Author: bang5

The actress rose to fame by playing Kate Austen in the hit series Lost, which aired from 2004 to 2010, before going on to star in Marvel films including Ant-Man and Avengers: Endgame

Marvel star’s gruesome injuries after horror boulder ordeal saw her rushed to hospital

Lost star Evangeline Lilly shared a gruesome image of her bloodied, injured face after she fell into a boulder while on the beach. The actress, who also starred in the Marvel films, fainted while enjoying a day at the beach, falling face-first into a boulder, chipping a tooth.

The 45-year-old described the horrific accident to her followers, explaining how she was even hospitalised, with nurses and doctors left frantically trying to get to the bottom of her fall. She wrote: “I fainted at the beach. And fell face first into a boulder.”

The Ant-Man star continued: “At the hospital, the nurses and doctor went straight into action, more determined to find the cause of my blackout than to stitch up the hole punctured into my face by the rock. I smiled wryly at them. ‘You won’t find anything.’ I said with a woozy voice…”

But Evangeline’s boulder ordeal wasn’t the first time she’s dealt with random “fainting spells”, with the star coming up with a theory behind her sudden-onset episodes. The star was even checked by medical professionals who were stumped by her condition, and was tested for epilepsy.

Evangeline Lilly left medics scratching their heads after her horror fall(Image: Evangeline Lilly/Instagram)

Evangeline explained more in a Substack post: “For a good chunk of my life, I went with that – hypoglycemia. It added up — my metabolism is through the roof and I metabolise sugars, particularly, with [shocking] efficiency.”

But after her fasting glucose levels and iron were all confirmed to be in the normal range, Evangeline believes there is something more mystical at play. She added: “I have come to believe that this ‘checking out’ is a result of my little soul reaching her limit of what she feels she can cope with in this life, and she ‘leaves the building,’ so to speak.”

Evangeline elaborated on her “unmedical” theory in her post. She wrote: “That when she has had enough, when the pain becomes too great, the stresses beyond overwhelming, the shattered idealism crushing, my soul exits my body and returns to pure spirit.”

The mum-of-two rose to fame on ABC’s Lost(Image: 2005 ABC, INC.)

The Canadian star, who drew criticism during the Covid pandemic for refusing to self-isolate, also proposed changes to the healthcare system. She wrote: “I can picture hospitals where doctors are trained not just in biology, but also in philosophy and the mystic arts of healing; where patients are held not pushed along, seen not filed, heard not interrogated; where nurses are trusted not suspected, where doctors are given space to consult their deepest self when solving the hardest riddles.”

She added that her partner told her she looks like she “dies” when she has her attacks. The Reel Steel actress added: “He gets very afraid. My eyes roll back in my head, and all life leaves my body.

“He is constantly checking my nose and mouth for breath. This time was no exception. He wasn’t with me at the beach, but on the way to the hospital I blacked out again.”

Evangeline made the decision to step away from acting in June 2024, after initially rising to fame when she played Kate Austen in the ABC hit series Lost. Telling her fans with an Instagram video, the mother-of-two wrote: “I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision.

“Praise God, I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfilment. I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”

Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has tragically died aged 24 after his VW Golf R estate came off the road, with his parents paying an emotional tribute to him

Former Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has died(Image: BBC)

Fans of Race Across the World have joined the family and friends of the show’s star Sam Gardiner in mourning his sudden death.

The 24-year-old former contestant of the BBC programme died following a car crash in Manchester last week. It was announced on Sunday that a a ‘terrible accident’ had cost the global adventurer his life as tributes begin to pour, with those who watched his journey left stunned by the news.

Sam had been driving on the A34 in Manchester on Bank Holiday Monday when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side. He had been working in Scotland and travelled to Stockport to attend a family birthday celebration earlier in the week.

Driving his VW Golf R estate, the landscape gardener suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at hospital. Sam’s parents said he was “adored by his family” and described him as “loyal, funny and fiercely protective”. They added his time on the BBC show “opened Sam’s eyes to the wonder of adventure”.

