Victoria Beckham designed the bridesmaids’ dresses at Holly Ramsay’s wedding. Holly’s bridesmaids, including sister Tilly, wore the ‘Caped gathered crêpe satin gown’ by Victoria Beckham in red.

When I was diagnosed with incurable cancer in July last year, I was surprised by my reaction.

Instead of the panic, despair and tears you might expect of someone given a terminal diagnosis, I was nothing but calm. Shocked, but calm.

The reason for that, as it turns out, is because of one simple fact: I’m not actually scared of death.

In fact, I don’t see it as something to fear so much as it is something to acknowledge. A quiet reminder that life is precious precisely because it ends.

I haven’t always felt this way, of course. Growing up, my relationship with death was fleeting and intermittent at best and my first real encounter with it was when my beloved tabby cat, Tiger Lily, died when I was 12.

I was just at the stage when I understood that death was permanent, and I remember really feeling her loss deeply. I was allowed a day off school, a rare occurrence, and I cried all day.

I missed stroking her as she sat on my lap, a place she’d often be, but I was resigned to it. She had been ill, and so she died. It was the natural progression of things.

Then, when I was around 15, I suffered my first family bereavement – my grandmother, who I had lots of happy memories of baking with, died at the age of 83.

Her death was sudden so, of course, it was sad. However, as we were not overly emotional as a family, there was no dramatic weeping and wailing, just a quiet sadness for a life that was lost too soon.

And other than these occasions, death wasn’t a topic of conversation in my family. 

It wasn’t that it was taboo, just that the subject rarely came up. We had elderly relatives and friends of the family who had died, and funerals were attended, but I don’t remember any time when normal life stopped because of it.

As I grew older though, I began to shape my own view of the subject, mainly that I didn’t believe in an afterlife.

It’s not that I’m not religious – when my children were young, I spent a short time attending church, as I lived in a small village and the church was the hub of the community – but I’ve just never been convinced that we go somewhere when we die.

Sure, sending butterflies and robins as a sign is all very comforting, but it’s also a bit random.

And if ghosts really were a thing, I’m sure we have more evidence than a few dodgy photos and the occasional unexplained cold breeze that ‘came from nowhere’.

This realisation reaffirmed my belief that death will be just like going to sleep. I won’t know it’s happened, and so I’ll be none the wiser. I won’t be going anywhere after I die, so there will be no regrets, no missing anyone, no wondering if I’ll see anyone again.

However, I’m not so held in my beliefs that I’d be cross if I was proven wrong.

I’d love to find out, when I finally die, that there is a fabulously peaceful place we all go to. And if I was able to return in the form of a Red Admiral or Cabbage White butterfly to give my loved ones a sign that all is well, I’d jump at the chance. 

Of course, I never expected I might find out sooner than most.

On 2 July 2024, two months after finding a lump on my breast, and endless tests and scans, my oncologist told me my cancer was incurable.

‘The cancer has gone to your bones and I can’t cure it,’ he said calmly and carefully, giving me time to process.

My initial reaction was one of shock, not just for the diagnosis but that, actually, I wasn’t worried.

There was no drama, no panic, just calm acceptance. And, after a few days, I realised that all I could do was take the treatment offered, and just get on with making what’s left of my life count. 

I’m not wasting any more time and instead I’m focusing on doing all the things I’ve always wanted to do: Travelling, going back onto the stage, and becoming a TV extra being just a few.

I’m also happy to talk about my diagnosis, and death, which has led to a number of unusual conversations of late.

Following my diagnosis, I had a conversation with one friend who is terrified of death – so much so, she’s had to have therapy – she told me that the thought of not being in the world, just not existing, is what frightens her the most.

I asked her: ‘But surely, if you’re dead, you won’t know?’ This, she said, was the problem. Not knowing. Not being conscious.

I understand her fear, but don’t align with it. How can we be worried about not knowing, if we are not conscious?

Then, last month, I attended my aunt’s funeral. The day was full of memories, sadness and laughs, but I did not at any stage during the service worry that ‘this will be me soon’.

In fact, I found myself picking up some ideas for my own funeral, like photo slide shows, handing out roses and the sharing of memories, which were the loveliest parts of the service.

