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Cops race to horror crash between ambulance and pedestrian on Scots road

COPS have locked down a road after a horror crash between an ambulance and a pedestrian.

The alarm was raised in the early hours of this morning as officers raced to the A96 in Elgin.

Pictures show a police van with blue lights guarding the crash site.

The condition of the pedestrian and driver is currently unknown.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The A96 in Elgin is closed between Reiket Lane and St Andrews Drive following a collision involving an ambulance and a pedestrian at around 3.30am on Saturday, 22 February, 2025.

“Officers remain at the scene and diversions are in place.”

Elsewhere a busy Scots train route has been shut down due to a landslip.

Network Rail Scotland announced the closure of the West Coast Main Line – one of the country’s busier train routes – while they assess the damage.

Specialist engineers have been called out to the site between Carstairs and Lockerbie to determine the repairs needed to re-open the line.

A statement from Network Rail Scotland said: “We’ve had to close the West Coast Main Line between Carstairs and Lockerbie, due to reports of a possible landslip near Beattock.

“Our engineers are heading to site now to assess any damage caused and repairs needed.”

Shortly afterwards, the first image of the chaos was released, showing dirt, tree branches, and other debris strewn across the middle of the tracks.

The debris appears to have slid down the hill to the side of the track, leaving behind a gaping hole.

A later statement from Network Rail confirmed that the line remains closed in both directions while ‘specialist geotechnical engineers’ assess the situation.

The disruption has already led to multiple delays and cancellations across major services running through Lockerbie.

Already, services running to Glasgow Central, and Manchester Airport later in the day have been axed, with no fixed timeline on the repairs.

Police car at night at a road closure.
© Jasperimage.Com
Officers guard an Elgin road after a collision between a pedestrian and an ambulance[/caption]

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The best high street ski-wear as ASOS, Zara and H&M launch snow sports ranges… & it will save you hundreds

SKIING has always been known as the snow sport that you need to save for.

Costs of flights, accommodation, ski hire, ski pass and buckets full of raclette and wine soon add up.

Woman in red ski suit lying in the snow.
Stars like Kendall Jenner have influenced high street ski sales

But there is a way to make your alpine trip a whole lot cheaper, without skimping on the Apres style.

With cheaper European ski resorts like Borovets in Bulgaria becoming increasingly popular with Brit travellers, ski holidays are becoming more affordable.

And the high street is reacting too, with fashion giants like Zara, H&M and ASOS all launching extremely stylish ski ranges this winter – and at prices .

While kitting yourself out in ski-wear from traditional Alpine active-wear stores can cost upwards of £500 for the full kit, it’s now much easier to get hold of stylish and practical pieces for much less than £100.

Starting from the bottom up, the right ski socks are key for ultimate comfort. Bearing in mind you’ll be wearing ski boots for most of the day, you want something warm and padded.

H&M’s Drymove ski socks at £12.99 are a great bet.

Pair of pink knee-high socks.
Warm ski socks in DryMove™, £12.99, H&M
Pair of pink knee-high socks with a logo.
Ski socks, £26.60, FALKE

It’s worth getting at least one pair from a proper sports shop and FALKE have some amazing offers at the moment, like the SK4 advanced socks which are £26.60.

Next up it’s thermals. You want light weight and breathable, like the Peter Storm thermal pants, £19, from Go Outdoors.

And as someone who is always running cold, I recommend taking a few options. I wear these M&S Heatgen thermal fleeces most of the winter and they are great for skiing too.

Woman's black leggings.
Peter Storm thermal pants, £19, Go Outdoors
Woman with curly hair wearing a black turtleneck.
Heatgen thermal fleece top, £20, M&S

I also loved the sustainable slim fit base layer tops from BAM. The Jazzy prints are perfect for a sunny apres session and the fabric is as soft as a babygro.  

Next up, salopettes –  or ski trousers, to the non-skier. 

Known for not being the most flattering part of your ski wardrobe, salopettes can be hard to want to spend money on.

But having tried on a LOT of different brands, I can guarantee you won’t find a nicer fit than these Vista Salopettes from TOG24. 

Woman wearing a black and cream patterned long-sleeved shirt.
Sudbrook baselayer, £45, BAM
Woman wearing white turtleneck and dark green ski pants.
Ski pants, £77, TOG24

I was amazed at how nice the fit of these was. They aren’t bulky at all and they are extremely easy to move in, which is useful for me as I do have multiple falls most days when skiing.

At £77, they are an absolute bargain. 

TOG24’s ski jackets are also amazing quality and some of the nicer colours I’ve seen.

You won’t find a better option that the Panorama jacket, £105, which looks even better with their APRES bobble hat, £18.

Woman wearing a mauve pom-pom beanie.
APRES hat, £18, TOG24
Woman in mauve ski jacket and gloves, wearing ski goggles.
Ski jacket, £105, TOG24

Your ski jacket is arguably the most important bit of kit you need for the slopes. 

For me the number one priority – probably quite obviously – is that it’s warm and waterproof.

While rain on the slopes has been pretty rare in my experience, falling over, as mentioned, has not. 

The Baleen Ellesse jacket is a great option – and a steal at £100.

As well as looking chic and stylish, the jacket has a detachable powder skirt and a goggle pocket with attached cleaning cloth.

