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Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Amy Dowden 'forever grateful' as she appears with rarely seen husband
Amy Dowden 'forever grateful' as she appears with rarely seen husband The trip comes after a busy few months for the Welsh dancer, and she has shared some holiday snaps after a trip to Dubai Amy Dowden (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has reflected on her recent holiday abroad with her husband, Ben. The couple spent a few days in the Dubai sunshine after a busy few months for the Caerphilly-born professional dancer. On Instagram, the star shared a few snaps of her holiday with her husband of three years, Ben Jones. The dancer described the holiday as "beautiful" and said she was "forever grateful" of their time away. The Instagram's post caption read: "Full of quality time together. Sun, sea, swimming, great food, spa treats, kayaking with tortoises most mornings, peacocks and just total relaxation. Exactly what we both needed. Memories made and forever grateful". The trip comes after a busy few months for Amy. The dancer completed her UK tour, Reborn, with close friend and fellow dancer Carlos Gu at the beginning of the year. The Welsh star then found out she would be rejoining the professional dancer cast of Strictly Come Dancing's upcoming series, which is set to air later this year. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Last year the star returned to the dancing competition following her breast cancer treatment and receiving the news that there was 'no evidence of the disease'. She was paired up with JLS member JB Gill, but sadly had to pull out of the competition when she sustained a foot injury. She was then replaced by fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley. Article continues below Dowden, alongside Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley will be returning to the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, which will air this autumn. Content cannot be displayed without consent Before her holiday in Dubai, Amy was spotted at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, where she was presented by a sweet pea named after her. Article continues below As explained by the English Sweet Peas, who launched the Sweet Pea Amy Dowden plant, 10% of of every packet would be donated to the star's two chosen charities - CoppaFeel!, a breast cancer awareness charity, and Crohn's & Colitis UK, which is a UK based charity dedicated to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease. You can read more about the sweet pea here. The star has also found out that her candid BBC documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, has been nominated for National TV Awards (NTA) for the 'Authored Documentary' category. The dancer said it had been a "tough decision" to let a film crew document her "raw emotion", which you can read more on here.
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly's Amy Dowden says it 'was tough' as she shares huge career news
Strictly's Amy Dowden says it 'was tough' as she shares huge career news The professional dancer shared the news that her documentary had been shortlisted for a prestigious British television awards ceremony Amy Dowden documented her gruelling cancer battle for a BBC documentary (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has shared her response to the news her documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, has been nominated for the National TV Awards (NTA). The professional dancer from Caerphilly took to Instagram to express her delight that the BBC documentary had been shortlisted for the prestigious British television awards ceremony. On her Instagram story, she wrote: "I've just heard the news! Oh wow! This documentary was a tough make, showing the truth and honest of living through a cancer diagnosis. Hoping to raise awareness and save lives". Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me has been nominated in the 'Authored Documentary' category alongside Love Island star Molly Mae's documentary, Molly-Mae: Behind It All, Freddie Flintoff's documentary, Flintoff, which followed his recovery from a near-fatal car crash while filming Top Gear in 2022, Boyzone: No Matter What and Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope amongst other documentaries. The National TV Awards' winners are based on public vote, with the ceremony taking place in London this September. In a separate post on her Instagram story, Amy wrote: "Voting has opened and it would honestly mean everything to me and the entire team". In 2023, the Strictly star was diagnosed with breast cancer, which led to her undergoing a mastectomy and intensive chemotherapy. Article continues below During her cancer journey, the professional dancer decided to document her experience, which focused on her battle for her health, a future family and a return to the dancefloor. Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me was described as a "powerfully honest" documentary. In February 2024, Amy received the uplifting news of 'no evidence of the disease'. Since then, the ballroom dancer has been unwavering in her commitment to raising awareness of the disease, providing regular heartfelt updates to her followers. The professional dancer from Caerphilly took to Instagram to express her delight that the BBC documentary had been shortlisted for the prestigious British television awards ceremony (Image: Amy Dowden / Instagram ) Recently, the star was presented with the sweet pea in a special event at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show. English Sweet Peas officially launched their newest variety - Sweet Pea Amy Dowden, with 10% of every packet of 'Amy Dowden' donated to the dancer's two chosen charities - CoppaFeel!, which is a breast cancer awareness charity, and Crohn's & Colitis UK, which is a UK based charity dedicated to Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease. You can read more about this here. The nomination comes after a busy few months for the star. At the beginning of the year, she completed her UK tour, Reborn, with close friend and fellow professional dancer Carlos Gu, and not long after, it was confirmed that she would be returning to the dancefloor for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing upcoming series later this year. Article continues below The dancer returned to the series last year following her health battle and was paired up with JLS' JB Gill, but had to pull out from the competition when she suffered a foot injury and was replaced by fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Celebrity Traitors star opens up on ‘coma shock treatment' at hands of cruel doctor