I’ve also made no secret of the fact that I don’t like euphemisms – ‘no longer with us’, ‘gone to a better place’ and the worst one…‘passed’. I can’t bear the pussyfooting about and wish people would realise you can say the word ‘died’ with compassion. That it is possible to explain that someone is ‘dead’ with sympathy.

I’ve given death a lot of thought over the last 18 months, so perhaps I’m more laidback about the subject because of that. But I’m convinced that if we talked about death more as a society, discussed it with friends and family, even joked about it, we’d remove some of the fear.

Perhaps if we were more open about it, and understood what death really means to us, there would be many more purposeful people in the world wanting to make the time they have on earth really count.

Because death is the one certainty in life. It will happen to all of us and in learning to face that truth, we give ourselves permission to live more fully, love more deeply, and let go a little easier.

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

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Alice Cooper can remembers being bent in half, lying down on the floor of a toilet cubicle at her office, with her hands wrapped around her stomach. Profusely sweating, she couldn’t move, while tears are streamed down her face, as she tried to stay as quiet as possible.

When the pain was just about manageable, Alice stood herself up, unlocked the door, and walked back out onto the office floor. To her colleagues, nothing had happened – and she never said a word, not wanting anyone to know what she’s going through because, in her mind, they wouldn’t understand. 

Like one in 10 women, Alice has endometriosis, meaning the tissue that lines her womb grows around other organs in the body. The debilitatingly painful disease can impact every aspect of life: sex, fertility, mental health -and work; those with the condition earn £130 less per month on average, and one in six give up their careers entirely. 

Alice admits that she has felt so guilty about taking days off due to the condition, that she ended up leaving jobs. ‘I’ve had to quit every role I’ve been in, four in total, until my current admin position,’ the 25-year-old tells Metro.

Nicole Bowler, 24, was diagnosed with the same condition last year and has also felt the impact. She just deferred teacher training for a year, as balancing study and work, with her ill health, became too difficult. ‘Being financially independent and having a job gave me purpose, so I’ve lost a lot of self-worth,’ she tells Metro. ‘Having so much taken out of my control has been extremely distressing.’

To improve circumstances, Nicole and Alice, along with many others, are pushing for menstrual leave in the UK for women with endometriosis or adenomyosis (a similar condition where the tissue grows inside the muscular wall of the womb).

A petition proposing that everyone with the conditions be offered three extra days of paid sick leave per month has reached 74,000 signatures.

The government responded in August, saying that it is understood that the conditions cause ‘difficulty and pain’, but they claim the Equality Act 2010 already sufficiently covers the needs. 

‘Endometriosis and adenomyosis can be classified as disabilities, and individuals with a disability are protected from discrimination, and their employer is required to make reasonable adjustments,’ they stated in an official reply.

However, Nicole says it’s been her who has been adapting, instead of the world, since her first ‘heavy, painful and tiring’ period aged 13. At the time, she was competitively swimming, training up to 26 hours per week with hopes of turning professional. 

‘On one residential swimming trip, I had to sit out of all the activities for three days, because I couldn’t go 45 minutes without having to change a super heavy tampon. I was so self-conscious back then, and felt so embarrassed when, on occasion, blood started dripping down my legs,’ she remembers.

In time, Nicole began to avoid training, especially with male coaches, who didn’t always understand why she needed to use the toilet often, before making the tough decision to leave the sport completely. 

When she began getting stabbing pains in her lower abdomen at 14, her mother realised how serious her ‘period pains’ were becoming and took her to see the doctors. ‘I changed as a person, because I didn’t have any of the energy that I used to have.’

A male GP remarked that it was just because she was a young girl, and that it was ‘part of being a woman’. ‘He even made a joke that “girls will do anything to get out of sport”,’ Nicole recalls.

In the years that followed, she made multiple appointments in an effort to get answers, and sadly, even hospital stays after A&E visits brought no long-term solutions.

Nicole felt continually dismissed. ‘I was thinking “Is it just me? Am I just being dramatic? Can I not handle pain?” because I was constantly told that this is normal, so I doubted myself,’ she says. ‘I get so down about everything.’

