3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Real reason for Tom Cruise’s swift exit from £35m ‘trendy’ London home
Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise owned a £35 million penthouse apartment in Knightsbridge, London that overlooks Hyde Park, but left it behind in January 2026 – here’s the real reason why.
3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Brits claim very awkward relationship milestone is ‘more important than meeting parents’
Nearly 20% of Brits say the best time to mark the relationship "milestone" of letting rip in front of your other half is very, very, early on
3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Princess Kate breaks self-imposed style rule in ‘mood-boosting’ coat
The Princess of Wales surprised in a tartan coat in a colour she never wears as she began her trip at Melin Tregwynt, a woollen mill weaving traditional Welsh designs in a remote wooded valley on the Pembrokeshire coast.
3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
These £35 New Look jeans are being called ‘the most perfect high-waisted jeans ever’
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Let’s be honest, finding the perfect pair of jeans can occasionally feel like a full-blown mission.
You go in with high hopes, only to be left wrestling with stiff denim, awkward gaps at the waist, or legs that fit everywhere except where you want them to.
So, when a pair of jeans comes along that shoppers are genuinely raving about, we pay attention.
Let us introduce you to New Look’s Adalae High-Waist Wide-Leg Jeans, which fans are calling ‘the most perfect high-waisted jeans ever’. Judging by the reviews, they might just be worth the hype.
Washed Black Adalae High-Waist Wide Leg Jeans
The Adalae High-Waist Wide-Leg Jeans are made from 100 per cent cotton and are designed to fit snugly around your waist without constricting any movement.
They fall into a relaxed, wide-leg style that feels modern, perfectly embracing the current trend of wide-leg denim.
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The Adalae High-Waist Wide-Leg Jeans are made from 100 per cent cotton and are designed to fit snugly around your waist without constricting any movement.
They fall into a relaxed, wide-leg style that feels modern, perfectly embracing the current trend of wide-leg denim.
Available from a size 6 to 18, the non-stretch denim holds its shape well, meaning the jeans stay looking sharper and new for longer. They come with five pockets, a zip-fly fastening and sleek belt loops, adding a timeless edge to them.
The wide-leg cut makes them easy to dress up or down, too. Pair them with a tucked-in tee and trainers for daytime, or add a blazer and boots when you want something a little smarter.
If you need more convincing, they’re available in another ten shades, including grey, brown, navy, burgundy and light blue.
At £35, these jeans strike that sweet spot between affordable and elevated, the kind of jeans you reach for on repeat because they work around whatever your plans are.
Fans haven’t held back sharing their praises for the Adalae High-Waist Wide-Leg Jeans, as one customer said: ‘I recently bought the blue wide-leg jeans from New Look, and honestly, they’re one of the nicest pairs I’ve owned.
‘The fit is super flattering — wide leg without looking baggy — and they sit perfectly on the waist. The denim feels good quality, not too stiff, and really comfortable to wear all day.’
Another followed with: ‘The best jeans… true to size, perfect length (I’m 5’4 29-30 inch leg), stretch material and very flattering. I love them.’
A third raved: ‘I now have these jeans in 4 colours. Big fan of the fit, very flattering.’
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3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
I was curious about my Jewish ancestry – I ended up with a cancer diagnosis
When Guy’s Hospital called asking me to come in, I already knew what was coming.
Hearing that I had cancer at 31 was, of course, a shock – but there’s no way I could have predicted that, because of my ancestry, spitting into a tube would lead me here.
I have Jewish ancestry on my mum’s side, but I’ve never really felt Jewish. My family and I aren’t practicing and don’t go to a synagogue.
But in February 2024, when the NHS Jewish BRCA programme first launched – offering free BRCA testing to anyone with a Jewish grandparent – my brother, a doctor, shared a link in our family WhatsApp group.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes help repair DNA breaks that can lead to cancer. But when there’s a mutation, or ‘fault’, with these genes, they stop working correctly and the level of protection against cancer goes down.
BRCA gene faults affect around 1 in 200 people in the general population, but for those with Jewish ancestry, the risk rises to 1 in 40 people; and up to 40% of ovarian cancers and 10% of breast cancers in the Jewish community are linked to a BRCA gene fault.
I wasn’t remotely concerned that I might have a BRCA gene fault myself. But I was curious.
So I ordered a test kit, which was in the form of a saliva test. I simply had to spit in a tube and post it off.
I then didn’t think about it at all until a letter arrived in September 2024. When I opened it, I was shocked to find I had a BRCA1 fault.
I couldn’t understand it.
