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THOUSANDS of women may be living with undetected breast cancer after missing screening appointments.

The NHS warned about a third of eligible patients did not accept the free test offer last year.

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Breast screening can detect tumours before any symptoms start (stock image)[/caption]

Figures show that was just over one million people, and 2.2million have missed an appointment in the past three years.

An estimated one in 100 women are diagnosed with cancer after screening.

In 2023 there were 18,942 tumours detected out of 1.93million women screened for breast cancer, but a further 1.05m women who were invited did not attend.

The one per cent detection rate means there were potentially 10,000 missed cases.

Breast cancer is the most common form of the disease in the UK with around 57,000 new cases every year.

Dr Louise Wilkinson, adviser to NHS England, said: “Breast screening saves lives by allowing cancers to be identified and treated earlier.

“Discovering breast cancer at the earliest stage may give you a 98 per cent chance of surviving for five years or more.

“Screening can often pick up cancer before you can even see or feel any changes to your breasts yourself.

“I urge anyone invited to take up the offer.”

Screening is generally offered to women every three years between the ages of 50 and 71, when their risk increases.

Scans are carried out in local clinics and hospitals, as well as in roving scan vans in some places.

‘Screening was a game-changer’

Kathryn Cowley, 58, was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram in 2022 revealed an abnormality.

She underwent surgery followed by radiotherapy, and said that attending appointments was “vital”.

“My breast cancer journey has a positive outcome and it’s very lucky that I attended my regular breast screening,” Ms Cowley said.

“I have now had my one-year follow-up mammogram and I was very relieved that this was normal.

There’s no time to waste to save more lives from breast cancer

Claire RowneyBreast Cancer Now

“Attending routine screening is vital – I was fortunate that I attended my appointment and did not put it off.

“My mammogram detected my cancer before it could be felt, which was a game changer.”

Women who have had a mammogram should still check their breasts regularly.

The NHS recommends a “touch, look, check” (TLC) approach.

Claire Rowney, chief of the charity Breast Cancer Now, said: “These figures serve as a timely reminder, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that far too many people are missing out on the vital breast screening that saves lives from breast cancer.

“The stark reality is that thousands of women miss having their breast cancer detected each year.”

“We look forward to working with NHS England to ensure breast screening services are accessible and convenient for everyone who is eligible.

“We encourage eligible women to attend their breast screening appointments when invited and to regularly check their breasts to get to ‘know their normal’ and get any new or unusual breast changes checked out by a GP, including between screening appointments.

“There’s no time to waste to save more lives from breast cancer.”

PEOPLE smugglers are turning to alternative routes into Britain to beat a small boats crackdown.

The gangs are increasingly being paid by asylum seekers to hide them in vehicles.

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People smugglers are turning to alternative routes into Britain to beat a small boats crackdown[/caption]

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The Home Office, headed up by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, is understood to have ramped up asylum application processing in recent weeks[/caption]

They are also overstaying visas, according to the Refugee Council.

Just three in ten asylum claims are now made by small boat arrivals, compared with four in ten the year before, it reports.

CEO Enver Solomon said: “It’s no secret that where you ramp up enforcement activity in relation to one route you’re going to see a shift in how people seek to get to the UK.”

Meanwhile, Labour will have to wave through another 62,000 applications to ease the backlog, the Refugee Council has predicted.

More than half of the 118,882 currently waiting will be allowed to stay, it suggests.

The Home Office, headed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, is understood to have ramped up processing in recent weeks.

Cases built up after the previous Tory government stopped processing applications for those who arrived illegally.

Mr Solomon said: “Applications are moving again but we are concerned there is no clear plan yet to improve the rate of ­decision-making to keep pace with applications and avoid another backlog emerging.”

It comes as 176 crossed the Channel in three dinghies on Tuesday.

Small boat crossings in 2024 now total 27,509, compared with 26,116 this time last year.

The Home Office said: “We continue to remove more people with no right to be here — with over 3,000 people returned since we formed government — while also driving down the costs of asylum accommodation.”

ONE in four drivers say their vehicle has been damaged by a pothole in the past year — but less than a fifth of compensation claims are successful.

A survey found 27 per cent of motorists have suffered an average of £718 damage — £7.5billion per year nationwide.

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One in four drivers had their vehicle damaged by potholes in the past year[/caption]

If a vehicle is damaged by a poorly maintained road they are entitled to claim compensation from those responsible — usually the local authority.

But a Freedom of Information request by Halfords shows just 18 per cent of claims to councils resulted in a payout.

The motoring firm has launched a free Pothole Damage Check to help drivers claim compensation.

