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EastEnders’ Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton on ‘terrifying’ live episode – and if it’s 4th time lucky for Billy & Honey
EASTENDERS stars Penny Fenwick and Emma Barton have revealed their thoughts on the terrifying live episode – and if it’s fourth time lucky for Billy and Honey.
When you talk about the legends that have walked the streets of Walford over the last 40 years, the likes of Barbara Windsor, June Brown and Adam Woodyatt may be among the first names on your list.
But an honourable mention to go to Perry Fenwick, who has played Billy Mitchell for 27 years, and Emma Barton, who we’ve all known as Honey for two decades.
And the pair are overjoyed not only to be The Sun’s TV Mag’s cover stars, but that their characters’ wedding day takes centre stage for a special week of drama.
Which culminates in a live episode on Thursday and the promise that not everyone will survive when The Queen Vic explodes.
“I was reading through the scripts for Christmas and it said: ‘Honey says: ‘We’ve got an announcement to make: we’re getting married. Save the date – 19th February.’
And I thought: ‘That rings a bell, that date,’” laughs Perry, 62.
“I phoned Emma and went: ‘You know when that is, don’t you? Our wedding is going to be the live episode!’ Then it was a bit terrifying.”
While Thursday’s episode brings Emma’s first-ever live EastEnders scenes, Perry carried the Olympic torch during the 2012 live episode – but he’s still nervous.
“It terrifies me,” he reveals. “Emma’s gone off and done theatre and Strictly Come Dancing, but I’ve been here 27 years, and I stopped doing theatre when I started this.
“That’s a long time to not do something live. I’ll definitely have a drink waiting in my dressing room afterwards.”
“We were both over the moon, though,” grins Emma, 47.
“And also we’re excited because we’ve wanted this, renewing our vows, getting married again, because we were so thrilled to be back together.
“Honey and Billy have to be together. It’s a must, it’s a given, and it’s just so, so nice.”
While Honey and Billy are often not centre stage in the big storylines (“They get caught in the crossfire of a lot of things, but it’s never their own doing,” says Perry), they have been very much part of the fabric of the show for over two decades.
“I said to Steve McFadden [Phil Mitchell] that we do need to get some older characters in, because there’s an audience who watch for that,” admits Perry.
When I walked through the doors and I saw them all, the enduring memory I have is that it felt like I had walked into an episode of Spitting Image.
Perry Fenwick
“And he went: ‘We are the old characters!’”
“I used to have a photo album with press clippings that I used to collect, and in a highlighter I used to put: ‘I love Ian Beale, I love Wicksy’ and I wanted to be Sharon – I was obsessed,” reveals Emma.
“And then, you know, you’re working on it. My first day was walking into the pub, and I went straight up to Phil and asked for an orange juice.
“And in that pub you had Peggy and Pauline, Pat and Dot, all these iconic actors that you’re just in awe of.
“I can still remember it like it was yesterday. It was amazing.”
“My first ever scene was in The Vic as well,” says Perry. “I had to come through the double doors and my first line was to Grant.
“I said: ‘Any chance of a decent pint in here or what?’ When I walked through the doors and I saw them all, the enduring memory I have is that it felt like I had walked into an episode of Spitting Image.
MEETING SHOW ICONS
“Because all those characters were like caricatures to me.
“From having watched the show, their mouths were opening and they were speaking to me… It’s a surreal feeling. We always feel for new people when they join.”
“To meet Wendy Richard [Pauline Fowler] and Barbara Windsor [Peggy Mitchell], I was so excited,” adds Emma.
“And you know what? They were so adorable to me, you could ask them anything, old stories, and they loved it; you could have a really good old gossip.”
As well as learning their craft from the legends, Perry and Emma also had a sharp lesson about hierarchy when they joined.
“We used to have two green rooms, and Wendy always had a specific seat,” explains Emma.
“When I first joined the show, I was once sitting next to lovely Laila Morse [Big Mo] chatting away, and Wendy gets back from holiday.
It's a 10 from Em
In 2019, Emma competed in the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, paired with professional Anton du Beke, reaching the grand final
Emma reached the final of Strictly with her pro partner Anton Du Beke – and she wants Perry to be the next EastEnder on the show.
“I’m trying to get him to do it, but he won’t,” she reveals. “Please let me tell them that you want to do it…”
“I’ve got a bad knee,” replies Perry with a grin. “When you go and see your mate up there, seeing a studio audience there, knowing that it’s going out live.
“I sat there and thought: ‘Whoa, I’m not worthy.’ I felt incredibly proud of Emma.”
She enters and just stands in the doorway, points at Mo, and goes: ‘Who’s that?’ And Mo goes: ‘She’s alright Wend, she’s one of us.’
“And I was absolutely fine. I literally was one of Wendy’s besties after that.”
“Someone would come into the green room and I’d let them sit in Wendy’s chair and be like: ‘Yeah, put your feet up,’ knowing that she would walk in at any moment and it would be: ‘Out you go!’” laughs Perry.
