Ed Sheeran Had A Hilarious Reaction To Viral Clip Of Indian Police Shutting Down His Busking Performance

Posted on 11/02/2025 by Boris Clair

Ed Sheeran has spoken out after police in India abruptly shut down a street performance of his.

Over the weekend, while on tour in India, Ed popped up in Bengaluru’s Church Street street for a surprise performance.

However, in footage that was widely circulated on social media (including three million views on X alone), a local police officer was seen unplugging the Grammy winner’s sound equipment while he was in the middle of singing Shape Of You, shutting down the performance.

<div class="js-react-hydrator" data-component-name="Twitter" data-component-id="4992" data-component-props="{"itemType":"rich","index":5,"contentIndexByType":1,"contentListType":"embed","code":"

A police officer unplugs Ed Sheeran’s equipment during a street performance in India:

“We have permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down. See you later!”

pic.twitter.com/X5MMq7Zlia

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 10, 2025

","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Pop Base","author_url":"https://twitter.com/PopBase","cache_age":86400,"description":"A police officer unplugs Ed Sheeran’s equipment during a street performance in India:“We have permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down. See you later!” pic.twitter.com/X5MMq7Zlia— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 10, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":1280,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/1888616685428699136/pu/img/AFSxR-GNCgrP3m2e.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":720,"title":"Pop Base on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/PopBase/status/1888796896673648865","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67ab30f2e4b0edd177ddb321","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ed-sheeran-reacts-viral-clip-indian-police-busking_uk_67ab30f2e4b0edd177ddb321","entryTagsList":"uk-celebrity,ukmusic,ed-sheeran","sectionSlug":"entertainment","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.entertainment","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb","clickToPlayPlayer":"5a777b9b-81fe-41a6-8302-59e9953ee8a2","videoPagePlayer":"19654b65-409c-4b38-90db-80cbdea02cf4"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":2},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67ab30f2e4b0edd177ddb321","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":" uk celebrity","slug":"uk-celebrity","links":{"relativeLink":"news/uk-celebrity","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/uk-celebrity","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/uk-celebrity"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/uk-celebrity/"},{"name":"ukmusic","slug":"ukmusic","links":{"relativeLink":"news/ukmusic","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukmusic","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukmusic"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukmusic/"},{"name":"Ed Sheeran","slug":"ed-sheeran","links":{"relativeLink":"news/ed-sheeran","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ed-sheeran","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ed-sheeran"},"relegenceId":6019493,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ed-sheeran/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-1\", \"entry_paragraph_1\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline\", \"entry_paragraph_2\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-2\", \"entry_paragraph_3\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-infinite\", \"repeating_dynamic_display\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false}”>

A police officer unplugs Ed Sheeran’s equipment during a street performance in India:

“We have permission to be here, but this policeman is shutting it down. See you later!”

pic.twitter.com/X5MMq7Zlia

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 10, 2025

According to BBC News, the Lego House singer had acquired permission to perform in the area, which is a popular shopping and entertainment street, but officials claim they rejected this to avoid congestion.

“We had permission to busk, by the way,” he reportedly wrote on Instagram. “Hence, us playing in that exact spot was planned out before.

“It wasn’t just us randomly turning up. All good though. See you at the show tonight.”

Fortunately, Ed seemed to find the humour in the incident.

After reposting a clip on his Instagram story on Monday evening, he quipped that the police officer “prefers Bruno Mars”.

Ed is currently on the Asian leg of his Mathematics tour, which will return to mainland Europe later this year.

The tour actually began in 2022 in support of his album Equals, with his sixth release Subtract coming out while he was still on the road.

Last week, the British singer teased that he had new material coming soon, after revealing he’d been in the studio with pop producer Savan Kotecha, who has previously worked with Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Lizzo and One Direction.

They Might Seem Gross, But These 5 ‘Bad Habits’ Are Actually Good For You

Posted on 11/02/2025 by Boris Clair

If you think you do not have any bad habits, you’re lying to yourself. We all do. It’s fine!

Do I need to see my loved ones picking their noses? Not so much – but if they do it in the comfort of their own homes, no judgement here. We all have our vices, right?

We need a little less shame about our misdeeds and a little more acceptance. Especially since, it turns out, some of our favourite bad habits can actually be good for us.

