4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on How to fight rip-off service charges if you’re a leaseholder and get up to £3,000 free cash
BUYING a leasehold property can be a complicated process, and you may not always realise what you’re signing up for.
Over the past few years, it’s come to light that thousands of leasehold homeowners are trapped paying high service charges that they can’t control.
AlamyLeasehold flats often come with high service charges to maintain the grounds[/caption]
A leasehold property is where you can buy the right to live in it for a set period of time, but you don’t own the land it’s on.
This is compared to a “freehold” property, where you own both the home and the land.
Leasehold tenure tends to be more common for flats, although some new-build housing developments are leasehold too.
Because there are often multiple homes within one building or development, there is usually a joint responsibility for the upkeep of the building or site.
Oversight of this maintenance is often delegated to a management company, which charges service fees to the residents.
The problem is that these fees have largely been unregulated, so management companies have been able to charge whatever they like without explaining exactly what the money is being spent on.
Some homeowners have found that their charges have increased so significantly in a short period of time that they can’t sell their homes, as potential buyers aren’t willing to take the high fees on.
Here, we explain how homeowners can tackle high service charges and regain control of their maintenance costs, saving thousands of pounds a year.
Try resolving it directly first
Sometimes, you may be able to resolve issues with service charges easily by speaking to your management company.
Kevin Mountford, co-founder of financial firm Raisin, recommends getting a breakdown of what you’re currently paying for to help figure out if you’re being ripped off.
“Many leaseholders face inflated service charges that can feel like an unavoidable financial burden, but there are ways to challenge and reduce these costs,” he said.
“Start by requesting a full breakdown of charges from your managing agent or freeholder—transparency is key.
“Compare costs with similar properties to identify overcharges, and if something seems excessive, don’t hesitate to negotiate.”
Right to Manage
If you don’t get anywhere by approaching your management company or freeholder, you may be able to take over managing the charges yourself.
The Right to Manage is a legal process where leasehold residents to effectively take over the managing their building together.
It’s only available to leaseholders of flats, so doesn’t apply to leasehold houses.
The government is pushing through reforms that will allow more people who own leaseholdhomesto access Right to Manage.
Anyone in a mixed-use development where 25% or more of the space is used for commercial reasons can’t currently use Right to Manage, but this minimum is being increased to 50% to allow more people to access it.
The government is also removing the requirement for leaseholders to cover freeholders’ legal frees during Right to Manage claims, which it expects will save homeowners around £3,000.
To start the process of Right to manage, a group of residents in a leasehold development must set up their own Right to Manage company, with its own Articles of Association (a type of legal document) explaining
It costs £50 to set up a company and takes around 24 hours to register.
You then need to serve notice to the freeholder of the development – the person who owns the land – letting them know you are taking over the right to manage. They then have one month to dispute this.
Mr Mountford said: “In some cases, collective action such as forming a Right to Manage company can give leaseholders direct control over service costs, often reducing them by 20-30%.
“This could save you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds a year.”
Escalate your case to court or an Ombudsman
For private leasehold residents, you can then complain to a First Tier Tribunal about leasehold charges if you can’t use Right to Manage or need to take further action.
Mr Mountford added: “Leaseholders have the legal right to challenge unfair charges via a tribunal, which can lead to significant savings.”
If you live in social housing, you can try escalating your case via the Housing Ombudsman instead.
This can look at complaints relating to communication, (including being ignored), and the transparency and fairness of the service charges.
How to check if your home is leasehold
WHEN you buy a property, you should be advised about its tenure.
Make sure to ask the estate agent when you view the home as they should know or be able to find out.
However, if you’ve already bought a property and aren’t sure if it’s leasehold, it should say in the legal documents you got when you bought it.
If you can’t find these, you can look your property up on the Land Registry, where all homes are recorded.
Look yours up on: gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on How to slash the cost of your weekly gluten free food shop – and the best ‘secret’ supermarket swaps
WHETHER you’ve been on a gluten free diet for one day or several decades, you’ll very likely already know how expensive products and ingredients can be.
Whenever I tell friends and family that the price of a supermarket loaf of gluten free bread can be up to seven times more expensive than a ‘normal’ one, I’m always met with a look of pure shock.
