Five Wearside stories you might have missed this week
A new lease of life for a disused church, repairs of a much-loved pier and the start of a year of music - these are just some of the things that made the news this week.Here are five Wearside stories you might have missed.
Pier repairs begin
Top honours for community volunteers
Volunteers have been awarded the highest honour their local authority can grant for outstanding services to the community.Chester-le-Street residents John Adey and Jimmy Carroll were among those given a Chairman's Medal by Durham County Council thanks to their community efforts to commemorate those from the borough who have fought and died in wars.The pair were instrumental in creating the town's Remembrance memorial and annual parade, offering residents opportunities to reflect and pay their respects.Also recognised were volunteers from the Open Door Church for their support for vulnerable residents across Willington.
Film festival returns with packed programme
A film festival has returned with its biggest programme yet, according to bosses.The Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, which is now in its 10th year, will show more than 200 films at venues across the city centre until Sunday.Festival director Chris Allan said it had seen its most popular year and had received more than 1,100 entries, hundreds more than in 2024.Read more about it here.
New lease of life for disused church
A historic church building could become an adult learning and arts centre.Sunderland City Council's planning department has approved the change of use of St Mary's Church in South Hylton.The Grade II-listed structure, which sits on the corner of Wear Street and Church Street, dates to the 1800s and has been vacant for some time.Read more about the plans here.
Opening acts for music year announced
Chart-topping indie rockers Franz Ferdinand and acclaimed singer-songwriter Adele Sandé are to kick off a year-long major celebration of music.The two acts will launch the Sunderland Year of Music 2025-2026 in June.It will mark Franz Ferdinand's return to Wearside for the first time in more than a decade, while Sunderland-born Sandé - formerly known as Emeli - will be making her stage debut under her real name.The gigs will kickstart a week of special live events across the city.Read more about it here.
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Love Island viewers horrified as bombshell makes ‘disgusting' sex revelation
LOVE Island viewers were left horrified tonight when new bombshell Remell Mullins made a disgusting sex confession during a racy game. Tonight saw Remell arrive in the Love Island villa on Wednesday night's episode and wasted no time in making an impression. 2 2 The Islanders gather to play truth or dare and he was asked to reveal a secret about himself. Remell then casually said: 'The most people I've slept with in a night is five.' His new co-stars were visibly stunned by the revelation and viewers at home rushed to comment. One wrote on social media: 'Remell why did you choose to disclose that??? Men are so weird.' Someone else said: 'Remell you should've taken that secret to the grave.' Another wrote: 'Remell five in one night is just greedy and nasty.' And a fourth added: 'Remell was definitely boasting with that 5 girls in a night revelation and that backfired massively. What a child.' Remell wasn't the only Islander to make a confession about his bedroom antics tonight. Tommy Bradley claimed he's never stayed in bed with a girl overnight before. He made the statement as he told his villa partner Megan Clarke that she would be his first experience of sharing a bed with someone overnight. Love Island fans spot clue islander is 'faking' claim he has never shared a bed with a girl But fans were not convinced. One commented: 'So how's Tommy been in a relationship but said he's never shared a bed with a girl?.." Love Island 2025 full lineup Harry Cooksley: A 29-year-old footballer with charm to spare. Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition. Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart. Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. Ben Hullbra: A model ready to make waves. Megan Clarke: An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. Aaron Buckett: A towering 6'5' personal trainer. Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro Antonia Laites: Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. Rose Selway: Beauty salon owner from Devon who runs 12 aesthetics clinics, boasting a famous clientele including former Love Islanders Departures:
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island fans left in shock as three non-coupled islanders sneak off to the hideaway as rule change pays off
Love Island fans were left in shock after watching three non-coupled islanders sneak off to hideaway during Wednesday's episode. Ben Holbrough and Shakira Khan, who were originally coupled up, head to the secret suit for a chat, where he confessed he was still interested in her. Later, Helena Ford and Harry Cooksley had a cheeky chat, where they suggested they should 'sneak off in the middle of the night' to the romantic room - just days in to the show. During a raunchy game of dares, the semi-pro footballer whispered in the air hostess' ear, 'hideaway', leaving Shakira furious. The pairing will come as a shock to viewers as Harry was chosen by Shakira to couple up with during Tuesday night's dramatic recoupling. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Elsewhere during the episode, Shakira and Blue - also not in a couple - shared a passionate kiss in the hideaway garden. The luxury space includes a bed and hot tub and offers the Islanders, who can now enter with anyone, complete privacy. Love Island fans are set to enjoy the X-rated sex scenes happening in the famous Hideaway for the very first time in five years, according to bosses' comments. 