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FORMER fire-breather Sophie Lee said she’s going to prove that Love Island is not just about looks after being left scarred for life following a terrifying accident.

The brave star, 28, hopes to use her time in the villa to spread awareness about body positivity. 

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The influencer was left scarred for life after a fire breathing accident[/caption]

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Sophie revealed the ‘real reason’ why she turned down Love Island in the past[/caption]

Sophie’s life was changed when she was just 22, after a fire-breathing accident left her with significant burns. 

The incident took place whilst she was performing in Chicago, when an air-conditioner blew the flames she was expelling back towards her. 

Sophie told The Sun and other press that the ITV2 dating show is more than just about bikini bodies and glam looks.

She said: “[It should be about] all beauty. Even my Mum, she asked me, ‘What if this bombshell comes in? How you gonna feel about that?’ I’m like, ‘Well, this is what I signed up for, love!’ They’re gonna be stunning.”

The influencer revealed the real reason why she turned down the opportunity to appear on Love Island in previous years.

She shared: “Body confidence for me has been something I’ve worked on.

“This is a show, which is why I had to make this a big choice of mine, in terms of thinking about all these things: am I ready? Am I in a part of my life where I’m confident? That’s why previously, when I’ve been approached to do the show, I said no, because I wasn’t ready.”

Motivational speaker Sophie said she has spent the last few years working on herself and rebuilding her confidence.

“I didn’t feel good in myself. I still had a lot of inner work to do on me,” she continued.

“Now, I’m in a part of my life where I feel like I’m the woman that I’m meant to be.

“I’m proud that I can say, ‘I’m confident, I feel beautiful.’ I think beauty is not just about what you look like.

“You can wear a bin bag but feel beautiful.

“It’s more about how I’m feeling on the inside, and right now, I feel like I’m at my best.

“I feel like I’m in a part of my life where I can handle rejection. I can handle if things aren’t for me, because they’re just not my person, that’s OK.”

The star, from Manchester, previously opened up to The Sun about the terrifying incident. 

She said: “The air-con was too strong so when I blew the fire out it blew back to me. It set me on fire. I just remember being in so much pain, I blacked out for a little bit. It’s crazy.

“It happened in front of everyone and I had to get on with it as professionally and quickly as I could. As soon as I got into the ambulance, I was in bits.”

She added: That was a scary, scary time. I couldn’t breathe by myself, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t really see, it was scary. I was pretty out of it but on day two I looked in the mirror and just cried.”

Sophie spent a month in an intensive care clinic in America, before battling with a tumour which began growing on the side of her face. 

Becoming an activist 

Sophie has used her own experiences to become an activist, spreading awareness about unfair beauty standards and the importance of body positivity.

She said: “Life since the accident is definitely something I didn’t expect because I just see myself as someone who went through something and thought my story could help others.

“My aim was never to get awards or receive that type of attention. With the platform I have now, I feel like I have not only a responsibility to others but a responsibility to myself to be a better person everyday and to always be evolving.

“If people were to take a message from my story I’d say that beauty is always skin deep and your life is perfect just as it is.

“You just need to be yourself and accepting of life’s roller coaster so love your perfectly imperfect life.”

She has worked extensively with Katie Piper’s charity and even wrote a book entitled In My Skin. 

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IF your garden is looking a bit of a mess and you want to ensure it looks fresh, you’ve come to the right place. 

It turns out that there’s a nightmare pest that may be living in your garden – and it could be the reason why your grass and plants are ruined.

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You may spot aphids clustered on the stem of soft shoots – look under leaves in particular[/caption]

The Ins & Outs Podcast

Pollyanna Wilkinson, right, shared how to banish the pest without harming your garden[/caption]

Aphids are extremely common and can impact plant growth.

They have tiny soft pear-shaped bodies, and are usually green or black.

You may spot them clustered on the stem of soft shoots – look under leaves in particular – or may find a sticky substance on your plants that gives away aphids have been there sucking at the sap.

But while there’s no need to be alarmed, it’s best to identify the problem as soon as possible – and luckily, a gardening whizz has come to rescue with a wallet-friendly solution.

Speaking on her podcast, The Ins & Outs, Pollyanna Wilkison responded to a listener who had written into the show how to banish the common pest from their birch tree.

The gardening designer said: ”We’re getting a lot of questions about how to get rid of aphids and it’s a tricky one.

”Because on the one side, I want to say to you aphids are actually amazing forage for loads of really important insects – ladybugs, hoverflies, parasitoid wasps all eat aphids.

”They will be eaten by these guys if you leave them alone.”

However, if you’re dealing with ”an absolute infestation”, there’s something you can use – and it’s already in your kitchen.

