My loving friend Meghan does not deserve to be called 'Duchess Difficult'. Shame on the foolish royals - the appalling events of this week have shown how wrong they are about her: BRYONY GORDON
I was at the 2018 Royal Foundation event to chair a panel on Heads Together, the mental health campaign I had worked on with the young royals.
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BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
'My trip down memory lane on Stockport's Dragon Miniature Railway'
It has been a wonderful journey so far as I reach the half-way point of my 25 in 25 series - a feature showcasing some of the best people and places in the north-west of for me, there are still so many lovely people and places to week I took a trip down memory lane.I've been going to the steam train in Romiley, Stockport, for many years - in my youth and now as a mum. My girls love the trains, Tara the tram and, most importantly, the pocket money in the car park of Dobbies Garden Centre, the Dragon Miniature Railway is a go-to place for families in the area, not least because the volunteers there welcome you with open you've bought your £1.50 train ticket (kids under two are free) the journey begins once volunteer Martin Kay has blown his whistle and says his infamous words: "Hold tight, off we go."The trains pass through the trees, alongside the main road, where the aim is to get as many cars to beep at you as possible. It then goes through the scary tunnel, over the bridge, stopping at the play park before heading off past the one-eared donkey and the field of in the park are donated by locals, looked after by volunteers, much like the trains which are maintained, driven and loved by I haven't ever stopped to question why the volunteers are there or the bigger impact the railway has on the wider Gordon volunteers for New Horizons, a narrowboat on the Marple canal which is equipped to take people with disabilities out on said the team at Dragon Miniature Railway were vital."They give themselves, their time and the money that they raise. They take none of it for themselves," he said."It all goes back to support local groups like ourselves at new horizon." Laura's son Joe, who has additional needs and is autistic, has been volunteering at the railway for four years now."Joining here has been like a whole new world for him," she said."He's learnt skills like driving trains, cleaning engines, learning to interact with people which he would never have done before."Leading the team at the Dragon Miniature Railway is Brian has been volunteering for more than 25 years and said the secret to the longevity of the railway was "happy staff, happy volunteers and a lovely customer base"."They are brilliant they support us through thick and thin and we couldn't manage without them," he added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
90s pop icon looks unrecognisable 26 years on from release of hit record
A legendary 90s pop icon looked unrecognisable in a new video, 26 years after releasing a major hit record. Lolly - whose real name is Anna Shantha Kumble - shocked fans as she landed on her TikTok platform, looking worlds away from her eccentric 90s look. The British singer and dancer, 48, is well-remembered for bangers as the 1999 single Viva La Radio as part of her First Album, releasing chart-topping hits as Mickey and Big Boys Don't Cry. She followed with a second studio album called Pick 'n' Mix in 2000, reaching the 80th position in the UK chart. Apart from the two albums, the pop star released five top 20 singles over her two-year career in music. And now, Lolly took to her social media platform calling out all the nostalgics as she introduced herself. Lolly - whose real name is Anna Shantha Kumble - shocked fans as she landed on her TikTok platform, looking worlds away from her eccentric 90s look (pictured in 2000) 'Hello. It's Lolly here. A blast from your past. Or maybe not?,' she said. 'Yes so I am Lolly. I sang some songs back in 1999 and 2000. Can you guess what they are?' the singer asked fans. She concluded: 'Well, you know what? Follow my channel and you can ask me any questions and I will spill all the beans.' The music alum looked as she didn't age a day sporting a stylish baby blue blouse, while plenty of music records were visible behind her in the room. Throughout the years, Lolly also acted as a stand-in for presenter Anna Williamson some Saturday and Sunday mornings on now-axed kids show Toonattik on CITV. The TV star also joined West End productions starring in both Starlight Express and even played the iconic Priscilla Presley in Elvis. She continued to work on her music and in 2018 released a single titled Stay Young and Beautiful - her first in 18 years at the time. In 2020, Lolly's follow-up single was titled Paper Rain. 'Yes so I am Lolly. I sang some songs back in 1999 and 2000' she said. 'Can you guess what they are?Well, you know what? Follow my channel and you can ask me any questions and I will spill all the beans'
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jessie J reveals she needs to have more surgery after being rushed back to hospital following mastectomy and breast cancer battle
Jessie J has revealed she needs to undergo more surgery, days after she was rushed to hospital with an infection and fluid on her lungs. The singer, 37, has been recovering from a breast cancer surgery in June, which saw her undergo a mastectomy. While she is now back at home, the Price Tag singer revealed on Friday that she'll soon be back in surgery, yet insisted she wouldn't let it get in the way of parenting and making new music. In a lengthy Instagram post, she shared: 'I can rest, parent AND release new music. 'I didn't leave a major label after 18 years to be scared to re write the rules to fit around my life / health and just make it realistic on what I can deliver in all roles in my life.' She then revealed her upcoming surgery when she penned: 'Another surgery needed this year. I can do it.' Jessie continued: 'Raising a toddler. I can do it. Releasing new music. I can do it. 'It will look different to what I had planned but that's life, things change and either we panic and get mad that it isn't what is was going to be, or we ADAPT. 'I'm just flowing with life and giving the best I can. Instead of stopping and disappearing and waiting for the timing to be perfect to release music again. 'It's never the perfect time. Because grown up life is layered and has highs and lows and we just have to keep living in all of it. So here I am. LIVING. 