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HEADING off on holiday should be all about relaxation, sunshine, and fun – not worrying about your valuables falling into the wrong hands.

Whether you’re strolling through bustling markets or lounging by the beach, keeping your belongings safe is always a priority.

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There is a cheap Primark buy that’ll keep your money safe while away on holiday[/caption]

Thankfully, there’s a clever two-second hack that’s got you covered, and the best part? It involves a budget-friendly item from Primark.

TikTok account ‘prmk.killarney’, which is known for being the “unofficial” account for the Pennys store in Killarney, Ireland, shared a video showcasing the simple trick.

They captioned it: “Holiday hidden money hack.”

The account revealed that by purchasing one of Primark’s scrunchies, which has a hidden zip in it, for £3.50, you can keep your valuables safe.

By undoing the zip, there is enough space to fit your rolled-up cash.

This clever scrunchie is perfect for safeguarding your money or even small valuables while you enjoy your holiday stress-free – especially if you want to dip your toes into the sea or pool.

It will also save you from having to carry a purse around everywhere, giving you added convenience.

Primark’s affordable accessories allow you to discreetly conceal your essentials without drawing attention, making it harder for pickpockets and thieves to target you.

It’s quick, discreet, and easy – exactly what you need for peace of mind while soaking up the sun.

The TikTok video quickly gained traction, and within just 24 hours of being shared, it racked up over 116k views and 23 comments.

Many shoppers were eager to snap up one of these handy scrunchies.

One excited commenter wrote: “I’m already running.”

Another festival-goer chimed in, saying: “Creamfields most wanted accessory this year.”

A third added: “So cool, love these.”

This clever hack isn’t just ideal for holidays by the beach – it’s a great solution for festivals, city breaks, or even day trips when you want to keep your valuables close without lugging around a bag.

And that’s not the only thing the holiday makers are heading to Primark for.

Primark shoppers are buzzing over their vibrant bikini range, with prices starting at just £2.50.

TikTok/@prmk.killarney

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TikTok/@prmk.killarney

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The high street favourite has launched a selection of stunning swimwear perfect for summer holidays or catching some rays in the garden.

TikTok user Claire, who shares her finds as @claireeaford, showcased the colourful collection on display at her local store.

One standout piece was a striped bikini in shades of orange, yellow, and white, featuring a triangle top and matching bottoms for a coordinated look.

For those wanting to mix things up, there were solid orange bottoms available to pair with the striped top.

The collection also includes chic leopard print designs and timeless black bikinis, offering something for every taste.

LOVE Island fans have begged bosses to boot one girl out of the villa.

Previous episodes of the long-running ITV2 dating show have seen chaos erupt within the villa.

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Some fans think Megan Forte Clarke should be booted out of the villa[/caption]

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She left Tommy Bradley in tears after a huge row[/caption]

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She shared multiple snogs with Conor Phillips on the terrace[/caption]

The main source of friction on Love Island has focused on the sleepover twist where four islanders were presented with the ultimate test, new bombshells in a secluded area.

However, in the main villa, Meghan Forte Clarke, 24, left Tommy Bradley, 22, in tears.

This was after she shared two songs with fellow Irish native Conor Phillips, 23, on the terrace.

Events culminated in a huge row as Tommy was left fuming over her dalliances with his villa rival.

The Sun later revealed that the pair spent a night in The Hideaway – and things got steamy.

Now, one fan took to social media forum site Reddit with an essay in a dedicated thread titled ‘Meghan’s lies are nuts.’.

They wrote: “Her whole entire rampage against Harry is about her allegedly being giddy in response to Connor saying he’d pick her in a recoupling and how it wasn’t as one sided as she made it out to be to Tommy…………….which is 1000% the truth

“All she had to say was that she took it as a compliment, liked it, and Tommy is still her priority.

“But instead she went on a full on rampage about Tommy not trusting her for even having the audacity to consider what Harry what Harry was saying and she decide to berate Tommy and say it’s too late.

The fan continued: “Her entire justification for treating him how she has is based on such a minuscule situation that she chose to lie about instead.

“She’s Chernobyl level of Toxic and want to see her come crawling back and him reject her.”

The fan added: “We don’t even know if she’s more into Connor. She’s just been into the ego boost of Connor pulling her Infront of everyone and him going out of his way to get to know her.

“Now Tommy has moved on there’s no risky element to her interactions with Connor.”

“Her crying to Meg (after her basically calling her untrustworthy to Toni which is a whole other thing) is an indication of where this thing will go and it’ll be satisfying to watch if it happens.”

