Category Entertainment News

Oasis fan Phil Hessey planned to take his teenage son Kaiden to see Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher at Heaton Park in Manchester last week but things didn’t go the plan for them

A parent who planned to take his son to see Oasis at Heaton Park has said that he was “so overwhelmed” after receiving an email hours before the gig. He said things didn’t go to plan after spending hundreds of pounds on tickets.

Phil Hessey, 39, from Walton, told the Liverpool Echo that he had bought tickets for himself, his son Kaiden, 15, and a family friend for the show in Manchester on Saturday. It was Oasis’ second gig at the venue, after Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher returned to Heaton Park on Friday night.

He said that he managed to get one ticket for the tour last summer, when they first went on sale, and then bought two resale tickets earlier this month. The three tickets for the gig are said to have cost more than £1,000 altogether.

The first ticket, given to his son, is said to have been more expensive than expected due to dynamic pricing. After hoping to get one for himself at a later date, Phil managed to get tickets for himself and the friend through Viagogo.

Phil said: “My lad is a mad Oasis fan, he was brought up watching them on YouTube and all the videos – I was really into them when I was younger. The [initial] ticket advertised was £148, that turned into £394. I was like ‘what’ but I’d made a promise to my son that I’d get tickets, so I bought that from Ticketmaster. I hadn’t bought mine, but I’d made a promise to my son that we would go, I had an idea that I could get mine later.”

Phil said he “kept looking” as he expected some tickets to be sold closer to the time of the tour. He told the outlet: “I bought two tickets from Viagogo on July 1, my friend had expressed interest, so I got one for me and him to go with Kaiden.

“They were advertised in pounds sterling and I paid £714, which went out of my bank. They were general admission and I was over the moon – I now had three tickets. I was disgusted with how much they cost but I’d got them.”

Phil said that he received an email from Viagogo on Friday last week saying “the tickets will be with you”. He added that he received another on Saturday morning promising that the tickets would be with him for midday.

Oasis’ second gig at Heaton Park was due to begin at 6pm on Saturday with support act Cast, followed by Richard Ashcroft. Oasis would then come on stage later in the evening. That morning though, Phil received another email, seen by the ECHO, that left him unable to attend the gig.

Phil said: “Later on Saturday, at 10.38am, I got an email saying the tickets had been cancelled. The life was sucked out of me. It said the seller was no longer able to fulfil the order. When the ticket got cancelled, I was so overwhelmed. I ran to the bathroom and was sick in the sink.”

He said that he still took his son to Heaton Park but that difficulties arose at the venue. He said that Kaiden’s ticket was marked general admission but had a free upgrade to the front standing area, which he believed to be optional, too.

Phil’s said to have contacted a number of people that he knew who would be at the gig to ensure that his son would be accompanied by an adult. Phil told the ECHO that Kaiden was turned away from some gates once they had arrived.

He said: “Under 16s needed an adult to go in with. I drove him, parked a mile away, walked him all the way down. I was still a bag of nerves, I wouldn’t be there with him. I spoke to the stewards. I said I wanted to downgrade him, I wanted him to go in with an adult. They said that wouldn’t be a problem.”

Phil’s said to have been “in a state of panic” amid more difficulties getting Kaiden into the gig before another kind family said they would look after him. Phil said: “A random family, who I owe a massive debt of gratitude to, saw he was on his own, and said ‘stay with us and we’ll look after him’. He ended up enjoying the gig.”

Phil, who spoke about the stress caused by his ticket being cancelled at short notice, has since been issued with a refund, though was unhappy with the amount. He said: “I raised it with Viagogo and they said they couldn’t get more tickets. I had to take a refund. £714.81 went out of my bank in the original transaction but I’ve got £679.11 back. That’s a £35.70 shortfall. They’ve said that it’s due to a conversion fee to Australian Dollars, but the tickets were advertised in pounds sterling.”