The TV star died on Monday May 26

His family said he ‘left us far too soon’(Image: PA)

His parents continued: “He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.

“Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.

Following his sad death, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We sadly must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley has since passed away from his injuries.

“The driver, a 24-year-old man, has been named as Sam Gardiner. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this terrible time.

“We’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and have sent their best wishes to Sam and his family.”

Sam and mum Jo were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money. However, Sam had described his time on Race Across the World as a “life-changing” experience. Following the devastating news, a Race Across the World spokesperson offered the their deepest condolences

“Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo,” they said. “Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.

“Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his family and friends.”

Antiques Roadshow expert John Benjamin was on hand to deliver a valuation on a pair of drop earrings and a sapphire ring

On Sunday’s Antiques Roadshow, expert John Benjamin gave two hopeful guests some disappointing news at the stunning Wollaton Hall in Nottingham.

The episode featured locals bringing in their treasures, with a pair of guests presenting family Art Deco jewellery for valuation. At first glance inside an old tin, John discovered exquisite platinum drop earrings and a sapphire ring.

One of the guests related the tale of his mother receiving the jewels from a friend, who was acquainted with a man with connections to France.

John, upon closer inspection, found a significant alteration: “Someone who has owned these in their history has taken them to a jeweller and said: ‘I’m not sure if I like the fittings!’

Antiques Roadshow expert, John Benjamin, delivered some ‘bad news’ to two guests on Sunday’s episode of the show(Image: BBC)

“So what they’ve done is they’ve removed the original fittings from the back and they’ve soldered on these long gold sort of posts with nine carat gold screw fittings at the end”, reports Edinburgh Live.

While examining the ring, John revealed a surprising fact about its authenticity, revealing: “Here’s an interesting point, in the 1920s, when that was made, synthetic rubies and sapphires were beginning to appear on the market.”

He delivered the blow when he declared: “The sapphires on the shoulders in the ring are actually synthetic. They’re not real. So, there we are.”

During the valuation, he revealed: “Here’s the bad news, those drops, today, if they were having the original fittings on them. I think would be worth between £4,000 and £5,000.

He found a spectacular pair of drop earrings set in platinum and a sapphire ring(Image: BBC)

“But because the fittings have been changed, I think we’ve got to now drop that price to probably £2,500 to £3,000 simply because of a clumsy conversion.”

Regarding the sapphire ring, he estimated: “The ring about £1500.”

This led to one of the guests quipping: “How much is the box worth?” which prompted John to respond with a chuckle: “Priceless, absolutely priceless the box!”

In another segment, art expert Rupert Maas appraised a monochrome painting of Princess Daisy of Pless, an icon of Edwardian high society.

One of the guests explained that it was given to his mother by a friend of hers who had met a guy who spent a lot of time in France(Image: BBC)

The owner explained how her father had found the artwork in a Watford junk shop for a mere £13.50.

Rupert encouraged her to keep it on display, especially after revealing its surprising value of £2,000 to £3,000.

The owner was shocked, saying: “Really? Gosh! I was thinking you were going to say a couple of hundred,” to which Rupert acknowledged it wasn’t a huge sum but definitely a significant increase from what was paid.

It’s a tense week in Emmerdale next week as the police are closing in on Nate’s death after the discovery of his body – but will the truth ever be revealed?

John is questioned over Nate’s death next week – but he has a plan….(Image: ITV )

Fans may not yet have recovered from last week’s shock events in Emmerdale, but there’s much more to come next week – as spoilers for the ITV soap tease more drama ahead.

After Robert Sugden’s shock return, the village was rocked once again with Cain, Caleb, Chas and Ruby terrified about the revelation that a body has been found at the bottom of the lake. After learning the body had been there for months – they were left panicking that the body was Anthony’s.

However, this week it’s set to be revealed that it’s Nate’s body in the river, with a guilty John questioned about the day Nate disappeared. But OF COURSE he’s got a plan…

John is questioned over Nate’s death

When the interview is over, John hopes he’s said enough to protect Cain – who voices his suspicions that Tracy is responsible for the death of Nate.

