Love Island star Shaughna Phillip recently returned from Alicante, Spain, but had a horrible experience at the airport on her way back to the UK
Shaughna Phillips details holiday nightmare as she shares travel advice(Image: Instagram/shaughnaphillips)
Shaughna Phillips detailed her travelling nightmare while on the way back from Alicante Airport this week. The Love Island star was on holiday with her family when the incident unfolded, prompting her to take to her Instagram Stories to share travel advice with her many followers.
The TV personality revealed there was an abnormal number of travellers at the airport, with ‘snaking queues’ reaching the back of the airport. However, she soon discovered a travel hack that got her entire family through the line without having to wait for hours.
“I’ve had loads of messages asking me about Alicante Airport and what happened because they’re going to be using it. So, I thought I would jump on here quickly and tell you all because I did have a solid bit of advice,” she said. It comes after a Brit abroad slams all-inclusive hotel food asking ‘what on earth is this?’
READ MORE: Shaughna Phillips reveals why Love Island’s top couple won’t last – and it makes senseREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing stars face abuse from fans after welcoming contestant to show
Shaughna said the queue went ‘to the back of the airport’(Image: Instagram/shaughnaphillips)
She had a flight at 11:20am and arrived at the airport at 9am, but still had to ‘run to the gates’. The reality star said they were sat by the gate for only five minutes before the flight started boarding.
“So we had no time, no shops, no wee breaks,” the TV personality revealed. “When we got there it was like I’ve never see it before.
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“It was like Selfridge’s on Christmas morning with people queueing everywhere and you couldn’t even tell where the queue started that you needed to be in.
“The queue for the EasyJet desk was about 30-35 minutes queue and it snaked like it was way out the barriers to where it was supposed to be. And that wasn’t just EasyJet either.”
The star soon discovered a quick way to get through the queue(Image: shaughnaphillips/Instagram)
The star said every single check-in and baggage drop desk was busy “apart from Jet2 because nothing beats a Jet2 holiday”. The star went on to reveal there was another long queue that went “all the way back to the end of the airport”.
She left her father-in-law in the queue to walk around with her baby and noticed there was a VIP fast track that bypassed the whole queue if travellers paid 10 euros to get through.
Shaughna said there was a black sign with a QR code at the front of the queue that has the information on the VIP queue.
Shaughna returned from her holiday this week and told fans she was “ready for an exciting few weeks/months”. She said: “I feel like my life has somewhat been put on hold for the last few years, and it’s finally coming to an end, only good times ahead.”
The star later returned to her page to share her reality check moment. She wrote: “One minute you’re laying by the pool and the next minute you’re in Kennington getting a blood test, life comes at you fast.”
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United States President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday in a bid to try and end Russia’s three-year assault on Ukraine.
In the run-up to the meeting, Trump said that he believes Putin is ready to agree to a ceasefire. But his suggestion that Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could “divvy things up” has alarmed observers in Kyiv.
For their part, remarks from top Russian officials suggest that Moscow has tried to water down discussions about the war by linking them with other bilateral issues, particularly restoring economic ties with the US.
On Thursday, Putin sat down with top officials at the Kremlin to discuss the Alaska meeting. He said that he believed the US was making “sincere efforts to stop the fighting, end the crisis and reach agreements of interest to all parties involved in this conflict”.
Earlier on Thursday, Yuri Ushakov, one of Putin’s top foreign policy aides, told reporters about Russia’s preparations for the talks. He said it was “obvious to everyone that the central topic will be the settlement of the Ukraine crisis”.
“An exchange of views is expected on the further development of bilateral cooperation, including in the trade and economic sphere,” he said, pointing out that: “I would like to note that this cooperation has a huge and, unfortunately, untapped potential.”
Ushakov also announced that in addition to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s delegation in Alaska would also include the country’s finance minister, Anton Siluanov, and Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy on foreign investment and economic cooperation.
The inclusion of Siluanov and Dmitriev is another sign that the Kremlin hoped to discuss economic matters at the summit.
What does Russia-US trade look like?
In 2021, before Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, total trade between Russia and the US amounted to $36.1bn. This included $6.4bn in US exports to Russia, and $29.7bn in US imports from Russia – amounting to a US trade deficit of $23.3bn.
For context, Russia was America’s 30th largest trade partner in 2021. Since then, after numerous rounds of American sanctions, trade between Russia and the US has fallen roughly 90 percent.
