Comedian Katherine Ryan recently revealed a new skin cancer diagnosis after returning to the doctors for a second opinion on a mole she felt ‘uneasy’ about.

Speaking on her podcast, Telling Everybody Everything, the comedian warned melanoma was ‘a deadly form of skin cancer’ and that ‘it does spread quickly’.

This isn’t the first time Katherine has battled cancer, as the 41-year-old previously underwent an operation to remove a ‘golf ball-sized lump’ on her leg while at university.

Her shocking news comes as cases are projected to rise by 9% in the coming years.

New melanoma skin cancer cases are set to increase from 20,800 cases in the 2023 to 2025 period, to an average of 26,500 cases between 2038 and 2040, according to Cancer Research UK. That’s a staggering rate of 33 cases per 100,000 people.

Despite the projection, the UK charity revealed last year that it believes around 17,000 melanoma cases every year are preventable, with the majority of cases caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Katherine shared how important it was to be her ‘own advocate’ when it comes to concerns about skin cancer, but you can only do this if you know how to spot the warning signs.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is melanoma?

Cancer Research UK warns that there are two types of skin cancer – melanoma skin cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer.

They state that ‘Melanoma is a different type of skin cancer that develops from skin cells called melanocytes.’

Non-melanoma skin cancers are rarer and include basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and others

What are the signs of melanoma skin cancer?

Symptoms of melanoma include a change to a mole, freckle, or an otherwise normal patch of skin.

Despite initially getting the all-clear from the doctors, Katerine Ryan said her mole ‘kept changing’, leading to her seeking a second opinion.

So, how do we know if it’s something to be concerned about?

Dr Sagar Patel, a dermatology specialist at MyHealthcare Clinic, said: ‘Unfortunately, the UK is way behind countries such as Australia and the United States when it comes to awareness of moles.

‘While regular mole-mapping is very common in other parts of the world, many Brits simply ignore changes in their skin.

‘Granted, we don’t have the same warm climate, but you don’t need high temperatures to be exposed to harmful UV rays that can increase the chances of a mole becoming cancerous.’

How to check for skin cancer

It’s clearly important to check our skin regularly, but how?

Dr Sagar has a good acronym for guiding your frequent checks of your skin.

‘This simple guide is used by skin specialists to help patients understand what they should be looking out for,’ he said.

• ‘A – asymmetry, when half the mole doesn’t match the other
• ‘B – border, when the outline of the mole is irregular, ragged or blurred
• ‘C – colour, when it varies throughout and/or there appears to be no uniform colour
• ‘D – diameter, if it’s greater than 6mm
• ‘E – evolving, or changes in the mole.

‘If you check your moles for these five points it can help you stay on top of any issues.But there is no substitute for having an appointment with a specialist, who will examine your skin and discuss any area of concern.’

Skin cancer myths debunked

Dr Sagar also wants to bust a couple of common myths you might be taking as truth.

He said that a mole doesn’t have to be itchy or bleeding to warrant a check-up; there are other more subtle changes or sometimes no symptoms at all.

That being said sometimes moles will just change a little over the years.

‘Moles can change over time,’ Dr Sagar said, ‘becoming raised and altering in colour, shape and size. Some even disappear altogether,’ said Dr Sagar.

‘This is where being aware of your skin is key, as changes that occur over months rather than years – moles becoming darker quickly – are definitely worth getting looked at as a matter of urgency.’

Another myth is that skin cancer affects those with a fair complexion more than someone with darker skin – and this is simply not true.

He said: ‘Yes, those with a darker complexion are slightly more protected from the sun than those who are very fair.

‘But it doesn’t mean they can’t be exposed to enough UV rays to damage the skin cells and increase the likelihood of developing a melanoma.’

Lastly, it’s also important to check all of our skin, not just our moles, for any changes.

So, go forth and get checking.

What to do if you’re worried about a mole

Cancer research advises: ‘See your GP if you develop a new mole or abnormal area of skin. This includes on the soles of your feet and the skin under your nails. Or if you notice a change to an existing mole.’

They recommend making a note of when you first noticed the abnormal mole or area of skin, and if there’s been any changes to it, as well as telling your doctor about any family history of cancer.

The GP will examine you and either confirm it’s not an issue of concern or refer you to a dermatology clinic that specialises in picking up suspicious moles and diagnosing melanoma.