Author Becky Excell says gluten free food shopping doesn’t always need to be expensiveBecky ExcellShe has shared some simple ways to keep costs downBecky Excell
Yes, that’s right, some people spend their disposable income on holidays of a lifetime, but I spend mine on making a sandwich.
But that gluten free premium doesn’t end at bread.
Other everyday essentials like flour, cereals and pasta are often twice as expensive as their gluten-containing counterparts, with other non-negotiable key ingredients being no exception.
Research carried out by Coeliac UK in 2024 showed that a full weekly food shop suitable for a gluten free diet can be as much as 35 per cent more expensive than a regular one – and that doesn’t surprise me!
Imagine if I was to add up all those extra costs I’ve spent over my 16 years of being on a gluten free diet… I shudder to think of how much extra I’ve spent in total.
But what’s the solution? Abstain from them entirely and live in a world where we all eat soup (without bread!) for every meal?
I think not. Against all odds, I’m here to show you that you can make a real difference to your supermarket receipts.
In my new book, Budget Gluten Free, I share all the tricks behind my own budget-friendly cooking and baking philosophy across 100+ delicious recipes that nobody would ever know were gluten free or made on the cheap.
Not only will you quickly be able to make savings that will more than cover the cost of the book, you’ll crucially learn how to offset the dreaded ‘gluten free tax’ that’s inevitably applied to most gluten free products and ingredients.
Using this book won’t mean spending hours in the kitchen either, it actually encourages quite the opposite – time is money, after all!
THE ‘GLUTEN FREE TAX’
THERE are quite a few factors that affect the price of gluten free food, it’s not just one thing.
One of the main reasons is that factories that manufacture gluten free food must have zero cross contamination on those lines, and the logistics of making this happen generally mean it’s more expensive to produce.
Another is the fact there is less demand for these products compared to those for the masses; manufacturing smaller quantities leads to increased costs due to economies of scale.
There are also further costs involved. For example, testing products to ensure they are actually gluten free (below 20 parts per million of gluten legally in the UK) takes time, and therefore money.
Plus, the ingredients themselves can actually be more expensive, so the product has to be too. This isn’t always the case, but very often is.
Ultimately, it can feel like you’re being punished for something you can’t avoid.
The cost of eating gluten free
ABOUT one in 10 of us now follow a gluten free diet in the UK, estimates show.
This could be for several reasons, including coeliac disease (an autoimmune condition that affects one in 100 people), gluten intolerance or sensitivity (thought to impact about 13 per cent of people), and irritable bowel syndrome (which up to 20 per cent of people are said to have).
Coeliac disease requires a strict gluten free diet, but this can come at a cost.
A weekly food shop suitable for a gluten free diet can be as much as 35 per cent more expensive than a standard one
The cheapest gluten free loaf of bread remains more than six times as expensive as regular bread
Although I understand why, that doesn’t change the fact that essentials like bread can be six or seven times more expensive.
This simply makes a gluten free diet less accessible to people who have no choice but to follow it for serious medical reasons.
I’ve received messages from people in the past who continue to eat gluten despite being diagnosed with coeliac disease (an autoimmune condition) simply because they can’t afford to be on a life-long gluten free diet.
Needless to say, the consequences this will have on their health in the long term are not positive.
This might start with constipation, diarrhoea or headaches but can result in liver abnormalities, fertility issues, miscarriages, neurological problems and, in rare cases, cancer, Coeliac UK warns.
This is definitely not something anyone should ever have to do, but also reflects the sad reality of what gluten free people have to face.
BUT IT CAN BE CHEAPER
WHILE gluten free supermarket products tend to lean towards the expensive side of things, not every meal of the day always requires them.
Plus, when used in modest quantities, even products like gluten free soy sauce can go a long way in saving costs and adding the required effect to your finished dish.
Though gluten free food has a reputation for being inferior to ‘normal’ food, I try to prove in my seven recipe books that that certainly doesn’t have to be the case!
My newest, Budget Gluten Free, shows across over 100 recipes that you can enjoy delicious and varied gluten free food on a budget.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming; it can be quick, easy and enjoyed by the entire family!
Becky has followed a gluten free diet for the last 16 yearsHannah HughesBecky ExcellHer new book, Budget Gluten Free[/caption]
HOW TO KEEP COSTS DOWN
1. AVOID THE FREE-FROM AISLE
BUY dedicated gluten free products from free-from supermarket aisles only when necessary.
