stats count News – Page 923 – Meer Beek

News

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner files for DIVORCE & gears up to fight for £27m fortune after relationship ‘turned ugly’

ENGLAND ace Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner has served him with divorce papers, we can reveal.

Annie, 31, delivered the bombshell news to the ace after instructing lawyers to begin legal proceedings to end their marriage.

a man in an etihad airways jersey holds a trophy
AFP or Licensors
Kyle Walker has been served with divorce papers, we can reveal (Pictured: Walker poses with his family after the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah, 2023)[/caption]
a woman in a black bikini is leaning on a wooden ledge
instagram/annievkilner
Annie Kilner, 31, delivered the bombshell news to the ace after instructing lawyers to begin legal proceedings to end their marriage[/caption]
a woman in a black dress and blazer is standing in front of a white wall
Getty
We understand the papers were served weeks ago as tensions rose following his love child scandal with ex-mistress Lauryn Goodman[/caption]

She is now preparing to fight for half of his £27million fortune as their relationship “turns ugly”.

Sources said they are no longer on speaking terms and the Manchester City defender, 34, is also consulting lawyers.

We understand the papers were served weeks ago as tensions rose following his love child scandal with ex-mistress Lauryn Goodman.

A source said: “Kyle was stunned when he got the papers.

“He’s spoken to Annie about them and they are discussing the next steps.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean they will divorce.

“This is as much Annie flexing her muscles as it is anything else.

“She wants Kyle to know she’s not messing about. But if this is a bluff, it may well back-fire.”

The couple separated at Christmas after the full-back was exposed for fathering a second child with Instagram influencer, Lauryn.

She revealed the truth in a text message to Annie – and the couple have been battling to save their relationship ever since.

They were childhood sweethearts and met in Sheffield as teenagers but only got married in November 2021 during an intimate ceremony at Mottram Hall in Cheshire.

The wedding took everyone by surprise – not least because of a slew of sex scandals involving the player after his £50million move to City from Spurs in 2017.

First, Ex on the Beach TV reality star Laura Brown said she and Kyle repeatedly romped in his Bentley.

Annie kicked him out of their sprawling Cheshire home but they got back together.

a soccer player wearing a blue shirt that says etihad airways
Getty
Kyle Walker has been served with divorce papers. Pictured: Walker at the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad Stadium on September 24, 2024[/caption]
a woman stands on a red carpet in front of a sign that says busy chris
PA
The couple separated at Christmas after the full-back was exposed for fathering a second child with Instagram influencer, Lauryn[/caption]

She gave him the boot again when he revealed Lauryn was having his baby.

He moved into an £8,000-a-month flat nearby —- and was then caught breaching Covid lockdown rules by having an orgy with two hookers.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Annie said: “What he has done to me and our children is obscene.

“I can’t begin to put it into words.

“In late March last year he was unfaithful with a reality TV star.
“I found out a month later and was broken by it.

“He begged me to take him back but by July he was at it again.
“Not even three months later and someone was pregnant. My youngest was one. Who does that?

“I don’t think I’ll ever be the same again because of what he’s done.

“I’ve tried to hate him but how can I hate the man my kids love so much?

Kyle and Annie's relationship history

  • Early years – Kyle and Annie first meet in Sheffield when she was 15 and he was 17
  • Euro 2016 – Walker caught messaging Playboy model Carla Howe
  • April 2019 – Annie dumps Kyle after his alleged romps with reality TV star Laura Brown
  • April 2020 – Kyle allegedly hosts sex party with two escorts during covid-19 lockdown
  • February 2020 – Lauryn Goodman gives birth to Kairo, her son with Walker
  • November 2021 – Walker and Kilner marry in secret
  • March 2023 – Lauryn announces her second pregnancy
  • Spring 2023 – Kyle allegedly flashes and kisses another woman in a Vodka Revolution bar in Cheshire
  • August 2023 – Lauryn gives birth to a daughter
  • January 2024 – Annie announces split from Kyle after two years of marriage. It emerges Kyle is the dad of Lauryn’s second child. Kyle begs for forgiveness in exclusive Sun interview. Lauryn brands him a ‘pathological narcissist’
  • October 2024 – Annie files for divorce

“I knew it was always a possibility Kyle would do it again but getting someone pregnant was my worst nightmare.”

The couple miraculously stayed together against all the odds and Kyle proposed with a £250,000 ring.

They wed in secret in front of a handful of guests but less than a year later he cheated on her with Lauryn once again.

The Instagram influencer, 34, fell pregnant after they met in London whilst he was waiting for groin surgery ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

She gave birth to a baby girl, Kinara, in July last year – as Kyle begged her not to reveal the truth to Annie.

He even considered quitting Manchester City for Bayern Munich in a desperate bid to avoid the looming scandal.

But on December 27, as he played for City in a 3-1 win against Everton at Goodison Park, Annie’s phone lit up with a message.

