GMB stars are fuming at being told they can no longer eat buttered toast in the mornings.
They were among ITV staff warned this week that toasters were banned in their new studios because of health and safety fears.
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Staff were told of the change in a meeting attended by presenter Susanna ReidCredit: rex features
In a meeting attended by presenter Susanna Reid — who has previously spoken of her love of peanut butter, apple and toast — staff were also warned they would have no canteen.
“Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
“But the new offices’ kitchen is in a basement with no windows or natural light, so smoke from a toaster is a serious health hazard.
“Those on the night shift who prepare the breakfast show are especially cross as they love their morning toast.
“And there is no canteen so everyone will have to start bringing in their Tupperware packed breakfasts.
“And whilst this seems like extreme cost-cutting, everyone was bamboozled to discover a yoga studio was being built on the roof. It’s all very bizarre.”
As part of an ITV cost-cutting overhaul, production on Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women will move away from BBC Studioworks’ Television Centre from January.
GMB, meanwhile, is being relocated to ITN on Gray’s Inn Road.
Bosses have tried to ban the bread-browning machines before — but backed down after then-host Piers Morgan shamed them on air.
ITV Faces Major Shake-Up: Good Morning Britain Stars Under Threat Amid Cost Cuts
AFTER a lifetime spent trying to keep her curly locks in check, Hilary Freeman, 53, from London, sees if the new Airwrap makes styling them fuss-free.
When I was 12 and puberty kicked in, my previously smooth curls turned, almost overnight, into an uncontrollable mop of frizz.
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Hilary Freeman, 53, from London, sees if the new Airwrap makes styling curly locks them fuss-freeCredit: Lorna Roach
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Hilary after using the £579 Dyson toolCredit: Lorna Roach
Ever since, I’ve spent thousands on styling products and tools, for a daily battle to tame my locks.
My hair is like candy floss: fine in texture, soft and big. Humidity and rain are its mortal enemies.
Yes, I am that woman you see with an umbrella in the slightest drizzle.
That’s because the merest hint of moisture turns me into Art Garfunkel. Or worse, Phil Spector.
Like them, I have what some affectionately call a “Jewfro”.
As a teen, I begged my mother to allow me to have my hair chemically straightened.
The foul-smelling treatment, in effect a reverse perm — this was well before the days of Brazilian blow dries — didn’t work, and just damaged my locks, making them even more frizzy.
In the Nineties, when poker-straight locks became almost compulsory, I bought hair straighteners.
But I didn’t have the patience or expertise to use them properly.
I ended up with a half-straight, half-curly do — and a second- degree burn on my neck.
Watch the moment woman leaves passengers stunned as she dyes her hair on the TRAIN, and insists she’s ‘not embarrassed’ about it either
Since then, I’ve avoided trying new gadgets, partly out of fear of damaging my hair and partly because, as a mum with a busy job as a writer, I simply don’t have the time.
Instead, I’ve resigned myself to wearing my hair long and curly.
I tend to half diffuse it and half air-dry it, depending on the time I have.
Over the years, hair dye to stem the ever-increasing tide of grey has conspired with my changing hormones to alter my curl pattern from tight curls to looser ones.
But the frizz has remained.
Bushy mess
Mousses and gels keep my hair defined for a day or so, but the curls quickly drop out and become lank and fluffy.
On a good day, it falls into ringlets; on a bad one, it’s a bushy mess.
Curly hair has a mind of its own, you see.
So, I was keen to test the brand new Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x.
The latest version of this heated styler, the Curly and Coily model (there’s also a Straight/Wavy one), promises effortless, long-lasting, sleek waves.
Like all Dyson products, it looks and feels a quality, luxury item.
But, at £579, I’ll admit, I am expecting some sort of miracle.
Could it work for me, or is it just a lot of hot air?
According to Dyson, the Co-anda 2x has twice as many attachments as its predecessor and can be used to dry, curl, wave, straighten, smooth and volumise your hair.
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Like all Dyson products, it looks and feels a quality, luxury itemCredit: Dyson
These attachments, they say, are “intelligent” — I wonder if they can help with Wordle.
The Airwrap claims to provide “supercharged styling with a stronger Coanda airflow”.
It is 30 per cent more powerful than the previous model, has two times the air pressure and — most intriguingly — senses movement, automatically wrapping your hair and adapting heat, airflow and timings to your hair type, via the MyDyson app.
Faced with a box of attachments, I have no idea where to start.
Setting up the app is simple, after answering some questions on it my device is tailored to my hair type.
However, as a novice, I find navigating the app confusing.
Its video guides — I counted 37 ways to style your curly hair — are helpful but I can’t figure out how to watch tutorials while holding my switched-on Airwrap.
It doesn’t help that the Bluetooth keeps disconnecting.
The power cord is also surprisingly short, meaning I have to sit right next to the plug socket.
On the plus side, the motor is extremely powerful.
I’m impressed with how the barrel curl attachment intuitively collects the right amount of hair — as if slurping noodles.
‘Friends say I look glam’
And I’m reassured that once the Airwrap reaches a certain heat, it starts to cool, so it dries my hair but doesn’t burn it.
I also like the fact there’s a diffuser attachment among the options, so I can choose whether I want to dry my hair curly, wavy or straight with just one device.
But I do find the Airwrap heavier than my usual hairdryer.
Holding it in one position for any length of time made my arm ache.
But it’s much easier than holding both a brush and a dryer.
The results speak for themselves. My hair feels so smooth and light that I can’t help swishing it around. The colour also looks more refined and glossy.
While people usually compliment my hair, now they’re commenting on my overall look.
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Hilary Freeman demonstrates the new Dyson Air WrapCredit: Lorna Roach
Everyone says I look “glamorous” and “airbrushed” — not words they’ve used before. I can see I appear more tidy and professional, and less boho. However, I do think my usual curly style makes me look more youthful.
