Latest news with #Mandy
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It's devastating' - Irish mum's tears over abduction of her two children
A heartbroken mother has hit a brick wall in her battle to get her two abducted sons returned from Egypt. It is now three years since Mandy Kelly spoke to her beloved boys Zayn, seven, and four-year-old Kareem since they were taken by their father while on a family holiday in Cairo. There is no sign of her ordeal ending with the continued failure of the Egyptian authorities to locate her former husband and her kids even though they were given an address where they were staying. A court in Cairo also ruled she should have custody but her mother-in-law is appealing that decision and the case won't be heard until October. Mandy's misery was compounded when Zayn celebrated his birthday and she couldn't even speak to him. The Dundalk, Co Louth native said: 'I haven't seen or heard from my sons in three years. Mandy with Zayn and Kareem. Mandy Kelly with one of her young sons before they were kidnapped by their father (Image: Irish Mirror) 'Zayn has now celebrated three birthdays in a row without me. It is devastating and deeply upsetting. 'My former partner continues to be officially deemed unlocatable by the Egyptian authorities, despite being known to reside with the applicant in the case. 'This ongoing ambiguity paired with the lack of access or communication with my sons , continues to cause deep distress and raises serious questions about procedural fairness. 'The situation is no longer just a personal tragedy, it is a prolonged denial of two Irish children's rights. 'Despite their Irish citizenship and ongoing support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister Simon Harris my children remain separated from me in Egypt.' Mandy told how during a high level diplomatic exchange in December 2024 last a commitment was made by the Egyptians to support the safe return of Zayn and Kareem. Mandy Kelly with one of her young sons before they were kidnapped by their father (Image: Irish Mirror) She said: 'While I remain thankful for this engagement, meaningful progress has yet to be realised. 'The court proceedings initiated in Egypt have been repeatedly delayed, with the latest adjournment now pushing the case to October 2025. 'I remain deeply grateful to the Irish Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs for their continued efforts. And I hold hope that through diplomatic resolve and compassion, my sons will soon be returned to their home and family in Ireland.' Last May the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, wrote a letter to Mandy offering her his continuing support. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week He said: 'I am conscious that this remains a very difficult situation for you and I appreciate you taking the time to update me on recent developments. 'As previously communicated to you I raised your case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Dr Badr Abdelatty, earlier this year. I am pleased to inform you that I have more recently written to Dr Abdelatty, to seek a further update in your case. 'In my correspondence I noted my keen desire to see a timely resolution to Zayn and Kareem's case, a resolution that is in their best interests. 'I have also requested any information Dr Abdelatty may be able to share with me regarding whether or not Zayn and Kareem have been enrolled in an educational institution in Egypt, something that I know is very important to you. 'I also want to assure you that Ambassador [Nuala] O'Brien and her team are continuing to engage locally on your case and it remains a priority for the embassy. 'I am conscious that Zayn recently celebrated his 7th birthday, the third year in which he has not been able to celebrate this important milestone with his mother.' Mandy's ordeal began while on a holiday visiting her then husband's relatives in Cairo in March 2022. They were due to return to Dundalk when he locked his wife in their hotel room and took the kids, after deciding he was not coming back to Ireland. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Hotel worker almost trampled as tourists ‘stampede' to get best sun beds
The clip was captured at the four-star Spring Bitacora hotel in Tenerife and features a security guard almost being knocked over by rushing holidaymakers desperate for a spot near the pool A hotel worker was almost trampled by a 'stampede' of guests rushing to secure the best poolside sun beds. Shocking footage showed the security guard unlocking the gate before dropping his keycard. He was almost knocked over by clambering holidaymakers as he tried to retrieve the card before retreating to safety. The clip was captured at the four-star Spring Bitacora hotel in Tenerife. Liam Pourhana and his friend, Paul Nygaard, had front-row seats to the shocking scene. The 34-year-old duo managed to get to the front of the queue by getting to the pool at 6:30 a.m. Have you been swept up in a sunbed battle? We'd love to hear your war stories. Email webtravel@ Despite the area only opening at 8am, Liam said that over 100 people were waiting to get in. The pair of engineers from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, grabbed their loungers before watching the chaos unfold on Sunday (20 Jul). 