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A MAJOR retailer has kicked off a massive closing-down sale, offering up to 70% off at more stores set to shut their doors for good.

Homebase is set to close two more stores in the coming weeks, following its collapse into administration several months ago.

Alamy

Homebase crashed into administration in November, but it was partially rescued by billionaire Chris Dawson, the owner of The Range and Wilko[/caption]

The beleaguered DIY retailer has announced a mega clearance sale at its branch on Easlea Road, Bury St Edmunds, which is scheduled to shut its doors for the final time on Friday, 28 February.

Signs have littered the frontage of the shop in recent days stating: “Store Closing. Everything Must Go!”

A spokesperson for administrators Teneo said: “All employee wages and benefits will be paid for their period of employment.

“The joint administrators’ priority is working closely with government agencies to provide support to affected employees.”

This is not the only Homebase store holding a closing-down sale. Shoppers at the Maidenhead branch, located on Stafferton Way, have also been taking advantage of discounts of up to 90%.

However, the exact closure date for this location has yet to be confirmed.

Homebase’s most recent closure took place on February 16, when its store in Selby, North Yorkshire, shut its doors for the final time.

Homebase crashed into administration in November, but it was partially rescued by billionaire Chris Dawson, the owner of The Range and Wilko.

Dawson’s intervention looked to retain “up to” 70 stores and save 1,600 jobs as well as the Homebase brand, leaving 74 branches and roughly 2,000 employees at risk.

Just a week later, Teneo, Homebase’s administrators placed the 74 stores up for sale.

Although the company established a deadline of November 29 for potential buyers to acquire these branches, it’s become clear that not all stores have been saved.

Several Homebase stores, including those in Morecambe, Winchester, Selby, and Derby Kingsway, have displayed unexpected closure notices in recent months, as they were never listed for sale.

It could have been assumed these locations might have been earmarked for rescue by CDS Superstores, the owner of The Range and Wilko.

However, the status of these stores remains uncertain.

Analysis by The Sun reveals that just 57 stores were excluded from being listed for sale and could potentially have been part of CDS’s rescue plan.

Yet, CDS has only confirmed the rescue of 12 stores so far, leaving the total number of saved locations unclear.

In January, Homebase closed 20 stores, seven of which had already been acquired by supermarket giant Sainsbury’s in August 2024.

A further 35 stores are due to close by the end of February, including two more purchased by Sainsbury’s last year in Glenrothes and Inverurie.

Last month, B&Q agreed to buy five of the chain’s branches that were for sale.

Currently, 26 Homebase stores remain on the market, while the future of another 43 stores that were never listed for sale remains uncertain.

Both Teneo and CDS Superstores have declined to comment on the matter.

What is happening to the stores bought by CDS?

CDS Superstores previously said it would buy up to 70 Homebase shops.

It has also taken on the Homebase brand and relaunched its website with thousands of products up for sale.

It is re-purposing and opening some of the former Homebase stores under its The Range brand.

The new stores will feature products usually found in The Range but some will also contain “Garden Centres by Homebase”.

Others will feature “Kitchens by Homebase” spaces.

The hybrid branches have already started opening with CDS saying it wants to open three a week over the coming months.

The company plans to open at least 50 before the end of April.

Stores have opened in Birmingham, Felixstowe and Blyth.

Pictures of one of the new stores in Bournemouth were revealed when it opened in January.

CDS said the move to take on up to 70 Homebase sites would see 1,600 staff keep their jobs.

Why are DIY chains struggling?

It has been a tricky time for home improvement chains, both large and small.

It comes as shoppers have been cutting back on spending following the pandemic.

Plus, the recent turmoil in the housing market has meant that homeowners aren’t as focused on DIY projects as they once were.

In the spring, Kingfisher, which owns B&Q and Screwfix, revealed that annual profits had slumped by more than a quarter.

The company reported a 25.1% drop in underlying pre-tax profits to £568million for the year to January 31, 2024.

Window and door specialist Everest called in administrators in April, leaving customers in the dark about their orders.

Last year, the group had previously cautioned profits would slip after a 36% drop in pre-tax profits from £1billion to £611million in the 12 months to January 2023.

Rival Wickes also reported a 31% fall in profits to £52million on flat revenues of £1.55billion for 2023.

Windows and doors company Safestyle collapsed into administration in October last year.

The company has a manufacturing site in Wombwell, near Barnsley and 42 sales branches and depots across the country.

Flooring retailer Tapi recently struck a multimillion-pound rescue deal to save the Carpetright brand and dozens of stores last month.

Tapi purchased 54 of the chain’s stores and two warehouses in a pre-pack administration deal that saved 300 jobs.

