Geordie Shore star, Holly Hagan, has spoken out about the heartbreaking loss of her sister, Darci, who tragically died in October, after a night out in Manchester
Holly Hagan has revealed her one big regret following the tragic loss of her sister, Darci, who died in October following an accidental drug overdose.
Darci, 19, was in a nightclub in Manchester when she took crystal MDMA – which she mixed into her drink – before losing her life just 48 hours later following a cardiac arrest.
Holly, 33, was incredibly close to her sister and told her followers she had been left “traumatised” following Darci’s passing. The Geordie Shore star, who recently revealed she was expecting her second child, has now opened up about a ‘red flag’ before Darci’s death in a heartbreaking admission.
READ MORE: Holly Hagan’s heartbreaking final act of kindness for sister after teen’s tragic deathREAD MORE: Leonardo DiCaprio reveals humble reason he always wears face mask in public
Saying she wished she had reached out to Darci before she went to clubbing at the Warehouse Project, Holly told Married At First Sight’s, Paul C. Brunson: “For some reason that night and I don’t know why I didn’t, I wish I had messaged her, because we know what Warehouse Project is.
“I don’t know why I didn’t think to message her to say what you doing tonight, let me know what you’re doing tonight, let me help guide you.”
Continuing Holly said: “Because for some reason this night she decided to order, not a pill, but powdered MDMA. And as far as everyone knows and talking to her friends, this is the first time she’d ever taken it.
“She went out this night and she had one alcoholic drink and then from what her friends said she poured an amount from the bag into her drink.”
Pointing out that Darci ‘clearly took too much’ of the drug, Holly explained that Darci was sick before collapsing at the bar as an ambulance was called.
Praising the paramedics for getting Darci to Manchester Infirmary as quickly as possible, Holly revealed her heartbreaking last moments with her little sister.
“To see my sister, just 19, lying in that ward was absolutely horrendous,” the heartbroken sister told the Daily Mail.
“I opened the curtain, and I have never seen anything like that in my life. I hope no parent or sibling ever has to see anything like that.
“She had tubes in her nose, in her mouth, she had bruises everywhere from where they had cannulas wherever they could put a cannula, she had tubes, needles in her neck, she had blood pouring out of her nose.”
Holly then revealed that a scan confirmed that Darci was brain dead, and there was nothing more doctors could do for her.
Sharing her heartbreaking final act for her sibling, the mum-of-one said she went out in the middle of the night to buy pyjamas for her sister before making sure that her hair – including £800 extensions – was brushed ‘so that my mam wouldn’t see any knots’.
Article continues below
* If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.
Martine McCutcheon just shared her go-to shampoo that she uses after tap water ‘ruined her hair’ – and the £11 bottle soothes itchy, flaky scalps after just a single use
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
View 2 Images
Martine McCutcheon has shared her struggles dandruff and dry scalp(Image: Martine McCutcheon/Instagram)
The winter weather can be tough on our skin, and even harsher on our scalps. The lack of moisture in the air coupled with harsh winds, excess heating, and constant hat wearing can leave your scalp feeling itchy, sore and dry.
Other factors can also trigger scalp psoriasis, like hormones, genetics, or even the tap water you use, as Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon knows all too well. The actress recently became a brand ambassador for medicated shampoo brand Polytar, after revealing she swore by the brand’s Polytar Scalp Shampoo for helping ease her dry, sensitive scalp.
READ MORE: Boots just slashed 50% off this 5-star rated LED mask that makes a ‘big difference’ to your skin
READ MORE: Charlotte Tilbury fans race to buy gift set with 3 full-size lipsticks and free festive clutch bag
Martine shared that, after moving to London, she realised that the city’s hard water was causing endless issues with her scalp such as dandruff and scalp sensitivity. She said: “Dandruff and a sensitive scalp can be something you really worry about, especially when your hair is part of your job. I knew that because of what I do for a living, it was just another issue that I didn’t need coming back to haunt me. I’m so glad that I went back to Polytar and tried it, because it genuinely does make all the difference.”
According to Polytar’s Hard Water Hair Report, one in two Brits (52%) report experiencing dandruff, and residents of London, the South East, and the East of England are most likely to report that their local water affects their scalp health. It also showed that these hard water regions report the highest levels of scalp flare-ups and dandruff, with more than half of adults (53%) nationwide believing their local water worsens dandruff and itchiness. In London, that rises to 71%.
To tackle it you can swap your shower head for one that filters water before it reaches your scalp, like the Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0 (£60 down from £75) or the Showery Water Softening Electric Shower Head (£29.99 down from £55). However, it’s much quicker and more affordable to switch up which shampoo you use – plus it means you can make sure wherever you travel to your hair and scalp are protected from hard water.
