AFPIf Sir Keir Starmer fails to deliver on slashing small boat crossings, voters will never forgive him[/caption]
GettyNigel Farage’s Reform UK is growing in popularity as the migration crisis worsens[/caption]
With asylum claims costing an average of £100,000 each, British taxpayers will now be picking up a £3.4billion bill just for processing these cases.
That is before the eye-watering impact on the NHS, social services and housing.
As we show in today’s paper, new arrivals have no difficulty landing illegal jobs, even if they are only delivering takeaways.
Today Yvette Cooper announces new measures to track the cash of traffickers, strengthen policing across Europe and kick out more of those who don’t belong here.
We welcome the Home Secretary’s actions.
But we’ve been promised results for years, and even if they work these moves will take an age to produce significant results.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Inside Chris McCausland’s incredible Strictly journey as he makes history and secures Dianne’s first ever win
CHRIS McCausland’s journey to become the first blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing went from him being a reluctant competitor to a champion of the show.
The 47-year-old beat fellow finalists Miranda actress Sarah Hadland,Love IslandstarTasha GhouriandJLSsinger JB Gill in the final, which has been branded the ‘most emotional’ of all time.
BBCChris McCausland went from him being a reluctant competitor to a champion of the show[/caption]
Chris has made history as the first ever blind contestantPA
Chris has made history as the first ever blind contestant to take part in and win the BBC dance show.
He performed three routines this evening alongside his pro partner Dianne Buswell.
Speaking after his win, a shocked Chris said: “It’s astonishing. I don’t know what to say.
“I honestly thought I could go out in the first week or two. We have just lasted and lasted.”
But what do we know about Chris’ journey before he lifted the glitterball trophy?
The comedian has hosted his own programme on ITV on Saturday mornings and has also featured on panel shows such as Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and QI – as well as appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox.
Before taking part in the dancing show, he joked he must be the only contestant to participate in the show who has “never watched” it before, but thought it would be good to be out of his “comfort zone”.
Chris lost his sight completely by the age of 22 due to retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary eye disease which causes gradual degeneration of the retina.
The actor – who has been on BBC shows Moving On, Me Too!, Not Going Out and EastEnders – being included in the line-up was quickly welcomed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), but he admitted he turned down the show several times in the past.
After being partnered with Australian professional dancer Dianne Buswell, they both admitted they were going to have to “figure out” how logistically performances were going to happen, but soon won plaudits for their well-timed dances.
Anton Du Beke said Chris’ first routine, a cha cha to Beatles hit Twist And Shout, was “one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen in my entire life”, and continued to be astonished by his progress along with his fellow judges.
The next week, Chris received a standing judges ovation after lifting Buswell during a performance to Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy by The Tams.
Despite the success, he found himself in trouble during Halloween week after the judges placed him joint-last on the leaderboard with Morning Live doctor Dr Punam Krishan.
However, he was saved by the public vote, and scored 29 dancing the tango to Kiss’s Rock And Roll All Nite during the next week, and went on to never find himself in the dreaded dance-off again.
It was in week eight that his blackout performance, imitating his own experience with blindness, went viral.
During a couple’s choice to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon, McCausland could be seen placing his hands over Diane’s eyes as the room faded to black, before the ballroom went dark. A few moments later, it was revealed the comedian was spinning Dianne on his shoulders, with pyrotechnics flaring in the background.
The performance received rapturous applause from the audience and a score of 33 from the judges, which he later admitted to the PA news agency was a “leap of faith” and that he did not want to be “cliche”.
He also said he was worried about performing the dance as there was “jeopardy” over how it would represent blind people, and said he did not think people with disabilities need inspiring, but people needed to see them doing things that were “normal”.
Chris also told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “there are quite low expectations of people with disabilities”, citing people questioning whether he can walk down steps on his own.
“People’s ideas of disability can be antiquated,” he added. “I hope (me on Strictly) goes some way to stretching people’s ideas of what is possible.”
He also sailed through Blackpool, where he and Dianne were the 100th Strictly couple to perform in the Tower Ballroom, and during week 10 brought the Australian dancer’s parents to tears when they delivered a fiery paso doble.
After finding out he was through to the final last weekend, Chris became emotional, saying he “could barely talk”, and admitted it was “knackering”, and the “scariest” thing he has ever done.
