The Princess of Wales’ cowboy boots worn to open the new Haida Gwaii Hospital in Canada are so in for 2026 – get a fashion stylist’s expert tips on styling them for the coming year.
18 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
This is how much water you should drink every day, based on your age
If we’re being completely honest with ourselves, we all know we need to drink more water.
We bought giant Stanley Cups with the best of intentions, but our daily fluid intake still predominantly consists of tea, a crisp Diet Coke or two, and some wine after work.
But this isn’t really doing us any favours.
Our bodies consist of 50% water, and we lose some of this each day through breathing and sweating, so we need to ensure we’re constantly replenishing this. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t survive for more than a few days.
Not replenishing enough water each day can cause us to become dehydrated, and according to Dr Jonathan Webster, this can have a major impact on our health and well-being.
The Doctify GP tells Metro that there are several nasty side effects of dehydration, including headaches, confusion, tiredness, constipation, lack of concentration and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Never experienced a UTI? Count your blessings, as they can be agony. Trust me, it’s not something you want to have to deal with.
So how much fluid do we really need to drink in order to avoid all this unpleasantness?
According to the NHS, most of us need between 1.5 to two litres per day, and while plain old water is the best thing for this, it can also be consumed through various foods and drinks that contain water, such as tea and coffee, as well as things like milk, melon, soups and stews.
This is a rather general recommendation, though, and the exact amount of fluid a person requires can vary by age and gender. Dr Webster has shared a more detailed breakdown of how much we should be drinking each day, depending on the stage of life we’re at.
Children (4-8 years): 1.2 litres per day
Young children, under the age of eight, should aim for about 1.2 litres of fluids per day, according to Dr Webster. This is the equivalent of six to eight 200ml glasses.
‘Their bodies are still developing, and hydration is crucial for brain function, digestion and regulating body temperature,’ he explains.
But the expert warns you’ll likely have to encourage the little ones to drink regularly, as they might not be able to recognise that they are thirsty.
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Teenagers: 1.6 to 1.9 litres for boys and 1.5 litres for girls per day
Turns out teenagers need to drink more than most of us, especially those aged between 14 and 18. During this key period of growth, their hydration needs rise, and water is essential for helping them maintain energy, support their metabolism and aid in muscle function.
Teen boys need a little more water than girls, and Dr Webster recommends between 1.6 and 1.9 litres for them per day.
For teenage girls, the requirement is a little less at 1.5 litres.
For reference, 1.5L to two litres is the equivalent of about three to four pint glasses of water, so you can use this as a rough guide.
Adults under 60: 1.6 litres for women and 2 litres for men per day
The general advice for adults under the age of 60 is for men to drink two litres of water per day, and women to have 1.6 litres.
However, Dr Webster notes that factors such as exercise, climate and diet will influence individual needs.
He states: ‘Proper hydration helps with temperature regulation, kidney function and concentration.’
Adults over 60: 1.6 litres to 2 litres per day
Those over 60 should aim for an intake of between 1.6 and two litres per day, and this goes for both men and women, as it’s important everyone drinks enough as they get older.
Dr Webster says this is because our thirst sensation decreases with age, making dehydration more likely.
Staying hydrated is a must as it supports joint health, digestion and helps to prevent urinary tract infections.
The expert adds: ‘Conscious effort to drink regularly is key.’
How to tell if you're dehydrated
Factors that will impact how much water you require
According to healthcare professionals, the exact amount will vary depending on a person’s age, gender, activity level, the climate and their overall health state.
Dr Nadira Awal, a Doctify-rated GP, who is the founder of Pause and Co Healthcare, has shared a closer look at reasons why a person may need to drink more water.
However, she shared an important disclaimer, saying that ‘while these guidelines provide a general framework, the best indicator of appropriate hydration is frequently listening to your body’s cues and examining the colour of your urine.’
She continued: ‘Thirst is a reliable indicator that your body requires more fluids, while pale yellow urine typically suggests enough hydration.’
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Dr Awal claims a woman’s water requirements rise during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
She says: ‘During pregnancy, the recommended intake is approximately 10 cups (2.3 litres) per day. This heightened demand persists after, particularly among lactating women. Lactating women should aim for about 13 cups (three litres) of water each day to support milk production and keep themselves hydrated.’
Physical activity levels
Exercise or strenuous physical work can ‘drastically’ raise fluid requirements.
