BBC apologises to Robert Jenrick over suggestions he is xenophobic

The BBC has apologised to Robert Jenrick after a refugee charity boss suggested the shadow justice secretary is xenophobic during one of its radio shows.

While appearing on Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday, Krish Kandiah, a director of Sanctuary Foundation, claimed Mr Jenrick had increased “fear of the stranger” among people.

Mr Kandiah added: “The technical name for this is xenophobia.

“All phobias are by definition irrational. Nevertheless, they have a huge impact.

“Over the past year, xenophobia has fuelled angry protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, deepening divisions in our communities.”

Mr Jenrick later accused the broadcaster of smearing “millions of worried citizens as ‘xenophobic’ for their completely understandable fears”.

In a letter to the Conservative MP, the broadcaster’s head of editorial standards Roger Mahony said the comments went “well beyond” what is expected of its Thought For The Day segment.

Mr Mahony said: “I have concluded that, while its reflection on fear in society from a faith perspective is broadly in line with expectations of Thought For The Day, some of the language it used went beyond that.

“I have asked for the two references to xenophobia to be edited from the programme on BBC Sounds. Please accept my apology for their original inclusion.” The content has since been removed from the programme on BBC Sounds.

Mr Jenrick said: “Illegal migration is obviously fuelling crime and the public are right to be concerned about it.

“It’s extremely disappointing the BBC thought it was acceptable to smear millions of worried citizens as ‘xenophobic’ for their completely understandable fears about undocumented men entering illegally.”

A series of protests have been held outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, over recent weeks after an asylum seeker was accused of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, denies the charges of sexual assault and is due to stand trial this month.

In a statement, the BBC said: “During this episode of Thought For The Day, criticism was made of recent comments by shadow secretary of state for justice Robert Jenrick, about hotels housing asylum seekers.

“While the programme’s reflection on fear in society from a faith perspective was broadly in line with expectations of Thought For The Day, some of the language used went beyond that and we apologise for its inclusion.

“It has been removed from the version on BBC Sounds.”

Chaos in the Cotswolds as protests erupt against JD Vance’s holiday

A quaint Cotswolds village has found itself at the centre of national attention in recent days, as protesters descend on the quiet hamlet to protest JD Vance’s holiday.

Dozens of people gathered in the usually quiet Oxfordshire countryside this week to tell the US vice president that he was “not welcome” in the area.

Mr Vance is staying in a Grade II listed country manor in the hamlet of Dean, sparking a “circus” in the vicinity of the 6-acre site as residents face roadblocks and police door knocks.

Despite the sniffer dogs and police presence, protesters still gathered in the village for a “not welcome” party, equipped with banners, cake and plenty of pictures of an unflattering meme of the vice president.

Local media described a crowd of between 50 to 100 people gathering in the nearby village of Charlbury, as they said he was “simply not welcome here”.

Many placards referenced Mr Vance’s own words, with a woman holding a sign saying “Cotswolds childless cat ladies say go home”, and many quoting his 2016 statement that he was a “Never Trump guy”.

“He’s simply not welcome here,” one woman told The Guardian: “That’s not what we’re about. We don’t want anything to do with people like him.”

A number of protesters referenced the US government’s support for Israel amid the starvation and bombardment of Gaza, with several placards reading “end the genocide” and calling the vice president a “war criminal”.

One protester told The Guardian: “That wouldn’t happen without this US government.”

When meeting with the UK foreign secretary David Lammy last week, the US vice president questioned the UK’s plans to recognise a Palestinian state.

He said both the UK and US wanted to “solve” the crisis in Gaza, but “may have some disagreements about how exactly to accomplish that goal, and we’ll talk about that today”.

Another protestor described his treatment of Volodymyr Zelensky as “disgusting” and that the confrontation between the pair in the White House was “disgraceful”.

Other more satirical signs read “JD Vance claps when the plane lands” and “JD Vance’s Netflix password is ‘password’”.

One picture was everywhere – an edited picture of a bald Mr Vance, which has become a commonly used meme on social media.

As well as being on a number of placards, a van was seen driving around the area with a giant screen displaying the image on its side.

US Homeland Security officials were forced to deny claims by a Norwegian tourist in June that he had been denied entry into the United States after agents found a version of the meme on his phone.