Dianne said that McCausland was “hard to crack”, and “hides behind his comedy a lot”, but he had been overcome with emotional at landing a place in the final.
Earlier this week, the comedian told a press conference that “it’s certainly been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done”, and revealed his daughter was initially “nervous” for him in case he fell over and “embarrassed” himself.
As the show has gone on, he said his 11-year-old has been sharing how proud of him she is, and telling him: “It doesn’t matter daddy if you go out because I think you’ve already won.”
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Boxing results LIVE: Natasha Jonas vs Ivana Habazin LATEST, Cheavon Clarke DROPPED in huge shock, Viddal Riley STOPPAGE
A blockbuster night of boxing is on RIGHT NOW with stacked cards in Liverpool and Monte Carlo!
Natasha Jonas headlines against Ivana Habazin on Merseyside with Lauren Price and Viddal Riley also fighting on a huge Sky Sports bill.
While Cheavon Clarke goes for the vacant European cruiserweight title against Leonardo Mosquea in DAZN‘s show in Monte Carlo.
Start time: Cards underway NOW
TV channels: Sky Sports Main Event (Liverpool show)/ DAZN (Monte Carlo show)
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Noel Gallagher wins right to keep huge £8million countryside mansion following divorce from Sara MacDonald
HE’S busy prepping for the upcoming Oasis tour, but I can reveal Noel Gallagher has got another reason to celebrate – he has managed to keep one of his big family homes in the country.
GettyNoel Gallagher and Sara MacDonald announced they were to divorce in January 2023 after more than two decades together[/caption]
The SunNoel has managed to keep one of his big family homes in the country[/caption]
It was widely assumed Sara had been handed the Grade II-listed pile as part of a £20million settlement.
But Noel actually retained it, according to changes made to Land Registry ownership documents.
The couple announced they were to divorce in January 2023 after more than two decades together.
They met at Space nightclub in Ibiza in 2000 and married in 2011, two years after Oasis broke up.
At the time of the divorce statement, the couple said that kids Donovan and Sonny “remain their priority.”
The pair bought the house — described by historians as an “early 18th Century gentleman’s residence” — overlooking the Meon Valley in 2019 for £7,950,000.
A 1916 sales notice boasts about the house’s incredible views over the South Downs.
At one point it was owned by William Douglas-Home, the writer, politician and younger brother of Tory PM Alec Douglas-Home.
It has a swimming pool, tennis court, croquet lawn and library.
The main bedroom, with extended views across a national park, has a four-poster bed and vast walk-in wardrobe.
Added his stamp
It also has three guest bedrooms, including a double-bunk room in an adjoining brick-and-flint cottage.
Noel added his stamp too, applying for a woodland gym area in 2019 and improving security with extra fencing, gates and CCTV a year later.
That came after the star previously decamped to a swanky £2,500-per-night Claridge’s hotel suite when the marriage collapsed, costing him a small fortune.
Maybe the country pile will be a secluded enough venue for him to start rehearsing with brother Liam.
KSI's footy score
YOUTUBE star and rapper KSI is looking to pick up his own football club to help promote his sports drink Prime.
I’m told the star – said to be worth £20million – has held talks with Bromley about investing in the League Two side.
KSI, whose new single Dirty is out now, was given a tour of the club’s ground on the south-east edge of London, but did not reach an agreement.
An insider tells me: “KSI is a massive football fan and may invest some of his millions in buying a team. While the Bromley talks did not progress, KSI and his advisors will consider other options. Buying into a club is a logical step.”
Sabrina: I used to dream I’d wed Macca
SABRINA CARPENTER has revealed Paul McCartney was her childhood crush – and she grew up convinced the pair would one day tie the knot.
The Espresso singer, who has split from Irish actor Barry Keoghan, told how she fell for Macca after she listened to The Beatles as a child.
GettySabrina Carpenter has revealed Paul McCartney was her childhood crush[/caption]
SplashSabrina grew up convinced the pair would one day tie the knot[/caption]
Sabrina said: “When I was very, very young, my dad played me Rocky Raccoon for the first time, and I was so mesmerised by that song and the songwriting of it that I fell in love with Paul McCartney.
“I was convinced that was my future husband. But he was quite old. And I was so young I didn’t understand he was much older.”
Despite a 57-year age gap, Sabrina admitted on US TV’s The Late Show that at the time she thought Macca was only a decade older than her, adding: “I didn’t understand maths . . . I was a child.”
