All posts by 234Radio

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan attended the Grand National race at Aintree earlier this month, and she wore a dramatic pink dress from the high street – and it’s on sale

Saturday 5 April saw the biggest event in the horse racing calendar – the Grand National – take place at Aintree racecourse, with racegoers from all over the country attending, including actress Helen Flanagan. The former I’m A Celeb star arrived wearing a very glamorous pink gown – we’ve found the exact one, and it’s from one of our favourite high street shops.

In a sponsored reel posted to her Instagram account, 34 year old looked stunning in a long pink dress with an asymmetric hem, a red side panel and a dramatic cape feature over one arm, and we’ve found out that it’s the Soft Tailored Colour Block Cape Detail Full Skirted Maxi Dress from high street hero Karen Millen. Usually priced at £289, it’s now half price, down to £144.50 – and it’s still available in all sizes.

READ MORE: Michelle Keegan is a vision in £60 ‘jacket of the season’ that’s flying off shelves

READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s go-to £20 supersize anti-ageing face cream is now on sale at Boots

Also featuring an asymmetric neckline, high-low hem and tailored fit, this stunning maxi dress is the perfect attire for the races, and also makes a great dress choice for weddings, graduations and other formal events. And if pink’s not your colour, you can also buy it in this bold cobalt blue colour, also reduced in price and fully stocked.

The former Coronation Street actor, who attended the popular sporting event with boyfriend Robbie, paired this statement dress with a red fascinator, also from Karen Millen: the Asymmetric Disk Fascinator With Feather Detail, now also reduced by 50% from £99 to £49.50. Helen kept the rest of her accessories simple with red strappy heels and a beaded clutch bag.

If you’re looking for other occasionwear options on the high street, Coast is a great place to shop; we love this pretty pink midi dress, which we think looks a lot like designer brand Self Portrait – but for £119, or £95.20 when you use the code EXTRA20.

We also love ASOS DESIGN for affordable dresses for any occasion; this £75 pale green maxi dress has a frill neckline similar to Helen’s dress, while this simple £30 navy silk halterneck gown is a gorgeous choice for evening or blank tie events.

Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan attended the Grand National race at Aintree earlier this month, and she wore a dramatic pink dress from the high street – and it’s on sale

Saturday 5 April saw the biggest event in the horse racing calendar – the Grand National – take place at Aintree racecourse, with racegoers from all over the country attending, including actress Helen Flanagan. The former I’m A Celeb star arrived wearing a very glamorous pink gown – we’ve found the exact one, and it’s from one of our favourite high street shops.

In a sponsored reel posted to her Instagram account, 34 year old looked stunning in a long pink dress with an asymmetric hem, a red side panel and a dramatic cape feature over one arm, and we’ve found out that it’s the Soft Tailored Colour Block Cape Detail Full Skirted Maxi Dress from high street hero Karen Millen. Usually priced at £289, it’s now half price, down to £144.50 – and it’s still available in all sizes.

READ MORE: Michelle Keegan is a vision in £60 ‘jacket of the season’ that’s flying off shelves

READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s go-to £20 supersize anti-ageing face cream is now on sale at Boots

Also featuring an asymmetric neckline, high-low hem and tailored fit, this stunning maxi dress is the perfect attire for the races, and also makes a great dress choice for weddings, graduations and other formal events. And if pink’s not your colour, you can also buy it in this bold cobalt blue colour, also reduced in price and fully stocked.

The former Coronation Street actor, who attended the popular sporting event with boyfriend Robbie, paired this statement dress with a red fascinator, also from Karen Millen: the Asymmetric Disk Fascinator With Feather Detail, now also reduced by 50% from £99 to £49.50. Helen kept the rest of her accessories simple with red strappy heels and a beaded clutch bag.

If you’re looking for other occasionwear options on the high street, Coast is a great place to shop; we love this pretty pink midi dress, which we think looks a lot like designer brand Self Portrait – but for £119, or £95.20 when you use the code EXTRA20.

We also love ASOS DESIGN for affordable dresses for any occasion; this £75 pale green maxi dress has a frill neckline similar to Helen’s dress, while this simple £30 navy silk halterneck gown is a gorgeous choice for evening or blank tie events.

In this Thursday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from new details of Freddie Flintoff’s crash to one mum’s extraordinary gesture to cops who killed her son

Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we’ll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Wednesday, we’re featuring everything from Freddie Flintoff’s ‘vivid’ memories of his shocking car crash to King Charles’ Easter messge to the UK.

This morning, our Showbiz team revealed the first images from Flintoff’s horrific Top Gear crash after they were released ahead of the former cricket star’s upcoming documentary. Elsewhere, our News team have been working on heartbreaking stories about a woman probed by police after her husband died at Dignitas and one mum’s extraordinary gesture to cops who killed her son.

