Michael Moran

Secondary school teacher Natasha Hall explains a GCSE ratio question that is easily misread. With 72 blue beads in a 4:5 blue-to-red ratio, the correct answer is 90 red beads, not 40, because the 72 refers specifically to the blue beads. The piece also reports that AQA apologized for errors in all versions of a 2026 GCSE Combined Science Trilogy higher paper and for an incorrect insert in a foundation-tier GCSE maths exam, prompting disruption and complaints from teachers. AQA said its procedures would ensure students were not disadvantaged.

Anton Du Beke stepped back from a regular Christmas pantomime commitment after three demanding years of twice-daily performances left little time for his young twins, George and Henrietta. Although the work could bring celebrities substantial earnings, Du Beke said he wanted to spend Christmas with his family and may return to pantomimes in the future. He also described the emotional difficulty of supporting his wife Hannah through endometriosis-related infertility and IVF treatment. He will continue working as a Strictly Come Dancing judge.

Bognor Regis was ranked the UK's worst seaside town by Which? for the second consecutive year after a survey of more than 5,300 visitors. YouTuber James Burton visited the town and Butlin's Bognor Regis Resort to test the verdict, dismissing it as “absolute waffle” after being impressed by the resort, beach, friendly people and value. Local journalist Levi Winchester offered a contrasting view, recalling the town's decline, neglected promenade and struggling high street. Burton left intending to return with his daughter.

Adam Frost says Nick Knowles persuaded him to pursue television work, leading to his role on Gardeners' World in 2016. Frost recalls initially doubting whether he belonged on television but later embracing the opportunity to share his passion for gardening. He also discusses his new podcast Outsiding with Caitlin Moran, the emotional responsibility of designing personal gardens, and gardening's therapeutic benefits, advising people to enjoy pottering rather than pursue perfection.

Former EastEnders actress Annette Badland revealed that credible death threats from a fan prompted BBC security officials to issue a rare “red alert” warning and advise her to remain at home during a six-week investigation. The threats were traced to a public computer near Liverpool, but the sender was never definitively identified. Badland recalled her three-year portrayal of villain Babe Smith, her warm relationship with Danny Dyer, and how an unscripted moment helped shape the character. Babe's dramatic exit involved being left in a freezer, stealing from the Queen Vic and being expelled from Walford.

Vernon Kay became tearful and briefly halted his BBC Radio 2 programme during an interview with The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue about the death of guitarist and lyricist Mark Sheehan in 2023. O’Donoghue described Sheehan’s difficult childhood, their lifelong friendship and the short period they had to discuss their relationship before Sheehan died. Kay said the story reminded him of his own close friendships, while O’Donoghue discussed grieving through alcohol and smoking before quitting both, along with caffeine, and adopting healthier routines.

Trainee plumber Edward Pearce, 20, from Heathfield, East Sussex, died after his Volkswagen Caddy was involved in a collision with a Mercedes Sprinter on the A27 near Pevensey. His family said that, as a registered organ donor, he donated six organs that saved seven people awaiting transplants. Pearce had also signed up as a bone marrow donor at age four after his brother William was diagnosed with leukaemia. Sussex Police arrested a 31-year-old on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage.

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez exchange playful banter on their Lost in Translation podcast as she jokes that Spanish idioms describe him as rude, prompting him to theatrically walk off set. The episode also recounts a recent child-free trip that went awry when Atkinson fell ill after overeating, leaving the couple’s planned romantic evening derailed.

Prince William and Princess Kate maintain a strict no‑mobile‑phones rule for their children, aiming to provide Prince George with a more normal and private upbringing than previous heirs. They prioritise family communication, involvement in school activities and a balanced approach to royal duty. George may receive a basic phone without internet access when he begins at Eton, but the couple continue to emphasise boundaries, hands‑on parenting and time together amid recent family health challenges.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Highgrove for a private reunion with King Charles, marking the first meeting since 2022 and their children's first time seeing their grandfather in four years. Royal biographer Robert Jobson said Queen Camilla’s participation was significant due to past tensions and her role in supporting the King during discussions. The visit was overshadowed by disputes between Harry’s team and Buckingham Palace over accommodation and security, which reportedly limited Meghan’s public involvement. Despite a difficult week, Invictus Games figure David Wiseman highlighted Harry’s continued dedication and leadership within the veteran community.

A YouTuber recommends removing shop-bought potatoes from plastic bags, drying them, and storing them in a cardboard box with dried soil or newspaper layers to prevent moisture buildup and rot. The method replicates natural conditions and can extend freshness for months, potentially up to a year.

Reports from royal insiders describe Queen Camilla’s discomfort with aspects of royal protocol when Charles became king, including a blunt remark about her new title. Additional anecdotes highlight her sense of humour, her relationship with Charles, and biographical observations about her personality and background, while noting how other members of the royal family reacted to her over time.

