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CBBC’s Horrible Science features a guest appearance from the social media sensation

TikTok sensation Big Manny is showcasing his talents in the BBC’s new series, a creation from the team behind Horrible Histories.

Horrible Science made its debut on CBBC on May 9, with the entire series now available for streaming on iPlayer. Much like its predecessor, Horrible Histories, this new comedy show makes education fun for kids through quick-fire sketches centred around scientific themes.

Five out of the fifteen episodes even cover topics found in primary school curriculums, including outer space, motion, light and electricity.

The show features a recurring cast along with guest appearances from First Dates’ Fred Sirieix and social media scientist, Big Manny.

While audiences may be familiar with Fred, this could be their first encounter with Manny on television. Let’s take a closer look at the life of this viral star off-screen, reports the Daily Record.

Why is Big Manny famous?

Big Manny, whose real name is Emanuel Wallace, uses his nickname across his social media platforms. The BBC star began sharing educational science videos on TikTok in 2021, during the COVID-19 lockdown when children were forced into home schooling.

Fresh from graduating with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of East London, Manny started working as a science technician in a secondary school. It was this experience that inspired him to start posting videos online.

“I could see first-hand that students were struggling in science because of the lockdown,” the London native revealed to Chemistry World in 2023.

After four years since his debut post, the TikToker has now amassed a whopping two million followers on TikTok and another 1.6 million on Instagram. But that’s not all – Manny recently scooped up the Education Creator of the Year accolade at the first-ever TikTok Awards in December 2024.

Manny resonates with younger audiences by breaking down intricate scientific concepts using everyday London vernacular.

His ultimate mission? is to show young folks from all walks of life that they too have a place in the science world.

In a heart-to-heart with The Voice in 2024, he shared: “So what I am trying to do with my platform is show young people that there are scientists out there that look like you, talk like you, dress like you, come from the same background as you.

“So if they can become a scientist then there is no reason why you can’t as well.”

Prince William link

Meanwhile, back in January, Manny caused quite the stir among his fans with an unexpected Royal cameo. While visiting Nature Metrics, an environmental DNA research group, none other than Prince William dropped in to collaborate with the scientist on an experiment.

Proclaiming himself as “Manny’s beautiful assistant,” for a tutorial on strawberry DNA extraction, the Duke’s cameo stunned viewers. The brief 48-second TikTok video racked up over six million views, and fans flooded the comments.

One astonished viewer couldn’t help but express their shock, exclaiming: “PAUSE? ? IS THAT PRINCE WILLIAM? ?” Meanwhile, another was equally taken aback, jokingly remarking: ” I LITERALLY BLINKED TWICE TO CONFIRM WHAT I WAS SEEING.”

The bag looks very similar to one spotted on Molly Mae – but without the huge price tag

Boohoo is selling a “perfect” bag that looks just like one worn by Molly Mae Hague. The former Love Island star and Maebe owner was spotted wearing a designer bag from Bottega Veneta – but there’s a much cheaper alternative on the market.

Molly Mae wore the Bottega Veneta Hop medium intrecciato leather tote on Instagram earlier this year, and many shoppers commented on the post asking where to find the bag. However, the designer tote comes with a hefty price tag, which means not everyone can afford it.

Instead, shoppers could opt for Boohoo’s Woven Slouchy Tote Bag, which could easily be mistaken for the designer version. The Boohoo bag is currently on sale for £14.40, down from its original price of £24

The two bags look almost identical, with a number of similar features. They both have matching woven designs, a thick shoulder strap and a sleek, curved silhouette.

However, there are some slight differences too, including that the Boohoo bag has a less structured shape and a portion of the strap is somewhat different. The designer bag is made with leather, while Boohoo’s is polyester, and the closures are different too – one has a zip while the other is magnetic.

The full Boohoo description reads: “This woven tote bag is the perfect companion for the fashion-forward woman on the go. The intricate weave pattern adds a touch of sophistication to any outfit, making it suitable for both casual daytime looks and evening ensembles.

