Corrie favourite confirms exit as he gives update on hard final storyline

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A CORRIE favourite has confirmed his exit from the show while giving an update about his tragic final storyline.

Peter Ash shared that he is back on set filming his last scenes as Paul Foreman as the character’s journey on the soap comes to a close.

Corrie actor Peter Ash gave an update on his character

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Corrie actor Peter Ash gave an update on his characterCredit: Instagram
Paul Foreman has been dying of motor neurone disease

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Paul Foreman has been dying of motor neurone diseaseCredit: Rex
It seems the character doesn't have much time left on the soap

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It seems the character doesn’t have much time left on the soapCredit: ITV

Billy Mayhew’s beloved husband has been battling motor neurone disease (MND) for months now.

The condition affects the brains and nerves, resulting in muscle weakness and slurred speech, and eventually leads to death.

As Paul’s physical state keeps deteriorating, he recently made the decision that he wants to end his life on his own terms.

The wheelchair-bound man initially asked his GP for stronger painkillers, planning to use them for euthanasia, but when they were denied he turned to former drug addict Abi Webster.

Although she was reluctant, she agreed to help him.

But she was caught doing the deal and Billy ended up finding out his husband’s plans.

He was heartbroken, but agreed to support Paul with his decision.

In an Instagram post actor Peter Ash shared a selfie from behind-the-scenes in the dressing room, saying: “First day back at work! Not finished Paul’s story yet.”

Fans flooded to the comments to express how devastated they are that Paul’s time on Coronation Street is coming to an end.

One person wrote: “You are a great actor. Many will be sad to see your character Paul pass away from this terrible condition MND. Wishing you all the best for the future.”

A second gushed: “Such a sad but very well played storyline raising awareness for this awful disease which not enough people know about. You’re an amazing actor, will be sad to see you go xx”

A third lamented: “I wish Paul’s story wasn’t ending full stop. You are a phenomenal, incredible actor and I really don’t want to see you go.”

A fourth agreed: “Oh how I wish Paul makes a full recovery. I am really going to miss seeing you on the street Peter.”



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Cheltenham Festival’s forgotten horse can test Galopin Des Champs

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ON paper is looks like the Irish dominance in the Gold Cup is set to continue.

Ireland have won eight out of the last ten renewals — including the last five!

Will Galopin Des Champs have it all his own way in the Gold Cup?

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Will Galopin Des Champs have it all his own way in the Gold Cup?Credit: Sportsfile

And anyone with half-decent eyesight knows Galopin Des Champs will join the modern greats when he retires.

The way he demolished a top field in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas was simply stunning.

He not only beat them but destroyed them — I’m not sure if the ‘speedy’ Gerri Colombe will ever recover.

Galopin is the perfect equine staying machine, so he wins another Gold Cup, right?

To answer my own question, he should be odds on, perhaps he will be after the Dublin Festival next month.

However, I do think there is a horse who could test him… and that is L’Homme Presse.


What the trainer says…

Venetia Williams told Cheltenham Betting: “Hopefully he’ll run well at Lingfield on Sunday and will improve a bit for it as he won’t have run for such a long time.

Most read in Horse Racing

“All being well, if he comes out well from that, he’ll have one more run between then and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

“People are saying take out the favourite and it is a pretty open race. There’s a lot of water under the bridge though before then.”


Venetia Williams’ stayer has been the forgotten horse of the race and a big performance on his return at Lingfield tomorrow will see him shorten for the Cheltenham feature.

At his best, he’s a bold jumping, staying beast.

Rewind a few years ago and he won a very competitive Brown Advisory Chase at the Festival on his first go at three miles — relishing every yard.

He loves Cheltenham — holding an unbeaten record of two wins from two starts.

Last season he defied a lofty rating of 164 to win the Rehearsal Chase. He unseated in the King George when last seen, but jumped badly right and that effort is easy to forgive.

The time off will not have done him any harm and I believe he has the talent to put it up to Willie Mullins’ hot favourite.

FESTIVAL PUNT

THE markets for the Festival are starting to tighten up.

I hope I have convinced you L’Homme Presse is huge value for the Gold Cup.

And I reckon the 10-1 in the market without Irish hotpot Galopin Des Champs is a shrewd bet.

Let’s have £25 win on him. Stay Away Fay is starting to become serious value in the Brown Advisory. £25 win at 6-1 please.

ONE TO WATCH

THE Moscow Flyer Novices’ Hurdle has in the past been a very good Cheltenham trial for Willie Mullins.

