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We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, but when was the last time you rotated your mattress – or worse, invested in a new one? If you’re taking longer than five seconds to remember the date, it’s probably time to invest in a new one, let’s be real.

The good news is, now’s the perfect time to turn those dreams into reality with Simba, the award-winning sleep-tech brand known for revolutionising bedtime.

The iconic brand has just launched its highly anticipated May Bank Holiday Sale. Running from May 17 to 26, this limited-time event offers shoppers the chance to save up to 20% on a wide range of premium sleep products – from mattresses and pillows to duvets, beds, and even bundles.

Better yet? Simba has a mattress for every time of sleeper too – which you’ll also find slashed in price.

Simba’s iconic Hybrid® Mattress range is front and centre in the sale, with options to suit every budget and sleep style. The Hybrid® Essential, their most wallet-friendly design, is now just £599.20 for a King (down from £749).

The original Hybrid® Mattress, which introduced Simba’s signature sleep tech to the world, is now £746.17 (was £899).

For those seeking extra comfort, the Hybrid® Pro with its double layer of micro springs is reduced to £987.24 (was £1,299), while the Hybrid® Luxe, a top performer with three layers of springs, is now £1,385.23 (was £1,799).

And for the ultimate in sleep innovation, the Hybrid® Ultra — Simba’s most advanced mattress — is now £2,399.20, down from £2,999.

If you’re looking for something more natural, Simba’s Earth Mattress range blends eco-conscious materials with cutting-edge comfort. The Earth Source is a great introduction at £1,039.20 (was £1,299), while the Earth Escape, which combines premium natural materials with Simba’s tech, is now £1,403.22 (was £1,799).

At the top of the range, the Earth Apex offers a luxurious fusion of nature and innovation for £1,679.20 (was £2,099).

As we’ve touched on many times before, Simba’s bundles are where the real savings shine. Whether you’re after a mattress and bedding combo, a full bed and mattress set, or the complete sleep setup, you’ll save more than buying items individually.

These bundles are ideal for anyone looking to overhaul their entire sleep setup in one go – and save big while doing it.

Talking of which, Simba’s pillow and duvet range is also included in the sale, with 15% off across the board.

The Hybrid™ Pillow, featuring an adjustable Nanocube® core and cool-touch Stratos® cover, is now £92.65 (was £109).

For those who prefer firmer support, the Hybrid™ Firm Pillow is down to £135.15 (was £159), offering three interchangeable inner pillows for custom comfort.

The Simba Body Pillow, perfect for side sleepers or pregnancy support, is also £92.65 (was £109), and features a breathable, washable cover and a soft, down-like feel.

On the duvet front, the Hybrid™ Duvet is available in all sizes with 15% off – for example, the King size is now £211.65 (was £249).

It’s filled with Simba Renew Bio™ fibres for lightweight warmth and breathability, and features Stratos® technology for a fresher sleep.

For year-round versatility, the Hybrid™ 3-in-1 Duvet is also on offer, with the King size now £339.15 (was £399). This clever design includes two duvets that can be used separately or snapped together for adjustable warmth throughout the seasons.

Simba isn’t just about comfort – it’s about conscience. As a certified BCorp™, the brand leads the way in sustainable sleep innovation. All of Simba’s mattresses are made in the UK using recycled materials wherever possible, blending cutting-edge technology with responsible design.

With over 350,000 five-star reviews and more than 1 million products sold, Simba is the world’s most five-star-rated mattress brand – and it’s easy to see why.

The Simba May Bank Holiday Sale is available exclusively at simbasleep.com, so there’s no need to leave the comfort of your home to grab a great deal.

But don’t wait too long – the sale ends at 11:59 pm on 26th May, and with savings this good, stock won’t last forever.

Now what are you waiting for?

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Simon McDermott was washing the dishes after Christmas lunch when he realised something was wrong. His dad, Ted, pottered through from the lounge to ask Simon who had bought him the ‘excellent’ Nelson Mandela book he had just unwrapped.

‘That was from me, Dad,’ Simon replied. Two minutes later Ted returned and asked exactly the same question. And then he did it again. And again.

‘I thought he was winding me up. Then I had this feeling something wasn’t right,’ Simon, 49, tells Metro. ‘I didn’t know about dementia then, or what was coming down the line.’

