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EASTENDERS fans are preparing for a tearful goodbye in the upcoming weeks – with first look photos at Martin Fowler’s funeral.

The beloved fruit-and-veg stall holder, played by James Bye, lost his life in dramatic scenes last week as the series celebrated its 40th anniversary.

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The funeral carriage with a mural saying ‘daddy’ was shown[/caption]

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A photo of Martin sits next to the coffin[/caption]

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The emotional procession comes in honour of the fallen fruit and veg stall holder[/caption]

In new photos, a horse and carriage can be seen leading a funeral procession, with the words “daddy” spelled out in flowers as it makes its way through the Square.

A photo of the fallen character sits framed next to the coffin.

His fruit and veg stall, which he inherited from his brother Mark Fowler, is seen covered up in its usual spot.

Martin died in ex-wife Stacey Slater’s arms in the closing seconds of the final live episode, having been crushed under a falling steel beam in the Queen Vic pub after an explosion.

In heartbreaking scenes he proposed and planned the next 40 years of their lives before the paramedics told Stacey that he would likely not survive his injuries.

Stacey couldn’t bring herself to tell Martin what was happening, but he realised.

He decided to tell her what he’d say at their wedding, telling her: “No pressure but I have loved this woman since the very first moment I saw her. 

“I thought she was the sexiest thing I’ve ever clapped my eyes on. It’s alway been Stace because she feels like home and adventure wrapped into one. 

“I know that this time and we are going to be in here in the Vic celebrating our anniversary in 40 years time.”

Viewers watched as Ruby, who had just rekindled her own romance with Martin after revealing she had a secret son, dropped to her knees in the square as she heard Stacey’s heartbroken crying and screams from outside the pub.

The scenes proved so traumatic for fans that they threatened to call Ofcom over what occurred.

In a sweet video after the episode aired, actor James bid farewell to his fellow castmembers with a suitable East End knees-up.

The group, including Jessie Wallace, Natalie Cassidy and Lacey Turner – could be seen celebrating a job well done as the live 40th anniversary episode came to an end.

James captioned the video: “More to come… so much more to say… but for now – to Martin & all the EastEnders family – we love you.”

In honour of the show’s anniversary, James wrote: “A decade ago, I was welcomed into the EastEnders family at Elstree—and that’s exactly what we are.

“No doubt, it’s a madhouse most days, but it’s also a place filled with people, both on and off screen, who pour their hearts into this show every single day.

“It’s truly special, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it, surrounded by the amazing people who make EastEnders what it is.”

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The star’s famed stall was covered up as funeral plans took hold[/caption]

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Martin died after reconciling with wife Stacey in devastating scenes[/caption]

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Trapped in the Queen Vic, he was unable to be saved[/caption]

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Despite the emergency team’s best efforts, they were too late[/caption]

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The funeral will be shown in upcoming episodes[/caption]

THOUSANDS of people are at risk of losing their homes as a terrifying sinkhole forced a Brazilian city into a state of emergency.

Shocking images from the city of Buriticupu, in the northeast of the Amazon Rainforest, show how the area is being swallowed up by the earth.

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Huge sinkholes are expanding in the Brazilian town of Buriticupu[/caption]

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1,200 people’s homes are at risk in this city in the Amazon[/caption]

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A state of emergency was issued due to the horror holes[/caption]

Several buildings have already been destroyed by the gigantic sinkholes that have already started to form.

Around 1,200 of the 55,000 residents of Buriticupu, in the Maranhão state, are at risk of losing everything as the swallow hole widens.

Terrifying photos from the at-risk city show rows of homes right at the edge of these growing sinkholes.

Several houses have already been abandoned and destroyed by the horror holes.

Authorities in the city were forced to issue an emergency decree earlier this month in the face of the sinkholes growing threat.

It said: “In the space of the last few months, the dimensions have expanded exponentially, approaching substantially closer to the residences.”

These sinkholes are a dramatic escalation of a problem the area has been dealing with for three decades.

Rain has caused the soil to slowly erode, due to its sandy nature.

Poorly planned building work has also affected the ground.

