Coleen Nolan advises a reader who has feelings for a male friend and doesn’t know what to do after their drunken night together. While he didn’t regret it, he’s made it clear that to him, it was just sex

Ruth Langsford wore a brown faux leather shacket from her QVC collection – I found similar looks on sale at ASOS and Karen Millen, plus genuine leather overshirts at M&S and more.

American Idol judge Carrie Underwood shared a new video and fans didn’t recognize her

I was at university when I had my first seizure.

One day, I went clothes shopping on my own. I was trying on a pair of jeans in the changing rooms at Topman when I collapsed. 

Somebody saw my legs go from underneath the curtain. When I came round, there were around four faces staring at me; I remember thinking one of them was my school PE teacher.

This obviously didn’t make any sense, but things don’t tend to make sense in those first few minutes after a seizure. It’s total confusion.

Somebody asked me if I knew what day it was. I was still completely disoriented, so I just said: ‘Can’t you ask someone else?’.

Gradually, I started to come around properly, and I realised what had happened. I knew it was probably epilepsy – and I was right.

My sister had always had epilepsy, so I’d grown up around it; I knew the signs.

I had no idea, though, that I’d also grown up experiencing the early warning signs – known as an aura – of a seizure myself.

When I was younger, I’d sometimes be lying in bed late at night, and I’d notice that my bedroom door would either suddenly seem huge and very close to me; or it would seem very far away.

I later learned this is known as ‘Alice in Wonderland syndrome’, or AIWS – a brain-related condition that can disrupt how you perceive the world around you – and that, for me, it could have been an early sign of epilepsy.

I wasn’t diagnosed with epilepsy immediately – I had to have MRI scans. While I was waiting for my diagnosis, I had more seizures.

It was always the same – beforehand, I’d feel confused; afterwards, I’d feel confused. After one seizure in public, people were crowding around me and everyone sounded like my best friend from primary school. I hadn’t seen him since then, but that was all I could think about.

After a few weeks, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy.

People tend to assume that epileptic seizures are triggered by flashing lights, but that’s not the case for me. Mine are brought on from tiredness, fatigue and stress.

My diagnosis wasn’t a huge, scary thing for me, because I knew all about it from my sister’s experience. But it was still an adjustment. I was no longer able to drive, in case I had a seizure; and I had to start taking medication. Thankfully, this started working immediately.

For Sarah

Last year, on March 10, we lost our beloved colleague Sarah Whiteley. Sarah was a fantastic journalist; she was Metro’s parenting columnist and a valued member of our first-person and opinion desk.

Sarah died aged 39 from SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. It is thought that every year around 1,000 people die from causes related to epilepsy.

With support from Sarah’s family, Metro is fundraising for two very important charities: SUDEP Action and Epilepsy Action.

From March 10 to March 26, which marks Purple Day (epilepsy awareness day), we will be running a series of features and first-person pieces, raising awareness of epilepsy and SUDEP.

Sarah was so incredible at helping other people share their experiences; she was a born storyteller and we hope to do her proud with this series, while raising money in her memory.

I’ve been very lucky. I was on medication for around six years, and I’m now medication-free. I’m seizure-free, too, currently – I haven’t had a tonic-clonic seizure since university.

But I still have to be very, very careful.

I’m a comedian now – and, while I love what I do, it takes meticulous planning for me to make the most of my career while managing my condition.

I tour a lot, which means an action-packed schedule. And, because my seizures can be triggered by tiredness, I need to make sure I get enough rest. It’s just not worth the risk if I don’t.

Last year, especially, was very intense and busy. I was supporting Michael McIntyre all round the world, and I was on my own tour.

There was one day when I was doing my tour in Scotland. After my show in Glasgow, I got on the sleeper train to London; got in a car, went straight to the airport and flew to Gibraltar to do three shows out there. Then, after the third show, I flew straight home that night.

