1 week agoNew York StateComments Off on Andorra vs England LIVE SCORE: Three Lions look to continue winning run in World Cup qualifier – latest updates
ENGLAND’S World Cup qualifier against Andorra is now UNDERWAY as Tuchel’s side look to build on their winning run.
The Three Lions sit top of Group K after beating Albania and Latvia 2-0 and 3-0 respectively, back in March.
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the first time on foreign soil, but the clash won’t take place in Andorra.
The World Cup qualifier will be staged at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, as Andorra’s national stadium is unavailable after the Games of the Small States of Europe.
Tuchel’s men are looking to keep up their 100 per cent record as they face the lowest-ranked side in their group.
1 week agoNew York StateComments Off on Arabella Chi reveals parenting struggle as she’s left home alone with new baby daughter just days after giving birth
ARABELLA Chi has opened up on facing her first parenting struggle after being left home alone by her partner just days after giving birth.
InstagramArabella Chi has revealed her parenting struggle after being left to look after her daughter alone[/caption]
InstagramIt is hers and Billy’s first baby[/caption]
InstagramBut now the star has been forced to parent alone[/caption]
Now, in a brand new Instagram snap, Arabella has opened up about the hardships of being a first time mum, especially since Billy had to leave her to parent alone.
Confirming he had jetted off to work, the star revealed she’d found it “challenging” having to look after the tot on her own.
Cradling her in a brand new mirror selfie, the ex of Ruben Dias declared: “One tired mumma.”
She added: “Billy has been away for work this week which has been challenging but has also given me so much confidence in getting out the house alone.
“Can’t wait for another pair of hands and to have a long shower when he’s home.”
The 34-year-old gave birth to her first child less than a month ago.
Arabella had chronicled her fitness journey throughout her pregnancy and clarified that her post was a means of continuing her regular content and not to be insensitive towards women struggling with their bodies just a few days after giving birth.
She said online: “I was amazed that my body did bounce back as quickly as it did and I am proud of myself.”
“I was proud that all that training I had done had paid off and to inspire other people that if you train safely throughout your pregnancy it does make a difference.”
Arabella concluded by writing: “Don’t get me wrong, post partum isn’t always glamorous, most days I’m covered in sick, milk, blood or poo. But it’s also nice to share the small wins on here.”
Arabella first shot to fame on series five of Love Island in 2019.
Love Island All Stars break-ups
Anton Danyluk and Georgia Harrison
Fans had hoped the popular pair would stand the test of time but just weeks after leaving the villa they called it a day.
Distance was said to be a factor with 400miles between their homes in Essex and Aidrie, Scotland, respectively.
He said: “I just don’t think there was really that romantic spark there. We did both try. At times it was there but just not enough for it to continue as a relationship.”
Jess Gale and Callum Jones
The fourth placed finishers always faced on uphill battle given many watching the latest series wanted Callum to reunite with his ex Molly Smith.
The fireworks from the Boohoo party row put an end to the romance before it really got off the floor.
Arabella Chi and Adam Maxted
This visually striking pairing bloomed late in the series. Despite forming a close bond in the villa, the couple quickly went cold in the real world.
Wrestler Adam was based in Northern Ireland while model Arabella moved into a new pad in London. Even though Adam revealed he was moving to Manchester, it wasn’t enough to save them.
They vowed to remain good friends and split on good terms.
Luis Morrison and Demi Jones
In another case of distance getting in the way, Luis admitted the 240 miles between Manchester and Portsmouth was just too much.
He told The Sun: “Me and Demi aren’t together, but she was a huge part of my Love Island experience and she is one of the most loveliest, most beautiful girls I’ve ever met.
“The connection was definitely there when leaving the villa too.
“But the distance was a killer for us both and wouldn’t of worked as we are both at different parts of the country, we both have really busy schedules coming off love island too.”
InstagramBilly has left Arabella for work[/caption]
GettyThe model commanded attention when she appeared on Love Island in 2019[/caption]
1 week agoNew York StateComments Off on Bizarre rise of celebs flogging their own UNDERWEAR & dirty bathwater to fuel pervs’ sick fantasies
SYDNEY Sweeney has been getting pervy fans hot under the collar after releasing limited edition bars of soap containing her bathwater.
But the Hollywood star, 27, is not the first celebrity to cash-in on fans’ dirtier fantasies – and PR gurus have told The Sun why it could be a genius move for her.
Instagram / Sydney SweeneySydney Sweeney has got fans hot under the collar selling her bathwater[/caption]
The Mega AgencySweeney in an ad for Bathwater Bliss, her latest product with Dr. Squatch[/caption]
Dr SquatchShe has been an ambassador for the soap brand since last year[/caption]
The Eurphoria and Anyone But You actress created her Bathwater Bliss with Dr. Squatch, who made 5,000 bars that come with a certificate saying they come from the water she bathed in.
