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AMANDA Holden is well-known for wowing Britain’s Got Talent viewers with her stylish statement outfits.

Admitting she tends “to go all out,” she’s rated her most iconic looks over the years – including a cheeky low cut black dress that she says nearly won her the most “Ofcom complaints of the year” award.

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Starring in a video posted to Britain’s Got Talent’s YouTube account, Amanda rated her outfits for their 20.7 million subscribers.

Ofcom controversy

Groaning in laughter, she looked at an extremely revealing Julian McDonald dress, which she says was “held together with a piece of fish wire” across her chest.

The flashy number had caused quite a stir when she wore it for the series 11 semi-final in 2017.

“I stand by that dress, I still would wear it to this day – although I doubt I’d get into it,” Amanda laughed.

Lady in red

Beaming at one of her “favourite looks ever,” Amanda looked back at a gorgeous red gown she donned for the series 3 final in 2009.

The stunning dress was designed by Australian designer Tamara Ralph of Ralph and Russo and featured a slinky fitted body, fishtail hem and statement diamante bow.

Rex Features

Amanda laughed as she admitted she felt like a “giant sweetie.”

She said she’d been stitched directly into the dress, which left her unable to sit down all evening and perched on the edge of her seat during judging.

“But I didn’t care, because I looked snatched,” she joked.

Skintight

Another outfit that left viewers breathless was the jaw-dropping pink latex dress she wore for the series 15 auditions, which she paired with a glam pair of pink stilettos.

Amanda joked that she reckons the skin-tight dress caused her to “lose half a stone in sweat that day,” but said that she “loved it.”

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The TV personality told viewers about a seamstress who works behind-the-scenes on BGT, who takes care of any alterations needed by the star-studded judging panel.

She said the seamstress had painstakingly hand-stitched every single jewel into the dress, for her to wear for the season 15 semi final in 2022.

Rex Features

Describing the dress as both “epic” and “heavy,” Amanda said she also “loved” this one too.

Amanda’s Madonna moment

Revealing her favourite outfit of all time which emphasised her “muscley arms like Madonna,” Amanda gushed over her outfit for the series 17 final in 2024.

The gorgeous statement dress featured a black bodice with a racy low-cut neckline and mesh skirt.

Rex Features

Also in her throwback looks were her series 2 finals Union Jack dress, which Amanda said was “obviously trying to emulate” Ginger Spice and her gorgeous series 5 live performance outfit honouring her role of Princess Fiona in the West End production of Shrek.

Rex Features

And in a moment that she said was even “more terrifying” than performing live as Princess Fiona, Amanda recalled the time she sang her own song ‘Not While I’m Around’ live on the Britain’s Got Talent stage.

For her performance, she donned a stunning long-sleeve white gown, which she said made her look “very innocent and angelic.”

A DRIVING pro has revealed a 20p hack to banish mould from your car in the damp winter months.

The pro revealed this unlikely pet product acts as a dehumidifier.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Drivers wanting to prevent the mould from forming in the first place should consider this hack, Darren Miller, from the vehicle buying service BigWantsYourCar.com, suggests.

The trick is to place a full sock of cat litter on the car windscreen and allow it to soak up the moisture in the air.

By soaking up the moisture it will prevent mould from forming as once it appears, it can be difficult to get rid of.

Cat litter can be bought from Amazon for as little as £3.19 for a 4L bag.

Add a small scoop to a sock and it could cost you just 20p.

AIR CONDITIONING

Darren also recommends regularly running the air conditioning system to prevent mould.

He explained: “Effective use of your vehicle’s heating and air conditioning systems is a strategic approach to controlling interior moisture levels.

“These systems are not merely for comfort; they are important for maintaining a dry and mould-free environment.”

For those already experiencing minor instances of mould using cleaning cloths can be surprisingly effective.

So long as the driver and/or passengers can face the winter chill outside.

AVOID EATING AND DRINKING

Another hack the driving pro revealed is to minimise eating and drinking in your car.

He said: “Minimising eating and drinking inside vehicles significantly reduces the likelihood of mould.

“Even minor spills and crumbs can create an environment for mould growth.

