Lara Kilner

A guide to UK attractions offering annual memberships or passes that can provide unlimited or frequent entry after a single payment. It covers science centres, museums, castles, gardens, wildlife parks, theme parks and outdoor adventure venues across England, Scotland and Wales, with prices, membership benefits and selected discounts. Broader passes from English Heritage, Cadw, Historic Scotland, the National Trust and Merlin Entertainments are presented as cost-effective choices for frequent day-trippers and families.

Niall Breslin describes suffering severe panic attacks and anxiety from his teenage years after traumatic experiences living near the Lebanon-Israel border, including air-raid sirens and bomb shelters. The attacks continued into adulthood, undermining his rugby career and eventually occurring live while he was a coach on Ireland’s version of The Voice. He sought professional treatment, studied mindfulness-based interventions and now advocates rest, emotional acceptance and being present. His Radio 3 Unwind programme, Classical Wind Down, uses classical, ambient and neoclassical music to offer listeners a respite from the pressures of modern life.

Delta Goodrem is representing Australia at Eurovision with “Eclipse” and has emerged as a serious contender after her semi-final performance. The profile traces her career from Neighbours child star and chart-topping singer to Voice Australia coach, while focusing on her recovery from Hodgkin lymphoma and a 2018 salivary-gland procedure that temporarily paralysed a tongue nerve. She spent six months regaining her voice and a year returning to full vocal ability, later addressing the experience in her single “Paralysed.” Goodrem says her husband and musical collaborator Matthew Copley helped bring the Eurovision performance to life, and she would welcome the possibility of Australia hosting the contest if she wins.

Sophie Habboo discusses the launch of the Disney+ reality series Raising Chelsea, which documents her relationship with Jamie Laing, pregnancy, childbirth and the early months of parenting their son Ziggy. She describes the filming as unusually intimate and sometimes difficult to watch, but hopes its rawness will resonate with viewers. Habboo also reflects on the couple’s expanding podcast business, her reduced sensitivity to public opinion since becoming a mother, and the challenges of sleep deprivation and balancing family life with an increasingly public career.

Comedian Eddie Kadi discusses how his podcast Man Like You, made with Mo Gilligan and Babatunde Aléshé, has become a space for men to speak openly about mental health, insecurity and emotional pain. He reflects on imposter syndrome, his rise through the British comedy circuit, his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and the challenges of unconscious bias affecting contestants of colour. Born in Kinshasa and raised in London after arriving as a refugee, Kadi says representation and continued hard work can help open opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.

Sam Thompson says he has no plans to return to reality television after winning I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2023, calling the jungle his career peak. He is instead pursuing mainstream entertainment through ITV's new Saturday-night show Celebrity Sabotage, in which he and Joel Dommett, Judi Love and GK Barry prank contestants on fake television programmes. Thompson also discusses the success of his podcast Staying Relevant with Pete Wicks, his relationship with Talitha Balinska after separating from Zara McDermott, and his diagnoses of ADHD and autism. He credits therapy and greater self-understanding with helping him manage work and relationships, while setting ambitious goals including hosting The Brits and expanding his live and international career.

JB Gill explains why fathers’ perspectives should be more prominent in parenting conversations and discusses his role as the first male host of The Netmums Podcast. He reflects on co-parenting with his wife Chloe, managing screen time for their children, and balancing family life with television work and running a farm in Kent. Gill also describes his varied broadcasting career, his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, his admiration for Lionel Richie and his approach to accepting projects that suit both his ambitions and his family.

Fearne Cotton discusses how people-pleasing shaped her career, relationships and mental health, recounting a therapy session in which a question about whether her therapist liked her prompted her to cry. She describes feeling damaged by public criticism, tabloids and social-media abuse, and links earlier struggles with bulimia and self-image to pressure, insecurity and difficulty asserting herself. Her book Likeable helped her confront these patterns and develop greater self-compassion. Cotton now focuses on her Happy Place podcast, books and wellness festival, valuing creative control and mental-health advocacy while remaining open to carefully chosen television work. She also discusses protecting her children from the risks of public exposure and online life.

A wide-ranging collection of low-effort suggestions covers work habits, saving money, personal administration, gratitude, physical health, relationships, decluttering and everyday well-being. Experts recommend delaying email, automating savings, checking important documents, eating more protein and varied fibre, taking short naps, cultivating gratitude, communicating needs clearly, building dependable social connections and creating simple home systems. The package also includes recommendations for electric cars and affordable kitchen products, with several budget EVs criticized for shortcomings. Its broader message is that small, repeatable actions can improve resilience, health, relationships and daily satisfaction without requiring dramatic lifestyle changes.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas says she has faced intense criticism and online abuse after Lewis Cope was eliminated, despite giving him a higher score than fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood. She attributes much of the hostility directed at herself and fellow judge Motsi Mabuse to misogyny, while defending contestants with previous dance experience, including Amber Davies. Ballas also discusses coping with trolling, her close relationship with son Mark Ballas, the departure of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, her ongoing commitment to Strictly, and plans involving dance tours, television and a new film project.

Alex James recommends keeping a Christmas cheeseboard simple, with a brie, a blue cheese, a cheddar and optionally a sheep- or goat-milk cheese such as Wigmore. He advocates tasting cheese before buying, serving it at room temperature and pairing it with neutral crackers, baguette, crisps or homemade pear butter. Beer is his all-purpose pairing, while sparkling wine works especially well with blue cheese because its bubbles and acidity cut through the creaminess; port is suggested with pears and Stilton.

Lewis Cope discusses his demanding but rewarding experience on Strictly Come Dancing, including long rehearsal days, performing alongside Katya Jones and preparing for the Blackpool special. He rejects the idea that his past stage and acting experience makes him a professional dancer, explaining that he played Michael rather than Billy in the West End production of Billy Elliot and has had no formal dance training. Cope also reflects on growing up in a large working-class family in Hartlepool, overcoming doubts about entering the performing arts, and the encouragement he has received from viewers who have started dancing because of him. Despite being considered a favourite for the final, he remains focused on improving each week and supporting his family.