Plus: True story -- the gas station guy took the mic at the funeral.
Read More »
Miss Manners: My husband takes all the credit for my creations
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s other project slowly going backwards as Man Utd shareholder shifts all focus on Old Trafford job
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has seen one of his other sporting projects go backwards after switching his focus to Manchester United.
The British billionaire is working to overhaul the Red Devils’ football structure with redeveloping Old Trafford amongst his priorities.
He became co-owner of the club in February after purchasing a minority stake from the Glazers.
However, another team in his Ineos Sport empire has seen their decline in performance accelerate in recent months.
Ratcliffe, who has a net worth of £12.5billion, is hoping to return United to the top of English football after 11 years without a league title.
Part of his overhaul has seen the arrival of Dan Ashworth as sporting director, Omar Berrada joining from rivals Manchester City as chief executive and the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director.
Meanwhile, he hopes to turn the club’s home stadium into the “Wembley of the North”, with plans to demolish and rebuild Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe has even hired the architects behind the Lusail Stadium, which hosted the 2022 World Cup final, for the project.
A first set of pictures of the potential new Old Trafford site were revealed this week.
His cycling team, Ineos Grenadiers, are going in the opposite direction, though.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Ratcliffe purchased the outfit in 2019 after they had won the Tour de France six times in seven years as Team Sky.
Those victories were followed by a seventh under Ineos’ ownership later that year to become the most successful team in Tour de France history.
What we know about the 'new' Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford has since become a key figure in Ineos’ sporting empire, which also includes the Mercedes F1 team, America’s Cup challengers Ineos Brittania and football clubs Nice and Lausanne-Sport.
However, he has stepped away from the cycling team he originally founded to help rebuild United alongside chief executive of Ineos Sport Jean-Claude Blanc.
As a result, the Grenadiers’ downfall has accelerated, having not competed for a yellow jersey in each of the five Le Tours since their last victory.
Meanwhile, their 30 riders have picked up just 14 race wins in 2024, less than this year’s Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar has on his own with 21.
His team, UAE Emirates, have won 72 altogether, with The Times reporting the best riders no longer want to join Ineos Grenadiers.
This is shown by Brailsford’s failure to lure Pogacar away from UAE Emirates before he left the cycling team to become Ineos’ director of sport.
As Pogacar claimed his third yellow jersey in four years this summer, Ineos’ best performer Carlos Rodriguez was back in seventh.
UK energy firm with 5.22million customers is giving thousands a £150 discount – when you’ll be paid
A MAJOR energy firm with more than five million customers is set to pay thousands of customers a £150 discount on their bills.
EDF Energy is giving eligible customers extra cash through the Warm Home Discount to help lower bills this winter.
The eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount are the same as last year.
Between now and December, the government will issue letters to households that are eligible for the scheme.
EDF Energy has now said that it will aim to pay the discount by the end of February 28, 2025.
However, payments could begin being issued as early as next month.
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of pension credit or a different qualifying benefit form the list below:
- Income support
- Income based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- The “savings credit” part of pension credit
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible for the payment.
Where someone claims a qualifying benefit, the government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.
This means that you may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
However, this rule doesn’t apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of pension credit.
Around 800,000 pensioners are eligible for pension credit but not claiming it.
As well as missing out on a £300 winter fuel payments, they won’t get the £150 Warm Home Discount payment.
Even if you weren’t getting pension credit on August 11, thousands of pensioners who apply for the benefit now can still qualify for the £150 payment.
This is because pension credit rules allow first-time claimants to backdate their benefit entitlement by three months.
So you’ll need to launch your claim by Friday, October 11 and then successfully get it backdated to cover the August 11 Warm Home Discount qualifying date.
But if you fail to apply before this date you’ll miss out.
What is pension credit and how do I apply?
PENSION credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.
This is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
ou could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions, the winter fuel payment and the Warm Home Discount.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
We’ve explained everything you need to know about EDF Energy‘s scheme below.
Do I need to apply for the discount?
Households in England and Wales don’t have to apply to get the cash and receive it automatically.
You should look out for a letter between October 2024 and early January 2025 telling you:
- You’re eligible and you’ll get the discount automatically; or
- You might be eligible, and you need to give more information.