According to Pollyanna, green-fingered Brits can use washing-up liquid – which you can snap up for around 65p from your local supermarket.

She explained in the podcast: ”The best thing you can do is put some washing-up liquid in a spray bottle and spray everything.

”That’s not going to hurt anything.

”Whatever they breathe through, it blocks it and then they die.”

”We’re not here for the pesticides – the washing-up liquid will do it absolutely fine.”

The gardening whizz also recently shared the common decoration she hates – hanging baskets.

“Hate them. I effing hate hanging baskets. 

“And the reason I hate them is much the same reason that I hate small pots.”

She shared the first reason for this is that she doesn’t think they are “very attractive as a vessel.”

Pollyanna explained on the episode: “You can tend to see the plastic inside because it’s got a plastic liner, because otherwise, obviously the water is going to go through. 

“And I don’t like seeing plastic in the garden.

“And also the body of soil that a hanging basket holds – unless it’s those amazing ones outside the Ritz, which are just the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever seen, but those are the sides of a beach ball –  it’s just, it’s this tiny little dish of mud.”

The striker has put pen to paper on a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

Can the couple repair their relationship?

'I think he will fit perfectly...'

Today’s Daily Lotto jackpot stands at an estimated R430 000. If you want to win your share of the jackpot, you have to play!

THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are finally here – with some huge deals already in the pipeline.

Liam Delap has completed a £30m move from Ipswich to Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are entering a final round of talks for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, with a deal expected to be struck in the coming days.

In other news, Man City are advancing in talks for Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.

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Follow ALL the latest news, moves and completed deals with our live blog below…

SUN Agony Aunt Sally Land, who also had breast cancer, writes an open letter to Jessie J after the pop star’s shock diagnosis.

DEAR JESSIE: MY heart went out to you as I read about your breast cancer diagnosis and plea for a hug.

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Jessie J has revealed she’s been diagnosed with cancer[/caption]

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Jessie J’s frank admission about her diagnosis threw The Sun’s Agony Aunt Sally Land back to this time last year when she was waiting for her own major breast cancer surgery[/caption]

You shared that you will undergo surgery within days, and while this is the rawest of times — a “rage stage”, even — as a fellow member of the club none of us wanted to join, I can reassure you that this time of huge uncertainties will pass.

You will be feeling all the possible emotions stacked one upon the other: Relief, hope, guilt, agonising fear and a fury like no other you have ever experienced.

The relief comes from being thankful the cancer has been detected. The hope — that the surgery will remove all cancerous cells.

The guilt isn’t logical, but ever- present nonetheless, that you somehow didn’t know before there was something wrong.

The agonising fear stalks you, occupying your mind with what might happen to your children if the worse case scenario becomes reality.

And then there is the rage.

It’s a visceral anger that this is happening to you.

And there is no reasoning with this rage, because of course why not you, me, or any of the other 56,820 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year?

This anger is about having to go under the knife, fear of surgery, resentment that your breasts, a part of your body so synonymous with being a woman, are about to be cut and changed for ever.

Your news threw me back to this time last year when I was waiting for my own major breast cancer surgery.

Sociable and friendly by nature, I spent the weeks before my surgery pacing angrily alone.

Friends, family and colleagues were amazing, but I couldn’t break out of my simmering fury.

A long weekend at the coast passed in a surreal blur, and while my family played cricket on the beach, I’d take myself and my black mood off for long walks.

Often the only companion I could cope with was Coco, my scruffy labradoodle.

It’s a weird feeling carrying something around within you that you know is potentially lethal, and your conscious thoughts are so often all consumed on that small pin point.

You desperately want it out and yet dread the surgery.

Shopping for post-surgery bras was a real low point.

Normally drawn to bright and bold matching sets, I stared miserably at the monotone post-surgery bras, tears running down my cheeks in the middle of M&S.

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Jessie told fans she was hesitant about going public[/caption]

This was not a section of the women’s lingerie I had ever wanted to visit.

The only offerings were unapologetically ugly “bolder holders”, but over the next few months I came to appreciate their soft texture and velcro fastenings.

I applaud your honesty at this early stage of diagnosis. It took me months to open up about the experience and I’m so glad I did.

So many women and men have contacted me privately to share their own experiences of cancer.

And some followed up symptoms that they admitted they would otherwise have ignored.

Your willingness to be open will help so many and keep life-saving cancer awareness high.

Disconcertingly, one in five patients wait longer than three months before sharing their symptoms with their GP.

So just think how much better survival rates would be if people sought help earlier.

My surgeon advised me to tell my children about my diagnosis because, as he said, “Children hear more than you think and know when you are keeping secrets from them.”