It read: “Hey it’s Lauryn. I just wanted to quickly tell you that Kyle is the father of our daughter.”

a soccer player wearing a jersey that says etihad airways
Getty
Walker during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad Stadium on September 24, 2024[/caption]
a woman in a dress stands in front of a christmas tree
Alamy
Annie hit the roof after the court papers revealed for the first time the vast sums Kyle was shelling out to Lauryn[/caption]

Annie, who was heavily pregnant at the time with the couple’s fourth son, announced their shock split two weeks later.

Kyle moved into a rented mansion close to their Cheshire home and in an exclusive interview with The Sun spoke of his shame.

He admitted: “What I’ve done is horrible and I take full responsibility.
“I made idiot choices and idiot decisions.”

Annie gave birth to their fourth son Rezon in April with Kyle at her bedside.

But behind the scenes, the couple were fighting a losing battle to save the marriage amid furious rows.

Pictures of them together at the Euros this Summer illustrated the huge gulf between them.

Kyle returned to the UK with his Three Lions teammates in the wake of a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final.

But hours later he was appearing in court for a two-day legal battle over money with Lauryn.

He and Annie holidayed in Turkey and at their luxury chalet on the Welsh coast as they discussed the future.

They lurched between staying together and divorce before the judge overseeing his financial remedy hearing issued a damning judgement.

He concluded that Lauryn had used the player as an “open ended chequebook” and preyed upon his desire to keep the paternity of Kinara a secret.

Friends of the couple said the legal battle had “galvanised” them against a common foe.

But Annie hit the roof after the court papers revealed for the first time the vast sums Kyle was shelling out to Lauryn.

Kyle had increased her housing budget from £1.85million to £2.4million after she threatened to move within 10 minutes of his Cheshire home.

He paid £48,000 for fitted wardrobes and a media screen, £75,000 for a furnishing fund, £9115 for 14 CCTV cameras, £5,650 for an alarm and £52,164 for curtains and a blind.

Fuming Annie demanded half of his fortune as part of a “financial divorce” in a bid to secure her and their kids’ future.

A spokeswoman for Kyle and Annie was contacted for comment.

Read More »

‘Fantastic’ Willie Mullins horse joins legendary British trainer in surprising stable switch at start of new season

A ‘FANTASTIC’ Willie Mullins horse has made an intriguing stable switch just in time for the start of the new jumps season.

The nine-year-old Authorized Art is a consistent performer in Graded races, and was just touched off in the Grade 3 Galway plate last August.

a man wearing a hat and a scarf holds his hand to his chin
The Times
Willie Mullins has trained several horses for the purple and orange silks[/caption]
a man wearing a hat and tie looks at the camera
But iconic British trainer Gary Moore will now be in charge of the veteran
a jockey wearing a purple jacket is riding a horse
Owner Nick Peacock also owned Arctic Fire, who won the County Hurdle in 2017
Reuters

But he will now move across the pond to Horsham trainers Gary and Josh Moore, who took out a father-son joint licence in May earlier this year.

THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE

The only place to get Templegate’s tips first – and at the best prices – is by joining Sun Racing’s brilliant Members Enclosure.

Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winning team and get…

  • Four free racing tickets, four times a year – worth £300
  • Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
  • Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
  • Exclusive insights from Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner
  • VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
  • New customer offer with Coral

Become a member today for just £1*

*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.

SIGN UP NOW

18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk

He’s no shabby recruit for them either, and as a novice he was highly rated by the Mullins brigade.

Jockey Danny Mullins said: “Authorized Art jumps for fun. I’ve ridden him over hurdles and he was always a fantastic jumper while lacking a bit of tactical speed.

“The scope he shows over a fence has brought him to new heights, and hopefully he’ll keep building on that.”

And he’s no stranger to a hefty bit of loot either – racking up just shy of £100,000 in his career thanks in part to six wins from 28 runs.

Owner Nick Peacock has had several horses with Mullins over the years, including Arctic Fire who won the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2017.

And Easy Game, who last year beat Charlie Hall winner Bravemansgame in the Grade 2 Champion Chase at Gowran Park.

But it’s not the first time Authorized Art has had to move yards – in January 2019 the gelding moved across the pond from French trainer Alain Couetil.

It appears to be all guns blazing for the Moores’ new sign-up, who has two entries already, one in a Listed hurdle at Kempton on October 20.

And a second is interestingly in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree in November, which is run over the National course and if often used as a prep run for the race itself.

And no doubt he’s in safe hands with the Moores.

Gaffer Gary has fired in numerous major winners over the years and made a name for himself with the likes of Sire De Grugy and Ar Mad.

FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.


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.

Read More »

Strictly’s Vito Coppola reveals truth behind Katya Jones and Wynne Evans ‘grope’ shock

STRICTLY star Vito Coppola has revealed the truth behind Katya Jones and Wynne Evans’ “grope” shock on Saturday night.

The professional dancer, 32, appeared on ITV‘s This Morning today with his celeb partner Sarah Hadland.

a man and a woman sit on a couch with the words ballroom superstars vito coppola and sarah hadland
Vito Coppola has addressed the Katya Jones and Wynne Evans ‘grope’ shock
a group of people sitting on a couch with the words ballroom superstars vito coppola and sarah hadland
Ben Shephard asked the pair to address the recent controversy
a man and a woman sit on a couch with the words ballroom superstars vito coppola and sarah hadland
The Italian dancer said the pros usually ‘prank’ their celeb partners

The pair were asked to address the recent controversy by co-hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley.