The night after my trial, I barely sleep for worrying I’ll ruin my new do.
But I wake to find it almost as smooth as before.
By the end of the day, my hair is starting to frizz at the edges and some rogue curls are appearing.
I decide to wash it again, and try the diffuser option, so I can compare it with my own high street dryer.
When I link the Airwrap up to the app, it automatically sets it to the right heat and speed settings for the diffuser attachment.
It dries quickly and efficiently, creating nice curls and achieving better root volume than my own model. It’s a good diffuser.
But I can’t say the result is £600 better.
The Airwrap Co-anda 2x is not for novices. If I’m honest, I would probably only use the diffuser option unless I have a special event, and a day off.
It is a big investment and not a must-have.
But as an alternative to professional blowouts, it’s a great option.
CUTTING THE HAIR COSTS
LILY ENGLAND DELUXE HOT BRUSH, £32.99
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The Lily England Heated Dryer is perfect for giving your hair a quick zhuzhCredit: supplied
WHILE it can’t dry and style simultaneously like the Airwrap, it is perfect for giving your hair a quick zhuzh, and its simple design is easy to get the hang of.
The large barrel is ideal for adding volume and lifting hair.
BELLISSIMA ITALIA AIR WONDER 8-IN-1 HAIR STYLER, £129.99
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This budget styler curls, volumises and wavesCredit: supplied
WITH eight attachment heads, this budget styler curls, volumises and waves.
Hit its coolshot button after styling to lock in your look for longer.
Also doubles up as a traditional hairdryer.
REVLON ONE-STEP BLOW-DRY MULTI STYLER 3-IN-1 TOOL, £80
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Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler takes hair from wet to perfectly styledCredit: supplied
HAILED as the ultimate Dyson dupe, this takes hair from wet to perfectly styled.
Has a curling wand, an oval brush for volumised locks and a concentrator head for drying your roots.
SAMANTHA Cameron’s luxury fashion brand Cefinn is set to shut its doors after eight years.
The wife of former PM Lord Cameron said the decision was “very hard”, but admitted industry pressures had made it impossible for the label to stay afloat.
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A model wearing an outfit from CefinnCredit: Cefinn
Cefinn’s next winter collection, launching later this month, will be its final offering.
The brand will continue to trade through its London stores and its website in the coming months, allowing customers to snap up the remaining pieces.
Lady Cameron, who worked in fashion before her move to No10, has had her label celebrated for its stylish yet practical designs for modern women.
It has been worn by both Princess Kate and Queen Camilla.
But retail firms have been hit hard by the Labour Government’s hikes to the minimum wage and employers’ National Insurance contributions in April, as well as the impact of rising business rates.
It comes as plus-size fashion brand Live Unlimited has filed a note of intent to appoint administrators this week.
Public filings reveal that the firm has enlisted advisers from Irwin Mitchell to manage the process.
A note of intent typically gives a retailer ten days before it officially goes bust, although this can be cut shorter if needed.
The label was launched in 2012 and has been stocked online and in-store by both Next and John Lewis.
Samantha Cameron toasted Downing Street exit with ‘beer and a few rollies’ after husband David quit as PM
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Samantha Cameron’s luxury fashion brand Cefinn is set to shut its doorsCredit: Rex
PRIMARK RISE
FASHION chain Primark saw sales grow over the last six months thanks to better weather and store openings, its parent firm Associated British Foods reported.
UK and Ireland sales grew by 1 per cent in the second half, with the new shops having offset a 2 per cent fall in like-for-like sales.
Boss George Weston said Primark was not raising prices but ABF’s grocery division is being forced to pass on cost increases.
SPOONS SPICE
WETHERSPOONS is adding Irish takeaway dish The Spice Bag to its menus in England, Scotland and Wales later this month.
From September 17, punters can enjoy the salt and chilli chicken strips dish, including red onion, chillies and coriander, for £8.99 with a soft drink — or £10.52 with a pint.
Sarah Shaw of the pub chain said: “It has already proven extremely popular with customers in our Republic of Ireland pubs.”
XMAS CHOC PRICE WOE
BRITAIN’S favourite festive treats are shrinking in size but soaring in price this year, trade magazine The Grocer says.
Quality Street tubs are now 550g, down from 600g, with prices up 16.7 per cent to £7, although Asda offers them for £4.68.
Terry’s Chocolate Orange has shrunk by 7.6 per cent, although its price has jumped 33.3 per cent to £2 at Tesco and 28.2 per cent to £2.50 at Sainsbury’s.
Cadbury Roses tins have also downsized, dropping from 750g to 700g. Prices climbed by as much as 17.9 per cent, with tins in Morrisons £16.50, up from £14.
BRITAIN’S top cop yesterday hailed Live Facial Recognition technology as a “game-changing tool.”
Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed how more than 700 arrests have been made so far this year thanks to camera vans deployed on streets to find wanted suspects and offenders in breach of orders.
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Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley hailed Live Facial Recognition technology as a ‘game-changing tool’Credit: PA
Those arrested include 50 registered sex offenders in breach of licence conditions, Sir Mark said in a speech to the TechUK trade association.
He described Live Facial Recognition(LFR) – which uses biometric technology to identity wanted suspects from unique measurements of the face – as a “targeted” investment to back front-line policing.
Sir Mark told how he went on an LFR operation at last month’s Notting Hill Carnival, saying: “Every officer I spoke to was energised by the potential.”
He added of the Carnival operation: “Across the weekend, LFR delivered 61 arrests-including 16 for serious violence-related offences and 13 for violence against women and girls.
“The first arrest happened within five minutes of going live, locating someone wanted on a prison recall since 2015.
“Another suspect was wanted for GBH, having allegedly stabbed a victim five times with a machete.
“These results show that LFR played a critical role in keeping the public safe at Carnival.”
Sir Mark said LFR had made “a major contribution” to one of the safest Carnival events in years, with robbery down 70%, violence reduced by more than half and sex offences by 8% compared to 2024.
