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One of UK’s oldest lidos with water slides, sauna & gym to stay open ALL winter under new plans

A POPULAR UK Lido in Surrey is due to remain open all winter under new management.

Guildford Lido, the Spectrum and Ash Manor Sports Centre, in Guildford, Surrey, are all coming under new management.

Guildford Lido play area with a small pool and interactive water features.
Guildford Lido
Guildford Lido reopened this weekend following refurbishment[/caption]
Picnic tables and a playground area next to a swimming pool with slides.
Guildford Lido
The lido includes water slides and a children’s play area[/caption]
Aerial view of Guildford Lido's water slides and swimming pool.
Guildford Lido
Entry costs from £5.57[/caption]

The change will see the Lido, water play area and re-designed gym open for longer.

PROCUREMENT EXERCISE

The Lido was closed in November last year for renovation but has since reopened.

Guildford Borough Council has announced it hopes to award a new leisure service contract to Wealden Leisure, trading as Freedom Leisure.

An existing contract that oversees the management and delivery of services at Guildford Spectrum, Guildford Lido and Ash Manor sports Centre is set to expire in October.

The council said it undertook a “robust” procurement exercise to secure a future operator from November this year.

FREEDOM LEISURE PROPOSAL

Freedom Leisure proposed almost £10 million worth of investment into the leisure sites.

What was included in the Freedom Leisure proposal?

  • Introduction of a state-of-the-art soft play facility to replace the undersized existing soft play provision at the Spectrum
  • Expansion and re-design of the existing Spectrum gym
  • Introduction of a new mini golf solution, ‘Puttify’
  • Installation of a new interactive water splash pad and play area within the Spectrum Leisure pool
  • For the Lido, a new Reformer Pilates and Yoga/Hot Yoga Studio to replace the existing gym
  • Three new floodlit Padel Tennis Courts (to replace the redundant crazy golf site and existing catering building)
  • Sauna Cabin & Ice bath therapy dip pools
  • Floodlights for year-round swimming

For the first time since 2020 year round swimming at the Lido could also be included.

Freedom Leisure proposed operating the pool during the suimmer and between 7am and 9pm during winter months.

This would be subject to external lighting being installed at the facility.

THE NEW CONTRACT

The new contract would see the winning tenderer commit to paying an average annual management fee of approximately £2.5 million over a decade long period.

The current operator paid the council just £1.1 million in 2024/2025.

The council currently sorts out the utility bills for the operator with rates agreed when the contract was signed in November 2011.

New arrangements would see the tenderer organise its own utilities bill.

The council would be responsible for any additional costs or savings.

Guildford Lido deck chair in front of outdoor pool.
BPM
The Lido’s cafe has also been upgraded[/caption]
Person swimming laps in an outdoor pool.
Refer to Source - Alamy
Visitors can purchase a season pass from £115[/caption]

A key risk of the new contract is the potential for a significant increase in utility bills meaning extra costs for the council.

If the council does not agree to fund the investment in leisure, the operator would either not deliver on its promises or would have to find funding somewhere else.

The proposed contractor still has a number of hurdles to get over before being handed the facilities.

A final decision is due to be made at the end of July but before then councillors will interrogate the agreement and quiz the provider.

Swimming safety advice

Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:

How to stay safe at the beach

Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.

“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”

How to stay safe at the swimming pool

Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.

“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.

An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.

“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”

How to stay safe at a waterpark

Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.

“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.

Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”

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From health ‘cures’ to very famous guests – UK’s oldest spa turns 100… and you can get 50 per cent off stays

THE UK’s oldest spa is celebrating it’s 100th birthday – with discounts up to 50 per cent to celebrate.

Champneys Tring is the UK’s original spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925.

Champneys Tring, a large brick building with gardens and a chess set.
Alamy
Champneys Tring is the UK’s OG spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925[/caption]
Hot tub with surrounding lounge chairs under a covered patio.
Alamy
Now, the destination is celebrating 100 years of wellness and relaxation[/caption]

Now, the destination is celebrating 100 years of wellness and relaxation.

Champneys Tring is set in 170 acres of Hertfordshire countryside, with a gym, thermal spas and outdoor jacuzzi.

