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DRY January is finally over.

And if you decided to ban booze last month, your body and mind will be thanking you big time, especially if “silly season” was a little ­sillier than planned.

But before you start knocking back pints to celebrate, remember that the World Health Organization says there is no safe amount of alcohol.

Not only can it impair memory, judgment, coordination and give you a nasty hangover, it also increases your risk of liver disease, heart disease, mental health problems and cancer.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that just a single glass of alcohol each week could increase your risk of at least six types of cancer — stomach, breast, liver, mouth, oesophageal, and bowel.

But quitting booze for five to nine years was shown to reduce mouth cancer risk by 34 per cent.

Separate research by Oxford University found that moderate drinkers (those who consume about six to nine pints a week) were three times more likely to have hippocampal atrophy, a marker for Alzheimer’s disease, compared to abstainers.

Plus, when you go sober, you save serious calories — and cash.

The average UK pint now costs just under £5 and contains around 200 calories, while a standard 175ml glass of wine will set you back £4.80 and packs around 150 calories.

So it’s safe to say that staying on the wagon will support your health and wallet.

But if booze is entrenched in your life, then giving up can be hard. So whether you conquered Dry January or not, here’s how to cut back and keep at it . . . 

FIND YOUR ‘WHY’

WHY exactly do you want to reduce your alcohol intake? Is it for your health? To save money? To lose some weight?

Victoria Lawson, clinical lead for psychology at NHS weight management provider Oviva, tells Sun on Sunday Health: “Write down your reason and share it with someone you trust for extra accountability.”

You can even stick a note on your fridge for a constant reminder.

SPICE THINGS UP

PINPOINT the times you typically reach for a drink. Maybe it’s after work on a Friday, ­Saturday night at the pub, or over Sunday dinner at home. Then think about how you can spice up your alternatives.

Victoria says: “When you’re at home, perhaps you could trade your wine for an alcohol-free version, or make your soft drinks feel special by serving them in your favourite glass, adding ice, or garnishing with dried lemon slices, fresh fruit or a sprig of rosemary.

“When you’re out, explore the mocktail menu or selection of zero per cent beers.”

There’s no need to stick to plain water or lemonade.

GET ’APPY

TRACK your booze-free days with an app such as Try Dry or Drink Less.

Try Dry (free, iOS and Android), created by Alcohol Change UK, tracks your units, calories and money saved, and also helps you to understand your drinking patterns and cravings.

Research shows that using the app can double your chances of having a month totally alcohol-free.

Millie Gooch, founder of the Sober Society, says: “It’s packed with features to help you stay motivated to cut back or ditch alcohol altogether.”

Drink Less (free iOS), developed at University College London, monitors your progress, and a report published this week suggested it could reduce alcohol-related deaths by 4,600 and hospital admissions by 188,400 over the next 20 years, saving the NHS £590million.

In his Sun column, TV and radio presenter Adrian Chiles said he used the app to reduce his intake from 100 units (about 44 pints) per week to 20 units (about nine pints) after a doctor told him that he had signs of liver damage.

PLAN FOR CURVEBALLS

NO ONE is perfect, and it’s only human to slip up a little.

That’s especially true if you turn to booze when you are stressed or you always drink at social occasions.

Victoria says: “Practise feeling confident in saying, ‘I’m not drinking tonight’ in advance, or let people know you’re off the booze straight away.”

If stress is a trigger, Victoria says that calming exercises such as walking, talking to a friend, mindfulness, or deep breathing can help to distract your mind.

Millie adds: “Bring your favourite alcohol-free drink to a party or pick venues that don’t revolve around booze, such as board game bars or crazy golf.”

MARK YOUR MILESTONES

WHETHER it’s your first weekend alcohol-free or you’ve ­managed 28 consecutive days, you deserve to recognise your achievements. “Staying teetotal is no small feat, so celebrate your milestones,” Millie says.

“Use the money you’re saving to treat yourself, whether it’s a fancy coffee, or even a bigger splurge at the end of the month.

