5 days agoBlogsComments Off on Darts star opens up on debilitating health condition that also affects his daughter as he tries to help find a cure
DARTS star Ryan Searle has opened up on his struggles in finding a cure to his and his daughter’s debilitating eye disease.
Searle, known as Heavy Metal for his love of rock music, chunky 34g arrows and rockstar hair, suffers from Dominant Optic Atrophy.
PARyan Searle has opened up on his health issues[/caption]
GettyHeavy Metal suffers from a genetic eye condition that gives him blurry vision[/caption]
ThePDCdarts star, 37,is currently the world No19and has reached the last-16 at theWorld Championshipthree times.
The genetic condition causes him blurred vision, with Searle admitting he has “learned to live” with its effects.
Searle explained toDarts News: “DOA basically means there’s reduced blood flow to my damaged optic nerve.
“I wear contact lenses now, so it’s not as bad. My vision’s not as blurry anymore.
“I don’t have to keep stopping to ask what I’ve scored or what’s left, and that’s helped my game a lot.”
When asked if was legally blind, Searle joked: “It’s getting there — pretty close.
“But no, not quite. I can still legally drive, just about.”
Searle only discovered he had the condition in the past couple of years — after his daughter Amelia was diagnosed.
GettySearle is currently ranked as the World No19[/caption]
He said: “It comes in different severities — mine’s fairly bad, but hers is really bad.
“She’s registered as visually impaired and she’ll probably never be able to drive.
“I’ve been speaking with a charity who are trying to raise money to find a cure because there isn’t one.
“Whatever vision you’re born with, that’s what you’re stuck with.
“I’m going to have a patch on my shirt soon for the charity, to try and raise awareness and hopefully help get closer to a cure.”
Despite his rise up the rankings, Heavy Metal is yet to win a major TV tournament.
Searle came closest in 2021, losing in the Players Championship Finals toPeter Wright.
He previously said: “I’ve learned to live with it, but it does affect me – I can’t always see where my dart lands.
“That’s why you’ll often see me asking the referee what I’ve thrown.”
5 days agoBlogsComments Off on Amazon Fire TV Stick has price slashed as part of Ireland’s first-ever Prime Day sale with hundreds of deals
IRELAND’S first-ever Prime Day sale is officially here with hundreds of deals – including the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD for only €26.99.
The shopping giant has slashed the price of thousands of items on the brand new Amazon.ie website over a four-day shopping event, which runs until Friday, July 11.
Photocall IrelandThe deals are only available to people with an Amazon Prime subscription[/caption]
AmazonThe best deal so far is the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, which is priced at €26.99[/caption]
AmazonAnd shoppers can also control it with the Alexa Voice Remote[/caption]
The deals are only available to people with an Amazon Prime subscription, but there’s a free trial available to access the epic deals.
Prime members can shop ‘Today’s Big Deals’, which features daily themes curated exclusively for Prime members.
It also includes limited time ‘New Deal Drop’ deals launching at midnight every day throughout the shopping event.
And the best deal so far is the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, which is priced at €26.99 as part of the Prime Day sale, which is a 42 per cent discount.
It features a fast, affordable streaming in Full HD, and shoppers can also control it with the Alexa Voice Remote.
And they can also use their voice to easily search and launch shows across multiple platforms.
Another Prime Day highlight is the popular Echo Pop smart speaker with Alexa for only €24,99, which is a 52 per cent off.
It features a full sound that is great for bedrooms and small spaces.
And you can also ask Alexa to play music, audiobooks and podcasts from your favourite providers.
Shoppers can also get the Amazon Kindle (16 GB) for just €85.88.
Ireland Country Manager at Amazon, Ali Dunn said: “We are excited to bring our first dedicated Prime Day to Irish customers, following our Amazon.ie launch in March.
“We’re celebrating Prime members in Ireland with an extended event packed with incredible savings from popular brands to trending products.”
“Deals on Irish brands will also be available on the Brands of Ireland section of Amazon.ie.”
Ali continued: “Prime Day is a celebration of the value we offer to our members year-round, combining value, convenience, and exclusive benefits all in one.
“How we shop says a lot about us. I’m excited to see how Irish customers make Prime Day their own and find deals that truly meets their needs and priorities.”
Customers can join Prime on Amazon.ie for just €6.99 per month and enjoy the very best of shopping including fast, free delivery, savings through exclusive deal events, access to popular TV shows, movies, and live sports on Prime Video; free games on Prime Gaming and exclusive offers from partners like Odeon cinemas and Deliveroo.
