
Drag queen Ella Vaday plans on ‘bringing camp to the campsite’ in 100km trek
RuPaul’s Drag Race star and actor Nick Collier, who performs as Dagenham drag queen Ella Vaday, is embarking on a 100km trek with CoppaFeel! alongside celebs including Frankie Bridge and Giovanna Fletcher. The 100km trek is raising funds for breast cancer support, and as his mother has been suffering from breast cancer since 2021, Collier is eager to do his bit.The Drag Race runner-up is really close to his mum. “I am the eldest of three, and me and my mum are very similar in many ways. I left home at 16 to train in dance and musical theatre, but I am always looking out for my mum.” “She has had breast cancer since 2021. She’s actually just finished her treatment and she is nearly there with injections,” he explains. The opportunity to take on this adventure and raise some funds “came at a really great time,” for Collier. “It’s nice to celebrate my mum, as she has had cancer for a second time. This is my way of giving back, celebrating her journey and also putting myself to the test and raising some money.” Many may be thinking the hardest part of this trek would be the actual walking, but as a former dog walker and fitness fanatic, Collier isn’t worried about the fitness aspect, instead, his concerns are “the weather and… sleeping in a tent. I am not looking forward to that, but I am bringing the camp to the campsite,” he jokes. This year, he has taken some time to really focus on his fitness and wellbeing, and is “in the gym five days a week,” improving his strength and stamina as a performer. Since he trained as a performer at Bird College, he has been keen to look and feel good. Collier has faced the physical demands of Drag Race and taken on that challenge, reaching the final. And, with hindsight, he sees just how intense and physical that challenge was. In the competition, he flawlessly impersonated much-loved British culinary sensation Nigella Lawson, performed showstopping live vocals and even dressed up as a striking Dagenham Ford worker. “It was so full on, so intense. You don’t see half of what goes on, with the early mornings and long days, the lack of connection to the normal world. There are elements of mental and physical fatigue,” Collier shares. “It was the best experience ever and I feel like the trek will be similar.” But, ahead of the finale, disaster struck Collier as he sustained an injury to his back. “I was injured for the finale and the morning of the finale I couldn’t even put my socks on, but I had no choice but to get through filming. “That was a moment I had to fight through, to be able to get home to see my partner, Marco, and my family.” Having performed on the West End for several years in shows including The Book Of Mormon and Wicked, while also running his dog-walking business, Collier is no stranger to hard work. His resilience and ability to push through tough times is a trait Collier is proud of, one that will support him in his trek and one that he believes he has really acquired as an LGBTQ+ person. “We have always been faced with obstacles, the first being having to come out, which really sucks,” he explains. “The fact I have to tell people what my sexuality is, is an obstacle. Discovering your identity when you are put in a box, is an obstacle to overcome.” He has also found that despite the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the entertainment industry, “in the acting world, as an outwardly gay person, it is hard to get chosen for straight roles and it is really frustrating sometimes,” he explains. This June, Nick Collier will be completing the ‘CoppaTrek! with Gi’ in Hadrian’s Wall Country alongside Giovanna Fletcher, to raise vital funds and awareness for breast cancer charity, CoppaFeel! To donate, please visit coppafeel.org/give. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A beginner’s guide to topiary Irish premier Leo Varadkar’s partner apologises for ‘poor judgement’ coronation posts 9 actually useful things you can do to support teens this exam season
2023-05-16 15:52

‘Shameless’ star Emmy Rossum posts rare photo of newborn son with Sam Esmail a month after giving birth
Emmy Rossum, who rarely shares her private life, also shared a picture of her two-year-old daughter in another photo
2023-05-29 10:58

