thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Inside KFC's secret ingredients, heated rivalries & mysterious way gravy is made

We ca n't get enough of KFC in this country , but do we actually know what happens in the stores ?
With over 960 restaurants across the British isles and counting , along with 28,000 staff , KFC is one of biggest fast food chains in UK .
This year has been the most challenging time in the company 's history amid the global coronavirus pandemic , adapting to the new normals and constantly changing regulations .
As seen in tonight 's Channel 4 documentary Inside KFC at Christmas , it also led to a strange and very unfortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major change to be made .
Staff are under pressure to outsell their rivals and deliver customers exactly what they want - but they are also competing against one another .
Gravy has also been pushed to the front of the agenda , which had led to fears it will run out and extreme plans being put in place .
Here is a look at what happens behind-the-scenes at KFC .
How do they make that gravy ?
It 's the most iconic dish on the KFC menu , and over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 million tubs to customers .
Gravy is the most popular side and is made daily at each restaurant , which means it can change in consistency and flavour from branch to branch But how do they make it taste so good ?
It might surprise or even disgust customers to know that one of the main components is leftovers from the bottom of the chicken friers .
Anne Walker is in charge of gravy production in the Buckshaw , Lancashire branch , which sells twice the amount of gravy of the average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bathtubs .
The gravy is made by using 3.5 liters of water and two scoops of the KFC chicken crackling , which is made up of the leftover juices and pieces of chicken scraps from the frier .
This is then combined with stock full of magical ingredients , which even the staff are n't allowed to know , before being whisked so it 's smooth .
It 's then placed in the microwave so that it comes out boiling hot and poured into the classic little pots .
`` I 'm a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat it yourself , how would you expect someone else to eat it , '' says Anne .
They are just as passionate down the road in Chorley , where assistant manager Adam Mala has a special way to test the consistency .
`` Our gravy is mad with love , desire , determination and pure focus on getting it right , '' claims Adam .
`` People might say it 's only gravy , no it 's not just gravy we need it to be the best it can and the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who prefers a pot of gravy to a cup of tea in the morning .
tests the thickness with a chip , stating that it should slowly fall down into the pot .
Operations Manager Lynsey Galley reveals there is a lot of rivalry between the stores over gravy production .
`` You want to beat your neighbours , you want to be quicker than them , have better chicken , sell better gravy , '' she says .
`` Everyone thinks their store makes the best gravy .
It 's the thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This Christmas they are bracing for a tidal wave in sales due to a new burger ( more on that below ) , with one worker making a staggering 200 litres per day by herself .
In 2018 , KFC had chicken shortage , a supply chain issue with an old distribution partner led to stores running out of chicken , so they were forced to temporarily close over half their restaurants .
`` It was a very unfortunate incident and it was n't a good position to be in , especially in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Planner Duncan Kuku .
`` The feeling of letting the nation down and the nation definitely let us know their feelings . ''
It led to anger from loyal customers online and , bizarrely , members of the public calling 999 to report the closures .
Duncan 's job is to make sure stores wo n't run out of gravy , so they have a contingency plan in place .
Stores are worried they wo n't be able to make enough crackling , so KFC are prepared to send out 2.5 million tubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to people 's hearts up and down the country so it would be horrible to run out of gravy , '' says Duncan .
`` I 've had many sleepless nights .
I go to bed thinking of gravy and wake up thinking of gravy .
It 's just gravy , gravy , gravy . ''
The KFC in Chorley , Lancashire is flagged by head office as being at high risk of running out when gravy burger launches .
People come to the branch to order gravy as a drink , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no customer goes without and even run through worst case scenarios .
Cris Manolache , the manager at Chorley , says : `` Here if you do n't have the gravy you are better off shutting down than staying open .
It 's better to run out of chicken than gravy .
The people will have the gravy without the chicken . ''
To boost sales and bring in new customers , the innovation team are constantly looking at ways to expand the menu .
They have weekly tasting sessions where new products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ira Dubinksy , Director of Innovation , says : `` We probably say no to many , many more ideas than we say yes to and that ultimately make their way onto the menu . ''
With Christmas being one of their most important sales period , they want to make this one a celebration of one of KFC 's most iconic products - gravy .
Their new festive burger has been designed to be filled with gravy , which is held in a hash brown well .
It 's the brain child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been developing the dish for two years .
It 's nothing like anything they have done before and bosses think they have struck gold .
Excited Dawn says : `` When you get a product send-off it can be quite emotional because you 've been working on it for such a long time .
It 's been my little baby for two years and I 'm finally setting it free which is nice . ''
The gravy burger , which is a whopping 1,200 calories as part of a box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas campaign .
In preparation for shooting the ad campaign , they cook up 30 chicken fillets and select the best one to get on camera .
KFC staff throughout country get to try new burger before the public and are trained on how it 's made , while Dawn visits stores across launch week to make sure it 's being executed properly .
Obviously KFC is forced to compete with other big chains such as McDonalds and Burger King .
But what customers might not realise is that individual restaurants are battling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stores are ranked on performance , sales and customer satisfaction - and the best team will win a Christmas bonus if they finish top of the leaderboard .
In the north west , a store in Chorley , Lancashire are fighting against their close rivals , Buckshaw , who are just 1.5 miles down the road .
Chorley manager Cris Manolache , who has worked in fats food for two decades , takes pride in his restaurant consistently being number one for Drive-Thru speed in the North West .
But they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas competition when two members of staff test positive for Covid , while another three are forced to self-isolate .
`` That 's five full timers off , that 's 200 hours of labour we 've lost in a day .
Obviously it 's difficult , the speed has taken a bit of a knock , '' says Assistant Manager Adam Mala .
He decides they need to take the focus off speed and make the main priority being safe and looking after staff .
Giving a rousing speech to his team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be safe .
We are pretty much like a second family here , we 're all so close to each other .
`` We all want the best for the company but at the end of the day I want our staff to be safe so that 's what we 'll focus on . ''
One of the most competitive aspects of the business is Drive-Thru speed .
Hordes of customers were queuing up in droves when KFC re-opened for business earlier this year , putting a lot of pressure on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of serving Drive-Thru customers within 120 seconds at peak time .
The clock starts the moment the customer makes the order - and the number of seconds they have been waiting is streamed live to the team .
Chorley are 30 seconds faster than the average store and are consistently the quickest in the North West , beating rivals Barrow by one second .
However , the speed comes at a cost , as not every customer is getting what they ordered and they need to reduce the number of complaints .
Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KFC was forced to close earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
When they re-opened , staff were given the choice of wearing a face mask or a futuristic new visor which can be attached to their caps and worn at all times .
Operations Manager Lynsey Galley , who has worked for KFC for 15 years , admitted getting the stores back open was the most stressful thing she has even done .
`` The worst case scenario now is we 'd have to close again .
All the times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance between keeping the people safe but also protecting jobs , '' she says .
It 's been a mission for some restaurants to pull customers back in and letting them know they are back open .
Caroline Coates and husband Simon , who own three stores , opened their newest addition next to Gatwick airport in 2019 .
They expected it to be the jewel in their crown and one of the busiest Drive-Thrus in the country , but they lost all momentum when the pandemic hit .
With flights cancelled and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive financial pressure as dining went down by 200 % on the year before .
Caroline `` felt sick '' when she was told they do n't expect there to be any flights out until July next year , but has no other choice but to keep going .
Nicknamed 'Chicken Mummy ' , Caroline has tried inventive new ways to pull customers in as she ca n't rely on advertising alone .
Getting creative to get punters ' attention , team members Mario Artifice and Dylan Scott dress up in inflatable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ever the optimist , Caroline is hopeful they will have queues around the block soon , but for the time being remains focused on keeping the business afloat and staff employed .
`` I think when this year ends it will be with a sigh of relief and we 'll just be grateful that we got through it , '' admits Caroline .
`` It 's taught me not to worry about things I ca n't change . ''
The pandemic also produced a problem that few would have seen coming .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 163 complaints about a KFC TV advert which featured people licking their fingers .
The complainants considered the advert was irresponsible because they thought it encouraged behaviour that might increase the chances of Covid-19 spreading , so the commercial was withdrawn by KFC .
`` 'It 's finger lickin ' good ' becomes the most unfortunate strap line ever , '' admits Managing Director Paula Mackenzie , who is head of KFC in the UK and Ireland .
Finding themselves in the unique situation of having a slogan than does n't fit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obscure the phrase .
They then began the hunt for a new line , with KFC ’ s biggest superfans put to the test and challenged to come up with ideas for a temporary slogan as the fast food giants put their iconic one on pause .
'It ’ s my type on paper good ' was suggested by Love Island star Olivia Attwood , while Chris Hughes had the idea of 'It 's lip smackin ' good ' .
However , when it came to the Colonel ’ s Vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green and his entry 'It ’ s crackin ’ , even in the wrappin ’ good ' .
A spokesperson for KFC said the original `` It ’ s Finger Lickin ’ Good '' will be back when the time is right .
As 2020 draws to a close , KFC are taking their first steps into fashion .
They are introducing a line of retro wear , street wear and Christmas jumpers .
During a photoshoot for the clothing range , the models are snapped holding and eating the food while looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` They are properly knitted Christmas jumpers that have all the best developments you 'd expect but also things like KFC buckets and drumsticks on them and some slogans where Christmas meets KFC .
Festive and chicken . ''
Some of the tag lines include the cheeky 'Merry Clucking Christmas ' and 'It 's All Gravy Baby ' .
photoshoots of fashion and eating food , holding buckets .
throwing popcorn chicken into mouht .
`` I like to think we are a brand with a bit more swagger than some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd like to think this is something only KFC can do , '' adds Amy .
In a bid to become the UK 's number one fast food chain , KFC want to have 1,000 stores across the British isles by the end of 2021 .
The company opens 30 to 40 new stores each year , with a board meeting each month to sound out potential new openings .
95 % of KFC stores are owned by franchisees - with the largest franchise owners having 145 restaurants and the smallest with just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open a Leicester Square store , despite a large number of risks .
It 's a good time to get a new central London location but with less footfall than normal , bosses are worried about the incredibly high rent .
Elsewhere , KFC opens its newest store just before Christmas in Peterlee , County Durham , putting them at 966 across the UK and Ireland .
With many people losing their jobs amid the pandemic , manager Katie Lewis gets a staggering 500 job applications to work in her new restaurant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Channel 4 at 9pm