Woman in Ellesse ski jacket.
Ski jacket, £100. Go Outdoors
Woman wearing a black ski jacket and orange beanie.
Women’s Warm and Waterproof Ski Jacket 500, £89.99, Decathlon
Women's ski jacket in black and coral.
Ski jacket, £39, Mountain Warehouse

Another key thing to look for is an easy-access ski pass pocket – the last thing you want to be doing is fiddling around taking your gloves off in -1c to get it out.

If you’re looking for an even cheaper option, Decathlon’s Ski Jacket 500 is a stylist fit and comes in a range of colours for £89.99.

The best budget option I found was the Mountain Warehouse Moon II jacket which is only £39 and comes in an array of colours to help you stand out on the slopes.

Speaking of gloves, there is nothing more essential for when you start speeding down those runs than making sure you can still feel your fingers…

Decathlon have a great range of cheap gloves that are guaranteed to keep you warm even in extreme white outs.

Pair of black leather gloves.
Ski gloves, £39.99, Decathlon
Woman wearing a black knit beanie and neck warmer.
Neckwarmer, £21, ROXY

A neck warmer is also essential. 

Roxy, the women’s sportswear brand, have perhaps the best one at just £21. It’s the kind of thing you’ll wear all winter in the UK, as well as it being a key component of your ski kit.

Another way to save money is to buy a ski accessories bundle. Mountain Warehouse – who know what they are doing when it comes to keeping warm in the mountains – have a great three piece set of hat, ski scarf and gloves for just £19.99.

Another way to cut costs on clothes is by buying an all in one. While you’ll still need the base layers, a Zara and H&M have some amazingly stylish one pieces that will have you looking flyer than Kendall Jenner on the slopes.

Their skisuit is a steal at only £119, and it has all the technical stuff you need, like being windproof and water resistant. It’s also got a lovely fleecy lining to keep you snug.

Woman in black and white ski suit holding gloves.
Skisuit, £119, Zara

Lastly, ski goggles. I only once made the mistake of not taking them and immediately had to spend several hundred pounds on a pair in the resort as I was unable to see.

My favourite are the Rosewood Snowboard Goggles from Roxy, which are on offer for £105 at present, but if you want something cheaper, H&M’s snow sunglasses are a great buy for £14.99.

Woman in Roxy snow gear.
Goggles, £105, Roxy
White sunglasses with iridescent lenses.
Ski glasses, £14.99, H&M

Finally... SPF!

The rays on the mountains are strong. Make sure to protect your skin with SPF, minimum factor 30, but ideally factor 50. Try...

Sport sun cream and lip balm set, £5.99, Decathlon

Mountain Sun Cream, £8.50, Piz Buen @ LOOKFANTASTIC

Climate defence facial cream, £29, EVOLVE

Solar Defense SPF 50, £45, HydroPeptide

Soltan Active 2 in 1 Face Cream & Lip Stick SPF50+ 20ml, £6, Boots

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Gogglebox fans threaten to ‘turn off’ after TV show makes them feel ‘uncomfortable’

GOGGLEBOX fans confessed they “turned off” the most recent episode of the series following “weird” scenes.

Viewers of the Channel 4 staple, which airs on a Friday night, flicked off a segment which even the show stars branded “pervy.”

Two men sitting on a couch, one looking down and the other looking to the side.
Channel 4
Gogglebox fans have ‘turned off’ the hit series amid ‘uncomfortable’ scenes[/caption]
Gogglebox couple sitting in armchairs.
Channel 4
Gogglebox stalwart Giles called out the ‘pervy’ scenes as he chatted to wife Mary about the goings-on[/caption]
Screenshot of a man's partially obscured back from the White Lotus TV series.
YouTube
White Lotus’ third season featured a full-frontal nude scene – which left some Gogglebox viewers ‘turning off’[/caption]

It came as the Gogglebox panel returned to the show to discuss the latest antics on the small screen.

After analysing the goings-on in Celebrity Bear Hunt, Gladiators and The Apprentice to name a few, talk turned to the latest instalment of The White Lotus.

The hit HBO series has made a comeback with its third season – with a plotline centred on a full-frontal nude scene and incest storyline.

In the new series, Patrick Schwarzenegger – who plays the role of Saxon – flashes viewers in a segment where his bum is in full view.

Saxon was then in bed in a hotel room when he speculated about his sister and if she’d had sex yet.

He then he turned to his brother Lochlan and asked what kind of explicit stuff he was into.

The scenes caused shock among the Gogglebox panel, with Giles telling his wife Mary: “So far, so pervy.”

Star Jake then told twin Harry: “I have never done this by the way!” referring to Saxon’s naked bathroom antics.

Pete then got stuck into the analysis and joked: “Something happens to people when they stop in hotels.”

He added to sister Sophie: “It doesn’t matter if it is a budget one or an expensive one, there has been many a night when I have heard it through the walls.

“I put two shortbreads in my ears!”

Yet fans were less than impressed at the airing of the segment on the hit show.

One took to X to put: “Why does #Gogglebox always end with the weird stuff.

“Turned off for the last five minutes.

Gogglebox stars Stephen and Daniel's relationship timeline

Hairdressing duo Stephen Webb and Daniel Lustig got engaged back in 2016 and married two years later.

