38 h. ago ‘There is a moment of clarity that life would be better without alcohol’: what we can learn from addiction memoirs

After losing her father to alcohol addiction, author Sophie Calon turned to writing – and found clarity, connection and hope in other stories of relapse and recoveryOn the night of Boxing Day 2021, my dad’s body was found near a Cardiff hostel. His death, at 55, was as sudden as it was not. For years, alcoholism had been changing the shape of his heart.He died less than a mile from his old office; top law firm, equity partner. Four miles from our once tight-knit home in a leafy neighbourhood. He had lost both his family and his job in 2019. Raised in Barry, working class, he had been proud of the beautiful life he had built for us. Others thought he “had it all”. He was widely adored, but drinking made him volatile. He was homeless and often behind bars in his final two years. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Firefighters form guard of honour at funeral service of Andy Leyland

He died aged 51 on Boxing Day

Events

6 d. ago Cops probe online abuse after MP visits Scots mosque following 'meat cleaver incident'

Labour MP Melanie Ward faced racist and threatening online comments after visiting Kirkcaldy Islamic Centre following a Boxing Day disturbance.

Events

6 d. ago Mum and two children's cause of death confirmed after Boxing Day house fire

The family were asleep when the fire tore through the cottage

Events

6 d. ago Wife and two children of police officer killed in Boxing Day blaze died from 'exposure' to fire, inquest told

Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, and her children Eve, seven, and four-year-old Ohner were killed when the fire destroyed their home in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire.

Events

6 d. ago Children killed in Boxing Day fire alongside mum identified by DNA as inquests open

Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, known as Nu, and her children, Eve, seven, and four-year-old Ohner, were all killed in a house fire in Brimscombe, near Stroud, Gloucestershire on Boxing Day

Events

6 d. ago Final moments of mum and kids killed in Boxing Day fire as dad 'tried to save family'

Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, known as Nu, and her children, Eve, seven, and four-year-old Ohner, were all killed in a house fire in Brimscombe, near Stroud, Gloucestershire on Boxing Day

Events

9 d. ago Toby Carvery sad moment sparks wave of heartwarming gestures

A 93-year-old widow shared how a sad moment in a Toby Carvery restaurant in Hale Village, Cheshire, on Boxing Day led to a sweet outpouring of kindness from strangers

Events

9 d. ago Book of condolence opened after Boxing Day death of firefighter as first picture released

Andy Leyland was 51

Events

9 d. ago Two 'idiot' brothers who left girl, 17, critically injured in Sandbanks crash as they raced each other in cars they were gifted by their parents avoid jail

Harrison Taylor, 19, raced around the millionaire's playground in a Mercedes A200 closely followed by 21-year-old brother Henry in a BMW 135i on Boxing Day, 2023.

Events

1 week ago Two brothers who left girl, 17, critically injured in crash while racing each other in BMW and Mercedes cars they were gifted by their parents avoid jail

Harrison Taylor, 19, raced around the millionaire's playground in a Mercedes A200 closely followed by 21-year-old brother Harry in a BMW 135i on Boxing Day, 2023.

Events

1 week ago Six money tips to help people struggling with debt or repayments this month

Money Wellness recorded a 29 per cent increase in people contacting them for help with managing debts between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Economics

1 week ago Rightmove reveals 10 most viewed homes including £2.5million 8

Property websites typically see heavy traffic on Boxing Day, which is said to be down to people having time to think over big life decisions - including where they live - over the Christmas period

Economics

1 week ago Online property searches hit new record on Boxing Day with London and South East movers most active

New buyer and seller activity on Boxing Day in 2025 was busiest in the South East, East of England and London, the website said

Events

1 week ago Record number of home hunters browsed Rightmove on Boxing Day

Each year on Boxing Day, a surprising number of Britons decide to start the cogs whirring on moving house.

Politics

1 week ago Rightmove records busiest ever Boxing Day as home hunters prepare for 2026 moves

New buyer and seller activity on Boxing Day in 2025 was busiest in the South East, East of England and London, the website said.

Politics

1 week ago Pierce Brosnan reveals he spent hours having prosthetics applied each day for his dramatic transformation into boxing trainer Brendan Ingle for biopic Giant

The actor, 72, appeared on The One Show on Tuesday to promote the film alongside Amir El-Masry, who plays Prince Naseem.

Events

1 week ago Coroner warns action is needed after 2023 Boxing Day Tube death

Coroner warns action is needed after 2023 Boxing Day Tube death  BBC

Events

1 week ago Man run over by four different trains at tube station in horror Boxing Day incident

Brian Mitchell, 72, died at Stratford station on Boxing Day 2023 after four trains ran over him, prompting a coroner to issue an official safety warning about automated Underground lines

Events

1 week ago Teenage girl, 15, is placed in coma after falling from her pony in 'freak accident' during Boxing Day children's ride

Maisy Mansbridge, 15, was taking part in a children's race at the New Forest Point to Point event in Hampshire on December 26 when her pony, named Shazzie, stumbled and fell.

Sport