1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Noughties pop group looks VERY different 18 years on from catchy hit singles – but can you guess who they are?
A NOUGHTIES pop group look unrecognisable 18 years on from their catchy hit singles – and they’re headlining a huge charity festival.
Originally formed in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2003, The Hoosiers consists of Irwin Sparkes and Alan Sharland.
The Hoosiers look unrecognisable 18 years on from their catchy hit singlesinstagram
They first shot to fame with their 2007 debut album, The Trick to Life, which reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
Their lead single, Worried About Ray, became an instant classic, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart, followed by the hit Goodbye Mr A, which cemented their status in the indie music scene.
Despite their success, the band took a few twists and turns in their career, parting ways with their record label in 2011 and independently releasing music.
This includes the albums The Illusion of Safety, The News from Nowhere and Confidence, their most recent release in 2023.
Over the years, they’ve experimented with different sounds and even dabbled in side projects.
Frontman Irwin launched his solo act White Tail Falls, while he and Alan also performed as comedy duo Felix and The Scootermen at the Edinburgh Fringe.
A previous iteration of the band even included members Tony Byrne, Tom Easey, Martin Skarendahl, Sam Swallow and Toby Smith.
Now, The Hoosiers are making a major comeback, not only with a new tour but also as the headline act for the Test Fest Music Festival 2025.
In a promotional video for their gigs, the pair certainly look different.
And, the charity event, taking place at Taunton Rugby Club on June 21, is organised by It’s in the Bag Cancer Support to raise awareness for testicular cancer.
The two-piece, originally formed by Irwin Sparkes and Alan Sharland in 2003, will be headlining as part of their The Illusion of Safety 15-year anniversary tour.
Charity founder and event organiser Sue Brand said: “2025 is It’s in the Bag’s 10th birthday as an independent charity, and what a great way to celebrate with The Hoosiers being our headline act.
“There are a few more exciting bands and artists to come, so don’t miss out on tickets. This year more than any, we encourage you to buy early.”
The festival has been recognised by the UK Festival Awards, Stand Out Magazine, and the BISFF Film Awards, and aims to attract attendees from across the South West.
Many survivors and their families are expected to attend.
Handout pic - refer to Picture DeskMartin Skarendahl, Irwin Sparkes, Alfonso Sharland made up the line-up in 2013[/caption]
HandoutGoodbye Mr A cemented their status in the indie music scene[/caption]
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Fixtures added to Dream Team as European round of 16 ties confirmed for Premier League clubs
THE six Premier League clubs still active in Europe now know their round of 16 opponents.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa will participate in the Champions League knockout stage in March while Tottenham and Manchester United are set to resume their Europa League campaigns – Chelsea remain favourites to win the Conference League.
ReutersLiverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa will resume their Champions League campaigns in March[/caption]
The European competitions always have a significant bearing on Dream Team and managers should target these fixtures in the near future.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
PSG v Liverpool
PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal
Clun Brugge v Aston Villa
Arne Slot’s reward for topping the league phase is meeting with the best team in France – Ousmane Dembele and company beat Brest 10-0 on aggregate in the play-offs.
The Gunners will face the current Dutch champions, who edged out Juventus in the play-offs.
PSV have won just one of their six league games since the turn of the year.
Unai Emery will be quietly confident after the Villains were drawn against the team that finished 24th in the league phase, although Club Brugge did bear Villa 1-0 in Belgium back in November.
Liverpool and Aston Villa will meet in the quarter-finals if both sides progress beyond the last 16.
If Arsenal get past PSV, they will play the winners of Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid.
PAChelsea are favourites to win the Conference League[/caption]
All the last 16 first legs will take place in Gameweek 26 with the second legs to follow in Gameweek 27.
Consequently, Aston Villa and Man United will be the only teams to fulfil two fixtures in Gameweek 26; the Villains will also host Cardiff in the FA Cup fifth round while the Red Devils will welcome Fulham to Old Trafford in the same competition.