Local residents have described the major disruption his holiday has brought to their usually sleepy villages.

Road closures, sniffer dogs, police and a number of blacked out cars have all been spotted in the area, a marked difference to the usual calm and quaint atmosphere of a Cotswold country retreat.

Though the village is no stranger to high-profile faces, with it being the home to former prime minister David Cameron, the level of security has prompted the owners of the manor to apologise to locals “for the circus”.

Locals have described being stopped at road blocks and questioned by police, which some have described as a waste of resources.

Toby Bull, 18, told the Oxford Mail at Tuesday’s protest: “He is using up the police resources when the only major police stations nearby are in Oxford and Banbury.”

He added: “We’re very used to having celebrities and famous people around here. This protest shows how particular unhappy we are with him coming here.”

Mr Vance and his family are renting the luxurious home from of its owners Johnny and Pippa Hornby, who bought the property in 2017 and have since received plaudits in Tatler for having transformed its Edwardian garden into a “waterworld” with an impressive swimming pool.

During his stay, Mr Vance can enjoy the two cellars, tennis court, rose garden, gym and Georgian orangery all set within the six-acres of land the house sits on.

The 18th-century home offers pre-arranged visits to its gardens, which are set behind stone walls with “an abundant and varied selection of climbing/rambling roses, clematis and hydrangeas”.

When Mr Vance arrived for his visit, he said: “It is great to be here… my wife and I love this area of the UK and we were actually here a couple of years ago. We love this country.”

Chris Philp has knife pulled on him during trip to French migrant camp

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said he had a large knife pulled on him and was “pelted with bottles” during a visit to a migrant camp in northern France.

During a trip with Daily Express journalist Zak Garner-Purkis, the Conservative MP attempted to speak to asylum seekers living in tents near Dunkirk, as they waited to cross the English Channel in small boats.

After attempting to speak to a group of Eritreans and a man carrying lifejackets, he is approached by Mr Garner-Purkis, who informs him that a man with a “rather large knife” has walked behind them.

In the clip, Mr Philp says: “I found it pretty shocking – you said behind me somebody had pulled out some sort of machete and we left pretty quickly.”

Mr Garner-Purkis says the man was “swinging it around in the air”, adding: “It was clear he was doing it to send a message to the other people there – whether it was a case of ‘don’t speak’.”

Shortly afterwards while walking along the road recounting the incident to the camera, objects can be seen being thrown at them.

Mr Garner-Purkis says “they are throwing bottles at us” and Philp responds: “Right, we’ve got to go.

In a post on social media, the Croydon South MP said: “We were attacked today at the migrant camp dubbed “The Jungle 2” just outside Dunkirk.

“We were threatened with a machete, pelted with bottles & our car hit as we sped off.

“Those responsible are likely to be in the UK soon in a taxpayer funded hotel. This border madness must end.”

In another video, he filmed a group of migrants boarding a bus while French police appear to be standing by showing “complete inactivity”.

He said: “I just found French Police actively facilitating illegal immigration.

“The officers – likely UK funded – are ushering illegal immigrants onto a public bus to take them towards boat embarkation points. I took this shocking footage in Gravelines, northern France, an hour or so ago.”

More than 50,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel since Labour won the 2024 general election.

Home Office figures show 474 migrants arrived by small boat on Monday alone, which brings recorded arrivals to 50,271 since the election on July 4 2024.

Labour former home secretary Baroness Smith of Malvern had said earlier on Tuesday that reaching the milestone is “unacceptable”.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour’s promise to “smash the criminal boat gangs” in its manifesto last year was “just a slogan”, with crossings now “so much worse” than they were before the vote.

There have been 27,029 arrivals so far this year, which is 47 per cent higher than at the same point of 2024 when the figure stood at 18,342, and 67 per cent higher than at the same time in 2023 (16,170).

Earlier this month, the government began detaining migrants under a new “one in, one out” deal with France.

UK officials aim to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a migrant’s arrival by small boat, while French authorities will respond within 14 days.

An approved asylum seeker in France will be brought to the UK under a safe route as part of the exchange.

Meet the Strictly Come Dancing celebrity cast of 2025

It’s almost time to dust off your dancing shoes and brush up on your cha-cha-chas because Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is around the corner.

