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There has been a dramatic rise in the number of women freezing their eggs in the UK, while more single people are now opting for IVF, new figures show. A report from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HEFA) found that more people than ever before are undergoing procedures, with egg and embryo freezing now the fastest growing fertility treatments in the UK. Egg freezing and storage increased from 2,576 cycles in 2019 to 4,215 in 2021 (a 64% rise), while embryo storage also rose. Some experts have said the Covid-19 pandemic had a big impact on the numbers of women wanting to freeze their eggs in the hope of preserving their fertility. Restrictions on socialising may have prompted some women to think more about their fertile window, and decide to try to increase their reproductive choices Sarah Norcross, Progress Educational Trust Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust, said of the latest data: “The dramatic rise in the number of egg freezing cycles could be linked to the pandemic. “Restrictions on socialising may have prompted some women to think more about their fertile window, and decide to try to increase their reproductive choices.” The HFEA data also shows there was a 10% rise in IVF and donor insemination cycles between 2019 and 2021 (around 7,000 more cycles). Meanwhile, the average age at which women have fertility treatment with IVF has risen – to 36. This compares to an average age of almost 31 for women who conceive naturally. The regulator’s report shows that patients in heterosexual relationships accounted for around 90% of all IVF patients in 2021. Meanwhile, the number of IVF patients in female same-sex relationships increased from 1,649 in 2019 to 2,201 in 2021 (a 33% rise) and single parents rose from 2,001 in 2019 to 2,888 in 2021 (a 44% rise). This means that single patients and patients in female same-sex relationships had the biggest increase in IVF use from 2019 to 2021. When it comes to success in getting pregnant using own eggs, the average overall IVF pregnancy rate using fresh embryos increased from 10% per embryo transferred in 1991 to 29% in 2021. Patients aged 18 to 34 had the highest pregnancy rate per embryo transferred at 41% in 2021. Meanwhile, pregnancy rates per embryo transferred increased from 8% in 1991 to 33% for patients aged 35 to 37, and was 25% for patients aged 38 to 39 in 2021. For patients aged 40 to 42, the pregnancy rate per embryo transferred increased from 6% in 1991 to 16% in 2021. Our report shows that the average age of IVF patients has increased to 36, around five years older than mothers who get pregnant naturally and these aftershocks could mean that the average age of an IVF patient continues to rise Julia Chain, HFEA For patients aged 43 to 50, the pregnancy rate per embryo transferred increased from 1% in 1991 to 6% in 2021. Live birth rates per embryo transferred have increased from 7% in 1991 to 25% in 2021 for patients aged 35 to 37 and from 6% in 1991 to 17% in 2021 for patients aged 38 to 39. For those aged 40 to 42, the live birth rate per embryo stands at 10%, but plummets for women aged 43 and over. Meanwhile, the average IVF pregnancy rate using frozen embryo transfers has increased from around 7% in the 1990s to 36% in 2021. The average IVF birth rate using frozen embryo transfers also increased from around 6% in the 1990s to 27% in 2021. Julia Chain, chairwoman of the HFEA, said: “Overall, the new HFEA report paints a promising picture. It shows treatment numbers are back at pre-pandemic levels and thanks to improved clinical and laboratory practice, over time pregnancy rates are increasing. “Despite the pandemic being declared officially over, the aftershocks are still being felt as delays across other areas of healthcare prevent some patients accessing fertility services. “Our report shows that the average age of IVF patients has increased to 36, around five years older than mothers who get pregnant naturally and these aftershocks could mean that the average age of an IVF patient continues to rise. “Although pregnancy rates have increased, the likelihood of success decreases with age. “For some patients, this may mean they never get the baby they hoped for and that’s heartbreaking.” More patients than ever before are paying privately for IVF. The number of IVF cycles funded by the NHS continued to vary across the UK with an overall 16% decrease to 20,000 cycles in 2021 from around 24,000 in 2019.

