Latest news with #Baftas
Metro
5 days ago
- Health
- Metro
Former CBBC child star reveals she's been diagnosed with perimenopause at 36
A former CBBC child star who became famous for one of the most iconic roles of the 00s has revealed her perimenopause diagnosis at age 36. Dani Harmer rose to fame playing Tracy Beaker on award-winning kids' show The Story of Tracy Beaker, which ran between 2002 and 2005. Based on the book of the same name by Dame Jacqueline Wilson, The Story of Tracy Beaker followed the lives of a group of kids living at a children's home they dubbed 'the Dumping Ground'. Across its five series, the show was nominated for five children's Baftas and became one of the most-watched and best-remembered CBBC shows of the era. Now, 20 years on from her TV fame, Dani has revealed she has been diagnosed with perimenopause after noticing hair-related symptoms. She posted a video on TikTok in which she asked for advice: 'I have been diagnosed with perimenopause. And what I need your help with is my hair.' In the video, Dani pulled back some of her hair to reveal that her famous curly locks, which became Tracy Beaker's signature style, were thinning out. Dani continued: 'I am losing it – it is thinning so badly you can see, like, the bald patches coming in, but just, like, the texture. It's thinning – it's bad, right?' '[Extensions] could be a terrible idea. They might make my hair even worse, to be honest, but it's really getting me down now,' she admitted to her followers. Talking about her diagnosis, Dani revealed that it was her husband, Simon, who encouraged her to get a diagnosis after her 'whole personality had pretty much changed'. She also revealed that she had been struggling with episodes of depression and anxiety, as well as night sweats, sleep interruptions, and brain fog. 'There was just too much to ignore,' she added. 'I felt like I was being possessed by someone else; it was horrible – I was just getting deeper and deeper into a dark depression.' Dani then said she is now managing her symptoms with HRT, which her doctors were more than happy to provide her with following a crucial appointment. Away from the cameras, Dani shares two children with Simon – son Leon, who was born in 2022, and daughter Averie-Belle, who was born in 2017. So loved was the Tracy Beaker series that it was rebooted in 2010 under the name Tracy Beaker Returns, which saw Tracy become an assistant care worker at the Dumping Ground. Dani then starred in The Tracy Beaker Survival Files from 2011 to 2012, My Mum Tracy Beaker in 2021, and The Beaker Girls between 2021 and 2023. More Trending A spin-off series titled The Dumping Ground began in 2013, featuring different characters, and has subsequently run for 13 more series to great success. Dani appeared on the series as a guest star in 2018 and reprised her role once more earlier this year, even directing an episode of the spin-off programme. She said of her experience: 'I loved being behind the scenes for an episode – it was very different being sat in the director's chair, but I enjoyed every single second of it – it felt like that was where I was meant to be!' View More » Watch episodes of The Story of Tracy Beaker on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC fans urge people to watch crime series 'that's like Gavin and Stacey' MORE: Psychological thriller labelled a 'masterpiece' coming to BBC iPlayer MORE: BBC quietly adds Australian drama that left fans 'crying their eyes out'
Business Mayor
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Business Mayor
The magic and madness of leaving London to start a vineyard in Somerset
How many of us dream of leaving the city, leaving our jobs, getting away from it all to do something more rural, more romantic — something like running a vineyard? In 2022, communication executive Sophie Brendel and her husband Panu Long, an event manager and drinks consultant, did just that. They upped sticks from London and moved to a 250-year-old Somerset farmstead, following their pipe dream of making their own organic cider and wine. Neither of them had farmed before. For some, the prospect would be terrifying. Brendel, however, goes with 'exhilarating'. 