Princess Olympia of Greece, the daughter of Crown Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal, could be Hailey Bieber in an animal print string bikini for her hot Christmas celebration.

‘It was obvious I was gone,’ Mark says, ‘I was lying there, not moving, with my eyes wide open, not breathing.’

Mark Moran, a 63-year-old from Bristol, was an avid sportsman – regularly participating in triathlons and marathons. But just over a year ago, on a ‘seemingly gentle bike ride’, he almost lost his life.

In November 2024, Mark, a business owner, set off with friends Steve Makin and Dave Lane on a bike ride from Cirencester to a pub in Frampton Cotterell, South Gloucestershire.

The trio were just minutes away from arriving at their destination, in search of a hefty plate of chips, when Mark suddenly collapsed.

‘It happened over a period of a few seconds,’ he shared. ‘I’m on the bike and I start to feel dizzy like I’m passing out. I go to slow down because I’m clipped onto my pedals. And then there was just nothing.

‘No energy, no muscle, no nothing. The last thing I remember is facing at an angle. And the last thing to go through my head was: “This is it.”

Mark recalls hearing ‘almost a sound of thunder’ in the background and coming to the horrifying realisation that his life might be about to end.

However, miraculously, Mark survived a traumatic cardiac arrest.

As soon as he hit the ground, pal Steve was by his side, a sight Mark admits must have been ‘absolutely terrifying’ for his friend.

Steve immediately started CPR, having remembered the 2012 ‘Stayin’ Alive’ campaign which saw footballer Vinnie Jones team up with the British Heart Foundation to try and help educate people on how to perform CPR in an emergency.

Jones has revived his role in this campaign numerous times, most recently promoting the Every Minute Matters initiative – a 2025 campaign where Sky Bet and the English Football League (EFL) teamed up to support the BHF with a nationwide event to inspire football fans to learn potentially lifesaving CPR and be prepared for emergencies.

Pumping rhythmically to the Bee Gees tune, Steve persevered for almost 10 minutes – so determined to keep Mark alive that he actually broke three of his ribs.

While Dave cycled to the nearest spot where he could reach help, Steve also managed to dial 999. He also put Mark in the recovery position and made sure his airways were clear.

This is where first responder Pete Bishop comes into the picture. A volunteer for the South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust, Pete was ‘at home in his trackie bottoms, doing his day job’ when he received the call about Mark.

Immediately into the car, Pete reached the scene in just nine minutes – a crucial aspect of the story aided by the fact that Steve had the app what3words downloaded onto his phone.

Designed to simplify location-finding, the app has divided the world into 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique three-word address.

Once Pete arrived, he gave Mark, whose lips had turned blue, two lifesaving defibrillator shocks.

Soon after Pete’s arrival, both an ambulance and the air ambulance were on the scene. As Mark came around in the ambulance, he called out to his shocked and worried friends: ‘All right, boys.’

Then he started calling out instructions about where to find his keys, repeatedly, before losing consciousness again.

Mark was then flown by helicopter to the Bristol Heart Institute, which, ‘in the chain of survival,’ Mark shared, ‘is probably one of the best places you could be with a heart issue.’

Mark later awoke in hospital, fitted with his very own internal defibrillator, despite having no underlying heart condition. The 63-year-old spent a further three weeks in hospital before he was discharged and given a clean bill of health.

Mark has never taken his health for granted. In 2005, following a spinal surgery, he lived with limited movement for months – a situation so debilitating it actually inspired him to start his business, creating a unique hands-free water bottle that solves the problem of hydration (and dehydration) in a wide range of healthcare applications.

So, it’s safe to say, Mark knows how lucky he is. And he credits a number of miracles for saving his life. One of course being Pete: ‘I had no idea just how important first responders are. These are not ambulances or paramedics. These are trained volunteers whose job is to get there quickly and help. They’re unpaid, and they’re phenomenal people.’

Mark is also incredibly grateful that his friend has the what3words app downloaded onto his phone: ‘That’s what brought Pete Bishop to me within nine minutes. If he’d been ten minutes, I might not be here. So that is a pretty phenomenally powerful tool that I knew nothing about.’

Pete later revealed that he’d been to twenty cases like Mark’s, and that Mark was the first to survive, making the entire ordeal a miracle indeed.

Six months after his discharge from hospital, Mark went on to run the Bristol Half Marathon to raise money for the air ambulance team who saved his life.

And in July, the trio took the trip again so they could at last visit the pub in Frampton Cotterell for that plate of chips, pausing on the grassy bank where Mark had lain with his head in a bush, close to death.

Fewer than ten per cent of people survive cardiac arrest outside of hospital and Mark believes he is exceptionally lucky.

The 63-year-old is now keen for others to learn CPR in case they can save a life. With three-quarters of cardiac arrests happening at home, the first person on the scene is often a family member or bystander.

Early CPR and defibrillation can more than double survival chances, yet NHS Charities Together data shows fewer than three in ten people currently feel confident to step in during an emergency.

