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Jacqueline Jossa forced to defend bizarre moment Lauren Branning character ‘smelt Sonia’s knickers’ on live EastEnders

JACQUELINE Jossa has been forced to defend a bizarre moment where her EastEnders character appeared to “smell Sonia’s knickers”.

The Lauren Branning actress, 32, was part of the cast who took part in the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode, and fans were left shocked by a weird moment.

Screenshot from EastEnders showing Lauren sniffing Sonia's underwear.
BBC
EastEnders fans were shocked during the live episode after it looked like Lauren ‘smelt’ sonia’s underwear[/caption]
Screenshot from EastEnders showing Lauren sniffing Sonia's underwear.
BBC
Lauren pulled the pants up to her face[/caption]
Jacqueline Jossa at the Monster High 2 premiere.
Getty
Actress Jac Jossa has defended the bizarre moment[/caption]

The knicker incident happened when Lauren appeared to lift up Sonia’s pants and “sniff them”, before tossing them to the side.

Bianca had thrown the pants to Lauren as Sonia prepared to give birth during the live episode.

However, Jacqueline has now defended the moment and made it clear to fans what exactly happened.

Taking to social media, she said: “Just to clarify I didn’t sniff them, I was checking what they were and lifting them in shot, no sniffing.

“They hit me in the face so I think I just lifted them up to make sure it was in the shot, this is amazing.”

The star finished her response with lots of laughing face emojis.

FANS REACT

After the knicker incident aired on Thursday, fans immediately took to social media in shock.

One person wrote: “Did Sonia just sniff Sonia’s knickers?!”

Another echoed: “Lauren definitely just sniffed Sonia’s pants.”

But luckily Jac has now put the incident to bed.

MARRIAGE RUMOURS

The EastEnders live episode came after Jac recently addressed split rumours surrounding her marriage with Dan Osborne.

She told The Sun how a traumatic burglary last summer was the catalyst for changing her whole attitude and making her reassess what is important in her life – her family.

It also helped her decide that she’d had enough of explaining what is going on in her marriage to husband of nearly eight years, Dan.

Lauren Branning sitting in a cafe.
Jac has played Lauren Branning on and off for 15 years
BBC

They’ve been together for more than a decade and have been dogged by split rumours since before they got married.

Recently, the whispers were over news the couple were selling their forever home in Essex, with the former TOWIE star buying a separate property in his name.

But the pair insist they’re still together and are just reassessing their assets.

“People seem to think they know more about my life than I do,” she sighs.

EastEnders facts and figures

THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.

EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.

Here’s the latest on:

“They were saying: ‘Jacqueline didn’t spend Christmas with Daniel.’ But all I have to do is post pictures of us together with Christmas hats on.

“We lie in bed next to each other, laughing and reading stuff online about us.

“The speculation is ridiculous, but at the same time, I know it comes with the job, so I do understand it. I read things about Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan and go: ‘Really? Is that true?’ But I’m sure they are happy. It’s not my business what other people think or want to read.

“But apart from me being back on EastEnders, I haven’t put myself out there in that space. I haven’t done any reality shows recently and neither has Dan.

“I’m constantly working, and so is he [Dan runs an online competition website and a tattoo studio]. We just crack on with our day jobs and looking after our kids. He is a fantastic dad. I’m done going on to social media trying to explain it.”

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Premier League LIVE SCORES: Latest updates from 3pm games as Tottenham travel to Ipswich and four other games

THE Premier League is LIVE with five games taking place RIGHT NOW!

Earlier, Everton and Manchester United played at a classic in the pair’s final edition at Goodison Park – the visitors came from two goals down to draw 2-2.

We will have updates from four Premier League matches – as well as a separate live blog from Arsenal vs West Ham – with Tottenham travelling to Ipswich and Fulham and Crystal Palace in a London derby.

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Bargain hunters rush to Amazon to pick up underseat approved suitcase that comes in 19 colours and is 29% off

SHOPPERS are raving about a tiny suitcase that is perfected for cabin luggage for your next holiday.

So if you’ve already got a holiday booked and don’t want to fork out for pricey luggage, keep reading.

