Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Patsy Kensit The Beauty Awards 2019 on November 25, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images) Photographer: Lia Toby Provider: Getty Images Source: Getty Images Europe
Patsy Kensit will return to Emmerdale after two decades to reprise her role as Sadie King.
The actress played the villainous character on the ITV soap for a two-year stint between 2004 and 2006.
A devious character
Emmerdale farm (Photo: ITV)
Sadie King arrived in the Yorkshire Dales by helicopter as the glamorous, scheming wife of Jimmy King.
Her devious ambition drove dramatic storylines including a house explosion and high-stakes affair.
Kensit went on to play Faye Morton in Holby City between 2007 and 2019.
“I am really excited to return to Emmerdale. I treasure the years I was here before,” she said.
“Sadie King is a character that I really loved playing. The cast and crew are absolutely brilliant and I am so grateful for the chance to return to the show.”
Her character will return to the soap later this year.
Be prepared for drama
Her return will be explosive and guaranteed to shock. Sadie’s seductive demeanour, combined with her utterly ruthless nature, are set to deliver a spectacular and highly dramatic touch of class to the Yorkshire Dales
Laura shaw, emmerdale producer
Caption: Emmerdale actors Jeff Hordle and Patsy Kensit in character as Cain Dingle and Sadie King, circa 2005. (Photo by Dan Goldsmith/TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Photographer: TV Times Provider: TV Times via Getty Images
Caption: DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 17: Jawad El Yamiq of Morocco pours water on his face prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 3rd Place match between Croatia and Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Photographer: Alex Pantling Provider: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images
SPORT
Fifa is risking player safety in heat at World Cup, scientists say
World-leading scientists have said Fifa’s current heat safety measures for the 2026 World Cup are “inadequate” and could risk serious harm for players.
Dangerous temperatures expected
International experts in health, climate and sports performance have called on Fifa to introduce stronger measures.
Heat is expected to be an issue at the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. Researchers said temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums in use could exceed dangerous levels.
Caption: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MAY 11: A general view of Arrowhead Stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup at Kansas City Stadium on May 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) Photographer: Jay Biggerstaff Provider: Getty Images Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
An open letter has been signed by 20 experts, including leading academics from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Europe.
They want Fifa to change its approach, including:
Delaying or postponing matches above 28°C WBGT.
Longer cooling breaks of at least six minutes.
Improved cooling facilities for players.
Regular updates to guidelines based on the latest science.
Things can go wrong quickly
Player safety is an immediate and urgent concern because things can go wrong very quickly when people overheat. We’re worried that Fifa is playing recklessly with the health and safety of players.
andrew simms, director of the new weather institute
Caption: Inglewood, CA – May 12, 2026 : The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee hold a media event at SoFi Stadium marking 30 days until the opening FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 in Inglewood, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Photographer: Jason Armond Provider: Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag Copyright: 2026 Los Angeles Times
POLITICS
How Burnham as PM may affect tax, welfare and immigration
Andy Burnham arriving for a meeting in 10 Downing Street, London, last month (Photo: Alastair Grant/AP)
Eleanor Langford
Political Reporter
There are reports that Andy Burnham is poised to attempt a dramatic comeback to Westminster.
His record in government, mayoralty in Manchester, and a string of disagreements with Downing Street give a clearer picture of what his premiership might look like.
Can he make a bid for PM?
Sir Keir Starmer with Andy Burnham in Downing Street in 2024 (Photo: Ian Vogler – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
A path to parliament
Burnham’s allies claimed he found a Labour MP ready to stand aside so he could return to parliament.
Previous hurdles
He cannot stand in a leadership contest without a seat. He was blocked from securing one in January.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (Photo: James Speakman/PA Wire)
Caption: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer walks through the Member’s Lobby of the Houses of Parliament in London to the House of Lords to hear the King’s Speech during the State Opening of Parliament. Picture date: Wednesday May 13, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Toby Melville/PA Wire Photographer: Toby Melville Provider: Toby Melville/PA Wire Source: PA
Tension is rising
But with over 90 MPs calling on Starmer to go, pressure on the Prime Minister is growing.
Welfare spending and the NHS
Burnham has been among the most vocal Labour figures to oppose the Government’s welfare cuts. He is unlikely to continue the scale of cuts to welfare spending currently being pursued.
Andy Burnham said Jim Ratcliffe’s comments were ‘inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory’ (Photo: James Speakman/PA)NHS Building – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Burnham was health secretary under Gordon Brown between 2009 and 2010. His core argument is that the NHS and social care must be fully integrated into a single publicly run system, free at the point of use – what he calls a National Care Service.
What about tax and the economy?