Freddie Flintoff Top Gear car crash seen for first time as he recalls details ‘vividly’

After clips of Freddie Flintoff’s new documentary were released today, our Showbiz team broke the first images of the former cricket star’s horrific Top Gear crash. In the Disney+ teaser, Flintoff said: “I remember everything about it. It’s so vivid. This is what I’m left with… I wouldn’t say I’m embracing them but I’m not trying to hide my scars.”

Speaking about his decision to release a tell-all documentary now, the sportsman said: “I’d lived under the radar for seven months, one of the real frustrations was the speculation, that’s why I’m doing this now. What actually happened?”

In one image, medics are seen attending to the injured sportsman by the road with tyre skids showing how the three-wheeled car he was driving had veered catastrophically off track. The documentary will air on April 25 on Disney+.

Read the full story here.

Woman probed by police over husband who died at Dignitas says she’s ‘no regrets’

Today, our News team told the story of a wife under police investigation after assisting the suicide of her husband at Dignitas in Switzerland. Louise Shackleton, whose husband Anthony was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, said she has “no regrets” as he had a “beautiful death”.

Louise, from North Yorkshire, has spoken publicly for the first time since her husband’s death in December, saying: “It took four people to get him on the plane and he turned and looked at me and said ‘they can’t stop us now can they love?

“We talked at length over two years about this and what he said to me on many occasions is ‘look at my options’…’Look at what my options are. I can either go there and I can die peacefully, with grace, without pain, without suffering or I could be laid in a bed not being able to move, not even being able to look at something unless you move my head.’ What he wanted, nothing more but a good death.”

Read the full story here.

King Charles mourns ‘cruelty of humanity’ in emotional Easter message for Maundy Thursday

In the run up to the weekend, our Royal team awoke to the King’s Easter message to the nation. In the emotional address to mark Maundy Thursday, Charles III spoke of humanity’s “great cruelty and kindness”.

The King’s Easter message reads: “One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes — at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.”

The King and Queen met specially invited guests and handed out Maundy money this Wednesday to commemorate the Last Supper, Jesus’ final meal with his 12 disciples before he was killed the following day. According to Durham Cathedral: “Each recipient of Maundy money is given two small leather purses by The King, one red and one white.”

Read the full story here.

Jean Charles de Menezes’ mum makes extraordinary gesture to cops who killed innocent son

Our Mirror front page today featured one mum’s incredible gesture and read, ‘I forgive cops who killed my son’. In a moving interview 20 years on from the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, his mum, Maria, revealed she has now found it in her heard to forgive those who killed her son, despite the years of agony his senseless death caused.

Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead by police on the Tube 20 years ago in a fatal blunder after they thought he was an alleged terrorist. Instead, accounts about a man jumping station barriers in a bulky jacket became unravelled and it emerged that the victim was actually Brazilian electrician, de Menezes.

Now, his mum Maria has told how she does not want her final years to be consumed by hatred, choosing to forgive the officers who killed her son. Maria also paid an emotional tribute to her son and said she hopes a new TV drama about that fateful day in Stockwell, South London, on July 22, 2005 will let people see the real Jean Charles.

Read the full story here.

The 40 best fish and chips shops in the UK – mapped

This Good Friday long queues are expected across the UK as people enjoy the tradition of a fish supper before Easter. So, with one of the busiest days for fish and chips in the whole year on the horizon, we’ve pulled together an interactive map of the 40 best chippies across the UK.

This week, the National Federation of Fish Friers has released the top 40 fish and chip shops around the country – with the top chippie being named as Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington. In second place was the Fish Works in Largs, Scotland and Kellaway’s Fish and Chips in Cornwall was placed third.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers said: “Good Friday is a huge trading day on the fish and chip shop calendar when businesses across the country welcome hundreds of customers through their doors keen to enjoy this holiday staple.”

Check out our interactive map here.

READ MORE: We got a first look at Twycross Zoo’s brand new exhibit and it had kids ‘enthralled’

Football legend David Beckham has sparked a new row with neighbours at his rural retreat after the star submitted plans for a new addition to his £6million Cotswolds home

David Beckham is at war with his neighbours over plans for a new barn at his rural retreat. An exasperated local complained: “Why do famous people move to the country… then make silly alterations?”

The England legend, who’s wife is celebrating her birthday today, is seeking planning permission for the timber-clad structure at the £6m property in the Cotswolds. Becks, who turns 50 on May 2, keeps bees and chickens at his country bolthole which has a giant lake.

He has asked planners at West Oxfordshire District Council for the right to create an “agricultural storage barn for hay/straw and agricultural equipment”.

