Latest news with #Castaway
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
11 movie props sold for eye-watering prices from Titanic to Star Wars
Items from movies including Castaway, Star Wars, The Spy Who Loved Me and ET have gone under the hammer for eye watering amounts of money. The Mirror looks at some of the memorabilia that has gone for megabucks Movie memorabilia is clearly big business, with Citizen Kane's Rosebud sled selling this week for an eye-watering $14.75 million (£11m). In the 1941 movie starring Orson Welles, and regarded as one of the greatest in film history, Rosebud represented the happy times Kane had playing in the snow as a child and ultimately the idealized past that he yearned for throughout his life. The buyer is unknown, but the seller was the director Joe Dante, who was given the item in 1984 while working on Explorers on the Paramount lot, previously home to RKO Pictures. Dante, describes the 1941 film prop as 'a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.' Rosebud isn't the valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold, though. Last year, a pair of ruby slippers from 1939's The Wizard of Oz were snapped up for a cool $32.5m (£24.2m). But why do film artefacts make a mint? Auctioneer Addison Gelpey says: 'The reason movie memorabilia is such a money spinner is twofold. One is that buyers are big fans of the films and are collectors - or they want to make money on them because the movies are watched by so many people that the value will go up over time. These are iconic films, so you have a fabulous investment. It is not only a piece of that film, you have a piece of film history.' Here are some other film favourites to have gone under the hammer: The Maltese Falcon statuette from The Maltese Falcon (1941) starring Humphrey Bogart sold for $4.1 million (£2.5m) in 2013. Tom Hanks' best friend Wilson the volleyball from the 2000 desert island film Cast Away sold for $308,000 (£230k) at a 2021 Prop Store auction in London. The 'wet shirt' costume worn by Colin Firth's Mr Darcy in the 1995 TV adaptation of Pride & Prejudice fetched $25,000 (£20k) in 2024. Darth Vader's fibreglass mask from The Empire Strikes Back sold for $900,000 (£698k) in 2019. Harrison Ford's bullwhip from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) fetched $525,000 (£417k) at auction in 2024. Several years earlier, the famous fedora hat worn by Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark was sold for $524,000 (£456k) in 2018 via Prop Store in London. The white three-piece suit that John Travolta's Tony Manero wears in Saturday Night Fever (1997) sold for $260,000 (£208k) in 2023. The mechatronic for the movie ET The Extra Terrestrial (1982) sold for $2.56 million (£2m) in 2022. Terminator's liquid-metal T-1000 enemy cyborg - a full-scale T-800 endoskeleton, from Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) sold for $488,750 (£236k) in 2007. The Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) sold for $997,000 (£610k) in 2013 to none other than the world's richest man Elon Musk. The lifesaving wooden panel from Titanic (1997) which saved Kate Winslet's character Rose's life - while poor Jack ( Leonardo DiCaprio) perished, sold for a $718,750 (£571k) in 2024.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Incredible Scots beach with pure white sands, crystal waters and jaw-dropping views named one of best in world
Scroll down to see which beach was named number one on the planet JUST BEACHY Incredible Scots beach with pure white sands, crystal waters and jaw-dropping views named one of best in world AN idyllic Scottish beach has been named one of the best on the planet. While proud Scots know that our coastline is stunning, it's now official. Advertisement 4 The Scottish beach was praised for its white sand and blue green water 4 Whitesands Bay beach in Wales also made the cut Experts at Big 7 Travel have released their list of Best Beaches in the World 2025. Now in its seventh year, the ranking is based on past media results, official Blue Flag beach awards, social media buzz and insights from the Big 7 Travel editorial crew. The 2025 edition features a mix of beach destinations to suit all kinds of travellers. From shallow turquoise lagoons in the Maldives to the coral-fringed coastlines of the Caribbean, this year's top 50 features everything from remote island hideaways to classic coastal icons. Advertisement The Big 7 team said: "From the sun-soaked tropics to the icy edges of the poles, our planet is home to some truly spectacular beaches. "Whether you're dreaming of sipping a cocktail under the warm sun or taking a romantic stroll along a pristine shoreline, we've got you covered. "From pearly-white sands that stretch unbroken for kilometres to crystal-clear waters that invite you