However, the deal did not include 200 other stores which all closed their doors.

INFAMOUS fugitive dad Tom Phillips and his three children may have been spotted again in the latest twist to the bizarre case gripping New Zealand for years.

The Marokopa man, who has been on the run with his kids since 2021, was allegedly spotted in a layby on State Highway 4, south of Te Kūiti, on Sunday morning.

New Zealand Police

Infamous runaway dad Tom Phillips (pictured) may have been spotted with his kids in a new sighting[/caption]

A member of the public reported seeing a group of four people — an adult male and three children — dressed in camouflage around 8.30 am, The New Zealand Herald reports.

“Police are now working to establish whether this is a credible sighting and are working to rule out other possible scenarios,” a police spokesperson said.

ON THE RUN

Phillips, 36, has been hiding in the New Zealand wilderness with his children – Jayda, 11, Maverick, 10 and Ember, nine – since December 2021.

The last confirmed appearance of the runaway dad – dubbed ‘the Bushman’ for his ability to live off-grid – and his children was in October last year.

Two teenage pig hunters captured footage of the group trekking through farmland in bushland west of Coutts Road in Marokopa.

“This is the first time all three of the children have been sighted, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring for the children’s wider family,” police said at the time.

The sighting triggered a three-day search involving a military helicopter, but Phillips and the children disappeared again.

Phillips isn’t just wanted for taking his children.

Police allege he was caught on CCTV attempting to rob a Piopio store in November 2023.

The masked pair — believed to be Phillips and one of his children — were seen smashing the shop’s front glass before fleeing.

He’s also accused of robbing a bank and firing a gun at a supermarket worker in Te Kūiti in May 2023.

Police believe Phillips fled into the wilderness after losing legal custody of his children to Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand’s child welfare agency.

“That’s effectively why we believe he has taken the children, over custody,” Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders previously said.

Saunders also suggested Phillips may have used his first disappearance in September 2021 as a “warm-up” for his long-term escape.

Newshub

DESPERATE MUM’S PLEA

The children’s mum, Cat, has repeatedly begged for their return.

“I am standing here before you today begging you for your help to bring my babies home,” she said in an emotional video plea last year.

“They are just innocent children, they do not deserve to be treated this way. They do not deserve the life that is being provided to them right now.”

Cat has accused Phillips of using their children as “pawns in his game” and believes he is being helped by a network of supporters.

Criminal psychologist Dr. Tim Watson-Munro has warned of the long-term effects on the children, saying: “I would worry professionally about their psychological wellbeing arising from all of this.

” I mean, it’s an abnormal type of life for young kids to lead.”

Police are urging anyone who may have seen Phillips or his children to come forward.

IT’S the time of year when you can’t go anywhere without hearing someone with a hacking cough or horrendous sniffles.

But there’s a Home Bargains buy that people say works wonders for a cold – and it’s so popular that it’s literally flying off the shelves.

TikTok/@bobbycnorris

TikTok/@bobbycnorris

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The bath salts are said to work wonders at this time of year – when colds are rife[/caption]

TOWIE star Bobby Norris is the latest famous face to rave about the 99p product – Nuage’s vapour bath salts.

“Now when I tell you these sell out quick, this is what we’re at,” he said in a video on his TikTok page, turning the camera to show that there were only a few left on the shelf.

“It’s like the locusts have been!”

He urged people to “run like a thief in the night” to their local Home Bargains, calling the product a “game changer”.

“We’ve all got stinking colds,” he sighed.

“We’re having a terrible time I think. So I would suggest, if you like a bath salt or a shower tablet, get involved.

“Vapour is the way.

“And with everything going round at the minute… you need it in your life.

“I grabbed a couple because as I say, they sell out so so quick.”

If you aren’t a bath person, it also comes in tablet form for the shower.

And other Home Bargains shoppers were quick to agree with Bobby in the comments section, with one writing: “When you know you know!”

“Ooh I’ll grab some!” another added.

“I’m going to get some of them,” a third said.

“Home Bargs is the best place!” someone else gushed.

But another issued a word of warning, after getting a similar bath product from another manufacturer.

“I bought that Vicks bath salts and let me tell you, a little goes a long way,” they wrote.

“I walked in the bathroom after the bath had been running and it took my breath away!”

And the positive reviews of the product kept on coming on Amazon, where it’s being sold for £4.59.

“This time of the year we all get colds, I got this as I had trouble breathing,” one wrote.

“I put in my bath and relaxed – good strong odour.”

“Sprinkle 2 handfuls of salts in a hot bath, sit back and enjoy the steam as it relieves you of your stuffiness,” another said.

“It really is strong – like being in a steam room at a spa!”