Sabrina met Sir Paul at an awards bash in LA last February.
Of their meeting, she said: “I just formed tears in my eyes and he was so normal and casual and charming. It felt like I was entering an alternate universe, like the Upside Down vibes? Like Stranger Things – but a lot happier than Stranger Things.
“But he was so sweet. In every room he enters, he makes everyone seen and heard. It was such a beautiful experience to see that from someone I admired so much. I am obsessed with him.”
Looks like poor Barry is well out of the picture.
RedfernsSabrina met Sir Paul at an awards bash in LA last February, pictured Paul as a young man[/caption]
GettyKaty Perry donned silver thigh boots and fake reindeer antlers for the iHeartRadio’s z100 Jingle Ball in Madison Square Garden[/caption]
GettyMeghan Trainor got into the festive spirit with her Mrs Claus outfit[/caption]
She sang her hit Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) but changed the lyrics to “this Friday night” and played the guitar for 2008 track Hot N Cold.
Despite being the star of the show, Katy was the ultimate cheerleader too, as she sang along to fellow Jingle Ball performer Tate McRae and revealed that she was a huge “fangirl” of the Canadian singer.
Now, that is a collab I would love to see.
Meanwhile US singer Meghan Trainor got into the festive spirit with her Mrs Claus outfit.
For fans, it was the perfect early gift.
Male rules so un-Cher
SHE famously sang about a Woman’s World.
But American legend Cher has admitted she has to “play by the rules” of “unrealistic” beauty standards – while male stars can get away with looking “scraggly”.
PACher has admitted she has to ‘play by the rules’ of ‘unrealistic’ beauty standards[/caption]
When asked if she accepted the beauty expectations faced by women in the public eye, she told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne: “It’s a bitch but I’m in it, so I play by the rules. I play by my own rules, but still, there’s a standard to keep up and if you can do it, you do it for as long as you can – it’s more fun.”
Cher agreed that the same is not expected of older male celebs, adding: “But what is? They just come in, in their jeans, shaved or not, but men in Hollywood are vain. But it’s hard for women, because men can get scraggly.
“They can get old. I see some women doing it – Helen Mirren does it really well, and Judi Dench.”
Since releasing a Christmas album last year, Cher has suggested her next album may be her final one.
She said the new record “will probably be my last, because you’re not really supposed to be singing at my age,” as “your voice runs out – you can’t hit the high notes or whatever”. I’ve got great songs, so I really want to try my best, to do my best.”
From what I can hear, Cher is still at the top of her game.
Jingle Ell’s in shelter
KIND-HEARTED Ellie Goulding will spend the Christmas period quietly volunteering at homeless shelters, I can reveal.
Speaking at the Rolling Stone Awards on Thursday night, she told me: “We do karaoke, play games, we talk, we eat mince pies and drink tea together. It’s always fun.”
Ellie Goulding will spend the Christmas period quietly volunteering at homeless sheltersPA
As well as working with charities Crisis and the Marylebone Project, Ellie is looking forward to making December 25 extra-special for her son Arthur, three.
The singer added: “He is very excited. He has written his list for Santa.”
Don’t forget to leave carrots out for Rudolph and his pals.
Kylian looking to score
HE is one of the world’s most successful footballers – and now I can reveal that Kylian Mbappe is aiming to score online.
The Real Madrid and France striker, who is worth around £150million, is looking for love on A-list dating app Raya.
SuppliedKylian Mbappe is now on Raya[/caption]
SuppliedThe hunk showed off his muscly arms in snaps[/caption]
SuppliedIt comes days after a rape and sexual assault case against him was dropped in Sweden[/caption]
It comes days after a rape and sexual assault case against him was dropped in Sweden.
The hunk showed off his muscly arms in snaps accompanied by the tune Supposed To Be Loved by DJ Khaled.
Perhaps his teammate Jude Bellingham, who has also been spotted on the app, introduced him.
Speaking about his love life this week, Kylian said: “Yes, in the past I have been in love and I hope that I will be again. But currently, no.”
Hopefully his luck will change soon.
Weller up for Gaza jam
THE stars rallied at Brixton Academy for a charity gig curated by The Jam legend Paul Weller.
