West Coast coach and AFLW trailblazer Daisy Pearce has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
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The £5 Amazon buy Alan Titchmarsh says is the ‘only thing that really works’ at stopping slugs attacking your plants
SLUGS are the bane of every gardener’s life.
But Britain’s favourite gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has one method that he swears by for combating the slimy slitherers.
Writing in County Life, the 76-year-old spoke about his lifelong battle with the garden pests – and his resistance to the idea that ‘slugs are our friend’.
The Gardening Club star says he favours copper rings that sit around the base of the plant.
The copper rings are more expensive as they can be reused multiple times – they typically retail for between £25 and £30.
However, those who are greenfingered on a budget can instead invest in copper tape – which works in the same fashion and is available for only £4.99 on Amazon for a 25-metre roll.
Titchmarsh said: “The only things that have worked for me are those rings of copper that resemble a vicar’s clerical collar and which can be pushed into the ground around individual plants to discourage the molluscs from coming any closer.
“They are reputed (if kept clean) to impart a kind of electric shock to any slug or snail attempting to scale their dizzying height of 1in.”
How does copper tape work?
The copper tape works by imparting an electrical charge that gives the slug a small static shock.
The tape can be trimmed to size and wound around the lips of lower pots and planners – creating an uncrossable barrier.
Other slug deterrent methods
The veteran presenter has tried a number of other methods for tackling the slug menace over the years – with limited results.
Titchmarsh says he long ago stopped using slug pellets, which cause the slugs to convulse but also pose a poisoning threat to hedgehods and birds.
The CBE has also tried various products that create a sharp or uncomfortable texture for the slugs to crawl over.
However, crushed eggshells, holly leaves, sharp grit, gravel and even sheep’s wool were all ‘at best, unreliable and more often than not totally ineffective’, according to Titchmarsh.
Coffee grounds are another foodstuff often touted as a slug repellent, but Titchmarsh says he doesn’t drink enough of it – plus he prefers that his garden doesn’t smell of Starbucks.
That leaves hand-picking them off plants by hand in the evening, a time-intensive procedure that also requires gloves if you want to avoid slimy hands.
Titchmarsh says he has had some sucess with pot feet, which only allow the more acrobatic slugs to gain access to your prized blooms.
Gardeners could be forgiven for feeling confused about how best to combat slugs given the array of techniques floated for dealing with this in recent years.
One gardening fan claimed that garlic helped to repel slugs and snails – even posting a recipe for a garlic spray.
Another intriguing possibility suggested as a natural pest deterrent is foxgloves, whose purple flowers contain toxic compounds such as digitalis glycosides, which can be very harmful for slugs.
Why having slugs in your garden is a good thing
Yes, they chomp your precious plants, but having slugs in your garden should be celebrated.
Rebecca Miller, Associate Editor for Fabulous, and novice gardener, believes we should work in harmony with slugs and not try to get rid of them altogether.
“We’ve been conditioned as a society to believe we must have gardens with straight edges, short lawns with pretty stripes and perfect borders with flowers constantly blooming.
But unruly hedgerows, abundance of tall wildflowers buzzing with insects, and bugs and slugs galore in flowerbeds is totally natural – and necessary.
I understand that your plants might be very precious to you, but we need slugs and snails. They provide food for all sorts of mammals, birds, slow worms, earthworms, insects – and they are part of the natural balance.
By removing them, we upset the ecosystem and can do a lot of harm – thrushes in particular thrive on them!
It is said British Gardeners use some 650 billion slug pellets per year! Please find a natural alternative – the poison from slug pellets enters the food chain and can kill hedgehogs, who consider slugs and snails as a tasty treat.
If you’re truly desperate, consider using Diatomaceous Earth – it is a naturally occurring compound approved for organic use, that can be used for pest control.
And while you’re at it, challenge yourself to grow “sacrificial plants”.
Sacrificial planting, commonly known as trap cropping, is the deliberate act of growing plants to attract pests. Pick a slugs favourite vegetable or ornamental plant for them to nibble on, and they will leave your more precious plants alone.”
Ireland AM stars Tommy and Muireann fight back tears in emotional interview with young mum who has incurable cancer
IRELAND AM stars Tommy Bowe and Muireann O’Connell fought back tears during an emotional interview with a young mum who has an incurable cancer diagnosis.
Hairdresser Leona Macken, 38, appeared on the hit chat show this morning to discuss her devastating diagnosis.
Leona was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer in June 2023 and underwent radical surgery followed by postoperative chemoradiotherapy.
Despite intensive treatment, recurrence of her cancer was diagnosed in March 2025 and has advanced to stage four.
Leona took legal action from what she said were failures in the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2016 and 2020.
Last Tuesday an apology was read to the High Court as the young mum, and her husband, Alan, settled a High Court action against the HSE.
Leona spoke about her several health checks in the years prior to her diagnosis.
She told viewers: “I went for my eligible one [smear test] in 2013, that was grand. I didn’t hear anything back.