The couple co-own a hair salon and live in a £575,000 property on Brighton’s sought after seafront.

At the time of the engagement, Stephen appeared on Gogglebox alongside his ex-boyfriend Chris Ashby-Steed.

In 2019, Daniel made his Gogglebox debut and was immediately a big hit.

Chris, who is now in a happy relationship with husband Tony, spoke publicly about how the show affected his mental health.

Having relocated to Wales and quit showbiz, Chris said he was racked with anxiety during his time on the programme.

Just last year Daniel and Stephen shocked Gogglebox fans when they announced they were leaving the programme. Daniel had been part of the show since its launch in 2013.

Their departure opened up a new world of opportunity for the duo and it was soon announced that Stephen would take part in Dancing on Ice. But disaster struck and injury ruled him out before the live shows.

There were further gasps of shock in April when we revealed the pair had split up. They vowed to remain friends and looked to be true to their word, sharing a smiley picture the following day with Stephen’s mum on the seafront.

“White Lotus is a no-go for me, sorry.”

Another mused: “Gogglebox has just made me put a line through watching the white lotus.

“Too weird and disturbing. No thanks!”

FUTURE REVEALED?

Meanwhile, the future of Gogglebox’s celebrity series also recently came to light.

It came after the spin-off has boasted six instalments so far.

And it has now been confirmed that this summer will see the return of the star-filled show where well know faces will settle onto couches, arm chairs and celebrity thrones for a seventh time.

Names have not been confirmed but series six was a debut year for Annie Mac, Sara Cox and Rio Ferdinand so viewers will be keen to see if any new characters will be introduced this year.

Series seven was revealed as part of an announcement on a raft of confirmed Channel 4 titles for the spring and summer schedules.

These include a Stand Up to Cancer celebrity Bake Off, Series six of The Handmaids Tale, comedy-Disability Benefits staring Rosie Jones and a new dating/reality format called Virgin Island.

Screenshot of a scene from The White Lotus showing two men partially censored at a bathroom sink.
YouTube
Gogglebox viewers slammed the ‘weird stuff’ aired at the end of the episode[/caption]
Screenshot of Patrick Schwarzenegger in a scene from *The White Lotus*.
YouTube
It came as Patrick Schwarzenegger and the rest of the cast returned for season three of the HBO show[/caption]

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Moment idiot raider gets ‘STUCK’ lowering himself into Sainsbury’s store in bungled Mission Impossible-style burglary

THIS is the moment an idiotic thief gets stuck while lowering himself into a Sainsbury’s shop via the ceiling.

The bungled Mission Impossible-style burglary took place at early this morning (21 February) in central Nottingham.

Surveillance image of a burglar stuck in a Sainsbury's store.
supplied
The raider’s feet can be seen poking out from the ceiling[/caption]
Surveillance footage of a burglar stuck inside a Sainsbury's store.
supplied
He gets stuck as he tries to enter the store from above[/caption]
Security camera footage of a burglar stuck while breaking into a Sainsbury's store.
supplied
The thief drops the ground as the ceiling falls through[/caption]

In CCTV footage released by Nottinghamshire Police, the thief’s feet gradually appear through the ceiling of the Sainsbury’s Local in Radford – as bits of dust and plaster fall beneath him.

He then lowers himself down to the waist height, and begins kicking his legs in a panicked attempt to steady himself.

In the process, he sends groceries flying off a nearby shelf – including multipacks of drinks.

He is then left comedically dangling, as his arms remain arms and shoulders remain stuck

Eventually, a panel of the ceiling falls away and he falls in a heap on the ground.

Moments later, the thief, who is wearing black trackies and a blue t shirt under a black hooded coat, is seen prowling the supermarket aisles with a carrier bag.

He then appears behind the counter, pulling dozens of National Lottery scratch cards from a dispenser.

Cops later revealed the value of the stolen scratch cards to be around £200.

Seconds later, a separate camera from outside the store shows the burglar sneaking out of a fire exit.

Sainsbury’s staff called 999 at 6.10am after spotting the intruder.

Officers arrived within six minutes, and found a man matching his description in a nearby street.

The 50-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary and taken into custody.

In a statement, Inspector Liz Gaskin said: “This was fantastic work by the Response officers who ensured a suspect was swiftly in handcuffs.

“The store was closed at the time of the incident and so did not impact on members of the public.

“However it was an alarming incident for the staff and I’d like to thank them for alerting us to the burglary.

“No one should arrive for a shift to discover a burglar inside their place of work and I hope they are reassured by the arrest.

“As shown today, we will always offer a robust response when community stores are targeted like this and their shelves ransacked.”

It comes after more bizarre footage was revealed of a man escaping court via an upper-storey window in South Africa.

The daring getaway was pulled off by Onoshana Thando Sadiki – who was supposed to be facing charges of breaking and entry and theft at Jeppe Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg.

Sadiki’s freedom was only temporary, however, as he was nabbed again the next day while on the run.

Surveillance image of a burglar inside a Sainsbury's store.
supplied
The intruder was later seen walking around the aisles[/caption]
Surveillance image of a burglar inside a Sainsbury's store.
supplied
He also pulled scratch cards from a National Lottery dispenser[/caption]
Security camera footage of a hooded burglar attempting to enter a building.
supplied
He eventually exited the store via a fire exit[/caption]

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I made £290 reselling goods I found at the car boot sale – trolls slam me for not saving them for others, it’s business

A SAVVY woman has revealed how she made £290 by reselling car boot sale bargains online.

