Definitely Tradies? Gallagher Brothers' reprising former careers
Many have been left wondering 'is it really them?' - but it is in fact two of the UK's leading Liam and Noel lookalikes offering a tongue-in-cheek glimpse into what life might have looked like if the band hadn't taken off and the front men had instead carried on as concrete finishers. With all their unique swagger and style intact, of course.
Brits across the nation have been left wonder(wall)ing why the Gallagher brothers appear to have stepped away from the limelight of their upcoming tour to reprise their former jobs as tradespeople. (Image: Andrew Hasson/ MI /Content Cover) As the UK's most popular platform for trusted tradespeople, Checkatrade is shining a spotlight on the earning potential for skilled trades.
While the Gallagher brothers famously swapped steel-toed boots for stadiums, many who stick with trade skills are now enjoying strong job security and the flexibility to work on their own terms.
New figures from Checkatrade show that the average UK tradesperson now earns over £45,000 a year, putting them in the top 25% of earners in the country. Meanwhile, 13% of tradespeople now take home more than £100,000 - a true rock star salary! Decorators were found to be the highest earners, on average pocketing £61,000 a year.
What's more, Checkatrade's recent 'Trade Skills Index' found that the home improvement and repair sector is set to grow 40% over the next ten years, contributing 2.4% to the UK's GDP, meaning there's ample opportunities for aspiring tradies.
In the images, 'Noel' can be seen wielding a paint roller instead of his famous guitar - paint-rollering with it, some might say. Brother 'Liam' can be seen looking smug about his freshly painted wonder(ful) wall - perhaps recreating the original inspiration for the smash hit.
In another shot, the brothers are seen enjoying a well-deserved break - with their customers no doubt hoping it will be shorter than the 16-year break they took from the band. But rather than cigarettes and alcohol, 'Liam' enjoys a cuppa and a biscuit, after a hard morning of work on a Lion and Leinster home improvement job site.
To further mark the occasion, Checkatrade has revealed the top ten songs Oasis could have instead created if they took more artistic inspiration from their early careers:
Some might (try not to) pay
Sand by me
What's the story, fix the flooring
Paint roller with it
Wonder wall painter
She's electric wiring
Rockery and gardening star
The importance of being honest
Cigarettes and fix-the-hole
Slide rule away
Whether you're looking for your next trusted professional — or considering a career that rocks — head to Checkatrade.com to find out more.
A Checkatrade Spokesperson said: 'While we had fun with this tongue-in-cheek shoot showing what their lives might have looked like, it comes with a very real message: a career in the trades can be incredibly rewarding. With strong earning potential, flexibility, and long-term job security, tradespeople across the UK are building rock-solid futures doing work they're proud of.'
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Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
New app launches TODAY to ping 88m Brits with urgent alerts, digital licenses, benefits and more
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Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I'm the UK's Coupon Queen – here's how YOU can save £2k+ this summer, from petrol to food and days out
Holly Smith has helped more than two million Brits save their hard-earned cash. Here, to kickstart our Sun Club Summer savings series, she shares great tips to help you save more than £2,000. QUIDS IN I'm the UK's Coupon Queen – here's how YOU can save £2k+ this summer, from petrol to food and days out Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of Brits have saved money thanks to Holly Smith's brilliant tips. And now the UK's Coupon Queen, Holly Smith, is here to help YOU save £2,000 this summer - on everything from supermarket shops and family days out to toys and caravan holidays. 6 Holly Smith is the UK's Coupon Queen and has helped millions of Brits save money Credit: NEWSUK 'It's easy to think you need to spend a lot to keep the kids entertained, but there's so much you can do for free or on a budget,' she explains. 'It's all about being creative, planning ahead, and making the most of what's available.' Holly launched her blog Extreme Couponing in 2013. The blog's private Facebook group, where users share offers, has since racked up 2.5 million members. Extreme couponing Searches for discounts have increased since the cost of living crisis, as budgeting apps gain popularity. There were nearly 10,000 searches for 'best budgeting apps' in 2022, marking a 30% rise from 2021 and a 95% surge since 2020, according to a study by technology powerhouse VML. Holly, 44, hit the headlines after paying for a £1,200 food shop entirely with vouchers. In 2020 she released a book sharing her best money saving tips. £4,000 savings It's not unusual for her to be awake at 4am scouring the internet for deals or personally replying to one of the 500 emails she gets a day. 'My husband will say, 'Put your phone down!' But it's just me - I can't leave it,' she says. 