Other fans seemed to completely agree as they took to the comments section below.

One fan exclaimed: “A “Chernobyl level of Toxic” is too funny to me.”

A second suggested: “She is a red flag but unfortunately red flags make for great tv.”

“If it was the other way round, we wouldn’t be hearing the end of it,” noted a third user.

While a fourth viewer added: “She has gone way down in my books in the last couple of episodes. I hope Tommy hits it off with someone new.”

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Megan Forte Clarke and Tommy Bradley were a strong couple till recently[/caption]

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Tommy declared that he did not want to be in a triangle as Conor cracked on with her[/caption]

Love Island continues on ITV2 and is available to stream on ITVX.

A BRITAIN’S Got Talent legend has revealed his wife is pregnant with their first child.

Michael Auger, who is part of the singing group Collabro, shared the couple’s happy news on Instagram.

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Collabro’s Michael Auger is going to be a dad[/caption]

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The couple will soon be first time parents[/caption]

The parents-to-be struck a heartwarming pose beside the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with a kneeling Michael kissing Nicole’s bare bump.

The 35-year-old wrote on Instagram: “In the city of love celebrating our new lil love.”

The picture was taken on a perfect sunny day and Nicole looked down lovingly at her man.

Michael’s Collabro co-star Jamie Lambert said: “Lovely lovely lovely.”

A follower commented: “This is the most gorgeous news.
I’m so incredibly happy for you both!!! Sending you, Nicole and your very precious ‘lil love’ all my love and huge congratulation.”

Another fan said: “Wow!! Omg omg omg!! The best news ever. Congratulations. What a gorgeous bambino you guys are gonna make.”

Collabro – Michael Auger, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J. Redgrave – won BGT back in 2014 and have sold over two million albums.

Their rise to stardom suffered a blow in 2016 when former member Richard Hadfield left the group due to a row over his continued posting of cover songs on his YouTube channel.

The boys continued as a fourpiece and supported Cliff Richard on his Just Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour of the UK in 2017.

Two years later, the boys went on a 51-date tour called Road to the Royal Albert Hall and returned to screens in Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, reaching the semi-final.

However, in 2022 Collabro announced a farewell tour, leaving fans devastated.

At the time, they said: “We are so incredibly grateful to have been allowed to do what we love for eight years, and the fans are to thank for that.

“Their constant support and love have meant that we have travelled the world singing, and we can’t thank them enough.

“We are really excited to travel around the UK in December with a spectacular show, which we feel is the most fitting way to say goodbye.”

However, two weeks ago, the boys announced they were returning with a UK cathedral tour.

They said: “We’re BACK! Over the past few years, we’ve noticed you guys asking for a UK tour, and we’ve missed you so much that we’ve decided to do one!

“We will be visiting stunning cathedrals across the UK in February 2026 singing our beautiful harmonies in candlelight!!”

Away from Collabro, Michael hosts the Stage Door podcast with Drag Race star Divina Decampo that sees them interview guests from the theatre world.

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Collabro recently announced a comeback tour[/caption]

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The couple are head over heels in love[/caption]

NEWCASTLE are ready to launch a fresh raid for Anthony Elanga — as part of a £140million triple swoop.

Eddie Howe is ready to pull the trigger on offers for Nottingham Forest winger Elanga, Brighton forward Joao Pedro and Burnley keeper James Trafford.

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Newcastle are prepared to launch a new bid for Anthony Elanga[/caption]

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The Magpies are also looking to finalise a deal for James Trafford[/caption]

SunSport understands the Magpies are ready to bid £50m for Elanga after seeing a £45m offer rejected earlier this week.

And they will battle Chelsea for £60m-rated Pedro, while wrapping up £30m Trafford, after June 30.

That is when a new window begins for Profit and Sustainability rules — in which Toon may be able to include around £100m in Champions League revenue.

Elanga is Howe’s top target on the right wing although the club are also exploring other targets in case they fail to land the Swede.

Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo are also on the radar.

Howe is a huge admirer of Pedro and missed out on him three years ago when he was at Watford before eventually landing Alexander Isak, who he now wants the Samba star to help support in attack.

Brighton are willing to cash in after he was axed for the last two games of the season by Fabian Hurzeler following a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.

Newcastle’s players are due to report back for pre-season training on July 7 and Howe, who also ideally wants a new centre-half too, hopes to have at least two new signings on board by then.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

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Joao Pedro has emerged as a target[/caption]

Newcastle have been linked with a move for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford but he is not on the club’s list of targets.