Sophie Field, from the UK, took to social media to show off her latest haul of goods and how much she could sell them for.

Photo of various shoes and boots with price details showing profit from resale.
TikTok/@sophfield
Sophie revealed she makes a living reselling car boot sale bargains[/caption]
Car trunk full of items bought at a boot sale, resulting in £200+ profit.
TikTok/@sophfield
She made £290 from just one car boot sale but not everyone was a fan of her business strategy[/caption]

“What I bought from the boot sale (with profits),” she said.

The first thing Sophie found was a giant Jellycat bunny plushie which usually retails for £225.

The bargain hunter managed to buy it for just £12 and said she sold it for £85 online.

Next, she bought an array of shoes at the car boot including a pair of Uggs, Adidas Gazelles, Converse, Crocs and Sketchers.

She spent just £11 on the six pairs of shoes and was able to make a profit of £68.

The savvy woman also found two gift boxes of Levi’s socks which she paid £8 for and sold each one for £16.

Sophie also picked up an adorable green mini skirt from Zara she snagged for £2 and sold for £10 as well as a Pull & Bear sweatshirt she decided to keep for herself.

Also on her list of goodies she sold for a profit were a box of DVDs she bought for £2 and sold for £25, and a Starbucks travel cup she paid 50p for and sold online for £4.50.

Sophie also sold a clock for £10 which she bought for £1 as well as a tonne of plushies.

She found a large number of Disney plushies and managed to sell them for £102 despite only paying £20 for them.

Sophie shared her haul on her TikTok account, @sophfield, and revealed she made a total profit of £291.50.

The savvy shopper also revealed she usually resells her items online using either eBay or Vinted.

The clip went viral with over 156k views and 5,200 likes, and people were quick to take to the comments to share their thoughts.

Over 124 viewers shared their opinions, some furious that Sophie had taken the items to sell them for a profit.

Public Reaction

One person wrote: “Why do you not just leave them for people that would really enjoy/need them?”

“it’s a business – it’s how I earn a living if someone wants them they can find them online also,” Soph replied.

Another commented: “Reselling clothes fine but cuddly toys just feels immoral.”

“Okay that’s literally just not fair.. imagine how happy someone who really wanted all of those things would’ve been when they found them, but you ruined that,” penned a third.

UKs biggest & best car boots

1. Arminghall Car Boot Sale, Norfolk

Arminghall is one of the largest car boot sales in Norfolk, attracting thousands of visitors every week. It offers a vast array of goods, from antiques and collectibles to fresh produce and clothing.

2. Bristol and Bath Car Boot Sale, Somerset

Held at the Bath Racecourse, this car boot sale is known for its size and variety. It’s a must-visit for bargain hunters and those looking for unique items.

3. The Giant Shepton Mallet Flea & Collectors Market, Somerset

Located at the Bath and West Showground, this market is held several times a year and is one of the largest in the country. It features a mix of traditional car boot stalls and antique dealers.

4. Denham Giant Car Boot Sale, Buckinghamshire

Denham is one of the largest car boot sales in the South East, offering a wide range of items from household goods to vintage treasures. It’s a popular spot for both buyers and sellers.

5. Wimbledon Car Boot Sale, London

Held every Saturday and Sunday, the Wimbledon Car Boot Sale is one of London’s most famous. It attracts a diverse crowd and offers an eclectic mix of items.

6. Chiswick Car Boot Sale, London

Known for its friendly atmosphere and high-quality goods, the Chiswick Car Boot Sale is a favourite among Londoners. It’s held on the first Sunday of every month.

7. Chelford Car Boot Sale, Cheshire

One of the North West’s largest car boot sales, Chelford offers a huge selection of items. It’s a great place to find everything from garden tools to vintage clothing.

8. York Racecourse Car Boot Sale, Yorkshire

This car boot sale is held at the York Racecourse and is one of the largest in the region. It features hundreds of stalls and attracts a large number of visitors.

9. Belfast Car Boot Sale, Northern Ireland

Located at the King’s Hall Complex, this car boot sale is the biggest in Northern Ireland. It offers a wide range of goods and is a great place to find a bargain.

10. Edinburgh Corn Exchange Car Boot Sale, Scotland

One of Scotland’s largest indoor car boot sales, it’s held every Sunday and offers a vast array of items. It’s perfect for those looking to shop in a weather-proof environment.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “Wait I don’t get the issue with this? You want that item that cheap get up at 6am & go get it. I’d rather pay a little more for the fact someone has done it for me.”

“I love the people whining in the comments. Same reason I buy cheap from charity shops and sell for a profit. I try find the time for car boots (mainly Sedgefield) but don’t get the time to often,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “Very impressive and well done.”

Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.

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I was drunk or hungover for 20 years – my ‘fun boozing career’ downing Prosecco PINTS left me with one deep regret

IT’S Friday night and Toni Jones is downing pints of Prosecco. 

And this happens every week – at least it was until January 1, 2024, when Toni decided enough was enough.