However, I’m not convinced about Mystical Power who won this year’s renewal and is now 4-1 for the Supreme. He’s a huge lay for me.

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Argos shoppers stock up on ‘lovely and warm’ heated blanket down to £40 from £50

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TEMPERATURES are dropping and heating bills are still high, so many of us are looking for cheaper ways to stay warm at home this winter – and we think this electric heated throw is the perfect solution.

To help shoppers keep warm for less, Argos has slashed the price of its popular Home Luxury Heated Throws by 20% as part of the retailer’s big winter sale.

This Argos electric throw is currently on sale

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This Argos electric throw is currently on saleCredit: Argos
  • Home Luxury Heated Throw, £40 (Was £50) from Argos – buy here

Available from Argos, the Home Luxury Heated Throw has been reduced by 20% – taking it down to £40 from £50.

Made from a super-soft fleecy fabric with six heat settings and a nine-hour timer, this electric blanket is perfect for snuggling up under the sofa or in bed.

Other features include overheating protection, a quick warm-up time of just five minutes and machine-washable material in case of any spillages.

We love this neutral colour in particular as we think it looks luxe and will suit any room decor, but it also comes in pink and grey.

And with all three colours currently reduced in price from £50 down to £40, now’s the perfect time to snap this winter warmer up.

This Argos heated blanket has been a hit with shoppers too, with 92% recommending it – and some even saying that using this stops them from turning their central heating on.

In a review titled ‘Very snug and warm’, one happy customer wrote: “Keeps you lovely and warm watching TV or reading in the evening without putting the heating on.”

Most read in Home and Garden

One review reads: “It’s great value for money when most heated throws are much more expensive. It heats up really quickly, the material is really soft and cosy and it keeps me really warm so I don’t even need the heating on in cold weather. So glad I bought it.”

A third person agreed, writing: “This is one of my best winter purchases. It’s really warm when on full. I find I don’t use my heating as often since buying it. It’s a great size as well.”

It also comes in pink (above) and grey

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It also comes in pink (above) and greyCredit: Argos
  • Home Luxury Heated Throw, £40 (Was £50) from Argos – buy here

These cosy throws are just some of several winter warmers slashed in price in the Argos online sale that may help you to save on your gas bills, including electric heaters, slow cookers and extra-thick duvets.

For example, the Challenge 2kW Convector Heater usually costs £30 but is now reduced by a third down to £19.80.

At under £20, it’s a great way to heat just one room in the house without turning the entire central heating on.

However, Argos has not confirmed how long the winter sale will last so we’d recommend you shop fast to avoid disappointment.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for an electric blanket that goes underneath your sheets, read our tried-and-tested guide to the best ones before you shop.

We’ve found plenty of other must-haves to beat the freeze this winter too, including £8.50 thermal gloves and the best luxe-looking high street coats.

Want to find more savings on your online shopping? Then head to Sun Vouchers where you can get discounts and voucher codes from hundreds of top retailers including B&Q, Boots, Iceland, Lookfantastic, Dunelm, Adidas, Marks & Spencer and more.



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Amazon Fire TV Stick users can unlock remote feature that ‘makes life easier’

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YOUR Amazon Fire TV Stick remote can be adjusted to more than just control the original device.

The remote can be used to control other devices connected to your TV setup.

Amazon Fire TV Stick remotes have a range of smart features including voice control

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Amazon Fire TV Stick remotes have a range of smart features including voice controlCredit: Alamy

This is useful if you’re tired of using multiple remotes for different gadgets.

The only catch is, the devices need to be wired up with the right kind of cables.

If the gadgets in your TV setup are HDMI CEC compatible and connected by HDMI cables, the trick should work.

First, you’ll need to head to your Fire TV Stick settings.

Next, click on Display and Sounds and you’ll see a selection of options pop up.

Scroll to HDMI CEC Device Control and select it.

You’ll be able to adjust the settings in this section depending on the devices you want to control.

It should be possible to connect things like a soundbar or a cable box.

Most read in Phones & Gadgets

You may also be able to use your voice to control third-party devices.

Amazon says: “Fire TV devices automatically detect compatible equipment and provide an on-screen interface to add them.”

If your third-party equipment isn’t being detected by a Fire TV, you can try and add it to the setup manually.

Go to Settings and then click on Equipment Control.

Next, select Manage Equipment and then click Add Equipment.

You should then see compatible devices pop up and select the ones you’d like to add.