“Positive reinforcement can make the journey feel more rewarding and keep you motivated to see it through.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

IF you completed Dry January and noticed improvements in your sleep, skin, energy, focus and overall health, then why would you not continue?

“Notice how sobriety impacts your body and mind,” says Millie. “Keeping benefits in mind can help you maintain healthier habits beyond January.”

GIOVANNI Pernice has dropped a huge hint he’ll return to Strictly Come Dancing – a year after he quit the BBC One show.

The professional dancer, who won the dance competition in 2021, has teamed up with Strictly star Kai Widdrington for his new show.

PA

The Italian dancer quit the show last year[/caption]

Kai shared a clip while in rehearsals as he prepares for his 2025 tour, Evolution.

The ballroom star has enlisted the help of the Italian dancer, who will take on the big job of being the show’s creative producer.

Before revealing who he was working with, Kai joked: “He’s very shy and you may know who it is.”

A smiling Giovanni then appeared on camera and said: “Ladies and gents, we’re back together and it feels so good.”

Kai captioned the video: “Introducing one of the creative producers of the EVOLUTION team, A familiar face I think you may know…”

Some fans were convinced Giovanni’s time on Strictly is not over and could be set for a big return.

One wrote: “Oh Giovanni so lovely to see you. Wish you were back on Strictly.”

A second posted: “The dream team are back together.”

A third commented: “It would be amazing if Giovanni returned to Strictly, he’s been missed.”

While another added: “It’s time to welcome Giovanni back to Strictly!”

Giovanni’s possible return may be welcomed amid fears two stars may be preparing to leave the hit BBC show.

Janette Manrara, who stepped back from performing on Strictly in 2021 to co-host It Takes Two, has announced she will take on the iconic role of Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago from March, marking her West End debut.

Meanwhile, Strictly’s reigning pro Dianne Buswell, who won the 2024 series with Chris McCausland, has teased a major fashion deal with popular clothing brand InTheStyle.

She’s also branching into broadcasting, hosting a brand-new podcast alongside comedian Chris.

In a Reddit forum, Strictly fans predicted Dianne won’t be on the show for much longer.

One wrote: “I can see Dianne leaving,” as another said, “I don’t think she’ll be able to top this partnership and this series.”

A third mused: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Dianne left to focus either on other career developments or family,” and one more wrote: “I can see Dianne is pulling the classic (move) of leaving right after winning.”

The pair join a long list of Strictly stars who have gone on to conquer new challenges after leaving the series.

Oti Mabuse left the show after winning with Bill Bailey and is now a judge on Dancing On Ice.

Elsewhere, Giovanni made a return to UK TV screens in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted, with the Italian star revealing he thought that has his career was ‘over’ after leaving Strictly.

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, he explained the potential new career move as he revealed he wants to try out acting and singing – making him a triple threat alongside his dancing skills.

He said: “That’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but obviously English is not my first language, so we have to see.

“I need to go to English school first of all to learn English properly.”

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Channel 4 - check copyright

Giovanni is currently starring on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted with Kai Widdrington[/caption]

KYREN WILSON’S march to the German Masters snooker final was delayed — by a NAIL!

Last year’s world champ saw off Xiao Guodong 6-2 in his semi-final at  Berlin’s Tempodrom.

News images

Kyren Wilson’s march to the German Masters was delayed by a nail[/caption]

eurosport.com

Wilson found the nail underneath the carpet at the Tempodrom[/caption]

News images

The nail had to be prised out by a member of staff during the German Masters[/caption]

But not before play had to be stopped because of a nail sticking out of the arena’s carpet.

The Warrior from Kettering was 10-1 up in the opening frame when he realised it was in his way.

The stunned 33-year-old told the referee: “It’s just right where I’m standing.”

Play was then halted and a staff member quickly prised it out.

The moment shocked Eurosport commentator, Phil Studd who thought he had seen it all in the sport.

“Something is stuck in the carpet, possibly a nail that is proving to be a bit of a distraction for Wilson,” said Studd.

“There is always something new in this sport, isn’t there? We have even had rain stopping play in the past.

