The Sun Newspaper

DEAR DEIDRE: SINCE I was a kid, I have been obsessed with women’s feet and shoes.

I used to think it was harmless, but now I’m worried my fetish is damaging my chances of finding love.

I’ve had flings and one-night stands, but because I focus on their feet more than any other part of their body, they soon feel uncomfortable. After a couple of sessions in the bedroom, women always vanish.

I’m a 28-year-old single man with a good job as an accountant, and I’d love a happy, normal relationship.

But I’ve started to keep people at a distance because I don’t want them to find out about my fetish. It’s embarrassing.

It started when I was seven and got trapped in my parents’ wardrobe during a game of hide and seek.

I started to panic, but then I found my mother’s shoes. Holding them comforted me.

As I got older, I started to find shoes and feet sexually arousing. While the other boys were interested in breasts or bums, I always looked at girls’ feet.

I particularly liked it in summer when they wore sandals and painted their toenails red.

I had a girlfriend when I was 18, but she ended it because I was more interested in caressing and sucking her toes than sex.

She made me feel like an inadequate freak.

I have a large collection of women’s shoes, which I keep under my bed. I’ve never admitted my fetish to anyone before. What can I do?

DEIDRE SAYS: Foot fetishes are not uncommon, but people rarely talk about having them, which is why you feel so alone.

Some experts believe there’s a scientific explanation.

In the part of the brain that makes you feel things – the somatosensory cortex – the feet are right next to the genitals. Sometimes, the wires get crossed.

It’s also possible that the comfort you felt from the shoes in your mum’s wardrobe somehow became linked to your developing sexuality.

Either way, you are not hurting anyone and shouldn’t feel ashamed. It’s sad you feel you need to stop having relationships.

My support pack, Fetish Worries, explains more. You can also get help from the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (cosrt.org.uk).

HOW DO I CONTROL TEMPER?

DEAR DEIDRE: I HAVE a really short fuse and cause arguments with my girlfriend over nothing.

I feel instant regret but, in the heat of the moment, I see red and lose my temper.

I’m frightened I’m going to drive her away.

I’m 36, my girlfriend is 32, and we’ve been together for two-and-a-half years.

It’s the best relationship I’ve ever had and we love each other more than anything.

The only issue is that I flip out at the smallest of things.

Whether it’s her leaving a dirty dish in the sink or teasing me with a jokey comment, I lose my head.

I’d never dream of getting physical or violent, but I become stressed and storm off. Sometimes I refuse to talk to her for days.

Eventually, I see that I’ve overreacted and she always forgives me, but I know it’s not fair. I want to stop because I’m frightened of losing her.

DEIDRE SAYS: Your anger problems are likely rooted in your childhood.

Often, if a parent has a short temper, you can learn from them that blowing up is how to handle difficult situations. But you can train yourself to act differently.

Learning natural ways to relax can calm you down before you reach boiling point. My support pack, Managing Anger, explains.

NOTHING GETS ME IN MOOD NOW

DEAR DEIDRE: THE active and fun sex life I used to enjoy with my husband went downhill when we started trying for another baby.

I’m 32, my husband is 35, and we’ve been together for seven years. We have a good life together and lack nothing, except good sex.

Since the beginning of our relationship, we had always been so in tune with each other in the bedroom.

But our whole relationship suffered when I completely lost my sex drive when I was pregnant with our daughter, who is now two.

Things started to get back to normal after I gave birth, but when we started trying for our second child, things fell off completely.

It’s much worse this time. I’m three months pregnant now, and I can count on one hand how many times we’ve had sex since we conceived.

I’ve tried everything to find a solution – from going out for romantic dinners to having candlelit baths together, but I can’t get in the mood.

My husband is getting increasingly frustrated with me and doesn’t seem to understand that it’s out of my control.

I want him more than anything, but can’t ever get in the mood, which he doesn’t understand. It’s taking a huge toll on our relationship and I can tell he’s starting to resent me.

DEIDRE SAYS: Pregnancy can have a significant effect on a person’s sex drive, so what you’re experiencing is completely normal.

Tell your husband that you still love and desire him, but your lack of sex drive is down to your hormones.

Perhaps you can try using your imagination to satisfy him in other ways and keep you both connected – cuddles, kisses, and physical affection can go a long way.

Hopefully once you’ve given birth, you can work on your intimacy and get back to the sex life you enjoyed before.

My support packs Sex Problems After A Baby and Different Sex Drives will help.

SACRED cows at a manor once owned by Beatle George Harrison have halted a green energy project.

Fears for the well-being of the animals led to hundreds of objections from Hare Krishna followers.

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The Hindu movement was given Bhaktivedanta Manor, near Watford, by George in 1973, and turned it into a temple with 63 dairy cows.

The herd is considered a symbol of generosity, gentleness and non-violence.

But their peace would be disturbed by the battery storage site, which also posed a fire risk, the objectors said.

In a rallying cry issued in October, the movement said: “The impact of noise on the Manor’s peaceful environment, which is vital for its meditative activities and sacred cattle, is deemed unacceptable.

“The site’s tranquillity, crucial for both spiritual practices and dairy production, could be significantly disturbed by noise from the new development.”

Chiltern Green Energy’s proposal was rejected by Hertsmere Borough Council in November.

An application has now been made to build farther away.

A Hare Krishna source said: “The fight is far from over.”

Harrison’s interest in Hindu spirituality developed in the 1960s. He died age 58 in 2001.

• Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

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SHE’S fighting for a place in next weekend’s final, but Dancing On Ice star Michaela Strachan fears she may miss out – if her elderly fans don’t get to grips with the show’s new voting system.

The Springwatch host, who is the last woman standing in the competition, reckons pensioners are struggling to register their support after traditional phone lines were ditched.

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Viewers now have to get on the web using a QR code displayed on screen during the show, and have just six minutes to back their favourite star.

Michaela, 58, joked: “I know that my audience tends to be a bit older – and my mum’s age group would struggle with the barcode you need to scan to vote.

“I was joking that half my audience will still be trying to get their glasses on to look at the flipping website as there’s only six minutes to do it.”

Michaela is defying the odds as the eldest contestant left on the ITV skating show.

She is giving the young ones, including Towie’s Dan Edgar, 34, and Coronation Street actor Sam Aston, 31, a run for their money, regularly impressing the judges and fans at home.

And the pressure is on because if she triumphs, she will be the first woman to win the skating series since former Olympian Beth Tweddle in 2013.

Michaela, who is partnered with Mark Hanretty, admitted: “I don’t like that expectation because I just want to be the best I can be. I’m proud to say I think I’m achieving that. I’m twice the age of most of these contestants now, so I’m doing well.

“The reason I would want to get to the final is for Mark – it’s his 12th and last year. He’s never done the bolero. If I can be the female that gets him to do the bolero, I’m so happy. That’s more my drive than having to be the winner.”