It is recommended that you drink two cups of water before starting exercise and then have one cup every 15 to 20 minutes of activity you carry out. Then continue to drink water after your workout to replenish any fluids lost through sweat.
Climate and environment
Where you live can also be a factor, depending on whether there’s a lot of hot weather or if you’re at a high elevation.
According to Dr Awal, both of these things can cause increased fluid loss, as people tend to lose water through sweat and respiration.
‘Individuals in these conditions should be especially mindful of their water intake, seeking to drink water regularly throughout the day, even if they do not feel thirsty,’ she advises.
Health issues
For those experiencing fever, vomiting or diarrhoea, it is critical to increase water intake to restore lost fluids and avoid becoming dehydrated.
Dr Awal claims: ‘The exact amount required will vary depending on the intensity and duration of the sickness, but in general, strive to drink enough to maintain urine pale and avoid thirst.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
18 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
‘We’re conjoined twins with one married and here’s how our sex life really works’
Conjoined twins Carmen and Lupita constantly get questioned over Carmen’s relationship with her husband – but despite cruel comments the pair continue to share their day-to-day life
18 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
The ultimate Galentine’s Day gift guide – shop our top picks of treats they’ll love
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Valentines day is just around the corner, and whether you’re loved up or flying solo, we reckon there’s no better way to tell your besties how much you care than with these Galentine’s Day gift ideas.
A celebration of the non-romantic relationships in your life, Galentine’s Day is the perfect time to treat your loved ones to something really special.
Because these are the people that stick around through all of your madness, you know? We really owe it to the hunnies.
If you’re looking for some inspiration of the best Galentine’s Day gift ideas that aren’t the same old airy fairy rubbish then we have you covered with our gift guide.
Appealing to all budgets, our hand-picked selection features a whole host of things to treat them this year – from beauty bits and jewellery to homeware essentials and self-love saviours.
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From Anthropologie to Jellycat, Not On The High Street to Urban Outfitters, we can’t stress the variation in our Galentine’s Day gift guide.
We’ve got our eye on the bottle of Perrier-Jouët 2013 Belle Epoque 75cl. Coming in a stunning floral design, we can’t wait to host a Galentine’s dinner, and crack this open.
And for the besties who love a cheeky vino (or two), the Urban Outfitters Boob Print Stemless Wine Glass is the perfect choice to pour the champers into, or a little pink mocktail too.
Ready to treat them? Explore our curated selection of the best Galentine’s Day gift ideas below and find something they’ll really love.
And yes, you’re allowed to treat yourself, too.
The best Galentine’s Day gift ideas for 2026
Anthropologie Heart Drop Earrings
The Anthropologie Heart Drop Earrings are a chic, gold‑tone pair featuring a simple heart‑shaped drop design that adds an easy touch of romance to any outfit.
Lightweight with a comfortable post-back fastening, they’re an effortless everyday accessory and a stylish gifting option.
Marks and Spencer Pink Rose & Eucalyptus Bouquet
This luxurious 48‑stem bouquet is a stunning way to spoil someone special.
Featuring Sweet Avalanche™ roses, pink roses and lisianthus in soft, romantic shades, it’s finished with elegant eucalyptus for gentle greenery.
With generous 55cm stems, it’s perfect for creating an eye‑catching centrepiece on a table or mantel.
New Look Pink Heavyweight Contrast Border Brushed Scarf
Wrap up in style with this soft pink scarf, finished with a contrasting border and delicate fringe detailing.
It’s a cosy, versatile layer that’s perfect for brightening chilly days.
Urban Outfitters Boob Print Stemless Wine Glass
Serve your favourite drinks with a playful twist using the Urban Outfitters Boob Print Stemless Wine Glass.
This stemless design is finished with a cheeky contrast print and shaped for easy, comfortable sipping.
At a compact, versatile size, it’s ideal for wine, spritzes or even soft drinks – making it a fun addition to dinner parties, pre‑drinks or gifting.
A light‑hearted yet stylish piece of barware, it adds personality to any glassware collection.
Pretty Little Thing Pink Frill Hem Cotton Long Pj Set
Elevate your off‑duty hours with this pink cotton long‑sleeve PJ set — a chic upgrade to your usual loungewear.
Finished with a delicate frill hem for a feminine touch, it’s made from breathable cotton that keeps comfort front and centre without sacrificing style.