Ms Sweeney said: “When fans start asking for your bathwater, either ignore it or turn it into a soap.
“It’s weird in the best way.”
Nick Ede, branding expert, told us the actress has clearly got “a good sense of humour”, adding: “I think she understands the kind of irony of her celebrity.
“She also understands that a show like Euphoria, for instance, which is pretty sexual, will have had people fall in love with her because of her character… She is a sex symbol.”
Mr Ede went on to say, being a celebrity now is “all about the fans” and “getting them engaged”.
“In every way this is good PR,” he added.
Belle Delphine
InstagramBelle Delphine made thousands selling her bathwater before Sweeney[/caption]
Ms Sweeney is not even the first celebrity to be selling her dirty bathwater, with the gimmick having been pioneered by British-South African influencer and porn star Belle Delphine.
The star, 25, began controversially flogging her bathwater in 2019 – and last year revealed how much she’d made from the venture.
She launched Gamergirl Bath Water in July 2019 and sold out within three days.
When she launched the product on her online store, it was going for $30 (£22) a pop and she said she managed to sell 600 in total – making $18,000 (£13,370) in bathwater sales.
During an appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast, she said: “Obviously the sexual aspects of it also is very clickable, but where I got inspiration from it was I knew that Japan has panty vending machines.”
Katie Price
Katie Price sold framed thongs and suspenders for £350@kpmemorabilia
Former Page 3 girl Katie Price raised some eyebrows in January 2023 when she announced plans to sell off memorabilia from her time as a glamour model.
Speaking on an Instagram live, mum-of-five Katie shared: “I’m putting all my old underwear and bras in frames, and signing them, because they’re just hanging about, and they don’t fit me the amount of boob jobs I’ve had.”
When her pal asked if they had been cleaned, the star – who is well loved for her glamour modelling career – replied: “Well they might want them authenticated.”
Kerry Katona
Instagram / Kerry KatonaKerry Katona previously sold her used underwear on OnlyFans[/caption]
But in 2022 she even began raking in cash from flogging her used underwear, with bra and knicker sets fetching up to £100 a pop.
The formerAtomic Kittenstar joined the subscription site in May 2020 and she’s confessed to being so desperate for money at the time that she couldn’t even pay her rent.
She charges £19-a-month for access to raunchy photoshoots and videos on her OF account.
Ms Katon said in 2022: “I’ve always been a grafter, I’ve always had my own money. I’ve never met anybody like me, to be honest!
“Someone who’s been on every side of the coin – go into bankruptcy, become a millionaire, go into bankruptcy and become a millionaire again. Who does that?”
Appearing on The Jay Hutton podcast, Kerry continued: “I think I’m quite extraordinary and I like to give myself a pat on the back.”
Brande Roderick
EBayFormer Playboy Playmate Brande Roderick is apparently selling her worn pyjamas on eBay[/caption]
Former Playboy playmate and Baywatch Hawaii actress Brande Roderick appears to be currently selling her worn pyjamas, alongside an autograph on eBay for £110 ($149).
She told Fox News Digital: “Me being a single mom of two boys with no financial support from their father, I have to take care of my family.
“And for me, my passion and love is acting and producing. So, in order for me to do that, I have, you know, my side job with OnlyFans, which helps to facilitate my other passion of acting and producing.
“So, for me, it’s been really a wonderful outlet for me.”
Brande went on to compare her OnlyFans shoots to her Playboy work, but this time with more creative control.
Scarlett Johansson
GettyScarlett Johansson with her used tissue on the Tonight Show in 2008[/caption]
During a chat show promotion for her 2008 film Spirit, Scarlett Johansson used a tissue twice to blow her nose.
That mucus covered tissue was signed by the star, now 40, and then auctioned off on eBay where it sold for over $6,523 (£4,803).
Johansson used the tissue during an appearance on The Tonight Show, explaining she’d caught a cold from Samuel L. Jackson, joking that it gave her sniffles “more value”.
She donated the money from the used tissue to USA Harvest, an American hunger charity.
Sydney Sweeney
Dr SquatchSweeney puts on a busty display in the bath in an ad for Dr Squatch[/caption]
Ms Sweeney became an ambassador for Dr Squatch in October last year, leaving fans hot under the collar by selling body wash while sitting in a bubble bath.
In the innuendo-filled ad, Sydney swooned to the camera: “‘Hello you dirty little boys, are you interested in my body… wash?”
“Well you can’t have it, because this isn’t for boys. It’s for men. This is Dr. Squatch Natural Body Wash with long lasting, natural aromas like wood barrel bourbon, pine tar, coconut castaway, and fresh falls.”