Meanwhile, the Met boss also revealed how the force plans to use drones to support public safety.
He said: “From searching for missing people, to arriving quickly at serious traffic incidents, or replacing the expensive and noisy helicopter at large public events.
More than a million Scots being monitored by Chinese cameras
“Done well, drones will be another tool to help officers make faster, more informed decisions on the ground.”
A data-driven approach to tackling violence against women and girls has led to more than 162 of “the most prolific and predatory offenders” in London being convicted, Sir Mark said.
The Met’s V100 programme uses data to identify and target men who pose the highest risk to women, enabling cops to focus their efforts on dangerous suspects.
Sir Mark also told how the London force will be using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help catch criminals caught on CCTV and translating languages of suspects, victims and witnesses.
He said: “CCTV helps secure thousands of charges against dangerous offenders, but trawls are time-intensive and rely on the human eye.
“Take Oxford Street, with 27 junctions—a trawl to identify a suspect’s route can take two days.
“Now imagine telling AI to find clips of a male wearing a red baseball cap between X and Y hours—and getting results in hours. That’s game changing.”
However, Sir Mark warned the current national policing model must be changed if the force can “unlock the full benefits” of AI.
He said the current setup of 43 forces using hundreds of technology systems “just won’t cut it.”
Sir Mark urged the Government to create a new national centre for policing and set up of regional forces to create shared technology platforms and make better use of data.
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Rowley revealed how more than 700 arrests have been made so far this year thanks to camera vans deployed on streetsCredit: Getty
APPLES are ripening and tumbling from branches across gardens and hedgerows.
Or you may find that generous neighbours or friends with apple trees are offering the fruit for free.
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Read our top tips to make the most of apples at this time of year
Here’s how to make the most of the harvest . . .
APPLE STORE: Apples are often stored in fruit bowls, but they will last longer in the fridge.
The fruit also emits a gas that can speed up the ripening of other produce such as oranges, giving another reason to keep them separated.
NICELY PUDD: Apple pie or crumble is the perfect autumnal dessert. Crumbles are slightly quicker to make and great with kids. Use the following recipe from Tesco. Peel and core and cut three or four cooking apples into chunks.
READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS
Pop the fruit in a saucepan with two tablespoons of caster sugar, and two tablespoons of water, cooking until the apples have softened.
If you have a glut of apples, you could prepare double or triple the mix and freeze portions for using at a later date.
Pop in a greased ovenproof dish. Then mix 110g of self-raising flour, 40g of demerara sugar, 40g of diced salted, butter and two tablespoons of rolled oats in a bowl until it’s breadcrumb texture.
Add to the apple mix before baking for around 45minutes until golden.
GO DRY: Dried apples are a great healthy snack — perfect for lunchboxes.
Slice the apples thinly and bake for a few hours on a low heat.
I’m a foodie and my Air Fryer apple pie recipe is always such a hit and you only need three ingredients
The longer you leave them in, the crispier they become. Then store in an air-tight container.
JUICE IT: Use apples to make a delicious juice without a juicer. Start by chopping and deseeding three or four apples.
Boil and cover with around 120ml of water until the apples are soft and mushy.
Line a colander with muslin cloth and put over a bowl before pouring in the cooled mixture.
Press down on the mixture and let the bowl collect the juice. You can then add honey or lemon juice to taste.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
Deal of the day
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Save £16 on this Tefal stone force frying pan
EVERY kitchen needs some reliable tools. The Tefal stone force frying pan is down from £32 to £16 at Sainsbury’s.
SAVE: £16
Cheap treat
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Head to Waitrose to pick up a Ginsters large sausage roll for less
CURE a hunger craving with this Ginsters large sausage roll, £1, from Waitrose.
What’s new?
DOMINOS has launched an ultimate Indian range of pizzas, including gunpowder chicken, and masala paneer, £25.99 each.
Top swap
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Grab these Asics novablast 5 running trainers for £134.50
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Or try these trainers from Aldi for less
PICK up the pace with Asics novablast 5 running trainers, £134.50 from the sportsedit.com.
Or hit your goals with these trainers, £14.99 in Aldi from today.
SAVE: £119.51
Little helper
UNTIL the end of September, buy any spa break at Champneys resorts and you can take a friend along for just £25.
Shop & save
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Save £22.52 on this Estee Lauder double wear foundation
GIVE your skin top coverage with Estee Lauder double wear foundation, down from £39.50 to £16.98 at asos.com.
SAVE: £22.52
Hot right now
CO-OP members can get its Irresistible prosecco for £6.50, saving £2.20, until September 23.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
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A PENSIONER is having to sell her home to cover a £113,000 legal bill after losing a five-year dispute over a 1ft strip of land.
Jenny Field, 76, was told to pay £14,000 after her initial court defeat to Pauline Clark, 64, but her repeated challenges saw the total rocket.
A judge has now told her she must pay the resultant £113,126 in three months or flog her £600,000 bungalow in Hamworthy, Dorset, so the cash can be recouped.
The divorcee told a court: “I am selling it because I have to and I’m fed up with living here but I will offer to pay her £1 per week.”
Their feud began in 2020 after Mrs Clark replaced a fence between the properties.
Ms Field claimed it had encroached on her garden and had it demolished, but Mrs Clark sued for damages and won the first case in 2022.
Several appeals followed and Ms Field was accused of wasting time by bombarding the court with papers.
A bid by her to sue for £500,000 in damages was also dismissed as “totally without merit”.
District Judge Ross Fentem said Mrs Clark had been kept from money owed to her for a long time and told Bournemouth county court the order for sale was “a last resort and draconian remedy”.
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Jenny Field is having to sell her home to cover a £113,000 legal bill after losing a five-year dispute over a 1ft strip of landCredit: BNPS
IT was perhaps the most famous poster in election history. “Labour Isn’t Working,” proclaimed its simple slogan above a photo of a long, snaking queue outside an unemployment office.
