"Each one of us had to deal with things in our own way," she tells Page Six in an exclusive interview.
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‘Facts of Life’ alum Nancy McKeon admits ‘there was a lot’ of focus on the cast’s weight: ‘We all had to navigate that’
I bought Homes Under the Hammer’s tiniest house – I drank wine as I bid with seconds to go without even seeing it
A WOMAN who snapped up what might be Homes Under the Hammer’s tiniest house has revealed she placed her bid just seconds before the auction closed – without even stepping foot inside the property.
Carol bagged the minuscule home in Pontycymer, South Wales, for £43,500 – significantly above the £27,000 guide price – in what she describes as a ‘moment of madness.’
She told presenter Martin Roberts: “It was a spontaneous buy – one minute and eight seconds before the auction finished. I didn’t really read the auction pack either.”
Carol admitted that while she skimmed the legal pack enough to confirm the property was freehold and check for flood risks, she didn’t investigate further before committing to the deal.
Instead, she was enjoying a relaxed evening at home when the final seconds of the online auction ticked down.
“I did read those two little things and then I pressed the buy button,” she said. “I hadn’t been to see it or anything, but we all have moments of madness. I thought I’d see what happens, and here we are!”
The home’s proportions shocked the Malvern postie when she finally visited in person.
“I did a drive-by after the auction and I was thinking, ‘Where is the rest of it?’” she laughed.
“I opened the door and I was like, wow, there is no more, this is it. I think the school Wendy house was somewhat bigger than this.”
The property, which had previously been a commercial unit, consisted of a single upstairs room with a narrow staircase leading to a damp-ridden lower ground floor.
Some work had been started to add a shower room and bedroom, but much of it was incomplete.
Even Martin, who has seen his fair share of bizarre properties in his two decades on the show, was left gobsmacked.
“You are having a laugh, wow, blink and you’ll miss it!” he said, dubbing it a ‘doll’s house’ and declaring it likely the smallest property ever featured on Homes Under the Hammer.
Despite its size, Carol and her partner Steve – an electrician – set about tackling the renovation with an initial budget of £10,000.
But as many DIY enthusiasts will know, things rarely go according to plan.
The couple ended up spending nearly twice that amount, ultimately pouring £63,000 into the project.
Fifteen months later, the transformation was complete.
The damp issues were sorted with new guttering, a cleverly redesigned staircase created extra space, and the entire home was given a modern makeover.
Who presents Homes Under The Hammer?
Current
- Martin Roberts (2003 – present)
- Dion Dublin (2015 – present)
- Martel Maxwell (2017 – present)
- Jacqui Joseph (2021 – present)
- Owain Wyn Evans (2024 – present)
Past
- Lucy Alexander (2003 – 2018)
- Jasmine Birtles (2005)
- Marc Woodward (2005)
- Tommy Walsh (2021 – 2024)
A compact kitchen, fresh flooring, and a stylish shower room made the most of the small footprint, and Steve even managed to squeeze in an outdoor storage shed.
One unexpected hurdle was the need for a sprinkler system, as the property’s conversion from commercial to residential meant it was classified as a ‘new build’.
When an estate agent returned to assess the finished property, they estimated a resale value of around £60,000 – meaning Carol and Steve would take a loss if they sold up.
However, the couple had already secured a tenant keen to move in, ensuring a steady rental income.
Steve admitted: “We’ve done three properties over the last three years, and the others are somewhat bigger than this. But this one has been more headaches than the other two put together!”
Despite the challenges, Carol has no regrets about her whirlwind purchase.
“You can’t put a price on the fun we’ve had!” she said.
Gardai issue major warning to drivers after ‘epic fail’ leaves motorist heading to court
GARDAI has issued an urgent warning to all Irish motorists after a driver was caught speeding while under the influencer of alcohol.
A driver was caught speeding at 166kmh in a 100kmh zone on the M50 by the DMR Road Policing Units last night.
The motorists failed a roadside breath test and blew over the legal alcohol limit at the station.
A spokesperson on X revealed that court proceedings are underway.
They said: “Epic Fail! Motorist caught speeding at 166km/h in a 100km/h zone on the M50 by our DMR Roads Policing Units late last night.
“They failed a roadside breath test and blew over the legal alcohol limit at the station. Court proceedings are underway.”
The current drinking-driving limit is a BAC of 50mg, which means that 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
For professional, learner and novice drivers, the limit is a BAC of 20mg.
Most people will have a BAC of 20 to 50mg after one standard drink, which is a pub measure of spirits, a small glass of wine, a half pint of regular beer and an alcopop.
It takes most people 1 to 2 hours to process 1 standard drink. That means after 3 standard drinks, you should wait at least 3 hours before driving.