Perfect for relaxed evenings in, and easy to pair with your favourite lounge trousers when you do need to step outside.
Next Pink Heart Towel
The Pink Heart Towel from Next is a soft, 100% cotton towel decorated with an all‑over heart pattern, bringing a sweet, playful touch to any bathroom.
Available in multiple sizes – from a hand towel to a full bath sheet – it offers a cosy, absorbent feel and can be paired with a matching bath mat for a coordinated look.
Missoma Molten Heart Medium Hoop Earrings
Show yourself some love with these medium-sized hoops, adding a touch of modern romance to your everyday look.
Bold yet beautifully soft and sculptural, they’re perfect worn alone for a statement or layered with smaller hoops and studs for an effortlessly curated style.
AliExpress 108cm Link LOVE Letter Foil Balloon
The 108cm Link LOVE Letter Foil Balloon is a large, foil‑finished party decoration shaped to spell “LOVE,” designed for occasions like Valentine’s Day, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays.
Measuring roughly 108cm x 63–64cm, it creates a bold backdrop for photos or event décor.
Available in colours such as champagne, pink and rose gold, it’s sold as a single balloon and can be filled with air or helium.
Affordable and versatile, it’s an easy way to add a romantic, celebratory touch to any event.
Dunelm Don't Mention It Card Game
Test your talking skills with Don’t Mention It, the quick‑fire game where you must describe the word on your card without slipping up and saying any of the forbidden clues.
Your teammates score when they guess right, so the pressure’s on to think fast and talk even faster.
It’s the perfect party pick for sorting the smooth communicators from the tongue‑tied.
Dusk Remy 200 Thread Count Stripe Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set
Remy brings a touch of easy elegance to your bedroom with its fine stripes and romantic finishing touches.
Featuring classic shirting‑style stripes trimmed with a gentle ruffle, this duvet cover set is crafted from smooth 200TC percale cotton for a lightweight, breathable feel that keeps you comfortable through every season.
The subtle stripe design adds timeless polish, while the 4cm ruffled edge lends a beautifully feminine flourish.
Primark Fleece Heart Throw
The Primark Fleece Heart Throw is a super‑soft, cosy blanket finished with an all‑over heart pattern – perfect for adding a warm, playful touch to your bedroom or living space.
Measuring 120cm x 150cm, it’s made from 100% polyester fleece, giving it a fluffy, comforting feel that’s ideal for chilly evenings on the sofa or layering over your bedding.
Daisy London Healing Stone Necklace
How did we ever go without this? Centered with a round gemstone and set on an adjustable 16"–18" bobble chain, this necklace makes a thoughtful, everyday staple.
Because the gemstones are crafted from natural crystals, every piece varies slightly in colour and clarity, giving each one its own character.
Oliver Bonas Bloody Love Ya Speckle Ceramic Mug
Wrap a little affection into their everyday routine with this cream ceramic mug, stamped with a bold green wax‑resist message that reads ‘Bloody Love Ya’.
Its soft brown speckled glaze and rounded, hand‑hugging handle give it a cosy, handcrafted feel.
A thoughtful and uplifting present, it’s the perfect pick for friends, family or partners at Christmas – or anytime they deserve a little love.
Boohoo Bow Print Stripe Piping Detail Short Sleeve Shirt & Trousers Pyjama Set
Add a little luxury to your wind‑down routine with this satin pyjama set from Boohoo.
The button‑up shirt features a notched collar and sweet bow details, while the wide‑leg trousers keep things comfy for lounging or sleeping.
Its striped print, layered with a soft floral motif, gives it a standout look that feels as good as it looks.
Perfect for lazy weekends or cosy nights in, and the shirt even doubles up as a chic daytime piece when styled with jeans.
Urban Outfitters Heart Jewellery Stand
A charming heart‑shaped jewellery stand finished in a modern gold tone, designed to bring both style and function to your space.
It features staggered bars for neatly hanging necklaces and bracelets, while the mirrored base keeps rings and smaller pieces within easy reach.
Compact and versatile, it’s a perfect addition to any dressing table or shelf.
Jellycat Amuseable Rose Bouquet Soft Toy
This adorable Jellycat Amuseable Rose Bouquet features a trio of super‑soft plush roses, complete with suedette green leaves and stitched stems, all wrapped in a linen-style 'paper' with a sweet embroidered smile.