TikTok/@bobbycnorris

STRUGGLING British Gas customers urged to check for letters offering to wipe debts as 600,000 landing on doormats.

The UK’s biggest energy supplier has announced an extension to its “You Pay We Pay” support scheme.

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British Gas has announced it will extend its support scheme[/caption]

The initiative, which first launched in June 2024, matches customers’ energy debt repayments to help customers pay off their bills.

For instance, if a customer pays £100, British Gas will pay off £100, too, effectively wiping half the amount owed and getting them back on track sooner.

British Gas will also introduce a new feature so that customers can take payment breaks.

That means if you can’t afford to make regular payments you can still benefit from this help.

The firm said it is now writing to 600,000 customers this month whom they think might be eligible for support.

It has also written an open letter encouraging those who are struggling to see what help is available. 

It has a total of £10million to help households in need and the scheme is expected to end this summer.

You must be a British Gas customer for at least six months to be considered.

The help will be available to anyone considered to be in fuel poverty or who has sought debt advice, and the scheme is for those on prepayment meters as well as those who are billed.

Customers can also still access other hardship grants at the same time as this support.

Chris O’Shea, group chief executive of Centrica, parent company of British Gas said: “We know this winter has been particularly tough for many households, and it’s not always easy to keep on top of growing bills.

“We want to make sure as many customers as possible get the support they need and that’s why we’re extending our ‘You Pay We Pay’ scheme.”

It comes as many households are struggling with rising energy costs.

Ofgem’s latest price cap means the average bill for those not on a fixed deal has risen by £1,717 a year to £1,738.

This cap will be in place until April and then experts predict the figure will increase again to £1,785.

Who’s eligible for the help?

British Gas said that tens of thousands of customers are eligible for the help.

These customers will be identified “proactively” and receive the support after an assessment by one of its specifically trained advisors.

This means customers do not need to contact British Gas to apply.

A detailed assessment would be made to determine if customers qualify for the scheme but broadly, they must:

• Be in or facing fuel poverty
• Must have obtained or will obtain debt advice. 
• Have been a British Gas customer for at least six months
• Pre-agree a payment amount following the assessment

Applications are open now and you can apply for the help on the British Gas website by searching www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/help-with-bills/.

How does it work in practice?

If British Gas contacts you and tells you you’re eligible to receive support under its “You Pay: We Pay” scheme, you’ll need to agree to repay your debt.

For example, if you have a £1,000 debt on your British Gas account, you may be able to agree to pay it off over six months from June.

In this scenario, you could agree to repay £83 a month for the period.

British Gas would then top up these payments by another £83.

This means, in total, you’d be paying off £166 of your debt each month.

Multiply this by six monthly payments, and you’ll have paid off the £1,000 of arrears by December.

What should I do if I fall into debt?

You should contact your supplier as early as possible to let them know if you’re struggling.

Energy debts are priority debts, which means there can be more severe consequences to not paying than with other types of debt.

Failing to engage with your supplier about your debt could also see them apply for a court warrant to forcibly install a prepayment meter in your home.

Once you’ve contacted your supplier about your debt problems, ask for an affordable repayment plan.

Your supplier should work with you to figure out a sensible amount you can pay towards your debts each month.

Your supplier may also allow you to apply for an energy grant.

These could be delivered as energy credits to help cover your debt, or your supplier might agree to wipe your outstanding balance.

Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply.

FORTNITE x Mortal Kombat is coming to a screen near you soon as part of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2.

This highly-anticipated crossover brings iconic Mortal Kombat characters and their signature skillsets to the battle royale featuring over 650million global players.

Reddit/Youtube

Scorpion will feature in the Fortnite x Mortal Kombat collaboration[/caption]

Fortnite x Mortal Kombat release date

The Fortnite x Mortal Kombat collaboration is set to launch with Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 on February 21, 2025.

Epic Games has officially confirmed that Sub-Zero and Scorpion will be available as part of the Chapter 6 Season 2 Battle Pass.

Players can unlock this classic character by purchasing the Battle Pass for 1,000 V-Bucks, or through an active Fortnite Crew subscription.

Skins

Sub-Zero’s appearance in Fortnite features his classic attire, complete with his blue ninja-style tunic and eye scar.

Scorpion will also join the Fortnite roster — but unlike Sub-Zero, he will be available as an Item Shop skin.

Reddit/Youtube

Fortnite x Mortal Kombat will feature new Mythic items[/caption]

While unconfirmed, the price for Scorpion’s skin is estimated to be in the region of 1,500 V-Bucks, which is in line with other collaboration skins.

