Apart from its laughter-filled storylines and sarcastic jabs, The Big Bang Theory also brought in a perfect ensemble to make Thursdays more fun for the viewers. While Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons aced their roles as Leonard and Sheldon Cooper, Kaley Cuoco with her character Penny is not far behind. From the initial episode itself, […]
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Ви не обов’язково повинні зустрічатися з кимось, тільки тому, що вам виповнилося 20 і всі навколо ходять парами. Ви не обов’язково повинні знайти кохання всього свого життя в старшій школі або університеті. Краще дати собі подорослішати та набратися досвіду, щоб зв’язати долю з дійсно правильною людиною. Це дійсно краще, ніж впустити у своє життя неправильного, […]
TELLY wrestlers Grado and Jack Jester believe grappling with the great outdoors as kids helped to give them their fighting spirit in the ring.
The pair have teamed-up with panto pal Stephen Purdon for our SUNTA CAUSE campaign with 800 tickets for Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre’s Beauty and the Beastie production being sold for charity.
Money raised will go directly to HopScotch Children’s Charity, who for the last 25 years have been sending kids, who live in challenging circumstances, on a fun-filled and action-packed retreat in the north of Scotland.
Pick up your copy of The Scottish Sun today to get your hands on the bargain tickets – which go on sale at 10am today.
The trio insist that embarking on their own outdoor activities as youngsters set them up for life.
Jack, who was raised in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, says: “I once went on a school trip to Glencoe – it was the first time I’d ever been to the Highlands.
“It was amazing. You’re sharing dorms with all your pals and you’re doing all this mad stuff that you would never do in the city.
“We went abseiling, went out on speedboats and it was the first time any of us had seen seals. We were just running about for five days.
“It’s funny as we thought we’d be up all night having a laugh in the dorms but we were all so knackered as soon as we went to bed, you were out cold – totally knackered.”
Jack – who plays hunky hubby Darren Lee in the BBC Scotland sitcom The Scotts – adds: “But it also helped you become independent as you had to make sure you made and packed a lunch, then the activities all involved team work.
“It was brilliant and there’s no better place than Scotland for doing all that amazing outdoor stuff.”
Grado agrees, having been heavily involved with the Boys Brigade growing up in Stevenston, Ayrshire.
The Two Doors Down star says: “I was at the BB’s Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning – then sometimes on a Sunday for church too.
“I loved it and have never been so active in all my life. We would get taken away camping which was always brilliant, but just doing stuff week to week got you out and about too.
“We did fitba training on a Wednesday and then play on a Saturday. But on a Friday we would either go ice-skating, swimming or bowling – my mum loved it as I was never in.”
While Stephen found an outlet in a youth theatre group while growing up in Glasgow’s tough Riddrie district.
The River City actor – Shieldinch’s Shell Suit Bob – explains: “There really wasn’t a lot for kids to do in the East End as there weren’t a lot of clubs around.
“But I got involved with a great youth theatre group, Toonspeak. I would go twice a week and do different plays.
“That got me socialising with different people and showed me a different way of life. It gave me my break into acting.”
But now the lads are looking forward to spreading some festive cheer with another panto packed with laughter and mayhem.
HOPSCOTCH co-founder Roberta McKay has urged Scottish Sun readers to help change kids’ lives.
The organisation sends around 700 children from challenging backgrounds on much-needed breaks every year to their incredible Ardvullin Centre, near Fort William, Inverness-shire.
A number of community groups and partner charities recommend youngsters, who have had a bad start in life, for the action-packed getaways.
And this year’s priority has been Project 25. It marks HopScotch’s Silver Jubilee and aims to raise £25,000 to give even more youngsters a dream holiday.
Roberta said: “Over the past 25 years, we have welcomed over 7,000 children to our Ardvullin holiday centre.
“In Scotland today, so many kids are living in poverty, caring for others or dealing with trauma and distress. Our HopScotch children have experienced a wide rage of life’s challenges.
“It might be the responsibility of looking after a family member, the loss of a parent, or maybe it’s the first time they’ve ever had the chance to leave their local area.
“But when they arrive for a well-deserved respite break at our centre in the West Highlands, we give them so much more than a holiday – it’s a vital break away. We open them up to a world of fun and independence.”
Roberta also urged Scottish Sun readers to give generously, adding:
“Please dig deep and support the Sunta Cause campaign. Your donation can brighten the lives of countless children in need.
“Together, we can make a real difference and bring smiles and lifelong memories to those children in Scotland who need it most.”
Give the gift of healing at wonderful.org/fundraisers/7ArvZ or scan the QR code to donate.