NHS Charities Together is aiming to tackle these issues through the allocation of £1.85 million in grants received through a partnership with Omaze.

The funding will support all 14 UK NHS ambulance charities to build capacity in communities, reduce health inequalities, and ease pressure on frontline services by providing the training, resources, and equipment needed to save lives.

Reflecting on his story, Mark noted: ‘My heart was basically stopped for 15 minutes. It’s pretty terminal. So I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet. Had it not been for my mates and Pete Bishop, I wouldn’t be here today.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

The Princess of Wales’ sister, Pippa Middleton, wore a silky black mini dress to the Azzaro store launch in 2009 – and her look is our style inspiration for New Year’s Eve 2025.

Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan’s daughter Isabella Strahan posted glowing new photos that showcase her health since being cancer-free in 2024.

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Some say you can’t put a price on a good night’s sleep, but Simba’s New Year sale certainly can. 

To celebrate 2026, it’s currently discounting its bestselling mattresses, dreamy duvets, plush pillows and bedding ranges by hundreds of pounds. 

If your current mattress is worse for wear, and your bed situation needs an upgrade, it’s the perfect opportunity to shop and save, now that there’s as much as 30% off. 

The importance of getting proper rest can’t be overstated, as consistent bad sleep can lead to a range of issues, such as increased anxiety or loss of productivity. Neither is an ideal way to kick off a new year. 

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Many of our sleep concerns often stem from comfort. If you can feel every spring in your mattress, your pillows are so flat they give you a permanent backache, or your duvet cover has lost its softness, it makes dozing off all that much harder. 

Whether it’s extra support, a softer feel, or fewer bad-back mornings you’re after, Simba’s clever, high-tech designs are built for better sleep, and they’re now available for less.

The sale started on December 27 and only runs until January 5, so you’ve not got long to bag a bargain. 

Treat yourself (and your health) to a better sleep setup in the Simba sale – here’s our top picks of what’s on offer…

The Best Deals in Simba’s New Year Sale:

Simba Hybrid Pillow

This pillow has over 30,000 five-star reviews from shoppers, who rave about its comfort and support.

One customer named Marilyn G said, 'this pillow gave me the best night's sleep.'

Inside, it has loads of nanocubes which create the cloud-like cushioning, but you can remove them to adjust the firmness exactly to your preference, along with a breathable cotton cover and a zipped case with no fiddly buttons.

Buy Now for £87.20 (Was £109) – save £11

Simba Hybrid Mattress

Simba’s original Hybrid Mattress is its bestseller, and now has £200 off a double.

Combining foam and springs, including patented Aerocoil springs and deep Simbatex foam, it cleverly adapts to your body temperature while you sleep, and supports all sleeping positions.

Best of all, it arrives neatly rolled up in a box for easy setup and comes with a 200-night trial.

Buy Now for £599.25 (Was £799) – save £200

Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 Duvet

This double duvet design is perfect for summer and winter.

There’s a 7 tog and a 3.5 tog which can be snapped together or used separately to be as warm or as cool as the weather dictates.

Filled with Simba Renew Bio fibres and cooled by Stratos tech, and a breathable cotton cover, it keeps you cosy without overheating or catching a chill.

Buy Now for £279.20 (Was £349) – save £70

Simba Natural Hybrid Source Mattress

Investing in a mattress is a smart idea – sleeping on it every day for years not only drives down the cost-per-use, but also ensures you can doze off in complete comfort.

Simba’s Natural Hybrid Source Mattress has a medium-firm feel thanks to 2,900 springs, a depth of 28cm and eight layers of breathable British-sourced wool cushioning.

Buy now for £974.25 (Was £1,299) – save £325

Simba Hybrid Essential Topper

If you’re not ready to splurge on an entirely new mattress, try a topper instead.

It’s a speedy way to make your bed more comfortable in minutes and has snug straps to keep it in place.

It has a supportive Aerocoil microspring layer and flexible Simbatex cushioning.

Buy now for £269 (Was £299) – save £30

There’s only a limited amount of time left on this sale, so make the most of it whilst you still can.

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Going for a number two, using the facilities, dropping the kids off at the pool. We’ve come up with a number of ways to say we need to go for a poo, without actually saying it.

Why? Well, while it’s perfectly natural, it’s just a bit awkward. This feeling is even worse when you’re not in the comfort of your own bathroom — or worse, at work, knowing full well a colleague could walk into the cubicle after you.

In fact, the thought is so embarrassing that 76% of Brits admit to holding in their poo at some point. What’s worse is 25% have held it in for three hours, while 8% have waited up to six hours to relieve themselves, according to a study by ProVen Biotics.

‘It is very common for people to feel anxious or embarrassed about talking about bowel movements or using public toilets,’ Dr Suzanne Wylie tells Metro.

‘Social taboos, fear of smells or sounds, concerns about cleanliness, and worries about privacy all contribute.’

It’s a problem impacting women more than men, too. About 33% of women worry about whether their poo will smell (compared to a fifth of men), and 26% worry about the noises it will make in a public toilet (compared to 16% of men).

