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MARIANNE Faithfull left the music world in shock with her death yesterday marking the passing of one of Britain’s most iconic and accomplished singers.

But the 78-year-old trailblazer famously had to fight custody battles and drug demons during her dazzling career.

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Marianne skyrocketed to fame in 1964 when she was just 16-years-old at a party for the Rolling Stones.

She was discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham and would go on to become recognised as one of the most original British female singer-songwriters.

But Marianne, who was best known for the song As Tears Go By, also endured her fair share of lows during an incredible career.

She bravely battled against drug addiction and lost child custody of her son Nicholas during her whirlwind life in the world of rock ‘n’ roll.

The rock star muse became Mick Jagger’s lover from 1966 to 1970 after leaving Indica gallery owner John Dunbar.

Dunbar and Marianne had a son together, Nciholas, in November 1965 before she coupled up with the Rolling Stones frontman.

And Marianne’s romance with Jagger reportedly helped to inspire the band’s classic Sympathy for the Devil.

But their turbulent relationship was shrouded in controversy at the time.

She had affairs with Keith Richards and Brian Jones and made headlines after false rumours police raided Richards’ flat for drugs and allegedly found her naked under a fur bedcover in 1967.

Marianne enjoyed the highs of chart success, before falling victim to alcohol and hard drugs following her split with Jagger.

She attempted suicide by drug overdose on a plane in 1969, before getting divorced and losing custody of her son a year later as her life began to spiral out of control.

A suicide attempt left her in a coma, and she ended up an alcoholic, anorexic heroin addict living in a bomb-damaged building in London’s Soho in 1972.

Marianne previously told The Guardian: “My answer to everything was to get as stoned as possible and live on the street, which made me sort of unattractive.”

She also looked back on these years in a BBC interview in 2002, describing her addiction as a kind of brutal therapy.

“I was in agony and I healed myself as best I could,” she said. “One of the ways was with drugs, because they are painkillers.

She explained: “It was all too much for me.

“I really didn’t like my gilded cage.”

But time does indeed heal all wounds and Marianne had managed to reconnect with her son Nicholas in the time before her death.

The music icon described him as a “very sensible” financial analyst in a previous interview.

She said: “We went through a lot. But we came through it – and I’m proud that we did that. Because I love having a family.

“I never expected to.”

Marianne’s voice – affected by drug abuse and laryngitis – had become permanently rough and lower in pitch following her drug addiction.

But by 1979 she made a successful comeback with her album Broken English.

It saw her nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

Marianne, who was always candid about her struggles with an eating disorder and drug use, would go on to create 20 albums.

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The sad news was broken yesterday evening by a spokesperson for the legendary artist.

Marianne, who was known for her high profile relationship with The Rolling Stones’ lead singer Mick Jagger, passed away surrounded by her family.

They shared a statement which read: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull.

“Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family.

“She will be dearly missed.”

While dating the rock icon Marianne also broke into the acting world.

She was a household name with starring roles in hits including I’ll Never Forget What’s’isname, The Girl on a Motorcycle and Hamlet.

Marianne became a prolific writer, with three books about her life,  Faithfull: An Autobiography, Memories, Dreams & Reflections , and Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record.

The Government of France also made her a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

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HE’S at it again. For the third consecutive Saturday Nicky ‘the comeback kid’ Henderson is out to be everyone’s bae.

Following success for Jonbon in the Grade 1 Clarence House at Ascot and Constitution Hill’s romp at Cheltenham, it’s now the turn of Jango Baie to strut his stuff in style at Sandown for the Seven Barrows maestro.

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Jango Baie faces just three rivals in the Grade 1 Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, putting his Cheltenham Festival credentials on the line.

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The now six-year-old was a talented and consistent hurdler, landing a Grade 1 at Aintree in 2023.

My Saturday NAP

Paul Nicholls’ charge won this last year and is absolutely thrown in off this mark.

He chased home the useful Personal Ambition in a Grade 2 at Kelso the following year before heading back to Liverpool and finishing second in a big-field handicap.

