Barney took ketamine aged 16 to celebrate the end of GCSEs. A year later he was addicted. At 21 he was dead. Now his despairing mother reveals the true horror of drug so many are taking
When Deborah Casserly's son Barney started primary school, she and several other mums set up a book club.
Discussions of the latest bestseller were often relegated in favour of debate about their daily lives. As their children grew, the women supported each other through everything from divorce to illness via food fads and the first throes of teenage love.
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The Sun
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- The Sun
Love Island's Ben reveals Casa Amor game plan and admits he's not scared to step on toes
LOVE Island star Ben has revealed his Casa Amor game plan, and admitted he's not scared to step on toes. The hunky Islander, 23, is one of the new singletons looking for love on the ITV2 dating show. 4 And he spoke about the possibility of reaching the Casa Amor stage of the show, and how he'd act if he did. Ben told The Sun and other press: 'If I've got loyalty to a girl, I would do my absolute best to go and sleep outside on my own. 'But if we're kind of 50/50, and there's five new girls coming in, it's going to be hard not to just, you know. 'Basically, I've got to go and say hello, we've got to get to know each other, so at least we'll see when we're there I guess.' Ben also discussed his villa 'game plan,' adding: 'I'm not going to be afraid to step on anyone's toes. 'I think when you're in there you've got to look out for yourself, and you've got to get what you want in there at the end of the day. 'Everyone's in the same boat, so if it's early days in there and there's a girl I like and I have no loyalties to anyone, it's fair game.' And he's open to getting down and dirty in the villa - and has even worked out a way to hide his bedroom antics. About having sex in the villa, Ben said: "I can never say never, you know, you gotta take every day as it comes. "Who knows if there's a girl and I sharing a bed with and she's sexy, who knows what it's gonna cuddling every night, it could get carried away." Love rats & machete arrests: Love Island's most DRAMATIC launch ever?! The 6ft 2ins model from Gloucester teased: "The hideaway is there for the taking as well, so we'll wait and see. "I've already told my family that I will try and keep it as PG as possible, because I have my niece watching so I do need to make an effort to keep it PG. "But then again, there's nothing wrong with just putting a quick cover over, so I could just do that and people will think we're just having a quick cuddle, and that that is all it was." 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. Meghan 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 Departures: Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. Ben, who is a private hire taxi driver, is a big fan of showing off his six pack in mirror selfies on social media. In a video on his Star Now modelling page, he said: "My main line of work is modelling, which I've been doing for about five or six years now. "But when I'm not doing that, my hobbies are either going to the gym or playing football." Ben already has a connection to the reality TV world, as he is followed on Instagram by Married At First Sight star Lacey Island host Maya Jama will kick off the brand new series on Monday, June 9. 4
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island villa's most iconic snogging spot gets makeover – and it'll cause SO many rows
LOVE Island's boss has explained why this iconic spot in the villa has had a makeover for this year's series. Over the course of the show's run, the terrace has become notorious for naughty moments as islanders sneak away for one-on-one chats and private time. 6 6 6 It's also known for being the perfect spot for sneaky kisses – not always with who they are coupled up with. But as the series returns on Monday, this year's islanders will have nowhere to hide. Show boss Mike Spencer-Hayter revealed: "The walls for the terrace are lower and more see-through so not as secret as before." "I think we just felt like it was a bit too covered up," he added. "You can't see it fully, it's still private. But I think lowering it and the kind of fretwork turns out good. Extra gossip." Previously, the terrace was connected through the girls' changing area, had high walls which were made taller thanks to decorative flower walls. However, those have been stripped back in this year's series, with a long terrace now in place, with lower walling and no extra decoration. It makes the view of the terrace that more clearer from the garden, where most of the islanders tend to spend their days. Over the course of the show, the terrace has delivered iconic moments, including Ekin-Su