A MAFS star has been spotted flogging her wedding dress on Facebook marketplace.
Shona Manderson, 32, listed the dress she wore on the Channel 4 show for just £500, describing the outfit as “used” but in good condition.
The reality star spent little more than a month married to TV hubby Brad Skelly after they wed on Married At First Sight last year.
The couple were kicked off the programme after complaints about his “controlling” behaviour towards her.
Shona’s Facebook Marketplace post features a photo of the reality TV star in the gown, taken during her on-screen wedding in season eight of the programme.
Shona, from Nottingham, also gave the measurements of the dress and added: “Message if you want to know more details. Open to offers and welcome to come and try on.”
A fan, who spotted the dress on Facebook, said: “I was just scrolling through my Facebook page when it popped up. I was just surprised to see it there.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
“I’m a huge fan of the show and was intrigued when I saw the product had ‘MAFS’ in the description.
“It’s not often you see a TV star letting the world into their private life like that, especially on Facebook marketplace.”
Shona and Brad were asked by the show’s experts to leave the programme after fans began to complain about his “controlling” and “coercive” behaviour towards her.
The pair split just a month after leaving the show, with Shona moving on with fellow MAFS star Matt Pilmoor who appeared in the same season last year.
Shona later told Cosmopolitan magazine of Brad: “We stayed together on the outside for, I think, about five to six weeks and the same behaviour continued.
“He was exactly the same person. It was the listing [of my bad traits], it was the harsh criticism, it was belittling me, like making me feel so small and questioning myself.”
At the time, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: ‘The relationships are closely monitored off screen, by production and an independent psychologist.
“If the relationships develop in a way deemed to be potentially unhealthy for either party, we would take expert psychological advice as to whether it was time for them to leave the process.”
Shona is now in a happy relationship with MAFS star Matt Pilmoor, who was actually married to Adrienne Naylor while on the show.
Loved-up Tayah Victoria and Adam Aveling of series six fame had the first Mafs baby.
The pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other on the programme and quickly found their feet in the outside world, moving into Adam’s Doncaster home.
Just 18 months after meeting, the couple welcomed their daughter Beau.
Season five couple Michelle Walder and Owen Jenkins also managed to make their marriage work away from the cameras and had their first child in December.
Teacher Michelle, 29, has no regrets about taking part in the experiment. She told us: “I just feel very lucky and thankful that it has worked out – and excited for everything to come.”
Michelle and Owen were both sick of dating apps when they applied in 2019.
Owen recalled: “I had been out for some drinks with a friend after work.
“While he was out for a cigarette I was scrolling on Instagram waiting for him to come back in.
“The MAFS advert was the last thing I saw, and I joked, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if I signed up?’
“A few beers later when I was back at home I sent in the application, and the rest is history.”
Another couple to make Mafs UK history is Zoe Clifton and Jenna Robinson.
Despite a slight rocky start, where they clashed over Jenna’s vegan lifestyle, the show’s first same sex pairing are still going strong.
They even have a successful podcast together called Life With a Pod.
Jenna shed light on being involved in the show earlier this year when she told us: “We’re not legally married, and I never felt like we were. I definitely feel the process makes you take the relationship a lot more seriously and having the help of the experts… if you can survive that process it sets a firm foundation for a long-lasting relationship.”
FANS have been left disgusted by a football club’s offering of cheesy chips and bacon.
The matchday meal has gone viral on social media after being snapped at a recent home fixture.
Irish side Bray Wanderers sell cheesy chips and bacon to supporters at their Carlisle Grounds home.
However, fans have been left unconvinced after seeing what is served up by the club.
A picture of the meal shows a portion of chips topped with rashers of bacon and a single slice of American-style cheese.
According to X account, Sports Scran, the meal is priced at €6.50 or £5.41 for supporters.
Reacting to the snap, one fan commented: “This should be arrested.”
Another added: “Not worth reviewing.”
A third fan also wrote: “The unmelted American single is so hilarious.”
Bray currently play in the League of Ireland First Division, the second tier of Irish football.
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Despite not convincing fans with the food at their 3,200-capacity stadium, the club are currently fifth in the table.
Supporters were able to get their hands on Bray’s cheesy chips and bacon on Friday against champions Cork City.
The Seagulls secured a point with a 3-3 draw to boost their own promotion hopes in the race for a play-off place.
Bray are in their sixth season in the division following relegation from the top flight in 2018.
SPLASHING out on a coffee pick-me-up doesn’t need to cost as much as you think it does.
Dee Bespalova, named the best Starbucks barista in the UK, has shared her top tips on how to save money – including the secret to free refills.
Star barista Dee was awarded after taking on her fellow Starbucks coffee connoisseurs from up and down the country.