Over the following months, Ted, then 76, became paranoid – firing out wild accusations that Simon was stealing from him, or that his wife, Linda, was having an affair and that the neighbours had put his beloved records in their shed.

He used his microphone wires to tie his plants and filled the garden with old washing machines, metal tables and office chairs taken from skips. If Simon tried to move them, Ted would fly into a rage. He lashed out at Linda, pulled her from her bed by her hair and ambushed Simon in the night.

‘Sometimes I’d wake and he’d be in front of me with his arms out,’ recalls Simon. ‘It was awful. I used to barricade myself in the spare room with my suitcase.’

By this point Simon was living in London and spending weekends in Blackburn to help his mum with the increasingly frightening episodes.

‘I was terrified. It was like living with a monster,’ he says.

Ted was never violent when Simon was growing up. He worked in factories by day and was selling out pubs, clubs and other venues performing a repertoire of show tunes, big band songs and Frank Sinatra ballads by night.

A Butlin’s redcoat in his 30s, Ted became known as the ‘Songaminute Man’ because of the many songs he could sing by heart. He was a showman with a huge personality and a quirky sense of humour. The soundtrack to Simon’s childhood was his dad
singing loudly in the lounge to his favourite records.

So when his father became angry and aggressive, Simon insisted Ted see a doctor. After 18 months of tests, in 2013, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease – the most common cause of dementia.

‘At last we knew what it was. But 
I didn’t know anything about Alzheimer’s. You couldn’t talk about it to Dad,’ explains Simon. ‘If you even mentioned dementia he’d say, “There’s nothing wrong with me.”

‘Mum and I were just trying to get through the day and cope with the anger, taking it one day at a time, with cups of tea and biscuits.’

Simon was lost and didn’t know how to protect his mum or support his dad. After suffering panic attacks at work, help came from the Dementia Support Line.

‘As soon as the woman answered I burst into tears. She explained that all my dad’s behaviour was due to his own fear – and that changed everything. 
It gave me an understanding of what he was going through. From them I learned how to react better to his anger.’

He also discovered the healing power of music and the pair started to drive around for hours, singing loudly to Ted’s favourite tunes.

‘It calmed him. It turned him from this heavy, angry guy back into his old self. He loved it. You could tell he was completely in the moment, singing away at the top of his voice.’

Simon made a video of Ted singing one of his favourite songs – Quando, Quando, Quando by EngelbertHumperdinck – and put it on a Facebook page with a fundraising link for Alzheimer’s Society in 2016.

The clip went viral and he received thousands of messages. Ted secured a record deal and was given the Pride Of Britain award that year.

Together the pair have raised about £175,000 for Alzheimer’s charities and become the inspiration for a Japanese feature film yet to be released. Simon has also written a memoir about his dad and the diagnosis.

‘Alzheimer’s can take away all the light in family life and robs you of all normality. It can be quite dark. You’re losing someone in a long goodbye. But at the same time, it’s not the end of the world. It’s part of life.’

There have also been moments of real joy, such as the time Simon took Ted out in London to give Linda a break.

‘I walked him along the
South Bank and he was talking gobbledegook. I took him to the 
pub and bought him a drink and he started talking to me like a complete stranger about his wife and son, about how proud of me he 
was. We’re not a family to talk like that. It was a gift, very emotional,’ remembers Simon.

‘On another occasion we were in a pub and Dad wouldn’t sit down. He kept talking to this group of workmen having a pint. He wouldn’t leave them alone. But one of them said, “Don’t worry – I know exactly what you’re going through,” then took him to the bar and had a drink with him. What a great guy.’

Ted’s illness has now progressed significantly. He is frail and confused and doesn’t always recognise Simon.

‘The main thing is that Dad is happy and safe. If you’re going through the same thing, I want you to know the universe will support you. You’re carrying a heavy burden so don’t be afraid to ask for help – and there are organisations that can support you.

‘I’ve learned so much about Dad, life and myself. It has taught me patience and mental resilience.

‘There are hard days and days when
I know I’ve made a difference. It’s put into perspective what is really important in life.’


The Songs That Saved Us: My Dad, Dementia And Me is released in paperback on June 5.

