Keep your plants safe this winter with simple £19 buy that ‘protects against wind and frost’

With the winter season nearly here, green-thumbed shoppers can keep plants ‘protected against wind and frost’ with one simple product that won’t break the bank

As we head deeper into autumn, gardeners across the country are getting their gardens and allotments in shape as they prepare for the wind and frost that are sure to come with the arrival of winter. Whether you’re looking to protect newly planted trees or save blooming bushes for next spring, plant fleeces may be just the ticket when it comes to ensuring your garden stays intact through the wet and windy weather of winter.

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This twin pack on Amazon (£19.99) comes stocked with two large plant covers that are perfect for plants sized 55”-70″ tall and 84”-94″ wide. Heavy-weight FRCs like these are designed to extend the growing season in spring and fall, allowing for 40%-60% light transmittance, and freeze protection from 3° to 8°F.

Offering a simple and convenient design, these covers feature an easy-to-use drawstring at the opening, making it easier and quicker to cover plants at the last minute or during harsh weather conditions. Additionally, there’s no need to worry; despite its simple design, the drawstring is sturdy and ensures the cover remains secure, regardless of what the elements throw at it.

Constructed from high-quality non-woven fabric, these covers allow air and moisture to reach your plants, keeping them breathable, without letting the winter weather cause damage that will prevent growth and blossoming next year. Additionally, they are lightweight and soft, ensuring they are plant-friendly and do not harm the plant’s growth.

Protecting plants from snow, hail, frost, and extreme temperature fluctuations during the winter, these covers also keep your plants safe from insects and birds during the spring season.

This two-pack includes garden fleeces measuring 120×180 CM, with alternative size options available. This pack sells for £19.99 on Amazon.

For something more lightweight, B&Q is offering these Fleece Plant Frost Protection Jacket Covers (Set of 6) for £12.98, while Gardening Express has these Extra Thick (30gsm) Medium Frost Protection Fleece Plant Jackets (Pack of 3) for £7.99.

Meanwhile, the Amazon option is a winner among green-thumbed shoppers who have bestowed plenty of 5-star reviews. One thrilled customer raves: “Good quality, large bag with zip , making it easy to position on trees and bushes a like. Drawstring at the bottom to make it tight at base. Wanted it to protect my lemon tree, seems to have worked well.”

Another buyer beams: “Protected my large Oleander plant over the winter 23/24. Had a few brown leaves but that was it – whilst my mum and brother had same plant and both of theirs were killed off by frost so they have now ordered the same covers for other large plants.”

Further praise comes from this shopper who says: “Really easy to use and certainly kept my tree ferns frost-free last year. So pleased have ordered smaller ones to cover small delicate shrubs replacing fleece sheet I used last year.”

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One customer does note one gripe, writing: “I bought these covers for my 4 feet plants as it is harder and harder for my husband to lift them indoors every winter and was delighted to cover the plants to leave them outside this winter. It was simple to use and the zipper was excellent to close them up after I covered the plants. I loved the fact they allowed light and moisture in, meaning I had less to do. Unfortunately both plants died and although I watered them twice, thinking they wouldn’t even need that, it was obvious water wasn’t getting in. I should have realised that as I remember seeing pools of water on the gathered parts of the fabric when it rained. Maybe the plants dying was my fault, but I won’t use them again.”

Prue Leith reveals Bake Off rule that restricts her when cameras start rolling

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith explained what she is not allowed to wear on the show because of a specific rule while also discussing accidental innuendos

The Great British Bake Off’s renowned judge, Dame Prue Leith, has revealed a surprising restriction she faces on the popular Channel 4 show.

Despite owning a whopping 75 pairs of glasses from her own brand, Specs by Prue, the 85-year-old star is not permitted to wear them on the show.

The reason is because if she did, she would be seen as promoting her own brand.

In an interview with the Radio Times, Prue explained: “I own 75, because that’s how many are in my range [Specs by Prue], but I’ve only got about 20 with my prescription in.”

