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This £40 smart watch is better than my FitBit and kept my January health and fitness goals on track

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If you’re looking for a smart watch to help track your January health goals or keep your fitness on track, I’ve found one that does everything pricier models do – and it’s only £40

If your New Year’s resolutions revolve around giving your health and fitness a boost, then a smart watch is a great way to help keep yourself motivated and on track. I’ve tried a few over the years, but my latest one is not only budget-friendly, but works just as well (if not better) than the more expensive ones like FitBits.

I’ve been putting the Track Black Silicone Strap Smartwatch from Sekonda to the test this January, and it’s already been living up to expectations. Priced at just £39.99 it’s a great pick for those who don’t want to splash out, or who want to make sure they’ll get plenty of use out of it before splurging on pricier options.

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For me, my resolutions were pretty straightforward; move more, drink more water, and try to make sure I’m getting enough sleep. And the Sekonda Track Black Silicone Strap Smartwatch has helped me with all of them so far.

I was able to set up a regular reminder to drink water – every 90 minutes works for me, but you can choose from between 20 and 180 minute intervals to help keep you hydrated. You can also set up sedentary alerts to remind you to get up and move if you’ve been sitting for too long, and it tracks all the essentials like step count, calories burnt, heart rate and your sleep quality.

It took less than five minutes to get the watch fully set up, and the battery life lasted around 10 days which was great considering I was wearing it constantly during that time. You can choose specific sports tracking when you do things like running, walking, cycling, tennis and football, although if I had one complaint it’s that it could do with a few more options, like weight lifting or yoga for those less cardio-based workout sessions.

However the Track Black Silicone Strap Smartwatch is a great non-intrusive accessory. It’s lightweight enough to wear all day and while you sleep without being annoying or catching on things, and if you don’t love the black colourway, you can also pick from shades like grey, pale pink, or even versions with metal bracelet-style straps for a more high end look.

If you want something a little different, H Samuel currently has £55 slashed off the Garmin Lily 2 Lilac Smartwatch , bringing it down from £249.99 to £194.99. You could also head to Boots, where the Reflex Active Series 12 Berry Strap Smart Watch has been reduced from £39.95 to £19.95.

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Of course, there are smart watches out there which will do all of this and more, but they come with much higher price tags. But personally, if you want something that’s straight forwards, simple to use and gives you all the vital information you could need, then Sekonda’s Track Black Silicone Strap Smartwatch is all you need to keep your health and fitness on the right path.

Primark selling ‘super soft’ £3.50 clothing that ‘looks identical to Zara’

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Shoppers can’t wait to get their hands on the ‘cute’ new Primark range

Primark has impressed shoppers by introducing ‘cute’ new £3.50 clothing. The fashion retailer has built a reputation for selling affordable yet stylish outfits, and the shop’s designs often go viral on social media. Based on the online reaction, the high street retailer has launched another successful range.

As seen in a TikTok video, the retailer is stocking new colourful matching sets. The range includes a ‘super soft vest’, ‘matching shorts’, and ‘cute little tees’, each priced at £3.50, with multiple colour options available.

Showcasing the sets, which are sold separately, @Prmark_lincoln wrote: “Our new supersoft sets have landed in store and we are obsessed. Get yours before they sell out!! Only £3.50.” Praising the ‘new £3.50 separates’ in the video, the store added: “Such a bargain.”

Social media users loved what they saw in the footage. The video went viral in hours, racking up 675k views and 82k likes to date. There were also hundreds of comments from viewers, with many keen to find the new range in their local store.

Responding to the video, one Primark fan wrote: “And now this is gonna be a repeat of summer 2022.” Another shopper replied: “There are so much more cuter tho,” and a customer agreed: “Literally!!!”

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A second response said: “Swear the first top I will be buying in every colour.” In a different comment, an excited shopper wrote: “Ok, cute, I need to go Primark now.” Someone else said: “Omg wait love,” and a fan praised: “Stun need.”

There was more excitement in the comments when a viewer wrote: “YES PRIMARK IS BACKKKK.” A happy shopper agreed: “They are back but so much nicer.” Another comment read: “omfg we need nowwww it’s the old gym sets but soft versions!!!!!!”

The store replied: “We think they are even better than the last ones.” Others compared the set to Zara. A fashion fan claimed: “Look like the Zara ones.” Someone else thought: “They look literally identical to the Zara ones.”

Not everyone was as impressed, though. A different response said: “Who’s wearing shorts in this freezing cold, can we get some matching flares.” Another viewer asked: “Was there a leggings option too?” The store answered: “No leggings, unfortunately.”

Shoppers interested in the sets are advised to check stock in their local store. Customers can find their nearest store here. By the looks of it, the new sets aren’t currently available online. However, there are more ‘soft’ options, including the £6 Buttery Soft Long Sleeve Cut Out Top.

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Duckett & Dunkley join Rockets, Phoenix sign Filer

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England openers Ben Duckett and Sophia Dunkley have joined Trent Rockets for the 2026 Hundred season, while Birmingham Phoenix have signed seamer Lauren Filer.

Duckett, 31, endured a difficult Ashes series in Australia, averaging just 20.2, but has established himself as one of the world’s leading all-format opening batters in recent years and arrives from Birmingham Phoenix.

The left-hander already knows Trent Bridge, having played his county cricket for Nottinghamshire since 2018.

“Trent Bridge is already my home in so many different ways, so signing for the Rockets feels like a full circle moment, and I’m absolutely delighted,” said Duckett.

“Without doubt, it’s my favourite ground to play at in England, and I can’t wait to play for the Rockets in front of the best fans in the country too.”

Dunkley, an England regular since making her international debut in 2021, joins from Welsh Fire.