Obviously venting after Cain’s accusation, Tracy tries to defend herself. John tries to comfort Cain reassuring him the police will find something else to focus on soon, as he formulates a plan. What does John have up his sleeve?

Things later escalate when the police arrive at Tug Ghyll with a search warrant – where they find Nate’s phone in Frankie’s playhouse leaving Tracy distraught as she’s taken in for questioning.

Mandy and Paddy are left in a panic when they realise Eve has been left in danger

With all eyes on her, an innocent Tracy desperately needs an alibi as she tells police she was at her sister Vanessa’s the day Nate was supposed to leave for Shetland. But will her sister corroborate?

Away from the Nate drama, Mandy and Paddy are left panicking when they find out Bear has left Eve in danger when he promises the littlun some sweets.

However, things take a dangerous turn when Eve gets her hands on Bear’s sleeping tablets, leaving Mandy and Paddy horrified. Will Eve be okay?

Things get heated between Tracy and Ruby

Elsewhere, there’s fury for more villagers, as Jacob is left furious when finds out Sarah hasn’t told Charity about her cancer. And there’s even more drama with Tracy as she ends up in a heated exchange with Ruby – in which she ends up slapping her across the face. But what is it about?

It seems Gabby is the only villager having a good week next week, as Vinny heads over to Kammy for help to win her back over after forgetting the anniversary of their first kiss. She’s left delighted with the romantic scenes, and Vinny’s all smiles when he realises his plan is coming together.

However, Kammy’s good deeds don’t last long when he’s heard organising to sell Clemmie’s stolen phone…

Coronation Street fans may want to get the tissues next week, as the soap are set to air the final goodbye for PC Craig Tinker – but one resident fails to attend

There’s emotional scenes in Coronation Street this week as residents gather for Craig Tinker’s funeral (Image: ITV )

It’s set to be an emotional week in Coronation Street next week as Craig Tinker gets the send off he deserves after being brutally killed. However, things are thrown into chaos when one resident fails to show up.

We’ll also see Betsy sneakily visit someone in prison, and a shock arrest for another unlikely resident.

The funeral day starts off in panic when Sarah’s concerned to discover that Kit’s already left for the day. Lisa is then forced to step in and make a heartfelt speech at the funeral after he’s still no where to be seen. But where is Kit?

Kit finds Brody injured in an alley

It’s also a tough week for Lisa – as Carla confides in Betsy that she’s worried for her partner. However, Betsy only adds to the worry as Lisa soon catches her daughter snooping through some of her old files.

If the emotions of the weeks on goings weren’t enough for Lisa, she’s set for another shock when she learns her daughter has lied about her whereabouts.

Unbeknownst to Lisa, Betsy shows best friend Lauren a picture on her phone of the letter she found containing information on her mum, Becky, and is intent on getting answers.

Lisa finds Betsy snooping through her files

She then seeks support from Lauren, who accompanies her to the prison visiting room where she prepares to meet Logan, the villainous brother of Mason and Matty Radcliffe. Betsy tells him she’s here to find out what really happened to Becky. But will Logan’s return come with the answers she needs?

However, it’s not long before Steve lets slip to Lisa and Carla that Betsy has lied about her whereabouts and in fact ordered a cab to Highfield Prison. How will Lisa and Carla react?

Betsy’s not the only one in trouble – as Maria’s shock altercation leaves her in trouble with the police.

During the Platts barbeque, Maria demands Lou empties her pockets after assuming she’s stolen money from Shona. But are Maria’s accusations correct?

Maria is arrested on suspicion of ABH(Image: ITV )

The drama later escalates when Lou is found on the living room floor with a broken coffee table – with Maria standing over her.

The police quickly arrive and tell Maria they’re arresting her on suspicion of ABH. But did she do it?