Her new soap – which costs $8 a bar and contains droplets of Ms Sweeney’s bathwater – goes on sale next week.
“People feel connected and free to be able to speak about me in whatever way they want, because they believe that I’ve signed my life away, Sweeney told Variety in March 2024.
“That I’m not on a human level anymore, because I’m an actor.”
Annabelle Knight, Sex & Relationships Expert at Lovehoney told The Sun: “The idea of buying soap infused with Sydney Sweeney’s bath water might seem bizarre to some, but it taps into a very real and popular kink – body worship and object fetishism.
“For some people, there’s a thrill in owning something that’s touched or belonged to someone they desire as it creates a feeling of intimacy, even if it’s one-sided.
“Think of it like a modern twist on keeping a lover’s t-shirt or locking away a love letter.
Sydney Sweeney looks incredible as she makes FOUR outfit changes in one day to promote new movie Echo Valley
SYDNEY Sweeney looked incredible as she made no less than four outfit changes in one day to promote her new movie, Echo Valley, in New York City.
Actress Sydney, 27, turned heads in a bold red gown, with a midsection that highlighted her svelte waist and a statement skirt accessorised with a giant red bow.
The Euphoria star wore her blonde locks in tumbling waves and accentuated her natural beauty with a full face of make-up.
Earlier in the day, Sydney put on an equally-chic display in a black fitted waistcoat and a white miniskirt, elevating her height with leather boots.
She toted her essentials around in a black leather handbag and shielded her eyes with wayfarer sunglasses.
If that wasn’t enough, Sydney was also spotted wearing a plaid brown jumpsuit and a giant matching tie on the same very steps of her hotel.
This time, she carried a stone handbag, which coordinated with her heels.
And, for her arrival at Good Morning America, the starlet put on a leggy display in a brown pinstriped blazer dress.
Sydney appeared to confirm her breakup with long-term partner Jonathan Davino at the film’s premiere.
Speaking to The Times at the AMC Lincoln Square event, the Washington-native was asked if she was still planning her wedding to Jonathan.
“No,” she replied. When pressed on whether she was now single, she answered simply: “Yes.”
The actress had been seen in recent months without her engagement ring, fuelling rumours that the couple – who began dating in 2018 and became engaged in 2022 – had quietly parted ways.
At Wednesday’s premiere, Sydney was joined by co-star Julianne Moore, who plays her on-screen mother in the new thriller.
The film follows Julianne’s character, a horse trainer living on a Pennsylvania farm, whose life is upended when her daughter, played by Sydney, arrives covered in someone else’s blood.
It comes as Sydney films the third – and potentially last – series of Euphoria.
The explicit teen drama, which follows recovering drug addict Rue (Zendaya) as she navigates school life and relationships while narrating the lives of her school mates, has become known for its dark storytelling.
Sydney shot to fame in the series as Cassie, a popular girl with painfully low self-esteem who starts an abusive relationship with her best friend’s ex, the violent and uncaring Nate (played by Jacob Elordi).
Despite the success of the series, by the time season three is released there will have been a four-year wait for new episodes, thanks to the massive success of its cast in other projects, the death of star Angus Cloud, and the 2023 writers and actors’ strikes.
As a result, writer Sam Levinson has placed a time jump, launching the troubled teenage group into adulthood.
Sydney has since sparked rumours that, despite their physically and mentally abusive relationship, her character Cassie is set to marry Nate, with the actress being spotted in a wedding gown on set.
“It’s also a reminder that not all kinks are overtly sexual. Many are about connection, power dynamics, fantasy, or even just fascination.
“Someone buying Sydney Sweeney’s bathwater soap might not be using it for anything sexual at all – they might just feel closer to her, or enjoy the taboo, playful nature of the idea.
“Kinks are incredibly diverse, and they don’t always fit into what we consider ‘sexual behaviour’.
“Sometimes, it’s about curiosity, ritual, or even a bit of fun rebellion against what’s ‘normal.’
“If you think about it celebrity culture is full of kink-adjacent behaviour.
“From people collecting toenail clippings on eBay to sniffing old concert t-shirts, this kind of thing is just a more commercial version of what fans have been doing for decades.
“Sydney’s just owning it – and having a bit of cheeky fun with it too.”
‘She understands the irony’
Branding expert Mr Ede told us: “I think someone like Sydney Sweeney has also got quite a good sense of humour.
“I think she understands the kind of irony of her celebrity, and she also understands that a show like Euphoria, for instance, which is pretty sexual, will have had people fall in love with her because of her character. She is a sex symbol.
“People have slipped into her DMs or commented on social media posts, saying, ‘Oh, wouldn’t mind a bit of your bath water’, you know.
“It’s a bit like when, years ago, when people threw knickers at Tom Jones, or asked people for their underwear, it’s a modern progression of that.”