5 sunglasses trends that will be everywhere this summer
The quintessential summer accessory, sunglasses are the perfect finishing touch for any outfit – whether you’re hanging out at home or jetting off on holiday. When it comes to eyewear, trends move fast, so what frames are in fashion this season? As we head towards hotter days, these are the five key sunglasses trends to know about… 1. Oversized frames The coolest way to rock oversized sunnies this season is with sleek square frames, as seen at designer brands such as Celine and Prada. Opt for black or white opaque frames for an understated-luxe look or choose jewel tones to bring a Seventies glam feel. Oliver Bonas Teal Crystal Square Sunglasses, £55 CHPO Anna Recycled Plastic Sunglasses, £30, National Trust Shop 2. Sporty Trendsetter Kim Kardashian now favours sporty sunglasses to top off her looks. Throw it back to the Nineties and Noughties with narrow, wraparound sunnies with retro denim or tailored outfits. Poppy Lissiman Caidyn Mint Green Sunglasses, £85 River Island Black Angled Sunglasses, £14 3. Narrow frames As seen recently on the likes of Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, narrow rectangular sunglasses are a big hit with celebs and models at the moment. These eyebrow-revealing frames are a subtle way to nod to the Nineties and a stylish option if you don’t suit oversized square styles. Marks and Spencer Collection Bevelled Square Sunglasses in Black, £15 Thomas Sabo Kim Slim Rectangular Pale Orange Sunglasses, £179 4. White frames In contrast to classic black, this season’s white sunglasses are all about making a strong style statement. From narrow Nineties-inspired styles to big oval frames, go bold with your monochrome sunnies. Murielle Amalfi Sunglasses, £90 Arms of Eve Jagger White Sunglasses, £126, Wolf and Badger 5. Tortoiseshell Loving the spring/summer Seventies trend? Then you need a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses to complete your look. Channel disco-glam with super-sized frames in natural tones, or add a pop of pink. FatFace Claire Pink Sunglasses, £22; Olivia Linen Shirt in White, £59; Ikat Leaves Palazzo Trousers, £59 Dune London Gracies Tortoiseshell Oversized Sunglasses, £40 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 11 of the most eye-popping outfits in Eurovision history, from ABBA to Australia Can I go to work if my child has chickenpox? What is mitochondrial donation treatment and who can get it?
2023-05-11 15:45

A mother refused to do housework after husband said she does ‘nothing’ around the home. The results say it all
A mother has shared how she refused to do housework for a few days, after her husband made a comment about her doing “nothing” at home. The woman, Lindsay, posted a video to TikTok earlier this month about the remark her husband, Brian, made. “My husband made a comment that I do nothing around the house,” she wrote in the text over the footage, while looking at the camera. She then revealed how she responded to this comment, writing: “So for two days, I really did nothing around the house.” The short clip continued with Lindsay documenting what happened when she didn’t clean the home, as there were toys on the floor of her kitchen, as well as dirty dishes in the sink and on the counter. Lindsay then showed the papers all over her dining room table and a basket of dirty laundry next to her couch, which had a bunch of clothes on it. She ended her video with a picture of her bathroom, as it had clothes and towels on the floor. There was also a hair brush, straightener, bottle of mouthwash, and more skin products on the sink. In the caption, she added: “Then I left town for a girls trip…,” before poking fun at her relationship with a marriage humour hashtag. The video quickly went viral, as it has amassed more than 18.6m views. In the comments, many people criticised Brian for his remark and praised Lindsay for her reaction to it. “The way I would never do anything again,” one quipped, regarding how they’d respond to Lindsay’s partner. “I hope you had him clean it after the two days,” another added “Where the hell do they get all the audacity,” a third wrote, referring to the woman’s husband. Meanwhile, other people expressed their anger over the situation, with claims that Lindsay should have divorced her husband after what he’d said. @lindsaydonnelly2 Then I left town for a girls trip… #marriagehumor ♬ Karma (feat. Ice Spice) - Taylor Swift The next day, Lindsay shared a follow-up video, in which she had a chat with her husband. After recalling how she didn’t clean the house for a few days, Lindsay also noted that her husband has “since apologised”, She then revealed to Brian that she made that TikTok video about the situation and that it quickly went viral. She also told him about some of the comments on her initial clip, in viewers claimed that she should leave him. However, she then acknowledged that her Brian is “actually a really good husband”. “That was just a real a**hole move to say that,” she added, referring to Brain’s remark about her doing nothing around the house. In the caption, she also added that her partner realised that this was a “real s****y thing to say”. Speaking to People, Lindsay revealed that when she went on her “strike”, as she took a break from doing housework, she got some amusement out of the decision. “I went out with my girlfriends the night before I made the TikTok and I was telling them how I was literally doing nothing around the house and we were all kind of laughing about it,” she said. The mother added: “And then the next day, I’m getting ready to head out to a girl’s trip and the thought crossed my mind like, ‘I’m really just gonna leave the house like this.’ I felt so bad and it hit me that, wait, this is funny. This is a moment.” @lindsaydonnelly2 Replying to @kris he agreed that was a real ? thing to say ♬ original sound - Lindsay D As she recalled that “she was kind of pissed at my husband”, she noted that she had to make a shift to her daily routine. More specifically, in order to make sure that she wasn’t doing housework, she had to unmake her daughter’s bed. “[My daughter] was in there with me while I was making the bed,” she explained. “And then I stopped myself and said, ‘You know what?’ and unmade the bed. And she asked, ‘What are you doing?’ and I said, ‘Mommy’s not doing any housework.’” She emphasised that she has a “good relationship” with her partner, “even in [their] weak moments”. She also encouraged viewers to stop making comments on her content about getting a divorce. “It’s reality and comedy at the same time,” she added about her videos. “I really hope to make more content that resonates with people in a way that doesn’t make people think we should get a divorce.” The Independent has contacted Linsday for comment. Read More Mother sparks viral debate for ‘shaming’ parent who refused to give her daughter a slice of cake Husband sparks debate after refusing to leave wife’s baby shower when he was uninvited Woman sparks debate for refusing to be a bridesmaid in future sister-in-law’s wedding Daughter of Minnesota Twins manager wins hearts with ‘adorable’ press conference Jennifer Lopez says her 15-year-old twins have started to ‘challenge’ her Mother shares heartbreak after inviting whole school class to daughter’s party
2023-06-24 04:19