As for goalkeeper Trafford, the Magpies have got the green light to press ahead and finally get a deal over the line.

Burnley announced the £4.3m arrival of German U20 international Max Weiss from Karlsruher on Wednesday, paving the way for Trafford to leave.

The 22-year-old was set to move to Tyneside last summer.

But that scuppered when Nottingham Forest insisted on Greek goalie Odysseas Vlachodimos going to Newcastle as part of the PSR-pleasing transfer that also saw Elliot Anderson head to the City Ground.

Burnley have been quoting a £40m asking price for the 22-year-old, though SunSport understands Toon chiefs are confident a £30m agreement will get it over the line.

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Marcus Rashford is not on Newcastle’s transfer shortlist[/caption]

RTE RACING analyst and former jockey Katie Walsh paid an emotional tribute to her “horse of a lifetime” after his sad death.

Thousand Stars died aged 21 after spending his retirement in the care of Walsh.

Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE

Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The horse, which was trained by Willie Mullins and owned by the Hammer and Trowel Syndicate, won 13 of his 80 starts including four Grade 1s.

He was steered to three victories by Katie Walsh, who paid loving tribute to the rival and stablemate of Hurricane Fly.

The daughter of Ted Walsh told The Racing Post: “He was a fantastic horse and I had some great days on him. He was the horse of a lifetime and lovely to be around.

“The County Hurdle was a great day, it was my second winner at Cheltenham.

“The Prix la Barka was brilliant too and I rode him in a lot of Grade 1s, chasing home Hurricane Fly on numerous occasions. He ran in a lot of top-class races.

“It just goes to show how sound he was of wind, legs and wind and everything.

“That’s the standout part about it all. He had a lot of runs in France before he went to Lar Byrne and then went to Willie’s.

“He definitely stood the test of time and was a very sound horse.”

In a racing career that spanned ten years, Thousand Stars earned well over £1 million in prize money before retiring in 2016.

In the subsequent nine years, he became a regular feature on RTE television racing coverage.

It was on board Thousand Stars that Walsh would conduct post-race interviews with jockeys after crossing the finishing line.

And she added: “He was with us a long time, it was lovely to have him.

“I used to do all the RTE work and the jockeys’ interviews on him.

“He was a great horse for that and I rode him in a Racehorse to Riding Horse event at the RDS [Dublin Horse Show].

“From the day I went to Willie’s, he was there and since he retired, he’s been with us.

“He was always around the place and it was great to get the opportunity to look after him and I’m sorry he’s gone.”

Hers was one of a number of tributes paid to the hurdler following his sad death.

At The Races said: “Grade 1 wins in France and Ireland, and a Cheltenham Festival winner too.

“Remembering National Hunt favourite Thousand Stars who has sadly died aged 21.”

RacingTV posted: “Sad to hear of the passing of Thousand Stars at the age of 21. Katie Walsh described him as “The horse of a lifetime.””

Ben said: “Sad to hear Thousand Stars has passed away. Was a class horse on his day and have great memories of him from my time at Cheltenham”

A TREASURE trove of Princess Diana’s clothing went under the hammer tonight — set to net a million dollars.

More than 140 of Di’s garments sparked a bidding frenzy as fans splashed out.

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Princess Diana’s clothing went under the hammer last night[/caption]

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A flurry of interest surrounded the floral Bellville Sassoon dress Diana wore alongside Charles in Seville[/caption]

Before the Princess Diana’s Style & A Royal Collection auction in Beverly Hills last night, hundreds of thousands of dollars in bids had already been placed.

A flurry of interest surrounded the floral Bellville Sassoon dress Diana wore alongside Charles in Seville in 1992 — with one punter meeting the $300,000 asking price.

The silk outfit was known as Diana’s “caring dress”, which she often wore on visits to hospitals to meet patients, including The Lighthouse Project for AIDS in London in the same year.

A custom cream Catherine Walker evening gown worn during her 1986 Gulf Tour of Saudi Arabia and UAE, had already attracted a $150,000 bid — half of the £300,000 estimate.

Early bids also met the $100,000 reserve price by Julien’s Auctions on a yellow Bruce Oldfield outfit Di wore to Ascot in 1987.

Her favourite red ski suit, which she wore on the slopes in Klosters, Switzerland, in 1986, was expected to fetch at least $50,000.

A blue cap was estimated at $4,000, while her 1997 British Lung Foundation sweatshirt was set to fetch $20,000.