Woman drinking champagne.
Toni Jones was a big binge drinker until she made some huge changes in her life
Toni Jones
Woman sitting at a table with a Bloody Mary and beer.
The 47-year-old has been sober for more than a year and doesn’t ever see herself drinking again
Toni Jones

She then challenged herself to stay sober for 365 days – and she’s never felt better.

“I wanted to free myself from alcohol,” the 47-year-old, from Norfolk, says.

“And it’s the best thing I have ever done.”

Toni, founder of The Shelf Help Club, discovered the booze buzz as a teenager and was instantly hooked.

She spent years partying hard, regularly waking up having forgotten last night’s antics. 

“I was drunk or hungover for at least 20 years,” she says. 

“I was born to a disinterested and alcoholic dad, who was estranged by the time I was in my late 20s.

“He’d escaped to Thailand to drink himself to death by my early 30s. 

“I started binge drinking in high school as a way to self-medicate through messy family stuff – plus I came of age in the ladette era.

“I developed a very toxic relationship with alcohol.

“But I was unable to give up binge drinking for a long time – even when I started to understand how much it was hurting me mentally and physically. 

“Sometimes it was fun. But usually I would push it past the ‘fun’ zone and instead use it as a way to literally ‘get out of my head’, using my stressful job as an excuse.”

Drinking daily

At the time Toni worked in the media industry, which she says only made her drinking worse.

“Being drunk and then hungover was very much part of the social landscape, so I would often be drinking daily,” she says. 

“I was usually out with other people who were also drinking to excess regularly, so it didn’t seem dangerous – though I know now it was.

“A lot of the events we attended hosted free bars, and we would drink whatever was going – usually awful warm wine.”

But the beverage she could never say no to was Prosecco.

“As a baby Gen Xer, it was my favourite,” Toni adds. “The local pub near our office served it in pints!

“I also loved skinny b****es (vodka, lime and soda), and all kinds of pretentious cocktails.

“I never seemed to realise that expensive drinks were still going to give me a hangover.”

It wasn’t until her late 30s that Toni even noticed the impact it was having on her.

‘Sozzled’ before check-in

Aside from after-work drinks, Toni also loved getting hammered on holiday.

She says: “Drinking while travelling used to be a no-brainer for me, often starting at the airport.

“On occasion, like while on a hen do to Ibiza, before the flight we’d get sozzled on mini bottles of wine in the airport hotel so that the 6am EasyJet departure time wouldn’t be too painful.

“Unsurprisingly, it was a horrible flight and I wasn’t able to properly enjoy the weekend. 

“Until 2024, any time I had flown long haul I would reach immigration already hungover (and majorly dehydrated), willing the passport queues to disappear so that I could just fall into bed, instead of enjoying the new city I was in. 

“We spent one New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong, full on partying ahead of flying to a health retreat in Thailand in early January. 

“At check-in in Koh Samui, the staff were visibly grimacing at the state of us. 

“This kind of retox:detox very much summed up my relationship with alcohol (and myself) – I was all ‘party hard, work hard and repeat’.”

‘Dry-tripping’

As part of her new sober adventure, Toni went on several zero-alcohol trips last year (often call dry-trips), including one to Miami – a destination known for its alcohol-fuelled nightlife.

But this holiday was a turning point, which made her realise she simply didn’t need booze to have a good time. 

Woman drinking beer outdoors.
She also loved getting hammered on holiday
Toni Jones
Woman in a striped blazer and red pants standing in front of the Plymouth Hotel.
While boozing was once an integral part of any holiday, Toni now loves ‘dry-tripping’
Toni Jones
Woman in a tropical-print dress holding a bottle of vodka.
‘I developed a very toxic relationship with alcohol,’ Toni says
Toni Jones

“Previously, I have always drunk alcohol on holidays, seeing it as an integral part of any trip – starting with airport beers then having Bloody Marys on the plane,” she says.

“But this all changed when I went to Miami – somewhere I’ve visited several times before, with my husband and also friends. 

“It has a reputation as being a party city, and previously I have embraced that side of it.

I asked the hotel to remove the mini bar from my room and stayed away from bars as much as I could

Toni Jones

“But this time, I arrived sober and left feeling great, after swapping late nights and cocktails for early mornings and juices. 

“It was a really different holiday experience and made me realise that time off in the sunshine is something to celebrate, and doesn’t need booze to make it better.”

Resisting ‘trigger’ temptation

Not that it’s all been easy, and Toni admits she’s had to work hard at times to stay on the right track.

She says: “A holiday for me is full of triggers to drink, so I had to do a bit of planning to make sure I could avoid as many of them as possible. 

“I asked the hotel to remove the mini bar from my room and stayed away from bars as much as I could. 

“We went for glamorous breakfasts and brunches instead of dinners, and I made sure that I had a couple of ‘go-to’ alcoholic-free drink choices – ‘AF’ beer, root beer, and iced coffee.

“One of the biggest challenges was being poolside and hearing the sound of cocktail shakers. 

“Also, it was difficult to resist happy hour offers and the groups of loud, tipsy friends hanging out on the boardwalk. 

“However, Miami is a pretty expensive destination, so not drinking saved me hundreds of dollars which worked out in my favour.

Now I sleep like a baby, wake up without an alarm, and literally (annoyingly for my husband) jump out of bed excited for the new day

Toni Jones

“After not drinking, I felt truly relaxed and rejuvenated – like you’re supposed to when you come back from a holiday.