A Viagogo spokesperson told the ECHO that this difference in price was due to the ticket being sold in Australian Dollars. They said a discrepancy in fees was an issue to be raised with Phil’s bank. Viagogo has apologised for his tickets being cancelled and told the ECHO that it is trying to find Phil tickets for a future date.

Phil told the outlet that he wanted to raise awareness of his experience so that other people don’t go through the same stress on the remainder of the Oasis Live ’25 tour. The tour is scheduled to conclude in Brazil in November.

A Viagogo spokesperson told the ECHO: “On viagogo, fans are protected by our guarantee. We ensure fans receive their tickets in time for the event and in the rare event of an issue, we offer them replacement tickets or their money back.

“In this instance, the buyer had purchased the ticket in AUS dollars and therefore, was refunded the same amount in AUS dollars. The discrepancy in fees is with the bank and we advise Phil to raise the matter with his bank. Our number one priority is to get people into live events and we are deeply sorry that on this occasion, Phil was unable to attend the concert.”

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READ MORE: Cheapest Oasis tickets available to buy as prices soar after Manchester shows

If you’re looking for a radiant skincare routine from an iconic beauty brand but don’t fancy spending a fortune, this Estee Lauder three-piece routine set is currently up for grabs for nearly half price

EstéeLauder is a cult-favourite brand for its luxurious skincare, but its products tend to have less-than-affordable price tags. That’s why skincare sets can come in clutch as you get more bang for your buck – and what’s even better is when said skincare bundles are axed in price to an even more budget-friendly one in a flash sale.

Currently reduced by a whopping 40% at Lookfantastic is this Estée Lauder 3-Step Radiance Skincare Routine Set, which is a must-have for anyone looking to add a trio of best-selling skincare essentials from Estée Lauder to their vanity, without spending a fortune.

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This exclusive Estée Lauder x Lookfantastic 3-Step Radiance Routine Set features a curated trio of skincare essentials that promise to refresh, cleanse and visibly refine the appearance of your skin, and what’s more, the £132 bundle is now up for grabs for a fraction of that price as it plummets by a mega £53.

The set includes the iconic Daywear Sheer Tint Release Moisturiser SPF15 (full-sized), a sheer skin tint praised for softening the look of uneven tone while delivering hydration and a naturally glowy finish. Normally retailing for £55 when bought separately, this day cream protects against UV rays, giving your complexion a boost of hydration that leaves the skin looking fresh, healthy and positively radiant. With the complex of skin-essential anti-oxidants, it helps fight the look of free radical damage and premature signs of ageing too.

One reviewer who bought this moisturiser on its own raved: “This product is a total skin-saviour for me. I always like to have a slight tan, but fake tan products dry my (already extremely dry) skin out. This product is a cucumber-scented, cooling moisturiser that becomes a natural tanned colour on the skin, with totally natural-looking, seamless edges. It provides sufficient moisture for my dry skin, and the SPF and antioxidants ensure that my skin is protected while I am wearing it. It’s basically a skin-care and make-up saviour in one neat product. The price, to me, is not outlandish as I have spent a greater amount of money on some far inferior products. This is worth the money if what you’re looking for is protected skin, a healthy glow, and enough moisture to keep your skin feeling comfortable all day long. It’s a holy grail in my book.”

Elsewhere in the bundle is this Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée (30ml), which transforms from a silk cream to a soft foam. The gelée cleanser gently sweeps away makeup and impurities while nourishing the skin, ensuring your face is thoroughly cleansed before you head to bed. Costing £27 alone, this gelée provides gentle but effective cleansing to remove makeup and sunscreen residues, including waterproof formulas. It also comforts the skin with safflower seed oil and works without upsetting the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

The third item included is the Advanced Night Repair Serum (full-sized), Estée Lauder’s best-selling night serum that has been touted for its visibly smoothing and hydrating properties, which promote the look of more radiant skin by morning. One of Estée Lauder’s more expensive and iconic products, this serum typically sells for £89 on its own. The serum works to enhance your beauty sleep by delivering a surge of radiance-enhancing moisture as you sleep. Offering up to 72-hour hydration, the award-winning serum helps to visibly soften, smooth and plump the skin.