He went on to say: “It’s got a little bit of salt burn in it, which sounds a bit strange, but it feels like that with the bath water.
“It is a bit naughty, but you know we’ve seen it before with somebody like Gwyneth Paltrow and her famous candle that smelled of her vagina, which sold out in minutes.
“Now with celebrity, it’s all about the fans. It’s all about actually getting them engaged, and this is a good way of connecting with them. In every way this is good PR.”
Mr Ede said Ms Sweeney selling her bathwater could be seen as being “quite empowering, because this has come from Sydney herself”.
“This is not some guy who works in a hotel and has gone into her bath and taken a jar of it and gone ‘right, I’m going to sell it.’
“This is somebody who’s gone: ‘Actually, this is quite fun. I’m going to do it. Let’s see what we can do. And let’s create some noise about it.'”
Mr Ede said platforms like OnlyFans – previously “frowned” upon, have given content creators control “of their own creation”.
“They’ve allowed for it to happen, it doesn’t feel sleazy.”
Asked how exactly the bathwater would’ve been collected, the expert said: “I don’t think she had a full on bath.
“Who knows whether she was singing in the bath for a while, but I’d be interested to see actually how much essence of Sydney Sweeney has gone into that soap.”
Referring to some of the backlash the actress has garnered on social media by the decision, Mr Ede said: “It’s something that’s going to follow her forever, and I don’t know whether that’s going to be negative or positive.”
He added: “Who knows? We might see some other stars dipping their toes in things that aren’t just bath water.
“For some talent I would say it would be cheapening their brand, but she (Ms Sweeney) has used social media to really engage her fans. It’s a case of you asked for it, now here it is for you.
“It’s a pretty genuine attitude and I find that quite refreshing.”
GettySweeney has generated a huge fanbase through her acting and social media accounts[/caption]
GettyRoderick appeared in a Baywatch spin off in 2000 and was also a Playboy playmate[/caption]
XposurePrice was previously a glamour model before becoming an entrepreneur[/caption]
Actress Scarlett Johansson during a Marilyn Monroe-inspired shootScope Features
1 week agoNew York StateComments Off on My ADHD diagnosis at 34 was ‘clear as hell’ – here’s how I’ve silenced the caffeinated squirrels rioting in my brain
TO the outside world, he was the mega successful founder of two multi-million pound companies.
But secretly, Alex Partridge was battling crippling anxiety, using alcohol to “press his brain’s brake pedal”, and pouring up to £14,000 down the drain every year. It wasn’t until a shock diagnosis aged 34 that his life started to make sense and he turned things around.
Alex Partridge – the founder of UNILAD and LADbible – discovered he had ADHD in his mid-30sAlex PartridgeHe was misdiagnosed with anxiety as a childAlex Partridge
Here, he shares his story.
I’VE always known, deep down, that I was different.
This began during my school days, when I’d copy my classmates’ mannerisms and tone of voice just to fit in.
I altered who I was to appear likeable to others, because I didn’t understand who I was.
This carried on into secondary school where, as a fellow student so sensitively put it, I “could have been one of the cool kids if I wasn’t so weird”.
I have vivid memories from this period of when teachers would ask me questions that I didn’t know the answer to, and the stress would lead to full-blown anxiety attacks.
My palms would get all sweaty, my face would go bright red and my heart rate would shoot right up. In a panic, I would rush out of the classroom.
I remember one day I found someone in the corridor and told them to call an ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack.
At the time, aged 15, I was misdiagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday situations).
I now know this not to be the case, but I was put on beta blockers (to slow my heart by blocking hormones like adrenaline) and antidepressants.
They didn’t help – in fact, they actually made me feel worse – so I stopped taking them after six weeks.
Following a tumultuous young adulthood, which included founding the websites LADBible and UNILAD in quick succession – and a protracted legal battle over their ownership that turned my life upside down – I was finally diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) two years ago, aged 34.
Like so many others across society, I had thought ADHD was just something hyperactive little boys had, so I never even considered that I might have it.
But when I hired a director to help me set up a podcast, before losing interest in the project three days later, he asked me: “When did you get your ADHD diagnosis?”
This casual question changed my life forever.
So much of my life up until that point – the anxiety attacks, the constant picking up and dropping of new hobbies, identities and business ideas – began to make sense.
I had an assessment, and a psychiatrist told me that my ADHD was “clear as hell” – and it’s a day that I’ll never forget.
When I began to learn more about the condition and the different ways it can present, it was the first of many ‘lightbulb moments’.
The ‘ADHD tax’ cost me up to £14,000 a year at my worst
Alex Partridge
I’m not physically hyperactive like the naughty schoolboys I had previously imagined; my brain is a different story entirely.
Describing how it feels to anybody who hasn’t spent time inside it is tricky, but my ADHD means that all my energy can be concentrated in my head.