Channel 4 documentary Inside KFC at Christmas explores how the fast food chain has dealt with the coronavirus pandemic, special drive-thru targets and fears over a gravy shortage
We can't get enough of KFC in this country, but do we actually know what happens in the stores?
With over 960 restaurants across the British isles and counting, along with 28,000 staff, KFC is one of biggest fast food chains in UK.
This year has been the most challenging time in the company's history amid the global coronavirus pandemic, adapting to the new normals and constantly changing regulations.
As seen in tonight's Channel 4 documentary Inside KFC at Christmas, it also led to a strange and very unfortunate issue with its famous slogan, forcing a major change to be made.
Staff are under pressure to outsell their rivals and deliver customers exactly what they want - but they are also competing against one another.
Gravy has also been pushed to the front of the agenda, which had led to fears it will run out and extreme plans being put in place.
Here is a look at what happens behind-the-scenes at KFC.
How do they make that gravy?
It's the most iconic dish on the KFC menu, and over the festive period they estimate to sell around 1 million tubs to customers.
Gravy is the most popular side and is made daily at each restaurant, which means it can change in consistency and flavour from branch to branch
But how do they make it taste so good?
It might surprise or even disgust customers to know that one of the main components is leftovers from the bottom of the chicken friers.
Anne Walker is in charge of gravy production in the Buckshaw, Lancashire branch, which sells twice the amount of gravy of the average KFC store and enough to fill nine bathtubs.
Image: TikTok) TikTok)
The gravy is made by using 3.5 liters of water and two scoops of the KFC chicken crackling, which is made up of the leftover juices and pieces of chicken scraps from the frier.
This is then combined with stock full of magical ingredients, which even the staff aren't allowed to know, before being whisked so it's smooth.
It's then placed in the microwave so that it comes out boiling hot and poured into the classic little pots.
"I'm a great believer in if you wouldn't eat it yourself, how would you expect someone else to eat it," says Anne.
They are just as passionate down the road in Chorley, where assistant manager Adam Mala has a special way to test the consistency.
Image: TikTok) TikTok)
"Our gravy is mad with love, desire, determination and pure focus on getting it right," claims Adam.
"People might say it's only gravy, no it's not just gravy we need it to be the best it can and the best in the country."
Adam, who prefers a pot of gravy to a cup of tea in the morning. tests the thickness with a chip, stating that it should slowly fall down into the pot.
Operations Manager Lynsey Galley reveals there is a lot of rivalry between the stores over gravy production.
"You want to beat your neighbours, you want to be quicker than them, have better chicken, sell better gravy," she says.
"Everyone thinks their store makes the best gravy. It's the thing you hang your hat on."
This Christmas they are bracing for a tidal wave in sales due to a new burger (more on that below), with one worker making a staggering 200 litres per day by herself.
Gravy shortage fears
Image: KFC) KFC)
In 2018, KFC had chicken shortage, a supply chain issue with an old distribution partner led to stores running out of chicken, so they were forced to temporarily close over half their restaurants.
"It was a very unfortunate incident and it wasn't a good position to be in, especially in suppl chain," says Supply Chain Planner Duncan Kuku.
"The feeling of letting the nation down and the nation definitely let us know their feelings."
It led to anger from loyal customers online and, bizarrely, members of the public calling 999 to report the closures.
Duncan's job is to make sure stores won't run out of gravy, so they have a contingency plan in place.
Stores are worried they won't be able to make enough crackling, so KFC are prepared to send out 2.5 million tubs if demand spikes.
"Gravy is close to people's hearts up and down the country so it would be horrible to run out of gravy," says Duncan.
"I've had many sleepless nights. I go to bed thinking of gravy and wake up thinking of gravy. It's just gravy, gravy, gravy."
The KFC in Chorley, Lancashire is flagged by head office as being at high risk of running out when gravy burger launches.
People come to the branch to order gravy as a drink, so they are determined to make sure no customer goes without and even run through worst case scenarios.
Cris Manolache, the manager at Chorley, says: "Here if you don't have the gravy you are better off shutting down than staying open. It's better to run out of chicken than gravy. The people will have the gravy without the chicken."
Revolutionary new burger
To boost sales and bring in new customers, the innovation team are constantly looking at ways to expand the menu.
They have weekly tasting sessions where new products are pitched to heads of departments.
Ira Dubinksy, Director of Innovation, says: "We probably say no to many, many more ideas than we say yes to and that ultimately make their way onto the menu."
With Christmas being one of their most important sales period, they want to make this one a celebration of one of KFC's most iconic products - gravy.
Their new festive burger has been designed to be filled with gravy, which is held in a hash brown well.
It's the brain child of Dawn Hextall on new product development, who has been developing the dish for two years.
It's nothing like anything they have done before and bosses think they have struck gold.
Excited Dawn says: "When you get a product send-off it can be quite emotional because you've been working on it for such a long time. It's been my little baby for two years and I'm finally setting it free which is nice."
The gravy burger, which is a whopping 1,200 calories as part of a box meal, becomes the star of the Christmas campaign.
In preparation for shooting the ad campaign, they cook up 30 chicken fillets and select the best one to get on camera.
KFC staff throughout country get to try new burger before the public and are trained on how it's made, while Dawn visits stores across launch week to make sure it's being executed properly.
Heated rivalries
Image: Channel 4) Channel 4)
Obviously KFC is forced to compete with other big chains such as McDonalds and Burger King.
But what customers might not realise is that individual restaurants are battling against each other to be the best.
Stores are ranked on performance, sales and customer satisfaction - and the best team will win a Christmas bonus if they finish top of the leaderboard.
In the north west, a store in Chorley, Lancashire are fighting against their close rivals, Buckshaw, who are just 1.5 miles down the road.
Chorley manager Cris Manolache, who has worked in fats food for two decades, takes pride in his restaurant consistently being number one for Drive-Thru speed in the North West.
Image: Channel 4) Channel 4)
But they are forced to scrap plans of winning the Christmas competition when two members of staff test positive for Covid, while another three are forced to self-isolate.
"That's five full timers off, that's 200 hours of labour we've lost in a day. Obviously it's difficult, the speed has taken a bit of a knock," says Assistant Manager Adam Mala.
He decides they need to take the focus off speed and make the main priority being safe and looking after staff.
Giving a rousing speech to his team, Adam says: "I want everyone to be safe. We are pretty much like a second family here, we're all so close to each other.
"We all want the best for the company but at the end of the day I want our staff to be safe so that's what we'll focus on."
Drive-thru targets
Image: PA) PA)
One of the most competitive aspects of the business is Drive-Thru speed.
Hordes of customers were queuing up in droves when KFC re-opened for business earlier this year, putting a lot of pressure on the staff.
KFC has a nationwide target of serving Drive-Thru customers within 120 seconds at peak time.
The clock starts the moment the customer makes the order - and the number of seconds they have been waiting is streamed live to the team.
Chorley are 30 seconds faster than the average store and are consistently the quickest in the North West, beating rivals Barrow by one second.
However, the speed comes at a cost, as not every customer is getting what they ordered and they need to reduce the number of complaints.
Coronavirus chaos
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
Like many restaurants and fats food chains, KFC was forced to close earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
When they re-opened, staff were given the choice of wearing a face mask or a futuristic new visor which can be attached to their caps and worn at all times.
Operations Manager Lynsey Galley, who has worked for KFC for 15 years, admitted getting the stores back open was the most stressful thing she has even done.
"The worst case scenario now is we'd have to close again. All the times we've had to reopen its this balance between keeping the people safe but also protecting jobs," she says.
It's been a mission for some restaurants to pull customers back in and letting them know they are back open.
Caroline Coates and husband Simon, who own three stores, opened their newest addition next to Gatwick airport in 2019.
They expected it to be the jewel in their crown and one of the busiest Drive-Thrus in the country, but they lost all momentum when the pandemic hit.
Image: Channel 4) Channel 4)
With flights cancelled and the South terminal closed, there was a massive financial pressure as dining went down by 200% on the year before.
Caroline "felt sick" when she was told they don't expect there to be any flights out until July next year, but has no other choice but to keep going.
Nicknamed 'Chicken Mummy', Caroline has tried inventive new ways to pull customers in as she can't rely on advertising alone.
Getting creative to get punters' attention, team members Mario Artifice and Dylan Scott dress up in inflatable chicken costumers and wave flags outside.
Ever the optimist, Caroline is hopeful they will have queues around the block soon, but for the time being remains focused on keeping the business afloat and staff employed.
"I think when this year ends it will be with a sigh of relief and we'll just be grateful that we got through it," admits Caroline. "It's taught me not to worry about things I can't change."
Slogan nightmare
Image: PA) PA)
The pandemic also produced a problem that few would have seen coming.
In March, the Advertising Standards Authority received 163 complaints about a KFC TV advert which featured people licking their fingers.
The complainants considered the advert was irresponsible because they thought it encouraged behaviour that might increase the chances of Covid-19 spreading, so the commercial was withdrawn by KFC.
"'It's finger lickin' good' becomes the most unfortunate strap line ever," admits Managing Director Paula Mackenzie, who is head of KFC in the UK and Ireland.
Finding themselves in the unique situation of having a slogan than doesn't fit the current environment, KFC altered their packaging to obscure the phrase.
They then began the hunt for a new line, with KFC’s biggest superfans put to the test and challenged to come up with ideas for a temporary slogan as the fast food giants put their iconic one on pause.
'It’s my type on paper good' was suggested by Love Island star Olivia Attwood, while Chris Hughes had the idea of 'It's lip smackin' good'.
However, when it came to the Colonel’s Vote, it had to be awarded to Professor Green and his entry 'It’s crackin’, even in the wrappin’ good'.
A spokesperson for KFC said the original "It’s Finger Lickin’ Good" will be back when the time is right.
Fashion empire
Image: Channel 4) Channel 4)
As 2020 draws to a close, KFC are taking their first steps into fashion.
They are introducing a line of retro wear, street wear and Christmas jumpers.
During a photoshoot for the clothing range, the models are snapped holding and eating the food while looking stylish.
Brand Manager Amy Binns explains: "They are properly knitted Christmas jumpers that have all the best developments you'd expect but also things like KFC buckets and drumsticks on them and some slogans where Christmas meets KFC. Festive and chicken."
Some of the tag lines include the cheeky 'Merry Clucking Christmas' and 'It's All Gravy Baby'.
photoshoots of fashion and eating food, holding buckets. throwing popcorn chicken into mouht.
"I like to think we are a brand with a bit more swagger than some of our competitors in this space. I'd like to think this is something only KFC can do," adds Amy.
National domination
Image: Channel 4) Channel 4)
In a bid to become the UK's number one fast food chain, KFC want to have 1,000 stores across the British isles by the end of 2021.
The company opens 30 to 40 new stores each year, with a board meeting each month to sound out potential new openings.
95% of KFC stores are owned by franchisees - with the largest franchise owners having 145 restaurants and the smallest with just three.
One franchisee wants to boldly open a Leicester Square store, despite a large number of risks.
It's a good time to get a new central London location but with less footfall than normal, bosses are worried about the incredibly high rent.
Elsewhere, KFC opens its newest store just before Christmas in Peterlee, County Durham, putting them at 966 across the UK and Ireland.
With many people losing their jobs amid the pandemic, manager Katie Lewis gets a staggering 500 job applications to work in her new restaurant.
*Inside KFC at Christmas airs tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Vigilante mum hunts down 10 of her daughter's killers in real-life Taken story

