thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Little known rule means Universal Credit claimants can get a BT package for £5

Millions of people in receipt of universal credit may be unaware they qualify for a £5 a month BT package that could save them hundreds of pounds a year on phone bills .
The telecoms giant said its low-cost 'Basic ' package is part of its universal service commitment and has been created in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions .
The package has been designed to help keep phones ringing for the most vulnerable households - and costs £5.16 a month .
This comes with a call allowance of £1.50 , plus free weekend calls to 0845 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 minutes ) .
There 's also a monthly £10 price cap for numbers starting 01 , 02 , 03 , 07 and 08 , which means you 'll never pay more than £15.16 .
It 's available to anyone on income support , jobseeker 's allowance , pensions credit , employment and support allowance and universal credit - providing you have zero earnings .
BT says this means : `` The claimant has no earnings from employment or self employment during the assessment period for their benefit '' .
The network also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who need access to the internet , too .
The package includes the BT Basic £1.50 call allowance and £10 monthly call price cap .
There is no connection charge for the broadband but customers will need to pay postage and packaging for their BT Home Hub , which is required for BT broadband to work .
The package has a 10Mb average download speed and is limited to 15GB usage per month , equivalent to watching 2.5 hours of television online a week .
Basic customers will get an email warning them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those who go over will be charged another £2.20 per GB .
So , someone 0.9GB over their allowance will be charged £2.20 and someone using 1.3GB will be charged £4.40 .
To apply for the package , you 'll need to be an existing BT account holder .
You can contact the telecoms giant on 0800 800 864 between 8am and 6pm on a weekday and they 'll send out an application form .
The form is just one page , which asks for simple information including - home details , date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and details of any benefits received .
Applications then need to be completed and returned within 14 days of receiving the form .

The telecoms giant said its low-cost Basic package is part of its 'universal service commitment' and has been created in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions
Universal Credit claimants can get a BT package for £5 a month thanks to handy scheme
Millions of people in receipt of universal credit may be unaware they qualify for a £5 a month BT package that could save them hundreds of pounds a year on phone bills.
The telecoms giant said its low-cost 'Basic' package is part of its universal service commitment and has been created in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions.
The package has been designed to help keep phones ringing for the most vulnerable households - and costs £5.16 a month.
This comes with a call allowance of £1.50, plus free weekend calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers (lasting up to 60 minutes).
There's also a monthly £10 price cap for numbers starting 01, 02, 03, 07 and 08, which means you'll never pay more than £15.16.
It's available to anyone on income support, jobseeker's allowance, pensions credit, employment and support allowance and universal credit - providing you have zero earnings.
Image: Getty Images Europe) Getty Images Europe)
BT says this means: "The claimant has no earnings from employment or self employment during the assessment period for their benefit".
The network also offers a BT broadband option for those who need access to the internet, too.
BT Basic + Broadband is £10.07 per month.
The package includes the BT Basic £1.50 call allowance and £10 monthly call price cap.
There is no connection charge for the broadband but customers will need to pay postage and packaging for their BT Home Hub, which is required for BT broadband to work.
Image: Getty) Getty)
The package has a 10Mb average download speed and is limited to 15GB usage per month, equivalent to watching 2.5 hours of television online a week.
Basic customers will get an email warning them when they approach the data limit.
Those who go over will be charged another £2.20 per GB. So, someone 0.9GB over their allowance will be charged £2.20 and someone using 1.3GB will be charged £4.40.
To apply for the package, you'll need to be an existing BT account holder.
You can contact the telecoms giant on 0800 800 864 between 8am and 6pm on a weekday and they'll send out an application form.
The form is just one page, which asks for simple information including - home details, date of birth, National Insurance number, and details of any benefits received.
Applications then need to be completed and returned within 14 days of receiving the form.


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Robert Lewandowski's Jurgen Klopp comments show why Liverpool boss is so loved

Robert Lewandowski says Jurgen Klopp was `` like a father '' to him during their time working together at Borussia Dortmund .
The much-loved Liverpool boss has developed a great reputation as a brilliant man-manager , typified by the huge bear hugs he gives out after matches .
Klopp 's relationships with his players helped spur Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles before subsequently leading Liverpool back to the summit of English and European football .
Lewandowski was key to the success at Dortmund , and opened up on how the larger-than-life German made such an impression on him .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Football , Lewandowski said : `` Sometimes I did n't understand what he was doing .
I was surprised , like 'Jurgen Klopp was that you ? '
`` He is like a father .
You can speak to him about whatever you want , you can call to him at five o'clock in the morning and say you have a problem and he would come to you .
`` I 'm very happy I can remember him as someone who talked to me like a best friend . ''
Klopp was recognised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the League Managars Association , who awarded him the Sir Alex Ferguson trophy for Manager of the Year .
The 53-year-old is regarded as one of the top bosses in world football , alongside Man City 's Pep Guardiola , who also managed Lewandowski at Bayern Munich , as well as Pique at Barcelona .
And it seems Guardiola made an equally big impression on the Pole .
Discussing the City boss , Lewandowski said : `` I was speaking with him a lot about what I should do , what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he did n't play like a striker .
`` Sometimes he said to me 'you are the best ' or 'you are better than anyone in this position ' , and I can say that Pep was the trainer who changed my mind about football . ''
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip .

Klopp signed Lewandowski for Borussia Dortmund prior to winning successive Bundesliga titles at the club, where the pair shared a great working relationship
Robert Lewandowski says Jurgen Klopp was "like a father" to him during their time working together at Borussia Dortmund.
The much-loved Liverpool boss has developed a great reputation as a brilliant man-manager, typified by the huge bear hugs he gives out after matches.
Klopp's relationships with his players helped spur Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles before subsequently leading Liverpool back to the summit of English and European football.
Lewandowski was key to the success at Dortmund, and opened up on how the larger-than-life German made such an impression on him.
Speaking to Barcelona's Gerard Pique on Cano Football , Lewandowski said: "Sometimes I didn't understand what he was doing. I was surprised, like 'Jurgen Klopp was that you?'
Image: Bongarts/Getty Images) Bongarts/Getty Images)
"He is like a father. You can speak to him about whatever you want, you can call to him at five o'clock in the morning and say you have a problem and he would come to you.
"I'm very happy I can remember him as someone who talked to me like a best friend."
Klopp was recognised for his achievements with Liverpool this season by the League Managars Association, who awarded him the Sir Alex Ferguson trophy for Manager of the Year.
The 53-year-old is regarded as one of the top bosses in world football, alongside Man City's Pep Guardiola, who also managed Lewandowski at Bayern Munich, as well as Pique at Barcelona.
And it seems Guardiola made an equally big impression on the Pole.
Discussing the City boss, Lewandowski said: "I was speaking with him a lot about what I should do, what I think about certain situations from my side because he didn't play like a striker.
"Sometimes he said to me 'you are the best' or 'you are better than anyone in this position', and I can say that Pep was the trainer who changed my mind about football."
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Thugs hurl glasses and chairs outside pub after group refused entry to pub

Thugs were filmed hurling glasses into a pub as violence erupted outside a bar .
The incident was captured on camera outside Shenanigans in Blackpool after a group of drinkers were allegedly refused entry , with staff saying they had n't seen anything like it in 10 years .
In chaotic scenes , one man throws a pint over another while a second jumps over a barrier from the street outside .
At one point a thug is seen picking up a chair and hurling it towards the pub window .
Glass can repeatedly be heard shattered as a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident , which took place at around 7.20pm last Saturday night .
The onlooker who recorded the video can be heard saying `` Jesus Christ '' as the violence continues .
To the left of the bar a woman is spotted watching the chaos unfold as a panicked bouncer runs round to enter the pub in an attempt to restore order .
Staff at the bar have praised the actions of police , as a number of people were arrested and fortunately no customers or staff were hurt .
General Manager of Shenanigans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entry of four girls and five boys and suddenly from nowhere they starting attacking the bar from the outside . ''
`` We closed all the doors so customers did n't get injured , no staff got injured .
`` We have never seen anything like this in the 10 years I 've been there .
Hopefully we will never again . ''
A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said : `` We were called at around 7.20pm on July 25th to reports of a public order incident outside Shenanigans on the Promenade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a group of people had been throwing outdoor furniture and glasses at customers at the bar . ''
`` Three men were arrested a short time later on suspicion of affray .
They are a 17-year-old boy from Nottingham , a 29-year-old man from Bradford and a 19-year-old man from Halifax . ''
`` All have been released under investigation .
Our enquiries are very much ongoing and anybody with information about this incident can call us on 101 , quoting log number 1375 of July 25th . ''