If they don’t refer you, ask them to explain why you don’t need to have specialist tests (and consider writing this down to reassure yourself with the information after the appointment), whether there’s anything you can do to help yourself, and what changes you should look out for in future.

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The sun is setting later, hot cross buns are everywhere and the clocks are about to spring forward.

That means it’s time for a new wine range to hit the supermarkets soon, as the end-of-season drinks make way for the spring/summer ones for 2025.

And there’s one retailer that’s really killing it with their fresh whites, zesty rosés and pretty complex reds, all for bargain prices.

Aldi has one of the strongest of supermarket offerings out there, so it’s no surprise they were recently crowned the ‘Supermarket of the Year’ at the People’s Choice Wine Awards, for which I was one of the judges.

As someone on the inside, my top tip would be to bypass the regular Pinot Grigios, Sauvignon Blancs and Malbecs in Aldi’s core range and make a beeline for some of their quirkier seasonal offerings.

Why? Not because they aren’t great, but because those that specify ‘core’ will stick around in the range, while ‘seasonal’ lines will be replaced come autumn.

But there are two donkeys lurking within the stellar line-up. Not literally, of course, that woud be bizarre.

So, let’s name and shame them, shall we? The only two worth avoiding were the Beachfront Californian Buttered Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The white was over the top on the butteriness, the red on fruit, to the point of having to request a replacement tasting glass to taste the next wines in the line-up.

Phew, now we’ve got that out of the way, here are 10 of the best bottles you can get from Aldi this spring/summer:

Bowler & Brolly Pétillant Naturel, England, £12.99

Meet Aldi’s English Pet Nat, made by Lyme Bay winery in Devon. Pet Nat is a sparkling wine where the second fermentation is kicked off by Mother Nature. And although this is made from a dysfunctional blend of grape varieties, including Reichensteiner, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it makes for a pleasantly dry and textured, ancestral appley and pear-strewn sipper.

Estevez Chilean Viognier, £5.79

Viognier is such a great choice for the ‘Will it? Won’t it?’ weather we’re having. The grape’s style is the wine equivalent of a maternal cuddle, all pillowy stone fruit and tropical richness. The thing about Viognier is its low acidity, but this Chilean example has a lively, lemon sherbet finish to it. Also perfect for when the mercury starts to rise.   

Filos Estate Greek Chardonnay, £8.49

Despite it’s slightly funky nose, this one grew on me. It’s from northern Greece and there’s no oak ageing, for anyone who’s triggered by the Chardonnay-and-oak combo. There is batonage though, meaning the dead yeast ‘lees’ are stirred to bring in creaminess and texture. It’s a process that has conjured flavours of tinned peach, lime sherbet and nectarine, and I’m here for all of them.

Unearthed Gemischter Satz, Austria, £8.99

I do believe we’ve found a little spring gem here. Made from a ‘field blend’ of up to 20 grapes, meaning those found in a single vineyard so no variety dominates. That’s what a Gemischter Satz actually is, something the Austrians lost interest in making but are now reviving. It’s light, refreshingly dry and full of green apple and preserved lemon flavours with a pop of fennel seed on the finish.

Specially Selected Austrian Zweigelt Rosé, Austria, £8.99

I could tell you that Zweigelt is the most widely-planted red grape in Austria, but that would be yawn-inducing. Instead, I’ll tell you that, until Aldi’s tasting, I’d never tasted it in rosé form. How was it? Well, I’ve put three stars by it and my tasting notes say, ‘unusual, fruit-driven, a touch of sweet strawberry and tart rhubarb. Something different’.

Unearthed Thracian Valley Pinot Noir, Bulgaria, £8.99

Calling all Provence rosé lovers, which is just about everyone with a pulse, let’s be honest. Here’s something the same but different, as it’s from Bulgaria. Barely-there in colour, bone dry with flavours of rhubarb, wild strawberry and watermelon. This will be living, rent-free in my ice bucket over spring/summer, make no mistake.

Mimo Moutinho Lisboa Red, Portugal, £5.25

A Porta 6 alternative that’s almost £4 cheaper and I’m here for it. What a lovely wine it is too. Both are medium-bodied, easy-drinking, juicy with plum and cherry flavours. I suppose they’re crowd favourites for a reason.  