The bad habits that can be good for you

Farting too much

Of course, we all know that farting once or twice a day is normal but excessive farting just seems… a bit much? A bit gross? Well, it turns out we are all prudes because actually, Healthline advises that the average person farts 10-20 times a day.

Additionally, Harvard Health explains: “It’s normal to have some air in the digestive tract. Air accumulates when you swallow, and the process of digestion generates gases as well.

“When too much builds up, the body releases it. Passing gas keeps the pressure within the intestinal tract low and prevents painful stretching of the stomach and intestines.”

Swearing

Swearing is definitely more socially acceptable these days but of course, not everybody is comfortable with it and if you’re a super sweary person, you may feel that it’s a habit you need to break.

However, it can actually be good for you. A study from Keele University found that swearing can increase a person’s pain tolerance by up to 33%. What’s more, another study suggested it can be a great coping mechanism for dealing with stress.

So, if you need a good ol’ profanity-filled rant, go for it.

Sleeping in

Sleeping in sounds like something we all want to do more but, realistically, waking up later than planned can leave us feeling like we’ve ‘wasted’ a day.

However, if you tend to sleep poorly through the week and treat yourself to a restful snooze at the weekend, you could be doing wonders for your heart health, according to a study published by the European Society of Cardiology.

The experts report: “For the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who have the most ‘catch-up’ sleep at weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least.”

20% less, in fact. Treat yourself.

Gossiping

We are all well aware that gossiping can be harmful but, when done properly, it is both harmless and actually good for you socially.

Last year, HuffPost UK reported: “Gossip can be good for disseminating information about people’s reputations, which can help recipients of these tips connect with cooperative people while avoiding selfish ones.”

Just, don’t go too hard on people OK?

Not showering daily

Personally, I shower every other day. I feel a little gross when I admit this to others but I am pretty happy with my routine.

Thankfully, Harvard Health backs this approach, saying: “While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often).

“Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.”

Excellent.

Bear Grylls Responds To Controversy Over His Involvement In Russell Brand’s Baptism

Posted on 10/02/2025 by Boris Clair

Bear Grylls has reflected on his controversial decision to help Russell Brand with his baptism last year.

In 2024, the comedian shared a picture of himself being baptised in the River Thames, with the survivalist at his side.

“Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and of course, The Holy Spirit,” he wrote on X alongside a picture from the day of his baptism.

Grylls’ involvement in the baptism was met with a backlash as Brand’s own conversion to Christianity took place around the time he was accused by multiple women of “rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse”. Brand has repeatedly denied the allegations made about him.

During a recent interview with The Times to promote his new Netflix series Celebrity Bear Hunt, Grylls said of the baptism: “I try and live in a way that I never judge and I always try and love. And that principle doesn’t just apply to perfect people with perfect lives.”

Grylls added that he and Brand struck up a friendship in 2023, after the Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor was a guest on his show Running Wild.

“I’m friends with many of our Running Wild guests. And I always try to think of that phrase, WWJD – what would Jesus do? That’s been a guiding principle for me,” Grylls claimed.

Russell Brand pictured in 2013

via Associated Press

Last year, Grylls told the Daily Mail: “Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal, but it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above.

“Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.”

Throughout his time in the spotlight, Grylls has spoken candidly about his Christian faith, publishing a book of devotionals called Soul Fuel in 2019, followed by 2022’s Mind Fuel.

He has also repeatedly done promotional work for the “Alpha course”, an evangelical course involving lectures and discussions which serves as an introduction to the Christian faith.

Jeremy Clarkson Says He Cannot Be Friends With Anyone Who Voted For Brexit

Posted on 10/02/2025 by Boris Clair

Jeremy Clarkson has said he cannot get on with people who voted for Brexit having experienced the consequences.

The TV presenter, who voted to remain in the EU, said he can generally spend time with people who have different opinions to him, although there is “an exception” – anyone who voted to Leave in the 2016 referendum.

In an article for The Times, he said: “It’s not so bad if they put their hands up and admit they made a mistake. But if I encounter someone who still thinks it was all a brilliant idea, I get so cross my hair catches fire and my teeth start to itch.”

He added: “Brexit hasn’t made our lives better in any way that I can see.”

In the piece – which is headlined, ‘Brexit makes me want to sit in a gutter and weep’ – Clarkson explained that he came to this conclusion after an experience linked to his farm.

The presenter claimed that when he was supposed to be travelling through the Channel Tunnel to Calais for part of his Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm, he said he ended up being stuck in “a gigantic lorry park full of trucks from every conceivable European country”.