A vigilante mum stalked down her daughter 's killers using fake IDs and disguises .
Miriam Rodriguez relentlessly tracked down those responsible for the kidnap and murder of her 20-year-old daughter Karen in a story reminiscent of the hit Hollywood film Taken .
After taking matters into her own hands , the brave mum was instrumental in taking down 10 criminals from the notorious Mexican drugs cartel Los Zetas , one of the most dangerous in the country .
In the three years following Karen 's death , Miriam captured nearly every living member of the crew that had abducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where even the official authorities are too scared to bring justice against cartel individuals .
Her vigilante quest eventually cost Miriam her life as she was murdered in San Fernando , Mexico , after gunmen broke into her home .
Following her death , Tamaulipas governor Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca said on Twitter that the state government “ will not allow the death of Miriam Rodríguez to be one statistic more ” , The Guardian reported .
To aid her crusade to bring her daughter 's killers to justice , she cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself before playing various roles including a health worker and election official to get their names and addresses .
Miriam invented excuses to meet their families to tease details from them and build her investigation .
She captured one of those involved in the crime who was selling flowers on the street .
`` The florist '' was flogging roses to make ends meet and Miriam managed to track him down .
He recognised her and ran but Miriam , 56 at the time , was able to tackle him to the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , threatening to kill him if he moved .
Miriam has become a hero in her hometown for taking on the cartel and she has a bronze plaque honouring her in the central square .
She had told her other daughter Azalea that she would not rest until she had found the people who had taken Karen .
In the first of the Taken film series , starring Liam Neeson , the main character plays a former CIA agent whose daughter is kidnapped in France .
Neeson 's character travels to Europe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnappers .

Miriam Rodriguez relentlessly tracked down those responsible for the kidnap and murder of her 20-year-old daughter Karen in a story reminiscent of the hit Hollywood film Taken
Vigilante mum hunts down 10 of her daughter's killers in real-life Taken story
A vigilante mum stalked down her daughter's killers using fake IDs and disguises.
Miriam Rodriguez relentlessly tracked down those responsible for the kidnap and murder of her 20-year-old daughter Karen in a story reminiscent of the hit Hollywood film Taken.
After taking matters into her own hands, the brave mum was instrumental in taking down 10 criminals from the notorious Mexican drugs cartel Los Zetas, one of the most dangerous in the country.
In the three years following Karen's death, Miriam captured nearly every living member of the crew that had abducted her daughter for ransom in an area where even the official authorities are too scared to bring justice against cartel individuals.
Her vigilante quest eventually cost Miriam her life as she was murdered in San Fernando, Mexico, after gunmen broke into her home.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
Following her death, Tamaulipas governor Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca said on Twitter that the state government “will not allow the death of Miriam Rodríguez to be one statistic more”, The Guardian reported.
To aid her crusade to bring her daughter's killers to justice, she cut her hair, dyed it and disguised herself before playing various roles including a health worker and election official to get their names and addresses.
Miriam invented excuses to meet their families to tease details from them and build her investigation.
She captured one of those involved in the crime who was selling flowers on the street.
"The florist" was flogging roses to make ends meet and Miriam managed to track him down. He recognised her and ran but Miriam, 56 at the time, was able to tackle him to the floor and held a gun to his throat, threatening to kill him if he moved.
Miriam has become a hero in her hometown for taking on the cartel and she has a bronze plaque honouring her in the central square.
She had told her other daughter Azalea that she would not rest until she had found the people who had taken Karen.
In the first of the Taken film series, starring Liam Neeson, the main character plays a former CIA agent whose daughter is kidnapped in France.
Neeson's character travels to Europe to hunt down and kill his daughter's kidnappers.


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Mum mortified as 'cheeky' son swears at audience repeatedly during nativity play

A mum has shared a hilarious memory from last Christmas and it 's bound to give you a much-needed laugh today .
Back when the world was a safer place and school nativity plays were still allowed to go ahead , Mary-Anne Campbell 's five-year-old son , George Sznober , took part in one , taking on the role of an angel .
However , the youngster proved to be anything but angelic as he ended up flashing the audience the finger - not just once , but twice .
The 27-year-old carer from Market Drayton , Shropshire has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George can be seen innocently putting up two fingers while singing a song about shepherds .
Things get even worse when he then switches to just having his middle finger up .
His mortified mum claims he 'd seen her use the gesture as a joke to her dad , Jason Cambel , while out driving .
`` It 's a fun family joke that when I pass my dad in the car I flash my headlights and I flip the bird , '' she said .
`` When we 're driving in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's grandad ' and all the fingers go up in the car .
I 've no idea how it started , it 's been going on for years and years , the children just copy and join in .
It sounds awful but that 's just how it 's gone .
`` He knows not to do it to anybody else , it was just one of those moments , I do n't think anybody else saw him . ''
Mary-Anne was relieved that none of the teachers seemed to notice what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was singing a song about two little shepherds then it went down to one little shepherd .
He put two fingers up , which was to do with the song .
`` Then when he got to one little shepherd he first used his index finger then slyly stuck his finger up on stage at me , he knew exactly what he was doing .
`` He did that , not once but twice , after he saw us laughing .
I just remember thinking 'oh my god ' .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singing and laughing .
I did n't bring it up afterwards because I did n't want him to start doing it again . ''
The mum continued : `` George is a bit of a comedian if he thinks something 's funny he 'll carry on .
`` When my friends and family saw the video they were all laughing , it was all taken in good fun .
`` We 'll have to wait until next year to see if there 's a repeat performance . ''
Do you have a story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all about it .
Email us at yourmirror @ mirror.co.uk

