Samantha Bartlett

DIY expert Bill Jarvis recommends using lighter, complementary paint shades on walls, skirting boards and ceilings to make small rooms appear brighter, taller and more spacious. He advises avoiding excessive contrast, keeping windows unobstructed and considering eggshell or satin finishes to reflect light. Soft greens, pale blues and warm off-whites can create the effect without relying on brilliant white, while the cost of a tin of paint is far lower than structural renovations.

Gardeners can encourage hedgehogs to visit by leaving out suitable non-fish food, such as dry cat or dog food or specialist hedgehog food, and a shallow dish of fresh water. Milk should never be provided because hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, while fish-based food may deter them and cause unpleasant-smelling droppings. The guidance also recommends checking grass and undergrowth before mowing or trimming, and watering plants to keep insects and other prey available during dry weather.

Samantha Bartlett says Zizzi’s Port Solent restaurant refused to accept both a Blue Light discount and a Kids Eat Free code that appeared on the restaurant’s website. Zizzi told her the offers were excluded under the terms and conditions, and later said they had been removed from the site, although Bartlett says they remained visible. She estimates the family lost an £8–£9 saving and argues that unclear or unhonoured promotions undermine consumer trust, especially as restaurant prices continue to rise.

A Ryanair passenger named Laura said she was charged £75 at Manchester Airport after staff judged her cabin bag to be oversized, despite her claim that she had used the same bag on the route more than 30 times without problems. Online commenters were divided, with some accusing Ryanair of excessive enforcement and others saying the bag exceeded the stated limits. Ryanair said Laura’s bag exceeded the permitted dimensions for her fare and that the gate baggage fee was correctly applied.

The BBC has cancelled Live at the Apollo, Blankety Blank and Celebrity Mastermind as part of a three-year drive to save £500 million, including at least £100 million in recurring annual savings. The cuts are linked to substantial audience declines and are expected to reduce original television programming by 100 to 150 hours. Viewer reactions are divided: some consider the programmes outdated or no longer worth producing, while others regret the loss of Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo. One final completed series of Live at the Apollo and Celebrity Mastermind is expected to air, with further programming cuts anticipated.

Meghan Markle appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia while regular judge Andy Allen was on paternity leave. During the immunity challenge, contestants prepared dishes fit for a duchess, and Meghan discussed her preferred ingredients and encouraged a calm kitchen atmosphere. The episode also featured a surprise video call from Prince Harry, prompting enthusiastic reactions from viewers who praised the couple’s supportive relationship.

Whitbread will permanently close all 106 remaining Beefeater restaurants on September 10, 2026, ending the 52-year-old UK steakhouse chain and affecting sister brands including Brewers Fayre and Bar + Block. Chief executive Dominic Paul blamed rising employer National Insurance contributions, business rates and other cost pressures for making the standalone restaurant model unsustainable. As part of a £250 million restructuring, Whitbread plans to focus on Premier Inn, convert some restaurant sites into hotel kitchens and add around 600 rooms. Approximately 3,800 jobs in the UK and Ireland are at risk, although the company says it will seek alternative roles for affected staff. Former customers have expressed sadness and nostalgia, while some said the restaurants had declined in quality and condition in recent years.

Binman Ashley, known on TikTok as @theno1.binman, listed five resident behaviours that make waste collection harder: overfilled bins, bins put out late, cars parked opposite each other, drivers beeping while crews work, and split bags of extra rubbish. His humorous post attracted widespread engagement, including comments from other bin workers and residents criticizing some binmen’s own practices.

A mother known online as Ells shared photographs showing that her son’s toy, purchased on Vinted, arrived inside a box originally used for sertraline medication. The post attracted more than 1.2 million views and amused social-media users, while Ells confirmed that the incident was genuine and noted that the pharmacy label had been removed. The story also highlights Vinted’s rapid growth in the UK, where it has about 17 million active users.

UK authorities and Trading Standards have warned that counterfeit squishy dumpling toys may contain dangerous levels of benzene and other toxic chemicals. The toys can rupture, leak gel, pose choking risks and cause irritation, while microwaving them can make the gel superheat and explode, leading to severe burns. Parent and Instagram creator Karlie Scott urged other parents to check for chemical odours, missing safety markings and absent age guidance, and said she disposed of her children’s toys after finding strong petrol-like smells.