The Italian dancer said pro dancers often “prank” their celeb contestants – saying it was only a bit of harmless fun.

Ben said: “It’s been a difficult week in many ways and you’re on the inside of it, with Wynne and Katya.

“We saw what happened on the weekend and we’ve seen it since, that they’ve come out and made it very clear that they’re great mates, it was a joke.

“But it’s when you understand how forensically people are pouring over the show and are looking for the slightest bit of information or nuance over what’s going on. How does that feel?”

Sarah replied: “Especially for a show like Strictly, as you say there’s so much attention, you’ve got to go into it completely being yourself and keep doing that, because I wouldn’t be able to maintain something that isn’t yourself.

“So I think you’ve got to be who you are, react how you react to stuff and that’s all you can do and hope that people connect with that.”

Ben then asked if it was an “eye-opener that they are constantly being scrutinised” and how things can be “misconstrued”.

Vito said: “The key is to be yourself, the fun…I’m constantly pranking Sarah here.

“I’m constantly waiting behind a door [and jump out].”

Sarah went on: “If we have a toilet break and I’m quite a jumpy person and I jump even more.”

Show veteran Katya, 35, was seen removing the hand of dance partner Wynne, 52, as it slid further round her stomach in the section of Strictly where co-host Claudia Winkleman talks about what’s coming up next.

That came minutes after he was seen holding his arms up for a double high five from Katya, only for her to reject him, looking disgusted.

On Monday, on BBC Two Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two, Katya insisted that the controversy had overshadowed their performance “for absolutely no reason”.

She added: “Quite frankly I actually can’t bear sitting here watching this man being portrayed as someone he’s not.

“In fact it couldn’t be further away from the truth.

“So I have to make absolutely clear, that this whole incident with the hand and the high five on Saturday night, it was an inside joke between Wynne and I.

“Was it a silly joke? Yes. Was it a bad joke? Yes.

“However, it was a joke and even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is totally nonsense.

“Those that have doubts, you guys have got it wrong.

“So hopefully this will be the end of it.”

Wynne added: “I’ve watched it back and I can see how people might have misinterpreted it.”

The controversy is the last thing the beleaguered corporation want­ed after a summer of scandal which saw pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima leave the show amid allegations of bad behaviour.

Earlier yesterday, a TV insider said: “Strictly want­ed to draw a line under one of the most troubling periods in the programme’s history, which had viewers deeply suspicious about what went on behind the scenes of the show.

“Allegations of inappropriate physical and sexual behaviour seemed to take some of the shine off the dance contest and bosses were looking forward to restoring the glitz and fun.

“Now there’s this bizarre incident which seems to suggest some tension between Wynne and Katya, not to mention inappropriate touching.

“The rap over the knuckles from Strictly was informal and there aren’t any plans to take any further action against them.

“But ultimately, amid all the con­troversy, viewers are left not knowing quite what to think.”

Behind the scenes, Beeb bosses are said to be furious about the incident, but seem to believe Katya and Wynne’s explanation that it was a gag both were complicit in.

On Sunday Katya and Wynne made a joint online video in which they apologised for what happened.

During it, Katya said: “We were just messing around in the Clauditorium and just want to say sorry.”

Best known for playing opera singer Gio Compario on the Go Compare TV adverts, Wynne did a radio interview at the weekend as the hashtag “GropeCompare” started to go viral.

He said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day.

“Katya and I are really, really close and really good friends.

“It was a stupid joke that went wrong, OK?

“We thought it was funny. It wasn’t funny.

“I’m sorry if anybody was offended by it, but it was a joke.

“I feel weird apologising because I feel like I’ve not done anything.”

a man and a woman are posing for a picture and the man is wearing a red tie
The pair said it was a ‘silly joke’ and had been misconstrued
Instagram/@wynneevans
a group of people standing in front of a spinning wheel
Katya was seen moving Wynne’s hand away from her stomach

Read More »

Major airline with UK flights reveals new cabins – including swanky upgraded economy seats

A MAJOR airline has upgraded its cabins which includes better seats in economy.

American airline Delta operates a number of flights from the UK including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Edinburgh.

a row of seats on an airplane with a screen that says ' united airlines ' on it
DELTA
Delta is rolling out upgraded cabins across all classes[/caption]
a row of seats on an airplane with a screen that says ' united airlines ' on it
DELTA
New colours and memory foam cushions are being added to economy[/caption]

These flights operate to US destinations such as New York, Boston and LA.

And the airline has revealed its brand new cabin interiors being rolled out this autumn.

The new designs are to celebrate Delta’s centennial anniversary.

Mauricio Parise, Vice President of Customer Experience Design said: “Delta has a 100-year history of creating a customer experience that feels welcoming and thoughtful with intentional design elements woven into every aspect of a customer’s travel.”

New materials have been used on the seats, with better lighting and upgraded bathrooms onboard.