The Polytar Scalp Shampoo uses liquid concentrated antiseptic tar to help cleanse your scalp and treat all kinds of conditions like seborrhoea, psoriasis, dandruff and itching scalp. It also helps get rid of product build up, leaving your hair feeling ultra-clean and shiny.
It’s currently on sale at Superdrug, where it’s down from £10.99 to £8.24, with two five star reviews. One said: “Whenever my scalp feels ‘itchy’, I use this shampoo. Lovely clean hair! However it is a slightly medicinal smell, & a bit drying. I cannot use conditioner due to my age and increased risk of falls. So I use it first then use Dove shampoo for 2nd wash as it is creamy.”
Meanwhile you can find more reviews on Amazon, where it’s priced at £11.24 and has more than 5000 ratings. One said: “Very easy to apply, reduces itching and flakes from first use.”
Whilst another wrote: “Received today and used this evening , felt the difference after the first wash on my ears and the nape of my hairline ! first use and although it’s expensive for a small bottle ! IT WORKS ! no embarrassing itch at all!”
Article continues below
However some found it was less effective on their dandruff and dry scalp, whilst another said: “Helped with my itchy scalp. Slightly affected my hair colour.”
Owen Cooper has been nominated for his first Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, going up against Walton Goggins and Jason Isaac, in what could be a history-making win
View 3 Images
Owen could make history if he wins(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
Owen Cooper is set to make history yet again following his Golden Globes nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a series. If the youngster wins the award, he’ll become the youngest ever recipient.
Owen turned 16 last Friday and was named alongside his co-stars Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty and Ashley Walters as the hit Netflix show, Adolescence, landed five nominations ahead of January’s star-studded event.
If Owen wins, he’ll replace Chris Colfer, who is the current youngest ever Best Supporting Actor in a Series, for his role in Glee as Kurt. He won the award in 2009 aged 20.
READ MORE: Leonardo DiCaprio reveals humble reason he always wears face mask in publicREAD MORE: Wicked fans slam ‘ridiculous’ snub as sequel suffers huge Golden Globe loss
The 16 year old had a history-making win back in September when he became the youngest ever male winner of an acting Emmy – at age 15.
The teenager won the award for his lead role in drama series Adolescence, which impressed on Netflix earlier this year. Upon collecting the award at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, Cooper said when he started drama classes he didn’t expect to be in the US, “let alone here”.
Owen, of Warrington, Cheshire, said: “I was nothing about three years ago, I’m here now. Step out of your comfort zone a little, who cares if you get embarrassed.”
The youngster portrayed Jamie Miller in the Netflix miniseries, for which Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham won the award for writing in a limited or anthology series at the Emmy ceremony. Addressing the crowd at the theatre, Owen continued: “I was nothing about three years ago, and now here I am.”
Speaking to reporters moments after his win, Owen added: “It means some much to me. It means so much to me, my family, people back home. So, you know, it’s just, yeah, it just means a lot to me.”
Adolescence was his first TV role and, since its success, he has gone on to record scenes for Film Club, which is an upcoming BBC drama. He will also play the Young Heathcliff in an upcoming Wuthering Heights adaptation.
With a classic story, a daring director and a cast sure to ignite conversation, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and buzzed-about adaptations of 2026. Fennell has assembled a high-profile and much-discussed ensemble.
Article continues below
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star as Catherine and Heathcliff, alongside Hong Chau as Nelly Dean and Alison Oliver With Isabella Linton played by Shazad Latif, Edgar Linton portrayed by Martin Clunes and Mr Earnshaw brought to life by Martin Clunes, the cast is a compelling blend of established actors and fresh faces – sparking lively debates.
Denise Welch has revealed she’s been battling a “horrible” health problem that leaves her constantly spinning, shocking Loose Women co-star Kelly Brook
View 3 Images
Denise Welch(Image: ITV)
Denise Welch has opened up about a debilitating bout of vertigo that has left her struggling with everyday tasks — and even shocked her Loose Women co-star Kelly Brook. The 67-year-old panellist, who has been a staple of the ITV daytime show for more than a decade, shared the “horrible” reality of what she’s been dealing with during an on-air discussion about health problems many people silently live with.
Speaking on the Loose Women podcast, Denise began by explaining just how disruptive the condition has become. “Yeah, but the other thing that I’ve got — and Pauline, one of our makeup artists, has it as well — because my vertigo is here at the moment,” she said. “People think vertigo is just like fear of heights and everything. It is, but real vertigo is this spinning. So not only am I spinning all the time at night, which is just horrible.”
Her revelation left Kelly visibly surprised, as she admitted she had no idea how severe the condition can be. “Oh, is that vertigo? Oh, I get that — I thought that was just anxiety,” she responded, stunned to learn that what she had experienced might be linked to the same condition.
