IF you’re going to spend 22 and a half hours on a plane, give or take, there are a few things you need.
Comfort, entertainment and friendly staff rank high among the list of must-haves. (Also WiFi – but more of that later.)
For these, a seat in Qantas’ premium economy cabin while taking the slog from London Heathrow to Sydney (with a 2-hour layover in Singapore) ticks the boxes.
As a 6ft 2in man mountain, I’ve had my share of uncomfortable experiences on long-haul flights.
So a trip to Australia – the longest I’d ever attempted – did give me a slight sense of dread.
An upgrade to premium economy on the upper deck of one the airline’s Airbus A380s made the journey bearable, though.
The seats were roomy enough to twist one way or another in sleep and also had the all-important extendable head-rest that adjusts from the sides for crucial extra support while dozing.
With a decent pillow from the cabin crew (plus blanket, eye mask and all the usual gubbins) it was about the easiest I’ve found it to get some kip on a plane.
The food was decent, and staff were more than happy to dig out an extra glass of wine when I was up to stretch my legs.
The usual array of films and TV shows were available to pass the time on the entertainment system, but for those of us who like to alternate movies with in-flight games the selection wasn’t the best.
Which kind of brings me to the biggest criticism of the service – no WiFi.
While I wouldn’t necessarily use it, I know for others it would be an absolute necessity.
Qantas say it’s in the process of being rolled out across the wider fleet and will be available on A380s in early 2026 (and free to all passengers).
With non-stop flights between Heathrow and Sydney planned for early 2027, it’s a good job it will be sorted.
With no stopover in Singapore to jump on WhatsApp and Instagram, how would you update your family on what a wonderful journey you’re having?
Return from Heathrow to Sydney from £1475 economy, from £3097 premium economy.
We’ve tried out some other amazing premium economy cabins as well.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Caroline McGuire raves about Norse Atlantic Airways’ – here’s why.
Her’e’s the airline that launched the first ever premium economy seat.
And one airline has revealed plans to ditch premium economy.
LUCINDA Bray was on a Microsoft Teams call when she felt a warm sensation between her legs.
“I was thankfully working from home but I was mid-sentence when I was acutely aware something felt ‘wrong’ down below,” the 37-year-old, from Carlisle, Cumbria, tells Sun Health.
The smell that followed left Lucinda certain she’d had a faecal accident – with no warning, and no clue why.
“I remember thanking technology for it being a Teams chat and not an in person meeting and the relief no one else could smell what I could was huge.”
When the meeting finished, Lucinda showered and threw away the clothes she was wearing and the cushion she’d been sitting on.
“There was no sign anything had gotten to the cushion but I was paranoid there would be a smell,” she recalls.
“Nobody else had any idea what happened but I was terrified of it happening again. I avoided going for in-person meetings for a while after that.”
But it wasn’t the first time Lucinda had an accident, and it won’t be the last.
She is one of around 6.5 million people in the UK who experience bowel incontinence, according to Bladder & Bowel UK.
The figures are even higher when it comes to urinary incontinence which affects around 14 million people.
Dr Masarat Jilani, Resident Doctor at Jude, says: “Faecal incontinence is when someone loses control of their bowel movements, which can mean small leaks or full loss of control.
“It’s also more common than people think but is unfortunately rarely talked about due to embarrassment.”
Lucinda’s condition has cast a shadow over everything. Work, holidays, dating, and even taking her child to the school gates are all a dread for Lucinda, who has become isolated in fear of leaking.
“I think people think faecal incontinence is what happens when you actually do a poo in your underwear but mine’s been more about leaking,” says Lucinda.
“Imagine having diarrhoea, the really water kind, that has a much more potent odour than solid poo, which is bad enough.”
It means every day of Lucinda’s life, she lives in fear of an accident.
Currently she it happens every couple of months. And when it does occur, the persistent odour puts a halt to her day.
She talks about one accident she had on the school run, saying: “There’s a leak, I’m wearing a pad, it should be fine. I can feel all the other parents looking at me, I feel like I can see them wrinkling their noses.
“And then I have to walk home again and it chaffs and I can smell it, so others must be able to too. So I go and clean myself up and start the day again.
“But now I think all the parents I passed know. And I’m anxious about going back, thinking they’re all talking about me.
“But I’m single parent there’s no choice. I should be able to manage walking my kid to school, it’s less than half a mile.”
Lucinda hopes that by sharing her experience, the subject becomes less taboo.
