Michael Moran

Lisa Hayden-Johnson was jailed in 2020 for child cruelty and perverting the course of justice after falsely claiming that her son Matthew suffered from numerous serious illnesses. Matthew says he has avoided examining his medical records and has fragmented memories of hospital treatment, while his sister Laura describes lasting trauma and believes their mother should have received a longer sentence. Evidence also suggested Hayden-Johnson may have falsified aspects of Laura’s medical history, but that investigation was not pursued. Hayden-Johnson continues to deny harming Matthew and rejects her portrayal as an evil mother.

Alan Titchmarsh recommends five drought-resistant plants for UK gardens facing increasingly hot and dry summers: Cistus Pulverulentus Sunset, Helianthemum ‘The Bride’, Sedum Sunsparkler ‘Plum Dazzled’, Eryngium ‘Magical White’ and Agapanthus ‘Ever Sapphire’. He highlights their adaptations, including hairy leaves, fleshy foliage and deep roots, while stressing that all drought-tolerant plants must be watered and properly established before they can withstand dry conditions. Some varieties also offer extended flowering seasons or can be used in dried floral arrangements.

Vernon Kay became tearful during a BBC Radio 2 interview with The Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue, who discussed the death of his childhood friend and former bandmate Mark Sheehan in 2023. O'Donoghue described Sheehan's difficult upbringing, their long friendship and the emotional weight of performing songs connected to loss. Kay said his reaction came from imagining what it would be like to lose a close friend. O'Donoghue also reflected on The Script's formation after the failure of Mytown, the band's subsequent success, and his struggle with grief, including heavy drinking and smoking before giving up alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine and adopting exercise and daily church attendance.

Alan Titchmarsh advises gardeners to earth up potato plants as they grow to protect shoots from frost, prevent tubers from turning green and encourage more potatoes. New potatoes planted in spring should be harvested before the end of July, ideally when the plants flower; harvesting too early produces a small crop, while waiting too long results in larger, less tender potatoes. Main-crop varieties such as Maris Piper, King Edward and Desiree can be harvested from August to October and stored for months in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from onions.

A charity shop enthusiast argues that the rise of the Vinted app has sharply reduced the quality of items donated to UK charity shops. Increased ease of selling clothes online, combined with the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, has encouraged people to monetise unwanted belongings instead of donating them. As a result, desirable brands and vintage pieces have become scarce, while fast fashion dominates shop rails. Vinted’s rapid growth and substantial secondhand sales volume are highlighted as key drivers reshaping the secondhand fashion landscape.

Prince William and Princess Kate prioritise a hands‑on, informal upbringing for their children, personally organising activities at school events and limiting their formal appearances. Parents familiar with Thomas’s Battersea and Lambrook note the couple’s active involvement compared to past royal generations. William emphasises balancing royal duty with family life, maintaining strict boundaries like restricting phone use while encouraging open communication, particularly amid recent family health challenges.

Jeremy Clarkson reflects on the unexpectedly positive public response to his cancer diagnosis and jokes about attempting to become a more tolerant person. He acknowledges overreacting to Chris Packham’s mild criticism of Clarkson’s Farm and contrasts his own temperament with Gary Lineker’s diplomatic approach. Ultimately he concludes that maintaining such consideration would be too demanding and reverts to his characteristic bluntness.

Queen Camilla’s presence at Prince Harry’s recent meeting with King Charles at Highgrove was described by royal biographer Robert Jobson as significant due to Harry’s past criticism of her. The reunion included Meghan and their children and took place amid disputes between Harry’s team and Buckingham Palace over accommodation and security. The visit marked Meghan’s first return to the UK in four years. Harry’s role in the Invictus Games was defended by supporters who highlighted his commitment and leadership despite recent distractions.

A traditional method shared by YouTuber Marandia Wright recommends removing shop-bought potatoes from plastic bags, drying them thoroughly and storing them in a cardboard box with dried soil or newspaper layers to prevent moisture buildup and decay. The approach mimics conditions of freshly harvested potatoes and can keep them fresh for up to a year.

Vernon Kay was advised by Jeremy Vine to stop highlighting his past social ties with Andy Burnham as Burnham prepares to become Prime Minister. Kay recalled nights out with the former Manchester mayor and Labour leader, describing him positively and noting their shared connections. The discussion revisited Burnham’s political trajectory from MP and cabinet minister to Mayor of Greater Manchester and now leader poised to expand his “Manchesterism” philosophy nationally, including plans to move part of the Prime Minister’s office to Manchester.

A foreign tourist was arrested at Gran Canaria Airport after allegedly leaving a resort without paying a bill exceeding €2,400 for an 11‑night all‑inclusive stay. Police intervened after repeated payment attempts failed and the hotel reported the incident. Authorities stressed their commitment to protecting the Canary Islands’ tourism sector and warned that evading payment will be prosecuted. In the UK, officials and hospitality representatives highlighted a rise in dine‑and‑dash offences and emphasised the financial strain such thefts impose on businesses.

A doctor warns that needing an extra pillow to sleep comfortably may indicate orthopnea, a symptom linked to early heart disease caused by stiffening blood vessels and increased strain on the heart. Additional signs such as fatigue when climbing stairs are often overlooked as aging or stress. Early detection provides an opportunity to prevent heart attacks through exercise, dietary changes including reduced carbohydrate intake, and regular blood pressure monitoring. The NHS offers further guidance on recognising symptoms and reducing cardiovascular risks.

Joan Collins reflects on the instability of acting work, noting she had gone ten months without a job before her latest film, A Murder Between Friends. She describes warning her great‑niece India Thain, who appears in the film, about the difficulties and rejection actors face. Collins also discusses past experiences with predatory behavior in the industry and emphasizes that much of her career involved taking whatever roles were needed to support her family. Thain acknowledges learning from Collins’ resilience and guidance as she begins building her own acting career.