• Dancing On Ice continues Sunday on ITV1 at 6.30pm.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

When you accept you can’t be brilliant at everything, you can give yourself space to try something new, which could lead to big changes.

In love terms, you may be itching to move forward, but staying where you are for a moment, and letting yourself relax, can be a romance booster.

Luck draws oval shapes.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

There is a name from the past that can be significant in your future – and you find this name repeating itself in your mind, and your memory.

Trust yourself to take the best next steps.

Uranus and Mercury in your chart favour unlikely pairings, at work and at home – former rivals could make the best allies, all day.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

This is a day for emotional ambition, and this can mean expecting more of those closest to you, and of yourself.

But you also have a drive to discover what makes others tick, and this can be step one in a move towards a new career.

Nothing is out of reach. The luck factor links to words spoken or spelled backwards.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Maybe you don’t see yourself as adventurous, but while Mars is pushing forwards, there is nothing you shouldn’t consider.

If you’ve tried to get others on board with a travel or learning quest, this can be your moment to make a solo choice.

Instead of marking time in love, take one clear step by tonight.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

You have deep natural ability to influence and inspire others, and finding ways to channel this can be a key theme.

What you write, or speak, carries extra weight, so do meet deadlines – and keep everyone who matters informed.

Mars is not a secret keeper, especially today, so resist withholding relevant facts.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

You are the friend everyone wants, but today there’s not enough of you to go round.

It’s important to balance what you give with what you get – the warrior planet is on your side to help.

But it may mean cutting back contact with one person. Love is intense and unpredictable – a fixed future can transform by tonight.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Success asks you to narrow down options, instead of keeping all your plates spinning.

One small adjustment to a timetable can free up a large amount of opportunity.

But it’s up to you to ask for this, don’t wait for someone else to offer.

You have a calm love chart, but still waters run deep – what is not being said?

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

You have a gorgeous moon glow that is irresistible – and unexpected invitations can be the result.

But this is also your moment to experiment with new looks, and your image on camera, as a role involving this can be coming closer.

What you have to say at work deserves to be heard, even if you have to repeat it.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

A dedicated animal lover can be your link to luck – but also self-discovery.

So do take this as far as you can. You have such a stable family sector, but Uranus makes mischief in your work chart.

So some conflict between these two areas may arise, but you will see a way through. Love exchanges names.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Perhaps you sense a team has lost its direction – but now Mars gives you leadership skills to take this in hand.

It may mean rating yourself higher than someone more experienced, but if this feels right, follow through.

Passion has deep intuition and this is a day to act on romance, or reservations, you sense.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Emotions and money make a tangled web – the more you can keep them separate, the better the outcome.

If you need to ask for more cash, at work or at home, stick to facts and make a cool case – keep the heat off.

In love terms, partners may not agree on a budget, but see it as a starting point, not a stumbling block.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Your personal moon insight strengthens intuition for the next two days, encouraging you to trust instincts – even if they lead in unexpected directions.

What your heart senses, your head can accept, but it’s also important to do your research.

Mystery words spinning in your mind can find a prize outlet, do record them.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

APPLE is trying to tempt you with its thrifty new iPhone 16e – and I’ve already had a go.

Currently the cheapest in Apple’s line-up, it is a bit of a spiritual ­successor to the old iPhone SE series, best-known as small, budget-friendly handsets.

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But this model has had a massive makeover (and a slight price hike), and is brimming with handy upgrades and clever features.

So, what’s new?

THE OUTSIDE

THE home button is gone. That will be the big shock for users of the old-style SE, though it was axed from the main iPhone range in 2017.

And it frees up so much more space, allowing for a generous 6.1-inch display on the 16e.

The touch ID fingerprint scanner is gone, too, replaced with a face ID sensor that scans your mug. Apple has also binned the old lightning port that first appeared with the iPhone 5.

Now we’ve got USB-C, in line with the main iPhone series and almost every other modern gadget.

Also dead is the old mute switch near the ­volume buttons, replaced with an action button, which was first seen on 2023’s iPhone 15 Pro.

You can use it for switching between ring and silent, sure.

But it can also open your camera, turn on the torch or do something else entirely of your choosing, such as launching any app, recording a voice note or identifying a song.

The iPhone 16e comes in two ­colours — white and black.

They’re safe, popular options that get a nice upgrade courtesy of a matte finish that looks great.

I’ve been using the white one and it’s beautiful. It reminds me a bit of a meringue. It’s also very lightweight.

You’ve got a 48-megapixel camera that takes lovely, impressive snaps — and seems to perform well even in ­rubbish lighting.

But Apple has also made it so the middle 12 megapixels of the camera can be used as a telephoto camera. This gives you a handy 2x zoom.

It’s an incredible camera squeezed into a relatively small and cheap device. And in the video era we now all live in, it does a brilliant job. Better still, you’ll now have a lovely OLED screen to watch stuff on.

It might even be better than your living room telly if you haven’t upgraded for a few years.

THE INSIDE

IT’S shipping with the A18 chip, which gadget fans will know is the same Apple processor inside last year’s iPhone 16.

This is an extremely powerful ­processor that will easily satisfy your needs. One perk is that you get access to Apple intelligence — a mega-upgrade packed with AI features.

It will let you create any emoji you dream of, edit people out of your selfies with a tap and give you a quick notification recap so you don’t have to read all of your texts. Dreamy!

It also means this iPhone model is fairly future-proof, as it’s on the right side of Apple’s big AI transition. And it’s a ­powerful enough chip that will keep your iOS and apps trucking for many years to come.

There are three storage options available: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB.

There’s also a brand new modem inside — the bit that lets your iPhone speak to the internet.

Apple has finally built its own modem called the C1 (after using Qualcomm chips for years) — that means it supports nippy 5G speeds and has a better battery life.

Official figures from Apple promise a whopping 26 hours of video playback. That’s even more than the 22 hours they say you’ll get from the more expensive iPhone 16.

With careful usage and a bit of low power mode, I reckon you could probably get two days out of it.

It supports fast charging (to 50 per cent in 30 minutes) if you have your USB-C cable plugged into a 20W adapter. And it’ll work with wireless chargers that use the Qi standard — as most of them do.

• The iPhone 16e starts at £599 and is available for pre-order now. It is officially released tomorrow.

DOING skids on a frozen lake with a kayak on the roof might seem like fun to you.

But this is serious work.

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It really is.

If a dinky electric Volvo can handle proper northern winters up near the Arctic Circle, then surely it can handle the worst of our weather back home?

The short answer is: Yes, it can. And it will. And then some.

This is the EX30 Cross Country.

For those of you who don’t know, Cross Country is Volvo-speak for added toughness. Popeye after a tin of spinach.