Blue carry-on suitcase.
Amazon
Shoppers are raving about this underseat suitcase[/caption]
Illustration of airline-approved suitcase dimensions: 45cm x 36cm x 20cm.
Amazon
They say it fits so much inside and is a bargain price[/caption]

These affordable underseat suitcases will make sure you can fit everything you need for your trip.

We often stand in the airplane queue filled with dread – hoping the flight attendant doesn’t pull us out to inspect our bag size.

But you won’t have to worry with this mini suitcase that has been approved for EasyJet and Ryanair flights.

The suitcase comes in over 19 colours and three sizes – but the 15inch variety is the one you want to look for.

The LUGG 15 Inch Jetset Lightweight Travel Cabin Bag Carry On Approved Suitcase has a hard shell casing to keep it protected and waterproof.

Inside the suitcase, it has different compartments to make packing easier as well.

The suitcase also comes with a built-in lock to keep your belongings secure.

For easy transportation to and from the airport, the suitcase has four swivel wheels to make it glide effortlessly no matter the weather or road conditions.

LUGG bosses say: “This cabin bag is approved for all major airlines including easyJet, British Airways, RyanAir, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, and many more ensuring stress-free travel at all times!”

The best part is that the suitcase is currently on sale with 29% off at the time this article has gone live.

Instead of it being the usual price of £34.99 it is currently down to £24.99.

Customers who have already purchased the suitcase for their travels have consistently raved about the luggage.

One person wrote: “This is the perfect size to buy if you are taking a wheely case into the cabin of one of the so-called ‘budget’ airlines.

“They seem to be getting more strict about the sizes that can be taken onto the plane without paying the extra charge, so it’s worth being totally aware of that, rather than paying an extra charge as you go to board the plane.”

Holiday packing tips

Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday.

1. Write a list

Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase.

Or for complete ease, try Google’s AI app – Gemini – which will create a list for you and help you not over pack.

2. Involve your kids

Jemma said: “My girls are getting older, they’re 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say ‘this is what you need’ and they follow the list. 

“And then I give them a rucksack each – and say to them ‘you can have whatever you want in there as long as it’s not liquid’, and they can take that on the plane. And that’s their ‘home away from home’ items.” 

3. Try a hack or two

She said: “I think they all work, but for different reasons – and you’ve just got to pick the right one for your trip.

“Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you’re trying to get a lot of items into your case, it’s a space saver. 

“Packing cubes are great – for example, I’m going on holiday with my three kids and we’re all using the same suitcase for our clothes.

“These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked.

“I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we’ve arrived.”

4. Decant beauty products

Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets – which are much lighter and smaller.

Or, if you’ll be popping to the shops when you’re abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive.

5. Get organised before you come home

Jemma said: “When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. 

“Also pack it in some form of order – so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. 

“Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don’t leave it.”

Another commented: “This little suitcase (which is perfect for an EasyJet “add-on” cabin bag) has amazing packing capacity.”

“I bought this little suitcase for a 3 day trip as one of my flights was via easyJet and I had to take something that would fit under the seat. I don’t like carrying heavy bags or wearing backpacks so I found this wheeled suitcase extremely useful,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “Perfect size for EasyJet and spacious enough for a four night break away!”

“Perfect for a cabin case,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “Lovely hand luggage case and so easy to manoeuvre!”

Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: [email protected] and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.

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Arsenal vs West Ham LIVE SCORE: Premier League clash on NOW as Merino STARTS up top for Gunners – latest updates

ARSENAL are taking on West Ham in a huge London derby RIGHT NOW!

The second-placed Gunners look to make up ground on leaders Liverpool as they host Graham Potter’s struggling side.

The Gunners were handed a title boost when rivals from Merseyside dropped points midweek at Villa Park.

The gap remains at sizeable at eight points, but a win would see it close by three ahead of Liverpool’s blockbuster clash against Manchester City.

As for the Hammers, their form under new-year appointment Potter has remained stale – with one win in six, and though face little threat of relegation will look to kick-start the new managerial era with a big win.

  • TV/Stream: Not available in the UK
  • Arsenal team: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino
  • West Ham team: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Scarles, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Alvarez, Bowen, Kudus

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How to get rid of an ‘apron belly’ through diet and exercise – as PT reveals the biggest mistakes people make

WE all have “problem areas” when it comes to our bodies, and for many of us, this is our middles.