“Nails stopping play is a new one for me.

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS

“I mean I guess the surprise is that the nail has not been noticed before now; this is day six of seven [of the tournament].”

Wilson resumed to sweep into a 3-0 lead against world No 17 Xiao.

And he kept his nerve to set up the chance to repeat his 2019 success in today’s final.

Wilson said: “I’ve experienced this amazing crowd, this amazing atmosphere with the one table.

“It is one of my favourite venues.

“It is my fourth time on the one-table set-up. I knew what to expect.
“I knew I could maybe put pressure on Xiao.

“I knew he might be a little bit nervous as there is nowhere like this.
“It is job done and I’m into the final. That’s the main thing.”

  Постійне бажання вгамувати голод може говорити про кілька небезпечних захворювань, попередив лікар-дієтолог, нутриціолог. Це супроводжується постійним бажанням щось з’їсти. Наприклад, при інсулінорезистентності або розвитку цукрового діабету клітини не отримують достатнього харчування та організм постійно потребує їжі, розповів нутриціолог. “Все, що людина вживає, в основному йде в запас у вигляді жирової тканини, а не повністю […]

Двомоторний евакуаційний літак, на борту якого перебували шестеро людей, у тому числі педіатричний пацієнт, розбився в п’ятницю на північному сході Філадельфії, спричинивши потужний вибух. Аварія сталася ввечері за місцевим часом, передає Укрінформ із посиланням на CNN. «Літак Learjet 55 розбився близько 18:30 після вильоту з північно-східного аеропорту Філадельфії»,- повідомили у Федеральному управлінні авіації США. Зазначається, […]

IT might be 2025, but with the shops full of baggy jeans, Oasis preparing to go on tour and, of course, Gladiators dominating Saturday-night TV, you’d be forgiven for thinking we’d gone back to the glory days of the ’90s.

Since last January’s BBC reboot of the iconic family show, which originally aired on ITV from 1992 until 2000, Gladiators has become the channel’s biggest entertainment show in years, with around 8 million people tuning in to every episode to watch 16 Lycra-clad muscle mountains putting contenders through the ultimate physical tests (and leaving us wishing we had an oversized cotton bud and the strength to knock someone off a podium).

So, with the show now in its second series, we hang (tough) with Comet, Athena and Sabre to find out what it takes to be the most kick-ass women on TV.

‘Losing Dad made me tough’

Comet, AKA Ella-Mae Rayner, 29, on how grief shaped her, and learning to walk again after that horrific Hang Tough injury.

Three episodes into filming Gladiators series one, and Comet feared her TV career was over before it had begun.

During a round of the Hang Tough swinging event, a contestant dropped 3.6m on to her, breaking her right ankle and foot in multiple places.

“As soon as the injury happened, I feared I’d be off the show, but the producers were amazing,” she says.

“One of the first things they said to me was: ‘You’re not going anywhere.

“We just need you to get better, recover, get back on your feet and get stronger.’ So that’s what I did.”

After surgery in June 2023 to stabilise her broken bones with two metal plates and 10 screws, Comet faced seven months of recovery, including learning to walk again.

But by the time filming for series two started last summer, she was ready, albeit petrified of returning to the rings.

“I was really nervous, worrying: ‘What if it happens again?’” she says.

“When you’ve had trauma and surgery, you’re always aware that you’ve hurt that body part, so it’s about trusting your body again.

“But once I did that first run, I was fine.”

It wasn’t the first time Comet had bounced back from the brink.

After quitting gymnastics aged 13, because her 5ft 8in height became a disadvantage, she was inspired to start high-diving by watching Olympian Tom Daley compete.

While at university, she did cheerleading at a national level until, in 2017, she shattered her left foot during a tumble and was told she could no longer do the high-impact sports she loved.

“I ended up in a bad place. I wouldn’t use the word ‘depressed,’ but it was close. It was a really low point,” says Comet, who has a degree in sports science.