'After paying £5,000 to stay here, it's a joke getting up earlier than you would for work,' Liam told Luxury Travel Daily. 'If you don't get up and get in the queue, you're not getting a sunbed. You have to queue from 6:30am, despite the pool gate not opening until 8am. 'About 100 people rushed towards the beds, some were even throwing towels over people's shoulders to beat them. The security guard dropped his card and didn't want to risk the stampede.' There are few things that have to power to wind-up queue-loving Brits more than sunbed hogging. Recently a woman decided to step in and stop the unfolding injustice from taking place. The group of irate holidaymakers thwarted a cunning plan by fellow Brits to bag sunbeds seven hours before their hotel pool opened on a recent Spain holiday. While having a late-night chinwag on their balcony, Mandy Boyd spotted some lads she thought were having a cheeky swim in the pool. But upon closer inspection, the 34-year-old realised the young men were trying to nab the best beds at 2am, despite the fact that the pool wasn't due to open until 9am the next day. The quartet of girls watched as the lads dragged out their sunloungers to try and secure prime spots. Mandy and her mates patiently waited on the balcony for the perfect moment to dash down and swipe the towels. The comical sunbed wars sabotage took place around 2am at the Aquasol Aparthotel, Palmanova, near Magaluf, Spain. Joined by her mate, Sally Willows, the pair dashed down to the pool and swiftly grabbed the towels. "We're just doing the Lord's work," Mandy from Bridgend, South Wales, said. "I can't stand it when people reserve sunbeds and don't use them all day. I find it really inconsiderate. It was shocking to see them reserving beds at 2am, especially when there was no chance of those lads being up to enjoy them. We kept the towels, but made sure we left them where they would find them."
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders fans stunned as soap icon returns to TV leaving them 'obsessed'
Soap fans were thrilled by the unexpected return of EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison to TV screens after she opened up on her financial struggles since leaving Walford A fan-favourite EastEnders made an unexpected return to TV, leaving viewers thrilled. Cheryl Fergison, who played the iconic Heather Trott on the BBC soap, has been open about her lack of work in recent years. The actress revealed her financial struggles after leaving the soap in 2012, and shared how she got help from a foodbank as well as EastEnders legend Dame Barbara Windsor. Following the challenging time, Cheryl has made a comeback to the small screen. She shocked viewers when she rocked up in BBC Two's comedy series Mandy. The actress made a guest appearance in the show, which is written by Diane Morgan. It follows the goings on of permanently out-of-work Mandy Carter and her best friend Lola. Mandy was forced to attend a restart scheme at her local job centre, where she encountered an unimpressed Stella, played by Cheryl. Stella only said one worked to Mandy, as she called her "dirty". Cheryl's fans were thrilled by her return to screens as one said: "Obsessed with Cheryl 'two words' Fergison. She did a cracking job." Another added: "Congrats Cheryl!" Someone else commented: "Can we talk about the amount of cameos in Mandy cuz what do u mean Cheryl Fergison and Martin Lewis casually popped up within the first ep of series 4?" A fourth declared: "Ar Cheryl is in the new season of Mandy." While on EastEnders, Cheryl racked up a huge fan following until her character was sensationally killed off. Ben Mitchell smacked her over the head with a picture frame, causing her to hit her head on the way to the floor. Life after the soap hasn't been quite so straightforward, with Cheryl opening up on her struggles earlier this year. She revealed she had turned to a food bank for help and was relying on benefits. In order to try and make ends meet, Cheryl settled for far smaller jobs including opening a Chinese takeaway in Cleveleys earlier this year. The actress told 'My health is good, but my finances will take a long time to recover. Until I have steady work, I'm not rich or comfortable—I'm just surviving. "I've been saying yes to everything for no money, but I need to start valuing my work and asking for fair pay. Even my agent insists on it.' She added: 'Still, I'll never give in. I want to keep singing. If people criticise me for singing in small restaurants, so be it. At the end of the day, I'm an entertainer. Community has always been important to me, and I'll perform no matter the crowd.' Once at the top of her game as a primetime BBC star, Cheryl fell into dire straits after she was conned out of a 'humungous' amount of money. She said on This Morning: 'There is a circumstance that started this, which I can't talk about at this moment in time, but it started to spiral. "The only way I can say it is I was conned out of a humongous amount of money. That led to the cancer thing and everything spiralled. I was robbing Peter to pay Paul. I ended up having to sell my house. Now I am living up north and renting."
