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Lord Alan Sugar ‘fires’ Tottenham star during West Ham clash after booting ball out of play with shocking touch

TOTTENHAM ace Timo Werner drew the anger of Lord Alan Sugar with a massive gaffe during the Premier League clash with West Ham.

Lord Sugar, 77, watched his beloved Spurs beat their London rivals 4-1 in the Premier League from the VIP section at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

a man covering his nose while watching a game on tnt sports 1
Lord Alan Sugar was left shaking his head after a poor touch by Tottenham ace Timo Werner
a soccer player with the number 19 on his jersey
Ally McCoist joked Tottenham’s former chief Lord Sugar would ‘fire’ Werner
Rex

However, the North Londoners’ former chairman and part-owner wasn’t all smiles as he was left bemused by a comedic blunder by Werner, 28, in the second half.

The forward kicked the ball out of play after a shocking touch and the camera panned to an unimpressed Lord Sugar who was shaking his head.

Football pundit Ally McCoist saw The Apprentice boss’ reaction and joked he may have to fire the Germany international afterwards – like he did to underachieving participants of his reality show.

Fans were also left laughing their socks off as they stormed social media to join in on all the fun.

One fan tweeted: “Even Lord Sugar shaking his head at Werner.”

Another commented: “Alan Sugar even laughed at him.”

A third tagged Lord Sugar on the following tweet: “Your reaction to Timo Werner errors sums it all up.”

This fan said: “Werner miscontrols it and Sugar is laughing.”

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And that one quipped: “Alan Sugar shakes his head in the VIP area as Werner gives up the ball.”

However, Lord Sugar probably left the Tottenham ground content after a big win over West Ham, despite the Hammers picking up the lead after just 18 minutes through Mohammed Kudus.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s side fought back just shortly after as they equalised with Dejan Kulusevski.

The hosts turned the game on its head in the second half with Yves Bissouma on 52 minutes before adding some distance with Alphonse Areola’s own-goal just three minutes later.

And Son Heung-min sealed the three points on the hour to add more misery to Julen Lopetegui’s turbulent start to life in charge of West Ham.

To make matters worse, the struggling boss will be without Mohammed Kudus for three matches after his part in a wild brawl late in the game.

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Emotional clip resurfaces as Liam Payne admits ‘I became someone I didn’t recognise’ after receiving ‘death threats’

LIAM Payne tragically admitted he had become “someone I didn’t recognise” in a candid video uploaded a year before his death.

The One Direction star passed away aged 31 after falling to his death from a third floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

a man wearing a black palace sweatshirt sits on a couch
YouTube
Liam Payne admitted he was ‘someone I didn’t recognise’ a year before his death[/caption]
a man wearing a black palace sweatshirt sits on a couch
YouTube
It came as he spoke to his YouTube contingent in July 2023[/caption]
four men sit on a couch in front of a wall that says impulsive
YouTube Impaulsive
Some One Direction fans reacted in fury as Liam called out Zayn Malik during his chat with Logan Paul[/caption]
a man in a white shirt and black pants stands on a pink carpet in front of a blue wall that says vma
Splash
Liam passed away aged 31 this week, after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina[/caption]

He previously told how he felt “misunderstood” following an interview with Logan Paul, 29, which sparked a flurry of “death threats” after he called out his bandmates, particularly Pillowtalk Zayn Malik, 31.

In his video posted in July 2023 which has now resurfaced on his death, Strip That Down singer Liam told how he “feels differently now.”

He sat on a sofa as he told the camera: “I just took a little bit of time out, sorry for the MIA.

“There’s a few reasons I did that.

“I just needed to take a bit of time out for myself because I became someone I didn’t recognise any more.

“And I’m sure you didn’t either.”

Referring to the discussion with Logan, he said it was “nice to meet” the online star.

X Factor alumni Liam continued in his own video: “I’m not going to let anyone else take the blame for what I said.

“There was a lot of hate online for them which I thought was unfair because they didn’t do anything wrong, they were doing their job.”

Liam added: “I think for me a lot of what I said was coming from the wrong place.

“I just took it out on everybody else.”

