JAMIE CARRAGHER has brutally compared Arsenal to a Jose Mourinho team without the trophies.

The Sky Sports pundit was sharing his thoughts after the Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle on Saturday to leave them seven points behind league leaders Liverpool.

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Mikel Arteta’s side are morphing into a Jose Mourinho team, says Jamie Carragher[/caption]

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Jose Mourinho traits are being seen in the current Arsenal team[/caption]

Sky Sports

Stats show Arsenal are relying more on set-pieces and like to go direct[/caption]

Carragher claimed when Mikel Arteta’s side first competed for the title, Arsenal set out to play a brand of football based on what he had learned while with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

But after narrowly missing out on being crowned champions in the 2022/23 season after having an eight-point lead over City in January, the manager must have felt they lacked the physicality to get them over the line.

The ex-Liverpool defender says Arteta has changed style and is now like the current Fenerbahce boss – but he so far lacks the Special One’s glittering trophy cabinet.

Carragher explained: “Guardiola and Mourinho are the two most dominant and successful managers in the last 20 years. But they are at both ends of the spectrum in terms of style of football.

“Arsenal are morphing into Jose Mourinho. It is not a criticism of Mikel Arteta, it is an analysis.

“This is a guy who has won the Premier League three times, Arsenal have not won it in 20 years.”

Carragher then listed the traits he sees in the current Gunners team that reminds me of Mourinho‘s old Chelsea side.

He highlighted they are both strong defensively, have height and strength, rely on set-piece and play a direct style at times.

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But there is one difference as Carragher added: “But the one thing we should also say where Arsenal are not like Mourinho is winning trophies.

“If Mourinho is watching tonight, he will say ‘but I win trophies’.

“At the moment Arsenal have not won a trophy, but they have been fantastic.

“Anyone who thinks I have plucked this Mourinho thing out to create negativity around Arsenal – it is analysing where Arsenal are going.

“If people do not agree with that then I don’t think you are actually watching what is going on.

“I think Arteta feels he does not have the attacking quality of Man City.

“So he is going another way to try to win the league, which is being strong defensively and a more powerful team.

“This is what the team is morphing into, it is not a criticism, it is an analysis.”

Fans loved the comparison, with a Tottenham saying: “Carragher basically saying Arteta is Mourinho without the trophies lol.”

Another added: “He’s spot on. Arsenal fans done want to hear the truth.”

Carragher also highlighted how Arsenal have moved away from signing technical players like Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Instead, Arteta with the help of resigned chief Edu have gone in favour of physical stars like Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori.

The stats back up Carragher’s theory with Arsenal more reliant on set-pieces and are more playing long balls than they did last season.

On the numbers, the pundit said: “Especially in away games, I struggle to see how they score a goal aside from a set-piece.

“The elephant in the room is that Martin Odegaard is injured, he is probably among the top four or five players in the Premier League.

“But do not forget City were without Kevin De Bruyne this and last season. They are heavily reliant on Odegaard.”

THE festive season has kicked off with a bang. There are now so many Christmas adverts on TV in early November that you need both hands to count them.

Whether you love them or aren’t a fan, the commercials are the true sign that the big day is not far around the corner.

Morrisons

Here, we review ten of the new festive mini-blockbuster adverts – such as this one from Morrisons – giving each a rating out of five for entertainment value[/caption]

While we eagerly await the big reveal of the John Lewis ad, lots of other retailers have already aired their seasonal offerings.

Elizabeth Hurley shows us how to have a stress-free Debenhams Christmas, while Dawn French returns for M&S Food.

Here, we review ten of these festive mini-blockbusters, giving each a rating out of five for entertainment value.

Debenhams – 4/5

Debenhams

With a star-studded cast including Elizabeth Hurley, above, Leomie Anderson, Ellie Taylor, and Hannah Cooper-Dommett, this ad suggests how easy festive online shopping can be[/caption]

THE 2024 “Duh, Debenhams” advert is a playful take on the festive madness we know all too well.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Elizabeth Hurley, Leomie Anderson, Ellie Taylor, and Hannah Cooper-Dommett, this ad suggests how easy festive online shopping can be.