SHOPPING HABITS
Recent research by HarrisX shows that four in five Irish shoppers feel a sense of satisfaction when getting something they want for less.
While 68 per cent say they experience excitement when grabbing deals before a product sells out, 65 per cent prefer extended sales, giving them more time to decide.
The research also reveals that 66 per cent of Irish shoppers are more likely to shop with retailers offering membership benefits with free delivery, exclusive discounts, and faster delivery being key motivations.
To celebrate Ireland’s first-ever Prime Day sale, the Amazon Prime Day Ice-Cream Cart will be in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway serving complimentary ice cream inspired by four distinct Prime Day shopper personalities – the Planner, the Gifter, the Spontaneous Shopper and the Competitive Shopper.
The Wellness Psychologist, Dr. Clodagh Campbell, added: “Amazon.ie’s first Prime Day isn’t just a milestone for Irish shoppers – it’s a really interesting reflection of our personalities.
“Whether you’re a meticulous planner, a thoughtful gifter, a spontaneous deal-seeker, or a value-driven competitive shopper, your approach to shopping says a lot about what you value and how you find joy.
“Recognising your shopping persona can help you make the most of the experience – turning Prime Day into something that’s not just practical but also personally rewarding.”
Not known, clear with picture deskThe shopping giant has slashed the price of thousands of items on the brand new Amazon.ie website over a 4-day shopping event[/caption]
5 days agoBlogsComments Off on Olivia Dean reveals new boyfriend as they make first appearance as a couple after being linked to Harry Styles
SINGER Olivia Dean has gone public with her drummer boyfriend after being linked to popstar Harry Styles.
Olivia had been heavily linked to the Watermelon Sugar hitmaker last year but she now seems firmly settled with her brand new man.
GettyOlivia Dean has stepped out with her new boyfriend, Eddie Burns[/caption]
GettyThe couple were spotted hand-in-hand at Wimbledon[/caption]
GettyOlivia was previously linked to Harry Styles[/caption]
The 26-year-old performer went public with her new partner, Eddie Burns, at Wimbledon last week.
Eddie, 27, is a drummer for fellow singer, Clairo.
Both Olivia and Clairo performed as opening acts for Sabrina Carpenter for her two sold out BST Hyde Park gigs this past weekend.
On Friday of last week, Olivia and Eddie put on a cosy display as they watched all the action at Centre Court.
Nice To Each Other singer Olivia looked chic in a flowing yellow dress with Eddie looking dapper in a matching shirt paired with some brown trousers.
Olivia has seen her star power rising over the past few years and is tipped to be Britain’s next big star.
She released her first album Messy in 2023 after being awarded the BBC Introducing Artist of the Year award.
Her new man has also always been a performer having grown up in a musical family in Chicago.
With Clairo, he has performed across the globe, including stints opening for Dua Lipa and Khalid.
Olivia and Eddie are thought to have been together since April, as per the Mail Online.
Previously, The Sun told how Olivia had caught the eye of former One Direction star Harry Styles last year.
Rumours that Olivia and Harry were an item came after they were spotted enjoying a burger at fast-food joint, Five Guys, in London.
They were then spotted at the Kalorama festival inMadrid together just a few weeks later.
The As It Was singer and rising neo-soul star were spotted watching Sam Smith at the Spanish showcase.
And in a sweet moment, Harry was seen resting his head on Olivia’s shoulder during Sam’s emotional track I’m Not The Only One.
An insider said in September last year: “Harry loves festivals and enjoyed his time with Olivia in Madrid.
“It was the perfect weekend after Olivia put on a stunning performance, and they both loved watching their favourite artists together.”
She is due to release her next album, The Art of Loving, this September.
GettyThe star has seen her celebrity rising over the past two years[/caption]
Instagram / @eddieburnsDrummer Eddie appears to have captured her heart[/caption]
Instagram / @eddieburnsIt is her first romance since the Harry Styles rumours[/caption]
5 days agoBlogsComments Off on Freddie Flintoff shares major update on hit series Field of Dreams
FREDDIE Flintoff has finally spilled the beans on the future of his smash-hit BBC series Field of Dreams.
The cricket champ-turned-presenter, 47, first launched the heartwarming show back in 2022, building a team of young hopefuls from his hometown of Preston in a bid to change lives through sport.