Until then, she had never trained “to lift or look a certain way” but when she began using weights to strengthen herself back on to two feet, she discovered a love for training that led her to qualify as a personal trainer during the pandemic.

Taking voluntary redundancy from her job in aviation, she became a fitness influencer and now has a combined TikTok and Instagram following of almost 1 million – a presence that got her noticed by Gladiators.

“It’s a big group friendship,” she says of her show “family”.

“We’ve got a big Gladiator group chat, then a separate girls’ chat to discuss things we don’t want the boys involved in, like: ‘What knickers are you wearing under your outfit?’ or discussing who’s on their period that week and feeling bloated.

“That’s something people don’t really think about!”

Comet, who has been in a relationship with fitness and PT business entrepreneur James Exton, 36, for the past three years, insists there’s no romance brewing between the other cast members.

“A lot of us have partners and it’s just not that sort of environment. We’re all sporty people and like a family. Giant is the dad of the group, Sabre’s the mum because she’s very wise, and Dynamite is like the little sister that I always wanted,” she says.

Comet credits her real-life mum Suzanne, who works as her PA, for helping her get where she is today.

She supported Comet and her elder brother Max, 31, through their grief after their dad Stuart died at the age of 44 in October 2009. Ella-Mae was just 14.

“Dad was unwell and it was out of the blue, a shock. It was tough,” she says.

“Nothing had ever hit that deep in my life, so that was rock bottom, but I genuinely think that made me the toughest.

“I had counselling, but Mum guided me and my brother through the whole thing and always gave us everything.

“She sacrificed her whole life for us.

“I think that’s why I am so driven today.”

‘I started powerlifting and the bullying stopped’

From bullied schoolgirl to powerlifting champion, there’s no stopping Athena, AKA Karenjeet Kaur Bains, 28.

As a Team GB powerlifter, Athena is no stranger to breaking down barriers.

The first Sikh woman to represent Britain at European and world levels, she’s shattering stereotypes of what women can achieve in a male-dominated sport.

Now, the Warwick-based athlete is crushing it again, as the first-ever South Asian Gladiator.

“I’m living my dream,” she says.

“I literally get to be a superhero.”

Athena credits her “forward-thinking” parents, mum Manjit and dad Kuldip, an ex-powerlifter and bodybuilder who’s also her coach, for encouraging her to chase her sporting goals instead of taking the “stereotypical pathway” of many South Asian girls, who sacrifice their dreams for marriage and motherhood.

“In my culture, girls don’t do what I do,” explains Athena, who was a high-achieving teen sprinter before discovering a passion for powerlifting at 17.

Within two years of training in the gym in her back garden, she was Junior Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion and then became a five-time All England Powerlifting Champion.

She also set a Guinness World Record for the most bodyweight squats in one minute.

“I’m all about shattering glass ceilings and showing that women can be strong.

“We’re not just destined for the kitchen.”

Athena says she receives a lot of messages from parents, thanking her for the positive influence she’s having on kids, but sadly, she’s no stranger to trolls either.

“[They] see a woman with a muscly back, and they’re like: ‘Transsexual!’ I just laugh and joke: ‘Clearly I’m stronger than you and you’re weak. It must bother you.’”

Athena also attracts “hate” from her own community, including disapproval of her Gladiators costume.

“I think: ‘Why have you decided that you’re going to objectify me? You don’t see my gold medals, you don’t see the hard work that I put in, you’ve just decided that the shorts are a crime,’” she says.

“It’s wrong. Every woman should be able to embrace their true selves.”

This mindset was Athena’s shield as a teen, when she was targeted by bullies.

A former head girl, she also set seven school athletics records and became three-time Warwickshire champion in hammer-throwing as well as the 300m sprint.

“School wasn’t easy, as I experienced a lot of jealousy.

“I had hate campaigns against me on social media.

“When I raced on sports day, kids from my own school house would say: ‘I hope you fall over at the start line,’ and pen hair on their arms to make me feel self-conscious about mine.”

Only when Athena began powerlifting did the bullying stop.

“No one touched me because they knew I was strong.