With cheeky nods to the usual Christmas chaos, the celebs hilariously answer the question: “Why does Christmas shopping have to be so hard?” with a sassy, “Duh, Debenhams”.

This ad is sure to bring a smile to your face and remind you that Christmas shopping does not have to be so stressful.

Aldi – 3/5

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Aldi’s offering sees Xmas-favourite Kevin and pal Katie navigate perilous ­situations and dodge booby traps to free the Spirit of Christmas[/caption]

KEVIN the Carrot is back for the ninth year running, and this time he is on a mission to save Christmas.

In a new adventure, Kevin and pal Katie navigate perilous ­situations and dodge booby traps to free the Spirit of Christmas and show the humbugs that “Christmas is better when ­goodwill is returned”.

It’s still a fun watch for the kids, but alas I fear Kevin is fast approaching his expiry date.

Morrisons – 2/5

Morrisons

Morrison’s oven gloves sing in support of the nation’s family chefs as they prepare an array of indulgent Christmas dishes[/caption]

MORRISONS has brought back its singing oven gloves. Only this time, there’s more of them.

Set to the catchy tune of Bugsy Malone track You Give A Little Love, the music is ­performed by a choir of 26 ­Morrisons staff.

The gloves, now fully animated, sing in support of the nation’s family chefs as they prepare an array of indulgent Christmas dishes.

It’s on the mark, but I worry this jingle will become grating.

Greggs – 5/5

Greggs/Alex Lambert

Set to an instrumental version of Carol Of The Bells, the ad opens with Nigella Lawson in her ­festive London townhouse[/caption]

GREGGS has set the bar high with its first Christmas advert, which features celebrity chef Nigella Lawson.

Set to an instrumental version of Carol Of The Bells, the ad opens with Nigella in her ­festive London townhouse.

She calls Christmas her “favourite time of year” and enjoys a Greggs Festive Bake, describing it as a “rapturous riot of flavour” with a “succulent ­filling”, playfully mimicking her saucy TV style.

Lidl – 3/5

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Lidl delivers a touching message of sharing the magic this Christmas[/caption]

THE Lidl Christmas advert tells a heartwarming tale of a little girl who, after helping an elderly woman, makes a wish to share her Lidl woolly hat with a boy she noticed earlier, who looked cold.

This touching gesture embodies Lidl’s message of sharing the magic this Christmas.

It also highlights the return of Lidl Toy Banks, with the aim of collecting and distributing more than 100,000 toys donated by customers to needy children.

Argos – 3/5

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Argos mascot Trevor the dinosaur lives out his rock star ­fantasy, belting out T-Rex’s classic 20th Century Boy atop a mountain of Marshall speakers[/caption]

THE Argos Christmas advert ­features brand mascots Connie the doll and Trevor the dinosaur.

Seen in a dazzling dreamscape, Trevor lives out his rock star ­fantasy, belting out T-Rex’s classic 20th Century Boy atop a mountain of Marshall speakers.

The scene is electric as Trevor headlines for a crowd of adoring fans, all of whom are his best friend Connie.

This whimsical promo will charm audiences of all ages.

Sainsbury’s – 4/5

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The BFG asks: ‘Hey Sainsbury’s – how can we make this Christmas a bit more . . . phizz-whizzing?’[/caption]

THE star here is the Big Friendly Giant from Roald Dahl’s beloved book, voiced by Stephen Fry.

The BFG asks: “Hey Sainsbury’s – how can we make this Christmas a bit more . . . phizz-whizzing?”

Enter Sophie, a Sainsbury’s staffer, who helps him gather food from the supermarket’s trusted suppliers.

The heart-warming promo ends with Fry inviting viewers to, “ask Sainsbury’s” for a truly spectacular festive feast.

M&S Food – 4/5

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As the fairy sprinkles her magic across Dawn French’s home, Christmas comes alive with M&S treats, twinkling lights and Christmas cheer[/caption]

AUDIENCES are in for a treat as Dawn French and her fairy alter-ego from past ads share the screen for the first time.

As Fairy sprinkles her magic across Dawn’s home, Christmas comes alive with M&S treats, twinkling lights and Christmas cheer.