“Pair it with a flowing maxi dress and strappy sandals for a chic brunch date, or use it to carry your work essentials with tailored trousers and a crisp blouse. The bag’s generous size allows you to transition seamlessly from day to night, accommodating everything from your laptop to your evening makeup touch-up kit.

“For a trendy street style look, contrast the bag’s sleek design with oversized sunglasses and a relaxed denim jacket. Whether you’re heading to the office, meeting friends for cocktails, or embarking on a weekend city break, this versatile tote will keep you stylishly organised.”

The designer description states: “Bottega Veneta’s tote perfectly showcases the label’s fine craftsmanship. Made from strips of supple leather, it’s woven using the house’s signature intrecciato technique – the result is a streamlined shape that slightly slouches in the middle.

“The top handle elegantly arches, so it’ll sit neatly in the crook of your arm. Secure your essentials in the zipped pocket inside.”

Stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones opens up on the emotional aftermath of being axed from her iconic role on 10 Years Younger, finally feeling like herself again – and her big return to TV

Stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones is back to doing what she loves best – sharing her passion for all things fashion and transforming the way people look and feel about themselves. As well as returning to our TV screens on This Morning ’s Drop A Decade, she has a new book out, Bolder Not Older, designed to help people be more adventurous with their style choices regardless of their age and body shape.

When OK! catches up exclusively with Nicky, the fashion guru certainly doesn’t disappoint in a gorgeous dress, signature red lipstick and heels. “It’s impossible to have a bad day in a bright outfit,” she grins. But there was a darker period in Nicky’s life. The 54-year-old – who shares son Ben, 15, and daughter Georgina, 12, with husband Rob Green – was famously dropped from makeover show 10 Years Younger after five years of hosting it, and replaced by Myleene Klass. “I lived in a spiral of fear of being seen as a loser,” Nicky says, and it’s clear the experience hit her hard.

READ MORE: This super hydrating £28 body lotion has Molly-Mae raving its ‘one of the best’ she’s ever used

The thing that propelled her forward, she tells us, is not wanting being cut from the show to be the end of her story, so she knew she had to put herself back out there. Here, the South African star tells us how it feels being back in the spotlight after 17 years and why she’s embracing this exciting new stage of her life…

Nicky, how did you get your mojo back after being dropped by 10 Years Younger?

When that happened, it was a shock. Everything evaporated overnight and I felt like such a failure. When you have a life shock that affects you personally, it’s so difficult when you’re in the public eye. I fixated on people seeing me as a loser. It took a lot of time to reprogramme that and it doesn’t happen overnight. But the way I do it is by getting up every day, putting on my lipstick and dressing for the person I want to be.

How did you feel on your first day on the This Morning set? I was terrified. I didn’t sleep the night before and I was shaking the whole way through it. 10 Years Younger was a brilliant but controversial show and the trolling off the back of that was awful. I was like, “If I go back on TV I’m opening myself up to all that negativity again.” But the other option was to do nothing, so I told myself to just do it.

A funny thing is, when I did the series in January, I bumped into Myleene Klass in the corridor and I was like, “Uh oh.” But I thought, “I’m just going to own this,” so I said hello and we had a little chat. But I love doing Drop A Decade – it’s wonderful helping people feel better about themselves. 10 Years Younger could be quite brutal, but this is uplifting and positive.

On 10 Years Younger, people had everything from facelifts to Botox. Have you had any work done? Before Covid I had some fillers around the cheek area, but I noticed they showed through my skin and looked a bit lumpy, so I Ieft that. Then a year ago I tried a bit of Botox and that was amazing, but you have to go to the right person. My big thing is, I don’t want to look “done”. I don’t want to look younger, I just want to look good for my age, so I like things that improve the quality of your skin, like radio frequency treatments.

