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ON January 30, 2025, the Dragons Den investors will be joined by Trinny London founder Trinny Woodall. 

They will be looking to invest in four businesspeople, including a dumpling maker, a water bottle inventor and an ethical cleaning product creator.

BBC

LoveSum Dumplings

YouTube/Cartier's Women's Initiative

YouTube/The Wod Pod

Pete Anwyll – Karta Bottle 

Pete Anwyll is the creator of the Karta Bottle, a water container that doubles a barbell weight. 

After studying aerospace engineering at university, he started working in management consultancy but found the career unfulfilling. 

The idea for the Karta Bottle came to him in the pub, when he was enjoying a drink with his girlfriend. 

He had read a book called The Four Hour Work Week, which encourages readers to think of a niche problem that bothers them. 

It says that your problem probably also bothers other people, so a product that solves that issue would likely sell well. 

Pete had been bothered by changing the difficulty of changing weights on a barbell, so he decided to create a product which would make the process easier. 

The water bottle clips onto barbells, which allows you to change the weights without putting the barbell down.

Karta bottles also come in a variety of colours and can carry 900ml of water.

They have also been rated for weights up to 290kg.

He had become passionate about fitness at school when he began to use the P.E. gym. 

The entrepreneur says that the “aesthetic” reasons for keeping fit don’t interest him. 

Instead, he wants to keep fit for his own mental wellbeing. 

Laura Harnett – The Seep Company

Mum-of-two Laura is hoping to revolutionise the cleaning product industry. 

She has previously worked as the director of digital products at Selfridges and as a non-executive director at a ecommerce company named Attraqt. 

In 2020, she decided that it was time for a career change.

Using her degree in Biochemistry, which she earned at the University of Bristol in 1999, she created The Seep Company. 

On her LinkedIn profile, she says that she created the company because she was “fed up of trying to find cleaning tools that weren’t made of plastic”.

That led her to create a range of zero-plastic cleaning tools including rubber gloves and scourers.

Sandy Tang – LoveSum Dumplings

Sandy had already achieved fame on another BBC reality show, before heading into The Den. 

She had starred in the 2020 series of Masterchef and managed to make it to the final before being eliminated. 

The chef spent the first 13 years of her life in the Philippines before moving to the UK.

She co-founded LoveSum Dumplings alongside David Soloman and their company focuses on the evolution of dumplings as they journey across the Silk Road. 

The Silk Road is a historic trade route connecting East Asia with Western Europe. 

As dumplings travelled across the trade route, from Turkey and Mongolia, they became a staple food in countries including China and Poland.

According to her company website, she is “comfortable embracing both Eastern and Western ideas and techniques when working in the kitchen”. 

She added: “I grew up in Macau, moving to the UK as a teenager. I started cooking when I was fifteen to recreate food memories from my childhood home. 

“My background has given me a real appreciation for food culture; good food brings people together and creates traditions. 

“Passed on culture-to-culture, recipes evolve.

“I find that fascinating and inspiring. 

“Being a MasterChef finalist gave me the opportunity to explore my love for cooking; using food to express my creativity. 

“Creating Love Sum dumplings gives me a chance to share that with you.”

The company sells ready made dumplings which include Chicken Kimchi Mandu and Prawn Hargow as flavours.

They also include recipes for a variety of dumplings on their website.

DAME Joanna Lumley is brought up to speed on 2025 trends by Amelia Dimoldenberg in a new sketch to launch this year’s Red Nose Day campaign.

Chicken Shop Date host Amelia, 30, interrupts Absolutely Fabulous star Dame Joanna, 78, to offer her advice on how to rescript her monologue to make it more relevant to a younger audience.

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Dame Joanna Lumley is brought up to speed on 2025 trends by Amelia Dimoldenberg in a new sketch to launch this year’s Red Nose Day campaign[/caption]

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A glam Dame Joanna features in the campaign[/caption]

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Amelia teaches her some modern day phrases[/caption]

It comes as the launch of Red Nose Day marks the beginning of Comic Relief’s milestone 40th year, as the fundraising show returns to the BBC on March 21.

And as Dame Joanna begins to deliver her opening lines in the clip, Amelia cuts the scene, as she has been hired to ensure the campaign “feels relevant for 2025”.

She says the revamp is needed as the charity hits 40 years, which she says is “so old”.

Dame Joanna replies: “Oh god, I’d hate to be 40,” then looks directly into the camera.

Dame Joanna remembers classic sketches from past Red Nose Day campaigns, including the 2009 Mamma Mia skit which featured her with comedians Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, and French kissing actor Hugh Grant live on air – but Amelia steps in.