I have to use an irrigation device daily that takes around 30mins in the morning. It sounds and smells horrendous. My poor son has to hold his nose to brush his teeth an hour later.
Lucinda
“It’s impossible to underestimate how much it affects my life,” she says.
“I’m a managing director of a company so I can come home and change my clothes if it happens at work but having to factor it into everything I do is really hard.
“You feel like you can’t get the smell off too even when I’ve showered and changed clothes.
“I keep a change of clothes in my car at all times now too after an incident at a motorway services, before I had reached out for help.
“I was driving for a couple of hours on my way to a work event, my stomach was getting sore. It felt like trapped wind, but, as anyone that has ever had diarrhoea before will know, that’s not safe assumption!
“So I went to the next services and as soon as I stood up out of the car, I could feel myself leaking.
“I dashed inside to the toilet, thankfully I have a radar key so was able to access the disabled toilets, and it had started running down the inside of my legs.
“I didn’t have a change of clothes with me and just had to wipe up what I could.
“My trousers weren’t soaked through, but there was residue on the inside and it has a distinct smell, even after wet wipes.
“I turned around and went home. This is one of the reasons try to avoid big conferences. The travel there and then all the sitting in the same position, I worry what will happen when I stand.”
Dr Jilani says a lot of people live with the condition for far too long before seeking help. But he adds: “Incontinence is treatable and often manageable.
“The right treatment depends on the cause, so getting advice early really matters.
“Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a great first step.
“Lifestyle changes, medication, bladder or bowel training, and in some cases surgery can all help.”
Lucinda’s incontinence started in 2018, but it wouldn’t be until 2022 that she asked her GP for specialised incinonntece helps.
She says: “I have a device I’ve been given by the hospital that basically flushes out my bowel so I can go on about the day and not worry about leaking.
“I have to do a procedure every morning on myself that’s like a colonic irrigation.
“It does still happen sometimes though, so there is still a paranoia there.”
It makes dating impossible.
Bowel incontinence is when you cannot control when you poo. See a GP if you think you have bowel incontinence as there are treatments that can help.
You might have bowel incontinence if you cannot control when you poo. Symptoms of bowel incontinence include:
See your GP if you think you might have bowel incontinence, or you have changes in your poo that are not getting better.
They might examine you by feeling your tummy, feeling inside your bottom or asking for a poo sample. They might also refer you for more tests, such as blood tests or an ultrasound scan.
“To be able to go two to three months without experiencing any leaking, I have to use an irrigation device daily that takes around 30mins in the morning.
“It sounds and smells horrendous. My poor son has to hold his nose to brush his teeth an hour later.
“Can you imagine getting to the point of someone staying over and the options for the day ahead are an hour bathroom routine that will put anyone off their food for a day, never mind anything romantic, or risk stomach pains and an actual pooy leak at somepoint in the day?
“That’s not touching on how actually having sex impacts everything. There’s pain for one thing, that’s mostly what ended my last relationship.
“And now I have a huge fear of having some kind of accident. Can you imagine leaking poo during sex? Would you ever want to go near that person again?”
I used to be embarrassed about it and hated talking about it but I know from support groups I’m not alone.
Lucinda
Lucinda’s last relationship was in 2021, before she had reached full incontinence. But the issue was already taking it’s toll.
“My main issues were stomach pains, bloating and constipation,” Lucinda says.
“I was put on a lot of laxatives and had to start daily enemas. Days became about where and when I could use a toilet.
“They were very caring and understanding but we were both single parents so it was hard enough to find time as it was, without needing to plan toilet access.”
“I’ve decided I won’t have a relationship. It’’s too difficult for people to accept, even my own family find it hard to talk about.”
Dr Jilani says childbirth is a common cause of both urinary and faecal incontinence.
“Either type of incontinence [urinary or bowel] can be caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, nerve damage, or pressure from things like childbirth or surgery,” he says.
“Causes can include muscle or nerve damage, constipation and bowel conditions. Conditions like MS, prostate issues, and chronic constipation and lifestyle habits can also play a role. Often, it’s a mix of factors, so getting properly assessed is crucially important.”
Lucinda doesn’t know the cause of her incontinence.
“I was told when it first started happening around 2018 it was down to childbirth but my son was born in 2016 so I don’t think it was that,” she says.
“Initial investigations found a small bowel prolapse but by 2019 I couldn’t evacuate my bowels unless I did it manually.