The regular EX30 costs £33k. Absolute cracker. It’s Volvo goodness for Vauxhall money. The Sun’s 2023 Car of the Year.

All-wheel drive performance versions with a bigger battery start with a four.

Then you get to the one you really want, Cross Country. Also 428hp and four-wheel drive, but it rides higher, on fatter tyres, with softer suspension, and it’s armoured with skid plates and protective black cladding.

Look cooler

So you can do more things with it. Be more adventurous with it. Look cooler in it.

Which brings us back to the frozen lake.

The kayak was my insurance policy.

But I didn’t really need it.

The ice is one-metre thick here, apparently, and every Volvo is loaded with the latest anti-crash kit.

If this car senses a driver is about to have a code brown — like too much understeer pushing the car straight on — the on-board computer kicks in to calm things down. Mostly by braking the slipping wheels and managing the power.

That doesn’t mean it is allergic to fun.

Switch off the electronic stability controls and you’ll be mastering crowd-pleasing Scandinavian flicks in no time at all.

So that’s exactly what we did. For many laps. Until the poor photographer’s eyebrows started freezing in minus 18C. A bowl of reindeer broth warmed him up.

Drive sensibly on normal roads and this car is smooth, easy, assured and composed. You’ll hardly ever touch the brakes using one-pedal mode if you’re good at anticipating traffic flow.

As for the cabin, it’s a thoroughbred Volvo. Cool, classy, lots of recycled materials — even denim — all crowned by a turbocharged Google touchscreen and a 1.2-metre wide soundbar. Over-the-air updates will keep things fresh.

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Other observations. Huge door pockets, central glovebox, grippy wireless phone charging tray, removable bin in the back. All things that please.

The boot is fine for buggies and the weekly food shop. But for those weekend adventures, you’ll want to bung on a roof basket for the camping gear.

You can borrow a kayak when you get there.

DEAR DEIDRE: SEEING my ex again after he cheated on me was so painful and now it’s got even more complicated.

I made it clear that we were only casually dating and it didn’t mean we were back together again.

But then I started feeling sick and took a pregnancy test. To my surprise it was positive.

I am 29 and my ex is 31. We had been together for three years when I discovered his affair and ended our relationship.

They went on to become an item until I came back into the picture.

I had gone to my ex’s flat to collect the last of my belongings a few months after we broke up.

I jokingly flirted with him to get back at him. I know I looked good.

It was my way of giving them both a slap in the face. He complimented me and asked if we could go out for a drink.

I refused and was thinking about blocking him when he messaged me again.

He was persuasive and so I agreed. We’ve been kind of dating but I never took it seriously until I realised I am pregnant with his child. I still have so much resentment towards my ex and this other woman.

I sometimes have dreams about it. I want the best for my baby, which I believe means having two parents.

How can I move on from this so we can be good parents together?

DEIDRE SAYS: Your ex deceived you and it’s not surprising you are resentful towards him.

It’s admirable that you want to move on, if only for your baby’s sake to start with.

If you want your relationship to work, you will need to be really honest with him and tell him exactly how you feel.

Otherwise, nothing will change and it is unlikely these feelings will go away. It is his place now to reassure you of his feelings and prove that you are the one he wants.

My support pack Cheating, Can You Get Over It? explains more.

You can also find support through Tavistock Relationships (tavistockrelationships.org, 0207 380 1975) which offers affordable counselling either online or in person.

I AM MORE THAN JUST DOG SITTER

DEAR DEIDRE: MY friends automatically assume they can arrange outings together and I will take care of their dog at the drop of a hat.

I am a 63-year-old single woman. One of my friends has a dog that I walk most days.

These two friends are always arranging days out and other things they want to do, expecting me to take care of the dog.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the dog. I am resentful because they never ask me if I am available first. They assume they can just go off and I will take care of the pup.

I am starting to feel used and taken advantage of. If I refuse I can tell they don’t like it. I have mentioned to them they should ask me first before they arrange outings for themselves.

That went down like a lead balloon.

DEIDRE SAYS: It never feels good when someone takes advantage of your good nature.

A frank talk can be hard but you should tell them about how it makes you feel used when they make these arrangements.

It may help to be less available. You do not need to be at their beck and call.

Read my support pack Standing Up For Yourself to help you to talk to them.

FALLEN IN LOVE WITH A LESBIAN

DEAR DEIDRE: MY heart broke when the woman I love told me she was only interested in dating other women.

I am a 26-year-old man. I have known my female friend for years. We met through a mutual friend and hit it off straight away.

She is 24 and is a lesbian. I used to see her now and again, but recently we have spent so much time together.

We know each other so well. When we met I was in a relationship and although I found my friend attractive, she was very direct and told me she only liked women.

When my relationship ended I got closer to my friend and developed strong feelings for her.

Laughing at the same films or comic sketches, I get so caught up in the moment sometimes. We fit so well. We love the same music, films, pubs and even support the same football team.

I have tried to suppress my feelings for her but it’s been impossible and I’ve fallen completely for her. One night after a couple of drinks I blurted out how I felt and told her that I loved her.

But after opening up to her, she insists that it is strictly women only for her.

I feel completely floored. My heart is broken. Can you help me?

DEIDRE SAYS: It is obvious that you love each other as friends. But now you have confessed your feelings for her, you have made things more complicated.

I know you want her to choose you over her preference for women, but she can’t change her sexuality.

Sexual feelings can and do fade. If you value your friendship you need to accept that is the limit of your relationship.

You would be better off looking for a new partner elsewhere. If you can’t do that you may need to start distancing yourself, or you’ll end up resenting each other.

My support pack Mend Your Broken Heart will help you to move on.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Being able to tell the difference between true friends and individuals just passing through isn’t always easy for you – but you have moon insight for this today.

So you won’t waste time on false bonds. In love, too, you need two-way respect as well as romance.

Single? The One stands behind you in a group picture.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

All the attraction trump cards are in your zodiac hand today – so let love come to you.

Giving a partner more space, can create a more intimate connection.

If you’re single, updating a quest for a specific partner into a wider search, can bring you an “E” name less likely, but much more suitable.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

Harmony and connection flow through your love chart – you are ready to sit down and work out a way forward that may be quieter, but also more rewarding.

If you’re single, someone who’s been on the fringes of your social life for months starts to look special.

Sulks or silences at home or work turn toxic – so step in.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Your zodiac goal is not to let pursuing passion seem more exciting than living with it.

The perfect match for you can be a name you first encounter today. But start by expecting this to last.

Venus in your sector of personal sparkle makes you centre of attention, and that big chance to promote a product or skill is close.

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Freedom is on your mind and in your heart, but you also have a strong chart of togetherness.

So if partners are growing at different rates, or different directions, it’s not too late to fix this. But both sides must play an equal part.