However, and perhaps not surprisingly as a point to point runner-up over two and a half miles, his future looks even more rosy over fences.

On chase debut Under Rules at Cheltenham in December he jumped with aplomb to deny the useful Spingwell Bay, with the much-hyped Caldwell Potter back in third.

On current ratings, Jango Baie is the best in this afternoon’s line-up in a contest live on ITV and won in the past by the likes of First Bout (Henderson), Bradbury Star, triple Gold Cup hero Best Mate, Bristol de Mai and L’Homme Presse.

However, by definition of being youngsters all his three rivals are open to improvement, none more so than Kalif du Berlais, who looked classy when winning at Cheltenham over shorter.

This step up to two and a half miles should suit the former Grade 2 Adonis victor and Paul Nicholls holds the five-year-old in high regard.

Handstands might well try and go from the front, with stamina assured after a success over three miles at this track two outings ago.

He kept on well over about this trip at Ffos Las in January and could also have much more to give.

With recent Ascot victor Mark of Gold completing the quintet, it promises to be an informative renewal.

Jango Baie has to be the selection and he is currently around 12-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival.

As mentioned, three-time Gold Cup hero Best Mate won the Scilly Isles, and Irish star Galopin des Champs will next month also bid for a third success in jump racing’s most treasured prize.

First, though, he’s out to repeat his Savills Chase romp in Ireland’s big race of the day, the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, also live on ITV.

In opposition is the Savills runner-up Fact to File and Monty’s Star, who chased home Fact to File in the 2024 Brown Advisory.

However Audrey Turley’s 13-time scorer, who has picked up over £1.5million in prize money, should just be too good once again.

Earlier on the Leopardstown card the Grade 1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase marks the second run over the larger obstacles for the Triumph Hurdle winner Majborough.

Like Galopin des Champs trained by Willie Mullins, Majborough has always looked a chaser in the making and scored at Fairyhouse in December.

The son of Japanese sire Martonborough made all that day and currently sits as a 4-1 chance for the My Pension Expert Arkle.

He will need, though, to put up a spectacular effort to be troubling Sir Gino at the top of ante-post lists for the Cheltenham speed test.

At Leopardstown tomorrow a piece of the Champion Hurdle jigsaw should be in place after the Grade 1 Irish equivalent.

Current title holder State Man – beaten twice this season by the absent Brighterdaysahead – tackles his Mullins-handled stable companion Lossiemouth, the brilliant Triumph heroine of 2023 and facile Mares’ Hurdle router of 2024.

Paul Townend, who has ridden State Man in all but one of his 16 Irish outings, stays loyal to his old friend and ditches Lossiemouth, herself thrashed by Constitution Hill at Kempton over Christmas.

It’s hard to know whether either are at their very best right now, but even if they were I can’t see anything touching Constitution Hill as he prepares to land a second Champion Hurdle.

Henderson has worked wonders to get the latter back to prime condition, and I actually think you can argue Constitution Hill is in a better place than he’s ever been.

That’s a matter of opinion and one that is up for debate.

What can’t be doubted in any discussion is that this is a huge weekend for a number of leading Festival hopefuls.

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A responsible gambler is someone who:

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• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

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Stacey Solomon is set to boost her empire by releasing a range merchandise named after her beloved £1.2million mansion.

Stacey, 35, has applied to trademark ‘Pickle Cottage’ so she can flog cosmetics, candles and furniture using the name, The Sun can exclusively reveal.

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The application to the Intellectual Property Official also falls under the classification for toys and books, meaning she can sell ‘Pickle Cottage’ branded goods for children too.

If granted it will mean Stacey, who is already a multi-millionaire, can boost her bank balance even more by using the name of her family home.

The clever business move comes as Stacey and her husband Joe Swash, 43, plan to open the doors to Pickle Cottage for their own documentary series.

Stacey and Joe moved into their mock-Tudor Essex property in 2021.