Celebrity Traitors star opens up on 'coma shock treatment' at hands of cruel doctor Celia Imrie, who is set to appear in the BBC's upcoming Celebrity Traitors series, was subjected to a series of cruel treatments at the hands of psychiatrist William Sargant - including being put into a 'sub-coma' Celia Imrie was one of many young women entrusted to the care of psychiatrist William Sargant (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Former patients of a secure psychiatric ward at a prominent London hospital have come forward to share the traumatic experiences they endured under the care of psychiatrist William Sargant, who subjected them to inhumane and unethical treatments. For his new book, The Sleep Room, author Jon Stock spoke with several of Sargant's victims, including actress Celia Imrie, known for her roles in films such as Bridget Jones's Diary and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, as well as her upcoming appearance in the BBC's Celebrity Traitors. A disturbing pattern emerged, revealing that the majority of Sargant's patients in the notorious "Sleep Room" were women and young girls. In some cases, Sargant even recommended lobotomies as a solution for unhappy wives, rather than suggesting divorce or separation. His twisted rationale was that this drastic procedure would enable them to cope with their difficult circumstances. Jon Stock spoke to several of Sargant's former patients (Image: Hilary Stock ) Sargant's blatant disregard for his female patients' dignity and well-being was exemplified by his practice of parading them, semi-naked, in front of rooms filled with medical students. Celia Imrie, who was also under Sargant's care, told Jon how she had developed an eating disorder as a young girl, after being told she was "too big" to pursue her dream of becoming a ballet dancer. She recalled: "I worked out every means possible to dispose of food, determined to get 'small' enough to be a dancer, and I was soon little more than a carcass with skin." Article continues below She found herself under the care of Sargant. Celia shared: "The side effects were startling. My hands shook uncontrollably for most of the day, and I'd wake up to find clumps of my hair on the pillow." Celia Imrie says that all records of her treatment have mysteriously vanished (Image: GL Weekend ) Celia said that one of the most disturbing side-effects of Sargant's treatment was that everything she saw was in double vision: "When Sargant came into the room, there were two of him. It was horrific and terrifying. "Even simple tasks such as picking up a glass of water became impossible. I was injected with insulin every day too. Sargant was a big believer in fattening up his patients to get them well and you soon put on weight with insulin. I think I had what was called 'sub-coma shock treatment'– you weren't given enough insulin to induce a hypoglycaemic coma, but it was enough to make you drowsy, weak, sweaty and hungry. "I will never know for sure if I was given electric shocks during my stay," Celia added. "Some years back, I tried to find my hospital records, to see the details of my treatment. Unfortunately, Sargant seems to have taken away a lot of his patients' records, including mine, when he retired from the NHS in 1972. "Either that, or they were destroyed. I can't remember ECT happening to me, but I can remember it happening to others." Celie is one of the stars in line for the BBC's Celebrity Traitors Sargant's brutal methods included frequent electroshock treatments. Celia recounted the harrowing experience, "I vividly recall every sight, sound and smell," describing the distressing scene she witnessed at just 14-years-old. Women were entrusted to Sargant for the most trivial of reasons. Jon revealed to the Mirror a case where patient Mary Thornton was placed in The Sleep Room because her parents disapproved of her relationship with an "unsuitable" boy. She shared with Jon her fragmented memories: "One is of the electrodes being attached to the side of my head. I remember the complete, utter terror because I didn't even know who I was." Many of the records of Sargant's work at the Royal Waterloo have been lost (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images ) Jon noted that this was often the reason for young women being admitted to the hospital: "In the mid 1960s, for example, a wealthy businessman contacted Sargant, explaining that his daughter had fallen in love with an 'unsuitable' local man in Europe and wanted to marry him." Sargant was tasked with treating the girl's infatuation, which was seen as insanity. He detailed, "A photo later emerged of Sargant, the father and a heavily sedated daughter standing at the door of the aeroplane that had returned her to the UK." A former student at the hospital told Jon about the incident: "Basically, Sargant brought this attractive young woman back at the end of a needle." Sargant himself underwent psychiatric treatment earlier in his life (Image: Alamy Stock Photo ) It has even been claimed that Sargant may have had ties to the CIA's infamous MK Ultra "mind control" programme. According to Jon, there are whispers that the US spy agency may have provided funding for some of Sargant's work. Jon explains: "The minutes of St Thomas' Research Advisory Committee meeting reveal that in September 1963, Sargant announced that an anonymous donor would fund the salary of a research registrar (£80,000 a year in today's money) for two years. Sargant refused to reveal the donor's identity." Jon confirms that Sargant did have links to the intelligence community, stating: "Sargant did regular work for MI5 – in 1967, for example, he was called in to assess the mental health of Vladimir Tkachenko, a suspected Russian defector." Article continues below He also admits that solid proof of Sargant's association with the CIA is hard to find. However, he notes that Eric Gow, a former serviceman who participated in drug trials under the guise of helping to cure the common cold, was administered large doses of LSD. Jon believes that Gow may have seen Sargant overseeing some of these experiments at the MOD's chemical and biological research facility at Porton Down. The Sleep Room: A Very British Medical Scandal by Jon Stock is published by the Bridge Street Press (£25).
