Alice Sjoberg

Robert De Niro was cast in Neil Siden and Mike Nichols' comedy Bogart Slept Here after his breakthrough in Taxi Driver, but was removed from the production after his intense acting style was judged unsuitable for the film's lighter comedic tone. De Niro later recalled overhearing crew members say he was not funny and described the dismissal as the worst experience of his career. The project was reworked with Richard Dreyfuss and became The Goodbye Girl, which was a box-office success and won Dreyfuss the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Terry's has launched a 330g Chocolate Orange bar made from 64 individual segments arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. The product is currently available from Ocado for £5.50 and is expected to reach major supermarkets and other retailers in September. Shoppers reacting online expressed strong enthusiasm for the larger format.

Netflix viewers are recommending the lesser-known science-fiction series Travelers, which combines time travel with a post-apocalyptic setting. The three-season show follows future survivors who send their consciousness into people in the 21st century to alter humanity’s course, while confronting the personal challenges of inhabiting new lives. Fans praise its unpredictable plot, ensemble cast, writing, humor and fresh approach to time travel, and cite its perfect Rotten Tomatoes audience score. All three seasons are available to stream on Netflix.

A four-year-old girl from Louisiana demonstrated an unusual way to pair socks by putting both socks on one foot, then rolling them off together into a folded ball. Her mother, Katie Skeeles, shared the method on TikTok, where viewers praised it as practical and clever, with some noting that it also helps check for holes. Others questioned whether putting clean socks on a foot makes them dirty, but several parents and a disabled viewer said they planned to adopt the technique.

Alice Sjoberg compares Marks & Spencer’s £1 retro chocolate bars—Coconut Grove, Jet, Sparks and Now!—with Bounty, Snickers, Mars and Twix bars costing 75p to 89p. She prefers Coconut Grove to Bounty, Jet to Snickers and Sparks to Mars, while Now! unexpectedly beats her favourite, Twix, on biscuit texture and overall flavour. The comparison concludes that M&S’s nostalgic range offers strong alternatives despite its slightly higher price.

El Albir Beach, a Blue Flag-awarded pebble beach in L'Alfàs del Pi on Spain's Costa Blanca, is being promoted as a quieter alternative to Benidorm's better-known beaches. Travel creator Ellis says it is only about an eight-minute tram ride from Benidorm, has exceptionally clear turquoise water, scenic surroundings and small white pebbles, and is surprisingly uncrowded. The beach has reportedly received consecutive Blue Flag recognition since 1985 and was ranked by National Geographic as the Valencian Community's second-best “refreshing” beach. A local ban on smoking and vaping, introduced in 2025, can carry fines of up to €2,000.

Kaleb Cooper shared Instagram photos celebrating his youngest son Ashton’s first birthday. Fans and Clarkson’s Farm co-star Lisa Hogan sent birthday wishes, while several commenters noted Ashton’s resemblance to Kaleb and joked that he could become a future farmer. The celebrations came amid UK heatwaves that have damaged crops and affected harvests, including Jeremy Clarkson’s farming operations.

Food storage expert Kate Hall says organizing freezer drawers by category and freezing fresh ingredients before they spoil has helped her save more than £1,000 a year. Her system uses labelled sections and dated bags for items such as vegetables, dairy, leftovers and meat, helping reduce waste and making ingredients easier to find.

Kathleen, an American who recently moved to London, visited Marks & Spencer after discovering it on TikTok and expecting mainly a food shop. She was surprised to find clothing, household-style departments and an extensive food hall, and praised the store's organisation and product range. Although she was initially unimpressed by some clothing and puzzled by British terminology and packaging, Percy Pig sweets, snacks, desserts and bakery items won her over, leading her to call herself an M&S number one fan before ending the visit with a large basket of purchases.

Refuse collectors generally will not take rubbish bags left beside household or recycling bins because councils enforce no-side-waste policies. Extra bags can create health and safety risks, be torn open by animals, increase route times, exceed truck capacity, and contaminate recycling systems. Residents with excess waste should sort recyclable materials, compress packaging, use a household waste recycling centre, or ask their local council whether they qualify for a larger or additional bin.

Food critic Becca taste-tested eight salmon products ranging from Aldi's £2.99 fillets to Loch Fyne's £10 smoked salmon. Aldi's standard fillets scored 9.5 out of 10, while M&S Caledonian Gold and Loch Fyne each received 10. Russell's Organic and Tesco Finest Sockeye both scored 9. Sainsbury's options and standard Tesco fillets performed poorly, showing that higher prices did not consistently guarantee better quality, although several premium products were judged superior.