Burnham has consistently argued that Britain taxes work too heavily and wealth too lightly.
He proposes a revaluation of council tax bands, land value taxation reform and replacing inheritance tax with a “care levy” to fund a National Care Service.
He caused turbulence when, in 2025, he said politicians needed to “get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets”.
Burnham has criticised the Government’s hardline stance on immigration, suggesting he would be less aggressive in pursuing lower net migration figures.
In foreign policy, he was one of the first senior Labour figures to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, and urged the Government to recognise Palestinian statehood in 2025.
He also said he hoped to see the UK rejoin the EU.
“Andy Burnham’s allies have been offering peerages to MPs willing to stand aside so he can return to Westminster, The i Paper has been told. Multiple sources claim the Mayor of Manchester’s allies have been making moves to position him for any leadership challenge which may come after the local elections. The results are likely to pile further pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who has long known that these elections could be make or break for his premiership.” #Westminster#Parliament#KeirStarmer
Forget lifespan, everyone is focused on extending their healthspan: meaning, the number of years you live in good health
So what tiny tweaks can you make to your daily routine to extend a fulfilled life? Health writer Rosie Fitzmaurice tried some out.
The research
One year
Analysis from the University of Sydney found that getting an additional five minutes of sleep, two minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and an additional half-serving of vegetables per day could lead to an extra year of life.
A decade
Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night, more than 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day and following a healthy diet, were traits associated with almost a decade of additional lifespan.
Daily tweaks to make
Colorful Array of Mixed Beans – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Daily spoonful of beans
One large study found that an intake of 20g of legumes daily may reduce a person’s risk of dying in any given year by up to eight per cent.
Fibre at breakfast
Most people in the UK eat around 16–18g fibre a day but 30g is recommended.
Caption: Ro??ie Fitzmaurice – fibre maxing. Photographer: Teri Pengilley Provider: Teri Pengilley / i news Source: Teri Pengilley
(Photo: Carlos Gawronski/Getty).
Olive oil shots
One major study found those who ate the most olive oil (more than half a tablespoon a day) had a 19 per cent lower risk of death from any cause.
Daily tweaks to make
4There are benefits to eating an early dinner when we’re insulin sensitive and strolling afterwards to help digestion.
5Vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity – rather than structured exercise -ccould reduce the risk of a heart attack.
6Strength training is still important and just 30 to 60 minutes each week is associated with a 10 to 20 per cent lower risk of death.
7Balance training improves neuromuscular co-ordination and proprioception, which are critical for preventing falls.
She had a helping of beans daily and loaded her breakfast with nuts, seeds and berries.
Fitzmaurice swapped butter for olive oil, had dinner two hours earlier (around 6pm) and did one-minute bursts of exercise throughout the day.
She also practised her grip strength through dead hangs at the local park and brushed her teeth on one leg to improve balance.
The verdict
I can’t predict the future, but it’s true that making a few microtweaks to my weekly routine have had a surprisingly uplifting effect on my mood. As the world feels so utterly terrifying, taking control of the small things feels like therapy.
ROSIE FITZMAURICE, HEALTH JOURNALIST FOR THE i paper
Caption: Writer Ro??ie Fitzmaurice. Rosie Fitzmaurice Photographer: Teri Pengilley Provider: Teri Pengilley / i news Source: Teri Pengilley
Is napping an invaluable part of the day or an unproductive hour?
To find out how to feel better, brighter and bushy-tailed, we asked Russell Foster, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Oxford, everything you need to know about napping.
Naps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton/Getty Images)
Caption: A mother and new born baby taking a nap together on the sofa in a quiet but tender moment. Photographer: Jamie Garbutt Provider: Getty Images Source: Stone RF Copyright: Jamie Garbutt
How long should we nap for?
For Professor Foster, the ideal length of a time for a nap is just 20 minutes and certainly no longer than 30.
“You don’t want to do is fall into deeper sleep, because then recovery from that can leave you groggy,” he says.
Is there an optimum time of day to nap?
Napping too late in the day is warned against.
An early-afternoon nap of around 20 minutes can improve your cognition during the second half of the day.
If you have a nap later on, you can push back your sleep pressure, which means the longer you’ve been awake the greater need for sleep, at night.
As long as you’re getting the sleep that you need to function optimally, that’s the main thing.
Sleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
How much sleep does a person need?
Sleep is like a shoe: one size doesn’t fit all.
Oversleeping on days-off or sustaining your waking day with caffeine and other stimulants are signs of tiredness.
Not everybody needs eight hours of sleep; it’s variable, dynamic and individual. And will vary over a lifetime depending on the season.