“This is because organic materials and liquids provide the perfect breeding ground for mould. In the event of spills, immediate cleanup is important.”

WATER DAMAGE

Another issue, repeatedly overlooked is dealing with water damage quickly.

The key problem area is he scuttle panel below the windscreen wipers, Darren explained.

This area is important for water drainage but can often get clogged up with leaves, flower petals, and other debris, causing water to back up, which can then enter the air conditioning and heating systems,” he said.

“Water damage can quickly escalate into a mould problem if not addressed, emphasising the importance of monitoring for leaks and ensuring proper vehicle maintenance.”

The expert listed signs of water damage, including damp carpets, a musty smell, or water stains.

“These can also often be the first sign of a more serious issue, such as a leaky sunroof or door seal, which requires immediate repair to prevent mould,” Darren added.

He advised regular checks and drainage of these areas.

SIGNS AND RISKS OF MOULD

Signs you have mould in your car:

• A persistent musty odur
• Visible mould growth on upholstery, carpets or other interior surfaces
• Increased allergy symptoms

Mould spores can be potentially hazardous, causing or worsening respiratory issues and allergic reactions.

“It’s important to be aware of the dangers that mould can pose to your health and keep an eye out for any signs of it in your vehicle,” said Darren.

“Checking your car regularly for signs of moisture or mould, even in places you can’t easily see, like under the seats or carpets, is key to maintaining a healthy environment inside your car and avoiding expensive cleaning fees.”

A GOLFER missed out on a $4million winner’s prize by just one shot – after flying himself to the tournament.

Maverick McNealy, 29, produced a thrilling performance in the final round of the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines.

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Maverick McNealy came within a shot of winning the Genesis Invitational[/caption]

Instagram

The PGA golfer is also a qualified pilot and flew himself to the tournament[/caption]

Reuters

Ludvig Aberg birdied the last to clinch the trophy[/caption]

He shot a superb eight-under-par 64 to finish on -11 – going eight under through the first 11 holes.

But the American was pipped by Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg who birdied four of the final six holes including the 18th to snatch the prestigious title by one shot.

And Aberg was handed over the trophy by none other than host Tiger Woods.

As for McNealy, though, he had to settle for second and a mere $2.2m [£1.75m].

But in the grand scheme of things, that is a fraction of the $1billion fortune he will inherit.

McNealy’s dad Scott co-founded tech firm Sun Microsystems and sold the company to Oracle in 2010 for $7.4bn [£5.9m].

It means Maverick and his three brothers – all named after American cars – are all set to become billionaires.

And it is thought that may well make McNealy the richest golfer in the world.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

His epic fortune places him above legends such as Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Rory Mcllroy and Phil Mickelson on the golfing rich list.

But former world No1 amateur McNealy is certainly making a name for himself and boosting his bank balance on the golf course with £12m in career earnings.

But as well as his management science and engineering degree, custom-made irons and rise to 14th in the world rankings, McNealy is a qualified pilot.

The Californian, who has one PGA Tour win at the RSM Classic in November, secured his license in 2023 at the age of 27 – the same year he married wife Maya.

And he even flew his own private plane to Torrey Pines for the Genesis Invitational.

Speaking about his unique arrival to the famous course, McNealy told Golfweek: “It was a really fun way to get here. Kind of unique for me on the PGA Tour.

“I’m going to use it a ton to get to La Quinta for better weather practice and up north to Tahoe in the summer when it gets too hot in Las Vegas.”

On his narrow miss behind Aberg at Torrey Pines, he added: “It [second] is more than I could have asked for to start the day.

“It was one of those things where I got on a roll early and there were some gettable flags.

“When you get on a roll you just don’t want to get off it and I tried to keep it going as long as possible.

“I had a few poor shots and an unlucky break or two at the end but definitely had a few things go my way early in this round and it was just a ton of fun to be up there, to have a chance.

“Ludvig played awesome.”

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McNealy was eight under through 11 holes on Sunday[/caption]

Instagram

He secured his pilot license and married Maya in 2023[/caption]

UKRAINE hopes its “invincible” drones could change the trajectory of the war as production of the lethal weapon ramps up.