“But you know, you earned your spurs.”
there’s a little bit of carte blanche with Honey and Billy. We do work very hard to make our relationship in the show believable
Perry Fenwick
In its 40 years, characters such as Billy and Honey have always provided a bit of light relief in the drama, though Perry and Emma say they feel proud that their roles aren’t always out-and-out comedy.
“We’re quite lucky, because a lot of characters are seen one way, and they will not be written another way,” muses Perry.
“But there’s a little bit of carte blanche with Honey and Billy. We do work very hard to make our relationship in the show believable.
“And sometimes we play the funny stuff, which we both love, and then other times it’s heartbreaking.
“In one of our four weddings, I ended up being locked in a warehouse in Watford.
“I only had my West Ham boxer shorts on and had to make my way back to Walford.
“I was chased by a dog, done by the police for flashing, got locked in the bathroom… It was just pure comedy.
BEING TOTALLY IN SYNC
“We laugh a lot. There’s two types of scenes we do, we love playing comedy, and we’ve both got the same comic timing, we know how to ring that. She’ll make me laugh…”
“But you’ll make me cry,” interjects Emma.
“If we’ve got a serious scene, if one of us goes, we can make the other go. We’re absolutely in tune.”
And that also goes for their aligned work ethic.
“If we’ve got a big story, we treat it like our little film for a month or two, and everything goes out the door,” says Perry.
“This is what’s important, tell everybody. There’s no going out.”
“And we get excited, don’t we?” Emma asks. “What’s our saying when we feel we’ve done well?”
“Nailed it!” they both say in unison.
40TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE
Whether Emma and Perry get the happy ever after they have always wanted for Honey and Billy depends entirely on who gets caught up in the immense blast in Albert Square this week.
They, of course, are sworn to secrecy on the details, but say we’re in for a treat.
“You will be thrilled,” teases Perry. “When they go for it on the show.
“You don’t even realise that you’re being reeled in, and that something happens over there, which leads to something , which means will never be the same again.
“It’s like Agatha Christie or Charles Dickens!”
For more interviews make sure and grab your copy of The Sun’s TV Magazine free with your weekend newspaper.
EastEnders airs Mon, Tues, Weds & live on Thurs 7.30pm BBC1
7 easy and cheap home improvements that could add £75,000 to your home
HOMEOWNERS can boost the value of their home by thousands of pounds with a few easy steps that cost less than a tenner.
Many of us think of property improvements as big jobs that are disruptive and come with big price tags.
But there are also plenty of small tweaks to your property that can have a huge impact on the value and cost barely anything at all.
Many of these tricks don’t require any special skills and just a little effort from you.
Estate agent Robin Edwards from firm Curetons (curetons.co.uk) spoke to The Sun about the simple changes you can make to drive up the value of your property.
This is especially important if you are thinking about selling your home so you can get the maximum sale price possible.
But even if you are not in the market, tidying up your home and making it more presentable for spring doesn’t require a big outlay.
Here are seven moves, all costing less than £10 to carry out, which can add thousands of pounds to the value of your home…
Reseal wooden window frames – £3,000
It’s important to improve the curb appeal of your home and that includes tidying up window frames.
Replacing entire frames is a big and expensive job, instead you can buy some wood filler and fill in gaps.
A port of Ronseal filler is £6.99 from Screwfix and will help replace any rotten wood and make them look far more visually appealing.
You can do the same with doors or door frames if they need attention.
Robin estimates this move could add around 1% to a property’s value.
The average home costs just shy of £300,000, according to Halifax, which would work out as a £3,000 increase in the overall cost.
Repaint your house – £15,000
Refreshing the walls of your home has a dramatic impact on the value.
It’s one of the cheapest and easiest things you can do to upgrade the visual appeal of your home.
You don’t need to spend mega bucks on expensive paint, The Range is currently selling a 2.5litre pot of matte of emulsion paint for £4.79.
Even just wiping down walls and getting rid of any unsightly marks can help and that costs nothing at all.
Robin estimates that you can’t add 5% to the value of your home with a lick of paint.
This would work out as boosting the average property worth by £15,000.
Declutter – £6,000
A clear and calm home is far more visually appealing to prospective buyers than one that is filled to the brim with piles of belongings.
Robin says: “Buyers want to see a house and if you cant see it because of clutter, it will knock the value.”
It costs nothing at all to have a clear out and you can even make money if you flog unwanted items at a car boot sale or on secondhand selling sites.
Make sure kitchen sides are clear, putting items in draws or cupboards.
A couple of storage containers come in at around £5 from Ikea and are great for storing items in the loft, shed or garage.
Robin says cleaning up clutter in a home can add around 2% to the value of a home, which works out as £6,000 on the typical property in the UK.
Tidy up garden – £15,000
The outside of your home is as important as the inside.
Show off what’s on offer by clearing up weeds, leaves and other debris from plants.
Make sure trees and bushes are neat and trimmed. Mow the lawn and tidy away clutter into a shed.
Don’t forget about the front either, which is the first impression a potential buyer gets.
Robin recommends adding some cheap plants to help bolster curb appeal.
You could try hanging baskets, or a couple of small trees either side of the front door, as well as window planters.