The exasperated actress says she just wants people to “join in the celebrations”, to which Amelia says she just needs to speak in today’s language.

It then cuts to Dame Joanna redoing the monologue, saying: “Hey bestie, Jo Lums here, and I’m buzzing to tell you Comic Relief is turning 40.

“I know queen, ancient. But its vibes are still immaculate. It’s giving ‘having a laugh’, it’s giving ‘doing some good’. So join the party and pop off this Red Nose Day. It’s going to be lit.”

Amelia calls the revamp “absolutely fabulous”, to which Dame Joanna responds by simply saying “slay”.

Dame Joanna said of the campaign: “Red Nose Day is something that has always appealed to people for one simple reason – it’s sensational.

“We’ve been treated to so many fantastic, silly and ridiculous things over the years; you can’t help but want to get involved and have some fun.

“Most importantly, we all want to make a difference and help others however we can, because that’s the way we are.

“For 40 years Comic Relief has been a constant in all our lives, bringing us together to help inspire change around the world and here at home. It’s lovely, I adore it. One might even say it’s absolutely fabulous.”

Amelia added that it was an “honour” to work alongside Dame Joanna for the campaign.

“It’s such an important cause that has helped inspire so much positive change for 40 years now, but we know there’s so much more we can do to help,” she said.

“Whether it’s big or small, every donation counts, and it’s just a great thing to be involved in regardless, because not only are you raising money for an incredible charity, you’re having fun while doing it.”

This Morning presenter Alison Hammond will join the hosting line-up of the Red Nose Day live show for the first time, alongside broadcaster Rylan Clark and comedian Tom Allen.

AJ Odudu, Alesha Dixon, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett and Jonathan Ross will also all return to present the live BBC show, which has been billed as a “nostalgia-fuelled evening of live performances, star-studded sketches, hilarious comedy and spectacular fun”.

Actor and comedian Sir Lenny Henry and Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis co-founded the charity in 1985.

Communities, workplaces, schools and families have helped raise more than £1.6 billion over the last 40 years, which has supported more than 100 million people, according to Comic Relief.

The charity has helped support communities by providing food, healthcare and shelter to those who need it most.

Red Nose Day will air live on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Friday March 21.

PA

Amelia calls the revamp “absolutely fabulous”, to which Dame Joanna responds by simply saying “slay”[/caption]

ALTHOUGH for many beauty buffs hair extensions give a major confidence boost, it’s also essential to know how to style them properly.

Recently eagle-eyed Love Island viewers begged show producers to step in after Grace Jackson‘s blonde tresses were driving them ”nuts”.

Eroteme

Eroteme

Love Island All Stars fans have now become so irked with the condition and quality of the 26-year-old’s hair extensions, they are calling for external help.

One X – formerly known as Twitter – used bluntly wrote: “Grace’s extensions look absolutely ridiculous when she’s got her hair tied back.”

A second mused: “Grace and Harriett’s extensions, Lord have mercy!!!!” as a third continued: “Grace needs to chill with her pony’s her extensions look shocking.”

One then remarked: “Grace needs to stop the slick back hairstyles, her extensions are driving me nuts.”

Another pointed out: “Grace’s tape extensions are AWFUL.”

Someone else complained: “The real question is whyyyyyy is Grace having her hair in slick back with those horrendous tapes.”

Their complaints centred on the fact the model’s hair extensions could clearly be seen pulled away from her scalp when she sported a chic up-do.

Slick ponytails are a popular and versatile hairstyle – but how to make sure you don’t suffer the same hair mares as the Love Island singletons?

According to Hair Expert Nicole Petty of Milk & Blush, there are some simple tricks to keep your ponytail looking smooth and natural and your extensions undetectable.

Scroll down to find out the six must-do steps to avoid those annoying wefts poking through…

Think about placement  

Extensions should work with your natural hair, so where you apply them or clip them in will affect how they’ll look in a ponytail.  

For a high ponytail, clip-in extensions should be clipped a third of an inch down from the root to help extensions lie flat against your head and prevent bumps in the ponytail.  

Tape-in extensions and nano-tip extensions should be placed one inch below the crown of your head to keep them invisible and should be focused in the middle and lower parts of your head so your natural hair covers them.  

“As a general rule, avoid placing any extensions higher than eye level, so you have plenty of hair on top to cover them,” instructed Nicole.

Opt for the ‘stacking’ method

The hair guru told Fabulous: ”Instead of spacing out clip-in extensions, stack two to three wefts on top of each other in a single section to give you plenty of volume without overloading your head with too many clips.

”This will make it easier to keep them hidden in a ponytail.”