At around 30cm tall, it’s cuddly, charming and beautifully textured – a playful, long‑lasting alternative to real flowers and a perfect gift for Galentine’s Day, birthdays or anyone who loves something cute and quirky
Burga x Thomas Lelu Get It Phone Case
The 'Get It' phone case is part of the limited‑edition Thomas Lélu × BURGA collaboration – a capsule collection blending Lélu’s signature handwritten musings with BURGA’s fashion‑forward tech protection.
The collection is designed to encourage slowing down, staying present, and bringing small artistic reminders into everyday life.
instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
The instax Mini 12 brings instant fun with its bubbly, balloon‑inspired design and simple twist mechanism to switch it on or off.
Packed with playful features, it offers automatic exposure and flash control for fuss‑free snapping, plus high‑speed printing that produces your photo in just five seconds.
Easy to use and full of colour and creativity, it’s the perfect instant camera for capturing joyful moments on the go.
LEGO Botanicals Bouquet of Roses, Artificial Flowers Set for Adults
Create a calming moment with the LEGO Botanicals Bouquet of Roses (10328), a mindful building set for adults featuring a dozen red roses at different blooming stages, plus sprigs of baby’s breath.
Designed for easy assembly, each flower has a long stem for elegant vase display, and the set includes separate instructions for each stage, making it ideal for solo or shared building.
Perfect as a Valentine’s or anniversary gift, this timeless bouquet also pairs beautifully with other sets in the LEGO Botanicals collection, adding a stylish, maintenance‑free touch of nature to any room.
Perrier-Jouët 2013 Belle Epoque 75cl
This 2013 release of Perrier‑Jouët’s celebrated Belle Epoque Champagne showcases the house’s signature blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Its iconic bottle is decorated with the elegant white Japanese anemones originally illustrated by Emile Gallé in 1902, a design created for the very first Belle Epoque vintage and still synonymous with the cuvée’s artistry and heritage.
Rituals Coconut Milk Bath
Inspired by Ayurvedic tradition, this coconut milk bath offers a soothing ritual designed to cleanse the body, nourish the skin and quiet the mind.
Simply sink into a warm tub (or foot soak) infused with restorative herbs and allow yourself a moment of true self‑care.
The floral‑scented blend features coconut milk extract, rose extract and a selection of nourishing botanical oils that soften the skin and leave it beautifully scented.
Its fine, white powder melts into the water to create a creamy, comforting bath that feels indulgent from the very first soak.
Not On The High Street Paint And Sip Gift Bundle Margarita
Enjoy a creative night in with this playful paint‑and‑sip bundle, pairing two ready‑to‑serve cocktails with a complete painting kit.
Inside, you’ll find two 150ml Classic Margarita pouches, a 24 x 30cm pre‑drawn canvas featuring a fun, abstract margarita illustration, plus six premium acrylic paints and two brushes.
It’s everything you need for a relaxed, art‑filled evening – just pour, paint and unwind.
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 91 Perfume Mist
Revitalise your senses with Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 91 Perfume Mist, a scent inspired by the bold, feel‑good energy of Brazil’s 1990s music scene.
This uplifting body spray blends vibrant notes that dance together beautifully – Brazilian Rio pink rose adds a soft, romantic base, passionfruit brings a bright, juicy burst, and honey caramel warms everything with a creamy sweetness.
Spritz it onto pulse points for an instant mood lift and a nostalgic, beach‑party aura that lingers throughout the day.
Accessorise Heart Print Wash Bag
Keep your self‑care routine on track wherever you go with this charming heart‑print wash bag.
Spacious enough to hold all your skincare favourites, it’s finished with sweet embroidered detailing that adds an extra touch of love.
A thoughtful little luxury, it makes a perfect Valentine’s treat – or a feel‑good gift for yourself.
Boux Avenue Cherry and Bow Embroidered Mule Slippers
Slip into instant comfort with these cherry‑and‑bow embroidered mule slippers, crafted from ultra‑soft teddy fleece for a plush, cloud‑like feel.
The closed‑toe design keeps feet warm and snug, while the contrast ivory lining adds a chic finishing touch.
Pair them with matching nightwear for a cosy, coordinated look that’s perfect for unwinding at home.
Kayali Fleur Majesty Rose Royale | 31 Eau de Parfum
Feel like your most radiant self with Fleur Majesty Rose Royale | 31, a warm floral fragrance designed to bring a touch of luxury to every day.