crawling across the floor in order to be completely obscured as she made her move on Jay Younger. The terrace is not the only part of Love Island that's getting a switch-up – with the team aiming for twists bigger and better than ever before, starting in the first week. Top 10 funniest Love Island moments Mike told The Sun: "Something big is coming in week one. We've got a really big week one planned. It's hard to say what we're doing without saying it. "It's not a celebrity. We've not seen it before.' He added that changes will be noticeable from the very start of the series. He said: 'There will be things happening for the first couple of days we've not done before and certainly in week one. During that week, there's something incredibly big we've never done before. 'Hopefully we can do it. It's quite experimental. I just think you can't rest on your laurels, being like, 'This is really popular.' 'We have to keep it exciting and tear up the rule book a bit.' Love Island starts Monday at 9pm on ITV, ITV2 and ITVX. 6 6 6
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Glam Epsom racegoers turn heads at Ladies' Day with stylish dresses and bold headwear as they sip bubbly in the sun
LADIES' Day has kicked off in style at Epsom Races with women dressed to the nines for the racing action. From pastel midi dresses to jaw-dropping headpieces, many glamorous attendees have pulled out all the stops with their fashion looks - including Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo. 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 Jungle Queen Toff, 30, - who joined the likes of Gabby and Kenny Logan - was characteristically elegant in a brown polkadot shirt and white maxi skirt. Today is day one of The Betfred Derby Festival and guests appear in high spirits at the prestigious event. In typical Ladies' Day fashion, guests have donned their fanciest dresses as they pop bottles of bubbly to celebrate. Many have matched their fascinators and hats to their colourful ensembles for the full wow effect. And many groups of friends have been seen posing for selfies to document the day. Every year, the Surrey-based Epsom Downs Racecourse welcomes over 155,000 racegoers over the two-day racing bonanza. While the popular Ladies' Day is taking place today, the world's greatest Flat race, the Epsom Derby, is roaring back into action on Saturday. This year the event has been hit by yellow weather warning with thunderstorms and hail predicted to smash the famous track for the biggest race of the year. There is no official dress code in the Grandstand enclosure at The Betfred Derby Festival, but attendees are encouraged to dress to 'feel your best.' The website advises outfits can be anything 'from bright and bold to subtle and sophisticated.' Glam racegoers turn heads in for Ladies' Day at Epsom races with eye-catching dresses and hats despite the miserable weather They added: 'This is racing's most spectacular carnival, after all.' However, some clothing items are banned. The racecourse prohibits 'inappropriate or offensive outfits' or sports clothes featuring 'team colours" or 'team kits.' While the main areas of the racecourse are more relaxed, those with tickets for the Queen Elizabeth II Stand, will have to follow a formal dress code. 17 17 17 Guests should wear 'either black or grey morning dress with a top hat, service dress or full national costume is obligatory on Derby Day.' It adds: 'You must wear formal day dress or a tailored trouser suit, with a hat or fascinator.' The Epsom Derby is held at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey on the first Saturday of June each year, and it dates back to 1780. The iconic race is taking place on Saturday June 1 at 4.30pm BST and fans can watch the race live on ITV1 and Racing TV. What is the dress code for Epsom Derby? THE Epsom Derby takes place on the first Saturday of June each year and combines the best in fashion with thrilling horse racing. The main Grandstand has no official dress code, but Epsom encourages racegoers to come 'dressed to feel your best'. They advised guests to channel everything from "bright and bold to subtle and sophisticated." However, The Queen Elizabeth II stand does have a dress code and requests formal day dresses or suits with a hat or fascinator. But you can also follow SunSport where we will be providing you with all the latest news. The Epsom Derby is Britain's biggest race of the Flat season and so the country's leading middle-distance three-year-olds will look to make history in the stallion-making contest. The race features a big field of runners slugging it out over 12 furlongs on Epsom's iconic track. Jockeys, trainers and owners will all be dreaming of the £850,000 first prize and a chance to enter the sport's folklore. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