The collection was curated with items from multiple owners across the globe — with a portion of the proceeds going to Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Handwritten letters and a birthday card signed by William, Harry and Diana were also for sale.

Julien’s Auctions executive director Martin Nolan said: “This celebrates Diana’s elegance and enduring cultural impact.”

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Princess Diana’s favourite red ski suit, which she wore on the slopes in Klosters[/caption]

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Diana’s Catherine Walker Evening Gown, worn during a Gulf trip, had already attracted a $150,000 bid — half of the £300,000 estimate[/caption]

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Bids met the $100,000 reserve price by Julien’s Auctions[/caption]

THE world will always remember 1985’s Live Aid as the global fundraiser organised by Bob Geldof.

But the truth was, he could not have pulled off the mega rock concert without his then-girlfriend, Paula Yates.

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Paula and Bob Geldof began a romantic relationship in 1976[/caption]

Four decades on from the historic event, a new documentary reveals how the Boomtown Rats frontman tapped into his glamorous partner’s music-industry contacts as he put together the incredible line-up.

In Live Aid At 40, which airs next week, Sir Bob says it was really Paula who brought together the likes of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet to boost the appeal, which ended up raising about £150million for the starving in Ethiopia.

She had access to big-name celebs through Channel 4’s Eighties music show, The Tube, which she hosted with Jools Holland.

My wife had befriended all these new guys
with beautiful suits and hair. I asked who was on her show and she put Midge Ure on the phone

Bob

On the BBC Two programme Bob, who married Paula in 1986, recalls: “All I had the power to do was write tunes. But the Boomtown Rats were not guaranteed to have hits any more. All these new guys had come along with beautiful suits and coiffed hair.

“And I understood this new thing because my wife had befriended all these people on the show that she was host of, The Tube.

“So I called Paula and I asked who was on the show that night and she said, ‘Ultravox’. I said, ‘Put Midge Ure on’ and he just said, ‘What do you want to do?’.”

That was the moment which led to the cream of British music coming together on November 25, 1984, to record Band Aid’s Do they Know It’s Christmas?, which then led to Live Aid on July 13, 1985.

‘Lot of male egos’

The global event saw Madonna, U2, David Bowie, Elton John and Queen, among others, perform at simultaneous concerts at Wembley Stadium and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.

They were broadcast worldwide in a bid to encourage donations to combat the Ethiopian famine.

But fundraising to help victims was actually an idea dreamt up by Paula — who was just 25 — in the family home she shared with Bob, then 33, and their two-year-old daughter Fifi.

He can still vividly recall the moment they watched the evening news and witnessed Michael Buerk’s now-famous 1984 news report on the humanitarian crisis.

She couldn’t stand watching the Ethiopia news.
She put a bowl on the table with a note saying put £1 or £5 in here. I thought: That’s not adequate

Bob

In the three-part documentary, Sir Bob says: “My partner Paula couldn’t stand watching it, she didn’t want our child to watch it. She clearly associated what she was seeing with our child. She just grabbed her and went upstairs, but I stayed, transfixed.

“I came down the next morning and there was a green bowl on the table in the kitchen, and Paula had put a note in there saying, ‘Anyone who comes to this house must put a pound or five pounds into this bowl’. I thought, ‘That’s not adequate’.”

This saw Bob team up with Midge to write Do They Know It’s Christmas?, with a little help from pals such as Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet, who Bob pressured to sign up.

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Paula hosted The Tube with Jools Holland[/caption]

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Paula and Bob join Prince Charles and Princess Diana to watch 1985 mega concert at Wembley[/caption]

In the documentary, Gary recalls: “He came running in — his presence is huge, he takes over — and he said this report was from Ethiopia where the famine is huge and out of control and it broke my heart, and it broke Paula’s heart.”

Paula was also credited with holding things together when the Band Aid track was recorded — a day which could easily have been derailed by rivalries among the mostly male line-up of rock and pop superstars.

As U2’s Bono says in the programme: “There was a lot of male egos in the room, not enough women.”

Bringing together so many huge artists from the day — some of whom had sniped at one another in the past — could have ended with fighting and stars storming out.

Gary says: “Paula Yates was really the lovely glue, carrying her child around, Fifi, and their dog, Growler. They’re a great family.”

Midge adds: “Everybody knew Paula, we all knew Bob through Paula.

“She was funny and witty and highly intelligent, and she kept everyone entertained, walking around chatting to them.”