Alice had a similar experience, feeling ignored for years, despite extreme bleeding and pain. She tells Metro: ‘I’d always come on my period in the middle of the night, and I’d be in such agony that I was just trying to make it through to the next day. It would leave me absolutely shattered, and bleeding could be so bad that I’d leak through my tampon, pad, knickers and leggings in an hour. I’ve had to miss school growing up, and work as I’ve got older.’

The persistent problems meant that Nicole spent much time with her mum in Dewsbury, rather than with her friends at university in Manchester. She managed to graduate with a degree in journalism, but didn’t have the experience she had hoped for. After that, she began working full-time as a lifeguard.

‘There were multiple times when I had to call in sick. It kept being flagged to HR, so I’d have to attend meetings. The only reason I didn’t lose my job was due to a few understanding managers,’ Nicole says.

The disease takes, on average, around nine years to diagnose. The condition can only be found during surgery, as it doesn’t show up on scans, which can be part of the reason for a delay. For Nicole and Alice, it was around ten years after their first periods that they finally got confirmation of what they suspected.

‘I had to take a month off after the surgery, where they also lasered the endometriosis from my bowel and bladder. My workplace refused to phase my return, and could not provide any reasonable workplace adjustments like teaching from the side of the pool instead of in the water,’ Nicole, who was then working as a swimming teacher, says.

‘Not being able to work and being made to feel like I was being dramatic about it knocked my confidence and caused stress. I was scraping by each month, struggling to afford rent and bills due to not being paid while sick.’

After the recovery, she had six pain-free months and began training to be a school teacher, but symptoms rushed back.

Nicole now suffers from sciatica, pain in her ribs, back, and abdomen, and feels fatigue and nausea. Once again, she has had to take an enforced career break, so, unsurprisingly, feels passionate about the UK introducing the bill for menstrual leave, something already offered in Portugal and Spain. Such a change in law would ‘take some of the stress away’ and the regular rest could help Nicole recover from pain quicker, she explains.

‘It would finally acknowledge that it’s a painful, inflammatory, full-body, incurable disease, rather than just the time of the month,’ she adds.

‘Women’s health needs to be taken so much more seriously, but the government’s responses can feel robotic, disheartening and like a punch in the gut.

‘I can get statutory sick pay, but leave for endometriosis still goes down on my records, and taking off too many days can be a sackable offence. It’s scary; I’ve often feared losing my job.’

Alice recalls the awkward conversations she used to face at work. ‘I’d get questions like “Well, are you sure you can’t come in?” “Can you come in later?” “Have you taken painkillers?” I’ve gotten better at speaking about it now, but before, it was easier to go than have the conversation,’ she explains.

‘I felt silly telling bosses, as I worried they were looking down on me and thinking, “It’s a period, grow up.” As there’s not enough awareness, they think I just want time off. I didn’t feel taken seriously.’

Now, Alice feels that the conversation is finally changing and becoming more positive, which has empowered her to talk about it more with her current employer – although, she adds, there’s still a long way to go. One improvement she would like is more company flexibility on work-from-home days.

‘I’ve never really had that as an option, and it would make work so much more accessible for people with endometriosis. If someone can sit in their bed with a laptop, they can be comfortable, and going to the toilet often is easier,’ Alice explains. 

‘It is a chronic illness that needs more support,’ Nicole adds. ‘It’s very lonely taking time off, especially when no one gets it, so a law change would make me feel validated and supported.’

When a campaign reaches 100,000 signatures, there is an obligation to debate the proposal in parliament. If that happens, Alice wants MPs to know how life-changing it would be for women.

‘It’s not a small number of people that we’re talking about. So many women suffer with this, and it would be such a better quality of life. Dismissing it again and again isn’t what we need,’ she says.

‘Endometriosis is never going to be easy to live with, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as it is now.’

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

Share your views in the comments below.

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You may have been lounging on your sofa for days in festive PJs accessorised with empty Quality Street wrappers, but New Year’s Eve is the perfect excuse to sparkle in a brand-new outfit. 

And if your bank balance is teetering dangerously close to the red after all that generous gift-giving, George at Asda has some amazing pieces at a total bargain.