The broad daylight violence took place outside Shenanigans Promenade in Blackpool in front of shocked onlookers, with staff describing it as '"the worst they'd seen in 10 years"
Thugs hurl glasses and chairs outside pub in chaotic clip after group refused entry
Thugs were filmed hurling glasses into a pub as violence erupted outside a bar.
The incident was captured on camera outside Shenanigans in Blackpool after a group of drinkers were allegedly refused entry, with staff saying they hadn't seen anything like it in 10 years.
In chaotic scenes, one man throws a pint over another while a second jumps over a barrier from the street outside.
At one point a thug is seen picking up a chair and hurling it towards the pub window.
Glass can repeatedly be heard shattered as a woman yells in the background during the shocking incident, which took place at around 7.20pm last Saturday night.
The onlooker who recorded the video can be heard saying "Jesus Christ" as the violence continues.
To the left of the bar a woman is spotted watching the chaos unfold as a panicked bouncer runs round to enter the pub in an attempt to restore order.
Staff at the bar have praised the actions of police, as a number of people were arrested and fortunately no customers or staff were hurt.
General Manager of Shenanigans Lisa Schofield said: "We refused entry of four girls and five boys and suddenly from nowhere they starting attacking the bar from the outside."
"We closed all the doors so customers didn't get injured, no staff got injured.
"The police were amazing.
"We have never seen anything like this in the 10 years I've been there. Hopefully we will never again."
A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: "We were called at around 7.20pm on July 25th to reports of a public order incident outside Shenanigans on the Promenade, Blackpool."
"We attended and found a group of people had been throwing outdoor furniture and glasses at customers at the bar."
"Three men were arrested a short time later on suspicion of affray. They are a 17-year-old boy from Nottingham, a 29-year-old man from Bradford and a 19-year-old man from Halifax."
"All have been released under investigation. Our enquiries are very much ongoing and anybody with information about this incident can call us on 101, quoting log number 1375 of July 25th."


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--'Childhood hospital trauma led me to same ward 20 years on - for amazing reason'

A woman who spent most of her childhood in hospital and had open heart surgery at just nine-years-old is using her own trauma to help other youngsters understand life on a ward .
Hannah Phillips , 24 , weighed less than a bag of sugar and was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease when she was born .
The trainee teacher , from Lewisham , south east London , had a total of 10 surgeries at Evelina Children 's Hospital and had a pacemaker fitted to her heart when she was 15 .
Hannah was officially diagnosed with Ebsteins Anomaly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the tricuspid valve pumps blood around her body .
After spending much of her childhood away from family and friends , Hannah , now studying at Greenwich University , decided use her passion for writing to create an explainer book for children going through the same thing - called ‘ Can you Imagine ?
’ .
The book tells the tale of children living their wildest and silliest dreams such as leaving their beds and flying to the moon .
Speaking about her early years in hospital , Hannah said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , surprising my parents on their wedding anniversary weighing a little less than a bag of sugar .
“ I had a murmur in the heart - which was common in babies , so doctors and my parents were n't too worried .
“ But at six months-old I caught meningitis - from then on things were never quite the same and I got the Ebsteins Anomaly soon after .
“ I was probably five when I started to realise I was unwell - I could n't do PE at school and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside .
“ My stints at Evelina Children 's Hospital in London were long - and through nobody 's fault - often cripplingly lonely .
“ Even though the hospital ran school and play groups , a lot of the time was spent on my bed , in my own small patch of space on the ward.
” Unknown to Hannah , those lonely times in hospital would go on to shape her future in the most amazing way - giving her the drive to work with children and help them through their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did n't know it then , but it was those times of loneliness that would go on to inspire me to do something I am so proud of today .
“ As I grew older , maybe 11 or 12 , my amazing parents were n't at my hospital bedside all the time - they had three other children and full time jobs .
“ In those moments on my own , I would think , 'is there something I can do to make myself feel better ' .
“ Now I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving back to others - expecting nothing in return.
” Hannah had four surgeries at secondary school and a pacemaker fitted in 2012 , which proved the start of a difficult time in her life where she struggled with her body .
She added : “ I had lost touch with who I was and lost all control of the disease - it was like I could feel it weaving through my body .
“ I took a ‘ smile and wave ’ approach to each day , but soon realised that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ While desperately trying to be a normal teenager , I had this thing inside bothering me - and nobody else could see it .
Hannah started her degree in Early Years at Greenwich and decided to extend a mandatory literacy project into a deeply personal and independent project in the creation of , ‘ Can You Imagine ’ , specifically for children at Evelina .
She partnered with a local wraparound children 's service in Lee - The Young Explorers Club - to work with children and use their own imaginations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While writing on the book , Hannah knew the day would come when she ’ d have to walk back onto the very ward where she had spent so much of her childhood feeling lonely .
Speaking about that moment , she said : “ Walking onto the ward , I was so nervous - scared almost .
`` This place symbolised a sort of trauma for me - a place I had spent so much time - week after week , sometimes alone .
`` I was surrounded by incredible people trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just a child then - struggling to understand what was happening .
`` Why ca n't I do PE ?
Why ca n't I run outside ?
Why another heart operation ?
- I asked myself lots of questions as I became more aware of my 'differentness ’ .
” Despite her illness and long periods at Evelina , Hannah said she doesn ’ t “ resent ” her illness .
She added : “ It has given me a community to be a part of and taught me the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expecting anything in return .
“ I like doing good things , because it puts positivity into the world .
It makes others and me feel good .
“ When I see babies in hospital , I imagine what my mum must have felt - it 's hurtful and quite enlightening at the same time .
`` My illness taught me we only have one chance at life as as clichéd as it may sound , I have learned to always follow my heart .
”

EXCLUSIVE: Hannah Phillips, 24, was born with a congenital heart disease Ebsteins Anomaly - and weighed less than a bag of sugar. She spent her childhood in and out of Evelina Children's Hospital in London and has now written a book for young people going through a similar experience.
Childhood hospital trauma led woman to same ward 20 years on - for amazing reason
A woman who spent most of her childhood in hospital and had open heart surgery at just nine-years-old is using her own trauma to help other youngsters understand life on a ward.
Hannah Phillips, 24, weighed less than a bag of sugar and was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease when she was born.
The trainee teacher, from Lewisham, south east London, had a total of 10 surgeries at Evelina Children's Hospital and had a pacemaker fitted to her heart when she was 15.
Hannah was officially diagnosed with Ebsteins Anomaly at around six-months-old - a condition affecting how the tricuspid valve pumps blood around her body.
After spending much of her childhood away from family and friends, Hannah, now studying at Greenwich University, decided use her passion for writing to create an explainer book for children going through the same thing - called ‘Can you Imagine?’.
The book tells the tale of children living their wildest and silliest dreams such as leaving their beds and flying to the moon.
Image: Supplied) Supplied)
Speaking about her early years in hospital, Hannah said: “I'd been born three months premature , surprising my parents on their wedding anniversary weighing a little less than a bag of sugar.
“I had a murmur in the heart - which was common in babies, so doctors and my parents weren't too worried.
“But at six months-old I caught meningitis - from then on things were never quite the same and I got the Ebsteins Anomaly soon after.
“I was probably five when I started to realise I was unwell - I couldn't do PE at school and had asthma which stopped me running and playing outside.
“My stints at Evelina Children's Hospital in London were long - and through nobody's fault - often cripplingly lonely.
“Even though the hospital ran school and play groups, a lot of the time was spent on my bed, in my own small patch of space on the ward.”
Image: Supplied) Supplied)
Unknown to Hannah, those lonely times in hospital would go on to shape her future in the most amazing way - giving her the drive to work with children and help them through their own trauma.
Hannah continued: “I didn't know it then, but it was those times of loneliness that would go on to inspire me to do something I am so proud of today.
“As I grew older, maybe 11 or 12, my amazing parents weren't at my hospital bedside all the time - they had three other children and full time jobs.
“In those moments on my own, I would think, 'is there something I can do to make myself feel better'.
“Now I know there is, and it's giving back to others - expecting nothing in return.”
Hannah had four surgeries at secondary school and a pacemaker fitted in 2012, which proved the start of a difficult time in her life where she struggled with her body.
She added: “I had lost touch with who I was and lost all control of the disease - it was like I could feel it weaving through my body.
“I took a ‘smile and wave’ approach to each day, but soon realised that this wouldn’t get me very far.
Image: Andrea Whelan) Andrea Whelan)
“While desperately trying to be a normal teenager, I had this thing inside bothering me - and nobody else could see it.
“I knew I needed to face my struggles head on.”
Hannah started her degree in Early Years at Greenwich and decided to extend a mandatory literacy project into a deeply personal and independent project in the creation of, ‘Can You Imagine’, specifically for children at Evelina.
She partnered with a local wraparound children's service in Lee - The Young Explorers Club - to work with children and use their own imaginations to inspire tales in the book.
While writing on the book, Hannah knew the day would come when she’d have to walk back onto the very ward where she had spent so much of her childhood feeling lonely.
Speaking about that moment, she said: “Walking onto the ward, I was so nervous - scared almost.
"This place symbolised a sort of trauma for me - a place I had spent so much time - week after week, sometimes alone.
Image: Supplied) Supplied)
"I was surrounded by incredible people trying to fix my heart, but I was just a child then - struggling to understand what was happening.
"Why can't I do PE? Why can't I run outside? Why another heart operation? - I asked myself lots of questions as I became more aware of my 'differentness’.”
Despite her illness and long periods at Evelina, Hannah said she doesn’t “resent” her illness.
She added: “It has given me a community to be a part of and taught me the importance of kindness and being kind to others without expecting anything in return.
“I like doing good things, because it puts positivity into the world. It makes others and me feel good.
“When I see babies in hospital, I imagine what my mum must have felt - it's hurtful and quite enlightening at the same time.
"My illness taught me we only have one chance at life as as clichéd as it may sound, I have learned to always follow my heart.”