While crucial to a gluten free diet, you don’t need to look there for absolutely everything.
Gluten free essentials like bread, flour, pasta and cereals are likely to be non-negotiable purchases, however many other products you’ll find nearby often aren’t so necessary when push comes to shove.
For example, you’ll also likely to find jars of free-from pasta sauce, which is a product that’s generally gluten free anyway, and boxed cake mixes, when it’s far cheaper to make your own using gluten free flour.
2. COOK FROM SCRATCH
THOUGH we don’t have a whole lot of dedicated gluten free convenience products to choose from in the first place, there are huge savings to be made by avoiding them entirely and taking a ‘do-it-yourself’ approach.
Because as always, with convenience comes cost!
When shopping on a tight budget, obvious examples of things to avoid would include: jars of pasta sauce, pre-cut veg, microwave rice and packet spice mixes. All of these are easy to make yourself at home with very little effort.
And of course, the financial savings will allow more room in your spending for costlier gluten free essentials (and treats!).
Hannah HughesA peanut butter curry from Budget Gluten Free[/caption]
3. GO OWN-BRAND
SOURCE naturally gluten free products for the lowest price to help counterbalance the increased cost of buying gluten free essentials.
This is integral – tight budget or not.
Staple cooking ingredients such as vegetables, rice, tinned tomatoes or beans, lentils and pulses can hugely vary in price, especially when branded products are involved.
Yet these ingredients can always be found in a supermarket’s ‘essentials’ or own-brand range at extremely low prices (though always check for ‘may contains’).
You’re free to disagree with me, but I’ve found there’s little need for brand loyalty when buying basic ingredients like these. They taste the same!
4. BULK BUY
WE often pay more and get less if we’re gluten free.
So for ingredients like meat or veg, try to buy the largest quantity you can for the biggest savings.
When shopping with this in mind, it helps to look at the price per kilogram to check how much you’re really paying – and the difference in what you’re paying for the exact same product in differing quantities can be quite scary!
While you might initially be put off the whole idea because you’ll likely end up buying way more than you need (and wasted ingredients = wasted money), using batch cooking recipes that are specifically tailored to using larger quantities will solve that problem immediately.
5. MORE MEAT-FREE MEALS
MEAT never fails to be the most expensive ingredient in a dish.
Simply by enjoying a hearty veggie curry or roasted veg pasta dish more regularly, you can further help to offset the cost of using more expensive gluten free products when you need to.
The important lesson to learn here is that meat-free meals certainly aren’t exclusively for vegetarians, nor does anyone truly need meat in every single meal.
Most don’t turn their nose up at a cheese toastie just because it doesn’t contain meat, so the same thinking should apply to your other meals too!
Avoid the free-from section where you can, Becky saysBecky Excell
6. YELLOW STICKERS
KEEP an eye out for reduced items. It’s not uncommon to find a loaf of gluten free bread reduced to be anywhere less than 70 per cent of its original price.
As these ‘yellow ticket‘ finds are usually very close to their expiry, remember they can easily be frozen and defrosted for another day.
But a warning from me first: only buy reduced items you actually need!
It can be very easy to see a heavily discounted product and just grab it ‘because it’s cheap’, but if you don’t end up using it, then it probably wasn’t such a great find after all.
7. YOUR FREEZER IS YOUR FRIEND
YOUR freezer is your friend – not only for freezing your bargain loaves of gluten free bread, but for freezing dinner leftovers too.
It can come in especially handy for batch cooking, which is essentially where you prepare your own homemade ready meals ahead of time and store them in the freezer.
Or if batch cooking sounds a bit too organised for you, you can always purposefully make ‘too much’ food on nights where you do cook, then freeze the leftovers for the future in the same way.
Not only will you save on the energy costs of repeat cooking (and have more nights where you don’t cook) but having meals that are conveniently ready to go might also save you on shelling out for a costly takeaway too.