GettyCricket legend turned telly fave Freddie Flintoff has officially confirmed a third season of his hit BBC series Field of Dreams[/caption]
PAThe Preston-born star revealed he’s wrapped filming on the new series, which will feature three brand-new teams[/caption]
The series struck a chord once again, even landing Freddie an RTS Award nomination, and left viewers desperate for more.
Now, after months of whispers and speculation, it’s looking like season three is a go – despite the BBC staying tight-lipped when reports first surfaced in April 2024.
Freddie revealed he’s wrapped filming on the new series, which will feature not one, but three brand-new teams: two boys’ squads from Bootle and Newton Heath, and a girls’ team based in Blackpool.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the dad-of-four said the experience has been “life-changing.”
He shared: “All the boys are doing well. But what I didn’t envisage is what I got from it. Going to India with these boys helped me so much… it’s getting bigger and bigger.”
He added: “If you give kids a chance, they’re all right, aren’t they? Kids are good!”
Producers say the new season reflects the show’s mission to promote equality and expand its reach, aiming to air later in 2025 on BBC One.
Fans can also expect a possible fourth season – with speculation mounting about an overseas tour for these new teams.
It’s shaping up to be Freddie’s busiest year yet.
Alongside Field of Dreams, he’s fronting ITV’s Bullseye reboot and preparing for a Disney+ docuseries on his recovery post-Top Gear crash.
And in a shock twist, Freddie also revealed he once turned down “obscene” money to become a WWE wrestler and even got “beaten up left, right and centre” during a trial run with a top American company.
If he’d signed on the dotted line, Freddie could’ve joined fellow Preston lad Stu Bennett, aka WWE’s Wade Barrett, in the wrestling ring.
Instead, he’s stuck to cricket bats over body slams – and fans are thankful for it.
Freddie Flintoff’sField of Dreams is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
PAFreddie Flintoff’s Disney+ film will chart his recovery as well as look back on his incredible sporting career[/caption]
5 days agoBlogsComments Off on Eberechi Eze isn’t the striker Arsenal desperately need but Palace star would still guarantee the Gunners more goals
ARSENAL have been patient in the transfer window so far, but it is thought that the Gunners have big plans ahead of the new season.
Mikel Arteta is believed to be looking to strengthen the striker and left-wing positions to add more versatility and threat in the final third as they look to chase Liverpool down.
GettyArsenal are reportedly interested in signing Eberechi Eze[/caption]
One of the strongest rumours at the moment sees them heavily linked with England attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace.
While Eze can play from the left, and even off the main striker, his best role is as the most advanced 8 from the centre of the midfield where he can get on the ball and hurt the opposition consistently.
Here, we look at how he can make Arsenal a far greater threat going forward.
The Norwegian international suffered injuries that limited his minutes during the middle of the season.
Even when he returned, he struggled at points to make an impact in the biggest games.
We believe that Arteta will continue to be flexible in his tactical approach between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4–3–3.
The key differences between these two systems sit in their use of midfielders, with the 4-2-3-1 requiring two deeper midfield players and the 4-3-3 two more advanced players.
Adding a player like Eze, who excels when it comes to finding space in the opposition defence to receive the ball, and who can get on the ball before turning and driving forward to run at opposition defenders, would bring real threat to the attacking phase for Arsenal.
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Eze is a player who really comes alive in the final third and who has the ability to run with the ball and find the final pass to break the line to create for team-mates.
Eze positions himself intelligently in midfield to pick up the ball from deep
Here, we see Eze has positioned himself intelligently in the final third in order to receive the ball from a deeper area.
He is the type of midfielder who will consistently find these areas to receive the ball
Eze carries a threat when receiving the ball in space because his first instinct is to get the ball out of his feet and drive forward in possession.
He is an extremely technical player who can take the ball under pressure and play off minimal touches.
But his ability to scan and find pockets of space tends to see him receive the ball in open areas of the pitch.
As an option, similar to Odegaard, but more likely to be positioned to the left-side of the midfield, Eze would represent an upgrade on Arsenal’s current attacking options from the midfield.
His ability to attack and outplay opposition midfielders in 1v1 situations would also help Arsenal to break down opposition defensive blocks when they want to sit deep.
Eze carrying the ball into space as he runs at the Fulham defence
This time we see Eze moving and attacking in space having received between the lines.
His ability to carry the ball moves his team through the thirds and immediately threatens the opposition defensive line.
Ball progression
Eze is a very good dribbler, whether in open or tighter spaces. He is creative and difficult to defend against.