“I’m not allowed to wear any of mine on Bake Off, because it would be using the show to promote them, but there’s nothing wrong with RT [Radio Times] advertising them…”

Prue also touched on another well-known aspect of the Bake Off – its unintentional innuendos. Regarding these innuendos, Prue said: “My problem is that I mostly don’t get it. I don’t know what they’re talking about.

“The bakers are asked to produce their favourite animal in cake, and there’s a beaver, so I say, ‘Tell us about your beaver.’ Hysterics all round. What am I meant to say?”

In a recent interview with the publication, Paul Hollywood responded to Prue’s comments by saying: “There is a classic clip online where Prue talks about needing two holes to squirt, and about squeezing the bag. At the time, I had to walk out of the tent. It’s like a Carry On film.”

Prue has been open about her experiences on Bake Off, even revealing that she’s decided to stop using certain phrases.

She admitted that she used to say a cake was “not worth the calories”, but has since stopped using the phrase as she didn’t want to appear “fattist”.

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Speaking to the Radio Times, she elaborated: “That is my absolute judgment about any baking, because you know it’s full of fat and sugar, so: ‘Do I really want to eat this? Am I prepared to get fat?'”

“I don’t say it now, because lots of people said they felt judged for liking cake. They thought I was being fattist.”

Love Island’s Sharon Gaffka lashes out as sickening trolls brand her ‘Lucy Letby 2.0’

Love Island star and activist Sharon Gaffka has opened up about the horrific trolling she experienced after talking about her abortion, including one who likened her to Lucy Letby

Love Island star Sharon Gaffka has revealed that she was “horrifically” likened to Lucy Letby after speaking publicly about her abortion in June.

The 29-year-old reality TV star and activist fighting to reduce violence against women and girls spoke about her abortion to lessen the stigma for others. But after talking about it, she faced an onslaught of online abuse.

She has now revealed that cruel trolls called her “Lucy Letby 2.0”, referring to the former neonatal nurse and serial killer who is serving 15 whole-life sentences seven babies in her care and attempting to murder seven more.

Sharon spoke about her decision on Instagram in June. Earlier this week, she went on Dr Faye Bate’s Her Discussions podcast to talk about the expereince and the messages she received after she posted about it.

She shared: “It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. Regardless of whether it was the ‘right’ decision or not, it was 100% the right decision [for me]. I don’t regret it at all. So when people sit there and say ‘You took the easy way out’, trust me, it was not easy.

“I had to live with emotional trauma of going through something so physical, and I had some horrific messages. I had someone call me Lucy Letby 2.0. I had people threaten to dox me all because I had an abortion.”

Faye responded that “one in three women will get an abortion in their lifetime” and that isn’t a “niche thing” but something that’s happened for a long time. “Before it was legal, it’s gone on unsafely behind closed doors.”

Sharon also previously revealed that she suffered a miscarriage shortly after leaving the Love Island villa in January 2021. Last Saturday (11 October) she took to Instagram to talk about both the experience and how both that and her abortion have “shaped me in ways I’m still learning to understand”.

Sharing the post ahead of Baby Loss Awareness Week, she wrote: “This week is baby loss awareness week, and I wasn’t sure whether to post this, but both my miscarriage and my abortion have shaped me in ways I’m still learning to understand.

“Both were losses. Both changed me. Both deserve compassion. It’s complicated, grief, guilt, relief, and love are all sitting side by side. If you’ve been through any kind of baby loss, please know you’re not alone in it.”

Many fans thanked Sharon for sharing her story. One wrote: “Sharon you are incredible and I am forever in awe of you. Sending you love. Thank you for sharing your story, it will help someone more than you ever realise. You are incredible. This is such an important conversation that will help so many people. Thank you for sharing your story which will help so many women out there.”