Whether we’ve got a beer belly, love handles or a spare tyre, thousands of us are self-conscious when it comes to our stomachs.

Side view of a woman's overweight abdomen.
Alamy
An ‘apron belly’ is excess fat and skin that hangs down at the bottom of your stomach[/caption]

If you have excess fat and skin that hangs down at the very bottom of your tummy, you could have what’s known as “apron belly“.

Usually caused by weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes or poor lifestyle choices, people with this little, or sometimes big, flap often feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

It also carries serious health risks that could even shorten your life.

Unfortunately, like most types of fat around the abdomen, it can be very difficult to shift.

Thankfully though, the right approach to diet and exercise can quickly help you burn fat and tighten muscles in the area, and improve your overall core composition.

I’m Jenny Francis-Townson, a personal trainer, expert in women’s physical health and someone who has seen my fair share of clients desperate to shift the excess fat around their middles once and for all.

Here’s everything I’ve learned about the dreaded apron belly – and how to get rid of it, the easy way.

The dangers of apron belly

For many people, the lower tummy region is a stubborn area of fat that seems impossible to shift.

Many of my clients have come to me with varying degrees of apron belly, desperate for a flatter tummy and to be able to fit much more comfortably into their clothes.

But while this is often for aesthetic reasons, losing your apron belly could also do wonders for your health.

1. Fungal infections

When your skin layers over itself, it is extremely likely to cause hygiene issues.

The area between the two pieces of skin can get very warm and moist – the perfect environment for infections to occur.

The combination of trapped moisture and friction can make you uncomfortable and leave you very prone to developing fungal infections that can get nasty pretty quickly if left untreated.

To avoid this, try to keep the area as clean and dry as you can, especially in warmer weather.

And wear loose-fitting clothes where possible until you are able to lose the fat.

2. Back pain

Carrying extra weight around the lower belly often shifts your centre of gravity and causes postural adjustments that put a lot of pressure on your lower back.

This not only results in back pain, but can also weaken your pelvic floor, causing further back issues, pelvic weakness and incontinence.

3. Disease and lower life expectancy

Over the last decade, studies have highlighted the dangers of holding excess body fat around the tummy area.

This includes an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and even death, according to research by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

Separate research has found links between lower belly fat and type 2 diabetes, as well as heart attacks and dementia.

4. Self confidence and mood

Those who carry excess body fat around their tummies are much more likely to admit they suffer from low self esteem and self confidence than other areas of the body, research shows.

Finding clothing that fits well and is comfortable can also be difficult, which can negatively impact mood and lead to social anxiety and depression.

Portrait of a smiling woman in athletic wear.
@jennyfrancis23
Personal trainer Jenny Francis-Townson[/caption]

The apron belly workout

It’s not all doom and gloom. You can actually massively improve your apron belly with exercise.

But you need to pick the right moves!

The biggest mistake people make is attempting core exercises that are too advanced and put too much downward pressure on an already weak core.

Even personal trainers are guilty when they’re not specialists in this area.

The secret is to really slow things down and opt for deep core movements that target that stubborn area and build strength and stability from the inside out.

Plus, adding in a short, sharp burst of cardio at the end will help elevate your heart rate and burn those extra calories needed for fat loss.

Here’s my ultimate at-home circuit you can do in 10 minutes to bring those deep core muscles together, tighten your abdominal region and connect your core to your pelvic floor to overhaul your lower abs.

1. Bear hover

Woman performing a glute bridge exercise on a yoga mat.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Start your bear hover on all fours with your toes tucked under[/caption]
Woman performing a quadruped exercise on a yoga mat.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Tuck your pelvis under and lift your knees a few inches off the floor[/caption]

Start on all fours with your toes tucked under and your hands underneath your shoulders.

Take a deep breath in and focus on filling your belly with air, letting it expand.

Breathe out with control and as you do, tuck your pelvis under, push into your hands and feet, and squeeze your core and pelvic floor as you lift your knees a few inches off the floor and hold them there.

Hold for five to 1- seconds, then as you control your exhale out, let your core muscles relax, also relaxing your pelvic floor and allowing your knees to return to the floor.

Perform 10 of these.