All six clubs will then double up in Gameweek 27 as the second legs of the European ties will follow a full round of league fixtures.
GAMEWEEK 27 DOUBLE HEADERS
LIVERPOOL vs Southampton & PSG
ARSENAL vs Manchester United & PSV
ASTON VILLA vs Brentford & Club Brugge
TOTTENHAM vs Bournemouth & AZ Alkmaar
MANCHESTER UNITED vs Arsenal & Real Sociedad
CHELSEA vs Leicester & Copenhagen
PAPalmer is now available for selection in Europe[/caption]
It’s worth noting that Cole Palmer has been added to the Blues’ Conference League squad for the knockout phase.
The England international wasn’t included in Enzo Maresca’s squad for the league phase of the competition with the Italian tactician citing “load management” but it seems Dream Team’s leading midfielder will have a part to play on Thursday nights going forward.
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1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Enhancing Your Gaming Experience with Reliable Connectivity
In today’s digital age, online gaming has evolved into a highly competitive and immersive experience that demands reliable connectivity. Gamers now seek seamless interactions, high-speed data transfer, and minimal latency to keep up with the rapid pace of modern titles. Understanding the evolution of connectivity and integrating robust solutions into your setup can significantly impact [...]
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on ITV in major schedule shakeup as Coronation Street is pulled off air AGAIN
ITV has thrown Coronation Street fans into turmoil once again with yet another schedule shake-up – leaving viewers fuming as the soap is pulled from the air.
With major sporting events taking priority, ITVhas continually ripped up the schedules which has seen Corrie booted from its usual timeslots.
Coronation Street fans are fuming once again with yet another schedule shake-upITVGettyWith major sporting events taking priority on ITV[/caption]
No episode will be broadcast this Friday evening at 8pm with coverage of the FA Cup live Aston Villa vs Cardiff City.
However, Corrie fans won’t have lost out on the episode altogether as they will be able to watch the next dramatic instalment from the cobbles a day earlier instead.
An additional trip to Weatherfield will be screened on Thursday this week to make up for Friday’s missing episode.
Over the years, all three of the main soaps have featured plots that have had even die-hard fans reaching for their phones and laptops so they can get in touch with Ofcom and complain. Here are just some of the most scandalous…
EastEnders baby theft: 13,400Ofcom complaints – Back in 2011, EastEnders was flooded with complaints when Ronnie Branning (RIP) swapped her baby for the dead son of Kat Moon. The storyline drew the most number of objections in the soap’s long history and saw it roundly criticised by campaigners – with 13,400 flying in over the course of the storyline. Some viewers called it “distressing” and “horrific” but Ofcom ruled the scenes were not “unduly disturbing”.
Emmerdale dog-napping: 550 Ofcom complaints – Back in 2016, Ross Barton and Charity Dingle came up with a plan to steal a dog and hold it ransom – but viewers didn’t like it one bit. The nation’s pet owners rose up, insisting the storyline would encourage copycats (not to mention copydogs). Complaints over two episodes totalled a staggering 550 and soap writers quickly learnt you don’t mess with animal-lovers.
Coronation Street double murder: 546 Ofcom complaints – Marginally less people complained about a gruesome double murder than objected to a dog-napping plot when Pat Phelan was at the centre of a spate of killings. First he forced Andy Carver to shoot dead Vinny Ashford – and then Pat killed Andy. All the bloodshed back in 2017 proved to be too much for some viewers, who lodged complaints in vast numbers about the “violent scenes”.
A source told Metro “It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight.
“It will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline.”
Coronation Street continues on ITV1 and ITVX.
ITVDaisy finally confirms who the father is – but is it Daniel’s or Kit’s?[/caption]
ITVKen reaches for the phone but suddenly collapses in agony and is rushed to hospital[/caption]
ITVKevin’s heartbreaking testicular cancer storyline continues[/caption]
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on I asked for a cropped bob at the hairdressers but bawled when I saw my new ‘do – I went back for a refund the next day
SHE’D found a cute picture to use as inspo for her latest haircut.