Incidentally, Russia’s overall trade balance – leaving the US – declined significantly following its decision to invade Ukraine. From 2022 to 2023, its international balance of payments fell by a whopping 70 percent, to just $86.3bn.
But back in 2021, Russia’s trade surplus with the US was concentrated almost exclusively in commodities. Oil, minerals and base metals like iron and steel made up roughly 75 percent of Russia’s exports. Meanwhile, US exports to Russia were concentrated in manufactured goods.
Were Russian exports to the US vital?
The short answer is no.
By the time Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the US – whose energy sector was transformed by hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling in the early 2000s – was already the world’s largest oil producer, at 11.9 million barrels of oil per day.
One area where Russia did hold limited significance was in certain types of energy products. Russia supplied certain grades of crude oil – notably Urals – as well as refined products like vacuum gas oil (VGO), residual fuel oil and naphtha.
Russian VGO was especially important for making gasoline and diesel products in US refineries, which lacked enough domestic feedstock with the optimal chemical and physical properties.
Elsewhere, the US continues to import limited quantities of uranium hexafluoride, a chemical important in uranium processing, from Russia. Some US utility companies still have supply contracts with Russia, which accounted for about one-third of America’s enriched uranium needs when war broke out.
As with energy products, however, American firms exposed to Russian uranium supplies have readjusted their supply chains in response to sanctions. What’s more, US companies like X-energy and Orano have invested heavily in domestic production in recent years.
Does Russia have any other leverage?
In the wake of sanctions after February 2022, most Russian commodity shipments were rerouted from Western countries to China at discounted prices, including for energy products and uranium.
Indeed, trade between China and Russia has grown in parallel with sanctions on Russia. A common border, shared geopolitical perspectives and joint opposition to the US have deepened bilateral relations.
Russia-China trade saw annual growth of nearly 30 percent in both 2022 and 2023, when it hit $240.1bn, according to the Centre for European Policy Analysis. In 2024, Russia climbed to 7th place among China’s trading partners, up from 13th place in 2020.
During that time, China has supplied Russia with more high-end products – like advanced electronics and industrial machinery – while Moscow has solidified its position as a top supplier of oil and gas to Beijing.
What’s more, the two countries conduct regular naval exercises and strategic bomber patrols together. The US has consistently expressed concerns over joint military drills and views the China-Russia alignment as a threat to its global leadership role.
Putin will be aware of these dynamics heading into Friday’s meeting.
What else could Putin offer Trump?
In March, Putin’s investment envoy – Kirill Dmitriev – claimed that Russia and the US had started talks on rare earth metals projects in Russia, and that some American companies had already expressed an interest in them.
“Rare earth metals are an important area for cooperation, and, of course, we have begun discussions on various rare earth metals and (other) projects in Russia,” Dmitriev told the Izvestia newspaper.
China’s almost total global control over the production of critical minerals – used in everything from defence equipment to consumer electronics – has focused Washington’s attention on developing its own supplies.
The US Geological Survey estimates Russia’s reserves of rare earth metals at 3.8 million tonnes, but Moscow has far higher estimates.
According to the Natural Resources Ministry, Russia has reserves of 15 rare earth metals totalling 28.7 million tonnes, as of January 2023.
But even accounting for the margin of error hanging over Russia’s potential rare earth supplies, it would still only account for a tiny fraction of global stockpiles.
As such, the US has been pursuing minerals-for-security deals with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ukraine in recent months, in an effort to wrestle control of the global supply chain away from China.
It may try and do the same with Russia.
What does Russia want from these meetings?
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Western countries have imposed 21,692 sanctions on Russia, mostly against individuals.
Key sanctions on Moscow include import bans on Russian oil, a price cap on Russian fuel, and the freezing of Russian central bank assets held in European financial institutions.
But on July 14, Trump threatened to impose so-called secondary sanctions, that if carried out, would mark a notable shift.
Since then, he has targeted India – the second biggest buyer of Russian oil – by doubling a 25 percent tariff on its goods to 50 percent, as a penalty for that trade with Moscow. So far, Trump has not imposed similar secondary tariffs on China, the largest consumer of Russian oil.
But he has suggested that Beijing could face such tariffs in the future, as the US tries to pressure countries to stop buying Russian crude, and thereby corner Putin into accepting a ceasefire.