Aldi and Lidl both offer good value plants.
Having a clear and tidy outdoor area can add around 5% to the value of your home working out as £15,000.
Repaint kitchen – £15,000
As with the walls, repainting a kitchen can have a dramatic impact.
Robin says simply painting cupboards and doors can make a tired kitchen look new and up to date.
This trick works particularly well if your kitchen looks quite dated. You could also go a step further and using tile stickers to cover up unattractive or outdated patterns.
A 24-pack of tile stickers is £7.99 from The Range.
Sand floorboards – £15,000
If you have wooden floor boards hidden away under ugly carpet, it could be well worth spending a day or two pulling them up and sanding them down.
Pulling up carperts will require a bit of graft and you will need to rent or borrow a sanding machine to get the floors underneath in top shape.
You can rent these kind of machines from a DIY shop for around £30-£40 a day.
There are plenty of YouTube videos that will give you step by step instructions on how to get the floors in top condition.
The work usually pays off and could add up to 5% to the value of a home, according to Robin.
He adds: “People love original features in a home – wooden floors will always add value.”
On the typical home, this would mean a whopping £15,000 extra
Regrout bathroom tiles – £6,000
You can pick up a grout pen for as little as £1.25 from The Range.
And brightening up these edges between tiling in a bathroom has the effect of making everything look much cleaner, says Robin.
Overall, you could expect this simple move to add between 1-2% on to the value of a home, working out as up to £6,000 on the average property.
Replacing or cleaning up any discoloured or mouldy sealant can have a similar impact.
Try a mould remover or you can also soak cotton wool in bleach and leave it on black sealant over night.
If it is very badly marked, it may be easier to replace. A silicone sealant pen costs £8 from Dunelm and takes minutes to apply.
How to find gardening bargains
Doing up your garden to enjoy on warm and sunny days needn't cost the earth.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a top deal on items for the garden…
You can bag big savings on plants, shrubs and flowers, as well as gardening tools and furniture.
Many retailers have flash sales across entire seasonal ranges – often these promotions tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout.
Sign up to mailing lists of your favourite brands and you’ll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
Use a price comparison site to search out the best value items.
And keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items for your outdoor areas.
If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart online and leaving it for a couple of days.
Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying.
It’s especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you’ll get a nice kickback.
BT goes down for thousands as customers complain of issues with emails
BT has gone down for thousands with customers experiencing issues accessing their emails.
More than 4,600 customers have logged complaints on the Downdetector website, which measures outages.
The vast majority are experiencing problems with their emails while less than 10% are having broadband connectivity issues.
Problems for customers started at just after 5am this morning, with plenty taking to X since to vent their frustration.
One posted: “BT your email servers are down and there is no response on your chat. What is going on?”
Another commented: “BT is your email system down? I’m not getting any emails at all and getting an error message.”
A third piped up: “BT your internet mail server is down! Cannot get mail.”
A fourth added: “Oh for heaven’s sake! What on EARTH is happening to BT’s email service?”
The Sun has approached BT for comment.
‘Just wouldn’t stop bleeding haha’ – Luke Humphries reveals how he picked up finger injury and darts return date
LUKE HUMPHRIES has revealed when he plans to return to the oche after a small finger injury left him facing an uphill battle on Thursday night’s Premier League night two final.
Humphries failed to secure back-to-back Premier League nightly wins on Thursday after a 6-5 defeat in the final to Luke Littler.
The world number one couldn’t get the better of the 18-year-old world champion after cutting his finger ahead of the match.
Humphries, who had to dab blood off his finger after every visit in the final, took to social media to explain what happened, and revealed that he will be straight back to the action in Dublin next week.
He wrote: “[A] difficult night all round, and I just fell short in the end. An unexpected finger injury didn’t help either.
“Fair play to Luke Littler and I’ll be back next week to do it all again in Dublin.”
Probed on what caused his finger injury, Humphries revealed: “Pulled my darts out the practice board and cut it on the wires. Then it just wound’t stop bleeding.”
Humphries didn’t just have an injury to contend with either.
He and Littler both faced shocking fan behaviour inside the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow throughout their match.
Both players were visibly frustrated as sections of the crowd were continuously whistling during their visits to the oche.
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The terrible crowd interaction prompted referee Kirk Bevins to angrily tell the crowd to stop whistling.
While the PDC condemned the crowd’s actions in a statement.
It read: “The PDC wishes to strongly reiterate that it does not condone any behaviour which can disrupt an event, such as whistling or booing when players are throwing.
“Every player goes on stage with the intention of performing to the best of their ability and providing an entertaining spectacle for all fans, whether in the venue or watching worldwide.
“As per the terms and conditions of entry to events, spectators who act inappropriately can be removed from the venue.
“The PDC works closely with Premier League venues, who have responsibility for crowd control, to take proactive and decisive action against those who behave inappropriately.
“The vast majority of fans who attend our sell-out events on a regular basis also condemn this behaviour.
“And we will continue to promote a positive atmosphere which gives all players the opportunity to play to the best of their ability in every match.”
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 – Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr EXACT ring-walk time: What time will the fight start in the UK?