The sprawling mansion sits in 2.5 acres of land and has an outdoor swimming pool and multiple bedrooms for her five children.

Since finding fame on The X Factor in 2009, Stacey has been incredibly shrewd with her money.

The canny entrepreneur and TV presenter runs a wide range of successful businesses, including books, clothing and homeware ranges.

Last year, her main firm Key Map Entertainments was worth just shy of £3million.

She also registered the company Belle & Rose Ltd in February 2024. Named fter her youngest two daughters it means she can branch into cosmetics.

But despite spinning multiple plates, the Sort Your Life Out host’s main love is being at home with her husband and children.

Stacey even released a book called My Happy Home, which details her life growing up in Dagenham and the constant DIY projects she has going on at Pickle Cottage.

Just this week, the mum-of-five unveiled her newly re-vamped utility room after giving it a pink glow-up.

Stacey revealed last May that she planned to spend more time at home with her children Zachary, 16, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, who turns two next month.

The star said it is her dream to be a stay-at-home mum.

Speaking to Caroline Hirons on her Glad We Had This Chat podcast, Stacey said: “Every year I have a team meeting with my agent and everyone on the team to say, ‘What’s your plan? What’s your goal?’

“And this year when they asked me my five-year goal, I was like, I want to be a stay-at-home mum. That is my dream, it’s my ultimate dream.

“I just want to be with my kids.”

Stacey Solomon's career so far

Stacey Solomon has been a familiar face on viewers' screens for over a decade. Let's take a look back at her career.

The X Factor (2009): Stacey competed in series six of long-running ITV singing competition The X Factor. During her time in the show, she was mentored by Danni Minogue in the ‘Girls’ category. The star finished in third place, behind Joe McElderry and Olly Murs.

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (2010); In late 2010, Stacey headed to the infamous I’m A Celeb Aussie jungle. After 21 days, she triumphed to win the tenth series. It was through I’m A Celeb that she met future husband Joe Swash – who’d won two years earlier and was hosting the ITV2 spinoff.

Celebrity Juice (2011―2013, 2016―2019): The star appeared as a panellist on 21 episodes of the comedy panel game show hosted by Keith Lemon. Stacey was a regular in the 21st series, broadcast in 2019.

Loose Women (2016 – present): Stacey has been a permanent panel member of the daytime show since 2016. She previously made guest appearances in 2011 and 2012.

Sort Your Life Out (2022 -present): This BBC show sees Stacey, with the help of an expert team, transform participants’ living spaces after removing clutter.

Stacey admitted to Caroline that she feels she’s ‘missed out’ on her eldest sons’ childhoods.

 “I definitely feel like I’m at a pivotal moment in my life where Zachary is about to leave school and become an adult,” she added.

“I think I’m at a point in my life where I recognise that I’ve been really busy for his life. And his life is at a really important point.

“My second son will get to that point before I know it. And then I’ve got these three babies.

“I don’t want to feel like I missed what I potentially missed with my older children and I want to be there for my older children, who I think need me now more than ever. I’ve been battling that in my head.”

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HELIGOLAND is a great holiday spot for anyone who loves walking as it’s no cars allowed.

The German island 30 miles off the coast doesn’t allow any sort of transport apart from bikes when used by kids, and even they can only be used after 5pm.

Alamy

Alamy

Once a seaside spa town back in the early 1800s – where it was a popular tourist resort for Germans and Austrians – it was also owned by the United Kingdom during this time.

Returned to Germany in the 1950s, the island is a ferry ride from mainland Germany out in the North Sea.

Life is a little slower around Heligoland due to the lack of transport, so it’s the perfect place for a more laid-back holiday.

The island in the North Sea is so small you can even walk around all of it in 90 minutes.

The walk can be quite steep and uphill in parts, so make sure to bring some sensible shoes.

Heligoland home to just over a thousand residents and is full of multicoloured houses and lobster shacks.

The island was once the centre of the German fishing industry and was known for its abundant supply of lobsters, so fishermen built the seafront shacks to store them.

Sadly the original shacks were destroyed in WWII.