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Tributes to Defoe as Roger Varian announces death of stable star

Roger Varian 's stable is mourning the loss of star performer Defoe , who suffered a fatal injury on the gallops this morning .
The nine-time winner raced to his biggest success last summer , when taking the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom .
On his next start , the popular grey won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot , a race he finished third in this year on what was his final start .
`` It is probably not a safe assumption that only those who were closely connected with the horse will be heartbroken that he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Although not large in stature Defoe had the heart of a lion and his adoring fans from around the world will no doubt join us in mourning his loss and celebrating his achievements . ''
In 22 races , the six-year-old won more than £800,000 in prize money on the racecourse .
He finished second in Group company three times on his travels , at Baden-Baden , Meydan and Munich .
Newmarket-based Varian also recently lost 2020 Royal Ascot winner , Mountain Angel , while he was being prepared for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a great sadness that Defoe ’ s final race came at an eerily empty Royal Ascot where he ran an admirable race to finish third in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes , a scene that was a world away from those jubilant celebrations with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid in the winner ’ s enclosure twelve months previously , '' Varian added .
`` We can ’ t help but have favourites and Defoe was everyone ’ s favourite horse ; from his groom Mark , head girl Dee , regular rider Korrie and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a star and such was his popularity with them that they had a rocking horse made in his image .

The six-year-old won nine times in 22 races for Varian and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. Defoe's last run came at Royal Ascot where he finished third
Tributes to Defoe as Roger Varian announces death of stable star and nine-time winner
Roger Varian's stable is mourning the loss of star performer Defoe, who suffered a fatal injury on the gallops this morning.
The nine-time winner raced to his biggest success last summer, when taking the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom.
On his next start, the popular grey won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race he finished third in this year on what was his final start.
"It is probably not a safe assumption that only those who were closely connected with the horse will be heartbroken that he has left this life," Varian said.
"Although not large in stature Defoe had the heart of a lion and his adoring fans from around the world will no doubt join us in mourning his loss and celebrating his achievements."
In 22 races, the six-year-old won more than £800,000 in prize money on the racecourse.
Image: Getty) Getty)
He finished second in Group company three times on his travels, at Baden-Baden, Meydan and Munich.
Newmarket-based Varian also recently lost 2020 Royal Ascot winner, Mountain Angel, while he was being prepared for the Sky Bet York Stakes.
"It is a great sadness that Defoe’s final race came at an eerily empty Royal Ascot where he ran an admirable race to finish third in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes, a scene that was a world away from those jubilant celebrations with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid in the winner’s enclosure twelve months previously," Varian added.
"We can’t help but have favourites and Defoe was everyone’s favourite horse; from his groom Mark, head girl Dee, regular rider Korrie and to Roger and Hanako’s children he was a star and such was his popularity with them that they had a rocking horse made in his image.
"A lasting memory for a great horse."


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Gemma Collins is launching her own makeup range and it includes lipsticks

Gemma Collins has announced she is launching her very own make-up range that includes lipsticks .
The news comes after the former TOWIE star launched her 'GC ' hand sanitisers , which became available last week .
Sharing the news on Instagram , Gemma posted a picture of a 'Glam Pink Lipstick ' from the new beauty range .
The 39-year-old reality star said : `` I am SO EXCITED to tell you that after lots of hard work ... .. and so many people always asking me about my lipsticks and glosses , that I now have my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In true GC style , the packaging comes in nude and pink hues with Gemma Collins Beauty written on it in white .
Gemma also mentioned that her new collection would be cruelty free .
It seems her fans are thrilled by the news , with one user commenting : `` Omg cant wait .
P.S you 're an absolute queen . ''
While someone else wrote : `` Wow you never fail to amaze . ''
And another said : `` Please bring out a glossy baby pink long stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beauty range is expected to launch on the self-proclaimed Diva 's website , gemmacollinscollection.com , alongside her hand sanitisers and plus-size clothing range .
But this is n't the first time Gemma has entered the beauty industry .
In 2019 , the reality star launched her debut perfume , called Diva Pink .
The unisex fragrance is available to buy on her website now .
In other beauty news , MAC is set to launch at Boots stores all over the UK this week .
This means beauty fans across the country will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favourite items from their local store or online at Boots.com .

The ex TOWIE star has revealed her latest business venture on Instagram, just a week after launching her branded hand sanitisers
Gemma Collins is launching her own makeup range and fans can't wait
Gemma Collins has announced she is launching her very own make-up range that includes lipsticks.
The news comes after the former TOWIE star launched her 'GC' hand sanitisers, which became available last week.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Gemma posted a picture of a 'Glam Pink Lipstick' from the new beauty range.
The 39-year-old reality star said: "I am SO EXCITED to tell you that after lots of hard work..... and so many people always asking me about my lipsticks and glosses, that I now have my own range that will be launching very soon."
"I'm so excited," she added.
In true GC style, the packaging comes in nude and pink hues with Gemma Collins Beauty written on it in white.
Gemma also mentioned that her new collection would be cruelty free.
Image: Instagram) Instagram)
It seems her fans are thrilled by the news, with one user commenting: "Omg cant wait. P.S you're an absolute queen."
While someone else wrote: "Wow you never fail to amaze."
And another said: "Please bring out a glossy baby pink long stay lip stick."
The Gemma Collins Beauty range is expected to launch on the self-proclaimed Diva's website, gemmacollinscollection.com, alongside her hand sanitisers and plus-size clothing range.
But this isn't the first time Gemma has entered the beauty industry.
In 2019, the reality star launched her debut perfume, called Diva Pink. The unisex fragrance is available to buy on her website now.
In other beauty news, MAC is set to launch at Boots stores all over the UK this week.
This means beauty fans across the country will be able to easily pick up their favourite items from their local store or online at Boots.com.


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Coronavirus outbreak at pub where '200 drinkers were crammed in like sardines'

A coronavirus outbreak has been confirmed at a pub which had punters packed in `` like sardines '' in the beer garden .
Ten people who visited The Crown and Anchor in Stone , Staffordshire , have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Visitors and staff who were at the boozer between July 16 and 18 are now being told to self-isolate and urgently get swabs done .
A photo sent to StokeonTrentLive by a resident also shows a large group of people in the pub 's beer garden on July 18 .
Witnesses said it looked like 200 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been in close contact with visitors to the pub is being encouraged to have a test at a new centre set up 350 yards away at the Crown Street car park .
And people who were out in Stone on one of those nights who have since displayed symptoms , even if they did not go to the pub , have also been told told to get a test .
It comes after local resident Ayrron Robinson filmed people packed into the garden , saying : `` If we do have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pub has a lot to answer for . ''
Mr Robinson , 31 , who has lived opposite the pub for four years , filmed the clip from his window after becoming concerned about an apparent lack of social distancing .
He said : `` It 's sensible that the council is acting and taking it seriously but it 's a shame that it 's gone this far .
`` I was very concerned by the amount of people who were there - at least 200 .
With a bit of luck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far and turn into a big outbreak . ''
Mum Zoe Rushton decided to get tested because her son had visited the Crown and Anchor .
The 44-year-old hospital worker , from Longton , said : “ I saw the advice from the council and thought I had better get tested .
“ I ’ ve had no symptoms and it ’ s annoying when I ’ ve been doing everything I can to stay safe .
“ I didn ’ t expect the queues to be this busy .
I thought everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
“ It ’ s a good idea that the council has set this up , but it happened over a week ago now .
This highlights the fact that there is a problem with people going out to pubs and coronavirus has not gone away .
“ I work in a hospital and there need to be more rules in pubs , it ’ s ridiculous.
” Teenager Simon Lowe , aged 19 , from Meir , said : “ I was out in Stone that weekend and my employer has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people I was out with that night went into the Crown and Anchor .
“ I didn ’ t go in the Crown and Anchor because I could see it was rammed .
I chose not to go in just from looking at it .
`` I ’ m glad that I didn ’ t go in but I have been in contact with people who have been in .
I ’ ve had no symptoms.
” Dr Richard Harling , Staffordshire County Council 's director for public health said : `` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are dealing with an outbreak at the Crown and Anchor pub in Stone .
`` It is important that anyone drinking or working in the pub on that weekend gets tested as soon as possible , which is why we 've organised for a mobile testing unit to be in the town all day tomorrow and Friday .
`` We also want people who have been in close contact with anyone drinking in the pub on that weekend to get themselves tested , as well as people who were out and about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms - namely a high temperature , new persistent cough or loss of taste and smell .
`` It is also crucial that people self-isolate if they are told to do so .
`` By getting tested , this gives us important information on the full extent of any outbreak , and allows us to put measures in place if needed to help prevent the spread of infection .
`` We 're doing everything we can to prevent outbreaks and stop the virus from spreading .
`` Residents can help by continuing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 - washing hands regularly , keeping your distance , and wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport . ''
In a Facebook post , the pub said it had decided to close in order to deal with the difficulty they have faced with social distancing .
The post states : `` Due to the overwhelming amount of people visiting the Crown and Anchor on Saturday , we have decided to close this weekend to be able to review our risk assessment in order to deal with the difficulty that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By saying that we are grateful and appreciative of all our customers and want to make it a safe environment for you when we reopen next weekend .
We will be posting our updated guidelines . ''