“In 2016, I was due a smear again and I was like, ‘Right, we’ll do this before we start planning on having a baby’. Went and got that done, came back fine, got on with my life again.
“Then I had two babies in 2017 and 2019 and everything was fine. I went for another smear in 2020 and it was fine as well.
“As the years went on, I kind of started noticing a few little symptoms, nothing that I was too kind of worried about.
“I had two babies, I was thinking I was getting older, my body was changing. And I kind of started going with like little symptoms; pelvic pains and irregular periods, things like that.
“We started just doing tests here and there. Again, I wasn’t stressing it too much because I never ever thought [of] cancer at all. I thought, ‘I’d had all my smears’.”
Leona was experiencing symptoms about “a year and a half before” her smear test in 2020 and had an ultrasound done in January 2023 that “came back fine”.
She was then due to have another smear test in 2023 and it came back with “high grade abnormalities”.
Leona explained: “When I got that call that’s when I went, ‘Oh my God, it’s getting a lot more serious here’, and that’s when I was told that I need to go for a colposcopy.
‘THAT’S A LOT’
“And by this stage, I was looking at like the early cancer symptoms and I literally had every one of them. And that’s when I kind of realised, ‘Okay, this is cancer’. Like I kind of had it in my head before I was diagnosed almost.”
Leona had a colposcopy which confirmed she had cancer in June 2023 and just weeks later in July 2023, she had a hysterectomy.
Muireann sympathised with Leona saying: “I know you know you have cancer, but when you’re told you’re having a hysterectomy, that’s a lot.”
Leona replied: “It was a lot. I was like, ‘Just get this out of my body, let’s just get this done – whatever I have to do, I’ll do it’. And look, we were confident enough. They said I was like stage 1B2 and we’ll do the hysterectomy and it should be okay.
‘HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?’
“And then when I came out of the hysterectomy, they kind of said, ‘Look, we had to look at lymph nodes and stuff’, and then I found out after that there was lymph node involvement.
“So then I was up to like stage 3C1. That’s when they kind of started talking to me about chemotherapy and radiotherapy.”
Tommy asked: “And did you feel that they were listening to you at this stage?”
Leona responded: “I kind of felt like they were listening to me to a certain extent. But again, I was like thinking, ‘How did I how did this happen?’, I would ask, like, ‘How I how did I go from a perfect smear in 2020 to now?’.
PAINFUL JOURNEY
“A part of me was almost afraid to ask the hard questions as well in case I almost upset someone or offended. I had a lot of questions myself. That’s when I started looking into it when I was at home.”
When asked how she found out she had stage four cancer, Leona explained: “Just this year in January. I actually contacted them. So in 2024 I was in a lot of pain after he treatment first time around, they were saying like, ‘The radiotherapy has side effects’.
“At this stage, I was also menopause, I had a hysterectomy, I had chemo, there was a lot. It was hard to pinpoint what was causing what.
“It was really hard to kind of go, ‘Okay, this is what is causing this and this is what’. As much as it was hard to say, I was trying to articulate it as much as I could to each consultant that I went to.
“It was a bit of a mess. But again, I was trying my best to kind of say, ‘Who do I say this to?’. I was moving on pain killers, I was getting pain injections.
“And, I was thinking, ‘God, if I have to live with this, how am I going to manage it?’. Then in January, I just rang them and I was like, ‘Look, you have to see me. I’m just in too much pain’. And then it just all kind of kicked off again.
‘FLOORED ME’
“That was the appointment where I was kind of starting to get frustrated. I was like, ‘Look, I’ve been saying how much pain I’m in’.”
Leona detailed how she was told her cancer is “back and it’s stage four” during an appointment and when she asked if they can do treatment she was told they “possibly” could but it would be “just to keep it at bay”.
She added: “And that for me was the appointment that just floored me. I just felt like I tried to do everything to stay on top of it for so long. And I felt like I was chasing it for so long.”
Tommy said: “You done everything.”
Leona added: “I felt like I just let myself down. I didn’t win. And it was soul destroying. It was gut-wrenching. I think fell into the chair. I just wanted to get out of the appointment.
“We left and we just sat in the car and we just cried and cried and cried and cried. And then I had to go home and tell my parents.
‘SOUL DESTROYING’
“For me looking at my kids and just all I could see was what I was going to miss or what I wasn’t going to be there for.”
Tommy, who was tearing up, added: “And to have been going through that pain as well with them to see their mum in pain.”
Leona replied: “I mean, they’ve been absolutely amazing. But I can only protect them from so much.”
Muireann remarked: “I just I can’t imagine how angry I’d be. I’d want to shout it at the sky.”
Leona said: “I did have a lot of anger at the start. I think when I was first asking questions is when I had the most anger because I knew I’d done everything and I was so confident that I’d done everything.
‘SO SCARY’
“But I had to let go of it because it was just ruining now. And I just thought to myself, ‘All I have is now’, and all any of us have is now.
