Today’s Daily Lotto jackpot stands at an estimated R500 000. If you want to win your share of the jackpot, you have to play!
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The Daily Lotto results for Saturday, 21 June 2025
EastEnders reveals another shock return as Albert Square legend’s son makes Walford comeback
EASTENDERS have revealed another shock return as an Albert Square legend’s son makes a Walford comeback.
Gorgeous Zoe Slater, best known for her explosive “You ain’t my mother!” showdown with Kat Slater, hit the square last week and now someone else is following in her footsteps.
Zoe was back as Kat married Alfie for the third time and prepares to take over the Queen Victoria pub.
But now there’s another shock return for the drama filled square.
Oscar Branning is on his way home to Albert Square this summer, and where Oscar goes, trouble is not far behind.
Oscar was last seen on screen in 2017 (played by twins Neo & Charlee Hall) when he made a brief visit to Max on Father’s Day.
However, just why he is returning and where he’s been is set to be revealed when Lauren receives a mysterious call.
Newcomer Pierre Moullier will play Oscar, who is now 17, as he arrives and turns Lauren’s life upside down.
EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “I’m very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he’s all grown up.
“Oscar is very much a Branning which means there’s going to be plenty of drama in store this summer.
“We’re delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can’t wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.”
Pierre Moullier added: “It’s pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I’m actually on Albert Square!
“When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet.
“Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he’s a complex guy!”
Pierre has already started filming, and Oscar will return to our screens next month.
Rumours are also rising that soap legend Jake Wood is making a shock return.
EastEnders stars who QUIT
MICHELLE Collins has seen her second EastEnders stint boost her bank balance. Yet what stars have quit this year?
The Sun exclusively reported how Michelle, 62, was down to £20,000 in her company accounts when she agreed to a shock back-from-the-dead return to Albert Square last year.
Her character, Cindy Beale, was presumed dead off-camera in 1998.
Yet what about the 2024 exits?
Earlier this summer, loyal soap fans appeared to note how Stevie Mitchell had “quit” the long-running series.
It came after Alan Ford enjoyed just six-months on-screen.
Bobby Beale actor Clay Milner Russell also left this year after five years in Walford.
Fans also feared Martin Fowler actor James Bye would “quit out of boredom” over recent storylines.
Additionally, a host of stars have quit the BBC soap for Hollywood fame.
One of the most successful stars to come from the BBC One soap is Rob Kazinsky.
He played Stacey Slater’s brother Sean Slater from 2006 to 2009, he has starred in Hollywood blockbusters Pacific Rim and Captain Marvel.
Ben Hardy, who quit EastEnders as Bobby Beale almost a decade ago, went on to break Hollywood the following year, when he starred as Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Since then, he has played Roger Taylor in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and he starred in Michael Bay’s Netflix movie 6 Underground.
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater until 2005.
She starred as the lead in short-lived American series Bionic Woman from 2007 to 2008.
The actor, 52, will reprise his role as love rat Max Branning later this year in dramatic scenes.
Jake quit the BBC One soap in 2021 after 15 years to focus on other acting projects.
A telly source said: “Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show.
“It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots.
“There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.”
Speaking earlier this year Jake admitted he missed being part of the soap — except for the busy filming regime.
He said: “I don’t miss the schedules. Anyone will tell you how hard they are and sort of all-consuming, but obviously I miss a lot of the people.
“When you’re at the centre of a big storyline like EastEnders Christmas, something like that — it’s a real thrill as an actor to be a part of that, big storylines, big characters.”
We’re raising our children without rules – they don’t have a bed time and they only go to school if they want to
A COUPLE who are raising their children without rules have shared an insight into their everyday life.
The family-of-five described themselves as “unconventional”, with the young children allowed to set their own schedules each day.
Adele and Matt spoke to the YouTube channel the Truly Show about their unique approach to parenting.
The Brighton-based pair shared 11-year-old son Ulysses and daughters Astara, six, and Kai, three.
All three children are being raised with “no strict rules” in any aspect of their lives, including meal times, bed times, and school.
“The children listen to their bodily cues, they sleep when they’re tired, eat when they’re hungry,” said Matt.