Kooliburra Coonawarra Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, £7.19

A baller of a red, with hedgerow notes of blackberry, cassis, Bonne Maman strawberry jam and dark chocolate. Granted, the flavours don’t stack up to its more complex Penfolds alternative, but it’s lovely for the price.

Specially Selected Argentinian Cabernet Franc, £8.99

You can check out my column on the best Argentine grapes that aren’t Malbec. Cabernet Franc was one that particularly blew my mind when I went over there. They do it so well over in Mendoza, honouring its herbaceous, mulberry character while fleshing it out and making it smoother than a baby bat in texture.

Specially Selected Washington State Syrah, USA, £9.99

Washington State wines are not cheap, so this is an absolute steal. Based around unoaked Merlot, with a soupcon of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this red is jam-packed with plush, purple fruit and minty, herbaceous intensity. Don’t get it confused with the Beachfront version, which in fairness, I haven’t tasted yet but I don’t imagine to be as accomplished.

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After filing for divorce, Ana Clarke found herself ‘trapped’ and unable to move out. As Paddy and Christine McGuinness finally put their marital home up for sale three years after their split, she knows all too well the agony that comes from being forced to live with an ex…

An expectant mother says she’s ended up at odds with her husband, who is intent on naming their unborn daughter after his late wife, whether she’s comfortable about it or not

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Mother’s Day is now just a week away, and if you’ve not already sorted a gift then we’ve found the perfect selection of thoughtful gifts she’ll never know you bought last minute.

Molton Brown really is everyone’s favourite luxe body care brand that doesn’t break the bank, but it seems to be a real hit with mums, mine included – and for good reason.

From small, meaningful tokens to grander gestures she’ll absolutely love, their Mother’s Day offerings are truly show-stopping – including fragrance sets and body care bundles set to transform basic, everyday acts into ultimate moments of scent-filled self-care.

The bundles aren’t just luxe, but are excellent value, too, with each costing far less than they would individually.

And the best bit for those in a rush? The sets don’t even require wrapping, coming housed in Molton Brown’s stunning gift boxes that are certain to have her feeling special.

Ready to find mum the perfect gift? From the new Bluebell & Wild Strawberry collection to a travel set of tantalising scents, and with prices starting at just £20, Molton rown have it all and more.

Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Travel Gift Set

Treat her to a beautifully-presented Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Travel Gift Set and make her day this Mother's Day. Boasting scents of bright grapefruit, tart rhubarb and creamy vanilla, this trio contains the Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Eau de Parfum 7.5ml, Bath & Shower Gel 100ml and Body Lotion 100ml.

shop £32 (worth £42)

Milk Musk Eau de Parfum Gift Set

Treat her to a show-stopping gift set with this Milk Musk duo, ideal for soothing moments of self-care. This gentle Bath and Fragrance duo oozes scents of luscious pear, soft musk and heartening white cedarwood, while the Eau de Parfum calms the senses with a tranquil balance of sensual benzoin and comforting milk.

shop £150 (worth £160)

Bluebell & Wild Strawberry Travel Gift Set

This affordable Bluebell & Wild Strawberry Travel Gift Set is a gorgeous treat for the mum or mum-figure in your life. Flourishing with wild strawberry, dewy bluebell and light driftwood, this trio contains the Bluebell & Wild Strawberry Eau de Parfum 7.5ml, Bath & Shower Gel 100ml and Body Lotion 100ml.

shop £32 (worth £42)

Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Aroma Reeds & Fine Liquid Hand Wash Gift Set

Fill her home with vibrant and spring-like scents with this floral-fruity room diffuser and hand wash set. Beautifully imbuing notes of bright grapefruit, tart rhubarb and creamy vanilla, the gorgeous duo features the Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Aroma Reeds 150ml and Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Fine Liquid Hand Wash 300ml.

shop £70

Heavenly Gingerlily Pamper Gift Set

If they love the scent of Heavenly Gingerlily then they'll adore this three-piece pamper set. An indulgent bath, body and hand care trio, this Bath & Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Hand Cream set is blossoming with notes of warming ginger, cardamom and lily.

shop £67

Floral & Spicy Eau de Parfum Discovery Set

Whether they're looking to explore new Molton Brown fragrances or stock up on travel-sized scents, this Floral & Spicy Eau de Parfum Discovery Set will be a gift they'll love. It features three 7.5ml bottles of Eaux de Parfum in the scents Fiery Pink Pepper, Delicious Rhubarb & Rose and Rose Dunes.