'I'm so passionate about what I do that there have been times I haven't slept at night because I've been looking for deals.' Holly, who lives in Great Yarmouth with husband Callum Smith and their four children, saves £4,000 every summer thanks to coupons, discount codes, cashback apps and loyalty cards. I'm mortgage-free at 35 thanks to my savvy spending With the average family spending set to spend over £1,000 extra per week this summer, here Holly reveals how to have a fun-filled time - without breaking the bank. Free holiday clubs and meals For parents needing childcare or activities for the kids during the holidays, Holly recommends the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. 6 Check out your local council for free children's clubs and activities this summer Credit: Getty This country-wide government programme provides free meals, activities, and childcare during school holidays for children from low-income families who receive free school meals. Local councils can also use 15% of their funding to support other children who may benefit, without needing approval from the Department for Education. Parents will need to check with their child's school and check their list of benefits based on free school meals. Keep kids active and engaged during the summer Holly Smith 'HAF runs during school holidays and offers free holiday clubs with meals included for eligible children,' she explains. 'It's such a helpful option – not just for childcare but for keeping kids active and engaged during the summer. 'Holiday clubs can cost around £20-£30 per day, including food, so by using HAF for five days of holiday clubs could save £100 - £150 per child.' SAVINGS: £100-£150 High-street clothes for less One of Holly's golden rules is to plan ahead. 'I always encourage parents to start thinking early,' she says. She recommends websites like which sell surplus stock from brands like Marks & Spencer and Next at up to 90% off. 'You can grab summer clothes for the kids or even start thinking about school uniforms for September. Shopping out of season or ahead of time can save you a fortune.' When we checked the sites we found that parents can bag items including a boys winter jacket for £7, reduced from £24, or a Spiderman sweatshirt for £1, reduced from £5, or a pair of M&S sandals for £3, reduced from £22.50. Result! SAVINGS: £50-£100 Half-price day trips When it comes to day trips and activities, Holly is all about being resourceful. Apps like Groupon and Wowcher are full of family deals that make planning affordable outings easy. 'They regularly have discounted tickets for places like Drayton Manor, with 50% off tickets,' she says. 'Tickets start from £27.50, which means you could get £13.75 'You can also find soft play passes, zoo tickets, and even travelling circus deals. 'These discounts vary, but let's assume an average saving of £10 per ticket. For a family of four, this could amount to £40 saved per activity. These platforms are perfect for booking summer activities without paying full price.' SAVINGS: £40+ Cinema savings Taking a trip to the cinema with the kids doesn't have to cost a fortune. 'You can also get free cinema tickets by signing up at or at which also offers free theatre tickets, which could give you a saving of around £15 per person,' she says. 6 Enjoy a trip to the cinema without spending loads Credit: Getty 'I'm a massive musical fan and save £1000's on tickets every year using these methods. I even run a theatre blog 'Some West End theatres offer standing tickets at the back of the stalls for just £10. 'You can often get these on the day of the performance by going directly to the box office. Popular shows offering these tickets include Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre and Just For One Day (the Live Aid musical) at the Shaftesbury Theatre. 'And everyday at 10am, the TodayTix app releases Rush Tickets from £10 for around 20 top West End productions. 'These are limited and first come, first served, so it's worth checking the app early. 'You can also get 2-for-1 cinema and restaurant deals with Compare the Market. A clever trick is to take out a cheap travel insurance policy to unlock these rewards Holly Smith 'When you take out any insurance policy through Compare the Market, you'll get a full year of Meerkat rewards. 'That includes: Meerkat Movies – Two-for-one cinema tickets every Tuesday and Wednesday, and Meerkat Meals – Two-for-one meals at selected restaurants. 'A clever trick is to take out a cheap travel insurance policy to unlock these rewards. 'You can buy one-day UK travel insurance for as little as £1.01, and it still gives you access to a full year of cinema and dining deals.' SAVINGS: £60+ TV savings Cut your Netflix bill with the ad-supported plan. 'Netflix now offers a cheaper plan that includes adverts,' she says. 'It costs half the price of the standard plan, and the ads aren't too disruptive. I made the switch and found it better than expected.' You can also use free streaming services instead of paying. 'There are some great free options available in the UK if you want to avoid monthly subscription fees,' explains Holly. If you have Sky TV, they often give away a free movie rental each month through the Sky Store Holly Smith Other suggestions include Roku Channel, a free content without needing a subscription, Samsung TV Plus, which is available on Samsung smart TVs with plenty of live and on-demand options, Rakuten TV (free section), which includes a variety of films and shows and Pluto TV, 'excellent' for fans of reality TV, with themed live channels and on-demand content. There are other ways to get free movies too. 'If you have Sky TV, they often give away a free movie rental each month through the Sky Store. Just log in and claim it,' she says. 'Octopus Energy customers can claim a free movie at the start of each month through Octopus Rewards, and Vodafone users should check the MyVodafone app, as it often includes free films in the rewards section.' SAVINGS: £10+ Cheap petrol For families travelling this summer, Holly recommends the PetrolPrices app to find the cheapest petrol or diesel based on your location. 'It's so useful when you're on a day out or in an area you don't know well. Even saving a few pence per litre makes a difference, especially when you're filling up often. 'The savings would depend on how much fuel you purchase and the price difference per litre. 'If you save 5p per litre and fill up 50 litres of fuel, the saving would be of £2.50, but if you are filling up more frequently during summer (e.g., 4 times), the total saving would be a saving of £10.' SAVINGS: £2.50 per fill-up or £10 across four fill-ups Supermarket hacks Holly's expertise in grocery shopping is one of her top ways to stretch a summer budget. Digital free to use coupon apps like Shopmium, GreenJinn, and CheckoutSmart are staples in her money-saving toolkit. 6 Holly shares her tricks for paying less at the supermarket Credit: 'These apps are updated weekly with freebies and discounts on branded groceries,' she explains. 'You can usually claim three or four free items a week. Just buy the item, scan your receipt in the app, and cashback is paid directly to your PayPal or bank account. It's so easy to use, and the savings build up quickly.' Holly also advises keeping an eye out for yellow-sticker food. 'Knowing what can be frozen is key,' she says. 'I use a vacuum sealer to store chicken breasts, vegetables, and other essentials, so nothing goes to waste. 'Yellow-sticker food and vacuum sealing can reduce waste and save around £20-£30 per month on groceries, which means over the summer, this adds up to £40-£60.' She also highlights Amazon's Subscribe & Save feature as a great way to stock up on household essentials at a discount. 'Track the prices, wait for a drop, and then subscribe to get an extra 15% off. Once it's delivered, you can cancel the subscription if you don't need it again.' On-pack promotions are another great way to save. 'Robinsons squash bottles are brilliant for this,' Holly says. 'Last summer, they ran a promotion for free swimming sessions. All you had to do was scan the QR code on the sleeve and sign up online. 'These offers often include free football training, days out, or kids' meals. They're easy to spot and claim. 'On-pack promotions like free swimming sessions or football training could save around £5 - £10 per activity per child, and claiming three to four promotions over the summer could save £15-£40.' SAVINGS: £115-£190 Christmas list ready One trend in Holly's Facebook group that she is a fan of is simply prepping for Christmas from now. 'People in my Facebook group have started to save £7 a week in their Amazon balance. 'By Christmas, they've got a pot to use for gifts. 'It's like the old Christmas savings schemes but safer because you can buy pretty much anything on Amazon now. 'I also use Amazon's Subscribe and Save a lot for essentials like toilet rolls. 'I track prices, wait for a drop, subscribe to get an extra 15% off, and then cancel the subscription after delivery. Affordable holidays Holly has a clever tip for cutting costs on family holidays. 'Haven holiday parks offer touring and camping pitches, which are much cheaper than staying in a caravan,' she explains. 6 Holly has also shared her camping trip tips Credit: SUPPLIED 'I'm not keen on camping, so I once paid £100 for a tent pitch at Haven in Kent but stayed at a nearby Travelodge for £29 a night instead of paying over £1,000 for a caravan. 'We used the Travelodge as our base, filled up on their buffet breakfast, and spent our days at the holiday park. It was such a money-saver.' For families who enjoy camping, Holly suggests buying a cheap tent to use at the holiday park for an even cheaper alternative. 'It's all about personal preference, but there are so many ways to save on holidays.' SAVINGS: £900 - £1,200 Summer toys Keeping kids entertained over the summer doesn't have to cost a fortune, and Holly has plenty of ideas for treats and toys. Apps like YoungPlanet are a fantastic way to save money while keeping kids entertained. 'Families can list toys and children's items they no longer need, and everything is free to collect locally,' Holly explains. 6 Holly suggests checking out a few apps for new toys without spending a penny Credit: Supplied 'It's a great way to get things like garden toys, books, games, and bikes without spending anything. 'It's also perfect for passing on items your own kids have finished with to help others. 'Using the YoungPlanet app to get free toys like garden toys, books, or bikes could save you anywhere around £10 - £50 per item. 'Claiming three to four items over the summer could save up to £200.' She also mentions apps like Jungle Search, which is free to use and helps find mispriced items on Amazon. 'You'd be amazed at what you can find - everything from garden toys to paddling pools at a fraction of the cost,' she explains. 'When my son was born, I got almost everything for his nursery for under £200, even though the retail value was £1,200.' SAVINGS: £200+ Coupons and loyalty schemes Holly's passion for couponing shines through as she explains the strategy behind it. 'You've got to time your coupons with promotions,' she says. 'For example, Tesco magazine coupons are often better towards the end of the month when the products go on offer. That's when you get those gems where you're paying next to nothing.' She also mentions loyalty schemes like Pampers. 'With the Pampers loyalty scheme, for every 10 packets you scan, you get one free,' she says. 'They send you a coupon through the post. But it's all about timing. Some people use coupons too quickly, but you need to come up with a method. 'I write down expiry dates, track prices, and use the coupons when the timing is perfect. It's a lot of work, but I share this research instantly in my Facebook group, so others don't have to do it all themselves.' Instead of searching for discount codes, Holly has a much easier technique to save some money. 'I use a Google Chrome plug-in such as Honey or Pouch, " she says. 'When you're shopping online and get to the checkout, the plug-in quickly tries out all the discount codes that might work for that store and applies them to your basket in seconds. 'Sometimes, you can even use more than one code on the same purchase.' But when it comes to the best digital coupon app, Holly's favourite is Shopimium. 'It's really user friendly and a great one to get people started.' SAVINGS: £50+ Get talking with ChatGPT Holly embraces AI to make saving easier. 'In my Facebook group, using ChatGPT to save money is really popular right now,' she explains. 'People are using it to figure out what to cook with leftovers in their fridge. You can just write down what you've got – potatoes, random leftovers – and ask ChatGPT what meal you can make. 'It provides recipes in seconds, and you end up with a family meal you'd never have thought of. It's a great way to avoid wasting food and save money.' She continues: 'People even upload pictures of their garden and ask ChatGPT for budget-friendly ideas to improve it. The results are amazing.' SAVINGS: £50-£100 Build a stockpile Holly's strategic approach to saving has helped her build an impressive stockpile over the years. 'It's gone from a notepad to an industrial-sized chest freezer and shelves that look like a mini supermarket,' she says. She explains how combining coupons and offers can lead to huge savings over time. 'For example, Huggies DryNites offers a free sample with a £2.50 coupon. If you wait for the right sale, you can get the product for free. That's how you build a stockpile – by timing your purchases perfectly.' Previously at Christmas time, Holly managed to buy over £100 worth of minced chicken for about £15 and picked up a whole turkey worth £35 for 5p - after buying at a reduced price on Christmas eve. Once she got the food home, she vacuum-sealed it before freezing it. SAVINGS: £150
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Daily Record
People struggling UK heatwave say Amazon's £31 pool is 'best thing ever'
The pool has been a hit with shoppers - and it's currently available to order with Amazon for delivery as soon as tomorrow As the UK experiences a heatwave, with temperatures predicted to exceed 30C in some areas, Brits are on the hunt for ways to stay cool. A heat health warning has been issued across most of the country, prompting many to invest in fans, air conditioners and plenty of ice cream. For those looking to combat the sudden rise in temperature and make the most of their outdoor spaces, investing in a paddling pool could be a good idea. If you have the room, a refreshing dip can not only beat the heat, but it can also provide endless hours of summer entertainment, especially for kids. Amazon is one of the few online retailers offering a selection of paddling pools in all shapes and sizes that can be delivered. A popular option is the Bestway Family Inflatable Swimming Pool, retailing at £30.95, reports the Mirror. However, several other alternatives are worth considering, such as the Bestway 8ft Paddling Pool (Argos, £40) or the Intex Swim Centre Square Family Inflatable Lounge Pool (£34, Smyths Toys). Amazon's pool isn't just for the little ones; adults can enjoy it, too. The integrated seats and 'convenient' cup holders make overseeing playtime a bit more comfortable, according to Amazon. On its website, Amazon states that customers who order today (July 1) can expect delivery as early as tomorrow (July 2). The pool's price on Amazon is a bargain, as it is on Bestway's website at £54.99. Many customers who splurged on the pool have also been snatching up the £10 Bestway Swimming Pool Cover on Amazon to keep "dirt and debris accumulating in the pool." The reviews are full of compliments on the pool. One said: "We bought this as a good compromise between a tiny kiddies paddling pool and a big sturdy pool. Happily, it fits a couple of adults and a few kids. Husband loves the cup holder. I think he may have spent more time in the pool than the kids!" Another offered high praise: "Best paddling pool we've had, love the little seats and headrests and cup holders." A third added: "Love this pool. It's great for cooling off in the summer heat." However, not all experiences were positive. One customer reported the pool "goes down after an hour" while another cautioned that it's "prone to punctures". A third claimed: "Easy to set up, started to fill it up and the top section had deflated in 10 mins, so couldn't be used. It is a good size and design, just a shame didn't get to use it." But, the majority of reviews were glowing. Another customer reported: "Didn't take long to inflate using a foot pump. It's been up six days now and is still fully inflated. Great pool, would fit four easily, although there are only two seats/cushions. But it's perfect for me. Lovely to cool off in with a glass of red on a hot sunny day." A fifth satisfied shopper joked: "This should not be shared with children! I used this all summer in my tiny garden - so comfortable- perfect for sunbathing with a cocktail."