- The letter will tell you to call the helpline by 29 February 2024 to confirm your details.
If you don’t get the letter by early January 2024 and you think you’re eligible, you need to call the helpline on 0800 030 9322.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2025.
Some Scottish households do have to apply for the discount.
In Scotland there’s a “core group” that’ll receive an automatic payment and a “broader group” which has to apply for the scheme with their energy provider.
You’ll need to check with your energy supplier directly to see the eligibility requirements and details on how to apply.
The scheme will have more applicants than places, so make sure you apply as soon as possible.
EDF Energy customers can apply by visiting edfenergy.com/help-support/whd-application-form.
How will I receive the discount from EDF Energy?
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the £150 Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.
Once it has been applied, it will show on your next bill.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, EDF Energy will send you a letter explaining how you’ll get your discount.
You’ll receive a Post Office voucher in the post and instructions on redeeming it.
If you have a smart prepayment meter, EDF Energy will automatically credit your meter with the discount.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
MAFS groom drops huge hint he’ll be next to QUIT show with shock comment after bride moves out of apartment
A MARRIED At First Sight groom looks set to quit the experiment after making a very telling comment.
Alex Henry has already come under fire from a group of women who clubbed together to petition Channel 4 to axe him.
But in the latest episode of the E4 show, he appeared to suggest that he could be making an early exit following an explosive row with wife Holly.
All the couples were reunited for the first dinner party of the series and there was already tears and tantrums from many of the newlyweds fresh from their argument-filled honeymoons.
Alex had previously expressed how his lack of “fatherly instincts” may prove a barrier in his marriage to Holly as a result of her being a mother-of-two.
These concerns spilled over into the dinner party when fellow bride Polly clashed with Alex as she urged him to be honest and open about what he can handle in the marriage.
It saw him shut Polly down, a conversation that was witnessed by his wife.
Immediately taking issue with what he said, Holly saw red and snapped at her husband: “Don’t be rude!
“I’m not coping with someone who’s so f***ing disrespectful.
“I don’t want someone like that around me because I’ve got two children at home and never would a man be around my kids who speaks like that, let me tell you, let me f***ing tell you!”
Holly then stormed out of the dinner party and was left in floods of tears.
Alex later joined her as they attempted to have a conversation to discuss their marital problems away from the group where Holly admitted: “If I’m not happy where I am, then I’ll leave.”
The tears continued to flow as Holly shared her fears of being “second best” while Alex attempted to prove that she was “worth it” amid their clashes.
However, it appeared that Alex was conflicted as he told one thing to Holly and another to the camera.
During their one-on-one conversation, he said: “I thought I had reassured you enough that I am happy?”
Despite this, he hinted to the camera that he was ready to quit for good as he said: “This whole situation has opened my eyes.
“I don’t think I can move past this.”
Amid her own fears, Holly decided to leave their shared apartment as she said: “Alex might be telling me what I want to hear just so that I feel reassured.
“I’m definitely going to be spending the night away from Alex tonight.”
It remains to be seen if the couple will find a way back together.
Alex had previously come under fire amid a series of allegations about his conduct from women he knew prior to taking part in the series.
When contacted by The Sun, Channel 4 said that a criminal record (DBS) check was carried out on Alex and it came back clear.
A Channel 4 spokesperson told The Sun: “The welfare of our contributors is of paramount importance and, as such, we take all allegations of unacceptable behaviour seriously.
“We are aware of an allegation against a Married at First Sight UK 2024 contributor and we have responded directly to those who came to us with that allegation.
“As part of our responsibility to safeguard our contributors, everyone taking part in MAFSUK undergoes a rigorous vetting process, involving a criminal record check and multiple psychological evaluations, before they can be cleared to take part.
“The DBS (criminal record) check carried out on the contributor raised in the allegation was returned clear. We cast contributors based on the information we are legally able to access and we continue to review this process to ensure checks are as thorough as legally possible.”
Perth sepsis survivor reveals doctors warned his wife, who had recently given birth, he might not make it
Bradley was being kept alive by machines and medicine when his family was told there was a chance he would not survive.