HOME FAVOURITE Jack Catterall in a Manchester boxing ring with a shot at the WBO super lightweight title on the line.
Chorley-born Catterall, 31, finds himself in a title eliminator as he returns to Co-op Live Arena, Manchester – the place of his last fight.
After beating Regis Prograis last October, Catterall, nicknamed ‘El Gato’, closes in on the chance to fight for the world title.
Teofimo Lopez is the current holder of the WBO super-lightweight strap that the 31-year-old fighter is eyeing.
Before the Prograis fight, Catterall exacted revenge on Josh Taylor in their rematch, and promoter Eddie Hearn has stated that he is now targeting Lopez.
But first, attention turns to Arnold Barboza Jr.
27-year-old Barboza Jr is a worthy opponent – eleven of the American’s 30 professional fights have ended in knockouts, and he has won all 30 of them.
Here’s the information on when the two will step out for their bout.
What time will the fight start in the UK?
- Catterall vs Barboza Jr will take place on Saturday, February 15.
- Official start times are yet to be announced but the card is expected to get started at around 7pm UK time.
- The main event between is set to begin at around 10pm UK time.
- The event will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, with PPV available to buy now at £19.99 in the UK.
- Alternatively, you can tune into SunSport’s live blog for updates on the night.
Who else is on the card?
- Jack Catterall vs Arnold Barboza Jr – for vacant WBO Interim super-lightweight title
- Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
- Zelfa Barrett vs Jazza Dickens
- Pat McCormack vs Robbie Davies Jr
- William Crolla vs Ayoub Zakari
- Conner Tudsbury vs Sadaam Moamed Da Silva Caetano
- Aqib Fiaz vs Lydon Chircop
- Alfie Middlemiss vs Caine Singh
The ‘biggest pitfalls’ when trying to lose weight – and the 5 simple fixes, including lie-ins and eating MORE
WE’VE heard it all before.
You want to lose weight, so you need to exercise more, cut out carbs and ditch the sugar, right?
Not necessarily. Weight loss could be so much easier, less hunger-inducing and actually involve more sleep, leading industry experts say.
Here, coaches and nutritionists share their ultimate pound-shedding hacks…
1. A SAVOURY START
Life is full of sweat treat temptations – chocolate bars at checkouts, sugary cereal aisles, and birthday cakes brought into the office.
It can often feel like, despite setting out with the best intentions, the sweet treats find you and you just can’t say ‘no’.
Well the best way to stay on top of your cravings is to start as you mean to go on.
Diet coach Sarah Bockhart, from fitness app RWL, says: “Lots of people make their first mistake with the very first thing they eat in the morning.
“The best way to help you stay on top of your cravings for sweet stuff and set yourself up for a binge-free day, week or month is to make your first meal or snack of the day something savoury.
“Ditch the sweep cereals, jam on toast or granola for a high-protein option like an omelette, avocado or toast or a warming shakshuka.
“This will help to control your urges.
“Research shows those who start with a sweet breakfast (yes, even sugar in that cuppa) are way more likely to find it hard to resist sweet treats throughout the day because they have already had their blood sugar levels ‘spiked’ early on, meaning they spend the day chasing that sugar rush.”
2. MORE MORE MORE
When we think of weight loss, we often prepare ourselves for eating less, cutting things out, and being constantly hungry.
But nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert says we should actually be eating more! Of certain foods anyway.
“A big mistake many people who are looking to weight make is that they cut too many things out of their diet,” she adds.
“You should really make it your mission to add more things in.
“This works wonders for so many reasons.
“Firstly, a wider variety of different fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes helps to improve your gut health.
“This is important for weight because the more good bacteria you have in your gut, the happier and more effective your gut is.
“Good gut bacteria produce hormones that reduce your appetite and prevent cravings.
“It can also lead to a higher metabolism, meaning you’ll burn more calories.
Homemade snacks are way less likely to be ‘over-consumed’ because they don’t include any of the emulsifiers and chemicals that shop-bought versions have that make them so addictive
Rhiannon Lambert
“Secondly, the more we vary our diets in this way, the more interesting it is for us.
“Lots of dieters repeat the same meals over and over and quickly get bored, leading them to reach for their old, high-calorie favourites.
“But by varying your veggies, fruits and grains you are keeping yourself entertained and keeping boredom at bay.”
3. SLEEP LIKE A BABY
You want to lose weight so you should probably start setting an alarm for early in the morning so you can exercise, right?
Well, while exercising is a great way to help you drop a few pounds and get healthy, sometimes sacrificing sleep can have the opposite effect.
Sleep expert and life coach Jeff Spires says: “Exercise is great for weight loss, there is no question about that.
“But where a lot of people go wrong is sacrificing too much sleep in order to fit exercise in.
“Men need at least seven hours of sleep a night to fully recover from the day and perform their best, while women need eight to nine hours.
“If you stay up too late then set an early alarm that cuts your sleep down too much, the likelihood is you are going to become overtired.
“This is problematic for weight loss because tiredness is one of the major factors in us losing willpower when it comes to our diets.