The glowing praise for the TV host is in stark contrast to the dark clouds that overshadowed her life in later years, when her marriage to Sir Bob imploded.

After a decade together, they had wed in Las Vegas, with Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran as best man.

They went on to have two more children — Peaches in 1989 and Pixie in 1990.

But in 1995, Paula interviewed Michael Hutchence on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast and started a wild, drug-fuelled affair with the INXS frontman.

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The jubilant Live Aid crowd[/caption]

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Co-organiser Midge Ure performs on the day[/caption]

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Bob at launch of Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical, in May[/caption]

That finished her marriage to Bob and led to her having a child, Tiger Lily, with the singer in 1996.

Then, in 1997, he took his own life in a Sydney hotel room aged 37.

Three years later, Paula died aged 41 of a heroin overdose at her home in Notting Hill, London.

‘Wonderful spirit’

Tragically Peaches, her daughter with Sir Bob, died the same way, aged 25, in 2014.

But with the passing of time, the new BBC documentary provides a clearer look back at the day the world was changed by the unlikely force of rock and pop music.

Do They Know It’s Christmas? was a huge success, shooting straight to No1 and staying there for five weeks, which saw it sell three million copies in the UK alone.

Bob laughs as he recalls convincing Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government to effectively wave the VAT on sales.

Then another huge boost came when musicians across the Atlantic decided to record their own fundraiser for Africa in the form of We Are The World on January 28, 1985.

The track was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and the supergroup called themselves USA For Africa.

In the documentary, Bob recalls receiving a surprise phone call from a man who was instrumental in the US project.

He says: “The phone rings and it’s just, ‘Is that Bob Geldof?’. It’s this husky, gravelly voice that’s very slow and I go, ‘Yep, who’s that?’. And he says, ‘It’s Harry Belafonte . . . and here’s Michael’.

“He goes, ‘Hi Bob!’ and, like, Paula’s sitting on the sofa and I’m saying to her, ‘It’s Michael Jackson!’. And she gets up and sort of runs around excitedly. Anyway, he says, ‘Will you come out and help us?’.”

Bob flew to LA, where he effectively gave a pep talk to stars including Michael and Lionel, plus Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner.

As a result of these huge names, the single sold a staggering 20million copies.

More importantly, it forged a trans-Atlantic drive to do more.

That led to the launch of Live Aid in London and the US, which was also joined by performances around the world.

It soon became apparent just what a success it had been.

Interviewed on the night, the ever-positive Paula was asked if she had doubted Bob could pull off the feat.

“No, I never did,” she replied. “Right from when he first decided, I thought that it would work.

“When they did the record, there was such a wonderful spirit around it. People did want to do it for free. So I thought the concert would happen.”

• Live Aid At 40: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took On The World is on BBC Two at 9pm on July 6.

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David Bowie at Live Aid[/caption]

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The historic event birthed Band Aid’s Do they Know It’s Christmas?[/caption]

TENNIS star Katie Boulter is counting on home ­comforts at this year’s Wimbledon — by staying with her fiancé at their £1.9million love nest.

The 28-year-old was spotted on a stroll with fellow ace Alex De Minaur near their three-bed cottage this week. 

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Tennis star Katie Boulter is hoping home ­comforts at this year’s Wimbledon — staying with her fiancé at their £1.9million love nest – will help her on-court performance[/caption]

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Katie was seen on a stroll with fellow ace Alex De Minaur near their three-bed cottage this week[/caption]

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Katie said: ‘Being at home brings a sense of calm that’s hard to replicate in hotels, and I think that can really help with focus’[/caption]

British No2 Katie cut a casual look in a baggy red T-shirt and leggings, paired with white trainers. 

It is understood Alex, 26, bought the London pad in 2023 and they have been living in it together for some time.  

A source said: “Love is very much in the air for Katie and Alex. They’ve been together for five years, they got engaged last year, and they’ve found their dream home.

“They can only hope to have as much success on the court next week as they’ve had in their relationship.” 

Katie, from Leicester, hopes sleeping in her own bed improves her chances of success when she and Australian men’s No1 Alex start their Wimbledon campaigns next week. 

Katie told Women’s Health: “Being at home brings a sense of calm that’s hard to replicate in hotels, and I think that can really help with focus.” 

Last year the fan favourite made the second round before losing to compatriot Harriet Dart. 

Afterwards Katie went on a winning run which saw her break into the world Top 25 for the first time.

She is currently No41. 

Sydney-born Alex is world ranked No11 and last year reached the Wimbledon quarter finals. 