Backcomb the hair above the wefts  

Throughout the day, your hair can part and potentially expose the wefts in your ponytail, but backcombing your hair above the wefts will help to keep them covered.  

Gently tease a small section above the extension to make the root thicker. When pulled back into a ponytail this should be enough to cover the weft.  

Backcombing your locks before you apply clip-in extensions can also make it easier for them to grab onto hair and remain secure.  

Wrap the base of the ponytail  

Ponytails can look sleeker with a wrapped base to conceal the hair tie and any extension wefts.  

Take a small section of hair from the ponytail, wrap it around the hair tie and secure it with a bobby pin.  

Style with texture  

Adding waves and curls to your hair can give a ponytail more volume but also help disguise any extensions as it’s harder to see where your natural hair ends and extensions begin.   

Use a ponytail extension  

Instead of applying standard extensions, a clip-in ponytail can make it much easier to create a smooth ponytail without worrying about wefts showing.  

Detangle your hair before pulling it back into a ponytail, which will look sleeker with locks that are several days post-wash day. Smooth down any flyaways with some gel or hairspray.  

Tease the base of the ponytail by gently backcombing, then pop open the clips of the extension piece.

Place the fastenings carefully into the top of your hair tie before snapping them closed.  

Take the strand of hair with the velcro fastening and spritz a touch of hairspray over it to tame any flyaways and add some extra holding power.  

Wrap this strand around the base of your ponytail and fasten over the weft to secure it.

Then, slide some bobby pins in around and the clips for extra security.  

Finish by brushing through your hair to blend your extension seamlessly into your natural locks.

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN turns 50 in December – but will he still be playing competitive snooker when he reaches this landmark birthday?

And when the Rocket does hang up his cue, which might be sooner than we all hope, how will the sport survive in his absence?

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Ronnie O’Sullivan has a huge influence on snooker[/caption]

PA

But the Rocket could decide to hang up his cue before his 50th birthday later this year[/caption]

Like legendary singer Frank Sinatra, O’Sullivan has announced his intentions to retire on multiple occasions down the years, only to perform a sharp U-Turn and fetch the dickie bow from the wardrobe.

But this year there are genuine concerns, in light of his recent inactivity, he might be closer to the end than we had expected.

O’Sullivan, 49, is the biggest name in the sport and having won seven world championships – a record tied with Stephen Hendry – he can claim to be the Greatest Of All Time.

You only have to attend a snooker tournament in the UK to see the queues of people zigzagging round the block to know when O’Sullivan is playing.

Digital figures on our website for example dramatically spike whenever he is at the table and there is an argument he is bigger than the sport.

When O’Sullivan pulled out of this month’s Masters, citing exhaustion and a broken cue, the interest towards this Triple Crown tournament dipped considerably.

After 33 years of travelling round the world – he ‘graduated’ into the pro ranks in 1992 alongside John Higgins and Mark Williams – he is simply knackered.

It is tough having to perform for audiences every time and his battles with drink, drugs and depression are well-documented.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

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O’Sullivan has won seven World Championship titles throughout his career[/caption]

O’Sullivan is at a crossroads in his career as his game dips, his confidence disappears and players like world No.1 Judd Trump and world champion Kyren Wilson steal the headlines and lift the trophies.

Towards the start of the year, O’Sullivan “lost the plot” when he snapped his cue in anger because he was so angry with his game at a behind-closed-doors event in Leicester.

The cue ended up in the BIN and would have stayed there for dustman to collect had loyal pal Robbie not retrieved it for safekeeping.

O’Sullivan withdrew from the Masters at Ally Pally – where he was defending champion – and is not involved in this week’s German Masters in Berlin.

Nobody, only the man himself, knows when he will next play but the countdown to the Crucible has begun and he could turn up there feeling undercooked and with limited game time.

Lucrative exhibitions in the Far East and Saudi Arabia – where he has an academy in Riyadh – will keep the bank manager happy.

The Essex potter plans to spend more time away from the UK, particularly as he cannot be bothered to play in “leisure centres” in Crawley or Brentwood.

And especially now he has been given residency in Hong Kong.

When SunSport spoke with O’Sullivan before Christmas, he insisted he could play until he is 60 and had told new coach Lee Walker “just keep me going for 10 years”.

O’Sullivan said: “I wouldn’t say it’s the end. Definitely wouldn’t say it’s the end.

“I’m definitely going to keep playing. The last time I enjoyed playing snooker like I have done the last couple of months was when I was 14, I’ll be honest with you.”

However that chat was before the event in the East Midlands and the damage to his equipment.

It has been a difficult time in his personal life and splitting from fiancée Laila Rouass after 13 years together has hit him hard.