Mythic weapons

Well-known Fortnite leakers and dataminers including @FNBRintel and @ShiinaBR have revealed two Mortal Kombat-themed Mythic items coming to Fortnite:

• Scorpion’s Spear Hook: This iconic weapon drags the opponent player across the screen, leaving them temporarily dazed.
  
• Sub-Zero’s Ice Gauntlets: These powerful gloves allow players to freeze opponents and deal significant damage.
  

These items will offer players new offensive options and could potentially be tied to new points of interest on the map.

Additional content

The Fortnite x Mortal Kombat may well include more than just skins and weapons.

Leaks suggest the possibility of Mortal Kombat-themed emotes, with Scorpion’s “Get over here” being mentioned specifically.

Additionally, there’s speculation about potential Mortal Kombat-themed points of interest being added to the map.

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is an iconic American video game franchise that began with the original two-dimensional fighter developed by Midway Games in 1992.

Revolutionizing the genre with its groundbreaking graphics, the game utilized digitized actors for character sprites — a technique that set it apart from other fighting games of the era.

This resulted in more realistic and detailed character models compared to the hand-drawn computer graphics common in other games.

The original arcade game introduced players to a brutal tournament where warriors from different realms compete, emphasizing graphic violence and unique finishing moves known as “fatalities”.

The game’s gory content even led to the establishment of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

On September 13, 1993, the release of the home versions of the video game was known as “Mortal Monday”.

It dropped simultaneously on the Snes, Genesis, Game Boy and Game Gear.

The release was a major event in video game history, with a multi-million-dollar marketing campaign. 

The franchise expanded rapidly, spawning sequels, spin-offs, films, animated series and merchandise.

After Midway’s bankruptcy in 2009, Warner Bros. acquired the franchise’s rights, rebranding the development team as NetherRealm Studios.

EATEN in consecutive weeks by their own ‘nursery club’, Chelsea’s season is threatening to implode.

In the early part of Todd Boehly’s Stamford Bridge reign, the American signed off almost a quarter of a billion pounds on recruiting members of Brighton and Hove Albion’s staff.

AP

Kaoru Mitoma scored a spectacular goal as Brighton beat Chelsea[/caption]

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AP

Todd Boehly has spent a fortune on recruiting players at Chelsea[/caption]

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From the British-record signing of Moises Caicedo to the poaching of Graham Potter and his entire backroom team.

From the eye-watering £62million fee agreed for full-back Marc Cucurella to the unconvincing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to sporting director Paul Winstanley, there seemed an obsession with all things Brighton.

So it seemed particularly galling that after all that headhunting, Chelsea should be knocked out of the FA Cup, then handed their heaviest defeat of the Premier League season by the club they had supposedly gutted.

Throw in Enzo Maresca’s spat with Brighton’s spiky German child-boss Fabian Hurzeler and those two trips to good old Sussex by the sea have sent Chelsea’s campaign into a tailspin.

Now Chelsea are after Brighton’s Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma, who scored my goal of the season against them in Friday’s 3-0 drubbing at the Amex.

Mitoma, who famously wrote a university thesis on the art of dribbling, must have been indulging in more footballing intellectualism before he scored it.

A practical exam question: “Imagine what sort of goal Dimitar Berbatov could have scored if he’d been blessed with pace.”

Well that was it. And Chelsea only have seven senior wingers either in the building, out on loan or, in the case of £62m Mykhailo Mudryk, idling having failed a drug test.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Maybe they need another one. Or two. Yankuba Minteh of Brighton looks pretty good.

Maresca, a curious appointment to replace Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, diminished his standing with Blues fans by claiming the Cup defeat would allow his team to concentrate on the league and the Conference League.

Some of us can remember Jose Mourinho mocking old sparring partner Rafa Benitez for winning the Europa League while Chelsea’s interim boss.

Mourinho claimed the club should never have been in Uefa’s second-tier competition.

What the old Special One would think of a Stamford Bridge boss concentrating on the third-class Conference League — in which Chelsea have so far, from memory, beaten Noah and the Whale, Mumford and Sons and Camper Van Beethoven — is anyone’s guess.

Who do Chelsea think they are? West Ham or something?

The back-to-back defeats are part of an 11-match run during which Chelsea have beaten only Morecambe, Wolves and,  fortuitously, Potter’s Hammers.

During this time they have increasingly resembled a bunch of talented youngsters in dire need of guidance from some grown-ups.

Boehly’s Chelsea project is based on the ‘genius’ idea of signing up dozens of young prospects on vastly lengthy contracts. And so this was always likely to happen.

Alan Hansen was lampooned for insisting “You can’t win anything with kids,” when  Manchester United’s Class of ’92 began to emerge at the start of the 1995-96 campaign — a season when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side went on to win the Double.