The Little Things hitmaker then said: “I was getting a lot of hate online.

“There was death threats, all sorts of stuff.”

He admitted he then headed to Louisiana to “get my head straight.”

Tributes to Liam Payne

SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.

Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.

“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”

X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.

He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.

Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”

Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.

He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.

“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.

JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..

“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..

“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”

Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.

He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.

“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.

“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”

German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.

The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”

American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.

Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.

“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…

“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”

Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”

In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”

American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”

ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”

Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”

James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.

The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.

“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”

Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.

Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.

She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.

“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.

Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.

LIAM’S COMMENTS

Liam’s candid interview on the “Impaulsive” podcast in 2022 showed the extent of the pain he endured behind closed doors while relating to his former bandmate Zayn Malik.

On the podcast, Liam said there were “many reasons” he disliked Zayn but “many reasons why [he’d] always be on his side.”

Liam discussed his own upbringing, calling his parents “overly supportive” to the point it was “annoying at times” but compared it to Zayn, who he claimed had a “different upbringing in that sense”.

The singer said: “You can always look at the man for where he is and say ‘oh yeah whatever that guy’s a d****’, but at the end of the day once you understand what he’s been through to get to that point.”

Yet her comments were matched with fury from loyal One Direction fans at the time.

SAD LOSS

Liam’s family has released an emotional statement on his premature passing.

It read: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space during this awful time.”

This was followed by an emotional tribute from his sister Ruth Gibbins, who posted a series of images and an open letter to Liam where she said “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”

Liam was in Buenos Aires for pal Niall Horan’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.

A source confirmed to The Sun that Liam has died.

Liam shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death and showed him and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.

The singer-songwriter was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo.

Crowds of heartbroken fans have gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation to pay tribute to the star.

The star’s cause of death has since been revealed as well as Liam’s tragic final hours.

a group of men standing next to each other on a red carpet
Getty
Liam spoke about the ‘death threats’ following his chat with the YouTube star[/caption]
a man sitting on a couch wearing a black sweatshirt that says ' chanel ' on it
YouTube
He admitted he felt ‘misunderstood’ in the chat[/caption]
a group of men with red noses are posing for a picture
Getty
One Direction were formed on The X Factor[/caption]

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UK’s ‘most bitter school run’ sparks village-wide hunt for saboteur planting boobytraps of screws, dead mice & dog poo

SCHOOL-RUN parents believe they are being targeted by a saboteur after finding nails in their car tyres.

Victims claim a lane and grass verge, yards from the school gates in the Suffolk village of Creeting St Mary, has been filled with “boobytraps” to prevent parking.

an aerial view of a residential area with houses and trees
Google
Police are investigating the issue in the Suffolk village of Creeting St Mary[/caption]
a blue car with a flat tire on gravel
Getty
Multiple parents have suffered punctures (stock image)[/caption]
a school with a blue fence and a sign that says no parking
Google
There is concern for pupils at Creeting St Mary Primary School[/caption]

These include rows of upturned screws, as well as broken glass, dog poo and dead mice.

The strip is nestled in between thatched cottages and leafy lanes, with the whodunnit ordeal now being investigated by police.

Parents affected have spoken of their fears for the safety of pupils at Creeting St Mary CEVAP School and pets who have no option but to walk down the now notorious All Saints Road each day.

Around 100 kids attend the school, with approximately half travelling in by car from nearby areas.

Stephanie Wilson, 41, told The Times: “It’s not like somebody has just dropped a bunch of nails.

“They’re stood up, sometimes with about six inches between each one, embedded in the grass and on the road as well.”

She said she knows of people who’ve suffered multiple punctures, adding that bursting tyres is “completely irrational”.

Andy Luca, 53, saw three tyres punctured two weeks ago, and another six months ago.

He said he sympathises with the residents, as having cars parked up twice a day has “got to be annoying” – but stressed the method of deterrent is dangerous and not appropriate.

Parish council clerk, Jennie Blackburn, said the nails appeared to have been stuck “deliberately” and are quickly replaced within a day or two once they’re picked up.

She said the council has advised parents to park further up the road.

The issue was first reported in January but it was only when mum-of-two and NHS nurse Angharad, 33, suffered four flat tyres in quick succession over the summer that parents began to connect the dots.