Amazon notes: “Select Advanced Settings on this screen to activate or deactivate Automated Device Discovery.”



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Inside eerie abandoned ‘apocalypse school’ like zombie movie setting

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AN urban explorer has made a shocking discovery when he found an abandoned school that looks like a scene from a zombie movie.

The “apocalypse school” with chairs, desks and books all left behind has been deserted for a decade.

An eerie abandoned school reminds of a zombie apocalypse scene

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An eerie abandoned school reminds of a zombie apocalypse sceneCredit: Jam Press/@true_explores
The Tiktoker showed a deplorable state the building was left in

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The Tiktoker showed a deplorable state the building was left inCredit: Jam Press/@true_explores
The creepy building has spooked some users online

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The creepy building has spooked some users onlineCredit: Jam Press/@true_explores
Chairs, tables and garbage were all left behind

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Chairs, tables and garbage were all left behindCredit: Jam Press/@true_explores
The school was completely vandalised and destroyed

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The school was completely vandalised and destroyedCredit: Jam Press/@true_explores

In the video, he walks up some of the stairs, which are covered in wood and wallpaper from the rotting walls.

He then shows old lockers – open and closed – with books flung out.

There’s an old classroom with tables and chairs either upside down or broken and packs of the aforementioned water bottles piled up and rotting away.

The content creator, known only as @‌true_explores on TikTok, regularly shares footage of abandoned buildings he discovers with his 305,000 followers.

Previously, he had visited an “eerie” abandoned shopping mall that still had supplies left behind, with signs of decay and rot beginning to take over.

In a more recent exploration, the TikToker discovered an abandoned school, which has racked up 1.6 million views and 192,000 likes.

“Inside the school is like a scene out of an apocalypse movie,” he said.

“The school is completely vandalised, people have destroyed this place.

“It feels as if you are in a school when the world is ending.

“There were also tonnes of water bottles rotting away.

“I imagine these may have been bought for the school, but it ended up closing and no one wanted to move them out.”

The explorer says the school is located in Flint, Michigan, US.

He said: “The reason for leaving everything behind is truly unknown – but I believe it’s because they just didn’t have the money to pay people to move everything out or sell stuff.

“Smartboards, tables, desks, chairs and school supplies all just left behind.

“It’s crazy that all this stuff just went to waste and there aren’t organisations that will come to these places and take stuff out free of charge to donate or sell off.”

The school was believed to have closed down around the time of the Flint Water Crisis – an event that saw drinking water contaminated with lead.

The countless water bottles might have been purchased in a response to the public health crisis

An auditorium that was once lively with students now looks deserted and eerie.

In a dark abandoned building, it seems as if a ghost or a zombie will pop out any minute.

Broken glass, graffiti and damaged furniture are scattered all over the place.

Expensive equipment like smart boards and smashed computers lay around decaying.

Papers and pricey textbooks strewn on the floor and in a library are an echo of what the place once was.

Users have flocked to the comments to share their reactions, with many people left confused on its hurried abandonment.

Kace said: “I don’t understand how places can just abandon a building without cleaning out the valuables inside.”

Bailey commented: “Bro this is so so sad, I went to school there and this genuinely breaks my heart.”

Someone else wrote: “Seeing the water bottles actually freaked me out.”

“Oh wow. I swam in that pool back in 2010 in high school,” added someone else.

“That’s crazyyyyyyyyyyy,” said Indiana.

“Man that school holds so MANY MEMORIES!!” commented someone else.

Nestled deep in the Canadian forest sits another eerie abandoned construction shrouded in mystery and frozen in time.

Built in 1973, the castle mansion once stood proudly on 6 acres of beautiful property before it met its tragic demise.

Similarly, a mall that once boomed with shoppers now looks like a scene from a Zombie movie, causing a widespread outrage.

Horrifying images show a deplorable state of the Market Square in Australia.

Tonnes of water bottles rotting away were found in one of the floors

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Tonnes of water bottles rotting away were found in one of the floorsCredit: Jam Press/@true_explores
Once a lively auditorium now looks eerie and deserted

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Once a lively auditorium now looks eerie and desertedCredit: Jam Press Vid/@true_explores
People were upset to see familiar places in a school they attended completely destroyed

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People were upset to see familiar places in a school they attended completely destroyedCredit: Jam Press/@true_explores



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I went from Gladiators to Hollywood, knocked out Lotto lout and met the Queen

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MUSCLEMAN Mark Smith shot to fame in the Nineties on Gladiators – but now arguably he’s the most successful of all the ultra-chiselled cast

The 54-year-old, who was Rhino in the hit ITV show, has carved out an impressive career as an actor and celebrity trainer in Hollywood, while also amassing a roster of A-lister pals. 