It is also calling on the Government to spend more on fixing potholes.

Halfords’ Karen Bellairs said: “Roads are in a shocking state and drivers are hitting potholes more and more frequently.”

Earlier in the month, The Sun reported on how drivers were left stranded on the side of the M25 after a “hidden” pothole caused more than a dozen breakdowns during rush hour.

The “massive” hole was apparently all but invisible to the motorists, as pictures showed around 20 cars lined up on the hard shoulder.

The M25 is one of Britain’s busiest roads and is used by around 200,000 vehicles a day.

But a section of the route was clogged up with reports of five-mile queues after drivers came across a nasty surprise on the road surface.

Lorry driver Blaine Conway, 39, said he heard a “big bang” as he hit the crater, forcing him to pull over.

He told The Sun: “I was leaving work around half five, and I was on the M25 southbound between junction 13 and 12.

“It was very dark and it was raining.

“All of a sudden I heard a big bang and I knew something was wrong.

“I parked up on the hard shoulder where I saw two or three other cars.

“At one point there were 27 cars parked on the side of the road.”

Blaine thought to himself “that’s going to cost me money.”

SEVEN years as a member of One Direction propelled Liam Payne to global stardom.

But 14 years after Simon Cowell first united the five young strangers including Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, the pop star tragically died in Argentina.

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Liam and Cheryl attend the Chopard Trophy Ceremony in 2016[/caption]

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Liam launched to fame alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles in One Direction[/caption]

One Direction Book Pictures

The 31-year-old was in Buenos Aires for Horan’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor of his hotel balcony, TMZ reports.

Liam stole the nations heart when he auditioned for The X Factor back in 2008, as well as Cheryl‘s who was on the judging panel.

Liam James Payne was born August 29, 1993, to mum Karen, a nursery nurse, and Geoff Payne, a fitter.

His early childhood was not particularly easy as he was born with a scarred and dysfunctional kidney.

Up until the age of four he was forced to undergo regular tests and to help cope with the pain, he had 32 injections in his arm in the morning and evening.

Pictures from that time show an adorable and cheeky looking little boy and in one snap from the family album he can be seen winking at the camera.

Other photographs from his family album show he had musical talent from an early age even being pictured with a mic.

Liam previously revealed that he was bullied at secondary school but after taking up boxing lessons he soon grew out of any puppy fat.

He made his debut as a singer when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2008.

After being eliminated as a solo artist he auditioned again in 2010 and was put into a group with four other contestants to form One Direction.

The band went on to sell 70 million records worldwide making them one of the most successful boybands of all time.

They parted ways in 2015 when they went on a hiatus.

Liam got together while Cheryl was going through her divorce to second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini at the beginning of 2016.

Despite their age difference they looked completely infatuated with each other when the couple made their red carpet debut at Cannes in May 2016.

Credit: Snapchat

Payne’s last social posts before his death saw him watching TV[/caption]

TriStar Pictures

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All the 1D band members have released their own music in the years since they went on an ‘indefinite hiatus’[/caption]

Liam even paid a sweet tribute to his former girlfriend by getting a tattoo of her eye on his arm.

The pair welcomed their baby on March 22, 2017.

The Sun revealed in May 2017 that the couple named their son Bear.

However in February 2018, The Sun broke the story that Liam’s constant travelling to promote his solo career had placed a huge strain on the relationship.

By July 2018, Cheryl and Liam made the decision to split.

Payne released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019 which included the singles Polaroid and Familiar.

However the Wolverhampton-born singer seemed to struggle with life outside the band.

Liam was brutally honest about his health issues in recent years.

He admitted that he spent time in a US wellness clinic after he “hit rock bottom”.

He also told how a mystery respiratory illness left him floored in 2021.

Liam admitted turning to alcohol and drugs to hide how he struggled to cope with One Direction’s dizzying levels of fame — which would spark panic attacks and high levels of exhaustion.

In 2021, he blamed a “pills and booze phase” for bloating his face to “ten times the size”, while also revealing he used to guzzle the contents of his mini bar when band chiefs checked the lads into hotels to keep fans at bay.

He came across as erratic in interviews by making bizarre claims, including that Cowell built One Direction around his talents and that his solo career has been the most successful of all his bandmates.

Liam also made strange comments about his romance with Cheryl, saying their split was partly down to their son Bear.

Since breaking up with Cheryl, Liam’s love life had been just as turbulent as his health worries.

He was linked to supermodel Naomi Campbell, 54, in 2019.

And he had an on-off, three-year relationship with ex-fiancée Maya Henry which was said to have ended for good in May last year.