in for a swim or snorkel, these are the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world." And one Scottish stretch of sand makes the cut - the gorgeous Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris. Advertisement The multi award-winning beach has been described as a 'little slice of the Maldives' in Scotland. The vast sandy bay boasts miles of white sand and stunning green-blue water. Luskentyre Beach: Scotland's Gem Among World's Best Scenery includes wonderful sand dunes and the island of Taransay, famous for being the setting of the BBC's Castaway. The Big 7 team said: "The Outer Hebrides are probably not the first location you think of when beautiful beaches come to mind, but we're here to prove you wrong! Advertisement "Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris looks like it's been plucked right out of the Caribbean and photoshopped onto Scotland's mountainous coast. "The beach is stunning to visit at any time of year, and there are even a few days every year when the water is warm enough for a swim. "The beach also holds a Scottish Beach Award for its natural beauty and environmental efforts." There are a few more UK beaches that make the top 50 list. Advertisement Alum Chine in Bournemouth, Dorset, makes the rating. The beach is praised for its Blue Flag Certification and watersports activities. Meanwhile, Porthcurno Beach, in Cornwall, is also in the ranking. The Big 7 team said: "Sheltered by high granite rocks, the beach essentially possesses its own microclimate, making it a nice place to sunbathe and relax even if it's windy above the clifftops. "There is also a stream that runs down to the beach, which is excellent for young children to paddle in, and the golden sands and tempting surf make it the perfect place to sunbathe or go swimming." Advertisement Whitesands Beach in Wales is on the list and is described as a popular but quiet beach which is a favourite among both locals and tourists. And in the Republic of Ireland, Keem Beach, in County Mayo, is praised for its calm waters that are full of rich and diverse marine life. Coming right at the top if the global list is Whitehaven Beach in Australia. The Big 7 experts said: "Part of the Whitsunday Islands, just off the coast of Queensland, Whitehaven Beach is arguably the most beautiful beach in the world. Advertisement "Glistening white sands (which are 98 per cent pure silica, giving them their bright white colour) and warm turquoise waters make this a hugely popular place for tourists and locals to visit. "Part of the Whitsunday Islands National Park, the beach is known for its eco-friendly measures. The beach is 7km long, and the beautiful waters of the Coral Sea are perfect for swimming and snorkelling in. "This beach really has it all when it comes to the most beautiful beaches in the world." 4 Whitehaven Beach on Whitesunday Island was number one Advertisement
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I almost died twice from booze and takeaways, then I lost 6st without jabs'
A man from East London has revealed how his unhealthy lifestyle almost killed him not once, but twice, before he managed to turn things around without weight loss jabs Binge drinking, living on takeaways and enjoying a sedentary lifestyle were the norm for Michael Epstein his 20s and early 30s. But his unhealthy lifestyle left him weighing 18 stone and facing death not once, but twice. Now aged 46 Michael, from Ilford, London, is thankful to be alive after two kidney transplants and then nearly dying from Covid. After years of neglect, the entrepreneur was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2008 and endured dialysis for five gruelling years. 'It was totally my fault as I treated my body terribly,' Michael tells The Mirror. 'I was completely careless with my health. 'I never exercised, I ate all the wrong things and I was always out drinking,' he adds. 'I just thought I was invincible. I didn't think anything would catch up with me. Then it all did, at once. I was exhausted all the time, bloated, and just felt awful. Eventually I was told my kidneys were shutting down and I'd need to start dialysis immediately." In 2014, he was given a lifeline - a new kidney from an 18-year-old male donor from Newcastle, who had died suddenly. 'The hospital called me out of the blue and said 'you've got to get here within the hour'. It was a relief for me but heartbreak for someone else's family. I've always felt such deep gratitude for that gift.' But just as Michael was starting to rebuild his life, he contracted the BK virus - a dangerous infection that can sometimes strike transplant patients and cause kidney failure. Disaster struck again in January 2021 when, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Michael caught the virus and his oxygen levels fell to 30 per cent. He was put into an induced coma for three months and when he finally woke up in April 2021, he was covered in hair and barely able to walk. 