The closest approximation I can give is that it’s like 10 highly caffeinated squirrels running about at once!
Hyperactivity associated with ADHD can be internalised and, after realising this, so many of my previous life experiences suddenly made sense.
For me, ADHD means that:
I possess the creativity and hyperfocus to create two global social media brands, but if a task doesn’t interest me, it simply will not get done.
I’ve always been entrepreneurial, but I had poor financial skills and often lost interest in projects once the novelty waned.
I own an impressive list of domains, and enjoy buying things, but this often results in overspending and financial difficulties.
I love meeting new people, but I’ve always struggled to maintain friendships.
One way it presents is impulse purchasing, which I’ve always struggled with.
It would cost me hundreds – sometimes thousands – of pounds a year. I estimate about £14,000 annually at my worst.
I now know this to be a little-known (and costly) consequence of ADHD known as the ‘ADHD tax‘, referring to the higher living expenses that so many of us with ADHD (and other neurodivergences) can incur due to challenges with impulse control and executive functioning.
The ADHD tax might show up in the expensive hobbies we’ve signed up for (and then lost interest in), the impulse purchases we buy and forget about, or the dreaded monthly subscriptions that we sign up for, never use but never cancel – a classic example of how knowing how my brain worked would have been extremely helpful earlier in my life.
Alex PartridgeAlex would buy food he’d then forget to eat[/caption]
Tanya GraceAlex developed an alcohol addiction[/caption]
I used to buy so much food that I would then forget to eat.
I impulsively signed up for an online sewing course on a Monday, then had lost all interest in it the following day.
My electricity bills increased as I was having to wash my clothes multiple times because I’d forgotten to empty the washing machine.
When I thought I’d found my new calling in life as a master candle maker, I bought a 2kg box of paraffin wax from Hobbycraft, only for it to sit there unused for months.
I bought a trumpet thinking I’d learn to play, but again, it stayed firmly in its box.
I even bought new socks when all of mine were dirty, and decided to buy a new rug when my dog went to the toilet on the original as the thought of cleaning it was too overwhelming.
Hundreds of pounds splashed on unused gym memberships, vitamins, app subscriptions… the list goes on.
The 9 'hidden' signs of ADHD in adults
ADHD has long been associated with naughty schoolkids who cannot sit still in class.
And that is part of it. Fidgeting, daydreaming and getting easily distracted are all symptoms of the behavioural condition, which is why it is often spotted in children.
However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is far more complex than simply having trouble focusing.
Henry Shelford, CEO and co-founder of ADHD UK, says: “If it isn’t debilitating, it isn’t ADHD.”
In recent years, social media has given rise to trends which conflate specific personality traits or single behaviours with ADHD.
You might be thinking, ‘I’m always losing my keys, forgetting birthdays and I can never concentrate at work — I must have ADHD’. But it’s not as simple as that.
Though these may all point to the condition, Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, says: “The key distinction lies in how much a behaviour impacts a person’s daily life.
“Genuine ADHD symptoms affect multiple areas of life – work, relationships and emotional wellbeing – whereas personality traits are typically context-dependent and less disruptive.”
ADHD UK’s Henry, who has the condition himself, adds: “Having ADHD is hard. One in ten men with ADHD and one in four women with ADHD will at some point try to take their own lives.”
So how can ADHD manifest in someone’s life? While hyperactivity is a common indicator, here are nine other subtle signs:
Time blindness – losing track of time, underestimating how long tasks will take, regularly being late or excessively early
Lack of organisation – a messy home, frequently misplacing items, forgetting deadlines
Hyperfocus – becoming deeply engrossed in activities for hours
Procrastination – feeling overwhelmed by to-do lists and struggling to determine what needs your attention first so focusing on less important tasks
Heightened emotions – emotional struggles can manifest in angry outbursts, feeling flooded with joy or shutting down because you feel too much at once
Being a ‘yes man’ – agreeing to new projects at work or dinner dates with friends when you’re already busy (a desire to please)
Impatience – interrupting people mid-conversation, finding it painful to stand in a queue, being overly-chatty
Restlessness – tapping, pacing, fidgeting or feeling restless on the inside
Easily distracted – by external things, like noises, or internal things like thoughts
Among the most challenging periods of my life, however, came in 2017, before my diagnosis, during a long-running legal battle that pushed me to the brink.
“Two members of the public found you staggering in an alleyway. It was 2am. You were alone and clutching a bottle of vodka. As they approached you, you slipped and hit your head on the wall. They called an ambulance.”
These were the first words spoken to me by the nurse next to my hospital bed when I woke up.
Upon hearing them, I was hit by an overwhelming wave of shame and anxiety, and the immediate need to self-medicate.