Mark Smith earned a legion of fans as Rhino in Gladiators between 1995 and 2000

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Mark Smith earned a legion of fans as Rhino in Gladiators between 1995 and 2000Credit: Rex
The 55-year-old has a number of A-lister pals including Idris Elba, who he has starred with in multiple films

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The 55-year-old has a number of A-lister pals including Idris Elba, who he has starred with in multiple filmsCredit: Getty

After Gladiators came to an end in 2000, Mark starred in EastEnders and the BBC’s Robin Hood before bagging cameos in blockbuster films including Batman Begins, Creed and Zootopia. 

He’s also befriended big names including long-term pal Idris Elba, Johnny Depp, who he calls ‘JD’, and Gerard Butler – as well as brushing shoulders with Morgan Freeman, Jay Z and our late Queen.

Mark’s life now is worlds apart from his time on Gladiators, which he says “changed my life forever” – however, he also recalls a “horrific” injury that nearly cost him his career.

In 1995, Mark landed awkwardly on his right leg after tackling a contender from a giant inflatable pyramid and falling 25 feet onto a crashmat. It initially left him unable to walk and out of action for months. 

“You could never predict how you would land during the Pyramid event,” he tells UK Times.

“I tackled the contender and when we fell onto the crashmats my right leg took the brunt of both of our weights.

“My leg jolted and I knew that was it. I busted my collateral ligament and have never felt pain like that before. It was bad and I worried about being able to return during my darkest times.

“I was in a wheelchair and was in a cast for 12 weeks. At first, I couldn’t bend my leg 90 degrees let alone walk.

Mark suffered a dangerous fall in 1995 that left him unable to walk

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Mark suffered a dangerous fall in 1995 that left him unable to walkCredit: GladiatorsTV.com
He was seen grimacing and had to be wheeled off after an awkward fall in the Pyramid event

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He was seen grimacing and had to be wheeled off after an awkward fall in the Pyramid eventCredit: gladiatorstv.com

“It was a hard journey but I was determined.

“I feel I was very, very lucky to get back to normal. I even went on to run four marathons, which seemed impossible back then. It’s all thanks to the Gladiators’ team of amazing doctors.”

Creepy fan requests

Mark, who returned from injury the following year in 1996, was originally scouted for the show after winning the London Men’s Heavyweight weightlifting championship. 

Unlike other Gladiators, he already had the perfect nickname – Rhino – which he had been known as since 1988, due to being “strong, powerful and wide” like the animal, by bodybuilding pals.

He insists his time on the show – apart from the injury – was nothing short of “amazing” and gave him the “big break” that propelled him to superstardom today.

The bodybuilder got a taste of fame shortly after his first Gladiators episode aired when a crowd of fans mobbed him in a Tesco.

Mark says: “Suddenly a line formed all the way through the supermarket and round the corner. I signed every autograph and took lots of pictures with people. 

“That was my first episode, my first introduction to it all. I remember thinking, ‘Oh wow, this show is huge’. I’ve been recognised in airports and holidays around the world since then.

“I used to get some funny requests too. I remember taking a photo with a woman in Scotland who then asked, ‘Can I have one of your toenails?’ I said ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do that’. She didn’t say why she wanted it.

“Women regularly asked me to sign their chests and some people even had Rhino tattoos, the worst I saw was on someone’s stomach.”

Mark was a weightlifter and bodybuilder before the show, here he is at around 20st

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Mark was a weightlifter and bodybuilder before the show, here he is at around 20stCredit: @markrhinosmith
The Gladiator revealed there were several odd fan requests

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The Gladiator revealed there were several odd fan requestsCredit: Alamy

Filming was tough for the stars and Mark recalls regularly taking ibuprofen to deal with the regular “niggles, strains and pains” of recording two shows a day. 

He says: “Minor injuries definitely made it harder to film the next day. You literally only had around 12 hours to recover and prepare yourself to do it all over again.”

Meeting the Queen

Mark earned celebrity status from his time on the show, which led to several unusual encounters including being asked to attend the funeral of famous mobster Ronnie Kray in 1995.

He recalls: “I did a Q&A in prison and after, Reggie approached me to ask about health. He was very polite and was really interested in how to live longer and how to be strong and fast.

“When he asked me to go to his brother’s funeral, I wasn’t going to say no.”

