Amy Jones

Blackpool Sands in Devon has been named the UK's prettiest beach in a DFDS ranking based on positive keywords in Google reviews. The beach received 152 positive keywords per 100 reviews, surpassing locations including Sandbanks Beach and Porthcurno Beach. It was praised for its sheltered crescent-shaped bay, clear Mediterranean-like waters, pine-tree backdrop, Blue Flag status, spacious shingle shoreline, watersports facilities, café and seasonal sauna.

Airlines are cancelling or reducing thousands of flights during the May half-term and beyond as jet-fuel prices rise amid the Middle East conflict and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Cirium data indicates that 13,000 flights have been removed from global May schedules, including 1,468 from major British airports. Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Qantas, SAS, Air Transat, Cathay Pacific and numerous other carriers are cutting routes or frequencies, with some suspensions extending into late 2026 or 2027. Airlines cite fuel costs, economic conditions and route profitability, while some are offering refunds or alternative flights to affected passengers.

Gareth Pierce, known for playing Todd Grimshaw in ITV's Coronation Street since 2020, has appeared in several major storylines involving Mick Chaney, George Shuttleworth and Theo Silverton. Away from the soap, the Welsh actor lives in Manchester with his wife Amy Lee Pierce and their daughter, whose privacy he protects on social media. He shares family activities such as hiking and trips to Go Ape, as well as outings with Coronation Street castmates. His television credits also include Mr Selfridge, Ordinary Lies, Hollyoaks and Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited.