logo
This Morning star reveals terrifying moment she blacked out on boozy night out as she sends warning to fans

This Morning star reveals terrifying moment she blacked out on boozy night out as she sends warning to fans

The Sun20 hours ago
THIS Morning star Ashley James has revealed the frightful moment she blacked out on a boozy night out - and feared she had been spiked.
The 38-year-old says she feels very lucky because she wasn't mugged or sexually assaulted, but is now extra careful with her drinks on nights out.
6
6
Ashley, who is working alongside Spike Aware UK and CounterSpike in a bid to educate people on the issue, tells us: 'When I went to my brother's university, and I went out with him and his friends, it's the first time that I'd ever completely blacked out.
"When I woke up I was in my brother's halls with my brother.
'I'd been sick everywhere and I actually didn't remember anything that happened. But luckily I was with my brother and his friends.
'They teased me that I couldn't handle my drink because I was the younger sister that had gone to visit my brother, but I didn't feel like that.
'My reaction and how sick I was, was not in proportion to what I drank in that situation.'
She continues: 'Had it happened now, my brother or me or his friends could have tested my drinks.
'If I had been spiked, there was no mugging or sexual assault. But the next person might not be so lucky, because I imagine a lot of these people that try to spike people's drinks don't just do it once - and if they fail, they don't stop doing it.'
Like many people, Ashley didn't tell anyone about her concerns - according to a new survey by CounterSpike only 11% of spiking victims reported it to the police.
Now, Ashley is helping to promote SpikeStixx - a spiking test kit that enables people to test their drinks on a night out and get instant results.
'It's literally the same size as my lipstick, so you can put it in your bag, no matter how tiny and impractical your bag is - as mine always is,' says Ashley.
'Ever since I started going out properly, spiking's always been that sort of invisible threat or thing that we have to worry about.'
DJ and TV star Ashley first rose to fame during her short stint on Made In Chelsea - she now uses her voice to talk about what's important to her.
She often speaks out about double standards for men and women - and refuses to cover up her boobs because other people choose to hypersexualize them.
'I definitely feel like I've got to a point where I realise that there shouldn't be a moral attachment to the clothes that we wear, ' she tells us.
'And actually, we see that, even if you're looking at spiking. But any form of sexual violence, it doesn't just happen because of what we wear.
'I find specifically, the hypersexualization of boobs quite frustrating. I don't deserve to be judged and especially not my morals or sexuality questioned based on my body."
She adds: 'I certainly don't think that my body is any more shameful than anyone else's and I think time and time again, we see that it doesn't matter what we wear.
'People are spiking drinks, not because of what we're wearing. People are hurting and killing women, not because of the clothes that they are wearing. It's because those people are bad people who want to harm women.'
Despite any concerns Ashley might have on a night out, the mum-of-two is planning to keep on partying for a long time to come.
She says: 'I love socialising. I'm such an extrovert and I'm a DJ as well. So I'm always out and about in various different environments where there's drinks.
'I love being around friends. I've got a really good group of mum friends. I've got a really good group of friends in the industry and I feel like I'll never slow down - I'm just a bit more tired.'
6
6
6
6
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jermaine Jenas opens up on text messages that got him sacked from the BBC and reveals marriage troubles led to scandal
Jermaine Jenas opens up on text messages that got him sacked from the BBC and reveals marriage troubles led to scandal

The Sun

time35 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Jermaine Jenas opens up on text messages that got him sacked from the BBC and reveals marriage troubles led to scandal

JERMAINE Jenas has spoken out about his exit from the BBC for sending X-rated text messages to colleagues. The former England footballer, 42, revisited the scandal that cost him his high-paid telly gigs on The One Show and Match of the Day. 5 5 5 It also ultimately led to the collapse of his marriage to his wife of 14 years, Ellie, with the pair announcing their split in March. Speaking with comedian Katherine Ryan and professional boxer Derek Chisora on his Let Me Tell You Something podcast, he said: "I broke a vow. I feel my level of punishment was up there. I had to take it and have some broad shoulders and handle it, and I feel like I did that." Jermaine likened his messages to Fifty Shades of Grey lothario Christian Grey, continuing: "It was sexting, as simple as that, but it was initiated to me and then I responded. "It wasn't just me going out of my way and it definitely 100 percent wasn't 'me 'if you do this I will help you in your work'. "There was no power element to it going on." He then admitted his personal life and marriage weren't in a good place at the time, though he insisted it was no excuse for his behaviour. "There's a lot of stuff with me and Ellie where we weren't in the best place ourselves," he said. "And things were just spiralling a little bit. In no way is that blame. I'm fully accepting responsibility. "I dealt with it wrong and got heavily punished for it by losing pretty much everything that I had at that time." Though the fallout of the messages was costly, Jermaine claimed the BBC had him "locked in a creative prison". He was sacked in an excruciating online meeting with HR and senior corporation execs, including being shown a string of X-rated messages he'd sent. He told The Sun at the time: 'I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry." In the same interview, he confessed to lying to wife Ellie during a family holiday and sneaking off to take a Zoom call with BBC bosses over his X-rated messages. In 2023, Jenas and Ellie clashed as he started spending more time socialising with his One Show work colleagues. The pair had explosive rows but, Jermaine admitted they quietly worked through their issues with the help of couple's therapy. Heartbroken ex-model Ellie announced the couple were separating in March. She wrote: "I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it's necessary. "After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways. "We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children's privacy during this challenging time. "Thank you, Ellie." The pair had been married for 14 years and share two daughters, Geneva and Olivia, and son, Jacob. Jermaine also has an older daughter, Sancha, from a previous relationship. Jermaine Jenas Scandal Timeline JERMAINE Jenas was dismissed in August for sending inappropriate messages to the women he worked with. Here's what happened: August 22 The BBC receives complaints about Jenas workplace behaviour, in regard to text messages. August 22 - Jenas was sacked by the BBC amid allegations he sent inappropriate messages to a female colleague. The presenter is taken off air from both Match of the Day and The One Show. Other colleagues begin to come forward. Jenas responds to BBC sacking: "Right now I can't talk about it. I can tell you I'm not happy - there are two sides to every story - and I'm going to be speaking with my lawyers on the issue." The BBC responds to Jenas' sacking: "We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of the presenting line-up." In an exclusive interview with the Sun on Sunday, Jenas revealed he wanted to say sorry to girls he texted but the BBC blocked him. September 7 Jenas denies new claim he bombarded waitress with unsolicited explicit texts while working at World Cup for BBC. November 24 Jenas apologises to wife "for all the BS" over text scandal as he vows to save their 13-year marriage. 5

Asylum hotel group awarded £2.5billion taxpayer deal faces claims secret Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen was being run from inside one of its chain
Asylum hotel group awarded £2.5billion taxpayer deal faces claims secret Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen was being run from inside one of its chain

Daily Mail​

time36 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Asylum hotel group awarded £2.5billion taxpayer deal faces claims secret Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen was being run from inside one of its chain

A 'secret' takeaway kitchen running from inside a taxpayer-funded asylum hotel has been shut down after the operation was exposed online. The Home Office has launched a major investigation into Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, after the pop-up kitchen was revealed. The site, which houses more than 300 migrants, was also operating as a collection point for Uber Eats and Deliveroo. However, Government officials last night branded the fast-food operation as 'wholly unacceptable' amid claims it could be in breach of the hotel's lucrative asylum contract, worth millions. 'Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider,' a Home Office spokesman said. The operation was exposed in a video on YouTube. The clip, posted by TH101UK - a group of activists who claim to 'inspect' hotels for migrants, shows two men walking into Cedar Court's grounds to investigate its use as a business. Footage showed a sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, which stated: 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point'. The men were later removed from the site by security officials. The four-star retreat is run by EC4 Hotel Ltd, which has three other premises and is owned by Monaco-based Nadja Kovic Nassar, 66. The Home Office spends £5million a day on contracts with Clearsprings, Mears Group and Serco to provide asylum accommodation. Mears Group now oversees the running of the hotel as part of its nationwide asylum seeker deal with the government - which will see a staggering £2.5billion of taxpayers' cash being spent over ten years, from 2019 to 2029. A probe is now underway to see if EC4 breached the terms of its contract with the government by sub-letting its kitchen to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks. The two companies - which have since been removed from both Uber Eats and Deliveroo pending an enquiry - have allegedly been running a 'dark kitchen' from the hotel. So-called dark kitchens operate as takeaway-only businesses and don't run a sit-down meal service like traditional restaurants. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular with the rise of Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks were given licences to operate by Wakefield Council. However, the authority has now launched its own probe amid the row, YorkshireLive reports. It was suspected migrants based in the hotel may have been illegally operating as delivery drivers for the fast-food takeaway apps. However, the Home Office said in a statement residents living in the hotel 'were not involved' in running the kitchen. Pictured are security guards as they escorted the two YouTubers out of the hotel Speaking of the kitchen, a spokesman said: 'This activity is wholly unacceptable,' adding: 'We take all allegations of misuse of asylum accommodation and the safety of residents extremely seriously. We will now be investigating.' In 2023 the Home Office unveiled plans to increase the number of migrants accommodated at the hotel from 148 to 306. News of the kitchen row at Cedar Court has left local residents outraged. 'I was shocked to see the Deliveroo sign at the back but not surprised,' one neighbour told the Sun, adding migrants were being dumped in 'small rural' communities 'without a care' for the people already living there. In May, a report into the three companies sharing the £2.5billion migrant hotel deal - Clearsprings, Mears and Serco - found they had made a combined profit of £383million since 2019 after expected cost to run asylum accommodation tripled. In response to the takeaway kitchen at the migrant hotel, a Deliveroo spokesman said: 'Virtual brands like Absurd Stacks are fully registered food businesses, offering a delivery-only restaurant service. 'After being made aware of the potential relationship between the hotel group running the virtual brand and the Home Office, we suspended them from our platform while we investigate further.' An Uber Eats spokesman added: 'We have suspended this restaurant's access to our platform and are fully investigating.' A spokeswoman for Wakefield Council added: 'The Home Office is responsible for asylum accommodation and the arrangements with providers. 'Whilst EC4 Hotels Ltd were compliant with all the processes the council has to follow, we do share the Home Office's concerns. 'We will be seeking an urgent meeting to discuss their contractual arrangements with accommodation providers.'

Ten times more cyclists than motorists are fined for running red lights in City of London - as one in six admit they do it often
Ten times more cyclists than motorists are fined for running red lights in City of London - as one in six admit they do it often

Daily Mail​

time36 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Ten times more cyclists than motorists are fined for running red lights in City of London - as one in six admit they do it often

Ten times more cyclists than drivers have been fined for running red lights in one of London 's busiest districts, new figures have revealed. And one in six bike riders admits to frequently ignoring traffic light signals to stop, according to a new poll for electric vehicle firm Lime. City Of London Police say they are carrying out a new crackdown on cyclists who flout regulations - with many more doing so compared to drivers in the area. Some 284 people have been fined so far this year for not stopping at traffic lights while riding bikes in the City of London, compared to just 25 drivers. The figures were revealed by City of London Police, at the same time as a separate study by Lime on the attitudes shown by cyclists across the UK's capital city. Fines for cyclists running red lights are set at £50, while drivers must pay £100 - with the money going to the Treasury - and receive three points on their licence. City of London Corporation figures show cycling in the area has increased by 50 per cent in the past two years. And capital-wide statistics suggest there are now 1.33million daily cycle journeys across the whole of London. City of London Police have now launched what they are calling a 'Safer City Streets' campaign, aimed at urging less potentially dangerous behaviour by cyclists. It comes as officers raised concerns not only about the running of red lights but also thefts of pedestrians' mobile phones by criminals rushing by on bikes. The force said its 'Op Swipe' crackdown had reduced mobile phone seizures by 30 per cent in recent months. They are now placing blue plaques have been placed on the ground where phones have been snatched - and also offering free phone marking to help get devices back to owners if police find them. Officers now say they are focusing more on anti-social behaviour by bikers, following what they described as 'growing calls from pedestrians, motorists and cyclists themselves for action to be taken'. Tijs Broeke, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said: 'People want to feel safe on our streets whether they're walking to work, cycling through the Square Mile, or just enjoying the City. 'This campaign is about action. We're listening to the concerns of residents and workers on issues like phone snatching, anti-social behaviour and reckless cycling, and taking clear, visible steps to tackle them. 'By combining intelligence-led patrols, smart enforcement, and community engagement, we're focused on prevention and results. 'It's about keeping crime down, supporting victims and making sure the City stays one of the safest places in the country.' Meanwhile, the separate study for Lime and carried out by Thinks Insight & Strategy suggested 52 per cent of London cyclists admit to running red lights - with 16 per cent, or almost one in six, confessing they did so regularly. And yet 82 per cent of the capital's cyclists, more than four in five, recognised that going through traffic lights was dangerous - yet 13 per cent of those committing the offence were unaware it is actually illegal. Some 71 per cent of London bikers say there should be tougher penalties for running red lights, according to the new poll of more than 1,000 cyclists across the city. Lime is now launching its own new safety campaign, dubbed 'Respect the Red' - installing safety messages at high-traffic cycling hotspots and key junctions. The company's UK and Ireland policy director Hal Stevenson said: 'More Londoners are cycling than ever and as our city adapts, we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe. 'This research confirms what we've long known - when cyclists don't feel safe, they take risks. The answer is better streets for cyclists, and we've made good progress thanks to TfL and London boroughs. But the pace of change must match demand. 'Cyclists also need to take responsibility. Running red lights puts everyone at risk. As part of London's cycling community, we know Lime has a role to play. 'We back Thinks' recommendations and are launching our "Respect the Red" campaign to support safer cycling and drive behaviour change.' Tom Sleigh, who chairs the City of London Corporation's planning and transportation committee, welcomed how cycling in the area was 'booming'. Yet he added: 'With that growth comes responsibility. Most people riding in the Square Mile are safe and respectful. 'But let's be honest - red light running by a minority puts everyone at risk. It's not just illegal – it's anti-social. 'I was delighted to work with both Lime and the City of London Police to help get this partnership off the ground. It's about sending a clear message - safe cycling is non-negotiable.' The moves have also been backed by the charity Cycling UK, whose director of behaviour change and development James Scott said: 'Safer road users is a key part of a safe systems approach towards reducing casualties on our roads. 'We're excited to have the opportunity to work with Lime to create a bespoke training programme for London cyclists. 'Thinks' research around the behaviour and perceptions of cyclists will inform our course content to improve awareness and understanding of the highway code, which must be more widely communicated to all road users. 'To get more people cycling safely and maximise the huge health, societal and environmental benefits that brings, we also need continued investment in separated cycle lanes, safer junctions, and the high quality infrastructure that enables more people to cycle.' And Pete Dyson, a researcher at the University of Bath and that city's 'Bicycle Mayor', said: 'For cycling to grow safely and inclusively, we need more people to follow the rules. 'Red light running is dangerous, illegal and risks undermining both public confidence and future investment in cycling. 'This report goes beyond counting offences - it helps us understand who's running red lights, why it happens and what can be done about it.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store