With the heatwave stretching on this summer, festival-goers may be worried about handling the hot temperatures. The medical team at the Isle of Wight Festival said they saw fewer heat-related issues than expected, but there has still been a 15% rise in incidents since last year. With Glastonbury temperatures predicted to fall between 21 and 25 degrees, how can you make sure you stay safe? 1. Find shade – anywhere on the site When you see photos and videos of festival sites, it can look pretty exposed to the elements. “At festivals, seek shade in festival tents or near stages, or by going to bars… Even take a gazebo to go with your tent [if the festival allows],” says associate medical director of St John Ambulance, David Monk. When out in the field, take an umbrella or parasol if you are worried, Monk explains. And also, consider “wearing light layers and a cap”, he says. “Perhaps take a wet cloth to pop on the back of your neck, or wet the cap and wear it to cool you.” 2. Put sun cream everywhere “Make sure you wear a good head covering, at least SPF 30, and reapply regularly, so take it into the festival with you. When you get sweaty, it will need reapplying,” Monk explains. If you are dressing up in wild clothing, “apply sun cream before putting it on and reapply it, and make sure you take something to wear when it starts getting cooler”, he explains. “Put sun cream under make-up and glitter, and look at a sun cream spray for your scalp” – especially important if you don’t want to wear a hat. 3. Know what to look out for Knowing the signs of heatstroke and severe burns is vital. The main risks are sunburn, heatstroke and heat exhaustion. “Heat exhaustion is something you can self-treat by drinking lots of water or weak squash, and eating salty foods. If you think you have heatstroke, however, seek help from the medical teams,” Monk says. Signs include not sweating despite being hot, and a reduced level of consciousness, he adds. “If you get burnt, think how bad it is. If it blisters, you feel unwell or are shivering, seek help from the festival medical teams.” They should be fairly easy to find and signposted – ask around if you can’t see any. However, if it is less severe, just do lots of moisturising and rehydrating, he suggests. 4. Drink water and know how hydrated you are “Drink alcohol in moderation, and drink water alongside it. When you go to the loo, check how dark your urine is,” Monk suggests. This isn’t always possible in festival toilets, but you might detect darker and more dehydrated urine from its smell. 5. Pack the electrolytes When you sweat, you lose a lot of electrolytes, like salt. “Take an electrolyte drink with you – things like sports drinks, or Dioralyte, to replace whatever you lose,” says Monk. “Make sure you’re eating things with salt in, and carbohydrates, to give you energy.” 6. Keep an eye on drink and drugs “If people are going to take drugs, make sure those around you know what you have taken, in case they need to tell someone if there is a problem. Drugs and alcohol reduce your body’s ability to respond to the heat,” says Monk. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Regular daytime naps could be good for the brain, study shows Meghan ‘set to sign’ Dior deal: 4 times she’s worn the brand Designer JW Anderson wears Irish rugby top on the runway

With Glastonbury kicking off today, it’s safe to say that festival season is officially in full swing. Didn’t manage to get tickets this year? Not to worry! From food to tunes, here’s everything you need to recreate the ultimate Glasto experience at home… Dress to impress It’s time to whip out the flower crowns and get decked out in your best festival gear – just because you’re at home, doesn’t mean you can’t dress to impress. Think fancy dress, glitter, fringing… anything goes! If you’re looking for inspo, try searching “Glastonbury festival fashion” on Pinterest and scroll until your heart’s content. Crank the tunes up What’s a festival without music? If you have a projector, you could get out in the garden and stream the official Glasto set, or simply pop the Spotify Glastonbury 2023 playlist on and have a boogie. Even better, if you have musically gifted friends in your group, get them to get their instruments out and put on a headline show of their own. Enjoy a festival feast Of course, music is important, but food is also an essential part of the festival vibe. Get inspired by Glastonbury’s food stalls with these recipes… Halloumi, chip and tzatziki pitta with salad Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 garlic clove 1 tsp dried oregano 2 wholemeal pittas 1 midi cucumber 50g baby leaf salad 200g halloumi 2 white potatoes 80g natural yoghurt 15ml white wine vinegar 5g mint 1 red onion Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C (fan)/gas 7. Boil half a kettle. Peel and finely slice the red onion. Add the sliced red onion to a bowl, cover with boiled water and set aside for later. 2. Cut the potatoes (skins on) into thin chips, then add them to a baking tray with the dried oregano, a drizzle of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt. Give everything a good mix up and put the tray in the oven for 25-30 min or until crisp. Meanwhile, peel and finely chop (or grate) the garlic. 3. Strip the mint leaves from their stems and chop them roughly, discard the stems. Grate half the cucumber and slice the rest into batons. Add the chopped garlic, chopped mint and grated cucumber to a bowl with the natural yoghurt and mix it all together – this is your tzatziki. 4. Drain the sliced red onion in a sieve and rinse under cold water. Return to the bowl and add the white wine vinegar with a generous pinch of sugar. Stir to combine and set aside to pickle – these are your quick-pickled onions. 5. Slice the halloumi widthways into 4 equal-sized strips. Then slice each strip in half so you are left with 8 halloumi sticks. Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a drizzle of olive oil over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the halloumi sticks and cook for 2-3 min on each side or until golden. 