Unfortunately, it was alcohol – my medication of choice at the time – that had landed me here in the first place. So how did this all come about?
I was 18 when I discovered booze, and quickly figured out it turned down the volume in my head.
As I’ve often been a pleasure-seeker with low impulse control, it wasn’t a shock when I discovered the strong link between ADHD and addiction. And alcohol became an addiction that would temporarily run my life.
‘It was like I’d pressed my brain’s brake pedal’
It was being effectively ousted from UNILAD, the business I founded alongside two others, that really kick-started my alcoholism in 2013.
I still remember staring at my computer screen, suddenly unable to access the site because they had changed the password, paralysed with overwhelm and crippled by anxiety.
I stood up, went and bought a bottle of wine, drove home and drank the whole thing in five minutes.
Suddenly, it was like I had pressed my brain’s brake pedal.
My thoughts instantly slowed down, and the caffeinated squirrels stopped running around. My anxiety had, temporarily, disappeared.
Andrew MasonAlex describes his ADHD as like having ’10 highly-caffeinated squirrels running about’ in his brain[/caption]
Luke HamlinHe is the host of the podcast ADHD Chatter and author of the book Now It All Makes Sense[/caption]
For various reasons, such as rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) – an extreme emotional reaction I feel to real or perceived rejection – that accompanies my ADHD, I’ve always been terrified of confrontation.
So much so, that my coping mechanism for effectively having my life’s work snatched from me was not to confront those responsible, but rather to bury my head in the sand and drink myself to sleep every night.
After my mum found 23 empty bottles of wine concealed under my bed, we finally arranged to speak to a lawyer, who told me: “You will win this case over ownership of the company if you choose to fight it in court. You will, however, have to give evidence in the witness box.”
My mind immediately flashed to the opposing lawyer saying: “Alex, do you know the answer to this question?” And I panicked, remembering the little version of me sitting in the classroom all those years ago.
I abruptly stood up and left the lawyer’s office, bought a bottle of vodka, and woke up in hospital 12 hours later with a nurse looking over me, saying the sobering words you see above.
Much of the next year was characterised by the court battle, which was an unbelievably stressful time.
During the trial, I was cross-examined in the witness box for five days, during which I had to excuse myself several times to “use the loo” – when in reality, I was doing breathing exercises to divert a panic attack.
A further three months passed before my lawyer phoned me. He said: “Alex, are you on your own?”
“Yes,” I said. There was a pause. “You’ve won everything.”
I broke down crying – one of the biggest legal, and mental health, or battles of my life, and I’d come through it. I won my 33 per cent stake in the company back.
How to get help
UNFORTUNATELY, a GP cannot formally diagnose ADHD but they can refer you for a specialist assessment.
Be warned, the wait can be long. Data suggests there are at least 196,000 adults on waiting lists across the UK.
And a BBC investigation found in many areas it would take at least eight years to clear the backlog.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, the NHS says their symptoms should have a moderate effect on different areas of their life, such as underachieving at work or having difficulties in relationships, and the person has been displaying symptoms continuously for at least six months.
There must also be evidence symptoms have been present since childhood – it’s thought that the condition cannot develop for the first time in adults.
After a diagnosis, treatment can include psychological therapies, psychotherapy, social skills training and medication.
For many, a diagnosis can be a relief, but also unravel mixed emotions and feelings of ‘being different’.
ADHD UK has information on considering diagnostic pathways and can offer support.
UNILAD went into administration in 2018, then was bought by the same company that had earlier bought LADBible for an undisclosed amount. Reports suggest the brand was valued at up to £40million.
My celebrations included a trip to Las Vegas, a new tattoo (that I had no memory of getting in the first place) becoming infected, and another hospital visit.
But in 2018, I managed to kick the alcohol habit for good.
I attended my first Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting where I said the most important sentence I’d ever uttered. “My name is Alex and I’m an alcoholic.”
I’ve been sober ever since, which is among the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I’m now 36, living in Brighton, and I can confidently say that quitting booze has enabled me to take back control of my ADHD, suffocate the negatives – and allow the positives to thrive.
But for ADHDers, it can often force them to prioritise areas where they traditionally struggle, such as organisation, planning and consistency.
Given this, the thought of being responsible for one or more little humans may be daunting for anyone that has ADHD.
After speaking to many ADHD parents on my podcast, ADHD Chatter, I discovered this to be a worry felt by many of us.
With this in mind, I’ve worked with my wonderful guests and peers to put together three top tips on navigating life as an ADHD parent:
Be aware of your own cognitive load
The cognitive load you live with as an ADHDer doesn’t go away when you become a parent – quite the opposite!
Be aware of when your finite headspace is filling up, and take steps to protect it so that you can be there for yourself and your children.
Some ways that you can create some extra headspace for yourself include limiting social media use, setting boundaries and saying “no” to others, and asking for help when you need it.
