
Harry Judd: I had to learn to be less selfish when I became a father
Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll are not necessarily how you would describe McFly these days, as the band venture into fatherhood, settle down, write kids’ books and tour in a far less intense fashion. A lot has changed since their crash onto the music scene in 2003. They’re more chilled-out pals than boy band bad boys now. “Dougie was very excited today, because we figured out a really good post-show cool down,” Harry Judd, McFly’s drummer, says with a laugh. “[It involves] lighting a candle, having a shower, getting into some comfies and then having some healthy food. I can assure you, it is very rock and roll,” Judd, 37, adds. “It’s more sustainable that way – the way we do it – and also ultimately more enjoyable. You feel a lot more fresh, energised and able to do the gigs, because it’s quite a physically demanding job being on tour. “When we first started, we had that unbelievable energy you have with your buddies, but I enjoy it more now. We’re focused.” Changing priorities Judd’s lifestyle has changed in the past 20 years of McFly. “I’ve stopped doing anything I shouldn’t have been doing. I lived a pretty rock and roll lifestyle, so I think I was totally ready [to be a father].” Now, alongside playing with his bandmates, the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing winner is also playing with his children, Lola, seven, Kit, five, and Lockie, who’ll be two in October. All of his kids want to play very differently, and he gets to see them explore in many different ways. “Lola’s really into imaginative play, make-believe, roleplay, and right from an early age, I remember her pretending to play doctors and nurses, mothers and babies. I can tell already that she loves pretending to be a teacher, lining her teddies up and taking a class. “My son, Kit, on the other hand, loves music. I bought his first toy drum kit from Argos last year, but he’s now moved on to guitar, unfortunately. He is a bit more individual with his playing, pretending to be in McFly basically. I can see him going into music.” Despite Kit’s musical interests, his dad is not his favourite member of McFly. “Tom [Fletcher] is his favourite member and that’s something I’ve had to come to terms with,” Judd laughs. Out and about “My kids just finished for the summer holidays, so now I have to do more with them. You feel that guilt as parents, when they’re at school, because there’s no time and my daughter is constantly telling me, ‘Daddy, let’s do this. Let’s do that’. Even just carving out 10 minutes a day of play with your kids is hugely beneficial,” he says. And his time with them is often spent being a big kid. “We get outside… climbing trees and making dances; playing catch and cricket in the garden. [We play] Grandmother’s Footsteps, stuff like that. That, to me, is the most fun and fast way to engage with your kids.” Nurturing his inner child Judd is very aware of his own childishness. “I still can relate to a lot of my inner child now. I’m still very competitive and I’m quite sensitive. There are moments where I always want to be right and I have to try and contain that.” His wife Izzy, he says, knows she is sometimes dealing with a big kid, too. “I feel like she takes on so much. She has three kids. She’s got a man baby for a husband. She’s kind and she’s so caring,” he gushes. “The main thing for me, was to become less selfish. I think that’s one of the hardest things. You’re no longer number one. You can’t just do the things you want to do.” Harry Judd is partnering with Argos on its 50th birthday. Argos is giving away £20,000 worth of toys to mark its five-decade milestone. To find out more click here. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden 6 of the biggest bridesmaid fashion trends to know about Experts share 8 healthy habits to help you live longer
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6 of the biggest bridesmaid fashion trends to know about
While the bridal gown will usually be the sartorial focal point of any wedding (and rightly so), bridesmaid’s outfits are an important part of the overall aesthetic. As a bride, not only do you want your bridesmaids’ dresses to complement yours, you also want your BFFs to feel fabulous on your big day – and depending on the size of your bridal party, you’ll have several opinions to take into account. As with bridal gowns, bridesmaid trends come and go too, so what’s hot this wedding season? We asked fashion experts to run down the biggest bridesmaid fashion trends of the moment. Here’s what they had to say… 1. Sage green Six Stories Sage Halter Neck Satin Bridesmaid Dress, £120“Sage green is definitely the most popular colour for bridesmaid dresses this season,” says Lucy Menghini, founder of Six Stories. Following last year’s surge in deep green shades like emerald, now softer hues have come to the fore. “The good thing about sage green is that it can work all year round,” Menghini adds. “While it’s a beautiful shade for summer, the grey undertones make it a perfect pick for autumn/winter weddings too.” 2. Same shade, different styles Gone are the days when every bridesmaid had to wear an identical dress or the exact same colour. “With this trend, bridesmaids can wear a variety of different shape and style dresses, which are tied together by being similar hues of the same colour, or a range of complimentary colours,” says Kirsty Keoghan, global general manager of fashion at eBay UK. “I love this trend because it promotes individuality and helps bridesmaids feel their most confident selves on the big day.” It makes shopping a whole lot easier too, adds Menghini: “It also allows the bridesmaids to have a say in what type of dress they find most comfortable and flattering.” 