Latest news with #Bethany
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Laos shots killed my pal and I almost died too - we had no clue what was wrong'
Bethany Clarke, 27, and her best friend Simone White, 28, met in Laos, Southeast Asia, for the trip of a lifetime, but after consuming vodka shots that are thought to have been tainted with methanol, it ended in tragedy It was meant to be a fun-packed couple of weeks travelling through Southeast Asia for Bethany Clarke and her best friend Simone White. Enjoying free shots of vodka at their hostel, the pair couldn't wait to find out what their adventure would bring. Sadly, it ended in tragedy after the pair were poisoned by what they believe was methanol. Bethany, who was 27 at the time and lived in Brisbane, Australia, and Simone, who had turned 28 just a week before the trip and lived in London, Greenwich, met in Laos as a halfway point for a holiday together. They had been best friends since the first year of primary school, and after amending their plans to include two Southeast Asia countries, they were excited to explore Laos before heading to Cambodia. During the first few days of their trip in November 2024, they spent time in Vang Vieng, a small town on the Nam Song River in Laos, which had once been a notorious party destination for backpackers. In between activities, like tubing down the river, they stayed two nights at the Nana Backpackers Hostel after being impressed by its numerous "positive reviews". READ MORE: Dad heard 'loud bang' in Canary Islands hotel, then saw little girl impaled on glass At the hostel, they met one of their friends from home who had also been travelling, and on their second night, the three friends took advantage of the hostel's happy hour, offering free vodka and whiskey shots from 8pm to 10pm. That night, Bethany and Simone drank vodka with a mixer, like Sprite, but Bethany recalled it tasting "quite weak". "I remember thinking 'that's unusually weak', but I didn't think anything of it. I just thought it's happy hour, the chances are they're wanting to cut costs, so they're probably putting water in it," Bethany exclusively told the Mirror."I hadn't heard about methanol poisoning and about how organised crime rings would add methanol in, to cut costs." Looking back, Bethany recalled that the whiskey was "black" and that her friend didn't like it, but again, didn't think much of it. When the happy hour ended, Bethany went to bed feeling tired, while Simone and their friend went across the road to an Irish bar for some more drinks. "I just remember thinking I'm unusually tired, and I do get tired after drinking, but that was quite extreme. I don't know whether it was the methanol already kicking in, or whether it was jet lag. Looking back, it was probably the methanol". She explained that being asleep could have "masked" some of her symptoms. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the substance can cause "convulsions, blindness, nervous system damage, coma and death." The next morning, Bethany said she felt "weak and not very well coordinated". She added: "My brain wasn't really able to problem-solve or think very clearly. I had no hunger whatsoever, which, again, is quite unusual if you're hungover, but I just had no interest in food at all." Putting it down to being hungover, Bethany and Simone "forced themselves to eat something" and went out for their booked tour to the Blue Lagoon in the morning, before a kayaking experience in the afternoon. However, during the day out, Bethany said that they didn't have "any sensible conversation" but instead were just talking about how they were feeling, "it was like having the brain of a five-year-old, it was really, really strange." She also recalled Simone being sick off the kayak, which she said was "unusual". Later that day, they caught a bus to their next destination in Vientiane, but halfway through, Simone was sick and Bethany fainted and hit her head. "We didn't have any conversations with anyone around us, and nobody seemed concerned," Bethany said. Showing no signs of improvement, they went to a public hospital after being dropped off by the bus. Still unaware of the severity of the situation, Simone and Bethany were checked over and were told that it could be "food poisoning". "We had different diets, so that didn't make sense," Bethany shared. "They put an IV in me, which I reluctantly agreed to, and eventually Simone came into the room, still walking and talking. I gave her some electrolytes once she got a bed, but she threw them up immediately. "I checked her heart rate, and it wasn't bad. And given that she had eaten something, I wasn't too worried - at that point she had eaten more than me, so I thought maybe I was worse as I had fainted. We also thought that, as she had chosen to come in this last minute, she was presumably feeling a little bit better, but turns out the opposite was true." She continued: "Less than two hours later, she went into respiratory distress and was gasping for air. Simone wasn't able to talk anymore or look at me, her eyes were glazed, looking in a different direction." Simone was moved to the ICU part of the hospital before their friend suggested going to a private hospital for further care. They arrived at the private Kasemrad International Hospital in Vientiane, around 27 hours after they consumed their drinks at the hostel. Tragically, Simone's condition deteriorated, and she needed emergency brain surgery before being placed on life support. Simone's mum flew in from Kent to be with her daughter, and was given the heartbreaking ultimatum on whether to keep her on life support. Bethany