56 m. ago ‘Too loud’, ‘too messy’, ‘too much’ why should women be expected to shrink and shut up?

As Lena Dunham’s new show reminds us, whether they’re at work or on a date, women are expected to tone it down if they want to get on. What if they refuse to play ball?‘I can be a bit much,” a friend said to me. A group of us were in a cafe discussing the first date she had scheduled for later that day, and she was worried about how she might come across. It wasn’t the first time I had heard a woman label herself as “too much”, “intense” or “a lot”. I expect even the most feminist of women have found themselves wondering, like the newly single Jessica (Megan Stalter) in Lena Dunham’s new Netflix show, Too Much, whether they would be better off if they just toned it down.Thanks to the lingering presence of “weirdly archaic feminine ideals”, says the author Amy Key, many women still believe that being “a contained, neat person” will make them more desirable on a date, or at work, or in social situations. “That is linked to the idea of the space that you occupy too,” she adds, whether ...

Politics

57 m. ago Love Island beauty reveals one day a week islanders all bed swap for strange reason

EXCLUSIVE: Love Island beauty Samantha Kenny has lifted the lid on what really goes on behind-the-scenes during the ITV villa's non-filming day - including takeaways and bed swapping

Politics

59 m. ago How east London suburb is STILL left with charred remains of homes three years after terrifying summer wildfire ripped through 19 houses

EXCLUSIVE: Sixteen houses were gutted and lives torn apart when an inferno ripped through Wennington, East London , on a breezy 41 degree day in July 2022. Locals fear it will happen again.

Events

60 m. ago Jessie J gives emotional cancer update after major op and shares what she misses most

Jessie J has shared an update on her cancer journey, after she underwent a major surgery last month – and revealed the thing she misses most since her diagnosis

Politics

99 m. ago Charli XCX reveals emotional moment during her wedding to 1975 drummer George Daniel

Charli XCX has shared with fans that her new husband George Daniel cried during their wedding ceremony as his emotions got the better of him when he saw the Brat star in her dress

Politics

1 hour ago Tom Kerridge reveals the European destination with the best food

The British chef, 51, who has a stellar TV cooking career and six restaurants says he can't sit still on a sun lounger and didn't have a proper overseas holiday until he was 25.

Politics

1 hour ago Moment riot police smash shield into man's face, knocking his teeth out during Epping migrant hotel clash after resident was charged with schoolgirl sex attack

Footage of the encounter shows the man in a grey vest square up to a police officer before he is hit with full force outside the Epping migrant hotel.

Events

1 hour ago Robbie Williams heartbreakingly reveals his beloved parents and in

The 51-year-old Take That icon's mum Janet was diagnosed with dementia last year, while dad Pete has Parkinson's and Ayda's mother Gwen is battling cancer .

Politics

2 h. ago I had a nagging feeling about Emmanuel Fernandez from day one and here's why his transfer to Rangers is going to work

Fernandez has the personality to handle the hard knock life at Rangers according to a man who had him on trial

Politics

2 h. ago Katie Price shares her motherly pride as she reveals son Harvey has finished college

The former glamour model, 47, took to Instagram on Saturday night to share her pride with a sweet photo of her and Harvey.

Politics

2 h. ago Leaked document shows boat slashing failed to stop migrants reaching UK

Coastguard log raises new concerns over safety and viability of flagship policy to intercept dinghies crossing ChannelNew concerns about the safety and viability of the flagship UK-French policy to intercept migrant dinghies at sea have emerged after a coastguard log leaked to the Guardian revealed a recent boat-slashing incident that failed to stop people reaching the UK.Despite the government’s pledge to stop overcrowded dinghies crossing the Channel, the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats this year has increased by about 50% compared with the same period last year, with more than 21,000 crossing so far in 2025. Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Love Island star exposes real things they do on their day off

Love Island stars do not have to film every day, instead they have time to themselves

Politics

3 h. ago 'I lost 112lbs by combining weight loss jabs with one exercise habit'

Brandon, 27, used to eat three takeaways a day and at his heaviest weighed more than 25 stone

Politics

3 h. ago EastEnders' Oscar drops new Max Branning bombshell as a huge secret is revealed

EastEnders newcomer Oscar Branning is set to learn a family secret in next week's episodes

Events

4 h. ago Coronation Street's Mick actor 'set for Hollywood' after soap exit as new job 'revealed'

Coronation Street's Joe Layton could be swapping the cobbles for Hollywood following his character Mick Michaelis' exit

Culture

4 h. ago Glamorous Bollywood couple lands in ICE detention after million dollar secret is revealed

A Texas man has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following allegations of his involvement in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.

Politics

4 h. ago Coronation Street Mick actor Joe Layton 'set for role in Hollywood film' after soap exit

Coronation Street star Joe Layton's next job has been 'revealed' after his exit as Mick Michaelis on the cobbles

Culture

4 h. ago EU commissioner shocked by dangers of some goods sold by Shein and Temu

Michael McGrath awaits results of secret shopper investigation amid crackdown on Chinese retail platformsThe EU justice commissioner has expressed shock at the toxicity and dangers of some goods being sold by Shein and Temu, amid a crackdown on the popular Chinese retail platforms.With 12m low-value parcels each day coming into the EU from online retailers outside the bloc, Michael McGrath has vowed to crack down on the sale of goods that blatantly break the law. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago 20 family nature holidays in the UK – from kayaking to stargazing and whale watching

Fun and educational outdoor activities in the wild that will coax kids off their screens this summerThere’s no escaping sea and sky on Tiree, as the Inner Hebridean island is only 12 miles long and 3 miles wide. Shallow seas provide rich feeding grounds for marine life, and it is one of the UK’s best spots for whale watching. Tiree Sea Tours – a member of the WiSe national training scheme for minimising disturbance to marine wildlife – offers half-day and full-day sea-faris (from £75). Visitors can also try to spot basking sharks circling the island in the plankton-rich waters at viewing spots in Hynish Bay or Caoles, or from the deck of the CalMac ferry over to nearby Coll. Sunset Pods’ two cabins (from £700 a week, one week minimum stay in July-August) sleep four and offer views over Balevullin beach, a Dark Sky discovery site and home to Blackhouse Watersports. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Prince George's future destiny 'laid bare by William and Kate Middleton on landmark day'

Prince George’s life has been set out before him from the moment he was born, knowing that all roads in his future lead to him becoming King. Thankfully, he has already been shown the ropes by his parents as he becomes a more focal part of the royal family

Politics