Economy seats are more monochrome with blue and grey colours – a colour often used by airlines as studies have found it to be calming.

Memory foam cushions are also being added to all of the seats.

The mood lighting will help passengers adjust to the time zone they are landing in.

Parise explained they had added “sunset lighting” when sleeping as well as “calming” lights during meals.

The upgrades include the economy cabins, as well as Premium and business class.

Business seats will change from leather covers to wool-nylon blends which are “better at regulating body temperature”.

The new designs will be introduced on the narrowbody Boeing 757 aircraft that has both domestic and short haul international routes.

It will then be rolled out on longer international flights on the widebody Airbus A350 next year.

The revamp comes after British Airways’ mega £7billion makeover of the entire airline.

an airplane has an exit sign above the toilet
DELTA
Lighting and bathrooms are also getting an update[/caption]
an airplane with a seat that says ' economy class ' on it
DELTA
Upgrades are also changing business seats[/caption]

This includes new seat and cabin designs, made from Scottish leather with adjustable headrests.

The short-haul business Club Europe will get a leather tray between the seats, as well as USB charger ports.

New overhead lockers will also allow more luggage storage, with suitcase packed on their side rather than lying flat.

And a new First Suite is being rolled out on UK-US routes.

Of the £7billion, £3.5billion is being spent on new aircraft orders.

We try the new United Airlines business cabins

The Scottish Sun’s Travel Editor Heather Lowrie tries it out:

“Flying Polaris business you get all the VIP perks. Fast track security. Tick. Lovely lounge with free food and drink. Tick. Priority boarding. Tick.

“That sets you up nicely for a fabulous onboard experience, with attentive staff and a stunning new limited edition day blanket designed by Claude Kameni in collaboration with Saks, which, along with the duvet, is made from recycled plastic bottles.

“There’s also a new amenity kit with offerings from wellness technology company Therabody, including an amazing eye serum which has taken pride of place on my makeup shelf. It all comes in a recycled, and very handy, bum bag.

“A welcome drink and hot nuts were followed by a very tasty red Thai prawn curry, all served on real porcelain and cutlery.

“And dessert comes from a trolley packed with sweet things, including ice-cream sundaes where you get to choose your topping. Yummy.”

Brussels Airlines has revealed it’s huge expansion plans, which includes a €100million (£85million) revamp of its cabins.

And airlines are even launching cheaper “business class lite” fares which are thousands of pounds cheaper.

a row of delta airlines planes are parked on the tarmac
Reuters
The designs will be rolled out on long-haul international next year[/caption]

Read More »

Should Dream Team bosses activate Goal Bonus Booster to target Gameweek 8 double headers?

DREAM TEAM managers have three Boosters to play throughout the season.

Just over a third of gaffers have played at least one of their Boosters across the first seven Gameweeks while a shade under 15% have gone early and used all three!

three soccer players are featured on a poster for the sun dream team
Dream Team
Will you activate Goal Bonus for Gameweek 8?[/caption]

Dream Team bosses who have kept their powder dry to this point should at least entertain the possibility that Gameweek 8 might be the opportune time to activate their first Booster of the campaign, specifically Goal Bonus.

The main reason for this is that many of the game’s most-popular players are due to fulfil two fixtures, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea all set for double headers.

Here’s a quick reminder of each Booster:

  • GOAL BONUS: All goals scored by your players are worth nine points each instead of the usual six
  • MAXIMUM CAPTAIN: The player who scores most points for your team will automatically be selected as captain
  • 12th MAN: Select an additional player from any position to score points for your team at no additional cost

Remember, each Booster lasts the duration of one Gameweek and can only be played once per season.

a soccer player wearing a shirt that says etihad airways
Getty
Haaland will be unleashed upon 20th-placed Wolves this weekend[/caption]

A quick look at the Stats Centre confirms that the majority of this season’s leading goalscorers have two fixtures in Gameweek 8, including some favourable match-ups.

First and foremost, Erling Haaland (£9.1m), who has 11 goals to his name already, travels to Wolves this weekend before a home game against Sparta Prague in midweek.

With Gary O’Neil’s side rooted to the bottom of the table having conceded 21 goals in seven league outings and the Czech outfit having conceded their fair share too, City’s prolific poacher will fancy his chances of adding to his tally.

Kai Havertz (£5.1m) is among the chasing pack on six goals and Arsenal’s double header appears relatively favourable too; they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday and then host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Many gaffers will own the Gunners’ German forward and Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) – a potentially fruitful combination assuming both are passed fit.

a soccer player with saka on the back of his jersey
Getty
All eyes on Arteta’s press conference this week[/caption]

Mohamed Salah (£7.6m), also on six goals, is the fourth-most selected player in the game right now with an ownership of 38.9%.

Liverpool’s double header is likely to be more testing as both Chelsea and RB Leipzig have started the season in fine form but it’s Arne Slot’s side who top the Premier League table at present.

And truth be told, there’s rarely a bad time to back Salah – the difficulty of his fixtures are almost irrelevant, such is his pedigree.