Members of Trump’s administration have also indicated that if the Trump-Putin talks in Alaska don’t go well, the tariffs on India could be increased further.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from both US political parties are pushing for a bill – the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 – that would also target countries buying Russian oil and gas.
The bill would give Trump the authority to impose 500 percent tariffs on any country that helps Russia. US senators are reportedly waiting on Trump’s OK to move the bill forward.
Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova shared an update with fans after falling during a training session. Earlier this week, Nadiya shared a snap of her lying in a hospital bed as she opened up about her difficult 24 hours before telling fans that she’s been doing okay.
“I had a fall in training yesterday and landed on my back. I was really worried for a while and I was so thankful to the Strictly family and medical team who really looked after me,” she said at the time.
“The staff at the hospital were so kind and caring. I’m smiling in the picture but it was really scary and there were a few tears as I had to lie still for hours but I was given the all-clear after an x-ray and allowed to go home.
The star took to social media to thank fans for their support ( Getty Images for Paramount Pictu)
“I’ve got some physio today but I will be back on that dance floor soon and I’ll be ready to shine and sparkle in the new series of the biggest show on TV.”
And now, she revealed she received endless kind messages from fans in support of the star. She insisted she’s okay and will be back on the dancefloor in no time.
She wrote on her Instagram Stories: “I’ve had so many kind messages over the past 48 hours – Thank you for your love and support. So many questions too so I just wanted to let you know that I had another scan today – just to check things over – and some more physio from Strictly team and I’ll be back on that dance floor tomorrow.
“I feel a lot more like myself today, can’t wait to be back with my Strictly family and looking forward for the new series.”
She thanked fans and her celebrity pals with a lengthy message on her Instagram stories ( @nadiyabychkova/Instagram)
In the initial post, Nadiya was lying in a hospital bed and was smiling but explained that was not a true reflection of her feelings at all as she said the whole thing was ‘really scary’ and she had to lie completly still for hours as the ‘kind and caring’ medical staff all worked on her.
When it all happened for the professional dancer, she was greeted by a host of her celebrity pals in the comments section of her post who all rushed to send her their well-wishes.
Strictly co-star Gorka Marquez wrote: “Sending love,” and emblazed his comment with a white heart emoji whilst his partner and former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkison simply said: “Get well soon,” as she left behind a red heart emoji.
Radio host Zoe Ball said she was ‘sending healing love’ to her friend, and Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse expressed her immediate concern. She wrote: “My heart dropped when I heard! So grateful you’re okay [prayer emoji]. Take all the time you need, we need you shining and sparkling on that floor soon! Sending you all my love!”
Other professionals like Jowitz Przystal, and Michelle Tsiak and Dianne Buswell weighed in with their support and JLS star JB Gill, who competed on the programme last year, said :”Hope you’re ok. Speedy recovery.”
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Knockout football veers into view this weekend with the second round of the Premier Sports Cup.
Celtic host promoted Falkirk, while third-tier Alloa Athletic’s reward for topping their group is a visit to Ibrox to take on Russell Martin’s stumbling Rangers.
Ayr United visit Championship rivals Partick Thistle, Aberdeen are away to another Championship side in Greenock Morton, with relegated St Johnstone host top-flight Motherwell.
Off the back of Thursday’s European action, Dundee United and Hibernian visit Premiership opposition in the shape of Kilmarnock and promoted Livingston, respectively.
Will Falkirk attack Celtic?
The last time Falkirk went to Celtic Park, the then-Championship side flew out of the blocks and went at Celtic.
Goals from Ross MacIver and Finn Yeats had John McGlynn’s side 2-1 up at half-time, before a double apiece for Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn ensured Celtic avoided an upset.
Still, it was notable how McGlynn’s front-foot play was able to cause problems against Scotland’s dominant club side.
After a straightforward group-stage campaign, it has been a more difficult return to the top flight for the Bairns, who drew against Dundee United before falling to a 3-1 defeat at bogey team Livingston.
Will those setbacks lead to tweaks from McGlynn or will he stick to his approach and take the game to a Celtic side who might have one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League play-off home leg against Kairat Almaty?
“For us, a reference was how well we did there last season,” McGlynn said. “We’ve got to take a bit of confidence and belief from that.
Can Hearts maintain perfect start under McInnes?