“I’ve been offered surgery, I’ve had MRIs, X-rays… I’ve had what’s called a defecating proctogram but there’s no specialist that’s been able to tell me what the cause is.
“I’ve even been told it could be down to a genetic condition too but I’m hoping one day I’ll have an answer as to what’s caused it so I can get it fixed.”
While Lucinda is still under investigation, she can’t access the right treatment that will cure her condition.
“The next investigation is an internal exam under anaesthetic so I’m hoping that’ll give me some answers,” she says.
“I used to be embarrassed about it and hated talking about it but I know from support groups I’m not alone. I just wish I could have it fixed though.”
ED Sheeran marked one of his “favourite moments ever on stage” as he teamed up with his old band and a top Noughties fan-favourite.
The A Team hitmaker, 34, took to Instagram to reveal the surprise collaboration as he gushed “what a night.”
Chart star Ed teamed up with his old high school band and Wheatus frontman Brendan B Brown to perform a sizzling version of the American band’s biggest hit for fans.
In a sweet video, Ed showcased his childhood band, which he was part of aged 12.
He said: “We used to cover Teenage Dirtbag and we re-formed after 20 years for our mates wedding.
“Then I was like wouldn’t it be cool to do at a big gig.
“So I emailed Brendan and here we are.”
The clip showed the bunch rehearsing in an empty stadium before they were met with huge cheers later on.
In his video caption, Ed wrote: “One of my fav moments ever on stage, thank you Brendan. What a night x”
Wheatus’ official Instagram page then replied and put: “BEST DAY EVER!!!!”
One fan then gushed: “This was the coolest guest act on stage ever!”
Another posted: “No flipping way?!”
One then confessed: “I didn’t even know I needed this until this moment. So good.”
While Ed is clearly enjoying living in the present, The Sun reported in May how he was planning records to be released for his death.
The Shape Of You singer said he has been gathering songs made throughout his life for a record called Eject.
Speaking to Jimmy Fallon on TV in the US, Ed said: “I want to make an album for all of my life that comes out the day I die called Eject.
“I am not joking.
“Imagine when Paul McCartney passes there’s a record with a song he made at 16, a song at 20, at 30. Fascinating.”
Ed joked: “People will be like, ‘Still beyond the grave he f***s with us.”
A LONE woman was subject to an alleged sexual assault and ‘locked in a car’ shortly after leaving hospital.
Cops have since arrested a man on suspicion of attempting sexual assault.
The horror attack happened at around 2am on Wednesday, July 2.
The woman suffered a harrowing ordeal as she left Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
She was allegedly locked in a man’s car but later managed to escape the vehicle.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempting sexual assault on a female and using threatening or abusive words to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
A police spokesperson said: “A 32-year-old man from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of attempting sexual assault on a female and using threatening or abusive words to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. He remains in custody at this time.”
ANDY MITCHELL insists winning the league is Derry City’s goal.
The in-form Candystripes sent a warning shot to Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers with a sensational 7-2 demolition job on Waterford on Friday.
And Brandywell first-team coach Mitchell declared: “We have got to catch them, it’s as simple as that.”
The rout was Derry’s biggest league win since a 7-1 drubbing of UCD on Foyleside back in April 2022.
Jamie McGonigle scored a hat-trick on that occasion but on Friday night it was ex-Hearts hitman Liam Boyce who grabbed his first treble for the club to take his season’s tally to eight.
Against the Blues, there were five different goalscorers, including star man Michael Duffy, 30, who has been pivotal to Derry’s revival since the mid-season break.
The ex-Celtic winger was involved in ten of the club’s 12 goals during this four-match winning run, including stunning strikes against Shelbourne and Waterford.
Derry sit second in the Premier Division — nine points adrift of Rovers but with two games in hand — and meet the Hoops twice before the end of the season.
But with Stephen Bradley’s men preparing for Europe, Mitchell is confident his side can stay in the hunt for a first league title since 1997.
He said: “We’re not looking at teams around us — we’re looking at Rovers and we’ve got to catch them. It’s as simple as that.
“We’re not looking to see if Bohs drop points or if Pat’s pick up points — or Shels or Drogheda.
“We don’t really care. We came here to try and do a job — to try and win this league.
“We’ve got to keep looking up and keep looking to catch Rovers.
“We’ve still got to play them twice so we have to keep this consistency going and hopefully when we play them we’re in and around them and we go and take our chance.”