Stephen and Grado are playing Sammy and Hammy while Jack – real name Lee Greig – is their evil boss Benedict Bridie.
And while all three have been rivals in the wrestling ring in the past, they are just as competitive when it comes to who has the best singing voice in the show.
Grado, real name Graeme Stevely, says: “There are great songs this year, but Stephen is always holding me back because he’s not a great singer.”
Stephen admits: “That’s true. I’m more of a dancer.”
Grado, 36, adds: “Aye he can dance. I canny. One year I had a solo singing spot but I was so out of breath from a dance routine then trying to sing this swing number that it got dropped after the first show.”
Jack, 37, pipes in: “They’re raging because I can hit the right notes. I did TLC’s Waterfalls in The Scotts when I had to carry a heavily pregnant Louise McCarthy while singing.
“And instead of being in front of a waterfall it was a sewage plant.”
However Grado did “learn” to speak Japanese this year, with a little help from AI, when he signed up for a wrestling bout in the Far East.
He explains: “I used this AI translation app when I was speaking to the promoters in Japan and they were like ‘Grado san – we had no idea you spoke such great Japanese.’
“They sent me to get my visa from the Japanese Consulate in Edinburgh and told them I could speak their language fluently.
“But I only know one word, arigato – thank you. So in the consulate I just walked around saying arigato to everyone.”
The dad-of-two also discovered a long lost Italian cousin called Eddie that he claims makes him “half-Italian.”
He adds: “That explains a lot like my love of spaghetti bolognese, macaroni and icecream.”
Meanwhile Stephen’s beloved telly character Bob O’Hara has also had a busy year when he suffered more heartache after screen fiancee Kim (Frances Thorburn) died unexpectedly after a heart-attack.
He says: “Bob is a single parent now and looking after his child on his own – and just trying to cope with not having his wife anymore.
“It’s been a challenging year for him – really heavy stuff.”
It means his character Bob O’Hara has been married twice in his 22 years on the show, including to Stella (Keira Lucchesi) and Kim previously, while he was also jilted at the altar by Charlie (June Brogan).
Ironically Stephen has always been a one woman man – marrying Nicola McLaughlin in 2012. The couple now have two kids Layla, 11, and eight-year-old Leo.
But all three mates know that panto is all about the kids and that’s why they’re delighted to help out HopScotch.
Grado says: “I think it’s brilliant that HopScotch are celebrating 25 years of giving children a wee break.”
Jack adds: “It’s a great cause, so get your tickets, come along and see the panto.”
Jamie Gordon, Theatre Director at the Pavilion, said: “The Pavilion Theatre, Trafalgar Theatres and the panto cast are all delighted to support HopScotch Children’s Charity and hopefully the proceeds from our two charity performances will help spread some festive cheer this Christmas.”
*Beauty and the Beastie is on at The Glasgow Pavilion Theatre show from November 28 to January 12.
THERE’S a reason people hug trees. Not only do they offer grace and beauty to your outside space, and a vital home for wildlife – they’re great for your mental health.
In fact, a study earlier this year provided ‘robust evidence’ we could improve our mental wellbeing by spending more time looking at trees and other elements of nature.
Previous research has also revealed that hanging out with our leafy friends can improve immunity, lower blood pressure, and accelerate recovery from illness or trauma.
And hugging a tree also releases a hormone called Ocytocin – known as the ‘love drug’ – which can make you feel all gooey and warm inside.
Plus trees can be used in all sorts of medicinal purposes – willow bark contains salicin, which is similar to aspirin and can help with aches and pains.
Hawthorn extract can lower blood pressure, and witch hazel can be used to treat anything from damaged skin and bruises to insect bites.
Currently UK forests only cover 12 per cent of our land area – which is significantly low compared to a lot of Europe – and it’s time to up our game.
So today marks the start of National Tree Week – and all over the UK fans are getting together to celebrate the beginning of tree-planting time.
Dr Elisabeth Karlstad Larsen works in the RHS Environmental Horticulture team – her current research involves understanding the benefits of trees to UK gardens, especially in urban and surrounding areas.
She told Sun Gardening: “Trees can be essential to provide habitat and food for wildlife, a benefit that is increasingly necessary in tackling the biodiversity crisis we are facing — and which is particularly necessary in urban environments.
“They protect the soil beneath from excess runoff and erosion, and they maintain the carbon stored in the soil for longer, by keeping the soil undisturbed – and tree roots can further improve soil structure and nutrient recycling.”