“We are way more likely to reach for sugary foods or highly-processed carbs when we are tired because our body is craving energy.”
He adds: “It’s much harder to stick to healthy portions and good quality food if we are tired.
“So think twice before staying up late, and if you need to set an early alarm for exercise, bring that bedtime earlier!”
4. FILL YOUR PLATE
Ever thought about weight loss and pictured a plate with more food on it than you were eating before?
No, us neither. But experts believe that bigger portions at meal times could be key for successful, sustainable weight loss.
Sarah says: “It’s the thing I hear more than anything else – ‘I’m still so hungry after lunch or dinner that I end up snacking’.
“This is the major downfall of so many dieters.
“They cut down their portion sizes at mealtimes which just means they are so hungry they can’t help but reach for highly-calorific snacks to fill themselves up.
“To combat this, I tell my clients to go bigger with dinners and lunches.”
What a balanced plate looks like
How can you make sure you are eating a balanced, filling and nutritious plate at every meal?
Think of your plate divided into different food groups – protein, carbs, fat and fruit and veg.
Protein: David Wiener, training and nutrition specialist at AI-based lifestyle and coaching app Freeletics, told The Sun: “Aim for one to two palm-size portions of lean protein in each meal.”
Protein includes meat (chicken, turkey, pork, beef), beans, peas, lentils and fish.
The NHS Eatwell Guide says to choose lean cuts of meat and mince, and eat less red and processed meat like bacon, ham and sausages.
Aim for at least two portions (two x 140g) of fish every week, one of which should be oily, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel.
Carbs: Carbohydrates should make up about a third of your plate, or a fist-sized portion.
The Eatwell Guide says: “Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties, such as wholewheat pasta and brown rice, or simply leave the skins on potatoes.
“There are also higher fibre versions of white bread and pasta.
“Starchy foods are a good source of energy and the main source of a range of nutrients in our diet.”
Fat: Generally the advice is to think of fat like a thumb-sized amount on your plate.
The Eatwell Guide says: “Remember all types of fat are high in energy and should be eaten in small amounts.
“These foods include chocolate, cakes, biscuits, sugary soft drinks, butter, ghee and ice cream.
“They’re not needed in our diet, so should be eaten less often and in smaller amounts.”
But a small amount is still essential for the diet. Try and eat more unsaturated fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil), which are healthier than saturated fats (butter, hard cheese, sour cream).
Fruit and veg: David says: “Make sure you also get lots of colourful fruit and vegetable carbohydrates too.
“Aim for at least five of these portions a day.
“One to two fist-sized portions of fruits and vegetables with every meal is generally recommended.”
Fruit and veg can be fresh, frozen, tinned or dried. You can roast, boil, steam or grill veggies.
She adds: “Fill your plate with protein and veg and make sure you are really full of that healthy dish you have cooked.
“If you are full at mealtimes, your body will be satisfied until the next one.
“You will take the proper break between meals, allowing digestion and your blood sugar to regulate.
“Then you’ll be ready for your next meal without having snacked in between.
“If you are eating good quality protein like chicken, tuna and eggs, and loads of veg, you won’t be getting huge amounts of extra calories, but you would if you end up snacking.”
5. SNACK ATTACK
Snacking is one of the things most dieters say is their “downfall”.
But while cutting out snacks in between meals is ideal, if you really struggle to go without a few nibbles, a major hack can be to make them yourself.
Rhiannon says: “Snacks get a really bad name when it comes to weight loss.
“And while it can be beneficial to avoid them, they really don’t have to be demonised if you are able to hack your snacks.
“It’s simple. Only snack on things that you make yourself.
“So instead of shop-bought items like crisps, pastries, cereal bars and chocolate bars – hack your snacks by making your own.”
The best healthy snacks under 200 calories
By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor
WHEN the mid-morning munchies hit, it can be hard to resist a biscuit or three.
But the calories in these can quickly add up, often sending us way over our recommended daily intake.
However, snacks don’t have to be unhealthy.
In fact, there are plenty of nibbly foods that come in well under 200 calories, while still keeping you full until your next meal.
From frozen grapes to chocolate truffles, the Sun Health team reveal their favourites.
- Oatcakes and cheese (200 calories)
- Peaches and Tajín (54 calories)
- Dates and peanut butter (155 calories)
- Roasted chickpeas (100 calories)
- Breadsticks and hummus (100 calories)
- Cheese and apple (178 calories)
- Popcorn (44 calories)
- Mixed nuts (100 calories)
- Popchips Barbeque (74 calories)
- Frozen grapes (100 calories)
- Yoghurt bars (140 calories)
- Brownie bites (106 calories)
- Trail mix (140 calories)
- Kefir (148 calories)
- Banana (95 calories)
- Cup of tea and a biscuit (96 calories)
You can read the full article here.
It can be as simple as chucking three ingredients into a bowl.
“Melting dark chocolate and adding in chopped dates and pistachios makes a lovely homemade chocolate bar,” Rhiannon adds.
“Or pop lots of nuts and seeds and oats in the air fryer for a few minutes, mix with some peanut butter and mould into bars, and you have a great cereal bar.