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at the Miscarriage Association. You can call them on 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk

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The Traitors’ Elen Wyn reveals she has two wombs and cervixes amid endometriosis battle

Elen Wyn is known for being a Welsh opera singer and rose to fame as a faithful on the hit BBC show last January but has now opened up about her health battles

The Traitors star Elen Wyn has shared that she has two wombs and two cervixes, as well as battling endometriosis. The 25-year-old has opened up about what she has gone through in a recent interview.

The Welsh opera singer is best known for starring on hit BBC show The Traitors, where she was a loyal and faithful. She explained that she pushed the doctors for an endometriosis diagnosis, but that was when doctors found something far from what they were expecting.

Elen said she struggled with the healthcare system before finally receiving a diagnosis in 2024, as she said sometimes the pain she experiences is so bad that she can’t walk and feels like she’s being stabbed.

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue, tissue similar to the uterine lining, grows outside of the uterus, such as on the cervix, bladder, and ovaries, where it collects and thickens over the course of every menstrual cycle.

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Elen spoke about the condition and what she has been through on the It’s Not JUST a Period! podcast, she said: “She [the doctor] was asking me questions like ‘Oh so you only have one kidney?’ and I was like ‘Are you joking?!’ She just assumed I knew.

“And then I had an internal ultrasound, and she couldn’t locate my cervix, and she got so confused, and she had to ask someone else to come in. I was terrified.” Elen was then referred by doctors to go for an MRI scan.

They found that she only had one kidney but had two wombs and two cervixes. She then went to a gynaecologist, where a doctor created a diagram with a pen and paper so she could visualise her anatomy.

Elen said that despite only having one fallopian tube and one ovary attached to each womb, both of them are functioning and she will be able to carry a child when she chooses. Elen also only has one period despite having two cervixes and two wombs.

The singer is grateful that she found out about her “abnormal anatomy”, as otherwise she wouldn’t have also got her endometriosis diagnosis. Elen first went to the doctors about the pain she was experiencing when she was 14.

However, they didn’t offer much help as the doctor told Elen that what she was going through was “normal” and that she just had a “low pain tolerance” that she needed to work on.

After learning about endometriosis online, Elen moved to Cardiff and, after requesting a female GP, was eventually referred to a specialist. However, Elen is still waiting for her laparoscopy to remove the endometriosis.

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She initially waited nine months for a referral before going back to her GP, where she found out she’d never been referred in the first place, which means she is back at the bottom of the waiting list.

Scarlett Thomas, 16, launches music career after failing to sit her GCSEs

After raising eyebrows by admitting she swerved her GCSEs in favour of pursuing a showbiz career, 16-year-old Scarlett has been spending time in the studio where she’s been showcasing her talent

Teenager Scarlett Thomas has launched her music career after she ditched her GCSEs this summer. The 16-year-old, who is the daughter of former Coronation Street couple Ryan Thomas and Tina O’Brien, Scarlett has controversially swerved school for showbiz.

Having built up an impressive following on social media – with the help of her famous family – Scarlett has been spending time in the studio. Sharing a video of herself showing off her incredible talent, the teenager is hoping to forge a career in the entertainment industry.

She can be seen singing in the studio, where she looks a natural, covering Maybe, by British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro. Lucy Fallon has commented on her post, writing: “stunning scarlett,” while her uncles, Adam and Scott, sent their own messages of support.

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As well as having Corrie royalty for parents, the Waterloo Road star’s uncles are also no strangers to the small screen. Her uncles, Adam and Scott, found fame on Emmerdale and Love Island, respectively. Meanwhile, Ryan’s current wif,e Lucy Mecklenburgh – Scarlett’s stepmum – found fame on reality show The Only Way Is Essex.

Scarlett, who is garnering attention for her performance as Izzy Charles on BBC soap Waterloo Road, caused concern when she admitted she didn’t bother with her GCSEs. On GCSE results day, she shared on social media that she would “forever wonder” what grades she could have got.

Over the footage on Instagram, she wrote to fans: “Watching everyone get there GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.”

Scarlett, who used Phoebe Bridgers’ song Sidelines as the soundtrack to it, congratulated students in the caption. She wrote on the platform: “Well done everyone you all should be beyond proud whatever results you got.”