READ MORE: Romeo Beckham celebrates six months with girlfriend as Brooklyn stays silent amid feud

Angry villager Harriet Jones has told the council in a letter of objection: “This is just the latest in a long line of applications to build new structures on this land, plus a giant lake. Why do famous people move out to the country and then clutter up their land with endless buildings and make silly alterations? It makes no sense.”

The plans reveal the building will have a steel frame covered in wood with a metal roof which will measure 10m by 5m. Planners will decide on the merits of the application in the coming weeks.

Two years ago, David Beckham and his wife Victoria were given planning permission to transform the property near Chipping Norton, which they bought for £6m in 2016. Roof space in an outbuilding was to be turned into offices.

The pair previously got into hot water with neighbours over developments, including a now-withdrawn application to build a second access road into their home.

They have also been granted planning permission to construct a kitchen garden and glasshouse so that they could grow their own fruit and vegetables.

One nearby resident told the council: “Many people locally indicated to West Oxfordshire Council that the increase in the residential curtilage of this property will see an ever-increasing number of buildings, and to date we have all been proved right.”

Some within Great Tew and surrounding villages have accused the former footballer and pop star of bringing suburbia to the countryside with development at the property.

The family’s Maplewood Barn property sits just over a mile from the popular members club and hotel Soho Farmhouse and around 7 miles from Chipping Norton. The Beckhams have enjoyed success with their hugely popular Netflix series which shows their home and professional lives.

It comes after David shared a gushing post to his wife Victoria today as she marked her 51st birthday. Taking to his Instagram page, the footballer started his tribute with an old picture of them sharing a loving smooch in the swimming pool.

He also shared a snap of the two smiling for the camera as the embraced each other on a yacht at a picturesque location in 1999. The tribute wasn’t complete without a snap of the fashion designer with her four children; Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Seven. He ended the post with a few snaps of Posh Spice as an adorable child.

“Happy Birthday to the most amazing Wife , Mummy & Best Friend that we could all wish for,” he captioned the post.

“Have the most perfect day because you deserve to and we love you so much,” as he tagged his children. Victoria’s son Cruz rushed to the comment section to wish the star a wonderful day. He wrote: “I love you so much mum x from day 1 you have showed us unconditional love and haven’t stopped since.”

In this Thursday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from new details of Freddie Flintoff’s crash to one mum’s extraordinary gesture to cops who killed her son

Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we’ll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Wednesday, we’re featuring everything from Freddie Flintoff’s ‘vivid’ memories of his shocking car crash to King Charles’ Easter messge to the UK.

This morning, our Showbiz team revealed the first images from Flintoff’s horrific Top Gear crash after they were released ahead of the former cricket star’s upcoming documentary. Elsewhere, our News team have been working on heartbreaking stories about a woman probed by police after her husband died at Dignitas and one mum’s extraordinary gesture to cops who killed her son.

Freddie Flintoff Top Gear car crash seen for first time as he recalls details ‘vividly’

After clips of Freddie Flintoff’s new documentary were released today, our Showbiz team broke the first images of the former cricket star’s horrific Top Gear crash. In the Disney+ teaser, Flintoff said: “I remember everything about it. It’s so vivid. This is what I’m left with… I wouldn’t say I’m embracing them but I’m not trying to hide my scars.”

Speaking about his decision to release a tell-all documentary now, the sportsman said: “I’d lived under the radar for seven months, one of the real frustrations was the speculation, that’s why I’m doing this now. What actually happened?”

In one image, medics are seen attending to the injured sportsman by the road with tyre skids showing how the three-wheeled car he was driving had veered catastrophically off track. The documentary will air on April 25 on Disney+.

Read the full story here.

Woman probed by police over husband who died at Dignitas says she’s ‘no regrets’

Today, our News team told the story of a wife under police investigation after assisting the suicide of her husband at Dignitas in Switzerland. Louise Shackleton, whose husband Anthony was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, said she has “no regrets” as he had a “beautiful death”.

Louise, from North Yorkshire, has spoken publicly for the first time since her husband’s death in December, saying: “It took four people to get him on the plane and he turned and looked at me and said ‘they can’t stop us now can they love?

“We talked at length over two years about this and what he said to me on many occasions is ‘look at my options’…’Look at what my options are. I can either go there and I can die peacefully, with grace, without pain, without suffering or I could be laid in a bed not being able to move, not even being able to look at something unless you move my head.’ What he wanted, nothing more but a good death.”

Read the full story here.

King Charles mourns ‘cruelty of humanity’ in emotional Easter message for Maundy Thursday

In the run up to the weekend, our Royal team awoke to the King’s Easter message to the nation. In the emotional address to mark Maundy Thursday, Charles III spoke of humanity’s “great cruelty and kindness”.

The King’s Easter message reads: “One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes — at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.”