Elsewhere, there could be more upset for Todd after saying goodbye to his mother Eileen last week. He’s left gutted when Theo cancels their date – could their relationship be on the rocks?

Teodora Marcu, who was 26 weeks pregnant, was gunned down in the street and shot dead while holding her toddler in her arms

Pregnant reality star gunned down while holding toddler in shocking street attack(Image: Jam Press)

A pregnant reality star was shot dead in the street with her toddler daughter in her arms. Teodora Marcu was allegedly gunned down in cold blood by her ex-boyfriend who turned the gun on himself when cornered by the cops.

She was 26 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. The TV star, 23, was carrying her three-year-old daughter in her arms when the suspected killer, named as Robert Lupu, 49, allegedly shot her at close range.

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She left him when she found out he was lying about his marriage and he never accepted the relationship was over, according to reports. The reality star was fatally shot outside the Cosmopolis residential complex near the Romanian capital Bucharest on Saturday (31 May).

Pregnant reality star shot dead while holding toddler in shocking street attack(Image: Jam Press)

Teodora, who found fame on a Love Island-type show called Insula Iubirii in her home country, had been at a kids’ party with her cousin and her children. The pair posted images of the party on social media just minutes before the attack happened.

They left the party and went to buy ice cream together when the victim was reportedly shot four times in the chest and abdomen. The relative helped her on the street and tried to console her young daughter.

Meanwhile, the suspect calmly left the scene and was later tracked down by the cops. He allegedly shot himself when he was cornered, as reported by NeedToKnow.

Teodora found fame on a Love Island type show(Image: Jam Press)

The police said: “Two lethal firearms were found on the man, one of which he used to commit suicide. The two weapons were seized by specialists from the Weapons Service of the Ilfov County Police Inspectorate and we are still trying to determine their origin.”

Teodora was expecting her second child with her partner Alexandru Marcu, an illusionist by profession, at the time of her death. She would have given birth to a son.

The investigation into her alleged murder is ongoing.

Actress Barbara Ferris has died after playing the role of Nona Willis on Coronation Street at the Rovers Return

Former model and Coronation Street actress has passed away aged 85. Barbara Ferris played a barmaid in Coronation Street in 1961, and enjoyed a decades-long career.

After a stint on Coronation Street as Nona Willis, actress Barbara stepped away from the show after just 10 episodes, admitting she found the Lancastrian accent too difficult to follow.

Film fans may also remember her as Dinah, the love interest who runs away with Dave Clark in the 1965 movie Catch Us If You Can. Her final screen appearance came in 1990’s The Krays, directed by Peter Medak.

Ferris eventually left acting behind to focus on raising her children and accompanying her husband on international work trips, with the couple settling in homes across Ireland, Zurich, and London.

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Image:
Manchester Evening News)

Born in London to Dorothy and Roy Ferris, she was the youngest of two children. As a student at the Italia Conti stage school, she took on pantomimes and commercials to support her family.

Following news of her passing, fans have shared touching tributes and vintage photos online to honour her memory. One wrote: “Absolutely gutted to hear about Barbara Ferris. She had such a quiet grace on screen — Catch Us If You Can was a core memory from my childhood. Rest easy, Dinah.”

Barbara has died at the age of 85 ( 
Image:
ExpressStar)
Another echoed: “RIP to Barbara Ferris – unforgettable in The Krays. That voice, that presence. We were lucky to have her, even if briefly.” And someone else wrote: “Barbara was one of the kindest, most generous actors I ever worked with. Her laughter lit up every set we shared. It was an honour just to be around her.”

Ferris is survived by her husband and their three children: Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine ( 
Image:
GRANADA TELEVISION)Ferris, who passed away on May 23, 2025, led a life touched by both quiet stardom and personal devotion. Her younger sister, Liz, achieved athletic acclaim, becoming a springboard diving champion and taking home bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

That same year, Ferris married film producer John Quested. But the newlyweds had little time to celebrate – their honeymoon was a single night at The Dorchester, cut short by Ferris’s imminent professional stage debut.