Mark recalls Queen Elizabeth II complimenting his muscles

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Mark recalls Queen Elizabeth II complimenting his muscles

He also met Queen Elizabeth II at The Royal Tournament in 1997, during which she complimented his bulging biceps.

Mark tells us: “I was in there in my leotard, which was quite a funny situation to be in. I curtsied and she asked me how long I had been training and working on my muscles. 

“I told her since the age of 16 and she said ‘You look amazing’. It was a surreal moment. I was very lucky to have met her before she passed away.”

Lotto lout knockout

When Gladiators came to an end, Mark set his sights on acting and among his early gigs was playing ‘Johnson’ in four episodes of EastEnders in 2005.

He recalls: “That was huge for me. I was in Phil’s garage and had to repossess a car. I remember my mind being blown by how small the set was.”

That same year, Mark was challenged to a boxing match with Michael Carroll, famous known as the ‘Lotto Lout’ for splurging his £9.7million Lottery win, in 2002, on drugs, alcohol and cars.

He recalls: “Michael said he could ‘take on any of the Gladiators, especially Rhino’. So then I was asked to fight him. I thought ‘OK’ and prepared in a short amount of time.

Mark had two fights with 'Lotto lout' Michael Carroll

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Mark had two fights with ‘Lotto lout’ Michael CarrollCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
He took a lead part in the BBC's adaptation of Robin Hood in 2006. He played villain Karim

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He took a lead part in the BBC’s adaptation of Robin Hood in 2006. He played villain KarimCredit: BBC
Mark has starred in multiple films with Antonio Banderas

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Mark has starred in multiple films with Antonio BanderasCredit: @markrhinosmith

“I was told not to knock him out in the first fight and just make it a bit of a show. But then we had a rematch and it was a free-for-all.”

The first fight, which had to be stopped multiple times due to Michael’s inability to continue was ruled a draw. Mark knocked him out in the second round of the rematch months later.  

At the same time, Mark was notching up more and more acting credits – including Batman Begins, Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Creed.

Typically – due to his muscular frame – the Gladiators star has mainly been cast as villains and says he has “died so many times on TV and film I’ve lost count”.

A-lister pals

Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2016, Mark has bagged even more parts including a voiceover role in Disney animation Zootopia, in which he aptly plays a rhino police officer. 

Other appearances include Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Criminal Minds, Angel Has Fallen, The Enforcer and Netflix’s TV adaptation of The Gentlemen, which comes out this year.

Mark has also starred in at least three films with his long-term friend Idris Elba – including the A-lister’s directorial debut Yardie – whom he met in a Camden nightclub, 

“We met when Idris was still new to acting and I was on Gladiators. He told me he was going to move to America to pursue acting.

Mark often gets cast as a villain and is due to appear in Netflix TV series The Gentlemen

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Mark often gets cast as a villain and is due to appear in Netflix TV series The GentlemenCredit: @markrhinosmith
Mark has brushed shoulders with the likes of Dame Helen Mirren and had a lengthy chat with Morgan Freeman

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Mark has brushed shoulders with the likes of Dame Helen Mirren and had a lengthy chat with Morgan FreemanCredit: @markrhinosmith
Vinnie Jones, Antonio Banderas, Idris Elba and Gerard Butler as just some of the A-listers he has worked with

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Vinnie Jones, Antonio Banderas, Idris Elba and Gerard Butler as just some of the A-listers he has worked withCredit: WENN

“I remember saying, ‘That’s amazing, go for it. Life’s too short, you’ve got nothing to lose’ and look at him now, he’s on the bloody A-list, he’s huge and an amazing actor. 

“I consider him my mate and I’m extremely happy for him. Once I remember having breakfast at the Hilton with him, Morgan Freeman, and two others.

“I remember us having a sportsman’s wager on the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fight. Morgan agreed with me that Floyd would win on points. It was such a surreal moment.” 

Mark also befriended Scottish star Gerard Butler, who he rides motorbikes with and trained for a film role – as well as Johnny Depp, who he calls ‘JD’.

Their children went to the same school and they bonded over the Fantastic Beasts star’s “love” for British culture. 

Mark recalls: “We were talking about food and we both agreed that spotted dick and custard was really nice. 

“His bodyguard looked at us like we were mad and said ‘What the f*** are? You guys eat a spotted d***?’ He didn’t understand it was a sponge pudding.”

‘Painful’ childhood

While he’s thousands of miles away from the UK now, Mark believes it was his “humble upbringing” in Acton, West London, that made him the man he is today.