Beyond this location, Champneys also have destinations in Forest Mere, Hampshire; Henlow Grange, Bedfordshire; Leicester Springs, Leicestershire; Eastwell Manor, Kent and Mottram Hall, Cheshire.

And throughout the years and Champneys’ destinations, the spas have seen a wealth of celebs including Naomi Campbell, Barbara Streisand and Brad Pitt.

Princess Diana even stayed at one of the resorts but staff remained discreet about the details of her visit.

Also over the past 100 years, what Brits want from a spa has changed too.

Here’s a look back on Champneys’ history.

1940s

Back in the early 1940s, Britain was gripped by war.

Yet Champneys remained a “sanctuary of stillness, serenity and restoration”.

Despite the decade being defined by urgency and uncertainty, Champneys remained open for those in need of respite.

This even included notable guests like Clementine Churchill – the wife of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Clementine Churchill wasn’t just a political spouse throughout the war, she also was a hostess to diplomats, balancing her personal life with public duties.

During 1941, Clementine’s workload increased, with many people visiting her as the wife of the Prime Minister.

She then decided to go for a short rest cure to Champneys, near Tring in Buckinghamshire.

Group photograph of nurses and doctors in uniform.
Champneys Tring is the UK’s OG spa, with the first health and wellness retreat opening in 1925

1950s

In the 1950s, hydrotherapy was then introduced to the Champneys experience.

This included sitz baths, plunge baths, shower baths, spray baths, foot baths and spinal applications.

Many of the treatments offered at the spas used the power of water to stimulate circulation and promote detoxification – which is still offered at the resorts today.

In the same decade, body masking was introduced.

This is where a thick paste or cream made from natural ingredients – such as clay, seaweed, mud or herbal extracts – would be applied to the skin in attempt to detoxify the body, improve circulation and soften the skin.

Once applied, the body would often be wrapped in warm towels or blankets to encourage sweating and absorption of the beneficial elements.

How to save up to 50 per cent on a Champneys stay

Champneys is currently offer up to 50 per cent off stays if you stay for a three-night break.

Included in the stay is unlimited spa access and meals.

One night starts from £142.50, while three nights starts from £352.50 when the discounts are applied.

Black and white photo of a woman receiving a mud pack treatment.
Body masking was introduced in the 1950s and involves applying a thick paste or cream to the skin in attempt to detoxify the body
Black and white photo of a woman in a spa getting a treatment in a steam cabinet.
Hydrotherapy was also introduced in the 1950s
Black and white photo of women doing leg stretches in a large room.
In the 60s, guests at the spa resort requested tennis courts and to this day, it is one of the most popular activities at the spa

1960s

Later in the 1960s – thanks to the ‘Open Era’ of Wimbledon – tennis in the UK became more popular.

Guests at the spa resort requested tennis courts and to this day, it is one of the most popular activities at the spa.

1970s

A decade later in the 1970s, the fun and social activity of aqua aerobics was introduced.

Interest had flown in low-impact, accessible forms of exercise that suited a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

The spa also led the industry in embracing holistic therapies and infused aromatherapy and reflexology into spa treatments.

Champneys claims this set a new industry standard of wellbeing treatments.

People participating in water aerobics.
Aqua aerobics was introduced to Champneys in the 70s as a fun, social activity

1980s

In the 80s, the beauty, fitness and wellbeing industry in the UK experienced a major cultural shift.

Mind and body wellness had entered the mainstream.

Influenced by American fitness icons like Jane Fonda, aerobic workouts became a household trend.

Running also surged in popularity as a simple, empowering way to boost both physical and mental health.

According to Champneys website, it was in the late 70s and early 80s that they began to introduce yoga and meditation.

“By weaving Eastern philosophies into our spa experience, Champneys helped bring mind-body wellness into the British mainstream – long before it was a trend,” its website states.

Couple jogging in front of a large brick house.
In the 80s, the beauty, fitness and wellbeing industry in the UK experienced a major cultural shift
Women stretching in a fitness class.
Running also surged in popularity as a simple, empowering way to boost both physical and mental health

1990s

Then in the 90s, Champneys introduced the wellness bootcamps.

