Woman ‘thrilled' after being crowned first Flatpack world champion
A woman has said she is 'thrilled' after becoming the first person to be crowned Flatpack world champion.
The Flatpack World Championships, which is in its first year, saw eight competitors battle it out to build flatpack furniture as speedily as they could, at the opening of Grand Designs Live at ExCel London on Friday.
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The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Russell Watson reveals he contemplated jumping from hotel balcony in suicide bid amid agonising brain tumour battle
He was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery when the tumour grew back RUSSELL Watson revealed he briefly considered ending his life after being diagnosed with his first brain tumour. The opera singer, 58, was recording an album in Los Angeles in 2006 when he paid a visit to Cedars-Sinai Hospital after suffering excruciating headaches. 3 Russell Watson has spoken in detail about his brain tumour battle 3 He revealed he contemplated jumping from a balcony after his first diagnosis in 2006 Credit: PA:Press Association Advertisement Russell had been experiencing them for months and on his flight to the States was in so much pain he was convinced he was going to die. An MRI scan revealed a pituitary tumour - later found to be benign - the size of two golf balls that required emergency surgery. Speaking on Kaye Adams' How To Be 60 podcast, he said: "My whole world came crashing down and the pain got worse – everything was exacerbated with the news of what he'd just told me. "I was staying in a hotel in Beverly Hills and I was on the 8th floor and it was the first time I'd ever felt this way. Advertisement "I can't explain the pain – I've never felt anything like it before or since – it was like a dagger being pressed into the centre of my head and twisted. "It was excruciating and for one moment I stood on my hotel balcony. I literally just thought: 'f**k this, I've had enough.' And I felt like jumping." Fortunately, his mind drifted to his family and he didn't go through with it. He continued: "And then the thought of the children entered my head and they were little girls then - they're not going to manage without me. Back in the room. Went and lay on the bed, rinsed my face with cold water and took the pain on." Advertisement Russell branded himself an "idiot" for staying in LA to complete his record before returning to the UK for a five-hour surgery at St George's Hospital, London. The classical singer was determined to finish the album that he felt at the time might be his legacy record were he to die. Russell Watson breaks down in tears on The One Show after brain tumour battle The impacts of the tumour, which was removed through his nose, are still felt to this day. Russell explained: "I'll be taking a lifetime of replacement drugs and hormones for as long as I'm here, predominantly to my pituitary gland which was pretty much decimated, so there's a constant reminder. "I have to take daily injections and tablets, particularly hydrocortisone, which I was told if I didn't take for a specific amount of time I wouldn't be here anymore. It's the lifesaving drug for me and growth hormones." Advertisement In 2007, disaster struck again when a regrowth of the tumour stopped Russell in his tracks while he was making another album. Help for mental health If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123 CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). Heads Together, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Once again he needed emergency surgery, this time at Alexandra Hospital, Greater Manchester. It was followed by radiotherapy as part of his rehabilitation. Last November, Russell broke down in tears on The One Show when he received a video message from the consultant who had looked after him. Mr Lackett told him: "17 years on from that brave decision to have the surgery and look what a glittering career you've had in-between. "I can't tell you how much the team and I were so proud to watch you and your progress after that awful night when you were taken into hospital as an emergency." Advertisement Emotional Russell responded by telling the hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp: "Oh deary me, what a man. And so lovely as well, so down to earth. Just a beautiful human being. "I will be eternally grateful to him." 3 The classical singer was determined to finish his album after his first tumor was found Credit: Getty Symptoms of a benign brain tumour A benign brain tumour is a mass of cells that grows relatively slowly in the brain. Benign means it in not cancerous. Non-cancerous brain tumours tend to stay in one place and do not spread. Some slow-growing tumours may not cause any symptoms at first. When symptoms occur, it's because the tumour is putting pressure on the brain and preventing a specific area of the brain from working properly. As the tumour grows and increases pressure in the skull, you might experience: New, persistent headaches that are sometimes worse in the morning or when bending over or coughing Feeling sick all the time Drowsiness Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision, loss of part of your visual field and temporary vision loss Epileptic seizures that may affect the whole body, or you may just have a twitch in one area See a GP if you develop any of these symptoms. They'll examine you and ask about your symptoms. If they suspect you may have a tumour or are not sure what's causing your symptoms, they may refer you to a brain and nerve specialist for further investigation. Source: NHS