6. Once the chips are almost done, add the pittas to the tray. Return the tray to the oven and cook for 2-3 min or until warmed through. 7. Wash the baby leaf salad, then pat it dry with kitchen paper. Fill the warmed pittas with the chips, golden halloumi sticks, cucumber batons and a handful of baby leaf salad. Top with the tzatziki and quick-pickled onions then wrap in the tin foil to hold it all together – these are your halloumi, chip and tzatziki pittas. Serve the halloumi, chip & tzatziki pittas with any remaining tzatziki and baby leaf salad to the side. Fluffy bao buns Makes: 12 Ingredients: 7g fast-action yeast 2 tbsp caster sugar 340g plain flour ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda Bamboo steamer or bain-marie Method: 1. Combine the yeast and sugar in a bowl with 150ml of warm water. Mix and set aside for 10-15 mins. Sift in the flour, baking powder, bicarb and a pinch of salt, then combine to form a dough ball. 2. Knead onto a floured surface for 5 minutes, until the dough is perfectly smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a towel and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour. 3. Place twelve 1-cm squares of baking paper on a large baking tray. Roll your dough until it’s ½cm thick and cut out twelve circles with a 7cm round cookie cutter. 4. Place each circle on a square of paper and brush with veg oil (so they don’t stick when folded). Fold each one in half, cover the tray with cling film and leave in a warm place for another hour to puff up. 5. Once risen, steam in batches for 9-11 minutes until cooked through. Add your chosen filling and serve warm. DIY double cheeseburger Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 sesame seed buns 400g minced beef 1 tsp vegetable oil 4 slices of cheese ¼ iceberg lettuce (finely shredded) 2 gherkins (sliced) ½ white onion (finely diced) For the burger sauce: 2 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tbsp ketchup 2 tsp yellow Mustard 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tbsp pickle juice ½ tsp cayenne pepper Method: 1. Generously season your beef mince with salt and pepper in a bowl and mix until sticky to the touch. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions, shape them into patties, and pop them into the fridge on a parchment-lined tray. 2. Whip up your burger sauce by combining all your ingredients in a bowl and giving it a good mix. 3. Slice the burger buns into 3 and toast them in a dry frying pan until golden brown. 4. Heat a frying pan on medium heat with a splash of vegetable oil and fry your patties for 5-7 minutes. Top tip: use a spatula or burger weight to keep your patties flat while cooking. 5. Add a slice of cheese to each patty and turn off the heat when the cheese starts to melt. 6. Build your Gousto Burgers with shredded lettuce, a cheesy patty and a layer of sliced gherkin, diced onions and burger sauce. Pop in the middle of your burger bun and repeat. Don’t forget the bar Enjoy some delicious summery cocktails with these recipes. Mojito Ingredients: Juice of 1 lime 1 tsp sugar Small handful of mint leaves, plus more to serve 60ml white rum Soda water, to taste Method: 1. Slap your mint leaves between your palms once, then add them to a small jug. 2. Gently muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go. The end of a rolling pin works well for this. 3. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice. 4. Pour in your rum and give it another stir with a spoon. 5. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve. Bellini Ingredients: 500 ml peach purée or peach nectar 1 bottle of prosecco Method: 1. Fill your glasses with 1/3 peach purée. 2. Top them off prosecco, and serve. Gousto offers over 250 recipes from expert chefs to choose from each month, from £2.99 per portion. Visit gousto.co.uk for more information.

Regular daytime naps could be good for brain health, new research suggests. Daytime napping could slow the rate at which brains shrink as we age, the study led by researchers at UCL and the University of the Republic in Uruguay found. The researchers hope their findings into the health benefits of sleeping during the day will reduce any stigma that still exists around daytime napping. The study suggests the average difference in brain volume between people programmed to be habitual nappers and those who were not was equivalent to 2.6 to 6.5 years of ageing. Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older Dr Victoria Garfield, UCL Senior author Dr Victoria Garfield, MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL, said: “Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older.” The study, published in the journal Sleep Health, analysed data from people aged 40 to 69. Past research has suggested people who have had a short nap perform better in cognitive tests in the hours afterwards than those who did not nap. The new study looked at whether there was a causal relationship between daytime napping and brain health. Researchers looked at 97 snippets of DNA thought to determine people’s likelihood of habitual napping. They compared measures of brain health and cognition of people who are more genetically programmed to nap with people who did not have these changes in DNA, using data from 378,932 people from the UK Biobank study. They found that, overall, people predetermined to nap had a larger total brain volume. The genetic variants – DNA changes – influencing the likelihood of someone to nap were identified in an earlier study looking at data from 452,633 UK Biobank participants. But the researchers did not find a difference in how well those programmed to be habitual nappers performed on three other measures of brain health and cognitive function. Lead author and PhD candidate Valentina Paz, University of the Republic (Uruguay) and MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, said: “This is the first study to attempt to untangle the causal relationship between habitual daytime napping and cognitive and structural brain outcomes. “By looking at genes set at birth, Mendelian randomisation avoids confounding factors occurring throughout life that may influence associations between napping and health outcomes. “Our study points to a causal link between habitual napping and larger total brain volume.” Dr Garfield added: “I hope studies such as this one showing the health benefits of short naps can help to reduce any stigma that still exists around daytime napping.” Read More Dramatic rise in the number of women freezing their eggs Paramedics who found ‘poisoned’ couple dead in Mexico hotel room also fell ill Bruce Willis’ family honours him with first Father’s Day tributes since announcing his dementia diagnosis Richard Ford on Frank Bascombe, getting older and literary feuds: ‘At my age I can’t get into fistfights’ Families’ ‘disappointment’ as Croydon tram disaster driver cleared