Mary-Anne Campbell was left red-faced after watching her son's school nativity play last year, when her not so angelic son swore at the audience twice
A mum has shared a hilarious memory from last Christmas and it's bound to give you a much-needed laugh today.
Back when the world was a safer place and school nativity plays were still allowed to go ahead, Mary-Anne Campbell's five-year-old son, George Sznober, took part in one, taking on the role of an angel.
However, the youngster proved to be anything but angelic as he ended up flashing the audience the finger - not just once, but twice.
The 27-year-old carer from Market Drayton, Shropshire has a clip from the play, in which George can be seen innocently putting up two fingers while singing a song about shepherds.
Image: Kennedy News and Media) Kennedy News and Media)
Things get even worse when he then switches to just having his middle finger up.
His mortified mum claims he'd seen her use the gesture as a joke to her dad, Jason Cambel, while out driving.
"It's a fun family joke that when I pass my dad in the car I flash my headlights and I flip the bird," she said.
"When we're driving in the car I'll go 'oh there's grandad' and all the fingers go up in the car. I've no idea how it started, it's been going on for years and years, the children just copy and join in. It sounds awful but that's just how it's gone.
"He knows not to do it to anybody else, it was just one of those moments, I don't think anybody else saw him."
Image: Kennedy News and Media) Kennedy News and Media)
Image: Kennedy News and Media) Kennedy News and Media)
Mary-Anne was relieved that none of the teachers seemed to notice what was going on.
She said: "He was singing a song about two little shepherds then it went down to one little shepherd. He put two fingers up, which was to do with the song.
"Then when he got to one little shepherd he first used his index finger then slyly stuck his finger up on stage at me, he knew exactly what he was doing.
"He did that, not once but twice, after he saw us laughing. I just remember thinking 'oh my god'.
"When he stopped doing it he carried on singing and laughing. I didn't bring it up afterwards because I didn't want him to start doing it again."
The mum continued: "George is a bit of a comedian if he thinks something's funny he'll carry on.
"When my friends and family saw the video they were all laughing, it was all taken in good fun.
"We'll have to wait until next year to see if there's a repeat performance."
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--PS5 in stock - PlayStation 5 updates from Argos, Amazon, Currys and more

When the PlayStation 5 finally went on sale last month , gamers flocked online and in store to get their hands on one .
The result is that if you 've been slow off the mark , it 's now almost impossible to find somewhere where they 're still in stock .
But all is not quite lost , with retailers doing all they can to get hold of more consoles in time for Christmas .
If you 're one of the people still looking for a PS5 , there ’ s good news , as rumours suggest several retailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account PS5 Stock Info UK said shops including GAME UK and Amazon would be getting new stock this week - but it 's not materialised so far .
It said : “ UPDATED Summary Of All Restocking DATES For Some UK Stores .
Game UK on the 14th of December , Amazon UK On the 14th of December.
” It ’ s important to point out these are currently rumours , and the restock dates are yet to be confirmed by either Game UK or Amazon .
Other shops have warned that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time soon .
Argos confirmed it wo n't have any more PlayStation 5 consoles until 2021 .
A notice on its website reads : “ Sorry , PlayStation 5 is currently unavailable .
We will not have any further stock for the rest of 2020.
” Currys PC World has also sold out of consoles , but is `` working tirelessly to secure more stock '' .
Sony boss Jim Ryan has also said `` absolutely everything is sold '' .
Speaking to TASS News Agency , he said : “ Everything is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve spent much of the last year trying to be sure that we can generate enough demand for the product .
And now in terms of my executive bandwidth I ’ m spending a lot more time on trying to increase supply to meet that demand.
” For those still trying to get their hands on a PS % before Christmas , this is what we know as of today .
• None Amazon - Nothing now , but rumoured restock this week • None GAME - Out of stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but no date as yet • None Currys - Expecting more stock before end of the year • None Very - more stock expected 'soon' • None Argos - out of stock , and not expecting any before January • None John Lewis - sold out , with no word on restock • None eBay - Some consoles available , but you can expect to pay £600 or more for them • None Tesco - no word yet on when the retailer is expecting to restock

Take a look at the brand new PlayStation 5
Take a look at the brand new PlayStation 5
The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel
Where you might still be able to get your hands on a PlayStation 5 in time for Christmas, and where you definitely won't as shops outline what they're doing to get the must-have console back on their shelves
PS5 in stock - PlayStation 5 updates from Argos, Amazon, Currys and more
When the PlayStation 5 finally went on sale last month, gamers flocked online and in store to get their hands on one.
The result is that if you've been slow off the mark, it's now almost impossible to find somewhere where they're still in stock.
But all is not quite lost, with retailers doing all they can to get hold of more consoles in time for Christmas.
If you're one of the people still looking for a PS5, there’s good news, as rumours suggest several retailers could be restocking this week.
Twitter account PS5 Stock Info UK said shops including GAME UK and Amazon would be getting new stock this week - but it's not materialised so far.
It said: “UPDATED Summary Of All Restocking DATES For Some UK Stores. Game UK on the 14th of December, Amazon UK On the 14th of December.”
It’s important to point out these are currently rumours, and the restock dates are yet to be confirmed by either Game UK or Amazon.
Other shops have warned that they won’t be getting restocks any time soon.
Argos confirmed it won't have any more PlayStation 5 consoles until 2021.
A notice on its website reads: “Sorry, PlayStation 5 is currently unavailable. We will not have any further stock for the rest of 2020.”
Currys PC World has also sold out of consoles, but is "working tirelessly to secure more stock".
Image: Sony/PA) Sony/PA)
Sony boss Jim Ryan has also said "absolutely everything is sold".
Speaking to TASS News Agency, he said: “Everything is sold. Absolutely everything is sold.
“I’ve spent much of the last year trying to be sure that we can generate enough demand for the product. And now in terms of my executive bandwidth I’m spending a lot more time on trying to increase supply to meet that demand.”
For those still trying to get their hands on a PS% before Christmas, this is what we know as of today.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
PlayStation 5 stock availability
Amazon - Nothing now, but rumoured restock this week
GAME - Out of stock currently, with rumours of a restock but no date as yet
Currys - Expecting more stock before end of the year
Very - more stock expected 'soon'


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Premier League points comparison table highlights Arsenal's decline under Arteta

It ’ s a pretty bleak period for Arsenal right now with manager Mikel Arteta facing intense pressure from fans after his side suffered a painful 1-0 home defeat to Burnley on Sunday , therein equalling their worst top-flight run at home since December 1959 .
Whilst it is still relatively early days in this Premier League campaign , the Gunners have won only one of their previous eight league matches and as a result , find themselves down in 15th in the table , already ten points off the top four places .
Their early-season woes are enhanced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are enjoying a standout start to their campaign and currently find themselves joint-top of the Premier League table alongside Liverpool .
They ’ ll take on Jurgen Klopp ’ s men at Anfield on Wednesday night knowing that a victory would almost certainly legitimise their early-season tag as Premier League title contenders .
It ’ s been a remarkable turnaround for Spurs who looked a dejected outfit prior to the arrival of José Mourinho a little over 12 months ago .
The impact he has had , particularly on their start to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is captured in the below .
Tottenham have picked up 11 more points this season than what they had at the same stage of the last campaign .
Rivals Arsenal , on the other hand , are four points worse off than what they were at this stage last season .
Southampton are another side who have greatly improved their points return this season , accumulating 15 more than what they had at this stage last year .
There have also been impressive boosts for each of West Ham , Everton , Aston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gunnar Solskjaer is another manager under immense pressure at Old Trafford , particularly as a result of his side ’ s exit from the Champions League last week .
However , there are signs of progression for his United team who have accumulated seven more points than what they had at this stage of last season .
Most likely as a result injuries to key players , Liverpool haven ’ t been able to replicate their scintillating form from last season and are already nine points worse off this year .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Manchester City and Frank Lampard ’ s Chelsea which perhaps indicates the impact this season ’ s congested schedule is having on the top sides .
But no team has a bigger negative points differential than Sheffield United so far with the Blades currently an eye-watering 16 points worse off so far this season .
It ’ ll likely seem but a distant memory for Chris Wilder ’ s men , but the Premier League 's current bottom-ranked side were actually as high as 5th at this stage last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those sides struggling this year after their decision to stick with manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has seen them go from a precarious 19th in the table to inside the top four in a matter of 12 months .
Man City ’ s unremarkable start sees them down into 9th from 2nd last season , whilst the Gunners ’ place in 15th looks that bit more painful for fans when considering that they were 6th at this stage of last season , and actually sat 8th at the time of Unai Emery ’ s dismissal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s neighbours Tottenham though who are the clear early season winners .
Their extra 11 points this season means that they ’ ve gone from being 13th after 12 matches last season to impressive early leaders this season .

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (David Alexander Hughes)

The Gunners are enduring their worst top-flight run at home for 60 years, while their rivals Tottenham have made a storming start
It’s a pretty bleak period for Arsenal right now with manager Mikel Arteta facing intense pressure from fans after his side suffered a painful 1-0 home defeat to Burnley on Sunday, therein equalling their worst top-flight run at home since December 1959.
Whilst it is still relatively early days in this Premier League campaign, the Gunners have won only one of their previous eight league matches and as a result, find themselves down in 15th in the table, already ten points off the top four places.
Their early-season woes are enhanced by the fact that North London rivals Tottenham are enjoying a standout start to their campaign and currently find themselves joint-top of the Premier League table alongside Liverpool.
They’ll take on Jurgen Klopp’s men at Anfield on Wednesday night knowing that a victory would almost certainly legitimise their early-season tag as Premier League title contenders.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Spurs who looked a dejected outfit prior to the arrival of José Mourinho a little over 12 months ago. The impact he has had, particularly on their start to this season when compared to the last, is captured in the below.
Tottenham have picked up 11 more points this season than what they had at the same stage of the last campaign. Rivals Arsenal, on the other hand, are four points worse off than what they were at this stage last season.
Southampton are another side who have greatly improved their points return this season, accumulating 15 more than what they had at this stage last year. There have also been impressive boosts for each of West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa and even Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is another manager under immense pressure at Old Trafford, particularly as a result of his side’s exit from the Champions League last week. However, there are signs of progression for his United team who have accumulated seven more points than what they had at this stage of last season.
Image: Pool via REUTERS) Pool via REUTERS) Image: PA) PA)
Most likely as a result injuries to key players, Liverpool haven’t been able to replicate their scintillating form from last season and are already nine points worse off this year. It’s a similar story for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Frank Lampard’s Chelsea which perhaps indicates the impact this season’s congested schedule is having on the top sides.
But no team has a bigger negative points differential than Sheffield United so far with the Blades currently an eye-watering 16 points worse off so far this season.
It’ll likely seem but a distant memory for Chris Wilder’s men, but the Premier League's current bottom-ranked side were actually as high as 5th at this stage last year.
Southampton will act as the inspiration for those sides struggling this year after their decision to stick with manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has seen them go from a precarious 19th in the table to inside the top four in a matter of 12 months.
Man City’s unremarkable start sees them down into 9th from 2nd last season, whilst the Gunners’ place in 15th looks that bit more painful for fans when considering that they were 6th at this stage of last season, and actually sat 8th at the time of Unai Emery’s dismissal at the end of November.
It’s neighbours Tottenham though who are the clear early season winners. Their extra 11 points this season means that they’ve gone from being 13th after 12 matches last season to impressive early leaders this season.