'There are lots of things we worry about,' admits Long of their burgeoning endeavour, launching this spring as Thornfalcon Winery and Press. Should a freak frost occur, for example, the couple are poised to run out at midnight and distribute lit paraffin candles, raising the temperature between the vines. More likely is a period of drought; they have on-site weather stations linked to five satellites, and irrigation from their on-site bore hole. Or deer cropping the vine shoots and destroying the growth; alarms are set up to scare them off with flashing lights — and BBC Radio 4 (deer don't like the sound of the human voice). It's easy to see why the couple were enamoured with the 40-acre property, though. In the village of Thornfalcon, between Taunton and Ilminster in south-west Somerset, the location is magnificent, with views across to the Blackdown and Quantock Hills. The farmhouse of blue lias (a local limestone) is flanked by wild-flower meadows, woodlands, a 2-acre swimming lake with swans and otters, and a further 30 acres of farmable land. There are two mature apple orchards, while the aspect and loamy soil of the fields provides a fertile bed for growing grapes. As climate change starts to make conditions in France's Champagne region unstable, the UK is becoming a beguiling terroir. Brendel and her husband Panu Long at the 40-acre property, which has wild-flower meadows, woodlands and apple orchards The house is built of blue lias, a local limestone, and has views to the Blackdown and Quantock Hills 'There's an extra level of pressure in that Thornfalcon is also our home,' says Brendel, who at 6ft in wellies and a denim dress, is brimful of energy and plans. 'We're all in.' Aptly, the couple met by the cider tent at Standon Calling festival in Hertfordshire. Neither was particularly green-fingered. Long's job shaking cocktails at the Met Bar (in its just-launched glory days in the late 1990s) evolved into a career running drinks at international events, such as the Baftas and Elton John's White Tie & Tiara Ball. At 6ft 5in, he is taller still than Brendel and, in contrast to her electricity, has a more laid-back charisma. Brendel, meanwhile, had gone from head of digital communications at the BBC to director of marketing and communications at the Victoria and Albert Museum. 'We spent our holidays exploring European vineyards and the cider orchards of Normandy,' says Brendel. 'We dreamt of setting up something of our own.' When the pandemic hit and the event world ground to a halt, Long took the opportunity to reskill with vine-growing and winemaking courses (he's still studying for his WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) diploma. Brendel continued as the nexus of the V&A's strategy as it expanded into a family of museums — until she contracted long Covid. She returned to her childhood home in Dorset, close to where Long grew up, and was bedbound for months. Long started out as a mixologist, becoming a drinks consultant and events manager, but is now reskilling in cider- and winemaking 'I found being in nature calming, centring,' says Brendel. They started the property hunt. But a year of looking in Dorset proved fruitless. Then their old friend, the fashion designer Alice Temperley, invited them to stay in her Somerset home, close to where her father makes the award-winning Burrow Hill Cider. 'It was the first of their Cider Bus Saturdays,' recalls Brendel of the now regular events. 'There were acrobats in the fields and a band; it was so bohemian and wonderful.' The next week the property at Thornfalcon came up for sale. They sold their home in Islington, north London, days later. In Somerset they have created a welcoming home that is a stylish mix of contemporary art and more traditional furnishings. All of the furniture — from the blue Chesterfield sofa by the fire in the living room, to the 19th- century Sussex chairs in the bedrooms — is second-hand. While still sick in bed, Brendel made mood boards of how she wanted the house to look and scoured online auctions. 'Panu suddenly started seeing all these boxes arrive, three months before we moved,' she says. 'I had a multicoloured spreadsheet of every item, where it was being stored, which room it was going into.' Two weeks after completing, their new home was furnished and ready to host a large family Christmas. The welcoming house mixes contemporary art and traditional furnishings, all of which is second-hand The bright farmhouse kitchen, with its coffeepots and hanging lavender and chillies Throughout the house, cushions and curtains were all made by Brendel. Much of the art, meanwhile, is from friends. Frames along the staircase reveal a birthday card drawn by artist Annie Morris alongside photos of their children, Lara and Sasha; a piece of gold ceramic that was a gift from Edmund de Waal (to celebrate the opening of the Young V&A in east London), and a letter from Brendel's father, the pianist Alfred Brendel, given at her 21st birthday. Read More The 10 Best vacuum cleaners The farmhouse kitchen is a warm, bright space looking out on to a small pond; there is a wide scrubbed wooden table, and a stove hung with strings of dried chillies and homemade lavender wreaths. On the table there's sourdough from Bonners deli in Ilminster and blue eggs from their Legbar hens. Along with land, they inherited doves, geese and a roost of ageing chickens. An elderly hen broke its leg six weeks after they moved in, says Brendel. 'I will never forget trying to memorise the 13 steps on wikiHow of how humanely to kill a chicken.' The vegetable garden produces lettuce, rocket, asparagus and gargantuan radishes Their new life has been 'a steep learning curve', says Long. 