Read More »
Adidas massive mid-season sale with up to 40 per cent off: Find everything from Sambas to classic tees
This stylish and sporty sale is not to be missed, score Adidas most coveted products for a fraction of the price.
Read More »
Naira closes at N1,667.42 in I&E window on September 25
The Nigerian naira continued its slide against the US dollar, closing at N1,667.42 in the official Investor and Exporter (I&E) window on September 25, 2024. This represents a 0.54% depreciation from the previous day’s close of N1,658.48, underscoring the currency’s ongoing struggles as it hovers in the 1,600 range. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria …
Read More »
Bride-to-be breaks down after getting a hair brush stuck in her locks for FIVE HOURS – and her fiancé resorts to PLIERS
A SOBBING bride-to-be feared she’d have to chop off her ‘long pretty’ hair when a hairbrush got stuck for FIVE HOURS – but her fiancé saved the day by wrenching it free with pliers.
Kelly Stone had been blow drying her newly cut curtain fringe to film an ad when she got her new round Conair brush lodged in her hair.
After trying to remove the brush herself with no success, the 27-year-old shared a video on TikTok asking her following for advice on how to extract the styling tool.
But when she had tried all the methods suggested to no avail, the content creator feared she’d have to cut a large chunk of hair – leaving her without long locks on her wedding day.
In an emotional video, Kelly can be seen panicking and crying as she tries to detangle the brush from her blonde mane, admitting she was ‘very emotional’ at the prospect of cutting her hair.
In the video Kelly said she was happy with how ‘long and pretty’ her hair was and hoped to showcase it on her wedding day, a prospect in jeopardy after it got stuck for five hours.
It was only when her fiancé Adam returned from work armed with a pair of pliers he was able to dislodge the brush by removing each individual bristle – a process that took 30 minutes.
Relieved Kelly, who claims destroying the brush was ‘therapeutic’ said she was thankful she didn’t end up having to lop off her locks and claims the pliers ‘really saved my life‘.
Kelly, from Los Angeles, California, US, said: “I had just got curtain bangs so I was looking for a slightly smaller round brush [to do this].
“I was trying to blow dry my hair and was trying to get my bangs but then I got some of my other hair too.
“I think it’s the actual bristles of the brush that caused this to happen.
“I was definitely in an immediate panic, I never thought that a brush could get stuck.
“I’ve used so many different styling brushes in the past and this has never happened.
“I pretty much tried all the tips and tricks I saw on TikTok to get the brush out of my hair.
“I tried everything. I tried getting it wet with conditioner, I tried the rattail comb, I tried plucking it out and I tried manoeuvring individual hairs too.
“I love having long hair, It’s definitely my passion. I think long hair will be very beautiful for my wedding day with the dresses I am looking at so it was definitely emotional.
“I was four hours in and my fiancé didn’t come home from work until I had this brush in my hair for five hours.
“Within the first hour my biggest fear was that I would have to cut the brush out of my hair.
The five best DIY hair hacks
One beauty expert has shared the easy way to refresh your hair in between washes without reaching for the dry shampoo.
A hairstylist has revealed the best way to get rid of flyaways in seconds for picture-perfect hair.
Sick of you hair falling flat? One woman shared the easy trick to add extra volume without backcombing your roots.
Plus, one hairstylist shared how to keep your hair straight and frizz-free without using any heat.
For blondies among us, it turns out you’ve been applying purple shampoo all wrong and the right way will stop it from going patchy.
“I was waiting for him to get off work and someone suggested the pliers in a video.
“I called my fiancé and asked him to get some. He ended up using wire cutters or something to take all the individual bristles out of the brush to untangle my hair.
“The pliers really saved my life.”
Kelly said it took the couple 30 minutes to remove the brush from her hair and has told others to stay calm, use lots of conditioner and to not tug on the styling tool if this happens to them.
She is now warning others about using a small round brush similar to this to perform a bouncy blow-dry to stop it from happening to anyone else.
Kelly said: “I posted a video of me detangling my hair. It was so matted but I was relieved because I knew with some deep conditioner, it was going to be okay.
“The tangle looked absolutely brutal and it was, but it was much easier to deal with than the brush in my hair.