Do you think society tries to dictate how we should dress at certain stages in life? People say you become invisible at a certain age, but I say it’s you who’ve stopped making yourself feel visible. You’ve decided you can’t wear bright colours any more or that it’s not appropriate to wear anything too clingy. It’s the fear of judgement, so you dull down your choices. But you can’t let that hold you back. Buy pieces that make your heart leap. The real secret to having great style at any age is to develop a signature look that works for you. That transcends any trends, because it’s what you feel good in and it’s true to you.

How have you embraced being in your fifties? People dread the big 5-0, then you realise the world doesn’t freeze over. You still look the same, you still feel the same. But you do realise life is short, so if there’s something you want to do you’ve just got to get on with it. My mum has advanced dementia, which gives me that sense of urgency. There’s nothing I won’t do any more. Before I’d be too scared, but now I’m like, “Let’s go river rafting, let’s go climb a mountain.” I’m having more adventures than I’ve ever had.

You’ve been married for nearly 20 years. What’s your secret? It’s impossible not to have ups and downs but when you’ve got that commitment, you know that every stressful moment is just a blip in the road and you come through it. If you can still have a laugh together, then you know you’re OK.

You have two kids. What sort of mum are you? I’m not suffocating, but I won’t tolerate rudeness, laziness or untidiness, and you have to get outside every day. It’s so hard being a parent, because you think you’re going to be amazing and then you realise they’re not interested because they just see you as Mum.

My thing is to be a role model – to exercise regularly and work hard. They’ve seen me struggle with a career implosion, then build myself up again. I think that’s a really important lesson for them. Life isn’t sugar-coated, it’s a roller-coaster. But it doesn’t matter how far you fall, it’s all about coming back.

What big ambitions are still on your list? I want to win a Bafta – that’s my big goal in life. I’ve got no idea how, but you’ve got to have a really big dream, because even if you don’t get there, just having it propels you further than you ever would have got before. I’d also love to do a bold clothing range that’s sexy, sassy and colourful, and I want to travel. For me, the perfect life is a well-rounded life.

Bolder Not Older: Dull To Dazzling In 12 Weeks by Nicky Hambleton-Jones (Synergy Publishing, £17.99) is out now. Follow @nickyhambletonjones.

It’s been years since Topshop led British fashion culture – but now, they’re back with a bang. The Mirror got exclusive access to their event, previewing their bold new collection and finding out what’s next

Topshop isn’t just back – it’s here to lead culture again.

It’s been part of ASOS for a while now, hidden among the 800+ brands they sell. But now? They’re stepping forward, reclaiming their spirit with a fresh new energy, kicking things off with their bold new collection in collaboration with Defected Records.

The Mirror got an exclusive first look at the pieces during a private event and spoke directly with the brand’s Managing Director, Michelle Wilson, who shared why now is the perfect time for the comeback, and how this relaunch is much more than clothes – it’s about bringing back a feeling.

READ MORE: Topshop returns to the high street for one day only – here’s everything you need to know

“People want a connection again with a creative brand that’s original,” Michelle told the Mirror. “And that’s what Topshop always stood for – not following trends, but driving them. There’s a gap in the market for that British creative energy again.”

Topshop was never just a high street shop. It was deeper than that – a core part of British culture. Accessible to everyone, yet personal to each. The same piece could be worn five different ways by five different girls, and that was the magic. It wasn’t about chasing trends – it created them.

The late ’90s through to the 2000s is when it gained serious attention, and it continued years on. Topshop wasn’t just a shop, it was a destination. It was where youth, style and identity met. And with the market yearning for that space, they’re carving out the space again – this time louder, prouder and even more connected.

The event felt like a glimpse into the past, taking place in Defected’s East London basement where DJ Olive F kept the energy flowing. But it wasn’t just a showcase – it was a moment.

There was a makeup station, people talking, all captivated by the clothes and culture around them. It instantly brought back memories of Topshop’s Oxford Circus store, where DJs spinning on the shop floor wasn’t unusual – in fact, it was the norm. The space always brought people together, and in that room, for a few hours, it felt like that spirit was alive again.