Six variations will air, with a special cameo by Katherine Jenkins on December 17.

But a second year without Jennifer Saunders does take away some of the magic.

Asda – 3/5

Asda

THE ad opens with Asda staff Maggie and Bill gazing out at a massive snowstorm.

 Maggie frets: “Every road is closed between here and Sheffield – how are we going to get the store ready for Christmas?”

Enter a team of ceramic gnomes who transform the store into a Christmas wonderland, all set to The A-Team theme tune.

While delightful, it doesn’t top Asda’s previous ads ­featuring Will Ferrell and Michael Buble.

Shelter – 5/5

Shelter

GET your tissues ready because Shelter has done it again with its heart-wrenching Christmas ad.

The film opens in an imaginary world where little Mia and her dad are walking across an alien landscape.

They wave to Father Christmas and high-five an alien octopus.

But reality intrudes, revealing their actual life in temporary accommodation and the dad’s efforts to shield Mia from the harsh conditions through make-believe.

CHANCES are you’ve heard about the new vaping legislation that’s coming.

By next summer, disposable vapes will be outlawed.

Olivia West

Sun columnist Dr Zoe advises readers on their health[/caption]

And a flat rate of tax will be applied to all vaping liquid – designed for reusable devices – from October 2026, the Government says.

Though it’s become a topic regularly debated in the Commons, vaping certainly is a health matter.

You may be confused, given the NHS recommends that smokers switch to vaping for the sake of their health.

Using an e-cigarette for nicotine is better for a smoker’s health than tobacco, which contains harmful toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, heart disease, strokes and more.

But the issue in the UK now is that non-smokers, including children, are also taking up vaping.

We don’t know the extent of vaping on short and long-term health just yet, but experts say that it’s unlikely to be risk-free.

And if there’s something we can do to prevent young people starting a potentially harmful habit, that’s going to be a good thing.

Will the new restrictions tempt vapers back to smoking? It’s hard to say, but vaping will still be cheaper than tobacco if cost is a key concern.

Meanwhile, here is a selection of what readers have asked me this week . . . 

TWO-YEAR RASH IS SUCH A MYSTERY

Q) I AM a 77-year-old man. Since November 2022, I have had a rash in my groin.

I first saw a nurse who gave me Betnovate, which did nothing to help.

After a few weeks I saw a dermatologist. She gave me a different cream and took a scrape, which came back clear.

She referred me to dermatology at the hospital and since then I have had seven different creams, a scrub for bathing, a special talc, and another biopsy, which came back inconclusive.

I don’t know what to do.

A) Your question is a really tricky one for me because you have seen a dermatologist who has the benefit of a physical examination, a full history and a biopsy.

So in terms of what the problem is, I don’t have the amount of information your specialist has, but my advice would be that if it’s still just as bad as you say, and it’s really having an impact on your life, then you should probably request to be seen by a dermatologist again.

It might sound like a long-winded way of doing things, but as you have done everything you’ve been advised and you’ve used every treatment you’ve been given, I would suggest going back to the beginning.

A skin scraping usually just checks for fungal infection on the surface of the skin, whereas a skin biopsy examines the full depth and thickness of the skin.

For rashes, it’s usually a punch biopsy – a special instrument punches a small hole in the skin to obtain a skin sample.

A dermatologist may need to take another biopsy from a slightly different area, this time to diagnose the rash itself.

I hope you can find the diagnosis and get this rash treated optimally as soon as possible.

THROAT PAIN IS SO BAD I ALMOST FAINT

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Dr Zoe helps a reader with throat pain[/caption]

Q) SOMETIMES when I eat I get a pain in my throat. It can be so painful I feel like I’m going to pass out.

I am 88 and for many years now, when I laugh, my breathing can cut out and again I feel like I will pass out.

How serious is this and should I see a doctor?

I also have angina, diabetes, arthritis, emphysema and lumber (lower back) pain.

I am also on amlodipine, atorvastatin, candesartan, nitromin spray, Ventolin and aspirin.

A) The fact that this is causing pain severe enough to make you feel like you are going to pass out, means it shouldn’t be ignored.

It could be a laryngospasm – which occurs when the vocal cords spasm, or close – making it hard to breathe or speak.