3. Classic black dresses Monsoon Beatrice Crepe Bardot Maxi Dress Black, £87.50 (was £125)While a black wedding gown might not be for everyone, contrasting the white or ivory bridal look with black bridesmaid dresses creates a modern, minimalist colour palette. “Many people are often intimidated by a set of black bridesmaid dresses, however this look adds elegance and finesse to any wedding,” says Menghini. “Black dresses are also perfect for those with large bridal parties, who are looking for different styles of dresses in the same colour, as you won’t have to worry about matching the shades.” 4. Pre-loved pieces “One trend we’ve seen boom is bridesmaids wearing pre-loved wedding attire, with 58% of newlyweds looking at ways to shop sustainably and 75% of couples getting married looking to keep the costs down,” says Keoghan. Occasionwear is perfect for shopping second-hand, because many garments have only been worn once so they’re in excellent condition (plus there might be big savings to be made). Bringing together dresses from brands like, Monsoon, Karen Millen and Ted Baker, eBay has launched a pre-loved wedding hub. Keoghan adds: “Bridesmaids can look to the hub to find unique options from the high-street, to high-end, that increase the lifespan of the dress, for a fraction of the retail price.” 5. Satin no more Traditionally, bridesmaid dresses often had a silk or satin finish, but recently there’s been a trend for different materials and textures. “In particular, velvet dresses have emerged as a front runner in autumn and winter weddings, as a fabric which adds a new layer of elegance and luxe to the bridal party, while also providing a bit of warmth for the person wearing it,” says Keoghan. “Taking it a step further, we expect to see more bridal party styling to feature dresses which are made from an array of fabrics, whether it’s velvet, lace or chiffon.” 6. Style over symmetry New Look Pale Grey Satin One Shoulder Ruched Maxi Dress, £45.99“One shoulder silhouettes are set to take over weddings this summer – it is definitely the bridesmaid shape of 2023,” Menghini says. “Perfect for summer weddings, the asymmetric shape is stylish and sleek and is such a flattering shape.” Also, multi-way maxi dresses are a stylish solution for bridesmaids – the ribbon ties can be fashioned into an asymmetric neckline. How should you style a one-shoulder dress? “Accessories can be pretty minimal, as the neckline is the star of the show,” says Menghini. “Steer clear of necklaces and stick with simple earrings, rings and a bracelet.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Experts share 8 healthy habits to help you live longer Husband fired from family business after wife roleplayed with reborn dolls George Alagiah: What are the signs of bowel cancer?
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Experts share 8 healthy habits to help you live longer
Eight habits that could help people live more than 20 years longer have been identified by researchers. While it’s long been known that certain lifestyle factors can influence lifespan, the American study isolated the eight factors that have the biggest impact – being physically active, being free from opioid addiction, not smoking, managing stress, having a good diet, not regularly binge drinking, having good sleep hygiene, and having positive social relationships. The research was presented at Nutrition 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, and used data from 719,147 people enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program. It found low physical activity, opioid use and smoking were associated with around a 30-45 per cent higher risk of death, while stress, binge drinking, poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene were each associated with around a 20 per cent increase, and lack of positive social relationships was linked with a 5% increased risk of dying. Men who had all eight habits at age 40 were predicted to live an average 24 years longer than men with none of the habits, according to the findings, and women with all eight habits in middle age were predicted to live an extra 21 years, compared with women with none of the habits. Xuan-Mai Nguyen, health science specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said: “We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one, two, three, or all eight lifestyle factors. Our research findings suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for both public health and personal wellness. The earlier the better, but even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, it still is beneficial.” The researchers say the findings highlight how lifestyle factors contribute to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are associated with premature disability and death. How to embrace the eight healthy habits Inspired to give your own lifestyle a boost? “If making these small but mighty adjustments could help you to live for an extra 20 years, maybe it’s time to make those changes,” says life and wellbeing coach, Natalie Trice. She shares the following insights and tips… 1. Do more exercise Regular exercise can help prevent a wide range of major diseases – plus it’s great for keeping stress levels in check. “Going for a walk, having a swim, running with friends, even just a good old dance-off in the kitchen can get your heartbeat up and those feel-good endorphins pumping – so get your trainers on and start moving,” says Trice. 