Louis Tomlinson’s little sister, Phoebe Tomlinson, has announced that she’s pregnant with her first child. The 19-year-old shared a video on Instagram on Monday to reveal that she’s expecting a child with her boyfriend, Jack Varley. The black-and-white footage, which was set to Ellie Goulding’s “How Long Will I Love You,” began with Phoebe looking at her positive pregnancy test in shock and excitement before showing the test to her partner. Phoebe’s video continued with her documenting the happy reactions from her twin sister, Daisy, and her father, Mark Tomlinson, to the baby news. The influencer went on to share a picture of an ultrasound, a onesie that read: “Coming soon baby Varley,” and a teddy bear. After sharing a clip of herself cradling her baby bump, she included a video taken by her sister, Lottie Tomlinson, as Lottie and her son, Lucky, joined the mother-to-be for an ultrasound appointment. The video ended with a shot of two onesies. In the caption, Phoebe hinted at her baby’s due date, writing: “Our little miracle, joining us this winter.” While the One Direction singer has not yet commented on his sister’s Instagram video, some of her other family members did. “Can’t wait to meet you baby,” Lottie wrote, while Daisy commented red hearts and multiple emojis of a face holding back tears. Many fans and friends of the UK influencer also took to the comments to share their well-wishes and congratulatory messages. “Oh my god I’m crying!! Congratulations,” YouTuber Anastasia Kingsnorth wrote. “Aw congrats!!! Most amazing journey coming up!!” another one of Phoebe’s followers wrote, while a third added: “Congratulations beautiful girl! You were made for this.” Other fans said they were eager to see Louis’ response to the baby news. “Just imagine how happy Lou was with the news, congratulations,” one wrote, while another added: “We’re very sure Uncle Louis is so excited to meet you baby!!” Phoebe also shared two photos of herself looking at her baby bump on TikTok to announce the news. Louis, who has his stepfather’s last name, has also been vocal about being involved in his siblings’ lives after their mother’s death in 2016. During an interview with The Telegraph in 2020, he called himself “a kind of second parent” to Daisy and Phoebe. “Without being too soppy, I like looking after people, it’s cool,” he explained. At the time, he confessed that he was using some of his money to help pay for his sisters’ private school education. Read More Niall Horan says he was afraid to go out after being chased by One Direction fans A One Direction fan claimed she had a brain tumour. Five years after her death, we still need answers From Ed Sheeran to Dua Lipa: the richest musicians and celebrities under the age of 35 Bruce Willis’ family shares first Father’s Day posts since announcing his dementia Adele opens up about fungal skin infection after ‘sitting in my own sweat’ Gavin Rossdale says he and Gwen Stefani have ‘opposing views’ as parents

Bruce Willis’ family shared sweet tributes to the actor on Sunday, which marked his Father’s Day since his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis (FTD) was announced. On Sunday, the actor’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, took to Instagram to share a photo of Bruce with their eldest daughter, Mabel, 11. The pair, who’ve been married since 2009, also share a nine-year-old daughter, Evelyn. In the caption, Emma went on to praise Bruce for the lessons that he’s continued to teach their daughters amid his ongoing health condition. The actor’s family first announced that he had aphasia in March 2022, before revealing in February that his brain condition had developed to FTD. “Father’s Day is a time I get to reflect on my deep appreciation and respect I have for Bruce as I watch him father our little ones,” Emma wrote in her post. “Where it might not be ‘conventional,’ what he’s teaching them will span generations. Unconditional love, kindness, strength, compassion, patience, generosity, resilience.” Emma, who’s been very vocal about her husband’s dementia, concluded her post by emphasising how grateful her entire family is for Bruce. “Happy Father’s Day to the greatest dad I know, who will forever be the gift that keeps giving within our family,” she wrote. Bruce’s ex-wife, Demi Moore, also shared a throwback photo of their family, in honour of Father’s Day on Sunday. In the black-and-white image posted to Instagram, the Die Hard star posed with his and his ex’s three children, Rumer, 34, Scout, 31, and Tallulah, 29. “Forever grateful to you BW for giving me these three beautiful girls,” Moore wrote. “We love our #girldad. Happy Father’s Day!” Meanwhile, Bruce’s oldest daughter, Rumer, took to Instagram over the weekend to express her gratitude for her father. Her post also included a picture of the actor holding his newborn granddaughter, Louetta. “Seeing my father hold my daughter today was something I will treasure for the rest of my life. His sweetness and love for her was so pure and beautiful,” Rumer wrote. “Papa I’m so lucky to have you and so is Lou. Thank you for being the silliest, most loving, coolest Daddio a girl could ask for. Best Girl Dad in the game.” She concluded her caption by wishing a happy first Father’s Day to her partner and father of her child, Derek Richard Thomas. In addition, Scout Willis shared two photos of her and her father on Instagram, along with a heartfelt tribute. After “sending the blessing of this love” to her followers, she