Metro
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders fans 'obsessed' as Walford legend returns to TV screens
Much-loved EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison has made a grand return to TV screens in a hit comedy series. The actress, who played iconic character Heather Trott on the BBC One soap from 2007 to 2012, has been open about her financial struggles and lack of work in recent years. Last year Cheryl opened up about being unable to find work, and how she was able to get help from a food bank, as well as from co-star Dame Barbara Windsor. 'The lovely late great Barbara Windsor was getting her chequebook out to help me,' she said. 'They helped me out a lot and helped my family.' Now, Cheryl has returned to our screens in a guest role in BBC Two's surreal comedy Mandy, which is written by and stars Diane Morgan. Each episode follows the exploits of permanently out of work Mandy Carter and her best friend Lola, who often find themselves in madcap situations and meeting colourful characters. In the first episode of the latest series, which can be streamed now on iPlayer, Mandy is forced to attend a restart scheme at her local job centre, where she meets Stella (Fergison), a mute woman who only speaks once to say she 'looks dirty'. After performing illegal cosmetic surgery on an old school mate, the titular character then splashes the cash on an expensive new outfit to prove Stella and the other attendees wrong. Taking to social media, Cheryl's fans have expressed their elation at seeing her again. 'Obsessed with Cheryl 'two words' Fergison. She did a cracking job,' said one on X. More Trending Another added: 'Congrats Cheryl!' A third said: 'Can we talk about the amount of cameos in Mandy cuz what do u mean Cheryl Fergison and Martin Lewis casually popped up within the first ep of series 4?' 'Ar Cheryl is in the new season of Mandy,' commented a fourth. View More » Mandy can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer. 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: When is The Great British Sewing Bee on and who is the host? MORE: The Great British Sewing Bee is back – but I miss Kiell Smith-Bynoe MORE: Extraordinary BBC drama that 'perfectly encapsulated grief' celebrated by fans 9 years later
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Martin Lewis issues important passport warning ahead of school holidays
Martin Lewis was back in the This Morning studio today, as he offered his expert advice during the phone in segment - and there was one urgent warning he relayed about passports Martin Lewis was back on This Morning with his expert advice today (July 22) and issued an important warning to those getting ready to jet off on holiday this summer. As schools are out for the term, many families will be jetting off for their annual trip - but Martin Lewis wanted to make sure they weren't caught out as they arrive at the airport. Caller Alan gave the show a call for some passport advice, as he revealed he'd be jetting off to Kuala Lumpur in September and then on to Bali. However, his passport expires in July 2026. Martin revealed he would be fine for the six month rule, but later asked the important question: "Will your passport be over 10 years old on the day you go to Indonesia?" Alan then revealed that the date of issue was 25 January 2016, with his passport expiring on 25th July 2026. Martin then responded: "None of this is an issue. I don't know the rules for Indonesia off the top of my head - but you've got over six months on your passport on the day you enter, and your passport is 10 years old on the day you enter - you're fine." Many countries require at least six months validity on a passport for entry to be granted - and many Brits have been caught out and turned away from the airport due to this rule. For those travelling to Europe - many have been caught out by the 10-year-rule. UK travellers were previously able to carry up to nine months from an old passport over on to a new one. But post-Brexit, EU countries will now not accept passports issued more than 10 years ago. If your passport was issued after 2018 - there's no need to worry about the rule, as they are valid for exactly 10 years. However, if a UK passport was issued before September 2018, it could be valid for up to 10 years and nine months. It means some people have passports that have not officially expired, and are valid for travel in the rest of the world, but not in parts of Europe as they were issued more than ten years ago However, every country is different and holiday goers should visit foreign travel advice for the country you are visiting to find out what the entry requirements are. Martin's warning came after he made a huge career switch up, making his comedy debut last night. BBC comedy series Mandy returned, with Martin making his acting debut. The programme, which stars actress Dianne Morgan as protagonist Mandy Carter aired last night on BBCOne. As he posted a clip of his debut on Instagram, fans were left in stitches, as they praised the star for his acting skills. "This is literally so amazing. Not only because I love what you do, but also because I am an aesthetic injector myself. It's like my two favourite worlds colliding," penned one, while another said: "Hilarious! How many takes did it take?!"