Single? A door with an ornate archway can open to reveal your passion destiny.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Intensity is your passion style right now, and hot dates are all around – even with someone you’ve known for years.

You have more of your true self to give to love when you address other questions distracting your mind – from cash to work.

Single? A musician living at an unusual address could be playing your song.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Relationships that are just ticking over are not enough for you right now – all bonds really have to matter, and bring you more of the good things you know you deserve.

If this is not happening, you can see a solution.

Saturn steadies a work team that’s been rocked by recent changes – leaving you ready to lead again.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Venus’s support helps you put in extra effort you sense romance needs – but this should be a two-way process.

So plan with a partner, rather than striking out alone.

If single, someone with a role in the fitness world can make you feel good.

Pluto intensifies your property zone – tonight you’ll dream of a dream home.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

All the lightest aspects of love are there in your chart, waiting for you to reach out.

Seeking a playful solution to a serious partnership puzzle can lead to great shared decisions.

If you start the day single, the right love may be older, but looks and feels younger.

A guessing game can reveal so much about your future.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Star focus highlights your zone of big romance, so you may be wondering where to take a love bond next.

It may feel risky to share your true self, but this can open so many doors.

If you’re single, a quirky character may keep your mind engaged, but your heart is actually thirsty for emotional routine. Luck circles “95”.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

A way with words is high on your attraction list and a fast-talking, funny Libra can fit the bill well – even if this love can’t happen right away, it has a place in your future.

Already attached? Writing or reading special words together can unlock new levels of love.

At work, remember flattery and confidence are not the same.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Your passion profile overflows with gifts – of loyalty, security and other feelings you value, as well as well-chosen items.

This can silence a clock you’ve sensed ticking in the background of a bond.

Single? The less you agree with someone’s social or financial attitudes, the more compatible you could be.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

YOBS wreaking havoc on off-road bikes and e-scooters will have their vehicles seized by cops without warning.

A sweeping crime crackdown will also let police bust into the homes of suspected phone thieve without needing a warrant if the victim has tracked down their device.

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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will expect officers to follow up cases where stolen possessions have been pinpointed.

Her flagship Crime and Policing Bill is being introduced to Parliament today and includes wide-ranging measures, from curbs on protests to greater use of lie detectors for potential sex offenders.

A crackdown on anti-social behaviour will give the police powers to confiscate dangerous off-road vehicles immediately, whereas now they need to give a warning first.

Ms Cooper told The Sun: “It should be one strike and the bike is off the road.

“If you’ve got threatening or dangerous use of those bikes that is bothering the community, the police should be able to seize those bikes straight away and get them off the streets”.

She acted after watching two balaclava-clad thugs doing dangerous wheelies on off-road bikes next to a “terrified” woman on a mobility scooter.

The Sun watched as cops demonstrated their new tactic of secretly following bike hooligans with drones before swooping on their address later.

Ms Cooper also hailed new laws letting police raid an address where a pinched phone or laptop is believed to be held.

Where a victim can see their device on “find my phone” apps or an air tag, officers will be able to search the property with inspector-level sign off, rather than the time-consuming process of obtaining a warrant.

She recognised it is “extremely frustrating for victims when they can see exactly where their stolen phone has gone but nothing is done”.

Labour is also taking forward Tory proposals to ban protesters from wearing face masks, as well as using flares and fireworks at demos.

Some 25 war memorials are also being given special status whereby climbing or vandalism will result in criminal charges.

It includes the Cenotaph on Whitehall, but does not include the nearby Winston Churchill statue that has been targeted previously.

Ms Cooper has pledged to recruit 13,000 extra police officers into neighbourhood roles by the next election to enforce the changes.

However many will not be new hires, but simply diverted from other areas of the force to going on the beat.

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OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column is being kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Not everyone in your life may match up to your expectations, but the moon encourages understanding – so hold back on taking final steps.

A few words today can make such a difference.

Your Venus self is pro-passion and willing to go deeper and faster, than you think.

Single? The One reminds you of yourself.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Hard-to-handle feelings are part and parcel of Pluto’s chart position for you – but when you keep believing the best, of yourself and others, you can push through.

There’s an exciting sense that anything can happen today.

Your most steadfast friend or family member may shock you with a decision, but let it sink in.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

Your day is centred on where you are going, not where you are coming from, so keep your ambitions fixed on the future.

You have a strong learning strand, too, that ensures you won’t repeat recent mistakes.

As for love, accepting what you can’t change frees your heart to try new things and approach new names.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Admitting you feel let down, by certain people or circumstances, is your key to unlocking that part of you that struggles to trust.

You have the words today to talk through difficult things, so a time of feeling less than 100 per cent free can end.

Transformation is a strong chart strand.

That new look is so close now.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Your ability to tune in to anyone puts you ahead where teams are being selected – but make sure you pursue a position based on real desire, not just pride.

Looking good matters to you, but feeling good is more important today.

A set of numbers or dates linked to your community holds significant meaning for you.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Waiting for a set of papers or people to be perfect could mean missing a crucial chance – so work with what you have today.

This can include a job application, or health undertaking.

Mercury and Saturn bring staying power to your co-operation zone, and it’s important to say what you truly mean, at all times.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Leaving space in your day for leaps of imagination can be a rich source of surprise.

One idea from the past you had given up on can now happen.

You may see or hear something today that changes your mind.

Your fitness sector blends curiosity with stamina, and an unusual sport could suit you well.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

The more the moon tries to establish a secure base, the more disrupter Pluto may sabotage plans.

The key is to stay flexible, at least for one day.

At home and at work, this leaves space for unexpected solutions to show themselves.

As a friend, you are so supportive, but beware of stepping over a line.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

This is a day for communication – even if it’s hard to start a conversation, you know there are things that need to be said.

This can include an honest chat with yourself.

The new direction of Mars is so positive for new roles and relationships – even if a work leap seems unlikely, you could make it happen.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Who and what you truly value in your life has Pluto’s attention right now.

If you sense that you need to get more from, or give less to, certain situations, this can happen.

But it’s also important to show loyalty in what you do, and say.

A cash race linked to “P” could be closer to the finish line than you think.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Your sign is the home of planet surprises all day today – and part of this can be a sudden sense of knowing exactly what you need.

Yes, this may not be what you expect – but the moment the thought comes, you can accept it and action it.

By tonight, your love life’s future can feel invigorated and exciting.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

If you have always gone for the safe or familiar option, this can be your day to try a more risky love route.

You may assume a partner will resist your ideas, but you won’t know until you ask.

Single? The introduction that seems opposite to right, could reward you in many wonderful ways.

Luck reverses four numbers.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Your prime guiding planet Mars is in a positive mood again, and this can ease any confusion about where you need to go next.

The right direction feels right to you today, no matter what anyone else may say or do.