First up is this Black Sparkle Bouclé Bow-Back Mini Dress, which features a gorgeous statement bow and shimmering bouclé fabric that keeps things effortlessly festive. The Black Sleeveless Organza Hem Crew Neck Mini Dress has a softly flared organza hem, and the dropped-waist silhouette skims effortlessly over the body for a flattering fit.

‘Truly beautiful, just what I need for my ship trip,’ one customer said.

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We also love the splash of sequin on the Black Sequin Bow Front Mini Length Cut Dress, while the Velvet Sequin Scoop Back Belted Mini Dress has a retro feel, and comes in both brown and black.

The Black Velvet Sparkle Tie Front Mini Dress is a popular pick, with plenty of glowing reviews. 

‘Perfect velvet dress for all seasons; Halloween, Christmas, New Year,’ Lyd said, while Dolly insisted: ‘One of the best dresses. Had lots of compliments and worn it in parties, great quality and fit, would love more colours in this fit.’

If you’re keeping your outfit fairly neutral, why not add a pop of colour with some shoes? These Burgundy Sling Back Heels have a clashing velvet bow, and reviews insist they’re stylish and comfy for a night on the dancefloor.

‘These shoes are beautiful, super comfortable, and I think they’re a really good price!’ Agnes said.

Sometimes a great party look is all about the base layers, and shoppers say this two pack of Anti Chafe Shorts are a purchase you won’t regret.

‘They stop the chaffing and are perfect for under dresses, and the legs are a good length and don’t ride up, which makes them very comfortable to wear,’ one anonymous customer said. 

‘Can wear any outfit,’ another shopper said. ‘I didn’t want to take these off. I’m so so pleased. i would recommend that the general public go on buy these now you won’t regret it.’

We’re certainly ready to ring in the New Year now!

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Boxing Day is here, and Currys is making it impossible to resist upgrading your home and tech with their huge Boxing Day discounts.

From Dyson vacuums and Bose headphones to Kenwood kitchen appliances and De’Longhi must-haves, the retailer is slashing prices across thousands of top-brand essentials. 

Whether you missed out on that one gift you truly wanted or were treated to a handy gift card from a friend or loved one, now is the time to snap up those items for much less.

Currys’ Boxing Day sale is the ultimate opportunity to grab the tech and home upgrades you’ve been eyeing all year.

Shop Currys Best Boxing Day Sales Below:

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THERABODY TheraFace LED Face Mask

Looking to level up your skincare routine without setting foot in a spa? This LED face mask from Therabody uses advanced light therapy to help smooth texture, boost radiance, and target stubborn fine lines – all from the comfort of your sofa. Just pop it on, sit back and relax, letting the red, blue, and infrared lights get to work on dullness, breakouts, and uneven skintone.

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DYSON V12 Detect Slim Submarine Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Hoovering can seem like such a laborious task, but the Dyson V12 vacuum cleaner will have you jumping at the chance. It uses powerful suction and smart sensors to tackle dirt in every corner, all without the hassle of cords. Its lightweight design also means you’re not having to do a workout while maneuvering around the space. Cleaning has never been this satisfying.

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DELONGHI Magnifica Start ECAM220.61.GB Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Your morning coffee just got a serious upgrade. This De’Longhi bean-to-cup machine whips up barista-style drinks at the touch of a button, giving you café-quality lattes and espressos without leaving the house. It allows you to create a fully customised experience by adapting the coffee strength and cup size, and takes the fuss out of cleaning with its auto-clean setting – what’s not to love?

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KENWOOD kMix KMX760CH Kitchen Machine

If you’re about to enter your baker era, then that is the piece of tech every budding chef needs. The Kenwood kMix is perfect for whipping, kneading, and mixing with style. Ideal for cookies, cakes, bread, or any creation your kitchen imagination dreams up. You can now save over £250 with Currys Boxing Day deal, so don’t waste time adding it to your basket.

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SONY ULT FIELD 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Take the party wherever you go with Sony’s ULT FIELD 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Compact yet powerful, it delivers crystal clear sound that fills any room or outdoor space, with your favourite tracks. With easy wireless connectivity and a durable, travel-friendly design, it’s the perfect companion for music lovers who want premium audio on the move.