WHATSAPP GROUP

She warned about it in a school-run WhatsApp group leading to other members to investigate the road.

They found a strip outside one house was lined with screws stuck upright.

Val Brittain, 50, said before the nails there was also a handful of dead mice, shattered glass bottles and dog poo.

Mum-of-two Samantha Reed, 37, said the problem has been going on for at least five years.

She told the MailOnline: “It’s not accidental – this is a deliberate attempt to puncture tyres and they don’t care if a child or a dog gets injured in the process.”

While dad-of-two Thomas Lehkyj, 33, said the parking is “a bit chaotic” sometimes, but generally parents and villagers and very respectful towards each other.

He added: “From what I’ve been told, it’s just one person, rather than some kind of Hot Fuzz-style gang of vigilantes running around with nails, but it’s caused a lot of worry and aggravation to parents.”

The Times approached the owner of the property where the boobytraps have been found but he denied placing any such items and attempting to damage vehicles.

He added such claims by the school-run parents are “pathetic”, though admitted annoyance at seeing people park on the verge.

The occupant said he has had his own tyres punctured on the lane by tacks dropped off horses’ hooves.

The Sun has contacted Suffolk Police for comment.

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The 6 signs your child has ‘TikTok brain’ – and how many hours is safe to scroll

SOCIAL media usage has shot up in recent years, with more of us than ever glued to Instagram, Tik Tok, X and Facebook.

Research from GWI shows that globally, nearly a third (30 per cent) of 16- to 24-year-olds, 29 per cent of 25- to 34-year-olds and 22 per cent of 35- to 44-year-old spend more than six hours a day on social media

a woman is laying in bed with a phone on her pillow and the time is 3:45
Experts say there are six key warning signs your child is spending too much time on social media

On top of this, nearly half of 12- to 15-year-olds (48 per cent) use TikTok every single day; this is up from 37 per cent in 2022.

Over half (55 per cent) say they’re using social media to talk to friends, a quarter (24 per cent) are using it to buy things and 51 per cent use it to find funny videos and posts.

But, while social media may have its positives, it can also cause serious problems across various areas of a child’s health

So much so, that the negative impact on cognition has been dubbed ‘TikTok brain’.

Symptoms include irritability and poor posture, experts say. 

Claire Law, counsellor and psychotherapist, says: “Mood swings, anxiety and withdrawal are also common signs of too much time spent online.

“If children are swapping out hobbies they once loved for hours of scrolling or can’t seem to focus on anything else, it’s a warning sign their virtual life is overtaking the real one.”

Claire says that social media is built to be addictive

“Kids tell me they love TikTok because ‘it’s hilarious’ and ‘there’s always something new’,” she says.

“Each scroll pumps out the hormone dopamine, making them feel good and keeping them hooked.”

Chris Meaden, leading hypnotherapist and founder of The Meaden Clinic, adds that the addiction to social media can start the moment a profile is created.

“New habits are formed, and these are reinforced each time the device is picked up and an app is accessed,” he says. 

Concerned that your child’s – or your own – social media usage is becoming a problem?

These are the signs to look out for.

1. They aren’t sleeping 

Children over the age of six need up to 12 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, but excessive time on social media could be disrupting this.

Social media could be wrecking adult sleep too. 

Claire says: “It’s not just kids’ brains that are overstimulated — constant screen exposure, especially late at night, leaves us wired.

“The blue light from screens messes with melatonin production, wrecking sleep patterns.”

This lack of sleep can then lead to limited energy during the day and a dampened mood.

“A solid rule? No screens at least an hour before bed to help them – and you – wind down,” adds Claire. 

Simbarashe Shamu, a behaviour specialist, adds: “Research has found that stopping social media usage one hour before bedtime also resulted in improved sleep outcomes.”

2. Their posture isn’t right 

We know that too much time slumped over a laptop does our posture zero favours, and the same applies for children’s phone usage. 

“The curved-neck position from being on the phone for hours will eventually result in physical conditions, if not immediate, eventually in the future,” warns Chris. 

“The body is designed to move and flex; not remain in a rigid position for hours every day.”