Blending juicy pear and sweet peach with a blooming heart of rose and pink peony, all wrapped in soft violet wood and sensual purple musk for a romantic yet modern finish; presented in a newly designed glass bottle with a stunning ombré gradient that fades from vibrant pink to royal purple and topped with KAYALI’s signature jewel‑inspired cap – an homage to traditional Middle Eastern perfume craftsmanship.
This scent reflects the brand’s mission to make every wearer feel elegant and empowered, with the rose chosen as the “Queen of Flowers” to anchor the composition, elevated by fresh fruit notes and delicate florals to create a fragrance that’s soft but striking, memorable yet effortless, and perfected over 31 formulation rounds to achieve its beautifully balanced signature.
After something for your boo? Check out our Valentines gift guide got him, too.
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18 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
I’m one of the 270,000 Brits with this invisible illness — we don’t feel safe in hospital
Sat in a hospital bed in 2016, minutes before going under general anaesthetic, I was handed a Lucozade by medical staff to frantically guzzle down.
At just 18, I had been accidentally double-dosed with insulin, the drug I use as a type 1 diabetic to regulate my blood glucose, as my pancreas can’t create it naturally.
Upon admission for pre-planned surgery on my back, I’d been fitted with an insulin drip, despite me telling nurses that I was already wearing my usual insulin pump, which continuously administers the drug, almost like a wireless cannula.
When I asked if I should take my pump off, they said no. Then came the terrifying beep notifying me of a dangerously low blood glucose reading, also known as a hypo, which would send me into a coma if left untreated.
80% of type 1 diabetics feel hospital care is insufficient
On three further occasions, I’ve felt NHS hospital staff lack the knowledge needed to keep me safe — and I’m not alone.
Metro commissioned an exclusive survey of type one diabetics to ask about their experiences of receiving healthcare for something other than their diabetes.
Eight in 10 told us they do not feel that medical staff had enough knowledge to help them manage their type 1 diabetes while in hospital, leaving just 19.5% to conclude that the care they received was sufficient.
It’s worth noting that the research, conducted in partnership with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D, collected a relatively small sample of 441 responses, but the individual testimonies fed back were astonishing.
‘I don’t trust anyone’
Bri Henderson, a 29-year-old with type 1, broke her wrist in 2021 and required emergency surgery. England was under strict Covid restrictions, so she was alone, which only worsened her anxiety.
The copywriter, from Brighton, was placed on an insulin drip overnight while waiting for theatre. Although she wears a Freestyle Libre sensor – a piece of equipment used to measure blood sugar – nurses still woke her hourly to prick her finger and check her levels.
What is type one diabetes and what are the symptoms?
According to the NHS website, type one diabetes ‘causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high. It happens when your body cannot produce a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose.’
As a result, those living with type 1 diabetes need to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels either through a manual finger-prick test or via a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which is worn on the arm and tests glucose through the tissue.
They also need to give themselves insulin either by injecting through a needle or by wearing an insulin pump.
Crucially, type 1 diabetes is not related to diet and lifestyle choices. As the Diabetes UK website outlines, the exact causes of type 1 diabetes are not known, and there currently isn’t a cure.
Diabetes UK uses the 4Ts to outline the main symptoms, which are:
Thinner (losing weight without deliberately trying to).
Toilet (going to the loo more often, particularly at night)
Thirst (having constant and unquenchable thirst)
Tired (suffering with tiredness and a lack of energy).
Instead of feeling reassured by the nurses’ double-checking, Bri was left petrified when the medical staff seemed unfazed by her readings.
When checking her own monitor, which she takes everywhere with her, Bri saw that her sugar levels were dropping ‘hard and fast’ while she was attached to the continuous drip – a fact she claims the medical professionals ignored.
‘I called for a nurse to turn the drip off. My request was denied,’ she says.
By 2am, Bri claims her request for the drip to be stopped had been rejected multiple times, an experience she describes as ‘truly terrifying.’
‘I thought if I went to sleep still attached to the drip, I wouldn’t wake up,’ she says.
Thankfully after five requests, the team finally disconnected her drip. But Bri didn’t get much sleep before a 10am surgery and was left feeling she had nobody ‘in her corner’ at the hospital. As a result, she didn’t make a formal complaint at the time.