Shoppers adore this Night Repair Serum, has it boasts over 800 reviews on Lookfantastic. One buyer beams: “This product is an essential in my skin care routine. It really helps make my wrinkles seem less noticeable. It has also improved the health of my skin overall. The reason I have gives 4 stars is that it’s pricey. It is by far the best serum I’ve tried.”

As Prince Harry touched down in Africa to continue his charity work of clearing landmines in the war-torn country, a royal source has revealed why Meghan Markle stayed behind

Prince Harry is set for the second day of his unannounced trip to the African country of Angola to continue his work of helping to clear landmines from the war-torn nation. He arrived in the country’s capital city of Luanda yesterday where he plunged straight into a programme of events.

This included a meeting with Angola’s president, João Lourenço, and the prince was pictured sitting alongside other dignitaries for a discussion with the nation’s leader about the ongoing efforts to clear the war-torn country from unexploded landmines. However, many were quick to notice that the Duke of Sussex had made the trip alone, with his wife Meghan Markle and their children remaining in California.

And it seems there is an important reason as to why Meghan is not at Harry’s side during the trip – and it’s all down to security concerns. A source told Daily Mail: “The Duke won’t let his wife go to England over security concerns, so there was no chance he’d allow her to go to Angola to walk across landmines.”

Harry previously admitted in a BBC interview earlier this year that he “can’t see a world” in which he would be able to bring Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to the UK without key security measures that were stripped from the Sussexes after they quit royal life in 2020 and relocated to America.

In a statement, CEO of The Halo Trust, James Cowan, said, “It was an honour to have an audience with His Excellency President Lourenço today alongside Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to discuss HALO’s continued demining efforts in Angola.

“We thanked him for his extraordinary dedication to and investment in the vision of a mine-free country, and he expressed his intention to continue to support our work with a further significant contract for the next three years. Our partnership is strengthened and renewed, and we are grateful to President Laurenço for his leadership on this critical issue.”

Angola was ravaged by a brutal 27-year civil war that ended in 2002, but the country is still trying to uncover the millions of landmines buried across the countryside that still pose a threat to locals and wildlife.

Prince Harry has been a patron of the HALO Trust since 2019, when the Angolan government pledged £46million to create safe wildlife corridors and protect endangered species in conservation areas.

The charity and the Angolan government set a target of clearing all landmines by 2025 and Harry is said to hope that his presence there will boost efforts to meet the target. Since 1994, Halo has cleared more than 123,000 landmines, and works to transform former war zones into farmland, national parks and ‘safe’ villages.

The Duke of Sussex is hoping the publicity surrounding his surprise visit will encourage more donations from the Angolan government, as a source told the Daily Mail: “Usually these trips help to drive a bit more money from the government.”

Prince Harry’s trip to Angola echoes the same trip made by his late mother, Princess Diana, in 1997, who walked through an active minefield in Huambo, Angola, stepping out in partnership with the HALO Trust just months before her untimely passing.

Harry’s trip to Angola is the first time he has stepped out since rumours of peace talks between the Duke of Sussex and his estranged father, King Charles, emerged. Senior aides to both father and son held a secret peace summit last week – said to be a “significant” step in reuniting the feuding pair.

Actress Emma Watson and her Harry Potter co-star have been banned from driving at the same court on the same day. The Hermione Granger star drove her blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford, on the evening of July 31 last year.

The 35-year-old, who has been studying at the University of Oxford, was banned for six months and made to pay a total of £1,044 at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Separately, Zoe Wanamaker, who starred in Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone as teacher Madam Hooch, was caught speeding on August 7, 2024, on the M4 in Newbury, Berkshire.