The Irish Sun
06-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
Harry's response to charity row is typically him – blame others and then flounce off instead of trying to fix things
Harry has never learned to sit with discomfort, to fix what's failing - instead, he blames... then bails ROYAL BAILOUT Harry's response to charity row is typically him – blame others and then flounce off instead of trying to fix things PRINCE Harry has flounced out – yet again. This time, not from the monarchy. Not from a podcast deal. Not from the Army, that many believe he quit too soon. Advertisement 6 Prince Harry's response to the Sentebale row is typically him Credit: PA:Press Association 6 Harry exited the charity following an ugly row with the chair of trustees, Dr Sophie Chandauka Credit: PA 6 Harry co-founded the charity in memory of his mother, Princess Diana Credit: PA:Press Association This time, from Sentebale – the worthy African children's charity he co-founded in memory of his mother, Princess Diana. Once a passion project. Now just another scorched bridge. The exit wasn't quiet or dignified. It followed an ugly row with the chair of trustees, Dr Sophie Chandauka, a punchy Zimbabwean-born lawyer and major donor. Advertisement Several trustees stepped down, too. What followed was familiar: leaked emails, bullying allegations, duelling statements and headlines Harry tried — and failed — to control. Now comes the Charity Commission's verdict: No laws broken. But the rebuke was clear: governance failures, damaging behaviour and a serious lack of leadership. Advertisement Harry insists he was forced out. That the chair was impossible to work with. That the environment had turned toxic. What else could he do? Harry always throws toys out of pram - latest charity move is childish But leadership isn't about walking away when the mood turns. In any serious institution — royalty, the boardroom or charity — you don't storm out. Advertisement You stay in the room. You resolve the problem for the greater good. Instead, Harry bailed. Same old story. And like so many of his recent exits, this one fits the pattern. When pressure mounts and compromise is needed, he withdraws. Rather than engage, Harry flushed red and scarpered back to the luxury of Montecito, and Megs to mop his furrowed brow Robert It's a shame. Because Sentebale mattered. Advertisement Founded in 2006, it provides long-term support to children in Lesotho and Botswana affected by HIV and poverty. It wasn't a vanity project. It was purposeful — touching the lives of 100,000 youngsters — and at one point, so was Harry. I travelled to Lesotho with him twice. I saw the work up close. Those children in need of help didn't see him as a prince. They saw someone who listened, who cared, somebody who came back. Advertisement His presence wasn't performative. It was real. His royal rank and media profile opened doors. His conviction helped break stigma of HIV/AIDS, just as his late mother had done right at the outset of the fight. For years, he gave Sentebale visibility and momentum. It was, without question, his most meaningful contribution. But cracks appeared. His decision to quit royal life was costly. In 2023, Dr Chandauka initiated a financial review. Advertisement She flagged a sharp drop in donations following Harry's withdrawal from royal duties; income fell to £2.39million in 2020, though later rebounded. She reportedly labelled his image a 'reputational risk' and raised questions about whether he was now more liability than asset. Rather than engage, Harry flushed red and scarpered back to the luxury of Montecito, and Megs to mop his furrowed brow. No formal rebuttal. No quiet diplomacy. No attempt to repair. Advertisement He threw his toys out of the pram. He could have shown resolve, offered solutions, and strengthened the structure. Instead, he vanished. And that's what makes this so frustrating. Harry had no shortage of templates to help lead through turbulence. His grandfather, Prince Philip, oversaw the Duke of Edinburgh's Award for more than six decades — often in silence, always with rigour. His son Edward, the new Duke, is its leader. Advertisement His father, King Charles, spent years building The Prince's Trust — now the King's Trust — from a niche programme into a national institution. 6 Harry listens to American PR consultants and is guided, above all, by his Duchess, Meghan Markle Credit: Instagram His sister-in-law, Catherine, champions important causes such as early years development with longevity, consistency and focus. His brother, William, leads Earthshot, a well-structured mission with financial backing. Advertisement None of them walked out mid-crisis. They worked through it. Harry could have done the same. He could have stayed on the board in a non-executive role. Helped recruit new trustees. Brought in independent mediators. Stabilised the organisation rather than adding to the unrest. Advertisement But that would have required discipline — and a willingness to listen. 