said that doctors had to explain to Sue how to switch off her daughter's life support, and she was told she'd have to do it herself, due to religious reasons. Sue made the heart-wrenching decision to take the tube out of her daughter's mouth and turn off her life support. The 28-year-old died on 21 November 2024, just nine days after drinking the shots at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng. An inquest into her death earlier this year confirmed that Simone tragically died from a bleed on the brain. Simone is one of six tourists to have died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. The hostel closed, but now appears to be rebranded as Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel. According to Tripadvisor, it is planning to reopen and is taking bookings from August this year. Bethany recovered, but has been left with the devastating heartache of losing her best friend. Now, she has launched the Simone White Methanol Awareness campaign to help raise awareness and prevent this from happening to anyone ever again. She has called for the government to do more to help travellers understand the dangers of drinking alcohol abroad, including putting up warning posters in airports. In addition, Bethany set up a petition for the dangers of methanol poisoning to be taught in schools across the UK. Bethany shared with us: "Since the poisoning, I've found out more information about Vang Vieng in general, because it does seem to have a history of very loose safety regulations. There were no documented cases of methanol poisoning in Laos when we were there, so how were we meant to know? It's frustrating that these cases go undocumented because no one really understands the true extent of what's actually going on." Worryingly, Bethany claims that "so many" of the hostel's reviews had been deleted, which she found out just days after the alleged poisoning happened. She claimed: "On reviews, people were saying that people were being poisoned and to stop serving these drinks, but they'd come back immediately, saying this is slander and all that. Then, less than a day later, the review would be gone from Google." This led Bethany to actively share warnings and messages on social media, while they were still in hospital, about the Vang Vieng hostel in a bid to warn others about the serious risk of the drinks. "I'm so glad I did that at the time, you don't know how many more people could have gone, it's so scary," she added. Describing her best friend, Bethany shared: "She was a very caring person, she had great listening ears and if I had any problems, she would help me out. She was an organiser, and she had a very busy social schedule and so many friends. She was my best friend, and I probably won't ever meet anyone like that again."
Leader Live
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon to return to ITV soap
Fallon, who plays Bethany Platt, stepped away from her role on Coronation Street back in February to take maternity leave and give birth to her second child, daughter Nancy Margaret. While her character, Bethany, was last seen headed for London, ready for a fresh start after finding out her fiancé, Daniel Osbourne (played by Rob Mallard), had had a one-night stand with ex Daisy Midgley (Charlotte Jordan), and she was now pregnant. Lucy Fallon left Coronation Street back in February to go on maternity leave. (Image: ITV) But it appears Bethany is now set to make a return to Coronation Street, with Fallon spotted on the set of the ITV soap. The 29-year-old posted a photo on Instagram of her in her dressing room, according to The Sun, with the caption: "And just like that she's back." The photo now appears to have been taken down. A Coronation Street spokesperson, speaking to The Sun, confirmed that Fallon would be back filming over summer following maternity leave, "as always planned", and Bethany would make her onscreen return in October. Fallon has played the role of Bethany since 2015. She quit the show back in 2020, before returning in December 2023. But it appears fans aren't overly thrilled about Fallon's return to Coronation Street, with users on Reddit group r/coronationstreet saying "what's the point" in bringing Bethany back. One person, posting on the Reddit group, said: "Such a useless character." Another added: "Ah gawd no, not again." While a third Coronation Street fan commented: "What's the point in her even returning?" Other fans have guessed what storyline Bethany will walk back into when she returns to the cobbles. One posted: "Shoe horned into any story that doesn't really affect her." This fan said: "Daniel will probably say she's the one and a mum to Bertie before she steps foot off the tram." RECOMMENDED READING: Coronation Street fans demand 'justice for Weatherfield' due to missing episodes Coronation Street fans label story 'predictable' as soap villain set for return Coronation Street stars' exits from ITV soap confirmed as things set to 'implode' Another Reddit user commented: "She'll whine and mope about Sarah's flat. She will not get along with Kit and moon after Daniel." While other viewers have suggested Bethany will have an affair with her mother Sarah's partner, Kit. You can watch Coronation Street on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Coronation Street icon makes shock return to soap set almost a YEAR after disappearing
