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AMY Dowden’s Strictly replacement Lauren Oakley has broken her silence – and her made JB Gill a heartfelt promise.

It comes after Amy, 37 – who was recently given the all clear from breast cancer – was rushed to hospital on Saturday night after collapsing backstage following the main show.

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Lauren Oakley has spoken out since it was revealed she is Amy Dowden’s replacement[/caption]

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Amy has recently been given the all clear from breast cancer[/caption]

BBC

Amy was rushed to hospital after her performance with JB Gill on Saturday night[/caption]

This meant that Amy did not appear in the pre-recorded results show that airs on Sunday night.

Yesterday The Sun exclusively revealed that this week Amy will be replaced by Strictly pro Lauren Oakley.

Last night Lauren took to her social media to send Amy her best wishes as she dances with her celebrity partner JB Gill this weekend.

Resharing the BBC‘s statement about her replacement, Lauren added: “Sending you so much love and well wishes @amy_dowden.

“Hope you’re back on the dance floor as soon as possible!

“I will look after @jbgill for you this week, I hope we make you proud!”

Lauren – who joined the show in 2022 – doesn’t have a partner this year.

We exclusively reported how the JLS hitmaker will dance with Lauren and start training together, as Amy recovers.

A source was first to tell us: “Lauren will be stepping in today to train with JB.

“It’s unclear when Amy will be back but everyone just wants her to rest and get better.”

Last night a major health update was revealed.

She was said to be “doing much better” but will be unable to return this week. 

A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well. 

“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s Couple’s Choice dance. 

“We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”

Fans of the programme feared for ‘tired’ Amy a WEEK before her shock collapse.

Amy could be forced to quit the contest after her collapse and she was seen by paramedics at Elstree Studios.

A Strictly insider said: “Amy was obviously in huge distress. “Everyone around her was equally upset because they felt so helpless.

“JB had to be given a hug.

“Even the medic who first attended to Amy needed support and consolation.

“The only thing they could do was try to get her to hospital as quickly and safely as possible.”

As a result, her celebrity partner JB was left standing alone as Claudia and Tess revealed he was through to next week’s competition.

Following the news, Claudia told him: “I know you’re here without Amy, but on behalf of both of you, how happy are you that you’re not in the bottom two?”

The JLS singer replied: “Honestly, I’m beside myself, and Amy, of course, is going to be so happy that we’re through to icons.”

He added how Amy and him will perform a Bruno Mars medley during next week’s show.

A spokesperson for Amy said: “Amy was feeling unwell and so an ambulance was called as a precaution.

“She is feeling much better and would like to thank the Strictly family for their love and concern.

“We request Amy’s privacy in matters of health is kindly respected.”

Amy, who joined Strictly in 2017, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May 2023.

The past year has seen the star undergo a mastectomy, numerous rounds of chemotherapy and fertility treatment.

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Amy has been a pro on the show since 2022[/caption]

SHOPPERS have been left totally divided at Ikea’s cheap Christmas tree.

Whilst some thought it would be perfect for those on a budget with little cash to spare, others hailed it the ‘saddest’ tree they’d ever seen.

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Bargain hunters have been left totally divided by Ikea’s budget Christmas tree[/caption]

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Some hailed it as ‘great’ and claimed it would look ‘lovely’ when decorated[/caption]

Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK

But others were ‘shocked’ at how ‘skinny’ and ‘sad’ it looked[/caption]

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The ‘outgoing product’ is due to be discontinued from Ikea, hence the reduced price tag[/caption]

It comes after one savvy shopper, Barbara Mc, took to social media to show off her Ikea find, leaving many open-mouthed.

Posting on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group, a private Facebook group with 2.5 million members, Barbara shared a snap of the festive find – the Vinterfint Artificial Christmas Tree. 

The 150cm tree is currently on the Ikea website for £30, but in the Charlton store, not only was it first reduced down to £9.50, but it has now been slashed again, to just £5. 

Thrilled with her find, Barbara said: “In Ikea Charlton today – may help people on a budget.”

According to Ikea, this cheap Christmas tree is perfect for those who want a ‘really tall and full-bodied Christmas tree’. 