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BOSE QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones

You can never update your headphone collection enough in our eyes. Escape into your own world with these Bose headphones that block out the chaos while delivering crisp sound, whether you’re commuting, working from home, or hitting the gym.

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DYSON Airstrait Hair Straightener

Deciding what the best hair straightener is can be a tiresome chore. However, Dyson’s hair tools won't let you down and deliver great results. The Dyson Airstrait Hair Straightener is here to make styling easy peasy. Designed to dry and straighten in one go, it saves you time while leaving hair looking smooth and glossy. With intelligent heat control and powerful airflow, it tames frizz and protects your strands, making every styling session easier and healthier.

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SAMSUNG Q7F5 75" QLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025

Who wouldn’t want a cinema experience in the comfort of their own home? Bring the big screen into your living room, bedroom, or dedicated space with the Samsung 75" QLED 4K Smart TV. Its ultra-sharp 4K resolution, vibrant colours, and smart AI features take streaming and gaming to new heights. Perfect for movie nights, sports, or your favourite box sets.

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ULTRAHUMAN Ring Air

If you’re planning on jumping on the wellness bandwagon come January, then meet your new fitness BFF. The Ultrahuman Ring Air not only tracks workouts, but it also monitors sleep and recovery in a sleek, minimalist design, helping you make small tweaks for big health wins whilst adding a stylish accessory to your hands.

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LENCO LS-300 Belt Drive Bluetooth Turntable in Black

Whether you’re a vinyl lover or not, this turntable is the perfect investment for music lovers. You don’t need to have an expansive collection of vinyl to play your favourite tracks, as it comes with Bluetooth, so you can effortlessly stream from your phone. Its sleek black design looks great on any shelf or tabletop, making it a standout piece in your home.

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So what are you waiting for? Stock levels will not last long, trust us!

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‘Working in end of life care has taught me to be so grateful for my health and happiness,’ says Leaah Deans, 41.

Every year, the mum-of-five leaves her family at Christmas to head to the Marie Curie hospice she’s worked at in Penarth for the past 20 years.

‘My children have never known any different,’ she tells Metro. ‘I’ve always worked a Christmas shift, whether it’s Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

‘I’s so important to me to make sure our patients have the best possible Christmas. It is sadly, in all likelihood, going to be their last.

‘Every day in the hospice matters, but this time of year is especially poignant.’ 

The patients that Leeah cares for are dying, and have come to the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale, for palliative care.

This means it’s the teams’ job to improve their patients’ quality of life as best they can, by providing relief from the pain, stress and symptoms of serious illness.

Leaah will look after families and loved ones too, because terminal illness has a ripple effect, impacting not just the patient alone.

While Leah says that her husband, Leighton, 43, and older children, son Dominic, 22, stepson Cieran, 19, daughter Lacey, 18, and stepson Cody, 8, understand why she chooses to work over the festive period, her youngest, Tyler, six, finds it more difficult.

‘Tyler has always struggled to see me go away at Christmas,’ she says.

‘Last year was the first that he’d really begun to understand it, and I remember his eyes filling with tears when he realised I wouldn’t be able to tuck him into bed on Christmas Day.

‘I know the kids miss me while I’m at work and I miss them too. Christmas is a really difficult time to do my job, but that’s why it’s so important.’

Often, Leaah’s patients also have young children who visit over the festive period.

‘It’s lovely to see families come together but so hard to watch little ones trying to be brave,’ she says.

Leeah says that on the day itself, everyone at the hospice, from the kitchen and housekeeping teams to the nurses, go the extra mile to ensure it’s an enjoyable day.

She explains: ‘There’s the paperwork and personal care that is vital all year round, keeping meticulous documentation of each of our 18 patient’s wellbeing, changing dressings, administering some medication and more importantly, being the first port of call for patients who need to talk and offload.

‘But at Christmas I like to go overboard. I organise stockings on every patient’s beds, I make handmade paper snowflakes and hang Christmas ornaments all over the hospice.

‘I also invite patients to write Christmas cards or make trinkets and gifts for their family, if they want to.

‘The hospice organises for a Christmas choir and the cast of a local Christmas theatre show to come and sing and meet everyone too.’

One year, Leeah was even able to fulfil a special request for a patient.