With that said, we cannot overlook his creative passing and ability to find a way to break the final defensive line with his passing ability.
He has the technical ability to break lines with passes played with real weight and quality and he also has the vision to find creative angles to release runners.
He plays with his head held high and sees passes and opportunities that other players simply don’t.
Eze likes to drive forward and affect the game, even when appearing to be in tight spaces
Here, Eze has taken the ball in transition and started to drive forward to affect the game.
He moves well and with his head held high.
As the game starts to open up ahead of him, he has the quality to find the final pass to release a team-mate into space and behind the defensive line on the far side.
One of the criticisms that was levelled at Arsenal last season was that they were slow in the attacking phase with passive movement and passing as they looked to build their attacks.
Adding a player with the aggressive ball carrying and passing profile of Eze will definitely speed up the Arsenal build-up and bring more aggression in the final third.
His ability to see things that others don’t see will open up so many attacking options for Arsenal.
Around the edges of the penalty area, he has creative flicks and quick passes that will create opportunities for team-mates to shoot and generate more goal scoring chances.
Eze is able to make aggressive runs to get beyond the ball
We see an example of this creative passing here. First, he makes an aggressive run to get beyond the ball into central areas.
As he receives the ball, he can then read the movement of the striker curving around behind him and find a creative pass to release that run and create a shot.
Getting beyond the ball
Eze is aggressive when the ball is not in his zone. He will look to make longer runs to get into dangerous areas and his ability to get beyond the ball with pace and power makes him very difficult to defend against.
Eze is always ready to bust a gut to get into a goalscoring position
Here, we see the Crystal Palace striker has dropped deep and released an attacking player on the near side.
It is Eze who then makes the aggressive run to get beyond and provide an attacking option for his team.
Crystal Palace tended to use Jean-Phillipe Mateta as a target-style forward, and he would drop into deeper spaces to receive the ball.
As he drops and links the play, it is Eze who then provides the attacking threat with his movement into advanced forward areas.
For a team like Arsenal, whose midfielders are relatively static in terms of staying behind the ball, the addition of a runner with the threat and goalscoring ability of a player like Eze will bring significant impact.
Eze scored the most important goal of the season for Crystal Palace
Here, Eze gets into position to score the most important goal of the season for Palace and win the club the FA Cup.
Once again, he makes the run to get beyond the ball and he arrives with good timing to score.
Conclusion
When it comes to recruitment, a lot of the talk is around player profiles and how they fit with one another.
The signing of Eze would, without a doubt, bring a profile that Arsenal do not currently have, and one that would bring real value to their squad
5 days agoBlogsComments Off on Top Boy star unrecognisable as he shows off incredible weight loss two years after series ended
TOP BOY Star Kadeem Ramsay looked unrecognisable as he showed off his incredible weight loss two years after the series ended.
The actor, 29, who rose to fame on the Netflix British crime drama series, now looks worlds away from how he did on the show.
AlamyTop Boy Star Kadeem Ramsay looks unrecognisable as he shows off his incredible weight loss[/caption]
InstagramThe actor now looks worlds away from how he did on the show[/caption]
InstagramKadeem looked noticeably slimmer as posed in front of the mirror in a gym locker room[/caption]
Kadeem took to his Instagram stories to show off his weight loss transformation dressed in simple black vest and joggers.
The actor looked noticeably slimmer as he posed in front of the mirror in a gym locker room revealing his muscles and toned figure.
Kadeem is best known for playing the character of Kit in Top boy who turns out to be a major antagonist later on in the series.
He featured in a shocking plot line which saw him go against his best friend Jamie played by Michael Ward which ended in his death.
After five seasons of the show the series officially wrapped up in 2023 after coming to a dramatic end.
Kadeem’s transformation comes amid his split from co-star girlfriend Jasmine.
They first sparked relationship rumours when they were pictured looking pretty cosy at an event in London.
Jasmine, who plays Jaq on the show, went public with Kadeem back in October 2023 when she shared a photo of the couple sharing a kiss.
Jasmine then turned the comments off the relationship announcement post and urged her followers to “be kind”.
Following the pairs split Jasmine shared a video to her social media, saying she was enjoying her new relationship status and being celibate.
When asked by fans if she was still in a relationship, she clarified: “No, I’m not but I’m also not single, thank you very much.
“I am taken by life. And I am celibate — not single, not taken, just in a committed relationship with life.”
She added, “The next time I see somebody is gonna be the man that I marry.”