2. Tucked knee side plank 

Woman doing a side plank exercise.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Target your core with a tucked knee side plank[/caption]
Woman doing a side plank exercise.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Hold for five seconds at the top, then slower lower yourself back down[/caption]

Start lying on your side with your legs bent, knees stacked on top of each other and your upper body resting on your forearm.

Take a deep breath in and focus on filling your belly with air, letting it expand.

Breathe out with control and as you do, tuck your pelvis under, and squeeze your core and pelvic floor.

Push into your forearm and feet and lift your hips off the floor. 

Hold for five seconds as you continue to exhale, then as you control your exhale out, let your hips return slowly to the floor.

Relax your pelvic floor and allow your belly to expand.

Perform 60 seconds on each side. Twice through.

3. Leg extensions

Woman doing a leg raise exercise on a yoga mat.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Lying on your back, slowly alternate legs[/caption]
Woman performing a leg raise exercise on a mat.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Do this for 60 seconds in total[/caption]

Start lying on your back.

Bend your knees and lift your legs off the ground so they are in a table-top position.

Tuck your pelvis under and lift your pelvic floor in to push your lower back into the floor and keep it here the whole time.

Take a deep inhale and extend one leg slowly out straight while keeping your lower back pushed into the floor.

As you exhale, slowly draw your leg back to table top and squeeze your core. Repeat on the other side.

Do this for 60 seconds on each side, twice through.

4. Standing marches 

Woman demonstrating a fitness exercise.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Lift your arms directly above your head for standing marches[/caption]
Woman demonstrating a leg raise exercise.
Jenny Francis-Townson
As you bring your arms down, lift your knee directly in front of you[/caption]

Start standing and lift your arms directly above your head.

From here, lift your left knee directly up in front of you, hold for a second at the top, then slowly lower back down to the floor.

Alternate legs for 60 seconds. Rest, then repeat twice more.

5. Sprint on the spot

Woman in athletic wear performing a jumping exercise.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Finally, sprint on the spot for 40 seconds[/caption]

Standing upright, sprint on the spot for 40 seconds non stop.

Go as fast as you can!

The apron belly diet

But you can’t get rid of your apron belly with exercise alone.

You also need to make some changes to your diet too, nutritionist according to diet coach Sarah Bockhart, from weight loss app RWL.

“There are two main things you want to do with your diet to get rid of apron belly,” she says.

“The first is to get yourself into a simple calorie deficit.

“This just means you need to start looking at your daily calorie intake, and make sure you are not consuming more than you are using up.

“The best guide is to aim for 1,500 as a woman and 1,750 as a man to lose weight.

“Use a weight loss app that allows you to track your daily calories  – RWL has one built in that allows you to scan barcodes of supermarket food – or just use Google and keep track of how many you are eating.

“This is effective because it’s going to get your body burning fat that it doesn’t need, eventually taking that fat away from the lower tummy area.”

What the shape of your stomach reveals about your health

BEER bellies, spare tyres and washboard abs – stomachs come in all shapes and sizes.

While it may be easy to assume the smaller and less wobbly the better, that’s not always the case, according to Dr Simon Theobalds.

The GP, from Manchester, said that the appearance of our middles can reveal a significant amount about our health, but it’s vital to consider someone’s overall wellbeing – including their dietexercise routine and genetics.

Just because someone looks lean, it doesn’t mean there isn’t something more sinister going on inside, and they’re not at risk of complications down the line, he said.

“Stomach shape may reveal health clues, but it’s not the full story,” the doctor added.

That said, there is a fair amount you can tell about someone just by looking at their abdomen.

“Various illnesses can influence stomach appearance,” Dr Theobalds said.

“Fat accumulation could indicate potential health risks like heart disease, while a bloated stomach might signal digestive issues.”

  • Washboard abs – low body fat percentage, low risk of fat-related health problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and stroke
  • Beer belly – increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and metabolic issues, as well as liver cirrhosis, cancer, gout, cataracts and stomach ulcers
  • Love handles – indicator of ‘toxic’ fat stored deep inside the body, potentially contributed to by eating more calories than you’re burning, sleep deprivation, and stress, could have an underlying risk of high cholesterol, sleep apnoea and osteoarthritis
  • Spare tyre – increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
  • Hard and full – excess gas, water retention, possible constipation, food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome or coeliac disease
  • Tense and tight – stress, often accompanied by diarrhoea, bloating, hiccups, nausea and stomach aches
  • Bowling ball – often caused by overeating, but could also be pregnancy, menstruation, bowel obstruction, internal bleeding
  • Paunch – menopause, increased risk of cardiovascular disease

You can read the full story here.