The image helped Margaret Thatcher’s Tories to win a decisive victory in 1979.
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The iconic ‘Labour Isn’t Working’ poster helped MargaretThatcher secure a historic election victory in 1979 – and it again rings true todayCredit: handout
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Sir Keir Starmer, seems to be trapped in a kind of doom loop created by his party’s epic mismanagement of the economyCredit: Getty
That poster could be revived today as the beleaguered Labour Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, seems to be trapped in a kind of doom loop created by his party’s epic mismanagement of the economy.
Growth is anaemic, the tax burden colossal. Just like in the late 70s, Britain is gripped by rising debt, inflation and unemployment, as well as increasing militancy in the public sector workforce, where recent generous pay settlements have fuelled a mood of greedy irresponsibility.
Only yesterday the distinguished business leader Lord Stuart Rose, the former head of Marks & Spencer, warned that Starmer and his bumbling Chancellor Rachel Reeves had dragged Britain “to the edge of crisis.”
In a bleak analysis, Lord Rose argued that because “there is no growth in the economy,” neither wealth nor jobs are being created.
The parallel with the 1970s is at its most stark in the hostility to hard work. Fifty years ago Britain became known as “the sick man of Europe” because of its addiction to strikes, with an astonishing 29million working days lost in 1979 alone.
Modern Britain has yet to plumb those depths, though the pig-headed unions are trying to go in that direction, as shown by the current miserable strike on the London Underground, which has paralysed the capital this week.
What makes this strike so ridiculous is that the Tube drivers are extremely well-paid, typically earning around £72,000-a-year, and enjoy excellent job security, pensions, hours and holidays. Yet they act like they are oppressed members of the proletariat.
London Tube Strikes Cause Travel Chaos: Everything You Need to Know
These grotesque demands are part of a wider culture of self-serving entitlement that is destroying Britain’s work ethic, reducing productivity and weakening the dynamism of business.
That destructive spirit can be seen in the recent surge of sick leave in the national workforce, a phenomenon caused not by harsher conditions but by more indulgent management, and the fashion for treating normal emotions as mental health problems.
Mental-health crisis
Yesterday a study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development revealed that employees are now taking an average of nearly two weeks off sick every year.
Only two years ago absenteeism stood at an average of 7.8 days a year. Now that figure has risen to 9.4 days a year, with the mental-health crisis the key driving force.
All too predictably, the record of the public sector is much worse than the private sector. That is not because work on the state payroll is tougher. Just the opposite is true.
The heavily unionised culture of public employment, with its emphasis on workplace rights and victimhood, promotes weak management and a lack of accountability.
The rise in absenteeism is mirrored by the growth in welfare dependency where ever increasing numbers of people think that the state owes them a living. Social security is no longer just a temporary safety net but has become a comfortable lifestyle choice.
There are now 6.5million adults of working age who are claiming out-of-work benefits, while some forms of incapacity payments have become a sort of subsidy for early retirement.
As Lord Rose puts it, “We have arrived in a situation in Britain today where there is effectively no obligation to work, absolutely none.”
In a recent newspaper interview, one claimant called Clare Russell gave an insight into the mentality of some of the worst freeloaders.
Labour likes to boast that it is the party of ‘working people’. Now it should live up to that description.
Ten years ago she gave up work at the age of 46 and since then has lived off the disability benefits she receives for a bad back, as well as a substantial rental income from some property, plus a carer’s allowance to look after her mother who lives 30 miles away.
In her sickening interview, she said that she has “a lovely life, thanks to the great British taxpayer.”
Just to heighten the outrage she added, “when I am at the gym, I watch young people scuttle past the window on the treadmill of work and I must admit to feeling smug.”
The disappearance of the work ethic is neither morally defensible nor financially affordable.
The disability benefits bill is expected to reach £100billion by 2030 while the overall cost of welfare is forecast to go up from £210billion a decade ago to £380billion by 2030.
The welfare leviathan is tracking us ever deeper into debt and towards national bankruptcy.
In the depths of its current political crisis, France — which has an even more lavish benefits system than Britain — shows what can happen when the cost of welfare spirals out of control.
We were the nation of the industrial revolution. We must revive that kind of drive and determination. This should be an absolute priority for the new Labour cabinet.
Reform of welfare and the workplace is not an option, it is a necessity.
Labour likes to boast that it is the party of “working people”. Now it should live up to that description.
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London is currently paralysed by Tube strikes, despite drivers earning £72,000 and enjoying top job perksCredit: Alamy
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Business leader Lord Stuart Rose, the former head of Marks & Spencer, warned that Starmer and bumbling Chancellor Rachel Reeves had dragged Britain ‘to the edge of crisis’Credit: PA
Brooklyn Beckham is planning to open a burger joint in the USCredit: INSTAGRAM/BROOKLYN BECKHAM
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Insiders said he was being backed in the venture by his wife Nicola Peltz and her wealthy familyCredit: Getty
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Brooklyn’s bold move is the latest in his ongoing feud with his parents David and VictoriaCredit: PA
Last month he quietly revealed the branding for Beck’s Buns, following a row with the beer brand Beck’s.
He tinkered with the application of his trademark to include restaurants and is pushing ahead with his plans.
Insiders said he hoped to open next year.
A source said: “Brooklyn has long dreamed of opening a restaurant in Los Angeles where he lives and that is finally coming to fruition.
READ MORE ON THE BECKHAMS
“He has created Beck’s Buns and quietly launched it on social media last month. Brooklyn’s company Buster Sauce Inc owns the trademark and he is planning to open a restaurant.
“The issue with the trademark is all but resolved now after Brooklyn made it clear he wasn’t making booze but wanted it for a restaurant.
“The menu is still being decided but it’ll be high quality burgers with his signature Buster hot sauces.