Artists included 2024 breakout trio Kneecap, who brought their rave-dipped rap from breakthrough album Fine Art to life.
GettyThe stars rallied for a charity gig curated by Paul Weller[/caption]
Even older tunes such as Get Your Brits Out were ecstatically received by a sold-out venue.
Paloma Faith later urged the audience to light up their phones for a spine-tingling performance of Only Love Can Hurt Like This.
Meanwhile, the man behind the Friday show for Gaza delivered old and new hits including Shout To The Top.
A closing Wild Wood was the perfect appetiser for Primal Scream’s headline set, with frontman Bobby Gillespie looking like he had raided John Travolta’s 1970s movie wardrobe.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on How loophole costing just £70 a week allows migrants to skip background checks to work illegally for Deliveroo & JustEat
A DANGEROUS loophole is allowing migrants to work illegally for Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats using the details of legitimate staff, a Sun on Sunday investigation can reveal.
Our undercover reporter posed as a recent Afghan migrant on Facebook forums dedicated to hiring food delivery drivers, to highlight how riders are subcontracting their accounts to people who do not have the right to work legally in the UK.
GettyA dangerous loophole is allowing migrants to work illegally for delivery companies including Just Eat[/caption]
Dan CharityAn Uber Eats bike bag outside a South London migrants’ hotel[/caption]
PAIllegal immigrants could be attracted to jobs for firms such as Just Eat[/caption]
Within minutes he was offered the log-ins for company apps so he could receive orders in return for a fee — without any checks on who the driver really was.
This subcontracting practice, known as substituting, is accepted by the delivery firms and allowed under their terms and conditions.
But no checks are made on who they are substituting to, and the loophole could be exploited by dangerous criminals to land jobs.
In 2022 Hampshire delivery rider Jennifer Rocha bit off a customer’s thumb in a row over a pizza but continued working for Deliveroo, even after the account she was using at the time was suspended.
The same year, convicted drug dealer Jordan Da Silva managed to work for Deliveroo.
His past was only exposed when he posted a video of him unwrapping a female customer’s anti-fungal cream in front of her, and he was recognised on social media.
No questions
In April, food delivery firms agreed to strengthen security checks to prevent illegal working.
Deliveroo said it has launched a substitute registration feature including right-to-work checks, Uber Eats said it would be launching identity verification checks while Just Eat said it was trying to “develop a solution which will ensure couriers substituting their work do so in accordance with the law”.
But after our reporter posted in the Facebook group asking to hire an account to do deliveries, he was offered Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat account details and log-ins for £70 to £100 a week, with no questions.
The registered drivers assured our reporter he would easily make that fee back and could expect an average of 42 hours a week earning £600 — around £14 an hour — by downloading an app, using their details to log into the system and get work.
One, Brian, agreed to hire out a Just Eat account for £140. He told our reporter it consisted of a £70 deposit and £70 for the first week’s use of the system, and said to take the cash to a run-down housing estate in Beckenham Hill, South London.
When our reporter said he didn’t have a UK bank account, he said: “We will get paid every Wednesday and I can give you it in cash. You can easily make £100 daily, working seven to eight hours. If you make £600 I’ll take £70 rent and I’ll give you £530. Nobody is going to check or ask you for anything. This is anonymous work.
Another user, Ricky, gave us an account to transfer £180 made up of an £80 deposit and £100 for the first week’s rental of his user details.
We made no payment for any account.
One Brazilian driver told us: “A person who has the right to work here opens as many accounts as possible, sometimes over 100.
“From there, they offer these accounts to people who don’t have the right to work, then they work in another field that pays better, like construction. Illegal workers will happily accept a £3 order to an address three or four miles away.”
Migrants are even boasting about using the substituting loophole to get work.
In one post he shared a Union Flag and a rowing boat, indicating he had reached the UK on an illegal small boat.
And he showed the budget hotel near Heathrow Airport where he was living, and himself riding a bike carrying a Deliveroo bag, as well as buying designer gear.
In another hotel in South East London, where small-boat migrants are living, a resident, 32, from Pakistan said: “There are people here working as delivery drivers, but I’m not one of them. I don’t know how they get jobs as we don’t have work permits.”
And a Jordanian man, 53, said: “I want a job but I don’t have a work permit. If someone can find me a job as a delivery driver, I will take it.”