Denise went on to describe the daily impact it has on her life, explaining that even something as simple as lying down has become a carefully managed routine. “If I lie down at night, I have to do it very slowly,” she said. “I’m conditioned to do it now. Turning to my left I’m all right. If I turn to my right, it’s… I can count on it — one, two, three, four, spin — and it’s like a roller coaster.”
The vertigo has also made travelling increasingly difficult. “What it means is that now, when I get in a car, especially electric cars, I am so sick,” she said. “I’ve got my sickness tablets, but of course they make me drowsy, so then I’m moaning about being too drowsy. And I’ve got my beta blockers for the anxiety. I mean, honestly.”
For long-time viewers, Denise’s openness comes as no surprise. Throughout her Loose Women career, she has been widely praised for candidly discussing her personal life and health, including her decades-long battle with depression. She has spoken publicly about experiencing episodes she once described as “the unwelcome visitor”, and has used her platform to challenge stigma around mental illness.
Last year, Denise admitted to the Loose Women panel that she hadn’t been well for the past couple of weeks and said her recent time off the show came as a result of her depression making an “unwelcome” return.
Denise said: “Yeah, so I had a really rough two weeks, which I’m still in a bit. I just did a podcast and a big article saying how I’ve been free for five years of clinical depression.
“Sadly, the unwelcome visitor paid me another visit, so I’ve not been well for a couple of weeks.”
Denise has also previously revealed she has been diagnosed with ADHD. The star was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2023, after being pushed into getting a test by fellow panellist Nadia Sawalha.
With three major supermarkets offering pre-made Christmas dinners in a box, Mirror writer Cally Brooks put them to the test to see which came out on top ahead of the big day
View 7 Images
Mirror writer Cally Brooks put all three boxes to the test and compared them on price, taste, portion size and ease
Christmas Day is supposed to be magical, but for the designated chef, it often feels more like a military operation. Between the timing, the peeling, and the mountain of washing up, the “most wonderful time of the year” can quickly become the most stressful.
This year, retailers are offering a lifeline. Aldi, Iceland, and Sainsbury’s have all launched “Christmas Dinner in a Box” solutions designed to feed a family of four with minimal fuss. But can a pre-packed box really replace the homemade heroics? And more importantly, are they actually good value? I put all three to the test – judging them on price, taste, portion size, and the dreaded “faff factor” – to find out which retailer deserves a spot at your table this December 25th.
READ MORE: Beloved Christmas romcom that fans ‘re-watch each year’ returns to ITV tonightREAD MORE: ‘Superflu’ rips through UK with hospitals declaring critical incidents
Iceland’s Christmas Dinner for 4 – £25
Iceland has launched the only frozen option this Christmas, perfect for those saving their fridge space for other festive foods. The box, which comes very well packaged, features a turkey breast joint, beef dripping potatoes, stuffing balls, pigs in blankets and three types of veg – including sprouts!
The Verdict:
If you have a hungry family to feed on a budget, Iceland is the heavyweight champion of portion sizes. The amount of roast potatoes and parsnips provided was genuinely impressive – you will not run out of carbs. The cooking process is largely hands-off, though the final 20 minutes does require some active pan-frying of the vegetables, which adds a little stress at the finish line. The result? A mixed bag.
The vegetables were buttery, sweet, and delicious, but the parsnips were a little plain and the roasties lacked that essential crunch. The turkey joint was, admittedly, on the dry side – a common peril of frozen breast meat. However, the gravy was sweet and tasty, and the pigs in blankets were a highlight. For £6.25 a head, you simply cannot argue with the value.
The most expensive of the three, Sainsbury’s offer a fresh ‘Taste the Difference’ experience with slow-cooked turkey wrapped in streaky bacon, beef fat potatoes, chestnut and thyme stuffing, parsnips and carrots in a honey mustard glaze, classic pigs in blankets, and a sachet of turkey and chicken gravy.
The Verdict:
At double the price of Iceland, Sainsbury’s has to work hard to justify the cost. The biggest selling point here is speed: the entire dinner cooks in just 55 minutes. I was also impressed with the size of the box, with all the dishes being vacuum sealed meaning more free space in the fridge – a big bonus at Christmas time. The star of the show is undeniably the turkey. Thanks to the bacon wrapping and juices, it came out incredibly soft, moist, and delicious – miles ahead of the competition. The stuffing was equally impressive, and the turkey infused gravy packed a punch.
However, there are two major gripes. First, the lack of crispiness on the roast potatoes and parsnips. Second, and perhaps unforgivably for a Christmas dinner… no Brussels sprouts. For £50, omitting the most divisive yet essential vegetable feels like an oversight. But when it comes to taste, this box definitely came out on top. I also appreciated the addition of a foil tray for the turkey, saving on washing on Christmas day.