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Mourinho 'smuggled out of training ground in car boot' after Chelsea sacking

Jose Mourinho was smuggled out of Chelsea 's training ground through a car boot after being sacked for the second time .
The now-Tottenham boss was given the reins for a second time at Stamford Bridge in 2013 and helped win a fourth Premier League title for the club in 2015 .
But just months after that , he had been sacked after a shocking run of nine defeats in 16 matches .
Chelsea were hovering above the relegation zone in 16th amid a backdrop of player and coach fallouts .
Club chief Michael Emenalo revealed that 'palpable discord ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 17 , 2015 .
However , to escape the paparazzi , the Portuguese coach was bundled into the boot of Silvino Louro 's SUV .
According to The Athletic , a decoy car was also used to ward off the photographers - which worked to a tee .
Pictures emerged the next day of a man who was believed to be Mourinho with a hoodie over his face .
But it turns out that this was not The Special One , but actually Chelsea 's player liaison officer Kevin Campello .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an hour before some noticed that not all is right .
This gave Mourinho ample time to hide in Louro 's boot and escape through London , in a plan that was conjured up after his dismissal .
The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager was called in to a meeting with Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum shortly after the club staff had just had their Christmas lunch in the canteen .
The meeting lasted just 10 minutes where Mourinho was sacked but The Athletic report the conversation was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coach to find work again , though , and he was in charge at Manchester United for the next season .
At the Red Devils , he won the Europa League and the League Cup before being dismissed again in his third campaign in charge .
He now leads Tottenham , who are in fine form at the moment and find themselves top of the Premier League .
His last league title came at Chelsea five years ago - the longest spell in his career without landing such a trophy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ here

Chelsea have hired Jose Mourinho twice and sacked him two times as well with the second occurrence going ahead in strange circumstances just months after winning the Premier League
Jose Mourinho 'smuggled out of training ground in car boot' after Chelsea sacking
Jose Mourinho was smuggled out of Chelsea's training ground through a car boot after being sacked for the second time.
The now-Tottenham boss was given the reins for a second time at Stamford Bridge in 2013 and helped win a fourth Premier League title for the club in 2015.
But just months after that, he had been sacked after a shocking run of nine defeats in 16 matches.
Chelsea were hovering above the relegation zone in 16th amid a backdrop of player and coach fallouts.
Club chief Michael Emenalo revealed that 'palpable discord' was the reason behind Mourinho's dismissal on December 17, 2015.
However, to escape the paparazzi, the Portuguese coach was bundled into the boot of Silvino Louro's SUV.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, a decoy car was also used to ward off the photographers - which worked to a tee.
Pictures emerged the next day of a man who was believed to be Mourinho with a hoodie over his face.
But it turns out that this was not The Special One, but actually Chelsea's player liaison officer Kevin Campello.
The car was followed for about half an hour before some noticed that not all is right.
This gave Mourinho ample time to hide in Louro's boot and escape through London, in a plan that was conjured up after his dismissal.
The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager was called in to a meeting with Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum shortly after the club staff had just had their Christmas lunch in the canteen.
The meeting lasted just 10 minutes where Mourinho was sacked but The Athletic report the conversation was civil.
It did not take long for the coach to find work again, though, and he was in charge at Manchester United for the next season.
At the Red Devils, he won the Europa League and the League Cup before being dismissed again in his third campaign in charge.
He now leads Tottenham, who are in fine form at the moment and find themselves top of the Premier League.
His last league title came at Chelsea five years ago - the longest spell in his career without landing such a trophy.
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thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Jurgen Klopp provides Joel Matip injury update ahead of Liverpool vs Tottenham

Jurgen Klopp is still unsure as to whether or not Joel Matip will be fit for Liverpool 's huge game against Tottenham on Wednesday .
The two sides are level on points at the top of the table , with Spurs ahead of the Reds in first place by virtue of having a better goal difference .
The clash at Anfield could , therefore , end up being a hugely significant one come the end of the season .
But Liverpool still have problems at the back , and with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for the foreseeable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matip had to be replaced during half-time in their 1-1 draw with Fulham at the weekend .
And when asked whether the German centre-back would be able to return to the fold against Spurs , Klopp was non-committal in his response .
`` I don ’ t know yet , '' he said .
`` Only two days ago we played , he left the pitch with a back spam .
`` The physios worked pretty much 24 hours on him , so we will see .
Today we have another session and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was good news regarding midfielder Naby Keita , however , with Klopp saying he could return to the squad .
`` Naby maybe , '' he added .
`` Naby was yesterday involved in the extended warming up , I would say .
`` There is another session today and we will have to see how he reacts and then we will have to make a decision about that .
`` With the others , no .
No-one else . ''
Klopp appeared well aware of the threat Spurs could pose , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League since the first day of the season .
`` If we keep Harry Kane and Son Heung-min quiet , they have a lot of others , '' Klopp continued .
`` They are a proper team with threats .
Steven Bergwijn is important to counters .
Tanguy Ndombele needed a bit longer but now 100 % there .
`` Giovani Lo Celso , Moussa Sissoko , Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg , a proper unit in midfield .
It works well . ''

The Reds defender had to be substituted at half-time during the 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday after suffering with a back problem
Jurgen Klopp is still unsure as to whether or not Joel Matip will be fit for Liverpool's huge game against Tottenham on Wednesday.
The two sides are level on points at the top of the table, with Spurs ahead of the Reds in first place by virtue of having a better goal difference.
The clash at Anfield could, therefore, end up being a hugely significant one come the end of the season.
But Liverpool still have problems at the back, and with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for the foreseeable future their worries were added to when Matip had to be replaced during half-time in their 1-1 draw with Fulham at the weekend.
Image: Mike Hewitt/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) Mike Hewitt/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
And when asked whether the German centre-back would be able to return to the fold against Spurs, Klopp was non-committal in his response.
"I don’t know yet," he said. "Only two days ago we played, he left the pitch with a back spam.
"The physios worked pretty much 24 hours on him, so we will see. Today we have another session and then we will see."
There was good news regarding midfielder Naby Keita, however, with Klopp saying he could return to the squad.
"Naby maybe," he added. "Naby was yesterday involved in the extended warming up, I would say.
"There is another session today and we will have to see how he reacts and then we will have to make a decision about that.
"With the others, no. No-one else."
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
Klopp appeared well aware of the threat Spurs could pose, with Jose Mourinho's side unbeaten in the Premier League since the first day of the season.
"If we keep Harry Kane and Son Heung-min quiet, they have a lot of others," Klopp continued.
"They are a proper team with threats. Steven Bergwijn is important to counters. Tanguy Ndombele needed a bit longer but now 100% there.
"Giovani Lo Celso, Moussa Sissoko, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, a proper unit in midfield. It works well."


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Woman given 5% survival rate after falling ill on dream holiday finally home

A personal trainer who nearly died from pneumonia on a trip to Vietnam has finally returned home - 15 months after setting off and a year in a Scottish hospital .
Mekala Osborne was given a five per cent chance of survival after she fell ill with bronchial pneumonia in the Southeast Asian country last September .
The 23-year-old spent more than 100 days in an induced coma and was moved to a specialist hospital in Singapore - before being transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in November 2019 .
Mekala underwent eight months of gruelling recovery at Astley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordeal as ' a blessing ' , saying she 'loved every moment ' of rehab .
But she was delighted to be reunited with her family in time for Christmas yesterday and was welcomed home by around 150 friends and neighbours .
Emotional Mekala , from Wallyford , East Lothian , became tearful when she saw her family home decorated with hundreds of yellow bows , contributed by well-wishers .
Mekala , who is using crutches to help her walk , told STV news : “ I ’ ve loved every second of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder because I wasn ’ t that well but rehab was amazing .
“ To see myself go from strength to strength and learn everything that I did learn .
“ I learned so much about myself as well that I never would have known if this didn ’ t happen .
She only began breathing unaided in March and took her first steps in July .
Describing the effort put into her welcome home party , she said : “ It was definitely a moment I ’ ll remember .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I saw when I was looking round .
`` It was amazing , an incredible feeling .
“ To be walking back through the doors and have my family just here and all my friends , everybody who supported me , it ’ s unreal . ''
Proud mum Yvonne said : “ I saw her go in those doors in an ambulance , still fighting for her life , and she walked out of there on crutches with the biggest smile .
“ As soon as she got in the car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angela said : “ Mekala ’ s story touched everybody ’ s heart - a young girl who was just going away on holiday and had this attack .
“ It took me four days to put the bows onto each net .
“ We tied each bow onto the nets individually , then went on top of the house ’ s car port with a ladder and tied the nets to the gutter with cable ties .
“ When we saw Mekala ’ s face , it was so worth it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just magical .
To see the family together again , it was lovely .
“ And she wasn ’ t expecting to see the house covered in yellow ribbons .
There wasn ’ t a dry eye in the house . ''