“I’m not the only family this is happening to. It is still happening. I’m not a lone wolf here and that’s the scary thing. These are abnormalities that are on slides that are very obvious that should be detected and early. And that’s that.
“Timing is everything with cancer. If I had been told this in 2016 or 2020, I would be living a completely different life today, that’s what’s hard to accept.”
Tommy said: “You said you’re not angry. It must… you’ve two young girls. It’s the fear.”
Leona replied: “It’s so scary. I mean, every single day I just look at them and I think how they’ll be without me. And like, I’m not giving up.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
There are no obvious symptoms during the early stages of cervical cancer.
However, vaginal bleeding can often be a tell-tale sign, especially if it occurs after sex, in between periods or after the menopause.
That said, abnormal bleeding is not a definite sign of the condition, just a possible indicator.
Nevertheless, it should be investigated by your GP as soon as possible.
Other warning signs include:
- pain and discomfort during sex
- unusual or unpleasant vaginal discharge
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
And if it spreads to other organs, the signs can include:
- pain in your lower back or pelvis
- severe pain in your side or back caused by your kidneys
- constipation
- peeing or pooing more than usual
- losing control of your bladder or bowels
- blood in your pee
- swelling in one or both legs
- severe vaginal bleeding
“I’ve looked into everything. I’m still looking into things and I’m not giving up.”
Leona’s husband Alan was also sat in the Virgin Media studio and both Muireann and Tommy got emotional as they addressed him an thanked Leona for her time.
Muireann said: “When you think you’ve got small problems and you see what you’re going through. Alan has been looking at you, your husband, the whole way.
“The love in his eyes, everything that you’re doing, you’re doing together. Obviously, it’s been so hard.
“You’ve got your family, you’ve got your girls. Regardless of how long it is, I know you’re going to keep on searching to stay as long as you can and you’re living your life.
“It can’t be easy doing this and we really appreciate it.”
Tommy added: “Thanks so much for coming on. To your little girls and of course Alan as well who’s here, thanks so much.”
Shoppers are racing to Dunelm for half price kettles & toaster that look exactly like posh brand but for £110 less
SHOPPERS are racing to Dunelm to snap up half-price toasters and kettles that are identical to a posh brand, for £110 cheaper.
The home stores’ Textured Ribbed Plastic Kettle is currently retailing at half price, with customers able to take it home for just £12.50.
It comes in four chic colours, including grey and navy, and has a removable water filter, for effortless cleaning.
Dunelm said: “Indulge in the perfect blend of style and functionality with our Textured Ribbed Plastic Kettle.
“Its unique ribbed design, available in a range of colourways, adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen.
“Boasting a generous 1.7L capacity, this kettle ensures you have ample hot water for your favourite beverages.”
Dunelm is also selling a matching Textured Ribbed Plastic 2-Slice Toaster with the grey design also currently half price at £12.50.
The handy gadget has adjustable browning controls and a slide out crumb tray.
It also has anti-bread jamming features, and a defrost function.
The penny pincher friendly products look incredibly similar to Delonghi’s 4 Slice Ballerina Toaster and Kettle.
However, with the toaster costing £73 and the kettle setting you back £62, the Dunelm buys are significantly cheaper.
If you purchased both Delonghi products, it would cost you £135.
However, picking up both the Dunelm buys will only cost you £25, a saving of £110.
Shoppers have flooded the Dunelm website to share their love for the appliances.
One person said: “I think this kettle is a fab product and a fab price.”
A second person said: “Great little kettle.
What are the biggest kitchen trends of 2025?
The kitchen is the heart of every home and this year it’s taking centre stage, Tracy Coleman, Product Director at High Street TV told Fabulous.
Hardworking appliances
Space-saving essentials are needed in every room of the house, and the kitchen is no exception, meaning appliances are often doing double (or triple) the job.
Expect to see air fryer ovens that roast, bake, and fry or blenders with attachments for everything from chopping to grinding.
Health and wellness
With people becoming more mindful of what they eat and how it impacts their well-being, kitchen appliances are stepping up to
meet the demand for healthier, more balanced lifestyles.
Air fryers remain hugely popular, along with blenders and juicers that retain nutrients.
Energy-bill conscious
Finally, with rising energy bills and an increased focus on sustainability, people are turning to appliances that help reduce power consumption and keep costs down.
More people are finding joy in cooking at home as a cost-effective
way to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals. Cooking at home doesn’t just save money—it’s also a fun way to bring the family together or experiment with new recipes.
With the right tools, such as multi-functional appliances and smart kitchen gadgets, creating meals at home becomes easier, faster, and more satisfying.
“Works well and looks stylish on the counter with the matching toaster.”
A third person said: “They match our kitchen perfectly and look really expressive!
“Both the kettle and toaster have been great to use, and we would definitely recommend them.
“In fact, our daughter has bought exactly the same ones.”
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