shop £45 (worth £54)

Floral & Fruity Body Care Gift Set

Ideal for a touch of self-care every time they get in the shower, this floral-fruity body wash trio brings together the unmistakable scents of spring. Boasting three Bath & Shower Gels in 300ml bottles, this trio can find themin a fresh bluebell woodland, a sun-soaked citrus courtyard or a country-kitchen with rhubarb tart inside: the choice is theirs.

shop £65 (worth £75)

Orange & Bergamot On-the-go Hand Sanitiser Gel and Cream Gift Set

Make sure they're pampered on the go with this Orange & Bergamot On-the-go Hand Sanitiser Gel and Cream Gift Set. Perfect for popping in their bag, this gorgeous set contains the Orange & Bergamot Hand Sanitiser Gel 100ml and Orange & Bergamot Hand Cream 40ml.

shop £20

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Filters have come a long way from the days when puppy dog ears trended—and that’s not always a good thing.

Enter the ‘chubby filter,’ a form of artificial intelligence (AI) that thousands of TikTokers recently used to see how they would look if they put on weight.

The frighteningly realistic filter warped users’ photos to alter their appearance, provoking shocked reactions and even mockery as individuals breathed sighs of relief thinking, ‘Thank God I don’t look like that.’

Following immense backlash and criticism of how the filter enabled diet culture to thrive, the social media platform, which boasts over 1.5billion users globally, took it down, meaning it is no longer accessible.

TikTok later explained that the filter had been uploaded by CapCut, which, while a separate app, still has the same parent company, ByteDance. CapCut is used by millions of TikTokers to create fun edits and montages. Basically, if you’ve seen a trending template or a cute mashup of clips to a popular song, it probably came from there.

The app also vowed to review videos uploaded using the effect, blocking them from being viewed on teen accounts.

But it still begs the question: why were people using the chubby filter in the first place?

Healthcare expert and pharmacist Thorrun Govind expresses her concern to Metro that those with online profiles are now hyper-aware of how they look.

‘I think people are drawn to these filters because it’s such an easy way of seeing a different version of themselves. They’re intrigued, but I don’t think they’re fully aware of the short or longer-term effects of using them.’

Indeed, we live in a climate where body modification is pretty trendy. From non-invasive cosmetic procedures to fillers, Botox, and whacky gadgets—you name it, someone on TikTok has played around with it.

‘That’s just part of why such filters are dangerous when in the wrong hands, especially when it’s impossible to fully police what young, impressionable people have access to online,’ Thorrun shares.

‘These filters are likely to be particularly harmful for those who have body image concerns and those with eating disorders.’

However, it’s not just people whose brains are already susceptible to such toxic messaging that we must keep an eye on.

‘In general, being bombarded with content constantly showing weight transformations and focusing on size can harm anyone,’ she says.

It’s far from the first time this conversation has been had, nor will it be the last time body-positive influencers speak out against material that subliminally feeds into stereotypes around body image.

In the early 2000s, we had reality shows like Supersize vs Superskinny, and in the 2010s there was pro-anorexia Tumblr, both of which not only normalised and promoted extreme thinness but deeply romanticised it before the eyes of children.

Alas, in the years since, the demonisation of fatness and glorification of emaciation has simply been repurposed and repackaged, now taking a new form on social media.

We’ve all seen the ‘What I Eat in a Day’ videos subtly perpetuating the idea that eating less than 1,200 calories is healthy, right?

On what impact filters like the chubby one can have, Thorrun explains that they can be ‘misused to mock or misrepresent individuals and reinforce harmful stereotypes’.

This can affect how those in different bodies are treated offline, a point only illustrated by the release of Netflix’s latest smash hit drama, Adolescence.

‘In turn, this can lead to harassment or bullying, which then creates mental health consequences for those on the receiving end, such as stress, social anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem,’ she says, as TikTok users see a before and after image and tell themselves, ‘Well, it could be worse, I could look like her…’

‘More broadly, these transformation filters can lead to a disconnect between a person’s real and perceived self. This can increase distress when they see their actual reflection,’ she adds.

In severe cases, this can escalate into body dysmorphic disorder, a debilitating mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about their appearance, to the extent that it interferes with daily life.