In her view, hospital staff in the UK have a ‘basic textbook understanding’ of type 1 but are not trained to navigate the ‘complexities’ of the condition.
‘It’s scary considering you’re supposed to put your trust in nurses and doctors while you’re in hospital, but it’s never felt like that for me,’ Bri says. ‘I don’t trust anyone.’
Fact-check: Should type one diabetics be given double insulin in hospital?
Too much insulin, can low your blood sugar to dangerous levels, in a short space of time.
As Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor explains, the guidelines state that patients who are well enough to continue managing their pump therapy alone are able to do so while they’re in hospital. Only in cases where a patient is very unwell would they not be allowed to.
In these situations, Dr Suzanne says that the pump is ‘usually discontinued and an alternative insulin delivery method [such as an insulin drip] is started.’ Now, here’s the kicker.
Dr Suzanne says: ‘In some hospitals, there may be controlled circumstances where the pump can run alongside an intravenous infusion [AKA, an insulin drip] temporarily, but this is not routine practice and requires hourly blood glucose checks and careful management to avoid over-insulinisation.
‘Overall, the principle is that patient safety comes first, and any situation involving potential “double insulin” requires careful oversight, expert input, and frequent monitoring.’
‘My insulin was locked up’
Sufia Taylor, 50, also struggles to trust NHS hospital staff, saying she’s received tumultuous care since her diagnosis aged 18.
Originally told she couldn’t have children owing to misconceptions about diabetes and fertility, she welcomed her baby in 2001. But when she was admitted to hospital, still pregnant and with severe sickness and unstable blood sugars, she says staff failed to ensure she had food.
‘I was apparently meant to walk to a room where they served it. It didn’t come to me,’ Sufia, who lives in Preston, says. ‘They didn’t know anything at all about diabetes.’
In 2005, when her son was four, she had a stroke. By the end of the year, she’d had another, which led doctors to diagnose her with Takayasu’s disease, a condition that damages the arteries.
When the nurses were treating her, she was placed on an insulin drip, but says staff only tested her blood sugars on an ‘ad hoc’ basis when they had time.
‘That didn’t really work, because sometimes they’d be testing me an hour after I’d eaten, and I’d be high. They’d put more insulin in, and then I would go low,’ she claims.
In these situations, Sufia says she’d be blamed for supposedly having done something wrong. And, if her blood sugar skyrocketed back high again, she’d be accused of ‘eating sweets.’
On other hospital admissions for the condition, Sufia says medical professionals would take away her insulin and ‘lock it up’, deciding they would instead be in charge of her medication.
This proved difficult around meal times, when she needed to take her insulin with her meal, but one would arrive without the other.
‘They’d come an hour after breakfast with my insulin, when my food had gone cold,’ she remembers.
On another occasion, when she asked for something sugary to help treat a low, she claims she was given a sugar-free fizzy drink. She fell unconscious and remembers waking up surrounded by doctors.
‘They just treat me for what I’ve gone in for. They will ignore the fact that I have diabetes,’ Sufia says. Once, her son challenged the hospital on why they were ignoring his mum’s condition, to which he claims a nurse replied: ‘We don’t care about that.’
A previous report from Breakthrough T1D found gaps in care for type 1s continue, despite the development of the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) framework, which campaigns for every hospital to have a specialist diabetes inpatient team to ensure that type ones receive proper care.
Almost seven in 10 (68%) of the study’s respondents reported that they didn’t have access to a diabetes specialist nurse during their hospital stay.
Commenting on the latest Metro survey, Hilary Nathan, director of policy and communications at Breakthrough T1D, says type one diabetes is an incredibly complex condition. This condition takes no prisoners, and there are no days off.
‘While there are cases of people receiving good hospital care, this survey shows that all too often, in-patient experience for people living with type one falls below the required standard,’ she explains.
‘We urgently need to strengthen the quality of hospital care with improved training and a thorough understanding of T1D, so that people living with it receive the care they deserve.’
The NHS saved my life, but the overstretched, underfunded service is leaving type 1 diabetics like me without the care we need.
Looking to the future, Sufia hopes to see some urgency. ‘I need to know that they know what they’re doing, not guessing or following orders,’ she says. ‘At the end of the day, I’m the expert on diabetes. If I say I need something, I need it.’
