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According to reports, the sitcom star divides his time between working in a “very special relationship” between London and a small Scottish village.

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Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne’s heart was captured in a tiny Scottish village. The 46-year-old actor, who resides near Helmsdale on the eastern coast of Sutherland, is thought to have abandoned city life and relocated to Helmsdale after moving from his beloved television show’s Essex home.

The sitcom star, who was born in Nottingham and has appeared in Catherine Tate Show and Dad’s Army, was thought to divide his time between living in the picturesque but remote village and his more peaceful, quiet lifestyle.

Horne previously stated on the That Gaby Roslin podcast that he “would very much like to live there.” I have a strong Scotophile steriod.

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The actor called Scotland “the best country in the world,” according to the actor in another interview. I feel free and my shoulders are falling. My heart is there, and I’m hoping to have my own space there when I need to go there one day.

He continued, “I adore the people, the pace, and the people.” The food is excellent, the weather isn’t nearly as bad as everyone claims, and the midges don’t like me, which is good.

“I spend most of my free time in Scotland,” I say.

Helmsdale, a picturesque village on the North Coast 500 (NC500) route, offers a breathtaking 516-mile journey through the stunning beauty of the Scottish Highlands, reports the Daily Record.

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He said, “I have a very special relationship with Helmsdale, and I have a very special relationship with him.” It’s partly because of my ancestry, which included my great-great-grandparents, who were from Huntly, that I learned about it when I was in the Highlands.

He continued, “I wish I was more Scottish, but that makes me one-eighth.”

The village’s roots date back to 1814, and they are incredibly connected to the herring boom, which prospered many coastal Scottish communities.

Local fishermen still frequent the once bustling harbor for scenic walks. A small shingle beach close by offers breathtaking views of the Moray Firth.

The Emigrants statue can be seen in the village. The landmark honors those who had to flee their homes and travel far and wide to start a new life with this poignant reminder of the town’s darker past.

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Visitors can stop by The Timespan Heritage Centre, a well-known community hub that houses a bakery, a café, and a contemporary art collection.

For those who enjoy a few drinks, Helmsdale might be the ideal location. The Old Pulteney, Clynelish, Glenmorangie, and Dornoch Distilleries are close by and close to the charming village.

Vanessa Feltz, who was occasionally seen on This Morning on ITV, wed musician Ben Ofoedu in 2006, but despite making plans to do so in the years since, they never got married.

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Vanessa Feltz has admitted she feels “demoralised and unattractive” when potential relationships don’t work out.

The broadcaster has been introduced to men following her split with musician Ben Ofoedu, 53, earlier this year, but despite the rendezvous, nothing significant has stuck, it is thought. Vanessa, 63, became tearful when she confirmed she and Ben ended things in 2023, having been together for nearly 20 years.

The unlucky-in-love presenter stated this week that she prefers friends to introduce her to potential partners and doesn’t use dating websites. She continued, “It’s difficult. I’m too well-known to appear on websites. Although a friend might like to introduce me, it’s difficult to resist feeling demoralized and unattractive when it doesn’t work.

Up until their divorce in 2000, Vanessa, who is originally from north London, was married to surgeon Michael Kurer for 15 years. With Michael, she has four children and two grandchildren. Vanessa recalled her split from Michael in a previous interview saying she was “too open” to her daughters regarding “information and my emotions.”

READ MORE: Vanessa Feltz breaks silence on ex Ben Ofoedu’s wedding as she fumes ‘never want to see him again’READ MORE: CBB star Nicola McLean issues statement on Kim Woodburn after infamous row

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However, as her children grew older and forged a lasting friendship with the singer, Vanessa started dating him. They got engaged in 2006, but they never got married or split up in 2023 despite planning to tie the knot in the years that followed. Vanessa previously stated that it was obvious that the relationship was broken, and that Vanessa believes that anyone who loses trust in it cannot truly recover.

“And so I just wanted to let you know that I’m obviously very depressed, shocked, and all of those horrible things, but also very determined. I won’t let this derail me.

Her followers on Instagram showed huge support for the star, who was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2001, around one year after her divorce.

The latest heartbreaking admission, said to a Daily Mail reporter at an event this week, comes as Vanessa continues to present her self-titled TV show on Channel 5. Devised as a chat show to rival Loose Women in the lunchtime slot, the programme sees Vanessa discuss topical issues and debates with a panel of guests, often including model Nicola McLean, presenter Sarah Cawood and journalist Afua Hagan.

The well-known BBC Gardeners’ World host, Monty Don, revealed in a podcast episode that there is one plant he doesn’t like as he described how his ideal garden would look.

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Monty Don has revealed one popular plant that he “doesn’t like very much”. In a revelation that may come as a surprise to enthusiasts, the BBC Gardeners’ World presenter disclosed that he’s not a particular fan of a much-loved plant that adorns gardens up and down Britain.

Speaking in an episode of the Talking Gardens podcast, Monty was asked to name something he wouldn’t allow in his “dream garden”, prompting him to reveal that he’s actually “quite tolerant”.

Monty, whose stunning Longmeadow garden appears on the show, explained that due to his long tenure on the BBC programme, they have to feature “all kinds of things” to cater for “all kinds of tastes”.

He added that if it weren’t being filmed, there wouldn’t be such a “complicated and complex” garden. Then, following that, Monty revealed three things he doesn’t like a lot, including a plant.

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So, in some ways, I would just get rid of half of what we, you know, is too much of everything, Monty said. I’ve never willingly had a hanging basket, but if other people want one, I don’t mind if they do, because that’s what they want. They are not my enemies.

I simply don’t want them because they don’t offend me. I suppose bedding. I don’t often like to bedded, and it’s not something that really interests me. I have a hard time with chrysanthemum (chrysanthemum).

“I’m trying to whittle out what I already have, not to keep out what I don’t have,” I say. Therefore, I believe that’s the problem: I’m attempting to get rid of things I really enjoy rather than toss things I don’t want.

Despite this mild aversion to hanging baskets, it hasn’t stopped the helpful host from dishing out some advice on how to keep them blooming over the summer months.

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Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Monty advised people to remember that baskets dry out “much faster” than pots, particularly when they’re exposed to the elements. He did say there are two things keen gardeners can do to address this.

He suggested a “high awkward places” lance, a device that aids in travel. You can also try planting the basket to maintain the desired amount of moisture.

Monty advised “plant the basket to keep as much moisture in it as possible without it becoming clogged.” As your work surface, first place, place it on an empty bucket.

“Sprinkle moss from your garden, preferably, along the bottom of the basket and up the sides.” The compost will remain moist and intact.

In the meantime, moss can act as soil’s insulating layer. He continued, adding that evergreen clippings, including the “soft growth” of conifers, can aid in its fusion.