And despite taking the snap into the hairdressers as a reference point to start from, Ashley was left mortified when she saw the style that she’d been given.
tiktok/ashleymarie1920Ashley took to TikTok to share a look at the hair fail she’d experienced – as well as this ‘before pic)[/caption]
tiktok/ashleymarie1920She’d asked for a classic ‘French bob’, and used this snap as her inspiration[/caption]
tiktok/ashleymarie1920
She took to TikTok to share both before and after snaps, as well as the inspiration picture, writing: “What I asked for…
“What I got…”
Ashley also used the hashtags “hairfail #haircut #frenchbob #salon #fail #crying #sad”.
In another TikTok slideshow, she revealed she had asked for a refund the next day, sending an email to the salon to complain.
“I showed the stylist this reference picture and a bob similar to this and this is what she gave me,” she wrote in the email.
“I was too embarrassed to say anything the other day.
“My hair is ruined…
“Is there any way I can get a refund or someone to fix this?”
The salon then replied saying that there was “definitely a disconnect” between Ashley’s inspiration pictures and her finished look.
However, after speaking to the stylist themselves, she said that she had claimed Ashley showed her a different inspiration picture “from the front”, and said she had checked with her as to the length she wanted.
The salon owner then apologised, and offered her either a refund or a “consultation and service edit” with a top level stylist to do “more blending and add in some soft layers”.
Ashley then sent the requested picture in, adding: “I don’t know how it can be fixed unless I get it all chopped off?”
To which the salon owner replied: “I completely agree with you that a service edit would not change it for the better so I would like to provide you with a full refund”.
She also said she was going to gift Ashley a product from their “Extreme Length” line, which contains Biotin to help promote hair growth.
“I deeply apologise that you have had to endure this as I know hair is such a personal thing,” they concluded.
“I don’t understand how this happens,” one person wrote in the comments section of the TikTok.
What are the biggest hair care mistakes?
Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley spoke exclusively to Fabulous.
Not looking after your scalp
Your scalp is an extension of the skin on your forehead and it should be given similar attention and care to the skin on your face. Scalp health is vital to healthy hair growth. Your scalp is your hair’s support system, and a flaky or inflamed scalp can contribute to hair loss and also impact the quality of hairs as they emerge from the follicle. Do cleanse and tone your scalp frequently. Try to leave no more than 2 days between shampoos.
High heat styling
The most common cause of hair damage is high heat styling – either with a blow dryer or straighteners. While it may take a little longer, a low to medium heat setting will give you great styling results, but without dryness, breakage and split ends. You should also always use a heat protective product such as our Daily Damage Defence and don’t hold your dryer right next to your strands.
Not eating well
Even if you’re using the best products in the world, if you aren’t eating well your hair’s condition and rate of growth won’t be at its optimal. Hair is a dispensable tissue as it isn’t needed for physical survival. This means nutrients are first used to keep essential cells functioning, with hair receiving them last.
As another added: “I know a lawyer. You should sue.”
“You need financial compensation to be honest,” a third insisted.
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Army of nudists to descend on remote Scots train station from iconic film
AN army of nudists is set to descend on a remote Scottish train station from an iconic film.
Corrour in the Scottish Highlands found fame after it was featured in a famous scene in hit movie Trainspotting.
AlamyCorrour in the Highlands found fame after it was featured in Trainspotting[/caption]
GettyThe event will see 20 nudists stay in a hostel and wander around naked[/caption]
It’s the most remote rail station in Britain and can only be reached by train or by foot or cycle.
Now the isolated location is to play host to a “Scottish Highland Adventure” organised by British Naturism – the UK’s largest organisation of its kind.
The event will see around 20 nudists stay in a hostel and wander around completely naked.
The organisation said: “During the weekend we will have exclusive use of the Loch Ossian hostel in the central Highlands, providing direct access to the hills and lower-level tracks for naturist walking. The area is also full of lochs and rivers for skinny dipping.