The 76-year-old drove her blue Volvo at 46mph in a 40mph limit, the court heard. She was also fined £1,044 and banned for six months.

Both Watson and Wanamaker had nine points on their licences before the speeding incidents occurred. Neither attended their short hearings. Emma was represented in court by Mr Wilson, who said she “fully understands and accepts her punishment”.

It wasn’t Emma’s first driving incident as last year, her Audi S3 sports car was towed away by police. Her car, worth roughly £30,000, was towed away after he was parked illegally.

It was reported at the time she failed to notice the ‘No Parking’ sign while she parked her car and met up with her mum at a pub across the street. A local pizza restaurant manager’s car was reportedly trapped inside a gated compound behind Emma’s car.

The restaurant manager’s car was said to have been stuck for three and half hours – as he reportedly embarked on a desperate search for the owner of the Audi S3, before calling police for help, who eventually towed the car.

Emma came out of the pub and found cops towing her car and appealed for them to let the car go – but her pleas were unsuccessful and she was handed a £192 fine.

After the incident, Emma made light of the incident. She wrote online: “Still searching for parking in Stratford upon Avon. Merchant of Venice v good if you can still get tickets.”

Emma has decided to turn her back on fame while she heads back to university to study. The actress has remained focused on her education and is studying at Oxford University.

She has been spotted with the New College women’s third rowing team and is said to be dating fellow student Kieran Brown. The pair were spotted kissing in the city last year.

Emma continued acting after the Harry Potter franchise came to an end as she starred in Perks of Being a Wallflower and 2019’s Little Women, which remains her latest film credit. She also studied at Brown University in the US before joining Oxford.

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Enjoy alfresco cooking and dining this summer with these top buys to create your own outdoor kitchen without blowing the bank – from a £20 portable hub to a top-rated Ninja gadget

If you fancy an outdoor kitchen that’s sure to transform your summer dining experience, but don’t want to spend thousands on new units to construct one in your outdoor space, you’re in luck. We’ve handpicked some of the most affordable appliances to shop right now that can seamlessly transform your patio, decking or empty yard into the alfresco cooking and dining area you’ve longed for – without breaking the bank.

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1. Portable Grill & Smoker

Shop here for £299.99 down from £484.99

Of course, a Ninja product had to be featured on this list, as the kitchenware brand is known for its multi-tasking machines. Since Ninja began launching portable models of its iconic gadgets, creating an outdoor cooking space has never been easier.

For instance, this device works as a grill, smoker, and air fryer, with a whopping seven functions that can easily cook food the way you like it. You can also take the gadget wherever you want. Use it in your garden to whip up your favourite snacks and meals in the summer sun. Plus, this gem is currently on sale for a major £185 less thanks to Ninja’s current sale.

If you’re after something a little different and don’t mind the price tag, check out this Boss Grill Texas Lone Star 4 Burner Built In Gas BBQ Grill for £449.

2. Portable Hob

Shop here for £20 down for £42

This compact and lightweight double hob, which boasts nearly 800 reviews at Argos, is a game-changer for outdoor dining. Whether you’re camping or just enjoying a meal in your garden, it features two cast iron heating plates that widen your cooking opportunities.

With one larger and one smaller hot plate, this hob also comes with a range of temperature settings to perfectly cater to whatever you’re whipping up. Normally retailing for £42, this double hub is now available for £20.

Alternatively, if you don’t mind splashing some cash and fancy grabbing a gas hob instead, this one on Amazon is available for £88.

3. Pizza Oven

Shop here for £489.30 down from £699

An optional and more expensive option, a pizza oven is a classic staple when it comes to outdoor cooking. Great for skipping the costly takeouts and creating a fun activity for the whole family, a pizza oven lends itself to crafting homemade pizzas that cater to everyone’s tastes.