Canada's warning of new taxes on top grocers may not lower food inflation - analysts
By Granth Vanaik and Juveria Tabassum The Canadian prime minister's warning of new taxes that might be imposed
2023-09-15 22:50

Food Prices Resume Decline Despite Lingering Supply Threats
Global food prices resumed declines to the lowest in more than two years amid ample supplies of cooking
2023-09-08 17:59

'Transformers' cast goes head-to-head for ultimate music knowledge supremacy
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts stars Dominique Fishback, Anthony Ramos, Liza Koshy, Tobe Nwigwe and
2023-06-10 01:25

3 situationship types to watch out for this cuffing season
September 16 marks 100 days until Christmas — which dating app Bumble declares the start
2023-09-14 23:51

A police officer has been charged in the killing of a Black man at a gas station after he left without paying for a beer
More than a year after a Black man died at the hands of police outside a New Mexico gas station, the state's attorney general announced charges against one of the police officers at the scene, calling his actions an "unjustifiable use of force" and "yet another example of poor police tactics."
2023-10-10 03:47

Indonesia Set for Cautious Rate Pause Amid Fragile Rupiah Gains
Indonesia’s central bank is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate steady, while staying on guard against external
2023-11-23 06:22

Hands-on with Therabody’s new TheraFace Mask
Therabody became a staple in my beauty routine with the TheraFace PRO, and now it’s
2023-09-13 21:55