The families I teach about are the ones with a long generational history of breast or ovarian cancer. My mum had lung cancer at the time I received the letter, but the disease was still rare in our family and nobody I knew of had had breast or ovarian cancer. All my grandparents lived until 90.
Within a week, I spoke with a genetic counsellor who explained my options. He put me into an annual breast screening programme and went through symptoms to look out for: lumps in my breasts or armpits, abdominal changes, or changes in the frequency of needing to wee.
The counsellor said that at 31 and with my family history, he wouldn’t recommend a preventative mastectomy yet. But I felt reassured that this was an option I could consider in the future.
I started checking my breasts regularly – something I hadn’t done before. One morning, in the shower, I found a lump and, a few weeks later, called the GP. They referred me for a biopsy – I was sure it would be nothing.
Find out more about cancer and your heritage
You can find out more information – whether or not you have Jewish heritage – on Ovarian Cancer Action’s website: Hereditary cancer and risk
To find out more about ovarian cancer and genetic mutations visit ovarian.org.uk/brca
But two months after my genetics result and six weeks after I’d found a lump in my breast, I found out I had grade 3 triple negative breast cancer – an aggressive cancer, thankfully caught early.
Strangely, I felt calm and prepared. I knew catching it early was key, and I knew about the range of treatment options available.
My biggest worry was how to tell my family.
I told my parents and my brother together. This was especially hard because my mum was already undergoing treatment for her own cancer and suffering from the side effects.
Then, less than two weeks later, my dad was diagnosed with terminal bile duct cancer out of the blue, after a routine blood test from his GP.
This was a huge shock to us all. We felt battered by wave after wave of bad news – my brother became the only member of our immediate family who hadn’t been diagnosed with cancer.
It was a gruelling time. I went through seven months of chemotherapy, a year of immunotherapy, and a double mastectomy.
My dad and I started chemo at the same time, just before Christmas in 2024, so it was a challenging time as a family. There were some weeks where I had chemo on a Monday, my dad on a Tuesday and my mum on a Wednesday.
One of the hardest parts of chemo for me was losing my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes – it made me look like a cancer patient, and made visiting work each week more daunting.
The double mastectomy felt like a double-edged sword, I didn’t want to have it, but I knew it would reduce my risk of the cancer returning. I was nervous about how I’d look and, being single, what dating would be like after surgery.
Find out more about the NHS Jewish BRCA programme
The NHS Jewish BRCA programme is free, simple, and available until 31 October 2025. To find out more and register, visit The NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme
In the end, the results were much better than I expected; on any average day, nobody would know that I had undergone the surgery, and I have been able to go on holiday and wear bikinis happily since.
In my first check-up after surgery in July 2025, I was told there was no more evidence of disease. It felt like all the challenges of the chemotherapy and surgery had been worth it, and it was a joy to celebrate with all the people who’d supported me.
But, devastatingly, we lost my mum to her lung cancer in December 2025 and my dad is on his final cycle of palliative chemotherapy. We are an incredibly close family and it has been hard to celebrate my own recovery while grieving for my mum and seeing what my dad is going through.
If it wasn’t for that free NHS BRCA testing programme, I wouldn’t have started checking my breasts. As someone who hadn’t been to the GP for years, I doubt I’d ever have found the lump before knowing my BRCA1 status.
This knowledge ultimately saved my life – and, after my diagnosis, several of my cousins decided to take the BRCA test. Eight people in my family tested positive for the gene fault.
Ovarian Cancer Action are currently raising awareness of BRCA gene faults, as so many ovarian cancer cases could be prevented with knowledge, preventative surgery and screening. They’re also funding pioneering research like OvarianVax – a potential vaccine that could one day prevent ovarian cancer altogether.
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I’m proud to be supporting Ovarian Cancer Action with their campaigning – and if you have Jewish ancestry, even without a family history of cancer, I urge you to get tested for a BRCA gene fault. Registrations for the scheme I took part in have now closed, but your GP may be able to refer you to a genetic specialist if you meet certain criteria; or you can pay for private testing.
Knowledge is power. My BRCA test didn’t just lead to my own early cancer diagnosis; it’s helping protect my entire family.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk.
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3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Queen Máxima styles bridal diamonds with ‘cheeky’ boots on 24th wedding anniversary
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands re-wore a ‘glamorous’ bridal accessory on her 24th wedding anniversary with King Willem-Alexander as she visited the Wijkpaleis community centre in Rotterdam.
3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
7 chic table accessories to add to your Valentine’s or Galentine’s event
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As a certified lover girl, there’s nothing I love more than Valentine’s Day. However, you’ll never catch me dining elbow-to-elbow with another couple in an overbooked restaurant – instead, I’m all about seeing the season as an excuse to celebrate love in all its forms, from the cosiness and comfort of home.