New fiber-optic drones have excited Ukraine, with the deadly weapons capable of transforming into unjammable flying bombs, evading electronic shields and delivering precision strikes.

AP

A Ukrainian made FPV fiber-optic drone flies at a military market place at an undisclosed location in the Kyiv region[/caption]

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence

A fiber-optic drone in action[/caption]

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence

Thin fiber-optic cables pictured[/caption]

Fiber-optic drones are first-person-view weapons that carry a small explosive payload.

Unlike previously where drones relied on a radio frequency connection that was vulnerable to electronic signal jamming, they’re now built with thin cables that provide a stable connection across several miles.

And, due to the cables being able to maintain a reliable link between the drone and the operator, they’re resistant to conventional electronic warfare practices that have troubled Ukraine previously.

On top of this, the drones provide high-quality video transmissions, granting troops the power to not only receive early warning for incoming FPV drones, but destroy them too.

The breakthrough drones have emerged as a response to electronic warfare – which both Ukraine and Russia use to decimate each others weapons.

Electronic systems interference has become a key part of the war – and consequently the technology race.

Russia had introduced fiber-optic drones in the bloody war last year, with the weapons having a prominent place in the conflict by winter.

Initially there was some scepticism from those who work within the efforts to scale up the drone production in Ukraine, especially surrounding how the tech would perform.

But now the weapons are in very high demand and are seen as a main part of a rapidly evolving battlefield.

Ukrainian developers began working on the tech in 2023, according to senior executive in Ukraine’s defence industry Nataliia Kushnerska.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence

Spools of fiber-optic cable in different sizes[/caption]

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A Ukrainian servicewoman in a VR set operates an FPV drone controlled via a fiber-optic cable during a test flight[/caption]

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A fiber-optic-controlled drone is designed for the Ukrainian Armed Forces[/caption]

She told Business Insider: “That year saw the creation of the first prototypes and initial testing conducted by the manufacturers themselves.

“Today, Ukrainian producers have already transitioned to serial production of these systems.”

Kushnerska added that dozens of teams across Ukraine were now working on fiber-optic drones – and the numbers continue to increase.

She explained how companies could produce thousands of the deadly drones each month.

Other company CEO’s and founders shared their hesitations with the drones initially, but as time went on and knowledge of the drones continued to expand, manufacturers realised the addition of fiber-optic cables would be a modification to their drones.

And by halfway through last year, it was clear that the weapons were an essential on the battlefield.

Despite there being various manufacturing and production challenges due to the demand not being high enough for the drones, electronic warfare tactics began to interfere with typical communication channels.

This marked the beginning of fiber-optic drones becoming a necessity in the war.

AP

A serviceman, callsign Omar, demonstrates a Ukrainian made FPV fiber-optic drone[/caption]

AP

A serviceman launches a Ukrainian made FPV fiber-optic drone[/caption]

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An FPV drone controlled via a fiber-optic cable flies during Ukrainian military training[/caption]

Representative Oleksii of Warbirds of Ukraine, which produces drones, revealed that the fiber-optic weapons “are essential because they remain operational in electronic warfare environments”.

He told Business Insider: “When used with the right technology, they can significantly improve the accuracy of strikes.

“This is one of the evolutionary steps in developing new approaches to counter electronic warfare systems.”

At Warbirds of Ukraine alone, the drones can now be produced at a whopping 700 systems a moth.

Fiber-optic drones are just one part of Ukraine’s ever-changing defence industry, with the country also producing homemade artillery and missiles to help the frontline troops.

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A fiber-optic-controlled drone is designed for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kyiv region[/caption]

Reuters

A first-person view (FPV) drone is seen in flight at a training location of the 113th Territorial Defence Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces[/caption]

ONE of Britain’s biggest airlines have issued an urgent warning ahead of the March holiday surge. 

British Airways have warned that holidaymakers travelling from Gatwick or Heathrow will need to consider the upcoming major M25 disruptions.

Simon Jones - The Sun

Alamy

The M25 closures could take place over eight days in March. 

The motorway will be closed between Junction 10 and Junction 11 in both directions on March 7 until March 10.

It will close again, at the same junction, from March 21 until March 24.

Closures will begin at 9pm on each Friday and will end at 6am on each Monday.