There’s a passion plus in this planet shift too, from love at first sight, to a heartfelt reset of shared dreams.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

You have a big, bold communication-centred chart, and this encourages you to say what’s on your mind, and in your heart.

But you must also be prepared to really listen to any response, as two-way co-operation is key at this time.

Love that goes so deep, so fast, is on your horizon, with a Leo newcomer, or a familiar face.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

Turning cash questions into answers takes time but you are nearly there, so don’t give up.

The energy uplift of Mars can carry a reckless edge, but you have the self-control to make this work well.

When you examine your feelings, you can see where they are true, but also where they may be false – and take action.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Your sign stages an about-turn in terms of courage – so a task or chat that has daunted you seems less of a challenge.

You can trust yourself to stay on track, and not let louder voices derail you.

If you’re in love, high expectations can achieve high results.

Single? You met your dream date in October.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Secret doubts swell in the shadows, so bring them into the light.

Gung-ho planet Mars has your back, and even if you’re not sure where a love bond, or work situation, is going, it’s important to start the journey.

Enhanced moon insight sees through health excuses, helping you fix some achievable promises instead.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

So many times you have wanted to take charge of an ongoing situation – yet you have always resisted.

Today is your day to go ahead, and apply all the experience and knowledge you have gathered.

The sun’s warmth glows through you and you can charm even distant people.

Luck draws a set of question marks.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

All kinds of countdowns can be lucky for you today – as you have the ability to think fast and move even faster.

Love is togetherness-based, and partners can see how alike their plans are, even if the processes seem different.

If you are single, a charming Gemini is tempting, but take time to get to know a quiet Capricorn.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Saturn’s learning style is the missing piece in a creative puzzle – as you see it’s not enough just to have brilliant ideas, and you add a measure of business smartness.

This may mean a delay, but it will be productive.

The love words you don’t say matter as much as those you do, as the moon boosts body language.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Your Jupiter sense of fun and fair play is coming into its own as the most generous planet pursues a positive path.

So seeing the best in everything and everyone is your star skill, and makes you a stand-out at work and at home.

Love-wise, pastel colours and classical music can be signals your soulmate is close.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Mercury tailors talking to saying the least and gaining the most – while you have a forward-facing, feisty Mars in your co-operation zone.

So it’s easier to set deadlines, issue ultimatums and still keep a team together.

Love has an element of surprise, as sudden attraction can strike when a former work face returns.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

You can break free from a sense of duty to someone or something that doesn’t deserve it – and find a new path just for you.

Your logical mind may be confused by the deep-feeling moon – but this is how you identify the love future you need.

If you’re single, it can include an introduction to a fast-talking fellow air sign.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

The stronger line you’d like to try with family or friends can happen now – in creative ways.

You find the fun in playing hard but also by the rules, and help others do the same.

If you’re settled with a partner, a cash question may not go away, but you can reduce its power together.

Single? The One is a sport superfan.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

KREMLIN cronies living it large in London will be banished from the UK under a new Home Office crackdown.

To mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ministers will expand the criteria for exclusion from entering the UK to cover Kremlin-linked elites.

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Those who could be barred include anyone who gives “significant support” to Vladimir Putin’s regime and Russians who owe their wealth or status to the state.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis warned that Kremlin elites pose a “real and present danger” to the British way of life.

He slammed swathes of secret cronies for enjoying the benefits of the UK in private while publicly denouncing our values.

And he argued that oligarchs, who live in plush mansions in leafy suburbs across Britain, enable the continuation and expansion of Russia’s aggression.

Since Putin’s bloodthirsty invasion began, the UK’s National Crime Agency has made 84 war-related arrests and seized over £20 million in illicit funds.

Mr Jarvis said: “Border security is national security, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to protect our country from the acute threats Russia poses to us.

“The measures announced today slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war.

“My message to Putin’s friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK.”

BLUNDERING Beeb bosses have overpaid staff by £1million a year.

New figures showed the broadcaster accidentally overpaid workers by a staggering £4 million over the past four years.

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More than 839 BBC staffers are now on a payment recovery plan, each owing an average of £1,700.

While those on monthly pay are seeing the cash knocked from future wages, the company has decided chasing up ex-staffers is too much hassle.

But the BBC, run by Director-General Tim Davie, has written off 492 cases over the past five years, costing licence fee-payers £522,000.

A BBC spokesman said: “Erroneous payments are rare and occur in 0.24 per cent of payments.”

They added, “When an overpayment does occur, every case is thoroughly pursued to either recover the money or to seek an alternative such as deductions from future work.”

Last year, the Global Payroll Association said one in ten office staff have been overpaid by their employer, with a quarter not reporting it.

The average advertised salary hit a record £41,000 last year but vacancies fell to a four-year low, a report said.

PEOPLE often claim to be “a little bit OCD” if they like a spotless kitchen or get stressed when their desk isn’t in order.

But for the estimated one million people in the UK with the mental health condition, it is far more debilitating.

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In fact, the World Health Organization once ranked obsessive compulsive disorder in the top 10 most disabling illnesses, in terms of lost income and diminished quality of life.

That was 35 years ago, and we now have a far better understanding of it, as well as ways to treat it.

But the sentiment remains the same – OCD is more than just a “personality quirk”; it’s a serious and sometimes paralysing disorder.

Last week, Downton Abbey star Tuppence Middleton revealed her OCD sees her push and pull her front door at least 64 times before she can leave the house.

She also takes photos of ovens, locks, windows, candles and plug sockets to remind her future anxious self that they are closed or off.

The 37-year-old said: “My mind is full of scorpions. It’s an exhausting way to function.”

Meanwhile, former footballer David Beckham, 49, spends hours cleaning candles and turning all the lights in his house to the ‘right’ setting, and Coronation Street actor Ian Puleston-Davies, 66, describes having “chewing gum thoughts” that “won’t budge”.

Nicolas Cage, Jessica Alba, Leonardo DiCaprio, Niall Horan, Daniel Radcliffe and Lili Reinhart have also spoken about having OCD.

Andrew Kidd, senior psychological therapist accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, tells Sun on Sunday Health: “OCD is known as the ‘doubting disorder’, often likened to a bully.

“People describe it as fighting with their own minds – like having two brains battling for control or chasing their thoughts in endless loops, similar to a dog chasing its tail.

“It’s not a personality quirk. It’s a serious mental health condition that causes immense distress and can severely disrupt nearly every aspect of a person’s life.”

THE SYMPTOMS

THE condition is defined by two main features – obsessions and compulsions.

“Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images or urges that cause intense distress and anxiety,” Dr Andrea Pickering, clinical director at Clinical Partners, says.

Some people describe having a fear of harming themselves or their children, while others need symmetry or orderliness.

“Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that people with OCD feel they need to do to temporarily relieve the anxiety caused by their obsessions or prevent a feared catastrophe,” Andrew adds.