Gardai urges people not to drive after drinking an alcoholic drink as it affects their reaction times, coordination, concentration, judgement and vision on the road.
They highly encourage people to have a designated driver and find out about public transport options before going out or having the budget for a taxi.
And they urge that you have a backup plan for getting home, such as a friend or parent you can call if you are stuck.
Another option is to arrange a place to stay overnight in the area and drive on the road in the morning once the alcohol content passes through.
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND ROAD OPERATIONS
This comes after Gardai have been carrying out the road operation nationwide since 7am on Thursday as part of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday weekend roads policing operation.
Throughout the operation, Gardai are conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints from Thursday to Tuesday.
Since the operation commenced on Thursday morning, nearly 580 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first 48 hours.
A total of 63 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, which is alcohol and drugs.
There were three fatalities on the roads during the first 48 hours of the operation, bringing the total number to 14 fatal deaths this year.
Gardai revealed that most road motorists were travelling within the designated speed, but four drivers were detected to be driving dangerously.
One of the motorists was detected driving 139km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N4 at Cullen Beg in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Another driver was caught speeding 116km/h in a 80km/h zone on the N55 at Lissoy in Glasson, Co Westmeath.
One was detected driving 106km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R702 at Ballyellin and Tomdarragh in Goresbridge, Co Carlow.
And another was spotted speeding 86km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R661 at Holycross in Co Tipperary.
Despite the figures being reduced, there is a low number of motorists using the roads as communities continue to deal with the effects of Storm Eowyn.
House proud Brits racing to Wickes for boxes of wall tiles slashed to 1p – one lucky shopper nabbed trendy sage green
ADDING some tiling to your bathroom or kitchen is a quick way to give the space a touch of glam.
But it can be pricey if you’re after the latest in-trend colours and styles, with costs adding up quickly.
One lucky shopper on a mission to secure some tiles spotted an absolute bargain in her local branch of Wickes, and posted her find to Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK.
Sina Jagpal shared her haul with the group’s 2.6 million members, who share deals, offers and money-saving tips with each other.
Sina wrote: “I got these for 1p for each box so a whopping 2p.
“Originally £21 a pack of tiles but they are scanning at 1p in Wickes apparently due to the line changing!
“Even the man at the till called a manager as he said he didn’t think it was right but it was!
“My lucky day hey!”
Sina added a pic of her bargains, two boxes of gorgeous sage green Cosmopolitan style wall tiles.
The Wickes website describes the tiles as “a timeless small format range of ceramic tiles in a stunning gloss finish.”
The tiles can be placed in line, in a herringbone effect or brick bond, meaning there’s loads of different patterns and designs you can use them for.
And they’re perfect for modernising an old room.
The Wickes website even recommends using coloured grout to make the colour of the tiles pop.
The glossy tiles are easy to wipe clean, making them easy to keep looking fresh.
They’re also water resistant, so they are perfect for washrooms and kitchens.
On the Wickes website, happy customers have given the tiles an incredible 4.8 star rating.
Other members of the Facebook bargain-hunting group couldn’t believe Sina’s luck.
One person said: “Well done you right place right time.”
Another person chimed in: “Omg amazing!”
And somebody else said: “Well done.”
10 DIY hacks for under £1 each
These simple and affordable DIY hacks can help you get creative while saving money
Homemade Air Freshener:
Mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Place it in a small jar with a perforated lid to keep your home smelling fresh.
Upcycled Tin Can Planters:
Clean and paint empty tin cans to use as stylish planters for herbs or small plants.
Custom Phone Stand:
Use a sturdy piece of cardboard or an old plastic credit card to create a custom phone stand. Decorate it with washi tape or paint.
DIY Lip Scrub:
Combine sugar and a bit of honey or coconut oil to make a natural lip scrub. Store in a small container.
Personalised Bookmarks:
Use old greeting cards or decorative paper to create unique bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon for a finishing touch.
Decorative Mason Jars:
Paint or decoupage old mason jars to use as decorative vases, storage containers, or candle holders.
Easy Cable Organiser:
Use empty toilet paper rolls to organize cables and cords. Decorate the rolls with colorful paper or tape.
Magnetic Spice Jars:
Attach small magnets to the lids of small jars and stick them to a metal board or fridge for easy-access spice storage.
Handmade Coasters:
Cut out squares from old corkboard or felt and decorate them with paint or fabric to create custom coasters.
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner:
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent. Use it to clean surfaces around your home.
Man Utd in transfer talks over signing Aston Villa player who’s regularly on bench to plug Marcus Rashford hole
MANCHESTER UNITED are talks over signing Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey before the end of the January window, reports say.