Then pictures emerged of him with his arms around American model Aliana Mawla.

He had an on-off, three-year relationship with ex-fiancée Maya Henry which was said to have ended for good in May, 2022.

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Liam arriving for a movie premier in 2010[/caption]

BRITAIN’S first Hollywood theme park with a 500-room hotel, entertainment zone and its own train station, takes a huge step forward.

Last year, Universal Studios bought a 480-acre piece of land in a UK town and then announced plans to build a major theme park.

If all goes to plan, Bedford will host Britian’s first Hollywood theme park.

According to the 16-page planning document, the new site could hold a hotel, a retail, dining, an entertainment zone, restoration zone, landscaped area and lake zone.

It also claimed that rides, attractions and buildings at the theme park would be capped at a maximum height.

However, in September, negotiations between Universal and the government.

This was due to whether Bedford was a good site for the company’s first European theme park.

Nevertheless, there appears to be “no red flags” to provide Bedford Borough Council with reason to stop the arrival of the theme park.

Regardless, while the company negotiates with the government they will remain in a “period of quiet”.

Sam Fox, a priority projects consultant for Bedford Borough Council said: “We’ve now entered a period of quiet from Universal in the public domain, so we’re not expecting them to be saying anything.

“We’re not expecting the government to be saying anything publicly.

“We simply await the outcome of the government and Universal negotiations on that financial package

“There was talk because there’s an international investment summit taking place on October 14, I think people were putting two and two together and making a number.

“There was hope that the investment decision would be announced at that conference.

“My gut feeling is that it’s very, very, early days in their negotiations and there’s no real likelihood of that taking place on October 14.”

He added: “So if you had heard that, don’t be disappointed if nothing is announced at that summit.”

The committee heard that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is the project sponsor.

If the planning application goes ahead, it’ll be dealt with by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Mr Fox continued: “That planning application will be in the form of what’s known as an SDO, a special development order.

“When the planning response unit in MHCLG have dealt with the application, they will write up a report that will go to secretary of state in MHCLG.

“And the secretary of state will sign off that planning decision before it’s laid in Parliament as a statutory instrument.

“We have a two stage approach to the scheme, the first is the investment decision.

“For instance, who pays for infrastructure like road improvements, rail improvements, that needs to be agreed between HM government.

“The second stage is once that negotiation has taken place around the investment decision and they’ve reached an agreement in principle the planning decision will be taken forward.

“We at the council will be a statutory consultee, and we’ve now confirmed that our formal response to the [30 day] consultation will be signed off by the executive.

He added: “It won’t actually come to the Planning Committee, but it’ll be an executive decision.

“I’m pleased to say there’s no major red flags for us that we’ve seen from a technical point of view that would make us think, actually the council can’t support this, or we don’t recommend that the council supports this.”

A MAJOR price comparison firm is handing a £250 car insurance fee back to drivers and £11 million has already been claimed.

GoCompare is offering customers the free excess refund reward when they purchase car insurance.

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You could nab £250 back using the excess refund reward scheme[/caption]

The price comparison site has revealed that its customers have been millions through its £250 Excess Refund Reward since the scheme began in July 2019.

The Excess Refund Reward allows any customer who purchases a car insurance policy through GoCompare to opt in and receive money back when the claim is settled.

For example, if your total excess is £300, you pay this to your insurer, and GoCompare refund £250 after your claim is settled.

The price comparison firm will refund you if you have damage to your car, if you’re at fault and have comprehensive insurance.

You can also get a refund for claims for fire or theft as well as uninsured driver claims.

However, GoCompare stress that you will not be able to use your free excess cover for windscreen repair and replacement, damage caused by a breakdown or misfuelling or claims from outside the UK.

Repairs to your own car, without comprehensive cover are also not included in the free excess cover.

GoCompare say that making a claim is a straightforward process and you should be able to fill out the online form in about ten minutes. 

Once you’ve submitted your claim, and it’s been approved, expect to get your refund within five working days.

An excess is included on most insurance policies and is the amount that the policyholder needs to pay upfront before they can make a claim.

Regarding car insurance, the excess is split into two parts: compulsory and voluntary.

The insurer sets the compulsory excess while the policyholder can choose the voluntary excess – then when you make a claim the two are added together and must be paid before a claim can be made.

Previous research from Go.Compare revealed that only 49 per cent of motorists fully understand the meaning of voluntary and compulsory excesses on their policy.

Meanwhile, only 7 per cent of drivers aged 18 to 24 said they understood compulsory excess.

Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Seeing that over £11 million has been refunded to our customers through this offer is amazing.

