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A man diagnosed with a brain tumour after seizures he blamed on “drinking too much coffee” has made a full recovery – and is cycling 85 miles in May and 141 miles in June to celebrate the end of his chemotherapy treatment. Steve Biggin, 51, a sales assistant at Morrisons who lives in Sheffield with his wife, Anna, 47, and has three children, Lauren, 28, Mya, 24, and Evan, 21, began having “out of body experiences” at work in September 2021. He said they felt like “looking through someone else’s eyes” but later found out he had been having seizures. After two months of regular seizures, Steve had a severe thunderclap headache and after going to A&E was dealt the “huge shock” of a brain tumour diagnosis. He cycled every single day after he got the diagnosis, which he thinks made him “even stronger” and helped him make a good recovery after having the tumour removed successfully. He is now planning to cycle through the Scottish highlands on May 14 and from Morecambe to Scarborough in June to “prove” he can do it. “Cycling has helped me through the hardest of times and I think it helped me recover from the operation, emotionally and physically, and I want to prove to myself that after all this, I can complete the race,” Steve said. “I think when I cross the finish line, I’ll just have a big smile on my face. I’ll honestly be quite proud of myself.” Steve said the seizures did not leave him “fitting on the floor or anything like that” – though he did feel disconnected from the world. He said: “I couldn’t explain how I felt. They were almost like out of body experiences looking through someone else’s eyes. “I could still communicate and co-ordinate, it just felt so weird. It would happen at work when I was at the checkouts. “I just put it down as drinking too much coffee so I didn’t really think much of it.” Steve continued having seizures up to once a week until, in November 2021, he had a severe and sudden thunderclap headache at home that, little did he know, was another warning sign of cancer. He said: “The headache lasted for about seven minutes. I was being a typical bloke and played it down a bit. “I was sat in the living room with my family and told them and Maya, my daughter, said I needed to go to A&E.” To put his family’s mind at rest, Steve went to hospital, where doctors insisted he should have MRI and CT scans and kept him in the hospital for monitoring. After being in Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital for three days, on November 17 everything seemed normal; his wife went to visit him and they were both under the impression there was nothing serious going on. But then, as soon as Anna left, a doctor went to Steve’s bedside with devastating news. “The doctor came over and threw the curtains around. He said he had some bad news for me and I have a tumour,” he said. It was a huge shock to the system but I’m a very optimistic person Steve Biggin “I asked if it was cancerous and the doctor said it was. “It was a huge shock to the system but I’m a very optimistic person; I don’t know if I took it on board fully. “I remember there was a gentleman opposite me in the ward and he asked if he could pray for me, which I thought was beautiful, but I was definitely in shock.” Steve decided to tell his family his diagnosis the same evening but waited for Anna to get home because he did not want to tell her the news while she was driving, in fear she might crash. He said: “I rang Anna and she was having a glass of wine with the kids. They were all laughing and joking in the background so I decided to tell them the following day. “I didn’t have the heart to tell them when they were so happy. “It was a very lonely, sad night for me. “I told them over the phone and they came to see me the next day. They had tears in their eyes. “I was feeling positive when I saw them, though. “I was determined to beat it.” Steve was discharged from the hospital on November 19 and told Tesco he wanted to continue because he wanted to keep life as normal as possible. A few weeks later, he had a meeting with a consultant, who revealed his tumour was at stage two. Steve felt he was coping well and continued to be optimistic until he had a week off work to celebrate his wife’s birthday. He said: “We woke up on Anna’s birthday and we just both cried, not knowing how serious it was and what I was gonna lose. “I think that was the worst part. “But then, after that day, we got into the roll of things and got a date for the operation.” After Steve had a date for the surgery, he wanted to get as fit as possible and cycled every day, which he said “got (him) through his mental struggles”. On January 17 2022, Steve successfully had the tumour surgically removed. Steve said: “It was mixed emotions, I suppose. I was worried it was going to come back but I was overjoyed because they got rid of 99.9% of the tumour.” I’m strong-willed anyway but cycling made me even stronger Steve Biggin Throughout Steve’s recovery, he continued to cycle and stay as positive as possible. He said: “I think my fitness played a massive part in the recovery and, seven weeks after the operation, I did 35 miles on the bike on the road with my friend. “I’m strong-willed anyway but cycling made me even stronger.” One week later, Steve began having radiotherapy for six weeks, five times a week, followed by chemotherapy, in tablet form, for five days in a row, with 23 days off, for 12 months. He said: “I just got into a routine with it and I was just thankful to be getting over it.” Steve’s chemotherapy ended at the end of March 2023. He said: “I was just massively relieved and so was my family. “My tumour took a bigger toll on them than it did me and Anna, my wife, was my absolute rock.” To celebrate the end of chemotherapy, Steve is taking part in Etape Caledonia on May 14 and hopes to complete it in just five-and-a-half hours. “I’m so excited for it. It’ll be great to celebrate the end of treatment with something I truly love doing – and cycling really got me through the tough times,” he said. Steve is also planning on cycling 141 miles coast to coast, from Morecambe to Scarborough, over three days at the end of June. Looking back on the last few years, Steve said he thinks the experience has changed his perspective on life, saying: “I carry a little bit on my shoulder thinking it could come back. “But, hey, I’m 51, have a fantastic family… I’ve had a fantastic life so far. “Having cancer has brought a more meaningful touch to my life, for sure.” To donate to Steve’s fundraiser, for The Brain Tumour Charity, visit www.justgiving.com/page/stephen-biggin-1679513324479. Read More Four ‘red flag’ bowel cancer symptoms that can show two years before diagnosis Couple go viral after sharing ‘uncomfortable’ age gap romance: ‘That’s some Leo DiCaprio stuff’ Tom Holland reveals he’s been sober for over a year

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What is it that makes the Cotswolds quite so enchanting? Spanning five counties in the heart of England, the 800 square miles that make up this region of rolling hills and gentle valleys are heart-tugglingly lovely and have timeless appeal. But it’s the stone that makes the Cotswolds truly special; honey-coloured building material used for centuries in country mansions, taverns, churches, cottages, barns and more (some say the only thing you can’t do with Cotswold limestone is eat it, which might be a just a tad over the top). The sheep trade made the area rich back in the Middle Ages and, in due course, the region’s wealth was expressed in some of the country’s finest stone buildings. Gracious honey-stone manor houses liberally grace the landscape and, today, many of these are top-notch hotels that exude leisured wellbeing. Meanwhile, a number of old stone coaching inns have evolved into luxury boltholes glorying in a patina of history. Our selection of these havens ranges from landmark Lygon Arms in the north of the region to gorgeous, foodie Whatley Manor in the south east – they all encapsulate style and intrinsic elements of Cotswold beauty. The best boutique Cotswolds hotels 2023 are: Best hotel for romantics: Barnsley House Best hotel for walkers: Lygon Arms Best hotel for party spirit: No.131 The Promenade Best hotel for families: Calcot & Spa Best hotel for rural bliss: Buckland Manor Best hotel for foodies: Whatley Manor Best hotel for views: Foxhill Manor Best hotel for spa experiences: Thyme Best hotel for romantics: Barnsley House Location: Barnsley, Cirencester This mellow, 17th-century manor house is now an adults-only hotel. Complete with a spectacular garden, it is the ideal romantic retreat. There are quiet corners in which to hide away, both inside the property and in the wonderful grounds; there are old stone fireplaces to snuggle beside in winter and stylish terraces and outdoor recliners to enjoy in summer. The décor is immensely soothing and the facilities first class, from fine food to a flamboyant little cinema and a chic spa with views onto a meadow. The 18 gracious bedrooms include the sublime Secret Garden suite with a four-poster and a private courtyard. Best hotel for walkers: Lygon Arms Location: Broadway The Lygon Arms exudes a sense of history and luxury – it’s a landmark coaching inn