Ferrero has launched a 20-piece Collection Experience box containing cappuccino, cocoa, hazelnut and salted-caramel truffles. The product has been spotted in Tesco stores across the UK, priced at £10 or £8 for Clubcard holders, prompting enthusiastic reactions from shoppers. The article also outlines Ferrero Rocher’s origins and notes Ferrero’s position as one of the world’s largest confectionery companies.

Regent’s Park has changed from lush green grass to parched brown ground and drooping vegetation after weeks of extreme heat and very low rainfall. The article reports that July was England’s driest month on record, half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, and London was declared to be experiencing a flash drought on July 29. The UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer has brought temperatures above 34°C, increased wildfire risks and triggered heat-health alerts, while drought conditions have also contributed to hosepipe bans, crop damage and pressure on livestock farmers.

London resident Ranvia Johal discovered a fox dragging a bag filled with Yorkshire puddings through her garden at around 4am. Her TikTok video attracted hundreds of thousands of views and amused viewers. Animal behaviour experts explained that foxes commonly move or bury food and other objects for caching, play or distraction, particularly when young cubs are exploring.

Puppies may bite, ignore commands and become difficult during or after play and training because they are overtired or overstimulated. Dog owner Lily says a common mistake is training puppies for too long, which can lead to a temper tantrum when they need sleep. The recommended response is to stop the interaction, redirect the puppy to a suitable chew toy and provide enforced rest.

Netflix’s six-part limited drama The Survivors, adapted from Jane Harper’s 2020 novel, follows Kieran Elliot as he returns to his hometown 15 years after a storm killed his brother and his brother’s friend. A new girl’s death revives buried secrets surrounding an earlier disappearance. The series stars Charlie Vickers and Yerin Ha, premiered in June 2025, and has received strong audience and critical reactions, including a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, although some viewers found the opening episode difficult to engage with.

British tourist Beth Yeandle recommended La Spezia, a restaurant near Callao Salvaje in Tenerife, after finding a €6 pizza and pasta deal and half-price drinks during happy hour. She and two companions enjoyed large pizzas and Aperol Spritzes, with the meal costing under £10 per person when discounts were applied. Viewers reacted enthusiastically, although one noted that the restaurant is in Callao Salvaje rather than Costa Adeje.

A charity shopper bought a 1961 second-edition hardback of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit for £2 and asked Reddit users to assess its value. Responses suggested the book could be worth more than £100 and potentially over £200 without its dust jacket, while comparable eBay sales ranged from about £80 to £140 and one listing reached £800. Contributors advised verifying the edition and consulting a rare-book specialist, particularly because listing prices do not always reflect actual sale values.

A homeowner sought advice after a neighbour requested a shared fence be replaced, despite the fence appearing to be in acceptable condition. Forum users argued the neighbour could erect their own fence if dissatisfied. Responsibility for fence maintenance depends on property deeds, boundary markings, or original installation, with symbols on title plans indicating who must maintain it. Legal obligations to repair fences arise only in limited circumstances under the Party Wall Act. There is generally no requirement to have fencing between gardens in the UK. Professional advice from a boundary surveyor or solicitor is recommended when disputes cannot be resolved.

A Swedish backpacker attended a Chinese weight‑loss boot camp to complete his long‑term slimming effort, losing half a stone during a four‑week program that emphasized intensive exercise, fasting periods and personal responsibility. Despite finding some elements challenging, he valued the trainers’ support and the structured routine, ultimately reaching a total weight loss of eight stone and shedding his former identity as an overweight person. He plans to continue travelling in Asia, including attending the 2026 Mid‑Season Invitational in South Korea, before returning to everyday life.

A homeowner in Wilmington, North Carolina discovered well‑preserved original hardwood floors beneath old carpeting while renovating her newly purchased house, sharing the find in a viral TikTok video that drew enthusiastic reactions. Guidance is offered on how to check for hidden hardwood floors by lifting carpet corners or inspecting flooring layers for solid wood thickness and grain consistency, as well as signs of moisture or damage.

A Reddit discussion highlighted that Neil Armstrong’s historic moon‑landing quote is widely misquoted, with many people omitting the word “a.” Armstrong maintained he said “one small step for a man,” though recordings remain unclear. NASA’s transcript reflects the ambiguity, prompting debate over whether the intended wording or what the public heard holds greater historical significance.

A British expat in Tenerife reviewed a popular low‑cost three‑course meal at the Savoy restaurant, finding the food average but inexpensive. Her family tried different dishes, giving mixed reactions, especially to the desserts. The full meal for three adults and one child cost €72.87. Commenters online defended the restaurant as good value and a frequent choice for visitors.

