Retiring prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ended his career in style by helping Hull KR complete the treble on Saturday by beating Wigan in the Super League Grand Final.
So the 36-year-old, and his club, could probably be forgiven for not caring a jot about a suspension handed out, somewhat redundantly, in retrospect.
The Rugby Football League has given Waerea-Hargreaves a four-match ban for “a shoulder charge and other contrary behaviour” during the Old Trafford showpiece.
He had originally been ruled out of the final through suspension before the club successfully appealed against the decision.
The Robins have now, unsurprisingly, confirmed they will not be appealing against his latest, and final, suspension.
Which all means Waerea-Hargreaves finishes his career with a trio of trophies – after Rovers had already lifted the Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield – and a suspension he will never serve.
Waerea-Hargreaves is not the first sportsman in recent years to finish their playing days with a mark against their name.
France legend Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a headbutt in his final game as a professional footballer in the 2006 World Cup final with Italy.
Fellow World Cup winner Gerard Pique also signed off with a red card in a club game for Barcelona in 2022.
Actors James Corden and Ruth Jones have known each other for 25 years and in that time built a friendship as well as a British televisual staple in the form of Gavin and Stacey
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Ruth Jones has expressed her honest feelings about James Corden(Image: Scott Garfitt, BAFTA via Getty Images)
Actors Ruth Jones and James Corden, who have been friends for nearly 25 years, first met in 2000 on the set of Fat Friends. Their global fame skyrocketed largely due to their co-creation of the legendary series, Gavin and Stacey.
The beloved show, which ran intermittently from 2007 until 2024, featured Ruth, 59, and James, 47, as Nessa Jenkins and Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith respectively. The finale brought joy to fans when their characters finally became a couple.
Now, 25 years after their initial collaboration, they’ve joined forces again for a book titled ‘When Gavin Met Stacey And Everything In Between’.
Earlier this month, during a Q&A at the London Palladium attended by an audience of 2,286, they discussed their enduring friendship and professional partnership.
During this conversation, they expressed their mutual affection and appreciation for their friendship.
Speaking about their relationship, Ruth said: “James is one of my best friends – it’s a very brother and sister sort of relationship. We do fight – he really gets on my nerves, and I really get on his.
“But there have been times in my life where James is the only person I could turn to and has completely saved me. His friendship is massively valuable to me.”
James had already mentioned how much he values Ruth’s friendship and how proud they both are, not just of Gavin and Stacey, but of their strong bond.
He elaborated: “Ruth and I have both said that however proud we are of Gavin and Stacey, alongside that is just this magical, unique, friendship which has grown, and is definitively deeper now today than it’s probably ever been. That’s a really unique thing in an industry like this, to maintain that love for each other.”
This isn’t the first instance where the duo have shared insights about their bond.
Earlier this year, after her BAFTA triumph for her portrayal of Nessa, Ruth hinted at a potential future collaboration with him, according to the BBC.
She expressed: “I often say he’s like my annoying, younger brother and I’m like your very bossy older sister, but it just seems to work”.
“We have such a good laugh together and we just love being in a room and writing together and I hope that, that’s going to continue because Gavin and Stacey is now finished.
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
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Keep plants safe this winter with £19 buy that ‘protects against wind and frost’(Image: Getty)
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.”
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
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Dame Prue has spoken about what she is and is not allowed to do on Bake Off(Image: Nordin Catic, Getty Images for The Cambridge Union)
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 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
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Love Island star cruelly called ‘Lucy Letby 2.0’ after opening up about abortion(Image: Jam Press/@sharongaffka)
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
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
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Elen has opened up about her health condition(Image: PA)
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.