The bootcamps have a holistic approach and have always included time for restorations with full access to spa facilities and treatments too.

2000s

The 2000s brought cutting-edge anti-ageing skincare and advanced facial treatments to Champneys, with “the latest in medical-grade technology”.

Then in 2011, The Champneys Collection launched in partnership with Boots, bringing spa experiences into people’s homes across the country and internationally.

Group of people exercising outdoors.
Then in the 90s, Champneys introduced the wellness bootcamps

Now

Today, Chamneys has four spa resorts, two spa hotels and two city spas.

Eastwell Manor, for example, is the ideal hotel break in the countryside with access to health and beauty treatments, indoor and outdoor heat swimming pools, a gym, sauna, nature trains and brasserie.

Then at Springs Resort in Leicestershire – the UK’s first purpose-built health spa – guests are free to explore a gym, HIIT studio, dance studio, spin studio as well as other classic spa facilities.

The spas still use and have many of the different elements that Champneys have collated over the years.

Currently, Champneys is also running their Serene Summer Sale with up to 50 per cent off stays.

Guests can get 20 per cent spa days, 20 per cent off one-night breaks, 40 per cent off two-night breaks and 50 per cent off three-night breaks if they book a break before July 15, for now until September 30.

And on July 19 and 20, Champneys will be hosting The Wellness Fest with yoga and meditation classes, breathwork sessions, zumba, pilates, mini treatments, guided walks and talks.

There are plenty of cheap spa breaks to book this year – with UK stays from £17pp & holidays abroad from £261pp.

Plus, the 10 spa holidays in the UK and abroad with shell massages, huge pools and overnight stays.

Champneys Health Resort & Spa in England.
Alamy
Currently, Champneys is also running their Serene Summer Sale with up to 50 per cent off stays[/caption]

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Love Island fans ‘complaining to Ofcom’ after two Islanders clash in awkward scenes

LOVE Island fans said they are “complaining to Ofcom” after two Islanders clashed in very awkward scenes.

Viewers were left disgruntled following a tense confrontation between Dejon and Billykiss last night, and the hunk was heard making a cruel jibe.

Two people in swimwear having a conversation on a brightly colored couch.
A tense clash between Dejon and Billykiss has upset Love Island fans
Eroteme
Dejon from Love Island.
ITV
Dejon said a cruel jibe to Billykiss leaving the fans fuming[/caption]
A woman wearing sunglasses and a red bikini top laughs while lying down.
The conversation left Billykiss frustrated
Eroteme
Two people on a date at an outdoor restaurant.
Billykiss picked Dejon for a date when she first arrived – but things have turned sour
Eroteme

Earlier this week, the pair got off to a great start when Irish bombshell Billykiss picked Dejon for a date upon arriving in the villa.

However, things started to sour when he opted to remain coupled with Meg.

Last night, the two were seen having a row, after also arguing the previous day in a challenge.

Sitting down for a chat with Billykiss, Dejon said: “The challenge yesterday, a lot of things were said that I don’t agree with at all.”

She then replied that it was “not fair” that Dejon had been leading on her despite knowing his “heart is with Meg.”

Continuing, she tried to explain how the situation was making her and Meg feel – but the villa boy kept shutting her down.

Dejon then shocked fans when he cruelly said to a stunned Billykiss: “You’re not someone that I would want to get to know in here, or on the outside, from the conversations that we’ve had.”

After this mean remark the bombshell tried to say her piece, but Dejon stood up and told her: “Alright Billykiss. I’m not going to keep begging to speak.” And he walked off.

The way that Dejon spoke to Billykiss did not sit well with fans.

Taking to social media, one said: “Complaining to @Ofcom Love Island. Allowing Dejon to speak to BillyKiss like that is not appropriate.

“You need to do better, that was so bloody awful to watch.”

While another added: “That comment from Dejon! “That was HORRID and such a show of his character.

“I honestly rate Billykiss for standing her ground during that conversation.”

This one vented: “That was a horrible scene to watch play out.”