For the next couple of days, I noticed this feeling creeping in: My body was jerking a little, like when you’re fast asleep and your leg suddenly twitches. I knew I needed to take some downtime, urgently – because this feeling was a warning. Like a tremor before an earthquake.

When I was on tour with Michael, I’d always have to go straight home after shows, or after a flight, and go to sleep.

If I have an early start, I need to make sure I have nothing on the day before. It’s just imperative that I get enough rest.

At first, I didn’t talk about epilepsy in my shows. It never occurred to me that people might want to hear about it.

But after Covid, I just decided to give it a go – and it really resonated with people. After my first show talking about epilepsy, a woman came up to me and said: ‘My son’s got epilepsy; I can’t wait to tell him about you!’.

So many people since then have told me how much it’s meant to them to hear me speaking about my condition.

I’ll tell stories about me – for example, I’ll tell audiences how I had my first seizure during National Epileptic Week, which was fitting! – and stories about my sister. For example, when we were growing up, my two sisters shared a room.

One had epilepsy, and one had a form of OCD that meant she had to flick the lights on and off several times before entering or leaving a room. This resulted in flashing lights, which wasn’t ideal for my other sister’s epilepsy!

I really notice a shift in the audience when I start talking about epilepsy. It’s like the audience is thinking: ‘OK, he’s being honest with us now. We’ve earned his trust.’

These days, I just want to raise awareness. I’ve tried to get documentaries made about it, but I’ve never had any luck.

And we need to raise awareness, because people don’t know enough about it. The assumption from people who don’t have epilepsy is always: ‘You can’t stand flashing lights and you’re going to fall to the floor’. But actually, there are so many ways that epilepsy – and seizures – can manifest.

My nephew has epilepsy, too – last year, he was having seizure after seizure but he couldn’t get any medication because his pharmacy had run out. But no one seemed to be talking about this medication shortage.

I feel like I’m going mad, sometimes, trying to get the word out to people who don’t seem to be interested in what epilepsy actually is and why we need to take it seriously.

But I’m doing my best. I’m working with the charity Young Epilepsy, running a stand-up course to help young people with epilepsy to get into comedy; and I’m working with Epilepsy Action, too, trying to raise awareness.

And I’ll continue talking about epilepsy – in my shows, and to anyone who’ll listen. When I did Live At The Apollo in 2023, the promoter asked if I could do my ‘epilepsy stuff’ in the show.

‘Of course,’ I said – because that’s what I want. I want to help people, as best I can.

As told to Izzie Price

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

Michelle Keegan looked incredible in the new Spring collection for Very. The wife of Mark Wright shared images on Instagram of herself wearing the fashion collection.

Many of us dream of love stories shown in rom-coms, and one woman insists it can really happen after living the real life version of The Holiday – booking to stay in an Airbnb changed her life

Princess Eugenie looked incredible in new pictures with her sons on Instagram, wearing a Michael Kors pinstripe shirt – the same style she wore on a date night with her husband, Jack Brooksbank in 2024.

A banana massage, an ice bath and an alarm set at precisely 3.50am.

These are just three elements of Ashton Hall’s morning routine, which is so bizarre, it’s left hundreds of thousands of social media users cackling into their Cheerios.

The influencer originally posted the six-hour routine to his 8 million Instagram followers back in February, and at the time of writing, it has amassed over 6 million likes, with viewers declaring it ‘insane’.

One user, Berry Exley, crowned Hall the ‘least productive human on earth’, pointing out: ‘Almost a quarter of your day is getting ready for the day.’

Hall’s caption reads: ‘Day 191 of the morning routine that changed my life 3:50am to 9:30am. Sin lives late at night… if you’re dealing with a weak mind, bad decisions, or lack of productivity, go to sleep early. 

‘Just try 30 days… send this to your partners. It’s time to better.’

After the video was reposted to X by @tipsformenx, many have criticised it as both unrealistic and unproductive, questioning the need for a six-hour-long routine. 

Hall’s day begins at precisely 3:52am, when he films himself staring into a mirror before removing tape from his mouth – a controversial wellness trend which supposedly improves breathing and sleep quality. 