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Graphic tee season is well and truly here, and if you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect style to take you through summer and beyond then you’ll want to head to Abercrombie.

On a sunny London day there’s really nothing like a beer garden and a stroll through the part in that sticky London heat. The uniform for such occasions? The humble graphic tee.

Each crafted from super soft 100% cotton, Abercrombie’s selection of affordable graphic tees are the ones to watch, boasting a gorgeous array of designs that match denim shorts and a cold pint perfectly.

From spicy margs to martini-wielding lobsters, oversized fit to skimming, these are the tees we’ll be obsessed with all summer long.

One I’ve already snapped up for myself is the Oversized Guinness Graphic Tee. Showcasing a bright red crab grappling a pint of Guinness on an off-white tee, this top blends my two loves perfectly: crustacean graphics and beer.

Oversized, comfortable and really great quality, this is already my staple for the summer months.

Explore our top picks from Abercrombie’s gorgeous selection below and find your next staple top.

Oversized Spicy Margarita Graphic Tee

Love a spicy marg? This adorable Oversized Spicy Margarita Graphic Tee is the perfect way to show your appreciation. Crafted from super soft 100% cotton, this chic top boasts an oversized fit with a spicy margarita graphic detail on the back and 'Extra Spicy' embroidered on the left chest.

shop £29

Oversized 'Tini Time Graphic Tee

A personal favourite of mine, this 'Tini Time Graphic Tee is a total must-have in your summer wardrobe. Crafted from super soft 100% cotton, it features an oversized fit with an adorable lobster and martini graphic on the chest as well as embroidered 'Tini Time' text. What's not to love?

shop £29

Oversized Guinness Graphic Tee

Perfect for Guinness lovers (yes, I have already snapped this top up for myself), this trendy tee features a crab and Guinness graphic on the front, the perfect fun addition to your oversized top collection. It's also made with super soft 100% cotton for a luxe feel.

shop £35

Oversized Lemon Graphic Tee

Bring a taste of 'Le Dolce Vita' to your wardrobe with this gorgeous Oversized Lemon Graphic Tee. Made using 100% cotton, this top has been finished with a trendy lemon graphic that emulates sunny days.

shop £29

Short-Sleeve Disco Ball Graphic Skimming Tee

Embrace your sleepy girl era with this adorable tee, embroidered with a disco ball and the text 'Please Leave By 9'. Crafted from soft 100% cotton, this slim-fitting short sleeve tee hits just above the hips, perfect dressed up or down.

shop £22

Oversized Dirty Martini Graphic Tee

This martini top is the perfect choice for warm weather styling. Crafted from super soft 100% cotton, this adorable top boasts an oversized fit with a dirty martini graphic detail on the back and 'Extra Olives' embroidered on the left chest.

shop £29

Short-Sleeve Ocean Graphic Relaxed Tee

Channel seaside vibes with this Short-Sleeve Ocean Graphic Relaxed Tee, the perfect beach day choice. This slim-fitting tee features a relaxed silhouette, crafted from 100% cotton and emblazoned with a host of ocean-inspired graphics.

shop £29

Short-Sleeve Ramen Graphic Skimming Tee

Dainty and adorable, this Ramen Skimming Tee is sure to become an instant wardrobe favourite. Crafted from soft 100% cotton, this slim-fitting short sleeve tee hits just above the hips, finished with a cute embroidered bowl of ramen.

shop £22

Short-Sleeve Dirty Martini Graphic Skimming Tee

What's more adorable than this dirty martini tee? Boasting a cross stitch-style design, this chic tee, which has been crafted from 100% cotton, boasts a slim fit that sits just above the hips.

shop £22

Short-Sleeve Sushi Graphic Skimming Tee

We love everything about this dainty sushi graphic tee. Crafted from 100% cotton, this slim-fitting short sleeve tee hits just above the hips, finished with the most adorable sushi rolls graphic.

shop £35

We need every single one…

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With just a few days to go until the second bank holiday this May, the weather across parts of the UK is still looking… alright-ish. So, we’re having a BBQ this weekend – no matter what.

If yours has seen better days, you might want to take a look at these beauties from Dunelm – as they start from as little as £15 for a Bucket BBQ.

Whether you’re entertaining friends, family or just yourself – Dunelm have a plethora of bargain BBQ buys, and all the accessories too.