This artificial tree is ‘guaranteed needle-free’ and takes up ‘little storage space’ as you can unscrew it into smaller parts.

This artificial plant is made of plastic, of which at least 50% comes from renewable sources.

It will look perfect as a festive decoration, both indoors and outdoors this December. 

But if you want to get your hands on this budget tree, you’ll need to move fast.

The tree has been labelled as an ‘outgoing product’, which in Ikea terms, means it is a discontinued product that is no longer part of their range.

But Facebook users were left totally divided by the cheap buy.

Whilst some hailed it as ‘great’ and claimed it would look ‘lovely’ when decorated, others were ‘shocked’ at how ‘skinny’ and ‘sad’ it looked. 

One person said: “I have this tree, it’s great!”

Another added: “Lots of tinsel and it’ll look fab.”

IKEA trees look despicable, they look like they need to be fed

Facebook user

A third commented: “Set up properly, that would look lovely.” 

Whilst someone else explained: “I’m sure any family with kids or without them would appreciate this tree rather than having no tree.

“I once had no Christmas tree when I first got my own house when I was 19 (before I had kids) and I felt so sad that I had no tree and nothing Christmassy in my house.” 

However at the same time, one shopper slammed: “That is shocking how bare it is.”

A second chimed in: “That’s the saddest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen.”

One bargain hunter admitted: “Skinnier than my purse at the mo.”

And another snapped: “IKEA trees look despicable, they look like they need to be fed, even the cheap B&M trees have more branches.”

HELEN Flanagan says she’s been BLOCKED by her ex-fiance Scott Sinclair – despite sharing three kids together.

The former Coronation Street star admits “we do each other’s f***ing head in” as she gave an insight into their strained relationship.

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Helen Flanagan is finally happy after getting out of a ‘toxic’ relationship[/caption]

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Helen with her ex Scott Sinclair[/caption]

Speaking on The Mail’s The Life of Bryony podcast, Helen said: “No disrespect to the father of my children, you know, I’ve had three children with him, and I always have a lot of love for him.

“We’re both good people, but together we were very toxic.

“I think a toxic relationship can just damage your mental health a lot.

“Especially when you struggle with your mental health anyway.

“I mean, I’m on block at the moment on Scott’s phone. I really am. I’m on block.”

Helen, 34, and footballer Scott, 35, split in 2022 after 13 years together.

Since then, Helen’s found love with older man – former footballer Robbie Talbot, 44.

Speaking about her ex, Helen added: “We do each other’s f***ing head in. But I know he always will have a love for me, you know, you always have kind of a respect for each other, I know he’s not a bad guy, we’ve just got our own s*** going on.

“And I think because we’re together from so young, we were just 19, and I just don’t think we had that time to grow, until we’ve split up, we just didn’t work.”

Helen says her “toxic” relationship damaged her mental health – but she’s happy in her new romantic relationship.

The 34-year-old signed up to this year’s Celebs Go Dating – but halfway through the process admitted she had a secret boyfriend.

Robbie ended up joining the show as they underwent couples’ therapy to discover their true compatibility.

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Helen with her new partner Robbie Talbot[/caption]

GISELE Bündchen revealed that she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Joaquim Valente.

The model has been dating the jiu-jitsu instructor since June last year after the breakdown of her marriage with quarterback Tom Brady.

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Gisele Bündchen’s new boyfriend Joaquim Valente[/caption]

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The couple are expecting their first child together[/caption]

This will be her third child and Joaquim’s first – but who exactly is Joaquim and how did the pair meet?

Joaquim, 37, and Gisele first met in December 2021 when she hired him to teach her son the martial art.

Taken by the non-violent training and perhaps the teacher, she decided to take classes too.

By July the pair were more than just teacher and student, they were spotted in Costa Rica on holiday together with her two children.

“Initially, I wasn’t even considering it for myself. But when I brought [her son Ben] to the first class and started talking to Joaquim, I realized that it was much more than self defense,” she told Dust Magazine.

She explained that she fell in love with jiu-jitsu : “It felt very much in line with what I believe in and look for in my life, and how I have a path to develop and become the best version of myself.”

Who is Joaquim?

Joaquim owns the Miami-based self-defence studio with his brothers Pedro and Gui.