The BBC is in the process of announcing its starry cast of celebrities who will be performing on this year’s series, with confirmed stars so far including a Gladiators athlete, an EastEnders star and a football legend.

These stars are set to become household names over the coming months with their weekly routines performed, if they’re a hit with viewers, right up until Christmas. But what are they famous for and, more importantly, do they have previous dance experience?

Find everything you need to know about all of the contestants, as they’re announced, below:

Ellie Goldstein made history in 2023 as the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue – and has also appeared in a campaign for fashion brand Gucci. As well as modelling, Goldstein acts, having appeared in CBBC series Malory Towers.

Goldstein, who appeared on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off in April 2025, said she was “absolutely over the moon to be joining” Strictly as it’s “a show I’ve loved watching for so long”.

”The chance to now be part of it feels like a dream,” she said of her casting. “I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor. Let the Strictly journey begin!”

Former England rugby union player Chris Robshaw has said Strictly “is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets”.

The sportsman, who earned 66 caps for England and captained the national team 43 times, said: “I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”

Robshaw joined his childhood club, Harlequins RFC, straight out of school – and was just 23 when he first became captain at 23 years old. He played 300 games at club level, and is the only player to win the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year Award twice.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix was the seventh contestant to be announced for Strictly’s 2025 instalment.

La Voix was awarded runner-up on last year’s Drag Race and quickly became a fan favourite. She has also appeared on ITV’s Queens For The Night, on Paramount’s Queen Of The Universe and wowed the judges as a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent.

On her live tour, La Voix Meets, she’s interviewed legends such as Dawn French, Joanna Lumley, Su Pollard, and Vanessa Feltz, and performed for the Royal Family at their New Year’s Eve ball.

On joining Strictly, La Voix said: “I’ve performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV.”

“Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.”

La Voix is the second drag performer to compete on Strictly, following in the footsteps of Tayce, also a former Drag Race contestant, who won last year’s Christmas Special.

George Clarke, a British YouTuber, podcaster and social media star, has said he’s prepared to “fall over a fair bit” as a contestant on Strictly.

Clarke, also known as George Clarkey to his millions of followers online, rose to prominence after sharing humorous skits and challenges on his TikTok account and YouTube channel. He also hosts a podcast, The Useless Hotline.

When his casting was announced on BBC Radio 1 on Tuesday (12 August), Clarke said: “I feel like a lot of people will be saying… ‘Who?’”

On joining the show, he said: “Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in.”

Balvinder Sopal has played Walford matriarch Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin) on EastEnders since 2019. She said of her casting on Strictly: “Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff thatdreams are made of.”

As Suki, she has been at the heart of some of the soap’s most gripping storylines, from escaping her abusive husband Nish (Navin Chowdhry) to her on-off affair with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace).

Away from Albert Square, Sopal has also appeared in Call The Midwife, Doctors, and Waterloo Road.

Sopal said “being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen”, adding: “I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!”

The news was revealed from Albert Square on Tuesday 12 August on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, where Sopal revealed she has past dancing experience.

“I dabbled a little bit. I did ballroom and Latin as a hobby and really loved it. When you’ve got a passion for something, you’re more inclined to enjoy it.”

Dyer, the daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, shot to fame after winning Love Island in 2018.

She has since fronted documentaries such as Is This Anxiety?, teamed up with her father Danny for podcast Live and Let Dyers as well as the travelogue series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy. She has also made guest appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Dyer, who is married to West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen, is also a published author, having released her debut book, What Would Dani Do? ,in 2019.

On joining Strictly, Dyer said: “Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.”

Appearing on The One Show on 11 August, Dyer admitted that she was most worried about “picking up the routines and performing on live telly”.

Alex Kingston, known for her roles in the US medical drama ER and in sci-fi series Doctor Who, said she was inspired to join the show after seeing her friend, Miranda actor Sarah Hadland, finish as a runner-up on the 2024 series.

Kingston gained international fame as Dr Elizabeth Corday in ER for eight years, and won a Screen Actors Guild Award for the role. She is known to millions of Doctor Who fans as River Song, AKA The Doctor’s Wife, which she has played opposite three Doctors.