'We are fortunate the old owners became friends and advised us about managing the land.' Their gardener, artist Helen Knight, still tends to the vegetable garden, with its gargantuan radishes, multiple varieties of lettuce, rocket, peas and asparagus, building hazel wands around the foxgloves and peonies that promote cross-pollination. Estate manager Jeremy Carey has also stayed on. In 2023, the couple planted the first vineyard by hand, focusing on varieties traditionally used in Champagne: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Meunier. Last summer, they added hardier hybrid winemaking varietals, including Voltis and Cabernet Noir (which Long could layer into either sparkling or still wine). Their approach is as organic as possible: no herbicides, while local sheep — and their lambs — graze between the vines. Long reviews the keeved cider and Pinot Noir rosé in the winery's 750-litre steel tanks One of Thornfalcon's traditional basket wine presses The zero-sprayed, fully organic orchards, planted with mainly Kingston Black as well as Browns, Stembridge Cluster and Porter's Perfection, already produce some 10 tonnes of apples a year, though they intend to plant more. Using the farm's 150-year-old apple press, Long hopes to create their first limited edition of keeved cider this summer. 'Keeved is an off-dry cider, which finishes its fermentation in a champagne bottle,' he explains. 'It's not sweet, and is naturally carbonated like a sparkling wine would be.' I will never forget trying to memorise the 13 steps on wikiHow of how humanely to kill a chicken All going well, they will join a burgeoning moment in British cider — the Fine Cider Company distributes labels such as Naughton Cider and Find & Foster, at up to £35 a bottle, direct to consumers but also to Michelin-starred restaurants such as the Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, and Lyle's and The Ledbury in London. 'We are learning how to navigate marriage and setting up a business, which can't be one and the same thing,' says Long, stroking their black Labrador, Captain. 'You need to sit down and have meetings. It can go wrong if you assume you know what the other person is thinking.' The swimming lake is shared with swans and otters Where Long's purview is transforming plants to something you'd want to drink, Brendel has a wider brief. 'If it takes seven years from planting a vine to your first bottle of sparkling wine, we need to have a sustainable financial model which balances running costs,' she says. Central to this is accommodation. She designed a shepherd's hut, looking out across the vines: a charming bedroom with Lake August nasturtium wallpaper, a tiny log stove in the living room and a hammered copper bath out under the stars. This and the lambing shed, with its wood-fired bath for two, and the two-bedroom coach house can all be booked with access to the lake and a waterside wood-fired sauna — an essential addition since Long's mother is Finnish and he takes sauna seriously. 'We are learning how to navigate marriage and setting up a business, which can't be one and the same thing,' says Long Doves, geese and a roost of ageing chickens came with the farm Brendel brings to Thornfalcon a track record with business strategy. 'It is my background — what I did at the V&A and at the BBC,' she says. 'Now, as a strategic consultant, I'm working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Somerset House.' Still, it's been, at times, a bumpy ride. When the delivery of the shepherd's hut was delayed, it wiped out some eight months of rental income — 'and for a while it looked like the supplier might go bankrupt with our money: that's the challenge of wanting to work with smaller businesses'. Then there's the changing landscape of grants, with many vanishing since Brexit. Some costs, such as thatching the roof, keep rising. In the second phase of Thornfalcon's development, they will take on investment to convert a textured stone outbuilding that looks across the vines to Thorn Hill into an events space: as well as hosting supper clubs, plans include a wine school and corporate hospitality. Future plans for the estate include an events space for supper clubs, a wine school and corporate hospitality Plenty of people are ready to share the dream, and support it. A good deal of the first cider harvest was done in one day, when friends and their children from the village turned out to gather the windfall apples. They are also helped out by volunteers from the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms — Wwoofers — who come and work for five hours a day in exchange for board and lodging. 'It's a magic place, and we are excited to share it,' says Brendel, underlining a crucial element in her business plan. 'These days, if something doesn't bring me joy I am not interested.' Recommended Find out about our latest stories first — follow @ft_houseandhome on Instagram