The martial art runs in their blood, three generations of his family were trained in the sport.

Joaquim and his brothers were taught by their dad before they had even started walking.

By the time they were two, he and his brothers were then trained by Grandmaster Hélio Gracie – who created Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

But Gisele’s beau isn’t just a one-trick pony, he also has a degree in criminology from Barry University in Florida.

Gisele and Joaquim caused a stir when they were seen together in Costa Rica and the model initially denied that they were more than friends.

The holiday came just two weeks after her divorce from Tom was finalised.

The pair both have a lot in common, including them moving from their home country Brazil at a young age.

What happened with Gisele and Tom Brady?

The couple were together for 13 years and share Benjamin Rein Brady, 14 and Vivian, 11.

Speaking to Vanity Fair at the time, she said that the split was the “death of her dream”.

“It’s tough because you imagine your life was going to be a certain way, and you did everything you could, you know?” she said.

“I believed in fairy tales when I was a kid. I think it’s beautiful to believe in that. I mean, I’m so grateful I did.”

At the time she said that the reason for their split was because the pair had “grown apart”.

The couple met when she was 26 and he was 29, but the model said that as they got older their priorities changed.

There were rumours that they broke up over Tom’s refusal to retire from the NFL – which Gisele called “very hurtful”.

Gisele and Joaquim’s romance rumours

Gisele was accused of cheating on Tom, which she strongly denied when she was quizzed by The New York Times.

She said the rumours of her infidelity were “lies”.

“This is something that happens to a lot of women who get blamed when they have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and are labeled as being unfaithful,” she told the publication.

She added that she “doesn’t want to make her life a tabloid”.

Without naming Joaquim, she said: “‘This is the first time I am seeing someone that was a friend of mine first.”

“It’s very different. It is very honest, and it’s very transparent,” she added.

On Valentine’s Day this year the pair made it official after they were spotted kissing in Miami.

A source revealed to People that they had been “dating since June” and added that they were “taking it slow.”

When is Gisele due?

Gisele is about five to six months pregnant, according to TMZ.

It’s unclear when Bündchen’s due to give birth.

A source confirmed to People that the Brazilian fashion model, 44, and Valente, 35, are excited about the new chapter in their life.

“Gisele and Joaquim are happy for this new chapter in their life, and they’re looking forward to creating a peaceful and loving environment for the whole family,” the source told the magazine in a statement.

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Gisele Bundchen with ex-husband and daughter Vivian Brady[/caption]

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The couple split after 13 years together[/caption]

COPS have launched an urgent search for a teen girl who suddenly went missing from a city centre.

Jessica Mattinson, 13, from Gateshead, was last seen on CCTV in Newcastle city centre at about 5.25pm on Sunday.

Northumbria Police

Missing Jessica Mattinson was last seen on CCTV in Newcastle city centre[/caption]

Northumbria Police

The missing teen is described as a white female, 5ft 4ins tall, of medium build, with long mousey brown hair.

Jessica was last seen on CCTV on Grainger Street wearing a light grey top, light grey flared trousers, a black jacket and white slider shoes.

Anyone with information should call Northumbria Police on 101, quoting log number NP-20241027-0895.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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RUBEN AMORIM could ring the changes at Manchester United if he is hired for the top job.

The Portuguese manager is hotly tipped to arrive at Old Trafford following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

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Ruben Amorim could put his own stamp on the Man United team[/caption]

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Amorim could be the replacement for the sacked Erik ten Hag[/caption]

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Manuel Ugarte played for Amorim while at Sporting Lisbon[/caption]

The Dutchman was hit with the axe after the disappointing 2-1 defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium.

Ten Hag was not expecting his time to come to an end as he still held the team’s press conference for the Carabao Cup clash against Leicester City on Tuesday.

Assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the side while a new manager if appointed.

Amorim, 39, is the leading candidate to be offered the job by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and could be appointed quickly.

The Sporting Lisbon manager will be familiar with Man United’s newest signing Manuel Ugarte.

The midfielder starred for Amorim before he left Sporting for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

The Uruguayan would be expected to be given a leading role under the manager in the centre of midfield.