The 27-year-old batter has scored 1,065 runs in The Hundred at an average of 31.32 with seven half-centuries.

“The platform that The Hundred has given the women’s game so far has been immense, and it’s an incredibly exciting time, so I can’t wait to see what lies in store with the Rockets,” she said.

Rockets head coach Chris Read added: “Sophia will be a brilliant addition to our squad, and brings proven run-scoring ability coupled with valuable experience.”

England bowler Filer, one of the fastest bowlers in the women’s game, joins Ellyse Perry and fellow new signing Alice Capsey in the Phoenix squad.

The 25-year-old joins from Manchester Originals, where she spent two years following single seasons at London Spirit and Welsh Fire.

She averaged 12.12 with the ball for Originals in 2025, taking eight wickets in six matches.

“Lauren is an exciting young bowler with genuine pace and real competitiveness in her game,” said Phoenix women’s head coach Ali Maiden.

“She brings an aggressive mindset and control that we believe will be crucial in The Hundred.”

Teams have been limited to four signings for the 2026 season, with all remaining players set to be allocated to squads in a new auction format.

England batter Jacob Bethell and spinner Rehan Ahmed have signed for Phoenix’s men’s side.

“I’m really pleased to be joining Birmingham Phoenix,” said Filer.

Related topics

  • Trent Rockets
  • Franchise Cricket
  • The Hundred
  • Cricket
  • Birmingham Phoenix

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    • 16 August 2025
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Rarely-seen Peter Kay keeps it lowkey as he grabs a bite ahead of year-long charity arena tour

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Comedian Peter Kay is getting ready to embark on a massive tour, for which the proceeds will go to twelve different cancer charities and has been pictured stepping out in his hometown

Peter Kay kept it lowkey as he headed out for a bacon roll ahead of his arena tour. The Bolton star was seen picking up the roll from his local bakery, a hotspot in his hometown of Bolton.

The top comedian enjoyed his treat from the popular bakery ahead of his massive year-long tour, with proceeds from the live shows being shared between 12 different cancer charities. He was seen wearing all black for the outing, as he sported a black cap, top, trousers and coat while he tucked into the bacon roll from Greenhalgh’s – a popular local version of Greggs.

Peter, who recently wowed fans with his new slimmed down frame, tucked into the roll while holding a distinctive green bag from the bakery. “He’s touring arenas – but still eats like the rest of us!”, one local quipped. Peter is known for being down to earth – and he has never forgot where he came from. His tour will run until August, with the money being donated to 12 different charities.

Children With Cancer UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, Kidney Cancer UK, Blood Cancer UK, Bowel Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer UK, DKMS UK, Ovarian Cancer Action, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Anthony Nolan, The Brain Tumour Charity and Breast Cancer UK will all benefit from Peter’s kind donations – with the star saying everyone knew someone who was affected.

“Unfortunately, everybody knows someone who’s been affected on that list of 12 charities and I just hope people support it,” Kay told the One Show of his plans to donate the money.

“You don’t even have to like me to come, it goes beyond that, this is about supporting these charities.” He later quipped to viewers that “if it’s not funny, you’ll get your money back”.

Peter also recently released a new book, and promoting the new tale, he opened up about his slimmer appearance for the first time. Speaking on BBC Radio 2’s Sara Cox, he said: “Only for the first 48 years of my life. Yeah, I had to eventually, because you start thinking about your health and things like that, don’t you? But I tried everything, flaming weight loss groups. I did quite well at one point.”

He recalled one time back in 2000 when he was out on a trip to the cinema with his wife – but wanted to keep to his diet.

“I was sat there, and I thought, well, I fancy hotdog. So I said ‘Susan, I’m going to toilet,'” he said, “So I nipped out, went down, bought a hotdog and I were doing really well on this diet. I had this hotdog and I am shoving it in because I had said that I had gone for a wee and caught a glimpse of myself.

“I thought ‘look at you, you should be ashamed of yourself’ and I threw the rest of it in the bin. And just as it was about to hit the bin liner I grabbed it and had another bite! Anyway, I went back in and ran up and sat back down and said ‘what have I missed?’. She said ‘you have had a hotdog’ and I said ‘I have not’ and she said ‘I can smell it on your breath’. That’s how bad it were honest to God.”

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What is The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman’s net worth?

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What is The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman’s net worth? – The Mirror

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Need to know

Claudia Winkleman has become at TV icon thanks to her role on BBC’s The Traitors.

Everything you need to know about The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman’s net worth

  1. The Traitors star Claudia Winkelman is set to be the focus of a brand new documentary which promises to give viewers a deep dive into her career. Claudia Winkleman: Behind the Fringe will give fans an exclusive insight into the star’s career and personal life – but an official release date is yet to be announced. It will also look at how her role on The Traitors made her a fashion icon.
  2. Claudia has become a Traitors legend, having hosted the show since its debut in 2022, including the celebrity spin-off. She even won a TV BAFTA award back in 2023, as the show continues to be a huge phenomenon across the UK.
  3. But it’s not the only show she has been a familiar face on. Just last year, the star announced she was leaving Strictly Come Dancing after over a decade – alongside co-host Tess Daly – so she could focus on other projects such as The Traitors. Back in October last year, she said: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.”
  4. Claudia also presents the hit Channel 4 show The Piano, as she searches for the UK’s best amateur pianists. Claudia Winkleman fans may also remember seeing her on The Great British Sewing Bee as well as Best Home Cook.
  5. She is also a long time ambassador of haircare brand Head and Shoulders, which would bring in extra funds, but her exact salaries have not been disclosed. As for her net worth, it has been reported that her net worth is estimated to sit around £9 million – a huge sum.

READ THE FULL STORY: Claudia Winkleman documentary announced as fans promised a look ‘beyond the fringe’

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