The King and Queen met specially invited guests and handed out Maundy money this Wednesday to commemorate the Last Supper, Jesus’ final meal with his 12 disciples before he was killed the following day. According to Durham Cathedral: “Each recipient of Maundy money is given two small leather purses by The King, one red and one white.”

Read the full story here.

Jean Charles de Menezes’ mum makes extraordinary gesture to cops who killed innocent son

Our Mirror front page today featured one mum’s incredible gesture and read, ‘I forgive cops who killed my son’. In a moving interview 20 years on from the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, his mum, Maria, revealed she has now found it in her heard to forgive those who killed her son, despite the years of agony his senseless death caused.

Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead by police on the Tube 20 years ago in a fatal blunder after they thought he was an alleged terrorist. Instead, accounts about a man jumping station barriers in a bulky jacket became unravelled and it emerged that the victim was actually Brazilian electrician, de Menezes.

Now, his mum Maria has told how she does not want her final years to be consumed by hatred, choosing to forgive the officers who killed her son. Maria also paid an emotional tribute to her son and said she hopes a new TV drama about that fateful day in Stockwell, South London, on July 22, 2005 will let people see the real Jean Charles.

Read the full story here.

The 40 best fish and chips shops in the UK – mapped

This Good Friday long queues are expected across the UK as people enjoy the tradition of a fish supper before Easter. So, with one of the busiest days for fish and chips in the whole year on the horizon, we’ve pulled together an interactive map of the 40 best chippies across the UK.

This week, the National Federation of Fish Friers has released the top 40 fish and chip shops around the country – with the top chippie being named as Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington. In second place was the Fish Works in Largs, Scotland and Kellaway’s Fish and Chips in Cornwall was placed third.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers said: “Good Friday is a huge trading day on the fish and chip shop calendar when businesses across the country welcome hundreds of customers through their doors keen to enjoy this holiday staple.”

Check out our interactive map here.

READ MORE: We got a first look at Twycross Zoo’s brand new exhibit and it had kids ‘enthralled’

Football legend David Beckham has sparked a new row with neighbours at his rural retreat after the star submitted plans for a new addition to his £6million Cotswolds home

David Beckham is at war with his neighbours over plans for a new barn at his rural retreat. An exasperated local complained: “Why do famous people move to the country… then make silly alterations?”

The England legend, who’s wife is celebrating her birthday today, is seeking planning permission for the timber-clad structure at the £6m property in the Cotswolds. Becks, who turns 50 on May 2, keeps bees and chickens at his country bolthole which has a giant lake.

He has asked planners at West Oxfordshire District Council for the right to create an “agricultural storage barn for hay/straw and agricultural equipment”.

READ MORE: Romeo Beckham celebrates six months with girlfriend as Brooklyn stays silent amid feud

Angry villager Harriet Jones has told the council in a letter of objection: “This is just the latest in a long line of applications to build new structures on this land, plus a giant lake. Why do famous people move out to the country and then clutter up their land with endless buildings and make silly alterations? It makes no sense.”

The plans reveal the building will have a steel frame covered in wood with a metal roof which will measure 10m by 5m. Planners will decide on the merits of the application in the coming weeks.

Two years ago, David Beckham and his wife Victoria were given planning permission to transform the property near Chipping Norton, which they bought for £6m in 2016. Roof space in an outbuilding was to be turned into offices.

The pair previously got into hot water with neighbours over developments, including a now-withdrawn application to build a second access road into their home.

They have also been granted planning permission to construct a kitchen garden and glasshouse so that they could grow their own fruit and vegetables.

One nearby resident told the council: “Many people locally indicated to West Oxfordshire Council that the increase in the residential curtilage of this property will see an ever-increasing number of buildings, and to date we have all been proved right.”

Some within Great Tew and surrounding villages have accused the former footballer and pop star of bringing suburbia to the countryside with development at the property.

The family’s Maplewood Barn property sits just over a mile from the popular members club and hotel Soho Farmhouse and around 7 miles from Chipping Norton. The Beckhams have enjoyed success with their hugely popular Netflix series which shows their home and professional lives.

It comes after David shared a gushing post to his wife Victoria today as she marked her 51st birthday. Taking to his Instagram page, the footballer started his tribute with an old picture of them sharing a loving smooch in the swimming pool.

He also shared a snap of the two smiling for the camera as the embraced each other on a yacht at a picturesque location in 1999. The tribute wasn’t complete without a snap of the fashion designer with her four children; Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Seven. He ended the post with a few snaps of Posh Spice as an adorable child.

“Happy Birthday to the most amazing Wife , Mummy & Best Friend that we could all wish for,” he captioned the post.

“Have the most perfect day because you deserve to and we love you so much,” as he tagged his children. Victoria’s son Cruz rushed to the comment section to wish the star a wonderful day. He wrote: “I love you so much mum x from day 1 you have showed us unconditional love and haven’t stopped since.”