Latest news with #Nikos
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Stacey Solomon forced to hit back at trolls after husband Joe Swash ‘disappears' on family holiday in Turkey
The pricey resort charges in excess of £1,000-a-night NO SOLO Stacey Solomon forced to hit back at trolls after husband Joe Swash 'disappears' on family holiday in Turkey STACEY Solomon has reassured fans her husband Joe Swash hasn't disappeared from their family holiday in Turkey. The TV favourite, 35, is staying at a five-star hotel in Antalya and has been sharing pictures and clips from the stay. Advertisement 5 Stacey Solomon is having a blast in Turkey 5 She posed outside her favourite restaurant in a colour-coordinated dress 5 Stacey confirmed husband Joe is very much still on the family holiday Credit: Instagram Recent uploads have seen Stacey appear either with her children or sister Jemma, prompting many to question if Joe, 43, had made an early exit. But that isn't the case at all, with Stacey setting the record straight last night after receiving a number of messages. Alongside a loved-up photo of them together, she wrote: "For everyone asking... of course Joe's here [laughing emoji]. "But we have five kids so anyone with kids knows you're always on split shifts. Advertisement "Here's a rare photo of us from last night." In the fun snap, giggling Stacey held Joe's hand as he held her around the waist. She previously stunned in a summery mini dress as she posed outside her favourite restaurant at the exclusive resort, which is thought to be costing the couple around £30,000. Prior to the meal at Nikos, she had a girly day with daughters Belle and Rose, with the trio all wearing matching outfits. Advertisement Stacey said Rose was over the moon after getting her hair braided. And there was laughter at a water park as Stacey joked her family were ashamed with her for trying to preserve her blow dried hair. Stacey Solomon clashes with husband Joe Swash as they reveal relationship struggles in therapy The family are at the Regnum Carya in Antalya, where rooms start from around £1,000 per person per night. They have been there so many times, Stacey now refers to it as her "second home". Advertisement The couple have a blended family of six children. They share three kids together – Rex, six, Rose, three, and Belle, two – while Stacey is also mum to Zachary, 17, and Leighton, 12, and Joe has 18-year-old son Harry with his ex Emma Sophocleous. Their holiday comes after it was reported Stacey and Joe have made a "vow" amid "silly bickering", following "tension" between them in their docuseries. Stacey Solomon's career so far Stacey Solomon has been a familiar face on viewers' screens for over a decade. Let's take a look back at her career. The X Factor (2009): Stacey competed in series six of long-running ITV singing competition The X Factor. During her time in the show, she was mentored by Danni Minogue in the 'Girls' category. The star finished in third place, behind Joe McElderry and Olly Murs. I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (2010); In late 2010, Stacey headed to the infamous I'm A Celeb Aussie jungle. After 21 days, she triumphed to win the tenth series. It was through I'm A Celeb that she met future husband Joe Swash - who'd won two years earlier and was hosting the ITV2 spinoff. Celebrity Juice (2011―2013, 2016―2019): The star appeared as a panellist on 21 episodes of the comedy panel game show hosted by Keith Lemon. Stacey was a regular in the 21st series, broadcast in 2019. Loose Women (2016 - present): Stacey has been a permanent panel member of the daytime show since 2016. She previously made guest appearances in 2011 and 2012. Sort Your Life Out (2022 -present): This BBC show sees Stacey, with the help of an expert team, transform participants' living spaces after removing clutter. According to a source, the couple have vowed to take time out to remember why they're so good for each other. Advertisement They told New Magazine: 'There's tension in the air and there is a bit of bickering. But it puts a strain on any relationship. The source added: 'They're worried that if they don't have a break from the cameras and the limelight, it could affect what makes their relationship special. 'They're still very much in love and are really trying to focus on each other amid the silly bickering and moments of tension, and remember why they got together in the first place – and why they're actually so perfect together." 5 Stacey and Joe have a blended family of six kids Credit: Instagram Advertisement
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Fundraising campaign launched to help Dumfries and Galloway restaurant hit by fire
Firefighters were called out to The Olive Retreat on King Street on Tuesday night to tackle the blaze. A fundraising campaign has been launched to help a Castle Douglas restaurant hit by fire. Firefighters were called out to The Olive Retreat on King Street on Tuesday night to tackle the blaze. The popular eatery is a big supporter of the local community, organising annual raffles to support good causes. They have also helped fuel the team at Castle Douglas Soap Box Derby, which takes place this weekend. And, in both its current guise and previous name Nikos, it has helped support Ukrainian refugees who fled to the region following the Russian invasion in 2022. Now, an online fundraising page has been set up to help the team at The Olive Retreat, with more than £700 raised inside 24 hours. One of the Castle Douglas Soap Box Derby organisers, Matt Mckerlie, posted: 'Help the team at The Olive Reteat. 'As most will know, tonight there's been a fire which couldn't have come at a worse time with summer season arriving. 'Sam and the team have supported the town, groups, fundraising, charities and our community. 'It will take time to get back on their feet so lets show them how much we support and appreciate them. 'They are a pillar of the community in the heart of the town." The fundraiser can be found on JustGiving. A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: 'We were alerted at 6.55pm on Tuesday, July 8, to reports of a fire within commercial premises on King Street in Castle Douglas. 'Operations control mobilised two fire appliances to the scene, and the fire was extinguished. 'There were no casualties, and crews left the area after ensuring it was safe.'