“I did have some casualties unfortunately but not too bad. I have a very good leave-in conditioner that I use everyday anyway but I did go through most of the bottle.
“I would never use this kind of brush again. I also destroyed it which felt very therapeutic.
“If you do get your hair stuck in a brush, take some deep breaths at first and then call a friend to help you.
This is my biggest fear
Viewer
“When I was alone I was in a spiral and thought I’d have to cut it out of my hair.”
After posting about her travesty on TikTok, Kelly’s video was viewed by nine million users and racked up more than 200,000 likes.
One user wrote: “This is my biggest fear.”
Another added: “This happened to me and it took 4.5 hours to get it out.”
A third user wrote: “I hate these brushes. Used one when I was a teen and would refuse to ever use it again.”
A fourth added: “Do not cut your hair. Try the hair conditioner or get someone to help you. A friend or mother.”
Conair was contacted for comment.
Dick Van Dyke seen for the first time since cancelling appearance and joking he ‘hopes he makes it to’ 99th birthday
DICK Van Dyke has been seen for the first time since cancelling a public appearance and joking he ‘hopes he makes it to’ his 99th birthday.
Actor Dick, 98, looked in fine fettle while dressed in a pale blue shirt and joggers as he ran erands in Malibu this week.
The Hollywood legend leaned on a leopard-print walking stick and carried a bag as he enjoyed his day out.
He was joined by a burly male companion as the pair made their way across a car park.
It comes shortly after the Mary Poppins star was forced to withdraw from his first public event outside of Los Angeles in months, citing his advanced age as the reason.
Dick was scheduled to attend the three-day FanX convention in Salt Lake City from September 26-29.
However, a statement from the event organizers announced his cancellation: “We are sorry to announce that Dick Van Dyke is not able to travel to FanX.
“He expresses his gratitude to all of those who continue to support him, but at almost 99 years of age, traveling and interacting with thousands of people is more than he is able to do at this time.”
The Tony winner, who will turn 99 in December, last attended FanX in 2017, where he humorously remarked, “I’m looking for work if anybody has [any].”
When asked for advice to younger performers, he encouraged persistence.
He said: “You have to stick with it. You’re gonna go through hard times and a lot of auditions … but you have to stay with it.”
Regarding his plans for his upcoming 99th birthday, he joked, “Just praying that I make it.”
Earlier this month, Dick was last seen at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, where he jested about still looking for work before his 99th birthday.
He attended the Fan Fusion convention in Phoenix back in May, adding another public appearance to his schedule.
Recently, Dick tied with Norman Lear as the oldest Emmy winners at 98, both achieving this milestone at the Creative Arts Emmys.
He received the award for Outstanding Variety Special for his 2023 birthday special, “Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic.”
Reflecting on his career after receiving the award, he told reporters, “I hope to be remembered for making people laugh for 75 years. I’ve been in the business for 75 years. I can’t believe that I’m still here and performing.”
A LOOK AT HIS LIFE
Dick Van Dyke, real name Richard Wayne Van Dyke, was born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri.
At first, Dick wanted to be a minister, but after attending a drama class, he changed his mind.
In 1944, he tried to join the United States Air Force for pilot training during World War Two but was ultimately denied for being too underweight.
Instead, he went to the Special Services – which is an entertainment branch of the US military – to provide performances to the troops.
HIS MOVIE AND TV CATALOG
Before his big break in the Hollywood industry, he was a radio DJ and even performed in nightclubs.
In 1960, he starred in the Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie – as well as the 1963 live-action film.
After that, his career shot to stardom as he got his own show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, where he portrayed a comedy writer named Rob Petrie, which ran from 1961 to 1966.
During that time, he starred as Bert in the Disney movie Mary Poppins alongside Julie Andrews in 1964.
He also appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Carol Burnette Show, Diagnosis: Murder, Night at the Museum, Mary Poppins Returns, Curious George, Dick Tracy, and more.
Other than four Emmys, he also has a Golden Globe, a Tony, and a Grammy Award.
‘Most expensive looking collection I’ve ever seen’ people cry as they rush to Primark to buy decor priced from £3.50
WHILE it’s the shop to visit if you want a bargain, Primark isn’t exactly known for products that look more expensive than they are.