Dream Team managers with Haaland, Havertz, Saka and Salah in their XI must surely be tempted to play their Goal Bonus Booster in Gameweek 8?

Granted, the availability question marks over the Arsenal stars are a concern and so it might be wise to wait for any updates from Mikel Arteta before making a final decision.

Score Predictor

Play Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!

  • FREE to play
  • £250 weekly prize
  • Predict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracy
  • Most points wins weekly cash prize
  • PLAY NOW

And these are far from the only relevant players for such a tactic.

Tottenham have the luxury of back-to-back home games against West Ham and AZ Alkmaar and so the likes of Dominic Solanke (£4.4m), James Maddison (£4.5m) and the in-form Brennan Johnson (£3.8m) may work nicely in combination with Goal Bonus.

a group of soccer players with aia on their jerseys
PA
Johnson is on a scoring streak[/caption]

Elsewhere, Aston Villa (vs Fulham & Bologna) and Manchester United (vs Brentford & Fenerbahce) also have fixtures ripe with potential, though the West London sides shouldn’t be underestimated.

Backers of Ollie Watkins (£5.9m), Marcus Rashford (£4.1m) and Jhon Duran (£3.3m) will be hopeful of goals.

Chelsea will travel to Panathinaikos after their away day to Anfield but it’s worth noting that Enzo Maresca has heavily rotated his line-ups in the Conference League so far – Cole Palmer (£6.5m) isn’t even in the European squad.

Gaffers shouldn’t force it but many will have teams nicely tailored to the Goal Bonus Booster in Gameweek 8.


BetMGM sign up offer

BetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE*

*New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org

Read More »

I won £418,000 lottery prize but only took home FOURTEENTH when colleagues jumped in – phone call sent me into overdrive

A LOTTERY winner has told how he had to share a whopping £418,000 jackpot with his 13 colleagues.

Last month Seamus Buckley hit a jackpot just short of a half a million pounds whilst playing the EuroMillions Plus draw.

Joinery Jackpot! Munster Syndicate Nails €500,000 EuroMillions Plus Win Photo Caption: Sarah Ruane from the National Lottery pops the champagne as the Munster Joinery syndicate from Cork headed by Seamus Buckley are pictured celebrating their incredible €500,000 EuroMillions Plus win at National Lottery HQ in Dublin today 15th October 2024. The group of 14 co-workers struck gold in the draw on Friday, 20th of September, marking their biggest win after 13 years of playing together. Each member of the syndicate will receive €35,714. Pic: Mac Innes Photography
Lottery winner Seamus Buckley is pictured sharing his EuroMillions win with 13 others
Joinery Jackpot! Munster Syndicate Nails €500,000 EuroMillions Plus Win Photo Caption: The Munster Joinery syndicate from Cork headed by Seamus Buckley pictured celebrating their incredible €500,000 EuroMillions Plus win at National Lottery HQ in Dublin today 15th October 2024. The group of 14 co-workers struck gold in the draw on Friday, 20th of September, marking their biggest win after 13 years of playing together. Each member of the syndicate will receive €35,714. Pic: Mac Innes Photography
They split a total win of £418,000

But instead of pocketing the full amount he only took home a fourteenth of the big win.

Seamus had entered the draw as part of a syndicate with his colleagues at Munster Joinery in Cork, Ireland.

This meant he would have to split his win with thirteen other members, leaving him just short of £30,000 — a fraction of the big jackpot.

Syndicate leader, Seamus Buckley, revealed how his simple work group chat quickly turned chaotic after he broke the news.

Seamus said: “I’ve been collecting the money and buying our tickets for 13 years.

“The morning after the draw, I saw on social media that the shop where I bought our ticket had sold a winner.

“Our group chat went into overdrive. Everyone was asking, could it be us?”

Seamus wasted no time heading to the shop to confirm their win, but his colleagues weren’t convinced.

He said: “I rang the group, and some of them didn’t believe me at all.”

“I’ve a reputation as a bit of a joker, but I wouldn’t mess about with something like this – I’d be in trouble at work on Monday if I lied.”

Seamus checked the ticket and was greeted with the life-changing words: “You’ve won big, contact the National Lottery.”

But instead of pocketing the full amount himself, the jackpot had to be split among his co-workers.

What is a lottery syndicate?

A lottery syndicate is a group of lottery players who pool their resources to buy multiple tickets, increasing their chances of winning. The costs and winnings are shared among all members. Syndicates can be formed online or with friends, family, or colleagues.

Setting Up a Syndicate:

Syndicate Agreement: A formal agreement is recommended to avoid disputes and tax issues. It outlines the structure and management of the syndicate.

Syndicate Manager Responsibilities:

– Maintain the syndicate agreement.

– Ensure each player has paid for their tickets.

– Purchase tickets and check for prizes.

– Collect and distribute winnings among members.

Managing a Syndicate:

Number of Members/Tickets:There’s no limit to the number of members or tickets. More tickets increase winning chances, but also make management harder and winnings smaller per member.

Prize Distribution: Winnings are paid to the syndicate manager, who then distributes them. Online syndicates automate this process.