7NEWS
03-06-2025
- General
- 7NEWS
New winter fire safety warning as Sydney couple faces rebuild after blaze destroys home
A mother who dragged her husband to safety from a devastating blaze — which has sparked new warnings over fire safety — is a 'brave' woman who 'won't ever back down,' according to their son. Maria Charalambous, 68, was taking a shower early Friday morning when a fire broke out in the bedroom where her husband Nick, 82, was sleeping. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bonnyrigg bungalow destroyed by fire. 'I pulled his legs. I said, 'Come on, wake up, wake up, there is a fire,'' Maria recalled. Authorities say the situation could have turned into an 'absolute tragedy' if Maria had not been awake at the time, as the fire spread rapidly throughout the home. Their son, Nikos, said he was in shock but not surprised by his mother's heroic actions at the Bonnyrigg Heights property in Sydney, where the couple has lived for more than 30 years. 'She's a small lady, but she's so brave,' he told 'She's tough. She won't ever back down. I'm really proud of her.' The blaze is believed to have been caused by an electric heater plugged into a wall outlet. Nick had left the heater running overnight to keep their dogs warm. Four of the couple's beloved dogs managed to escape, but tragically, three were lost in the fire. No smoke alarm sounded, as it had been turned off. Flames completely destroyed the family home, along with irreplaceable memories — including photographs, videos, and other treasured possessions. 'Everything was just gone in a second,' Nikos said. 'My parents are going back to the house every day, trying to salvage what they can. They're trying to keep busy. There's no set plan at the moment.' In another heartbreaking blow, the couple had recently cancelled their home insurance as a cost-saving measure. Nikos hopes his parents' ordeal serves as a warning to others. 'When you hear stories like this, you never think it will happen to you — but it can,' he said. He also condemned the 'disgusting' online trolls who have targeted his family in the wake of the tragedy. Fortunately, his parents are not on social media and have been shielded from most of the negativity. 'It's so sad that my parents are in this position,' he said. 'They've just lost their home — something they've worked their whole lives for. The cruel comments are not needed. We wouldn't wish this on anyone.' Nikos has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help his parents get back on their feet. Winter warning Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said there has been a rise in dangerous fires as winter sets in — prompting renewed warnings. He stressed the importance of keeping electric heaters at least one metre away from flammable objects and recommended switching them off overnight. 'The first line of defence in an emergency is a smoke alarm that is less than 10 years old,' Dewberry told He added that in nearly half of house fire emergencies, smoke alarms are either non-compliant or not installed correctly. 'Know the risks. Don't overload power boards, test electric blankets, be careful with heat packs, and don't leave food unattended on stovetops,' he said. NSW authorities have also issued a separate warning about the dangers of hot foods and liquids, particularly for children. In 2024, more than 400 children required specialised medical care for scalds caused by accidental spills. An additional 48 children suffered contact burns from hot surfaces like stoves, cooktops, and barbecues. 'It's crucial to remember that hot food and drinks, which may feel safe for an adult, can cause serious burns to a child,' said Torey Lawrence, head of burns at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. 'Children's skin is much thinner than adults', and even a small amount of hot liquid can result in deep, severe burns. 'Burns injuries can cause both life-long injuries and scarring. These can have a lasting impact on a child's physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing.' What to do if someone is burned
Mint
20-05-2025
- Mint
The best wine and cocktail bars in Paris
Trips to Paris have always been short and with a full schedule. However, I had two days to myself in the city in February and there was much to explore. After taking in the touristy experiences—a walk along the Champs Elysees, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral and spending time at the beautiful garden Jardin des Tuileries—I focused on high quality eating and drinking destinations. In previous visits, I've always had a wine hat on, but this time the thriving cocktail bar scene took me by surprise. When it comes to wine, it's everywhere—boutique stores, wine bars, serious places that take wine and food pairing to their highest level, and multiple tasting events and wine dinners everyday. The events, easy to find online through a simple search or via Instagram are at all levels from easy-going to expensive. Paris also has easy access by train or car to the most sought-after wine regions in the world — Champagne, Bordeaux , Burgundy, Alsace to name a few. Hop, skip and jump your way to the very heart of wine excellence on a day or overnight trip. Paris truly is a perfect base for wine adventure at the highest level. Champagne flows like water in Paris; it is drunk very often, not relegated to special occasions and consumed whether it's the start of an evening, or during the entire course of the evening through dinner. Bookmark these wine spots My favourite way to enjoy Paris when it comes to wine is to keep it simple: take a bottle of wine with some cheese, sit on the banks of the river Seine and enjoy your drink while watching the cruise boats go by. I was tipped by a friend to go to a wine bar