We showed our findings to industry expert Alfie Pearce-Higgins, a Deliveroo rider since 2021, who campaigns for better pay transparency for workers.
He said: “I’m not surprised by the scale of this — the practice is widespread. Anyone who wants an account can rent one easily without any checks. This undercuts the pay of legal, tax-paying drivers and can expose vulnerable people to exploitation.
“There is a very simple solution — remove the right of substitution, as Deliveroo recently did in Hong Kong. In my experience most drivers, customers and restaurants and supermarkets would support this.”
In 2023, a Home Office spot check found 42 per cent of riders were working illegally.
Deliveroo and Uber Eats have more than 120,000 official UK riders between them and Just Eat has tens of thousands — suggesting if it reached that scale, at least 50,000 food delivery workers could be working illegally.
EPAHome Secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘The leading delivery firms have made repeated commitments to stamp out the abuse of driver substitution’[/caption]
AlamyChris Philp said: ‘The Government must urgently step up immigration enforcement and checks to stop illegal employment, including in the gig economy’[/caption]
Deliveroo said it has launched a substitute registration feature including right-to-work checks
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The leading delivery firms have made repeated commitments to stamp out the abuse of driver substitution, but it is clear from these revelations they have not gone far enough.
“They need to get a grip on this fast as we cannot stand for this kind of abuse.”
And Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Our laws — including employment laws — should be respected.
“The Government must urgently step up immigration enforcement and checks to stop illegal employment, including in the gig economy.”
Our research shows counter-measures are having little effect.
We even found gangs offering “all-inclusive” illegal work packages that can be booked before a person has even reached Britain.
An Instagram post in Portuguese offers London accommodation, a motorcycle with insurance and fuel, an active Uber Eats account, plus food, for £500 a week, claiming it offers an £840 weekly profit.
A West London delivery driver added: “Three or four I know of are visa overstayers renting accounts and making good money. I think the food delivery accounts are accelerating the boat arrivals and providing a stepping stone to integrate into communities faster.”
WHAT ARE THE CHECKS?
WHEN a driver creates an account with a delivery firm, it checks their right to work, photo ID, Disclosure and Barring Service status for convictions, and insurance, if they are using a motorised vehicle.
Drivers pay nothing to the firms when they create an account with them and there are no minimum working hours, which is why there is no real justification for substitutes.
But all major firms allow substitutions, including Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat and Stuart.
An Uber Eats spokesman said: “All couriers who use the Uber Eats app must undergo checks to ensure they have a legal right to work in the UK.
“Uber Eats has worked with the Home Office to launch additional identity verification and Right to Work checks to help ensure only those who legitimately use someone else’s account to deliver on the platform are able to.
“We are constantly reviewing these processes to ensure they are as robust as possible and if we receive reports that this is not the case we will investigate and take appropriate action.”
A Deliveroo spokesman said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach towards any rider who fails to meet their legal obligations.
“All riders have to have the Right to Work. If found to be in breach of their obligations, we will stop working with them with immediate effect.
“We have taken action to secure our platform and were the first to roll out direct Right to Work checks, a registration process and identity verification for substitutes.
“We are rolling out daily identity checks using facial recognition technology for all riders, including substitutes.
“We take our responsibilities extremely seriously and are committed to strengthening our controls and preventing misuse of our platform, with additional checks planned for next year.”
THEY CAN EARN £1,400 A WEEK
FOOD delivery workers claim they can make as much as £1,400 a week. Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat do not publicly advertise pay rates.
But riders say they can earn large sums by picking the best-paying orders, working in areas with lots of restaurants, take-aways and grocery shops, and working at peak times.
If they take multiple orders from the same place or from outlets in the same area, they can do multiple deliveries per hour.
The delivery firm apps use an algorithm to determine earnings, depending on the number of orders collected, distance travelled and time taken to complete orders.
The algorithm also sets pay rates, based on how many drivers are online.
Jobs website Indeed states the average daily income of a Just Eat worker is £202, while Deliveroo riders average £14.99 per hour and Uber Eats drivers are estimated to earn up to £120 a day.
One Just Eat worker boasted on Indeed the work was “so simple… I usually get around £15-£20 an hour”.
An Uber Eats rider said they “easily earn over £500 per week working 40 hours”, while a Deliveroo rider claimed to have earned £1,400 in a week on a pedal bike, working 7am to 10.30pm.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Rita Ora will be great mum – she’s learned it all from me & we all absolutely love Taika, says her psychiatric mum Vera
POP star, actress and entrepreneur – over the years, Rita Ora has nailed all these roles.