She has now shared her top tips for saving money at Starbucks – and who better to get the inside information from?
Buying coffee on the go can be shockingly expensive when added up over time.
According to Wholesale Coffee Co, Brits spend on average £5.50 per week on coffee, which is £286 a year.
And on average, people who buy a Starbucks three times a week spending approximately £54 a month, which is a whopping £648 annually.
At The Sun, we always recommend you make coffee from home to save money.
For example, with Tesco Clubcard prices you can buy 6 sachets of Costa Barista Creations in any flavour for £1.75 – that’s 30p a coffee.
Meanwhile, a Starbucks can typically set you back around £4.50 for one drink, or up to £6.55 for special recipes.
Starbucks prices change based on availability, and between locations.
However, we also know that, sometimes, a DIY coffee from home isn’t quite as exciting as a Starbucks on the go.
And with experts like Dee making the coffee, sometimes it’s okay to spend a little extra on a hot drink you know you’ll love.
For this reason, we put together Dee’s top tips for enjoying a Starbucks the savvy way – so you don’t have to miss out on that coffee catch up with friends.
By combining all of these tips across the year, a person who drinks three coffees a week and spends £648 annually will save £343.20.
The amount you save will vary depending on how much you typically spend of course.
One of the most exciting tips Dee whispered to The Sun was that filter coffee-drinkers are actually able to get refills for free.
She said: “Whilst lattes and flat whites are many people’s favourites, if your usual order is a black coffee, or a coffee with just a splash of milk, consider asking whether your local store offers filter coffee, which you can swap out for your americano and enjoy a free refill.”
A filter coffee at Starbucks is easy on the wallet too, starting at just £1.95.
If you were to buy two americanos (£3.80 each), this would cost you £7.60.
If you did this once a week for a year, you would rack up a spending of £364.80.
Instead, you could save a total of £5.65 a visit by ordering a filter coffee and getting a free refill instead.
If you did this once a week for a year instead, you’d spend £93.60 a year – saving £271.20 across the year just by swapping for filter coffee.
Dee recommends going up and asking your barista if it offers filter coffees, as they are not in all stores and might not always be on the menu at the tills where you’ll usually find the latest additions and seasonal drinks on show.
You’ll need to purchase the first drink to have in to then qualify for a free tall refill.
When you fancy your coffee with a little twist, a syrup will usually do the trick – but if you are looking to save, there is a cheaper option.
You can swap out the dairy milk for an alternative to bring a different flavour to your drink.
According to Dee, dairy alternatives at Starbucks are offered at no extra charge.
Customers can request oat, soy, almond or coconut milk.
“But if you’re a bit stuck for where to start, choose a drink with a dairy alternative as standard”, she told The Sun.
“For example, the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso is designed to work best with the delicious roast nutty flavours of oat dairy alternative.”
Starbucks is one of very few chains which offers completely free milk alternatives.
In Costa for instance, soya is the only non-dairy milk you can buy free of charge. For oat or coconut, the customer must spend 45p.
The name was inspired by a book
Co-founders Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Siegl opened the first Starbucks in Seattle on March 30, 1971. The name was inspired by author Herman Melville’s famous novel, Moby-Dick – Starbuck was the name of the first mate on the ship, the Pequod.
It has its own coffee farm
Purchased in 2013, Hacienda Alsacia is a 240-hectare coffee farm located in Costa Rica. Customers can’t visit, but they can take a virtual tour.
Different apron colours
Did you ever notice some of the Starbucks staff wearing different colour aprons? Green, Black, Red and there’s also a few special editions.
Before there were Sharpie pens
Starbucks is known for writing your name on your drink cup, but before this idea came to fruition, the position of a cup on the bar would tell the barista how to make the beverage. Upside down for decaf!
Millions of fans, millions of drinks
US Starbucks stores will sell around 5 million drinks daily in 2024, and the top-selling of which is currently Caramel Macchiato.
A shot of syrup at Starbucks typically costs 50p, so you can save £1.50 a week based on having three drinks a week on average – that’s £6 a month, and £72 a year.
Of course, keep in mind that out calculations are based three coffees a week – the amount you save will vary based on how much you usually spend on coffee.
Regular Starbucks customers can download the Starbucks app and collect points, which can be used to gain free rewards.
Dee said: “It pays to be loyal and Starbucks Rewards is quick and easy to use.”
Customers can collect three stars for every £1 spent, and when you reach 150 stars, you’ll get a free drink of any size.
If customers reach 450 stars, they will be rewarded with Gold status.
This means extra shots of espresso, selected syrups and whipped cream are all on the house.
Each of these extras usually cost 50p, meaning you could save £s off a single purchase.
If you cashed in on these extras three times a week, you’d save £1.50 – that’s £6 a month, and £72 a year.