She has also appeared in TV shows Douglas Is Cancelled, Treason, Gilmore Girls: A Year in The Life, Boudica and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She has held numerous stage roles, as Lady Macbeth, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Prospero for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Tempest.

While appearing on The One Show for her Strictly announcement, Kingston admitted that she was “terrified”.

On whether she had any previous dance experience, Kingston said that her “hips don’t lie”.

Dutch football legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who currently works as an assistant coach for the England football team alongside manager Gareth Southgate, said he signed up to Strictly for his daughters.

“I’m a father of only girls and Strictly is part of our home life. I’ve gotten into it, and I like the show, so let’s have a go,” he told The One Show.

Hasselbaink has played for clubs including Leeds United, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea, earning a reputation as a prolific goal scorer.

Since retiring, Hasselbaink has become a familiar face in football punditry in the UK, and has managed clubs including Burton Albion and Northampton Town.

Hasselbaink, 53, admitted the dancing competition will bring him “totally out of my comfort zone,” adding: “I have no idea what to expect, I have a little bit of rhythm.”

He added that appearing on Strictly would be more nerve-wracking than scoring goals in front of thousands each week, saying: “Playing football in front of 70,000 people is easy, but dancing in front of people and with a partner who knows it 100 times better than you, it’s crazy.”

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro to Gladiators fans, was the first star to be announced for the 2025 series. He said of the casting: “I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I’m ready to give it all I’ve got.”

The athlete, a former Team GB sprinter who joined Gladiators in 2023, took part in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special alongside professional dancer Nancy Xu.

Aikines-Aryeetey said the Christmas Special “was so nice I just had to do it twice”.

He has competed at two Olympic Games and is a three-time European champion and two-time Commonwealth champion. He also became the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships. He won the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, aged 17.

He follows in the footsteps of his Gladiators co-star Montell Douglas, who appeared on last year’s 20th anniversary series of Strictly and was eliminated in week 10.

The remaining contestants will be announced throughout August. The rumoured names for this year’s series include former GB athlete Mo Farah and Sort Your Life Out presenter Stacey Solomon.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One from September through to December.

Children accused of using glass bottle and rocks to murder man

Three children are accused of murdering a man on the Isle of Sheppey using a glass bottle and rocks.

A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 14 and 15, appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon, charged with the murder of 49-year-old Alexander Cashford.

Kent police earlier said they were called to the Warden Bay Road area of Leysdown-on-Sea shortly after 7pm on Sunday, following an altercation involving a small number of people.

Mr Cashford was confirmed dead at the scene, with the force saying multiple injuries to his body were reported.

The three teenagers, all from London, are thought to have been on holiday in Kent at the time of the attack.

They were jointly charged with murder on Tuesday.

The defendants were accompanied in the well of the court by their parents on Wednesday.

Other family members watched from the public gallery.

For the prosecution, Dylan Bradshaw said: “What we know is that Alexander Cashford, a 49-year-old male, shortly after 7pm on Sunday August 10, went to the beach area of Warden’s Bay.

“About an hour and five minutes later, he was pronounced dead – during that period, he was the subject of a violent assault.”

The attack is alleged to involve a glass bottle and rocks being thrown, the court heard.

The 16-year-old and 14-year-old both cried during the hearing while the 15-year-old looked at the floor, rocking slightly.

A 12-year-old girl, arrested on Tuesday in Basildon, Essex, is still in custody.

On Monday, a police cordon could be seen in a large clearing behind the beach in the Leysdown-on-Sea resort, in front of a caravan park.

Specialist officers brought out a sniffer dog at the crime scene.

They also investigated in Leysdown-on-Sea town centre, near the arcade.

The fire service arrived on Tuesday afternoon to remove their equipment while the police officers took down their cordon.

Locals have called the incident “shocking”, and many have said that “nothing ever happens” in the area.

A shopkeeper, working at Oasis Stores across the road from the incident, said he had run out to help after his wife said someone was having a heart attack.

He said that Mr Cashford was “just here for holidays”.

An air ambulance was called to the scene after the alleged attack and Mr Cashford was pronounced dead around 7pm on Sunday.

Detectives urged any witnesses who have not yet spoken to the police to contact them.