called Ambassade de Bourgogne. The wine bar and bottle shop is the holy grail for those who love Burgundy with literally everything on offer that comes out of the region. It's a great place to get your Burgundy fix while browsing through their wine list which is 36 pages long. Planche at The Hoxton hotel is the one place to visit for natural, biodynamic and organic wines like Domaine L'Herbier, Domaine De Clos and Chateau Doyac. These will thrill wine nerds. For natural wines, ciders and craft beers you must go to Liquiderie, a cool wine bar. At Galerie Vivienne is Le Comptoir des Caves Legrand , which has a great selection of French wines Domaine Trapet, Marsannay, Domaine Bott, First Flight Viognier to name a few. Comme Chai Toi is a fine, delicious small restaurant that serves up great French food in a fuzzy warm space with some delicious wines made mostly by small producers. If that's not enough, you get a beautiful view of Notre Dame through its large windows. A toast to cocktails I would recommend The Cambridge Public House, a cool Persian pub that's relaxed and has a strong focus on sustainability with cocktails like Silent Sky, Midnight Driver and Golden Child. Please meet Hyacinthe, the co-founder and Nikos and Xenia, their brilliant mixologists. Another cool bar in the same area is Little Red Door where they take the concept of farm-to-cocktail glass seriously using seasonal produce like vegetables, fruits and flowers sourced from farmers. Try their drinks named Lou Mandrin, Squash Squash or Volupte. If walking around is your thing, with a cocktail here and a glass of wine there, on the left bank of the Seine is the neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés with a wide selection of bars, cafés and restaurants. It's a bit touristy but fun nevertheless. Finally, a place that's still on my must-visit list is the Plénitude at the Cheval Blanc hotel. It's a fine dining restaurant with three Michelin Stars, and the hotel in which it's located is named after the prestigious vintage wine Cheval Blanc. The hotel is owned by the LVMH group and promises a lavish gastronomic experience.
Telegraph
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
William Sitwell reviews Krokodilos, Kensington: ‘We refused to be defeated by the goat'
Unquestionably this was goat. Goat in all its goatiness. By which I mean it ponged. It reeked. It was musty, earthy and truly goaty. It had everything except the bell. 'It's a wild goat. From the mountains of Greece, from the shepherd,' explained Nikos, our expressive and brilliant waiter ('You can call me Niko, but when you refer to me it's Nikos'). Which shepherd and which mountain I forget, though I could imagine eating such a thing in a rustic Greek bap, up on a barren, dusty hill, the sun beating down, the fragrance of wild thyme around us, the stinky nose and high game flavour in tune with the environment. But on Kensington Church Street, west London? We asked for a gutsy red to help tone it down. Along came two glasses of something from Crete. That, with some sweet gravy, made it more metrosexually acceptable. Yet I salute the place for being so brave and authentic in serving such a thing. But then, it is called Krokodilos and one doesn't argue with a scary, sharp-toothed reptile. The goat came as the centrepiece of a satisfying spread served in a well-designed room of pale woods and brickwork, surrounded by shelves stuffed with bottles and ornaments, here and there dripping with greenery. There is comfy upright seating, soft lighting and a large, heavy marble-topped bar at one end. Nikos enthused passionately about the menu – we were, apparently, in for some Greek masterpieces, a combination of authenticity and creativity. We started with 'taramas cream', which could be the name of a Jilly Cooper character. It came as a ripple of roe with a confit egg yolk, which we mixed in to give an orange tint and a touch of richness to the smoky roe. We had it with a 'village bread' which, Nikos explained, was 'potato bread' – and with whole chunks of potato baked into the dough, it sure as hell was. It was a little heavy and I reckon the tarama would be better served by something lighter with more crunch. Next up was a Greek salad, just like the dakos ones of Crete, with those grey-looking large and crunchy croutons. The tomatoes were fabulously steeped in oil and perfectly room-temperature, and on top there was a big, delicious wedge of feta. Then came rabbit livers, a dozen rich pink beauties in oil and herbs. These were the best livers I've had in a while; something that enhanced my love and admiration for the cooked bunny. A dish of octopus was not as good as the one at Kima, that Marylebone marvel, this version being drenched in too much cream, chopped tomatoes and other stuff. The goat followed, served with a large bowl of trahanas. This, Nikos explained, was a kind of Greek porridge, or a soup of cracked wheat and fermented dairy. It was perked up with thyme and a Greek hard cheese called graviera. It helped to further tame, or maybe swamp, the goat, which was a good thing. And we refused to be defeated by the meat, attacking it with that wine and sauce and porridge. So this was hearty stuff: all bold flavours and no-punch-pulling bravura. And it came with a bill to match, due to Nikos's skill in wine-upselling, which moved a generous spread of refined taramasalata, good Cretan salad, rabbit livers, octopus, porridge and goat up to the £300 mark (OK, we shared three starters and, technically, three mains). That included a Cretan white that lacked the smoothness of a great assyrtiko (£75 a bottle), the feisty but plonky red, which was £27 each for two medium glasses, and no pud. Still, a big hand to Nikos for selling then bearing those gifts with such panache.