While some claim it helps reduce snoring and mild sleep apnea, there’s little scientific evidence to support it. 

He then brushes his teeth before stepping onto his balcony for a shirtless workout, followed by meditation, journaling, scrolling through social media and dunking his face into icy water. 

At 6am, he finally gets dressed into workout gear – ensuring he wears a Rolex and gold chain – before heading to the gym.

His routine continues with a swim in the pool, showering, rubbing a banana on his face as moisturiser before eating it, and breakfast. 

Once he’s finally dressed, he dunks his head into the ice water again before an online client meeting. The entire routine wraps up at 9:26am.

Throughout the video, a woman, whose face is not shown, can be seen assisting him with his morning errands, including prepping and serving breakfast.

Hall’s lengthy routine left X users baffled, with many questioning how necessary it is. One user declared Hall either ‘the funniest satirical comedian or clinically insane’. 

Another user, @kirawontmiss wrote: ‘Bro woke up at 4 in the morning to spend 6 hours bulls******.’

User @ParralaxWisdom added: ‘Imagine waking up at 3:45am but literally getting nothing done by 9am.’ While another asked: ‘What is even the point of waking up at 4am.’

Other users noted that the times captioned on the screen did not seem to fit with the activated undertaken – for example, he spent under a minute reading at 4:38am, and over four minutes mid-air when diving into the pool between 7:36 and 7:40am. 

And some compared its similarity to the morning routine in American Psycho. ‘This reminds me of Patrick Bateman’s morning routine,’ @grumpymcsneezy wrote. 

The video is just one example of Hall’s intense routines on his Instagram account, where countless clips show him dunking his head into ice water and undertaking intense exercises, including racing cars. 

He’s not the only influencer to undertake such vigorous morning rituals. Based on social media, it seems the days of simply rolling out of bed are long gone. 

The morning routine hashtag has over 4.3million posts on TikTok, with many influencers beginning their days as early as 3am to exercise, journal, cook breakfast and prepare for the day. 

Some schoolchildren have even hopped on the trend, waking up hours before they need to leave for the day and undertaking excessive skincare routines. 

A few of these routines involve the ‘morning shed’, which includes removing or ‘shedding’ skin, hair and self-care products which content creators sleep in the night before.

These products, which include hair masks, mouth tape, nose plugs, eye masks, heatless rollers and chin tape, are supposed to ‘optimise sleep’ and have also been criticised online as ‘excessive’ and ‘unnecessary’.

Do you have a story to share?

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

Shoplifting is on the rise, with the last figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealing that offences in England and Wales have reached their highest since records began.

And now Tesco is taking a stand against thieves, introducing a new deterrent to stop any five-finger discounts.

A clip uploaded to TikTok by one Tesco shopper showed shelves featuring plastic covers, which need to be slid to the side to access items.

Filming in the confectionary aisle, content creator @kirkpap1 showed how the plastic screens had to moved in in order to access the Cadbury chocolate sitting behind it.

The idea is that criminals will be unable to subtly steal items when having to go through this extra step to get products off the shelves.

However, after the clip was posted online, the the extra security proved divisive.

Commenters on the video complained that those who wanted to steal will do so regardless of the new measures.

User @matt_an91 wrote: ‘Tesco just making it more frustrating for genuine shoppers to purchase items. A shoplifter will just snap that cover straight off, they don’t care.’

And @b25jmd2 queried: ‘What’s the point in this exactly? Because that isn’t stopping people from stealing.’

Plus, shoppers with mobility restrictions or impairments said they would struggle to do their shopping with these devices in place.

@geniesdream noted: ‘I’m disabled, and that would make shopping impossible, glad I don’t go to Tesco.’

However, many defended the new protocol.

@gyoung2001 said: ‘They definitely work as someone who had these in their store. It takes the thieves longer to get to everything, so they might steal 10 bars instead of 30, and if they do go for more, it gives security time.’