'I looked like Tom Hanks in Castaway,' he laughs. 'I had a massive beard, I couldn't move, and I had to learn to walk again. My mum later told me she was scared to answer the phone because she thought every call was going to be the hospital saying I'd died.' Michael was back on dialysis - four hours a day, three days a week - and his mental health was suffering badly. After receiving a second kidney transplant in June 2023 from a 35-year-old woman from South London, Michael felt like he had been 'given one final chance'. 'I felt completely broken,' he said. 'I was reading books just to stay sane during dialysis. I knew if I didn't find some kind of purpose, I'd spiral. I thought I've eaten badly for most of my life. Maybe now's the time to fix that and help others do the same.' His near death experiences drove him to launch Datekin - a healthy snack that was inspired by Sukkari dates - caramel-tasting dates from Saudi Arabia, known for their high fibre, natural sugar and antioxidant-rich benefits. 'This brand was born from pain - but also purpose,' Michael explains. 'I've been given a second, no - a third - shot at life. I want to make it count. I honestly never expected Datekin to take off so quickly. We started trialling it on the London Underground and people loved it. I think people really want better snack options.' After losing six stone by cutting out takeaways, alcohol and exercising, Michael is now looking forward to marrying his fiancée, Kat Conway, next spring. Kat says: "Mike has been through so much with his health over the years and has kept such a positive and proactive outlook. We'll be forever grateful to the two donors, and their families, without whom our life would be very different. For Mike to be in the place he is in today with his health and work is truly inspiring Michael adds: 'I used to treat my body like a bin. Now I think of it like a garden - I'm trying to nourish it. I want Datekin to inspire people to eat well, live better, and understand it's never too late to change.'
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'best zero litter beach' named where there is no rubbish
One picturesque island beach has been crowned the country's cleanest. Scotland's best beach with "zero litter" has been named for summer. It appeared on a UK-wide list of the nation's top clean beaches. With the high temperatures that swept across the country over for the time being, Scots will be counting down the days until the sun comes back out. While heading to the beach is classic sunny day activity, Scotland's beaches are so beautiful that they look picturesque even in wet and grey weather. New data from plastic waste experts at has revealed the UK's 15 least littered beaches. The experts looked at online reviews of beaches across the nation and singled out bays where no visitors mentioned litter. The only Scottish beach to appear on list is Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris. The bay also placed at number four on the experts' overall list. According to there are 1,149 online reviews of Luskentyre. Zero of these reviews include the word ' litter '. Luskentyre Beach, also known as Luskentyre Sands, is situated along the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. It is among the largest and most scenic bays on the island. The beach is award-winning, previously being named among the best bays in the UK and Europe by Tripadvisor. However, owing to its remote location, Luskentyre is usually quiet despite its acclaim. The beach is renowned for its miles of pristine sands and vibrant turquoise water. It also offers awe-inspiring views out over to the island of Taransay, which is where the iconic BBC series Castaway was filmed. Elsewhere, topping the experts' list as the best zero-litter beach in the UK is Southwold Pier in Suffolk. The English beach has received 2,641 reviews online, none of which mention litter. Following behind in second and third place are Sandsend Beach in North Yorkshire and Horsey Beach in Norfolk, with 1,349 and 1,259 reviews respectively. Rounding out the top five is Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall in fifth place, which has 694 online reviews. Plastic waste expert at Graham Matthews commented: "Litter on the UK's beaches turns our natural beauty spots into an eyesore and poses a huge environmental threat to marine life. Each year, as the weather heats up, we see a sharp rise in people flocking to the seaside, but sadly, many don't clean up after themselves. "It's common to find food packaging, disposable BBQs, and even human and animal waste scattered across our shores. All this unsightly litter ruins the enjoyment