While she emphatically believes it’s appropriate for the chubby filter to be removed, Thorrun agrees that we must be extra vigilant from all sides.

‘It’s not just a case of removing a filter—there is a lot more work to be done when it comes to the stigma of weight management,’ she stresses.

‘On various apps, we are still seeing a huge number of weight loss jabs being advertised illegally, and all of the sites have questions to answer when it comes to body image and what they are allowing us to see.’

Similarly, TikTok lately has been overrun by the use of a ‘skinny’ filter, which, you guessed it, shows users how they would look if they were considerably thinner.

Thorrun fears this can distort people’s perceptions of the reality behind body transformations, implying they are quick and easy to do.

‘But they’re not. These transformations take time and require support. They also need to be done in a healthy manner, and I don’t think these filters represent that in any way.

‘Such filters are an unrealistic expectation of weight loss, which certainly doesn’t happen in a second, and they promote a “quick fix” response to changing your body and managing your weight when we need to be encouraging people to view weight loss and gain in a sustained manner if that’s what they want.’

She also believes there’s a risk of people using these filters for the wrong reasons and creating ‘fake success stories’ in which they lie about how their goals were met.

‘It is so dangerous. People need to realise that weight management is a slow approach and it can’t be done overnight.’

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Thermals get a bad reputation, as they are often stereotyped as being unfashionable, resemble long johns like Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka, or remind us of something our parents used to force us in as a child. 

But, the insulating layer has come a long way since then, so much so I proudly wear mine so they are fully visible, which sounds crazy, but stay with me. Thermals from M&S actually look like stylish basic long sleeve tops, thermals and leggings from H&M and Skims, but they are warmer and much more durable. 

I first dabbled in M&S Heatgen thermals circa 2016 on a New Year’s trip to New York. Thick snow hit so hard we couldn’t fly home, and despite waiting hours for the ball drop in Times Square I didn’t catch pneumonia in the sub-zero temperatures, which I solely put down to M&S’ thermals.

I own several pairs of M&S’ thermals, the leggings, tights, scoop neck long sleeve tops, mock neck top, turtle neck – the lot. The Heatgen thermals offer different insulation, including light, medium and maximum, and I mostly own the latter two because I feel the cold. 

Forced to recommend one style in particular it would be the Long Sleeve Scoop Neck, as this can be layered underneath knitwear, other sweatshirts, but also worn on its own when the weather is cold and fresh, yet mild enough you don’t need excessive layers. 

M&S Heatgen Medium Thermal Scoop Neck Top

The M&S Heatgen range is a standout collection that features insulating basic layering staples. The outer is a smooth texture, while the inner layer is an ultra-soft brushed fabric to keep you warm. This design offers medium insulation, but it is also available in maximum insulation too. Available in UK dress sizes 6 to 22, as well as 10 colourways to pair with any outfit.

BUY NOW FOR £16

The Long Sleeve Scoop Neck can be worn under a jumper, paired with an unbuttoned blazer or shacket, even styled on its own with jeans, smart trousers, or tracksuit bottoms, it’s super versatile.  

The fabric also offers the necessary coverage I look for in a top, as I find other brands can be transparent. 

What I love about the winter warmers is they are ultra soft, insulating (of course), but they are breathable and sweat-wicking.  On days I have overdone the layers for a Sunday stroll I am not left feeling sweaty and damp, which then leaves me feeling cold. 

M&S’ Heatgen fabric is brushed on the inside, which provides the insulation and the gentle feel on the skin.  The long sleeve top is lightweight, and not too thick you can’t layer other garments on top.  Plus, it has stretch to fit the body and stay put – instead of rising up to expose your belly. 

The Long Sleeve Scoop Neck is available in 10 colours, including cream, black, brown, poppy red and many more.  

It is also available in sizes 6 to 22, but stock is selling out fast.  I am stocking up, and strongly recommend you do too as you will call on these warm layers year after year.

In case you need convincing, this staple has garnered over 4,000 glowing reviews from shoppers. 

One M&S customer commented: ‘Over the moon. So soft and so warm – really happy with the quality! The sleeves and body are a nice length.’

Another added: ‘Very comfortable to wear and so warm – a must in this wintery weather. Washes well too.’