Things between Dejon and Billykiss took a nasty turn on Thursday’s episode during the Superman-inspired game when she asked him about how “his future” with meg.

Love Island airs on ITV2 at 9pm

Love Island 2025 full lineup

  • Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare.
  • Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads.
  • Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish.
  • Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition.
  • Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart.
  • Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern.
  • Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves.
  • Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father’s footsteps.
  • Aaron Buckett: A towering 6’5” personal trainer.
  • Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro.
  • Antonia Laites: Love Island’s first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress.
  • Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive.
  • Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel.
  • Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell.
  • Giorgio Russo: The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia’s successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland.

Departures:

  • Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing.
  • Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident.
  • Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa.
  • Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell.
  • Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side.
  • Caprice Alexandra: The 26-year-old bombshell owns a nursery in Romford.
  • Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa
  • Will Means: The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers’ Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell
  • Megan Clarke: An Irish actress part of the OG line-up.
  • Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos.

At this point, Meg interjected with: “Well he didn’t say that. He didn’t say he didn’t want me.”

This continued with some choice words exchanged between Meg and Billykiss.

The interaction ended with Billykiss telling Dejon: “You don’t want to hear the truth which is why you’re feeling sour.”

Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX.

A woman on Love Island speaks.
Billykiss called out Dejon during a challenge
Eroteme

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BBC commentator forced to explain little-known rule that saw Wimbledon star launch racquet in blazing row with umpire

WIMBLEDON star Luciano Darderi had a blazing row with the umpire over a little-known rule.

The incident occurred on Court 18 yesterday as the Italian was defeated in four sets by Jordan Thompson.

Tennis player running on court.
BBC
Jordan Thompson caught his hat mid-point[/caption]
Tennis player hitting a forehand.
BBC
The Aussie then played on while holding it and won the point[/caption]
A tennis match at Wimbledon; a player argues with the umpire.
BBC
Luciano Darderi was left raging as he believed it broke a little-known rule[/caption]
A tennis player throws his racket during a Wimbledon match.
BBC
Darderi chucked his racquet during an argument with the umpire[/caption]

There was a huge moment of controversy early in the match when the Australian had set point in the first.

Thompson’s hat dropped off his head as he served, but he somehow managed to catch it and play the rest of the point with it in his hand.

The world No.44 won the point and clinched the opener 6-4.

But Darderi was left fuming and went sprinting towards umpire Mohamed Lahyani to argue.

He claimed the hindrance law should have come into effect as he was put off by the hat falling.

Darderi raged: “It is a rule, you are not allowed to play with the cap like this. You are not.”

Official Lahyani immediately made a phone call to check but informed the players that no rule was broken.

An infuriated Darderi then angrily threw his racquet towards his bag to gasps from fans.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

The ruling was then explained by BBC commentator and former Wimbledon doubles champ Todd Woodbridge, who said: “What happened in this point is Jordan Thompson hit the serve and his hat came off with it.

“But in the same motion he grabs it in his left hand.

“He holds it and then plays the whole point, which is multiple shots.

“Now, the umpire could have said, ‘replay the point – hindrance’.

“You get one opportunity for that, if your hat falls off your head or if your ball falls out your pocket, they will replay it once.

“But if it happens a second time it is immediately the point to the opponent.

“The other thing that could have happened is Darderi saying, ‘hold on’, and putting his hand up.

“The umpire then would have ordered a replay of the point.

“He has the right to argue, but he is going to lose because he did not say anything in the first place.

“It is like going back and challenging a call, when the system was in place, you must challenge in that moment.”

Thompson is through to the fourth round and faces fifth seed Taylor Fritz next.

BBC commentator on the phone at Wimbledon.
BBC
Umpire Mohamed Lahyani chose to not replay the point[/caption]
Tennis match in progress at Wimbledon.
BBC
Darderi was caught out by not flagging that he was distracted as soon as it happened[/caption]

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Blushing Peter O’Mahony jokes ‘she’d break my heart’ as wife’s mum says Ireland legend ‘looks like’ dapper Man Utd great

PETER O’MAHONY joked “she would break my heart” after his wife Jessica’s mum said he looked like David Beckham.