2. Manage stress Trice suggests adopting simple stress-busting practices such as mindfulness meditation, and enjoying hobbies and sports. “These can profoundly impact overall wellbeing, as you bring your stress levels down,” she says. “This isn’t about pretending everything’s great, but rather looking at easy habits you can adopt that will take down the stress, which can lead to anxiety and burnout.” 3. Don’t smoke Quitting smoking is an essential step in improving health and potentially adding years to your life. Trice points out that while some people may think reaching for a cigarette takes the edge off their stress, there are healthier ways to cope. “Maybe going running or taking up yoga could be the release and focus you need, and one that will help you live longer, smell fresher and feel better,” she suggests. “Also, with the cost of cigarettes going up all the time, giving up will free up cash for the things in life that really need to be paid for.”If you are struggling to quit smoking, talk to your GP about options available to help. 4. Don’t binge drink “By cutting down on booze, you’re doing your body and brain a massive favour,” says Trice. “Drinking every night will impact your body and could affect your sleep and work performance. Enjoy life, but if you want to enjoy it for longer, then keep tabs on your drinking.” Official guidelines suggest drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week (equivalent to six medium glasses of wine of six pints of beer), spread across at least three days. 5. Eat healthily Generally speaking, a balanced diet that’s rich in fibre, whole grains, fruit and veg and lean protein, with heavily processed and sugary foods kept to a minimum, is linked with better health. “We all know about eating five-a-day but doing this can be tough if you’re busy with family and work. If you can start to do this, you’ll feel better,” says Trice. “Focus on eating regularly and thinking about what you put in your body, so that it works for you, not against you.” 6. Don’t take drugs Recreational drugs can harm health in a number of ways. Trice suggests those affected start by speaking to a trusted friend or their GP, and “look at the support which could not only extend your life, but save it”. 7. Try to get good sleep Trice says: “It’s vital that we look at getting a decent night’s sleep, as this can help you feel so much better. Making sure you have a sleep routine in place can be helpful and can be as easy as having no screens in the bedroom, having a bath or shower before you hit the sack, as well as making sure the temperature is right and you have curtains to keep the light out in the mornings.” 8. Nurture positive social relationshipsTrice observes: “If you’re able to nurture a supportive network of friends, colleagues and family, this can lead to improved mental and emotional wellbeing and a longer life.” Lacking social connections? Look at local volunteering opportunities and community walks and groups. Making friends can take time, but even finding ways to regularly spend time and interact with others can help. 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Zero-fuss cooking: BBQ pork ribs and zingy Asian slaw
Sweet and smokey, melt off the bone BBQ pork ribs and a zingy, Asian-style slaw are this week’s match made in heaven. Ideal for family get togethers and al fresco dining, this showstopper summer dish requires zero-fuss cooking. Serve with cold beers and pitta breads to mop up the goodness. BBQ pork ribs and slaw Serves: 4 Ingredients: 800g BBQ pork ribs 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional) For the slaw: 2 carrots, peeled into ribbons ¼ red cabbage, shredded ½ fennel bulb, finely sliced ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely diced 1 tbsp root ginger, grated 2 tbsp sauerkraut 2 tbsp hot lemon sauce 2 tbsp chopped coriander Method: To cook the pork ribs, wrap them in tin foil and bake them in the oven at 150C for 1-1.5 hours, or if you have a BBQ, use that! Remove them from the tin foil and increase the temperature of your grill to 200C. Grill for 15-20 mins, basting regularly with the remaining BBQ marinade (and hoisin sauce, if you’re using it). To prepare the slaw, peel your carrots into ribbons and toss them in a large bowl with the shredded red cabbage, finely sliced fennel, and sauerkraut. Add in the grated root ginger, chopped red chilli and coriander. Instead of mayonnaise, try adding hot lemon sauce to your slaw for a zingy, spiced version. Mix well and season to taste, then serve alongside your BBQ ribs. Read More Five dinner ideas from around the world to try this week Hi Barbie! Nine cocktails inspired by the doll’s most iconic outfits The National Portrait Gallery’s new restaurant is fabulous upgrade Three barbecue recipes to try that aren’t burgers The dish that defines me: Alex Outhwaite’s Vietnamese bun cha 3 TikTok-approved recipes for picnic season
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