“The remote location of the hostel means that we can be naked throughout the building and the grounds. It also has direct access to Loch Ossian for swimming and we will be able to walk there naked direct from the hostel.”
Bunk bed berths for the event have already sold out, while visitors also have the option to wild camp.
Situated on the West Highland Railway and built in the 19th Century, Corrour is located near Loch Ossian at the edge of Rannoch Moor.
The station was originally built as a stopping point however passenger numbers increased as grouse season arrived.
And the spot became famous after Ewan McGregor declared “It’s s***e being Scottish” in the 1996 flick Trainspotting.
The restaurant has three B&B rooms available to stay in which were opened in 2016.
It’s not a criminal offence to strip off in public, but all that changes if your actions alarm or distress those around you.
Police Scotland guidance states cops should take no action when individuals are naked in public and there is “no clear sexual motive or behaviour and no disorderly conduct, harassment or other offences”.
If this is found to be the case, you could be charged with breach of the peace.
Last year, we told how prude locals called in cops to try and stop a nude swim at a remote beach.
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on EastEnders 40th anniversary: every Scot to ever appear in soap, can you remember them all?
SOAP fans were taken on a trip down memory lane this week as EastEnders celebrated its 40th anniversary.
Ross Kemp, 60, returned as Grant Mitchell, while Anita Dobson, 75, came back as Angie Watts after a 37 year absence.
BBCThe Queen Vic went up in flames during milestone anniversary episode[/caption]
Jaime Winstone, 39, even portrayed a young Peggy Mitchell in flashback scenes following the death of legendary actress Barbara Windsor in 2020.
The milestone anniversary was marked by the iconic Queen Vic pub going up in flames.
And in a special live episode, Martin Fowler, played by James Bye, 40, was crushed to death.
With four decades worth of EastEnders’ episodes – nearly 7,000 – there’s been plenty of Scots that have joined the residents of Albert Square.
We take a look at every single one of them to see how they fared.
ALEX FERNSAS TREVOR MORGAN
BBCAlex was truly evil during his stint on the show.[/caption]
Alex Ferns, 56, was one of the soap’s most iconic bad guys during his stint on the show from 2000 until 2022.
The actor, from Lennoxtown, who went onto acclaim in the likes of Chernobyl and Star Wars: Andor, played the abusive husband of Little Mo.
In explosive showdown she smacked the lowlife’s head with an iron, in a desperate attempt to break free.
Trevor’s reign of terror finally came to a fiery conclusion, after the character burned to death in a botched arson bid in 2002.
ROSS DAVIDSON AS ANDY O’BRIEN
News Group NewspapersRoss Davidson was the first major character killed off.[/caption]
The actor, from Airdrie, joined EastEnders when it launched in 1985 as one of the original cast.
He played nurse Andy O’Brien for 18 months, before becoming the first main character to be killed off, dying in a road accident in August 1986.
Davidson later starred in Brookside and Hollyoaks as well as making a name for himself in theatre.
Sadly, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005 and died the following year aged 57.
ASHLEY JENSEN AS FIONA MORRIS
BBCFiona Morris made her first appearance in 2000.[/caption]
Jensen, 55, from Annan, is best known as Christina McKinney in Ugly Betty, Agatha Raisin in Agatha Raisin, and DI Ruth Calder in Shetland.
While she also teamed up with Ricky Gervais in Extras and Afterlife as she continued to shine on screen.
But she got her big break in EastEnders in July 2000 when she briefly appeared as the wife of Rod Morris.
Her on-screen hubby was accused of sexual assault and her character disappeared after a journalist arrived to question what happened.
CAROLINE PATERSON AS RUTH FOWLER
Caroline enjoyed a five year run as Ruth.BBC
The actress, 59, from Kirkcaldy, played Ruth Aitken, the second wife of long-running characterMark Fowler from 1994 to 1999.
She was taking care of her dying friend Anna in a hospice after she’d had contracted HIV and met Mark who had the illness.