Derek McInnes made it clear in his pre-match news conference on Wednesday that he is targeting silverware in his first season with Hearts, who haven’t won this competition since 1963.
Hearts don’t have the best record in Paisley but can take heart from a gritty Scottish Cup win on penalties there last season. They also go into the match off six straight wins, having beaten two of last season’s top-six Premiership teams already.
They have an opportunity to take a third scalp against St Mirren and McInnes was bullish when asked about his team’s prospects in the cup competitions.
“I’ve said this to them a few times. There’s not one player should have signed for Hearts without having that aspiration to win a trophy here,” the former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss said.
“If we don’t win the cup, it doesn’t mean we were wrong to say it. I don’t think you’re setting yourself up for a fall. We do believe we’re good enough to go the full way and there’s no point believing otherwise.”
Rangers debuts for Moore & Aasgaard?
SNS
Patterns have emerged in Russell Martin’s six competitive games in charge of Rangers this season, some unwanted.
Ridiculous amount of shots faced in some matches and slow, ponderous build-up play, particularly against teams favouring a low block.
One imagines that will be Alloa Athletic’s gameplan at Ibrox in Saturday’s evening kick-off.
However, Martin said before Tuesday’s defeat by Viktoria Plzen that summer signings Thelo Aasgaard and Mikey Moore could both be fit to make debuts this weekend, while Hamza Igamane could return.
How will United & Hibs cope after European travails?
Both Dundee United and Hibernian were in Conference League qualifying action on Thursday evening, but with mixed fortunes.
While Hibs progressed to the play-off round with a 4-3 aggregate win against Partizan after extra time, United endured the agony of defeat on penalties after being tied 4-4 with Rapid Vienna following 210 minutes of football.
The packed schedule that accompanies European football is a significant challenge for teams as they attempt to maintain domestic form while attempting to secure a group-stage spot and the riches that brings.
United have taken one point from the two league matches that have immediately followed their European efforts this season, while Hibs have had more joy having claimed four points.
Can ‘mature’ Kirk down Motherwell?
Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland
Having completed his multi-million pound move from Motherwell to Udinese, the spotlight won’t fall on Lennon Miller, when his former club travel to St Johnstone on Saturday.
So perhaps it will fall on another talented youngster – 21-year-old Saints striker Makenzie Kirk.
The Perth side may have been relegated from the Premiership last season, but Kirk caught the eye, netting 11 times.
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari has confirmed there has, unsurprisingly, been transfer interest in the Northern Irish striker.
He added: “These players are very rare and to have a player at his age who still has a lot of potential to fulfil – of course there will be interest.
“He is our player, we don’t have the urgency or panic to sell. I would be more than happy if he is our player when this window closes.”
Despite being in and out of the Saints starting XI this season, he has still scored four goals.
“He has been top notch, pushing very hard every day – that tells me he is young in age but mature in his head,” Valakari said.
Strictly Come Dancing divided fans when they announced former The Apprentice star, Thomas Skinner, as one of the contestants in the upcoming series of the competition
Strictly star Tom Skinner’s controversial life – JD Vance bond, crime past and family life
Strictly Come Dancing fans were divided when The Apprentice star Tom Skinner was announced as a contestant on the upcoming series of the BBC dance competition. He initially gained a huge following due to his everyman persona mainly going on about grafting hard for success.
However, he has been at the receiving end of backlash in recent months due to his controversial social media posts and newly-formed friendship with US Vice President JD Vance. When the programme confirmed his stint on the show, many rushed to the comment section to share their concerns.
One user said: “”Oh no. This man is so offensive,” and another posted: “Yeah Strictly … this ain’t it. This is such a bad vibe choice. Ugly opinions and deeply polarising. Can’t help but feel like this is going to be an own goal.”
Some were more supportive and wrote: “Brilliant news to get such a great character on the show. I’ll certainly be watching this year. Top chap.” It comes after a Strictly Come Dancing star pulls out of show as he makes career announcement.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Tom Skinner responds to fierce backlash after BBC announcementREAD MORE: Strictly’s Thomas Skinner responds to Narinder Kaur after she slammed BBC show for signing him
Ahead of his stint on the dance competition, The Mirror took a deep dive into his life from his JD Vance friendship to controversial comments…
JD Vance friendship
He formed a friendship with US Vice President JD Vance(Image: iamtomskinner/X)
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While followers enjoyed his no-nonsense posts on X/Twitter, he has been known to share controversial views on his personal page.