Metro has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
Agony aunt Coleen Nolan advises a reader who is trying to help her best friend who is not in a good place after escaping a toxic relationship
Agony aunt Coleen Nolan advises a reader who is struggling with the news that his wife had an affair while they were trying for a baby
17 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
‘A handsome doctor added me on Facebook – then he destroyed my life’
A beauty queen at the centre of a scamming nightmare has recalled the horrific moment she unravelled her love interest’s web of lies – and found other victims
17 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
‘World’s most forgiving husband’ stays with teacher wife after she had sex with student in their bed
A man has loyally stayed with his wife after it emerged she had cheated on him with one of her teenage students in their marital home – and has even relocated to a new town with her
17 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Elton John just launched new £10 non-alcoholic ‘wine’ to rival Kylie Minogue’s
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I don’t subscribe to Dry Jan, that’s why I’m not doing it.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about moderation when it comes to booze, which is the surefire way to ensure a healthier relationship with alcohol in the long-term, without giving it up entirely.
We could all benefit from mastering the art of Bookending, which is where you start and end your night on a non-alcoholic drink, or even Zebra Striping – following an alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic drink all night.
I often utilise both these methods, but try to avoid non-alcoholic ‘wines’ when doing so – I’ve tasted a lot of them, and the majority are sickly sweet and unpleasant.
So, you can imagine then, that when I heard that a celebrity like Sir Elton John had come out with a zero-alcoholic ‘sparkling wine’ in January, I was cynical.
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But, whether I liked the taste of Elton’s or not, at least I’d be able to say ‘I’m still standing’ at the end of the evening (full disclosure, I thought that was a good joke until I saw they’ve actually used it on their ads to promote the drink).
To Sir Elton’s credit, after a widely-publicised battle with alcohol addiction, he quit drinking altogether in 1990. His husband, David Furnish, joined him by giving up alcohol himself in 2014.
What they haven’t given up is hosting; they both love to entertain, at home and on a larger scale. I mean, just look at their annual Oscars party, for the love of all things over-the-top.
Trouble is, they were both fans of Champagne and couldn’t find any decent non-alcoholic bottles to replace it. So, they teamed up with Benchmark Drinks, who are behind celebrity wine ranges like Kylie Minogue’s, Gary Barlow’s and Graham Norton’s.
And they went to the right people. Kylie’s is now sold in 36 countries and counting, having sold over 21 million bottles globally – that’s 100 million glasses of the stuff.
So what is Sir Elton John’s ‘wine’?
I have to put parentheses over ‘wine’ because it can’t officially be called wine. In UK and EU law, a wine is made from fully or partially fermented grapes. Because Sir Elton’s doesn’t go through fermentation, it’s labelled as a ‘drink’.
It’s made from northern Italian Chardonnay grapes, which are ‘fermented’ with a special yeast that doesn’t actually produce alcohol. They’ve also added green tea extract to add a suggestion of tannin-like structure and bubbles from an instant form of carbonation.
Meanwhile, the bottle design features similar artwork to the style of his Greatest Hits album, Diamonds.
Now, I couldn’t taste Sir Elton’s without putting it in the context of another celeb non-alcoholic drink. So, I also got myself a bottle of Kylie’s Alcohol-Free Rosé, made from ‘premium European grapes and green tea from Yunnan’.
So, here goes the celebrity non-alcoholic taste-off…
Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs 0.0% Alcohol Free, £10, Sainsbury’s
Very pale to the eye, with a thwack of ripe peach on the nose, jasmine and honeysuckle, and some lifted green tea notes that peek through. On the palate, this is a seltzer-like, dry-presenting drink, though there are 35g/l residual sugar, which is fairly high. Peach, apricot and fresh pear come through on the palate with a lime-zesty finish.
Kylie Minogue 0.0% Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé Wine Based Drink, £6.25, Sainsbury’s
Bubblegum pink in colour, with a nose of ripe strawberries and green tea. On the palate, pomegranate, watermelon, strawberry and green tea notes are evident, with a sweetness that’s not cloying (it has 36g/l residual sugar). The finish majors on green tea notes, led by strawberry sherbet.
The Verdict
Although neither was to my taste, and in no way ‘wine-like’, both are well-made and pleasant drinks that are perfect for moderating your alcohol intake.
I have to say, they are a vast improvement on some of the cloying examples of alcohol-free wine on the market. Anyone who likes a burst of fruit and vibrant flavours should give both of these a try.
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