However, if you don’t relieve yourself when you need to, it could spell trouble for your health…

What holding in your poo really does to your body

There are multiple side effects you’ll experience if you’re consistently holding in your poop.

‘When stool remains in the bowel for longer than it should, more water is absorbed from it, making it harder, drier, and more difficult to pass,’ Dr Wylie for IQdoctor explains.

‘This can lead to constipation, straining, abdominal discomfort, bloating, and a feeling of incomplete emptying.’

But it’s not just feeling backed up that could be a problem for you. ‘In more severe cases, stool can become impacted, meaning it is so hard and large that it cannot be passed without medical treatment,’ the doctor adds.

When you eventually do try to go to the toilet, if you’ve made a habit of holding it in, you could also need to strain.

‘This increases pressure in the abdomen and around the anus, which can contribute to haemorrhoids (piles) and anal fissures, which are small tears in the lining of the back passage,’ Dr Wylie adds.

Not going will give you a feeling of sluggishness or heaviness in the abdomen, too. ‘Some people may also experience nausea or reduced appetite if the bowel becomes very backed up,’ she says.

‘In children and some adults, leakage of softer stool around impacted stool can occur, which can be distressing and embarrassing.’

Long term complications

If holding in your number twos is a habit, there’s a chance it could also lead to longer term complications in more serious cases.

‘Habitual stool retention can contribute to chronic constipation, recurrent haemorrhoids, and in some cases problems with pelvic floor function,’ Dr Wylie says.

‘It may also worsen conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.’

She adds that while holding in stool is unlikely to cause serious diseases on its own, like bowel cancer, it can significantly affect your quality of life and make bowel habits increasingly difficult to normalise.

Let it go

The best way to keep your bowels healthy is to go when you have the urge, no matter how awkward it makes you feel.

‘Our bowel is designed to move waste along at a steady pace using muscular contractions, so ignoring the urge to go can dull the normal reflexes over time, meaning the rectum becomes stretched and less sensitive,’ the doctor explains. ‘This makes it harder for the body to signal when it needs to empty.’

She says it’s generally best to go when you first notice the sensation, and while occasionally delaying it isn’t likely to cause you any problems, going on your body’s schedule is the best way to operate.

So grab a roll and settle in, whether you’re at work or home.

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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

In a discussion for True Royalty TV, interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and historian Dr Ed Owens discussed what they called the Prince and Princess of Wales’ ‘doll house’ at Forest Lodge, where they live a normal family life with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Louis Vuitton celebrates 130 years of its signature monogram. From Angelina Jolie to Audrey Hepburn and Naomi Campbell to Sarah Jessica Parker, see how the designer handbags became a symbol of timeless luxury.

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B&M has become a firm favourite retailer amongst shoppers over the past few years.

Not only is it known for selling items we didn’t know we needed in our lives, but it is also the go-to destination for its bargain price tags on much-loved brands.

For example, you can bag yourself a Beats Pill Portable Bluetooth Speaker x Kim Kardashian, which usually retails for £149, for only £75.

Shoppers have been overjoyed by a recent discovery where they found that B&M have launched a Large Paper Rope Lamp that is a close alternative to that from Dunelm, which costs double the price.

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Dunelm’s Kylo Woven String Table Lamp retails for £40 and features an intricate, natural woven paper string base and is finished with a luxe-looking faux linen shade.

B&M’s similar style costs £20 and is remarkably similar in design to its paper rattan frame and linen lampshade. Providing shoppers with a close alternative for half the price.

Whilst there are similarities between the two, there are slight differences in terms of the colour of the woven string, the density of the weaves, and the pattern on the lampshades.

Dunelm’s has a speckled print giving it a more elegant appearance, and the base of the lamps varies. Both are circular; however, Dunelm’s tapers in at the base to give it more of a vase-like aesthetic. 

B&M’s comes in with a height of 42.5cm and a diameter of 28cm, whereas Dunelm’s is taller at 52cm and has a diameter of 24cm.

If you’re already a fan of B&M’s affordable option, then you can also bag yourself a Small Paper Rope Lamp for just £12 that will pair perfectly and complement the larger design in your home or office. 

Unlike Dunelm’s, which you can get delivered straight to your home, you can find your nearest B&M store via its store locator.

Shoppers haven’t been shy about their love for the Dunelm Kylo version, with one writing: ‘Wow, this lamp is just fabulous! Easy to order and delivery was excellent. Was also really pleased to see that there was no plastic used in the packaging – everything was recyclable.’

Another followed with ‘So pleased with this lamp. The base is beautifully woven and sturdy, and the shade gives off a gorgeous glow. Looks more expensive than it was.’

‘I purchased this lamp to go in my newly decorated kitchen, and I’m thrilled with it. Great quality. Love the natural look,’ said a third.

Better get down to B&M pronto…

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Harriet Sperling, the fiancée of Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, proved she is a royal fashionista in the making in the swishiest skirt as she joined King Charles at Sandringham on 28 December for church.