‘A man who had young children was desperate to see the Cardiff Castle Christmas lights show, so I organised his outing and wrapped fairy lights all around his wheelchair.

‘He passed away not long after Christmas.’

Working at a hospice takes an emotional toll on Leeah.

‘It’s not common for patients to die on Christmas Day itself but it does happen and when it does, it’s heartbreaking for their families and the team too. It never gets easier to witness a death,’ she says.

‘I always finish my Christmas shift sitting in my car and having a little cry.

‘It’s hard to decompress and switch off when I get home, but the kids greet me with a big hug and our busy, lively household helps distract me.

‘Last year, I got home on Boxing Day to find that Tyler had made me mince pies and a drawing of our family by the Christmas tree, to welcome me home. He’d drawn a nurse’s hat on my head.’

Leaah says that, even after working at the hospice for two decades, she always questions whether she’s done enough for her patients, but says she’s ‘determined’ to make sure every family’s last Christmas together is as good as can be in the circumstances.

Ultimately, Leaah says her job has taught her invaluable lessons about life and death.

‘Death happens and with it comes so much sadness and loss. But I don’t want to turn away from it.

‘I want to be part of the incredible team that makes sure everyone dies with dignity and if this is their last Christmas, that it’s special. 

‘I feel so lucky. I have my health and when the day is over I can go back to my family. My children are happy and healthy and so are Leighton and I — it can be easy to forget that but when you are confronted by death as often as I am, you never take your life for granted.

‘It wouldn’t feel right to spend all of Christmas at home, knowing there are families facing the hardest, saddest times. I need to do what I can to sprinkle a little Christmas magic.’

Marie Curie provides expert care round the clock in peoples’ homes and its hospices across the UK, including throughout the Christmas period. Their free Support Line is also open over the festive period (0800 090 2309). To find out more about how you can support the Marie Curie Christmas Appeal and give care, comfort and joy this Christmas visit their website.

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There is little we love more than slipping into another ‘jeans and a cute top’ outfit. It’s like our religion. 

Come rain or shine, Summer or Winter, odds on we will be wearing jeans and a nice top. Day in the office, jeans and a nice top. Date night, jeans and a nice top. Drinks at the pub or cocktails at a speakeasy we’ve found in London’s buzzy Soho, jeans and a nice top. You get the hint. 

For those who are stuck with what to wear to their work Christmas party, your annual Friendsmas, Christmas Eve drinks, even Christmas Day itself… you guessed it, jeans and a nice top. We have found the perfect top that fits the festive brief. 

Nobody’s Child has created the Red Satin Nova Top, which is exactly what we are looking for. 

Nobody’s Child Red Satin Nova Top

This top features a square neck and back, as well as exaggerated blouson puff sleeves. It also boasts a pleated bust and peplum skirt that fans out under the bust. While it has a fitted bodice the shirred back ensures a comfortable fit.

Buy Now for £69

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The Satin Nova Top is a subtle nod to Christmas because of the pillar box red hue, and luxurious satin texture. Yet, you could easily wear it at other events throughout the year. 

The design boasts a flattering square neckline and short puff sleeves that won’t drape in the gravy train as you pass the food around the table on December 25. 

While it features a fitted bodice that hugs you in all the right places, the shirred back ensures a snug but comfortable fit that will move with you as you’re throwing shapes on the dancefloor or after eating one too many pigs in blankets. 

This top also boasts a smocked silhouette as there are pleated details on the bust, which is contrasted by the voluminous peplum skirting that fans out under the bust. 

Whether you pair it with black leather trousers, your sparkly flared trousers, a satin slip skirt, or your trusted wide leg denim jeans, this top is a versatile staple to see you through every occasion this Yuletide. 

Nobody’s Child’s Red Satin Nova Top is available in UK dress sizes 4 to 24, but sizes are selling fast. 

The top retails for £69, but considering the numerous ways you can wear this design, and the fact you can recycle trousers from your wardrobe, we think it’s a worthy investment. 

It’s important to mention, this top is a Nobody’s Child exclusive, which means you won’t find it stocked on other retailers. It also means when it sells out, it is likely sold out for good. So what are you waiting for? 

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