He was raised by a single mother and “strict Jamaican grandfather” after his parents split up when his three. Much of his childhood was filled with difficulty.

Mark recalls 'struggles' during his childhood in Acton, London

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Mark recalls ‘struggles’ during his childhood in Acton, LondonCredit: @markrhinosmith
He's still just as chiselled more than two decades on from his last appearance on the original Gladiators

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He’s still just as chiselled more than two decades on from his last appearance on the original GladiatorsCredit: @markrhinosmith

Mark’s late mother was regularly hospitalised during his childhood due to suffering severe and lasting bouts of depression. 

He says: “Everyone has their own struggles, adversities and hurdles in life but I remember a lot of pain and trauma in mine.

“I remember visiting my mum in mental institutes like St Bernard’s. She was suffering from depression and was in and out of hospitals.”

It led Mark to channel his pain into working out and ensuring he remained healthy, fit and mentally strong.

He says: “I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to take my pain and frustrations out on physical activity.

“People often say I’m a ‘nice guy’ and ‘always happy’ but that’s because I never predicted or anticipated my life would turn out this way. I feel very grateful.”

Mark used to get free school meals due to his family being “on a low income” and he had two paper rounds from the age of 12 – but he believes it made him fight harder to become successful.

He recalls: “The first paper round used to pay £5.50 and the other was £6.50. It felt good even though I was only earning a few quid a week. Later I worked as a hotel cleaner and in scaffolding.

“It taught me that you’ve got to get up and go to work. I realised you get out of life what you put into it, which has kept me motivated for all of these years. ”

Modestly, Mark attributes his success to being “very lucky”, the kind individuals he has met along the way and the show that launched his career, Gladiators. 

He says: “In my teenage years, I never could have imagined I’d be where I am today. I would never thought in my wildest dreams.”



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Love Island spoiler: ‘Messy’ Mitch slapped down by co-star in furious row

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LOVE Island’s ‘Messy’ Mitch Taylor is slapped down by his co-star in a furious row during tonight’s episode of the ITV2 show.

This evening’s instalment of the programme will see who the Islanders have decided to couple up with in the shock recoupling ceremony.

Love Island's Mitch gets himself into a bit of bother tonight

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Love Island’s Mitch gets himself into a bit of bother tonightCredit: Eroteme
Luis isn't happy with Mitch on tonight's episode

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Luis isn’t happy with Mitch on tonight’s episodeCredit: Eroteme
Ex-Love Island winner tells our podcast ‘aggressive’ Luis shouldn’t be in villa

The girls are given the choice to pick, but new bombshell Joshua Ritchie gets to pick as he’s just arrived.

After a tense ceremony, things then get really heated between Mitch Taylor and Luis Morrison.

Walking over to Mitch to confront him about something, Luis says: “Mitch, come here Bruv.”

He adds: “You know what you did there, Bruv.”

But Mitch jumps to defend himself after the confrontation.

He says: “Behave Bro.”

Later on in the episode Luis tries to sort things out between the pair.

He tells Mitch: “Come here brother, sorry bro…I’m sorry man…I don’t want any rift in here.”

It comes after Mitch’s former villa rival took a swipe at him after falling into a love triangle with Liberty Poole and Demi Jones.

Scott Van Der Sluis, who clashed with Mitch during their time in the villa in summer 2023, took to X to comment on his mate’s movements.

He tweeted: “So this is what it feels like to watch Mitch on TV #loveisland,” with lots of crying face emojis.

It comes after Mitch was accused of “love bombing” Liberty Poole before fans suggested he was “using” the fan-favourite star.

Mitch shot to fame in the 10th series of the ITV2 show last year.

  •  Love Island: All Stars airs tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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Warning for millions to apply to huge free cash fund set to end within weeks

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THOUSANDS of hard-up households could miss out on £100s in free cash grants if they don’t act fast.

The support comes from the Household Support Fund (HSF) scheme, which ends on March 31.

Thousands of hard-up households need to apply for free cash soon before applications close at the end of March

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Thousands of hard-up households need to apply for free cash soon before applications close at the end of March

Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.

The vouchers or grants on offer vary by location so you’ll have to check to see what you can get and how your council will pay you.

Some councils will make payouts automatically and others will require you to fill in an application form.

You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.

The funding runs until the end of March, which is the deadline for which councils must dish out the available money to hard-up households.

The government has not confirmed whether it will extend the scheme, but there are calls for its renewal.