Aanyone with information should contact the major crime unit via the major incident public portal or by phone on 01622 652006, quoting 10-1384.

Reports can also be made anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Jet, Set, Glow: How to turn pre-flight time into a wellness ritual

The airport might not be the first place you think of when you think about wellness, but believe me, you can hone healthy habits just about anywhere. Feeling well is about small incremental changes that are easy to manage and I’ve got plenty of tips on how to apply these ahead of a holiday.

Part of my job is travelling to health retreats around the world so there are a few things I do when I arrive at Heathrow to prepare me for this. Read on for my tips on how to transform waiting at your gate into a wellness ritual.

There are great wellness wins to be found in Duty-Free if you know where to look. Discounted skincare? Yes please. I’ll always head to the World Duty Free stores to stock up on my flight favourites to hydrate, protect and soothe stressed out skin and wellness tools to fight jet-lag and keep my healthy habits up on the other side.

Don’t believe what you see on TikTok – you don’t want to be putting on a load of skincare and facemasks on a plane. Dermatologists agree that less is more, so I pick up one of Aesop’s simple Venturer kits and use it as soon as I’m on the plane. The mouthwash and deodorant contain no nasties and the natural scents soothe the nervous system.

I also head to the Charlotte Tilbury counter to make the most of the deals there. The Magic Cream is gentle and hydrating so I use it on the plane once I’ve taken any make up off to stop my skin drying out in transit. I also usually pick up an In-Flight Hydrate, Protect and Glow kit, which contains a hydrating travel-sized mist, primer and lip oil.

If you’re concerned about your circulation on a flight, you can find incredible ayurvedic massage tools and neurocosmetic oils from Mauli Rituals to give the brain and skin a boost while you’re waiting to board and in flight. The brand’s bath salts are great for jet lag recovery too.

I slather hand cream on to prevent dryness while I’m in air conditioned spaces so I also make a beeline for L’Occitane products while I’m in the World Duty Free store – the minis are great for travelling and there are some cute travel exclusives available, such as the Shea Travel Must Have’s Set. Elemis also does a great selection of minis. If you don’t want to bring your entire skincare routine on holiday, opt for the whole Elemis protocol in minis in a travel exclusive set for a gentle hydrating pro‑collagen fix.

You can reserve your products online up to 30 days before your trip, so rather than stressing about what’s in stock or turning up without a clue, I recommend pre-ordering and heading straight to the desk for what you need. Then enjoy a bit of a browse. Stress isn’t great for you at any time, let alone when you travel so don’t stress yourself out by spending too long looking for what you need and having to run to your gate.

I recommend pre-ordering the Aesop kit, Charlotte Tilbury skincare or Mauli Rituals’ travel-size oils. It’s also worth looking for travel-exclusive offers and sets. The Charlotte Tilbury, Elemis and Clinique travel sets are often much better value than high street versions

There are a host of other stores I like to visit for essentials when I arrive at Heathrow and Boots is obviously one of them. This is where I find all my supplements – magnesium for sleep and muscle tension, electrolytes to maintain hydration while travelling and probiotics or digestive enzymes to keep my gut happy.

I also head to the Rituals store for more aromatherapy goodness but usually I’ll have already stocked up in World Duty-Free. One thing I won’t have found in Duty-Free is clothing, so I go to Lululemon for buttery-soft comfies to wear on the plane. Of course, no airport visit is complete without popping into WH Smiths for a book – next on my list is Genius Gut by Dr Emily Leeming.

Did you know that Terminal 2 and Terminal 5 both offer quiet areas for stretching? This is a must if you’re going to be sitting down for ages on your flight. A quick stretch or yoga session helps to alleviate tight hips, back and neck pain and avoid swelling – especially if you do it before you board and after you land.

Compression socks can also help with swelling and improve your circulation but it’s great to wake the body up too. Try ankle rolls, neck rotations, legs up the wall and cat-cow stretches. You can also use this time to use your Mauli Rituals massage tools to boost circulation and get your muscles nice and relaxed before having to sit still for an extended period.

