26 h. ago ‘It’s more than a pretty backdrop’: crime writer Ann Cleeves on the magic of Orkney in Scotland

With her latest book, the author moves detective Jimmy Perez from Shetland to Orkney, where she was inspired by the deep history, huge skies and warm peopleFifty years ago, I headed north for the first time. I’d dropped out of my university literature course – with the arrogance of youth, I thought I could read books anywhere. After a chance meeting in a Putney pub, I got a job as assistant cook in the Bird Observatory in Fair Isle. At that point, I didn’t even know where Fair Isle was. I came from Devon and hadn’t made it farther north than Durham. Scotland was unknown territory.Of course, Fair Isle is part of the Shetland group and lies halfway between Shetland mainland and Orkney. That summer, I fell in love with the Northern Isles, with the romance of the isolation, the bleak beauty and the stories. Over the summer, I worked in the observatory with Alison, an Orcadian lass, who was there for her college holidays. “When you’ve finished your contract,” she said with the easy hospi...

Events

4 d. ago Outlander star teases Brianna Fraser’s journey in 'bittersweet' season 8 

Exclusive: Reach Screen Time spoke to Sophie Skelton about the final season of Outlander

Politics

5 d. ago Emerging climbing star Balin Miller, 23, dies in fall from El Capitan

Miller fell rappelling on El Capitan’s Sea of DreamsAlaskan was famed for bold Denali solo ascentBalin Miller, a popular Alaskan climber, was killed on Wednesday while rappelling near the top of Sea of Dreams, an arduous route on the southeast face of El Capitan. His mother, Jeanine Girard-Moorman, confirmed the news in posts on social media.“It is with a heavy heart I have to tell you my incredible son Balin Miller died during a climbing accident today,” she wrote. “My heart is shattered in a million pieces.” Continue reading...

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7 d. ago A moment that changed me: I froze in a job interview – and it made me stop hiding my disability

I had always been hyper-independent, preferring to get the wrong bus than ask for help with my visual impairment. When I finally acknowledged it, I was overwhelmed by the love and support of friends and strangersIn the first week of summer 2019, I decided I wanted a job. I was 16, finally old enough to attend festivals and concerts with my friends; all I needed was the money. With no prior work experience, I scraped together a CV that didn’t even fill a page and sent it to every shop and cafe in my little village in Chelmsford, Essex. Miraculously, I was offered a job interview at the local fast food restaurant.I remember the nerves I felt on the way there. What would they ask me? Would they like me? In the end, I had nothing to worry about. The interview went well and the hiring manager seemed ready to hand me a contract. But, before I left, he asked me to try out serving a customer. “Just give her the items shown next to her order number on that screen,” he said, pointing to a mon...

Politics

9 d. ago Oasis pay heartfelt tribute to pal Ricky Hatton at London Wembley reunion gig

Ricky was a huge Manchester City fan and when fellow Blues played Live Forever Noel Gallagher was seen turning to look at the screen as the final bars of the Britpop hit played out

Politics

1 week ago Shock as rare lion that starred on Channel 4 show dies at one of UK’s biggest zoos

A RARE lion that starred on a popular Channel 4 show has died at one of the UK's biggest zoos. Iblis the Asiatic lion was found dead aged 18 at Chester Zoo. He was described as capturing "the hearts of millions with his regal, majestic presence" during the 15 years he spent living at the...

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2 w. ago Matt Goss, 56, reveals he's engaged to jewellery designer girlfriend Chantal Brown as he shares hopes he'll reconcile with estranged brother Luke

Single since his days as a heart-throb to millions of teenage girls in the 1980s, Matt Goss is finally getting married. The Bros pop singer has proposed to his girlfriend, the jewellery designer Chantal Brown.

Politics

2 w. ago Twickenham stage set for England to deliver fairytale finish and lasting legacy

An epic end is in sight for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with an 82,000 crowd ready to roar on the Red Roses, but Canada are not to be underestimatedFor years it has been a mirage shimmering on a distant horizon. A sold-out 82,000 record crowd for a standalone women’s rugby fixture, millions more watching on television, a nation entranced. Finally the vision will become reality this Saturday with just one big question left: can England also deliver the ultimate fairytale finish?It promises to be as much a psychological as a physical challenge, with hype levels about to be ramped up to 11. Appropriately given England’s forward strength, Battersea power station will host a fan zone for those without tickets. Asahi, the tournament’s beer sponsor, has linked up with more than 1,000 pubs across the UK to screen the final, as part of the collective drive to spread the women’s rugby gospel far and wide. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago Jay Slater's mum Debbie hits out at clueless TikTok detectives who tortured her

Mum of missing teen Jay Slater said social media detectives who made wild theories about her son made her heartbreak 'a million times worse' as she comes to terms with his tragic passing

Events

2 w. ago A summer of fashionable spoilers, from 'Devil Wears Prada 2' to 'American Love Story'

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “American Love Story” have yet to be released but social media users have had their fair share of spoilers from paparazzi photos and fan snapshots of the sets filming this Summer in New York

Politics

2 w. ago The summer love triangle that broke millions of hearts is getting its finale on the big screen

The summer love triangle that had millions of viewers swooning, and sobbing, isn’t over yet.

Politics

3 w. ago Robert Redford plays chess with George R R Martin in final TV appearance

Robert Redford made a surprise cameo in Dark Winds in his final on-screen appearance before his death.

Politics

3 w. ago ‘It isn’t just a teen romance’: why millennial women love The Summer I Turned Pretty

As coming-of-age drama nears its end, part of its appeal is nostalgia for the noughties shows viewers grew up withIt was billed as a show for teenagers, but you would be hard pressed to find a millennial woman who has not watched – and become mildly obsessed with – The Summer I Turned Pretty.The coming-of-age drama, based on Jenny Han’s novel trilogy of the same name, has quietly grown into a global phenomenon for Prime Video. The first two episodes of its third and final season drew 25 million viewers, triple the audience of its debut. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Viral infection that hits millions of people every year 'major heart attack trigger' experts discover

Heart attacks may not just be caused by high cholesterol, poor diet and stress-they could be triggered by a common viral infection, groundbreaking research has suggested.

Events

4 w. ago Are Brits falling out of love with the Costas? Half of holidaymakers actively avoided Spain this summer

Spain has long been the go-to destination among Brits for sun, sea and sangria - but it seems the UK's love affair with the European hotspot could be wearing off, according to a new study.

Politics

last month Millions of Britons face higher risk of heart failure due to dirty air, study suggests

Exclusive: stroke risk is 7% higher and heart failure risk increases by 27% in areas with worst level of pollution, research showsMillions of Britons face a higher risk of stroke or heart failure because of dirty air where they live.People living in areas of the UK with the worst levels of air pollution are 27% more likely to develop heart failure, compared with people in areas with the cleanest air, a study suggests. Continue reading...

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