But that United squad included  seasoned campaigners such as Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin and Brian McClair

Chelsea do not have a single outfield player over 30.

Even the outstanding 22-year-old Cole Palmer is showing the strain of having carried Chelsea for 18 months.

In April, Palmer missed a visit to Arsenal and Pochettino urged his players to prove ‘they are not Cole Palmer FC’. Chelsea lost 5-0.

Maresca correctly claimed his side were not ready for a title challenge when things looked rosy earlier in the season.

Yet he now faces the prospect of failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Fifth should be good enough. Chelsea are sixth and shot of confidence.

Is Maresca under threat? Maybe but what good would a sixth manager in 2½ seasons be when Boehly’s entire project looks so flawed.

Not even Brighton try to win solely with kids.

AN EFFIN’ BIG DEAL

Reuters

Jude Bellingham was sent off in Real Madrid’s draw with Osasuna[/caption]

AS THE only manager to have won the title in all five major European leagues, Carlo Ancelotti can swear proficiently in five different languages.

So when Jude Bellingham was sent off for using foul and abusive language at a referee during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Saturday, Ancelotti, 65, played the cunning linguist card.

The Real boss claimed: “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said ‘f*** off’, not ‘f*** you’ . . . that’s way different.”

This opens up an entire can of foul-mouthed worms.

Firstly, is ‘f*** you’ really significantly stronger than ‘f*** off’?

Given that ‘f***’ is the most versatile word in the English language, should Spanish referees really be expected to understand the nuances of its myriad uses?

Are Premier League refs trained to understand the usage of foreign swear words so as to weigh up whether any specific instance merits a red card?

And if not, does this give overseas players an advantage over native English speakers in our top flight?

Or maybe Bellingham should simply stop swearing at officials all the time.

MIGHTY MOUSH

Getty

Omar Marmoush netted a stunning hat-trick against Newcastle[/caption]

MANCHESTER CITY clearly signed a couple of seriously good players in January.

So why didn’t boss Pep Guardiola have the nerve to start either Omar Marmoush or Nico Gonzalez in the first leg of City’s Champions League play-off against Real Madrid?

In Saturday afternoon’s 4-0 humping of Newcastle, Marmoush bagged a hat-trick, while midfield anchor-man Gonzalez was dubbed ‘mini-Rodri’ by his manager.

Guardiola reckons his side have just a one per cent chance of overturning a 3-2 deficit in the second leg at the Bernabeu tomorrow night.

But with those two in the team, City’s chances should be a whole lot better.

OLIVER’S TWIST

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Oliver Glasner often wears a knitted jumper on the touchline[/caption]

MANAGERIAL touchline fashions have become fascinating in recent years.

From Roberto Mancini’s Man City scarf to Pep Guardiola’s roll-necks to Scott Parker’s entire wardrobe,  fashionistas have often salivated.

Yet for me, a middle-aged man who spends a lot of winter evenings out in the cold watching football, there is a clear winner.

Which is why I hope that I’ll soon be able to choose from the Oliver Glasner Alpine Knitwear Collection at the Crystal Palace club shop.

START TO AD UP

Getty

Adama Traore impressed against Nottingham Forest[/caption]

SINCE Adama Traore arrived in England a decade ago, the Spaniard has had the potential to be the most fearsome winger in football.

Built like a bull but blessed with Speedy Gonzalez pace, there has been a tendency to watch Traore and say: “Imagine if he could cross a ball.”

Well, under Fulham’s hugely underrated boss Marco Silva, Traore has learned how to at the age of 29 — as exemplified in his man-of-the-match display against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The prospect for Premier League left-backs is terrifying.

HEADING SOUTH

Rex

Matt Le Tissier watched on as Southampton were beaten by Bournemouth[/caption]

WHILE Southampton’s death march towards relegation continued with a home loss to Bournemouth, cameras panned to their greatest Premier League player — the wild conspiracy theorist Matt Le Tissier.

“I wonder if he’s got his boots,” said the Match of the Day commentator.

“I wonder if he believes Southampton’s disastrous season is down to the malign influence of a shady international cartel run by an evil reptile overlord,” said me.

ITS A SIN

The Mega Agency

Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban[/caption]

WORLD tennis No.1 Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month ban for failing a doping test — conveniently scheduled so that the Italian misses precisely NO Grand Slam events.

That’ll teach him.

SKY is one of the best places to score a deal when it comes to broadband and TV packages.

This month, we’ve stumbled across the best Sky deals, including its ‘brand-new’ Sky Glass TV and Essential TV package for as little as £29 per month.

Sky deals for February

Sky likes to roll out monthly deals to keep things interesting, and there are often some winners in the mix. 