“I really enjoyed the long days and early nights, feeling energised and positive, and I was able to get over jet lag pretty quickly. 

“I also had the mental space to spend time making exciting plans for when I got home. 

“And not drinking alcohol on a long-haul flight was a huge revelation. The benefits were truly worth it.”

Woman in tropical-print shirt enjoying a pink cocktail outdoors.
As part of her sober venture, Toni went on several zero-alcohol trips
Toni Jones
Woman smiling while riding a Citi Bike.
Her ‘fun’ looks a little bit different these days
Toni Jones
Woman drinking from a bottle at a party.
Toni estimates she saved at least £2,500 by not drinking in 2024
Toni Jones

Booze-free benefits

Since going sober, Toni has seen improvements in every aspect of her life.

She has saved thousands of pounds, has far more energy, and she even looks significantly healthier.

“I do get a lot of comments on my general ‘glow’ – my healthy skin and bright eyes and an aura of contentment and calm,” she says.

“Money-wise, I’d say I’ve saved at least £200 a month – so about £2,500, when you take into account bottles of wine in the supermarket and rounds of drinks on nights out.”

But the single best thing to come out of giving booze up? Sleep!

“Mornings are amazing now,” Toni says.

“I used to dread them. But now I sleep like a baby, wake up without an alarm, and literally (annoyingly for my husband) jump out of bed excited for the new day.”

a poster showing what happens when you stop drinking alcohol

“Looking back on my drinking ‘career’ I feel sad about all the missed opportunities,” she adds.

“I run my own business and I feel like I could’ve started working on my dream life and job much, much sooner if I’d given myself the headspace and clarity.

“I’ve also lost a lot of cash – I have spent so much money on nothing – and I mistreated myself for years.

“But my biggest regret is the amount of time that I wasn’t properly present; for friends, family, life experiences, and myself. 

“I can see now that the drunk or hungover version of me is not how I want to show up in the world.”

Living a ‘happy, sober life’

Alcohol consumption is declining in the UK.

In 2011, the Health Survey for England found 54 per cent of adults drank booze at least once a week.

But years later in 2022, that number dropped to 48 per cent. 

Today, around 20 per cent of the population don’t drink at all, according to Alcohol Change. 

So while decades ago, people may have quizzed you on why you were drinking lemonade not beer in the pub, it’s now much more accepted. 

Removing alcohol from my life is the best thing I could have done for my mental and physical health

Toni Jones

“The only negative or judgemental comments I’ve received have been from people I don’t know,” Toni says.

“Anyone who knows me has been majorly supportive – if a little incredulous – and because I am getting on with my life and doing pretty much everything I used to do.

“Lots of them are seeing the benefits and understanding you don’t need to become a hermit or identify as being ‘in recovery’ to live a happy, sober life.

“Lots of people are interested in if or when I’m going to start drinking again (plot spoiler: I don’t think I am), but I welcome the comments and to ask anyone who’s interested in why I’m not drinking, why they are?”

Toni's top tips

“If you’re serious about quitting drinking, even for a bit, get clear on your ‘why’ and then set yourself a goal,” Toni Jones says.

“For example, commit to Dry January or Sober October instead of simply saying, ‘I really should drink less at the weekend’, which is too vague and non-committal. 

“Treating it as an experiment with a limited timeframe (vs ‘one day at a time’ for the rest of your life) makes it less overwhelming. 

“Once you’ve reached the deadline you’ll probably find that you’re liking your new sober self too much to stop.

“I’ve been trying non-drinking stints on and off for nine years so it has definitely been a process, but deciding on this one-year challenge has been brilliant because from January 1, 2024, I became a non-drinker and booze was no longer an option for me for at least one year. 

“I did things to help the transition, like stocking up on alcohol-free drinks and getting rid of booze in the house.

“I also read a lot of ‘quit lit’ and addiction memoirs, and I’ve been keeping a journal, recording how I’m feeling, the biggest triggers, and sober wins each month. 

“When you set yourself a challenge, be it one, six or 12 months, tell everyone – including the internet. 

“This kind of accountability is really motivating, and you’ll be amazed by how many people you’ll inspire by being open about it. 

“Challenge yourself to do everything sober at least once, be it a wedding, hen do, work do, Friday night out, or whatever.

“Once you’ve done it, you’ll see that the world keeps turning, and you’ll also probably really enjoy how you feel the morning after, so be likely to be motivated to do it again. 

“Mornings are your new friends!”

Free from alcohol

Toni, an avid traveller working with Omio, adds: “I’ve been thinking about, and attempting, short stints of alcohol-free living for almost 10 years. 

“Since I interviewed the founders of an organisation called Club Soda back in 2015 and started learning more about the idea of ‘mindful drinking’, it inspired me to look at my drinking habits.

“Over the last decade, I’ve also been on a personal journey of healing and self-development, finally admitting to myself that removing alcohol from my life would be the best thing I could do for my mental and physical health. 

“I felt like 12 months was a good time to start to free myself from alcohol and create new healthy habits, as well as to try everything sober at least once, including holidays.

“The saying that ‘you don’t need a drink to have’ is 100 per cent true, although sometimes that fun just looks a little bit different. 

“On this holiday I made different choices, such as going for a swim in the ocean versus getting drunk at a rooftop bar. 