As he and his colleague had to take filming equipment with them, he said he had to wait for two hours for “someone in a cabin to stamp our form” before they could even reach the tunnel.

They then had to do the same thing at the other end, once arriving in France.

He said: “I have crossed many tricky borders over the years and the paperwork always takes time.

“Iraq to Turkey took a moment, that’s for sure. And Rwanda into Tanzania was challenging as well. But nothing has ever taken as long as it us to get from post-Brexit England into France.”

The former Top Gear presenter also took aim at the government’s stance that Brexit is a success because “it’s better to be governed by a democratically elected parliament than some bankers in Brussels”.

He said: “I’m not sure about that. I’d certainly prefer the bankers to Starmer and Reeves. I’d prefer anything. The fourth form of my local school. My dogs. Trump, even.”

Clarkson has already made his opposition to the current government clear, having joined a protest over the Budget last November.

He opposed changes to the inheritance tax rules, and accused chancellor Rachel Reeves of taking the figures she has used to justify the Budget “from the sixth form debating society that she was no doubt a member of”.

So THAT’s Why Restaurant Mashed Potatoes Are So Much Better

Posted on 10/02/2025 by Boris Clair

If you’ve ever tried to make restaurant-level chips at home only to be disappointed by the results, chefs say you might not be cooking (then cooling, then cooking) them enough.

And if your homemade poached eggs fall a little flat, the pros recommend strainers, stirring, and vinegar.

But if mash is your Achille’s meal, some commenters on the Reddit forum r/AskCulinary ― where we non-experts can ask chefs for the secrets to professional-level food ― say it might have to do with how you cook the spuds.

Boiling may not be your best bet, they say.

How should you cook potatoes for mash?

The trick to getting creamy, fluffy mash is working with a dry, floury spud. That’s why a lot of experts recommend a variety like Maris Piper or King Edward for the job.

The drier the potato, the more of its creamy smoothness can come from decadent butter or milk ― and the better you can control its texture.

But once you get to a professional level, simply choosing the right potato for the job might not cut it.

Nigella Lawson boils her potatoes in their skins to stop them from becoming “waterlogged”, peeling them as soon as they’re cooked.

She also suggests patient cooks go with the advice some Redditors offer: baking, instead of boiling, the potatoes will yield the “driest” results.

But the most common response was a time-saving middle ground.

“Most places will steam the potatoes, mainly because there’s less water in them that way,” site user ChefGuru wrote.

They added: “Using baked potatoes could be another option because they cook without being soaked in water.”

They’re not alone

Delia Smith and The New York Times recommend steaming, rather than boiling, the veg too.

Both recommend letting the potatoes cook for about 20-25 minutes; Delia stresses the importance of testing how “done” they are with a skewer, as undercooked potatoes will run lumpy.

Lastly, the TV chef says your regular potato masher may not cut it for pro-level results.

After adding milk and crème fraîche to the mash, she brings out an electric whisk to “whip the potatoes up to a smooth, creamy, fluffy mass”. Nice.

If 1 Slice Of Bread Is Mouldy, Is The Whole Loaf Bad?

Posted on 09/02/2025 by Boris Clair

It’s lunchtime, your stomach is growling and you’ve decided to make a sandwich. But as soon as you head to the pantry and open the bread bag, you see it: a whitish, greenish spot. Ugh — it’s mould.

Some slices look OK, though, with smaller or no mouldy bits. Are those safe to eat? Maybe they haven’t been touched by the mould yet, you think.

The idea of eating them is gross, but if you are super hungry or haven’t been to the grocery store lately, you may be low on other options.

Plus, with the expectation that food costs will rise under President Donald Trump’s administration and the desire to reduce food waste, who wants to toss a whole loaf? Some might wonder if certain slices are still fine to eat, or at least won’t cause major stomach problems. Let’s see what food experts say.

What To Do If You See Mould On Just 1 Slice Of Bread

Unfortunately, mould on one slice is essentially mould on every slice (which is also the case for produce, by the way). It doesn’t matter if one piece looks fine or isn’t touching the mouldy area — it’s all dangerous to eat.

“No matter how little the mould spot is on the bread, or how many slices are left of the loaf, it is not safe to eat mouldy bread nor just cut around it and eat the rest, because the root of the mould already has deeply penetrated into it,” said Shelley Balls, a registered dietitian nutritionist with ServSafe manager certification on food safety.