The former Ireland and Munster flanker was suited and booted up for a day out on Friday.

David Beckham in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
PA
Peter O’Mahony was compared to David Beckham[/caption]
Screenshot of Jeskaomahoney's Instagram story, showing a smiling man in a blue blazer.
O’Mahony blushed at the comparison

This led to Jessica videoing him to her Instagram Story and revealing the compliment her mum had given him.

She said: “My mum said that Peter looks like Beckham.

“He hasn’t stopped talking about it.”

O’Mahony did not look best pleased at being recorded, nervously smiling, trying to cover the camera with his hand, and then just putting his hands over his face.

The 35-year-old remarked: “I’m warning you” to Jessica before asking: “who are you sending this to?”

When the mum-of-three was finished with her anecdote, O’Mahony joked: “She would break my heart.”

The family is back in Ireland after a “magical few days” visiting Disneyland despite the crowds being “bananas”.

Wife Jessica had previously shared how they’d touched down in Paris “just in time for the European heatwave”.

And despite this meaning it turned out to be a more physically draining few days than was anticipated, they still had a blast overall.

While reflecting on the holiday as a whole Jessica reckoned that if they were to visit again, they’d aim to do so in either April/May or September/October to avoid such roasting temps.

She also recommended a Marvel and Spiderman section which Peter loved due to his “very competitive” nature.

Perhaps her most important tip, however, was to purchase as many fast pass tickets for rides as possible given that crowds are “bananas” in the height of peak season.

All in all, a few days frolicking around Disneyland seems to have been an ideal way for Peter to ease into retirement after playing his last-ever match in South Africa on June 28 for the Barbarians.

For Irish rugby en masse, the bulk of supporters’ focus is on how the Irish contingent fare as the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia trundles along.

And speaking of France and Irish rugby titans, Ronan O’Gara happened to accidentally provide the highlight of Tuesday’s demolition of Queensland Reds from the Sky Sports commentary box.

The La Rochelle head coach livened up a forgettable second half by slipping into French while making one point.

The 48-year-old has spoken before about the funny moments that often arise while conversing with his children who possess better French than he does.

And his latest language faux pas unfortunately came in front of a far bigger audience while on co-comms.

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Young mum and daughter, 6, who died in horror Donegal crash to be laid to rest next week

A YOUNG mum and her six-year-old daughter who died in a horror crash will be laid to rest on Monday.

Mum Natalie McLaughlin, in her 20s, and her six-year-old girl, Ella, passed away when their car collided with a van at Glentogher, Carndonagh in Donegal just after 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Natalie’s partner, Tyrone Irwin, 30s, is in a serious condition at Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Derry.

However, his injuries are not understood to be life-threatening.

The young mum was initially treated at Altnagelvin Hospital but was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where she passed away on Thursday afternoon.

Little Ella was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Natalie and Ella’s funeral mass will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Carndonagh at 12pm on Monday.

The service will be followed by burial at the adjoining cemetery.

Their death notice reads: “Much-loved mother and sister of Rhea-Rose and cherished daughter and granddaughter of Joanne and Danny and adored sister and niece of Lara, Tiarnan and Ryan.

“Deeply regretted and sadly missed by their grandparents and great grandparents, Lynn and Anthony Noone and Margaret and Hugh McLaughlin, Natalie’s partner Tyrone, nieces and nephews, wider family circle, friends and neighbours.

“May Ella and Natalie Rest In Eternal Peace.

“Ella and Natalie’s remains will repose at the home of Natalie’s parents Joanne and Danny McLaughlin, Church Road, Carndonagh (F93 HY8V) where everyone is welcome to pay their respects tomorrow (Sunday July 5th) from 1-9pm.

“All other times are private please including the morning of the funeral. Funeral from there on Monday (July 7th) at 11.15am for 12pm Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Carndonagh followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.

“Funeral mass can be viewed live on www.carndonaghparish.com

“Donations if desired to Hughie’s Corner.”

Ella and her mother Natalie both attended St Patrick’s Girls National School in Carndonagh.

The school said earlier this week: “This is an unimaginable tragedy for their family, for our school, and for the entire community.