While a separate shopper praised: ‘Bought it to keep warm, and it really is lovely and warm, stretchy and so comfortable. Decided to buy two more.’

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I’ll never forget the day my life changed forever. The day I lost my daughter. 

It was November 11, 2022. I was with Natalie, by her bedside in hospital, when she passed away from melanoma. She was only 28.   

My heart was, and still is, broken. But I am doing all I can to make sure we continue to honour her one final request: That she will always be remembered.  

Natalie was a beautiful daughter. She was always cheerful and funny. She was a wonderful sister to Nick (who is non-verbal and classically autistic) and the two of them truly had a special bond.  

She was also an incredible friend and an outstanding teacher. Her students adored her but really she had a huge impact on everyone who she came into contact with. 

Mostly, my girl was kind. She took part in many charity challenges, including a skydive, the Three Peaks Challenge and a half marathon. She was generous, not just with money and fundraising, but with her time and love.  

When she told me that a mole on her leg (that she’d always had) had started bleeding in July 2018, I was worried. 

We were just about to go on a week-long holiday to France, but I insisted we get it sorted before we left. I secured her a GP appointment for the following morning. The doctor examined the mole, and I did my best to reassure Natalie it would all be OK. 

However, while we were away in France, we got a phone call to say Natalie would need further investigations when she came home. By the end of August, she’d had the mole removed and it was sent off for testing.   

A couple of weeks later, we were told she needed to come back into the hospital to speak with the doctor. We knew then it wasn’t going to be an ‘everything is fine’ meeting, but as scared as we both were, we tried to stay positive.  

Sitting in their office, the consultant told us that it was melanoma – a type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body – and my world stopped.

Natalie was 24. She’d been on holidays abroad in the sun but she had never been on a sunbed, nor had she ever burnt herself. 

Understandably, Natalie was terrified of the word ‘cancer’ and of what might lie ahead. But she was also determined to stay strong.   

Surgery was needed to remove any remaining cancer cells around the area where her mole had once been and doctors told her she would be closely monitored with regular scans. 

For a while, they continuously came up clear and life continued as normal. Then in December 2019, a scan showed a new lesion in her lung.   

I remember Natalie turning to me with tears in her eyes and saying, ‘Mum, it’s now Stage 4’. Lost for words, we hugged each other tightly and decided we were in this together.  

She was referred to The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre, for radiotherapy, consisting of three doses over three consecutive weeks. 

By the third week, scans showed that the lung lesion had significantly shrunk. We were ecstatic – the radiotherapy had worked. Everything was looking positive. 

Natalie continued to have regular monitoring scans and then, sadly, a year later, a new lung lesion was detected. 

This time, she was treated with targeted therapy, where the proteins that control how cancer cells grow, divide, and spread are directly targeted. This was administered in the form of a tablet every day.

For 18 months, things were once again fine and there were no lesions present on her scans. But then the cancer returned a third time, leaving immunotherapy as her only option.  

Unlike chemotherapy, which uses drugs to target and kill fast-growing cells, immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to target cancerous cells. Natalie would begin having a combined dose of two drugs, every three weeks.  

She was amazing, never once complaining. She carried on with life and even continued to go back to work. 

She and I took part in The Banham Marsden March in May 2022, which saw us walk 15 miles together and raise just over £2,000. Crossing that finish line with my daughter will forever be one of my most special memories now. Natalie vowed to complete it every year. 

Unfortunately, just as she began her immunotherapy treatment that September, new lesions were detected on her brain and liver. The melanoma was attacking hard and fast, and Natalie began to deteriorate.  

She was taken ill at home, with worrying signs she could have swelling on the brain. We rushed her to the critical care unit, where doctors managed to get her stable. After a few days, however, we were told they couldn’t make her better. 

Natalie was amazingly brave and didn’t cry, complain or get angry, but accepted her fate.   

I was still in total shock. Everything had happened so quickly. Only a few days before she went into hospital for the last time she had been working at school as a teacher. Now, she was being moved to a ward and we were preparing to say goodbye. 

After four years of hard treatment, she passed away. Despite snow, around 240 people came to Natalie’s funeral to say goodbye. 

A further 250 people attended a separate church service her school put on just for her students and their parents. My heart ached to hear such wonderful things about her from both her students and colleagues. She would have been so humbled. 