But they have since been rebuilt and restored, used as shops and cafes, although some remain as fish markets.

Others are stunning holiday homes that you can rent out.

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One of the main attractions of Heligoland is the Lange Anna stack, known to the locals as Nathurn Stak.

The sea stack of red sandstone that stands at 154ft is found off the coast and can be viewed from the clifftop.

In certain seasons its covered in colonies of nesting terns, gannets and other seabirds.

If you’re interested in seeing Lange Anna then plan a visit sooner rather than later because erosion from the waves means it will eventually collapse.

On the island you’ll also find the Heligoland lighthouse that was built in World War II as an anti-aircraft tower and was turned into a lighthouse in 1952.

If you wanted to see more of nature and haven’t had enough of the ferry then take a quick trip over to the neighbours island Heligoland-Dune which has it’s own seal colony.

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If you go in the winter between November and January, you’ll get to see some fluffy white seal pups.

We’ve found some stunning holiday rentals in Heligoland from £58 per night.

The easiest way to get to Heligoland is to catch the daily ferry from Hamburg which takes just under four hours.

Heligoland can be reached in under three hours by ferry from Cuxhaven.

Another German island we found is Rügen and the aesthetic will take you back to the seventies.

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Everyone has their preferred hangover foods, whether it's fries and a burger, a bacon and egg sandwich on a bagel, or a big ole bag of chips. But as it turns out, you might be able to forego the hangover altogether if you pay special attention to what you eat before you start drinking. In a now-viral TikTok video, Neena Chandrasekaran, MD, a pulmonary critical care doctor, shares the number-one food you should eat to prevent hangovers.

RELATED: 8 Supplements That Actually Prevent Hangovers, Doctors Say.

Eating cheese may help prevent a hangover.

"Eating cheese before drinking alcohol can decrease your risk of having a hangover," says Chandrasekaran (@neenziemd), to which her followers rejoiced.

One commenter said, "this is the best news ive heard all year." Another added, "NOW I understand the wine & cheese era ..." And a third wrote, "Say no more. Any excuse for more cheese."

But Chandrasekaran's advice is about much more than cheese being a universally tasty treat.

Cheese can coat the stomach.

First, she explains that cheese is high in protein, fat, and complex carbs, all of which "can coat the stomach, which decreases the absorption of alcohol." She adds that cheese can also help the body metabolize alcohol better.

As registered dietitian Blanca Garcia previously explained to Best Life, "If there is food in the stomach, the muscle (sphincter) that pinches and separates the stomach from the small intestine closes to allow for digestion, preventing the alcohol from quickly going into the small intestine."

Based on Garcia's recommendation, you may want to enjoy your cheese with some whole-wheat bread. "The more food that is present, in your stomach, the less alcohol is absorbed," she said. "The fiber from the bread will trap some of the alcohol and prevent absorption all at once."

RELATED: Experts Say This Popular Cocktail Might Be Your Healthiest Drink Choice.

Cheese can protect your liver.

Chandrasekaran next notes that eating cheese before drinking can help prevent liver damage.

To her point, a 2023 study published in the Journal of Functional Foods looked at the effects of probiotic cheese with two specific bacteria (Lactococcus lactis LB1022 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LB1418) on alcohol metabolism. As Delicious explained, these cheeses include goat’s cheese and cheddar cheese.

The researchers found that eating such cheeses "helped speed up alcohol metabolism by boosting key liver enzymes," as Delicious shared. "It also activates important pathways that reduce fat buildup in the liver and reduce inflammation, which can happen when you drink too much."

Cheese also replenishes key nutrients.

Finally, Chandrasekaran shares that cheese is high in B vitamins and calcium, important nutrients that are depleted from the body when you're drinking.

She says calcium "helps to improve nerve and muscle function," while B vitamins "are needed for energy and metabolism."

Of course, as Chandrasekaran notes, "no alcohol is better than any alcohol." Always drink responsibly and speak to a professional if you're concerned about your alcohol intake.