Becky’s other top money-saving tips
Plan and budget before you set foot in a supermarket
Always carry a shopping list
Bulk out recipes with cheaper ingredients (e.g. adding carrots, onions, beansprouts to a Chinese chicken dish)
Use low-running-cost appliances where possible (e.g. air fryers, slow cookers, induction hobs)
Be aware of the high cost that comes with convenience
Buy wholefoods and spices from budget supermarkets
Look above eye level and below eye level
Resist impulse buys
‘SECRET’ GLUTEN FREE SWAPS
UNTIL the price of gluten free products comes down to Earth, there’s sadly no obvious simple swaps that can make a significant difference to people’s supermarket receipts.
But small changes do add up, and you can try smart swaps that replace noticeably costly ingredients with super-cost-effective ones that perform the exact same job.
For example, budget-friendly recipes I’ve tried online in the past are often quite happy to use small amounts of expensive ingredients; that’s because the cost of a small amount is relatively low, making the recipe still seem affordable and appealing.
A common example of this would be a budget recipe calling for 20g of an expensive ingredient like Parmesan.
I always think: well, yes, the cost of that isn’t a lot by itself (especially when you divide it per person) but what about the cost of the other 180g I’ve now got sitting in the fridge?!
And let’s not forget that the average block of Parmesan costs the same as the most expensive loaf of gluten free bread.
So to combat that, I’ve simply swapped common expensive ingredients out entirely, usually for affordable ones that I already have in the fridge anyway.
Following this particular example, I simply swap out Parmesan for mature cheddar, which currently costs less than half the price despite fulfilling a similar role.
You could also try swapping:
ASDA Free From Tomato & Herb Pasta Bake Sauce (£1.30 for 500g) for Tesco Pasta Bake Creamy Tomato & Herb Sauce (£60p for 500g)
Tesco Free From Red Pesto (£1.10 for 190g) for Tesco Red Pesto (99p for 190g)
Couscous (which isn’t gluten free) for quinoa
Breadcrumbs for crushed gluten free cornflakes
Croutons for crushed nuts
Egg noodles for rice noodles
Wraps for rice paper
Soy sauce for tamari
But remember, always check the ingredients list as things can change!
Budget Gluten Free, By Becky Excell (Quadrille, £20) was published February 13, 2025.
Recipe: Keema curry
Serves: 6-8
Prep: 10 minutes
Hob: 70 minutes
Slow cooker: 6-7 hours
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil spray
150g frozen chopped onion or ½ large leek, finely chopped
500g minced (ground) beef
2 tsp garlic paste (optional)
2 tbsp ginger paste
20g jarred jalapeños, finely chopped
3 tbsp mild curry powder
2 tsp salt
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1.5cm cubes
2 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes
1 x 400g can of lentils, drained
2 tbsp tomato purée (paste)
150ml gluten free beef stock
200g frozen peas
Method:
To cook on the hob:
Spray the base of a large pot that has a lid with oil and place over a medium heat. Once hot, add the onion or leek and fry until the onion is browned or the leek has softened.
Add the beef and, once it releases a little moisture, scrape anything stuck to the bottom of the pan until it’s deglazed. Once the beef has browned, add the garlic paste, if using, ginger paste, jalapeños, curry powder and salt. Stir well and fry until fragrant and there is no liquid left in the pan. Stir in the potatoes and fry for 2–3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, lentils, tomato purée and stock, then stir well once more. Turn the heat down to low, cover and simmer for 45–50 minutes until nicely thickened. Stir in the peas and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until the peas are done.
To cook in a slow cooker:
Spray the base of a large frying pan with oil and place over a medium heat. Once hot, add the onion or leek and fry until the onion is browned or the leek has softened. Add the beef and fry until browned.
Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients apart from the peas to the slow cooker and stir well.
Once the beef has browned, add it along with the onion or leek to the slow cooker and stir in. Pop the lid on and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3½ hours, stirring in the peas 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe: Cheese and tomato arancini bake
Serves: 4-5
Prep: 10 minutes
Hob and oven: 60 minutes
Ingredients:
2 tbsp ‘buttery’ margarine
100g frozen chopped onion or ½ medium leek, finely chopped
400g frozen mixed veg (such as carrots, cauliflower, green beans and peas)
300g risotto rice
500ml passata (sieved tomatoes)
1 litre gluten free vegetable stock
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp dried mixed herbs
70g mature Cheddar, finely grated
For the breadcrumb topping:
1 x 125g ball of mozzarella, cut into small chunks
70g gluten free breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil spray
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C fan/200C.