To begin collecting rewards, download the Starbucks app and sign up with your email address.
However, keep in mind that with all schemes such as these, the goal of the company is to get you spending more money.
If you become a rewards member, be sure to use it as a perk, and not an excuse to buy more coffees when you’re out of the house – otherwise you will lose money rather than saving it.
Also remember that having apps and email notifications from businesses like Starbucks may subconsciously encourage you to spend more money, so be mindful of marketing influences.
In moderation, rewards are much more enjoyable.
To find the nearest Starbucks near you, visit their website.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
THE BEST pizzas in Britain have been revealed, but does your hometown favourite make the cut?
Pizza is undoubtedly a much loved food among Brits, with a variety of toppings plus vegetarian and vegan options to choose from.
Now, we know exactly where to go to find the perfect slice.
Following the 2024 National Pizza Awards, the 16 UK finalists have been unveiled.
The list includes both high street chains and indie joints.
On November 12 at London’s Big Penny Social, the finalists will fight for the title of Pizza Chef of the Year in a live cooking challenge.
It’ll be a technical task where the finalists must create “the ultimate pizza”, as reported by Time Out.
Assessed by a panel of beady-eyed expert judges.
This year will also see the introduction of The Alternative Slice Award.
Whoever puts together the most delectable dish using free-from products will claim this title.
Earlier this year, the pizzeria in London was crowned as the best in Europe a the World 50 Top Pizza Awards.
Napili on the Road, owned by Michele Pascarella, scooped up the award dubbed the Michelin Awards of pizzerias.
The selection process for the Top 50 awards is “very mysterious” and includes anonymous restaurant visits by pizza critics.
Not only is Napoli on the Road Europe’s best pizzeria, but Michele was also named the world’s best pizza chef at the awards in 2023.
Born in Caserta near Naples, Michele started making pizzas when he was just 11 years old.
After moving to the UK aged 19, he set up Napoli on the Road, which as its name suggests, started out life as a food truck selling slices at food markets and festivals.
Since then he has settled in his spot in Chiswick, where his talents have now earned him global recognition.
With several awards now under his belt, it’s safe to say that Michele knows exactly how Brits should be eating pizza too, and as it turns out some of us might be doing that wrong.
He told the Daily Mail: “‘I think there are few mistakes about eating pizza, for example, overloading with too many toppings, making it difficult to enjoy the base, using a knife and fork instead of eating it with their hands, not pairing it with a suitable beverage – missing out on a complete dining experience, and adding chilli oil everywhere.”
It comes after a burger shack in Rye has been crowned the best place in the UK to grab a quick bite to eat.
And a restaurant in Solihull less than a 10-minute drive away from Birmingham Airport has been crowned the best “hidden gem” restaurant in Britain.
LOU Teasdale kept a low profile as she was spotted for the first time since growing close to former West Ham ace Andy Carroll.
The two have been pictured on cosy outings together since Andy confirmed to The Sun on Sunday that he would be divorcing Billi Mucklow after two years of marriage.
Andy’s rumoured new girlfriend Lou, 40, was seen running errands on Wednesday morning.
The make-up artist, who is good pals with former One Direction star Harry Styles, was spotted keeping a low profile in an oversized grey hoodie.
Lou wore Red Run leggings and socks with a pair of Nike trainers.
She covered her head with her hood to shield herself from the rain.
Sources claim Andy, 35, and Lou started hanging out together after he had ended his union with 36-year-old former Towie star Billi.
An insider said: “Andy and Lou have apparently been on a few dates and people have said she’s even been to France, where he plays for Bordeaux, to see him.
“Billi will be shocked when she hears that Andy appears to have moved on so quickly.
“Her only concern has been for the three children they share together.”
Lou split from her boyfriend, SAS Who Dares Wins star Jay Morton in January last year.
Andy and Billi have three children aged nine, six, and four. Andy also has two children, aged 15, and 14, from a previous relationship.
They had been together for 11 years and wed at the Four Seasons hotel in Hampshire in 2022.
In a statement to The Sun On Sunday, Andy said: “Billi and I have privately separated earlier this year and we are under way with our divorce proceedings.
“It has been a hard few months for our family and we continue to move forward amicably for our children.”
Friends close to Andy and Billi said they were trying to focus on creating a stable environment for their children.
Their wedding in the summer of 2022 almost didn’t happen after a photograph from Andy’s stag do in Dubai showed him in bed with two women.
Billi initially moved out of their home but later forgave Andy when one of the women, Taylor Jane Wilkey, insisted nothing had happened between them.
Andy currently splits his time between the UK and France, after signing to fourth tier side Bordeaux.
He previously played for Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham and scored 54 goals in 248 appearances for his clubs.