A representative for Katie was approached for comment. 

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Last year Katie made the second round before losing to compatriot Harriet Dart[/caption]

DEAR DEIDRE: JUST six months ago, I had what I thought was the perfect life – a loving husband, two children and a best friend I trusted with everything.

Now I’ve lost pretty much all of it in one cruel blow and I have to watch the two people I loved most, apart from my children, move on with each other.

I’m 41 and my husband is 43. We’d been married for 12 years and, although things hadn’t been perfect, I truly believed we were solid.

My best friend — who I’ve known since we were teenagers — was like family. She came on holidays with us, babysat our kids and confided in me daily.

Then, out of nowhere, my husband sat me down and told me he was leaving me. No explanation, just that he wasn’t happy. I was left completely blindsided.

Only weeks later did I find out the truth. He’d been having an affair with my best friend the entire time.

Now he’s moved in with her and they’re playing happy families while I’m left to process it all alone.

He thinks that because she knows our children well, they will be happy to spend time at their new “home”.

But our children are so young, only nine and seven, and are very confused. I’m struggling to keep it together. I feel humiliated, betrayed and utterly heartbroken.

I can’t understand how they could be so cruel. I would have done anything for either of them.

I try to act normal for the kids but inside I feel broken. I can’t sleep, I barely eat and I don’t know how to start moving forward.

I don’t even know where to begin rebuilding my life.

DEIDRE SAYS: This is a devastating betrayal and it’s no wonder you’re struggling to make sense of it.

When trust is broken so deeply by the two people closest to you, the pain can feel unbearable.

Allow yourself time to grieve the end of your marriage and the loss of a friendship you valued deeply.

Try to focus on what you can control – looking after yourself and your children – and slowly, over time, you will adjust and start to rebuild.

It is positive that you are trying to keep things stable for your children. Putting them first is absolutely the right thing to do.

I’m sending you my support pack, Moving On, to help you process what’s happened and take steps towards reclaiming your life.

GRANDSON’S CHANGED… AND I BLAME COCAINE USE

DEAR DEIDRE: MY grandson is destroying his life with cocaine, and I’m terrified I’m going to lose him because of it.

He’s only 24, smart and kind-hearted, but over the past year he’s changed beyond recognition. He’s lost weight, become secretive, fallen out with friends and family and he lies constantly.

I recently found out from his ex-girlfriend that he’s using cocaine heavily and often, but when I gently confronted him, he completely denied it.

I’m his 69-year-old grandmother, and I raised him on and off when his parents struggled. We’ve always had a close bond, and it’s heartbreaking to see him like this.

I know he needs help, but I don’t know how to get through to him. How do you help someone who won’t admit they have a problem before it’s too late?

DEIDRE SAYS: Watching a loved one spiral into addiction is incredibly painful, especially when they refuse to accept help.

Your concern is completely valid – addiction thrives in secrecy and denial, and your grandson may not yet realise the impact it’s having on his life.

Keep the lines of communication open. Let him know you’re worried because you care, not because you’re judging. Avoid confrontation but be consistent in your concern and support.

Reach out to Adfam (adfam.org.uk), who help families affected by drugs and alcohol. My support pack, Drug Worries?, will also help.

THREATENED BY HER SEX HISTORY

DEAR DEIDRE: I HAVE developed “the ick” for my girlfriend, and I hate myself for it.

I’m 27, she’s 26 and we’ve been together for eight months.

Everything has been great – she’s kind and funny, and we have amazing chemistry. But recently she told me something I can’t stop thinking about.

She mentioned casually that she slept with one of her male friends a few years ago. They only hooked up once, it didn’t go anywhere, and they’ve stayed friends ever since.

I didn’t say anything at the time but now I feel weird about it. They still hang out regularly and message often. She swears there’s nothing between them and I believe her, but something about it just makes my skin crawl.

I don’t want to be controlling or insecure, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m second best or competing with someone she has known far longer.

I’ve been off with her lately and she’s started to notice. I don’t want to ruin a good thing over something that happened before me but it’s really getting under my skin. How do I get over this?

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s understandable that this revelation has unsettled you but remember she was honest, and their friendship has continued platonically.

That shows transparency, not deceit. Still, your feelings matter.

If the situation makes you uncomfortable, try to explore why. Is it insecurity, fear of comparison, or something else? Talk to her calmly and openly. Focus on how it made you feel, not what she did “wrong”.

This is also a good time to discuss boundaries. Every couple has different lines around exes or past hook-ups, and it’s OK to want clarity. Just be careful not to project suspicion where there’s no sign of betrayal.