One that’s caught our eye is the Kettle Charcoal BBQ. Priced at just £29, one reviewer called Geoff Connor gave it the full five-stars and added: ‘Excellent product looks better than other BBQs around does the job.’

Another that we’re slightly obsessed with is the Zanussi Wood Pellet Pizza Oven with Paddle & Cover, for £179. Every person that has purchased this product has rated it five out of five stars – with many hailing the speed your next pizza can cook in.

Forest Ranger mentioned: ‘An excellent pizza oven. Sleek design. Easy to assemble and is portable with a handy carry bag. The pizzas were a success with an even bake, crispy on the edges and melt in your mouth cheesy topping. Delicious!’

Wilki247 also said: ‘We wanted a pizza oven but couldn’t really justify the nearly £400 for some models and so when seeing this Zanussi one, we thought we’d give it a shot. Zanussi are a well-known brand and so we trusted that it would be of good quality and design, and it is. Even my husband was impressed! It packs away really well neatly. When they describe it as portable- I think it’s pushing it slightly- but you can definitely move it cleanly & fairly easily from the shed to outdoors in the bag it comes in. So far, so impressed!’

Our shopping expert has saved you the hassle and picked out the eight BBQs you might want to add into your basket (and garden) before the weather decides to turn sour again…

Kettle Charcoal BBQ

The Kettle Charcoal BBQ is a lightweight, durable grill designed for easy outdoor cooking. It features an ash catcher for clean-up, a storage shelf for convenience, and is simple to assemble – perfect for garden gatherings.

Buy Now for £29

George Foreman Large Outdoor Charcoal BBQ

The George Foreman BBQ is a durable, family-sized grill that can cook up to 12 burgers at once. It features cast iron grids, stainless steel handles, side tables for convenience, and a built-in temperature gauge for precise cooking.

Buy Now for £140

Bucket BBQ

The Bucket BBQ is a lightweight, portable grill with foldable legs and a carry handle – ideal for outdoor use like picnics or camping. It’s not suitable for indoor spaces or charcoal use.

Buy Now for £15

Barrel Charcoal BBQ

The Barrel Charcoal BBQ is a sturdy, wheeled grill with built-in storage, a serving tray, and utensil space – perfect for versatile outdoor cooking and entertaining guests.

Buy Now for £70

Zanussi Wood Pellet Pizza Oven with Paddle & Cover

The Zanussi Wood Pellet Pizza Oven is a portable, quick-heating outdoor oven that cooks 12" pizzas in just 60 seconds. It’s easy to use with wood pellets and a firelighter, and also great for roasting, baking, and searing
– perfect for garden parties and family meals.

Buy Now for £179

Charles Bentley Steel 3 Burner Gas BBQ

This 3-burner gas BBQ is ideal for outdoor cooking, offering a spacious grill area, precise temperature control, and a built-in thermometer. It includes durable enamel-coated plates, a side prep table, a warming rack, and a storage cabinet.

Buy Now for £249

Statesman 13inch Wood Pizza Oven

The Statesman 13-Inch Wood Fired Pizza Oven uses wood pellets to cook pizzas in just 3 minutes at temperatures up to 470°C. It’s versatile for cooking meats, fish, veggies, and bread, and includes a pizza peel, built-in temperature gauge, and waterproof cover – ideal for outdoor cooking with authentic flavour.

Buy Now for £179

Tower Ignite Multi XL Gas BBQ, Black Steel

The Tower Ignite Multi XL is a 4-in-1 BBQ with gas, charcoal, smoker, and side burner functions. It features a 3-burner grill, smoker box, adjustable charcoal tray, and storage shelf. Built for durability and easy cleaning, it’s ideal for cooking for up to 15 people – perfect for large gatherings.

Buy Now for £849

Norfolk Grills N-Grill Gass BBQ Grill, 3 Burner

The Norfolk Grills N-Grill Gas BBQ is a compact, portable grill with 3 stainless steel burners, a removable trolley, and fold-away side tables. Made from durable aluminium, it’s easy to clean and ideal for both home and on-the-go grilling.

Buy Now for £649

So, what are you waiting for?! This weather won’t be around forever – and you deserve a summer to remember, surrounded by delicious grilled food and freshly made pizza.

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