But her mother Vera thinks the beauty could soon be ready to become a mum as well.
The Mega AgencyRita Ora and her mum Vera model the singer’s Primark range[/caption]
The Mega AgencyRita models a dress from her high street collection[/caption]
GettyThe singer and husband Taika Waititi last year[/caption]
In her first newspaper interview, the Kosovan-born psychiatrist lifts the lid on the close relationship she has with her 34-year-old daughter.
Vera, 63, revealed: “Rita will definitely be a good mum. She had a good example with me. I think she loves children, so hopefully one day soon I’ll be a grandmother.”
Mum Vera and her husband Nik, a pub owner, are also parents to Elena, 36, and Don, 27.
Vera said: “I’ve always had a close relationship with Rita, as I do with my other daughter and son.
“We are a tight-knit family and I am so proud of that. We are open and feel like we can talk about anything together.
“Being a psychiatrist is, obviously, a separate job to being a mum, and I try to keep that way.
“However, it does help to keep my children grounded.
“We do talk about the cases and some of the unfortunate situations people can find themselves. So I feel it’s like a lesson to them to see both sides and stay down to earth.”
Two years ago, Rita — whose movie credits include the Fifty Shades Of Grey trilogy — married New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi, 49, a love match that Vera fully approves of.
She said: “We absolutely love Taika. He’s always so happy and funny, making everyone around him laugh.
“We love that. He seems to make Rita very happy, which is really nice. It’s so nice to see her smiling. That’s the most important thing for us.
“That’s all you want as a mum. Nothing else is that important.”
Vera laughs when I ask how many years she has been married to Nik.
She said: “We walked down the aisle 35 years ago. I know it sounds like a really long time, but it doesn’t seem that long to me.
“I think the secret to long and happy marriage is loving and respecting each other.
“It’s really important, and trusting each other. Love, respect and trust.”
‘Nice to see her smiling’
Despite Rita’s hectic lifestyle, Vera has noticed that she is becoming more aware of helping herself as she gets older.
While pictures of the star and her mum grace high street shop windows across the country as part of Rita’s latest Primark fashion campaign, Vera revealed: “I don’t see Rita slowing down. I don’t know if she’ll do that.
“But she does have a good knowledge and focus on self care, which I am so happy and pleased about. I am now learning from her.
“Self care is developing so quickly, and we are all becoming so much more informed.
“It’s getting better and more transparent — I’ve noticed that Rita drinks more water, does meditation and gets more sleep than ever.
“I am so happy and pleased for her that she is so organised and aware. Having a healthy lifestyle is important.”
Rita will definitely be a good mum. She had a good example with me. I think she loves children, so hopefully one day soon I’ll be a grandmother
Vera Ora
In 2005, Vera’s world was rocked when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Vera said: “It’s very important. I always keep reminding my friends, family and even my patients, that it’s so important to checked early on.
“And that’s what happened with me. I was lucky as I was aware of how important it is to have regular check-ups for better prognosis.
“Fortunately, it’s all been good since, so I continue having regular check-ups.”
Proud parents Vera with Rita’s dad Nik in 2018RexPrimarkVera said: ‘Rita will definitely be a good mum. She had a good example with me’[/caption]
The Mega AgencyVera said: ‘When she was designing this collection, she kept discussing it with me’[/caption]
The I Will Never Let You Down singer, who has her own hair care line, said: “I see these things saying check yourself for lumps, but my mother didn’t have a lump.
“She had a sharp pain, and she still went and got checked.
“I have done the BRCA test (the hereditary breast cancer test) and the gene test myself and, luckily, I don’t have the gene.
“But I still check myself regularly. Genetically, there was no history of breast cancer in my family before my mother, but she still got it.”
Vera regularly talks to her daughters about the disease and what they went through.
I was so excited to support Rita, and I genuinely love her new project and line. I wanted to share our connection and relationship with people
Vera Ora
She said: “Of course, when a parent gets ill, children are affected. There’s no doubt about it.
“I know it does generate anxiety, especially for the girls. But it’s a good reminder for them to be checked.
“And I reassure them that if you check yourself regularly, you shouldn’t be worried.