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Paul Rodger, Isla Aitken, Kelly-Ann Mills)

Personal trainer Mekala Osborne was delighted to be reunited with her family in time for Christmas yesterday after months of gruelling rehabilitation, 15 months after setting off
A personal trainer who nearly died from pneumonia on a trip to Vietnam has finally returned home - 15 months after setting off and a year in a Scottish hospital.
Mekala Osborne was given a five per cent chance of survival after she fell ill with bronchial pneumonia in the Southeast Asian country last September.
The 23-year-old spent more than 100 days in an induced coma and was moved to a specialist hospital in Singapore - before being transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in November 2019.
Mekala underwent eight months of gruelling recovery at Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh and described her ordeal as 'a blessing', saying she 'loved every moment' of rehab.
But she was delighted to be reunited with her family in time for Christmas yesterday and was welcomed home by around 150 friends and neighbours.
Image: Mekala Osbourne/Facebook) Mekala Osbourne/Facebook)
Emotional Mekala, from Wallyford, East Lothian, became tearful when she saw her family home decorated with hundreds of yellow bows, contributed by well-wishers.
Mekala, who is using crutches to help her walk, told STV news: “I’ve loved every second of being in rehab.
“ICU was harder because I wasn’t that well but rehab was amazing.
“To see myself go from strength to strength and learn everything that I did learn.
“I learned so much about myself as well that I never would have known if this didn’t happen.
“It’s been a blessing.”
Image: Jimmy McAulay /SWNS.COM) Jimmy McAulay /SWNS.COM) Image: Daily Record) Daily Record)
She only began breathing unaided in March and took her first steps in July.
Describing the effort put into her welcome home party, she said: “It was definitely a moment I’ll remember.
“I’ll remember everybody’s face that I saw when I was looking round.
"It was amazing, an incredible feeling.
“To be walking back through the doors and have my family just here and all my friends, everybody who supported me, it’s unreal."
Proud mum Yvonne said: “I saw her go in those doors in an ambulance, still fighting for her life, and she walked out of there on crutches with the biggest smile.
“As soon as she got in the car, that was it, cuddles.”
Family friend Angela Thompson, 52, organised the homecoming on social media.
Image: Jimmy McAulay /SWNS.COM) Jimmy McAulay /SWNS.COM)
Image: Jimmy McAulay /SWNS.COM) Jimmy McAulay /SWNS.COM)
Angela said: “Mekala’s story touched everybody’s heart - a young girl who was just going away on holiday and had this attack.
“It took me four days to put the bows onto each net.
“We tied each bow onto the nets individually, then went on top of the house’s car port with a ladder and tied the nets to the gutter with cable ties.
“When we saw Mekala’s face, it was so worth it. She was actually speechless.
“It was just magical. To see the family together again, it was lovely.
“And she wasn’t expecting to see the house covered in yellow ribbons. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house."


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--CCTV video shows moment England star Grealish crashes £90k Range Rover

CCTV footage capturing the shocking moment that Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish mounted the kerb and crashed his £90,000 Range Rover was shown in court on Tuesday .
The 25-year-old England international was handed a nine-month driving ban and hit with a £82,000 fine at Birmingham Magistrates ' Court after he pleaded guilty to two offences .
Grealish smashed into three parked vehicles in Solihull on March 29 , and landed himself in trouble again on October 18 after travelling at speeds of up to 98mph on a 70mph limit motorway on the M42 .
He smelt of alcohol and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his feet after the crash in March , it is claimed .
His barrister today blamed the crash on the “ inappropriate footwear ” the player was wearing .
He said Grealish had been trying to move his car before 9am to stop it getting clamped .
At the time of the crash he was flouting government rules to stay indoors during the first wave of coronavirus .
The midfielder had spent the night at the flat of former teammate Ross McCormack in Dickens Heath , Solihull .
A security guard who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grealish get into his Range Rover outside the luxury block before crashing .
He said the £130,000-a-week player was wearing a blue hooded top , light shorts and odd slippers - one black and one white .
Birmingham magistrate ’ s court heard Grealish reversed “ at speed ” across the road and hit a parked Citroen van .
He then drove along the road before reversing for a second time while “ swerving left and right ” before hitting a Mercedes .
The security guard said Grealish finally mounted the kerb and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his Range Rover .
In a statement he said he recognised the driver as a “ professional footballer who he had seen on the television ” .
Prosecutor Tinofara Nyatanga told a court hearing last month that the witness could smell “ intoxicating liquor ” on Grealish ’ s breath .
She added : “ He also said his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.
” Birmingham-born Grealish , of Barnt Green , Worcs , admitted driving without due care and attention .
The footballer also admitted careless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was clocked at 98mph on the M42 and tailgated other drivers before being pulled over outside Villa ’ s training ground .
Grealish already had six points on his licence after being caught speeding on a motorway in 2018 .
He was banned today under the “ totting up ” procedure .
Grealish had been ordered to attend court in person after missing a previous hearing due to training commitments .
Wearing a black mask , cream overcoat and black suit , he arrived at the city centre court shortly before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off his mask before giving the court his name , date of birth and home address .
During the hearing , which was attended by his dad Kevin , CCTV and police footage of the two incidents was shown in court .
The police footage showed him speeding on the M42 in the same Range Rover and tailgating other drivers .
He told the court : “ It was stupid for him to get into the vehicle with that footwear on .
It was inappropriate footwear for driving .
“ What happened after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make things right but made them worse .
“ The reason he was in his vehicle is he did not want it to be clamped.
” He added : “ Mr Grealish acknowledges his driving was very poor .
He is deeply ashamed of that .
“ He is genuinely sorry , not just because reputationally this is problematic for him .
“ He is genuinely sorry and has reflected on how he was driving .
He is deeply sorry and deeply ashamed to be here , in his home court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before and is a man of good character .
His net weekly income is £55,000-a-week.
” Asked why Grealish was not observing the national lockdown at the time of the first incident , Mr Dye said : “ I can ’ t assist you in relation to that.
” District Judge John Bristow handed him a driving ban and fined him a total of £82,499 - to be paid within seven days - for both offences .
He told Grealish : “ The standard of your driving fell below what would be expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The judge said the fact he was flouting the national lockdown at the time of the first incident was an “ aggravating factor ” .
He said : “ You should have been at home .
You should not have been driving.
” Grealish , who joined Villa when he was six , was tipped with a move to Manchester United in the summer .
But he stayed with his local club and recently forced his way into the England set-up .
He was given the man-of-the-match award for his performance for the @ @ @ @ @

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The Aston Villa captain was banned from driving for nine months and handed a £82,000 fine after appearing at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday
CCTV footage capturing the shocking moment that Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish mounted the kerb and crashed his £90,000 Range Rover was shown in court on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old England international was handed a nine-month driving ban and hit with a £82,000 fine at Birmingham Magistrates' Court after he pleaded guilty to two offences.
Grealish smashed into three parked vehicles in Solihull on March 29, and landed himself in trouble again on October 18 after travelling at speeds of up to 98mph on a 70mph limit motorway on the M42.
He smelt of alcohol and was slurring his words and unsteady on his feet after the crash in March, it is claimed.
Image: @WMPolice/Twitter) @WMPolice/Twitter) Image: @WMPolice/Twitter) @WMPolice/Twitter)
His barrister today blamed the crash on the “inappropriate footwear” the player was wearing.
He said Grealish had been trying to move his car before 9am to stop it getting clamped.
At the time of the crash he was flouting government rules to stay indoors during the first wave of coronavirus.
The midfielder had spent the night at the flat of former teammate Ross McCormack in Dickens Heath, Solihull.
A security guard who had just arrived to start his shift saw Grealish get into his Range Rover outside the luxury block before crashing.
He said the £130,000-a-week player was wearing a blue hooded top, light shorts and odd slippers - one black and one white.
Image: Twitter) Twitter)
Birmingham magistrate’s court heard Grealish reversed “at speed” across the road and hit a parked Citroen van.
He then drove along the road before reversing for a second time while “swerving left and right” before hitting a Mercedes.
The security guard said Grealish finally mounted the kerb and drove into a wall, causing damage to his Range Rover.
In a statement he said he recognised the driver as a “professional footballer who he had seen on the television”.
Prosecutor Tinofara Nyatanga told a court hearing last month that the witness could smell “intoxicating liquor” on Grealish’s breath.
Image: @WMPolice/Twitter) @WMPolice/Twitter)
She added: “He also said his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.”
Birmingham-born Grealish, of Barnt Green, Worcs, admitted driving without due care and attention.
The footballer also admitted careless driving following a separate incident in October.
He was clocked at 98mph on the M42 and tailgated other drivers before being pulled over outside Villa’s training ground.
Grealish already had six points on his licence after being caught speeding on a motorway in 2018.
He was banned today under the “totting up” procedure.
Grealish had been ordered to attend court in person after missing a previous hearing due to training commitments.
Wearing a black mask, cream overcoat and black suit, he arrived at the city centre court shortly before 9.30am.
He was told to take off his mask before giving the court his name, date of birth and home address.
During the hearing, which was attended by his dad Kevin, CCTV and police footage of the two incidents was shown in court.
The police footage showed him speeding on the M42 in the same Range Rover and tailgating other drivers.
John Dye, defending, blamed the crash on Grealish’s mismatching slippers.
He told the court: “It was stupid for him to get into the vehicle with that footwear on. It was inappropriate footwear for driving.
Image: @WMPolice/Twitter) @WMPolice/Twitter)
“What happened after that was blind panic. He tried to make things right but made them worse.
“The reason he was in his vehicle is he did not want it to be clamped.”
He added: “Mr Grealish acknowledges his driving was very poor. He is deeply ashamed of that.
“He is genuinely sorry, not just because reputationally this is problematic for him.
“He is genuinely sorry and has reflected on how he was driving. He is deeply sorry and deeply ashamed to be here, in his home court.
Image: Birmingham Mail /Darren Quinton) Birmingham Mail /Darren Quinton)
“He has never been in court before and is a man of good character. His net weekly income is £55,000-a-week.”
Asked why Grealish was not observing the national lockdown at the time of the first incident, Mr Dye said: “I can’t assist you in relation to that.”
District Judge John Bristow handed him a driving ban and fined him a total of £82,499 - to be paid within seven days - for both offences.
He told Grealish: “The standard of your driving fell below what would be expected of a careful and competent driver.”
The judge said the fact he was flouting the national lockdown at the time of the first incident was an “aggravating factor”.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
He said: “You should have been at home. You should not have been driving.”
Grealish, who joined Villa when he was six, was tipped with a move to Manchester United in the summer.
But he stayed with his local club and recently forced his way into the England set-up.
He was given the man-of-the-match award for his performance for the Three Lions against Iceland.