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Ruby Davies, Tom Davidson)

Ten people who visited The Crown and Anchor in Stone, Staffordshire, have tested positive for coronavirus with visitors told to urgently isolate and have a swab test
Coronavirus outbreak at pub where '200 drinkers were crammed in like sardines'
A coronavirus outbreak has been confirmed at a pub which had punters packed in "like sardines" in the beer garden.
Ten people who visited The Crown and Anchor in Stone, Staffordshire, have tested positive for Covid-19.
Visitors and staff who were at the boozer between July 16 and 18 are now being told to self-isolate and urgently get swabs done.
A photo sent to StokeonTrentLive by a resident also shows a large group of people in the pub's beer garden on July 18.
Witnesses said it looked like 200 people were enjoying themselves at the business.
Anyone who has been in close contact with visitors to the pub is being encouraged to have a test at a new centre set up 350 yards away at the Crown Street car park.
Have you been affected by this story? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk
Image: Stoke Sentinel / BPM Media) Stoke Sentinel / BPM Media) Image: stokesentinel) stokesentinel)
And people who were out in Stone on one of those nights who have since displayed symptoms, even if they did not go to the pub, have also been told told to get a test.
It comes after local resident Ayrron Robinson filmed people packed into the garden, saying: "If we do have to go into local lockdown, then the pub has a lot to answer for."
Mr Robinson, 31, who has lived opposite the pub for four years, filmed the clip from his window after becoming concerned about an apparent lack of social distancing.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
He said: "It's sensible that the council is acting and taking it seriously but it's a shame that it's gone this far.
"I was very concerned by the amount of people who were there - at least 200. With a bit of luck the virus won't have spread too far and turn into a big outbreak."
Mum Zoe Rushton decided to get tested because her son had visited the Crown and Anchor.
The 44-year-old hospital worker, from Longton, said: “I saw the advice from the council and thought I had better get tested.
“I’ve had no symptoms and it’s annoying when I’ve been doing everything I can to stay safe.
“I didn’t expect the queues to be this busy. I thought everyone would still be in bed at this time.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
“It’s a good idea that the council has set this up, but it happened over a week ago now. This highlights the fact that there is a problem with people going out to pubs and coronavirus has not gone away.
“I work in a hospital and there need to be more rules in pubs, it’s ridiculous.”
Teenager Simon Lowe, aged 19, from Meir, said: “I was out in Stone that weekend and my employer has told me to get tested because the people I was out with that night went into the Crown and Anchor.
“I didn’t go in the Crown and Anchor because I could see it was rammed. I chose not to go in just from looking at it.
"I’m glad that I didn’t go in but I have been in contact with people who have been in. I’ve had no symptoms.”
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council's director for public health said: "As part of our outbreak control duties, we are dealing with an outbreak at the Crown and Anchor pub in Stone.
"It is important that anyone drinking or working in the pub on that weekend gets tested as soon as possible, which is why we've organised for a mobile testing unit to be in the town all day tomorrow and Friday.
"We also want people who have been in close contact with anyone drinking in the pub on that weekend to get themselves tested, as well as people who were out and about in the town and are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms - namely a high temperature, new persistent cough or loss of taste and smell.
"It is also crucial that people self-isolate if they are told to do so.
"By getting tested, this gives us important information on the full extent of any outbreak, and allows us to put measures in place if needed to help prevent the spread of infection.
"We're doing everything we can to prevent outbreaks and stop the virus from spreading.
"Residents can help by continuing to follow the rules to stop the spread of Covid-19 - washing hands regularly, keeping your distance, and wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport."
In a Facebook post, the pub said it had decided to close in order to deal with the difficulty they have faced with social distancing.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
The post states: "Due to the overwhelming amount of people visiting the Crown and Anchor on Saturday, we have decided to close this weekend to be able to review our risk assessment in order to deal with the difficulty that we faced with social distancing.
"By saying that we are grateful and appreciative of all our customers and want to make it a safe environment for you when we reopen next weekend. We will be posting our updated guidelines."


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Firefighter 'baffled' after recording 'classic' Loch Ness monster sighting

A fireman has been left baffled after he recorded a `` classic '' sighting of the Loch Ness Monster .
Forestry worker Ross MacAulay has lived all his life around Loch Ness .
Having never seen Nessie he counted himself as a non-believer in the mythical animal .
Ross has now had to reconsider his scepticism after photographing what appears to be a 12ft creature on his phone .
In doing so , the 35-year-old captured the first `` accepted '' sighting of Nessie on a mobile phone this year .
The other five have been by the loch 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drumnadrochit , lying on the shore of Loch Ness .
He is also a tree feller and fencer for Forestry and Land Scotland , working around the loch .
But on July 8 , Ross was driving just outside Fort Augustus when he glanced at the water , about 200ft below the road .
`` There were a couple of kayakers , but 100 yards ahead of them was something below the surface , '' he explained .
`` At first I thought it was a big rock under the water and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought 'there 's never been a rock there before ' - so curiosity got the better of me .
I turned round and parked in a long lay-by .
`` The object had moved and was now out in the middle of the loch .
`` The kayakers were much further behind .
The creature must have done 400 yards in a minute - and against the wind .
`` I started watching it for five minutes .
There was no long neck , no head , just the hump bit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ long and 4ft wide , at its widest .
It was light grey and it went under the water then up and then disappeared . ''
Ross went on to explain how rare a sighting it was .
`` I have lived all my life in the area and I am keen fisherman who has spent hundreds of hours on the loch , '' he said .
`` But I have never seen anything like that before .
Did I believe in Nessie ?
- hell no !
`` I have seen seals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this was far too big to be a seal .
`` It was not a log and was travelling against the wind .
If somebody can explain to me what I have seen that would be great - but I just ca n't explain it .
`` I never thought I would be one of those guys seeing Nessie . ''
He went on to explain how his friends are coming round to the idea of him having seen the mythical Scottish beast .
`` I kept quiet at first but then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to my fellow firefighters and they at first took the Mick , but are equally baffled , '' Ross continued .
`` In fact one had seen something himself , 25 years ago .
I have no idea what I saw , but I would say it was an animal of some kind . ''
Gary Campbell , the recorder of the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register , said : '' This is the first sighting of Nessie this year that was not from the webcam .
`` It is a classic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or neck discernible .
`` It is just under the surface - and may not have been visible to the kayakers at water level .
`` It is a fascinating sighting and adds to the mystery .
It does nor definitively prove the existence of Nessie , but it certainly adds to the debate . ''
Mr Campbell said nearly a third of sightings of Nessie in recent years were from people watching the loch 's webcam .
`` I would like to see webcams all around the loch to get a 360 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 'm sure that would produce even more sightings . ''
The fifth accepted sighting of the year of the Loch Ness Monster was recorded from over 4,500 miles away in Oregon , US .
Kaylynn Wangle logged her second sighting of the year when on June 9 she watched the Nessie webcam and saw a black object moving across the loch from right to left .
The object is said to change shape and disappear under the water before resurfacing .
Splashing also seems to visible .
This sighting is over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded Nessie on April 10 with a seven minute video .
Hospital clerical worker Eoin O'Faodhagain from Northern Ireland is responsible for the other three sightings this year , including his glimpse of Nessie on January 18 , which was also the earliest of the monster for 19 years .
Last year the 55-year-old devoted Nessie watcher had four sightings accepted .
Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster last year reached a record 18 for this century and were at their highest level for more than 35 years .
The end-of-year total came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solved the mystery of Nessie and she could possibly be a giant eel .
It follows DNA analysis of living species in the freshwater loch .
The scientists ruled out the presence of large animals said to be behind reports of a monster .
No evidence of a prehistoric marine reptile called a plesiosaur or a large fish such as a sturgeon were found .
But in a documentary on the project , lead scientist Prof Neil Gemmell , a geneticist from New Zealand 's University of Otago , says about 25 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is good news for Nessie believers and the Highland tourist industry - the monster is said to be worth £41m to the region .
It was in 1996 , Mr Campbell saw something resembling a `` mini whale '' - with a black shiny back - at the south end of the loch .
Since then Mr Campbell has researched and now logged 1,121 historical sightings , from records stretching back over the centuries .
According to Google there are 200,000 searches each month for the Loch Ness Monster .
Irish missionary St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a beast in the River Ness in 565AD .
Among the most famous claimed sightings is a photograph taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson .
The image was later exposed as a hoax by one of the participants , Chris Spurling , who revealed that the pictures were staged on his death bed .