Other things to know
It doesn’t matter where you physically nap as long as it feels right and you’re comfortable. You can create the right environment by making it dark, calm or using a smell like lavender.
‘I encourage anyone that is sleepy to take a good nap, guilt free,’ writes Zuva Seven (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty)The drug is taken by one in five Americans under 14, but it is only available on prescription in the UK (Photo: ozgurcankaya/Getty)
Generally speaking, napping is probably a metric that you’re not getting the sleep you need at night, says Professor Foster. “But don’t beat yourself up over it. A short nap, if it improves the second half of the day, is fine”.
What is causing damp? And how to fix it
In addition to being generally unpleasant, living in a damp property can lead to structural and health issues if left unaddressed for long periods of time.
Read on to find out the industry expert advice on how to cut the risk of damp forming in your home…
Start with your windows
Don’t keep them closed.
Take time to rest (Photo: Counter/Getty/Digital Vision/Nicolas Hudak)
Regularly opening windows – even on cold days – can improve the ventilation inside and decrease the humidity of the room.
Also wipe away the condensation that has formed overnight with a microfiber cloth to remove the dampness.
Woman loading washing machine in the kitchen – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Dry clothes in the bathroom
Avoid drying clothes in bedrooms or living rooms without airflow.
Avoid curtains over radiators
It can trap heat behind the fabric, reduce room warmth and cause condensation on windows.
Central heating problem at home. Woman checking heating radiator in cold apartment – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Furniture assembly in new apartment – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Nudge your furniture
Large furniture items placed tightly against cold walls can trap condensation, leading to mould over time.
Caption: Berlin, Germany – January 20: Condensation has been reflected on a cold winter morning on an old double box window on January 20, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images) Photographer: Thomas Trutschel Provider: Photothek via Getty Images Source: Photothek
It could be the age of your home
Close to 90 per cent of UK homes with solid external walls lack insulation, making them vulnerable.
The airtight design of some new builds helps with energy efficiency but can trap moisture if ventilation isn’t properly managed, says Chad Bragg, chief technical officer at insulation company SuperFOIL.
How to reduce the risk of damp
Clear clothes out
Clothing that is packed too tightly in a wardrobe traps humidity, especially if it is slightly damp.
(Photo: Getty).
Caption: File photo dated 19/09/13 of a general view of a central heating thermostat. Households are set to learn their energy bills will fall by around 7% from April in a shake-up of costs after the Government promised they will receive an average ?150 cut. Latest predictions suggest Ofgem will reduce the energy price cap by ?117 to ?1,641 a year for a typical dual fuel household from April 1 when it makes its announcement on Wednesday. Issue date: Sunday February 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Photographer: Steve Parsons Provider: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Source: PA
Heat strategically
If the heating in your home is reduced in temperature by just two degrees, humidity levels will increase by 10 per cent.
Keep lids on pans
While cooking it avoids releasing moisture into the air. A good cooker hood is most effective.
Protein doesn’t have to mean steak (Photo: 10’000 Hours/Getty Images/Digital Vision)
Planning for an extension?
Pay attention to insulation
(Photo: Pramote Polyamate/Getty).
Poor insulation creates ‘thermal bridges,’ or cold spots, where the new structure joins the old house. These cold junctions act as magnets for condensation, causing localised mould, heat loss, and discomfort.
Do you have your life together? Is your home tidy and clutter-free; your diary neatly colour-coded; your to-do list full of satisfying ticks?
If these questions feel like a personal attack don’t worry. We asked the put-together experts for their secrets.
Get to know your brain
The real magic is rarely in the system but in how your brain likes to work.
If you love analytical tasks, try making spreadsheets.
Set reminders for the things you usually forget.
Use the Notes app for the ideas you think of in the shower but never remember when you get to do it.
But if you are more likely to structure your day around how you’re feeling, a calendar isn’t the best option.
How to fake your way to organisation
Cropped image of senior woman putting car key in ignition lock – stock photo. (Photo: Kentaroo Tryman/ Getty)
Make it easier
If you hate folding, change your storage style. If you’re always forgetting your keys, put a sign by your door.
Make a launch pad
Keep a small tray or basket in the hallway for your can’t-leave-home-without essentials.
Two young children wearing school uniforms exit their front door – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Mid adult businesswoman using phone and laptop for work from home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Use technology
After meetings use an AI tool to note down what you have to remember as a brain dump.
Create new habits
The one-touch rule
If you put your shoes straight on the rack as you take them off, instead of kicking them onto the floor and moving them later, that’s one touch. If you hang things up rather than tossing them onto the ‘bedroom chair’ it’s another one-touch win.