“Trees can help mitigate air pollution, either by creating physical barriers, if a plant is between you and a busy road, to separate yourself from those particles, but also by absorbing airborne pollution through its leaves.”
Chief Horticulturalist for the RHS Guy Barter's top tips...
“Trees are also good for people, having a calming and regulating effect on people’s stress levels, creating a restorative effect, while people often have a strong emotional relationship with trees.”
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’
Crataegus laevigata ‘Pauls Scarlet’
Advent calendars for Gardeners, a great competiton and top tips.
There’s some fabulous seed-filled Advert Calendars out there.
She Grows Veg (£65) has 24 envelopes of heirloom seeds in a lovely hang-able sack.
Border in a Box (£49.99) comes beautifully wrapped with pegs so you can hang your 24 seed packets up.
Blooming Memories (£32.99) have 24 gorgeously presented seed envelopes – with twine and pegs.
Little Green Paper Shop are offering a brilliant plantable seed calendar for kids for just £14.95
Own Grown (17.99) offers 24 packets of vegetable, flower and and herbs.
WIN! Sustainable plant pot innovator, elho, is giving four lucky winners the chance to add gorgeous greenery into their homes with its stylish jazz collection and self-watering innovations. Each winner will receive 1 x jazz bowl, 1 x 30cm jazz pot and a self-watering insert. To enter, fill in THIS FORM or for more details visit www.thesun.co.uk/Elhopots. Or write to Sun Elho Pot competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 30.59GMT 7.12.24 T&Cs apply.
SAVE! Avoid the backache of bending down to collect all those leaves. Garland heavy duty leaf collectors from Amazon are £35.75 or or Robert Dyas have similar for £16.49
TOP TIP! Ryobi’s 12 Tools of Christmas offer gives you a FREE amazing tool when you buy a 18V ONE+
Starter Kit – see their website for more details
JOB OF THE WEEK! You can still plant your bulbs. If you had blackspot on your roses – throw away all the fallen leaves. Plant bare root raspberry plants.
Follow me @biros_and_bloom
GANGLAND thug Jason ‘Pigeon’ O’Connor is under investigation by prison chiefs over a posting on social media from behind bars.
A number of images were uploaded on the hot-headed thug’s story on his Facebook page on Wednesday, leading to suspicion that he may have access to a smartphone.
He updated his profile pic and replied to well-wishers saying: “All good thanks lads.”
In another, he told one pal: “All ok mate be in touch soon.”
The snaps posted were from before his return to jail.
O’Connor is caged in Mountjoy prison serving an 11-year sentence for attempted murder and working for the Kinahan cartel in five separate “operations.”
Although he has been staying out of trouble there, he will now be subject to searches after the emergence of the social media posts.
But sources say that it comes as a surprise given his good behaviour after being locked up again.
One said: “Prison authorities were made aware of the social media posts and are examining them.
“There is a huge problem with contraband at the moment not only in Mountjoy but around the whole prison system.
“But it is out of step with the way O’Connor has been behaving since he’s returned back to Mountjoy.”
O’Connor is housed on C3 and does not mix or get involved with any of his rivals.
Another source explained: “He stays out of trouble and doesn’t want to be mixed up in anything.”
Notorious criminal O’Connor – who has over 70 previous convictions, including for the possession of a phone in jail – has been back in Mountjoy since August 2023.
Earlier this year, he admitted to conspiring to kill Charlie Cooper on December 5, 2016 and facilitating a criminal organisation – named in court as the Kinahan Organised Crime Group – to murder.
Investigator’s nailed O’Connor for his crimes after an encrypted Blackberry phone seized eight years ago was cracked following new technology developments which revealed his interactions with associates.
In one of the Kinahan operations, his texts revealed communication with a man named only as ‘Associate A’.
O’Connor and this associate discussed shooting a person at an unnamed location.
O’Connor said there was “nowhere to park or watch” while ‘Associate A’ text back saying it was a “suicide mission down there” and the only way was do it it at “the gaff”.
In another exchange, ‘Associate A’ wrote how a tracker was put on the wrong motor.
Ruthless O’Connor said: “I won’t get it wrong, clean head shot, no mistakes, he’s going down.”
Yesterday, the Irish Prison Service said it does not comment on individual prisoners or specific operational or security matters.
But a spokesman explained that it is working with the Gardai as part of ‘Operation Throwover’, which targets contraband being lobbed into prisons.
He added: “Prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence led cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carry out searches around the prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries into prisons.”
HOW many of us have been at a Christmas party and wished we had a hotel nearby to carry on the craic?