For example, someone with an obsessive fear of being burgled may check all their windows and doors are locked several times before they leave home.

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Alternatively, they might believe that if they touch every electrical appliance three times then they’ll keep their family safe from a fire.

Other common examples include: counting, hoarding, excessive hand-washing, arranging objects to feel ‘just right’ and repeated checking.

“It’s like OCD is trying to solve a problem that isn’t a problem, but ‘could be’,” Andrew says. “This possibility, even if it’s one in a million, is intolerable.

“Part of the reason OCD is so debilitating is its self-reinforcing nature. Compulsions, although performed to ease anxiety, really sustain it.

“The temporary relief they provide convinces individuals to repeat the behaviour whenever distressing thoughts return.

“This creates a never-ending loop where the ‘solution’ becomes the core of the problem.”

But some symptoms are less obvious…

RIGHT OR WRONG?

MOST people reckon they’ve got a decent grasp of what’s right and wrong.

But some people with OCD believe that even thinking about committing a harmful act is as bad as actually doing it. This is known as thought action fusion, Andrew says.

It could be that someone feels as terrible for imagining pushing someone in front of a train as they would if they did it.

But TAF can also be the belief that thinking about an event increases the likelihood of it happening.

Andrew says: “For example, ‘If I have an intrusive thought about my child becoming ill, then this means they are likely to become sick’.”

A PERFECT WORLD

MANY of us refer to ourselves as ‘perfectionists’. But perfectionism in OCD goes beyond a desire for order or high standards, Dr Pickering says.

“Individuals experience intense anxiety if things don’t feel ‘exactly right’, leading to compulsive behaviours such as excessive checking, repeating actions or avoiding tasks altogether,” she adds.

“Unlike personality-based perfectionism, which can drive productivity, OCD-related perfectionism is distressing, time-consuming and interferes with daily life.”

HARSH CRITIC

PEOPLE with OCD tend to be pretty hard on themselves.

“There can be an exaggerated sense of responsibility, with people feeling that they must take extraordinary measures to prevent harm or protect themselves or loved ones,” Andrew says.

“In therapy, clients viciously criticise themselves if they make mistakes.”

HYPERAWARE

A LESSER-known symptom is being hyperaware of automatic bodily functions, sometimes called sensorimotor OCD.

“This includes breathing, blinking, swallowing or your heartbeat,” Dr Pickering says.

“Instead of these processes occurring naturally in the background, they become the focus of obsessive attention, often making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.”

TIME WARP

SOME people with OCD take a long time to carry out simple tasks, Dr Pickering says.

They might spend 30 minutes washing their face, 60 minutes deciding which shower gel to buy, or four hours getting ready for work in the morning.

“It’s due to the overwhelming need to ensure things feel ‘just right’,” the expert adds, which can then make them late.

WHAT’S THAT NOISE?

CERTAIN sounds can cause intense distress, like chewing, heavy breathing or sniffing.

“Noise sensitivity, including conditions like misophonia, is not officially classified as part of OCD, but there are overlaps,” Dr Pickering says.

“This can lead to avoidance behaviours or compulsions to try to ‘neutralise’ discomfort.”

TIRED ALL THE TIME

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ALMOST half of people with OCD report sleep problems, research shows.

“Many people struggle to ‘switch off’ their minds, leading to insomnia, restless sleep or feeling unrefreshed in the morning,” Dr Pickering says.

“Compulsive behaviours can also delay bedtime, further disrupting rest.”

HOW TO GET HELP

OCD is usually treated with talking therapies and antidepressants.

There are two main ways to get help in the UK – referring yourself to an NHS talking therapies service, or speaking directly to your GP, who can then refer you and prescribe medication.

You can also see a professional privately and find support through charities OCD UK (https://www.ocduk.org) and OCD Action (https://www.ocdaction.org.uk).

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN my long-term lover finally left his wife, I was thrilled. But I’m still his sexy secret 12 months on and I’m losing patience.

We began our affair at work five years ago.

At first it was strictly fun. We would go for lunch on company time and end up in a hotel, or stay late at the office and have exciting, passionate sex under his desk.

I would accompany him on work trips, sunbathing in a bikini next to him while he took long, unhappy phone calls from his wife who was stuck at home with their toddler.

It was fun and sexy.

I’m 28 and he’s 39, so I never expected us to last.

But we fell properly in love and now I feel like we’re soulmates. He finally left his wife a year ago and moved back home to his parents.

After that, I expected us to come out as an official couple but there’s still been no action.

He refuses to stay the night at my house in case his parents wonder where he is, and he spends most evenings during the week with his son.

He hasn’t introduced me to his friends, or told anyone at work about us. I feel like we spend less time together now than before he left.

Whenever I talk about our future, he repeats vague promises like, “We’ll figure it out,” or “Let’s not waste time arguing”.

I keep telling him “figuring it out” isn’t the same as sorting things out. Nothing is happening! I feel like I’m being fobbed off.

I’ve been a secret for five years and I’m sick of it.

DEIDRE SAYS:  Either your lover isn’t being honest with you, or he struggles to communicate well.

Whichever the answer, it’s safe to assume he is being equally vague with everyone else.

He is probably keeping you a secret because he doesn’t want family and friends to know he cheated on his wife for so long.

And he may be worried his wife will stop him seeing their son when she finds out about you. It does happen.

Have a calm talk with him. Tell him that his behaviour makes you question his feelings for you and your future.

Ask him to explain his reasons for keeping you a secret even now.

If you’re stuck on how to have this conversation, I suggest you read my support pack Looking After Your Relationship, which deals with handling tough talks.

If after this chat he is still full of words but no action, it might be time to focus on your own future. End this secret relationship and look for someone who can’t wait to show you off to the world.

FAMILY FORUM

DEAR DEIDRE: MY wife and I are both retired. Our son is 42 and addicted to heroin. He’s living with us after losing his job again.

Even when he was employed, his wages never covered his drug habit.

His dealers let him rack up a huge amount of debt. When he couldn’t repay it, dangerous-looking people began turning up at our door demanding money. It was terrifying.

I paid off all the debts to make them go away but the cycle started again. My son even tried gambling, but ended up owing much more.

Citizens Advice told me to stop bailing him out, but things got so bad, we felt we had to step in.

He promises the debts are all gone, then suddenly “remembers” another £500 he owes someone else.

We’ve worked hard all our lives, and now our pensions are being drained away by his choices.

He’s refused counselling. He’ll only attend Narcotics Anonymous if I drive him.

We kicked him out once, but the police found him sleeping on the street and sent him home.

It’s a painful, endless cycle.

Whenever we confront him, all we get are lies and excuses. We don’t know what to do for the best.

DEIDRE SAYS: I understand you want the best for your son. But the strain his behaviour is putting on you and your wife is immense.