Claire suggests looking out for slumped shoulders or stiff hands as constant phone use can lead to ‘texting claw’

“Encourage regular breaks and get them into activities that strengthen their hands, like drawing or moulding clay, to counteract these effects,” she adds.

a person holding a cell phone that says social media on the screen
Research suggests social media use as shot up in recent years, and it’s having a huge impact on young people
Getty

3. They’re more emotional 

If your child seems to be more anxious or upset, it could be due to too much time online. 

“In my experience, social media has a powerful influence over our children – and can cause an increase in anxiety, depression, self-harm and much more,” says Chris.

“It affects a child’s development, social skills, attention span and overall mental wellbeing, with real world activities being displaced with virtual ones.”

Ensuring your child still gets good sleep, as per the above, is important, however Claire adds: “If your child is clocking in more than two hours a day on social media, it might be time to draw some lines.

“Balance is critical—when screen time starts pushing out things like homework or outdoor fun, it’s a problem.”

4. They want to be alone 

Has your child started to retreat a little more, spending more time in their room?

Whilst this is often a classic teenager trait, it may be a sign that they’re spending too much time on their phones.

“A parent may notice their child retreating to their room more than usual,” Chris says.

“They may be more irritable or angry too, they may be exhausted and their eating habits may change.”

Sim adds: “You may notice that social media becomes the most important thing in their day and there is a need for increasing amounts of time on social media to achieve the same buzz.”

5. They’re irritable and angry 

As well as the emotional element, your child may start to become more annoyed, perhaps demonstrating a shorter fuse than normal.

“If a child is on social media too much, they’ll be more irritable, become frustrated over small things, be impatient and may experience anger and rage,” says Chris.

Claire adds: “Excessive screen time can rewire your child’s brain, making focus harder and emotional regulation even tougher. 

“You might notice them being more impatient when they’re off their phone.

“The constant barrage of quick hits from social media conditions their brains to crave instant rewards, leaving them frustrated with slower, real-world tasks like schoolwork.”

Parents should keep a close eye on their child’s direct messages, especially any hidden ones

Chris MeadenHypnotherapist

Regulating the amount of time your child spends on social media can help.

“As adults we should be able to manage our screentime; a child’s brain isn’t developed enough to do this, so parents need to do it for them,” says Chris. 

6. They refuse to share their passwords 

Although children should have some privacy, to allow them to grow up independently, according to Chris, parents should be concerned if their child refuses to share their social media passwords.

“Parents should keep a close eye on their child’s direct messages, especially any hidden ones,” he says.

“They should look at the photos that are being shared with their child – including selfies and videos.”

According to research by the Children’s Commissioner’s Office, 45 per cent of children aged eight to 17 have seen content they felt was inappropriate or made them worried or upset.

How to control screen time on Apple products

If you’re an Apple user, you can control your child’s screen time using the parental controls available.

You’ll need to ensure you’re part of the same ‘Family’ across your devices.

Then, tap Screen Time in Settings.

Under Family, choose your child’s name.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and then turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions.

How much time is too much time on social media?

There aren’t any official guidelines on social media usage for kids, or adults.

However, as Sim explains: “In one study, 230 undergraduates were randomly selected to either continue using social media as usual, or limit usage to 30 minutes per day.

“Significant improvements in psychological wellbeing were found after two weeks.”

Half an hour each day might seem too low and unachievable, especially if your child is currently spending much more time than that on social media. 

Claire recommends finding a balance. 

“Have open discussions about your kids’ online habits and set boundaries everyone can stick to, like no screens during meals or before sleep,” she says.

“And don’t forget — kids reflect what they see. Modelling healthy screen use yourself is half the battle.”

You might benefit from implementing some ‘rules’ which state when phones can be used; ban phones from the table during meals and remove phones and other devices when children go upstairs to bed and leave them to charge downstairs. 

Claire adds: “If children are glued to their screens, maybe ask yourself if you’re doing the same.

“Kids often mimic what they see, and when they’re addicted to social media, it’s usually a reflection of what’s happening at home.

“Boundaries like no phones at the dinner table or before bed aren’t just for kids; they help us too.”