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Vogue Williams opens up on death of father, husband's drinking and future plans
With Vogue Williams' new memoir Big Mouth out, the model told of her Made in Chelsea star husband's previous drinking, which she is glad is in the past. Vogue Williams with husband Spencer Matthews at the Baftas in London in 2023. Photo: Scott Garfitt/BAFTA via Getty Images Model and podcaster Vogue Williams has spoken of the red flags she noticed from her husband Spencer Matthews when they first got together. The couple, who have been married for the last eight years and share three children, previously co-presented the Spencer & Vogue podcast until last year. With Williams' new memoir Big Mouth out, the model told of her Made in Chelsea star husband's previous drinking, which she is glad is in the past. Her book covers her' life story, from growing up in Howth, to her parents' divorce, wild teenage years, college in Aberdeen, a nascent public career as a DJ, model and TV personality, her father's death, her marriage to Brian McFadden, right up to the present day. Vogue Williams with husband Spencer Matthews at the Baftas in London in 2023. Photo: Scott Garfitt/BAFTA via Getty Images News in 90 Seconds - May 24th 2025 Having been divorced from Westlife's Brian McFadden at 30, Williams and Matthews met on the reality television skiing contest The Jump. Despite assuming the role of a ladies man and a drinker, the Dubliner said he was both kind and fun. In an interview with The Irish Times, she told that her husband had 'red flags hanging off him', which included being fond of the drink. Her memoir tells of a tipping point where she told him that they wouldn't be able to continue their relationship if his drinking carried on in the same way. She credited his transition from that time, saying she much prefers him now that he is not drinking and that he has grown up and matured over the years. Last year, he finished a gruelling 30 marathons in 30 days in the desert as well as returning to his home city of London, to complete its world-famous marathon. She also downplayed any rumours of divorce, saying that speculation was rife after they discontinued their podcast, but that it was months in the making. The-mother-of-three, who opened up on the death of her father in 2010 which brought intense grief and the breakdown of several long-term relationships, said she feels really fortunate that she has found someone that she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Known for her openness in her podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me with comedian Joanne McNally, the book also speaks about a miscarriage she had after the birth of her first son, Theodore. She spoke of the callous nature of the miscarriage, which was confirmed in a clinic in London. The doctor announced the loss of her pregnancy without any compassion, but she conceded that it was perhaps more commonplace for them there. On her love of books, both reading and writing, the former model has hinted that she is ruminating over three book ideas she plans to bring to a publisher. The clothing line owner also said she plans to do more radio, as she enjoys covering for Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio. More TV is also on the cards in the future and she is in the midst of filming a home improvement programme called Renovation Rescue.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gethin Jones hinted at ‘close bond' with ‘superwoman' Helen Skelton weeks ago amid Morning Live romance rumours
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GETHIN Jones hinted at his close bond with Helen Skelton weeks ago when he shared a post on Instagram dedicated to his "superwoman" co-star. It was revealed earlier today that the Morning Live stars had grown 'close' off-screen with insiders suggesting "their friendship has blossomed into a deeper connection". Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Gethin Jones hinted at his close bond with Helen Skelton in a telling post just weeks ago Credit: instagram/@gethincjones 5 He gushed over the star in a lengthy Instagram post dedicated to her Credit: instagram/@gethincjones Just weeks ago, Gethin appeared to show just how much Helen means to him as he dedicated an Instagram post to her following their 24 hour live TV marathon for Comic Relief. Gethin admitted that he was left calling Helen up an hour after their challenge ended despite having just spent 24 hours together. Sharing a series of images of the pair looking close, Gethin wrote: "A little appreciation post for this super woman @helenskelton. Unbelievable physical and mental resilience… "Loves a laugh but a deep thinker (I had to remind her a few times we were live on tv). "It says a lot that you can spend 24hrs non stop with someone and still call