Symptoms include a choking sensation, sudden difficulty breathing, and a feeling of tightness in the throat.

That’s assuming that the sensation is in the region of the voice box.

The word “throat” can sometimes be used to describe other areas too.

If the pain is higher up, it could be something to do with your ears or your tonsils.

But, if it’s the oesophagus (gullet) and food is also getting stuck, that’s something that should be seen pretty urgently because there are some dangerous causes of that, such as oesophageal or stomach cancer.

So to answer your question of whether you ought to see a doctor – absolutely yes you should.

You can put a lot of information into an online consultation form.

If you can’t fill one in yourself, then you should call your GP surgery and someone on reception wil be able to do so on your behalf.

Then, if you can, and if you can, take someone with you to your appointment.

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CONSTANT COUGH

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Dr Zoe helps a reader who has a constant cough[/caption]

Q) FOR many months I have had a constant cough, like whooping cough. I also have no energy.

I am 53. I’ve been prescribed carbocisteine which doesn’t seem to work and I’ve had a chest X-ray.

The cough comes with intermittent sickness and now, due to having it for many months, bladder weakness.

This causes embarrassment at work as I have to change my trousers at least once during my shift.

I would be grateful for anything you can recommend.

A) It’s possible that this could actually be whooping cough.

It’s a lot more common than people think.

Whooping cough tends to be known as the “100-day cough” because it quite commonly lasts that long – but it can go on for longer.
Anyone can get it.

We vaccinate young children because it can make them more severely unwell.

In adults, it tends to not cause as severe an illness.

But it can be extremely irritating to be coughing for that amount of time, especially if there are added complications on top like those that you have described.

Other complications of persistent coughing include hernias, burst blood vessels and sore ribs.

Antibiotics work well for whooping cough if it’s caught early (within the first two weeks) but you are well past the ­window where they would be ­effective.

Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments that have been shown to work to soothe or prevent these coughing bouts.

Carbocisteine is a type of medicine called a mucolytic.

It helps you cough up phlegm by making your phlegm less thick and sticky.

The good news though, if it is in fact whooping cough, is that you will recover eventually.

My advice would be to make an appointment with your GP, update them and let them listen to your chest thoroughly.

Then they will be in a position to advise whether you need another chest X-ray or any further investigation.

There are other causes for chronic cough to be considered.

For any readers with a cough lasting more than three weeks, please see the GP because it is one of the main symptoms of lung cancer.

PEOPLE will have to restrict when they boil the kettle to help Ed Miliband hit his 2030 clean power targets, according to a report.

They will be told they must be much more “flexible” about when they use gas and electricity.

And coastlines and the countryside will be littered with around 6,350 more windfarms if the Energy Secretary is to achieve his ambitious environmental goals.

A report into how Britain can meet Mr Miliband’s climate targets describes them as a “huge challenge” that requires a doubling of onshore windfarms, a tripling of offshore windfarms, and a tripling of onshore solar sites.

Weaning the UK off gas power stations will also require a five-fold increase in battery storage, nuclear plants staying open longer than intended and the construction of carbon capture facilities.

Experts said the scale of the infrastructure projects needed over the next six years would require swift planning and regulatory reform.

And the report by the National Energy System Operator — now taxpayer-owned after a £630million deal last month — claims hitting the 2030 target requires a six-fold rise in “demand flexibility”.

The term refers to when households and businesses are asked to reduce power usage at peak times — such as when they can make a brew.

Octopus Energy has previously advised customers that avoiding using ovens, microwaves and kettles during its energy-saving sessions was the most effective way to ease pressure on the national grid.

The NESO underlined the mammoth challenge ahead by saying: “Failure in any single area — generation, flexibility, networks — will lead to failure to achieve clean power.”

Alamy

People will have to restrict when they boil the kettle to help Ed Miliband hit his 2030 clean power targets, according to a report[/caption]

LOCALS say their Christmas market is a “rip-off” as a beer and single sausage costs £21 – and the drinks have been capped.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham claims to be the largest authentic German market outside of Germany or Austria.