From Tesco to Starbucks: The Independent high street Christmas sandwich and drink taste test
With the end of the year almost upon us and before you whip out the advent calendars and dress up the tree, it’s time to answer an all-important question: which Christmas sandwich and drink is best? Every year, supermarket stalwarts like Tesco, Waitrose and Co-op elevate their selections, resurrecting old favourites and introducing new flavour combinations to add a dash of joy to the winter gloom. Meanwhile, treasured working lunch spots like Starbucks and Caffe Nero put forth their best concoctions to keep you in the festive spirit until the holidays. But no one enjoys a sad sandwich or a cold coffee so we’ve done the hard work for you: by taste testing a selection of this year’s Christmas sandwiches and drinks and ranking them out of five. We’ve roped in some of the most discerning palates from The Independent office: editor Geordie Greig, food and drink editor Hannah Twiggs, video producer Harry Pagés and Culture and Lifestyle reporter Maanya Sachdeva. See our live reactions in the video, read our verdicts below and keep checking back as we try as many sandwiches and drinks as is physically possible before Christmas arrives. Sandwiches Co-op’s Christmas Market Sandwich Average rating: 3.75 The Co-op’s Christmas Market Sandwich made its mark with a combination of fried and sliced pork sausage, curry-seasoned cheddar cheese, mayo, cabbage, spinach, gherkins, mustard and black pepper, all nestled between slices of dark rye bread. The panel was mostly impressed. Geordie, with an generous 4, praised the sandwich’s size, appearance and flavours. He found it spicy, wholesome and very filling, and would come back for seconds. Maanya, also giving it a 4, declared this sandwich her favourite. She appreciated the healthier feel with the inclusion of more vegetables than the others and an interesting flavour. She, too, wanted more. Hannah, with a conservative 3.5, said: “This is a good looking sandwich.” While she said it didn’t feel particularly Christmassy, she found the pickle punch from the cabbage and gherkins and the curry-spiked cheese a welcome addition. Harry, initially sceptical, surprised himself by giving it a 3.5. If this is what a Christmas market tastes like, it tastes pretty good. Subway’s V.I.Brie SubMelt Average rating: 3.5 Verdict: The panel’s reactions to Subway’s newest melt, available for a limited time only, were as diverse as the ingredients themselves. Geordie, with an enthusiastic 4.5, described the sub as huge, enticing and delicious. He was impressed by the right balance of fillings and the warmth of the sandwich, and said: “That’s my lunch sorted.” Hannah, a self-declared “cheese fiend”, gave it a more reserved rating of 3, finding that the bacon and cheese didn’t shine as expected and there was an overwhelming amount of caramelised red onion. Maanya, rating it a 3.5, drew a comparison with Starbucks’ entry, noting that the Subway creation was sweeter and felt more decadent. A fan of Subway sandwiches in general, she appreciated this melt’s Christmassy flavour. Harry, coming in at 3 out of 5, thought that the “big boy’s” size alone made it good value for money. “You could knock someone out with that,” he suggested, though we definitely don’t. While he enjoyed the sharp flavour and Christmas theme, he felt that the star ingredient brie was lacking in punch, leaving the name somewhat misleading. Starbucks’ Festive Feast Panini Average rating: 3 Verdict: Starbucks’ Festive Feast Panini, filled with chicken breast, mature cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, pork, bacon and caramelised onion stuffing, cranberry chutney and turkey gravy, has returned for the 2023 Christmas season but was met with mixed reviews from our panel. The sourdough ciabatta panini went down well with Geordie, who handed out a solid 4 for the sandwich’s warm embrace and crisp bread – he’d happily come back for seconds. Maanya, on the other hand, was less impressed. It was “super cheesy” but just “fine” and lacking that Christmas sandwich sparkle. Hannah had high hopes but landed at 2.5, calling it “a bit nothingy” – not a flavour fiesta but the bread was a solid plus. Panini pundit Harry gave it a 4, welcoming the good consistency, generous filling and sauce that hit all the right notes. Asda’s Festive Feast Sandwich Average rating: 2.75 Verdict: Asda’s Festive Feast Sandwich, bringing turkey breast, sausages, smoked bacon, gravy mayo, stuffing and a spread of cranberry chutney to the table, earned mixed reviews from the panel. The sarnie’s highest score was 3.5 from Geordie, who said it “fills a hole” and appreciated the bread but found it a bit too sweet for his taste. Maanya, ranking it 3 out of 5, found it vastly improved after the first bite, with the cranberry giving it a good Thanksgiving or Christmas vibe. Hannah, less than impressed with a 2.5, likened it to the “bog standard” roast dinners you get at school, and found it too heavy on the stuffing. Harry, with a 2, was charmed by its good looks but suggested the cranberry sauce might be masking some shortcomings. Despite having a lot going on, it fell short of his expectations. Waitrose’s Pigs Under Blankets Average rating: 2.5 Verdict: Despite being the sandwich that’s “so good we’ve brought it back”, with pork sausage, smoked bacon, cranberry and redcurrant chutney and mayonnaise in sliced malted bread, Waitrose’s Pigs Under Blankets fell short of our panel’s expectations. Geordie, with a rating of 3, praised its substantial and firm structure but found it a little bland, falling short of becoming his favourite