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BBC Essex presenter Dave Monk has died at the age of 72 after battling cancer. The DJ career’s spanned early 40 years on the local radio station.

Dave, whose real name was David Travis, revealed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024. The interim director of production at BBC Local, Robert Thompson, described Dave as the “voice of Essex”.

He said in statement: “From solicitor to broadcaster, there was nothing Dave couldn’t do, and he taught us all to grab hold of every opportunity and go after it.” Dave presented shows on BBC Essex for 37 years until retiring in 2023.

He joined the station when it launched in November 1986 and interviewed the likes of Sir Tony Blair, Sir Paul McCartney and Dame Vera Lynn.

The radio star was also involved with events like the Dunmow Flitch Trials and Essex Book Festival, which is planning to hold a celebration of his memoirs, ‘Whatever Happened to Dave Monk?’ next year.

Its director Ros Green said that he was a “passionate, enthusiastic, caring man” who cared deeply “about Essex and Essex people”.

Outside of radio, he co-owned a wine car for several years and also practiced as a trained solicitor, running his own law practice.

Fans have shared tributes to Dave on social media, with one writing: “Rest in Peace, Dave. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and all of those at @BBCEssex.”

Bishopsgate councilman Benjamin Murphy added: “Terribly sad news for Essex & broadcasting. Dave championed so many campaigns I have worked on over the years. I think I was 15 when I did my first ‘on air’ interview with him & remember him having an ability to disarm any anxiety and make it simple chat between two friends. RIP.”

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2024, he shared in November that it had become terminal. Speaking to the BBC at the time, he said: “I’m not scared of death, but I’d rather it not to have come quite yet.”

Despite undergoing 12 rounds of chemotherapy and having parts of his pancreas, bile duct, gallbladder and stomach removed, the cancer persisted. He announced in November that the final round of stereotactic radiotherapy had not worked.

“Unfortunately a few weeks ago, we got the news that [the radiotherapy] hadn’t worked either,” he said at the time. “The cancer has now grown on the pancreas and it’s spread to the lungs, liver and various other bits of the body.

“They’ve decided there’s nothing more they can do, so I’m under the wonderful care of Farleigh Hospice and [I’m] going through the last stages.”

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

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Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague has opened up on her daughter’s health after she was taken to hospital with high temperature, having been “shaking” and “crying in her sleep”

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Molly-Mae Hague has shared a health update about her two year old daughter Bambi, who was recently hospitalised. The toddler fell ill, exhibiting symptoms of “shaking” and “crying in her sleep”, following her father Tommy’s own bout of illness.

After being diagnosed with the flu and prescribed medication, Molly was instructed to keep an eye on Bambi’s condition. The Love Island star, 26, explained that the toddler, two, and boxer, 26, had both been struck down by illness and was ‘just trying to keep it together’ after the hospital dash.

Telling her followers the family had been in hospital on Monday morning, Molly admitted she was “hanging on by a thread”, announcing in her vlog: “My nails summarise how this week has gone…hanging on by a thread.”

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However, just a few days later, Molly and Bambi found themselves back at the doctor’s office as the little girl’s health hadn’t improved. In her most recent vlog, Molly shared: “Long story short, they think Bambi has Croup, it’s basically like a bad cough. They were amazing actually. They said they want to see her tomorrow because her heart rate is very high and they want to monitor that. It could indicate she’s got some sort of infection in her body.”

Croup, which can affect breathing and cause a severe cough, is a common condition typically affecting young children and is usually mild. According to the NHS, the condition generally improves within 48 hours, with hydration and keeping the child upright aiding recovery.

Following the diagnosis, Molly collected antibiotics for Bambi, revealing that this was the first time her daughter had been prescribed such medication. Later in the vlog, the mum-of-one disclosed that she cancelled the follow-up appointment after noticing an improvement in Bambi’s condition.

She explained: “I used my mother’s instinct. I actually cancelled it. I felt her chest and I knew she’s calmer today and her temperature is coming down.”

Molly also expressed concern that taking Bambi out in heavy rain might worsen her condition, so she decided to continue monitoring her at home.

In her latest video upload, Molly revealed the severity of boxer boyfriend Tommy’s illness that had him hunched over the toilet. They speculated it was either a stomach bug or food poisoning, with Molly describing it as if his “soul was leaving his body in that toilet”.

“It was so traumatic, it was awful,” she confessed. “I’ve just felt so sorry for him, he can’t keep any food down, any liquid down. He’s fine within himself but when he’s eating and drinking, he’s just ill, it’s so bizarre.”

The YouTube star expressed concern that Tommy’s sickness “wasn’t normal”, stating: “He’s not eaten a proper meal in over a week, he’s lost so much weight, his face is gaunt, literally black circles under his eyes. ” Shortly after, she found herself worrying about Bambi’s condition. She explained: “Her body was on fire, I took her temperature and it was 40 degrees.”

“I obviously freaked out, I panicked. She was shaking, her temperature was so high. She was freezing but her body felt boiling and her heart was racing.”

We decided to go to the walk-in hospital, managed to get seen straight away. “They’ve just said they think she’s got the flu – do Calpol, Nurofen, keep monitoring her and if it doesn’t clear up, go back again.”

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Opening up more about her panic, Molly-Mae, who recently confessed to committing a ‘cardinal sin’ as a parent, admitted: “I don’t know why I panicked so much, I think because I’ve never seen her like that I just worried badly and also had such a weird night with Tommy being sick.”

“It’s just quite a lot…This is simply the life of a mum, this is what parenthood looks like – you’re constantly playing catch up. Lately, I’ve been living in a state of fight or flight.”