And just because you might not see mould doesn’t mean it’s not there. “You may only see visible mould growing on the surface, like leaves on a tree or the petals of a flower,” explained Leanne Blommaert, the manager of food research and development at NSF, a public health organisation. “But there is an entire network of roots called mycelia that can spread into and across all surfaces of bread.”

Besides being gross, this can make you feel sick.

The Dangers Of Eating Mould

If you’re a fan of blue cheese, you may think it’s perfectly fine to eat some mould. You’ve done it before and been OK, right?

That’s understandable and, in some cases, true. Mould isn’t always bad — but it can be.

“Eating mouldy bread can upset your digestive system or cause allergic reactions, depending on the type of mould,” said Chris Mohr, a fitness and nutrition adviser at the website Garage Gym Reviews.

Dr. Kelly Krisna Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist with the MedStar Health hospital system, explained how this can happen. “Some types of mould that are found in spoiled bread, including Aspergillus and Penicillium, are also associated with allergies that can occur immediately or hours after people come into contact with them,” she said.

She added that gastrointestinal symptoms — like abdominal pain and diarrhoea — may come from mycotoxins, which are secondary compounds from mould. They can change normal intestinal functions, with unpleasant results.

Those aren’t the only issues you may face, unfortunately. Even breathing in mould can cause health problems, according to Balls. People with asthma are especially at risk, Johnson-Arbor added, as the allergens can trigger breathing difficulties.

Johnson-Arbor recommended playing it safe. “Since some types of mold can cause unwanted health problems, and since it’s impossible for most people to tell whether a specific mould is harmful or not based on its appearance on food, it’s best to avoid consuming most mouldy foods,” she said.

If you want a cheat sheet on when mould may be safe to eat (or eat around), check out this webpage from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Why Some Bread Slices Get Mouldy Faster Than Others

Even when bread slices sit together, some can mould faster than others. How?

Balls said slices that mould faster may have more moisture or be warmer. She gave the example of a bread loaf with one side closer to a toaster, thus making it warmer and more likely to grow mould first.

Touching bread — with your hands or utensils — can cause mould spores to grow, too, Blommaert added. And that mould can spread.

Plus, mould can be airborne. Mohr said that slices near the seam of a bread bag, or near the end of a loaf, may mould faster. That’s because they’re closer to the air and moisture in your kitchen. Even if you don’t leave the bag open, it’s exposed to more air when you open it.

How To Prevent Mould From Growing On Your Bread

To some degree, mould growth is unavoidable with certain foods. However, there’s a way to slow its progress.

“You can safely store your bread in the fridge to extend its shelf life without any dangerous health risks,” Balls said.

The bread may become harder, she noted, but it’s safe to eat.

Whether this is the best option depends a little on the type of bread, however. Balls said to store crusty types of bread at room temperature only, but commercially made bread will have no or minimal problems with texture or flavour after sitting in the fridge. Just place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

Putting bread in the freezer can also keep it from drying out, and it could still taste about the same as when you first bought or baked it. If you have more than you can eat in a few days, your slices may best reside there.

Additionally, Blommaert suggested checking the expiration date of your bread and not consuming it past then. According to the USDA, commercially baked breads can be stored at room temperature for two to four days, refrigerated for seven to 14 days, or frozen for three months.

For anyone wanting to eat bread safely, Mohr offered this simple advice: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

9 Dating Horror Stories That’ll Make You Spit Out Your Tea

Posted on 09/02/2025 by Boris Clair

Dating apps have been going for years now, but it seems some users still don’t quite understand what is okay – and what’s totally inappropriate – to divulge to the people they’ve swiped right on.

Case in point, one Mumsnet user recently took to the platform to share her own “horror stories” from her time on dating apps which she says have put her off “for life”.

While calling on others to share their torrid tales, the user (with the extremely relevant username: stayawayyyyyfromdatingapps) said: “I got an absolute shiner off of tinder say to me ‘I really want you to be my girlfriend, so you can see to my trouser cannon every day’.”

The post, which featured a whole host of other dating stories, inspired others to share their own anxiety-inducing anecdotes and all we can say is… good grief.

1. Got to an organised drinks first date, and the guy had those white stringy bits all around his crusty lips.

I kept licking my lips in the hope he’d do the same and kept thinking fuck me if he kisses me I’m going to have to see the hygienist.