Apron belly dos and don’ts

Once you’re on top of your calorie deficit, you can take things a step further.

“These other nutrition hacks are going to seriously help you lose weight from this lower abdominal region,” Sarah says.

1. Drop the sugar

Sarah says: “Sugar is terrible for our gut and can actually hinder our ability to burn fat.

“Cut out refined sugar as much as possible.

“If you have a seriously sweet tooth and this is a weakness for you, here are some swaps:

  • “Swap ice cream for greek yogurt. You’ll get rid of the sugar and fill yourself up with a good hit of protein.
  • “Swap milk chocolate for 70 to 80 per cent dark chocolate. You’ll still get the chocolate hit but with less sugar and calories.”

2. Up your protein and fibre

“A great way to make a calorie deficit easier is to not let yourself feel hungry,” Sarah says.

“Upping your protein and fibre intake will really fill you up and prevent those hunger pangs that often see you reaching for snacks.

“Add lean fish and meat to your meals and try to get lentils, beans or chickpeas into at least one meal a day.”

3. Cut out ultra processed

Ultra processed foods are those that have been industrially processed and contain ingredients we wouldn’t have at home.

Think bacon, crisps, cereals, energy drinks and microwave ready meals.

“They have a very low nutritional value and tend to be full of chemicals that make you want to eat more and more of them – exactly the opposite of what you need to burn fat in their lower belly region,” Sarah says.

“Cut out supermarket-bought biscuits, crisps, pastries and sweets and try to cook your favourite takeaway meals at home.”

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

“To help you out, I’ve complied my favourite three recipes that will get you in a calorie deficit while hitting your nutrition goals,” Sarah says.

Try not to eat snacks in between, and stick to water or herbal tea for drinks.

Breakfast: Almond croissant baked oats

Almond cake slices on a plate.
Jenny Francis-Townson
For breakfast, try almond croissant baked oats[/caption]

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 50g almond butter
  • 2 tsp sweetener
  • 2 medium bananas
  • 200g oats
  • 60g vanilla protein powder
  • 400ml unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 25g flaked almonds
  • 1/2 tsp icing sugar

Method:

  1. Preheat the fan oven to 180C
  2. Mix together the egg, almond butter and sweetener to a creamy consistency and set side.
  3. Mash the bananas in a mixing bowl then add the oats, protein powder and almond milk and combine. Stir through the baking powder and pour into a baking dish (or 4 individuals baking dishes).
  4. Drizzle the creamy almond mixture over the top then sprinkle over the flaked almonds
  5. Bake in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
  6. Once cooked, sprinkle over the icing sugar and serve.

If you baked it in one dish, cut the baked oats into four and leave to cool then individually wrap each portion.

If you baked it in four dishes, leave to cool entirely then store with foil or lids over the top.

Lunch: Creamy tomato and basil chicken pasta

Chicken and pasta in a creamy tomato sauce.
Jenny Francis-Townson
This delicious creamy tomato and basil chicken pasta makes a great lunch[/caption]

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts 
  • 200g cherry tomatoes 
  • 50g sun-dried tomatoes 
  • 1/2 white onion, diced 
  • 2 garlic cloves 
  • 60g spinach 
  • 2 tbsp creme fraiche 
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika 
  • 1 vegetable stock cube 
  • 1 lemon 
  • 100g wholewheat tagliatelle 
  • Pinch of black pepper 
  • Handful fresh basil 
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano 

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C. 
  2. Place the chicken breasts into a baking tray, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and sprinkle over the dried oregano. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
  3. Boil the pasta as per the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain away the water (reserving a mug full).
  4. Place the cherry tomatoes along with a splash of water into a large pan over a medium to high heat. Cook down for 5 minutes; they should start to blister. Then using the back of a spoon, crush the tomatoes. 
  5. Add in the onion, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Fry over a medium heat for a further 8 minutes.
  6. Add in the paprika, crumbled stock cube, lots of black pepper, spinach and a few tbsp of water. Cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes before then taking off the heat and stirring through the fresh basil, creme fraiche, lemon juice and zest. 
  7. Add the pasta to the sauce – here you may need to add a splash of the pasta water to loosen the sauce a little. Then serve up alongside the chicken, and enjoy!