complete with old stone fireplaces, ancient beams and stellar service. It sits centre-stage in beautiful Broadway, which makes an enchanting starting point for a number of glorious walks in the northern Cotswolds. Stroll out on a four-mile circular route to 18th-century Broadway Tower standing tall over the village, or meet more challenges on an 11-mile loop taking in handsome Chipping Campden and panoramic Dover’s Hill. Then enjoy afternoon tea or a well-earned cocktail in the picturesque courtyard terrace of the hotel. Best hotel for party spirit: No.131 The Promenade Location: Cheltenham Cheltenham’s most vibrant venue, No.131 is spread over three magnificent Regency mansions in the elegant centre of town. Inside, it offers a wonderful sense of flamboyance in its public areas, and cool stylishness in its 36 bedrooms. A maze of sassy bars extends over the lower ground floor and part of the terrace – at weekends, DJs add to the party mood here as crowds descend. On the ground floor there’s a kick-back marquee restaurant and a spectacular, gilded Japanese restaurant and red bar. Most of the bedrooms beyond offer the last word in opulence and glamour, some with gorgeous chinoiserie décor, some with appealing wood panelling, most with expansive bathrooms. Best hotel for families: Calcot & Spa Location: Calcot, Tetbury It would be a tall call to find a hotel more adept at delivering luxury and family-friendly services. Four miles west of Tetbury, this deeply relaxing country house venue is set in rolling 220-acre grounds. From the staff to the spa (the indoor pool is open to children at limited times) there’s a deep commitment to kick-back, upscale comfort. The 34 bedrooms range from cosy boltholes to sumptuous family suites. Facilities for children are superb – outdoors, there are play areas, tennis courts, bikes to borrow, a mini football field and more; indoors there’s a wonderfully devised, Ofsted-registered creche and a sophisticated zone for over-eights. The Brasserie serves modern British cuisine with aplomb. Offering light meals and aperitives, the soothing Hive is a chill-out lounge with books and board games. Book now Best hotel for rural bliss: Buckland Manor Location: Buckland, Broadway To reach this idyllic manor house hotel, you pass through serene landscape west of Broadway. Tucked into a valley beneath the spectacular Cotswold escarpment, the village of Buckland lies at the end of a country lane that goes no further – this is the ultimate peaceful destination. Located next to a 15th-century church, Buckland Manor is a historic property backed by 10 acres of beautifully kept gardens. Step through the front door, and you’re in a quintessential country retreat with flagstone floors, old stone fireplaces and oil paintings on the wall. The food is excellent; the outlook wonderful; and the 15 bedrooms full of old-school charm. Best hotel for foodies: Whatley Manor Location: Easton Grey, Malmesbury Built as a farmhouse in the 18th century, Whatley Manor has evolved into one of the Cotswolds’ top country house hotels, complete with fabulous facilities. The spa (with thermal cabins, hydrotherapy pool and more) is first class; the 26 formal gardens are dreamy; and there’s even a private cinema. But upstaging these is the Michelin-starred dining. Head chef Ricki Weston offers guests a gourmet journey that starts with wondrous nibbles in the kitchen (where you watch the chefs at work) and proceeds to the restaurant, where seven exquisite courses are served – dishes might include delicate lamb tartare and scallops with trout roe. Best hotel for views: Foxhill Manor Location: Broadway Glamorous and spectacularly luxurious, Foxhill Manor is a wonderfully secluded Arts and Crafts mansion in the rolling Farncombe Estate above Broadway. With just eight bedrooms (all fabulously stylish), immaculate concierge service and meals cooked to (your) order, it has raised the bar for boutique hotels. The setting is superb, too: from the sitting room, terraced garden and many of the bedrooms, there’s a jaw-dropping panoramic outlook over the beautiful Vale of Evesham. Book a stay in the Oak suite and you and your partner can take in this view from side-by-side, perfectly positioned slipper baths. Book now Best hotel for spa experiences: Thyme Location: Southrop, Lechlade In the picturesque village of Southrop, around 8 miles from Burford, this epicurean haven is spread over a cluster of honey-stone properties. It’s a sublime retreat for adults, comprising cottages, two ancient barns, the Swan pub, a 17th-century farmhouse and the village’s former (very handsome) rectory – all linked by paths through beautifully