reflected on some of the things that she’s learned from Bruce. “I feel so lucky to know the kind of tenderness that this man shares, the deep admiration, respect and reverence he has for his family. I feel so lucky that this incredible, vibrant, man is my father,” she wrote. Scout concluded: “Thinking of everyone for whom today has been challenging and I am loving you with the deepest depths of my heart! What patience, compassion and presence we learn through the greatest challenges in our lives.” Bruce’s family first announced his FTD diagnosis in February, one year after they revealed that he’d been diagnosed with aphasia. In the joint statement, his family spoke candidly about his symptoms and detailed how his condition progressed to FTD. “Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” they wrote in the statement, shared with the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. “Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.” Along with celebrating Father’s Day on 18 June, Emma also celebrated her 45th birthday. While sharing a few family photos in honour of the occasion on Instagram, she also used her birthday post to send a message about caregiving. “I’m making a few BIG birthday wishes! This one I hope you could make a reality,” she wrote. “Text or call a person in your life that’s a caregiver and let them know here is X, Y, or Z I can do to help you this week.” She noted that even if this person responds to the message by saying they’re “fine” and “don’t need anything,” there are still other ways to show caregivers you’re thinking of them. “Drop some food at their doorstep or flowers or a small something and text them after to let them know it’s there,” Emma concluded. “Or honestly, just tell them thank you and that they are doing a great job. That kindness and support will go such a long long way.” Read More Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah speaks out about his early signs of dementia before announcing diagnosis Bruce Willis’ wife Emma shares sweet family photos as she gives update on dementia research work Bruce Willis’s wife Emma credits their nine-year-old daughter with important health advice Tallulah Willis says Demi Moore’s romance with Ashton Kutcher was ‘really hard’ Adele opens up about fungal skin infection after ‘sitting in my own sweat’ Gavin Rossdale says he and Gwen Stefani have ‘opposing views’ as parents

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Adele has spoken candidly about suffering from a fungal skin infection in a very awkward area of her body due to wearing Spanx, according to reports. The “Easy On Me” singer, 35, opened up about getting “jock itch” around her groin area after sweating in her Spanx shapewear night after night while performing at her Las Vegas residency. Adele recently returned to her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace after a three-month break. During her most recent show over the weekend, she told the crowds she was “so hot” under the spotlights on the stage. According to the Daily Mail, Adele said that her “t**s were sweating” and added: “I need a towel, Jesus!” She continued to tell the crowd that her doctor informed her that she had “jock itch”, a fungal skin infection that causes an itchy rash in warm, moist areas of the body, such as the groin. “It is a bit crude but I never knew it existed!” the “Easy On Me” singer said. “Obviously when I do my shows I wear Spanx and keep it all in and make it fit me. And I sweat a lot and it doesn’t go anywhere. So basically I just sit in my sweat. And my doctor gave me jock itch [cream].” Appearing to refer to a topical treatment for the condition, Adele added: “So it looks like I am an athlete basically, so I have to squirt it on myself. I don’t know why the f*** I just told you that.” But the superstar also gave her fans some good news about herself. “Talking of body acne, I have started weight-lifting again like no one’s business. And I am absolutely loving it.” Following her three-month break, Adele said she was “gassed” to be performing again, even when the nerves got the better of her. “All week I had just been buzzing and right then I was stood right there [behind the curtain] and I s*** myself,” she admitted. “We had a very long break and I am gassed to be back. I was bored out of my brains. Somehow I missed you. It is a lovely change. I genuinely love doing these shows and it is the highlight of my week. I was desperate to get back. It is a whole new meaning.” In March, Adele announced that she was extending her Las Vegas residency with 34 more dates between June and November. She also spoke of plans to release a concert film. Her “Weekends With Adele” series began in November 2022 and was due to end in March, but her representatives said they would resume on 16 June until 4 November. Recently, the “Someone Like You” singer appeared to have been caught in the middle of her close friends Alan Carr and his ex-husband Paul Drayton’s divorce. The former couple were married for three years but announced their separation in January 2022. Adele paid for their wedding party in 2018 and officiated the ceremony after getting ordained. During an appearance on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown last August, Carr joked that he and Drayton had divided everything between them, including their celebrity friends like Adele. The Chatty Man star quipped that he got “custody of Adele” but Drayton recently criticised his ex’s sketch as “bad taste” and clarified that he is still close friends with Adele. Adele currently lives in Beverly Hills with her boyfriend Rich Paul and her 10-year-old son Angelo, who she shares with ex-husband Simon Konecki. Read More Dirty talk isn’t always mortifying, but it can – and should – be better Prince Harry recalled ‘yawning silence’ that followed Meghan Markle’s joke after first Trooping the Colour Bride praised for kicking bridesmaid out of wedding after disagreement over dress colour Paul Drayton criticises Alan Carr’s ‘nasty’ joke about their friendship with Adele Gavin Rossdale says he and Gwen Stefani have ‘opposing views’ as parents Can noisy festivals damage your hearing long term?