They got married but suffered heartache while fostering children and she later returned to Scotland as a single mother after she got pregnant following an affair with Mark’s cousin Conor Flaherty.
Paterson later prioritised directing and became a major part of Scottish soap River City.
GERARD KELLY AS JIMMY COOGAN
BBCGerard played a menacing role in the programme.[/caption]
Kelly is best known for his incredible ability to make people laugh in comedy hits like City Lights,Rab C Nesbitt,Scotch and WryandExtras.
But the late actor, who died aged 51 in 2010, was a brilliant villain in EastEnders and later in Brookside as Callum Finnegan.
The Glaswegian showbiz legend was a key part of a storyline involving the Mitchell brothers in 1994.
Jimmy terrorised Kathy Beale, Phil’s girlfriend, and the pair became rivals until the Scot’s past came back to hunt him and he had to flee to avoid jail time.
LAURIE BRETT AS JANE BEALE
BBCJane Beale had to put up with a lot.[/caption]
The actress, from Hamilton, left EastEnders in 2017 and made a brief return last year.
She joined the cast in 2004 and later married Ian Beale, had an affir with Grant Mitchell and covered up her adopted son Bobby’s role in the murder of her stepdaughter Lucy Beale.
Brett, 55, became a huge fixture when her character was left in a wheelchair after being attacked and paralysed by Bobby.
She later divorced Ian and dated Masood Ahmed before moving to the Cotswolds with Bobby for a fresh start.
SIMONE LAHBIB AS KATY LEWIS
BBC / Jack BarnesLahbib was involved in a harrowing storyline.[/caption]
The screen star, from Stirling, played Katy Lewis for a year from 2020 to 2021.
Bad Girls actress Lahbib, 60, took on the role of the evil child sex abuser who targeted a young Mick Carter, played byDanny Dyer.
She stood trial after pleading guilty and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment and was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Since exiting the series she ha enjoyed stints in Shetland as well as BBC Scotland comedy The Scotts.
JOHN MICHIE AS MR WALKER
BBCMr. Walker made his first appearance in November 1997.[/caption]
Taggart star Michie, 68, spent six months on the soap after joining at the end of 1997.
The actor, from Edinburgh, played a lawyer called Mr Walker in a handful of episodes.
He was hired byIan Bealehires to help him gain custody of his children.
Michie continued to appear in different soaps – asKarl MunroinCoronation Street and Guy Self in Casualty and Holby City.
JACQUELINE LEONARD AS LORRAINE WICKS
Lorraine was in a relationship with Grant Mitchell.PA:Press Association
Leonard, who grew up around Bathgate and Falkirk, joined EastEnders in 1996 for a year.
She arrived in search of her son who had run away from their home with the hope of reuniting with his estranged father,
Lorraine gets a job as a barmaid in The Queen Vic public house and begins dating Grant Mitchell who then throws wife Tiffany out when she is six months pregnant with his child.
She reconciles with her ex and moves back to Bolton. Leonard has since played Linda Hancock in Coronation Street and Lydia Murdoch in River City.
BRIAN MCCARDIE AS SEB
GettyBrian McCardie got his big break on the soap.[/caption]
The late actor, from Glasgow, was best known for his role as Tommy Hunter in Line of Duty.
But he began his career in 1989 when he appeared in one episode of EastEnders.
McCardie, who died last year aged 59, headed to Hollywood after starring alongsideLiam Neesonin the blockbuster Rob Roy.
He also appeared in rvine Welsh’s Filth and in Jimmy McGovern’s three-part BBC One drama Time as Jackson Jones.
MAURICE ROEVES AS GEOFF MORTON
GettyMaurice has appeared in all sorts of top shows.[/caption]
The acting legend died aged 83 in 2020 after an illustrious TV career.
He apeared in EastEnders as Geoff, the alcoholic father of Kate Morton played by Jill Halfpenny, in 2003.