“And – as my friend Jack says – not drinking is only boring if you have boring friends, so if you want to keep having fun then plan interesting things with great people.”

Woman relaxing outdoors, writing in a notebook.
Toni swapped late nights and cocktails for early mornings and juices
Toni Jones
Woman holding a bottle of champagne in a garden.
The biggest benefit has been she now sleeps like a baby and loves mornings
Toni Jones
Woman working on laptop in Venice.
Toni Jones
‘Not drinking is only boring if you have boring friends,’ Toni says[/caption]
Woman in leopard print skirt standing by a teal mobile bar.
Her dad was a ‘disinterested alcoholic’
Toni Jones
Woman wearing sunglasses sits at a restaurant table.
Toni, from Norfolk, says she feels sad about all the opportunities she missed because of alcohol
Toni Jones
Woman walking away from the camera on a sunny beach.
‘After not drinking, I felt truly relaxed and rejuvenated,’ she says
Toni Jones

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Gardai probe theory after man ‘known to gardai’ shot twice in Dublin’s south inner city

A PROBE is underway after a man was shot in the south inner city area of Dublin last night.

The man was shot twice in the Rutland Avenue area and is being treated in hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

Garda crime scene tape in front of a Garda patrol car.
Gardai are investigating the shooting
Alamy

Gardai are trying to establish a motive for the shooting.

One theory is that he may have been targeted over a drug debt.

A source said: “The man is known to gardaí for his addiction problems but isn’t a major gangland player.

“He is currently being treated in hospital for his injuries.”

Meanwhile, a probe is also underway after a man armed with a knife lunged at two unarmed members of the Gardai.

The incident happened in the Rathmines area of the capital on Thursday night.

None of the officers were injured during the incident but the attacker suffered a self-inflicted wound.

One source said: “This type of incident shows the danger Gardai face on a daily basis.

“The man armed with the knife was very threatening but thankfully no-one suffered any serious injuries.”

Gardai confirmed an investigation was underway.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai attended an incident at a property in Rathmines on the night of Thursday 20th February.

“Gardaí attended the scene and a male, aged in his 20s was removed from the scene to St James’ Hospital with self-inflicted wounds.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

stephen.breen@the-sun.ie

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Met Eireann issue new alert for 15 counties as heavy rain and strong gusts to hit with ‘difficult travel conditions’

MET Eireann has issued a yellow alert for 15 counties as heavy rain and strong gusts are expected tomorrow.

Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo will be covered under the warning from 2am to 3pm.

Ireland precipitation map showing rainfall in millimeters.
Heavy rain is on the cards for Ireland
Ireland temperature forecast map.
Temperatures will reach 14C this weekend

The alert reads: “Very strong and gusty southerly winds together with spells of heavy rain.

Possible impacts include difficult travel conditions, localised flooding, fallen trees & loose debris and poor visibility.

After 3pm tomorrow, another wind warning will kick in for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo due to “very strong and gusty southwesterly winds.”

The alert will be valid from 3pm tomorrow until 12am on Monday.

The UK Met Office has also issued a wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry.

The alert will begin at 3am on Sunday and continue until 3pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, good sunshine is expected across the country today.

Met Eireann said: “A bright and largely dry day with good sunshine and some passing showers, mainly across the southwest, west and north.

“Highest temperatures of 10 to 13C in light to moderate southwest winds.

“Mainly dry and clear to start tonight. Rain will spread from the west overnight, reaching eastern areas by morning.

“Rain will be heavy in the west and southwest with spot flooding possible.

“Becoming very windy with southerly winds increasing strong to near gale force, reaching gale force on coasts.

“Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8C.

“Sunday morning will be wet and windy with very strong and gusty southerly winds and widespread rain, heavy in many areas with some spot flooding.

“Rain will gradually clear eastwards through the afternoon with scattered blustery showers following, some heavy with isolated thunderstorms possible.

“Winds will decrease fresh as the rain clears. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14C.

“Sunday night will bring clear spells and scattered showers, the showers heaviest and most frequent in the west with hail and isolated thunderstorms possible.

“Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7C with fresh southwest winds, easing a little overnight.”

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Latest Peppa Pig theme park set to open NEXT WEEK with five new rides and nine play areas for kids

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements, Image 2 shows The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements, Image 3 shows The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements

THE latest Peppa Pig theme park is set to open next week with five new rides and nine play areas for kids.

It will be open every day from 9am to 5pm and parking is free.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1
Merlin Entertainments
The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements.
Guests should bring swimming costumes if they want to enjoy Muddy Puddles Splash Pad
Merlin Entertainments
The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements.
The park holds a fun fair and balloon ride
Merlin Entertainments

The Dallas-Fort Worth theme park will open Saturday, March 1.

It is located  in North Richland Hills at 8851 26 Blvd, USA.

The site will mirror another Peppa Pig theme park in Winter Haven, Florida which opened in 2022.

The theme park will feature play areas, daily live shows, dining, shops, games and music.

Admission starts at $27.99 per person and tickets are available now.

Fans can also add wearable Peppa Pig ears for $4.99.

Superfans can even consider buying an annual pass at $99 per person.

It works at both the theme park and Peppa Pig’s World of Play in Grapevine which is just 20 minutes away.

The park is open to all ages and kids under two-years-old don’t need a ticket to enter.

Its five rides include Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure, Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride, Mr. Bull’s High Striker and Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride.

All riders must be accompanied by someone over 14-years-old and some rides have height requirements.

Two of the nine different play areas include Peppa Pig’s Treehouse and Rebecca Rabbit’s playground. 

Guests should bring swimming costumes if they want to enjoy the Muddy Puddles Splash Pad.

They can also bring bottled water and small snacks and meals that do not require heating.

Soft-sided insulated bags are allowed but should be no larger than 8.4 inches wide, 6 inches high and 6 inches deep.

Visitors in need of a break from the outdoor fun can attend The Cinema which shows “Peppa Pig” episodes.

Plus, Peppa Pig and her family perform live every day with songs and games at Mr Potato’s Showtime arena.

There’s also onsite dining at Miss Rabbit’s Diner and fans can grab a souvenir from Mr Fox’s Shop which sells toys, apparel and exclusive merchandise.

All staff have received autism sensitivity and awareness training and the park is a Certified Autism Center.

It also features an accessibility guide which shows reviews of every attraction based on how someone with sensory processing issues may be affected.

The theme park is also cashless and visitors are advised not to bring coolers and bags with wheels, alcohol and glass containers or hard-sided coolers.

Bags and personal items may be searched upon arrival.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements.
One of the rides includes Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster
Merlin Entertainments
The Dallas-Fort Worth Peppa Pig theme park opens Saturday, March 1. Here’s everything future visitors need to know, from parking to height requirements.
Tickets are available now and prices are subject to availability
Merlin Entertainments

Peppa Pig theme park locations around the world

  • Günzburg, Germany: Europe’s first single Peppa Pig theme park, next to LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort
  • Florida: The Peppa Pig Theme Park at LEGOLAND Florida
  • Dallas, Texas: The Peppa Pig World of Play at Grapevine Mills
  • Heide Park, Germany: Features Peppa Pig Land
  • Gardaland, Italy: Offers Peppa Pig Land
  • Paultons Park, UK: Features Peppa Pig World

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Chateau DIY stars put incredible French home up for sale after C4 show – for an eyewatering £2.5 MILLION

A COUPLE who found fame on Chateau DIY have put their incredible French home up for sale for an eyewatering £2.5 MILLION.

The Channel 4 show celebrates the trials and incredible transformations of British families restoring ancient properties from all areas of France.

Château de Brives reflected in a pond.
Chateau DIY
This stunning property from Channel 4’s Chateau DIY is up for sale[/caption]
A man and woman stand in front of a chateau.
Chateau DIY
Owners George and Sarah have put the property up for sale after renovating it themselves[/caption]
Sunlit interior of a chateau with antique furniture and decor.
Instagram/@chateaudebrives
This impressive pile has been restored to its original beauty[/caption]
Circular landing with spiral staircase and patterned rug.
Chateau DIY
The French home looks like a hotel inside[/caption]
Château de Brives at night.
Chateau DIY
This chateau certainly has the wow factor[/caption]

Chateau DIY made stars of Sarah and George when they opened their magnificent home up to the show in season 4.

The couple have renovated the property themselves, and spared no expense when it came to attention to detail.

Sarah and George bought the chateau almost 15 years ago, and have split their time between the UK and their French home ever since.

When they first purchased the property, major renovations were needed in the first few months just to make the place habitable. 

At the same time as renovating the chateau they were also raising their two children.

The pair already had plenty of experience in restoring period properties before they bought the chateau.

Fans watched in awe as Sarah and George took viewers on a tour of their home on Chateau DIY, and now it’s up for sale.

For a cool £2.5M this French dream home could be yours.

Built in 1823, this chateau includes seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

If that wasn’t enough there is a wine cellar, basement, office and laundry room.

The property also includes a guest house, which includes a kitchen, dining room, living room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

There is also a swimming pool and pool house, plus plush gardens, woods and meadows.

SUCCESSFUL SHOW

Chateau DIY is so popular with viewers that it was recently revealed how Channel 4 have commissioned more episodes of the hit programme.

Historically the show has been commissioned as 30 hour-long episodes, but the new order has been expanded to 45 episodes each series, for the next two years.

Spiral staircase and large patterned vase in a chateau.
Instagram/@chateaudebrives
The chateau has a showstopping staircase which was handcrafted[/caption]
Dining room table centerpiece with candlesticks and daffodils.
Instagram/@chateaudebrives
The attention to detail is spectacular[/caption]

Streaming figures for Chateau DIY have increased every season.

When the show airs on Channel 4, it is always given the prime 5pm slot, securing a peak audience share.

The last series averaged a 622,000 audience, comfortably above the 480,000 channel benchmark.

Joff Hatfield-Powell, who has helmed Chateau DIY since its launch said: “Chateau DIY is a well-loved franchise which continues to deliver on linear and streaming so I am delighted with Channel 4’s increased commitment for more”

The Chateau DIY brand also includes the More 4 spin-off series Chateau DIY: Living the Dream which takes a look back at the British families buying and renovating beautiful chateaux in France.

Chateau DIY is available to stream on Channel 4.

Château de Brives.
Chateau DIY
George and Sarah have lived at the property for 15 years[/caption]

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