– stayawayyyyyfromdatingapps

2. I had one ask how much it would cost to put a baby in me…

When told where to go, he said he was genuinely asking as believed redheaded women produced superior babies.

I had no idea where to go with that lol. What an absolute creep.

– YouDeserveBetterSoAskForIt

3. He used his son’s photo who was about 27…

Turns out he was about 47 and he couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t interested. Hm I’m 23 pal.

– Packingcube

4. On a first date (and last) date with a man who asked me my nationality. When I said German, he said ‘oh yes, big feet small boobs’.

I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

5. [My] Profile clearly said ‘have children, don’t want more’. Matched with a guy, chatted a bit then met for coffee. One of the first things he said was ‘is the no more children thing negotiable?’

I said ‘no, it isn’t.’ He said ‘really, even having met me now I still couldn’t persuade you to have my child’. So I said ‘well I have only met you for 10 mins, but I definitely don’t want more children with anyone.’ His response, ‘let’s have a proper date, you will be begging to have my babies before the nights out.’

Declined the offer of a proper date!!

– Everintroverte

6. He said ‘boom’ at the end of sentences. ‘I’m going into town – boom!’

Also used ‘I’m on fire’ a lot. Pity he wasn’t.

– witwatwoo

7. As I walked into the pub the first thing he said was ‘you’re actually quite pretty. We just need to sort out your hair and clothes’.

I turned around and walked out.

He had very little hair, was wearing a T-shirt that needed ironing and his profile photo must have been at least 10 years out of date!

– Smokesandeats

8. Not me but my friend went for a date with a bloke who paid for dinner with a 50% off voucher and told her it was his treat but she could only have a main course as that’s what the voucher covered.

When they walked to the car park, he asked is [sic] she wanted to get into the back seat of his car and unleash his beast – he was 56!!!

– TwistedWonder

9. I also had one guy move the time back and hour, show up with all his mates then disappear off for half an hour leaving me with his friends and returned to ask me if I wanted to go back to his.

When I said no he said he didn’t fancy me anyway and wanted to get back with his ex.

– OnlyFannys

I’m A GP – Taking Too Much Vitamin D Can Cause This Condition

Posted on 09/02/2025 by Boris Clair

The NHS recommends all adults in the UK consider taking a vitamin D supplement until at least March.

That’s because the vitamin, which is usually produced by our bodies when we expose our skin to sunlight, can be hard for us to make during gloomy winter. A vitamin C deficiency can cause muscle fatigue and may even be bad news for our teeth and bones.

Still, the health service warns us not to “take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.”

In a recent TikTok, GP Dr Ahmed explained why.

What are the risks of taking too much vitamin D?

Per the doctor, the potential problem lies with calcium.

“Taking vitamin D at very high doses long-term is actually very dangerous,” he explained in the clip, “because it can cause hypercalcaemia.”

That means there’s too much calcium in your blood.

The issue with that is that “the excess calcium can deposit in your heart and your kidneys.” The Mayo Clinic says the condition can cause kidney stones and decrease bone density; it may also affect the heart and brain.

Most of the time, overdoing it on a vitamin isn’t going to cause you much harm, Dr Ahmed says. A lot of vitamins are water-soluble, so we just pee out the excess.

But vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning our bodies can’t get rid of excessive amounts.

The doctor agrees with the NHS ― “most people only need about 10 micrograms, which is 400 IU,” he said.

We hit the danger zone when we go ten times over that, or at 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) a day.

Though Dr Ahmed says “there are some people who need a much higher dose than this, these are patients who’ve got very low vitamin D on their blood tests.”

You can’t decide for yourself whether you need a higher amount than is recommended ― and the GP urges anyone on vitamin D to get their bloods checked every so often.

So ― should I skip vitamin D?

The GP says that the information isn’t meant to scare you away from taking vitamin D if you need it.

“I think it’s one of the best supplements you can take,” he shared.

Indeed the NHS says people who don’t go outside often, people whose skin is mostly covered when they do leave the house, those in care homes, and people with darker skin tones might benefit from taking the supplement year-round rather than just in winter.

“But you have to take it carefully and responsibly,” Dr Ahmed continued. In this case, that’s as simple as checking the measurements on the back of the packet.