He has broken almost every record in the sport, earned millions, there is very little left to achieve and motivate him.

When he does stop playing, it is a serious issue for the World Snooker Tour and leaves an enormous gap to fill.

Eurosport, which has been home to the sport for many years, is switching off soon and all content will move over to TNT Sports, which means punters will now have to pay £30.99-a-month.

If O’Sullivan is not part of that programming, some fans may ditch the sport altogether and watch something else.

There are young players coming through but many of those are from China and the language barrier makes it harder for them to become household names.

Darts has been transformed since Luke Littler, 18, emerged as the youngest world champion in history.

Snooker, which admittedly is a different game and takes more time to perfect, does not have its own Littler.

British youngsters such as Stan Moody, Liam Graham and Liam Pullen will become good players in time but none of them have the same electrifying X Factor as Littler.

Nor have they had the same initial impact as O’Sullivan did when he won the 1993 UK Championship, the sport’s second-biggest event, aged 17.

Having three premier events – the Worlds, UKs and Masters – on the BBC until 2032 is a massive boost and that will continue to attract significant TV audiences.

A massive decision will be made before 2027 when the deal with the Crucible expires and snooker bosses are in negotiations with Sheffield City Council about whether the World Championship should remain in its current home.

This spring could be the final time that O’Sullivan appears in South Yorkshire as a player before he switches to punditry.

We should all make sure we enjoy him while we can. Without him, the sport will never be the same again.

Wilson speaks for many when he says he hopes O’Sullivan hangs around for the rest of his sixth decade but he feels the sport will survive whatever decision he makes in 2025.

The Warrior told SunSport: “I hope (his retirement) doesn’t happen for a long time.

“Every time he’s at an event, he just brings that extra bit of atmosphere. It’s great value for the crowd.

“There probably would have been an argument for what the sport was going to do when Alex Higgins retired. What would happen when Jimmy White goes?

“Or when Steve Davis or Hendry packed it in. We’re always going to have these conversations.

“People love snooker for snooker. They have their heroes, people that tune in and watch for entertainment.

“It’s always going to be a sad loss if any of their heroes depart. But the game will survive, it will go on.”

IRISH shoppers are rushing to snap new chocolate Easter bargains after they landed in stores months before the big day.

But shoppers have to act fast as stock is set to fly off the shelves.

Aldi

Aldi Ireland is currently retailing the Mini Eggs 97g Cadbury for just €1.99[/caption]

Aldi

The Honeycomb Choco Easter Egg 110g Dairyfine is priced at just €4.99[/caption]

Aldi

Chocoholics will love the 8-bit Gaming Egg 170g Dairyfine priced at just €6.99[/caption]

Aldi Ireland is currently retailing the Mini Eggs 97g Cadbury for just €1.99.

The Milk Chocolate Bunny 100g Specially Selected is also available in stores across the country for just €2.49.

But Aldi bosses warn the chocolate bunny is not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to the risk of swallowing the ribbon or medallion.

Chocoholics will love the 8-bit Gaming Egg 170g Dairyfine priced at just €6.99.

Snap up other favourites for just under €5, including the Honeycomb Choco Easter Egg 110g Dairyfine and the Creme Egg 200g 5 X 40g Cadbury.

The Creme Egg comes with 100 per cent sourced cocoa and is suitable for vegetarians.

They also have the Easter Egg Hunt Kit 340g Dairyfine for just €5.99 and the Belgian Truffle Filled Egg 250g Specially Selected for only €11.99.

The Belgian Truffle Filled Egg is a luxurious milk chocolate half shell filled with a selection of indulgent Belgian truffles.

And it may also contain traces of peanuts, other tree nuts and eggs.

Meanwhile, Aldi Ireland fans also loving a new “roadside hero” in the middle aisle – and it costs just €4.99.

The Tyre Puncture Sealant Can is available in stores across the country from 30 January.

The retailer said: “This Tyre Puncture Sealant Can is your instant roadside hero this winter!

“Mend punctures and resume your adventure in a matter of minutes.”

The sealant can “fits in your glove compartment”.

Aldi added: “Just attach the nozzle, press the button, and watch as the innovative formula seeks out and seals punctures instantly.

“Designed to fit a wide range of vehicle types.”

Aldi

But shoppers have to act fast as stock is set to fly off the shelves[/caption]

Tom Selleck doesn’t like to be the center of a lot of fuss, but he agreed to allow his wife, Jillie Mack, to throw him a small 80th birthday party with just family — against his better judgement. “I stopped celebrating birthdays a while back,” Tom admits. “I’m trying not to count.” As he passed...

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