Matt Davies

Gardeners' World viewers criticized Monty Don for not verbally warning about the irritating and potentially dangerous sap of euphorbia while cutting the plant during a July episode. The programme’s Facebook caption did advise wearing gloves and long sleeves and avoiding contact with the eyes. The article highlights Martin Roberts’ 2019 exposure, which caused severe eye irritation, temporary near-blindness and lasting dry-eye problems, underscoring the need for protective equipment when handling euphorbia.

Amy Dowden says returning to Strictly Come Dancing did not resolve the emotional impact of her breast cancer, mastectomy, sepsis, Crohn’s disease, injuries and other health problems. After fracturing a bone when she returned too early with JB Gill, she realised she had been using the dancefloor as a way to avoid processing her experiences and later broke down while confronting her fears and anxiety. Dowden says she now feels stronger and fitter than ever and is preparing to return as a Strictly professional. She also marked her 36th birthday with a message expressing gratitude for her loved ones and dance family.

A woman in Uxbridge said she was shocked when a neighbour sternly asked her to prove she was exempt after she accidentally used a hosepipe during a local ban. The incident comes as Wales and parts of England face severe drought, a fifth heatwave and hosepipe restrictions affecting millions of people. Natural Resources Wales has declared drought conditions across Wales after exceptionally low rainfall, while bans covering 33,000 Welsh properties prohibit activities including garden watering and car washing. Breaches can result in fines of up to £1,000, and officials warn that continued heat and limited rainfall are worsening risks to rivers, wildlife, agriculture and habitats.

Chef Will Murray recommends cooking streaky bacon in the oven at 180°C, flipping it after five minutes once the fat has rendered, then sprinkling it lightly with demerara sugar and cooking it for another five minutes. The sugar adds sweetness and helps the bacon’s ends become crisp, although using too much can make it tough. Additional advice from Eliza Cross suggests adding water when frying bacon to render the fat evenly and reduce curling.

Victoria Stellas, from Anglesey, developed tick-borne encephalitis after visiting the Greek island of Syros in 2019. Suffering repeated night seizures, she was airlifted to Liverpool’s Walton Centre and placed in an induced coma for 42 days. The infection caused lasting memory problems, affecting her employment and daily life, although her seizures have become less frequent. NHS guidance says TBE can cause severe neurological symptoms but the risk in Britain is very low, and recommends that travelers to higher-risk countries consider a paid vaccine. Stellas, who believes she may have been bitten near goats at a relative’s home, now shares her experience to raise awareness.

The article highlights the reusable ecoegg laundry device, which contains mineral and tourmaline pellets and is claimed to soften clothes, reduce detergent use and eliminate the need for fabric conditioner. Chiana Dickson says the device can last for around 70 washes, requires no detergent drawer and should be dried between uses. The piece also cites advice from Benjamin Thery on using lemon juice to whiten socks and Angela Patrone on using inexpensive soda crystals with detergent capsules to remove stains from pillows and other laundry.

Matt Davies compares eight plain instant porridge pots from major UK supermarkets with Quaker Original, assessing price, sugar content, texture and taste. M&S Traditional Porridge wins with a thick, creamy texture and 9/10 rating, followed by Tesco at 8.5/10. Quaker scores 8/10 and places third because of its higher price, while Aldi offers the best budget option among the lower-priced products. Morrisons ranks last because it is overly sweet and watery, with Lidl and Asda also criticized for texture or flavour issues.

Matthew Davies taste-tested seven supermarket instant coffees against Nescafé Original. Marks & Spencer’s Rich and Smooth Instant Coffee ranked first with 9/10, beating Nescafé’s 8.5/10 and offering a strong, balanced flavour at a relatively low price. Sainsbury’s came third with 8/10, while Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons received lower scores, with Morrisons and Tesco joint-last at 5.5/10.

Dominic Chinea reported setbacks in his home renovation projects, revealing that a newly built pond repeatedly drained despite attempts to seal it with clay. He also encountered difficulties repairing the rear tub of a Land Rover, leaving him unable to progress as planned. Chinea apologised to viewers for the limited progress while outlining his next steps to fix both issues.

A woman who visited the Toby Carvery in Gorseinon, Swansea, complained after staff returned her unfinished roast dinner wrapped tightly in cling film instead of in a takeaway container. Despite seeing containers available for deliveries, staff told her they were not allowed to use them due to shortages and food safety policies. The customer later received an email from the company explaining that reheating food posed safety risks and takeaway boxes were only for immediate takeaway orders. She criticised the policy and the company’s response while the restaurant’s owners, Mitchells & Butlers, were approached for comment.

Tilly Ramsay describes her father Gordon Ramsay as the same person on and off camera, crediting his consistency for shaping her own comfort in front of cameras. She reflects on presenting a CBBC cooking show with her family and recalls his supportive approach to teaching her to cook. The article also notes increased interest in the village of Rock in Cornwall following the release of Gordon’s Netflix series, with a local travel guide praising the area’s appeal.

Gemma Atkinson joked that a fan’s observation comparing Gorka Marquez to Novak Djokovic had “ruined” their relationship after the couple discussed the message on their podcast. Marquez denied the resemblance, while Atkinson admitted she saw a slight likeness but said she didn’t find the tennis player attractive. The discussion followed Marquez’s earlier announcement that he was leaving Strictly Come Dancing after ten years. The pair recently returned from a trip to Spain, during which Atkinson became ill, cutting the child‑free holiday short.

Dominic Chinea was stranded in a Dorchester KFC car park after his new Land Rover Defender broke down while travelling home from filming The Repair Shop. A faulty injector left the vehicle undrivable, prompting recovery assistance and a long wait for transport. Chinea eventually reached home in the early hours and expressed disappointment over the breakdown but praised Land Rover for managing the recovery and transport. He is now using a newer Defender 110 courtesy car.