Cllr Pete Marland, chair of the Local Government Association’s economy and resources board, said: “Councils are united in the view the Household Support Fund must be continued beyond the end of March for at least a year.

“Demand for local welfare support remains at record levels with the cost of energy, housing and other essentials remaining exceptionally high relative to income and continuing to rise.

“Without an extension, there is a risk of more households falling into financial crisis and homelessness.”

Halide Kalfaoglu, benefits expert at Turn2us, said: “The government must extend it and create a long-term strategy for local crisis support in England.

“Due to this uncertainty, we would encourage people to apply for support with their council as soon as possible.”

It’s also important to get your applications in as soon as possible as councils can close their schemes before the 31 March deadline if all funds become allocated beforehand.

For example, Plymouth Council closed applications for its HSF scheme on December 12.

And Kent County Council closes its application process on February 29.

Also be aware that your own local authority may be issuing payments automatically, meaning you don’t need to apply for help.

For example, the Royal Borough of Greenwich is automatically giving out thousands of care leavers £250 grants this month and then the scheme will close.

How much can I get?

The exact amount of money available to you through the HSF scheme will depend on your council’s criteria.

For example, Birmingham City Council, the country’s largest local authority, provides cash grants of up to £200 through the HSF scheme for households currently facing financial hardship.

The funds are intended to help with food costs and energy payments.

You must complete an application form by visiting https://hsfbirmingham.online/enquiry/ to join the waiting list.

A team member in your local area will contact you to complete your full application before March 31.

Households living in North Yorkshire need to act before February 21 to secure supermarket vouchers worth up to £450.

If you received a letter telling you that you’re eligible for a payment, you must select your e-vouchers by February 20.

To do this, visit https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund.

Residents who received housing benefit on, or between, January 26, 2023, and February 25, 2023, but did not qualify for the cost of living payment made in April and May 2023 for people on low-income benefits or tax credits can get £450.

Residents getting the maximum discount to pay their council tax bill through the means-tested council tax reduction scheme, as of August 14, 2023, can get £110.

Support is available for West Northamptonshire residents earning less than £450 per week.

Households that make an application before March 31 could get a cash grant worth £300.

Visit https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/claiming-benefits/household-support-fund to find out more.

What is the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.

Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £842million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.

It was then extended for a second time in the Spring Budget and for a third time in November to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.

The DWP has confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.

The help you can get varies depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

But you may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things like heating your home or your weekly grocery shop.

If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.

And, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.

Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.

How do you apply?

To get the help, you’ll need to check with your council – as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.

To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.

Once you’ve found your council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding on its website.

Each council will have a different application process – so exact details on how to apply will vary depending on where you live.

That means that the eligibility requirements to access the fund could also vary – it’s best to check with your local council for more details.

Some councils won’t require you to apply for the help and they’ll contact you about it instead if you qualify.

If there’s no information on your council’s website, then its best to ring them up and ask for more information.



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Gaming degrees and a speedrunning dog – the biggest news from the week

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JANUARY is thought of as the quiet month for the gaming industry after the huge number of releases prior to the holidays.

However, there have been several big gaming news stories that have excited gamers with a feeling that 2024 could be just as strong as 2023.

Peanut Butter is the first speedrunning dog at GDQ.

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Peanut Butter is the first speedrunning dog at GDQ.Credit: JSR_ via YouTube

The major news of the month was during the Xbox Developer Direct, where five games coming to Xbox this year received release dates or windows.

We learned that Harrison Ford will return as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, a game set after Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will be digital only, sparking fans’ concerns about the future of games on physical media.

This announcement follows the digital-only release of Alan Wake 2, showing a new trend popping up in the industry.

A top university is offering a course in The Art of Fighting Games, and appears to be the first prestigious school to do so.

Taking place at the world’s eighth-best university, UC Berkeley, students will learn how to play fighting games as well as Japanese language, history, and culture.

A recent study gave further insight into the effects of gaming on hearing loss, stating that gamers have a higher risk of developing problems with their hearing.

The study of almost 60k participants found that regular users of games that feature sharp sound effects like FPS games, or horror games are more likely to develop issues like tinnitus.

Ubisoft has launched a revamped gaming subscription that comprises two tiers and replaces the old Ubisoft+.

The top tier is the most expensive subscription on the market, and a Ubisoft executive hopes that gamers get ‘comfortable’ with not owning their games.

Finally, gaming’s biggest event this week, AGDQ, featured a dog speedrunner for the first time ever.