“We are heartbroken, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Ella and Natalie’s family.”

They added: “Ella was a joyful and much-loved pupil in our school.”

The Carndonagh couple’s other daughter, Rhea Rose, aged two, was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital from Altnagelvin for treatment.

The tot’s injuries are said to be non-life-threatening.

Ms McLaughlin was well known in Carndonagh where she worked as a nurse in a local doctor’s surgery.

She qualified with a Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing from Ulster University and began working as a registered nurse in 2022.

Her parents, Danny and Joanne, and both extended families were last night being comforted by friends.

Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal Authority, Cllr Martin McDermott, said: “Words fall short at this time — what can anybody say? They are such a lovely family and so well respected.

“It’s just devastating. The loss of anybody on our roads is difficult for any community to take.”

Ella McLaughlin with her mum Natalie
Ella McLaughlin with her mum Natalie passed away in the tragedy
Joe Boland

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‘He’s not a good player… he’s a pub player’ – Michael van Gerwen rips into darts rival then says ‘I’m not harsh’

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has brutally labelled a darts rival as “pub player”, but insists he is not being harsh.

The savage dig came after the three-time darts world champion defeated Pero Ljubic at the Poland Darts Masters on Friday.

Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands reacts during a darts match.
Getty
Michael van Gerwen gave a savage assessment of darts rival Pero Ljubic[/caption]
Man holding darts in front of a dartboard.
Instagram / @peroljubic78
Van Gerwen said the Polish player was a ‘pub player’[/caption]

Van Gerwen faced his opponent in the first round, winning 6-4.

However, the 36-year-old – by his own admission – did not have a great game as he averaged 84.71 and landed six out of 19 checkout attempts at 31.6 per cent.

Fortunately for the world No3, his rival did not fare any better at the oche.

Ljubic, 47, put up an average of 82.69 but had an even worse checkout rate with just four of 13 attempts at 30.8 per cent.

And Mighty Mike – blunt as ever – did not sugarcoat his opinions of the game, including giving both barrels at Ljubic.

As per Oche, he said: “It wasn’t a good game at all. Pero needs to be happy that he won one leg.

“Pero is not a good player. Pero is a pub player — we all know that,

“I’m not harsh — he is a lovely man but when you throw treble 12 for treble 20 then you need to go back to the dartboard.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

“Did you ever see me do that? I can only blame myself, I didn’t play well.  

“I’m the one to blame. But I made Pero look good today. Pero won a few legs and it feels like his birthday!

“I was going to win anyway. You want honest answers — I give you honest answers. Tomorrow is a different story — then I am up against the big boys.”

Previously, a match involving the Pole was compared to “pub darts” after a horror leg where he and Niko Springer took 26 darts to finish a leg at the Players Championship 19 in June.

His victory set up a quarter-final against Rob Cross.

The first matches of the quarter-finals will take place from 6:10pm tonight.

You can keep up with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog of the event HERE.

List of all-time Darts World Champions

BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year.

The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.

That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.

  • 1994 – Dennis Priestley
  • 1995 – Phil Taylor
  • 1996 – Phil Taylor (2)
  • 1997 – Phil Taylor (3)
  • 1998 – Phil Taylor (4)
  • 1999 – Phil Taylor (5)
  • 2000 – Phil Taylor (6)
  • 2001 – Phil Taylor (7)
  • 2002 – Phil Taylor (8)
  • 2003 – John Part
  • 2004 – Phil Taylor (9)
  • 2005 – Phil Taylor (10)
  • 2006 – Phil Taylor (11)
  • 2007 – Raymond van Barneveld
  • 2008 – John Part (2)
  • 2009 – Phil Taylor (12)
  • 2010 – Phil Taylor (13)
  • 2011 – Adrian Lewis
  • 2012 – Adrian Lewis (2)
  • 2013 – Phil Taylor (14)
  • 2014 – Michael van Gerwen
  • 2015 – Gary Anderson
  • 2016 – Gary Anderson (2)
  • 2017 – Michael van Gerwen (2)
  • 2018 – Rob Cross
  • 2019 – Michael van Gerwen (3)
  • 2020 – Peter Wright
  • 2021 – Gerwyn Price
  • 2022 – Peter Wright (2)
  • 2023 – Michael Smith
  • 2024 – Luke Humphries
  • 2025 – Luke Littler

Most World Titles

  • 14 – Phil Taylor
  • 3 – Michael van Gerwen
  • 2 – John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright
  • 1 – Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler

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‘I’m three times fitter than him’ – Tsitsipas brutally told not to play tennis by coach and former Wimbledon champ, 53

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS has been branded “unfit” and “a disaster” by his own coach Goran Ivanisevic.