“We’ve definitely seen an overwhelming response”, said Michelle. “People want to see Topshop back again – and this kind of event is the first step in being able to show everyone, this is what we stand for. This is what the product is about letting everyone kind of touch and feel it again.”

Since Topshop’s absence, there’s a clear gap in the market – not only in fashion, but in feeling. Many brands sell clothes, but not many have captured the cultural pull – the buzz, the energy in the same way they did. There’s been a missing piece, and people are ready for it to return.

But while they will be bringing back the spirit we all remember, they’re not going backwards – but moving forward, leveraging all the great parts of Topshop and bringing that into 2025. But why now?

The brand went into administration, but was quickly snatched up by ASOS early 2021. But being tucked inside the ASOS ecosystem made it easy to miss – the standalone Topshop identity wasn’t front and centre. Now, they want to tell its story and reclaim that space, reminding people what Topshop actually is, because for this brand, it’s never been just about clothes – but beyond that, it’s always been about the feeling.

And while it never truly disappeared, “We’re building into a bigger summer launch moment where we’ll have our own site again,” Michelle said. “We’ll have topshop.com, and we can tell stories and present our product in our own way on a more constant basis than we have been.”

That’s exactly why the collaboration with Defected made sense. “They’re the perfect partner to do this with, working with creatives and across all sorts of parts of the creative industry. This collaboration feels like the perfect embodiment of that.”

“The whole kind of creative energy that’s in London, from a music and artist perspective. Its culture and fashion is the absolute bedrock of culture”, she added.

The customer event takes place today (Saturday, 10 May) in the same Defected basement, and while tickets sold out in a matter of minutes, they are accepting walk-ins between 10am and 6pm – expect shopping, DJs, giveaways and more.

But this is just the beginning, Michelle hinted at bigger plans,” I can’t say this date we’re going to have a Topshop standalone store again, but it’s absolutely top of our agenda to make that happen.”

And with an ever bigger relaunch moment coming in August – including the return of back topshop.com – we can only imagine what will come next. The original design team have stayed on, and if this drop is anything to go by, what’s next will be even better.

And if this event proved anything, it’s that Topshop isn’t just back – it’s filling a space we didn’t realise we missed this much.

READ MORE: Best-selling shoulder bag that looks like Hermes Berkin for £21k less is finally back in stock

TV personality Amanda Holden has grown so close to one of her Britain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer contestants that they jet off on holidays together with her celebrity pals

Amanda Holden has grown close to a very special Britain’s Got Talent contestant, revealing they even enjoy holidays together.

Britain’s Got Talent viewers will no doubt be shielding their eyes ahead of this weekend’s semi-final. Rather than running each semi-final daily, show bosses made the decision to shake the show up this year and will air a live episode each weekend.

But while there’s a mixture of contestants taking to the stage this weekend, those tuning in to see who will go through to the final will be left sitting on the edge of their seats. This year, Olly Pearson and Stacey Leadbeatter have already secured their place in the grand final, alongside Vinnie McKee and The Blackouts.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle shares rare glimpse inside her Montecito home as she teases new announcement

Amanda, 54, excitedly shared the news that show legend Sydnie Christmas will take to the stage during the latest round of semi-finals as a special treat for viewers. Sydnie, 29, won Amanda’s Golden Buzzer with her touching rendition of Tomorrow from the musical Annie, before breezing through the semi-finals with her performance of My Way.

However, it was her stunning version of Over the Rainbow that captured the nation’s hearts and saw her crowned as the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2024. Sydnie took home the £250,000 prize and performed in front of King Charles at the Royal Variety Performance.

Confirming the singer’s return to Britain’s Got Talent, Amanda also revealed she has become very close with Sydnie since her win, and the star has even joined her and celebrity pal Alan Carr on holiday

Amanda exclusively told MailOnline: “I’ve spent lots of time with Sydnie over the last twelve months.She joined me and Alan Carr on holiday in Corfu and took us on the ride of our lives on inflatable doughnuts! The video has had over 15 million views as Alan capsized!