“We’re back home now, I’ve just put her down for a nap, I’m going to keep a close eye on her. I feel really sorry for her, she just looks so sad.”

Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague has opened up on her daughter’s health after she was taken to hospital with high temperature, having been “shaking” and “crying in her sleep”

View 4 Images

Molly-Mae Hague has shared a health update about her two year old daughter Bambi, who was recently hospitalised. The toddler fell ill, exhibiting symptoms of “shaking” and “crying in her sleep”, following her father Tommy’s own bout of illness.

After being diagnosed with the flu and prescribed medication, Molly was instructed to keep an eye on Bambi’s condition. The Love Island star, 26, explained that the toddler, two, and boxer, 26, had both been struck down by illness and was ‘just trying to keep it together’ after the hospital dash.

Telling her followers the family had been in hospital on Monday morning, Molly admitted she was “hanging on by a thread”, announcing in her vlog: “My nails summarise how this week has gone…hanging on by a thread.”

View 4 Images

View 4 Images

However, just a few days later, Molly and Bambi found themselves back at the doctor’s office as the little girl’s health hadn’t improved. In her most recent vlog, Molly shared: “Long story short, they think Bambi has Croup, it’s basically like a bad cough. They were amazing actually. They said they want to see her tomorrow because her heart rate is very high and they want to monitor that. It could indicate she’s got some sort of infection in her body.”

Croup, which can affect breathing and cause a severe cough, is a common condition typically affecting young children and is usually mild. According to the NHS, the condition generally improves within 48 hours, with hydration and keeping the child upright aiding recovery.

Following the diagnosis, Molly collected antibiotics for Bambi, revealing that this was the first time her daughter had been prescribed such medication. Later in the vlog, the mum-of-one disclosed that she cancelled the follow-up appointment after noticing an improvement in Bambi’s condition.

She explained: “I used my mother’s instinct. I actually cancelled it. I felt her chest and I knew she’s calmer today and her temperature is coming down.”

Molly also expressed concern that taking Bambi out in heavy rain might worsen her condition, so she decided to continue monitoring her at home.

In her latest video upload, Molly revealed the severity of boxer boyfriend Tommy’s illness that had him hunched over the toilet. They speculated it was either a stomach bug or food poisoning, with Molly describing it as if his “soul was leaving his body in that toilet”.

“It was so traumatic, it was awful,” she confessed. “I’ve just felt so sorry for him, he can’t keep any food down, any liquid down. He’s fine within himself but when he’s eating and drinking, he’s just ill, it’s so bizarre.”

The YouTube star expressed concern that Tommy’s sickness “wasn’t normal”, stating: “He’s not eaten a proper meal in over a week, he’s lost so much weight, his face is gaunt, literally black circles under his eyes. ” Shortly after, she found herself worrying about Bambi’s condition. She explained: “Her body was on fire, I took her temperature and it was 40 degrees.”

“I obviously freaked out, I panicked. She was shaking, her temperature was so high. She was freezing but her body felt boiling and her heart was racing.”

We decided to go to the walk-in hospital, managed to get seen straight away. “They’ve just said they think she’s got the flu – do Calpol, Nurofen, keep monitoring her and if it doesn’t clear up, go back again.”

View 4 Images

Opening up more about her panic, Molly-Mae, who recently confessed to committing a ‘cardinal sin’ as a parent, admitted: “I don’t know why I panicked so much, I think because I’ve never seen her like that I just worried badly and also had such a weird night with Tommy being sick.”

“It’s just quite a lot…This is simply the life of a mum, this is what parenthood looks like – you’re constantly playing catch up. Lately, I’ve been living in a state of fight or flight.”

“We’re back home now, I’ve just put her down for a nap, I’m going to keep a close eye on her. I feel really sorry for her, she just looks so sad.”

As the rumor spreads about a potential “romance” between Aitch and Shona McGarty, two former I’m A Celebrity campmates, have since addressed the rumors.

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Recently, there has been rumors about a potential “romance” between two I’m A Celeb campmates.

Said speculation centres around Aitch, 25, and EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, 34, whom some have suggested may be close.

Following Ruby Wax’s suggestion to the Mirror that Aitch wasn’t Shona’s “type” another former campmate, this time, Vogue Williams, has aired her opinion.

Vogue said on her podcast about whether it was a real incident or a “fromance”: “I try to be very politically correct when talking about them because I think they got along very well.

But I’m not sure if it’s romantic because neither of them are in a romantic situation.

I don’t suggest anything, I promise. Although they will talk when they come out, nothing romantic about them was there. ”

Ruby stated that she wanted her to marry him despite this and that she was optimistic about their relationship. I believed we could have children and live forever in the forest.

She continued, “But she said that’s not her style.” I anticipated that the forest’s next generation would live there, but there was no such thing.

The two youngest people I just witnessed sing. Not, why? I engaged in mating rituals. She then stopped being interested. He also lacked that quality. No, I believe he was just drawn to her. She enjoys big men. ”

While one romantic relationship was ruled out, another has been strengthened thanks to Spencer Matthews and Vogue extolling one another.

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Due to Spencer’s triathlon challenge and Vogue’s presence in the jungle, the pair have been unable to communicate.

Spencer and Vogue met while they were apart and wrote a letter to each other that was read out in the jungle.

Vogue took to social media to show her support for him after the completion of his seven triathlons.

She continued, “Waking up here and to the best news that Spenny has completed his seven triathlons, all in aid of James’ Place, an incredible charity dedicated to preventing male suicide.