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Kristina from Hereford eats a half-a-meter long Bratwurst sausage costing £9 at Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market[/caption]

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Some locals have blasted the Christmas Market this year for being a ‘rip-off’[/caption]

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One punter says the stalls are the same every year[/caption]

But revellers have blasted it, saying it’s a “rip-off” after prices shot up when it opened on Friday.

Punters have to fork out £12.50 for a two-pint stein of Hofbrau German wheat beer and a further £9 for a half-metre Bratwurst sausage.

A mere bag of roasted almonds will set you back £4.50.

Visitors are also up in arms about new restrictions that limit revellers to buying just one drink per bar visit – a move which is designed to curb drunkenness despite creating long queues.

Some locals who have visited in the past are now considering not going this year following the changes, particularly as they are unimpressed with the alcohol policy.

John Beard, 35, from Perry Barr, Birmingham, who has been a regular visitor in the past, has vowed not to go this year.

He told the Birmingham Mail: “This will be the first time in ten years I’m not going to bother.”

“For what it costs, it’s really not worth it because it’s absolutely rammed and you’re just standing about in the cold essentially.

“The stalls are the same each year too.

“People are watching the pennies more than ever and don’t want to spend nearly a tenner on a sausage. You can blow about £50 in ten minutes.”

Other have vented their anger online.

John Coles said: “Was good when it first started now going downhill rapidly.”

Jeanette Bennison added: “I’ve visited a couple of times years ago and I didn’t think much of it, prices were high then, a rip off and stalls selling the same stuff all the way round.”

Trevor Smith wrote: “The last time I went there I got a hot dog and coffee cost me 15 quid I said to the bloke what part of Germany you from he said Tipton.”

Punters now wanting to enjoy a pint of beer with a regular bratwurst will be charged £13.50 – with both items having increased by 50p since 2023 when prices remined the same from the previous year.

Not all prices at the Frankfurt Christmas Market have risen though.

A half-pint of beer still costs £4.50, a boozy hot chocolate is priced at £7, garlic bread is still available for £4, and crepes begin from £4.50.

Last year, the market was voted the finest Christmas market in the UK for 2023 and also secured eighth place across Europe.

Despite the changes, some regulars are still planning on making a visit.

Birmingham local Tony Jones said: “I think it’s amazing, it’s the best time of the year and it’s really entertaining.

“It’s once a year and I come every year. I love it, I do.”

He added: “Everybody is really happy, it’s a great atmosphere.”

His partner Chloe Flynn said: “It is expensive for the beers, but because its German beer you don’t even need that many to get drunk.”

The Sun Online has contacted the market for comment.

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Even a bag of roasted almonds cost £4.50[/caption]

SWNS

The market claims to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria[/caption]

SWNS

Some revellers say the market has been going downhill rapidly[/caption]

A WOMAN has hit back at trolls who have called her “brainwashed” for allowing her husband to have a second wife.

Jamie and Kevin have been together for 15 years, and share three children, and one grandchild.

YouTube/@lovedontjudgeshow

Jamie shares her husband with Lacee[/caption]

YouTube/@lovedontjudgeshow

The two women said that they do get jealous of each other[/caption]

During a break in the marriage, the pair began exploring separately and Kevin met Lacee.

Jamie and Kevin then rekindled their relationship, and added Lacee into the mix as well.

One Monday’s and Tuesday’s Kevin sleeps with Jamie, and then on Wednesdays and Thursdays he sleeps with Lacee.

At the weekend, the trio all alternate.

Lacee said that she had never been in a polyamorous relationship, and didn’t know if she would be able to come “behind” another woman in a relationship.

However, since she met Kevin when he was separated from Jamie, she got to fall in love with him as an individual before entering the group dynamic.

Lacee is also a big fan of Jamie and Kevin’s children, and said they are exactly “the type of children I wanted.”

The trio have gone public with their relationship on social media, in the hopes of educating people about polyamory.

However, they have been subject to severe trolling online.

“We experience judgement in all facets of our life, simply because we live our lives unapologetically”, Kevin told Love Don’t Judge.

Some of the harshest comments they have received include that they lack self-love and that Kevin loves Lacee more than Jamie.

They have even seen parents cover their children’s eyes when the three of them are walking down the street.