Weightlifter Vinney Tolman recounts a near-death experience after collapsing from a bodybuilding supplement, being mistakenly declared dead, and later revived by a rookie paramedic who detected a faint pulse. While clinically unresponsive, he describes an out-of-body journey involving visions of light, a spiritual guide, and an environment filled with overwhelming love. After awakening from a three-day coma, he interpreted the experience as revealing a broader spiritual truth about existence and authenticity, which he later detailed in his book "The Light After Death: My Journey to Heaven and Back."

A former US Army commander recounts a Vietnam War helicopter gunner’s near‑death experience in which the injured soldier described an out‑of‑body view of the crash and an encounter with a hooded figure telling him he was not dead. The gunner used the vantage point he believed he saw while unconscious to guide the pilot toward safety, enabling their rescue. The account is presented as a rare case where an out‑of‑body perspective aligned with physical events.

A Canadian nurse suffered a severe allergic reaction to lilies that triggered anaphylaxis, a cardiac crisis and a near-death experience in which she reported visions of deceased relatives and an overwhelming sense of peace. A dosing error involving highly concentrated epinephrine caused cardiac arrest before medical staff resuscitated her. The ordeal prompted her to reevaluate her life and led her to believe she developed heightened psychic sensitivity afterward.

Joan Collins reflects on the instability of an acting career, noting she was out of work for ten months before filming her latest project, A Murder Between Friends. She describes herself as a jobbing actor who took roles to support her family and warns her great-niece India Thain, who also appears in the new film, about the industry's difficulties, including rejection and predatory behavior. Thain credits Collins for guidance while acknowledging the challenges of building her own career.

A British woman, Chloe Barker, suffered a spinal fracture after being knocked from a bar stool in Prague and learned her travel insurance did not cover medical repatriation, leaving her facing a £7,000–£10,000 bill. Unable to fly commercially due to her injuries, she requires an air ambulance or medical road transport. Her friend Sophia Andrews launched a fundraiser as Chloe undergoes surgeries and remains isolated with limited visitation while awaiting recovery and transport home.

Needing extra pillows to sleep comfortably may indicate orthopnea, an early warning sign of heart disease linked to increased strain on the heart. Dr Alex Wibberley explains that subtle symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and nighttime coughing often go unnoticed but can signal vascular stiffening years before a heart attack. He highlights the role of exercise, diet changes and blood-pressure monitoring in lowering risk, noting that improved blood vessel function can occur within weeks. The NHS provides additional guidance on cardiovascular disease symptoms and prevention.

A vintage seller describes worsening stock quality and rising prices in several UK charity shops, noting shelves filled with damaged, low‑value items often priced above their original retail cost. She reports that more desirable goods are increasingly diverted to online sales, leaving brick‑and‑mortar stores with clutter and little worth buying. The trend raises concerns about the future viability of physical charity shops as their in‑store offerings diminish in appeal.

Rachel Riley reflects on the pressures she and Pasha Kovalev faced during his Strictly Come Dancing years, describing how demanding schedules strained their time together but ultimately strengthened their relationship as they found ways to reconnect. The couple has since focused on improving their health through increased physical activity, including weekly squash sessions, while continuing to share their love of dance. Riley also details her recent experience diving with sharks in the Bahamas for a television programme, describing the initial fear and subsequent exhilaration of the encounter.

Nick Knowles is taking a break from television work to support his wife, Katie, who suffered severe complications following a hysterectomy. After a ruptured cervix led to emergency hospital treatment and concerns over possible bowel damage, Knowles said he needed to step away from broadcasting to care for her. He praised Katie’s resilience as she faces further surgery and continues her recovery.

Anton Du Beke delivers an expletive-filled outburst while recording the Judgemental podcast with Craig Revel Horwood as he struggles to respond to office-related prompts. Craig remains calm and continues the discussion, eventually persuading Anton to agree on the value of after‑work drinks. The pair also debate office habits such as packed lunches and birthday cards while maintaining a humorous tone throughout.

Nick Knowles is taking time away from television to care for his wife, Katie Dadzie, after she suffered serious complications following a hysterectomy and now requires further surgery. Dadzie described severe pain and a medical emergency that led to rushed hospital treatment, while Knowles said he plans to step back from work to support her recovery.

A restaurant reviewer visited St. George’s Plaice in Llandudno, hoping to disprove its reputation for being the UK's worst fish and chip shop, but found the food greasy, low‑quality and overpriced. Several staple items were unavailable, the pollock was described as mushy and unpleasant, and the sides were deemed thin, sour or flavourless. After requesting a refund, the staff admitted that many customers regularly complain. The reviewer concluded that the shop needs major improvements and noted concern for the young employees working there.

King Charles III’s long‑held passion for environmental sustainability is highlighted through the unusual biofuel conversion of his Aston Martin DB6 MkII Volante, which runs on surplus wine and cheese by‑products. Former royal butler Grant Harrold recounts the King’s strict protectiveness over the car, including not allowing Princes William or Harry to drive it and giving detailed instructions to a chef who once had to return it from the airport. Environmental experts quoted argue that high‑blend bioethanol is impractical and environmentally problematic at scale, contrasting with the King’s personal enthusiasm for the solution.