These huge soil erosions are known in Brazil as “voçoroca” which has indigenous origins and means “to tear the earth”.

This huge issue has recently become significantly worse due to heavy rainfall.

Antonia dos Anjos, who has lived in Buriticupu for 22 years, shared his fears for the future.

This local believed that more sinkholes could appear in the Amazon city.

He said: “There’s this danger right in front of us, and nobody knows where this hole has been opening up underneath.”

The secretary of public works in Buriticupu, Lucas Conceiçao, said the municipality did not have enough money to find a solution to these terrifying holes.

He said: “These problems range from the erosion processes to the removal of people who are in the risk area.”

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1,200 people’s homes are at risk[/caption]

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The issue has recently become significantly worse due to heavy rainfall[/caption]

IF you love the idea of a boozy train ride through the countryside then you are in luck.

The Spa Valley train is drinks experience on a heritage steam train that takes you through Kent’s countryside all while enjoying a bottle of wine and beautiful scenery.

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Catch the heritage Spa Valley Train at Tunbridge Wells West[/caption]

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Carrying on their two-decade-long tradition, the Spa Valley Railway is about to release its dates for the 2025 wine journey.

Anyone keen to have a ride on the hour long wine train journey will need to catch the Spa Valley Train at Tunbridge Wells West.

Onboard the heritage train you’ll be served a bottle of wine between two people.

There are five different wines to choose from, the first, the Bishop Odo Bacchus 2023 a white wine from the local Wildwood Vineyard in Eridge.

Also from Eridge is the red wine called the Thieving Badger Regent 2022 with aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry and various spices

The Saxonbury Rose 2023 from Eridge is the rosé made of 100% Pinot Noir grapes.

From the Birchden Vineyard in Groombridge, there’s The Gregarious Goose 2023 which has notes of lemon, apple and elderflower.

Or, The Foxy Vixen, a rosé option with flavours of raspberry, red apple and white peach.

The train will take you through the High Weald landscape where you can catch a glimpse of these vineyards out the window.

To enhance your wine tasting experience there will also be selection of canapés, cheese and biscuits as well as a wine glass to take home.

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The journey stars at Tunbridge Wells and ventures to Eridge where you have the option to look at some vineyards with certain tickets[/caption]

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If you’re still thirsty, or want to try the other wines, you can buy more drinks onboard.

Tickets for the wine train are £42 per person.

For anyone who can’t get enough of the wine, you can always book yourself a wine tour of the two vineyards.

Teamed with the Spa Valley Railway Tour, there are select dates where you can hop off to explore the Wildwood Vineyard which is within walking distance from Eridge station.

After the tour, hop back on the train to return to Tunbridge Wells.

You can also book on a different day, they offer tours and tastings on most weekends from May to September with 22 guests per sitting.

Both of these options will cost £15.

Birchden Vineyards also offer a wine tasting stop on the Spa Valley Railway.

You have to stop at Groombridge and take a 30 minute walk through the countryside to the vineyard where they’ll take you through the grounds and explain more about their wine making process.

Throughout the 90-minute tour you’ll also get to enjoy three glasses of wine – the ticket costs £30.

Spa Valley Train offer other experiences too, like a Murder Mystery Afternoon Tea to The Kent Cheese Train.

There’s also ale and whisky tastings, fish and chip lunches and a Faulty Towers-themed dining experience.

The Sun Travel took a tour of the ‘golden triangle’ of vineyards in Kent.

And this winery calls itself the ‘best in the UK’, which is close to London.

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Spa Valley Railway

You’ll get stunning views of the Kent countryside during the tour[/caption]

KATIE Price has teased a huge new TV project during a glam night out with boyfriend JJ Slater.

The former glamour model gushed about Celebrity Big Brother returning to screens – before admitting the “best” show to be a part of was I’m A Celeb in a candid chat at The Gossies.

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Katie Price has teased her latest telly project[/caption]

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She dropped a huge hint during a night out with partner JJ Slater at The Gossies in Dublin[/caption]

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It came after her Channel 4 IVF documentary hit screens last month[/caption]

Yet when she was quizzed about her upcoming work on the small screen, mum of five Katie, 46, stayed coy.