He recently revealed he enjoyed a BBQ with US Vice President JD Vance after showing support for convicted felon Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Vance and Skinner previously chatted on social media before meeting “in the beautiful English countryside” where the VP is holidaying in the Cotswolds.
After hanging out, Skinner wrote on X: “Unreal night with JD and his friends and family. He was a proper gent. Lots of laughs and some fantastic food. A brilliant night, one to tell the grand kids about.”
He also posted a picture of himself posing with Vance after a “couple of beers”. He said: “Here is a pic of Me and Vice President @JDVance towards the end of the night after a few beers.
“I’m overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don’t risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops. Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh.”
Vance first voiced his support for Skinner when the former Apprentice star said he was receiving ‘death threats’ a ‘comments about his children’ after he claimed ‘something’s gone wrong in the UK’ and wanted to stand up for ‘traditional, hard-working, family values.’
The VP shared a picture of an ‘incel’ cartoon character from South Park and told him: “Hang in there, my friend. Remember that 90 percent of people attacking your family look like this.”
Controversial tweets
Skinner was seen wearing a MAGA hat(Image: X/@iamtomskinner)
Not only has Skinner voiced his support for Trump, he once urged people to “stop bending over backwards for the woke brigade” in a since-deleted post on X.
He previously claimed on X that “London has fallen”, posting to his followers: “I still believe in its people. And I believe it can rise again. But we need change. Real change. We need safety. We need pride. We need leadership that understands the streets, the markets, the working class.”
Some thought he was criticising London mayor Sadiq Khan, but Skinner claimed he doesn’t vote and distanced himself from politics. He said: “I don’t vote. I’ve been invited to the houses of parliament by Labour to talk about small businesses.
“The problem we have about the political parties in the UK is the people behind them are normally failed business people or they have worked in the political sector they’re whole working life and don’t understand the real world. We need more people with a backbone in politics. Who understand the real world. Who understand real problems.”
He recently denied being right wing after meeting up with Vance. Speaking to MailOnline following the Strictly announcement, he said: “I’m not right wing. Some people will hate you without ever really knowing you.”
However, he still declared support for Trump and even posed in a MAGA hat in a post shared online.
In November last year, he sad in a since-deleted tweet: “David Lammy has made a proper t*t of himself hasn’t he. This is the Geeza we have representing the UK. Why don’t we have real people in politics, business owners and real people who actually know how to become successful and stand up for what is right. People that have been in real life situations and had to adapt. Not be a weatherc**k.”
Skinner added: “Anyway I love Trump I think he is brilliant, that’s my opinion. I think it’s good he is back in charge, it will be good for the UK economy. UK always piggy backs off the USA. We all have opinions that is mine. Happy Wednesday I’m gonna drink another lemon Fanta and eat some paella.”
In a recent Tweet, Tom revealed he enjoyed “winding people up on X” as he wrote: “I love my Country. I love my Wife. I love my Kids. I love my Family. I love my Friends. I love West Ham. I love Dinos Cafe. I love my followers. I love my grub. I love winding people up on X. GOOD NIGHT GOD BLESS. BOSH”
Past convictions
He was previously convicted and since opened up about being a ‘changed man’(Image: Jam Press/@iamtomskinner)
Prior to his television appearances, commercial achievements, and celebrity status, Skinner’s life took a dramatically different direction.
In 2016, at just 24 years old, he as convicted for handling stolen merchandise valued at nearly £40,000 after purchasing 4,992 tubes of Body Shop cleansing gel and having 2,000 diazepam tablets from what he subsequently acknowledged was an “unreliable source”.
He was later sentenced and his conviction has since been spent and Skinner has since maintained he’s a “changed man”. He told the Daily Mail in a previous interview: “Many years ago before I had my business, I was young and naive and bought stock from someone I didn’t know.
“I wasn’t aware the stock was stolen and paid the consequences for the mistake I made. That is now well in my past, I’ve had a string of successful companies since then. I am a changed man.”
After news of Tom’s past broke just before his stint on The Apprentice in 2019 aired, a BBC spokesperson said: “DBS checks are done for all The Apprentice candidates by the production company ahead of filming.
“A spent conviction is not disclosed under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Spent convictions are designed to help people move on in life and not be excluded from opportunities to help further their careers.”