“The reason this hack is so effective is that homemade snacks are way less likely to be ‘over-consumed’ because they don’t include any of the emulsifiers and chemicals that shop-bought versions have that make them so addictive.
“You are getting more nutrition and less of the addictive, ‘I immediately need another one’ chemicals you get when you buy pre-made.”
Fight the frizz like Kate Middleton with hairstylist’s top rainy day beauty hack
WHEN Kate Middleton steps out for an engagement, her hair is always flawless—rain or shine.
Last week, the Princess of Wales, 43, visited the women’s prison HMP Styal near Wilmslow in Cheshire to meet pregnant inmates and mothers of babies born behind bars.
Despite braving gusty winds and heavy rain, Kate looked effortlessly chic in a tailored, chequered coat that fell to her ankles, paired with heeled boots.
But what truly stole the show was her immaculate hair, which remained perfectly in place despite the challenging weather.
This isn’t the first time Kate’s hair has stood up to the unpredictable Great British weather.
And now, Johan Hellström, CEO of Björn Axén – a brand awarded the Royal Warrant to the Swedish Court in 1984 – has shared his expert tips for achieving weatherproof hair like Kate’s.
“Waterproofing your hairstyle is always a top priority before any event, whether official or private,” Johan explains.
“When working with celebrities or members of the Royal Family, especially in humid conditions, I often opt for sleek and structured hairstyles.
“For a rainy day, styles like a sleek ponytail or an updo are always a safe choice.”
For those who prefer wearing their hair down, Johan stresses the importance of preparation.
It’s key to use the right styling products both at the roots and through the lengths of the hair.
For example, apply volume mousse throughout and use a saltwater spray at the roots before blow-drying or styling.
Once you’re done, don’t shy away from hairspray – apply it generously.
“Many people worry about using too much hairspray, but with a high-quality product, layering lightly instead of applying a heavy coat ensures it’s still easy to brush out later,” he adds.
“To combat frizz, Johan recommends creating a protective barrier on the hair.”
“Use styling creams, like the leave-in products from our Anti-Frizz range, to shield the hair.
Added protection
“And if you’re going to be active, dry shampoo is a must – apply it before exercising to absorb moisture and keep your hair looking fresh for longer.”
For added protection, Johan also suggests incorporating accessories.
He says: “A stylish hat or silk scarf is always a great option. Not only does a scarf prevent frizz, but it also helps maintain a smooth finish, keeping your look photo-ready.”
For those seeking simplicity, Johan advises opting for hairstyles that are easy to maintain, starting with a glossy, low bun.
“This style works for any occasion, especially if you’re wearing a hat or headpiece,” he says.
“You can style it with or without a parting, low or higher up – it’s a classic choice we often see on the runway.”
Another go-to look is a sleek ponytail with a centre parting for a polished yet bold aesthetic.
“This style holds up well in humid weather while still looking incredibly elegant,” Johan shares.
For a more modern twist, Johan suggests embracing the wet look, which is both trendy and practical.
“A wet look not only shields against moisture but also camouflages raindrops,” he explains.
“A versatile gel product, like our Salt Water Gel, is perfect for achieving this style.”
Kate Middleton's 'Youthful' Eyebrow Trick
AMY Bates, make-up artist and founder of thebeautyrebellion.co.uk shares how Kate Middleton's beauty tricks...
Many people experience eyebrow thinning as they get older – but Kate’s have done the opposite.
The Princess opts for a fuller look, which gives her a more youthful appearance.
Amy Bates, hair stylist, make-up artist and founder of thebeautyrebellion.co.uk, says: “If you have lines and wrinkles under the eye, the right brows can draw attention away from that area and make it less noticeable.
“In her younger years, Kate’s brows were thin and heavily plucked but now they are growing back thicker.
“I imagine a specialist has helped her using a technique such as HD Brows, where the natural brows are tinted and shaped.”
And she also appears to have ditched harsher eyeliner too.
Amy says: “Kate is still wearing eyeliner but it is much softer and not too dark. She now prefers smoky brown and bronze hues, which are more flattering.
“Thick lines can make people look older and Kate understands this.”
Turkish toyboy broke my heart and left me in £18,000 debt at 42… if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone
SIPPING a cocktail in a lively bar on her hols in Turkey, Lisa Dudley locks eyes with the handsome barman who makes a beeline for her.
He sits down next to her and holds up the drinks menu — not to take her order, but to hide their faces as they kiss.
After being single for ten years, Lisa had found the spark she’d been searching for, and it was like they’d known each other for ever.
But this clinch in Icmeler, Marmaris, was not the start of a fairytale. It was the beginning of a nightmare that would destroy her trust in men, trigger terrifying anxiety and leave her buried under a mountain of debt.
Lisa is a victim of holiday romance fraud, a crime that has risen by nearly 60 per cent since 2020.
In the past year, more than £70million has been taken from victims, with data from Lloyds Bank revealing those aged 65 to 74 lose the most money.
‘Just my type’
Lisa’s story shines a light on the dangers of holiday romances. Her ordeal began when she travelled to Turkey in June last year to celebrate her cousin’s 60th birthday.