Dinner: Sesame chicken rice bowl

Bowl of teriyaki chicken, brown rice, and broccoli.
Jenny Francis-Townson
Try a sesame rice bowl with chicken, pork, beef or tofu[/caption]

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts 
  • 2 tbsp cornflour 
  • Pinch of salt and pepper 
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce 
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil 
  • 2 tbsp honey 
  • 1 tsp garlic powder 
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds 
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil 
  • 100g broccoli 
  • 80g kale 
  • 1 fresh chilli, sliced 
  • 80g wholegrain rice

Method:

  1. Cook the rice as per the packet instructions. 
  2. Place the cornflour into a large bowl. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then toss in the cornflour to coat. Set aside. 
  3. For the sauce, combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, honey and garlic powder. 
  4. Heat a little olive oil in a large frying pan. Once hot, add in the broccoli, kale and chilli. Fry for 5 to 6 mins, until the broccoli has softened and the kale has wilted. Once cooked, remove from the pan, cover and set aside to keep warm. 
  5. Place the pan back on the heat, then add in the chicken and fry for 6 to 8 mins until the chicken is cooked through and golden. Then pour over the sauce and fry for a further 1 to 2 mins until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken. 
  6. Once the chicken is ready, serve with the rice, veg and sprinkle over the sesame seeds. 

Tip: This recipe also works well with pork, beef, or tofu for a veggie alternative.

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My son was hit with dozens of Ulez fines after his van’s plate was cloned – TfL sent us to court & even bailiffs

A DESPERATE mum says her son has been caught up in a bizarre legal situation after receiving dozens of Ulez fines – claiming the number plate on his van had been cloned.

Kay Russell, 64, says her son Joe, 28, who is also on the autism spectrum, has been left too worried to work and travel around London after being bombarded by penalties, sent to court, and even visited by bailiffs.

White Peugeot Partner van parked on a residential street.
Supplied
Kay says her son Joe’s van, a Peugeot Partner, had had its number plate cloned last year[/caption]
Penalty charge notice with photos of a vehicle.
Supplied
The family grew suspicious after receiving Ulez fines showing a slightly older model of the van with the same number plate[/caption]
ULEZ zone sign in London.
Getty
But the family struggled to convey the issue to TfL – who sent dozens of additional fines[/caption]

Speaking to Sun Motors, Kay revealed the ordeal started back in April, when TfL first sent fines along with photographs supposedly of Joe’s Peugeot van driving through a low-emission zone.

However, Kay says her family soon realised the vehicle in the pictures was different from her son’s – but had the same number plate.

According to Kay, Joe’s van, a Peugeot Partner, is a newer model compared to the one that can be seen in the TfL photographs.

Kay explained: “It is similar to my son’s van; his is a Peugeot, but the one in the pictures was an older model, with the badge on the bonnet, whereas the Peugeot badge on my son’s van is on the grille.”

Despite providing photographic evidence to TfL, the family says they were asked for further proof, such as detailed records of Joe’s whereabouts on the dates of the alleged offences – something he found difficult to provide.

Kay added: “When I spoke to somebody at TfL, they said, ‘Well, anyone can stick a badge on anywhere.’

“I said, ‘But it is the Peugeot badge, it is clear where it is. And if my son had removed it, you’d see where it was.’”

Kay admits that some of the Ulez fines do belong to her son, which actually helped her and her husband realise that the van in some of the pictures wasn’t the one driven by Joe.

She said: “When you see two vehicles next to each other, you can clearly see that the front of the cloned van is completely different to my son’s – like where the badge is.”

Joe first realised something was wrong when money started disappearing from his TfL account, followed by a series of fines arriving from various authorities, including Southwark and Walthamstow councils.

He immediately reported the issue to the police and obtained a crime reference number.

The situation then escalated when the case went to court, although Kay and her family were not notified in time to defend themselves.

Kay said: “TfL responded to my email on 8 January, but the case had already gone to court before they even opened the email.

“We weren’t even advised about the court date.

“We didn’t get the chance to defend ourselves or explain anything. It just went to court, and they decided it was our fault.”