“The process of making a claim on an insurance policy can be a stressful one so we hope that this refund reward can help ease some of the stresses, both mentally and financially.

“Our aim is to help motorists make informed decisions when it comes to insurance, making sure they get the cover they need and help them save some money – the excess refund reward is a great example of this.

“It’s great to see that so many customers have been able to benefit from the scheme.”

It comes after Martin Lewis urged car drivers to beware of a simple car insurance payment mistake that can end up being more expensive.

The money saving expert shared the a new video to help motorists save cash while covering the essential bill.

LIAM Payne’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry has broken her silence after his sudden death, aged 31.

The former One Direction star passed away in Argentina after falling from his hotel balcony this afternoon.

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Liam Payne’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry has broken her silence after his sudden death[/caption]

When contacted by DailyMail.com, a representative for Maya, 23, said, “She is understandably in shock.”

Just two days before the incident, Maya had instructed her legal team to send a cease and desist letter to the pop star, accusing him of repeatedly contacting her and her loved ones.

The pair had an on-off, three-year relationship, which was said to have ended for good in May, 2022.

In a statement to The Sun, a spokesperson said: “Maya Henry issued a cease and desist last week to Liam Payne following the emergence of new and concerning information.

“She has retained attorneys Marco Crawford and Daniel Cerna to represent her. At this time, that is her only comment on the matter.”

Speaking on TikTok, Maya claimed: “Ever since we broke up he will blow up my phone.

“It’s always from different phone numbers too so I never know where it is going to come from.

“He will create new icloud accounts to iMessage me. It’s always a damn new iCloud account. Each time I see a new one pop up on my phone I’m like ‘oh here we go again’.

“He will also email me.”

She later added: “There is no right and wrong time to speak out on these topics.

“It’s disturbing that this man is still doing these things to me.

“I am disgusted by this diabolical behaviour. This is beyond disgusting and flabbergasting to say the least.”

The pop star was in Buenos Aires for pal Niall Horan’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor this afternoon, TMZ reported.

A source later confirmed to The Sun that Liam had died.

Liam was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo, local media report.

A red tent has reportedly been put up over the body as cops begin the investigation into the death.

Cops were called to an “an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”, local media claim.

But when they arrived, they found Liam dead.

Witnesses said Liam smashed his laptop and had to be carried back to his room following the incident.

The 31-year-old rose to fame through the boy band and then carried on with his own solo career after the group broke up.

Liam was part of the One Direction between 2010 and 2015 and had released one solo album in 2019 – LP1.

The Sun revealed last week that Liam had parted ways with his management and had shelved plans for a second solo album.

And earlier this week Liam’s ex Maya Henry called in the lawyers after accusing Liam of repeatedly messaging her, her friends, and her mum.

Liam made his debut as a singer when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2008.

After being eliminated as a solo artist he auditioned again in 2010 and was put into a group with four other contestants to form One Direction.

Liam dated singer Cheryl Cole with the pair having a child named Bear in 2017.

They split in 2018 before he was linked to supermodel Naomi Campbell in 2019.

The singer had been open about his battles with drugs.

In 2021, he blamed a “pills and booze phase” for bloating his face to “ten times the size”, while also revealing he used to guzzle the contents of his mini bar when band chiefs checked the lads into hotels to keep fans at bay.

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She issued legal proceedings against the singer just days ago[/caption]

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The pair had an on-off, three-year relationship[/caption]

TEMPLEGATE takes a swipe at Thursday’s action on the hunt for winners.

Back a horse by clicking their odds.

SNIPE (3.42 Carlisle, nap)

The Skelton stayer progressed well last season, scoring at Aintree before a blip in Haydock’s Grand National trial when he clouted the fifth fence. He has a cracking record when fresh and will have no problem getting home over this trip.

BALLYNAHEER (5.15 Wincanton, nb)

He stayed on strongly when second at Uttoxeter on comeback 11 days ago. That was a promising chase debut and he’s back from the same handicap mark.

INSIDE MAN (4.40 Wincanton, treble)

Showed promise in three novice contests, including when scoring at Taunton in December. He goes handicapping off a fair mark of 116 with more to come.

HOLD YOUR FORT (2.53 Wincanton)

Looks good for the Lucky 15. He made it four wins on the spin at Newton Abbot without breaking sweat and a 5lb rise gives him another chance.

Templegate’s tips

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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died last year but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

ARIES

March 21 to April 20

The atmosphere surrounding love is suddenly more daring, as Venus enters your zone of self-discovery and fresh horizons.