'If sex happens, we'll show it. The Hideaway will be open 24 hours,' Mike Spencer, Love Island's Creative Director said. He added: 'We need to keep the show fresh and exciting. After 10 years, the stats speak for themselves. The show will continue to thrive.' Although the usual play of Love Island is to couple up with one other person from the opposite sex - bosses are hoping for potential throuples in the villa this year as they 'tear up the rule book' and install new furniture to create drama. The Love Island villa was left extremely shaken during Tuesday night's show as Sophie Lee was axed from the show, and two new bombshells arrived. Following the arrival of first bombshell Toni, who surprised the singletons at the close of Monday's episode, Semi pro footballer Shea Mannings and fitness influencer Remell Mullins are the latest arrivals. Fans took to X to share that they are unsure about the new hideaway rule Shea, who is a Scaffolder from Bristol, revealed he has a young son, and he will be taking that 'into consideration' when coupling up. He added: 'She needs to be bubbly and we need to have that initial spark. She needs to have a nice personality - like I think I have - so that we match together.' Meanwhile, Remell is a Self Improvement Content Creator who boasts a massive 18million likes and half a million followers on TikTok. Remell shared he is looking for 'a bubbly, confident, ambitious and fun girl' with 'a nice smile, nice teeth and someone that can keep me on my toes.' When asked where he might be found in the villa in the morning, he replied: 'I might be cooking a nice high protein meal, I might be doing my skincare routine, something to level up.' The bombshells will make their arrival during Wednesday's episode. Tuesday's episode saw Maya Jama return to the villa to send Sophie home, after Shakira picked to couple up with Harry in a shock twist. Fans were confused at the Love Island producers decision to dump Sophie before bringing in two new male bombshells. One wrote on social media platform X: 'They shouldn't have sent Sophie home!! The producers are so cruel mahnnnn'; 'Two bombshells coming in tomorrow night, they should have just let Sophie stay. This is unfair' Sophie Lee NAME: Sophie Lee AGE: 29 FROM: Manchester OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self. NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! Tommy Bradley NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair NAME: Alima Gagio AGE: 23 FROM: Glasgow OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway. NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Megan Forte Clarke AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. NAME: Blu Chegini AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting! Shakira Khan NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. NAME: Kyle Ashman AGE: 23 FROM: Stafford OCCUPATION: Water operative WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I'd say I'd be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there. NAME: Shea Mannings AGE: 25 FROM: Bristol OCCUPATION: Scaffolder WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? She needs to be bubbly and we need to have that initial spark. She needs to have a nice personality - like I think I have - so that we match together. Also, I have a little boy, so I'll be taking him into consideration with who I couple up with, too. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I'm confident to go up and introduce myself and say, 'You look beautiful', to get a conversation flowing. NAME: Remell Mullins AGE: 24 FROM: Essex OCCUPATION: Self Improvement Content Creator WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A bubbly, confident, ambitious and fun girl. One feature that stands out to me is a nice smile, nice teeth and someone that can keep me on my toes. IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of flirting. Sometimes it's just unintentional.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Prince Andrew appears in high spirits as he enjoys horse ride around Windsor
Prince Andrew looked to be in high spirits as he joined his late mother's long-standing stud groom Terry Pendry for a horse ride around Windsor today. The King's younger brother, 65, beamed in excitement as he sported riding gear, including a helmet and gloves, along with a khaki jacket this afternoon. Alongside him was Mr Pendry, who rode with Queen Elizabeth for 28 years and was one of her most loved and trusted servants. On July 18, 2022, less than eight weeks before her death, she came down to the stables as usual to see her beloved horse Emma, bringing the steed a bag of carrots. There was, Mr Pendry has said, a quiet sense of finality to the 96-year-old's purpose, although nothing was said. The servant, who at one time looked after around 100 of the Royal Family 's horses and ponies, said: 'The very last time with her wasn't a ride, I walked. She was quite frail. 'She actually ended up being smaller than Queen Elizabeth [her mother], her last four years when she was quite poorly.' This afternoon, Mr Pendry sported a button-up shirt and tie along with a beige riding helmet as he joined Prince Andrew for the day out. Elsewhere, snaps from the day showed the royal at the wheel of a car, sporting a burgundy top. It comes amid a tumultuous time for Charles's brother, after Virginia Giuffre 's lawyer demanded an apology from Andrew in the wake of her death - after her family revealed she was prevented from seeing her children for months before she died. Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored in April, David Boies said the Prince had to take responsibility and even went on to request King Charles to intervene. 'I'd like to have him say, "I'm sorry", he sort of said that, but I'd like him to be more direct about that,' the acclaimed American attorney said defiantly on the talk show. 'I'd like him to say, even if he doesn't remember what happened, I think he needs to recognise that he had, he clearly had sex with young girls, with Jeffrey Epstein. 'I mean, he may not remember that it was Virginia, but he can't forget the event. And he needs to just come clean.' Virginia claimed Jeffrey Epstein and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell kept her as a sex slave, flying her around the world for sex with powerful associates. She later accused the Duke of York of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked to London. It led to him 'stepping back' from public life in 2019. He has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing. She then launched a civil lawsuit, alleging she was coerced into having sex with him. In 2022 the Duke agreed an out-of-court settlement – thought to be between £3 million and £12 million – despite denying he sexually abused her. The mother-of-three was found dead at her farm near Perth, Australia, on April 25, in what was believed to have been a suicide. Following her sudden death at the age of 41, Boies said: 'It's just a question of taking responsibility, accepting responsibility for what happened. Maybe he has a version of what happened, but he can't deny that he was with her. 'I mean, you've got the photograph, you've got the testimony from other people. Continuing to deny he didn't know her, he never met her, he had nothing to do with her. That's not productive. It's also not right. 'I think that he needs to take responsibility for what he did. Virginia was always more interested in fighting the sin than attacking the sinner, and I think that she would have accepted Prince Andrew taking responsibility, and would have recognised that. 'And I think that it's not too late. It's never too late… If he wants redemption, if he wants forgiveness, he's got to take responsibility for what happened. 'He came pretty close in that statement. It was a step in the right direction. And I think I hoped, and I think Virginia hoped, that he would take the next step as well. Andrew was pictured behind the wheel of a car from photos taken this afternoon, when he enjoyed a horse ride 'Unfortunately, for whatever reason, maybe his advisors, he didn't. But I think, as I say, it's not too late for him or for anyone'. MailOnline approached Prince Andrew's representatives for comment at the time. Karrie Louden, Giuffre's lawyer, told The Sun that the mother had showed 'no signs' of wanting to end her life. 'We've got big question marks over it. There's suicide, then there's misadventure', she said. Louden added that Virginia was planning the future, and looking forward to it just this time last week, and that 'things were positive'. 'The police were just very, very vague. I know that she's gone but I don't know. I'm not sure we'll ever know'. The Perth coroner confirmed their own investigation, but the report could take two years. Before she died, family members had expressed fears over her mental state. Her father Sky Roberts said his daughter was 'very depressed' and 'in really bad shape'. Speaking to People, Roberts explained his daughter had been grappling with the complexities of a restraining order her husband had taken out against her in February that prevented her from seeing her children aged 19, 16, and 15, until June. He claimed she had violated the order, which she denied. 'It's the worst pain in the world to not have access to your children,' Roberts said. 'Can you imagine the pain? I will tell you, all the physical (pain) will never amount to the pain of being separated from your children in that way.' Before she died, Virginia had been allegedly physically abused by her husband of 22 years, Robert Giuffre, the father of her three children, from whom she separated in 2023, Sky and sister-in-law Amanda said. Her husband has not responded to the allegations. Friends of the 41-year-old also said Giuffre was 'deeply upset' about being mocked over a picture she posted of herself in a hospital bed last month. She claimed she had been involved in a car crash that left her with only four days to live – but the accident was nothing more than a minor bump. A spokesman for Virginia said she had 'made a mistake' and had not intended to make the post public. But it led to claims that the episode had destroyed her credibility, with some of Andrew's supporters calling her a 'fantasist'. Emergency services received a report about a woman found unresponsive at a home in Neergabby, 12 miles north of Perth, at about 9.50pm local time on Friday. She was declared dead at the scene. 'She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking,' said her family's statement. Two weeks earlier, Virginia posted several photographs of her three 'beautiful babies', writing: 'I miss them so very much. I have been through hell and back in my 41 years but this is incredibly hurting me worse than anything else. Hurt me, abuse me but don't take my babies. My heart is shattered and every day that passes my sadness only deepens.' Following her death, Boies told Piers Morgan: 'She was an extraordinarily strong woman, ultimately brought down by years of abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and then later years of verbal abuse and attacks by [his] collaborators, but she accomplished a great deal without her courage and without her coming forward, Jeffrey Epstein would probably still be abusing young girls'.