CORONATION Street favourite has made a shock return to the cobbles - nearly a year after leaving the soap. Advertisement 5 In February, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) packed her bags, ditching Daniel and heading back to London for a fresh start Credit: ITV 5 The real-life, the actress went on maternity leave to give birth to her daughter Nancy Credit: Instagram The actress, 27, is back from maternity leave after leaving in February to give The mum-of-two took to Instagram to reveal that she's back on the Corrie set as she posed for a photo in her dressing room. Lucy wrote: "And just like that she's back." A Coronation Street spokesperson confirmed that "Lucy will be returning to filming in the summer after maternity leave, as always planned and that Bethany will be back on screen in October." Advertisement more on corrie However, there were rumours that Lucy had quit the ITV soap for good - amid the It was revealed that the star had signed with the talent agency Off Limits - leaving fans fearing she won't be returning to Corrie. And viewers had seen the likes of Lucy's latest social media post confirmed she will be returning to the cobbles... but for how long? Advertisement Most read in Soaps Exclusive Before her dramatic exit earlier this year, She quickly rekindled things with ex Daniel Osbourne ( Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon pregnant with her second child as she shares news with footballer boyfriend and son Bethany came face-to-face with vile abuser Nathan Curtis ( The risky op left her battling sepsis and needing a permanent stoma bag. Advertisement Then, just as things seemed to be looking up, Daniel popped the question on Christmas Day - and Bethany said yes, unaware that his ex Daisy Midgeley ( The truth didn't stay buried for long - and with emotions running high, Bethany packed her bags once again, ditching Daniel and heading back to London for a fresh start. Bethany Platt's biggest Corrie storylines Bethany is the daughter of Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) and her classmate Neil Fearns (Paul Holowaty). Sarah fell pregnant at the age of just 12-years-old, much to the horror of her family. When she was a child, Bethany's was involved in a major storyline when she took ecstasy tablets. This was when her uncle, David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd), hid them in her doll. The character departed the soap in 2007 with her mum for a new life in Milan. Her return storyline saw the teenager run away back to Weatherfield with a new actress as Lucy Fallon took over the role. Storylines since then have included major school bullying. Her teachers said she was skipping school as she told them that she was attending grief counselling. Sarah and David soon realised that Bethany intercepted letters and emails from the school. She was being tormented by a group of girls, which included her mainbully Lauren (Shannon Flynn). Gary notices the bullying and reports it to the school. Due to several incidents, Lauren makes out that Bethany is the bully and they are both suspended. During this time, Bethany helps David out at the salon and Lauren comes in for a treatment. David then threatened her to leave his family alone. This was before she was expelled from the school after other girls came forward about the torment. Bethany was later at the centre of one of Corrie's darkest storylines when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator Nathan Curtis. The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her. The storyline was based on a real life story and also drew inspiration from the child sex abuse ring in Rochdale, which saw nine men jailed in 2012. But what brings Bethany back to And with Daisy now gone... will she pick up where she left off with Daniel? Advertisement Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and ITVX. 5 Bethany underwent botched cosmetic surgery in Turkey, leaving her needing a permanent stoma bag Credit: ITV 5 She accepted Daniel's proposal unaware that his ex Daisy had just discovered she was pregnant Credit: ITV 5 What brings Bethany back this time round? Credit: ITV Advertisement
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Coronation Street icon makes shock return to soap set almost a YEAR after disappearing
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CORONATION Street favourite has made a shock return to the cobbles - nearly a year after leaving the soap. Lucy Fallon - who plays Bethany Platt - was spotted back on set this week, sparking rumours of an explosive new storyline and leaving viewers thrilled at the surprise comeback. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 In February, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) packed her bags, ditching Daniel and heading back to London for a fresh start Credit: ITV 5 The real-life, the actress went on maternity leave to give birth to her daughter Nancy Credit: Instagram The actress, 27, is back from maternity leave after leaving in February to give birth to her second child – her daughter Nancy Margaret. The mum-of-two took to Instagram to reveal that she's back on the Corrie set as she posed for a photo in her dressing room. Lucy wrote: "And just like that she's back." A Coronation Street spokesperson confirmed that "Lucy will be returning to filming in the summer after maternity leave, as always planned and that Bethany will be back on screen in October." However, there were rumours that Lucy had quit the ITV soap for good - amid the shock cast cull. It was revealed that the star had signed with the talent agency Off Limits - leaving fans fearing she won't be returning to Corrie. And viewers had seen the likes of Craig Tinker, Eileen Grimshaw, Mason Radcliffe and Yasmeen Nazir all given the boot within weeks of each other. Lucy's latest social media post confirmed she will be returning to the cobbles... but for how long? Before her dramatic exit earlier this year, Bethany returned to the Street on New Year's Eve 2023 - and wasted no time diving headfirst into chaos. She quickly rekindled things with ex Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), but happiness was short-lived. Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon pregnant with her second child as she shares news with footballer boyfriend and son Bethany came face-to-face with vile abuser Nathan Curtis (Christopher Parker) following his prison release, and later underwent botched cosmetic surgery in Turkey. The risky op left her battling sepsis and needing a permanent stoma bag. Then, just as things seemed to be looking up, Daniel popped the question on Christmas Day - and Bethany said yes, unaware that his ex Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) had just discovered she was pregnant… and Daniel might be the dad after a one-night stand. The truth didn't stay buried for long - and with emotions running high, Bethany packed her bags once again, ditching Daniel and heading back to London for a fresh start. Bethany Platt's biggest Corrie storylines Bethany is the daughter of Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) and her classmate Neil Fearns (Paul Holowaty). Sarah fell pregnant at the age of just 12-years-old, much to the horror of her family. When she was a child, Bethany's was involved in a major storyline when she took ecstasy tablets. This was when her uncle, David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd), hid them in her doll. The character departed the soap in 2007 with her mum for a new life in Milan. Her return storyline saw the teenager run away back to Weatherfield with a new actress as Lucy Fallon took over the role. Storylines since then have included major school bullying. Her teachers said she was skipping school as she told them that she was attending grief counselling. Sarah and David soon realised that Bethany intercepted letters and emails from the school. She was being tormented by a group of girls, which included her mainbully Lauren (Shannon Flynn). Gary notices the bullying and reports it to the school. Due to several incidents, Lauren makes out that Bethany is the bully and they are both suspended. During this time, Bethany helps David out at the salon and Lauren comes in for a treatment. David then threatened her to leave his family alone. This was before she was expelled from the school after other girls came forward about the torment. Bethany was later at the centre of one of Corrie's darkest storylines when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator Nathan Curtis. The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her. The storyline was based on a real life story and also drew inspiration from the child sex abuse ring in Rochdale, which saw nine men jailed in 2012. But what brings Bethany back to Weatherfield? And with Daisy now gone... will she pick up where she left off with Daniel? Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and ITVX. 5 Bethany underwent botched cosmetic surgery in Turkey, leaving her needing a permanent stoma bag Credit: ITV 5 She accepted Daniel's proposal unaware that his ex Daisy had just discovered she was pregnant Credit: ITV
Metro
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Coronation Street star to return - and she's already back filming
Lucy Fallon has returned to filming on Coronation Street. The star, 29, has played Bethany Platt on the ITV soap across two stints for the last decade, but has been on leave since February. This was to coincide with Lucy's maternity leave, as she's now mum to her second child – a little girl called Nancy Margaret. After spending a number of years working as a journalist in London, Bethany returned to the cobbles on New Year's Eve 2023. She took no time at all in reconnecting with old flame Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), and was instantly projected into a number of huge storylines. Bethany came face to face with her abuser Nathan Curtis (Christopher Parker) when he was released from prison, and later in the year underwent botched plastic surgery in Turkey – a storyline that Metro exclusively revealed. She was left needing a permanent stoma bag after she developed sepsis during her operation. On Christmas Day, Daniel proposed to Bethany, which she gladly accepted, unaware that his ex-girlfriend Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) had just found out she was pregnant. With Daisy and Daniel having had a one night stand a few weeks earlier, there was every possibility that the baby was Daniel's. Of course, with this being Corrie, it didn't take long for the secret to be exposed. Amid the animosity, Bethany was exploring a new role in the capital and decided to leave without him. In April, a Coronation Street spokesperson has since confirmed to Metro that 'Lucy will be returning to filming in the summer after maternity leave, as always planned', and that 'Bethany will be back on screen in October'. More Trending This was following rumours that the actress had quit the long-running serial. Now, Lucy has taken to Instagram to reveal that she's back on set, posing for a photo in her dressing room. 'And just like that she's back,' the star wrote. View More » But what will bring Bethany back to Weatherfield, and will she reunite with Daniel? If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: EastEnders star reveals why she refused to stop filming after cancer diagnosis MORE: Coronation Street legend signs new contract to stay on show as huge story gets underway MORE: Coronation Street legend was desperate to leave: 'I'm going mad!'