GettyKadeem was in a relationship with Jasmine Jobson with whom he recently split from[/caption]
AlamyKadeem featured in a shocking plot line which saw him turn on his best friend Jamie played by Michael Ward (pictured)[/caption]
GettyAfter five seasons of the show the series officially wrapped up in 2023[/caption]
5 days agoBlogsComments Off on Crucial ‘five-second rule’ & chilling 16.9C temp warning issued for Irish dog owners before 28C heat
IRISH pet owners have been issued a key safety warning ahead of scorching temperatures of up to 30C this week.
With the heat blast expected to last well into next week, pet owners have been reminded of an important “five-second rule.”
Andrew Simpson, Head of Pet at Petinsurance.ie, says it is essential to monitor your pet’s condition during hot weatherTemperatures are expected to rise to 30C in parts of the country this weekendFacebook/@Donegal Weather Channel
Met Eireann said the good conditions will get underway properly from tomorrow in a mostly dry 24C day.
Kenneth McDonagh Donegal Weather Channel said: “Temperatures set to rise to 30C by the weekend.
“The deeper we get into this week the warmer it will get with every passing day with a real improvement from Wednesday and temperatures into the high 20s even low 30s by the weekend.”
With the hot weather now guaranteed, many experts are sharing tips on how to protect pets from the heat.
At Petinsurance.ie, they explain that most pets cannot sweat like humans do. For dogs and sometimes cats, panting is a vital method for cooling down.
However, when the temperature outside gets close to their body temperature, panting becomes ineffective, and the risk of heat stroke arises.
Flat-nosed dog breeds such as pugs or cats such as persians are particularly susceptible.
Among their key recommendations is “The Five Second Rule”.
The rule, which advises owners to check if the ground is too hot to walk their pet by holding a hand against it for five seconds, is recommended by a number of agencies, including DogsTrust.
Other recommendations include allowing access to fresh air and water, protection from direct sunlight and scheduling exercise for cooler times of the day.
Experts also recommend that owners keep up to date with flea treatments, as fleas and ticks thrive in warmer weather.
Head of Pet at Petinsurance.ie, Andrew Simpson explained that it is essential to monitor your pet’s condition during hot weather.
He said: “We need to pay attention to the experts when they predict warmer conditions – each small increase can have an impact on our pets and raise the risk of dehydration, lethargy or even sunburn, as well as creating ideal conditions for infestations of unwelcome visitors like fleas and ticks.
“Early signs of heat stroke to look out for include heavy panting, restlessness and lack of coordination.
“If the weather is warm and your pet exhibits any of these behaviours, take them to a cool place and give them a drink of water before seeking veterinary advice.”
He added that Petinsurance.ie policy holders benefit from a 24/7 veterinary helpline which provides advice on everything from heatstroke to behavioural issues.
Most pets cannot sweat like humans do and when the temperature outside rises they become vulnerable to heatstroke and dehydration
Thelaundryexperts atResthouse Sleephave shared that a simpler way to clean a duvet and bedding is to simply stick it outside so it can get “a beautiful dose of sunshine.”
They explained: “Heat, bright sunlight and the fresh summer breeze all have the ability to naturally deodorize, disinfect and bleach natural fibres, restoring and bringing back their splendour.”
Ultraviolet in sunlight can kill bacteria that can be living in your bedding to help clean it without putting it in the wash.
Sunlight will also remove dirt, dust mites, mildew and even mould spores to freshen up your duvet or pillows with almost no effort according to Resthousesleep
This cleaning technique is called ‘sunning’ and all you need is a few hours on a hot day to get your bedding feeling and smelling a lot fresher.
The laundry expert said: “For generations, people have hung their bedding outside for a revitalizing measure of nature’s best cleaner and deodorizer, the sun!
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
You can drape them across chairs or a fence if you don’t have one available.
The best time to hang up your bedding is at around 11am so you get the maximum exposure of the sun at noon, when it is strongest.
It is best to hang bedding out for no more than four hours, as ultraviolet rays can kill bacteria quickly, but prolonged sun exposure may cause the fabric to fade and become discoloured.
Duvets and other thick bedding like mattress toppers will need to be flipped after two hours in the sun to make help fluff up the stuffing inside.
When you bring your bedding back inside, lay it flat on your bed for an hour.
This helps get rid of any outdoor humidity that can become trapped in the fabric.
Then you can make your bed and enjoy a good night’s sleep knowing everything is fresh and clean.
As for how often you should do this – you can try to do it every few months, or when the sun is out.