Former Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic, 53, only began working with the Greek at the start of the grass court season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 27:  Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece with new coach Goran Ivanisevic during practice on Court Three in preparation for the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on June 27th, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images)
Stefanos Tsitsipas only recently began working with Goran Ivanisevic
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece retires against Valentin Royer of France during the Gentlemen's Singles first round match on day one of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Tsitsipas, 26, retired down two sets in round one
Getty Images

Having hired the ex-coach of Novak Djokovic, Tsitsipas would have been hoping for a big run in SW19.

But the 26-year-old crashed out in round one, retiring down 6-3 6-2 to French qualifier Valentin Royer.

Ivanisevic watched the match from courtside having worked with Tsitsipas ahead of the tournament.

Subsequently speaking to Clay Magazine, the Croatian was asked if he had spoken to the former world No3 since the match.

Pulling no punches, Ivanisevic said: “I told him not to play tennis right now.

“He needs to fix his back and get physically fit because physically he’s a disaster.

“I can’t understand how a player of his level can be so unfit. After that, he can think about playing tennis again.”

Continuing his scathing assessment, Ivanisevic added: “I didn’t expect him to do well.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Novak Djokovic of Serbia shares a joke with his former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, the coach of Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during a practice session at Aorangi Park during previews prior to The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Ivanisevic shares a joke with his former player Novak Djokovic
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“His situation is clear: if he changes certain things on the court, and above all off the court, he’ll be fine.

“But if he doesn’t manage to change those things, then he doesn’t have a chance.

“To be honest, tennis is the least of his problems. The other stuff is much bigger. I’m sure Stefanos is a top 10 player. He’s played two Slam finals, won Masters titles, the ATP Finals.

“He’s a great player! The only question is how much he wants it. I believe in him being between fifth and 10th [in the rankings]. But if he keeps going like this, no chance.”

Following his defeat to Royer, Tsitsipas revealed that he has been suffering with back issues since the 2023 ATP Finals.

The former two-time Grand Slam finalist has fallen to No26 in the ATP rankings, and no longer looks like a contender to win tournaments.

Speaking about his new partnership with Ivanisevic, Tsitsipas said on Monday: “Oh, he’s great. We’re having a great time.

“I am very disappointed that I wasn’t able to show my potential the way I deserve to play on the court. It’s not easy. It’s not easy.

“I feel like even if he gives me the most amount of confidence in the world, if I don’t feel comfortable, if I don’t feel good with myself and my body, then I can’t really show anything.”

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Tsitsipas has broken up with long-term girlfriend Paula Badosa.

Reports surfaced just a day after both players crashed out of Wimbledon in round one.

The pair began dating in May 2023, and briefly broke up last year before quickly reconciling.

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 21: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas arrive at the Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2025 at Galería de Cristal on April 21, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images for Laureus)
Tsitsipas had been dating Paula Badosa since May 2023
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The 5 habits making you broke according to savings whizz who has £100k in the bank AND plans to retire at 40

A YOUNG woman has shared five ways you’re making yourself broke every month.

Mia McGrath is just 24 but already has £100k in savings and plans to retire at 40.

Woman in a leather jacket and leopard print pants pulling a suitcase.
tiktok/@miarosemcgrath
Mia McGrath shared her top tips to stop wasting money[/caption]
Woman sharing her 5 money rules and stating she is a financially responsible 24-year-old with £79k in savings.
TikTok / @miarosemcgrath
At 24, she already has £100,000 saved[/caption]

Thanks to her thrifty lifestyle, Mia is planning to stop working 26 years before her peers.