Sharon Osbourne shared a lighthearted Instagram video of her playing with her grandson Sidney as the family continues to honor the memory of Ozzy Osbourne a year after his death. Recent tributes from Sharon and Kelly marked what would have been Sharon and Ozzy’s 46th anniversary, while fans reacted emotionally to the new footage, noting the child’s resemblance to his late grandfather. The post follows a year of public remembrance and family moments since the musician’s passing in 2025.

Walkers has reintroduced its KFC-inspired crisps, bringing back the MAX KFC Original Chicken flavour permanently and the MAX KFC Zinger flavour for a limited time. The products, first discontinued five years ago, sparked strong enthusiasm on social media after early sightings in Morrisons. The Original Chicken flavour joins Walkers’ Max range, while the Zinger variant will only be temporarily available. Both varieties are currently offered in Morrisons and Iceland, with broader availability planned from July 20.

A cat owner from the Cotswolds shared a low‑cost method to keep cats hydrated during a UK heatwave by mixing tuna in spring water with additional water to encourage drinking. The tip emphasises the importance of hydration to prevent kidney issues. Cats Protection advises providing shade, multiple water sources, and keeping cats indoors during the hottest hours, particularly for pets that struggle to drink enough on their own.

With temperatures in the UK expected to exceed 30C, residents are encouraged to leave bowls of water in their gardens to help birds and other wildlife stay hydrated. Wildlife experts recommend refilling bird baths regularly, using plant saucers as alternatives, and providing ground-level dishes for small mammals and insects. Additional measures include adding stones for insects, creating ponds, and using water butts to conserve rainwater. The advice applies year-round, with guidance to break ice in winter to ensure access to fresh water.

High temperatures make wheelie bins prone to flies, maggots and strong odours, but adding distilled vinegar can deter pests due to its acidic smell and dehydrating effect on maggots. A TikTok user demonstrates the method, recommending vinegar as a natural, cheap alternative to chemical treatments. Regular bin cleaning, rinsing with hot water and washing-up liquid, followed by bicarbonate of soda to neutralise odours, further reduces the likelihood of infestation.

A family opened two 50-year-old cans of Empress pearl oysters saved for decades and discovered 19 pearls, which they plan to turn into matching rings. Kristy McCammon documented the event on Instagram, where viewers responded with nostalgia and amusement. Pearl values vary widely, but the family intends to keep theirs as a memento.

A second-hand shopping enthusiast named Monica shares six tips for finding quality bargains in charity shops, emphasising using Pinterest for style focus, knowing personal colour palettes, prioritising quality fabrics, keeping a wishlist, recognising reputable brands and staying alert for standout items like sparkly or boldly patterned pieces.

Harry Styles offered to pay for a fan’s car repairs after noticing her sign explaining that her vehicle had broken down on the way to his Wembley concert. The singer asked for her contact details so his team could follow up, and the fan later confirmed they had been contacted. Videos of the moment spread on TikTok, prompting widespread praise for Styles’ gesture.

Hannah Bourne-Taylor explained that she walked through London naked to gain attention for her petition urging the UK government to mandate swift bricks in new homes to protect endangered swifts. The campaign rapidly gained signatures, eventually leading to a parliamentary discussion supported by cross-party MPs, though the Conservative government rejected the proposal and Labour later blocked it. Scotland has since mandated swift bricks, and Bourne-Taylor continues advocating for similar action across the UK.

Starbucks is releasing a new pink Bearista cup in the UK on July 13, mirroring its U.S. launch, prompting strong fan excitement similar to the viral reaction to earlier versions. The updated design features a pink cap and strawberry-topped straw, aligning with the brand’s Pink Drink merchandise line. Previous Bearista cups sold out rapidly and now command high resale prices, and Starbucks has limited purchases to one per customer for the upcoming release.

A TikTok video by Olivia Sonnekus-Williams showcases the exclusive gift bags given to Wimbledon players, revealing items such as branded apparel, personalised Stella Artois glasses, cosmetics, vouchers and collectible memorabilia. Viewers respond with enthusiasm and admiration for the generosity and uniqueness of the gifts.

A mother is frustrated that her own mother refuses to use her newborn son's chosen name, Matthew, instead calling him Mateo or suggesting Xavier throughout the pregnancy. The situation has caused tension, with online commenters largely agreeing that the grandmother is being disrespectful, though some argued the names are linguistic variants. Concerns include potential influence on the older children and a history of strained family dynamics. Commentary suggests setting boundaries and correcting the grandmother’s behavior.