The Glaswegian favourite also had roles in the likes of River City, Doctor Who and The Acid House.
He played Col. Edmund Munro in 1992’s The Last of the Mohicans and Miller in the big budget action flick Judge Dredd alongside Sylvester Stallone.
SIOBHAN REDMOND AS MAEVE BROWNAND JIMMY YUILL AS VICTOR BROWN
GettySiobhan Redmond enjoyed a minor but memorable stay on the square.[/caption]
The veteran Scots duo appeared in EastEnders briefly in 2006.
Victor was a patron of the Walford Community Charitable Trust (the WCCT) and old friend of Ian Beale.
Maeve later tried to seduce Ian and left Victor after 33 years of marriage.
Redmond, 65, from Glasgow, and Yuill, 66, from Sutherland, have both been members of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
1 week agoBlogsComments Off on Aldi launches household gadget that’s £60 cheaper than Vax and Bisell and perfect for cleaning up after messy kids
Aldi launches household gadget Specialbuy that’s £60 cheaper than Vax and Bisell and perfect for cleaning up after messy kids and pets
The German discounter will begin selling a Handheld Spot Cleaner for £39.99 this Thursday, February 27.
Aldi will start selling a handheld Spot CleaneALDI
The handheld device is designed to clean carpets, rugs, and spills.
The cleaning device is very similar to more expensive products sold by the likes of Vax and Bisell.
Both cleaning brands sell handheld spot cleaners for upwards of £100.
For example, Bisell is selling a SpotClean StainLift for £89.99.
The product is on offer and usually retails for £99.99 on the Bisell website.
Aldi’s take on the cleaning device gives customers a chance to save up to £60.
It is part of Aldi’s Specialbuys, which are unique products sold in the discounter’s middle aisle from Thursday to Sunday.
The items are usually sold at a low price and only available while stocks last.
If you are keen to pick up one of Aldi’s cut-price versions, you will have to act quickly, as they are a limited-edition item; once they are gone, they are gone.
It is one of many dupes for high end products that Alid has rolled out in recent weeks.
Shoppers went wild when they spotted the perfect dupe for Gucci’s Gorgeous Jasmine fragrance, which typically costs £76.
Thankfully, the purse-friendly alternative is just £6.99 in Aldi, marking a saving of a whopping £69.
Earlier this month, Aldi also sold a Ninja air fryer dupe for half the price of the original this week.
The product can cost upwards of £88, but the retailer was selling one for just £39.99.
The discounter also rolled out a copycat version of Stanley water cups, which were £40 cheaper.
How to save money at Aldi
Unlike other major grocers, Aldi does not have a rewards or point card system but that does not mean you cannot save on your shop.
Every week the store releases a list of Specialbuys, which are unique bargain products you can find online at Aldi and in store.
The store releases a fresh range of deals every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check regularly to see what’s new.
Meanwhile, the store also regularly sells fruit and vegetables at highly discounted prices, as part of its ‘super six’ deal.
It also does weekly saving offers on typically pricey items such as meat and fish.
Alid’s most famous dupes
BY Laura McGuire, Consumer Reporter, for The Sun: Aldi has become famous for replicating pricey products and selling them for a fraction of the price – helping customers save some dosh.
Here is a list of some of the grocers best dupes to help you look out for the best deals the next time you hit the aisles.
Snacksters Big Stack 204g
This microwavable burger has become a fan favourite thanks to its likeness to McDondal’s signature Big Mac. It costs just £1.49, compared to the £4.00 the fast food chain is charging.
Nutoka Hazelnut Chocolate Spread 400g.
Nutella chocolate spread is a staple in many households, but it retails for a pricey £3.45. Adli’s Nutoka costs just £1.69 and is claimed to taste identical to the chocolatey classic.
Belmont Caramelised Biscuit 200g
These sweet treats often leave shoppers doing a double take thanks to its similarity to Lotus biscuits. Aldi’s version costs just £0.69p compared to £1.20 other supermarkets chage.