If you can, limit your social media usage to when you’re apart from your children. 

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DI Ray takes raunchy turn as series two has major overhaul and steamy romps

ITV crime drama DI Ray is taking a raunchy turn in upcoming series two.

The series launched in 2022 and focuses on detective inspector Rachita Ray, who works in a fictitious Birmingham police force.

a woman in a black jacket stands in a hospital hallway
©Justin Slee 2023
DI Ray is returning for a second series[/caption]
a woman in a black jacket stands next to a man in a suit
ITV
The show’s star Parminder Nagra has addressed what’s to come in series two[/caption]
ITV
Steve Oram plays DS Clive Bottomley[/caption]

Speaking to The Sun’s TV Mag, star Parminder Nagra teased big changes to come in series two.

She said: “It just looks like a brand new show, just the look of it, it’s very noir, the look of it, the feel of it, it’s quite dark.

“I feel like it’s a bit darker as well, grittier in the second series. But it almost felt like we got to do a redo, really.

“It’s like we were doing a brand new show. That’s what it felt like at certain moments.”

The actress added: “And then you watch it back and you go, wow, it’s they’ve done an amazing, amazing job, and our DOP Adam Lyons is just phenomenal.

“So yeah, it was just exciting. And to get the team back together and just to have six episodes to to explore it.”

Elsewhere, Parminder addressed her character’s “casual hook-ups” and reasons behind pursuing these.

She explained: ” The casual hookups, I’m too old for that. I’m not into that!

“But I can see why she’s doing it, after she’s been through what she’s been through in series one.

“It’s just wanting to feel something but not wanting it to be messy or long term.”

Sunday, October 20 will see the programme air at 9pm on ITV1, with episodes following at the same time on Monday and Tuesday.

The second series already aired for American audiences earlier this year, to huge acclaim.

Meanwhile, the follow-up installment sees DI Ray investigate the murder of a high-profile criminal.

Racial tensions ignited from sensitive ethnic issues relating to the case soon lead to an intense situation.

This means Rachita will grapple with her conflict as not only a police officer, but as a British-Asian woman.

Crime dramas on ITVX

Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge.

  • Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood.
  • The Beast Must Die: This series follows a mother’s grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake’s novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James.
  • Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place  during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth.
  • The Twelve: This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby.
  • Manhunt: Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.

Game of Thrones star Gemma Whelan will be back as DCI Kerry Henderson.

Also returning is former Coronation Street actor Ian Puleston-Davies, who played Owen Armstrong on the long-running soap and stars as Superintendent Ross Beardsmore on DI Ray.

TV Mag is free inside The Sun every Saturday.

DI Ray airs on ITV1 and ITVX.

a woman with a lanyard that says police on it
ITV
Gemma Whelan will be back as DCI Kerry Henderson[/caption]

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I tried the brand new Premier Inn rooms – with a funky new bathroom addition and much better sleep

IT’S a well known fact that I love a Premier Inn hotel.

I’ve been lucky enough to stay at some fantastic hotels around the world.

a hotel room with a king size bed and purple chairs
Premier Inn
Premier Inn has reveal it’s brand new rooms[/caption]
a hotel room with a king size bed a table and chairs
Premier Inn
I tried the new Next Evolution rooms[/caption]

And while some of them are no contest, there is something about a Premier Inn that I love as a budget option.

And the hotel chain has a brand new style of room launching across the UK – so I decided to check it out.

Called the Next Evolution rooms, I headed to the Angel hotel in London to take a look for myself.

Sarah Simpson, Head of Product & Proposition at Whitbread, said the new designs were to allow more “flexibility and personalisation” for guests.

Some of the new additions are a stretch at best – including “floor length curtains” – although they definitely hid enough of the light to make the room pitch black at night so got some of the best sleep I’d had in a while.

But I was impressed by the decor, which is definitely a modern take on the hotel’s iconic purple.

This included tasteful art on the walls, a huge purple bed headboard as well as purple clothes hangers and even a purple hairdryer.

The room has been divided into ‘zones’ according to the hotel chain – work, sleep and getting ready.