Ferris is survived by her husband and their three children: Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine.

Focus Features has released the first trailer for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale the third film in the Downton Abbey franchise and the long-awaited conclusion to the story that began with the ITV series in 2010.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter.

The new series stars Simon Russell Beale, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Joanne Froggatt and Paul Giamatti. It will also include Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Alessandro Nivola, Dominic West, Penelope Wilton, Arty Froushan, Joely Richardson, Paul Copley, and Douglas Reith.

Downton Abbey is set for a lavish farewell as the final film in the trilogy arrives this September. A striking red-and-gold teaser hints at high drama and elegance, with the tagline: “It’s almost time to bid farewell.”

Michelle Dockery, 43, returns as Lady Mary, seen in the poster standing in Downton’s grand doorway in a crimson gown, tiara, and gloves – poised between legacy and goodbye.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in September ( 
Image:
Focus Features)

Original cast members Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, and Jim Carter will reprise their roles, reuniting for one last story written by series creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis.

The series first captured audiences in 2010 and concluded on Christmas Day 2015, collecting multiple Emmys along the way. Its cinematic follow-ups began in 2019 with a royal visit, followed by Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022, which saw the Crawleys travel to the French Riviera.

This final chapter marks the end of an era – one that will carry the memory of Dame Maggie Smith, who died in 2024, and whose iconic portrayal of Violet Crawley helped define the beloved saga.

The third film debuted its trailer during CinemaCon, and is now sharing it with audiences everywhere. Julian Fellowes returns to write the installment, which is set in the same universe as his show “The Gilded Age.”

Fellowes previously teased that the elusive plot of “The Grand Finale” is “emboldened” by the clock timer invention that takes place in “The Gilded Age.”

The logline for “The Grand Finale” reads: “The time has come to say goodbye to ‘Downton Abbey.’ Focus Features is bringing the beloved Crawley household to theaters for the final installment of the wildly successful franchise written by creator Julian Fellowes.”

Back in April, actress Joanne Froggatt shed light on the anticipated new Downton Abbey film during an appearance on The One Show, chatting with hosts Gethin Jones and Alex Scott.

The BBC host eagerly asked about the final chapter of the cherished period drama, which drops in September, as she questioned: “Are you ready to say goodbye?”

Downton Abbey will return for one last time ( 
Image:
Focus Features)
To which Joanne responded: “Oh my goodness, it’s going to be hard! We’ve said goodbye a few times, thinking, ‘This is the end’, at the end of the seasons. Then we did one movie and we wondered if we’d get a second movie.

“This really is, the third and final, so this really is goodbye. It’s going to be emotional, but all good things must come to an end, I suppose.”

Audiences recognise Joanne from her enduring role as Anna Bates in the ITV saga, emerging onto the scene back in 2010. The series concluded in 2015 with her role capping off an impressive run, though she reprised her role for the subsequent movies, with the first launching four years post-finale in 2019.

As Joanne confirmed this marks the cast’s last curtain call, host Gethin Jones couldn’t resist probing for some juicy tidbits about the finale.

Challenged about spilling any details, Joanne divulged: “Look, I think I can say Anna, my character, is pregnant because I was pregnant when we were filming and there’s been pictures out there, so that’s one spoiler.”

Gethin appeared oblivious to the revelation as his reaction conveyed visible astonishment. In jest, Joanna supplemented her confession with: “I wrote my own storyline there.”

Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon-Cho opens up all about her baby news and shares the IVF story that took her from heartbreak to happiness in an exclusive chat

Liz McClarnon-Cho couldn’t be more grateful to be expecting her first baby at 44 – but she’s also the first to admit she’s somewhat “petrified” of what’s to come. The Liverpool-born singer, who lives in London, tells the Mirror how she’s “loving life” as a mum-to-be, but also explains why her IVF journey pushed her to her limits.