A woman with one foot is searching for an amputee to share shoes with – so her two bin bags full of unwanted right foot size six shoes don’t go to waste. (Photo: Emma Henson/ SWNS)Full length of mid adult man doing chores in kitchen at home – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Talk to yourself out loud
This verbal anchor helps you remember what you have decided to do and cuts down on mental drift.
The 300-second challenge
Caption: Millennial black lady vacuuming floor while her husband watching TV, not helping her with household duties, cropped view. Unrecognizable young couple having problem with domestic chores Photographer: Prostock-Studio Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto Source: iStockphoto
Give yourself five minutes to deal with one overdue chore or task.
Using seconds rather than minutes creates urgency and gives your brain a novelty hit.
Try it when putting the laundry away, making a phone call or reading an overdue email.
Drop a marble in a jar or move a sticky note across a board each time you complete a task.
To do list – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
It is the perfect time to enjoy an afternoon nap in your own home (Photo: Malte Mueller/Getty/fStop)
Support your future
Write down where you left off and the next small task to tackle to strengthen your control over every day demands.
Ask for help
Consider seeking support from loved ones, neighbours, colleagues, community groups or professionals.
‘Everyone who comes to see me assumes I am hard-up, so they either bring me gifts and treats, or if we go out together, they always insist on paying’ (Photo: Getty)
Eight tips for combating loneliness
Ree Young, works for Mind mental health charity as a ‘befriender’ – this means working with people aged 50 and over in the city of Leeds – who may be struggling with social isolation or loneliness.
Young advises these people on how to get social, even when you don’t want to. Here are her tips.
How to combat loneliness
Social isolation affects us all
27%
of adults reported they felt lonely always, often or some of the time in data published by the Office for National Statistics in 2024.
7%
reported that they felt lonely always or often.
How to combat loneliness
Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/Getty/Digital Vision/ems-forster-productions)
Stay socially active
Check out what’s going on at your local community centre or learn something new to make connections.
Use technology
Look up old friends online, or use video-call features to connect with those who don’t live nearby.
FaceTiming on an iPad or iPhone is a simple method of video calling (Photo: Getty)
Woman learning to knit with friends in cafe – stock photo. (Photo: Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/ Getty)
Get creative
Why not learn how to crochet, write short stories, plant a herb garden or play the ukulele in a group?
Adopt a pet
They can provide companionship, a listening ear and a structured routine. They can be good listeners and stroking them can make us feel calmer and more at ease. Even the smallest pets, like fish, can bring us joy and a sense of purpose.
REE YOUNG, BEFRIENDER
(Photo: fotostorm/Getty Images/E+)
How to tackle loneliness
Join a death cafe
They are safe and inclusive spaces for people to be curious about death in a supportive environment.
Portrait of senior male cafe owner at front counter – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Hay fever can be incredibly disruptive (Photo: Science Photo Library/Getty)
Try citizen science
It’s a great way to feel part of a community, while also contributing to worthwhile initiatives.
Explore your faith
Try attending services if spiritual practices are important to you. They can offer strong support networks and open doors to new people.
Caption: Richard Loynes, with the leaning church of Dry Doddington, Nottinghamshire, also known as St James Church. April 14, 2026. // England’s wonkiest church which has a spire which leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in vital need of ??100,000 repairs to save its future – but have refused to correct the angle of its famous tower. The spire of St James’ Church in the countryside village of Dry Doddington, Lincs., tilts at 5.1 degrees compared to the 3.99 degrees of its Italian counterpart over 1,000 miles away. Villagers consider the Grade II-listed building “Britain’s answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa” but there are now concerns for its future as it is need of essential repairs. Tourists often travel to snap photos next to the historic tilting place of worship, which has now launched a fundraiser to raise another ??100,000 11 years after it underwent ??100,000 of renovation work to save its tower. The 12th century church was built originally as a ???Chapel of Ease??? for older residents to attend church rather than walking to a neighbouring village. The tower, dating from the 14th century, is believed to have first shifted in the late 19th century and was underpinned in 1918 to prevent it from tilting any further. Church warden Richard Loynes said: “The church is very much part of the village and we’re proud of its uniqueness.??? Photo released 15/04/2026 Photographer: Tom Maddick / SWNS Provider: Tom Maddick / SWNS Source: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Seek professional help
If you are unsure what support is available, speak to your GP. Research local charities and find out what services they have to offer, and try accessing local befriending, group or peer-support services.
There is nothing shameful about asking for help.
The Government must prioritise targeted investment in mental health services, preventative programmes to stop people’s health worsening – including public health funding across the North, a report said. (Photo: Alamy/PA) Female psychiatrist discussing with mid adult woman during therapy session – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
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