Any deal for Bailey would be separate from Marcus Rashford’s pending loan move to Villa for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Rashford’s exit means United need to plug a hole in attacking areas and fill the gap in Ruben Amorim’s squad.
United are yet to advance talks with Villa over Bailey but it is understood that Ineos prefer a loan deal first, according to The Athletic.
The 27-year-old was a fan favourite at Villa Park but is not a guaranteed starter under Unai Emery.
He has started 13 of Villa’s 23 Premier League games this season and been subbed on seven times, being unused twice and injured once.
But the winger has started five of the club’s eight Champions League fixtures, as Emery’s side automatically qualified for the last-16.
Bailey has scored once in the Prem this term – a late winner against Leicester in January.
But he was one of Villa’s standout performers last season, with 10 goals and nine assists during their march to Champions League qualification.
Bailey joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 and has scored 21 times across 134 appearances, including 14 goals in 2023-24.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Rashford will join Villa on a temporary deal for the remainder of the campaign and undergo his medical on Sunday.
Villa have agreed to pay 70 per cent of the England international’s £325,000-a-week salary.
It’s understood that Villa also have the option to make Rashford’s move permanent in the summer window for £40 million.
While Rashford, 27, likes to play as a left-sided winger, Jamaican international Bailey operates on the right flank.
United first looked at Bailey back in 2016, when he was still in his teens.
Jim Lawlor, the club’s chief scout at the time, watched Bailey in action for Genk against Sassuolo and saw him score as the Belgian side won 3-1.
United then eyed him up again during his four year spell at Leverkusen, but ended up landing Jadon Sancho.
United are now focused on signing a replacement for their home-grown star.
The club unveiled left wing-back Patrick Dorgu and Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven at Old Trafford this afternoon.
The club have already made an approach for Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel, who has already rejected a move to Tottenham this week.
Arsenal have now joined the race for Tel.
Після 40 років жінки стають більш схильними до пухлин у грудях
Мамолог: найчастіше після 40 років жінки виявляють у грудях фіброліпоми. В інтерв’ю лікаря-маммолога прозвучало попередження про те, що у віці після 40 років жінки стають більш схильними до появи у грудях пухлин. За словами медика, таку особливість жіночого організму обумовлюють зміни, які відбуваються в ньому через менопаузу, що наближається. «Хвороби молочних залоз з’являються у жінок […]Готуємо вітамінний салат — більше, ніж просто з буряків та моркви
Користь буряків та моркви всім добре відома. Збагатити салат з цих коренеплодів вітамінами можна набагато більше. Для цього потрібно додати ще кілька інгредієнтів. А яких саме, читайте далі рецепт. Інгредієнти Для приготування салату потрібні наступні: буряк — 100-150 г; морква — 100 г; яблуко — 80-100 г; грецькі горіхи; лимонний сік — 1-2 ст.л.; оливкова […]Inside Strictly Come Dancing’s most shocking axings from pro who ‘hated’ partners to star ditched from tour
STRICTLY Come Dancing has been a telly institution for two decades – although some stars have been cut in shock circumstances.
It comes as under fire opera singer Wynne Evans has been axed from the BBC show’s ongoing live tour.
The 53-year-old made a crude remark about having a threesome with professional dancer Janette, 41, during a full cast photocall.
A source said: “He’s had repeated warnings about his behaviour and told to rein it in. He’s not been taking it in, in this day and age the BBC have to be seen taking action and safeguard everyone.
“He’s had a tough time with the death of his brother and people should give him some slack, he is going to take this time off to do some self reflection.
“He has a lot of support from a lot of the backstage dancers. It’s been a really sad ending to what has been a really fun tour.”
Wynne is not the first name to depart the show under difficult circumstances.
Here is a look back at some other shock Strictly axings from over the years.
Brendan Cole
Fan favourite dancer Brendan was a Strictly regular when the show began in 2004.
He was also the first co-winner of the Glitterball trophy, alongside Natasha Kaplinsky.
During his time on the show, the New Zealand dancer became known for clapping back against judges’ critiques he didn’t agree with – even having on-air arguments with them.
He was also labelled ‘difficult to work with’ by other members of the team and former partners.
Announcing his exit ahead of the 2018 series, Brendan revealed the BBC had “decided not to renew his contract”.
He said on Lorraine Kelly’s chat show: “They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, and a bit raw about it.
“It’s done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I’m very proud of the whole show. It’s a great team.”
Giovanni Pernice
Italian dancer Giovanni appeared on Strictly from 2015 until his final run in 2023.
His final series saw him partnered with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.