Narinder Kaur row
Skinner has caused a stir on social media after his announcement(Image: Instagram/iamtomskinner)
Narinder Kaur was one of many who slammed Strictly Come Dancing for signing Skinner onto the show.
Narinder, who is best known as an ex-Big Brother contestant, took to X immediately to complain about the news that he is to be on the show as she claimed she had been deemed ‘too controversial’ for it herself.
She said: “Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box. But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you’ll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!! #BBCStrictly your unconscious bias and prejudicial views against British brown women is disgraceful.”
Big Brother’s Naridner Kaur was not happy with the news(Image: @narindertweets/X)
In an accompanying video, Narinder added that she was ‘raging’ with the broadcaster for the actions as she pointed out his criminal past. She said: “They wouldn’t take me on, we approached them and they said that I was too controversial. They put brown women and black women on who are quiet because that’s the kind of brown and black woman their audience likes.
“But God forbid you’re a brown woman who has some opinions, then they’ll never take you on. But if white man, Thomas Skinner, proud patriot, Thomas Skinner, of the online right, who has got a criminal past, they’ll take you on!”
He soon responded: “Narinder, I respect that you stand up for what you believe in, not everyone’s got the guts to do that. Yes, I’ve got a past, but I’m not here to divide people.
“I’m just trying to get people to believe in themselves and realise they can do more than they think. Life can be so much better when you let happiness in and don’t always be angry towards others. If I’ve ever upset you, I’m sorry… that’s never been my intention. I wish ya nothing but peace, happiness, and a life you can truly enjoy. Bosh.”
Strictly Come Dancing backlash
Strictly Come Dancing viewers are divided over Tom’s stint(Image: PA)
Since the announcement of Tom joining the Strictly line-up, he was met with a lot of backlash online.
As the news was shared on Strictly’s official Instagram page, one viewer wrote: “A disgusting booking on a show that seemingly celebrates inclusivity and diversity.” Another show fan said: “I cannot believe you’re platforming this guy.”
While a third added: “Awful choice” followed by two green faced emoji.
Tom has since responded to the backlash on his X page as he tweeted: “They say don’t read the comments on social media. But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve had absolute pellets all day on my instagram lost about going on strictly.” He then shared a link to Instagram as he went on: “Have a look at some of these on Instagram …. Why are some people so angry that don’t even know me. Not Bosh.”
In a later post, Tom revealed why he thinks he’s been branded a controversial signing to the show. He wrote: “Good morning you lovely people!! Big day today! It’s the first day filming for Strictly! Buzzing for it, proud as anything, but the reason I’m up and out the door at 2.30am is because I’ve got to get all my normal work done beforehand!
“I have had so much love on here btw, just wanted to say thank you for all the support. Some call me “controversial,” but I think it’s just a dig at normal, hard-working people if I’m honest. But we don’t let that stop us. We keep going, we look out for each other, and we use it to drive us forward. I would absolutely LOVE to be able to sleep in bed till about 6 or 7, but with 3 kids, a lovely home, and a wife who’s in Marks & Spencer four times a week, I’ve got to keep the wheels turning!
“So whatever’s in your way today, don’t let it slow ya down. Back yaself and back each other, and keep smiling whilst ya do it. I’ll be having a pint later this evening in my local…..so if you are around that area. Beers on me. Have a blinding day everyone. Bosh”.
Family life
Tom is married with three children(Image: iamtomskinner/Instagram)
The Strictly Come Dancing star regularly shares updates of his family life on social media.
Tom is married to wife Sinéad Chambers and the couple, who wed in May 2022, share three children together. Tom and Sinéad first welcomed son Henry in October 2020 and also share twin daughter’s Darla and Roma, who were born in June 2023.
He regularly shares snaps of his family life on Instagram featuring his wife and two children. Earlier this week, he posted a sweet snap of his family of five as they took a trip to Blenheim Palace where he shared a photo of his clan and wrote on the Instagram share: “We had the most beautiful afternoon walking around the amazing Blenheim Palace. The architecture is simply stunning and the history was incredible. Kids absolutely loved it too. Great family day out. Bosh”.
Sinéad responded with a gushing comment which read: “Making memories with our little family is my favourite”.
