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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Eamonn Holmes shares 'sad' health decline after falling off chair on live TV
Eamonn Holmes has issued a heartbreaking health update days after falling off his chair live on GB News. The presenter, 65, was also taken to hospital earlier in the month after he had a fall at his home. Sharing his dismay at his current state, Belfast man Eamonn took to social media to share a picture of himself looking healthy and sprightly from just three years ago. The presenter said it "made him sad" to see his decline as he told fans: "I could walk." In a bid to stay positive, Eamonn added: "Got to redouble my efforts." The presenter has been working hard on his rehabilitation after undergoing spinal surgery in 2022 for chronic back pain caused by three slipped discs. Over the last year he has been seen using a walking aid and a wheelchair as his mobility has become effected. Just last week, Eamonn sparked concern from fans when he took a tumble from his seat while presenting the GB News Breakfast show. During his Wednesday show, with his co-host Ellie Costello, a crash could be heard while the camera was focused on their guest, commentator Charlie Rowley, Mirror UK reports. Costello could be heard saying "oh my gosh" off-screen, and Holmes pleaded with Rowley to "carry on" before the presenter returned to the show following a break. Holmes said: "Welcome back. Good to see you again. Especially good for me to see you again. I am still alive, yes. And they're very wonky wheels on chairs that we've got here, and matter of fact, we don't really like the chairs full stop, do we? They're a bit slippy and slidey and I've slipped and slid off mine there. 'Not the first guest to have done so, we've had a few, they have to remain nameless because they're well known people, but they've hit the floor really badly, quite frightening. And it was a bit of a shock for me because I've had a fall in my bathroom two weeks ago, which hospitalised me, and that hit me again right in the back. (I'm) really, really sore. Really sore.' He later said the chair 'gave way' which meant he was lying flat on his back. He added: 'As the morning goes on, you feel aches and pains. The worst thing about this, of course, this was at a time when I was hospitalised two weeks ago for a very similar fall in the same area, back of the head, my neck, my shoulders. So it all came back, as it were.' On X, formerly Twitter, Rowley wrote: '@EamonnHolmes YOU are the real hero for carrying on this morning. A true professional and National Treasure who I learn from each and every week. It's a privilege working with you, @elliecostelloTV and the rest of the @GBNEWS family. Take care!'. On May 2, in an Instagram post that included a photo from the inside of an ambulance, Holmes thanked the crew who had helped him after he fell on his bathroom floor. The former This Morning host has long battled health issues after dislodging discs in his back which he said previously impinged on his sciatic nerve and affected the mobility of his right has spoken about going through spinal surgery, a double hip replacement, and his struggles walking and using a mobility scooter. Last year, Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford announced their split, after tying the knot in 2010.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
WHO alert as infectious new Covid strain spreads rapidly
The World Health Organisation has issued an alert after a new strain of Covid-19 was found to be spreading throughout multiple countries, including a number of popular holiday hotspots. The WHO warned the new variant, NB.1.8.1, is now responsible for more than 10 per cent of all infections and has been labelled a 'variant under monitoring', with an expert explaining the strain appears to spread more easily than previous variants. By the end of April, NB.1.8.1 comprised roughly 10.7 per cent of all submitted sequences – up from just 2.5 per cent four weeks before, the Mirror UK reports. Lara Herrero Associate Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, at Griffith University said the new strain 'may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains' due to multiple mutations. The strain has been detected in multiple countries, including Australia, the US, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asia. Professor Herrero said: "It's possible a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants. The evidence so far suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily and may partially sidestep immunity from prior infections or vaccination. These factors could explain its rise in sequencing data. "But importantly, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants. "Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases." A WHO report reads: "SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and between January and May 2025, there were shifts in global SARS-CoV-2 variant dynamics. At the beginning of the year, the most prevalent variant tracked by WHO at the global level was XEC, followed by KP.3.1.1. In February, circulation of XEC began to decline while that of LP.8.1 increased, with the latter becoming the most detected variant in mid-March. Since mid-April, the circulation of LP.8.1 has been slightly declining as NB.1.8.1 is increasingly being detected." The health organisation also said there have been recent increases observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. The report reads: "WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage Covid-19 management strategies to strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats. Member States should continue offering Covid-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations. "Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions."