So it’s no wonder homeware fans are racing to the high street store to nab a new range dubbed the “most expensive looking” they’ve ever seen.
One woman took to her TikTok page to share a look at the collection, writing over the top: “When you thought the most expensive vase in Primark for £12 couldn’t get much better…”
She then showed the vase in question – a gorgeous cream number decorated with delicate grey flowers.
“You find the matching diffuser vase for £3.50!!” she then added, showing the mini vase that shares the same design.
“The most expensive looking collection I’ve seen in Primark,” she added in the video caption.
The arrival of the new range comes amid the news that Primark is rolling out their click and collect service to 54 more of its stores in time for Christmas.
Customers will also be able to click and collect homeware and menswear items, in addition to the women’s and kidswear ranges that were already available.
The rollout means that the click and collect service will be available in over half of Primark stores nationwide.
It also shows the company is on track to achieve its aim of the service being live in all their stores by the end of 2025.
“It’s been fifty years since we first opened our doors in Derby to bring affordable fashion to the British high street,” Primark UK retail director Kari Rodgers said.
“And expanding click and collect is another way we are giving people more reasons to visit their local high street and Primark.”
“We know our customers love its convenience and the opportunity to access our wider ranges typically only found in larger stores.
“We’re thrilled to reveal the new stores to offer the service and extend access to our ranges even further before the busy Christmas shopping period begins.”
As well as the traditional homeware ranges, customers will be able to click and collect festive offerings, such as gorgeous Christmas-ready tablecloths and cushion covers.
The latest 54 Primark stores to offer click and collect
- Banbury, Banbury Gateway
- Barnsley, The Alhambra Shopping Centre
- Birmingham Fort Parkway, The Fort Shopping Centre
- Birmingham, 38 High Street
- Bracknell, The Lexicon
- Bradford, The Broadway
- Burton On Trent, Coopers Square Shopping Centre
- Camberley, 35 – 41 Park Street
- Cambridge, 62-74 Burleigh St
- Chesterfield, 9-13 Market Place
- Colchester, Lion Walk Shopping Centre
- Corby, 1A Willow Place
- Coventry, Broadgate
- Derby, 28-31 Cornmarket
- Doncaster, 1-7 Market Place
- Grimsby, Freshney Place Shopping Centre
- Hanley, 2 – 10 Lamb Street
- Harlow, 28 Broad Walk
- Hemel Hempstead, 260 Marlowes
- Hereford, 9 – 11 Widemarsh Street
- High Wycombe
- Leeds – Trinity, Albion Street
- Leeds – White Rose, White Rose Shopping Centre
- Leicester – Fosse Park, Fosse Park Shopping Centre
- Leicester, Haymarket Shopping Centre
- Lincoln, 216 – 219 High Street
- Loughborough, 39 – 40 Market Place
- Luton, 48 – 52 George Street
- Mansfield, Four Seasons Shopping Centre
- Merryhill, Intu Shopping Centre
- Milton Keynes Centre, 116 Silbury Arcade
- Milton Keynes Shopping Park, MK1 Shopping Park
- Northampton, Grosvenor Shopping Centre
- Norwich, 5-9 Haymarket
- Nottingham, 6 – 12 Long Row
- Oxford, The Westgate
- Peterborough, Queensgate Shopping Centre
- Reading, 116-118 Broad St
- Redditch, Kingfisher Shopping Centre
- Rotherham, Parkgate Shopping Centre
- Rushden, Rushden Lakes Retail Park
- Shrewsbury, Darwin Shopping Centre
- Stafford, Riverside
- Stevenage, 6 – 8 Town Square
- Tamworth, Ventura Retail Park
- Telford, The Telford Centre
- Wakefield, The Ridings Shopping Centre
- Walsall, 1-7 Digbeth
- West Bromwich, 30 New Square
- Woking, The Peacocks Centre
- Wolverhampton, 4 Wulfrun Square
- Worcester, Crown Gate Shopping Centre
- York – Coppergate, Coppergate Shopping Centre
- York – Monks Cross, Monks Cross Shopping Park