As well as sharing snaps from family days out, he also gives fans a glimpse inside his home as she shared a video of himself prepping his Sunday roast dinner earlier this month. He wrote in the caption: “Happy Sunday you lovely people. My favourite day of the week and it’s a Skinner tradition. A big old roast dinner, and look at this stunning bit of sirloin beef from me local butcher, all me veg from the local farm shop and we are gonna feast on this, going to enjoy a nice can of thatchers whilst I cook. Sending love to you are yours. Have a wonderful one. Bosh”.
Tom previously revealed his motivation for ‘working so hard’ as he shared photos of his family at Christmas time. He wrote in a tweet: “This is why i work so hard. I’m so lucky to have 3 beautiful children, Henry, Darla & Roma! I love them so much. I will give them everything in life and will teach them manors, respect, kindness and love. My little ones will learn that anything you dream in life can be achieved with hard work and persistence. My wonderful wife Sinéad & I are double proud parents. Bosh”.
The Apprentice
“I always think back to where I was in my life many years ago; Selling knocked off goods, sleeping on a fold out bed on the floor downstairs and driving a clapped out £500 van,” Skinner once told The Sun as he discussed his rise to fame.
The star was thrust into the spotlight when he appeared on The Apprentice in 2019, lasting all the way to the quarter-finals. At the time, he was the owner of The Fluffy Pillow Company, which sold beds, mattresses and memory foam pillows of his design.
He applied to the show after his girlfriend of the time convinced him to but was fired by Lord Alan Sugar in week nine.
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Boden shoppers are raving about the chic and timeless ballet flats which are currently on sale with a 60% discount, taking them from £112 to under £45
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The flats can be worn ‘from day to evening’ effortlessly(Image: Boden)
Boden customers are rushing to grab a pair of ‘stunning’ ballet flats that are designed to match almost any outfit while they’re on sale. Indeed, those who have already bagged the ‘comfortable’ Mary Janes have praised them as the ‘ultimate power shoe’.
The Penelope Mary Jane Flats in ‘Latte Suede’ usually sell for £112 but shoppers can nab them with a 60% discount, for a limited time. This reduces the price to a more affordable £44.80, offering a saving of over £67.
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The tan flats boast a stylish black capped toe and a strap that ensures your feet stay secure whilst remaining comfortable all day long. They are available in sizes EU 36 (UK 3.5) to EU 46 (UK 8.5), all of which are still in stock online.
Described as a ‘modern twist’ on the classic Mary Janes, the Boden flats are guaranteed to be the perfect final touch to any outfit. They’re made from responsibly sourced suede leather and have a man-made sole.
(Image: Boden)
If you like the shape but aren’t fond of the colour, don’t fret. The shoes also come in a metallic pink colourway, priced at £96, as well as red patent, £44.80, gold woven leather, £84, tan weave, £50.40, and black suede, £44.80.
Meanwhile, White Stuff’s Winnie Woven Ballerina Flats are on sale for £38 down from £75. Available in sizes three to eight, the shoes are made from a woven fabric with memory foam soles for all-day comfort.
Alternatively, Next’s Nude and Black Ballerinas Shoes are priced at £24. These flats, available in sizes three to nine, feature a round toe, flat heel and a bow detail at the front, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Meanwhile, over at Boden, the Penelope Mary Jane Flats have an impressive overall star-rating of 4.2 out of five from more than 160 reviews. One chuffed shopper said: “Great pair of flats. Great spring/summer shoes with sophisticated colours with buckle detail. They’re suitable for day to evening.”
Boden reduces summer ‘power shoe’ to £45 from £112 and shoppers are buying multiple pairs(Image: Boden)
Another penned: “Really cute and comfy. I’ve had several compliments (I’ve bought them in the tan shade and black toes) and am thinking of buying another pair in a different colour.”
“I love these shoes,” another customer gushed. “They are really comfortable and look great. I bought two pairs in different colours and may well buy a third.”
However, one shopper gave the Penelope Mary Jane Flats a lukewarm review, describing them as ‘beautiful but uncomfortable’. The review reads: “The green and white are beautiful, exactly what I was after. The material and sole is really stiff though and uncomfortable, I’m not sure I’ll be able to wear them, which is a shame as I want to love them”.
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Yet another customer was thrilled with their Boden purchase, adding: “Total power shoes. Comfortable and look good with dresses and trousers. A great pop of colour in an otherwise simple outfit. Fit is great.”