I especially appreciated the addition of a table you can move, rather than the desks that are usually attached to the wall in the corner of the room.

And one thing I dread at hotels are the bathrooms, which can easily be small and rather grotty.

But the new bathrooms are what won me over.

The huge walk in showers were a highlight, with no grim shower curtains or tatty bath to step into.

Each room has Bayliss & Harding toiletries, rather than some unknown, cheap brand that can often be found in rooms.

And one small element I loved was the lighting, with a choice of the main light or just a purple underlight that made me feel like I was in a trendy club toilet (in a good way).

a bathroom with a walk in shower and a sink
Premier Inn
I loved the modern bathroom, which had huge walk in showers[/caption]

Obviously they have all of the other perks you can find in the Premier Plus rooms already in most hotel rooms, such as offee machines, mini fridges and USB ports.

And you can of course buy the pillows and bedding for your own house.

In case you had any doubt of how much of a fan I was – you’ll find the pillows in my own bedroom at home.

The rooms can be found at 32 hotels around the UK, including a number of airports.

This is set to be rolled out more in the future, with there being more than 850 Premier Inns across the country.

By February 2025, around 11,000 of the rooms are to be introduced across 100 hotels in the UK.

My verdict? While they aren’t the biggest game-changer when it comes to a Premier Inn room, they are a nice upgrade if you are staying for more than a few days.

How to get a better Premier Inn room

Former Premier Inn staff revealed some of their top hacks on the Channel 5 programme Premier Inn: Britain’s Biggest Budget Hotel.

Ryan James, former Premier Inn operations manager, said: “[If you’d like a quieter room] ask for the top floor.

“Because normally the parties and families tend to be put on the bottom and middle floors because of the noise.”

Kofi Ofosu-Akwa, an ex-Premier Inn housekeeper, noted: “Call [the hotel] first and see what they can do for you.

“If you don’t ask you don’t get.”

I also tried the world’s biggest Premier Inn which is found in the UK and has more than 700 rooms.

We also compared Premier Inn with Travelodge and easyHotel – here’s the one which came out on top.

a hotel room with a bed and a table
Premier Inn
While they aren’t revolutionary, they are a great step up if you are staying more than a few nights[/caption]

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Ipswich vs Everton DELAYED as chaos before kick-off sees fans struggle to get in Portman Road

IPSWICH Town’s clash with Everton has been delayed.

Crowd chaos at Portman Road means the Premier League showdown will kick off later than scheduled.

a stadium with a sign that says sir alf ramsey stand
PA
Fans have been hit with turnstile issues at Portman Road[/caption]
an empty soccer stadium with a sign that says football club
Rex
Saturday’s game with Everton has been delayed by 15 minutes[/caption]

Kieran McKenna’s men are looking for their first top-flight win of the season as the Toffees visit East Anglia.

But an issue with the turnstiles means fans will have to wait a little while longer for action to get going.

Ipswich’s official X account wrote: “We are aware of an issue with the turnstiles, impacting supporters’ entry to Portman Road ahead of this afternoon’s game.

“We ask for your patience as we work on a solution.”

The account later clarified the game would now start at 3.15pm.

Ipswich were promoted back to the Premier League last season after finishing second in the Championship.

It capped an incredible two years for McKenna, who secured back-to-back promotions.

Ipswich are currently enjoying their first season back in the top flight since 2000-01.

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The Tractor Boys have put in several strong performances this term, drawing four of their opening 7 matches.

But they were humbled 4-1 last time out at West Ham before the international break.

Ipswich made drastic changes over the summer to get Portman Road Premier League ready.

Chairman Mark Ashton showed off a number of key transformations such as the refurbishment of the referees’ changing rooms.

Five new media suites were built for broadcasters, with the home dressing rooms also renovated.

A full VAR programme has also being installed, while their broadcast operation is being increased from a “five or six camera feed” to a “46 or 47 camera feed”.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

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Crucial motorway shut down in both directions TODAY sparking travel chaos for millions – check full diversion route

A MAJOR motorway has shut down in both directions affecting millions of journeys.