I’m sending you my support pack, Dealing With Jealousy, which will help you work through these feelings.

THE most extraordinary television scene of the week featured Noel Edmonds stumbling over his affirmations, in the shower, on the other side of the world.

“I am healthy. I am happy. I am loving. I am loved.”

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Noel Edmonds on ITV’s Kiwi Adventure, where he is attempting to transform 800 acres of New Zealand countryside[/caption]

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The show draws some very flattering comparisons with Clarkson’s Farm[/caption]

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Noel remains a television genius who made brilliant mainstream shows adored by millions[/caption]

“I am . . . ”

Mr Blobby’s straight man?

The drummer from Brown Sauce?

Cheap Cheap Cheap’s former host?

No.

“I am . . . Jesus.” Apparently.

A claim delivered with a laugh, but one that wasn’t entirely out of character with the self-confident mood on Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, an entertaining ITV series that’s drawn some very flattering comparisons with Clarkson’s Farm on account of the fact Nolly is attempting to transform 800 acres of exquisite New Zealand countryside into a “positivity haven”.

And if you’re wondering what the hell that might be, try to imagine Primrose Valley Holiday Park if the static caravans were replaced by a vineyard, wellness spa, spectacular scenery and bloody great statue of a knight, erected in honour of Noel slaying the bankers.

Monstrous self-regard notwithstanding, Diddly Squat is still clearly the vibe Noel’s trying to recreate on this show, even if he sounded more like a serial killer when he attempted to go full Clarkson and said: “The nail gun is a sex toy. Ann Summers should sell them. It is just the horniest bit of kit.”

The most obvious contrast, though, is that while Clarkson’s Farm is very much an ensemble piece, filled with authentic characters who clearly adore Jeremy, no matter how much he annoys them, ITV’s Kiwi Adventure begins and ends with Noel, who is as oddly mesmerising as he is mesmerisingly odd.

David Brent and Alan Partridge are two valid comparisons made by almost everyone, but there’s also a hint of Ted and Ralph from The Fast Show underpinning interactions with the staff and even his “earth angel” wife, Liz, who seems to do most of the real graft.

Natural Kiwi reticence may explain some of the awkward silences, but every single one of them has clearly understood there’s no call for any sycophancy when you’re confronted by an ego as vast as the boss’s.

There is also no need to tell him he looks great for 76 either, because he’s probably already told you, “I am rocking”.

And if you’re really unlucky, Noel will go on to claim it’s down to the cosmos and the fact that: “All we are is energy systems and that body energy system touches everything around us and how we move into the bigger matrix, the universal system.”

Because this Kiwi Adventure is driven by the fact Noel has clearly read Barbel Mohr’s Cosmic Ordering Service and swallowed every word of its pseudo-scientific horse s**t.

To that end, he’s in the process of creating an energy garden using “structured water”, which doesn’t actually exist and has already installed a crystal bath that can no more heal your negative energy than playing Mr Blobby’s single at 78rpm can cure your dachshund’s tinnitus.

Noel’s perfectly free to spout this nonsense, of course.

I would take his positivity guru status a bit more seriously, though, if he wasn’t the sort of man who carries grudges like Mary Poppins carries her magic carpet bag and has an ongoing beef with a New Zealand magazine called Stuff that clearly consumes him.

There’s no denying, though, all the vendettas and cosmic woo-woo lend themselves to a hugely entertaining ITV stitch-up which almost forces you to pick a side.

If that’s the case and it’s Edmonds versus ITV, I am 100 per cent Team Noel here because, whatever his faults, he remains a television genius who, unlike the fools currently mis-managing Britain’s main commercial network, made brilliant mainstream television shows that were adored by millions and have more than earned him his place in this Earthly paradise.

House Party

And should anyone doubt Noel’s ability to read the minds of the great British public, who grew up watching House Party in a happier, funnier, friendlier country than the preachy, uptight, litter-strewn mess we now inhabit, then they should listen to the answer he gives when asked if he misses the UK.

“All the things I miss about Britain are the reasons I left.

“Our country changed so much, so fast, so fundamentally, I found myself a quieter country.”

Or, as a memorable Sun front page once nearly put it, will the last person to leave Britain please switch off the telly.

Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, ITV, 9pm, tonight

UNEXPECTED MORONS IN BAGGING AREA

THE Finish Line, Roman Kemp: “Chippy is the slang term for what type of tradesman?”

Janae: “A chip shop.”