them an hour later for a debrief." Gethin continued of their bond with one another: "Respect means we can be honest with each other always. "There was NO time at all, at any time during this challenge, not one, where I wanted to throw her off the rink. Never once. Didn't even come into mind." It is understood the pair have been supporting each other off-screen and spending an increasing amount of time together. A source told MailOnline: "Helen and Gethin have an extremely close working relationship and there's a feeling in recent months their friendship has blossomed into a deeper connection. "They're both keen to keep a lid on it to avoid public scrutiny but there's no denying their closeness both on and off screen." Watch touching moment Helen Skelton breaks down in tears as she's reunited with her kids during gruelling Comic Relief challenge They were pictured close at the Baftas and last year were spotted at a charity ball set up by Rob Burrow's sisters, with a source adding about the ball: "It was very clear that Helen and Gethin were together as a couple at the event. "They were with close friends of Helen's and their connection was undeniable." The insider continued: "Helen and Gethin have been able to attend events together without much fanfare purely because they're work colleagues ... but anyone who has seen them at these bashes will testify they look extremely cosy." Helen's husband, rugby ace Richie Myler left her for Stephanie Thirkill in 2022. 5 The pair are understood to have developed a close connection off-screen Credit: instagram/@gethincjones 5 It comes after Helen's husband ditched her for a new woman Credit: Rex Features The Strictly star faced further heartbreak when her rugby player ex went on to have two children with his new love. Gethin, who has previously dated former Towie star Lucy Mecklenburgh and was engaged to mezzo-soprano singer Katherine Jenkins, recently revealed that he's had little success on the dating scene. He said he was struck off the popular dating app Hinge because women didn't believe his profile was really him. 5 Helen and Gethin work together on BBC Morning Live Credit: PA:Press Association
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Gethin Jones hinted at ‘close bond' with ‘superwoman' Helen Skelton weeks ago amid Morning Live romance rumours
GETHIN Jones hinted at his close bond with Helen Skelton weeks ago when he shared a post on Instagram dedicated to his "superwoman" co-star. It was revealed earlier today that the Morning Live stars had 5 Gethin Jones hinted at his close bond with Helen Skelton in a telling post just weeks ago Credit: instagram/@gethincjones 5 He gushed over the star in a lengthy Instagram post dedicated to her Credit: instagram/@gethincjones Just weeks ago, Gethin appeared to show just how much Gethin admitted that he was left calling Helen up an hour after their challenge ended despite having just spent 24 hours together. Sharing a series of images of the pair looking close, Gethin wrote: "A little appreciation post for this super woman @helenskelton . Unbelievable physical and mental resilience… " Loves a laugh but a deep thinker (I had to remind her a few times we were live on tv). Read More on Gethin Jones " It says a lot that you can spend 24hrs non stop with someone and still call them an hour later for a debrief." Gethin continued of their bond with one another: " Respect means we can be honest with each other always. " There was NO time at all, at any time during this challenge, not one, where I wanted to throw her off the rink. Never once. Didn't even come into mind. " It is understood the pair have been supporting each other off-screen and spending an increasing amount of time together. Most read in News TV A source told "They're both keen to keep a lid on it to avoid public scrutiny but there's no denying their closeness both on and off screen." Watch touching moment Helen Skelton breaks down in tears as she's reunited with her kids during gruelling Comic Relief challenge They were pictured close at the Baftas and last year were spotted at a charity ball set up by "They were with close friends of Helen's and their connection was undeniable." The insider continued: "Helen and Gethin have been able to attend events together without much fanfare purely because they're work colleagues ... but anyone who has seen them at these bashes will testify they look extremely cosy." Helen's husband, rugby ace 5 The pair are understood to have developed a close connection off-screen Credit: instagram/@gethincjones 5 It comes after Helen's husband ditched her for a new woman Credit: Rex Features The Strictly star faced further heartbreak when her rugby player ex went on to have Gethin, who has He said he was struck off the popular dating app Hinge because women didn't believe his profile was really him. 5 Helen and Gethin work together on BBC Morning Live Credit: PA:Press Association
