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 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 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.”
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Watch first look clip of tonight’s EastEnders episode – as soap reveals first residents that survive huge pub explosion
EASTENDERS fans will be tuning in to see the aftermath of the dramatic Queen Vic explosion, which may see some of Albert Square dead or injured.
The shock scenes in EastEnders come as part of the BBC soap’s 40th anniversary with episodes going live on BBC One.
BBCThe final scenes of EastEnders saw the Queen Vic go up in a dramatic explosion[/caption]
BBCA worried Jack Branning can be seen in a new clip trying to get people trapped inside the pub out[/caption]
BBCThe Queen Vic is in pieces and it’s still unknown which of Albert Square’s residents are stuck inside[/caption]
At the end of last night (Tuesday) the episode dramatically finished as the Queen Vic went up in flames, leaving the fate of many characters unknown.
The final scenes of the soap saw Ian Beale and George Knight lying in the street after being caught running away from the pub before it went up in flames.
George had spotted the explosion as it was about to happen, as he pulled an unconscious Reiss from car wreckage after he drove into the side of the pub.
Pulling Reiss out, George spotted cylinders in the pub close to the car flames and he was quick to react but that might not have been the case for everyone as many of the cast still appeared to be in the pub as it went up.
Now a first look clip sees worried residents of EastEnders worrying over who was still trapped inside the Queen Vic, including a tearful Anna who asks if her mum might be in there.
Jack Branning can be seen shouting through the door that help is on its way, as someone cries back to him.
He jumps into police mode and urges everyone away from the now crumbling pub before making a worried call to Diane as he begs her: “I hope you’re ok”.
The clip, which aired during eastEnders revealed with Joe Swash, ends with Ian Beale looking concerned as he says: “Someone has a lot to answer for.”
Viewers already began speculating over which characters might have been caught up in the fire after the scenes aired on BBC.
On social media, one person wrote: “Sonia, Lauren, Sharon and Stacey all in other parts of the Vic and MY STACE IS IN THE BOGS RIGHT BY THE EXPLOSION!”
A second commented: “who’s dead? who’s alive? where’s reiss? sharon? everyone. please i don’t want to wait till tomorrow evening.”
While a third added: “I’m actually really scared for so many characters now… Sharon, Sonia, Lauren, Stacey, Martin, Ruby, Honey, Billy, Suki, Eve, the list goes on…”
And a fourth speculated: “Stacey in the bathroom, Sharon upstairs, pregnant Sonia and Lauren in the kitchen. OMG. I think Martin dies trying to save them all I think he stays alive until Jean mentions Stacey is in the toilets then he saves her then dies idk.”
EastEnders' 40th anniversary cameos so far
With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders coming up, fans are looking forward to some more incredible cameos from iconic faces of Walford's past. But who have we had so far?
Tracy-Ann Oberman – Oberman returned as Chrissie Watts, a character she last played nearly two decades ago.
Paul Bradley – Bradley returned as Nigel Bates, a character he last played over 25 years ago.
Micheal French – French returned as David Wicks, a character he last played two decades ago.
Patsy Palmer – Palmer returned as Bianca Jackson, a character she last played in 2019.
Ricky Groves – Groves returned as Garry Hobbs, a character who has not been seen since 2009.
Cliff Parisi – Parisi returned as Minty Peterson, a character who was last seen on the square in 2010.
Ross Kemp – Kemp has returned to play Grant Mitchell, a character he first played in 1990. The BBC has described Kemp’s storyline as “explosive”. Kemp said it was an “absolute honour” to return to the show.
Other aspects of the 40th anniversary celebration include: A wedding between fan favorites, A huge explosion at the Queen Vic, and A live interactive episode.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on From how long sex REALLY lasts to where the horniest Brits live & orgasm stats – all your sex questions answered
WHETHER you’re getting frisky with a partner or exploring your own desires, sex is a huge part of being human.
Keeping things steamy – both solo and with your partner – can lead to a happier, healthier love life. And it’s not just about pleasure.
GettyFrom enjoying a romp with your partner or having some saucy alone time, sex is healthy[/caption]
Science says regular action between the sheets can lower stress, boost your mood, and even strengthen your immune system.
But let’s get into the juicy details. How long does sex really last? Where do the UK’s most insatiable lovers live? And what’s the deal with orgasms?