“I let it go a long time ago, but it’s made me a lone soldier.

“I just rely on myself and my family.”

Now, Athena is busy planning her next triumphs.

“I’d love to be a TV presenter.

“I love motivational speaking and would like to have a platform at the UN to talk about female empowerment or children’s rights or even do a TED Talk. The sky’s the limit!”

In the meantime, she’s relishing her foray into the glitzy showbiz world.

“I’ve met Holly Willoughby – she’s very sweet.

“Recently, at an awards ceremony, I was in a room with Simon Cowell, the Strictly judges, Carol Vorderman and the Prime Minister.

“I thought: ‘Wow, I’ve really come far in life!’”

Meeting her childhood hero Dame Kelly Holmes was the ultimate pinch-me moment.

“As a kid, I watched her and Jessica Ennis-Hill. I draw inspiration from them.”

Now, she’s doing the same for a new generation.

How does that feel?

“Totally surreal, but amazing.”

‘I turned up at Women’s Aid begging for help’

Sabre, AKA super-athlete Sheli McCoy, 36, survived almost a decade of domestic abuse before finding strength and success beyond her wildest dreams.

A Scottish weightlifting and CrossFit champion and coach, Sabre can deadlift 160kg (the weight of a chest freezer), trains six days a week and hill hikes on rest days.

Yet, just over a decade ago, the tattooed, tough-as-nails Gladiator was at rock bottom after escaping a violent relationship.

“He couldn’t handle his anger and would express it physically,” recalls Sabre, who went up five dress sizes while dating her abusive ex.

“I went from a size eight to a size 16.

“I wasn’t allowed to go to the gym.

“I felt I wasn’t good enough.

“I was worried he’d leave me as there were plenty of girls who were prettier, nicer and cleverer than me.

“I felt inadequate all the time.”

Thankfully, Sabre managed to escape her ex in her early 20s, turning to Women’s Aid for help.

She was so grateful for their support that, last month, when she triumphed in a Gladiators special of BBC’s The Weakest Link, she donated her £6,450 prize pot to the domestic abuse charity.

“I turned up [at Women’s Aid] and said: ‘Help me’,” she says, describing how she “rose like a phoenix from the flames,” moving home with her mum Kaz, and getting a restraining order against her ex.

She spent six months going “all guns blazing” into daily CrossFit workouts and dropped to a size 6 – but it led to unhealthy behaviours.

“I didn’t eat to punish my body, and I trained to punish my body.

“I stayed away from friends to punish myself.”

Fortunately, she learned how to switch her mindset and found a healthier approach.

“Within a year of starting CrossFit, I was inspired by strong women to gain weight and muscle strength and celebrate everything that my body could do,” says Sabre, who went on to set records in Olympic weightlifting at the Scottish Championships, as well as becoming Scottish Champion in five British Weightlifting Championships plus a CrossFit Champion.

“A lot of therapy” over the years has transformed her too, and she is now devoted to building a thriving fitness community at her Dundee-based gym and online training platform where she says “everybody feels welcome”.

Of course, in the Gladiators arena in Sheffield, there’s only room for her alter-ego, the kick-ass Sabre.

“‘Sabre incoming’ is one of the biggest sayings. I get my hair and make-up done, I put my suit on and I’m gone,” she laughs.

“Sabre is the girl that all girls like and all men want.

“I really push into that role, because they’re my demographic!”

Describing her own love life as “complicated”, Sabre is no stranger to admirers sliding into her DMs.

“I get asked out all the time. I get dinner proposals and people want to send me gifts,” she says, recalling the time she mentioned an £895 trench coat she liked on Instagram.

“Five minutes later, I had around 10 DMs from people saying: ‘What size do you want? I’ll get it for you’.

“The willpower it took to say no!” she laughs.

Sabre initially thought her invitation to try out for Gladiators was a hoax.

“I ignored them, because I thought: ‘That’s not possible!’

“Gladiators was the greatest show in history.

“Women were running around a studio like superheroes and being celebrated at a time when they weren’t as celebrated as athletes.