Now available for £209 less, this pizza oven runs on wood or charcoal or can be fitted with a gas burner if you prefer. Reaching up to 500 degrees Celsius in a matter of minutes, it is a fast solution to cooking your favourite snacks in a more authentic and faster way while you enjoy the sunny weather and being outdoors.

4. Outdoor Kitchen Unit

Shop here for £66

With this portable outdoor cooking stand, you won’t have to spend a month’s rent on a huge unit. It also has the perfect place to pop your BBQ when you’re whipping up burgers.

This portable unit offers plenty of storage space for food or cooking equipment and can be taken with you on a luxurious camping trip. It also makes an affordable addition to your garden and boasts a convenient, lightweight, and compact design that’s easy to install anywhere. This gem promises a durable and sturdy construction and is also super easy to clean, so you can wipe it down after your chef session.

If you prefer something a bit bigger and a tad more prominent, Amazon is offering this Keter Unity XL Portable Outdoor Table and Storage Cabinet for a slightly higher price of £250.

5. Mini Oven

Shop here for £59.99

Amazon currently offers this Prodex PX7030B 30 Litre Tabletop Mini Oven, which is the perfect addition to your garden if you don’t fancy splashing out on a multicooker from Ninja. It offers all the convenience of your normal oven but with a generous 30-litre capacity that makes it ideal for cooking your favourite meals, with the added bonus of being portable.

This mini oven makes a great addition to your outdoor cooking area. It can roast, bake, grill, and reheat with ease. With precise and broad temperature settings to ensure your food is cooked to perfection, this little gem makes it easy and convenient without the need to use the oven inside.

Davina McCall says her mother was an eccentric, unpredictable figure, and when she was growing up, she yearned for a mum who was more like a famous Hollywood actress

As she prepares to launch new BBC dating show, Stranded on Honeymoon Island, Davina McCall has revealed that when she was growing up, she had an unlikely TV heroine.

Davina has previously said that she found her mother, Florence, a difficult person to grow up with, saying: “She was an exotic, mad risk-taker, exciting to be around, chaotic, but I just wanted Angela Lansbury.”

The Masked Singer judge was devoted to Angela Lansbury’s cosy mystery series Murder She Wrote, reports BritBrief: “She was the epitome of grace, intelligence, and strength,” Davina said. “Watching her as Jessica Fletcher showed me that women could be both brilliant and relatable.”

Davina’s own mum may have been brilliant in her own way, but she was hard for a teenage girl to relate to: “The woman was a flasher. She used to wear coats and flash people in the street. She used to do citizens arrests. It was madness.”

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Davina recalled one bizarre occasion when her mum drove across a cricket pitch in the middle of a match.

By contrast to her mother’s wild antics, Davina saw Angela Lansbury as a steady and reliable presence. She told Woman & Home Magazine: ”My birth mum was an alcoholic and we had a difficult relationship, I never lived with her.

“You’d think she was amazing because she’s mad and really fun and kind of outrageous looking,” Davina added. “But she wasn’t brilliant at mothering. I always kind of wanted a cardigan-wearing Angela Lansbury to give me some food and just sit down and ask me out or to just be proud of me, I guess. But she just wasn’t that person.”

“I can now, in hindsight, appreciate that she was a pretty f*****g exciting person,” she previously told The Observer magazine. “She just wasn’t a brilliant mother.”

Davina fell out with Florence more than once. They reconciled just before Davina married second husband Matthew Robertson in June 2000. But after her French-born mum went to newspapers with a story that her daughter had been attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings and was on the brink relapsing into addiction, Davina never spoke to her again.

However, after Florence’s death in 2008, Davina was describing her mum to new boyfriend, Michael Douglas: “I said to Michael, ‘You would have loved her,’ and he said, ‘I’ve met her.’

“He went, ‘She’s in here,’ and he put his hand on my heart. I thought ‘F***. It was like I’d been denying my mum’s existence in me for all those years’.