Matt Jackson

Gabby Logan described being devastated after learning her daughter Lois had experienced bullying at age 11, revealing the extent of her struggles only years later. Discussing the issue on her podcast, she reflected on her daughter's heightened awareness after past experiences and the difficulty parents face when children do not share problems immediately. Childhood psychologist Tara Proctor advised parents to use empathy, avoid stepping in too early and focus on understanding their child’s perspective. The story also notes Gabby’s emotional experience taking Lois to university and outlines the family’s background.

Rylan Clark warned a listener who left an abusive message for BBC Radio 2 traffic presenter Sally Boazman, saying he would call them back on air after defending his colleague. He criticised the caller’s behaviour as nasty and said he is protective of his team. Sally noted she feels safe working with him, while Rylan reflected on no longer responding to online negativity. The story also highlights his career growth since appearing on talent shows, including winning a BAFTA with Rob Rinder.

Holidaymakers are advised to avoid listing their full address on luggage tags due to risks including identity fraud, baggage rerouting scams and potential personal safety concerns. Travel blogger Mark Wolters recommends sharing only a name, phone number and email, protected by a privacy flap. He warns that visible personal details can be photographed and exploited, while posting travel updates or boarding pass information online may alert thieves that a home is unattended. Travellers are also cautioned about fake customer service accounts seeking financial information and urged to use only verified channels.

Venice’s mayor Simone Venturini is proposing a major increase to the city’s tourist entry fee, potentially raising it from the current €5–€10 to as much as €50 to curb overtourism. The initiative follows years of rising visitor numbers and declining local population, though critics argue the charge has had little effect and is unfair or unconstitutional. Former mayor Massimo Cacciari denounces the fee as barbaric, while some business voices call for an even higher levy. Tourism experts suggest the existing fee is too small to influence visitor behavior.

British tourism to Malta has surged by about 25 percent in 2026, driven by cheap flights from 19 UK airports and the island’s warm climate. Travel writer Angela Epstein highlights Sliema, Valletta, Mdina and several beaches as key attractions, noting the island’s blend of historic sites, scenic views and cultural depth. Despite high visitor numbers, she concludes that Malta’s weather, heritage and diverse activities will keep it popular with British holidaymakers.

An amber heat warning forecasts temperatures up to 34C across parts of England and Wales, prompting safety advice from the Met Office. Sleep expert Lisa Artis advises against sleeping naked during hot weather, recommending lightweight breathable clothing to improve cooling. She highlights strategies to keep bedrooms cool, including closing curtains during the day, placing fans near open windows in the evening, and using ice or cold water in a hot water bottle to cool the body at night.

Josie Gibson describes the moment she ended her relationship with Terry James after he criticized her efforts preparing Christmas and frequently behaved unsupportively during early parenthood. She recounts incidents including him sleeping in a campervan while their baby was five months old and failing to give her a Christmas gift. Though they briefly lived together again during lockdown for childcare, she later confirmed she was raising their son on her own and remains single despite frequent speculation about her relationships.

Vernon Kay apologised on air for a self-described “rotten” dad joke during his BBC Radio 2 show as new BBC director general Matt Brittin visited Broadcasting House amid warnings of financial pressures requiring £500m in cuts. The article notes the government’s ongoing BBC Charter review, previous licence fee increases, and former director general Tim Davie’s concerns about institutional trust. It also highlights Kay’s status as one of the BBC’s top earners and the large audience for his mid‑morning show.

Lorraine Kelly recalls struggling through interviews with Leonard Nimoy and Buzz Aldrin due to her admiration for them, admitting she was too shy to request Nimoy’s autograph despite being a lifelong Star Trek fan. She reflects on childhood memories of watching the series with her late father, whom she recently mourned following his death, crediting those moments with shaping her interests and career.

Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh recommends the cotoneaster horizontalis as a highly effective shrub for attracting birds, noting its red berries, thick structure and suitability for nesting and winter feeding. The Royal Horticultural Society highlights its hardiness and distinctive appearance, while also noting pest vulnerabilities. Titchmarsh also endorses the malus sargentii crab apple variety for its blossoms and fruit that appeal to birds or can be used for jelly.

Shoppers have praised Home Bargains for selling a £4.49 ArtSpritz drink that closely resembles an Aperol Spritz, with reviewers describing it as strong, refreshing and convenient compared with buying separate ingredients. A YouTuber highlighted its flavour and affordability, while Italian food and wine experts offered guidance on when the cocktail should traditionally be consumed, emphasising that spritzes are intended as aperitivo drinks rather than companions to main meals.

Cooking expert Suzanne Mulholland recommends marinating steak with a crushed OXO beef stock cube and olive oil, highlighting it as her key method for enhancing flavor. She also praises Chovi Allioli Creamy Garlic Mayo Dip as her top condiment and identifies bag stands and Peva freezer bags as essential batch‑cooking tools. Celebrity chef James Martin similarly endorses using a stock cube to finish steak, describing it as adding a rich, flavorful coating.