While @manuparker8 said, it would help stop thieves from ‘swiping the whole shelf into a trolley’ during their stealing spree.’

Tesco have introduced sliding security devices on a limited number of shelves as an additional security measure to help reduce theft.

It’s not a universal policy though, so will only be popping in stores where the measure is deemed necessary.

The plastic screens are just one of many precautions shops are taking against criminals.

For example, Poundland’s ‘Against Retail Crime’ initiative saw the budget retailer introduce headsets and bodycams for staff working in stores with the most significant crime issues.

And, in some Primark branches, staff working at the tills have started to seal the paper carrier bags with blue stickers that say ‘sold’ to stop shoplifters in their tracks. 

But it wasn’t all about the debate. Some chose to make light of the situation, with @thisisntdaxter joking, ‘I gotta complete a Tomb Raider puzzle to buy a pack of fruit pastilles.’

@gaspolice23 joined in, writing: ‘Next we will be playing kerplunk for apples.’

Do you have a story to share?

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

SHOPPING – Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

Sun-seekers, it’s official: the weather is slowly getting warmer, and if you have any outdoor space – whether that’s a balcony, patio or (if you’re really lucky) a garden, we’ve got just the thing you need.

Designed to ensure you soak up every ounce of sun we’re given, Dunelm’s Helsinki Loungers are the ideal choice for kicking back when the weather creeps above 15 degrees – and they’re affordable too.

A best-seller for very good reason, the reclining loungers, which have been described by impressed shoppers as ‘so comfy’, come in at just £35 for one or £69 for two – more than rivalling the cost of renting a Hyde Park lounger for the *three-to-four* sunny days we get a year.

Dunelm Set of 2 Helsinki Loungers

Designed with total comfort in mind, the Helsinki Loungers feature adjustable backrests to help you achieve the perfect level of reclining, supporting your legs and feet as you descend into total relaxation.

shop £69

Dunelm Helsinki Lounger

Grab just one of these top-selling Dunelm loungers for just £35.

shop £35

Whether you’re a balcony reader or garden sleeper, the Helsinki chairs make kicking back in the sun not just effortless, but pretty stylish, too, thanks to their array of colours.

From Coral and Ashley Blue to Aqua and Charcoal, the loungers bring a gorgeous pop of colour to any outdoor space whichever hue you opt for. But that’s not the main reason they’re so coveted by buyers.

Designed with ultimate comfort in mind, the Helsinki Lounger features an adjustable backrest to help you achieve the perfect level of reclining, supporting your legs and feet as you descend into total relaxation.

It’s also got a sleek headrest to support you whether you’re sitting back to read a book or sinking into an afternoon nap.

Made using durable materials designed to withstand whatever outdoor conditions are thrown at it, this hardy lounger promises longevity without compromising on style or comfort.

And when you’re done pretending to be warm outside? The Helsinki chair easily folds flat for simple and space-saving storage – whether you keep it under the sofa or in the cupboard.

Dunelm shoppers can’t get enough of the chairs either, with over 340 scoring them a full five out of five stars and calling them ‘amazing quality’ and ‘perfect for summer’.

‘Just what I was looking for.’ Raved one five-star reviewer. ‘Comfy to sit in, easy to recline to any position. Fold away neatly and easily. Added bonus, great colour to match the patio and shed doors. Perfect!’

Another added: ‘Best garden chairs we’ve owned. They are so comfortable but also lightweight so we take them everywhere. Also a bargain, would recommend.’

‘These are so comfortable and I love the subtle green colour (lily pad I think it’s called?). I’ve been singing their praises since getting them!’ Wrote a third.

We can almost smell the Aperol Spritz…

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

MORE: Dunelm shoppers are obsessed with this viral £40 ‘luxe-looking’ duvet set

MORE: Dunelm’s Egg Chair is back in stock and it’s a garden must-have this summer

MORE: Everything we’re loving from Damson Madder’s new spring collection