Kat Romero

Five’s five original members—Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville, Sean Conlon, Abz Love and J Brown—are touring together again after years of failed or partial reunions. Ahead of an appearance at Brighton Pride, the band discusses its renewed chemistry, the pressures of being young performers in the 1990s, and the support Robbie Williams offered after reuniting them on stage. They also reflect on their former rivalry with Westlife, wild memories involving Liam Gallagher, and the strong fan response to their nostalgia-driven comeback.

Pregnancy-related forgetfulness is often dismissed as harmless “baby brain,” but research from the Be Mother project suggests that pregnancy causes significant neurological changes, including an average reduction of nearly 5% in grey matter. These changes may represent a form of brain rewiring that supports empathy, emotional processing and bonding with a newborn rather than a simple loss of ability. Drawing on her own experiences of motherhood, postnatal depression and being laughed at or joking about her forgetfulness, Kat Romero argues that women should not apologise for or be stigmatized by these biological changes. She calls for more careful language and greater research into the effects of pregnancy on the brain.

OPI’s Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum is promoted as a fast-acting treatment for brittle, peeling and damaged nails. Customer reviews claim noticeable improvements within days or weeks, including stronger nails and less chipping. The product uses OPI’s Ulti-Plex Technology to penetrate the nail and form bonds within its keratin structure; users are advised to apply it twice daily for six days and optionally pair it with OPI Nail Envy.

Metro promotes Selfish Supps’ Balance My Gut powder, sold at Boots for £29, as a daily blend containing sea moss, blue spirulina and chlorella. Customer reviews claim it quickly reduced bloating and feelings of sluggishness, while also tasting good and being easy to add to drinks. The article is affiliate shopping content and does not provide independent clinical evidence confirming the supplement’s health claims.

Metro highlights affordable George at Asda options for New Year’s Eve, including several sparkly and velvet mini dresses, burgundy sling-back heels and anti-chafe shorts. The pieces are presented as festive, stylish and budget-friendly, with customer reviews emphasizing comfort, flattering fits, quality and value. The article contains affiliate links through which Metro may earn commission.

Food scientist Natalie Alibrandi provides science-based guidance for preparing a Christmas dinner, including brining turkey, parboiling and roasting potatoes, blanching or roasting Brussels sprouts, making gravy, cooking pigs in blankets, and steaming Christmas pudding. The advice emphasizes precise measurements, temperatures and timings. Deputy editor Claie Wilson tested the methods and particularly praised the turkey’s moisture and the gravy, while finding some techniques overly fiddly and noting that the Brussels sprouts’ smell was not eliminated completely.

Oliver Bonas is highlighted as a convenient source of inexpensive Secret Santa and stocking-filler gifts, with several options priced between £2 and £5. Recommendations include photo holders, confectionery, handmade trinket dishes, a foot mask, discounted hoop earrings and a dog treat selfie kit. The piece uses enthusiastic endorsements and customer feedback to emphasize affordability, convenience and gift appeal.

Metro recommends several Amazon loungewear and pyjama sets priced at £30 or less for the Christmas-to-New-Year period. The selection includes ribbed and wide-leg sets from GRECERELLE, fitted LACOZY and collared Litthing tracksuits, a warm cotton-fleece Yuson Girl set, and a silky SWOMOG set with more than 1,000 five-star reviews. The products are presented as comfortable, versatile and suitable for lounging, errands or casual outings.

L’Oréal Paris’s Cell Renew Day Cream is being sold on Amazon for £13.99, reduced from £29.99. The article highlights its dermatologist-approved formulation, antioxidants, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which are presented as supporting the skin barrier, hydration, radiance and reduced wrinkle appearance. Several customers report smoother, firmer and younger-looking skin, though the piece is primarily a promotional affiliate recommendation rather than an independent product test.