After recently starring in a hard-hitting documentary on her IVF journey with ex fiance Carl Woods, she was asked by Goss.ie at the event in Dublin: “Have you been approached for more reality shows recently?”

Katie, donning a black crop top and tiny matching skirt, replied: “The thing is, I always say, I don’t need to do other people’s reality shows because I have my own.”

She then teased: “So watch this space for this year.”

Katie then asked the interviewer: “Did any of you watch the Boyzone documentary?

“There’s a hint,” before giving a telling wink to the camera.

The OnlyFans star arrived at the glam Dublin event with partner JJ Slater.

She swept her raven-coloured locks back to show off the results of her recent facelift and new nose, keeping her make-up natural bar thick black mascara and flicked eyeliner.

Meanwhile MAFS alum JJ looked chic in a black top and matching trousers, paired with a green leather jacket.

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Katie’s most recent TV show, Katie Price: Making Babies, was filmed when Katie was engaged to ex fiance Carl Woods.

He was less than impressed with the programme then airing two years later.

Scenes tackled the heart-wrenching moment Katie discovers her IVF hasn’t worked – meaning she wasn’t pregnant – as well as the pair’s painful split.

Yet it was promptly slammed by some fans, who slammed the star for showing “no respect.”

Despite the candid nature of the series, some fans were left less than impressed.

The comments were sparked during a scene where the mum of five sat down with used car salesman Carl to discuss their donor options.

Fans took to social media site X after watching the scene to blast what they deemed her flippant attitude to selecting a donor.

Katie’s IVF treatment followed a turbulent period in which Carl discovered Katie had cheated on him with former international polo star Jamie Morrison.

Katie and Carl’s relationship breakdown is documented in the new documentary series after she candidly admitted her fears of being dumped because she was “too old” to carry another child.

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Katie’s IVF documentary was widely slammed – with some fans saying she showed ‘no respect’[/caption]

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She told how I’m A Celeb – where she met former husband Peter Andre – was the best show to go on[/caption]

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Katie told how she ‘didn’t need’ to star in other people’s TV shows after having her own shows, including Katie’s Mucky Mansion[/caption]

A SAVVY woman has shared a new dupe of the viral Sol De Janeiro scents and it’s so much cheaper.

Ash, from the UK, took to social media to highlight the bargain Home Bargains buy to other beauty fans.

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Shoppers are racing to snap up the new Sol De Janeiro dupe[/caption]

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The scents are similar but have a £48 price difference[/caption]

She said: “If you’re obsessed with the Sol De Janeiro range, Home Bargains has finally dropped the body oil.”

The bargain shop has unveiled its extended range of Glow products to now include a body oil for just £3.99.

And it’s a win for beauty fans trying to save money as it’s £48 cheaper than the original scented oil, Bum Bum Body Firmeza.

The Brazilian perfumer specialises in gourmand scents and Home Bargains has taken inspiration from their classic scents.

Among the new arrivals, the coconut-scented option is stealing the spotlight, but for many, it’s the classic salted caramel scent people are after.

Ash was quick to head to her local store and try and find the new body oils and she was in luck.

As she made her way to the aisle, she found two scents of the body oil to try out, although the original caramel-scented oil was sold out.

“I’m obsessed with the Sol De Janeiro body oil. I use it all the time.

“I’m trying to find the original scent in the oil, but I might just try the pink one because it doesn’t look like they’ve got it.”

“Definitely try them out,” she urged viewers.

TikTok/@makeupbyash.x

The clip has since gone viral on her TikTok account @makeupbyash.x with over 19k views and 1,200 likes.

Other beauty fans were quick to share their thoughts on the new body oils and couldn’t wait to grab them for themselves.

One person wrote: “Woah, Home Bargains is trying to turn into Sephora.”

Another commented: “I have the yellow one; the scent lasts for ages. I got it last year and still have so much left.”

“I got the original one, I even put it in my hair,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “They look so good.”