With the festive season coming into view, it’s a wee treat to consider the options available if you want to avoid the hassle of leaving the fun early.
While the Irish Sun offices are based in Dublin, many of our staff live across the country, so when we had a recent party, two colleagues made their way from Belfast and Wicklow to celebrate.
Instead of spending the night worrying about making the train home, CHRIS CAIRNS and AISLING KAVANAGH decided to check out some of the city centre hotels.
Here’s how they got on . . .
I live in Wicklow, so travelling to Dublin is easy enough, but when a party is on with my new work colleagues, I want to be able to enjoy it fully.
So I stayed at the Croke Park Hotel, which is part of the luxurious Doyle Collection.
This includes the likes of London’s Marylebone and Bloomsbury hotels, and I was not disappointed.
Any GAA fan will know exactly where it is, across from the stadium itself, an ideal location if your county manages to make it to play there.
I was heading to a party in Dublin city centre that evening, so this hotel’s location was ideal for a night out.
It’s not too far from Dublin’s centre yet just far enough for a peaceful night’s rest after the event without the noise of city.
Our stay included a suite on the fourth floor, which granted us access to the executive lounge.
This private lounge was located just down the hall, and we could pop in at any time to enjoy tea, coffee and other refreshments.
In the morning they serve fresh juices, or a selection of pastries and fruit. I reckon it would be ideal for escaping the mayhem that must take over on game days.
One of the highlights of the stay was dining at the restaurant in the hotel, The Hawthorn.
And our waiter, Alex, offered superb service throughout the meal.
For starters, I opted for the scallops, which, though small, were packed with flavour.
My partner chose a more adventurous dish – compressed watermelon with avocado purée, radish, and feta cheese.
For our mains, we both went with steak. My 8oz striploin arrived perfectly medium rare, accompanied by pepper sauce and chunky chips.
By the time dessert rolled around, we were nearly too full, but couldn’t resist.
I went for the lemon posset, a balanced and refreshing finale to the meal, while my partner opted for the indulgent Croke Park Sundae, complete with peanut butter and vanilla gelato, brownie pieces, and a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce.
After a night out on the town, it was lovely to have a huge breakfast buffet with just about every breakfast you can think of.
There was nothing better than some delicious poached eggs, followed by fluffy pancakes to start the day on the right note.
A great stay for GAA fans or those who just want a good night in the city.
The Croke Park Hotel, in Dublin 3, has rooms starting at €119 per night for two people sharing when you book direct.
As Kirstie and Phil have been reminding us now for 24 years, it’s all about Location, Location, Location.
It’s what sprung to mind when I recently stayed at the new Travelodge Plus hotel in Dublin 2 for an overnight stay.
After arriving on the Dublin Express from Belfast, I was dropped off at Custom House Quay and only had a three-minute walk across the river to the 393-bedroom hotel.
It is on Townsend Street, which means the Bord Gáis Theatre, Trinity College and Grafton Street are just a stroll away.
If you are staying over for Christmas shopping, you could get it all done locally and then head to some of the nearby bars, with O’Neill’s and Moss Lane just around the corner.
There’s plenty of friendly staff working to make sure you get checked in quickly and efficiently.
I stayed on the top floor in one of the 150 SuperRooms. All mod cons are provided – from the in-room Lazazza coffee machine and blackout curtains to a 32in Freeview TV and choice of pillows.
With a little time on my hands, I enjoyed a coffee on the outdoor terrace, which is covered and heated, before making my way inside to the modern and chic Mossco Restaurant.
Even though it was only 12.30pm, the restaurant was busy with several tourists and business people enjoying lunch.
There’s everything on the menu from fish, burgers and pizzas to salads and steaks.
I chose the chicken and chorizo tagliatelle and was not disappointed – the food is of a really high standard.
Unfortunately I had to go to work then, otherwise I could have enjoyed a drink in the Mossco Bar.
The hotel’s bar is also working exclusively with Hope Beer – brewed and kegged at Howth Junction on Dublin’s Northside – to provide award-winning craft beers to residents and customers.
The gorgeous artwork and the slick look of the bar made me really want to have more time to stay and try it all out, maybe for the next night out.
The Travelodge Plus Hotel is perfect for business or pleasure.
Key locations such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle, 3Arena and Grafton Street are all within walking distance.
It’s in a perfect location without the sky-high prices.
Next time you’re stopping by in Dublin, I’d highly recommend checking it out.
Prices start from €129 Bed & Breakfast per room per night based on two people sharing in November and December.
I’ll be back for the next party I need to attend in Dublin.