The latest Sky Glass Gen 2 and Essential TV package starts from £29 per month, while the plug-and-play Sky Stream, which comes with Sky Entertainment and Netflix, cuts out the middle man.

With more than 300 channels available through Sky, you’ll never be short of something new to watch.

Netflix is also included in all Sky TV packages with a library of thousands of shows and movies.

You can also tailor your subscription to take account of your household’s viewing habits, with different packages for movies, kids, and sports.

Sky has just unveiled two brand-new versions of its Sky Glass smart TV, with one already up for grabs.

Our Senior Tech & Science Reporter, Jamie Harris, got an early look at the Sky Glass Gen 2, while the Sky Live Air is set to land later this year.

Get the full scoop on the latest Sky TV upgrade, with Jamie noting that the new ‘extra vivid’ mode makes colours pop like never before, especially in movies.

Sky’s best deals are always changing, so we’ve rounded up the latest offers for you here.

Whether you’re new to Sky or a seasoned subscriber, keep checking back for fresh updates and the best Sky deals.

Sky Glass Gen 2 deals

Our favourite Sky Glass deals for February

Launched this month, the Sky Glass Gen 2 is a brand-new Smart TV with upgraded 4k Ultra HD resolution, with a new ‘extra vivid’ viewing mode ideal for movie night.

Like the previous generation, it has Sky services built in and instant voice command, allowing you to switch up shows and channels.

Plus, it has an incredible sound system with an additional speaker, bringing the total to seven, all supporting 360-degree Dolby Atmos.

From £29 per month, you can purchase a Sky Glass Gen 2 43” 4K TV and Essential TV package, which includes Netflix Standard with ads and Discovery+.

Check out the Sky Deals page for more information.

Sky Stream deals

Sky

Sky Stream is much more accessible to all[/caption]

Our favourite Sky stream deals for February

Compatible with any TV, Sky Stream is a pack that offers streaming access to Freeview TV and Sky over WiFi.

Before this, you needed a Satellite dish or Sky Glass to enjoy Sky, so Sky Stream is much more accessible to all.

Starting from £15 a month for 24 months, taking advantage of Sky Stream means you’ll secure Sky Entertainment and Netflix for less.

You can even use voice control to access all your favourite apps such as Netflix, Disney+, and more.

Sky TV deals

Our favourite Sky TV deals for February

Some of the most popular shows on Sky TV include Succession, And Just Like That, Gangs of London, and more.

Now combined with Netflix, you can get packages to watch all your favourite shows in one spot.

One of our favourite February deals is the Essential TV and Full Fibre 100 bundle which costs £37 per month.

Broadband deals

Our favourite Sky broadband deals for February

Sky offers a variety of broadband packages and deals to suit all households.

Sky’s Full Fibre broadband, which delivers 150Mbps, is currently £28 per month, with nothing to pay upfront.

For those who need faster speeds, you can get the Full Fibre 300 plan for just £2 more, priced at £30/month.

Shoppers can score Full Fibre 75 for just £26 per month when they sign up online.

Please note pricing may change during your contract.

For more information, see the Sky Broadband deals page.

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What are the best Sky deals at the moment?

Sky is currently offering a whole host of deals and these change regularly so it’s worth bookmarking this page to keep an eye on updates.

This month we love the Full Fibre broadband deal which comes in at £27 per month.

However, if you’re also looking to bag a new TV deal, we would seriously consider spending £35 per month for Essential TV and Full Fibre 150 broadband.

What is Sky Stream?

Sky Stream allows you to watch Sky Entertainment and Netflix on your TV through Wi-Fi – so it completely removes the need for satellite dish installation.

The palm-sized box is available for next-day delivery and works once plugged into any TV.

Just simply plug in and play and you’ll be able to instantly stream over 30,000 shows on your TV.

It offers access to 150 channels and 100,000 hours of aggregated content.

There are two ways to purchase Sky Stream.

Customers can either pay for a 24-month contract or go for a flexible 31-day rolling contract that can be cancelled at any time.

At the moment you can pick up Sky Essential TV from just £15 per month on a 24-month contract, or £18 per month on a 31-day rolling contract.

There are also discounts available on Sky’s Ultimate TV plans, so it’s well worth a closer look.

What is Sky Glass?

Sky Glass is a 4K QLED TV designed to eliminate the need for a satellite dish.

Much like a regular smart TV, Sky Glass can connect directly to the internet to enable the viewing of countless channels.

The device is innovative in the sense that it allows the whole Sky Q experience to be enjoyed over Wi-Fi.

The TV also has a completely redesigned Sky software experience, a built-in soundbar and subwoofer, and three size options (43-, 55-, and 65-inch.)