He joked that this does mean that their diets include a lot of “junk food”, such as crisps, cookies, chocolate, and pizza.
Matt clarified that their “unconventional parenting” style was about giving their children the freedom to choose.
This began at a young age as the kids decided when they wanted to stop breast-feeding and co-sleeping with their parents.
While their oldest son co-slept until the age of 11 and stopped breast-feeding around six, his younger sister was happy to move into her own room at five and quit breast-feeding the year before that.
Meanwhile the youngest Kai still sleeps in her parents’ bed at three and continues to breast-feed, with Adele saying she didn’t see either ceasing any time soon.
This feeds into the couple’s main parenting philosophy which involves attachment parenting their children when they are young as well as practicing gentle parenting.
This close relationship is continued all the time as the children do not attend school.
Instead, Adele and Matt use an “unschooling” technique at home, though they clarified this is not considered homeschooling.
According to them, it lets the child lead what they learn, with nature playing a huge part in their education
The family even have a garden farm, which includes a flock of chickens and roosters, as well as rabbits and dogs.
“We do not worry about them not being in school, I’d worry about what they’d miss out on if they weren’t in school actually,” Adele said.
Different parenting techniques
Here are some widely recognised methods:
Authoritative Parenting
This technique will often foster independence, self-discipline, and high self-esteem in children.
It is often considered the most effective, this technique is where parents set clear expectations – enforcing rules – whilst also showing warmth and support.
Authoritarian Parenting
This is opposite to authoritative parenting, as it is where the parent sets high demands but is low on responsiveness.
It involves ensuring the child is obedient and often employ punitive measures. While this can lead to disciplined behaviour, it may also result in lower self-esteem and social skills in children.
Permissive Parenting
Permissive parents tend to be indulgent and lenient, often taking on a role more akin to a friend than an authority figure. They are highly responsive but lack demandingness, granting children a lot of freedom. This method can nurture creativity and a free-spirited nature but may also result in poor self-regulation and difficulties with authority.
Uninvolved Parenting
Uninvolved or neglectful parenting is marked by low responsiveness and low demands. Parents in this category offer minimal guidance, nurturing, or attention. This often leaves children feeling neglected, which can have significant negative effects on their emotional and social development.
Helicopter Parenting
Helicopter parents are extremely involved and overprotective, frequently micromanaging their children’s lives. Although their goal is to protect and support, this approach can hinder a child’s ability to develop independence and problem-solving skills.
Free-Range Parenting
Free-range parenting encourages children to explore and learn from their surroundings with minimal parental interference. This method promotes independence and resilience but requires a safe and supportive environment to be successful.
Attachment Parenting
According to Marriage.com, Attachment parenting focuses on physical closeness and emotional bonding, often through practices such as co-sleeping and baby-wearing. This approach aims to create secure attachments and emotional well-being, but demands significant time and emotional commitment from parents.
Each of these parenting techniques has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The key is to find a balanced approach that aligns with the family’s values and meets the child’s needs for a healthy, happy upbringing.
“A conventional education I would say is definitely failing a large majority of children right now.”
Astara shared her hopes to learn how to write when she’s turns “seven or eight” but in the meantime she is focused on things like gymnastics and ballet.
As well as “outside school”, the couple’s unconventional parenting approaching also relates to medical care.
They opt to “respect our children’s bodily autonomy” and try to steer clear of vaccines and medication unless absolutely neccessary.
Instead, they use alternative forms of care, such as herbal teas and extracts or “anything holistic without outside effects”.
And as for how they invision their children’s futures, the couple said they are with whatever lifestyle they choose when they grow up.
Iconic 94-year-old football stadium looks unrecognisable as building site after work begins on £86million renovation
FIORENTINA’S iconic stadium looks unrecognisable after building work began on a stunning £86million renovation.
The Stadio Artemio Franchi is one of the most famous arenas in Italy after being constructed in 1931 — making it 94 years old.
Located in Florence, it holds 47,282 fans and once saw a record 58,271 pack in for Fiorentina’s 3-0 win over Inter Milan in November 1985.