The Londoner who works in fashion regularly shares how she achieves her saving goals, and this time, she shared the habits to give up if you want to start saving.

“Trying to be cool or aesthetic is making you broke,” Mia said in a TikTok video posted this week.

She went on to say that buying a new outfit or a £38 Rhode phone case to look ‘aesthetically pleasing’ on Instagram was a waste of money. 

Mia admitted she used to do this before making a change.

She said: “I realised I was doing it for other people, not for myself.”

The second mistake people make is following trends and fads that turn out to be very expensive.

The savvy saver warned: “You don’t need the latest trending item – a Labubu, a Coach bag. It’s not essential.”

She added: “I guarantee if you waited 30 days to buy it, you wouldn’t want it anymore.”

The third financial mistake Mia identified is ‘not saving because you think it’s pointless‘.  

She argued that no matter how small the amount, it was always worth doing.

“I guarantee, if it’s £10, £50, no matter how small it is, you’re probably not doing it because of that reason,” she reminded viewers.

Mia, who has accumulated ‘almost £100,000 in savings and investments’ in recent years, revealed that she also started small, even putting money aside when she was relying on a student maintenance grant. 

She continued: “I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I had that mindset that saving £50 is pointless.”

Fourthly, Mia advocated for starting a side hustle, telling fellow TikTokers that they’re ‘not too busy’

She said: “Stop using the excuse that you don’t have enough time, you just don’t want to enough.”

She insisted: “Whatever it is, creating content, creating a personal brand, making extra money – I’ve done all those things while at a nine to five job that I have to be in the office five days a week for.”

Mia added that, providing someone wants to improve their finances, they can – it just takes discipline.

Finally, Mia warned that it’s irresponsible to think a ‘man is going to sweep in’ and facilitate the ‘soft life’ that some people crave.

Mia said: “There is so much bad advice on TikTok saying you need to appear in your “soft feminine energy” and go sit at a bar where a rich man will find you…”

In a bid to do away with this myth, Mia said: ‘You have to work hard and have your own money.”

Money saving challenges

Here’s some of our favourite money saving challenges.

  • Weather saving challenge – Save the amount equal to whatever the highest temperature was that week. £1 = 1C.
  • 1p challenge – save 1p a day for everyday of the year, but it increase the amount by 1p each day. So day one you save 1p, 2p on day two and 3p on day three. When you reach 100 days you start adding a £1 coin each day too, while this increases to a £2 coin each day plus pennies at 200 days, and £3 each day on top of pennies at day 300.
  • 20p a day challenge – Start by putting 20p in savings, then increase the amount by 20p every day. For example, the first week will look like this: 20p, 40p, 60p, 80p, £1, £1.20, £1.40.
  • £5 a week challenge – Like the 20p challenge, put aside £5 a week and increase it by a fiver each week. Eg £5, £10, £15, £20
  • Round-up challenge – Every time you buy something, round up the purchase to the nearest £1 and put the difference in a savings account. Eg. You pay £2.60, so you put 40p in savings. You can use an app such as Monzo or Starling to do this. 
  • Bingo challenge – Here you have a bingo card with different numbers on it and you tick them off when you’ve put that amount in your savings account. It can be ad hoc but you have to tick them all off by the end of the month. 
  • Monday to Sunday challenge – With this challenge, you simply save £1 on Monday, £2 on Tuesday and so on until the weekend where you don’t save on Saturday or Sunday.
  • 365 day challenge – Every Sunday you put aside £1, followed by £2 on Monday, £3 on Wednesday and so on. On Saturday you’ll put away £7, and then the process repeats and you’ll put aside £1 on Sunday as the new week begins

The clip went viral on her TikTok account @miarosemcgrath with over 62k views and 6,100 likes.

One person wrote: “The waiting 30 days is such a brilliant and helpful thing to do!”

Another commented: “You’re really genuine and I love you for that.”

“Great points! It’s so important to stay mindful of spending and focus on saving in the long run,” penned a third.

Meanwhile, a fourth said: “You’re such good advice for the younger women out there.”

“Very wise words,” claimed a fifth

Someone else added: “Couldn’t agree more.”

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