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Peter Jolly, Milo Boyd)

Forestry worker and retained firefighter Ross MacAulay was driving along the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland one day when he looked out into the steely grey waters and saw something unusual
A fireman has been left baffled after he recorded a "classic" sighting of the Loch Ness Monster.
Forestry worker Ross MacAulay has lived all his life around Loch Ness.
Having never seen Nessie he counted himself as a non-believer in the mythical animal.
Ross has now had to reconsider his scepticism after photographing what appears to be a 12ft creature on his phone.
In doing so, the 35-year-old captured the first "accepted" sighting of Nessie on a mobile phone this year.
Image: PETER JOLLY NORTHPIX) PETER JOLLY NORTHPIX)
The other five have been by the loch's webcam.
Ross is a firefighter at Drumnadrochit, lying on the shore of Loch Ness.
He is also a tree feller and fencer for Forestry and Land Scotland, working around the loch.
But on July 8, Ross was driving just outside Fort Augustus when he glanced at the water, about 200ft below the road.
"There were a couple of kayakers, but 100 yards ahead of them was something below the surface," he explained.
"At first I thought it was a big rock under the water and I just carried on driving,
"Then I thought 'there's never been a rock there before' - so curiosity got the better of me. I turned round and parked in a long lay-by.
"The object had moved and was now out in the middle of the loch.
"The kayakers were much further behind. The creature must have done 400 yards in a minute - and against the wind.
Image: PETER JOLLY NORTHPIX) PETER JOLLY NORTHPIX)
"I started watching it for five minutes. There was no long neck, no head, just the hump bit.
"I would say it was 12ft long and 4ft wide, at its widest. It was light grey and it went under the water then up and then disappeared."
Ross went on to explain how rare a sighting it was.
"I have lived all my life in the area and I am keen fisherman who has spent hundreds of hours on the loch," he said.
"But I have never seen anything like that before. Did I believe in Nessie? - hell no!
"I have seen seals dozens of times in the loch, but this was far too big to be a seal.
"It was not a log and was travelling against the wind. If somebody can explain to me what I have seen that would be great - but I just can't explain it.
"I never thought I would be one of those guys seeing Nessie."
He went on to explain how his friends are coming round to the idea of him having seen the mythical Scottish beast.
"I kept quiet at first but then I showed it (the images) to my fellow firefighters and they at first took the Mick, but are equally baffled," Ross continued.
"In fact one had seen something himself, 25 years ago. I have no idea what I saw, but I would say it was an animal of some kind."
Gary Campbell, the recorder of the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, said:"This is the first sighting of Nessie this year that was not from the webcam.
"It is a classic sighting of Nessie - with no head or neck discernible.
"It is just under the surface - and may not have been visible to the kayakers at water level.
"It is a fascinating sighting and adds to the mystery. It does nor definitively prove the existence of Nessie, but it certainly adds to the debate."
Mr Campbell said nearly a third of sightings of Nessie in recent years were from people watching the loch's webcam.
"I would like to see webcams all around the loch to get a 360 degree watch," he continued.
"I'm sure that would produce even more sightings."
The fifth accepted sighting of the year of the Loch Ness Monster was recorded from over 4,500 miles away in Oregon, US.
Kaylynn Wangle logged her second sighting of the year when on June 9 she watched the Nessie webcam and saw a black object moving across the loch from right to left.
The object is said to change shape and disappear under the water before resurfacing.
Image: PETER JOLLY NORTHPIX) PETER JOLLY NORTHPIX)
Splashing also seems to visible. This sighting is over 10 minutes long.
Ms Wangle also recorded Nessie on April 10 with a seven minute video.
Hospital clerical worker Eoin O'Faodhagain from Northern Ireland is responsible for the other three sightings this year, including his glimpse of Nessie on January 18, which was also the earliest of the monster for 19 years.
Last year the 55-year-old devoted Nessie watcher had four sightings accepted.
Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster last year reached a record 18 for this century and were at their highest level for more than 35 years.
The end-of-year total came after scientists earlier claimed that they had solved the mystery of Nessie and she could possibly be a giant eel.
It follows DNA analysis of living species in the freshwater loch.
The scientists ruled out the presence of large animals said to be behind reports of a monster.
No evidence of a prehistoric marine reptile called a plesiosaur or a large fish such as a sturgeon were found.
But in a documentary on the project, lead scientist Prof Neil Gemmell, a geneticist from New Zealand's University of Otago, says about 25 percent of the samples remain unidentified.
That is good news for Nessie believers and the Highland tourist industry - the monster is said to be worth £41m to the region.
It was in 1996, Mr Campbell saw something resembling a "mini whale" - with a black shiny back - at the south end of the loch.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
Since then Mr Campbell has researched and now logged 1,121 historical sightings, from records stretching back over the centuries.
According to Google there are 200,000 searches each month for the Loch Ness Monster.
Irish missionary St Columba is first said to have encountered a beast in the River Ness in 565AD.
Among the most famous claimed sightings is a photograph taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson.
The image was later exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, who revealed that the pictures were staged on his death bed.


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Queen's heartbreaking words about the future after unveiling of her new portrait

The latest portrait of the Queen was unveiled to the world this week as a `` lasting tribute to Her Majesty 's service '' - although in very unusual circunstances .
The Queen , 94 , saw it for the first time this week but only via her computer screen as she took part in a live video chat with the artist Miriam Escofet , among others .
She was of course unable to see it due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis , which has seen the Queen and her husband Prince Philip in isolation in Windsor Castle .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final piece , there was one phrase she used that had added poignancy given the global pandemic .
The virtual visit was hosted by Head of the Diplomatic Service Sir Simon McDonald , to discuss the work that was commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office .
She told Miriam Escofet , who painted the portrait , during the unveiling : `` I 'm glad to have had a chance to see it . ''
Her Majesty added that she `` hoped to see it in real life one day '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Queen pointed out some features of the painting that struck her including an empty tea cup on a table beside her .
The artist said afterwards : `` She seemed to react very positively to it .
She was smiling , asking how long it took and if I had any more projects on the go after this .
`` When I explained certain elements of the painting , the tea cup , she made some amusing comments .
`` She said 'but there 's no tea in the cup ' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ details in the painting , which was inspired partly by Holbein 's The Ambassadors and the anamorphic distortion technique used by Renaissance painters .
As such , she said , she resolved to have a `` slightly surreal '' but appropriate element as something `` intriguing for people to stumble upon '' .
She told the Queen she had settled on a tea cup , including the insignia of the FCO on the saucer and reflected in the cup itself .
The artist said : `` It felt really right to apply it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very humble object carries this symbolism representing the FCO and linking the portrait to its destination .
`` I explained this to the Queen and she made this very humorous comment about how there 's no tea in the cup .
`` I said I 'm afraid the tea has been sacrificed for the symbolism . ''

Royal first as Queen attends virtual unveiling of new portrait
Royal first as Queen attends virtual unveiling of new portrait
Painted by Miriam Escofet, the Queen, 94, set eyes on it for the first time via her computer screen, before speaking to members of FCO staff about their work around the world during the coronavirus crisis
Queen's heartbreaking words about the future after unveiling of her new portrait
The latest portrait of the Queen was unveiled to the world this week as a "lasting tribute to Her Majesty's service" - although in very unusual circunstances.
The Queen, 94, saw it for the first time this week but only via her computer screen as she took part in a live video chat with the artist Miriam Escofet, among others.
She was of course unable to see it due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, which has seen the Queen and her husband Prince Philip in isolation in Windsor Castle.
And while she was certainly enthusiastic to see the final piece, there was one phrase she used that had added poignancy given the global pandemic.
The virtual visit was hosted by Head of the Diplomatic Service Sir Simon McDonald, to discuss the work that was commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Image: PA) PA)
She told Miriam Escofet, who painted the portrait, during the unveiling: "I'm glad to have had a chance to see it."
Her Majesty added that she "hoped to see it in real life one day".
With a keen eye for detail. the Queen pointed out some features of the painting that struck her including an empty tea cup on a table beside her.
The artist said afterwards: "She seemed to react very positively to it. She was smiling, asking how long it took and if I had any more projects on the go after this.
"When I explained certain elements of the painting, the tea cup, she made some amusing comments.
Image: PA) PA)
Image: PA) PA)
"She said 'but there's no tea in the cup'."
Ms Escofet explained some of the details in the painting, which was inspired partly by Holbein's The Ambassadors and the anamorphic distortion technique used by Renaissance painters.
As such, she said, she resolved to have a "slightly surreal" but appropriate element as something "intriguing for people to stumble upon".
She told the Queen she had settled on a tea cup, including the insignia of the FCO on the saucer and reflected in the cup itself.
Image: PA) PA)
The artist said: "It felt really right to apply it to the tea cup. Suddenly this very humble object carries this symbolism representing the FCO and linking the portrait to its destination.
"I explained this to the Queen and she made this very humorous comment about how there's no tea in the cup.
"I said I'm afraid the tea has been sacrificed for the symbolism."