“The coconut one smells insane,” claimed a fifth.

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BRITAIN’S Got Talent is back with a bang, as this year a dramatic format change will see the 2025 series kick off in February, instead of April.

Which means BGT fans will be able to indulge in more of the show than normal, and, hopefully, more sexy moments too.

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Britain’s Got Talent is back with a bang, as this year a dramatic format change will see the 2025 series kick off in February, instead of April[/caption]

Because the fan favourite show hasn’t been short of sexy moments in its time – from steamy dance acts to some that even left Simon Cowell himself red-faced. Long may it continue.

So as the new series gets under way with its magic tricks, sensational voices and spooky performance, here’s a look at some sexy scenes that’ve kept smiles on faces over the years…

Alesha’s shock as contestant ‘got off’ with a harp

In 2019, Ursula Burns took to the stage in a glamorous outfit and gave the impression she would be sitting down to play the harp in the tradition manner.

But as the music started, she ditched the chair and lay down next to her harp while singing Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars.

She then pulled the harp on top of her between her legs and breathlessly sang the song, as Alesha and her fellow judges Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell and David Walliams watched on open mouthed.

Meanwhile out in the wings, hosts Ant and Dec also looked stunned as Ursula reached the climax of her performance.

When she was finished, Alesha said: “This lady is barking mad in the best way possible.

“She’s getting off with a harp, and I need to get me some of that!”

Simon added: “God. That, I’ve got to tell you, don’t judge a book by its cover.”

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Viewers were also taken aback by Ursulas erotically charged performance with her harp.

Taking to X, one wrote: “Jesus! Was the hell was that Harp singer doing?”

A very saucy dance routine

Sexy dance duo Jasmine and Aaron made it to the final of Britain’s Got Talent with a very saucy dance routine.

Aaron and Jasmine got a standing ovation from a virtual audience at the time, who got very hot under the collars from the risque routine.

Stand-in judge Ashely Banjo got some special attention from Jasmine during the performance after she approached the Diversity star at the judges’ desk and gave him a one-on-one dance as she grasped the air inches from his face.

And Ashley lapped up the saucy attention, giving a fist pump as she returned to the stage with her partner Aaron.

The dancer’s certainly had all eyes on them as they sashayed across the stage in eye-catching outfits.

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Sexy dance duo Jasmine and Aaron made it to the final[/caption]

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Burlesque dancer divides judges

Petula Goldfever wowed audiences with a racy routine in the auditions – but not all of the judges were sure she was a right fit for the family series and a winning slot at The Royal Variety Performance.

According to the Daily Star, Alesha Dixon was less than impressed, and asked: “Is she really right for the royals?”

But Simon Cowell thought Petula would be just the treat for the royal family back in 2019.

He told Petula at the time: “I think Prince Philip has had a tough year and he needs you!”

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Petula Goldfever wowed audiences with a racy routine in the auditions[/caption]

Raunchy BGT act leaves judges in shock

It was all hotting up on Britain’s Got Talent thanks to a striptease with a twist.

In 2024, a pair of jugglers proved they could take multi-tasking to the next level as they showed off their skills while stripping down to their pants.

The judges were left jumping out of their chairs as the Messoudi brothers then put their clothes back on – all while juggling.

Reacting to the performance, Simon joked: “I’ve never seen Bruno so happy in my life.”

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The Messoudi brothers did more than just juggle[/caption]

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It was all hotting up on Britain’s Got Talent thanks to a striptease with a twist[/caption]

Simon left red-faced by sexy striptease

Simon Cowell was left completely red-faced by a sexy striptease, as he was seen watching all the onstage action unfold.

A group named The Forbidden took to the stage, consisting of a group of men removing their clothes as they danced about the stage.

They flashed their six packs while Amanda and Bruno sat on chairs either side of the stage.

But it was the moment when they ripped their clothes off and threw them into the audience that saw Simon going red.

The audience certainly found it very amusing.