Amanda soon quit the show, accusing Gio of bullying and a string of complaints, some of which were upheld.
Gio was suspended while the investigation took place – costing a reported £250k – and eventually left the show completely to join the Italian version Ballando con le Stelle.
Later, he won the Italian version of Strictly and found love with celebrity partner, Italian star Bianca Guaccero.
In January 2025, he opened up about a potential return to the BBC show – following his recent success.
Giovanni told the Mail on Sunday: “I think they have closed the book on that and moved on.
“I would love to go back to Strictly because Strictly changed my life. It is a massive show, but I don’t think they’re going to have me back. They’re not.
“I’m upset as well. It’s been a great, great, great ten years. I achieved everything. But it’s not my choice, it’s not my decision.
“Everybody has moved on. Maybe I might come back in a few years like Alijaz. I think this is the path we take. And don’t forget, I’m the reigning Italian champion.”
Graziano di Prima
The Sun broke the news that Graziano had been given the boot from the show ahead of the 2024 series.
This followed the Italian dancer having initially been announced in the line-up.
An insider told us his departure followed an internal investigation into a number of physical incidents involving Zara McDermott, who was partnered with him in 2023.
The broadcasting giant said: “We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
“While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.”
Arlene Phillips
Choreographer and former dancer Arlene was a Strictly judge from 2004 to 2008.
She was part of the original panel, opposite Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.
However, Arlene was the only one whose contract was not renewed for the 2009 series.
She was instead replaced by series five winner Alesha Dixon.
This sparked a conversation around ageism, with Arlene later telling The Sunday Times: “I no longer had a place on Strictly, but no agent, no one, to deal with it. It was a really awful moment. I loved Strictly.
“I have no answers as to why and I wasn’t really strong enough to find the answers. You know, I didn’t have it inside me. It was so unexpected. There was no warning, no discussion. Nothing. There were never any conversations.”
Aljaž Škorjanec
Strictly’s cast and crew were left gobsmacked by dancer Aljaž Škorjanec’s return to the show last year – after it emerged he left the show under a cloud following a “shocking” altercation with a female professional.
The Sun revealed how the Slovenian star had agreed to leave after the incident on a boozy night out on the 2022 live tour.
Aljaz announced he was leaving Strictly on March 28, 2022.
At the time, The Sun reported that Aljaz had “verbally lashed out” and upset crew during the series, in which he danced with Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies.
A source told us in March 2022: “Incidents with Aljaz on the last series left some crew really upset.
“He verbally lashed out at various staff members behind the scenes in what some thought was an unnecessarily aggressive manner.
“Aljaž was seen by some as arrogant and pompous, and it left a bad taste in some of the staff’s mouths. Not many people will miss him.”
A spokesperson for Aljaž responded: “Aljaž has the utmost respect for everyone working on the show and it is untrue to say he was forced out or acted in an aggressive manner at any time.
“It was Aljaž’s decision to leave the show after an incredible nine years.”
In his Strictly comeback, Aljaž danced with Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, with the pair reaching the 2024 final.
They ultimately lost out to comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
Wynne Evans' Strictly scandals
‘Grope’
Wynne encountered a backlash after his Strictly pro partner Katya was filmed removing his hand from her waist.
Fans insisted she looked uncomfortable as she moved it away – but Katya later insisted there was no problem.
In joke
They then sparked further fury, when she was seen refusing to high-five the Opera singer.
The duo were quick to issue a video apology and insisted it was all an innocent “inside joke”.
Crude joke
Wynne came under fire for allegedly telling a “crude” joke to one of the show’s make-up artists.
Insiders claim the opera star made a joke that the folds of his double chin “looked like a vagina”.
A source said: “It was a bit of a vulgar dad joke.”
Vile comment
Wynne was recorded suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara, using the term “spit roast”.
His remark came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour, which pro Janette, 41, is hosting.
He reportedly pulled a suggestive face at actor Jamie Borthwick as Janette moved between them — which is when Evans allegedly made the joke.
Wynne has apologised saying: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”
Принцеса Діана, Джейн Біркін, Грейс Келлі: на честь яких жінок називали культові сумки (фото)
Фото: Getty Images | Сумка Birkin Хтось безпосередньо брав участь у розробці дизайну, а хтось своєю любовʼю до аксесуарів спровокував перейменування вже готової сумки. Втім, усі вони тепер повʼязані з іменами відомих людей. Деякі культові сумки були названі на честь відомих жінок, які надихнули дизайнерів своєю харизмою, стилем або статусом. Аксесуари носять імена акторок, […]Everything In Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Halloween Event
The latest update is Disney Dream Valley Introducing a limited-time Halloween event, which will run from October 24 to 31 ...
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