The J10 slip roads will also be closed between February 21-24, as National Highways removes old bridges in the area.

They will also be installing structures for pedestrians, horse-riders and cyclists as well as a corridor for wildlife.

The string of closures have sparked fears that hundreds of Brits could miss their flights over those busy weekends.

Ahead of the closures, BA said: We strongly advise you to plan your journey in advance and allow for extra time to reach the airport.

They added:  “A diversion will be in place but please allow extra time and plan ahead for your journey to the airport.”

The closures are due to a planned effort to remove old bridges over the road. 

However, National Highways have announced that there will be further closures on our roads throughout the Spring. 

The A3 will be closed in both directions from April 11 to 14, between Junction 10 and Cobham Roundabout. 

The upcoming disruptions come as after Heathrow hiked its drop off charge from £5 to £6 on January 1. 

However, drivers are able to use the airport’s long stay car park free of charge for thirty minutes. 

Heathrow also made headline news in February after the Labour government committed to building a third runway in a bid to kickstart economic growth. 

The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said: “I want spades in the ground. 

“I want people to see in their areas, things happening, growth happening, their children and their grandchildren in the future having the opportunity to work in high-skilled high-paid jobs contributing to the economy with more money in their pockets.”

She added that she hopes “sustainable aviation fuel” would help cut the increased emissions, which will be caused by the bigger influx of planes at Heathrow. 

SWANSEA have sacked manager Luke Williams.

The move comes with the club 17th in the Championship and after a horror run of seven defeats on the spin.

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Swansea have sacked manager Luke Williams after a seven-game losing run[/caption]

A club statement said: “Swansea City can confirm the club has parted ways with head coach Luke Williams.

“Assistant head coach Ryan Harley and first-team coach analyst George Lawtey have also left the club with immediate effect.”

Williams departs the Swans after 13 months in charge.

Following a 3-1 defeat to Stoke over the weekend – in which Lewis Baker scored from inside his own half – Swansea are only eight points clear of the bottom three.

Swansea chairman Andy Coleman said: “This was a difficult decision and one that has not been taken lightly. Luke has led the club through some challenging periods and we appreciate his hard work.

“I am aware of the effort he and his staff have put in throughout the last 13 months for Swansea City.

“I want to personally thank Luke, Ryan and George for their dedication and the sacrifices they have made on behalf of the club.

“Unfortunately, since the turn of the year our performances and results have not been of the standard required at this level.

“Ultimately, that has led us to conclude a change is required in order to bring about an improvement in our showings on the pitch.”

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

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ANTON Ferdinand has shrugged off backlash from trolls who are targeting him on Dancing on Ice.

The former footballer, 39, has faced criticism for still being in the competition after former fan favourites were sent home.

Eroteme

Rex

Charlie Brooks left the competiton at the end of Sunday night’s show[/caption]

Novice skater Anton finished in second place on the leaderboard on Sunday night in joint place with The Traitors star Mollie King, just behind Towie’s Dan Edgar.

It led to vicious tweets on X, with one viewer saying: “Can we just skip the skate off? The judges already know exactly who they’re sending home. Anton could fall on his a**e through the ice and they’d still save him.”

Another added: “Are the judges blind? They voted the best skaters out. Anton was like a wooden plank on the ice same as last week.”

Despite fears he’s been struggling behind the scenes, Anton’s rep insisted: “He is focused on the Dancing on Ice journey, he’s loved every minute.

“The comments aren’t fazing him, he’s faced much worse over the years during playing in the Premier League.”

Anton went up against Charlie during last night’s skate-off.

After both performing their routine again, it was down to the judging panel – Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse and Ashley Banjo – to have their say on who should be going home next.

Ashley, Oti and Jayne opted to eliminate Charlie meaning that no vote from Chris was required.

As this week’s head judge, he had the responsibility of making the casting vote and although it was not required, he insisted that he would have voted to axe Charlie as well.

Alongside Charlie, Chelsee Healey, Josh Jones, Ferne McCann, Steve Redgrave and Chris Taylor have all left the competition so far.

FREE cash is up for grabs for both new and existing customers by making one simple switch.