He told me that I had a long path ahead and if my children didn’t feel they could trust what I was telling them, it would make the whole process a lot harder.

His words echoed in my head when a couple of hours later I put my youngest to bed.

As I tucked him in, he looked straight in my eyes and said, “Mummy, are you OK? I feel like you’re hiding something.”

I knew then, we’d tell them the next day.

The memory of seeing their faces crumple still floors me. My surgeon was right — while there were plenty of nerve-wracking hurdles from that point on, and I know they were scared, at least they knew they could trust us.

Your son is still very young, so will have limited understanding of your diagnosis.

But you will find an age-appropriate way to communicate that “Mummy is poorly and the doctors are helping her get better”.

Especially post-surgery, the sight of tubes, dressings, drains and tentative cuddles take some explaining.

Macmillan (macmillan.org.uk) has a brilliant section on how to talk to children and teens about cancer.

While my rage and fear consumed me right up until the point when I went under general anaesthetic, the moment I came round from surgery and immediately inspected myself, a huge wave of relief swept over me.

My surgeon, Mr Richard Sutton, the Clinical Director for the Breast Unit at the RUH in Bath, did an absolutely brilliant job.

Like many breast cancer surgeons he is trained both in tumour removal, reconstructive surgery and oncoplastic surgery, which improves cosmetic outcomes.

That means while the surgery is fully focused on giving you the best outcome healthwise, your surgical team does everything they can to give you the best aesthetic results.

I’m sure you will be in very good hands and I’m wishing you the hugest wave of relief.

So deep breaths, Jessie. You’re going through the mill, but the love of all who surround you will carry you through.

And I’m sending you the hugest hug.

With love, Sally

• If anything is playing on your mind and you want advice, you can write to me and my team of trained counsellors for a personal response at deardeidre@the-sun.co.uk

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Jessie with partner Chanan and their son Sky[/caption]

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Sally was urged by her surgeon to tell her children about the diagnosis[/caption]

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Jessie J has previously opened up about her health struggles[/caption]

PEOPLE say never work with children or animals.

Because they’re totally unpredictable. Treats will only get you so far.

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The Kia comes with three engine choices — 1.6-litre petrol mild hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid[/caption]

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Two little fluff balls, perfect for having a proper rummage around the refreshed Sportage[/caption]

But I’m not one to listen.

So when Kia said Britain’s favourite SUV is better for the family than ever before, I had to put it to the test.

Meet Maisie and her new bestie, Bijoux the cockapoo.

Two little fluff balls, perfect for having a proper rummage around the refreshed Sportage.

Here are five things you need to know.

1. It’s got a “baby and toddler mode” which smooths out acceleration and driver inputs.

Makes everything less jolty. So little toddlers like Maisie stay sound asleep. Happy babies = happy parents. You know that.

2. The boot. Comfortably beats a Nissan Qashqai at 587 litres v 504.

Swallows pushchairs, luggage and all the usual family debris — even a dog crate to keep Bijoux safe.

Which also means no muddy paws on the seats. Bonus. Some dogs will appreciate the baby mode, too.

3. New front end. OUT go the “boomerang” lights from today’s Sportage. IN comes the “star map” LEDs inspired by Kia’s growing EV line-up. Looks punchy.

More aggressive. Will help Sportage stand out from the crowd. The rear lights have also been updated, as well as some other little details to keep things fresh.

4. Cabin. Absolutely nailed it. Lots of big-car tech in here but still knobs and buttons for the things that need knobs and buttons. Comfy.

Roomy. Lots of handy storage, big cup holders, even USB-C charging ports in the side of the front seats for people sat in the back.

Three well-equipped trim levels, not four as before. Posher versions get Apple CarPlay satnav arrows integrated into the Head-up Display.

5. Engines. Three choices — 1.6-litre petrol mild hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

The last two have a bit more oomph than before and the option of four-wheel drive.

It’s got a ‘baby and toddler mode’ which smooths out acceleration and driver inputs

Here’s some good news for caravanners and people with weekend toys. Maximum towing capacity has increased to 1,510kg.

No diesel. No pure electric. If you want to go electric next, there’s a Sportage-sized EV5 coming soon.

6. Sorry, I can’t count. Price. No official numbers from Kia yet but I’m guessing £31k for the petrol manual when it hits showrooms in September?

That would be a lot of car at a sensible price.

Maisie’s parents own a Kia Niro by the way. You can guess what car they want next.

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The refreshed Sportage’s cabin is spot on – packed with big-car tech but still has proper knobs and buttons where it counts[/caption]

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It’s even got a ‘baby and toddler mode’ which smooths out acceleration and driver inputs[/caption]

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