“I get judgement on social media because I’m looked at as the person who couldn’t let go”, Jamie admitted.

“People have so much focus around the three of us, that they forget that we’re a family”, Lacee added.

Jamie and Kevin said that their three kids are very accepting of their parents’ unconventional relationship.

The kids said that they see lots of positives in having an extra parent but added that it can be tricky to explain the dynamic to their friends.

Jamie and Lacee said that they do often get jealous of each other, but are able to work through their jealousy.

Kevin added that he would never think of adding another wife into the relationship, as he is now “100% satisfied.”

I’M A Celebrity’s camp is once again set to be victim to brutal storms that bring out grisly creatures for this year’s star line-up. 

As ITV prepares to welcome a new gang of celebrities into the New South Wales camp, they’re having to contend with some of the creatures that normally call it a home. 

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This includes flesh-eating leeches and giant earthworms, which rise out of soil to the surface when in heavy rain. 

The leeches come on top of reports that poisonous toads have invaded the camp just days before it kicks off.

If disturbed by a human, a cane toad could squirt toxin into the eyes – resulting in pain and disrupted vision, while ingesting or swallowing the toxin could affect heart function, breathing and blood pressure.

The issue is something the show has had to contend with before, with multiple former castmates complaining about their run-ins with the grisly creatures that pack a bite. 

For health and safety reasons, this could limit the camp’s access to the waterfall and creek as it becomes ripe for infestation. 

There’s also a safety team who sweep the area to make sure any lethal animals, including spiders and snakes, are kept away from the camp as best as possible. 

I’m A Celebrity 2024 is set to kick off on Sunday, November 17, and the weather forecast predicts the camp will be in for a rough first few days. 

Weather in Queensland is predicted to be severe thunderstorms, with the UV index – which measures the sun’s ultraviolet radiation – marked as an ‘unhealthy’ level 12. 

For context, anything above 11 is extreme and a ‘stay inside’ warning according to the prevent cancer foundation.

Last year, the camp braced for winds of up to 130mph as they were battered by Cyclone Jasper, a category three storm.

The Sun exclusively revealed that I’m A Celeb had landed its biggest line-up yet, with stars including Coleen Rooney, Maura Higgins, Alan Halsall and Oti Mabuse signing on for the three-week endurance reality show. 

However, just days before they’re due to fly out, the team reportedly had to haul in podcast host GK Barry in for crisis talks after negative backlash from an interview she did. 

GK, real name Grace, was slammed for comments deemed to be “harmful” after her chat with OnlyFans creator Bonnie Blue, who made headlines for bedding a series of “barely legal” University students during Fresher’s Week.

The Saving Grace podcast host is now in the midst of an “absolute PR nightmare,” according to a source. 

“I’m A Celeb is a family show and they can’t have anyone on there who agrees with sleeping with barely 18 year olds,” the source said. 

“The top brass have held crisis talks as to how they handle the backlash with GK enters the show.

“GK has deleted the video but the furore hasn’t gone away.

“The backlash is already huge on YouTube and social media this is an absolute PR nightmare for ITV.

“They rely on advertisers wanting to spend money on the show and it’s not a good look when one of the campmates has had someone so controversial on her podcast and agreed with everything she said.”

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THE National Lottery Set For Life numbers are in and it’s time to find out if you’ve won the top prize of £10,000 every month for 30 years.

Could tonight’s jackpot see you start ticking off that bucket list every month or building your own start-up as a budding entrepreneur?

You can find out by checking your ticket against tonight’s numbers below.

Good luck!

Tonight’s National Lottery Set For Life numbers are: 05, 14, 22, 33, 44 and the Life Ball is 05.

The first National Lottery draw was held on November 19 1994 when seven winners shared a jackpot of £5,874,778.

The largest amount ever to be won by a single ticket holder was £42million, won in 1996.

Gareth Bull, a 49-year-old builder, won £41million in November, 2020 and ended up knocking down his bungalow to make way for a luxury manor house with a pool.