'And I just want you to have the music. Deal?' On Monday, Jessie issued a health update after being rushed back to hospital with fluid on her lungs. She wrote on Instagram: 'I finally got a diagnosis of what's been going on. Lots of people have been asking, apparently it's called… Dramatic? I think that's the spelling. My symptoms are the same and no idea what's wrong yet. But my sarcasm and sense of humour are holding on.' Then, filming herself in a video, the star gave a further update as she noted how she sometimes felt like she was 'hanging on by a thread.' Jessie firstly told how her video was the first 'real time' she'd uploaded since her surgery as she'd been focusing on resting rather than creating new content. She then added: 'I think people think that I'm like hanging on by a thread… which in some moments has felt that way. 'Like two or three days ago when I woke up and I couldn't breathe. I still have pain in my chest when I breathe, but it's not as bad.' The Price Tag hitmaker remarked that she had 'very few other symptoms' now, joking that she hoped it was just a 'viral p**s take'. After mocking her appearance, Jessie then informed her followers that she was feeling 'a lot stronger', telling how after she was resting after being urged to do so by many. Discussing her recent health setback, Jessie suggested that it was possibly because her immune system is low, adding that she's not feeling 'any worse' and is resting. She went on to thank her mother being her 'hero', as well as other loved ones who came over to help with her son Sky, two, or chip in with household tasks. She said: 'I'm very grateful for my little gang.' It comes after the performer took to Instagram Stories on Sunday to share that she had been readmitted to hospital, and has since been told she has an infection. On Monday, Jessie issued an update on her health days after revealing she'd been rushed to hospital with an infection and fluid on her lungs Sharing a photo from her hospital bed, Jessie shared a snap of an IV canula in her hand, and admitted she's found the recovery from her surgery the 'most mentally challenging time.' In the post, she wrote: 'How I spent the last 24 hours. 6 weeks post surgery and I was back in the same ward I was after my surgery. Not expected or planned.' She went onto reveal: 'I had and still have symptoms that pointed towards a blood clot on the lung. IT IS NOT A BLOOD CLOT THANK GOD. 'They ran a lot tests, which ended up showing I have an infection (still trying to figure out what) and a little fluid on my lungs. 'Finding it hard to breathe in, but I discharged myself last night (I hate being in hospital) and will continue the investigation as an outpatient.' In a second post, Jessie wrote: 'I know many people who will have gone through this or similar may or may not agree with me on this or not, and that's OK. 'But I know for me, the true hard journey of this whole thing physically was the day I went into surgery. The recovering physically is far from quick or easy, and mentally it's been the most challenging time for me. 'Especially as a Mum with a toddler and being unable to be the mother I usually am. 'And having to change the plans for my career for this year has been frustrating after working so hard to get to the point and excited to do it all. But it's life. I know that. 'And don't get me wrong, getting the all clear was an is incredible, but that result didn't speed up or make the recovery from the surgery any easier physically.' In her final post, Jessie told her followers that the health scare has been a stark reminder that she still needs to 'slow down' while she continues her recovery from surgery In her final post, Jessie told her followers that the health scare has been a stark reminder that she still needs to 'slow down' while she continues her recovery from surgery. She added: 'A reminder to myself to slow tf down even though I feel like I'm at a [turtle] pace right now. 'This isn't a speedy recovery. And it isn't meant to be. As an ADHD Ariest fire breathing dragon T-Rex, I can do it myself, I'm always OK woman. 'That slow pace has been a hard reality to accept tbh. I love moving and working and being up and active but I can't be right now, and that's what it is. 'And I am finding the strength in knowing that all can be adjusted to align with a slower pace and the support of my very small inner support circle YKWYA. Thank you. 'My body and immune system said ''sit down d***head''.' Jessie previously admitted she went into 'survival mode' upon learning of her cancer diagnosis, but is now letting herself feel angry and sad in equal measure. Sharing an Instagram post in June, she wrote: Jessie wrote: '2 weeks post surgery. Had my drain out 2 nights ago. She said breathe in and take a hard breathe out. She whipped that thang out so quick. Woii oii. Weirdest feeling. But so nice to have it out after 12 days. 'Now it's just me and my wonky boobs trying to figure out how to dress until I match them up. The left one is looking at me like 'you ok babe?''. She continued: 'Also my experience was when I was diagnosed I went into survival mode. 'There was so much going on with appointments and in my mind esp with a toddler I had just moved and was about to start this campaign after 8 years away. Mad. 'I didn't really have a lot of time to process what was happening or what was going to happen. So I'm currently experiencing some delayed sadness and frustration by having time to process what IS happening. 'A little disappointed in myself I didn't say goodbye to my old boob enough. Sounds silly but that's where I'm at. Again that's my journey. I'm sure others feel different. 'But for me I didn't think beyond the surgery. I was just being strong. Well now I'm here and letting myself be angry and sad and all the things. Just for a few days. 'Then I will sew some padding in a bra to even them out order some t-shirts and crack tf on'. Jessie previously confirmed that she is not cancer free, a day after posting her hopes to be rid of the disease. The singer said last month her previous post had been 'misunderstood' and while she was 'praying' for good news, the cancer at present had unfortunately not 'all gone'. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated? What is breast cancer? It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts. When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule. Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare. Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body. The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated. What causes breast cancer? A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign. The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit. How is breast cancer diagnosed? Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours. Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer. If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray. Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used. Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour. Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying. Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer. How successful is treatment? The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure. The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 71 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