We’ve got all your burning sex questions answered right here.
Clocking on
A quickie in the UK lasts around two minutes on average – but if you’re in Birmingham, things wrap up even faster, with Brummies managing just 1 minute 25 seconds, according to an Illicit Encounters poll.
Back in 2023, spontaneous romps stretched to about two and a half minutes, but last year, that time shrank.
It turns out, mid-morning quickies between 10am and 3pm are the speediest, barely hitting the two-minute mark.
Compare that to a lazy morning session between 6am and 10am, which lasts just over four minutes.
Lunchtime hookups, usually happening between noon and 2:30pm, go for about 4 minutes 30 seconds, while afternoon antics stretch slightly longer to around 5 minutes 4 seconds.
As the day winds down, things slow a little – teatime fun between 5pm and 8pm averages 5 minutes 10 seconds, and your standard nighttime session from 8pm to midnight clocks in at 5 minutes 24 seconds.
But if you want to make it last, waiting until after midnight might be your best bet – that’s when things get the most drawn out, with an average session lasting 7 minutes 10 seconds. Turns out, the later the hour, the longer the passion.
Sex toys
According to a study by Back Market and chic adult toy brand Smile Makers, plenty of people are hanging onto their old vibrators for way longer than you’d expect.
In fact, one in ten keep theirs for up to a decade before finally replacing it.
Getty - ContributorPeople aren’t realising how their sex toys can be recycled[/caption]
But what happens when it’s time to say goodbye?
Turns out, one in three simply toss their used sex toys in the household bin, while 15% admit they stash them away – either too embarrassed or just clueless about how to dispose of them properly.
The reality is, anything with a plug, battery, or cable can actually be recycled, yet many don’t realise it.
Causing vibrations
According to Lovehoney, if they stacked all the dildos that they have sold in the UK, their total insertable length would be 422,840 inches.
That’s equal to:
533 Angel of the Norths
111 Big Bens
57 BT Towers
34.8 Shards
4.36 Forth Road Bridges
Most popular size
According to Lovehoney, bigger isn’t always better.
Five-inch dildos are the most popular size in 82 cities across the UK, with Birmingham buying the most.
However, residents in Lincoln prefer six-inch dildos, whilst Bristol people like a 6.5-inch toy, and those in Newcastle prefer prefer the seven-inch dildos.
Toy crazy town
No pleasure
A study by Durex reveals a bit of a bedroom crisis – only 1 in 6 people actually think their partner is good at giving them pleasure, and a whopping 4 in 10 admit they’re not satisfied with their sex life.
It also found that many people are too nervous, embarrassed, or just plain clueless about how to start that conversation.
Maybe it’s time to ditch the awkwardness and start talking – because great sex starts with great communication.
Faking it
A past International Women’s Day study by Durex found that 43% of sexually active women in the UK have admitted to faking an orgasm.
And the number one reason? Half of them said it was to spare their partner’s feelings.
Lube
Lube sales in the UK have shot up 25% since 2017, yet a quarter of people still feel unsure about bringing something as simple as lubricant into the bedroom.
According to Durex, people who use lube (and condoms) report being way more satisfied in the bedroom than those who don’t – 62% vs 49%.
So if you haven’t already, it might be time to get on board with the slickest upgrade out there.
Bonking neighbours
GettyHas your nights sleep been getting disrupted by your neighbour? You’re not alone[/caption]
According to new research, millions of Brits are losing sleep thanks to their neighbours’ sex sessions – which, on average, go on for more than half an hour.
And it seems people are desperate for a little peace and quiet.
Checkatrade data shows that searches for soundproofing skyrocket by 148% around Valentine’s Day.
For many, it’s a regular thing – 52% say they hear the late-night antics at least once a week, while more than 1 in 10 claim it’s a daily disruption.
Unsurprisingly, it’s messing with people’s sleep (60%) and leaving others feeling straight-up uncomfortable (53%).
Some fed-up Brits have even taken action: nearly a quarter (23%) have confronted their noisy neighbours, and 15% were so over it, they actually moved house to escape the sex soundtrack.
Magic number
According to research by For Play Couples Chocolate, the average person has sex about three times a month – but for more than a quarter of couples, things have gone completely dry, classifying their relationships as ‘sexless.’