'Squandered legacy' Instead, he defaulted to the same script: leave, blame, reposition. And this time, the people most affected weren't palace courtiers or out-of-pocket podcast executives. They were the children of Lesotho — many living with HIV, others orphaned, some still stigmatised. Those were the ones who stood to lose most. Advertisement The pattern goes back further. His early exit from the Army — ten solid years of exemplary service, but he chose not to be a career soldier and go on, to rise further through the ranks and gain his braided uniforms on merit rather than royal birthright. His abrupt departure from working royal life. His mudslinging. His family ties frayed. Promises to reinvent himself in California have mostly yielded media spats, stalled projects and carefully lit documentaries. What's missing is institutional maturity. And staying power. Advertisement This isn't about empathy or charisma; Harry has plenty of both. But he's never learned to sit with discomfort, to fix what's failing. Instead, he blames. Then bails. Since relocating to Montecito, his inner circle of advisers has narrowed. 6 The Prince defaulted to the same script: leave, blame, reposition, pictured with charity leaders and Dr Chandauka far right Credit: Getty Advertisement He listens to American PR consultants and is guided, above all, by his Duchess, Meghan Markle — who built her brand around control and survival, not compromise or tradition. The problem is that leadership — particularly in the charitable sector — requires grit, continuity and people willing to challenge you, not flatter you. It's not that Dr Chandauka is beyond reproach. Under her tenure, annual accounts remain unpublished, and the next set is delayed until 2025. She may face valid questions. But here's the telling detail: the Commission didn't ask her to go. She stayed. Harry didn't. Advertisement Now his team says Harry will support African kids 'in new ways.' In practice, that means nothing. His seat at the Sentebale table is empty. His voice, once essential, is absent. It's the institutional equivalent of ghosting. And this wasn't just another cause. This was personal. Advertisement A living tribute to his mother. One of the few initiatives he helped build from the ground up. He could have pushed for reform. Brought in fresh trustees. Set a better standard. The Harry I saw in Lesotho back in 2006 –- he had a purpose. A spark. A sense of something larger than himself. Now, all we're left with is another clean break, and another promise unkept Robert The options were there. What they didn't need was drama. What they couldn't survive was abandonment. This isn't scandal. It's waste. A squandered legacy. A cautionary tale. Advertisement Another institution left to sweep up the debris of brand-driven burnout. The headlines will fade. The charity may recover. But something has shifted. The Harry I saw in Lesotho back in 2006 –- he had a purpose. A spark. A sense of something larger than himself. Now, all we're left with is another clean break, and another promise unkept. Advertisement When Harry chose the name Sentebale, it meant forget-me-not — a tribute to Diana and her favourite flowers. It was a promise never to let her memory fade. Well, sadly, it looks like he's done just that. Robert Jobson is a royal editor and the No1 bestselling author of Catherine, The Princess of Wales – The Biography
Irish Independent
06-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Father Ted star Pauline McLynn set for Coronation Street role
Press Association Father Ted star Pauline McLynn is set for a major role in long-running UK soap Coronation Street. The series is to welcome a new family who will run local pub the Rovers Return Inn. Catherine Tyldesley's character Eva Price, who was last seen on the show in 2018, will return alongside her latest partner and his mother, who are both new to the cobbles. Shameless actor Aaron McCusker stars as Eva's partner Ben Driscoll, with Father Ted's Pauline McLynn playing his interfering mother Maggie. Ben's two sons and Eva's daughter Suzie will also be joining the cast. Residents will discover that Eva and Ben are the new landlords in October, more than seven years after Eva stopped pulling pints to start a new life in France with her daughter. Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said: 'We are beyond thrilled that Eva is returning as the landlady of the Rovers, with her new blended family in tow. 'The Driscolls do not arrive quietly, so expect big drama, explosive secrets and raucous knees ups galore. To have actors of Catherine, Aaron and Pauline's considerable calibre at the beating heart of this family is absolutely wonderful, and we can't wait for you to get to know and fall in love with them as much as we have already done. 'Strap yourselves in, it's going to be an exciting and eventful ride.' A host of stars have left the British soap this year including Sue Cleaver, who spent 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw. Among the others who have left are Colson Smith, who played Craig Tinker on the ITV soap opera, and Luca Toolan, who played Mason Radcliffe. Coronation Street is shown on Virgin Media Television in Ireland. Sligo born McLynn (63) played housekeeper Mrs Doyle in iconic Irish comedy Father Ted. Among dozens of TV and film roles, she played Libby Croker in the Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless, Tip Haddem in the BBC One comedy Jam & Jerusalem, and Yvonne Cotton in EastEnders.