British strawberry season has finally arrived, albeit a month later than last year’s first harvests due to the unsettled spring weather. A cooler than average April and May means the nation can expect to enjoy bigger, juicier and sweeter strawberries this year due to a slower ripening period. But it’s the iconic summer occasions that mark peak popularity for the British strawberry. The slightly later season this year means British strawberries will be in their prime for Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, the Lord’s Test Match and Henley Royal Regatta. Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers, the industry body that represents 95 per cent of berries supplied to UK supermarkets says: “Our strawberry crop has arrived a little later this year – but the good news is that they are well worth the wait. Cooler spring weather means that strawberries have ripened a little more slowly which allows them to grow particularly large – and the recent bright weather has boosted their sugar content ensuring they’re incredibly sweet tasting too. “Advanced growing techniques now mean we now produce fresh British strawberries from May right through to October. That’s great news for UK shoppers and it means big business for the UK economy too.” Despite the UK spending a whopping £778m on strawberries in the past 12 months, most of us (two-thirds) are storing them all wrong, according to a survey by the group. Marston says: “When it comes to storing berries, wash them and pop them in the fridge to keep them fresher for longer. However, remember to take them out a couple of hours before eating so they can warm up to room temperature to release their wonderful natural flavours and sugars. “Storing berries in glass mason jars or airtight containers can also help them last longer. Whilst laying berries on a paper towel to absorb moisture can also help maintain freshness”. They’re not just for covering in chocolate or dipping in cream either. From a superfood salad to a cooling punch, these strawberry recipes make the most of the cream of the British summer fruit crop. Superfood strawberry and pine nut salad Serves: 2 Ingredients: 100g strawberries 1 large avocado 100g kale 150g cooked wild rice 50g pine nuts 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp mustard Salt Pepper Method: Toast the pine nuts in a small pan for a few minutes until golden then leave to the side to cool. Thinly slice the kale leaves into strips. Whisk the olive oil, vinegar and mustard together with a pinch of salt and pepper. Massage the kale with this dressing for 5 minutes until the kale wilts down. Cut the strawberries into quarters and the avocado into chunks and mix this with the kale salad. Stir in the wild rice, a pinch of salt and toasted pine nuts and serve. Cheat: add black Thai rice instead or buy a pouch of ready cooked brown basmati and wild rice. Strawberry and raspberry ripple Eton Mess Make up the strawberry swirled meringues and fruit puree the day before, then just layer with whipped cream and extra fruit in recycled jam jars and screw on the lids, take out to the garden in a basket or pack into a cool box for a picnic pud. Serves: 6 Prep time: 35 minutes | Cooking time: 1¼-1½ hours Ingredients: 225g (8oz) strawberries, hulled 100g (4oz) raspberries For the meringues: 2 egg whites 100g (4oz) caster sugar To finish: 300ml (½ pint) double cream 200g (7oz) 0.1% fat fromage frais 225g (8oz) strawberries, hulled, roughly chopped 50g (2oz) raspberries Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 110C (225F)/gas mark ¼. Line a large baking sheet with non-stick baking paper. 2. Puree the strawberries and raspberries in a liquidiser or food processor then press through a sieve. 3. Whisk the egg whites in a large clean dry bowl until they form stiff moist looking peaks and you feel confident that if the bowl was turned upside down the egg whites wouldn’t fall out! Gradually whisk in the sugar a teaspoonful at a time then continue whisking for a minute or two until really thick and glossy. 4. Add 2 tablespoons of the berry puree then very briefly mix until marbled. Spoon into a large piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm (¾ inch) plain piping tube, pipe small rounds on to the lined baking sheet. Bake for 1¼-1½ hours or until the meringues may be easily lifted off the paper. Leave to cool. 5. To serve, lightly whip the cream until it forms soft swirls then fold in the fromage frais. Crumble the meringues then layer in jam jars or plastic containers with the remaining berry puree and diced strawberries. Decorate with the raspberries. Add the lids and keep in the fridge until ready to serve or transport to a picnic in a cool bag with a frozen ice block to keep them cold. Serve within 1½ hours or the meringues tend to lose their crunch. Strawberry basil éclairs Strawberries and cream get the French treatment, what’s not to love! Makes: 16 Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 50g (2oz) butter, plus a little extra for greasing 150ml (¼ pint) water 65g (2½oz) plain flour, sifted 2 medium eggs ½ tsp vanilla extract To finish: 400g (14oz) strawberries, hulled, chopped 2 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra sifted icing sugar to decorate 3 tbsp fresh chopped basil leaves 300ml (½ pint) double cream Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6. Lightly butter 2 baking sheets and set aside. 