Even if you’re flying economy, you can also book into lounges like Plaza Premium or No1 Lounge for a fee. Many include quiet zones, hot food, showers and complimentary herbal teas. Terminal 5 also has a spa inside some lounges like the Sofitel Heathrow if you’re really in need of some downtime whilst passing through the airport, perhaps for a connecting flight.

There are so many eateries and shops I recommend at Heathrow, you just have to know where to look for the healthiest finds. Eating high protein and fibre options will mean you stay fuller for longer and feel comfortable on your flight. You might also want to think about whether you plan to sleep on the plane or not, and either go for foods and drinks that will relax you, or give you an energy boost, depending on your plans.

I’ll always go for a high protein breakfast from Pret over a fry up at ‘spoons. I also love their ginger shots for an extra immunity boost before breathing in aeroplane air.

If I want to feel awake and invigorated, I’ll go for a juice and a matcha from Joe and the Juice. Leon is a great shout if you want something more filling that won’t leave you feeling sluggish – think fast, fresh options including quinoa bowls, grilled chicken, and veggie pots.

For a sit-down meal, head to Giraffe for global-inspired meals with veggie options, smoothies and herbal teas. My all-time favourite spot is Itsu for sushi, miso soup, edamame and gut-friendly options that won’t leave me feeling bloated or uncomfortable during the flight.

Then I’ll stock up on snacks from M&S food for the plane – fresh fruit, nuts and coconut water for hydration. Eating mineral-rich food like this and staying hydrated can help lessen jet lag.

Heathrow has water refill stations in every terminal after security. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to reduce jet lag, boost focus, and support digestion—especially important if you’re flying long haul. I fill mine up with filtered water and then drink it before I go through security. On the other side it’s easy to refill your bottle or buy a new bottle of filtered water.

You can also bring your own herbal tea bags, electrolytes and soothing adaptogenic drinks from home. Most come in travel-size sachets and all you have to do is politely ask any coffee shop or restaurant for hot or cold water in a takeaway cup or your reusable cup to mix them up.

I always create a personal ritual to feel grounded whilst I’m in an airport. They can be busy frenetic places and you might already feel tired from an early start. I like to do a guided meditation (there are plenty of free ones on Spotify) with my headphones on while I’m sitting down paired with some box breathing exercises. I also do it again once I’m in my seat on the plane. This relaxes the nervous system and gets you into a more positive mental state. It’s great for alleviating any stress, preparing you for any stressful or challenging situations or calming your nerves if you happen to be a nervous flyer.

You can also use your aromatherapy oils, a rollerball or a spray to soothe your senses and reset. Just be mindful of other people around you if you’re spraying something. I also try to use the opportunity of time spent waiting at my gate to read a book, instead of doom-scrolling on my phone. If I’m doing this, I pop my earplugs in to drown out the noise around me – my favourites are from Loop. If you prefer to take in your surroundings, pop your headphones on and listen to a soothing or uplifting playlist. I like to curate these before I head to the airport to help me get into the right headspace when I need it.

If you do suffer with anxiety around crowds, feel nervous about flying or just want to feel more grounded, you can practice saying a few affirmations and mantras for confidence and calm. This could be something as simple as: “I am safe and I travel with ease”.

Armed with all these tips you’ll hopefully be able to board your flight feeling relaxed, prepared and excited to travel to destinations far and wide. Though the unknown can be stressful, there are plenty of ways to feel more optimistic and resilient if we know how to take better care of ourselves, wherever we are.

Find out more about Heathrow’s Redefine Your Beauty campaign, including treatment menus, participating brands and exclusive offers here.

When will the UK heatwave end?

Temperatures could reach as high as 34C in parts of the country today as the fourth heatwave of the summer continues, while thunderstorms are also set to hit the UK this week.

An amber heat health alert remains in place for the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, London, and East of England until 6pm on Wednesday, while much of the rest of England is already under yellow alerts. Now, a thunderstorm warning has also been issued by the Met Office.

The yellow weather alert will be in place across most of Scotland and Northern Ireland from midnight until 10pm on Thursday, with the forecaster predicting “heavy showers and thunderstorms”.

The warning comes after temperatures peaked at a sweltering 33.4C on Tuesday, with the highest readings recorded in Benson, Oxfordshire, Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, and Northolt in west London.

And the mercury could climb even higher on Wednesday, according to the Met Office, soaring to a potential 34C in parts of England.