The £175 could be banked by anyone willing to switch their current account but they will need to be quick as the offer ends in just weeks.

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Lloyds Bank is offering new customers £175 in free cash[/caption]

Lloyds Bank is offering the cash to punters who switch from another bank to a Club Lloyds account.

If they do so from tomorrow until April 1, they can scoop the cash which will be wired to your account within 72 hours.

As well as the cash, new customers will also benefit from a handful of other welcome perks.

These include a 12-month subscription to Disney+, or a choice of six Vue or Odeon cinema tickets, a magazine subscription, or a digital Coffee Club and Gourmet Society membership.

The former would otherwise set customers back £60 a year.

Meanwhile, cinema stubs can be expensive too, with movie fans forking out between £5.99 and £13.99 depending on the ticket and location.

There is also the possibility of earning up to £90 in credit interest each year.

Lloyds pays 1.5 per cent on anything up to £4,000 and then pays 3 per cent on balances between £4,000 and £5,000.

At the moment there’s a monthly fee of £3, but this is waived if you deposit £2,000 or more into the account each month.

However, from June 2, this fee will rise to £5 per month, potentially adding up to £24 more per year for those who do not meet the £2,000 monthly deposit requirement.

“Customers can also take advantage of Everyday Offers, providing cashback when shopping at select retailers and it’s easy to sign up to Save the Change when using a debit card,” the bank said. 

“The service works by rounding the spend to the nearest pound and transferring the change to a nominated savings account.

“The Lloyds app also makes everyday banking on the go easy – customers can access a range of features including card controls, subscription management and checking credit health, with the app using the latest tech to keep customers and their money safe.”

Andrew Hagger, a personal finance expert at Moneycomms added: “On the face of it, the list of benefits looks impressive.

“As long as you meet the £2,000 monthly income criteria to avoid the £5 monthly fee, then it looks a decent deal. 

“The Club Lloyds Platinum and Club Lloyds Silver are packaged bank accounts and come with monthly fees of £22.50 and £11.50 respectively – just make sure you’ll make good use of the benefits on offer with these accounts otherwise it may not work out good value.

“If you’re someone who goes overdrawn from time to time you may be better off looking at First Direct – also offering £175 switch incentive and 7 per cent regular saver.  

“With First Direct the first £250 in overdraft is interest free whereas Lloyds charges up to 49.9 per cent depending on your credit record.”

Banks often offer incentives to attract new customers, usually in the form of a cash bonus.

And it’s not the only one offering a bonus right now.

First Direct is also offering a £175 welcome bonus to new customers for example.

Nationwide has a £175 offer and TSB is giving out £100.

Santander was offering £150, but that has now ended.

Deals like this come and go regularly so its worth moving quickly if you think it’s for you, as they can be pulled at any time.

 

ZHILEI ZHANG and Agit Kabayel meet in a HUGE clash for the vacant WBC heavyweight championship in Saudi Arabia.

Zhang comes into this bout off the back of another huge win in Saudi Arabia, against Deontay Wilder in June last year.

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Zhilei Zhang (left) looks to build momentum after beating Deontay Wilder[/caption]

PA

Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel both look to win the WBC heavyweight championship[/caption]

Kabayel is yet to be defeated as a professional fighter, but his last five fights have been over a period almost two years longer than Zhang’s last five.

The pair come into this fight as serious players in the heavyweight scene.

When is Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel?

• Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel is set to take place on Saturday, February 22.
• The fight is expected to start between 6-7pm GMT.
• Zhang and Kabayel are on the undercard of the fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, which kicks off from 4pm.
• The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

What TV channel is Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel on and can it be live streamed?

• Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel will be shown live on DAZN PPV, TNT Sports Box Office and Sky Sports Box Office..
• Coverage gets underway from 4pm GMT.

Full card

• Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol for the IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titles
• Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker for the IBF heavyweight title
• Shakur Stevenson vs Floyd Schofield for the WBC lightweight title
• Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz for the WBC middleweight titke
• Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov for the interim WBC heavyweight title
• Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel for the vacant WBC heavyweight title
• Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith for the interim WBO light-heavyweight title
• Bradley Rea vs Constantino Nanga

Lots of comings and goings ahead.