Keep a pen and paper – everywhere
Invest in a clipboard, paper and (childproof) pen for every room in your house so that you can take calls and note down important appointments, such as hospital visits, as they come in.
Don’t leave remembering these up to chance!
Let your kids know you’ve always got their back
Take time to let your children know that you’re on their team – and you always will be, no matter what.
On a similar note, if your child also has ADHD, create an environment in which they can be their full, authentic self.
Let them fidget, move around, pick up new hobbies and drop them when they lose interest, and get lost (within reason).
As an ADHD adult, I still do all of these things!
Above all, while I’m not yet a parent myself, one of the most important pieces of advice I could give to any current or future ADHD parents is to constantly tell their children what I wish somebody could have taken me aside and told me when I was growing up, struggling without being able to put my finger on why.
1 week agoNew York StateComments Off on I jetted to China to furnish my UK house – for £1k I got a king-sized bed, mattress, tables, chairs and MORE
A YOUNG woman has jetted off to China to furnish her UK house.
Shirley Bekker took to social media to share her experience, leaving people stunned by just how affordable it was.
tiktok.com/@shirley_bekkerShirley headed to China to furnish her home[/caption]
tiktok.com/@shirley_bekkerShe picked up lots of goodies on a budget[/caption]
She decided to spend six days in Foshan, China, to find furniture for her new house.
And it seems to have worked in her favour; not only does she cut out the middleman by going to the manufacturers directly, but she was also able to get her furniture customised to her liking.
Shirley spent the day looking for furniture for her bedroom and managed to kit it out for just £1,000.
First, she looked for the ideal mattress to take home along with a bedframe.
She ended up finding both and was able to customise the colour of the bedframe.
In total, the two pieces cost her just £350.
Next, she spotted a large chair and foot stool for her bedroom to match her new bed frame.
“Shirley almost choked on her own saliva when the man said £185 for the set. But she quickly calmed down,” the video read.
“After reverse search imaging the chair, it revealed that the chair alone costs thousands of pounds in the UK. Eventually, she shook hands at £165.”
Next, she found a dressing table and chair that she was also able to customise for £170.
While she was meant to be shopping for her bedroom, Shirley got distracted with the outside furniture and picked up an egg chair for just £45.
She also bought a table and chair set for outside as well as a TV stand.
“I spent £1000 today and managed to buy: king-sized custom bed, perfect mattress for my back, egg chair, Bistro table and chair, TV table, 6 handmade ceramic pots, dressing mirror, Japanese style chair and pouffe,” added Shirley.
The clip went viral on her TikTok account @shirley_bekker with 319k views and 47k likes.
1 week agoNew York StateComments Off on Popular city centre cafe that starred in ITV show closes for good as owner reveals ‘we’re devastated’
A POPULAR city centre café that starred in an ITV food show has closed its doors for good, leaving loyal customers “absolutely heartbroken”.
Cocoa Joe’s, located in York city centre, gained national attention in 2022 when it was featured in the early series of ITV’s Ainsley’s Good Mood Food.
Google MapsIts appearance on national television only boosted its profile further[/caption]
The café showcased its rich, handcrafted hot chocolates and welcoming atmosphere, earning praise during the episode.
The programme, hosted by celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, focuses on comfort food and uplifting recipes, with Cocoa Joe’s selected as one of the standout stops for sweet treats.
Speaking about the experience, co-owner Joe Andrew said: “It was a real honour to be selected to be involved.
“They could see how we are trying to do something really special here and enjoyed tasting the differences between our single origin chocolates and seeing how that carries through to create unique hot and iced chocolate drinks,” according to The Press.
But despite its popularity, the business has now shut down due to rising costs.
In a heartfelt post shared on Facebook, the team said: “We have had four brilliant years of serving our finest hot chocolate drinks to the lovely York community and to customers from all over the world, but sadly (and we are devastated about this) we are no longer able to stay open.
“Cocoa prices have more than trebled in three years and other costs have gone up well beyond the rate of inflation, leaving us in a situation where the business simply can’t keep going.”
They added: “This is not a decision that was made lightly, and we are incredibly grateful for all the support we have had over the past four years.
“We are also hugely appreciative of the amazing team who have delivered on our goal to provide an incredible customer experience.”
Cocoa Joe’s quickly became a firm favourite in York, drawing in both locals and tourists with its luxurious drinks and welcoming vibe.
Its appearance on national television only boosted its profile further.
But the shock closure has sparked a wave of messages online, with customers expressing their sadness and sharing fond memories of their visits.
Mandy Lotts wrote: “It’s sad to read that you’re affected by everything that’s going on.”
Jasmin Johnson added: “Absolutely heartbreaking. But thank you so much for the amazing drinks and service over the years.