Roman Kemp: “Based in Norwich, UEA is the University of where?”
Mickey: “America.”

And Roman Kemp, who was actually looking for Nepal when he asked Catherine: “The capital of which country is closest to Mount Everest?”

But got: “London.”

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SATURDAY, Blankety Blank, Bradley: “Naga (Munchetty), you’re still writing. What are you doing? A letter to someone?”

That GMB application isn’t going to fill itself in, Brad.

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RANDOM TV IRRITATIONS

BBC climate propagandist Justin Rowlatt hopping around like a madman at the first whiff ofsummer.

Nick Frost slumming it for the political cred on Transaction. The BBC vanishing all trace of men from its Summer of Sport promos.

And the sad state of ITV which, since 1994, has gone from Whicker’s World, to The Price Of Perfection host Olivia Attwood saying: “Ten years ago, I’d have cut off my left fanny flap for that tan.”

With the truly frightening thing being, there’s still a long way to go before it reaches rock bottom.

WOKE IN A GRAY AREA

WHEN Jerry Sadowitz flashed his penis on stage back in 2022, the woke establishment reacted with outrage and the stand-up was banned from the Edinburgh Festival venue.

Yet when Jordan Gray flashed his penis on Channel 4’s Friday Night Live, just three months later, the woke establishment reacted with glee and the stand-up was rewarded with a six-part ITV2 sitcom about a chaotic supermarket night shift called Transaction.

The clue to this obvious hypocrisy being the Trans half of that title refers to Jordan, who self-identifies as a comedian.

And if you’re so brainwashed by the gender theory crazies you believe this means I should’ve written “her penis” in the second paragraph, then you may also be able to pretend Transaction is a work of comic genius.

It’ll take a flat-Earther’s level of delusion, though, because the cult of woke has no interest in making an audience laugh.

It’s all about bending them to their deranged political will.

Even without the PC handbrake jammed firmly on, however, the darkly unpleasant Transaction would still fail spectacularly on every level as it has no structure, soul, realism, decent characters, work ethic, wit or anything much beyond an endlessly recurring castration joke which leaves you with the distinct impression Jordan’s genuinely repulsed by the sight of “a penis I never asked for”.

You’d hope, then, that Jordan now understands Friday Night Live viewers felt exactly the same way.

I can offer no other verdict more optimistic here, though, than the possibility there may still be worse television shows to come in 2025. But only if ITV makes a second series of Transaction.

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BLANKETY Blank, Bradley Walsh: “Tell us a bit about yourself.”

Janae: “I’m very spiritual. I’m actually a witch, a healer, I’m very good with herbology, numerology, astrology and I’m a Tarot reader.”

On second thoughts, don’t.

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GREAT SPORTING INSIGHTS

CALLUM WILSON: “Rodri will soon become the player he already is.”

Jermain Defoe: “You always know what Quenda’s going to do. I thought he’d shoot here but he didn’t.”

And Joe Cole: “He’s hit the post but two inches either way and it’s in.”

(Compiled by Graham Wray)

LOOKALIKE OF THE WEEK

THIS week’s winner is King Charles at Ascot and old man Steptoe.

Sent in by Callum Craig, Harrogate.

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GREAT TV lies and delusions of the summer. This Morning, Ben Shephard: “Rosie Jones’ Pushers is a masterpiece. It’ll make you laugh a lot.”

Love Island, Sophie: “Harry’s really nice you know.”

And Jonathan Ross: “My next guest is a hilarious stand-up comedian who’s always brilliant at everything she does.

“It’s Judi Love,” who just so happens to have the same agent as Jonathan.

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TV GOLD

Supplied

ITV4’s broadcaster supreme Steve Ryder at Oulton Park’s British Touring Cars Championship[/caption]

NETFLIX’S Dept Q. Exasperated BBC News anchor Martine Croxall changing “pregnant people” to “pregnant women,” live on air.

Phil Mitchell’s surprisingly tender reaction to Nigel Bates’ Alzheimer’s diagnosis, on EastEnders.

And ITV4’s broadcaster supreme Steve Ryder, bringing all the effortless style and wit that marked his career to a trackside invasion of a geese, at Oulton Park’s British Touring Cars Championship, which briefly threatened to halt his final ever television appearance: “A few crowd control issues.

“This kind of problem, you can send off into the long grass. So they’re on their way to Canada and we can have a gander at the next race.”

What a crying shame neither ITV nor the BBC ever really treated Steve with the respect his great talent fully deserved.