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Woman writes heartfelt letters to 100 strangers isolated in lockdown worldwide

A selfless mum has written 100 letters to strangers isolated by coronavirus lockdowns around the world .
Jess Collins , 37 , said she wanted to help in some way during the global crisis and so launched an initiative to reach out to people who wanted contact .
The copywriter from Falmouth , Cornwall , drew on her writing skills because she believes `` words give us hope and bring us together . ''
She put a shoutout on Instagram to see who wanted to hear from her , and the requests came flooding in from all over the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spain and the US .
Jess wrote handwritten cards , talking about her thoughts and feelings and how she was coping throughout the pandemic .
And she was pleased when she began receiving replies with the stories of others .
`` It was humbling and powerful to connect with people , '' Jess told Mirror Online .
Do you know a coronavirus hero ?
Get in touch with your story at webnews @ mirror.co.uk '' People were showing their vulnerabilities to someone they do n't know .
`` It 's made me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are all connected and all in it together . ''
Jess , who has two children aged two and four , said that as the coronavirus pandemic broke out , she started wondering what she could do to help others .
`` At the time people were volunteering to help with health care but I have got no medical knowledge .
`` The only thing I have got is writing - and I know that the power of that can lift people . ''
She told her Instagram followers her plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 and said people started messaging her asking for a letter .
Jess 's Instagram post , explaining what she was going to do , said : `` I am just a writer .
All I have is words .
`` But words give us hope , words bond us and bring us together .
`` Words can inspire and embolden , connect and create community .
`` This year I planned a 100 Letters Project to write 100 letters to people who have touched my life in some way over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided instead to write 100 letters to people during collective isolation .
`` If you want to receive a letter from me just drop me a message .
`` I may only have words but sometimes that can give the greatest inspiration and have the biggest impact of all .
`` And there ’ s nothing like receiving a letter . ''
Jess said she wrote about how she was feeling - whether she was up or down she would write the truth .
She was honest , talking about how she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was missing during lockdown - for example swimming in the sea .
`` It was like a diary , I talked about things I was learning , things I was finding difficult , '' she said .
Jess said she wrote in cards with a quote about courage on the front and received about 15 `` emotive '' letters back .
`` People said they had cried reading my letters , '' she said .
`` Someone said that to have a letter from a stranger was the weirdest but most amazing thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in normal every day life . ''

EXCLUSIVE: Copywriter Jess Collins from Falmouth, Cornwall, wrote handwritten cards to people all around the UK, Germany, Spain and the US because "words give us hope and bring us together"
Woman writes heartfelt letters to 100 strangers in Covid-19 isolation around the world
A selfless mum has written 100 letters to strangers isolated by coronavirus lockdowns around the world.
Jess Collins, 37, said she wanted to help in some way during the global crisis and so launched an initiative to reach out to people who wanted contact.
The copywriter from Falmouth, Cornwall, drew on her writing skills because she believes "words give us hope and bring us together."
She put a shoutout on Instagram to see who wanted to hear from her, and the requests came flooding in from all over the world including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain and the US.
Jess wrote handwritten cards, talking about her thoughts and feelings and how she was coping throughout the pandemic.
And she was pleased when she began receiving replies with the stories of others.
"It was humbling and powerful to connect with people," Jess told Mirror Online.
Do you know a coronavirus hero? Get in touch with your story at webnews@mirror.co.uk
Image: Enchanted Brides Photography) Enchanted Brides Photography)
"People were showing their vulnerabilities to someone they don't know.
"It's made me trust in human nature and trust that we are all connected and all in it together."
Jess, who has two children aged two and four, said that as the coronavirus pandemic broke out, she started wondering what she could do to help others.
Image: Enchanted Brides Photography) Enchanted Brides Photography)
Image: Harrera Images) Harrera Images)
"At the time people were volunteering to help with health care but I have got no medical knowledge.
"The only thing I have got is writing - and I know that the power of that can lift people."
She told her Instagram followers her plan to write 100 letters to strangers on March 17 and said people started messaging her asking for a letter.
Image: Enchanted Brides Photography) Enchanted Brides Photography)
Jess's Instagram post, explaining what she was going to do, said: "I am just a writer. All I have is words.
"But words give us hope, words bond us and bring us together.
"Words can inspire and embolden, connect and create community.
Image: Jess Collins) Jess Collins)
"This year I planned a 100 Letters Project to write 100 letters to people who have touched my life in some way over the past 30 years.
"I’ve decided instead to write 100 letters to people during collective isolation.
"If you want to receive a letter from me just drop me a message.
Image: Harrera Images) Harrera Images)
"I may only have words but sometimes that can give the greatest inspiration and have the biggest impact of all.
"And there’s nothing like receiving a letter."
Jess said she wrote about how she was feeling - whether she was up or down she would write the truth.
She was honest, talking about how she was sleep deprived, about the things she was missing during lockdown - for example swimming in the sea.
Mirror Coronavirus Heroes The coronavirus lockdown is a worrying time for millions across the UK. But it's also bringing out the best in people who are selflessly giving their time each day to help those most in need. Our Mirror Coronavirus Heroes series wants to recognise all of those helping the most vulnerable during the crisis. Whether it's a local business going the extra mile for the community or a teenager helping an elderly neighbour, we want to hear about it. You can email your stories of Mirror Coronavirus Heroes to webnews@mirror.co.uk.
"It was like a diary, I talked about things I was learning, things I was finding difficult," she said.
Jess said she wrote in cards with a quote about courage on the front and received about 15 "emotive" letters back.
"People said they had cried reading my letters," she said.
"Someone said that to have a letter from a stranger was the weirdest but most amazing thing ever and something that would never happen in normal every day life."


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Dismayed people in town hit with new restrictions 'thought it'd be over by now'

Tougher measures have been introduced in Oldham as health bosses try to slow the spread of coronavirus locally .
The borough in Greater Manchester has seen a spike of more than 100 cases in a week as people in high-risk jobs were tested in a pilot study .
And after just a few weeks of residents enjoying visitors to their home and 'social bubbles ' , they have now been banned .
The borough 's 250,000 residents must also keep two metres apart from friends and family when seeing them outside , the Manchester Evening News reports .
From Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been shielding are now being asked to continue to do so for another two weeks .
Ed and Ann Jones , from Lees , said that people in Oldham should have `` followed the rules to begin with '' .
`` I thought it 'd be over by now '' , Ed sighed , `` If people had obeyed the rules to begin with , we 'd be all right now . ''
`` People have n't been doing it '' , 59-year-old Ann said .
`` Like with the raves that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the younger ones understand how it 's actually affecting people .
I did n't go in a supermarket from March for three months .
The only people I 've had round is my son and my daughter . ''
The couple questioned why the council could n't impose the measures on specific parts of Oldham , rather than the entire town .
`` It would make sense to lockdown the area where these cases are rising , Oldham is a big place '' , Ann added .
`` That way you 'd know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oldham Council said a `` significant proportion '' of recent cases involve multiple people testing positive in a single household .
Town hall chiefs said that shows household spread is a `` real issue '' - especially in cases in which large families live together in one home .
`` If you 've got a big family and you 're all under one roof it 's really hard not to mingle with other people '' , Ed added .
The tougher guidelines are aimed at avoiding a full government-mandated local lockdown like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the seven days to July 25 there have been 119 new cases of the virus in Oldham .
This is more than a fourfold increase from the previous week , ending July 17 , which saw 26 positive cases .
Just four days ago , the government had dropped the borough from its watch list of areas of concern due to a fall in the infection rate .
As part of the guidelines , people are being urged to wear a mask when they can not guarantee being able to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops and on public transport .
But local business owner Pauline Jackson , who runs a shop which specialises in shoe repairs and key cutting , said masks should have been compulsory `` from day one '' .
`` I think people would rather stay at home now than wear a mask '' , she said .
`` I think from day one when shops were allowed to open that masks should have been compulsory to everybody .
`` I think wearing the masks should have come out right at the beginning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown has had a huge impact on her business .
`` We 're not on our own , everybody is exactly the same .
It has n't picked up '' , she said .
`` We do rely on the elderly age group and they 're not coming out .
`` With the elderly and vulnerable having to stay in again for two weeks that will massively impact the business .
`` I think it 's going to have a very big impact on us all . ''
Barbara Davidson has been visiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown measures were eased earlier this month .
Shopping in the town centre with her daughter she asked : `` So are we doing something illegal now by being together ? ''
`` It 's a big change for people if all of a sudden if goes back to a lockdown '' , she added .
June Brooks from Hathershaw has been visiting her son every Tuesday .
The 82-year-old said she 's `` not surprised '' the cases are rising .
But Marie , a carer from Springhead , said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tougher restrictions .
`` I have n't really noticed anyone not following the rules , but town today seems quite busy really '' , she said .
`` It is a worry when the cases are rising quite significantly . ''
Iqbal , a taxi driver in Oldham , said the tougher restrictions will impact his family 's Eid celebrations on Friday .
`` It 's like our Christmas '' , he said .
`` We 've just been getting things back to normal .
`` The mosques have opened up again and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be back to square one again .
`` You 've just got to be careful , check your temperatures , make sure nobody has been in contact with anyone and just be careful .
`` It will affect Eid because it 's a big gathering so I do n't know how it 's going to work out .
All the family usually gets together . ''
Deputy council leader and cabinet member for COVID-19 recovery Arooj Shahsaid the best way to avoid infection is limiting contact with others and staying home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working from home where possible .
She urged people to meet in groups of no more than six people from different households when outside , and said gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is exclusively from two households or support bubbles .
`` It is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes , including gardens and other outdoor spaces , and for a range of other events , including weddings , civil partnership ceremonies and services , community activities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same '' , Cllr Shah added .
Earlier this month , it was announced that the borough had been chosen as one of four pilot sites in the country testing people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus .
Katrina Stephens , director of public health for Oldham , urged anyone with symptoms to book a coronavirus test online .
“ If we all do our bit and stick to the restrictions now , we can help stop the spread of coronavirus , and protect ourselves and our loved ones '' , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should self-isolate for seven days and members of their family and support bubble , as well as other people they have been in contact with should self-isolate for 14 days .
This applies even if they have been tested and received a negative result , as it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear .

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Ashlie Blakey, Lorraine King)

The large borough in Greater Manchester has seen a spike of more than 100 cases in a week prompting the council to bring a local lockdown to curb coronavirus outbreaks
Dismayed Oldham residents 'thought it'd be over by now' as new restrictions brought in
Tougher measures have been introduced in Oldham as health bosses try to slow the spread of coronavirus locally.
The borough in Greater Manchester has seen a spike of more than 100 cases in a week as people in high-risk jobs were tested in a pilot study.
And after just a few weeks of residents enjoying visitors to their home and 'social bubbles', they have now been banned.
The borough's 250,000 residents must also keep two metres apart from friends and family when seeing them outside, the Manchester Evening News reports.
From Friday, vulnerable and elderly people who have been shielding are now being asked to continue to do so for another two weeks.
Image: ABNM Photography) ABNM Photography)
Ed and Ann Jones, from Lees, said that people in Oldham should have "followed the rules to begin with".
"I thought it'd be over by now", Ed sighed, "If people had obeyed the rules to begin with, we'd be all right now."
"People haven't been doing it", 59-year-old Ann said.
Image: MEN Media) MEN Media)
"Like with the raves that they've had. I don't think the younger ones understand how it's actually affecting people. I didn't go in a supermarket from March for three months. The only people I've had round is my son and my daughter."
The couple questioned why the council couldn't impose the measures on specific parts of Oldham, rather than the entire town.
"It would make sense to lockdown the area where these cases are rising, Oldham is a big place", Ann added.
"That way you'd know who is breaking the rules."
Image: MEN Media) MEN Media)
Oldham Council said a "significant proportion" of recent cases involve multiple people testing positive in a single household.
Town hall chiefs said that shows household spread is a "real issue" - especially in cases in which large families live together in one home.
"If you've got a big family and you're all under one roof it's really hard not to mingle with other people", Ed added.
The tougher guidelines are aimed at avoiding a full government-mandated local lockdown like the one that has taken place in Leicester.
Image: MEN Media) MEN Media)
In the seven days to July 25 there have been 119 new cases of the virus in Oldham.
This is more than a fourfold increase from the previous week, ending July 17, which saw 26 positive cases.
Just four days ago, the government had dropped the borough from its watch list of areas of concern due to a fall in the infection rate.
As part of the guidelines, people are being urged to wear a mask when they cannot guarantee being able to stay two metres apart, such as in shops and on public transport.
Image: MEN Media) MEN Media)
But local business owner Pauline Jackson, who runs a shop which specialises in shoe repairs and key cutting, said masks should have been compulsory "from day one".
"I think people would rather stay at home now than wear a mask", she said.
"I think from day one when shops were allowed to open that masks should have been compulsory to everybody.
"I think wearing the masks should have come out right at the beginning."
Image: MEN Media) MEN Media)
The 56-year-old from Chadderton said the lockdown has had a huge impact on her business.
"We're not on our own, everybody is exactly the same. It hasn't picked up", she said.
"We do rely on the elderly age group and they're not coming out.
"With the elderly and vulnerable having to stay in again for two weeks that will massively impact the business.
Image: ABNM Photography) ABNM Photography)
"I think it's going to have a very big impact on us all."
Barbara Davidson has been visiting her daughter Angela and grandchildren since the lockdown measures were eased earlier this month.
Shopping in the town centre with her daughter she asked: "So are we doing something illegal now by being together?"
"It's a big change for people if all of a sudden if goes back to a lockdown", she added.
Image: MEN Media) MEN Media)
June Brooks from Hathershaw has been visiting her son every Tuesday.
The 82-year-old said she's "not surprised" the cases are rising.
But Marie, a carer from Springhead, said she was shocked to hear about the new, tougher restrictions.
"I haven't really noticed anyone not following the rules, but town today seems quite busy really", she said.
Image: Lee McLean/SWNS) Lee McLean/SWNS)
"It is a worry when the cases are rising quite significantly."
Iqbal, a taxi driver in Oldham, said the tougher restrictions will impact his family's Eid celebrations on Friday.
"It's like our Christmas", he said.
"We've just been getting things back to normal.
"The mosques have opened up again and people are coming and going, so it will be back to square one again.
"You've just got to be careful, check your temperatures, make sure nobody has been in contact with anyone and just be careful.
"It will affect Eid because it's a big gathering so I don't know how it's going to work out. All the family usually gets together."
Deputy council leader and cabinet member for COVID-19 recovery Arooj Shahsaid the best way to avoid infection is limiting contact with others and staying home "wherever you can", including working from home where possible.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
She urged people to meet in groups of no more than six people from different households when outside, and said gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is exclusively from two households or support bubbles.
"It is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes, including gardens and other outdoor spaces, and for a range of other events, including weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and services, community activities and support groups the government advice is the same", Cllr Shah added.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the borough had been chosen as one of four pilot sites in the country testing people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
Katrina Stephens, director of public health for Oldham, urged anyone with symptoms to book a coronavirus test online.
“If we all do our bit and stick to the restrictions now, we can help stop the spread of coronavirus, and protect ourselves and our loved ones", she added.
If someone tests positive they should self-isolate for seven days and members of their family and support bubble, as well as other people they have been in contact with should self-isolate for 14 days.
This applies even if they have been tested and received a negative result, as it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear.


thedailymirror--2020-07-29--Percy Pigs won't kill you. But official weight loss advice is often a porkie pie