The Atomic Kitten star announced the happy news on her social media earlier this month, and as she opens up about her fertility treatment, miscarriages, and her “rock” of a husband, she reveals she’s been stunned at the reaction to her news. “I really didn’t expect people to be interested,” she laughs. “I just thought I should probably put it out there before someone else mentioned it. I’m still at that ‘is it a baby bump or is it just a big tummy?’ stage I think, but it was only a matter of time.”

Liz was shocked by the huge response to her pregnancy post(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

“I wore a Baby On Board badge on the Tube the other day because I didn’t want to be knocked, and I noticed someone really look at me… So I decided to just let people know what was happening, then I think it’d been seen by half a million people within a few hours. I’m just here living my fabulous little life, I didn’t think people would care. But I think IVF is something that a lot of people can relate to – maybe more than we realise.”

Meanwhile, Liz and her doctor husband, Peter Cho, are well into the second trimester and now that the pregnancy sickness has worn off, she’s determined to not dwell on the past.

That said, she’s decided to share her own experiences, the good and bad, in the hope it adds something to the IVF conversation in general. It’s also a rare opportunity for Liz, with some gentle cajoling, to tell the world a little more about Peter, who she says has been nothing short of “brilliant” since they first met online during the Covid pandemic.

The couple first connected on dating app Hinge, mid-2021 lockdown – shortly after she was “kicked off Bumble for impersonating a famous person”. “Me!” she giggles.

Liz met the love of her life online, and couldn’t be happier today(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

After a month of messages and FaceTimes they were finally allowed to meet in person in July 2021, and within another four months, Liz had moved down to London from Liverpool to move in with Peter. Fast forward another four months, and Peter surprised Liz with a shock proposal by the Pulteney Bridge in Bath, complete with fairy lights and gorgeously sparkling ring.

“I’d actually taken him away for his birthday, then he started leading me down some steps… it was really dark so I had no clue what was going on. Then I saw all the fairy lights and he asked me to marry him!”

While she’s had a number of high-profile relationships, Liz doesn’t actually adopt a “thank God I didn’t settle before” attitude because, she says, that feels like “peeing on someone else’s chips, and I wouldn’t do that”.

Liz admits she felt ‘broken’ before getting their happy pregnancy news(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

She adds, “I’m just really grateful for what we found, and I genuinely hate the cheesiness of it, but I just knew it was right. On the outside we seem so different, but we’re actually the same.”

Their IVF journey started quite early in their relationship because, Liz explains, they both knew they wanted children and were aware that her being 40 could delay the natural process. In 2022, the couple had three failed embryo transfers, which hit Liz hard.

“The first time we did it, I thought, ‘This will be it,’” she recalls. “But by my third cycle, it was obviously very different. When that one didn’t work, I was really quite sick and I was in a dark hole.

“I’d put on so much weight but I didn’t want to tell anyone why, because I didn’t want the IVF to become my identity, my whole personality. I was still doing shows and I’d see the comments online talking about me.

“I remember one said, ‘She’s getting really thick,’ and others were like, ‘She’s unrecognisable.’ I tried to remember that those people didn’t know what was happening, but it was hard. I just felt broken after the third time, so we took a break before the wedding.”

At times Liz found it hard keeping her IVF experience private(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

Liz explains that it was a conscious decision to be honest in her pregnancy announcement on Instagram about her “dark times” and “loss after so much hope”. “The whole process made me truly appreciate that having a baby is a miracle,” she says. “There are so, so many things that need to happen correctly for someone to get pregnant, and for that to result in a healthy baby.

“If you fall pregnant naturally maybe you’re not as aware, but at times we would be waiting every single day for the phone call to say how many eggs had been retrieved, or how many embryos they had, or if the embryos were healthy, or growing, or to tell us if I was pregnant. Then when it doesn’t work, you’re just in shock.”

Towards the end of last year, the couple suffered two heartbreaking miscarriages following their first successful cycles.