And when it comes to talking about it? That’s another struggle.
Only 31% of men and 25% of women say they find it easy to discuss sex with their partner.
So, while communication is key to keeping the spark alive, it seems plenty of people are finding it tricky to open up between the sheets.
Australia takes the top spot as the world’s most promiscuous country, according to the Global Promiscuity Index.
With an average of 13.3 sexual partners, Australians rank second only to Turkey in terms of partner count.
Attitudes toward sex are also notably open, with 81% of Australians believing premarital sex is either morally acceptable or not a moral issue at all.
Plus, with prostitution being legal, Australia stands out as one of the most sexually liberal nations.
The United Kingdom takes 13th place on the list – after Finland, and before Japan.
Not having sex
GettyCan you guess the percentage of sexually inactive people?[/caption]
Research by the National Library of Medicine shows that around 15.9% of British men and 22.2% of British women are considered sexually inactive, meaning they don’t engage in sexual activity regularly.
Interestingly, women report a higher rate of sexual inactivity than men.
Virginity talk
According to research by NapLap, the average age at which Brits lose their virginity is 18.3, just a bit older than the age of consent in England and Wales, which is 16.
In contrast, Iceland has a younger average, with people losing their virginity at 15.6.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Escape to the Country star reveals he’s become a dad for the first time as he shares adorable snap of daughter
AN Escape to the Country host has revealed he had become a dad for the first time in a sweet post.
Presenter and former wheelchair rugby player Steve Brown, 43, was left delighted as he introduced his daughter to the world for the first time.
Escape to the Country’s Steve Brown is a first-time dadBBCSteve is one of the hosts of Escape to the Country[/caption]
Taking to his X account – he uploaded a photo of him and his adorable daughter as they both beamed down the lens with huge grins on their faces.
Captioning the post, Steve wrote: “Some of you may already know but I thought it about time I officially introduce you to my beautiful daughter Lyra Brown.
“Becca and I couldn’t be prouder of this little girl.
“Thanks to everyone who sent me lovely messages after I dropped the clue on last week’s @Escape_Country.”
Quick to send Steve well-wishes, one fan commented under his post: “Aww what a wee dote. Huge congratulations.”
Another added: “Congrats Steve fab news.”
Before a third said: “What a great picture- congratulations Steve and family.”
Steve has always been a family man and has long held close relationships with his family, particularly his two brothers.
“Me and my brothers are very close. I know that everyone has different family set-ups. I’m very happy and lucky with what I’ve got. I don’t take it for granted – my family are all very close,” he told Express Online.
He added: “It won’t be the first time they’ve helped me out. We go as a family to the beach or wherever.
“They’ll grab my chair and pull me across the stones and that sort of thing. And what is great is becausewe are close and they help me quite a lot, they know where my limitations are.”
Little is known about Steve’s current partner Becca but the star was previously in a relationship with Alton Towers crash victim, Vicky Balch.
The pair met when they both took part in BBC1’s Without Limits documentary, which saw them drive 900 miles across Vietnam.
Although the pair were “smitten” they announced their split later that year in 2017.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Kansas Jayhawks match record under Bill Self in embarrassing loss to BYU
Bill Self and the No. 23 Kansas Jayhawks suffered a shocking 91-57 defeat to the BYU Cougars. The loss was so bad that it matched a record where the Jayhawks lost by the same margin. The Jayhawks got off to a slow start, only scoring 26 points as they trailed 46-26 at halftime. Unfortunately, they […]
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Raiders named ‘best fit’ for free agent QB but it’s not Russell Wilson
It’s that time of year when quarterback-needy teams are paired with just about every passer available in the free agent market. And the Las Vegas Raiders are no exception. The Raiders made perhaps the offseason’s most unexpected coaching hire, bringing in 73-year-old Pete Carroll as the team’s next head coach. His presence immediately led to […]
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on You won’t believe who UCLA’s Mick Cronin blames for collapse vs. Minnesota
Mick Cronin is at it again. Approximately a month and a half after he skewered his entire team while talking himself up during a postgame press conference, the UCLA basketball head coach unleashed another fiery rant. This time, he took aim at fans. Following an embarrassing collapse at home versus Minnesota, which saw the Bruins […]