You could be forgiven for thinking , from the way it has hogged today 's news , that a chewy pink sweet is the main cause of the coronavirus epidemic .
But cast your mind back to 2015 , when scientists said sausages could be as bad for you as a cigarette .
Or 2018 , when a 10-year study found a link between bacon , hot dogs and poor mental health .
And only last year , a group of vegetarian doctors claimed a bacon sandwich was just as likely to give you cancer as - wait for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories is often the answer as to who or what is behind them .
So it is clear , to anyone with an ounce of knowledge about how the media works , that the pigs have a much better PR company than the bats .
What 's happened is that a government food strategy report into the nation 's diet - which makes some very good points that everyone 's ignored and the government will do nothing about - has been overshadowed by the fact its author used Percy Pigs to show the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims to have cut its sugar content , there are in fact 4 different types of sugar hiding in plain sight on the ingredients list .
Sugar is the current bête noire of the food-faddists , officially labelled as the reason why two thirds of adults , and a third of children aged 11 , are overweight .
And , like a lot of food fads , it 's hogwash .
Sugar is natural , and normal in lots of different types of food .
What 's not a good idea is added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our diets back in the 1980s when the food-faddists thought fat was the thing that was killing us .
It created a huge market for low-fat foods , and a huge problem , because taking out the fat also removes the flavour .
So in its place came added sugar , and an addiction which has taken root across the wealthy , western world .
The faddists should have realised that , as humans have been eating fat for millennia and only got heart disease recently , something else might have been to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the government advice , health drives , and low-fat campaigns , there 's now science to prove fats are a vital part of the diet .
You may now enjoy your double cream , lap up the cheese , smear butter all over your bum .
But the damage has been done - added sugar is in ready meals marketed as a healthy option , granola and protein bars , ready made soups , yoghurts , sauces , salad dressings , smoothies , vitamin waters , in fact almost everything sold as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not table sugar we 're talking about .
It 's more often fructose , a form of sugar which is particularly likely to increase fat around your liver , leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes , as well as bad cholesterol which causes heart disease .
It 's smuggled into the ingredients list as corn syrup , or HFCS ( high fructose corn syrup ) .
It occurs naturally in fruit and honey , but is pretty unnecessary for humans , who need it only to produce semen .
But fruit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since forever .
The Vikings were n't obese , and they ate ham , drank mead , and scoffed berries and carbs and plenty of other stuff the faddists scream at us for eating now .
What they did n't do was extract fructose and add it to their Big Macs .
Perhaps it 's exercise , then .
It 's the wealthier nations that are fatter , and incidentally have more jobs where you sit down .
But we have also fetishized slimness , and if cycling to work was enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have hit 17.5 stone in the first place .
Not long ago , being skinny was an unattractive sign of poverty .
Fat was sexy , and when duty was introduced on beer in the 18th century , male writers bemoaned the fact that wenches would lose their curves .
Today obesity is considered hot only by spare tyre-loving deviants .
We 're not just curvy - we 're wobbling Wall-E style piles of flubber , glued to screens , and instead of invading places or farming the land we 're creating memes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our freedom to a Percy Pig .
So if it 's not all down to bacon , or fat , or sugar , or cycling , or what we think is sexy , and we 're richer than ever before , then what , exactly , is the problem ?
Well , it 's probably linked to the fact that something in the previous 16 paragraphs came as a surprise .
We spend all this time grazing the internet , which holds all of human knowledge , and it turns out we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We latch on to a food fad , and forget the last one turned out to be bollocks .
We go 5:2 or 2:5 , or low-carb , or high-protein , and do n't spot the fact the thing they all have in common is they cut out added sugar .
We say `` ooh , fructose , bad ! ''
but do n't ask ourselves why the Greeks did n't fret about raisins .
A well-functioning brain is the best way to get a good memory .
Your brain is made , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 40 years , we probably have n't been eating enough of it .
The truth is we 're malnourished .
There are 155m children in the world whose growth is stunted , 52m who are wasting away and 41m who are obese .
The cause of all three of these things is poverty - financial , and intellectual .
It 's proven beyond doubt that children who do n't eat well do worse .
That 's why Marcus Rashford campaigned for free school meals , and why the government had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 days of life - long before children get anywhere near a school dinner - does an enormous amount to switch on good genes , get the brain wired properly , and fire up a strong immune system .
Failing to do that has been shown to have genetic effects which can last for generations .
It can lower the IQ and increase anti-social But despite living in one of the wealthiest nations in the world , our government does not collect data about food insecurity , or culinary knowledge .
Statistics about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not cock-ups with our kids .
The way to solve obesity , malnutrition , and their consequent social and health costs is to decrease poverty , and increase education .
It 's to teach everyone in the country how to read an ingredients list , and to make it a legal requirement for them to be written in plain English .
It would hurt no-one but big business fructose freaks to make feeding yourself a mandatory part of the national curriculum .
Teach kids how to make their own smoothies and soups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , source in-season fruit and veg , use every last bit of the chicken , educate them about balanced diets rather than faddish exclusions of natural , normal food that 's vital to keep their body working .
And if the government really wanted to tackle obesity , and the risks of more deaths in a second wave of Covid-19 , it does n't need to waste money on vouchers to fix a puncture on a bike 95 % of us do n't have .
It could ban added sugars tomorrow , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we need weaning off that addiction with more urgency than the government said we must be weaned off the furlough scheme .
These extra , unbalancing , and therefore lethal , sugars could be obliterated with existing emergency coronavirus legislation , and we 'd all have lost 10lb by Christmas .
Ditching Percy Pigs might be an idea .
Making them healthier would certainly be more productive than making memes .
But they 're not what 's going to kill us - it 's being too stupid to keep ourselves healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all things , engage brain , and do n't listen to the gammon .
Stick a slice of pineapple and a fried egg on it instead .
YUM .

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Fleet Street Fox)

You could be forgiven for thinking, from the way it has hogged today's news, that a chewy pink sweet is the main cause of the coronavirus epidemic.
But cast your mind back to 2015, when scientists said sausages could be as bad for you as a cigarette. Or 2018, when a 10-year study found a link between bacon, hot dogs and poor mental health.
And only last year, a group of vegetarian doctors claimed a bacon sandwich was just as likely to give you cancer as - wait for it - asbestos .
Who benefits from such stories is often the answer as to who or what is behind them. So it is clear, to anyone with an ounce of knowledge about how the media works, that the pigs have a much better PR company than the bats.
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Getty Images/iStockphoto)
What's happened is that a government food strategy report into the nation's diet - which makes some very good points that everyone's ignored and the government will do nothing about - has been overshadowed by the fact its author used Percy Pigs to show the problem with our sweet tooth. Despite claims to have cut its sugar content, there are in fact 4 different types of sugar hiding in plain sight on the ingredients list.
Sugar is the current bête noire of the food-faddists, officially labelled as the reason why two thirds of adults, and a third of children aged 11, are overweight. And, like a lot of food fads, it's hogwash.
Sugar is natural, and normal in lots of different types of food. What's not a good idea is added sugar - and most of that entered our diets back in the 1980s when the food-faddists thought fat was the thing that was killing us.
It created a huge market for low-fat foods, and a huge problem, because taking out the fat also removes the flavour. So in its place came added sugar, and an addiction which has taken root across the wealthy, western world.
Image: Getty Images/EyeEm) Getty Images/EyeEm)
The faddists should have realised that, as humans have been eating fat for millennia and only got heart disease recently, something else might have been to blame. And 40 years on from all the government advice, health drives, and low-fat campaigns, there's now science to prove fats are a vital part of the diet.
You may now enjoy your double cream, lap up the cheese, smear butter all over your bum. But the damage has been done - added sugar is in ready meals marketed as a healthy option, granola and protein bars, ready made soups, yoghurts, sauces, salad dressings, smoothies, vitamin waters, in fact almost everything sold as being good for you.
And it's not table sugar we're talking about. It's more often fructose, a form of sugar which is particularly likely to increase fat around your liver, leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as bad cholesterol which causes heart disease. It's smuggled into the ingredients list as corn syrup, or HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). It occurs naturally in fruit and honey, but is pretty unnecessary for humans, who need it only to produce semen.
But fruit and honey have been eaten by humans since forever. The Vikings weren't obese, and they ate ham, drank mead, and scoffed berries and carbs and plenty of other stuff the faddists scream at us for eating now.
What they didn't do was extract fructose and add it to their Big Macs.
Image: A&E Television Networks) A&E Television Networks)
Perhaps it's exercise, then. It's the wealthier nations that are fatter, and incidentally have more jobs where you sit down. But we have also fetishized slimness, and if cycling to work was enough to keep you fit Boris Johnson would never have hit 17.5 stone in the first place.
Not long ago, being skinny was an unattractive sign of poverty. Fat was sexy, and when duty was introduced on beer in the 18th century, male writers bemoaned the fact that wenches would lose their curves.
Today obesity is considered hot only by spare tyre-loving deviants. We're not just curvy - we're wobbling Wall-E style piles of flubber, glued to screens, and instead of invading places or farming the land we're creating memes about how we'll never give up our freedom to a Percy Pig.
So if it's not all down to bacon, or fat, or sugar, or cycling, or what we think is sexy, and we're richer than ever before, then what, exactly, is the problem?
Well, it's probably linked to the fact that something in the previous 16 paragraphs came as a surprise. We spend all this time grazing the internet, which holds all of human knowledge, and it turns out we're rubbish at remembering most of it.
We latch on to a food fad, and forget the last one turned out to be bollocks. We go 5:2 or 2:5, or low-carb, or high-protein, and don't spot the fact the thing they all have in common is they cut out added sugar. We say "ooh, fructose, bad!" but don't ask ourselves why the Greeks didn't fret about raisins.
A well-functioning brain is the best way to get a good memory. Your brain is made, mostly, of fat. And for the past 40 years, we probably haven't been eating enough of it.
Image: UPI / Barcroft Images) UPI / Barcroft Images)
The truth is we're malnourished. There are 155m children in the world whose growth is stunted, 52m who are wasting away and 41m who are obese. The cause of all three of these things is poverty - financial, and intellectual.
It's proven beyond doubt that children who don't eat well do worse. That's why Marcus Rashford campaigned for free school meals, and why the government had to give in. In particular the first 1,000 days of life - long before children get anywhere near a school dinner - does an enormous amount to switch on good genes, get the brain wired properly, and fire up a strong immune system.
Failing to do that has been shown to have genetic effects which can last for generations. It can lower the IQ and increase anti-social But despite living in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, our government does not collect data about food insecurity, or culinary knowledge. Statistics about malnutrition concentrate on deaths among the elderly, not cock-ups with our kids.
The way to solve obesity, malnutrition, and their consequent social and health costs is to decrease poverty, and increase education. It's to teach everyone in the country how to read an ingredients list, and to make it a legal requirement for them to be written in plain English.
It would hurt no-one but big business fructose freaks to make feeding yourself a mandatory part of the national curriculum. Teach kids how to make their own smoothies and soups so they know what's in them, source in-season fruit and veg, use every last bit of the chicken, educate them about balanced diets rather than faddish exclusions of natural, normal food that's vital to keep their body working.
And if the government really wanted to tackle obesity, and the risks of more deaths in a second wave of Covid-19, it doesn't need to waste money on vouchers to fix a puncture on a bike 95% of us don't have. It could ban added sugars tomorrow, and for free.
They're not necessary, and we need weaning off that addiction with more urgency than the government said we must be weaned off the furlough scheme. These extra, unbalancing, and therefore lethal, sugars could be obliterated with existing emergency coronavirus legislation, and we'd all have lost 10lb by Christmas.
Ditching Percy Pigs might be an idea. Making them healthier would certainly be more productive than making memes. But they're not what's going to kill us - it's being too stupid to keep ourselves healthy that will do that.
As with all things, engage brain, and don't listen to the gammon. Stick a slice of pineapple and a fried egg on it instead. YUM.