Add the margarine to a large ovenproof pot that has a lid and place over a medium heat. Once melted, add the onion or leek and fry until the onion is browned or the leek has softened.
Add the frozen veg and, once defrosted a little, add the rice and stir well. Fry for 2–3 minutes before adding the passata, stock, salt, pepper and mixed herbs. Briefly stir, then pop the lid on, transfer to the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the lid, briefly stir and place back in the oven with the lid removed for 10 minutes.
Stir in the grated Cheddar until melted, then scatter the chopped mozzarella on top and pat down to form a flat layer. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs all over the top so that no risotto can be seen below and spray well with oil. Return to the oven for 15 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp.
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Meghan and Harry’s PDA is so over-the-top – she’s desperate to be Hollywood influencer
THE Invictus Games took place in Canada this week and front and centre of the event were Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s PDAs, according to royal experts.
Royal reporter Bronte Coy said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s “kissing and hugging” was “pretty intense”, and her Instagram content was telling of Meghan’s future goals.
GettyThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a kiss during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games[/caption]
GettyMeghan was also seen resting her head on Harry’s shoulder[/caption]
GettyThe couple didn’t hold back with their affection at the games[/caption]
The joint appearance at the event held for wounded and sick service personnel and veterans, came amid claims they are now focusing on solo work projects.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show after the event held in Whistler and Vancouver, Bronte shared: “I think that there’s going to be an extraordinary amount of scrutiny on everything that happens with them and their relationship because of the professional separation that happened last year.
“With that said, the PDAs were pretty intense, and we got more of a front row seat to all of these PDAs.
“It was kissing, hugging, hand holding, just looking on surface value, at least, it certainly looked like a couple very much in love.”
Meghan and Harry embraced for a kiss in the stands as a lip-reading expert revealed the Duke gave his wife a cheeky five-word instruction.
It appeared the Sussexes couldn’t keep their hands off each other and the Duchess even rested her head on the Duke’s shoulder.
Although the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020, an etiquette expert has clarified there is no formal rule on royal family members showing affection in public.
She told People: “Senior members of the royal family would likely not be told how to interact or when they can or cannot show PDA and would be trusted to use their better judgement as to when it’s appropriate.
“The royals often adjust PDA to mirror the formality of the event they are attending.”Bronte said that there was a key reason we saw so much of their couple interactions during the Invictus celebrations.”
She explained: “The reason we saw so much of that, to tie it in with the Instagram part, is because she was posting a lot of these moments together.”
The unexpected clip, shared to @meghan, was her first personal online post in several years.
Bronte continued: “We’re not used to seeing this much of them behind the scenes and them being so lovey dovey, we get the photos and you get videos on engagements, but it’s very different having them joking around.
“It was so slick and polished. She was previewing the work she was doing.”
Instagram/@meghanMeghan returned to Instagram on New Year’s Day with a beach video[/caption]
InstagramSome people have claimed Meghan is trying to be a Hollywood influencer with her upcoming projects, including her Netflix cooking show[/caption]
Since then, mum-of-two Meghan has also shared a video opening T-shirts donated from Billie Eilish – helped by Maroon 5 lead Adam Levine and wife Behati Prinsloo – for a family whose home was devastated in the LA wildfires.
Bronte added: “It was all very slick, but it’s gone from that to now.
“What really is a very candid ‘here’s my life’, ‘here’s me and Harry’, ‘here’s this stuff that we’ve donated via my celebrity friends.’
“It’s very much changed in the space of six weeks.”
InstagramMeghan appeared like a ‘Love Islander’ in her video giving away Billie Eilish merchandise to a fan whose home had been destroyed in the LA fires[/caption]
Meghan’s ‘influencer’ projects
Meghan’s Instagram return comes ahead of her new Netflixcooking show, With Love, Meghan.
This eight-part series is scheduled for March 4, after being pushed back from January due to the LA fires.
In the exciting new trailer, Meghan shared: “I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it.
InstagramMeghan was seen cuddling up to Harry on her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan[/caption]
“Surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of them.
“I’m going to share some little tips and tricks. I see what colour I gravitate to, and everything goes from there. And how you incorporate these practices every day.”
She later unveiled two new products from her American Riviera Orchard brand just hours before Trooping the Colour.
Polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras was treated to a jar of raspberry jam from the collection as well as a jar of luxury dog biscuits for his pooch.
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on ‘Just lost it’ – Prem icon reveals Roy Keane’s two and a half hour dressing room rant about yoga and LUCOZADE after loss
ONE Premier League icon has recalled a mammoth Roy Keane dressing room rant that last “two and a half hours”.
Keane has become synonymous with his passionate rants and strong opinions, and Spurs hero Darren Bent has recalled witnessing one of those rants first hand.
GettyRoy Keane has become well known for his rants[/caption]
Youtube/TalksportDarren Bent has recalled a furious Keane rant during his time at Aston Villa[/caption]
Bent, who played under Keane during the Irishman’s time as assistant manager at Aston Villa, harked back to the aftermath of a 2-0 defeat to QPR back in 2014 as a memorable rant from Keane.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent said: “We were in the changing room for another two, two and a half hours after the game.
“He [Keane] absolutely blasted absolutely everything. And I’m talking about everything from people having injuries, to people getting too many massages, to people drinking Lucozade, to people doing Yoga.
“They turned the lights off [at Loftus Road]. We hadn’t had a shower.
“It was one of those situations where, everyone had their head down right, and the moment you lifted your head, if he caught eye contact with you, you were getting it.
“So my head stayed down the whole time.”
Bent went on to reveal that the manager at the time, Paul Lambert, had no part in the dressing down and just watched on in silence.
He said: “All I can remember is that Paul Lambert was in the corner saying nothing.”
Roy Keane was the assistant manager to Paul Lambert at Aston Villa in 2014PA:Press AssociationGettyBent played under the pair at Villa Park[/caption]
The 53-year-old was speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, when he said: “What used to annoy me was the lads who used to do the massages, they’d get a bit cocky.
“They settle into the club then they think they’re running the show, have got the music on and the team wins something, and all the masseurs would be on the pitch – just relax lads.
“They all get a bit cocky, every one of them. We’re having a night out, free bar, and then they’d come with all their mates – ‘you’re bringing your mates,’ relax!
“‘Are we getting medals?,’ no you’re not getting a medal, relax.
“Then they’d be wearing their headphones as if they were players, coming off the bus and you’re thinking, just relax, oh my god.
“‘Anyone selling their car?’ – they’d try and buy the players cars on the cheap, are you’re like lads relax.”
Roy Keane's angriest moments
What really ticks off Roy Keane?
The Irishman is known for his no-nonsense approach to football.
And some particular things really do get on Keane’s wick.
It all makes for great entertainment for fans, who love the Man United legend’s take on the beautiful game.
But is Keane being a bit too sensitive himself?
From smiling players to ABBA, nothing is sacred.
And we all know about his dislike for a prawn sarnie…
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Mystery as EastEnders stars Max Bowden and Danielle Harold unfollow each other after gushing about how close they are
SOAP stars Max Bowden and Danielle Harold have sparked a mystery after unfollowing each other on social media.
The pair have appeared on the latest episode ofCelebrity Antiques Road Trip, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the soap.
BBCThe close friends appeared together on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip[/caption]
BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack BarnesDanielle and Max are former co-stars on EastEnders[/caption]
The axed actress, who played Lola Pearce from 2011 to 2024, gushed about her former co-star during the episode aired on February 14.
While chatting to sidekick Ishy Khan, former I’m A Celeb star Danielle spoke about her former co-star and best friend and praised: “We’re really close, really close.
“It’s nice to do something fun. With EastEnders, our storylines are really heavy and really sad.”
Ishy commented on her emotional exit from Walford and said: “It didn’t end on a great note…”
She replied: “No, it did not end on a great note at all.”
Speaking about Danielle and Max’s close bond, Ishy remarked: “You can tell there’s love there.”
Harold agreed: “Yeah, there is. He loves me really. He pretends like he don’t, but be does.”
Bowden also opened up to antiques guru Hettie Jago and said: “We did some really dark and beautiful storylines together so we’ve spent a lot of time in each other’s pockets, which is why we’re so comfortable with each other.”
The pair have since unfollowed each other on social media sparking a mystery.
A source said: “It’s all very strange. Max and Danielle used to be so close – even after they left the show. But to unfollow each other so publicly seems so strange.”