You can realise the romance you think you need is not what’s right for you after all – and take action.

A personal full moon fills you with deep feelings, and even deeper desire to connect.

Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

 TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Dreams can be more meaningful today, so instead of dismissing what’s in the furthest corners of your heart, you can take yourself seriously.

This time round, a task or test can go your way.

Your passion profile is unpredictable and impossible to categorise, so don’t rush into commitment, enjoy the “L” chase.

GEMINI

Venus and Pluto make a planet combo that’s as delicious as it is dangerous – you can feel the attraction in a dark-painted room before you realise who is causing it.

Yes, this can be such a surprise, as you see a colleague in a whole new love-light.

You can afford to be generous with time and cash.

CANCER

June 22 to July 22

A full moon in your success sector suggests goals can suddenly grow bigger, bolder, or both – and you are ready for this.

Switching a daily routine around, and trying new ways of working, waiting or travelling, can open up some exciting doors.

Passion asks a lot of you, but the rewards can be huge.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

LEO

July 23 to August 23

As Venus dances into your entertainment zone, the one person in your life who always makes you laugh can secure a stronger hold on your heart.

True love doesn’t need to be perfect – if you see potential in a bond, that can be enough.

If you’re already attached, a let-loose moon removes any lingering inhibitions.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

It may have been more challenging to love your home or family in recent times, but do stay with this.

The end of one phase can be close now, as Venus shifts signs.

Prize-wise, a picture of, or story about, a former address can be a winner. Sharing ideas with a career rival can be a positive step towards a role.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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An emotional marriage moon can mark the moment a couple reconnect and start to see the same future[/caption]

LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Those words of loyalty that have seemed to stick in your throat lately can be spoken now.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment, just start talking with total sincerity.

An emotional marriage moon can mark the moment a couple reconnect and start to see the same future.

Luck waits where parcels are being collected.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

You’ve been so patient in an opportunity queue, but now it’s time to push yourself forward.

Self-belief is stronger than you think, and when you need to talk about your hopes for the future, you can impress.

The sun is at your back and there is an emotional warmth around you. Let this help you to forgive.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Venus walks with you for the next few weeks, and together you can pick up the passion pace.

Maybe you’ve resisted long-term promises – now they can seem so simple.

If you’re settled with someone, talking about difficult subjects is your star skill. So don’t waste it. The luck factor calls at door number “85”.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Maybe you think your feelings about someone close are so well hidden, but they filter through in everything you say and do. So take control of this situation.

The full moon shines on family affairs, and instead of struggling to understand everyone, try to take them at face value, without judgement.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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Passion-wise, the friends zone feels safe, but it’s not satisfying enough[/caption]

AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Mars and Pluto dig deep into your working routine and find some simple ways to save you time or effort.

This may mean stepping on someone’s toes, but while your vision is clear, do take action.

Passion-wise, the friends zone feels safe, but it’s not satisfying enough – you need to know where you stand with “F”.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Your money-making instincts are on a roll, but you need to trust yourself.

So if there are any personal doubts deep inside, deal with them today.

What starts as a complicated cash path can grow simpler as the day goes on.

In the love zone, the high standards of Venus help you offer, and expect, only the best.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

LIAM Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy shared one of the final photos of the star before his death alongside a heartfelt message.

The model took a snap of the One Direction star as they rode horses together in the countryside.

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The couple had revealed their plans to play polo together[/caption]

Liam can be seen wearing casual clothes and was mounted on a horse in the TikTok picture.

Captioning the shot, Kate wrote: “I am very grateful for the simple things in life.”

Liam tragically plunged from the third floor of a luxury hotel in Argentina on Wednesday afternoon, TMZ has reported.

Within an hour before local media began reporting on his death, the singer uploaded photos of his food and detailed his plans to play polo.

He filmed Kate, 25, as they ate breakfast, revealing they had been staying at their friend’s home together.

The footage saw Liam addressing the camera, saying: “This is the breakfast table, just enjoying breakfast and coffee even though it’s 1pm.”

Kate could be heard in the background joking that the pair were “losers” for laying in so late.

Liam was first linked to Kate in October 2022, before making their first red carpet debut together two months later.

In March 2023, Kate accompanied Liam to the premiere of documentary All of Those Voices, made by his One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson.

She shared pictures of herself and Liam at the showbiz event and told her followers: “What a crazy eye opening experience!”

Kate added: “@Louist91 well done on such a beautiful film that everybody will love.”

Liam’s relationship with Kate came following the end of his engagement with model Maya Henry.

The couple ended their romance in June 2021, before reuniting later that year. But they called it quits for good in May 2022.