If you can’t tolerate him being at home, you might want to consider setting a time limit – three months, six months, or whatever you feel is appropriate – for him to find a job, seek support for his addiction, and get somewhere to live.

Agree this time limit together, as a family.

It can be very difficult to know what is appropriate. To provide food, shelter, meals and laundry for a young person may be normal, but it’s another matter when they are a 42-year-old man.

Helping out in a time of crisis can quickly become a way of life. Even though you care about your son and you love him, you must ask yourself when is enough enough.

I suggest you get in touch with Adfam (adfam.org.uk), a charity supporting families affected by addiction.

SIS-IN-LAW WON’T STOP FLIRTY TEXTS

DEAR DEIDRE: MY sister-in-law keeps texting me late at night. I’ve tried everything I can to discourage her, but nothing works. It’s starting to drive a wedge between me and my wife.

My wife and I are both 32. We’ve been happily married for two years.

She has a younger sister. I didn’t meet her until the wedding because she had been living away, but she was flirty straight away.

At the reception she came strutting up to me, all blonde and pretty, and grabbed me for a slow dance.

She ran her hands all over my chest, and whispered into my ear that I’d “married the wrong sister”. I just put it down to the open bar.

But then she moved back home and began manoeuvring herself into my personal space at every family gathering – sitting on my lap, squeezing past me in the kitchen.

My wife didn’t seem to notice so I wondered if I was imagining it. Then the sister-in-law started texting me.

At first it was just when the football was on (we support the same team), but she quickly moved on to asking me for dating advice.

She regularly shares selfies all glammed up to go on dates.

I love my in-laws so I don’t want to be rude to their daughter, but I also don’t want to encourage her.

I have tried writing brief replies or just using the thumbs-up emoji but she hasn’t been put off. If anything, she texts more.

DEIDRE SAYS: Is your sister-in-law close to your wife?

The fact that she is flirting with you, a happily married man, suggests to me she might have low self-esteem. It certainly hints at her feeling inferior to your wife.

Whatever the reason, all you can do is kindly, but firmly, shut these interactions down.

Stop replying to her messages altogether.

You’re not duty-bound to reply, and I doubt she will complain to her parents that her brother-in-law ignored her late-night selfie.

Keep a record of the messages.

If she persists in getting too close to you at family meetings, avoid being near her and ensure you are not left alone with her.

If she still refuses to get the message, be blunt. Tell her that her behaviour is inappropriate, and you want it to stop.

I’m sending you my support pack Standing Up For Yourself to help you get your point across assertively.

BOYFRIEND’S DRAWN TO MY SNACKS

DEAR DEIDRE: ALTHOUGH I am happy to give my boyfriend all my love and attention, I draw the line at my cereal.

He is 25 and lives with his mum. I’m 26 and I rent a flat.

We’ve been dating for 18 months. He stays at my place most weekends.

Everything is great, except he helps himself to anything from my food cupboards every time he’s here – and regularly cleans me out.

He seems especially drawn to my cereal and snacks. Within minutes of arriving, he’s elbow-deep in my Frosties and peanuts like he hasn’t eaten in years.

He has a long drive to visit me so I feel it’s only fair to feed him, but then I’m all out of breakfast for the week.

DEIDRE SAYS: Grocery bills have rocketed in the UK and his habit must be costing you a lot.

Couples often love cooking for each other, but you’re not obliged to provide free treats just because he travels to you.

Talk to him about your limited food budget and discuss what you can afford and what he can contribute.

WANT TO END IT ALL

DEAR DEIDRE: WATCHING my friend try on expensive clothes made me see what a mess I’ve made of my life.

I’m a 39-year-old woman.

From a young age I was ambitious and planned to run my own business. My ultimate goal was to buy a house before I was 40.

Nothing has worked out. Instead, I have lost my ­minimum-wage job and might be kicked out of my rented flat.

A friend took me shopping to cheer me up. She tried on £400 dresses ­without batting an eye. While I’m wondering how I’ll afford the bus home. I’m contemplating ending it all.

DEIDRE SAYS: One in 15 people will consider suicide at some point in their lives, and losing a job is a common trigger. You’re not a failure, you’re having a tough time.

Talking about your feelings to friends and family will help you.

If you don’t know who to talk to, contact suicide-prevention charity The Campaign Against Living Miserably (0808 585 858, thecalmzone.net).

STRICTLY’S Nadiya Bychkova doesn’t look too camera shy in just her pants and heels — and credits former show partner Dan Walker for helping her come out of her shell.

The dance pro, 35, revealed she struggled to speak on film after joining the BBC show.

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But she thanked the TV host for giving her confidence.

The Ukrainian and pal Dan, 47, were reunited during her solo tour in his home city ­Sheffield.

He joined her on stage for A Special Evening with Nadiya Bychkova on Wednesday.

She told the audience: “When we met, I didn’t feel comfortable talking in front of the camera because of the language, because I didn’t think I had enough words to express myself.

“I didn’t get an opportunity to find my way of telling my story and you helped me do that.”

The pair fondly reminisced on stage about their time on Strictly in 2021.

Married Dan left the venue with Nad and other crew members before a farewell hug in the car park.

Dan was seen wearing a dark-coloured outfit complete with a green jacket and a backpack on his back.

Meanwhile, Nadiya wore all beige as she embraced her former dance partner.

During their stint on Strictly together back in 2021, Dan and Nadiya reached the quarter finals of the hit show before ultimately being eliminated.

Following his exit, the newsreader said at the time: “I’m not a dancer, but she showed me that I can dance.

“And that for me, this has been an absolutely incredible experience.”

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A SNOWY ski slope turns into a fiery peak as hot lava spews from an erupting volcano.

Mount Etna in Sicily started erupting on February 11.

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But despite bans, skiers have taken to the slopes.

Ash, hot stones and giant flames can be seen in the background.

And an image shows the skiers admiring the eruption.

Marco Bassot, who has 416,000 Instagram followers, captured the moment on camera in Sicily, Italy.

Snowboarder Marco said: “This fracture started some days ago and created a huge, intense and impressive lava flow for more than 1,000 meters.

“I’ve seen many things in my 40 years of life but riding side by side of a flowing river of lava is one of the most special, impressive, and breathtaking experiences I’ve ever lived.”

A 3km river of lava is currently flowing out of the crater.

In the past, Etna’s eruptions have caused nearby towns to be covered in black volcanic ash.

This time round it has caused minimal disruption.

STANDING on a pitch-dark, icy road in bone-chilling arctic cold, a small tinge of green appeared in the sky. Seconds earlier we had screeched to a halt and jumped from a minibus.

At first we could only see it by looking through phone cameras. Then a bigger band of green started to spread and change. Was there purple too?

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Now we could see it without using cameras. Another band of colour started to appear.