She also said the family have tried to appeal the fines, but this has simply added to their expenses.

“To appeal, we’d have to pay per fine, and we’ve got about ten fines here. Why should we pay for something that isn’t our fault?” she added.

Bailiffs have also visited their home, adding to their stress.

Kay said: “I don’t know where I stand. Every time I try to phone a solicitor, they tell me it’s going to cost me more money than the fines are.”

Joe, who works as a plumber but can only work on sites and not in people’s homes due to his autism, has even started to avoid driving into London due to the worry of picking up more fines.

Kay added: “He’s taken a job further away, earning less, but he just can’t deal with this stress.

“This shouldn’t be a battle for us as a family. We shouldn’t even be going through this.

“I’ve phoned hundreds of people, but no one wants to go into detail or help us. They just say, ‘Send everything in.’”

Sun Motors later got in contact with TfL, who said: “We are very sorry that Mr Russell has been a victim of vehicle cloning.

“In this case there were eight open penalty charge notices (PCNs), one of which had representations made against it.

“Having reviewed the images, five PCNs were incurred by Mr Russell’s vehicle and three by a cloned vehicle.

“We have cancelled any outstanding fines and the remaining balance.”

Kay also revealed TfL contacted her and her family to resolve the matter – much to her relief.

TfL have reminded drivers that vehicle cloning is a criminal matter, which the police enforce and prosecute.

They also state that every image is checked by two members of staff before any penalty charge notice is issued.

Any customer who believes their vehicle has been cloned can provide evidence demonstrating the PCN has been issued incorrectly.

This includes proof of a vehicle at a different location for the date and time of the contravention, such as a tracker report, statement from a colleague or neighbour.

They also accept a witness statement affirming vehicle was not at location but elsewhere, photos showing differences between their vehicle and the vehicle captured, and a crime reference number.

This comes Sun Motors recently spoke to a man who’d been issued with nearly £25,000 in Ulez fines for a vehicle he hadn’t owned for nearly a year.

Bilal Yousaf, 44, from Glasgow, Scotland, had his Renault Master repossessed in February 2024 after he was forced to give up work.

However, his details were seemingly still linked to the van.

Then, in March, Bilal – who says he hasn’t been to London in around 10 years – began receiving penalty notices from TfL, claiming he received on average “five fines a day” at their peak.

He says TfL even passed his details to a collection agency, which also began to send him letters.

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Premier League release statement as Everton’s last-gasp penalty vs Man Utd is controversially ruled out after VAR review

THE PREMIER LEAGUE addressed VAR’s controversial decision to deny Everton a late penalty against Manchester United.

The Toffees thought they got a last-gasp spot kick at the death of stoppage time when the score was 2-2 at Goodison Park.

Soccer players vying for the ball.
Everton thought they got a late penalty against Manchester United
Manchester United players arguing with a referee.
The referee pointed at the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage time
Soccer game in progress, goalkeeper diving to make a save.
Everton ace Ashley Young appeared to have been fouled by Man Utd’s Harry Maguire
VAR review of a penalty call in a soccer game.
However, VAR intervened and the decision was overturned after a lengthy review

The Merseysiders saw themselves leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals by Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

However, United fought back in the second half and levelled the score with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.

But David Moyes’ men thought they would redeem themselves in the third minute of stoppage time after throwing away a two-goal lead.

That was when Man Utd star Harry Maguire appeared to have pulled down Ashley Young in the area.

The referee pointed straight at the spot but VAR felt differently and advised him to check the pitchside monitor.

After a lengthy review, the hosts were denied a late penalty and the Red Devils found themselves breathing a sigh of relief.

The Premier League addressed the situation at full-time with a statement on social media.

It read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Maguire on Young and deemed that no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review.

“The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with an indirect free-kick.”

Man Utd also had a penalty kick denied in the closing stages of the match.

Joshua Zirkzee’s header hit Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite in the face and then possibly his arm in the 83rd minute.

But VAR concluded there was no handball and the ref waived play on.

Nevertheless, it could have been worse for Man Utd if the referee’s penalty decision stood.

Sir Alex Ferguson attended the match and was spotted at the stands looking disgusted before half-time when Everton were 2-0 up, but appeared happier when his former club hit back.

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