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brooklyn Beckham's Guinness photo triggers four-word warning amid family feud
Brooklyn Beckham has been hit with a four-word warning from concerned fans after slamming his family. Tensions have been rife in the Beckham and Peltz families in recent months as their relationship continues to become strained. Earlier this month, Brooklyn, 26, and his wife, Nicola Peltz, 30, had been set to attend a string of swanky celebrations for his dad, David's 50th birthday, but the couple decided not to turn up at any. The Beckham family threw a string of celebrations, including a family dinner at their home in the Cotswolds, a trip to Paris and a huge party in London. Brooklyn and Nicola had flown into London from Los Angeles especially for the event. But instead, they decided to head out for dinner with a friend and documented their evening on social media. Recent reports claim that David and former Spice Girls star Victoria feel that Brooklyn is being held "hostage" in his marriage with Nicola, who is reported to be the decision maker. Earlier this week, the wannabe photographer turned chef stunned fans when he publicly stated he would always choose his wife over anybody else. Now, he has spoken out for the first time. Taking to Instagram, Brooklyn posed for a snap as he promoted his latest business venture, his hot sauce brand, Mirror UK reports. He was seen sipping on a pint of Guinness as he promoted his brand while displaying dozens of his tattoos across his arm. His upload, which has been liked over 11,000 times, was soon flooded with messages from his online followers. "Reconcile with your family! You will only regret it if anything happens. I lost my mum unexpectedly. Imagine my sadness and guilt. Please do it," said one. A second added: "Brooklyn put the games aside get in touch with your Dad & Mum! You know how much they love you." "Real men don't treat their families like he does," commented another. Sources close to the Beckham's have now said that they are hoping his sister, Harper Seven's upcoming birthday could be an ice breaker for the family. Speaking to The Sun, a source explained that the Beckham family are hoping the rift will have been resolved by July 10. But some do not feel this will be the case. They told the outlet: "It doesn't seem likely at the moment." Meanwhile, a source close to Brooklyn and his wife said that she has succeeded in finally helping him "see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family". However, an insider close to the Beckhams, who previously described the accusations as "deeply unpleasant and patently untrue", said it was a "bit rich" for Nicola's friends to lecture about toxic behaviour. "Brooklyn is now being referred to as 'the hostage,' he is in a situation where those who love Brooklyn fear that he is being controlled by Nicola, and it is heartbreaking," one insider told Mail Online. They added: "Videos like this are just not what he does. He will be dying inside. He's soppy and he's a romantic, but that video just isn't him. He hates all of that stuff so you have to wonder if Nicola was behind it." It came after Brooklyn shared a video of himself and Nicola riding a motorbike down a road surrounded by sprawling mansions. Making a dig at his family, he captioned his upload: "My whole world x I will love you forever x I always choose you baby x you're the most amazing person i know xx me and you forever baby."
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
The real reason behind the name of McVitie's Hobnobs is leaving fans baffled
The inventor of the beloved biscuit, McVities' Hobnobs has revealed the meaning behind the iconic biscuit's name, leaving fans baffled at the unlikely reason behind the treat's name. All was revealed in Channel 4's The Secret World of Biscuits when the creator was quizzed over the Hobnob's name, which launched in supermarkets in 1985, the Mirror UK reports. Pam Langworthy, who helped develop and market the British delight, said: "[The focus groups] said [the biscuit] was knobbly, because, you know, it wasn't a very smooth finish in the way, for instance, Digestive or Rich Tea are. And they said it looked as if somebody had made it at home, maybe made it on a hob." She added: "And so, I wanted a name that was very easy to say and just rolled off the tongue. And so, 'Hobnob'." These biscuits have become hugely popular since the 80s, but arguably not as much as McVities' most popular biscuit worldwide, which is the unbeatable digestive. However, according to British Corner Shop, McVities Hobnobs are available in physical stores in France, USA, Italy, Germany, Canada, Spain, Austria and Denmark. The name Hobnob also derives from the British verb 'to hobnob'. It means to spend time being friendly with someone important or a celebrity. Mindblowing, right? Despite focus groups almost steering biscuit makers towards the name all those years ago, it wasn't a done deal from the off. Andrew Easdale, a co-worker of Pam, explained that their superiors wanted to keep it more 'homely'. He explained: 'There was a sort of I wouldn't say a stunned silence, but there was a, um, hmmm, followed by, 'couldn't you call it something a bit more descriptive, like 'oaty crunchies? I said, 'No, it's gonna be Hobnobs. We need a brand.' Thankfully, the name 'Hobnobs' was agreed and it has become a household name ever since.