Today, to keep Natalie’s memory alive, we are continuing to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. This will go towards the hospital’s melanoma research, so we can find new treatments for patients like Natalie all around the world.    

I’ve since taken part in The Banham Marsden March for a second time, only this time I had my husband, Natalie’s boyfriend and 35 of Natalie’s closest friends, colleagues and family members by my side and we raised £15,000.   

Last year, I walked the first 10 miles with a friend, and my husband and son joined me to walk the last five miles together.  

Taking part is not only an amazing way to raise awareness and funds, it’s also a chance to meet other people in the same position as you. 

When you’re grieving, there is a feeling of loneliness as often, people just don’t know what to say to you. I’ve now realised that I am not alone.   

To date, we’ve raised over £34,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity from friends and family members’ fundraising. 

Natalie’s cousins in Jersey ran the virtual London Marathon and organised a quiz night for over 100 people. Her friends, cousins and my husband have all taken part in half marathons and marathons, and I jogged 40 miles in January 2024. And we all took part in a 10k run for the first anniversary of her passing, too.   

I also found Natalie’s bucket list shortly after she died, which led me to sign up for a skydive in June last year – her birthday month – when she would have turned 30. 

I just hope Natalie would be touched to see that we’re carrying on her legacy, and we want to make sure there are no more stories that end like hers. 

So many people have moles and don’t worry about them or get them checked, but melanoma is a real issue. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. It really can happen to anyone, even my baby girl.  

This article was originally published April 26, 2024

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Marks & Spencer’s brown suede loafers were a sell-out success. In fact, we never even saw them available online – that’s how fast they sold out. 

We have been patiently waiting for weeks on end for M&S to restock its popular flat shoes, which are a huge trend and have been for some time. 

Now, the moment has finally come. Well, kind of.

Though the brown suede version of the M&S Loafers are still sold out, M&S has released a pair of black Leather Loafers, which we believe will sell out soon. 

M&S Collection Leather Loafers

Crafted from super soft leather with M&S’ signature Insolia Flex, which provides a supportive footbed to wear for hours on end.The slip on design features a ruched detail around the toe, as well as a small 1.5cm heel. Available in sizes 3 to 8, including half sizes.

Buy Now for £55

The M&S Leather Loafers are hot property, and we have seen them worn by the likes of Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber in previous years.  The fashion firm turned to chunky Prada loafers, but now we are seeing a pivot to softer alternatives. 

The leather loafers are a smart, chic and versatile footwear staple to invest in. These loafers are made from black, yet super soft and high quality leather fabric, while the interior is fitted with M&S’ signature Insolia Flex material to support the footbed, which is paramount in a flat shoe when stopping the pavements for hours on end. 

These leather loafers are a flat shoe, but it offers slight elevation with its 1.5cm heel, which is oh-so subtle. 

These slip-on shoes feature ruched detail around the toe, as well as detailing on the roof of the foot to resemble the traditional Penny Loafer.

The classic designs are ultra versatile, as you can wear in the daytime, or night, as well as throughout the seasons. Pair with straight leg jeans, even ankle grazers, whether it’s barefoot or with a white ankle sock peering out for extra warmth, a simple T-shirt and blazer to see you from the office, to brunch with friends. 

You can layer on a cosy knitted jumper, swap the T-shirt for a shirt, maybe ditch the trousers for a mini or midi-length skirt, or a dress – the style options are endless.  

These loafers are available in sizes 3 to 8, including half sizes, though customers say these shoes fit true to size. 

We have added these loafers to our virtual basket because we think they will fly off the shelves, especially when we consider how popular the brown suede alternatives are, and the glowing reviews. 

One happy M&S shopper, Kay Ann, shared: ‘Lovely loafers that are both stylish and comfortable, and work for casual or office days, I have two pairs they are that fab.’

Another happy customer, who goes under the name Mummy Deb, added: ‘A super super soft leather shoe, it’s like wearing slippers. Only worn inside the house to wear them in. But it seems all good. No rubbing and looks quite stylish.’

While a  separate shopper, RoseeW, weighed in: ‘So comfy and soft- I usually prepare to get blisters when I wear-in loafers but these have caused no issues! So smart- my new everyday shoe.’

Complete the quiet luxury look, on a high street budget, with M&S’ impressive collection of designer-inspired handbags too. 

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