Whether you’re planning on enjoying a romantic meal with the one you love, or you’re hosting a gaggle of your favourite girls for Galentine’s dinner and drinks, why not make the whole thing feel a little more special by putting together a seriously chic Valentine’s Day tablescape?
From cute coupes and drinking glasses, to beautifully decorated dinner candles, here’s everything I’ve got my eye on at the moment.
M&S Set of 2 Heart Coupe Glasses
When it comes to bubbles, I’m a big fan of drinking out of coupes instead of flutes – they just feel so much more decadent. These heart-shaped ones are made with gorgeous pink coloured glass, and have been finished with contrasting red spot detailing for an added bit of glamour. I’m obsessed!
Papier Soho Supper Menus (x10)
If you really want to up your tablescaping game for your Galentine’s Day get-together, why not get some cute custom menus printed to put on each place setting? There are loads of lovely designs on Papier, but this pretty pink and red one feels spot-on for the season of love.
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Anthropologie The Icon Juice Glass: Love Edition
Swap the standard tumbler for sipping from a super chic Valentine’s Day themed one from Anthropologie’s Icon collection. Carefully crafted using hand-pressed glass beads and handblown glass, it features winged hearts and pouted lips, in a pretty pink and red scheme.
H&M 2-Pack Patterned Candles
Hand-painted taper candles look undeniably gorgeous when displayed on a Valentine’s Day table – but they generally come with a pretty hefty price-tag. So, go for this affordable pair instead, which have just been printed with a simple heart pattern.
Next Set of 2 Pink Beaded Heart Placemats
Made from glass beads that have been beautifully woven together, these heart-shaped placemats are currently sitting seriously high up on my wishlist. I love their bold and somewhat kitschy vibe – and you can even buy matching coasters, too.
Oliver Bonas Cream Twist Loop Ceramic Candelabra
Oozing serious elegance with its twisted rope-like design, this vintage-inspired candelabra will make the ultimate centrepiece for a romantic Valentine’s Day meal. Designed to support three candlesticks, it’s the kind of piece you’ll find yourself reaching for whenever you host a dinner party.
Anthropologie Madeline Cocktail Napkins, Set of 4
Ditching the sit-down dinner in favour of drinks and nibbles? Each complete with a stylish scalloped border, these yarn-dyed cotton cocktail napkins will add an instant touch of glamour to your evening soirée – while also helping keep your surfaces safe from any ring marks.
So whatever you happen to do on February 14, make sure your home is filled with love, and these gorgeous decorative items you can use year after year.
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3 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Move over Labubu — a new trending toy is set to send fans into a frenzy
If the Labubu craze of last year is starting to feel like a hazy fever dream, get ready to relive it all over again.
At last week’s Nuremberg Toy Fair, Hasbro and Mattel unveiled their upcoming KPop Demon Hunters product lines, with action figures, games and collectibles due to hit shelves in the coming months.
The 2025 film, now Netflix’s most streamed title ever, was an instant hit with fans and critics alike, earning Golden Globe and Grammy awards, sparking numerous TikTok trends, and dominating Halloween costume searches around the world.
Capitalising on its massive following, the new ranges feature ‘premium’ American Girl dolls inspired by the characters at $165 (£121) each, KPop Demon Hunters Furby Furblets at $14.99 (£11) each, and Nerf toys modelled after their iconic demon-hunting gear from $9.99 (£7.32).
But the items most likely to take Labubu’s ‘must-have status symbol’ crown are Mattel’s $6.47 (£4.73) Hello Friend Mystery Clips and $5.39 (£3.94) Polly Pocket ramyeon cup or soda can keychain charms.
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Like with Labubus, shoppers can collect various versions of these and clip them to bags or clothing, showing off their favourite character to other fans via a brightly-coloured, on-trend — yet not extortionately-priced — accessory.
Sarah Johnson, Flourish founder and retail expert, notes that these ‘accessible’ entry-level products will create appeal among the core teen viewership of the film, while collectors will be willing to pay more for higher-end pieces as long as ‘they feel genuinely display-worthy.’
‘It always works well when there’s a range to collect, as that naturally drives repeat purchases,’ she tells Metro. ‘We see this all the time in retail — if you can build collectability, it keeps customers coming back.’
At the peak of Labubu mania, marketing academics highlighted how it fostered a unique ‘brand community’ online, as people shared everything from hauls to homemade outfits. And KPop Demon Hunters already has a large, highly-engaged audience: 464,000 followers on Instagram and 182,000 subscribers on Reddit, to be exact.