“It’s a really important message, so if I can help one woman, I’m happy with that.
We absolutely love Taika. He’s always so happy and funny, making everyone around him laugh
Vera Ora
“I just wanted to show other women that you can turn your life around. I know it’s a very touchy kind of illness, and it can affect your femininity and your confidence can be ruined.
“But you can bring yourself back. I want to show other women that we can do it.”
Vera loved modelling with Rita in the Primark campaign, stepping out in party wear and getting glammed up.
And she wants to encourage other women who are older to embrace their inner style.
‘I take pride in my looks’
Vera said: “I was very surprised that Rita asked me to take part.
“I was nervous to pose up for the campaign, as, obviously, I am not a model.
“But I was so excited to support Rita, and I genuinely love her new project and line. I wanted to share our connection and relationship with people.
“Style has always been my passion, so we always compliment each other on styling. So when she was designing this collection, she kept discussing it with me and it came about as a collaborative process. I think it’s so important that women take care of themselves and take pride in their appearance, as it can really help the way you feel about yourself.
“It has always been important for me to take care of myself. I do take pride in my looks and I do pay attention to that.
“It does start your day with a kind of a positive outlook. You feel better in yourself and more confident.
“And I think now it’s very important for women of my age to keep doing that.
“When you’re younger, you kind of do it naturally.
When you’re older, you just get on with your work and other obligations. We tend to forget about taking care of ourselves
Vera Ora
“But when you’re older, you just get on with your work and other obligations. We tend to forget about taking care of ourselves.
“So it’s amazing during the festive season to flourish — because it’s a happy time.”
Even though Rita is often away travelling the world with her glamorous lifestyle, Vera is safe in the knowledge that she has her sister by her side.
She said: “It’s amazing as Elena has always been with Rita.
“I think it’s very important for us as parents to be reassured that they’re together and they travel together. It’s less worry for us.
“Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t sleep all night long if I knew that she’s somewhere on the other side of the world.”
Now, Vera is looking forward to having all her children home for Christmas as a family.
She revealed: “We will be in London and together — which is most important.”
The Heads Up system was developed by Australian firm Acusensus, whose devices have previously been used to help police catch drivers using mobile phones at the wheel or not wearing seatbelts.
The firm’s UK boss Geoff Collins said: “We are delighted to be conducting the world’s first trials of this technology.
“We are all safer if we can detect impairment before it causes an incident that could ruin lives.”
Supt Simon Jenkinson’s team polices around 14,000 miles of roads in Devon and Cornwall.
He said: “Our officers cannot be everywhere.
“We’re committed to doing everything we can to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
“Embracing emerging technology such as these cameras is vital in that quest.”
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Dollar Tree’s $1.25 viral ‘Pickle-in-a-Pouch’ is flying off shelves – and shoppers can choose from three flavors
THIS spicy little number is flying off the selves this Christmas season – and there’s not a turkey in sight.
The jumbo pickle from Dollar Tree has customers hot under the collar.
Dollar TreeThese spicy pickles come in three varieties and shoppers love them[/caption]
It’s the perfect addition to lunchboxes and adds a little pep to snack time.
The VanHolten Jumbo Hot Pickles are available in hot, sour and dill flavors.
They cost just $1.25 each – though you do have to buy at least a dozen at a time.
But that way you know you’ll always have one to hand.
Customers love them and they’re finding their way into lots of shopping baskets.
“I am buying my second dozen! Both my daughter and my son cannot get enough of them!” said one happy shopper.
And another wrote: “I think they get hotter the longer they’re in the pouch I love it!”
While a fan of the sour variety commented: “They are sure to satisfy pickle connoisseurs. They are not for the faint of heart.
“Best is you don’t have to refrigerate them and are easy to pack in lunches, for picnics, and camping.”
They’re available to buy in Dollar Tree stores and from the website.
FESTIVE BARGAINS
These aren’t the only items customers are loving at Dollar Tree this winter.
The discounter is known for its low prices, which has come in handy for Christmas décor, with a great selection of festive staples to up the holiday vibe.
A 9ft tinsel garland will add a glittery shine to your home and costs just $1.25 to buy, while sparkling snowflake strands add their magic for the same price.
If you’re still shopping for last-minute gifts then the retailer also has a range of low-cost stocking stuffers.
More viral items
Products prized by customers at Dollar Tree include:
