mirror • 29/11/2022

'I feel like I've failed as a dad as I can't afford Xmas presents for my sons'

The most wonderful time of the year for many households across the UK is full of gift giving and festive foods but a growing number of struggling families are wondering how they will cover the cost of Christmas this year. One dad of three has told The Mirror how he is concerned that he can't afford to buy presents this year for his teenage children as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. David* works part time due to ongoing health issues, including long Covid, and relies heavily on so

mirror • 24/11/2022

Ex-campmate Roman Kemp says Matt Hancock won’t win I’m A Celeb

Being in the I'm A Celeb jungle is a unique experience for everyone, with celebrities facing their fears and rising to the challenges - or failing to get stars and shouting "get me out of here!" Roman Kemp remembers his time in the jungle fondly and has weighed in on this year's campmates and offered a unique way of getting though the bushtucker trials. The Capital FM DJ entered I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here back in 2019, charming the public and going all the way to finish third after

mirror • 30/11/2022

'Undercover rivals and Barry from EastEnders - World Cup fan zones are bonkers'

They were the place to be last night - filled with copious pints, fans, pumping music and the Qatar World Cup branding. Excitement filled the air as supporters from England and Wales flocked in to their fan zones for the match last night. In the Tramshed in Cardiff, and Boxpark in Wembley, the respective flags and bunting were out, the shirts and bucket hats were on and there were many barrels of beer to be drained. And despite both sites being strictly for home fans only, there were some cheek

mirror • 28/11/2022

Roman Kemp jokes 'dad doesn't want him home for Xmas' as family ditch presents

Buying Christmas gifts for family members can be one of the hardest parts of the festive season with pressure to get them the perfect present to unwrap. These problems don't get any easier when your dad is a chart legend turned soap star and your mum is a pop sensation - a problem DJ Roman Kemp knows only too well. Roman laughed and told The Mirror: "To be honest, my dad is the hardest person to buy for!" The 29-year-old is the son of Spandau Ballet bassist, Martin Kemp, 61, and Shirlie Kemp,

mirror • 23/11/2022

Family 'unable to afford Christmas' after mum dies on daughter's birthday

As houses across the land switch on their Christmas tree, hang decorations and squabble over Quality Street, life looks a little bit different for one family this year. The festive month feels distinctively different this year - after their “rock” mum-of-five Ellen Louise Francis died from brain cancer, six days after a terminal diagnosis, aged 35 - on her daughter Donna Marie’s birthday. The heart wrenching loss has left the family bracing for their first Christmas without her - but there are

mirror • 23/11/2022

'I'm Gen Z and I tried this odd 90s pizza topping - it was actually delicious'

Pizza toppings are a divisive topic with the great pineapple debate raging on for years as well as new questionable flavour combinations cropping up. Some dedicated pizza connoisseurs stick to the classics like pepperoni or margherita while others venture into short-lived hot dog stuffed crusts that are doomed to be discontinued. Not all discontinued flavours are gone forever it seems as one 90s classic, discarded for 19 years has been resurrected by it's manufacturer - the Heinz Beanz Pizza.

mirror • 21/03/2023

Psychologist slams 'harmful' and 'sexist' remarks about Sydney Sweeny's figure

Actress Sydney Sweeney is best known for her role as Cassie Howard in the smash hit show Euphoria but has been popping up as one to watch in other works like The White Lotus and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Sydney recently opened up about how she was "ostracised" at a young age for her body developing faster than her peers and was trolled for her nude scenes in Euphoria. This has sparked a viral outpouring on Twitter of women sharing similar stories in solidarity with the 25-year-old actress

mirror • 10/03/2023

Incredible tale of Bridgerton's 'rags to riches' Pomeranians that steal the show

With all the flair of the Regency period in Netflix's Bridgerton it can be hard to steal the spotlight but some fluffy cast members have won over fans' hearts - and we're not talking about Colin's new beard. Queen Charlotte's dogs have been a firm fixture since season one with the tiny pomeranians never far from actress Golda Rosheuvel's side. These furry co-stars are popular with fans but many don't realise they are rescue dogs who became stars. The Mirror caught up with Julian Bennet from So

mirror • 07/03/2023

'I've been piercing for 30 years and these are things clients should never do'

Getting a new piercing can be super exciting and over the years, they've become less of a subculture and more of a popular trend, with stacked ears on anyone from celebrities to parents. But with a trend boom comes risk as many forget that piercings are actually an open wound that needs time to heal - especially if they're new to the piercing world. Matthew Harris, 59, started famed London studio, Metal Morphosis, with his father over 30 years ago and now runs it with his son Ben. The pair tol

mirror • 02/03/2023

Gen Z men more likely to have watched Andrew Tate than heard of Rishi Sunak

Controversial figure Andrew Tate remains in detention in Romania for alleged human trafficking and organised crime, losing his most recent appeal to authorities against his continued detention. Despite remaining under investigation, his hoards of followers continue to spread messages of misogyny online with imitators popping up claiming to be the 36-year-old. Tate's reach shouldn't be underestimated, as parents and teachers have raised concerns about young British boys parroting his rhetoric i

mirror • 24/02/2023

'I pierced Millie Bobby Brown, she sat through loads and didn't flinch once'

Piercings have always been trendy, with the Noughties favouring navel jewellery and punk nose rings in the Seventies and Eighties. Celebrities are the trend-setters, with fans asking for hairstyles, tattoos and piercings inspired by their idols. So where does your favourite celeb go to get their ear pierced? Often you'll find the answer is London's family run studio, Metal Morphosis. The piercing business has been open since 1991 with well known clients becoming a firm fixture of the expert st

mirror • 21/02/2023

'I tried to eat 12 pancakes in 12 minutes - it was disaster and didn't end well'

Who doesn't love Pancake Day? A glorious 24 hours when it's acceptable to eat delicious crepe after delicious crepe, with nobody allowed to judge the high pile of sugary toppings. So when my editor asked me to spend the morning taking on a pancake eating challenge, I thought I'd lucked out. The Breakfast Club is challenging people to eat 12 pancakes in 12 minutes - easy. I naively thought the mammoth pancake sprint wouldn't be so bad - surely a pancake wouldn't be that hard? Never have I ever

mirror • 20/02/2023

Couple's romantic trip ruined by trashed hotel covered in 'mysterious stains'

Loved-up couples often use Valentine's Day as an excuse to treat themselves to a romantic date night, sometimes even a weekend away. Regan Ellis and her partner were no different, planning a night out locally with dinner and a short stay in a hotel but when they arrived their getaway turned into a nightmare. They claim their room was an "absolute dump", covered in odd stains and left over bags of suspicious white powder - there was even the imprint of a face left on the window. When Regan wen

mirror • 27/01/2023

Psychologist's tips on body dysmorphia after TikToker's wedding dress confession

Your wedding day is meant to be filled with family, friends, and love but many brides and grooms face anxiety and pressure when planning their big day. One major concern for brides and grooms-to-be is how they look as all eyes are on them, which can be especially hard for those with body image issues. While some may thrive on dressing up and taking hundreds of pictures, those with the mental health condition Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) have a very different experience. Beauty influencer Mik

mirror • 16/01/2023

Drag Race queens break down amount they spent to go on show - despite no prize

Often described as the Superbowl of drag, Emmy winning show RuPaul's Drag Race has captivated fans since it's conception back in 2009. The UK version has amassed over 51 million streams on BBC iPlayer, becoming one of the most popular shows on the platform. This massive viewership has been pulled in by four seasons of high calibre drag acts who all bring with them a wardrobe full of looks, from Mr Blobby costumes to final 'eleganza extrazaganza' runways. It is no secret that this comes with a

mirror • 14/01/2023

Drag queens spill all on backstage disasters from RuPaul's Drag Race

RuPaul, queen of drag, tells her contestants that they "better work" if they want to have a chance of winning the top spot on RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Putting their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent on the line, the queens compete for the crown. That doesn't mean they're above letting off a little steam though and having fun throughout the challenges, especially when they spend weeks upon weeks without contacting the outside world. Mirror reporter Danni Scott went digging beyond the non-dis

mirror • 11/01/2023

Trans drag queen urges RuPaul's Drag Race to scrap outdated gender rules

For over 14 years, RuPaul's Drag Race has graced tv screens with versions branching out across the globe including the popular UK addition. Despite this run and around 230 queens having appeared on each version, it is only more recently that the show has opened its doors to queens of different genders. Since the UK version launched in 2019, an increasing number of queens have competed who don't identify as a man, something that was thought impossible in years past. Most recently the show featur

mirror • 10/01/2023

Queens share their eclectic picks to replace RuPaul if he ever leaves UK show

RuPaul's Drag Race is one of the most successful shows on the BBC with 51 million streams for the series by the time season four aired. This may come as a shock to those uninitiated into the world of drag, but for fans this is just the beginning. Season four of Drag Race UK is iconic for a number of reasons, including the first time an openly transgender queen had starred on the British show. Another, possibly overlooked, milestone was an episode in which head judge and host RuPaul Charles was

mirror • 12/01/2023

'I tested M&S's 'Magic Coffee' that is set to be bigger than the flat white'

I'll admit it, I am a newbie to the coffee world and tend to stick to the sweeter end of the coffee spectrum, my go-to being an iced caramel latte or a mocha in the winter. A latte variation is top pick, although sometimes these large drinks are too much when you just need a little caffeine boost. Enter Marks & Spencer's newest addition to their range - The Magic Coffee. It is a cross between a flat white and a latte, this confused me as the two drinks are already very similar just with differi

mirror • 04/01/2023

'I visited the 'worst place to live in the UK' - residents were fuming'

Every city has its quirks and dodgy streets along with shining landmarks that make residents proud. Most places are beloved by locals, who ignore or even embrace the not-so-great parts but for Peterborough hating the city is medal winning. The bustling city on the outskirts of Cambridge has been crowned worst place to live for the fourth time in five years, reclaiming the title from Aylesbury which won last year. According to an annual poll, the people of Peterborough have voted that their city