On a night out, soon after they had arrived in the country, a young barman came to take their orders . . . and Lisa drank him in.
The personal assistant, who had failed to find love on dating apps such as Bumble and Hinge, says: “He was gorgeous and just my type, so I was excited when he started chatting me up.
“We even shared a secret kiss.”
The barman introduced himself as Sam, aged 34, and at the end of the night he and Lisa swapped numbers.
The following day, she went back to see Sam and the pair headed to Sam’s flat, which he rented by the night.
Lisa says: “The sex was great, making emotional connection even stronger. It does sound crazy but it felt like love at first sight.”
A few days later, Sam messaged saying he could not afford his rent.
He asked Lisa for £3,000 so he could get a place big enough for the two of them, so she could stay whenever she visited.
She says: “I trusted him to pay me back, so I transferred £3,000 of my savings. I was slightly nervous. I’d read about romance scams before but it wasn’t like there was a big age gap between us or that he was out of my league. I was convinced what we had was real.”
Two days later, Lisa’s ten-day trip came to an end.
She says: “Sam kissed me goodbye and told me he loved me. I was surprised he’d said it so soon, but on the plane home, I couldn’t stop crying. This was no holiday fling. I’d fallen for him.”
Back in the UK, Lisa and Sam stayed in touch via WhatsApp.
She says: “We spoke every day and after a few days of being back I told him I loved him too.”
Even when Mum said, ‘He’s conning you’,
Lisa Dudley
I refused to believe it.
In July, three weeks after her first visit, Lisa went back to Turkey with her cousin and was reunited with Sam.
She says: “I went to see him at the bar and he kissed me on both cheeks. But over the coming days he was standoffish and preoccupied on his phone.
“I was disappointed and really confused. I wondered what I had done and what had changed.”
While Lisa stayed in an apartment with her cousin, Sam showed her the flat he was supposedly set to buy.
“I was shocked at how awful it was,” she says. “But I trusted him and during the trip we did sleep together again.”
Five days later, Sam had a request. Lisa says: “He told me he’d always wanted his own bar and had found one we could run together, as a partnership.
“I’d worked in a bar in Tenerife and loved it, so owning one with Sam would be a dream come true.
“He said it would cost £15,000 and asked if I had the money. I didn’t, but said I could try to get a loan. He offered to show me the bar but we never got round to it, something I now regret.”
Back in the UK, Lisa struggled to secure the money. She says: “I managed to get a Nationwide loan, but the branch advisers quizzed me over where the money was going.
“I panicked and lied because I didn’t want them to refuse to make the payment.
“Sam had been pressuring me to get it done ASAP. I told them it was for me and a friend to buy a house in Turkey.
“But they refused to transfer the money to the account Sam had given me. Looking back, I wish I’d just told them the truth.”
It felt like love at first sight. I was convinced what we had was real.
Lisa Dudley
Eventually Lisa secured a £5,000 Tesco loan to cover the money she had already given Sam, and a Santander loan for £15,000 for the bar.
She then opened a Monzo account to transfer the money.
She says: “The account details were in the name of the man who owned the bar, but this only made it more real. If the money was going straight to Sam, I’d have been more wary.”
Meanwhile, Lisa and Sam spoke every day. “He was still telling me he loved me, but was messaging less, blaming it on not having wifi,” says Lisa, who had planned another trip to Turkey in October.
LISA'S TIPS TO SPOT A RED FLAG
Be wary of someone trying to establish a bond very quickly: Sam asked for my number on day one. At the time, it felt flattering but in hindsight it was a red flag. People who rush to get close to you often have an agenda.
Lots of affection, too soon: It started with sweet words and nicknames – “baby”, “love”, “sexy”. Too much affection, too fast, is often a tactic used by those people with ulterior motives.
The money problems story: Once they feel they’ve gained your trust, the stories start. Sam shared his financial struggles, but now I see how he was preying on my empathy.
You are always the one paying: I was so eager to feel loved that I paid for our food, drinks and to stay in a hotel room. I only realised afterwards that Sam never bought me a single drink.
Asking for financial help too soon: The biggest warning sign of all. He asked for money – and I gave it. But a healthy relationship does not start with financial dependency. If they ask for money early on, it is a massive red flag.
A couple of weeks later, Lisa’s parents saw her bank statements.
She says: “My mum told me, ‘We know what you’ve done’. She wasn’t angry, just upset for me.
“She and my dad had also found British women warning others about Sam on social media.
“My stomach momentarily dropped, but my feeling that Sam was being honest was stronger.
“Even when Mum said, ‘He’s conning you’, I refused to believe it.
“As far as I was concerned, Sam loved me and they had it all wrong.”
It was only in September, when her friends and parents showed Lisa further posts online about Sam being a serial con artist, that she began to accept the truth.
She says: “I even spoke to one woman Sam had been seeing at the same time as me. It hurt so much.”
Trust destroyed
Lisa confronted him about it on WhatsApp, but he branded the women liars, writing that they just “want to have sex with me every year when they come”.
Then suddenly Lisa could not contact him any more . . . he had changed his phone number.