“It’s been something Brooklyn has always wanted to do. He has the full support of Nicola and her family, including her businessman dad Nelson, and is excited about the future.”
Being a chef is the latest in a long line of career ambitions for Brooklyn, 26.
He has previously tried his hand at modelling, acting and photography.
Romeo Beckham celebrates with family at birthday party as Brooklyn skips celebrations AGAIN amid family feud
He even had dreams of following in dad David’s footsteps as a professional footballer but failed to make the grade.
Brooklyn, David, 50, and mum Victoria, 51, are estranged following a series of rows, said to include disagreements over money.
Sources say he is now keen to move on and focus on his life with Nicola, 30.
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Being a chef is the latest in a long line of career ambitions for BrooklynCredit: Getty
A LITTLE-known resort with white sands, a Unesco-listed old town and beer for less than £2 tops a new listing of most affordable autumn beach breaks in Europe this year.
Nessebar, on a peninsula in Bulgaria, is No1 in budget airline easyJet’s Cheap Beach Index, thanks to its affordable hospitality and dependable deals on flights and hotels.
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The scenic Iglesia de Las Salinas beach, Costa de AlmeriaCredit: Getty
The research analysed areas within easy reach of airports that offer affordable direct routes from the UK, and the costs of a typical holiday “basket” of essentials including beer, ice cream and family meals out.
The Budva Riviera in Montenegro came second, followed by Spain’s Costa de Almeria then Costa Dorada.
Lisa Minot describes what makes these autumn breaks winners, and offers some great deals . . .
NESSEBAR, BULGARIA
THIS little gem offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old Town with its Roman and Ottoman architecture, 19th-century wooden houses and cobbled streets.
It’s not all culture, though – the resort has plenty to keep visitors happy with lots of bars and restaurants and a lively nightlife.
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Nessebar, Bulgaria offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old TownCredit: Getty
The report found beers would cost on average £1.60, while a three-course meal will set you back around £22 for a couple.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Festa Panorama, Nessebar is from £477pp including flights from Manchester departing on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.
FOR a more authentic Spanish experience, distinct from the more crowded Costas, the Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop.
Highlight is the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, a protected area with volcanic geology, hidden coves like Monsul and vast, unspoiled beaches for you to set aside the pressures of life.
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The Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdropCredit: Getty
Roquetas de Mar is a perfect beachfront town with lots of shops, bars and restaurants close by.
The report found beers will cost just £3 and a meal for two £36.
GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the Best Roquetas Hotel, Costa de Almeria is from £372pp including flights from Southend on September 27, 23kg luggage and transfers.
ALWAYS among the best value of the Costas, this area is known as the Golden Coast – perfect for families with its long, gently shelving golden sand beaches.
Wetherspoons is teaming up with The Papas Group to launch 15 new UK pubs across the UKCredit: Getty
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The Papas Group is known for its fish and chip shop chainCredit: Alamy
The first will open on October 1 in Gateway Park, Lincoln, and will be called The Hykeham Manor.
A further three will open in October and November at sites in Annitsford, Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, and Emersons Green in Bristol.
The pub chain’s commercial director, Michael Barron, said: “We are delighted to have signed agreements with The Papas Group.
“We are looking at further opportunities and are confident that more franchise agreements will be signed.”
The Papas Group is a family-owned business which runs casual dining restaurants such as Papa’s Fish and Chips and Wendy’s, mostly in the north of England.
Wetherspoons already has several franchise agreements. They include tie-ups with the holiday park operator Haven and the universities of Newcastle and Hull — running a pub at each campus.
These arrangements are common in the hospitality sector and allow an independent operator to run an established chain using their brand and products.
Wetherspoons has opened pubs at several locations this year, including in Fulham, West London, and Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
LOW-DEPOSIT DEALS RISE
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Low-deposit mortgage deals have surged to the highest level in 17 yearsCredit: Getty
THE number of low-deposit mortgages has hit the highest level in 17 years, according to Moneyfactscompare.
There are currently 1,360 90 and 95 per cent deals available, representing 19 per cent of the residential mortgage market.
The news comes after HomesEngland, the Government’s housing agency, and Countryside Properties signed a long-term deal to build more homes.
The partnership will be backed by £150million of investment and will focus on building houses as part of the Government’s housebuilding target.
SUNNY SALES
RETAIL sales were up 3.1 per cent in August driven by good weather and an interest rate cut, official figures show.
The year-on-year uptick beat last August’s 1 per cent. Tech items did well but school uniforms and shoes disappointed as families tried second-hand, said the British Retail Consortium-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
Home appliances, DIY and garden goods all saw sales growth last month.
OIL PRICE HIKE
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Oil prices jumped by more than $1 a barrel as supply fears hit and Russia braced for sanctionsCredit: Reuters
OIL prices rose by more than a dollar a barrel yesterday as increases in supply looked set to stall and Russia braced itself for the impact of new EU sanctions.
OPEC countries have voted to lift production by 137,000 barrels per day in October — far less than previous monthly increases.
Experts have warned of a glut of oil next year as demand falls. Nevertheless Brent crude rose to $66.70 per barrel.
LADY GAGA dominated the MTV VMAs – winning four gongs out of 12 nominations and performing her new single The Dead Dance on stage for the first time.
She is now the third most awarded artist in the ceremony’s history with 22 gongs — one more than Madonna.
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Lady Gaga won four gongs out of 12 nominationsCredit: Getty
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She performed her new single The Dead Dance on stage for the first timeCredit: Getty
Gaga is now just behind Beyonce and Taylor Swift who are tied on 30 awards each.
Despite putting on the best performance of the night, Bizarre can reveal the superstar wasn’t actually inside the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, when she appeared on stage.
In fact Gaga secretly recorded her performance across town at Madison Square Garden, where she was performing on her Mayhem Ball tour, and shot it four times to make sure they had the perfect take.
Gaga pushed back her performance there by 90 minutes in order to walk the red carpet at the VMAs before racing back across town to get on stage.