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Soap stars and their famous offspring - Dani Dyer to Jake Roche and Noah Jupe

For generations , young British actors have got their start by plugging away on a soap .
But the next generation of stars are leaving the cobbles of Coronation Street and the streets of the East End to mum and dad , and doing fame their own way .
This Christmas , Phoebe Dynevor - whose mum Sally is Corrie 's Sally Webster - will star in the jewel of Netflix 's festive programming , the costume drama Bridgerton .
Sally can share her stories of being a 'stage mom ' with former co-star Katy Cavanagh , who played Julie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was recently revealed as the mum of Noah Jupe , the 15-year-old who played Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant 's son in HBO 's addictive psychological thriller The Undoing .
Then of course there are those who may not share the acting bug with their famous parents , but do share the famous last name .
EastEnders star Danny Dyer 's daughter Dani Dyer found a huge following on Love Island , going on to win her season .
Here we profile the soap offspring who have joined their parents in the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will share the Christmas programming with daughter Phoebe .
The 25-year-old stars in new Netflix period drama Bridgerton , an eight-parter starting on December 25 .
Meanwhile Sally , 57 , will also be on screen on Christmas Day in an hour-long Coronation Street special , playing her long running character Sally Webster .
And she is thrilled to be sharing the limelight with her girl , who started out with low-profile roles in the likes of Waterloo Road and , more recently , the US series Younger .
Speaking to the Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said : `` I just want to say I ’ m very proud of Phoebe and as a family , we are so excited to see Bridgerton on Christmas Day . ''
Teen actor Noah Jupe received a $ 600,000 payday for his breakout role as the son of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in The Undoing .
The teenage son of Corrie legend Katy Cavanagh was just 13 when he signed on to make the HBO show , which was a runaway hit when it aired last month .
Now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed , showing that British star Noah was paid $ 100,000 , around £87,000 , to play Henry in each of the six gripping episodes of the psychological thriller .
While the link between the actor and his soap star mother has just emerged , Noah has quietly been making a name for himself .
He has also appeared in the ever-popular Downton Abbey , horror flick The Quiet Place and hit BBC series The Night Manager .
EastEnders star Danny Dyer may be only 43 , but he is the proud dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dani , who is about to make Danny a grandpa with the January arrival of her first child , charmed audiences when she starred on the 2018 season of Love Island .
The 24-year-old launched a career as an influencer out of the reality television roles , which also include Survival of the Fittest .
She now works alongside her dad presenting MTV series True Love Or True Lives and the two co-host a podcast .
While he shares his EastEnders star dad 's cheeky charm , rocker Jake Roche does n't like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charts with his band Rixton 's hit Me And My Broken Heart in 2014 , he has now reformed the group after a four-year hiatus under the name Push Baby .
Jake gets his star power from both sides of the family tree - his mum is Loose Women panelist Coleen Nolan , herself a former popstar who sang with her sisters in Irish family girl group The Nolans .
Prior to his singing career , Jake , 28 , did take a small role in Emmerdale in 2010 , but bristles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 'Alfie Moon ' gave him a leg up .
He said previously : `` When I was auditioning they didn ’ t know who my parents were and I ’ d also auditioned twice before , so they obviously didn ’ t care about that or they wouldn ’ t have turned me down . ''
He first hit the big time in Spandau Ballet , but Martin Kemp went on to establish himself as a firm favourite among soap fans thanks to his four-year stint as Steve Owen on EastEnders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ son Roman Kemp , 27 , to be in the spotlight .
Roman has hosted the breakfast show on Capital FM since 2017 , and won over the nation 's heart with his blossoming friendship with fellow I 'm A Celebrity star Kate Garraway .
The son of Emmerdale star Patsy Kensit and her Oasis rocker ex Liam Gallagher , Lennon was surely always destined for stardom .
So far Lennon , 21 , has made a name for his good looks , modelling for Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin .
But his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother Gene , hinting he 'd love them to follow in his chart-topping footsteps .
Speaking on the Humans Of XS Manchester podcast last year , he revealed : `` Gene has got a little band and Lennon has got a little band , they 're sort of working it out .
`` Lennon 's music is a bit more spaced out , like early Verve , pretty chilled .
''Whereas Gene is more like in your face , Arctic Monkeys style .
Go for it I say . ''
At just 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app - TikTok .
The teen has 25,800 followers on the video sharing app .
In stage school herself , she grew up watching mum Charlie play Janine on EastEnders - and has even replicated Janine 's infamous murder of husband Barry in a hugely popular TikTok .

Soap stars often pave the way for their kids to follow in their famous footsteps - here's a look at all the celebrity offspring doing their parents proud, from Phoebe Dynevor to The Undoing's Noah Jupe
Soap stars and their famous offspring - from Dani Dyer to Jake Roche and Noah Jupe
For generations, young British actors have got their start by plugging away on a soap.
But the next generation of stars are leaving the cobbles of Coronation Street and the streets of the East End to mum and dad, and doing fame their own way.
This Christmas, Phoebe Dynevor - whose mum Sally is Corrie's Sally Webster - will star in the jewel of Netflix's festive programming, the costume drama Bridgerton.
Sally can share her stories of being a 'stage mom' with former co-star Katy Cavanagh, who played Julie Carp on the ITV soap.
Katy was recently revealed as the mum of Noah Jupe, the 15-year-old who played Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant's son in HBO's addictive psychological thriller The Undoing.
Image: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX) LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)
Then of course there are those who may not share the acting bug with their famous parents, but do share the famous last name.
EastEnders star Danny Dyer's daughter Dani Dyer found a huge following on Love Island, going on to win her season.
Here we profile the soap offspring who have joined their parents in the public eye.
Phoebe Dynevor
Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor will share the Christmas programming with daughter Phoebe.
The 25-year-old stars in new Netflix period drama Bridgerton, an eight-parter starting on December 25.
Image: CAMERA PRESS/Stonehouse Photogra) CAMERA PRESS/Stonehouse Photogra)
Meanwhile Sally, 57, will also be on screen on Christmas Day in an hour-long Coronation Street special, playing her long running character Sally Webster.
And she is thrilled to be sharing the limelight with her girl, who started out with low-profile roles in the likes of Waterloo Road and, more recently, the US series Younger.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Sally told of her joy and said: "I just want to say I’m very proud of Phoebe and as a family, we are so excited to see Bridgerton on Christmas Day."
Noah Jupe
Teen actor Noah Jupe received a $600,000 payday for his breakout role as the son of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in The Undoing.
The teenage son of Corrie legend Katy Cavanagh was just 13 when he signed on to make the HBO show, which was a runaway hit when it aired last month.
Now the details of his lucrative contract have been revealed, showing that British star Noah was paid $100,000, around £87,000, to play Henry in each of the six gripping episodes of the psychological thriller.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
While the link between the actor and his soap star mother has just emerged, Noah has quietly been making a name for himself.
He has also appeared in the ever-popular Downton Abbey, horror flick The Quiet Place and hit BBC series The Night Manager.
Dani Dyer
EastEnders star Danny Dyer may be only 43, but he is the proud dad of Love Island winner Dani Dyer.
Dani, who is about to make Danny a grandpa with the January arrival of her first child, charmed audiences when she starred on the 2018 season of Love Island.
The 24-year-old launched a career as an influencer out of the reality television roles, which also include Survival of the Fittest.
She now works alongside her dad presenting MTV series True Love Or True Lives and the two co-host a podcast.
Jake Roche
While he shares his EastEnders star dad's cheeky charm, rocker Jake Roche doesn't like to broadcast their connection.
Having topped the charts with his band Rixton's hit Me And My Broken Heart in 2014, he has now reformed the group after a four-year hiatus under the name Push Baby.
Jake gets his star power from both sides of the family tree - his mum is Loose Women panelist Coleen Nolan, herself a former popstar who sang with her sisters in Irish family girl group The Nolans.
Image: James Watkins/WENN.com) James Watkins/WENN.com)
Prior to his singing career, Jake, 28, did take a small role in Emmerdale in 2010, but bristles at the thought that being the son of 'Alfie Moon' gave him a leg up.
He said previously: "When I was auditioning they didn’t know who my parents were and I’d also auditioned twice before, so they obviously didn’t care about that or they wouldn’t have turned me down."
Roman Kemp
He first hit the big time in Spandau Ballet, but Martin Kemp went on to establish himself as a firm favourite among soap fans thanks to his four-year stint as Steve Owen on EastEnders.
Image: Capital Breakfast) Capital Breakfast)
Now it's the turn of his son Roman Kemp, 27, to be in the spotlight.
Roman has hosted the breakfast show on Capital FM since 2017, and won over the nation's heart with his blossoming friendship with fellow I'm A Celebrity star Kate Garraway.
Lennon Gallagher
The son of Emmerdale star Patsy Kensit and her Oasis rocker ex Liam Gallagher, Lennon was surely always destined for stardom.
So far Lennon, 21, has made a name for his good looks, modelling for Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin.
Image: patsykensit/Instagram) patsykensit/Instagram)
But his dad has other plans for Lennon and brother Gene, hinting he'd love them to follow in his chart-topping footsteps.
Speaking on the Humans Of XS Manchester podcast last year, he revealed: "Gene has got a little band and Lennon has got a little band, they're sort of working it out.
"Lennon's music is a bit more spaced out, like early Verve, pretty chilled.''Whereas Gene is more like in your face, Arctic Monkeys style. Go for it I say."
Kiki Brooks
At just 15 Kiki has mastered the latest social media app - TikTok.
Image: kikidoyouluvvmee/Tik Tok) kikidoyouluvvmee/Tik Tok)
The teen has 25,800 followers on the video sharing app.
In stage school herself, she grew up watching mum Charlie play Janine on EastEnders - and has even replicated Janine's infamous murder of husband Barry in a hugely popular TikTok.