2. Add the measured butter to a saucepan with the water, heat gently until the butter has melted then bring to the boil. Take off the heat add the flour and stir together then put the pan back on the heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously until the mixture forms a smooth glossy ball that leaves the sides of the pan clean. Cool for 15 minutes. 3. Gradually beat in the eggs and vanilla, beating well after each addition until all the eggs have been added and you have a smooth thick paste. If you have a food processor or electric mixer you might like to use this to save time. 4. Spoon the choux pastry into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm (½ inch) wide plain piping tube. Pipe 7.5cm (3 inch) long éclairs, leaving space between them to rise in the oven. 5. Bake for 20 minutes until well risen and golden, pierce each éclair with a small knife so that the steam can escape then transfer to a wire rack to cool. 6. Meanwhile mix the strawberries, 2 tablespoons icing sugar and basil together, cover the dish and leave at room temperature. 7. About 1 hour before you are ready to serve the éclairs, slit open the sides with a serrated knife. Whisk the cream until it forms soft peaks then fold in any strawberry juices. Spoon into the éclairs and top with the strawberries and basil. 8. Dust with sifted icing sugar and transfer to a plate and serve. Cook’s tip: Choux pastry isn’t as tricky as you might think to make, the secret is to weigh the ingredients accurately, don’t be over generous with one of the ingredients or the mixture may be too soft to pipe and use either metric or imperial not a mix of both! For chocolate fans: Spoon a little melted white chocolate over the top of the éclairs instead of adding the icing sugar. Iced berry punch This can be made in advance and chilled in the fridge overnight. Top up with white wine and chilled sparkling mineral or tonic water for a refreshing summer aperitif. Drivers can simply top up the cordial with sparkling water, tonic or lemonade. Add strawberry or herb flowers, even tiny pansy flowers to sections of an ice cube tray, then top up with water and freeze. Pop out of tray and add to punch just before serving. Makes: 10, 150 ml (¼ pint) glasses Prep time: 15 minutes | Chilling time: 4 hours or overnight Ingredients: 450g (1 lb) strawberries, hulled, sliced or raspberries (whole) 75g (3 oz) caster sugar Grated rind and juice 1 lemon To serve: A few ice cubes 75cl bottle dry white wine, chilled 1 sliced lemon 200g (7oz) fresh strawberries, halved or raspberries (whole) 1 litre (1¾ pint) sparkling mineral or tonic water, chilled Method: 1. Crush the strawberries in the bottom of a saucepan with a potato masher. Add the sugar, lemon rind and juice and heat gently for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Leave to cool. Mash once more then strain into a bottle or jam jar and chill overnight. Pour the chilled strawberry syrup into the base of a punch bowl, add some ice then the chilled white wine, sliced lemons and sliced strawberries. Mix together then top up with sparkling mineral or tonic water and serve immediately. Over 90 sweet and savoury strawberry recipes can be found on the Love Fresh Berries website: www.lovefreshberries.co.uk/recipes Read More Can you whip up the perfect burger in just five minutes? These are the viral TikTok recipes you have to make this Father’s Day Eddie Huang: ‘I’ll never eat at BAO London – I know mine’s better’ BBQ salad recipes without a soggy lettuce leaf in sight Grace Dent’s quick and easy recipes that only require the microwave How to shop for and cook Japanese food at home like a pro

Festival season is in full swing, and thousands of music lovers will soon be flocking to Glastonbury, ready to revel and soak up the sounds. But can all those loud songs and thumping sound effects be detrimental to our hearing? “Attending a concert may give you more than you bargained for,” says Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy. “A recent 2022 BMJ study showed one billion people around the world aged 12-34 are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss. With 24% of young people found to have unsafe listening practices with personal music devices.” She adds that 48% were attending noisy venues, such as nightclubs and concerts, at least once a month without noise protection. Dr Adam Hill, associate professor of electroacoustics, University of Derby, says: “While festivals are, for many, one of the most enjoyable features of the summer, care must be taken to avoid over-exposing yourself to high sound levels, as this could result in long-term negative social and health impacts. You need to ‘enjoy responsibly’,” Hill adds. How does noise exposure damage hearing? Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Our hearing depends on the function of tiny hairs inside the cochlea – a snail-shaped organ in your middle ear, explains Dr Lee: “Sound waves cause the fluid in the cochlea to reverberate, resulting in the movement of these very fine hairs. This generates electrical impulses, which lead to the perception of sound in the brain.” She says there are around 15,000 of these specialised hair cells in each cochlea. Once they have been damaged, they cannot regenerate. “We are all exposed to noise every day, but it’s loud noises above 85 dB that are likely to cause hearing loss,” notes Lee. “This could be a sudden explosion, or continuous exposure to loud noise, such as attending a concert, working in a noisy factory or listening to a personal music device at high volumes.” What are the signs you’ve been exposed to too much noise? There are a few tell-tale signs you’ve been exposed to too much noise at a festival. One of them is tinnitus. “If you have ringing in your ears after attending a festival. This could persist for one or two days after the event – and may become permanent after repeated exposures over many years,” says Dr Hill. Decreased sensitivity to sound is another thing you might notice. “Things sound quieter/muffled,” says Hill. “This usually takes one to two days to return to normal, but may become permanent after repeated exposure over many years.” He says you may also have difficulty understanding what someone is saying to you, especially in a noisy environment, and difficulty telling different sounds apart, like identifying multiple instruments when a band is playing. What can you do to protect your hearing at festivals? “Use earplugs. Ideally custom-made earplugs, which is what musicians use,” says Lee. “Cotton wool or foam rubber earplugs are ineffective. High-fidelity earplugs are a good option. These filter the sound without reducing the quality and provide ear protection.” This is especially important for babies and children at festivals – ear defenders are available to help protect their sensitive ears. Lee adds: “Take regular breaks away from the noise. For every 3 dB above 80 dB, the time you can spend exposed to the noise without it damaging your hearing is halved. “It’s safe to listen to noise at 80 dB for up to eight hours, so at 83 dB this time frame is reduced to four hours. If you do the maths, at the average concert, hearing damage could set in after just five minutes!” She suggests taking breaks such as going to the loo, getting a drink, or taking a walk away from the main body of the noise at regular intervals. And lastly: “Don’t stand within three metres of a loudspeaker.” What can you do if you’re already concerned? Regular festival goers may already have hearing concerns on their radar. “The best thing you can do is to go get your hearing tested,” advises Dr Hill. “This will give you an indication of whether you have any issues already.” If you enjoy going to festivals and other live music events on a regular basis, he says it would be wise to invest in some suitable reusable earplugs: “High quality earplugs will reduce the effect of the musical content equally, so it sounds the same but at a lower level.” If you are involved in the music industry in any way (even if you are a student), Hill suggests making use of the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme. He adds: “You can get a hearing test and high-quality bespoke earplugs for a significant discounted rate.”

Scientists have created a model human embryo to study the first weeks of life, complete with a heartbeat and traces of blood. The synthetic embryo was created with human stem cells and did not require sperm, eggs or fertilisation. It mimics the structure that occurs during the first month of pregnancy. Yet, scientists ensured it was designed to not form a foetus. Researchers involved in the extraordinary project discovered that the model had early stages of developing a brain and beating heart cells, which generally develop after 23 days in a human embryo. It was achieved through embryonic stem cells, which are 'blank' cells from a human embryo. Scientists grew the model in a lab before transferring it to a rotating bottle to act as an artificial uterus, The Guardian reported. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Scientists hope the findings will help them understand more about the impact of genetic disorders and miscarriage. Dr Jitesh Neupane, of the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute, told the publication: "I randomly took my plate under the microscope and when I saw the [heartbeat] for the first time I was scared, honestly. I had to look down and look back again. "It was overwhelming for me. People get emotional when you see the heartbeat." He went on to emphasise that the model is "neither embryos nor are [they] trying to make embryos actually." "They are just models that could be used to look into specific aspects of human development," he continued. The findings are yet to be published in either a preprint or a journal paper. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Electricity problems have led to water shortages and those with money are digging their own boreholes.