A source said: “Gaga was adamant she wanted to be involved in the VMAs but obviously cancelling her show at MSG was never an option.
She and her team worked with MTV for weeks in order to get in two places at once.
“As soon as she won Artist of the Year she raced backstage for pictures and then drove to MSG. It was full on but if anyone could pull it off it’s Gaga.
“During her show she performed with some of her Moonmen — she’s so proud to be still winging awards.
“It was a really special moment, especially as her mum and dad were in the crowd.”
As she picked up the Artist of the Year gong, Gaga gave a shout-out to her fiance Michael Polansky and said: “To my partner in all things, Michael.
Yungblud’s subtle message to mentor Ozzy Osbourne during VMAs tribute performance for late rock icon
“Creating this year with you was a beautiful, beautiful dream, and you have been my partner every step of the way.
“I dedicate this to you too, my love. I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden.”
Feeling reflective the superstar went on to admit she wants to be performing until 2045 and feels like New York has shaped her into the artist she is today.
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Bizarre’s Jack Hardwick was at the VMAsCredit: Supplied
Gaga said: “I hope in 20 years when I have written lots more albums that I will still be back here. I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel that this is where I grew up because it made me so much of who I am.
“I think about what [my music] would have sounded like if I hadn’t grown up here.
“I feel like when you are from New York it kind of grows roots in your veins. You have this understanding of life and community, it’s very strong. It’s a feeling. I can’t quite describe it as it’s a feeling.”
Now Gaga is on a roll, the wheels are in motion for her to come to the UK for four headline shows at London’s O2 Arena.
The gigs, along with two more in Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, sold out in seconds.
And if her performance in New York was anything to go by, us British fans are in for a treat.
IT’S RAINING MEN FOR SABRINA
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Sabrina Carpenter stunned fans with a rain-soaked rendition of her new single TearsCredit: Getty
SABRINA CARPENTER wowed fans with a seriously sexy and rain-soaked rendition of her new single Tears.
And there was something for everyone, as she was surrounded by a troupe of very attractive male dancers dressed as policemen as well as drag queens.
During the evening, Sabrina won three MTV VMAs and used her performance to call for the advancement of trans rights.
Speaking on stage, the Manchild singer said: “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity.
“So to get to be part of something that can make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f***ing oyster, I’m so grateful to do that.”
NIGHT’S YUNG FOR AEROSMITH
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Yungblud was joined by Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe PerryCredit: Getty
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He led a special tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne after his death in JulyCredit: Instagram
HOMEGROWN star Yungblud led a special tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne after his death in July.
The punk rocker was joined by Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry for a medley of the Black Sabbath singer’s hit singles Crazy Train, Changes and Mama, I’m Coming Home.
Speaking on the carpet, Yungblud revealed he was wearing Ozzy’s cross necklace (which Ozzy had given him, inset above) as a mark of respect.
He added: “It’s a big moment to honour someone you love.
“I’m wearing his cross tonight. I love him and always have. I hope he’s up there with a drink watching tonight.”
Teasing his future plans, Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, added: “There is a new project coming in two weeks… I’ve not said that yet.”
As the cameras cut away from the singer, to Steven Tyler’s impressive guitar solo, Bizarre watched as Yungblud turned his back on the audience and sipped an alcoholic drink, looking up to the emotional montage of the late rock legend.
Over the past few years Yungblud had grown close to Ozzy and his family. He was one of the star acts at Black Sabbath’s homecoming gig in Birmingham earlier this summer.
Yungblud revealed to Bizarre that he learned of Ozzy’s passing via a text from the heavy metal legend’s son Jack Osbourne. The singer said: “You get to know someone personally, who you love and then they leave.
“I was texting him, then his son Jack texted me and said, ‘He’s gone’.
“Being around the family and being at the funeral, the amount of love there. That family are real as f***.
“The dream is to have kids and a family like that. There’s no gimmicks. It’s authentic.”
VMA SPOT
BUSTA RHYMES gave fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane by performing eight of his biggest hits after collecting the inaugural Rock The Bells Visionary Award.
The rapper belted out a medley of his best-loved songs including Break Ya Neck, Gimme Some More and Stop the Party – which got some of the night’s biggest cheers.
TATE’S IN TRAINING TO WED
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Tate McRae gave a red-hot performance of Revolving Door and Sports Car in this two-pieceCredit: Getty
TATE McRAE appeared to be using the VMAs as a dry run for her own wedding.
The singer wore a sheer white dress with a statement train that was so long she needed two members of staff to carry it like bridesmaids.
Tate is thought to be single at the moment, but after watching her red-hot performance of Revolving Door and Sports Car in this two-piece we imagine she won’t be short of offers.
ARI: MIC’S TUTU TALL
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Ariana Grande joked that the height of the mic got taller each time she took to the stageCredit: Getty
ARIANA GRANDE may be small but she took home some of the biggest gongs of the night.
She picked up the award for Best Pop and Video of the Year for her Brighter Days Ahead.
Despite not being a performer, Ari was given her own dressing room backstage to cater for her three wardrobe changes.
The superstar arrived in a fitted polka dot number and ended things in a white ballerina tutu.
During her time on stage, Ari seemed overcome with emotion at her wins, before joking that the height of the mic got taller each time she took to the stage.
VMA SPOT
BIZARRE’S Jack got the A-List treatment before the main event after Virgin Atlantic invited him for champers at their Clubhouse Lounge at Heathrow before he set off to New York.
Not all of the stars flying out for the bash fancied a tipple, as Gogglebox’s Joe Baggs put Jack to shame by swerving the bubbles for a green juice.
MARIAH’S MEDLEY
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Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande were all smiles at the eventCredit: Getty
MARIAH CAREY returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in two decades to pick up the Video Vanguard Award and to perform a medley of her hits.