Metro curates a parent-approved Christmas gift guide for girls ranging from young children to pre-teens and teenagers. The recommendations cover fashion, beauty, photography, dolls, music, imaginative play, dance, space, science, football, jewellery-making, sensory play, clothing, skincare, art and inspirational books. The guide emphasizes gifts that develop creativity, STEM interest, physical activity and self-expression, while noting that purchases made through links may earn Metro a commission.

NIVEA Soothing Care Aloe Vera Hand Cream is promoted as an affordable treatment for dry, cracked hands during cold weather, with an Amazon price of about £1.24–£1.25. The cream is described as providing up to 24 hours of moisture, absorbing quickly without greasiness and helping soothe irritation. Customer reviews praise its moisturising effect, mild scent and usefulness for cracked hands, heels and frequent handwashing.

Metro highlights Eveline Cosmetics’ Slim Extreme 4D Super Concentrated Cellulite Slimming Hot Cream, priced at £7.93 on Amazon, as a popular thermogenic overnight treatment. The article describes ingredients including chestnut extract and guarana, which are said to stimulate circulation and temporarily improve the appearance of skin, while noting that the product is intended to complement diet and exercise. Several Amazon reviewers claim they saw smoother-looking skin and reduced cellulite within days or weeks, though these are anecdotal testimonials rather than independently verified results.

A curated guide recommends 16 gifts for a baby’s first Christmas, ranging from clothing, comforters and personalised keepsakes to books, sensory toys, a rocker and a Tonies audio player. Prices run from £6 to £130, with suggestions suited to different ages and budgets. The guide favours soft neutral clothing for reuse and highlights personalised items and memory-making gifts, while noting that Metro may earn commission from purchases.

A Metro shopping guide recommends Christmas gifts for boys from young children to pre-teens, covering toys, science kits, sports equipment, books, clothing, creative products and technology. The selections are matched to interests such as football, baking, science, photography and adventure, with prices and retailers provided. The guide emphasizes curiosity, creativity, imaginative play and educational value, while noting that Metro may earn commissions from purchases.

Marks & Spencer is offering festive gift hampers and letterbox presents from £20, including coffee-and-cake, afternoon tea and confectionery selections. Higher-priced options include a £55 premium food hamper and a £35 Prosecco gift box. Most items are available for next-day delivery when ordered by 5pm on December 22 for delivery on December 23, making them suitable for last-minute Christmas shopping.

London-based jewellery brand 7879 sells gold and platinum pieces by weight, linking their value to prevailing precious-metal prices and offering a buyback option at current market rates minus a transaction fee. The promotional feature highlights the brand’s traceable sourcing, ethical suppliers, expert advice and interest-free payment options, while showcasing its 24k gold and platinum chains, bracelets, earrings and charms.

Dunelm is offering discounts of up to 30% on Christmas decorations, including artificial trees, lighting and outdoor ornaments. Featured bargains include 6ft and 7ft trees reduced to £119.20, a 7ft pre-lit multicoloured tree priced at £199.20, light-up parcels at £12.60 and a silver rattan deer at £18. Customer reviews broadly praise the products’ realistic appearance, quality, ease of assembly and value for money.

A parent-informed Christmas gift guide recommends toys, books, clothing and baby products for children from newborns to older kids. The selections emphasize imaginative play, outdoor exploration, sensory development, creativity, educational value and reducing screen time, while several products are highlighted for practical benefits such as storage, sleep support or growing with the child. Prices range from under £10 to £150, and the guide includes affiliate links that may earn Metro commission.

Boots is selling No7’s Ultimate Skincare Collection Gift Set for £38–£39, reduced from £85. The bundle includes full-size and travel-size products such as day and night creams, eye cream, cleansing water, wipes, primer, retinol concentrate and Future Renew Night Serum. Shopper testimonials praise the products for improving hydration, firmness, fine lines and overall appearance, with some comparing the results to Photoshop or Botox. Metro deputy editor Claie Wilson reports that the night serum left her skin feeling softer and looking somewhat fresher after two months, while noting that the results cannot be attributed solely to the serum and require longer-term assessment.