The Sun has contacted representatives for Max and Danielle for comment.
The teaser for the BBC antiques show read: “Former EastEnders stars Danielle Harold and Max Bowden face off in the world of antiquities.
“Whilst this pair shared some intense storylines in Albert Square, off screen they are the best of friends.
“But that doesn’t stop the rivalry or the bickering as they cruise around the Cotswolds in a 1964 P1800S Volvo.”
Her character, young mum Lola Pearce, died from a brain tumour in 2023 and Danielle went on to win a string of awards and critical acclaim for her performance.
Actor Max, who played Ben Mitchell, was axed from the soap in 2024.
The actor was the sixth star to play the role of Ben Mitchell on the long-running BBC serial dramafrom 2019.
InstagramSocial media records show that the pair have unfollowed each other[/caption]
InstagramThe best friends appear to have fallen out[/caption]
PAI’m A Celeb star Danielle is thought to have come to blows with her friend[/caption]
GettyMax and Danielle have been firm friends for years[/caption]
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on I ditched the UK & moved to Thailand – it’s so cheap, I live in a huge three-bed house with a pool for only £325 a month
A YOUNG woman has revealed that she ditched life in the UK and moved abroad to Thailand.
Not only is it so cheap, but Jane Vienn now lives in a huge three-bedroom house and it’s even got a pool and a gym.
A content creator has revealed that she ditched life in the UK and moved to ThailandTikTok/@janeviennNow, Jane Vienn lives near Bangkok and pays just £325 a month to rent a huge property with a pool, gym and communal gardenTikTok/@janeviennAlamyThailand is considered a dream destination by many and so it won’t come as a surprise that Jane loves the weather[/caption]
GettyBritish Airways has seen a huge uptick in bookings since it relaunched flights to Bangkok in October[/caption]
The brunette beauty, who is living just outside of the capital, Bangkok, claimed that leaving the UK was the “best decision” she has ever made.
Keen to open up on her now much more purse-friendly lifestyle, the content creator took to social media and gave her followers a close-up look at her new rented accommodation, leaving many gobsmacked.
Showing off the huge property, which has a stunning swimming pool, she said: “This is what £325 [a month] can get you in Thailand.
“So you have a massive pool, there’s places to sit outside and then there’s a kids playroom, so it’s perfect for people who have kids.”
As well as a communal garden and a fitness room with cardio machines and dumbbells, Jane beamed: “They also drive golf carts to get around, so that’s pretty cool.”
Jane shared that she found the huge house, which she confirmed is not an Airbnb, on a Facebook group.
The influencer, who has a job in paid advertising and is able to work remotely, explained that not only does she now have a “better quality of life” but she also praised the “friendly people” in Thailand.
As a result, she claimed to “feel safer and happier”.
Not only this, but she also raved about the “great” weather and admitted that the wind, rain and cold temperatures in the UK “often affected my mood.”.
As well as this, Jane expressed: “The UK made it impossible for youngsters to make a life for themselves. I don’t feel trapped anymore.
“I feel free, exploring different cultures and countries has completely changed my perspective on life.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @janevienn, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 560,100 views.
Social media users were impressed by Jane’s much more affordable lifestyle and many were eager to express this in the comments.
One person said: “Thailand is unbelievable value for money, definitely moving to Thailand soon.”
Unbelievable value for money
TikTok user
Another added: “I’m convinced.”
A third commented: “Looks like I’m moving to Thailand.”
Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “Unbelievable value for money.”
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Moving house hacks
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load.
2. Create an Inventory
Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move.
3. Use Quality Packing Materials
Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move.
4. Label Everything
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized.
5. Pack a ‘First Day’ Box
Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day.
6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup
Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place.
7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items
Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury.
8. Colour-Code Your Boxes
Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Husband desperately tried to fight off 6ft shark as beast ‘bit off both his wife’s HANDS’ while she tried to take photo
A BRAVE husband tried to save his wife as she was savaged by a 6ft shark which reportedly bit off both of her hands.
Witnesses claim the tourist rushed to save his partner from the predator as they swam off the coast of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Atlantic.
GettyThe woman was in the shallows trying to take a picture of the animal (stock)[/caption]
The couple – understood to be Canadian – were holidaying on the islands with their family.