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--No 10 won't rule out reducing Christmas Covid-19 bubbles from five days to three

Number 10 has refused to rule out reducing the number of days households can mix over Christmas from five to three .
Neither would Boris Johnson 's spokesman rule out reducing the number of households which can mix from three to two .
It comes amid growing calls for the PM to scrap the relaxed rules over the festive period , with leading medical journals warning they would lead to more deaths as hospitals are overwhelmed .
The PM 's spokesman said : `` This Christmas will not be normal , but we wanted to give families and friends the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way should they wish to . ''
But he added : `` As has been the case throughout the pandemic , we keep all advice under constant review . ''
The spokesman would not be drawn on how close to Christmas the advice could be changed .
But he refused to rule out reducing the number of days bubble rules would last , or the number of households which could mix .
He said : `` We 've set out the guidance for the Christmas bubbling arrangements .
But we keep all advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was up to the public to remain `` cautious and vigilant '' through the Christmas period .
The PM 's spokesman also confirmed planning for a Christmas visit to an elderly relative was not a legitimate reason to order an NHS Coronavirus test .
He said community 'lateral flow ' testing was being made available in many areas , and would be given to people intending to visit a relative in a care home .
But the spokesman said only people with symptoms should get an NHS 'PCR ' test .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the British Medical Journal ( BMJ ) and Health Service Journal ( HSJ ) today published a joint editorial urging ministers to the plans warning they risk overwhelming the NHS at at time when they are already under pressure .
HSJ editor Alastair McLellan and BMJ Editor-in-Chief Fiona Godlee wrote : `` The government was too slow to introduce restrictions in the Spring and again in the Autumn .
`` It should now reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advance of a likely third wave .
`` It should also review and strengthen the tier structure , which has failed to suppress rates of infection and hospitalisation . ''

The PM's spokesman said all advice remained under review - and wouldn't say how close to Christmas any changes could be made
Number 10 won't rule out reducing Christmas Covid bubbles from five days to three
Number 10 has refused to rule out reducing the number of days households can mix over Christmas from five to three.
Neither would Boris Johnson's spokesman rule out reducing the number of households which can mix from three to two.
It comes amid growing calls for the PM to scrap the relaxed rules over the festive period, with leading medical journals warning they would lead to more deaths as hospitals are overwhelmed.
The PM's spokesman said: "This Christmas will not be normal, but we wanted to give families and friends the option to meed up in a cautious way should they wish to."
But he added: "As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we keep all advice under constant review."
The spokesman would not be drawn on how close to Christmas the advice could be changed.
Image: Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street) Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing Street)
But he refused to rule out reducing the number of days bubble rules would last, or the number of households which could mix.
He said: "We've set out the guidance for the Christmas bubbling arrangements. But we keep all advice under constant review."
He said it was up to the public to remain "cautious and vigilant" through the Christmas period.
The PM's spokesman also confirmed planning for a Christmas visit to an elderly relative was not a legitimate reason to order an NHS Coronavirus test.
He said community 'lateral flow' testing was being made available in many areas, and would be given to people intending to visit a relative in a care home.
But the spokesman said only people with symptoms should get an NHS 'PCR' test.
For only the second time in 100 years, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and Health Service Journal (HSJ) today published a joint editorial urging ministers to the plans warning they risk overwhelming the NHS at at time when they are already under pressure.
HSJ editor Alastair McLellan and BMJ Editor-in-Chief Fiona Godlee wrote: "The government was too slow to introduce restrictions in the Spring and again in the Autumn.
"It should now reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five-day Christmas period in order to bring numbers down in the advance of a likely third wave.
"It should also review and strengthen the tier structure, which has failed to suppress rates of infection and hospitalisation."


thedailymirror--2020-12-15--Coleen Nolan admits Jesy Nelson was 'struggling for years' in Little Mix

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has weighed in on Jesy Nelson 's decision to leave Little Mix .
Jesy made her announcement in a heartfelt post yesterday , thanking fans and her bandmates as she explained how she 's stepping back to look after her mental health .
Now Coleen , whose son Jake Roche dated the popstar between 2104 and 2016 , has said that she had been struggling the last time she saw her .
`` When somebody goes from not being known to being on the biggest talent show in the country and is thrust into fame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the pressure must be immense , '' Coleen sympathised .
`` I think from knowing Jesy in the past , she was sort of struggling then .
I just wish her the best . ''
Andrea McLean , Saira Khan and Janet Street-Porter all expressed admiration for Jesy , Saira branding her `` brave . ''
Jesy penned last night : `` To all my Mixers , '' The past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life .
`` We have achieved things I never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brit Award to our sold out shows at the O2 .
`` Making friends and fans all over the world I cant thank you all enough form the bottom of my heart for making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world .
`` You have always been there to support and encourage me and I will never every forget it . ''
She added : `` The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health .
I find the constant pressure of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t expectations very hard .
`` There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy , and I feel like now is the time to begin the process .
`` I need to spend some time with the people I love , doing thing that make me happy .
I 'm ready to embark on a new chapter in my life - I 'm not sure what it 's going to look like right now , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support me . ''
She finished by thanking fans and bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock , Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall .
* Samaritans ( 116 123 ) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year .
If you prefer to write down how you ’ re feeling , or if you ’ re worried about being overheard on the phone , you can email Samaritans at jo @ samaritans.org

COLEEN SAYS JESY NELSON HAD BEEN 'STRUGGLING FOR YEARS' AS LOOSE WOMEN REACH OUT
COLEEN SAYS JESY NELSON HAD BEEN 'STRUGGLING FOR YEARS' AS LOOSE WOMEN REACH OUT
Coleen Nolan has reached out to her would-be daughter-in-law Jesy Nelson following the announcement that she's leaving Little Mix for good to look after her mental health
Coleen Nolan admits she knew Jesy Nelson was 'struggling for years' in Little Mix
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has weighed in on Jesy Nelson's decision to leave Little Mix.
Jesy made her announcement in a heartfelt post yesterday, thanking fans and her bandmates as she explained how she's stepping back to look after her mental health.
Now Coleen, whose son Jake Roche dated the popstar between 2104 and 2016, has said that she had been struggling the last time she saw her.
"When somebody goes from not being known to being on the biggest talent show in the country and is thrust into fame, and from day one getting trolled, the pressure must be immense," Coleen sympathised.
Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage) Karwai Tang/WireImage)
"I think from knowing Jesy in the past, she was sort of struggling then. I just wish her the best."
Andrea McLean, Saira Khan and Janet Street-Porter all expressed admiration for Jesy, Saira branding her "brave."
Jesy penned last night: "To all my Mixers,
"The past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life.
Image: Xposure) Xposure)
Image: ITV) ITV)
"We have achieved things I never thought possible. From winning our first Brit Award to our sold out shows at the O2.
"Making friends and fans all over the world I cant thank you all enough form the bottom of my heart for making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
"You have always been there to support and encourage me and I will never every forget it."
She added: "The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up t expectations very hard.
"There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin the process.
Image: ITV) ITV)
"I need to spend some time with the people I love, doing thing that make me happy. I'm ready to embark on a new chapter in my life - I'm not sure what it's going to look like right now, but I hope you'll still be there to support me."
She finished by thanking fans and bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall.
*Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV.
* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org