I’m A Mattress Expert — These 4 Signs Mean It’s Time To Replace Your Mattress

Posted on 08/02/2025 by Boris Clair

One of the biggest expenses when moving into your own home is a bed and mattress. Matresses are deeply personal purchases — finding one that fits your sleep style, your physical needs and those of your partner is a precise process — but unfortunately, it’s advised that we replace them every six to eight years.

Which frankly seems too often, given how much a good mattress costs.

However, according to Mattress expert Steve Adams, CEO of Mattress Online, there can be signs even earlier than this that your mattress needs to be replaced.

Four signs your mattress needs to be replaced

You’re waking up feeling stiff and achy

If you start your day with stiffness or aches that fade as the day goes on, Adams warns that your mattress might be to blame.

He explains: “Over time, our body and sleep needs may change meaning the mattress that was once suitable, may not be any more, this can lead to increased pressure points and discomfort.

“Poor sleep caused by a mattress which is unsupportive and does not meet our sleep needs can even lead to longer-term health issues if left unchecked.”

The mattress is sagging or uneven

It’s time to give your mattress a good look and ask if you can see any excessive sagging, lumps or indentations where you sleep.

According to Adams, these are signs that internal materials have broken down. He says: “Some materials will have natural settlement, such as fibres – but an extreme amount of sagging can lead to discomfort, high areas of pressure and speed up the degradation of other areas of the mattress, all which will make it harder to get a restful night’s sleep.”

Allergies are getting worse at night

Ugh, there is nothing worse.

If you have noticed that you are sneezing more often, your eyes are more itchy and sensitive or you are simply more congested when you sleep, it could be your mattress that’s to blame.

This is because over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, mould, and other allergens that might be triggering your symptoms.

Adams advises: “If washing your bedding and using allergy covers doesn’t help, it may be time to replace your mattress altogether.”

Your mattress is making noise

Not only is this incredibly awkward if you’re doing the deed while others are home but a noisy mattress, particularly one that creaks or squeaks from springs is a clear sign of wear and tear.

Adams says: ” This noise suggests that the springs inside are deteriorating, compromising support and comfort. Swapping to a newer mattress with advanced materials could be the solution to both better sleep and a quieter night.”

Bridget Jones’s Diary Was Blamed For A Drop In Sales Of This Drink

Posted on 08/02/2025 by Boris Clair

Apparently, the binge-drinking, heavy-smoking, chaotic lifestyle of Bridget Jones isn’t aspirational to some people?

Personally, I can’t relate but according to one expert, the fictional anti-heroine caused a huge slump in sales of her favoured drink around the time of the column in The Independent and, of course, the film’s release back in 2001.

The expert in question is Oz Clarke, a prestigious wine expert and writer from the UK.

‘The blame should be firmly placed at the door of Bridget Jones’

According to The Telegraph in 2008, Clarke said: “Chardonnay has made some of the world’s greatest wines, everyone appreciated it – until Bridget Jones.

“Bridget Jones goes out on the pull, fails, goes back to her miserable bedsit, sits down, pours herself an enormous glass of Chardonnay, sits there with mascara running down her cheeks saying, ‘Dear diary, I’ve failed again, I’ve poured an enormous glass of Chardonnay and I’m going to put my head in the oven.’ Great marketing aid.”

Personally, I would argue that Ms Jones was not supposed to feel relatable to Mr Clarke, and that’s before we even get into the recession that was flooding the UK at the time.

Anyway, I digress.

The Independent reported at the time: “Across Britain fewer people are seeking solace – or enjoyment – in chardonnay. In the past 12 months, 7.5 million shoppers bought it, fewer than the previous year, according to the retail analysts TNS. Meanwhile, rivals such as sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio are rising in popularity.”

Clarke made his comments at London’s first self-storage wine facility, adding: “Until Bridget Jones, chardonnay was really sexy. After, people said, ‘God, not in my bar’.

“If you’re a marketing manager what would you say? ‘OK, I’m going to sell something that makes people feel really miserable. Let’s call it chardonnay!’”

Other experts argued that the drink had simply taken a new direction

Alan Griffiths, former wine director of Berry Brothers, Britain’s biggest wine merchants, said: “The appeal of chardonnay is still very strong. It’s a safer bet for a party. It’s more likely to go down well for a group of 50 than a gewürztraminer or a riesling or a sauvignon blanc, which some people find too grassy or acidic.”

Personally, I’ll be raising a toast to Bridget before seeing the newest instalment of her story.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is out on February 13th in cinemas across the UK.