“I said I was ‘done’ after the last one, and Peter was absolutely on board with that, he didn’t say anything other than, ‘This is your body and I’ll support whatever you decide you want,’ which was a huge thing for me. I felt so bad emotionally, it was really tough. But then we spent Christmas at home in my tiny two-bedroom flat, and my mum and dad came down from Liverpool and we all squeezed in. That time actually helped me heal.”

Time with her loved ones helped her heal, she says(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

It’s definitely the start of a new chapter for Liz, who still performs Kitten songs today, more than 20 years after shooting to fame alongside Kerry Katona, Natasha Hamilton and later, Jenny Frost.

Liz is “loving life” now that the anxiety that lingered because of her earlier pregnancies has dissipated. The next milestone, she says excitedly, is finding out if it’s a boy or a girl. She has no preference, but wants to remove any uncertainty where she can. She’s also aware of the potential impact of her age on her pregnancy and labour, and is already taking aspirin as she falls into the “high risk” category. She is being monitored for pre-eclampsia, and will soon start taking regular blood-thinning injections.

We suggest that once the baby is here, she’ll be full of energy. “Oh God no, my knees already hurt,” she laughs. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m so grateful, but I’m also petrified. But you know what? It’s happened to women older than me before, and it’ll happen again – so we’ll just get on with it!”

Love Island star Georgia Steel has been slammed on her latest social media post after sharing her ‘risky’ outfit for bestie Dani Dyers countryside wedding to Jarrod Bowen

Former Love Island star Georgia Steel has been slammed online by fans after she attended Dani Dyer’s wedding in a ‘white’ lace dress. Dani tied the knot with West Ham United footballer Jarrod Bowen in an intimate wedding in the picturesque English countryside at the weekend, surrounded by her close friends and family.

Just before attending the wedding as a guest, Georgia took to TikTok where she shared a video showing off her wedding attire. The influencer is seen walking away from the camera, ensuring a full-length view, before spinning around and showing all angles of the dress.

The lacey midi dress featured a cutout feature on her chest and frilly fringe detailed around the top. Georgia, who first met Dani on Love Island, paired the look with white heels and a white clutch bag. While fans agreed the dress was beautiful, there was a dispute over the colour and whether it was wedding-appropriate.

Georgia has been criticised for her choice of dress for the wedding(Image: TIKTOK)

The dress, which can be bought online for £206, had followers claiming that it was a ‘risky’ and ‘too bridal’ for a wedding due to its light colour and lace trim. One follower commented: “Why would you wear a dress that’s too close to white to a wedding?”

While another added: “Stunning on you! It’s a shame that it’s such a pale yellow it looks cream. maybe it’s brighter off camera but it’s a risky colour for a wedding IMO”.

Other fans jumped to Georgia’s defence and said: “All the colourblind people in the comments, it’s YELLOW”, while another added: “Let the girl wear her YELLOW dress in peace”.

Georgia hugged Dani as she embraced the special day(Image: INSTAGRAM)

While Georgia looked the epitome of a spring/summer wedding guest, embracing this year’s ‘butter yellow’ trend, bride Dani, of course, stole the show in a beautiful Suzanne Neville dress. The wedding dress was simple and elegant with off-the-shoulder sleeves. Striker Jarrod also cut a smart figure in a classic three-piece black suit.

The newlyweds confirmed they’ve officially tied the knot with a sweet Instagram post. Sharing a loved-up snap of their ceremony, Dani simply wrote: “The Bowen’s.”

Dani and Jarrod tied the knot on Saturday

On her Instagram, Dani said, “The most perfect, special day,” alongside a video of herself getting married. A purpose-built glass marquee had been erected in the Buckinghamshire countryside for the event, although the ceremony itself took place outside to make the most of the sunny weather.

After the couple cut a giant white cake, a band could be seen in the background poised to begin, so everyone could get the party started with some dancing.

The couple walked the aisle than a year after Jarrod popped the question to Dani. After seeking Dani’s dad’s permission, Jarrod got down on one knee during to boat trip in Ibiza. The proposal came a year after the couple welcomed twins into their family, Summer and Star, who are now two.