Derry were written off this season after slipping down to sixth, but Glengormley native Mitchell says their recent form is more reflective of the club’s ambitions.
He added: “We didn’t get the consistency, but we’ve managed to find it the past four games and we’re working hard to try and keep this going.”
BLACK Sabbath fans were shocked as an A-list actor joined them in the mosh pit as Ozzy Osbourne performed for the final time.
The legendary rocker reunited with his band mates at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday night, sitting on a bat throne for the historic gig.
Called Back To The Beginning, it is frontman and rock veteran Ozzy’s last time performing on stage amid his worsening diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
A number of other legendary bands were on the bill, including Metallic and Slayer, but there was also some serious star power in the crowd.
Fans in the mosh pit at the front of the stadium got a surprise when Aquaman and Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa hopped the barrier and joined them.
A video from one audience member saw the 45-year-old actor near the stage during Pantera’s set before heading into the crowd and start to make his way back through the mosh pit.
As the fans realised who it was, he was soon surrounded and fist bumping everyone, before the throng started to jump around him.
The camera then panned back to the stage before returning to the pit, with crowd going around in circles, making it difficult to see if Jason had made it out in one piece or not.
Another fan captured the moment Jason was seen on the big screen jumping around among the crowd.
They captioned it: “Jason Mamoa a real metalhead! Walked into the center of the pit to mosh with the crowd.”
Ozzy, 76, has vowed it will be his final performance due to his deteriorating health. He went public with his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020.
Back To The Beginning has also featured a mega line-up of fellow rock stars, performing their own sets and as a super-group, and all the profits made will be going to charity.
The money will be shared equally between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Metallica and Slayer were on the line-up for main sets as they celebrated Ozzy’s remarkable legacy.
Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon also played at the show.
TRENT Alexander-Arnold dedicated his performance in Real Madrid’s Club World Cup win to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota.
Alexander-Arnold took to the field for the first time since Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident on Thursday.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 5, 2025
Post-match, Trent Alexander-Arnold honors Diogo Jota.
Words filled with respect, loss, and love. pic.twitter.com/U3Ke5bY5Ph
And the ex-Reds star created the second goal for fellow wing back Fran Garcia as Real raced into a 2-0 lead before surviving a Borussia Dortmund fightback in stoppage-time to win 3-2.
Alexander-Arnold said: “No matter how difficult it was and how difficult it is, I still have a job to do do.
“As hard as it was, I had to try to push it to the back of my mind.
“It was difficult, I’m not going to lie about that.
“I’ve done it in honour of my close friend.
“That’s what I’m sure he would have wanted me to do and we would have had a laugh and a joke about the assist.
“That was in some way in memory of him. He was there with me today I’m sure.”
Alexander-Arnold bravely decided to speak in public about Jota after previously paying tribute via social media.
Visibly emotional, the England star who joined Real in order to play in the Club World Cup told DAZN: “First and foremost I want to send my condolences, my love, my thoughts and prayers to the family of a close friend of mine.
“It’s been very very difficult for me and all the ones that knew him – not just team-mates, friends and family, but the footballing world.
“It’s been very emotional and heartwarming to see the football world unite and come together to show their love and support to him and his family and his brother as well.
“Although it’s been difficult, it’s been a nice showing out from everyone, all clubs and all people uniting to show love and support in what must be a mind-blowingly hard time for the family.
“I’ve been in and around him and his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his parents, his amazing three children, so it’s truly truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that.
“It’s something you would never ever expect.
“He was a very close friend, someone who lit up a room when he was in it. I shared a dressing room with him for five years, amazing memories on and off the pitch with him.
“He will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in our memories for the man and player he was.”
BRENDAN RODGERS admits he is undecided on Johnny Kenny’s immediate Celtic future.
The 22-year-old Sligo man scored in the 1-0 win over Queen’s Park on Friday night.
Rodgers has been impressed with Kenny’s fitness since returning for pre-season.
But he is weighing up whether to send the striker out on loan ahead of the new season.
Bolton lead a number of clubs interested in £1million-rated Kenny who spent the first half of last season at Shamrock Rovers.
Rodgers said: “I’ve spoken to a few clubs that want Johnny on loan. I want to have a look in pre-season to see where we’re at and see what’s going to be the best for his development.
“We want him to be a Celtic player because he’s a goalscorer.
“It’s what’s going to be the best for him and Celtic, whether that’s here or go away. I’ll assess that over pre-season.”