Plus, with a sequel reportedly in the works, the only way is up for the franchise — and its marketability going forward.
Sarah explains: ‘This feels like a solid, well-thought-through range with longevity, rather than a viral frenzy, which is reflected in products like the Monopoly version.
‘This is clearly seen as a franchise with a future. That gives brands the confidence to invest in product development, because they expect a longer-term return rather than a one-off spike.’
Mattel’s initial post announcing the collaboration received over 225,000 likes, with pre-orders selling out in a matter of hours, prompting the toy manufacturer to release a second drop.
Despite the range’s potential though, Sarah says it’s unlikely ‘we’ll see Labubu-level chaos just yet’. To achieve the same level of mass-market popularity, these products would need to cross from ‘strong collectible moment’ among a ‘defined audience’ into the wider world of fashion and celebrity culture.
It’s difficult to predict when a trend will hit the mainstream in this way; an ugly-cute plush toy based on a barely-known 2015 graphic novel series becoming a global phenomenon certainly wasn’t on most people’s 2025 bingo cards.
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But after K-pop star Lisa of BLACKPINK posted a photo of a Labubu in mid-April of 2024, that’s exactly what happened next. And with BTS (probably the most notable artists in the genre’s history) having identified themselves as KPop Demon Hunters fans, it’s certainly possible these toys will follow the same trajectory.
‘This range backs up success that’s already been achieved and signals confidence that it will continue,’ Sarah adds.
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Despite his wild success, actor Liam Neeson grew up in working-class Northern Ireland with three sisters and his mum and dad. He tried a variety of odd jobs before he found fame in the late 80s when a director watched a theatre performance he was in
2 Feb, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
LOOKFANTASTIC drops unmissable Valentine’s Day edit worth £215 (and we’re in love)
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LOOKFANTASTIC has dropped yet another unmissable beauty edit, and with an incredible saving on best-selling beauty treats, it’s one you’re going to want to get in your basket ASAP.
Arriving just in time for the season of love, the LOOKFANTASTIC The Valentines Day Edit is the perfect gift for a loved one or yourself (you deserve it), set to win you a few brownie points without breaking the bank.
Worth over £215 but yours for just £55 (a whopping £160 saving), this unmissable Valentine’s curation is jam-packed with skincare, bodycare and makeup must-haves you’re sure to adore.
Plus, with offerings from big brands like Elemis, Dr Levy and Colour Wow, you’re assured of a total beauty bargain that’ll have your loved one thinking they should’ve got you more.
LOOKFANTASTIC The Valentines Day Edit (Worth Over £215)
Worth over £215 but yours for just £55 (a whopping £160 saving), this unmissable Valentine’s curation is jam-packed with skincare, bodycare and makeup must-haves you’re sure to adore.
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Inside the unmissable edit you’ll find five full-sized beauty icons and four travel-size items, all displayed in the most adorable pink bag that’ll look as gorgeous out and about as it would housing your favourite beauty buys.
One product we’re besotted by, however, is the full-sized Colour Wow XL Bombshell, which is worth £24 on its own.
Ideal for hair that’s seen better days, this styling foam works to create an instantly thicker, fuller look, adding volume to hair while leaving it looking and feeling healthier.
What's in the LOOKFANTASTIC Valentines Day Edit ?
- ELEMIS Rose Cleansing Balm – Worth Over £14
- Dr Levy Eye Booster Concentrate – Worth £99
- Beauty Pro Vitamin C Sheet Mask – Worth £5
- Iconic London Sheer Blush Rose Riot – Worth £22
- Bondi Sands Glow Matt One Day Tan Mist – Worth Over £10
- Colour Wow XL Bombshell – Worth £24
- Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 fragrance – Worth £11
- Glow hub Gen Gleam Lipgloss – Milked – Worth £10
- Tan Luxe The Face – Worth Over £4
- Pink Bag – Worth £15
But arguably the biggest bargain of the lot is the Dr Levy Eye Booster Concentrate 7ml, which comes in at an eye-watering £99 on its own – almost twice the price of the entire edit.
Fusing powerful actives in a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula, this luxe, non-sticky eye serum soothes the delicate eye contour with a cooling sensation, making dark, tired and puffy eyes a thing of the past.
Alongside a top-rated Beauty Pro face mask, Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 fragrance and Iconic blush, among many more, we think this edit is worth its weight in gold.
Whether you’re treating yourself or on the hunt for a last-minute Valentine’s gift for someone special, this LOOKFANTASTIC The Valentines Day Edit is guaranteed to impress.
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