This was the moment when I saw the Northern Lights on an astronomy voyage with the Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten.

“Look to the south east, there’s another,” said one of our group.

“This is insane.”

“Oh, wow! Just wow!”

“Look over there!”

“I never thought I would experience anything like it!”

We were 11 miles from the Norwegian border with Russia, and had been hunting the lights for nights by ship and road.

The must-see cosmic phenomenon is a little shy and it takes perseverance to experience it.

But Norway above the Arctic Circle is an ideal place to see it. And the next 18 months could be the best time in a decade as the sun is at its most active.

Hurtigruten has been running ships along the Norwegian coast since 1893. It makes 34 stops between Bergen and Kirkenes on the Coastal Express route.

Our own on-board Chief Aurora Chaser, Tom Kerss, tells guests how and when they have the best chance of catching the lights.

A decent smartphone is all you need plus a power bank in case the battery dies in the cold.

Tom explains our eyes have evolved to make it hard to see colour at night but a camera can detect it. If you are in the dark long enough, your eyes can adjust. But this takes time.

Astronomer Tom, who has worked at the Royal Observatory in London’s Greenwich Park, delivers on-board lectures which are a deep dive into the science of the Aurora Borealis.

You are introduced to “coronal mass ejections” and “solar wind” — take away as much or as little info as you need.

Tom constantly monitors the space data. He explains: “We work out the best protocols for spotting the lights.”

A WhatsApp saying, “Something’s happening”, was the cue to grab our coats and dash to the deck to stargaze.

But being on a ship means that despite the extreme cold there is a warm place to relax between stints of aurora-spotting.

My cabin on MS Nordkapp was cosy, with a double bed and an en suite stocked with seaweed-based toiletries from Norway’s Lofoten islands.

There is a main restaurant which served mouth-watering breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

From pancakes, to lamb and locally sourced arctic chard, take your pick.

The cafe serves ice cream in flavours including, yes, stockfish and brown cheese.

Suite passengers can also enjoy the Kysten fine-dining restaurant every night.

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We sampled Hurtigruten’s sparkling wine, Havets Bobler. It’s from the English Rathfinny vineyard but with a twist — bottles are sunk to the bottom of a fjord and left for eight months to mature before being hauled up.

Our trip, meanwhile, was more of a quest. We were hit by what Norwegians simply call “weather” — stormy seas that caused some port stops to be cancelled — and heavy cloud preventing astronomy on some nights.

When we had a first glimpse of the lights at sea they were fleeting.
Hurtigruten offers a Northern Lights promise on 11-day voyages.

If the aurora does not occur within sight of your ship, the company will give you a six-day southbound or seven-day northbound Coastal Express voyage free.

But it stresses this is not a guarantee. And passengers must do their best to try and see the lights — when there is a sighting the ship makes an announcement.

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King-crab safari

One night we were on the freezing fore deck well after midnight. The aurora had been announced but was elusive.

We sailed past a shore white with snow, like explorers looking for the Northwest Passage.

But the excursions from the various port stops are also bucket-list thrills.

I jumped off in Kjøllefjord to go snow-mobiling to our next port, Mehamn. Riding across a glacial snowscape at night, it felt like being in a Bond film.

Elsewhere there was a chance for a stroll, and a reindeer hot dog at the “tiniest bar in the universe” in Tromsø.

The end of the line was Kirkenes — a mining and fishing town of about 3,500 people. We stayed at the Snowhotel — a giant man-made igloo.

Each ice room has its own ice sculpture — a cat, an owl, a polar bear or a scene from Frozen — and guests sleep on a ice bed in an avalanche-standard sleeping bag.

The hotel also has 180 friendly Alaskan huskies for dog-sledding trips — and the ride through the countryside was magical.

Next up was a king-crab safari. A skidoo hauled us in a sledge on to the frozen fjord, and to a hole in the ice where our guide pulled up a trap. Inside were five crabs — which can measure up to 6ft across.

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They are an invasive species secretly introduced to the Barents Sea from far-east Russia in the 1960s and the population has spiralled.

From fjord to table, the king crab was served in less than an hour and was the freshest seafood I have ever tasted.

So far so incredible, but we were yet to get a decent look at the lights — until at teatime Tom sent the alert and an aurora was already forming above us.

Hotel manager Milivoj Krzanic wasn’t going to let that be all. We jumped into his minibus and drove into the countryside as a solar substorm erupted. He will take you as far as Finland if needed.

But we only had to go a mile or so before he pulled over — and that is where we experienced the most spectacular of light shows.

At last. Some of my group were moved to tears. Aurorasome!

A COUPLE believe they were destined to wed — as they have consecutive birth certificate numbers.

Chris and Julia Miles said they could not believe their eyes when they spotted the coincidence eight years into their marriage.

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They put the paperwork side-by-side and saw Chris’s number was 081419, and Julia’s 081420.

It meant their parents must have been at the register office at the same time on February 27, 1975.

Electrician Chris said: “When we saw the certificates I was like, ‘Bloody hell!’. It shows it was fate from the day we were born.

“We believe this is totally unique to the world. We will have been next to each other in the registry office waiting room.”

Both were born at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital — Julie on February 23, 1975, and Chris on the 26th.

“Eighteen years later their paths crossed again when they fell in love at first sight at an Oxford pub.

They bought a home together in 1999, wed in 2002 and have sons Ben, 20, and Harry, 14.

They clocked the certificate coincidence when sorting paperwork in 2010.

Today, the couple, who still live in Oxford, are holding a huge party for their 50th birthdays.

Chris added: “We’ll take the certificates to display on the way in.

“Our parents don’t remember seeing each other when they registered us, but they must have been sat together in the waiting room, and in front of the same registrar. It’s just bonkers.”

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RACHEL Reeves has suffered a new setback after a surplus in government finances came in more than £5billion below forecasts.

It has left experts warning the Chancellor is on a “knife edge” of missing borrowing targets and having to raise taxes or cut spending to stay within her fiscal rules.

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Figures showed a record £15.4billion surplus in January — driven by tax receipts from self-assessments.

But that was well below the £20.5billion sum that the Office for Budget Responsibility had planned for.

Public borrowing is now on course to come in significantly higher than the OBR’s prediction of £127.5billion.

The UK deficit for the first ten months of this financial year is £118.2billion — £12.8billion above the forecasts.

The government is also spending £6.5billion on debt interest payments — the second biggest sum in 27 years.

Economist Cara Pacitti, from Resolution Foundation, said Ms Reeves was being left “in the unenviable position of needing to raise taxes or cut spending to meet her fiscal rules at the OBR’s 26 March forecast”.

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: “The latest borrowing figures expose the true cost of Labour’s reckless economic policies.”

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, said: “We will never play fast and loose with the public finances, that’s why we’re going through every pound spent, line by line”

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