Price 6/10
Taste 9/10
Portion size 10/10
Ease of cooking 9/10
Aldi’s Ultimate Christmas Dinner in a Box – £29.95
A nice mid-market option for those wanting fresh while still keeping costs down, Aldi have brought out their very own Christmas Dinner in a Box. Complete with a slow-cooked turkey joint, pigs in blankets, honey-mustard coated parsnips, maple-butter coated carrots, roast potatoes and delicious turkey gravy, I was interested how this budget-supermarket version would compare.
The Verdict:
Aldi lands right in the middle on price, but punches well above its weight on quality. The cooking time is a very manageable 75 minutes, and the instructions are fool-proof. Throw everything in the oven on a timer, and you’re good to go. Like Sainsbury’s, they also include a foil tray, saving on washing up time on the big day. Taste-wise, Aldi gets a lot right. The turkey is delicious – very similar in quality to the more expensive Sainsbury’s option. But where Aldi really shines is the potatoes; they achieved a nice, crispy exterior that the other two boxes failed to master. The pigs in blankets were lovely and a generous size.
The only downsides? Like Sainsbury’s, Aldi has inexplicably ditched the Brussels sprouts. The overall portion sizes were also the smallest of the three boxes – fine for most, but big eaters might want extra sides.
Price 9/10
Taste 8/10
Portion size 9/10
Ease of cooking 9/10
The Overall Winner
For the Foodie: If budget isn’t an issue and you want the best meat and impressive portions, Sainsbury’s wins on the turkey alone, but cook the potatoes a little longer than the instructions for the ultimate crispiness.
For the Big Family:Iceland takes the crown for sheer abundance. It includes sprouts, endless potatoes, and costs just £25. It’s the inflation-busting hero we need – and can save a lot of fridge space!
The Best All-Rounder:Aldi edges it for me. It balances a high-quality, moist turkey with genuinely crispy potatoes for under £30. Just remember to buy a separate bag of sprouts!
Article continues below
Winner: Aldi Ultimate Christmas Dinner in a Box
READ MORE: Boots bumper beauty bundle with nine products worth £178 only £40 in online deal
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison was the seventh celebrity to be voted out of the BBC competition last month, after losing the dance-off to EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal
View 3 Images
Strictly’s Vicky Pattison was the seventh celebrity to be voted off the show last month (Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison has reflected on her time on the show with professional dancer Kai Widdrington. The 38-year-old became the seventh celebrity to be voted out of the competition last month, after losing the dance-off to EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal.
Vicky’s exit came after she performed an upbeat Jive to Girls Aloud’s Sound of the Underground, which earned her 27 out of 40 points. Speaking to her friend Pete Wicks, who competed on Strictly last year, Vicky opened up about her struggles with the dance.
“Listen, call a spade a spade, the Jive was not my f*****g dance, I will forever hate that p***k,” she said on the Staying Relevant podcast.
After Pete revealed that his Strictly partner Jowita Przystał stopped him attempting the Jive, Vicky joked she wished Kai had done the same.
“Maybe he just had a bit more faith in us,” she added. “I am actually quite a bouncy person, so I think people would assume I really had the Jive in me like that, but I don’t think anyone anticipated me as being like a dignified ballroom girl, but I really took to ballroom and loved it.”
During the episode, Vicky also admitted that she didn’t stop crying for a week after her exit.
Sharing the “backstory” about her participation on the show with his listeners, Pete began: “Vic has wanted to do this show for as long as I can remember. To the point you had mood boards or vision boards to do Strictly and I’ve never seen anyone so happy when you actually got the f*****g gig.”
He continued: “Can I just say before we get into this, you were f*****g incredible, like genuinely.”
Recalling the moment Vicky was voted out, Pete went on to tell listeners that he couldn’t understand her on the phone as she was “blubbering”.
In response, the former Geordie Shore star said she “didn’t like being sad” and was grateful to have a good support system, but “couldn’t snap out of it”.
“I was sad for about a week and I think,” she admitted. “I was speaking to everyone, like you, Sara Davies rang us, Ellie Taylor, Tom Fletcher rang us, I had such a lovely support structure.”
After hearing that one of the former Strictly stars was “sad for a year”, she ensured this wouldn’t be the case for her.
“No I’m sorry, I’m not going to be sad for a year,” she added. “I went on Strictly and had never danced sober, and I gave it everything I could. I’m not going to be sad about trying my best.”
While her exit left her in tears, Vicky has since been announced as one of the celebrities who will be performing on the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing tour.
As for the on-screen show, four couples remain in the running to win the Glitterball trophy; Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, George Clarke and Alexis Warr, Balvinder and Julian Caillon, and Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin.
This comes after actor Lewis Cope became the latest contestant to leave the competition in what was deemed a shock result by viewers.