“Sydnie also came all the way down to Cornwall when I set off on my charity cycle to London for Heart Breakfast to wish me luck. She’s amazing and I can’t wait to see what’s next for her. All of us will feel so proud watching Sydnie perform tonight. I feel like a proud BGT mum. I’m beyond happy for her, and all her success since appearing on the show.

“She’s a star. Sydnie is our golden girl. To see everything she has achieved, including two sold out shows in America, is just testament to the wonderful and talented person she is. And why I’m a Sydnie Christmas fan girl!”

Before finding fame on the show, Sydnie worked at a central London gym and she is still determined to complete her Level 3 personal training qualification. So despite winning £250,000 on Britain’s Got Talent she is going back to school. Speaking to The Mirror previously, she said: ‘I’m going back to school in March. I’m going to finish my level three PT qualification. It’s good to have something, just incase.’

Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturday at 7pm on ITV1.

Benidorm’s flirty barman, Mateo, was played by Jake Canuso for 11 years from 2007 to 2018 and is now unrecognisable from his time on the hit ITV sitcom set in Spain

For 11 years, from 2007 to 2018, he was the charming barman in ITV’s popular sitcom Benidorm. However, actor Jake Canuso, now 55, looks vastly different from his days as heartthrob Mateo Castellanos.

Jake shared the screen with stars such as Crissy Rock – who has since revealed her childhood sexual abuse trauma – as well as Johnny Vegas, Steve Pemberton and Sherrie Hewson. He holds the record for being the longest-serving character on the show, having appeared in all 74 episodes. These days, he sports a new look with longer hair and stubble, and it appears he’s been spending some time at the gym. In a harrowing incident back in 2004, Jake narrowly escaped death during the Indian Ocean tsunami on Boxing Day while holidaying in Ko Phra Thong, Thailand.

READ MORE: Where EastEnders’ Moon family are now – lawyer, builder, and tragic death

After spotting the initial waves, he climbed a tree for safety but ended up trapped underwater when the tree snapped. This traumatic experience led to him developing aquaphobia, leaving him too frightened to swim for several years.

A decade ago, Jake participated in ITV’s diving show Splash!, hosted by Tom Daley, reports OK!. Since then, he’s expressed an interest in joining Strictly Come Dancing and also portrayed Alejandro, a pig farmer, in the film Fyre Rises.

Hollywood star and Spider-Man actor Eric Roberts co-starred in the film, which also featured a host of British talent including EastEnders’ Steven Beale actor Aaron Sidwell and Marc Bannerman, who played Gianni di Marco in the soap.

Jake has recently branched out from acting, offering personalised videos on the popular celebrity messaging platform Cameo. He’s garnered numerous five-star reviews and promotes his services with the tagline: “Mateo from Benidorm at your services.” His videos start at £56 and can be delivered within 24 hours.

Last year, he encouraged his Instagram followers to purchase a video, saying: “It’s nearly Valentine’s Day. Last chance to get a cheeky Valentines message from Benidorm’s Barman Mateo. Check out the link and if you book today all messages will be done by tomorrow.”

Before his breakout role in Benidorm, Jake was a professional dancer for 18 years, sharing the stage with big names like Rozalla, the Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, and Elton John. He also featured in music videos for Alex Party’s hit 90s single Don’t Give Me Your Life, Carter USM’s Let’s Get Tattoos, 2 Unlimited’s Here I Go, and Kylie Minogue’s Give Me Just A Little More Time.

He’s made a name for himself in pantomimes, starring in Aladdin in Birmingham in 2014 and Jack and the Beanstalk in Bradford the following year. Other Benidorm actors have pursued various roles and jobs, including working as an ASDA delivery driver and appearing in Ted Lasso.

In April this year, it was rumoured that Benidorm could be making a huge comeback, eight years after it was axed. The sitcom is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, particularly on streaming platforms like Netflix.

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