She says: “He had messed with my mind, broken my heart and walked away with £18,000 of my money. I was crying all the time and could barely eat anything.”
Lisa took advice from family and friends and hired a solicitor in October.
She says: “They are dealing with my fraud recovery claim and I will have to wait up to a year to find out if I’ll receive any compensation from Monzo.”
Lisa lives with her parents in Essex, paying them £650 a month.
She says: “I’m so grateful to my parents, who paid off the loans, avoiding the extra £10,000 I’d have had to pay in interest.
“Before meeting Sam, I’d planned to move out and get my own place, but now I can’t afford to.
“I’ve also been diagnosed with anxiety and depression and have been signed off work.”
When Lisa posted on social media to warn others about Sam, she was branded “naive” and a “fool”. She says: “Yes, I may have been stupid, but my feelings were genuine.”
Lisa says Sam has destroyed her trust in men, and adds: “If I meet someone, I’ll always be questioning them. I’m still grieving for my future with Sam and I still love him. Even knowing what I know, I wonder, did he love me?
“When thinking of a holiday romance scam you might picture young men tricking older or wealthier women to get money or a visa, but this was different.
“You just never think it’s going to happen to you.
“But I’m proof this kind of scam can happen to anyone.”
How to protect yourself from scams
BY keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid getting caught up in a scam:
- Firstly, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it normally is.
- Check brands are “verified” on Facebook and Twitter pages – this means the company will have a blue tick on its profile.
- Look for grammatical and spelling errors; fraudsters are notoriously bad at writing proper English. If you receive a message from a “friend” informing you of a freebie, consider whether it’s written in your friend’s normal style.
- If you’re invited to click on a URL, hover over the link to see the address it will take you to – does it look genuine?
- To be on the really safe side, don’t click on unsolicited links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted contact.
- Be careful when opening email attachments too. Fraudsters are increasingly attaching files, usually PDFs or spreadsheets, which contain dangerous malware.
- If you receive a suspicious message then report it to the company, block the sender and delete it.
- If you think you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use its online fraud reporting tool.
Meet the OnlyFans star raising money for charity as team’s KIT SPONSOR with players including ex-Prem ace and soap star
A FOOTBALL team has become the first ever to be sponsored by an OnlyFans model.
Former healthcare worker Belle Grace, 29, has earned more than £2million since she started it as a side hustle in 2020.
She discovered Supporting Charities FC – an amateur team from Bradford Park Avenue Football Club who were looking for a sponsor.
The charity football club features ex pros and TV actors and they are in a league with other charity-led football clubs around the UK.
The team features players Owen Warner, who starred as Romeo Nightingale in Hollyoaks, and David Stockdale, former Premier League goalkeeper with Fulham.
Mum Belle, from Bradford, Yorkshire, is their official shirt sponsor for this season with a link to her paid-for content featuring on the front of the shirt.
Belle said she did it to help support the team which has already raised more than £200,000 for charities.
Belle said: “I haven’t had to sleep with 1,000 men to make money like Bonnie Blue.
“I’ve done it by simply being myself and, quite literally, just sleeping with my husband.
“Everyone assumes we don’t have real lives or values, but I’m the opposite.
“I’m using my success to give back, it’s about more than just the money – it’s about making a difference.
“There’s so much negativity around OnlyFans, but this is proof that it can be a force for good.
“I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and now I’m using that platform to support causes that matter.”
Club manager Chris Moralee said: “One of the players is friends of Belle Grace and her partner and they mentioned they were interested in sponsoring one of our kits.
“I had no hesitation to welcome her on board – we rely on sponsors to help us get kits, club wear, footballs, and club equipment.
I haven’t had to sleep with 1,000 men to make money like Bonnie Blue.
Belle Grace
“With their kind sponsorship, we are able to get the lads all kitted out in a fantastic new kit.
“Belle’s sponsorship is a massive help in the club’s ability to support so many charities.
“People like Belle get a lot of bad press but she has used her financial gain to support us which obviously supports so many charities!
“Credit where it’s due – she didn’t have to get involved with the club but she has and others will only benefit from her gesture of sponsoring the kit.”
Belle began OnlyFans to earn extra income while working in healthcare as an assistant manager.
But her content went viral, and in a month she earned £50,000.
She does a variety of ad-hoc requests and was once paid almost £300 by a man who simply wanted to watch her wash her hair.
The success allowed her to quit her job and focus on her online career full-time, and she earns around £50,000 a month.
People like Belle get a lot of bad press but she has used her financial gain to support us which obviously supports so many charities!
Chris Moralee
The partnership with Supporting Charities FC came about through a friend of a friend who plays for the team.
Belle said: “I told them upfront that I do OnlyFans and they were absolutely fine with it – we sorted the sponsorship, designed the logo, and had the kit made up.”
She recently visited the team, meeting the players and taking photos in the new kit.
The club organises matches and events, donating proceeds to a good causes including mental health initiatives, community centres, and local families in need.
The club plays at Horsefall Community Stadium in Bradford, a hub for local residents which provides support and services to vulnerable individuals.