Irish Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I died for 8 minutes and what I saw convinced me that death is an illusion'
A woman who was pronounced dead for eight minutes has revealed what she saw – and says death is an illusion. Brianna Lafferty's soul 'floated' above her, before she passed over into a place where time didn't exist. The 33-year-old had been battling a rare, life-limiting neurological disorder and said her body had already 'given up'. She heard a voice asking if she was ready – and agreed – as she entered into complete darkness. While there, Brianna learned that death is an illusion and that our time on Earth isn't the end. 'Death is an illusion because our soul never dies,' Brianna said. 'Our consciousness remains alive. And our very being only transforms. My thoughts instantly manifested into the afterlife. I noticed that our thoughts create a reality there – it just takes time – which is a blessing. 'We're able to change our negativity into positivity, turning this into reality. I feel empowered and trust life's events, especially the hard ones. Looking back, everything is so crystal clear as to why I suffered with illness and other tough struggles. 'There's knowledge that everything does really happen for a reason, as I go with the flow and don't get angry or upset when bad things happen. Also knowing that my thoughts and feelings are that powerful helps me live a gratitude filled life.' Brianna had been suffering from myoclonus dystonia, a rare neurological condition that causes sudden, brief muscle jerks and contractions, Mirror UK reports. She had exhausted all medication and was unaware of how bad her condition could get – and if it was possibly fatal. After experiencing intense insomnia, where she was unable to sleep for more than a minute across four days, she thought her time was almost up. Brianna, who was pronounced dead for eight minutes, says the out-of-body experience taught her an important lesson. She said: 'I was suddenly separated from my physical body. I didn't see or remember my human self. I was completely still, yet I felt fully alive, aware and more myself than ever before. There was no pain, just a deep sense of peace and clarity. 'This detachment from my physical form made me realise how temporary and fragile our human experience is. There's a presence, or intelligence, higher than ourselves that guides and watches over us with unconditional love. Everything happens at once there, as if time doesn't exist, yet there was perfect order. 'I experienced the beginning of everything and learned that our universe is made up of a bunch of numbers. I met other beings that I'm not sure were human, but they felt familiar. It changed the course of my life – what I feared no longer had power over me and what I used to chase didn't seem important anymore. 'I came back with a sense of mission and deep reverence for both life and death.' Brianna says that it felt like she had been gone for months when returning back into her body. She stayed in hospital for four days, trying to work out what had happened. Over this time, she had to readjust – not just physically, but spiritually, too Now, she's learned not to fear death and is grateful for the experience. She added: 'I had to relearn how to walk and talk. I've also had lasting side effects and damage to my pituitary gland, which I got experimental brain surgery for to treat – and has been a success so far. 'I am a little fearful of having another near death experience, only because the recovery is tough. I'm not sure I can avoid it if it's meant to happen again, though. But because of this, I have a heart of gratitude instead of anger. 'And I'm able to help others going through chronic illness, dying and spiritual awakenings using my own experience. I believe I survived because I have a purpose here on Earth. 'There have been many close calls where I should have died and didn't. I'm aware that we choose hard, difficult and painful moments in our human experiences because our soul wants to know what isn't available in the spiritual realm. It's to learn and grow, but sometimes it's because the sense of something new excites us.'