But after going several previous renovations in 1990 and 2013, the Artemio Franchi is once again under the knife for a brand new reconstruction.
Work started last year on an £86m plan to rebuild several stands while modernising existing infrastructure.
It’s expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.
And with the Serie A season at an end, contractors have been able to finally raise scaffolding all over the stadium, just weeks after a raging fire blazed through Fiorentina’s training ground.
The lengthy work means any future home matches will be played with a reduced capacity, with Fiorentina chiefs having already secured a reduction in rent.
Club president Rocco Commisso is hopeful that all work will be completed by the deadline, saying: “For the good of Fiorentina, we must work together and do everything possibly to complete the renovation quickly.
“A partially functioning stadium makes no sense.”
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Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A this season, securing another year in the Conference League.
The Italians have already lost two finals of the relatively-new competition to West Ham and Olympiacos.
While this term they were KO’d in the semis by Real Betis, who went on to lose the final 4-1 to Chelsea.
Their Artemio Franchi arena has played host to some memorable events, including the 1934 and 1990 World Cups.
It’s also hosted Italy’s national football and rugby teams while also playing host to a number of non-sporting events.
David Bowie, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen are among the superstars to have played there.
While in 1954, local legend claims that UFOs travelling at high speed stopped directly over the stadium during a reserve game before coating the Artemio Franchi in a “silvery glitter.”
Sundowns fans praise Khuliso Mudau’s performance despite loss
Despite Sundowns going 4-3 down to Borussia Dortmund at the FIFA Club World Cup, Mudau's performance was praised.
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Huge popstar and reality TV favourite pulls out of gig just days before taking to the stage
POP fans have been left gutted after one huge star pulled out of a massive gig just days before she was due on stage.
The singer, 22, had been due to headline at a big Pride festival but has cancelled due to a “scheduling conflict”.
JoJo Siwa had been due to entertain thousands of fans at Back Lot Bash in Chicago next weekend.
The Pride inclusive music festival is taking place across two days and JoJo was supposed to be headlining on Sunday June 29.
But an announcement on Backlot Bash’s official Instagram account today read: “Due to a scheduling conflict, JoJo Siwa will no longer be performing at Chicago’s Back Lot Bash.”
No further information has been given by organisers and JoJo has not commented on the cancellation on her own social media accounts.
In the lead up to this year’s Back Lot Bash, the Bulletproof star had appeared as the main headshot on the event’s promo flyers.
On ticket website Do312 the festive had been billed as the ’21st Annual Back Lot Bash with Jojo Siwa’.
The news comes just days after Celebrity Big Brother star JoJo announced she was also postponing her American tour.
The star had an 11-date run of gigs booked back home in the States in July.
But during the week, JoJo – who has been practically inseparable with Chris Hughes since meeting him on CBB in April – dropped the bombshell.
In a statement, the former Dance Moms star said: “I’ve got some news that breaks my heart to share… my US tour has to be postponed.
“I promise I’ll be back before you know it to perform for all the beautiful people in the US!…
“Announcements will be coming soon, including some Europe shows!:).
“Thank you so much for your understanding and support. I can’t wait to see you all soon!
“To my Dream Guest VIPs, my team will be reaching out to you individually to plan something special.
“Refunds will be issued at point of purchase.”
New direction
JoJo is believed to be plotting to spend more time in the UK amid her blossoming romance with former Love Island star Chris.
She has also reportedly been ‘dropped by Columbia Records’ after they signed JoJo just one year ago.
Other stars on the record label’s books include Adele, Beyoncé and Harry Styles.
But the dancer is no longer listed on Columbia’s website, where she was previously featured.
The Sun previously contacted JoJo’s rep for comment following the claims about her future with the record label.
In a recent interview with Hits Radio, JoJo spoke about her new music and hinted that she was going it alone.
JoJo admitted she choreographed and directed the music video for her current song Bulletproof and was turning over a new leaf with “more genuine” songs.
WEATHER: Intense cold front to bring heavy rain, gale-force winds and SNOW
Take a look at what the weather has in store for South Africa’s nine provinces this Sunday, 22 June 2025.