And, naturally, the notorious diva made sure the luxuries were laid on before she even stepped foot in the Big Apple.
Insiders said Mariah flew in via private jet, which had been decked out with white roses and cashmere blankets.
After laying low for a couple days at her sprawling £16million penthouse in Tribeca, Mariah and her glam squad then spent most of Sunday getting her red carpet-ready.
MTV bosses were on alert for the infamous diva to be hard work, but I’m told everything went smoothly . . . even if she did keep a wide berth from almost every other star.
Mimi opted to swerve both the red carpet and on stage VIP seats, instead zipping in and out via the backdoor.
She was handed her gong by Ariana Grande. Mariah told Ari: “I love you. I’m so grateful for you and I’m beyond proud of everything you’ve achieved, girl.”
It marked the first time the We Belong Together singer has ever won a coveted Moonman.
RICKY WINS LATIN ICON
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Ricky Martin gave a hip-thrusting medley of his biggest hitsCredit: Getty
RICKY MARTIN proved he’s still got it with a hip-thrusting medley of his biggest hits.
The Latin pop king belted out Livin’ La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon Bon, Maria, The Cup Of Life along with two Spanish tracks.
Ricky, who also picked up the first ever Latin Icon award, was hoisted high above the crowd to kick off his medley before an outfit change mid performance.
A beaming Ricky told fans: “I’m addicted to your applause that’s why I keep coming back.”
Later this year he will tour Australia with support from Rita Ora. It’s been a long time since he played the UK so hopefully dates over here are not far off.
Leading charity, The British Horse Society, has sparked a row after banning words like ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ in a new inclusive language guideCredit: Getty
The guide asks members to call maternity leave “parental leave” to try to stamp out outdated gender references.
Chairman should be “chairperson”, while it suggests that ethnic minorities should be called the “global majority”.
Foreigners are “people from overseas”.
The guide also suggests “humankind” instead of mankind while able-bodied people become known as “non-disabled”.
It states: “The BHS wants to create a culture of inclusion, which means maintaining positive and respectful communication with peers who may not have the same characteristics as us.
“We are antiracist and antidiscriminatory.
“We will work to break down barriers and enhance voices who have not yet been heard.”
The BHS was set up in 1947 “to protect and promote the interests of all horses and those who care about them”.
Members fork out up to a staggering £204 a year to join the UK’s “largest and most influential equestrian charity”.
Its advice follows universities and councils issuing guides with alternatives for widely accepted terms.
Starmer wades into flag row after SECOND woke council vows to remove St George’s cross
KINDER has crunched multipacks of its iconic Bueno bars from eight sticks to six in the latest blatant example of shrinkflation ripping off hard-up Brits.
IT may not be an imposing castle and there’s no Claudia Winkleman but Downing Street has become the stage for a real-life version of The Traitors.
Sir Keir Starmer set the scene for weeks of vicious plotting when he banished his faithful deputy from the Cabinet.
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Angela Rayner’s exit and Starmer’s hasty Cabinet reshuffle is like an episode of The Traitors… now PM must watch his back
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Disgraced Rayner with Starmer and Reeves on the front benchCredit: AFP
His gushing letter to Angela Rayner after she was forced out was true to the hit TV series.
It could be summed up as: “So sorry, Ange. I really like you and I really, really hope it isn’t you. But I’ve got to go with my gut.”
But it hasn’t washed with her admirers who now see her as a standard bearer for Labour’s Left.
The problem for the PM is whether his ousted sidekick will be recruited by The Traitors — a clique of MPs and activists hellbent on revenge.
They think Sir Keir is the real traitor — a class traitor — and are ready to unleash anger and resentment that has been building up over the past 14 months.
The search for her successor will become a divisive and bloody battle for the soul of the party.
One activist declared: “It’s going to be carnage. The knives are out already — and many of them are aimed at Starmer’s back.
“Most MPs can’t stand him or his politics, and over the past week their hatred has gone off the scale.”
Ms Rayner and her supporters are not the only people to harbour a grudge against the PM.
Angela Rayner’s flat VANDALISED with graffiti calling her a ‘tax evader’ after she admitted underpaying stamp duty
Her departure forced him into a hasty Cabinet reshuffle in which several of her colleagues were also thrown under the bus.
One minister dumped in Sir Keir’s shake-up even vowed privately: “I’m going to f*** him up.”
The deputy leadership race could now turn into a proxy war to destabilise the PM and find his successor.
There are whispers about a stalking horse to pave the way for Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to steal the crown and, bizarrely, that Ed Miliband is pondering a bid for a leadership comeback.
The scandal has also exposed the Prime Minister’s indecision and weakness — flaws he once levelled at Boris Johnson.
Sir Keir allowed Ms Rayner to cling on to her job for eight days after it was revealed she had avoided paying £40,000 stamp duty on her swish new seaside property at Hove, East Sussex.
It was clear that at the very least she was guilty of rank hypocrisy and had to go.
One of his biggest tests will be the Budget on November 26
You’d think after being gifted £2,400 of free spectacles, Sir Keir would have seen what was coming.
But he left it to an ethics adviser to reach the inevitable conclusion — and even then, the PM didn’t sack her but let her resign.
Sir Keir knows he must fix the economy and stop the boats if he has any chance of winning the next General Election.
But the Left has been angered and emboldened, and their opening salvos are likely to be fired at the Labour Conference in Liverpool later this month.
One of his biggest tests will be the Budget on November 26, when drastic action is needed to plug the £50billion black hole in Britain’s finances.
Normally, all the pressure would be on Rachel Reeves to deliver. But the PM sidelined the Chancellor last week to take personal charge of economic policy.
He appointed his own economics guru and poached Ms Reeves’s geeky number two Darren Jones as well as the Chancellor’s chief tax adviser to join his No10 team.
One disgruntled source said: “Keir has made it clear he plans to own the next Budget.
“If that’s the case, he can shoulder all the blame when it goes down like a bag of cold sick.”