of our beaches, but it also threatens local wildlife. "Plastic is a particularly major hazard as it takes so long to break down naturally. Initially, this litter can endanger wildlife, entangle animals or be ingested. However, over time, plastic breaks down into smaller particles known as microplastics that find their way into water, sea life, and even our food chain." Matthews also shared how day-trippers can help keep Scotland's beaches clean. The expert revealed what people can do to ensure the nation's bays are not flooded with litter. Matthews added: "Beachgoers must take responsibility for the impact of their visit. You should always bin any litter or take it home with you if this isn't possible. "Remember to bring a bag with you to collect any rubbish once you've finished your visit. Beyond this, it's important to reduce your impact further. Consider bringing reusable water bottles as opposed to single-use plastic and avoid the use of difficult-to-clear items such as disposable BBQs. "Local councils may find it hard to keep on top of litter, especially during unpredictable peak periods. Simple provisions like signage, employing local volunteers, and providing litter picking equipment for the public can make a huge difference. "Outside of this, the best deterrent is to issue fines to those who continue to litter our natural beauty spots." See below for the full list of the best beaches in the UK with no litter. For more information, visit The top UK beaches with zero litter Southwold Pier, Suffolk Sandsend Beach, North Yorkshire Horsey Beach, Norfolk Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall Robin Hoods Bay Beach, North Yorkshire Whitesands Bay, St Davids Ballycastle Beach, Antrim Traeth Crigyll, Anglesey Embleton Bay, Northumberland Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland Portstewart Strand, Londonderry Tenby North Beach, Pembrokeshire Whiterocks Beach, Portrush Tyrella Beach, County Down
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Couple find 'Maldives of Scotland' beach after taking detour
Chris and Sam, known as 'The Travel Duo', stumbled across the idyllic sandy beach off Scotland's west coast Don't let a tight budget put you off dreaming of the Maldives. A couple has accidentally stumbled upon what's been coined the 'Maldives of Scotland' during a hiking holiday. This hidden gem offers an enchanting beach with white sands and crystal-clear waters that seem almost too good to be true. Dubbed 'The Travel Duo', Chris and Sam took to YouTube to share their unexpected find in 2023. "I was just on the beach, we were just about to leave," Sam said, according to the Express. "I sent the drone up to get some drone shots of this beach and I saw another incredible stunning spot on the other side of this mountain. "...So, I'm taking Chris and Fletcher on a little bit of an adventure to see if we can get there because it looks insane." Their trek through mud and hills soon paid off with the revelation of pristine white sands. "Doesn't it look like the Maldives?" she said, before later adding: "I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. Honestly, it's insane, and that water is way too good to not go in for a swim." Chris and Sam's dreamy beach lies hidden on the Isle of Harris, nestled off the west coast of Scotland in the Outer Hebrides. While they've kept its precise location under wraps, Harris is laden with scenic spots for those in search of a comparable adventure. Take Luskentyre Sands, which Time Out ranked among the nation's finest beaches last year. The heavenly spot is celebrated not just for its sweeping stretch of pristine white sand but also for being the backdrop of BBC's Castaway series. READ MORE: Longest-living people swear by 'Hara Hachi Bu' dieting trick - what you need to know Despite its fame, you'll have no trouble finding a spot for your towel either, thanks to its remote position keeping it fairly untouched by crowds. The combined population of Harris, Lewis and their smaller surrounding islands is just over 21,000. Wildlife fans should also note Hushinish beach, another treasure situated at the end of a 12-mile stretch of road on Harris' western coast. This gem is a favourite among dolphins and seals, according to Visit Scotland, while offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, according to Travel Republic, Maldivian holidays cost around £1,700 per person each week, so these spots are a great alternative for Brits looking for a budget trip. Commenters seem to agree too, voicing their disbelief at Chris and Sam's video. One wrote: "Got to keep some secrets, Lewis and Harris [are] on my list for this summer when I can get a trip off from work at sea, my beagles need to be free on these beaches, great vid." Another added: "Wow. Such a great video and what a place!!"