1. £1.308 billion (Powerball) on January 13 2016 in the US, for which three winning tickets were sold, remains history’s biggest lottery prize
2. £1.267 billion (Mega Million) a winner from South Carolina took their time to come forward to claim their prize in March 2019 not long before the April deadline
3. £633.76 million (Powerball draw) from a winner from Wisconsin
4. £625.76 million (Powerball)  Mavis L. Wanczyk of Chicopee, Massachusetts claimed the jackpot in August 2017
5. £575.53 million (Powerball)  A lucky pair of winners scooped the jackpot in Iowa and New York in October 2018

Sue Davies, 64, bought a lottery ticket to celebrate ending five months of shielding during the pandemic — and won £500,000.

Sandra Devine, 36, accidentally won £300k – she intended to buy her usual £100 National Lottery Scratchcard, but came home with a much bigger prize.

The biggest jackpot ever to be up for grabs was £66million in January last year, which was won by two lucky ticket holders.

Another winner, Karl managed to bag £11million aged just 23 in 1996.

The odds of winning the lottery are estimated to be about one in 14million – BUT you’ve got to be in it to win it.

MORE cases of a new strain of mpox have been found in the UK, according to officials.

Two more cases of a potentially deadly strain of the mpox virus have been detected, in household contacts of the first case, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

Reuters

The new clade 1b variant is thought to cause more severe disease than previous strains detected in the UK[/caption]

[/caption]

It brings the total number of cases of the Clade Ib mpox strain to three.

The two patients are currently under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.

The UKHSA said the risk to the UK population “remains low”.

Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said: “Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household.

“The overall risk to the UK population remains low.

“We are working with partners to make sure all contacts of the cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread.”

The first case of the new, more contagious strain of mpox was detected towards the end of last month.

The unnamed patient, who tested positive on October 29 in London, is believed to have contracted the Clade 1b strain of the virus while on holiday in an African country affected by the outbreak.

The new mpox variant is different from the ones circulating in the UK since 2022 and is thought to cause more severe disease.

The infected patient has since been moved to the Royal Free Hospital in London, a high-consequence infectious diseases unit where people infected with Ebola have been treated in the past.

Health officials are now racing to trace close contacts of the patient who landed back in the UK on an overnight flight on October 21.

Meanwhile, the NHS says it has plans to expand the vaccine rollout to offer more people protection against the virus if necessary.

More than 24 hours after returning home, the patient developed flu-like symptoms.

A few days later, on October 24, they started to develop a rash which got worse in the following days.

When they attended A&E in London on October 27, they were swabbed, tested and then isolated while waiting for the results.

Fewer than ten people thought to have come into contact with the patient were initially being traced, the UKHSA said.

These are household contacts, although the agency is “still working” on the number of people it may have to trace.

The infected individual doesn’t think they came into contact with anyone unwell while on holiday in Africa.

Germany reported its first case earlier this month, following Sweden’s first case in August.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

The new clade 1b variant started spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) last year.

There have been cases reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and India.

Since then, it has infected more than 25,000 people and is responsible for more than 1,000 deaths.

This prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to name the increasing spread of the disease a global health emergency for the second time in two years.

Mpox mostly spreads via close contact with infected people, including through sex.

Common symptoms include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last two to four weeks.

It also can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

Most cases are mild but it can be deadly.

Professor Jonathan Ball, of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said the new case is “not unexpected”.

“There are active human-to-human transmission chains of Clade 1b monkeypox infections in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and therefore people coming into close contact with anyone infected is at risk.”

Spreads more easily

It was earlier this year, when scientists first discovered Clade 1b.

They said that it may cause milder symptoms than clade 2 which triggered the mpox public health emergency in 2022.

However, the new variant of the bug is believed to spread more easily through close contacts.

Mpox is a viral disease that occurs mostly in central and western Africa.

It was first identified in laboratory monkeys, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Currently there is no treatment approved specifically for mpox virus infections, according to the CDC.

However, a two-dose vaccine has been developed to protect against the virus.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said last week that the Government is working with UKHSA and the NHS “to protect the public and prevent transmission”.

“This includes securing vaccines and equipping healthcare professionals with the guidance and tools they need to respond to cases safely,” he added.

“We are also working with our international partners to support affected countries to prevent further outbreaks.”

Alamy

The two patients are currently under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London[/caption]

A devastating situation...