Sky Glass is available in five unique colours; Ocean Blue, Ceramic White, Racing Green, Dusky Pink, and Anthracite Black.

The TV is available either as a one-off purchase or as part of a Sky Glass contract.

If you choose the first payment option, you’ll spend £599 when you bag the 43-inch version, £849 if you prefer the 55-inch offering, and for those who love the 65-inch model, you can expect to pay £1,099.

Of course, you’ll still have to pay a monthly subscription to watch Sky channels.

The upfront cost means that a Sky Glass package deal is often more appealing and budget-friendly.

Check out the deals above, where we’ve rounded up the best pay-monthly bundles.

If you want to learn more, have a read of our Sky Glass TV explainer.

What is Sky Q?

Sky Q was once Sky’s premium service, but it’s perhaps not as popular as the platform’s other packages now.

Essentially, Sky Q is a family of services integrated into either a 1TB or 2TB set-top-box with smart TV features and Ultra HD support (for the 2TB version).

Sky also offers a Q Mini box, a device that connects to your main Sky Q box to watch TV in other rooms.

The Sky Q remote included in the box can control both devices via Bluetooth and features a built-in microphone to allow for voice search functionality.

Since the Sky Q main box includes 12 TV tuners, you can simultaneously record up to six channels and share content around the house at the same time.

How much do the Sky Q boxes cost?

The cheapest Sky Q box subscription starts at £31 a month for a 24-month deal, plus there’s a set-up fee of £20.

For this, you’ll get the Sky Q 1TB box.

The boxes themselves don’t cost anything – they simply come from Sky and are included in your subscription.

If you’re hoping to customise your plan, then you’re in luck, as there are discounts up for grabs on TV extras such as Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, and Sky Kids.

What channels are on Sky Entertainment?

Sky’s Entertainment bundle includes roughly 30 dedicated Sky channels in addition to the Freeview ones.

Arguably the most viewed is Sky Atlantic, being the one where all of HBO’s latest programs can be watched.

Sky One is another channel that has seen a spike in views in recent years, broadcasting shows such as Modern Family, In The Long Run, and The Simpsons.

Other entertainment channels include Sky Living, Fox, and Universal, as well as Comedy Central and Gold.

There’s also a whole host of children’s channels so your little ones can catch up on shows such as Dennis and Gnasher, Dragons: The Nine Realms, The Deep, Danger Mouse, and more.

What Channels are on Sky Sports?

Sky has a long history of excellence when it comes to sports channels, and despite competitors such as BT having stepped up their game, Sky’s Sports channel portfolio is still one of the best.

The main sports channel available to Sky premium customers is Sky Sports Main Event, showing all main events across different sports.

Other channels focus on individual sports, with some of the most viewed being Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Golf, and Sky Sports F1.

Football fans also get a Sky Sports Football channel, offering a comprehensive number of lower league matches.

Can I watch BT Sport ESPN on Sky?

Yes, you can!

BT Sport ESPN is included in the Sky Sports package.

You can find BT Sport ESPN on Sky Channel 423 if you want to watch it in HD and Channel 876 if, for some reason, you need an SD stream.

If you’re not familiar with this particular channel, BT Sport ESPN originally belonged to US-based sports broadcaster ESPN.

While it was acquired by BT in 2013, the channel continued to mainly focus on coverage of American sports.

Because of this, on BT Sport ESPN, you can follow most Major League Baseball (MLB) and American College sports matches.

The channel also occasionally shows European sports when BT Sport 1, 2, and 3 are covering other matches.

What HD Channels do I get on Sky?

Many HD channels are already available in the basic Sky package.

These include BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and BBC News.

CBBC and CBeebies are also available in high definition without the need for further upgrades, together with ITV, 4, 5, NHK World, and RT.

Sky HD boasts over 40 channels in high definition, including Sky Atlantic, Fox, and many more.

How do I get the best deal on Sky?

Sky periodically promotes sales on their deals, bringing their prices down on particular occasions and festivities throughout the year.

Watch out for sales around Christmas time, Easter, and of course, Black Friday.

If you feel particularly inclined to haggle, Sky also offers a ‘Stay with Sky’ page, where you can speak with an adviser.

Is Sky cheaper than Virgin?

When it comes to standard price per month, Sky’s Essential TV package, which also includes Netflix, starts from £15 per month.

Virgin is primarily a broadband provider and, therefore, does not have a TV-only package in the UK.

Instead, Virgin offers a Bigger Combo bundle for £33 per month.

The package features M350 Fibre Broadband, access to perks and experiences with Priority, and over 200 TV channels.

What is Sky’s cheapest package?