Legality:

Lottery syndicates are legal and a fun way to enhance your chances of winning. Ensure a syndicate agreement is in place for offline groups, or join an online group for secure and automated management of tickets and winnings.

The lottery winner explained how despite their huge win, the team were expected to quickly get back work.

Seamus said: “Things went back to normal very quickly. There’s still plenty of work to be done at Munster Joinery.”

The syndicate celebrated their £418,000 win at the National Lottery Headquarters in Dublin.

Each member took home just over £35,000, but this wasn’t their first taste of success.

The group has already won a combined £7,000 in four previous draws this year, but this is by far their biggest win.

Despite the excitement, Seamus and his colleagues are keeping their eyes on the ultimate prize, he added: “Oh yes, we’re still at it, we’ve our eyes on the big EuroMillions Jackpot next.”

This EuroMillions win comes after another couple boasted they had won a hefty £182million on the EuroMillions shortly before they were “disqualified” for a devastating reason.

Meanwhile, Seamus isn’t the only one having to split his big win – a mum has revealed how she couldn’t claim her entire £1million lottery jackpot because of a “pact” made 30 years ago.

Elsewhere, whilst many Brits’ dream of how they’d spend a lotto windfall, it seems not all winners are quite so eager to splash the cash.

One couple became overnight lottery millionaires after hitting The National Lottery jackpot but instead of blowing their wins on first class flights, they continued their normal life and went straight back to work.

What are my chances of winning the lottery?

EVERYONE wants to know how to beat the odds and win the lottery.

But unfortunately, the lottery is a game of luck and there are no tips or tricks that can guarantee you’ll take home a top prize.

The odds show how likely you are to win any particular prize – the lower the number, the better the odds.

For example, odds of 1 in 10 are better than odds of 1 in 100 or 1 in 1,000.

There are several major lottery games in the UK including Lotto by the National Lottery, Camelot’s EuroMillions and Thunderball.

Chances of winning the Lotto

Lotto by the National Lottery is a game where you pick six numbers from 1 to 59. You can play up to seven lines of numbers on each slip.

The game costs £2 to play per slip.

The odds of winning any prize on the Lotto are 1 in 9.3.

But to win the jackpot on the Lotto, the odds are considerably slimmer.

To bag the top prize, you need to have six matching balls. The odds of doing this and scooping the jackpot are currently 1 in 45,057,474.

The next highest prize of £1,000,000 is for getting five main matching balls plus the bonus ball.

The odds of taking home the million pound prize are 1 in 7,509,579 – far higher than the jackpot, but still unlikely.

The odds of taking home £1,750 for getting five main numbers without the bonus ball are 1 in 2,180, while you have a 1 in 97 chance of bagging £140 for getting four main numbers.

Your chances of taking home £30 for getting 3 main numbers are much better at 1 in 97.

And you have a roughly 1 in 10 chance of getting a free lucky dip for 2 matching numbers.

Chances of winning the EuroMillions

The EuroMillions costs £2.50 to play and is open on Tuesdays and Fridays.

To play, you must pick five numbers from 1-50 and two “Lucky Stars” from 1-12. Players with the most matching numbers win the top prizes.

Your chance of bagging the EuroMillions jackpot is even slimmer than winning the top Lotto prize.

This is because it generally has higher jackpots on offer, meaning it attracts more attention.

Currently, the odds of matching five numbers and two lucky stars – the top win – stand at 1 in 139,838,160.

The average jackpot prize is £57,923,499, according to EuroMillions.

The odds of winning the second top prize for matching 5 balls and a lucky star, which is typically around £262,346, are 1 in 6,991,908.

The chances of taking home the third prize for five matching balls, with an average payout of £26,277, are 1 in 3,107,515.

For four matching balls with two lucky stars, it’s 1 in 621,503, and for four balls with one lucky star, it’s 1 in 31,076. These come with an average prize of £1,489 and £95, respectively.

Chances of winning the Thunderball

Thunderball is another game run by National Lottery where you pick five numbers and one “Thunderball”. It costs just £1 to play and you can enter up to four times a week.

The jackpot of £500,000 for matching five balls plus the Thunderball is 1 in 8,060,598.

Your odds of bagging the next highest prize of £5,000 for matching five balls is currently 1 in 620,046, while the chances of winning £250 for four balls plus the Thunderball is 1 in 47,416.

You have the best chance of winning £3 for matching the Thunderball, with odds of 1 in 29.

Read More »

Hope for thousands hit by shock benefit repayment demands of up to £20,000 as DWP launches review

AN independent review brings fresh hope for thousands of carers forced to repay up to £20,000 worth of benefit payments.

Households on carer’s allowance continue to face substantial repayment demands after exceeding a critical weekly earnings limit.

Thoughtful confused mature business woman concerned thinking about online problem looking at laptop, frustrated worried senior middle aged female reading bad email news, suffering from memory loss
The DWP has announced new plans to help claimants avoid falling into this trap

Figures in August revealed that over 134,500 unpaid carers are collectively repaying £251million in benefit overpayments.

The Sun has previously highlighted cases where some individuals were required to repay up to £20,000 after unknowingly breaching carer’s allowance rules.