filling. Maanya, more optimistic with a 3.5, expressed excitement for the “pigs under blankets” concept, appreciating its one-dimensional charm, but noting that it was a little bit messy. Perhaps not the best choice for a date. Hannah, surprisingly impressed with a 4, found the sandwich better than expected. She appreciated the flavour of the sausages and the balance of ingredients, a departure from the overwhelming nature of some Christmas sandwiches. Harry, however, with a resounding 1, declared the Waitrose entry “pretty grim”. It didn’t meet the expectations associated with Waitrose, and, in his view, even had the potential to dampen the Christmas spirit. Ouch. Tesco’s Chicken, Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce Sub Average rating: 2 Verdict: Tesco’s offering, with chicken breast, sage and onion stuffing, smoked bacon, mayonnaise and cranberry chutney, faced a tough crowd – and our panel didn’t hold back. Geordie, with a rating of 2, felt the sub had an imbalance, with too much bread and not enough filling, leaving it to fall short of the festive mark. Maanya, initially predicting a bready experience, adjusted her expectations with a 2.75. While noting the bread’s softness, she, too, couldn’t get the right bite and found it lacking in festive flair, deeming it “just a normal chicken sandwich”. Hannah, giving it a 1.5, was firmly part of the “nope” camp. The visual appeal didn’t win her over, with a critique on poor proportioning and a congealed, cold filling; nor did the overall taste experience, which she described as “just not good”. Harry, with a rating of 2, asked: what are we even doing here Tesco? The bread wins points for softness, but it sorely needs a flavour overhaul. Drinks Starbucks’ Hazelnut Crunch Hot Chocolate Rating: 4.5 Verdict: The Hazelnut Crunch Hot Chocolate is the only new addition to Starbucks’ festive drinks menu this year. With an ingredients list that includes chocolate flavoured whipped creamy, sprinkled chocolate on top and a hazelnut brittle topping, you might expect it to be too rich or too sweet. But our reviewer Harry described it as “like drinking a Kinder Bueno”. Plenty of nutty and chocolatey flavours and not too much of either. Caffe Nero’s Panettone Latte Rating: 4 Verdict: Do coffee and panettone go together? It’s not an age-old question but it is one Caffe Nero is trying to answer with their Panettone Latte. It went down well with our reviewer Maanya, who described it as “Christmas in a cup”. With cinnamon and plenty of spice, it’s instantly warming and a great addition to the seasonal offerings. Starbucks’ Eggnog Latte Rating: 3 Verdict: Starbucks’ Eggnog Latte is another festive favourite to make a return in 2023. While not an eggnog fan, our reviewer Hannah was pleasantly surprised by its aroma. It was thicker than a normal latte, and “exceptionally sweet”, but if you’d rather swerve the cinnamon and caramel that so often permeate Christmas drinks, this is a good alternative. It could do with some booze in it, though, she added. Caffe Nero’s Millionaire’s Hot Chocolate Rating: 3 Verdict: With salted caramel syrup, chocolate cream and an extra drizzle of caramel, Caffe Nero’s Millionaire’s Hot Chocolate might prove too sickly for even the sweetest of tooths. For our reviewer Hannah, the aroma and flavour didn’t quite nail the brief. It goes big on chocolate, but one too many of these and you’ll have to pay a visit to the dentist. Caffe Nero’s Florentine Mocha Rating: 2 Verdict: Speaking of unusual pairings, do florentine biscuits and mochas go together? According to our reviewer Harry, perhaps not. “That’s a pretty bog standard mocha,” he says of Caffe Nero’s Florentine Mocha. It’s not a bad drink, with salted caramel syrup, panettone syrup, whipped cream and chocolate chips, but it doesn’t feel very Christmassy. The results Of the sandwiches, Co-op’s Christmas Market Sandwich, which brought pops of colour and unusual flavours to the table, was the clear winner. The diverse ingredients tick a lot of boxes and the chunky size means you’re getting bang for you buck. In last place was Tesco’s Chicken, Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce Sub. The reviews ranged from criticising the imbalance of ingredients to a plain “nope”. The panel agreed that it just didn’t have enough festive flair. On drinks, Starbucks’ new Hazelnut Crunch Hot Chocolate was the clear winner, packing in plenty of chocolatey and nutty flavours without overdoing it. Meanwhile, Caffe Nero’s Florentine Mocha is proof that not all flavours are a match made in heaven. This one might keep the sweet tooths happy, but it won’t keep the Christmas vibes going. Read More From a £22 bag of pasta to £28 sandwich – why do they cost so much? How to host a dinner party for under £2 per portion Three new cookbooks worth buying, from James Martin to the Hairy Bikers Pearly Cow, Margate, restaurant review: Go for the steak, but stay for the potatoes Three authentic Thai recipes to try at home What does Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt cook at home?
2023-11-23 17:20
You Might Like...

At RAGBRAI, 'the ride will provide' is the mantra for thousands as they bike across Iowa

Iraq's prized modern art plagued by forgery, trafficking

Disney’s ‘Wish’ Confronts a Shrinking Thanksgiving Box Office

Kering snaps up fragrance label Creed for new beauty division

Trauma, injury aboard UAE flight carrying Palestinian children

Airline Executives Herald Revival They Predict Is Here to Stay

20 Practical Housewarming Gifts New Homeowners Could Actually Use

Rihanna rocks oversized blazer while embracing A$AP Rocky on coffee run as son's name revealed