National Highways urged motorists to plan ahead after confirming the closure of a major motorway this weekend.

a highway with arrows pointing in opposite directions
Alamy
National Highways urged motorists to plan ahead after confirming the closure of a major motorway this weekend[/caption]
a map showing the diversion route and road closed
National Highways
The M4 is closed in both directions between junction 18 and 19[/caption]

The M4 is closed in both directions between junction 18 and 19.

The closure started at 7pm yesterday, and lasts until 6am October 21.

The disruption is planned due to maintenance work on the A432 Badminton Road Bridge.

A diversion route is in place, but drivers were warned to expect major congestion, and officials advised motorists to avoid the area if possible while the work is being done.

The Badminton Bridge is set to be demolished next year after an investigation found irreparable damage to the structure.

Officials revealed that demolition was considered the quickest and most economical approach.

During the closure, workers will build trenches beneath the motorway to divert utilities currently within the bridge.

If the planned work isn’t completed within the given timeframe, drivers could face another set of M4 closures from 7pm on October 25 to 6am on October 28.

Sean Walsh, National Highways route manager, previously said: “This is one of the busiest sections of the motorway in the South West which is why we are giving drivers as much notice as possible so they’re able to plan their journeys well in advance.

“Our message for anyone who plans to travel on the M4 around Bristol is to avoid the area if you can – if that’s not possible, allow yourself plenty of extra time to complete your journey via our signed diversion routes and expect delays.”

It comes after Brit drivers were warned over ignoring a common road sign on smart motorways – with over 50,000 such incidents recorded since 2021.

And motorists have been left shocked after being stung by £8,000 fines every day on a smart motorway with a 60mph limit.

Directions from M4 junction 18 to M4 junction 19

Directions from M4 junction 18 to M4 junction 19 are as follows:

  1. M4 junction 18
  2. A46
  3. A420
  4. Deanery Road Roundabout
  5. Wick Wick Roundabout
  6. Bromley Heath Roundabout
  7. M32 junction 1
  8. M32
  9. M4 junction 19

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TNT Sports host Becky Ives leaps off Tottenham Hotspur Stadium roof on live TV as she screams ‘to dare is to do’

TNT SPORTS host Becky Ives embodied Tottenham’s “to dare is to do” motto by leaping off the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off.

The presenter pulled off a spectacular stunt to welcome viewers into TNT’s coverage of Spurs’ 4-1 battering of the Hammers.

a woman wearing a blue petzl helmet smiles
TNT SPORT
TNT Sport host Becky Ives pulled off a daring stunt during TNT’s coverage of the Tottenham vs West Ham clash[/caption]
a person wearing a helmet that says petzl on it
TNT SPORT
Ives jumped off the top of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium[/caption]
a woman in a blue helmet is standing in front of a sign that says " can you "
TNT SPORT
The 36-year-old smiled and screamed ‘to dare is to do’ as she leapt off the stadium[/caption]
TNT SPORT
Ives descended down the side of the ground[/caption]
TNT SPORT
She smiled as she took in the view of North London[/caption]

Ives, 36, opened the broadcast stood atop the the 62,000-seat stadium and welcomed viewers in with a stunning view of North London.

But after telling fans what was to come she then turned away from the camera and took a huge leap of faith off the stadium.

Of course, she was strapped into a harness that kept her safe as she dangled off the side of the ground.

Ives screamed “to dare is to do” as she took the courageous step off the top of the stadium.

The phrase has long been used by Tottenham as their motto, meaning that if you put your mind to something then it can be achieved.

Fans couldn’t believe what they were watching as Ives jumped off the huge arena and took to social media to react.

One wrote: “Wow! Are you not afraid?!”

Another added: “Must be mad!”

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A third joked: “New challenge unlocked”.

And Ives herself took to X to joke: “FYI I do my own stunts…”

Unbelievably, it’s something that fans can do, too – with Spurs offering supporters the chance to dangle from the side of the stadium in what they call “The Edge”.

The offering allows fans to descend some 42 metres in a thrilling experience.

But it comes at a price with adults having to fork out around £65 to feel the thrill.

a reflection of the tottenham hotspur stadium in a puddle
Getty
Fans can pay £65 to jump off the stadium themselves[/caption]

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