They are believed to have been only a few metres from the shoreline when the shark attack took place.
It was reported by local media she lost both of her hands and a chunk of her thigh in the horrifying incident.
It is believed – but not confirmed – that the shark was a bull shark, a species known for attacks on humans.
The 55-year-old had been in the shallows and “attempted to engage” with the animal and take a picture of it, according to local authorities.
And then the large predator turned on her in the vicious attack.
Local officials said that it was around six-foot in length and continued circling in the shallows after the attack.
Emergency services found the woman’s family huddled around her and trying to stem the blood flow from her catastrophic injuries.
Distressing images show their desperate attempts to perform life-saving measures with any towels and materials available.
“I was there for 40 minutes and it was still lingering,” one witness told Magnetic Media.
“That shark bite victim lost both her hands and some forearms. Her husband tried to fight it off.”
A witness claimed the woman managed to hobble to the safety of the beach despite her injuries which included a bite to her upper left leg.
Royal TCI Police said in a statement: “At 10:33 am on Feb 7 the Police Control Room of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force received a report that a female visitor had been injured while swimming.
“Medical personnel and the police were dispatched to the given location in Blue Hills, Providenciales.
“The 55-year-old victim was brought ashore and rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center for Treatment.”
She was later transported off the island for further medical care.
It has been reported that one of her hands was amputated at the wrist and the other half-way down her forearm.
Her family huddled around her and trying to stem the blood flow from her catastrophic injuries
She is expected to survive the ordeal despite her life-changing injuries.
The waters around the islands are home to numerous types of sharkes including grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks.
The beach was closed by DECR from Thompson’s Cove Beach to Froggies ATV, Blue Hills until 1 pm on Sunday when it was deemed safe.
The DECR warned the public to continue to be aware of their surroundings and to respect marine wildlife.
It reminded swimmers to only be in designated zones, avoid murky water, never swim alone, and to never try to feed marine wildlife.
Two second-half goals from makeshift striker Mikel Merino sealed the victory for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are now four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal struggled to trouble Leicester in the first half with Leandro Trossard fluffing a chance from close range, but Wright was furious with Sterling after he was caught offside on two occasions, despite being able to clearly see the Foxes’ defensive line.
Sterling was replaced by Merino in the 69th minute and the Spanish midfielder put Arsenal in front with a header from Ethan Nwaneri’s cross before he wrapped up his side’s win with a neat finish from Trossard’s cross.
‘I think Nwaneri has been exceptional in that front three,’ Wright told Premier League Productions during his half-time analysis.
‘Raheem Sterling and Trossard… I think Trossard had a good chance, the kind of chance in a game with the forwards we’ve got you’ve got to do more with it, go to the basics in trying to get contact on it, he didn’t do that.
‘I think Declan Rice had a header, maybe could’ve done better, we’re talking about nit-picking with Declan as a chance but in the main we’ve controlled the ball very well but there’s been some offside situations which, for me, are unacceptable at this level.
Raheem Sterling struggled to make an impact in Arsenal’s win over Leicester City (Getty)
‘It’s not lacking awareness, we’re talking about an experienced player here, a top player, a Premier League-winning player, multiple times.
‘Arsenal know these are opportunities, when you look along that line, Trossard running straight, you’ve got to be aware of where you are, obviously he’s not a striker, you’ve always got to try to find that last defender and see where he is.
‘That is unacceptable, that one there [from Sterling]. Unacceptable, he’s on the line, he can see the whole line, he’s got space, you pull your hair out as a manager.’
Mikel Merino scored twice in the second half to seal Arsenal’s win (PA)
Meanwhile, Michael Owen added: ‘The first and last ones from Sterling are unacceptable.
‘It’s hard enough to get into the final third of a game, to play the ball in a wide position where he’s on his own and maybe get a one-on-one, it happens a handful of times.
‘You’re just standing there, you might as well get the ball and give it to the opposition, it’s so reckless, so poor.
‘We can all run offside, you could time it wrong, a player could play it a second too late, because it’s split-second stuff, but to stand there and to look right across the line, you know the ball’s coming and to stand offside and kill an attack, it’s just unacceptable.
‘It’s just basics, if a six, seven, eight-year-old child did that I’d be screaming at them, you just can’t do that, it’s one of the first things you learn.’