But despite getting a bit of a leg up from her famous family, proud dad Ryan defended Scarlett amid ‘nepo baby’ claims from critics. His brother Adam appeared on Waterloo Road from 2006 to 2009, but Ryan explained how Scarlett had got the role on merit.

He told the Sun: “She worked damn hard to get that job, and people need to recognise that she’s a talented girl – she’s up against other people and she’s not getting a free ride. She has to go through the same process as everyone else – it was between her and somebody else. It wasn’t like, ‘This is a Thomas, she’s going to get this job’.”

Scarlett has also had to defend herself over claims she couldn’t have got where she is on her own. Months before, she shared a video on social media, over which she typed out an apparent comment that she had received.

It read: “You only got these opportunities because of your family.” She then added a message to fans in response over the footage, which showed her riding in a car as Easy by the Commodores played. Scarlett wrote: “God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.”

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YouTubers Dan and Phil say 16-year relationship came at a cost as they confirm hidden romance

YouTube icons Dan and Phil have opened up over the impact of boundary-pushing fan behaviour after finally confirming a longstanding rumour over their relationship

Iconic YouTube duo Dan and Phil have delighted fans everywhere after confirming they were in a secret 16-year relationship. However, the pair also opened up over how their intense fandom had a detrimental effect on their personal lives – leaving many reckoning with the impact of parasocial behaviour.

Dan (34) and Phil (38) were YouTube sensations, snowballing in popularity throughout the 2010s as they posted vlogs, challenges and gaming videos together. They’ve been a little quieter over recent years, but their latest YouTube video has proved to be a bombshell.

In the 47-minute long YouTube video the pair came online to confirm a long-running rumour: they have been dating each other for the past 16 years. The Internet quickly rejoiced, as comment sections flooded with excited fans and some even claimed they were reaching out to friends they hadn’t spoken to in over a decade to share the news.

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However, segments of Dan and Phil’s video struck a darker chord. The pair admitted that the way a more rabid portion of their predominately young fanbase behaved put a strain on their career and relationship – to the point where it affected their mental health.

During the height of the pair’s popularity, the idea that the two were secretly dating became a popular fan theory. Viewers created a “ship name” for the duo known as “Phan” and drew sexualised artwork, penned lurid fanfics and flooded their comments sections with observations about their supposed relationship.

While Dan and Phil emphasised that they weren’t calling out all of their fans, they said that there were some who took the rumours way too far, leaving them feeling completely objectified. “It’s almost as if people are no longer interested in the real you,” Dan said.

Meanwhile, Phil described how “disheartening” it was to put so much effort into a video only for the comments to be speculating over his and Dan’s relationship.

But despite the intensity of the rumours, the pair kept their romance a secret. Dan explained that this was partly because they didn’t want to become known as the “gay couple show”. Nor did he want their relationship to become something they were selling to their audience.

However, it also ran deeper. Dan admitted that he grew up in a homophobic environment, which made it difficult for him to accept his own sexuality. “In my mid-twenties I felt like I had to hide the relationship because I was still hiding who I was to my friends, family and myself,” he said.

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“Which is why all of the digging from people online hit a nerve – because Phil was my safe space,” Dan said. According to Dan, many fans became hostile when he refused to admit to the rumours because he was ruining their “show”.

He said: “Having all of these people try to out us and being so hostile to me when I tried to hide it was so triggering. Honestly, it could have killed me.”

Their transparency over their experience with their crazed fanbase has left many online reflecting over their own parasocial behaviour. Amongst many comments saying “they knew” all along, others have acknowledged that the pair’s relationship really isn’t their business.

“You didn’t ever have to announce this. We aren’t owed anything. But clearly it’s something you’ve done for yourselves and it’s that much more special. Proud of you for taking care of yourselves first and setting a good example of boundaries,” one wrote.

“After all the internet has done to you guys, this was probably really scary to publish. So happy for you. I hope you guys get the peace and love you deserve,” another added.

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