Edinburgh Live
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Peter Andre shares major family decision after wife Emily suffered 'scary' health ordeal
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Peter Andre has candidly shared details about a significant family choice following his wife Emily's health challenges. Nearly two decades ago, Pete first embraced fatherhood when he and Katie Price, his co-star from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! welcomed their son Junior, with daughter Princess arriving shortly after. Despite the initial romance with the ex-glamour model, their relationship came to an end in 2009. The Mysterious Girl singer has since found love once more after meeting Emily MacDonagh under rather unusual circumstances. The couple's paths crossed when Peter was treated for kidney stones by Emily's father, who is a urologist, back in 2010. After making their relationship official in 2012, just two years later, they celebrated the birth of their first child together, Amelia, followed by the arrivals of Theo and Arabella. (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images) However, while reflecting on Arabella's birth during a conversation with Giovanna Fletcher on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, he revealed an unexpected revelation about his future family plans. He confessed that following the birth of Arabella, it became apparent to them that she would be their final addition, describing the realisation as a "bittersweet" experience. While opening up about their deeply personal decision, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be a parent: "It's beautiful because you've experienced it, how lucky. When I think of people who can't have children, and I'm thinking I've got to experience it that many times." (Image: Mike Marsland, WireImagevia Getty Images) However, the 52-year-old revealed that they had chosen not to have more children due to "complications" during Arabella's birth last year, sharing: "Emily had a real complication with Belle which I'm sure she'll tell you about, which people didn't know about, and I don't know if she's ever talked about it, but the complications that happened after, that were very serious." He confessed: "So it was a very scary time as well, but it also confirmed that it was the last time." Meanwhile, having worked diligently to welcome his oldest children into his life with Emily, Peter disclosed in his autobiography, Between Us, the strong connection Junior and Princess have built with their step-mother. He disclosed: "So, as our relationship blossomed, the kids only knew her as a friend. But, what a friend. Just as Emily and I had developed this incredible closeness, so the children were creating an amazing bond with her." And recounting when the moment arrived to inform his children that he intended to tie the knot with Emily, he confessed that he had "no worries" about sharing the update with them: "When the time came, and I knew I was going to ask Emily to marry me, my kids had truly grown to love her, so I had no worries about sitting down with them and explaining 'the situation'."
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton's seven-ingredient breakfast smoothie recipe
The Princess of Wales reportedly enjoys a smoothie in the mornings (Image: Samir Hussein, Samir Hussein/WireImagevia Getty Images) Kate Middleton reportedly starts her day with a surprising, nutrient-packed drink that may raise eyebrows. Known for her commitment to a healthy diet and consistent workout regimen, the Princess of Wales blends seven 'powerhouse' ingredients for her morning burst. It might be tempting to imagine a Royal twist on the typical morning coffee or tea, but no, Kate's choice is a 'green juice', as reported by Hello! and MailOnline. Her mix is said to include a robust blend of kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, coriander, blueberries, spirulina powder, and just a small teaspoon of matcha powder. On first impression, it appears to be the epitome of healthfulness. But does it live up to the hype? The Mirror sought the opinion of Helen Bell, a nutritionist from Help & Advice, regarding this drink, which some have humorously referred to as 'pondwater' after trying it. Kate Middleton is often praised for sustaining a healthy lifestyle (Image: PA) Remarkably, she highlighted that four components of this beverage are classified as 'superfoods', describing highly nutritional products. She explained: "In my experience, the term 'superfood' is often thrown around, but it generally refers to foods that are nutrient-rich and beneficial for health and wellbeing. "In Kate's smoothie, several ingredients could be considered superfoods. For instance, kale, spinach, and spirulina are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Blueberries are another example, known for their high antioxidant content. Matcha, a type of green tea, is known for its concentration of catechins, which are natural antioxidants." Helen suggested that including these elements in your diet may 'contribute positively to cholesterol levels'. Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, receive particular acclaim for their capacity to reduce 'bad cholesterol (LDL) levels'. In a separate interview, she also labelled spinach a 'powerhouse' of nutrients and antioxidants, which are thought to protect the body from potential chronic diseases. Several studies highlight a possible link between spinach intake and reduced cancer risk too, though more research is required. Reports suggest the cocktail may include kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, blueberries, spirulina powder, matcha powder (small teaspoon) and coriander (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/EyeEm) She continued: "Blueberries also play a role in heart health, potentially improving cholesterol levels and supporting cardiovascular health. While no single food will drastically change cholesterol levels, a balanced diet rich in these ingredients can certainly support heart health." But it's not all about the benefits - Helen has a word of caution regarding the green juice trend. She explained: "While the ingredients in the smoothie are generally beneficial, it's important to be mindful of individual dietary needs. "For example, those with thyroid issues might need to moderate their intake of raw kale and spinach due to their goitrogen content. Spirulina and matcha are potent, so I advise starting with small amounts to ensure they agree with your system. "In my experience, balance is key, and it's always wise to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have specific health concerns." Have you got a story to share? Get in touch at