Denise Welch learned of Andrea McLean’s severe financial struggles only after reading a pre‑release copy of McLean’s memoir, leading to emotional shock over being left unaware. McLean’s business venture with her husband collapsed after accumulating heavy debts, worsened by changes to Apple’s App Store requirements and her long‑Covid illness. The couple sold assets and significantly downsized to repay what they owed by 2025, though they remain cautious about expenses while slowly rebuilding stability.

Content creator Peter Green visited Tony’s Pie and Mash, a favourite of David Beckham, and praised the meal for its rich flavours, thick mash and well‑balanced sauces. He described the minced beef pie as phenomenal and ultimately preferred the traditional liquor over gravy for its lighter taste. The shop’s longstanding reputation is reinforced by celebrity fans including Danny Dyer, who also speaks highly of it and its unchanged traditional setting.

Alan Titchmarsh reflects on moving from his longtime Hampshire home to a new property in Surrey with his wife, describing the shift as a dramatic but manageable change. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of redesigning a new garden, encouraging bold updates rather than small adjustments. Titchmarsh also shares ongoing efforts to rejuvenate a neglected woodland area on his property. He returns to television with a new episode of his ITV programme featuring several guest appearances.

Richard Madeley explained that he and his wife Judy Finnigan sleep in separate bedrooms when he hosts Good Morning Britain to avoid disturbing her early in the morning. He noted that Judy values her sleep and is enjoying her time away from television. The couple’s long relationship, family dynamics, and Richard’s experiences balancing work and personal commitments are highlighted, including his reflections on becoming a stepfather and past career milestones.

La Voix becomes the UK’s first drag ‘spokesqueen’ to deliver the Eurovision jury vote, drawing playful criticism from Alan Carr over her bold behaviour on Strictly after receiving guidance from BBC bosses. La Voix expresses excitement about presenting the scores, while this year’s UK entry, Sam Battle, prepares to perform his energetic electronic track in Vienna. Finland emerges as a strong contender, and host Angela Scanlon praises the originality of the UK act ahead of the broadcast on BBC One.

King Charles was praised by former royal staff and commentators for calmly navigating an awkward moment when Rod Stewart made a disparaging remark about Donald Trump during an event at the Royal Albert Hall celebrating the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust. Analysts noted the King’s skill in avoiding escalation and handling public situations gracefully, while additional remarks from a former palace press secretary highlighted his practiced discretion. Later in the week, Charles appeared in good spirits at a Buckingham Palace garden party, joking about ageing while meeting attendees.

Rylan Clark jokingly claimed he would sue the BBC after noticing that dancers in the UK’s Eurovision entry appeared to have costumes resembling his trademark teeth. The United Kingdom will be represented by Sam Battle, known as Look Mum No Computer, as he competes in Austria with long odds for victory. Clark and fellow presenters discussed standout acts from Bulgaria and Cyprus, while also comparing Moldova’s entry to a Jess Glynne hit. Angela Scanlon praised the UK act for its originality and energy, suggesting it could resonate strongly with audiences.

A legal commentator outlines six circumstances under which private parking charge notices can be challenged, including unclear signage, broken payment machines, incorrect issuance, genuine mitigating circumstances, valid permits, and procedural errors. He stresses that the guidance applies only to private parking notices, noting that council-issued fines have fewer grounds for appeal. Recipients are urged to verify whether the fine is legitimate and act quickly due to the long enforcement window for private firms.

A former royal press secretary recalls her first meeting with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, describing her as warm, vulnerable and under significant pressure following earlier controversies involving Sophie and Prince Edward. The piece highlights Sophie’s evolution into a respected full-time working royal, her support for King Charles, and her extensive charitable work, particularly in women’s safety, peace, and conflict-related sexual violence. It also notes her advocacy on disability sports and her historic visit to Ukraine in 2024.

Amanda Holden praised Emma Willis as an ideal choice to front Strictly Come Dancing and spoke positively about Josh Widdicombe as a potential additional host amid ongoing speculation following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure. Several other TV personalities, including Zoe Ball and Fleur East, revealed disappointment at missing out on the presenting role, while fans suggested Mel Giedroyc as another contender. The BBC has not yet confirmed the final presenter line-up.

David Tennant reflects on working with difficult actors, explaining that negative on‑set atmospheres affect him personally while acknowledging most performers are enjoyable collaborators. Speaking on the Inside of You podcast, he notes that some challenging individuals are enabled by the industry, making their behavior harder to manage. The article also highlights the release of the second season of Rivals on Disney+, where Tennant reprises his role alongside an ensemble cast.

Monty Don reflects on emotional moments in his garden that remind him of childhood feelings of missing seasonal changes while at boarding school, noting similar sensations when presenting BBC coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Although he values and feels privileged to host the programme, he admits to partly resenting being away from his Longmeadow garden during key seasonal transitions. He discusses how quickly the garden transforms during his absence and how this stirs mixed emotions. The upcoming episode of Gardeners’ World will feature his summer planting work along with segments from Frances Tophill and Adam Frost.