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An act brought Amanda and Bruno to the stage[/caption]

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Simon Cowell was left completely red-faced by a sexy striptease, as he was seen watching all the onstage action unfold[/caption]

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Audience members were left open mouthed[/caption]

A FIREBALL has erupted near a hospital leaving an inferno and a huge plume of black smoke in Manchester – with residents evacuated from their homes.

Firefighters are battling the blaze at an industrial estate in Ennis Close in Wythenshawe after reports of a fire involving heavy goods vehicles.

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Members of the public look on as a fireball rises from the scene[/caption]

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Firefighters are battling the large fire on an industrial estate[/caption]

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A large plume of smoke rises into the sky[/caption]

Residents reported hearing “explosions” before seeing plumes of black smoke filling the sky as emergency services raced to the scene at Roundthorn industrial estate near Wythenshawe Hospital.

Ten fire engines are currently in attendance with police and ambulance services also assisting at the scene. It is not yet clear whether anyone was injured in the incident.

Several properties have been evacuated as fire services work to extinguish the blaze.

One person wrote on X: “Woke up this morning and I thought we were at war.”

Ben Meighan-Carey, who lives nearby, told the BBC: “It sounded like fireworks, then it seemed to get louder.”

He added that “there were constant bangs” which sounded like “explosions” for five to 10 minutes.

“I looked outside and there was loads of smoke,” Mr Meighan-Carey said.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Shortly after 8.15am on Sunday 23 February, 10 fire appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to attend a fire involving heavy goods vehicles on Ennis Close, Manchester.

“Crews arrived quickly and are working hard to extinguish the fire. Several nearby properties have been evacuated.

“Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service are also in attendance.”

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Have you been affected by the fire? Email [email protected]

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ONE rare detail to spot on a 50p coin reveals whether it’s worth up to £250.

Rare coins can be found in your spare change and are sometimes worth a small fortune.

Generally, a piece will be considered rare if a low amount was struck and put into circulation or if it was pressed incorrectly.

One coin currently meets both these criteria, with an ultra-rare squiggle imprinted on one side.

The collector’s item is now so sought after it received 75 bids on an online auction.

It was sold for almost 500 times its face value, fetching a whopping £245.

The coin features lines across a swimmers’ face which makes it incredibly rare and sought after, with bidders willing to pay over the odds for one.

The “Lines Over Face” Aquatics 50p was first struck in 2011 and then tweaked to make the face more visible.

Designed by Jonathan Ollife, the coin has been described as “extra special” by the Royal Mint.

It’s worth bearing in mind, if you stumble across a Lines Over Face Aquatics 50p, you might not get as much as £250 for it.

How to spot a rare coin

A coin is usually classed as rare if a limited amount were struck, or a manufacturing error occurred when they were being made.

A low mintage figure, which is set by The Royal Mint, relates to how many of a coin were made.

Generally, the lower that figure, the more buyers are willing to pay for it, although this isn’t always the case.

You can find out what coins are rare and how they look on The Royal Mint’s website.

The Change Checker website has scarcity indices too – these tell you how many of a particular coin were minted.

When it comes to error coins, how much you’ll get for them varies from piece to piece.

For example, the HG Wells £2 error coin has been known to sell for up to £1,000 in the past.

Bronze 20p coins have been known to sell for up to £750 as well while error £1 coins have been known to go for £1,000s.

How to sell a rare coin

You can sell a rare coin on eBay, Facebook, or in an auction

If you’re selling on Facebook, there are risks attached.

Sellers have previously been targeted by scammers on Facebook pretending to need a courier to pick a coin up and asking for payment, but it’s a ruse and the courier is never sent.

To avoid this happening, it’s always best to meet a Facebook seller in-person when buying or selling anything.

Ensure it’s a public meeting spot that’s in a well-lit area and if you can, avoid using payment links.

Most sellers prefer to deal with cash directly when meeting to ensure it’s legitimate.

The safest way to sell a rare coin is more than likely at auction. You can organise this with The Royal Mint‘s Collectors Service.

It has a team of experts who can help you authenticate and value your coin.

You can get in touch via email and a member of the valuation team will get back to you.

You will be charged for the service though – the cost varies depending on the size of your collection.

You can also sell rare coins on eBay.

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