landscaped grounds. There are 31 gorgeous bedrooms and a spectacular restaurant, the Ox Barn, serving modern British dishes largely based on what’s growing in the veg garden. Perhaps best of all is the extensive spa with a natural spring water swimming pool, treatments based on sibling brand Bertioli and a separate, serene hideaway, the Botanical Bothy, offering herbal soaks and regenerative rituals. Read more of our UK hotel reviews: Best dog-friendly Cotswolds hotels Best boutique Cotswolds hotels The best cosy hotels in the UK Read more about England travel: The ultimate Lake District guide How to spend a day in King’s Cross The best things to do on the Isles of Scilly Read More Norfolk guide: Where to eat, drink and stay in a county of birds, boats and endless skies Best UK aparthotels 2023: Where to stay for gyms, waterfront views and home cooking Best Margate hotels 2023: Where to stay for luxury, romance and a good night out Best cheap hotels in Liverpool to see the city on a budget Beeswax and breakfast in bed: What’s abuzz at this London hotel’s rooftop hives Paris 2024 Summer Olympics: How to plan the perfect trip, from best hotels to how to get tickets

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Max Verstappen’s crushing dominance of Formula One continued at the Austrian Grand Prix after he put his Red Bull on pole position. The world champion, a winner at six of the first eight races, saw off his rivals at the Red Bull Ring to seal his fourth pole on the spin for Sunday’s 71-lap grand prix. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc provided Verstappen with a late scare, but the Monegasque had to settle for second place, crossing the line 0.048 seconds shy of the Dutchman. Carlos Sainz took third in the other scarlet car, while Lando Norris impressed in his revamped McLaren to take fourth spot. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, 0.428 sec adrift. Sergio Perez’s torrid time continued after all three of his laps in Q2 were deleted for track limits. He lines up a lowly 15th on Sunday. The increasingly under-pressure Mexican looked to have sealed his spot in Q3 in the closing seconds only for the stewards to scrap his lap after he drove all four wheels on his Red Bull beyond the white line at the final bend. “Can we go again?” asked Perez over the radio. “No, that is the chequered flag,” said his race engineer, Hugh Bird. “What a f****** joke,” replied a furious Perez. George Russell was also subjected to an early bath after he failed to make it out of Q2. The Englishman, who retired at the last round in Canada after he crashed into the wall, missed out on progressing to the final phase by just 0.041 sec and qualified 11th. For Verstappen there were no such concerns, and the Dutchman is on course to extend his 69-point lead at the summit of the standings following another commanding performance. His qualifying triumph was greeted with a number of his travelling Dutch fanbase lighting orange flares. “It was very difficult because of all the track limits,” said Verstappen. “We don’t do this on purpose, but with these speeds and the high-speed corners it is so hard to judge the white line and that is why a lot of people got caught out. “It was about surviving. My first lap in Q3 was just a banker lap which takes out the joy but we still did a good enough lap and I am happy to be on pole.” Verstappen’s countryman Nyck de Vries’ place on the grid appears uncertain after Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko said Christian Horner was right to question whether he should have been signed. The 28-year-old was brought into the Red Bull junior stable at the beginning of the year, but he has struggled to get up to speed at AlphaTauri, and he did little to help his cause here after he qualified last for Sunday’s race. Earlier, qualifying was delayed by half-a-dozen minutes after Valtteri Bottas stopped in his Alfa Romeo. Bottas spun on the exit of the opening corner and was left stranded on the track as he failed to engage neutral. The red flags were deployed but Bottas was able to get going again and made his way back to the pits. The Finn made it through to Q2 and qualified 14th. Spielberg is hosting the sport’s second sprint event of the year with a shortened race on Saturday to come before Sunday’s main event. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Lewis Hamilton calls for change, claiming new rule would ensure a ‘real race’ ‘Happy’ Lewis Hamilton still hungry for record eighth world title – Damon Hill Horner details what makes ‘mega talent’ Verstappen so special

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