Amorim has favoured a 3-4-3 formation while at Sporting Lisbon which could suit the club’s defensive options.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are both capable of playing as wing-backs to add width.

The back three could be made up of Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.

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Bruno Fernandes could be used in a more advanced role under Amorim[/caption]

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Victor Lindelof played alongside Amorim while he was at Benfica[/caption]

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Leny Yoro is closing in on his return from a fractured foot[/caption]

However, this will only be possible once Yoro has returned to full fitness following his injury in pre-season.

The £52million summer signing is closing on his return from a foot fracture and has been training on grass.

Going forward, Amorim would likely opt for Rasmus Hojlund to spearhead the attack as he has similar qualities to Viktor Gyokeres.

Marcus Rashford could then flank the Danish striker on the left and Bruno Fernandes on the right.

Another option for Amorim would be to replace Rashford with Garnarcho on the left and Holjund with Joshua Zirkzee.

He could also tinker with the defence and could put faith in Victor Lindelof.

Amorim played alongside the Swede during his five seasons in the Benfica first-team.

The line-up could drastically change at Old Trafford after a transfer window under Amorim.

Man United have been heavily linked with two Sporting Lisbon stars in the past Goncalo Inacio and Gyokeres.

Amorim could insist on the pair’s arrival at Old Trafford to add more quality to his side.

Inacio would command a spot in the backline and could take up a spot in the middle between Martinez and De Ligt.

While Gyokeres would take up the striker role and replace the Red Devils’ misfiring pair of Hojlund and Zirkzee.

The Swedish striker is amongst the most prolific in Europe, having netted 57 goals in 64 appearances for Sporting.

He is already familiar with English football, having spent three seasons at Coventry City in the Championship.

Man United would face competition to sign Gyokeres, with Arsenal also interested in the striker.

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Viktor Gyokeres could be a top target for Amorim to bolster the frontline[/caption]

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Goncalo Inacio could be signed to reinforce the defense[/caption]

MILLIONS of British Gas customers are being urged to look out for letters on doormats detailing how they can claim energy bill help.

The energy firm is writing to older customers urging them to take up pension credit after Labour changed the winter fuel payment eligibility criteria.

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From this winter the payments will be means-tested and will only be given to people receiving pension credit and several other benefits.

The cash was previously available to anyone over the age of 66 regardless of their financial situation.

British Gas will write to two million people of pension age and above, encouraging them to take up pension credit if they are eligible.

The company is also set to reopen its annual winter scheme, providing financial help for customers.

This year, around £40 million more will go towards measures like matching debt repayments and support grants.

The company has also upped the maximum grant it will hand out, from £1,500 to £2,000. The announcement follows similar commitments from other suppliers.

British Gas is the UK’s second-largest power firm by customer numbers.

Chris O’Shea, chief executive of British Gas’ parent firm Centrica, said that while some cost of living pressures had eased, the crisis is “far from over” for many households.

“At the end of each week or month there will be those that have little, if any, money left after paying for life’s essentials.

“We are committed to ensuring that all pensioners are fully informed about their eligibility for pension credit, which can make a significant difference in their financial wellbeing.”

What is the British Gas energy support fund?

The British Gas Energy Support Fund will begin accepting new applications from Monday (November 4), providing grants to customers facing difficulties paying their bills.

Any British Gas or Scottish Gas energy customer who is struggling to pay their energy bill and has sought financial and energy advice is eligible to apply for support.

Successful applicants could receive a grant of up to £2,000 to help with outstanding debts – £500 more than what was available to households last winter.

To be considered for a grant, you must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in England, Scotland, or Wales
• Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust in the past 12 months
• Have either a credit or prepayment meter with an outstanding account debt

Proof of income will be required at the point of application.

This will be assessed alongside household outgoings to determine if you are in or at risk of fuel poverty.

Customers must also have to have been receiving help from a money advice or guidance agency within the last six months to be eligible.

This could include support from charities like Citizens Advice or StepChange.

To apply, you’ll need to visit britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.

The fund that reopens on Monday is strictly for British Gas customers only.

What if I’m not with British Gas?

Another fund offered by the same firm can help support customers at other suppliers.

The British Gas Energy Trust’s Individual and Families Fund has been accepting applications from those struggling with energy debt since September.