Shopper Megan Kilgour criticized New Look after seeing strapless, lacy dresses, bandeau tops and crop tops in its children's range, arguing that the clothing makes children's fashion appear too adult. Her Instagram post attracted thousands of likes and divided commenters, with some parents agreeing and others saying the items were not particularly revealing for children aged nine and over. New Look was contacted for comment.

Marks & Spencer’s limited-edition Chocolate, Strawberry & Pistachio Creme Sandwich, inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate trend, costs £3.50 and combines chocolate brioche, dark chocolate sauce, pistachio mascarpone crème and strawberries. Food influencer Carmie Sellitto rated it 5/10, calling it “very dry” and saying the chocolate overwhelmed the pistachio, although other reviewers praised its balanced flavours and moderate sweetness.

A new orange-flavour version of Jammie Dodgers has been spotted in B&M stores, prompting enthusiastic reactions from shoppers on social media. The article reviews the biscuit’s history, including its production in Wales, previous flavours, vegan recipe, and appearances in popular culture and a care package sent to the International Space Station.

Tom Jones’s famous 1966 rendition of “Green, Green Grass of Home” is widely associated with Wales, but the song was written by Nashville songwriter Claude “Curly” Putman Jr. and is not about Wales. The lyrics portray a prisoner dreaming of returning home before revealing that he is awaiting execution. Originally recorded by Johnny Darrell and subsequently performed by several country artists, the song became a number-one hit for Jones and remains beloved by fans.

Marks & Spencer’s summer dress range has attracted attention after influencer Katie, known as @curatdbykatie.edit, showcased several dresses on Instagram. The £36–£50 collection includes gingham, polka-dot, linen and textured styles, with followers praising the designs and how they look when worn. The coverage is commercially linked through affiliate sales.

Ashleigh Butler, who won Britain's Got Talent in 2012 with her dog Pudsey, has built a career as a professional dog trainer, agility champion, television presenter and business owner since Pudsey died from leukaemia in 2017. She won the Medium Singles Agility final at Crufts 2026 with Nacho, continues to work with dogs including Sully, runs AB Dog Training and presents for The Kennel Club. Butler is also in a long-term relationship with Byron Witchell, with whom she bought a home in April 2026, and works with pet brands including YuMOVE, Natural Instinct and SwagK9.

Samantha Bartlett reviews Quorn’s new vegetarian Protein Bites, available in Sweet Chilli, Roasted and Cocktail Sausage varieties. Each pack contains around 15g of protein and 100 calories, with low saturated fat. She praises their convincing meat-like texture, flavour, convenience and suitability for reducing meat consumption, noting that packs cost about £1.30–£1.40 and are sold in major UK supermarkets.

ITV is launching Nobody's Fool, a five-part strategic reality quiz show hosted by Danny Dyer and Emily Atack. Ten contestants will live in a high-tech Smart House, privately receive quiz results, manipulate perceptions of their intelligence and vote out players while competing for a prize pot of up to £100,000. ITV viewers have reacted enthusiastically to the presenters' reunion, while confirmed contestants include Melissa Todd and Billy Bowness. The programme premieres on ITV on 23 May at 9pm.

Tonic Health founder Sunna van Kampen warns that M&S baked in-store cookies can contain up to 29g of sugar each, nearly an entire recommended daily intake. He recommends M&S Shortbread Chocolate Button Cookies as an alternative with roughly 50% less sugar. The video attracted thousands of likes but also prompted criticism from viewers who said the message created unnecessary fear around occasional treats. M&S has been approached for comment, amid the retailer's expansion of its cookie and dessert range.

The I'm a Celebrity... South Africa final is set to feature Adam Thomas, Sir Mo Farah, Harry Redknapp and Craig Charles, with viewers voting live to choose the Jungle Legend. Adam is reported to be the strongest fan favourite, while Mo also has substantial support. Other viewers criticised the final lineup, arguing that eliminated contestants including Scarlett Moffatt, Gemma Collins, Beverley Callard or Seann Walsh should have reached the final instead. The two-part finale will air live on ITV1 from London.