A Shiba Inu named Peanut Butter, with the assistance of his partner JSR_, managed to complete Gyromite for the NES in 26:24, with only Peanut Butter at the controls.

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.

All the latest Gaming tips and tricks

Looking for tips and tricks across your favourite consoles and games? We have you covered…

 



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‘Agonising’ condition that destroys sleep could be ‘cured’ with simple remedy

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EVER heard of restless leg syndrome?

Also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, it’s a condition affecting the nervous system that causes a creeping, crawling sensation in your legs and the overwhelming urge to fidget them – especially at night.

RLS can cause an overwhelming urge to move your legs and an unpleasant crawling or creeping sensation

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RLS can cause an overwhelming urge to move your legs and an unpleasant crawling or creeping sensationCredit: Getty

Seemingly benign when described, restless leg syndrome (RLS) can cause misery and sleepless nights to those who have it.

Writing into an RLS forum on Reddit, one user described getting flare-ups every time they tried to get some rest or sit still.

“I’m sleeping about three hours a night,” they wrote. “My partner and I are sleeping separately now until I get it under control.”

Another user who gets crawling sensations up their arms said: “It feels like my arm is exploding from the inside out when I fight it but if I let it win, it just gets worse.”

Meanwhile, writer and podcaster Beth McColl said on X: “‘Restless leg syndrome’ is such a silly goofy name for something that literally feels like your bones are straining to burst free of your flesh.”

In some cases, RLS is caused underlying health conditions like iron deficiency anaemia or kidney failure and it’s also been linked to pregnancy.

While iron supplements could be enough to treat some sufferers, other needs meds to regulate the levels of dopamine in their body and other have to turn to benzodiazepines.

But a simple natural remedy might be the ‘cure’ for these agonising symptoms, one doctor claims.

Writing for Medscape, Dr George Lundberg said cutting out sugar from your diet might rid you of the RLS wriggles.

A self professed “anti-sugar guy”, he recounted how he indulged in a variety of sweet treats shortly after Halloween – only to suffer from agonising consequences that night.

The doctor first chowed down on a mini Dove bar containing 11 grams of sugar, followed by Snickers, Milky Ways, Twix mini bars, the remnants of trick-or-treating and each with at least 20 grams of sugar.

“I ate several of these not long before bedtime. Lo and behold, in the dark of that night, and continuing off and on for a few fitful hours, I had bad RLS,” Dr Lundberg said.

“Shifting, tossing, turning, compulsively seeking a new sleeping position only to have to soon move again.

“Plus, I had repetitive leg cramps and that creepy-crawly skin sensation. An altogether unpleasant experience.”

Dr Lundberg refrained from more late-night sugar binges following that incident and thankfully escaped subsequent RLS attacks.

“I’m pretty convinced from my unintentional challenge and single dechallenge that my unusually high sugar intake resulted in RLS,” he wrote.

Though Dr Lundberg unintentionally discovered that sugar may exacerbate RLS symptoms, the link between the two was studied by Dutch doctor Siwert de Groot in 2023.

Documented in the HSOA International Journal of Case Reports and Therapeutic Studies, Dr de Groot said he was visited by a healthy 60-year-old man whose RLS symptoms had recently increased.

He had normal blood sugar and iron levels, was not a smoker or a drinker, and did not take other drugs.

“He has the impression that this is because he has consumed a lot of sweet foods such as ice cream, chocolate, soft drinks and pastries during his summer vacation,” the doctor wrote.

He asked his patient to alternate eating a high and low-sugar diet, a week at a time for six weeks, finding that the man’s complaints were increased considerably when he gorged on sweet treats and decreased when he avoided them.

Dr de Groot said: “Following a low-sugar diet requires discipline, but if it significantly reduces or completely eliminates the symptoms of RLS, it is a preferred measure and can be used on a trial basis before prescribing medication.”

How common is RLS?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says that 5 to 10 per cent of Brits and Americans suffer from restless leg syndrome.

Meanwhile, NHS Inform says “as many as one in 10 people are affected by restless legs syndrome at some point in their life” with women twice as likely to develop it than men.

The main symptom is an overwhelming urge to move your legs, as well as an unpleasant crawling or creeping sensation in your calves and thighs.

The urge can grow more intense in the evenings and at nighttime, making sleep an impossibility

The NHS recommends following a regular bedtime ritual to control symptoms, as well as avoiding alcohol and caffeine late at night.

It also suggested you quit smoking and exercise regularly during the daytime.



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