“These women were breaking the mould, which is something that I have always aspired to do.”

Sabre is now living that dream.

But in a cruel twist of fate, she believes she might not have done so had her army sergeant father Sean survived a car accident that killed him when she was three.

“My dad doted on me, apparently.

“I can imagine him having done everything for me – fixing the tyres on my car, getting my first apartment at uni, beating up any boys who were mean to me.

“One of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life is that I do all that for myself.”

• Watch Gladiators, Saturdays, 5.50pm, BBC1 and iPlayer.

THE NATIONAL Lottery results are in and it’s time to find out who has won a life-changing amount of money tonight (February 1, 2025).

Could tonight’s jackpot of £15million see you handing in your notice, jetting off to the Bahamas or driving a new Porsche off a garage forecourt?

You can find out by checking your ticket against tonight’s numbers below. Good luck!

Tonight’s National Lottery Lotto winning numbers are: 01, 13, 25, 30, 32, 35 and the Bonus Ball is 02.

Tonight’s National Lottery Thunderball winning numbers are: 19, 27, 30, 31, 33 and the Thunderball is 02.

The first National Lottery draw was held on November 19 1994 when seven winners shared a jackpot of £5,874,778.

The largest amount ever to be won by a single ticket holder was £42million, won in 1996.

Gareth Bull, a 49-year-old builder, won £41million in November, 2020 and ended up knocking down his bungalow to make way for a luxury manor house with a pool.

Sue Davies, 64, bought a lottery ticket to celebrate ending five months of shielding during the pandemic — and won £500,000.

Sandra Devine, 36, accidentally won £300k – she intended to buy her usual £100 National Lottery Scratchcard, but came home with a much bigger prize.

The biggest jackpot ever to be up for grabs was £66million in January last year, which was won by two lucky ticket holders.

Another winner, Karl managed to bag £11million aged just 23 in 1996.

The odds of winning the lottery are estimated to be about one in 14million – BUT you’ve got to be in it to win it.

A WOMAN was amazed in TK Maxx to find a £1,200 Chloe bag on the shelf for 90 per cent off.

The bargain hunter quickly took her yellow sticker sale find the till and people have praised her for “winning the lottery.”

Taking to the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, she uploaded a photo of her designer steal.

She managed to walk away with a heavily discounted brown small crossbody bag for £108.

However, on the Far Fetch website, the same Chloe bag was listed for £1,235.

The shopper wrote: “My bargain in the yellow sticker sale!!! Chloe handbag!

“I only posted to make people aware that the designer stuff was being heavily reduced. “This was at the Edinburgh store. 

“There were 2 other similar designs there at the time.”

Many people were highly impressed with her discounted bag, which was nearly £1,000 cheaper than the Far Fetch price.

One said: “Love this for you.”

Another added: “Amazing! You lucky girly.”

And a third commented: “Absolute bargain.”

While a handful of people didn’t think the bag was for them, the women replied to any negativity saying: “It’s my choice how I spend my money. 

“I work hard for my disposable income. It’s a leather handbag which has can be expensive without the designer label. 

“Not to everyone’s taste but no need to be negative. 

“Don’t like it, move on.

Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK

Double yellow sticker season is upon us and TK Maxx is taking full advantage of the sales.

Bargain hunter and YouTuber George Ross headed to TK Maxx to check out the discounts and was able to bag more than one bargain.

He said: “It’s one of my favourite times of the year.

“Forget Christmas, forget Easter – it’s TK Maxx yellow sticker season.

“This means when there is a reduced sticker, they are later slapped with another sticker on top, reducing the price even more.”

George, who posts his bargain hunting on his YouTube channel, Retro Reseller, tackled TK Maxx in Chelmsford as soon as the stickers popped up.

With some “insider knowledge” he was told which day the “double yellows” were going to make an appearance.

As soon as he entered the store he spotted two reduced stickers on a jumper.

“It’s time,” he said.

Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK

A TK Maxx shopper was amazed to find a Chloe designer back in their yellow sticker sale for £108[/caption]

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