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The Lotto results for Saturday, 21 June 2025
Today’s Lotto jackpot stands at an estimated R3 million, while the Lotto Plus 1 offers R20 million and the Lotto Plus 2, R15 million.
Read More »
‘I was going mental!’ says Royal Ascot punter after bagging huge win from ‘incredible’ £10 bet
ONE lucky punter has landed himself £14,158 from a spectacular £10 bet at Royal Ascot.
The plucky racegoer stuck a tenner on a three-horse bet to earn himself the hefty payday on Friday.
The customer backed Venetian Sun in the Albany Stakes, Never Let Go in Sandringham Stakes and Adrestia in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes in a £5 each-way treble.
All three horses didn’t just place, but actually WON their respective races.
The punter, who had backed the trio at 10/1, 16/1 and 6/1, will have been in shock after only deciding to back the horses thanks to the tips in the Ladbrokes shop he went into.
He told Ladbrokes: “I just went with the tips in the Ladbrokes shop!
“I couldn’t believe it when I was on for the win going into the final race.
“I was watching the Holyroodhouse and thought if Adrestia gets out, she’s not getting caught. I was going mental!”
While Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: “After punters left us with our tail between our legs the previous day, this customer landed one of the bets of Royal Ascot on a day when upsets might have otherwise left us smiling. Congratulations on an incredible win.
“They’ll never let go of this memory – and might already be planning a fitting trip to Venice with their winnings!”
Elsewhere at Ascot there was chaos when winning horse Lazzat almost drop-kicked a groundsworker in the head after getting loose and going mad.
The Wathnan-owned sprinter just bagged more than half a million quid for winning the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs.
But when jockey James Doyle was about to be interviewed by ITV, the 9-2 winner appeared to get spooked by a cloth being raised in front of him.
Like a red rag to a bull, the fired-up four-year-old dumped Doyle to the turf, turned round and then galloped off down the track.
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Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
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Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Stephen Mulhern dropped from £1m Butlins magic show deal in latest career blow after Dancing on Ice & game show canned
TV’s Stephen Mulhern has been dropped from his £1million deal with holiday camp giant Butlin’s.
The Saturday Night Takeway star will not return to his sell-out shows after this summer.
ITV host Stephen, 48, has appeared for the past three years at the chain’s centres at Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness.
But his lucrative deal for the weekend performances will not be renewed at the end of this year.
A source said: “Stephen has been a massive hit with holidaymakers.
“He began his career as a Redcoat and has kept families brilliantly entertained.”
The end of the deal comes after Mulhern collapsed in a Pizza Express in Sunningdale, Berkshire, late last year.
He was also left devastated by the death of his father Christopher, who taught him magician tricks as a child.
In March, ITV announced that Dancing On Ice – which he hosted with close pal Holly Willoughby – would not return next year.
And his game show In For A Penny, which saw Stephen head to different places around the UK to challenge members of the public, was shelved by ITV after six series.
But he is due to start to start filming for his challenge show You Bet! on Tour next week — without Holly, after she quit the show in March.
Stephen, a close pal of Ant and Dec, started out in children’s TV in 2001 when he was the presenter of the game show Finger Tips.
He presented his first show with Holly in 2004 when they worked together on Children’s TV show Ministry Of Mayhem.
The magician launched Tricky TV on CITV in 2005, which he presented until 2010.
During this time, he was handpicked by bosses to front the ITV2 spin-off for Britain’s Got Talent.
He presented Britain’s Got More Talent until the cancellation of the spin-off in 2019.
A Butlin’s spokesperson said: “Stephen has been an incredible part of the Butlin’s experience and continues to be a valued member of the family.
“Stephen’s much-loved live show won’t return in 2026 after three fantastic years, but we’re thrilled to be working together on ongoing projects this autumn.”
A spokesman for Stephen said: “Stephen has absolutely loved being part of the Butlin’s family — performing his stage shows in front of thousands of holiday makers across the country and the relationship with Butlin’s remains hugely positive.
“This change allows Stephen to explore new opportunities in the family holiday space – something he’s incredibly passionate about.”