“You have always been my first stop on every visit to York.”
Another loyal visitor, Paula Konefal, commented: “Oh what a shame. I have enjoyed my many visits.”
One customer said: “So sorry to hear this — thank you for all your hard work — visiting your shop was always one of our highlights when we were in York.”
Another wrote: “Very sad to hear this. You folks were my favourite place to get hot chocolate in York.”
While the York branch has shut, Cocoa Joe’s location in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, will remain open for business.
Customers can find more details on their website.
The closure comes as small hospitality businesses across the country face mounting financial pressure.
Independent cafés and shops have been hit hard by soaring costs, from ingredients and energy bills to rent and wages.
According to Yorkshire Live, Cocoa Joe’s is one of several independent businesses in the city to shut or scale back recently.
Other closures include The Hairy Fig deli on Fossgate has closed, and Love Cheese on Gillygate has scaled back its services.
Many fear more closures could follow unless something changes.
Despite the challenges, customers are hoping Cocoa Joe’s might one day make a return.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energybills and inflation.
1 week agoNew York StateComments Off on ‘Home Bargains have done it again’, cry shoppers as they race to grab decor that’s ‘perfect for the garden’
WITH summer fast approaching, there has never been a better time to spruce up the garden.
But giving your outdoor space a revamp to make it feel new and fresh doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
GettyShoppers have been rushing to their local Home Bargains for their garden decor[/caption]
INSTAGRAM: HOME BARGAINSThe long, wooden Citronella Candle is a favourite among shoppers[/caption]
INSTAGRAM: HOME BARGAINSOr the wooden throw is perfect for snuggling up in the evening in the garden[/caption]
Small changes like adding extra plants, picking up little accessories or changing a few things can actually make a huge difference.
And Home Bargains might have exactly what you need for incredibly reasonable prices.
The discount chain has recently sent fans into a frenzy with its affordable garden decor.
The retailer has become a go-to destination this spring, and shoppers have said that it has “outdone itself” it’s “stunning” new collection.
The new earthed range includes everything you need to make your outdoor space feel cosy and bright this summer.
Fans who love neutral decor have been gushing over the new items – and the best bit is that prices start from just £2.99.
The cheapest item in the collection is the Oval Platter, which is perfect for those who love to dine alfresco.
On the website, Home Bargains bosses say it is “stylish, lightweight with a scratch-resistant surface, making it perfect for serving snacks or cheese at picnics or casual meals.”
The range also includes a Ceramic Citronella Candle, which can be picked up for just £7.99.
Its product description reads: “Light up your outdoor space with The Outdoor Edit Citronella Ceramic Candle Jar!
“This chic, speckled ceramic jar not only adds style but also keeps pesky bugs at bay with its natural citronella scent—perfect for those cosy evenings outside.”
It’s the long, wooden Citronella Candle that is a favourite among shoppers, though.
Fans have been gushing over the £9.99 candle which “adds rustic flair but also keeps those pesky midges at bay”.
For the nights that get a bit chilly, Home Bargains has the answer.
Their super cosy Fleece Picnic Blanket can be picked up for just £4.99. Not only does it have a soft fleece top, but it also has a waterproof backing to keep you dry while you relax.
Bosses have said that this makes it perfect not just for the garden but also for picnics and beach days.
Or there is the £4.99 Woven Throw, which has a breathable texture that adds a breezy, summer vibe to any space.
Its product description online reads: “Lightweight and stylish, this breathable beauty is perfect for draping over chairs or snuggling up outdoors.”
Home Bargains excitedly announced that the new range had hit shelves on social media.
Posting on Instagram, staff wrote: “Al fresco dining with our new earthed range”.
5 things you didn't know about Home Bargains
Home Bargains was founded by Tom Morris
It’s official name is TJ Morris Ltd but trades as Home Bargains
The first store was opened in Liverpool in 1976
Around 30% of the stores range comprises clearance lines
There are 575 stores nationwide
And fans are already racing to their nearest branch to get hold of the new products.
Flocking to the comments of the post, shoppers have gushed over the new items.
One person said: “Absolute must-haves! The long candle is getting bought by me for sure”.
Another added: “Home Bargains have done it again with the garden decor”.
Someone else posted: “These are amazing! Shall be in my basket this weekend”.
And a fourth shared: “The long candle is perfect for the garden table”.
While a fifth chimed in: “Love those oval plates”.
INSTAGRAM: HOME BARGAINSThe Ceramic Citronella Candle, which can be picked up for just £7.99[/caption]
INSTAGRAM: HOME BARGAINSThe blanket has a soft fleece top and a waterproof backing[/caption]
INSTAGRAM: HOME BARGAINSThe cheapest thing in the collection is the Oval Platter, which costs £2.99[/caption]