Sky offers a range of services, from broadband and TV to their Sky Q streaming services, so it depends on what you’re after, as prices will vary greatly depending on whether or not you want multiple services or just one.

However, from our findings, you can get Sky broadband for as little as £25 a month.

Sky stream packages start from £15 per month including Sky Entertainment and Netflix, then you can purchase additional TV packs as required,

Lastly, Sky Glass packages start from £27 per month, allowing you to again build a plan that’s specific to your interests and needs so you can get the most out of your money.

What are the best Sky TV deals available now?

There are a few deals and discounts Sky is currently offering, as well as some recurrent deals that are definitely worth considering.

You can find all of the best deals, including those in this guide, on the Sky website.

Sky’s Glass subscriptions are certainly worth considering if you want to secure a TV package and a shiny new screen in one fell swoop.

How much is Sky TV for new customers?

The overall price of your package will depend on your personal preferences.

All new customers have to pay a £20 set-up fee, which goes up to £49 for existing customers upgrading to Sky Q.

Of course, the price includes the installation of both broadband and phone lines, as well as the TV box setup.

Do existing Sky customers get better deals?

While Sky typically offers better deals to new customers (often in an attempt to poach them from competitors), the company does have a dedicated page listing discounts for existing customers.

In addition, there’s something else existing customers can do to get better prices; haggling.

We have a dedicated guide to the art of haggling, but it essentially involves letting your service provider know that you will leave them for a chapter alternative unless they give you a better deal.

We believe this is currently the best way for Sky’s existing customers to save some extra cash.

Sky deals for existing customers

Currently, existing customers can enjoy several deals.

Here are a few of our favourite offers existing customers can snap up today:

• 900Mb/s Full Fibre Broadband, £39 per month – upgrade here
• Sky Sports, £22 per month – upgrade here
• Sky Cinema, £10 per month – upgrade here
• TNT Sports, £30 per month – upgrade here

Is Netflix free on Sky?

Netflix Basic is included in all of Sky’s TV packages.

With the basic subscription option, you can watch films and TV shows on a single screen and not in HD.

If you do want HD, however, you can purchase the Sky HD pack to watch Netflix in HD (Netflix Standard) or the Sky Ultra HD pack to watch Netflix in Ultra HD (Netflix Premium).

If you already have a Netflix subscription, you can easily connect your account to retain your library and profiles.

Can you still get Sky+?

For new customers, Sky+ is no longer available as Sky Q replaced the Sky+ service in 2016.

However, existing customers can continue to use the box.

NEIL ROBERTSON has landed a £150,000 windfall – without even having to pick up his snooker cue.

The Australian bagged the cash after Mark Selby beat Luca Brecel on his way to the Welsh Open crown.

PA

Neil Robertson bagged a £150,000 bonus – despite being knocked out in round two of the Welsh Open[/caption]

Getty

Mark Selby beat Stephen Maguire to win the crowd in Llandudno[/caption]

Selby saw off the Belgian Bullet before overcoming Stephen Maguire 9-6 in the final.

The player with the highest earnings in the Home Nations Series bags a £150k bonus.

Robertson, 43, led the standings going into last week’s tournament in Llandudno.

He was knocked out in the second round by Tom Ford – and therefore needed a favour from Selby.

Brecel was the only man who could reel in Robertson in the race for the cash.

But defeat in the semi-final for the 2023 world champion meant the Aussie walked away with the jackpot.

Taking to X, Robertson showed his appreciation for Selby’s efforts.

He penned a short tweet putting Selby’s name alongside a love heart emoji.

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Ex-pro Neal Foulds declared Robertson had been lucky to walk away with the bonus.

Speaking to Eurosport, he said: “He’s kind of won it by default in a way.

“I mean, he’s obviously picked up more money than anyone else, but the amount of people that were queueing up to take it off him, and none of them did.

“It’s happened like that a couple of times now. So congratulations to him. He’s the rightful winner.”

Brecel’s defeat to Selby means he misses out on the Grand Prix in Hong Kong.

He needed a triumph in Llandudno to move into the top 32 of the one-year rankings.

Brecel said: “I’m a bit disappointed. Obviously, I wanted to go to Hong Kong for the Grand Prix.

” But maybe it’s a bit of karma for not entering all the tournaments this year. I think I maybe skipped five or six tournaments.

“It is what it is. I had my chances I guess; I didn’t take them well. It’s all about building up the game for the World Championship, I guess, this season. It’s the only one I’ve got left.

“So for me, that’s the big one and I’m happy to be going there with a bit of confidence and some results.”

More than four years on, I still deal with knee pain from that crash simply because I couldn’t afford to be out of work.

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