In an effort to reform the system and prevent more people from being caught out, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiated an independent review on the matter today.

Carer’s allowance is paid to those providing at least 35 hours of unpaid care a week, in most cases to disabled or sick relatives.

It is currently paid at a weekly rate of £81.90, and anyone on the benefit can earn a second income from a job.

However, you can’t earn more than £151 a week, or you’ll lose all of your benefit allowance.

This is a different approach to other benefits, like Universal Credit, which has a tapered approach to earnings so that those working don’t lose all their money at once.

The DWP, which pays the benefit, also looks to get any overpaid benefits back.

So, if you breach the £151 a week “cliff edge”, you’ll also be forced to repay any carer’s allowance payments you’ve been issued.

But in some cases, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) systems don’t flag earnings limit breaches for several years, seeing people overpaid massive sums that must be repaid.

In response to the overwhelming number of repayment demands issued to claimants, the DWP’s independent review, in collaboration with the former chief executive of Disability Rights UK, aims to investigate the causes and mechanisms behind the overpayments.

It will then recommend “operational changes” to minimise the risk of future overpayments and outline how the DWP can best support those affected by overpayment issues.

Commenting on the launch of the review Liz Kendall, work and pensions secretary, said: “I have been a lifelong champion of family carers and know many have been pushed to breaking point looking after the people they love.

“This is not okay. We’re determined to learn lessons and put this right.”

Liz Sayce, chair of the review and former chief executive of Disability Rights UK, added: “My work aims to get to the bottom of how overpayments have occurred and how to prevent people who devote such time and care to others facing these difficulties in future.”

The outcome of the review will be published in due course, but for now, anyone hit with a repayment demand will still need to pay up.

A recent Sun Money investigation revealed that thousands of people on other benefits have been hit with repayment demands even though they do not owe a penny.

What is carer's allowance?

CARER'S allowance is a UK benefit designed to help people who have caring responsibilities for more than 35 hours each week.

Those eligible get £81.90 a week paid directly into bank accounts.

To qualify, the person you care for must already get one of these benefits:

  • Personal independence payment (PIP) – daily living component
  • Disability living allowance – the middle or highest care rate
  • Attendance allowance
  • Constant attendance allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • Constant attendance allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a war disablement pension
  • Armed forces independence payment

You don’t have to be related to the person or live with them to apply.

But if you share caring responsibilities with someone else, only one of you can make a claim.

The type of care you provide can vary, but includes things such as helping with washing or cooking, taking the person to medical appointments or helping out with household tasks such as shopping or organising bills.

To get the benefit, you must also meet a certain set of criteria:

  • You must be 16 or over
  • You have to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
  • You need to have been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
  • You must normally live in England, Scotland or Wales or live abroad as a member of the armed forces (you might still be eligible if you’re moving to or already living in an EEA country or Switzerland)
  • You cannot be in full-time education
  • You must not be studying for 21 hours a week or more
  • You cannot be subject to immigration control
  • You will also have to meet certain earnings criteria in order to get the benefit.

Your earnings must also be £151 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

You can apply for the carer’s allowance online by visiting www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim.

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

According to the government, as of May 2024, there are 134,800 people with an outstanding carer’s allowance debt – a total value of £251m.

Carers reported receiving overpayments between £150 and £20,000, with the average overpayment being £4,000.  

There’s no time limit on how far back the DWP can go to spot erroneous carer’s allowance payments and demand money back.

Karina Moon, 62, is just one example of the thousands asked to repay the benefit.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) told the single mother of one from North Wales that she must repay £11,292.75 of her carer’s allowance or face fraud charges.

In another shocking case, a father who looks after his ill son had to sell his home to pay back £20,000 in carer’s allowance.

George Henderson, 64, from Leyland in Lancashire, was told he would have to repay the eye-watering sum due to a mistake he made when first applying for the benefit.

Henderson wrongly ticked a box saying he was unemployed when, in fact, he was earning £7.50 an hour as a self-employed taxi driver.

However, the DWP failed to notify Henderson, blaming it his responsibility to notify the department of any changes in circumstances.

DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT

If you breach the £151 earnings limit, you should try and proactively report it to the DWP as it is classed as a change in circumstances.

You can report any change in circumstances online via the government’s website.

But you’ll need your National Insurance (NI) number to hand, details of the person you’re caring for and details of the change.

If you have been overpaid carer’s allowance, you must pay it back in full or in instalments via the DWP Debt Management platform.

This is also on the Government’s website.

If you don’t do this, the DWP can take deductions from your work salary or even pass your case on to a debt collector.

If you don’t engage with the debt collector, it may then take your case to the county courts.

You can dispute an overpayment if you disagree with it, but you’ll need evidence as to why you claim not to have overpaid.

You can do this through what’s known as a “mandatory reconsideration,” which you can submit to the DWP online, by phone, or by letter.

The decision letter you receive from the DWP will contain the specific contact details to which you must send correspondence.

Once the DWP has received your mandatory reconsideration, you will receive a “mandatory reconsideration notice” informing you whether it has changed its decision.