The Individual and Families Fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.

However, unlike other energy supplier grants, this scheme’s support is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.

Energy customers could previously get up to £1,500 in help from the fund, but it has increased to £1,700 this winter to help an increasing number of households in debt.

However, not everyone will be eligible for a grant under the British Gas Energy Trust’s scheme.

There are certain criteria that you need to meet to be considered for the Individual and Families Fund, including:

• Pre-payment meter customers must have between £50 and £1,700 of energy debt
• Credit customers must have between £250 and £1,700 of energy debt
• You live in England, Scotland, or Wales
• You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
• You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account. The account must be in your name and relate to your main residence
• You have received help from a money advice agency within the last six months

Customers with energy debts worth more than £1,700 will not be eligible for support through the fund.

Although British Gas Energy Trust welcomes applications from customers of all energy suppliers, it is recommended that customers from the following companies first seek assistance through their own hardship schemes:

• Ovo Energy
• E.ON Next
• EDF Energy
• Scottish Power
• Octopus Energy
• Utilita

If you are rejected by your own energy company’s hardship fund, apply to the British Gas Energy Trust’s Individual and Families Fund by visiting www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.

What do other suppliers offer?

Most energy suppliers have a discretionary grant scheme to help support their most vulnerable customers.

Grants vary by supplier and, of course, the exact amount you’ll get will depend on your own financial circumstances.

Here’s a full list of other energy suppliers offering grants.

EDF Energy

EDF’s Consumer Support Fund provides grants to support vulnerable customers struggling with energy debt.

Grants are given to help clear debt and to help fund the provision of essential white goods, such as fridges or cookers.

You can apply to the scheme at EDF’s Let’s Talk website by visiting www.forms.lets-talk.online/Login

But before you can apply for funding, you need to sought independent debt advice.

You will also need to provide your EDF account number, current debt balance and details of your household finances and vulnerability.

E.ON Next

Customers of E.ON Next can apply for cash grants to help with their energy costs.

E.ON doesn’t have established eligibility criteria, but the fund aims to help as many people as possible, and applications from individuals with the greatest needs will be prioritised. 

You must know your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading to complete your application.

As part of your application, you’ll also be asked to provide evidence of your circumstances, such as proof of household income or DWP benefit payments.

Find out more, including how to apply, by visiting www.eonnextenergyfund.com.

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy offers a range of support, including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.

It could also include loaning a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks in your home, which you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.

It also conducts home energy visits to discuss how households can reduce their usage and gives out free electric blankets.

Octopus is encouraging all customers to get in contact if they’re struggling with their bills.

Octo Assist fund is still open for applications, and customers have no deadline for applying.

Find out more by visiting www.octopus.energy/blog/octo-assist.

ScottishPower

ScottishPower has handed out more than £60m in support to customers experiencing difficulties in paying their energy bills, through its Hardship Fund.

You could qualify for help from the fund if you receive support from the following benefits:

• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s allowance
• Income support
• Housing benefit
• Universal Credit
• Tax credits
• Pension credit savings credit

Help could also be available if you have a low household income or if special circumstances, such as illness, have impacted your earnings.

To apply you’ll first need to sought advice from debt charity Step Change by calling 0800 138 1111.

You’ll then need to apply for funding through Scottish Power‘s scheme by visiting www.support.sigmaconnected.com/scottish-power-hardship-fund

If your application is successful, the fund can wipe all or part of your energy debt.

Utilita

Utilita Giving is Utilita’s charity partner and offers grants to vulnerable customers to help clear energy debt.

The fund provides grants to wipe or reduce energy debts.

However, it’s only available to customers on legacy credit meter.

To find out more and how to apply, visit www.utilitagiving.org/helping-hand-fund.

Utility Warehouse

Utility Warehouse offers financial assistance to customers struggling with their bills. 

Citizens Advice Plymouth operates the scheme, which also provides Utility Warehouse customers with budgeting advice and benefits assessments.

The hardship fund allows for debt write-offs worth between £1,000 and £2,000, depending on individual circumstances.

To find out more and how to apply, visit www.help.uw.co.uk/article/billing_and_payments/Payment-help/uw-hardship-fund.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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