely sent to prison
BBCSonia was falsely imprisoned for the murder of Reiss’ wife Debbie[/caption]
The last year of EastEnders saw a show legend – Sonia – falsely sent to prison for the death of partner Reiss’ wife Debbie.
To top it all off, Sonia was pregnant with his baby, and their story is set to reach a climax this week during the anniversary episodes.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on ‘We exchanged messages’ – Eddie Hearn reveals ‘most fascinating thing’ about Luke Littler after chatting to darts star
EDDIE HEARN is in awe of Luke Littler’s outrageous ability to keep his head on the biggest stage.
GettyEddie Hearn has revealed what impresses him most about Luke Littler[/caption]
PAThe teenage darts prodigy is looking to build on a stunning rise in 2024[/caption]
“We’ve exchanged messages, but the most fascinating thing about Luke is how he’s managed to keep his head, keep performing at the highest level and do the right things.
“Plonkers can start to associate themselves, or start becoming involved, in athlete’s circles, but he’s got a really good group of people around him, which is so important for any big name.
“He’s obviously got a very close relationship with his dad and the rest of his family and they’ve done a brilliant job to nurture him into the competitor that he is today.”
The teenager is defending his crown in the tournament – and Hearn believes the natural “showman” is set to make himself a fortune.
Hearn continued: “For him, it’s all about the darts.
“He’s making a fortune and he will continue to make more and more money, especially when the prize money, inevitably, continues to go up for the PDC.
“I just find it fascinating. I watched him in the Premier League the other night and he’s also a showman.
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
“I just think he’s perfect in every way and the reason why he’s perfect is because he lives to compete and he lives to play and everything else just follows on.
“As long as you can stay focused on that and you’re as good as he is, everything else comes with it.”
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Homeware giant with 137 branches shuts doors to popular shop after crashing into administration & failing to find buyer
A DIY giant has been forced to close after plunging into administration without a buyer to save it.
The loss has devastated customers who said they will desperately miss the “lovely” staff who worked there.
GettyA retail giant has shocked shoppers by announcing a sudden branch closure[/caption]
AlamyHomebase in in Herne Bay, Kent, said its final goodbye to shoppers on Monday[/caption]
Homebase in Herne Bay, Kent, closed its doors for the last time on Monday after six of eight branches in the region were put on the market.
Potential buyers had until November 29 to snap up the store after it crashed into administration but unfortunately the unit remained untouched.
In December the home improvement chain popped up “closing down sale” signs in windows across the UK.
Now the Kent branch stands empty and Herne Bay residents will have to look elsewhere for their DIY goods.
Some Homebase branches were recused by CDS Superstores, which owns The Range and Wilko.
It confirmed successfully rescuing 12 store locations including Blyth, Glasgow, and Leicester.
Unfortunately, the Herne Bay store was not one of the lucky ones.
Customers have taken to social media to share their disappointment over losing their beloved Homebase.
One gutted customer said: “Bless the staff, I know a couple of them. It’s been very hard for them.”
Another responded: “I will miss the lovely gardener staff too, always smiling and helpful.”
A third shopper asked: “I shall miss them.”
Another Homebase closure includes Selby, in North Yorkshire, where customers were only given a couple of days to digest the announcement.
Shoppers at the Sudbury branch were also met with bare shelves as it announced it will also be vacating the premises.
Administrators for the retailer Teneo shared with gutted DIY fans which stores would shut permanently within weeks.
These include:
Abington
Alnwick
Antrim
Barnstaple
Basildon Vange
Belfast
Branksome
Cannock
Chester
Chichester Discovery Park
Craigavon
Daventry
Derby Kingsway
Folkestone
Galwally
Gateshead
Glenrothes
Harlow
Herne Bay
Hove
Inverurie
Ledbury
Lewes
Luton
Newcastle Under Lyme
Norwich Hall Road
Norwich Sprowston
Nottingham Arnold
Saffron Walden
Selly Oak
Sleaford
Sudbury
Waltham Cross
This isn’t the first blow Eddington Business Park, where the store was based, had faced.
Halfords shut down in 2019 and moved five miles down the road to Whitstable.
There were plans for B&M to take over the space but unfortunately the takeover never happened, leaving the unit abandoned in 2021.
Canterbury City Council has given the green light to change the venue’s use to a “discount store” and shoppers are now eager to see what will arrive to take its place.
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