Forecasters expect more heat on Wednesday, cooler but still warm conditions on Thursday, and a return to very hot weather in the south and South East by Friday.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst told The Independent: “The heatwave is looking likely to last the rest of the week.”

He added: “Beyond that, it should be a bit cooler.” The Met Office predicts Tuesday and Wednesday will see the peak of the warmth before a slow cooling off throughout the rest of the week. However, Mr Dewhurst said warm conditions are expected to last well into September.

But with temperatures on the rise, the Met Office warned Britons should also brace for thunderstorms.

Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri said: “Wednesday brings a more complex picture, with high temperatures but also the chance of thunderstorms arriving in the evening… across northern areas, with the potential for some fairly wet weather. Whilst the exact location for these unsettled conditions remains uncertain, it’s possible a warning may be issued closer to the time.”

The forecaster predicts Thursday could see thundery rain in the north again, while later on Friday and into the weekend the southwest might be hit by showers or thunderstorms.

Marco Petagna, another meteorologist at the Met Office, detailed the expected temperatures for the week.

He said: “Wednesday will be mostly dry with further very warm or hot sunshine, but we will see some showers, particularly in the South East during the afternoon and also a few affecting Scotland during the day, which could turn heavy and thundery.

“It will be another warm and hot day with maximum temperatures of 33C to 34C, highest in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

“On Thursday there will still be a few showers, particularly in the north, and it will not be quite as hot, but temperatures will still peak around 29C to 30C in East and south-east England.

“Friday looks mostly fine, with very hot sunshine in the south and South East, where temperatures could reach 31C, while Scotland will see highs in the low 20s.”

The all-time hottest August day was 38.5C in Faversham, Kent, on 10 August 2003, while the hottest day of 2025 so far was 35.8C, also in Faversham, on 1 July.

Britons can expect a “largely dry and settled” August, with temperatures looking to remain above average, particularly in the south of the UK, according to Mr Dewhurst.

“There is an overall picture of high pressure, and a settled month seems to be main theme,” he said, despite some potentially chillier winds hitting the eastern coast.

“But I wouldn’t write off summer just yet,” he added.

The latest heatwave, the fourth of the summer so far, prompted the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office to issue a heat warning on Tuesday.

Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: “Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30C across central and southern parts of the country over the next few days, and generally hot weather is expected across most regions of England.

“These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions – so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.”

Officials have warned that England is suffering from “nationally significant” water shortfalls despite rain in July.

The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.

England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said.

Manchester Arena bomb plotter charged with attempted murder

Manchester Arena plotter Hashem Abedi has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after four prison officers were injured at a maximum security prison.

Abedi, 28, is also charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of unauthorised possession of a knife or offensive weapon after the incident at HMP Frankland in Durham on April 12.

Counter Terrorism Policing North East said it had carried out a “thorough investigation” of the incident with Durham Constabulary and HMP Frankland.

Abedi, who remains in prison, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 18.

Three prison officers were taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident.

Speaking in April , the families of five people murdered in the Manchester Arena bombing say they are in “disbelief” Abedi was able to attack prison officers in HMP Frankland.

Abedi, who had been a long-term inmate at HMP Frankland’s separation centre, was jailed for life with a minimum sentence of 55 years for the murders of 22 people after helping his brother carry out the suicide bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

He moved to the separation centre after carrying out an attack on prison officers in London’s MMP Belmarsh in 2020.

The families’ letter to Ms Mahmood says: “We are writing in absolute disbelief” that, once again, the “evil Hashem Abedi has been allowed to cause danger to life”.

“As the families of Megan Hurley, Eilidh Macleod, Chloe Rutherford, Liam Curry, and Kelly Brewster, our beautiful, beloved children who were so tragically murdered along with 16 others in the Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017, we find this situation beyond comprehension.”

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it will launch a full independent review into how the attack was able to happen.

In response to the letter, it said in a statement that their thoughts remain with the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing and their families.

An MoJ spokesperson added: “The Government will do whatever it takes to keep our hardworking staff safe, and our thoughts remain with the two prison officers still in hospital as they recover.

“We’ve already taken immediate action to suspend access to kitchens in separation and close supervision centres.”