Porth Iago Campsite on the Llŷn Peninsula has been praised by van-life creators Alex and Jo of LifeInLenny as one of the UK's best campsites, particularly for its sea views and access to a secluded cove. The family-run, back-to-basics site offers toilets, showers, waste facilities, a snack bar and several pitch types, with 2026 pitches starting at £20 per night. Although often described as having a private beach, Porth Iago beach is publicly owned and can be reached through the campsite's private land or via the Wales Coast Path.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have jokingly identified several people unlikely ever to appear on I'm a Celebrity, including Ryan Gosling and Prince William. They have also called for a break from politicians after appearances by Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage. The article discusses the hosts' reported tension with Kelly Brook and their repeated teasing of Piers Morgan, who says no amount of money would persuade him to enter the jungle.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have identified several challenging or disappointing I'm a Celebrity contestants, including Katie Hopkins, Matt Hancock, Dean McCullough and Kelly Brook. They criticized Hopkins for being forgettable, struggled to remain impartial toward Hancock because of his pandemic-era political record, and became frustrated when McCullough repeatedly quit trials before later praising his improvement. The presenters also called the 2022 cast the show's worst-ever group at challenges, despite initially welcoming the lineup.

Amazon Prime Video is releasing all eight episodes of Scarpetta on March 11. Based on Patricia Cornwell’s novels, the crime thriller stars Nicole Kidman as forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana DeBose and Simon Baker. The series follows Scarpetta as she investigates a present-day murder connected to a case from 28 years earlier, using a split timeline to explore her early career and personal relationships. Kidman pursued the role for almost two decades, while Cornwell waited 37 years to see the character adapted for television.

Rising UK petrol prices, linked to escalating Middle East tensions, are prompting motorists to seek ways to reduce fuel consumption. Keith Hawes of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts recommends smooth driving, avoiding peak traffic, keeping windows closed at motorway speeds, checking tyre pressures, removing unnecessary weight and using start-stop technology to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

UK drivers are advised to replace worn tyres sooner rather than later because tensions between Iran and the United States could disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raise oil and petrochemical costs, and increase tyre prices. Historical data cited by AI SEO links the 2022 oil shock to an approximately 11% rise in UK tyre prices, while its current forecast suggests prices could rise by 8% to 12% if oil, insurance and shipping costs remain elevated. Motorists are reminded to check for worn tread, cracks and bulges, with the legal minimum tread depth set at 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of a tyre.

Bara Café, a Welsh-inspired bakery and sandwich shop opened in Peckham on February 12, 2026, by Cecily Dalladay and Zoë Heimann. Its menu uses Welsh ingredients including Caerphilly cheese, Pembrokeshire seafood, Welsh beef and lamb, laverbread and Coaltown Coffee. Food reviewers Gerry and Paul praised the moist Bara Brith and well-textured miso brown butter cookie, wholeheartedly recommending the bakery despite visiting during its half-price soft launch. The café also plans an entry-to-work programme for marginalised groups and redistributes unsold food to local food banks and community fridges.

Households are advised to arrange annual boiler servicing and investigate seven warning signs: unexplained energy-cost increases, an unstable pilot light, leaks, condensation, unexpected shutdowns, blockages, and unusual smells or noises. Problems can reduce heating efficiency, increase bills, damage property, or signal serious risks such as carbon monoxide exposure. Regular servicing may also be required by home-insurance policies and is a legal obligation for landlords, while homeowners are urged to use qualified engineers and check their emergency insurance cover.

Aberglaslyn Pass near Beddgelert in Eryri (Snowdonia), Gwynedd, is highlighted as a particularly beautiful Welsh walk, with an ancient woodland, steep slate cliffs and the fast-flowing River Glaslyn. A travel video by Tom and Leanne of @adventure.amore attracted more than 2,000 likes. The main route is about 1 mile each way and easy to moderate, while longer circular options connect with Beddgelert Forest, Nantmor and the Welsh Highland Railway. Visitors are advised to arrive early because parking fills quickly, wear sturdy footwear, and take care around slippery, narrow and inaccessible sections.

Luke Thompson, the Southampton-born actor who plays Benedict Bridgerton, is set to lead Bridgerton Season 4, which adapts Julia Quinn’s An Offer from a Gentleman and follows Benedict’s romance with Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha. The article reviews Thompson’s training at the University of Bristol and RADA, his acclaimed theatre career, and screen roles in Transatlantic, In the Club and Dunkirk. It also notes his French upbringing, Indian heritage, preference for privacy and unconfirmed reports linking him to fellow Bridgerton actor Harriet Cains.