Cabinet heavyweight Pat McFadden has been put in charge of forcing through welfare reform, months after benefit cuts were ditched amid a backbench rebellion. His task just got a lot harder.
Time to get a grip
Another big mission — which eclipses any TV challenge Claudia could set — is to tackle the asylum crisis.
Voters are desperate to see this Government deliver on its promises soon
Hardly a surprise, as Sir Keir has had more success removing ministers than asylum seekers.
He has ushered in tough-talking former Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood — who supports chemical castration for serious sex offenders — to head up the dysfunctional department.
The PM knows that if she is unable to get a grip of the nation’s number one concern, he won’t be given time to send in a third team.
Voters are desperate to see this Government deliver on its promises soon.
Sir Keir returned from his summer break to declare he had begun “phase two” of his plan to change Britain.
If it continues like this, there won’t be any time for a phase three.
Voters will ask Sir Keir to reveal whether he’s a Faithful or a Traitor.
Then banish him from Number 10.
REFORM MP Lee Anderson wants schoolkids to wave Union Flags and sing the National Anthem at morning assembly.
Not so much Cool Britannia as School Britannia.
WHILE the nation was entranced by the Angela Rayner scandal, the Green Party elected a former hypnotherapist as its new leader.
Zack Polanski once claimed he could help women who wanted larger breasts by unlocking the power of their minds.
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Zack Polanski once claimed he could help women who wanted larger breasts by unlocking the power of their mindsCredit: Getty
Now he’s turned his attention to growing his membership before persuading the rest of us to reverse Brexit.
I can only imagine how he’ll do that.
Perhaps he’ll mesmerise us into a second referendum with an election speech which goes: “Look into my eyes, look into my eyes.
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in March 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
Uranus, planet of rebellion and the individual, takes a reverse path from today, and this can affect your communication style.
It’s worth checking that you are being properly heard and understood, even in the most minor matters.
This will save precious time. Love has a light touch that’s tender but also tough.
Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions.
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Your weekly horoscope for Saturday
♉ TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
When money questions arise again it’s tempting to look the other way, but your chart is clear that you should face them instead.
Accepting that you don’t know everything but are ready to learn will be your zodiac saving grace.
And someone you recently met who is in a unique love position will be so impressed.
Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
♊ GEMINI
May 22 to June 21
Just when you think you know everything there is to know about yourself, you do or say something outrageous.
This reflects a side of yourself that you prefer to hide or play down.
But instead, lean in and see exactly where you now need more of something – from time to attention.
Luck circles odd numbers.
Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
♋ CANCER
June 22 to July 22
You have a sensual sense of mystery about you, and it’s worth preserving, even if tricky questions are asked.
That way, you can keep love fresh and always surprising.
But do try to be as open as you can with someone a generation away, as your approval is more important than you realise.
Love values mutual sacrifice.
Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
♌ LEO
July 23 to August 23
You may start to see important people in your life in a totally new way as Uranus enters retrograde.
Instead of struggling to keep everything as it is, be ready to accept certain bonds have run their course.
Clearing these away leaves sparkling new space for fascinating characters.
Passion links to a middle initial.
Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
♍ VIRGO
August 24 to September 22
Not all ambitions are equal, so it is a mistake to give them all the same attention.
It’s time to review your key life goals, and curtail or expand them according to your feelings, even if your heart and head struggle to stay on the same page.
Your clear sense of self is an asset in love terms, as you say no to game-playing.
Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
Everything in your chart today is surprisingCredit: Getty
♎ LIBRA
September 23 to October 23
A journey may be two steps forward and one back, but as long as you keep moving, you will progress.
So fix your sights on the destination rather than your starting point.
In love? Mars brings cheeky mischief that partners can’t resist.
Single? Look again at an Aries who makes you feel like the only person in the room.
Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
List of 12 star signs
The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.
♏ SCORPIO
October 24 to November 22
You want to change, but how?
The question gets more complex as Uranus hits reverse, but it’s all the more reason to work out your strategy for the future now.
An emotional crossroads is easier to navigate when you are properly prepared.
Family-based feelings are up and down, but you’ll find a happy medium.
A music-lover can strike the right noteCredit: Supplied
♒ AQUARIUS
January 21 to February 18
Your ruling sign lets loose in your surprises sector, and the less likely the interview or prize that you encounter, the more your determination powers through.
So be ready for anything, anywhere, all day.
In love? You have a strong marriage chart that can conjure promises out of thin air.
DARTH Vader’s lightsaber has been sold for £2.7million — making it the most expensive Star Wars prop in history.
The fake weapon, made from an old flash camera attachment, beat pre-sale expectations by £100,000.
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The lightsaber used by Star Wars villain Darth Vader has been auctioned off for £2.7 millionCredit: Rex
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An old British press camera flash handle was modified to make the propCredit: SWNS
It was famously used in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back in the battle where baddie Vader chops off Luke Skywalker’s hand — then reveals that he is, in fact, his opponent’s father.
Brandon Alinger, of auction house Propstore in Los Angeles, said: “The result marks a landmark moment for the entire world of film collecting.”
“To see a Star Wars lightsaber – the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas – become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special.”
He added: “It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology.”
The 1ft (32cm) green lightsaber was used in scenes by Darth Vader actor David Prowse and stunt performer Bob Anderson.
In the pre-auction process it was described as “one of the most significant cinema artefacts ever.”
Other items sold on Thursday night included the Spider-Man suit worn by Tobey Maguire in the 2002 superhero film, which went for $289,800 (£214,000).
Harrison Ford‘s eight-foot bullwhip, belt and whip holster from Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989) beat its pre-sale estimate to sell for $485,100 (£360,000).
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The lightsaber is the most expensive Star Wars prop ever to be soldCredit: Alamy
Dave Prowse dead – Darth Vader actor who played Luke Skywalker’s father in Star Wars dies after short illness, aged 85