Gordon Ramsay’s development of a modernist home in Rock, Cornwall, and his comments criticising local residents generated significant backlash in a community already sensitive to wealthy outsiders replacing historic homes with large new builds. Local YouTubers described the tensions surrounding second‑home owners, rising property values and the demolition of older architecture. Ramsay’s planning dispute, his replacement of a 1920s house with a contemporary villa and his remark that he liked Cornwall but not the Cornish fuelled criticism from residents and Cornish political representatives, though he has not retracted the comment and continues to spend part of the year in Rock.

A travel blogger compared long-haul flights on Ryanair and Wizz Air, finding both uncomfortable due to limited space and basic service, but Wizz Air ranked slightly higher thanks to seat‑back storage that made handling personal items easier. Ryanair’s lack of storage, poor hot‑food availability and cramped seating contributed to a tougher experience, though coffee quality and lounge access via Priority Pass offered minor positives. The blogger concluded that ultra‑budget long flights are manageable but far from ideal.

Gorka Márquez and Gemma Atkinson's child‑free trip to Spain was disrupted when Atkinson became severely ill after overeating at a restaurant. Márquez joked that the episode explains why they have not had a third child, while Atkinson admitted her own poor menu choices caused the problem. The couple also discussed Atkinson’s impulsive push to buy a property in Spain and the complications she encountered, including post‑Brexit travel requirements that forced her into longer border queues while Márquez passed quickly as an EU citizen.

Urban explorers documented the abandoned Italian town of Fossa, evacuated overnight in April 2009 after a devastating earthquake raised fears of a mountainside collapse. Homes remain filled with personal belongings, from laid dining tables to children’s items, while buildings show extensive structural damage and risk of further collapse. Nature has overtaken much of the town, and some shops show signs of looting, with a few untouched items still in place. The visit highlights the suddenness of the evacuation and the lasting impact of the disaster, with comparisons drawn to Fukushima’s post‑earthquake abandonment.

Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon reflect on the challenges of filming their reality show after a private argument was captured on camera. They discuss how the series exposes unfiltered moments in their home life, including a recorded disagreement over beans. Swash recalls his earlier reality TV past and admits concerns about how it might have affected his acting career. The couple also address more serious moments featured in their show, such as Swash’s struggle to manage his ADHD, with Swash sharing that he stopped taking his medication and plans to restart treatment with medical support.

A YouTuber tested an ultra‑cheap all‑inclusive holiday at a poorly reviewed three‑star hotel in southern Turkey and found the experience flawed but ultimately good value. Despite issues such as cleanliness problems, weak entertainment, inconsistent food quality and a bout of mild food poisoning, he concluded that the low price justified the shortcomings, crediting friendly staff, strong views and substantial savings on meals and flights.

Advice on growing potatoes highlights the importance of choosing the right variety, with Adam Frost recommending the Red Duke of York, which his family praised for its flavour. The article explains different potato types, offers practical planting tips, and notes that Duke of York seed potatoes are affordable, versatile and suitable for home growers.

Multiple acquaintances defend Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor against longstanding accusations of arrogance and bullying, portraying him instead as sensitive, kind and old‑fashioned. Former partners Kim Deas and Lady Victoria Hervey dispute negative portrayals and downplay his association with Jeffrey Epstein, while friend Ian Hendry recalls him as generous and out of step with modern expectations. Some former Navy colleagues, however, describe him as entitled and demanding deference, underscoring the continued divide in perceptions of his character.

Rylan Clark praised Scott Mills and Sam Vaughan’s 2024 wedding while speaking on BBC Radio 2, recalling the celebration in Sitges after a listener mentioned the town. He continued to show support for the couple following Mills’ dismissal from BBC Radio 2 over past allegations that police investigated but prosecutors did not pursue. Clark has publicly defended Mills amid criticism and discussed the broader issue of cancel culture during an appearance on ITV. The article also highlights messages from friends Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac before the wedding and recounts Clark’s history of supporting Mills throughout his career challenges.

Rising temperatures expected across the UK prompt guidance on protecting garden plants, with experts recommending a simple method of soaking chopped edible mushrooms in water for 24 hours to create a nutrient-rich solution that improves soil hydration and reduces evaporation. The mixture also releases mycelium, enhancing water retention and nutrient absorption. Additional advice warns against overwatering potted plants and includes a traditional tapping technique to gauge moisture levels in terracotta containers.

With temperatures in the UK forecast to reach 32°C, Monty Don urges gardeners to prepare for more frequent heatwaves by conserving and using water efficiently. He advises collecting rainwater, mulching, deep but infrequent watering, protecting soil surfaces, increasing greenhouse humidity and timing the planting of woody plants for autumn. Larger gardens may benefit from cattle troughs to maximise rainwater storage, and certain plants perform better with lime‑free rainwater than tap water.