If you disagree with that outcome, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.

A judge will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

Are you missing out on benefits?

YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to

Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.

Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.

MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.

You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.

Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.

Read More »

Brit tourist, 34, seriously injured in 50ft plunge after ‘falling backwards over wall’ on night out in Magaluf resort

A BRITISH tourist has been left seriously injured after falling backwards down a 50-foot embankment in Majorca, Spain.

The 34-year-old woman had been on a boozy night out in Magaluf when she fell from a wall she was resting on after a taxi ride.

people walking on a beach with a hotel in the background
Solarpix
Cala Vinyas in Majorca, Spain where the woman had been partying before the fall[/caption]
a man wearing a vest that says policia local
MVV/SOLARPIX.COM
The Brit was rescued by police and firefighters[/caption]

In unconfirmed local reports, the woman was reportedly drunk when she fell off the wall on Tuesday night in Cala Vinyas.

The woman who has not been named was rescued by police and firefighters who had trouble accessing her due to the terrain.

She was rushed to a private hospital in Palma where her injuries were assessed.

A picture from the rescue showed the woman in a neckbrace lying on a stretcher as medics and the police surrounded her.

The extent of her injuries is not yet known.

It has been reported that the woman was with her sister and two female friends at the time of the incident.

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

Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

Read More »

I was forced to move into van full-time with my son after breakup left me homeless – high rents gave me no other option

A MOTHER-OF-ONE was forced to turn to a nomadic lifestyle after a breakup left her struggling to pay rent.

Single mother Beck Wood shared a flat in London with her boyfriend but realised the cost of living was too great once they separated.

a white van has the number 2 on the side
Beck Wood lives in a Ford Transit with her two-year-old son Willow
a blue guitar sits on a green couch in a van
Youtube / @liveration
She decided to move into a van full-time after breaking up with her partner[/caption]
a woman is holding a baby who is wearing a green hoodie that says ' crew ' on it
Youtube / @liveration
The single mum converted the transit when her son Willow was just eight months old[/caption]
a woman in a brown sweater sits next to a boy in a green hoodie
Youtube / @liveration
The pair are now living a cosy rent-free lifestyle[/caption]

After moving into a single room post split and deciding it wasn’t worth the money, the former band member decided to take the motorhome leap full-time.

She welcomed her baby boy Willow to a freshly babyproofed Ford Transit MK6 van in 2022.

Beck told Liveration: “I don’t know how people survive being a single parent living the way you’re meant to live – I just don’t know how you could do that.

“I moved into a property and it was £800 a month in London, and I was like ‘I’m just in a room’ and I can’t justify that.

“I resented spending a lot of money on a flat and it just felt more comfortable to be in a van than in a room, because I could move the van and go out of London at any time.”

Beck spent a lot of time living in vans when she was touring in her band and explains it’s where she feels most comfortable.

After her breakup she lived in an campervan while she was working in the city and later converted a Ford Transit with an eight-month-old baby Willow.

Now the make-do mummy shares pictures to her 7,186 followers under the Instagram handle nomad_mother.

She posts about living a ‘simple lifestyle’ and talks about the benefit of van life compared to renting.

“The best part about living unconventionally is that fact that I don’t stress.

“My outgoings are so minute, I don’t have the stress of ‘oh my god I have to pay this bill‘ or ‘the rates are going up.'”

With a 240 volt solar panel fitted to the roof and a self-contained kitchen, she says the savings are incomparable.

By living rent free Beck, who was previously an interior designer, was able to purchase two vans and a boat with all the cash.

In a van tour she takes us round the wooden interior pointing out the garage, which is actually the left front-seat, and the shed, which is under the bed.

“While I was thinking about what I wanted it to look like I also had limited budget so I just thought lets just go cheap, but make it look cool.

“I sort of wanted that Norwegian-Scandi look but I also wanted it to be really cheap.

“I love properties, don’t get me wrong – if someone offered me a farmhouse with loads of land I’d be up for it, but this just suits me and my life.”

With grandmas on both side being Gypsies, Beck thinks the travelling lifestyle is simply in her blood – she said she also couldn’t do it with the emotional support from her parents.

She added: “I don’t know if people think that I’m mad – we’re warm, we’re cosy, we have a great life.”

“There’s a lot more freedom in your lifestyle when you’re living like this – obviously it’s not desirable to everybody, but it’s desirable for me.”

As Willow gets older the nifty nomad plans on upsizing again and has set her sights on a 7.5 tonne horse trailer.

The homely Ford Transit is currently up for sale on Beck’s Instagram with the caption ‘My heart and soul went into this build, she’s truly a beaut.”

a woman sits on a couch with her legs crossed in a kitchen
Youtube / @liveration
Beck has been able to save up for two vans and a boat with the rent money she’s saved[/caption]
a woman and child are getting out of a white van
Youtube / @liveration
She is now looking to upsize into a 7.5 tone horse trailer[/caption]
a white van with the door open is parked on the side of the road
Youtube / @liveration
The small family share their van life experience on Instagram under nomadic_mother[/caption]

Read More »