Latest news with #RipOffBritain
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Breakfast legend returns to BBC daytime for the first time four years after quitting sofa
A BREAKFAST legend has returned to BBC daytime for the first time four years after quitting the sofa. The presenter previously fronted the corporation's flagship morning show for nine years. 4 Louise Minchin returned to BBC daytime Credit: BBC 4 She appeared on Morning Live with Gaby Roslin and Rav Wilding Credit: BBC Louise Minchin, 56, became a regular anchor on BBC Breakfast in 2012 when she hosted the programme for three days a week. Initially she sat on the red sofa alongside the likes of Bill Turnbull and Charlie Stayt, 63. This was before she established a regular partnership with Dan Walker, 48, who now presents the news on 5. In June 2021, she announced she was leaving the show after 20 years on air before making her final departure in September. Now the star returned to daytime broadcasting on BBC One as she made an appearance on Morning Live. Gaby Roslin, 60, and Rav Wilding, 47, introduced the star as a 'consumer expert'. She appeared on the main rival to ITV's This Morning to give her take on the drop in car insurance costs. This comes after bosses at the publicly funded corporation chose Louise to replace Angela Rippon on Rip Off Britain. The TV personality was sat on the kitchen island alongside the likes of Dr Kiran Morjaria and gardener Mark Lane. Gaby took to her Instagram grid page as she revelled in the company of the broadcast veteran. BBC Breakfast hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt forced to pull live broadcast after 'dead dog' shown on-screen She could be seen pushing Louise who swung on one of the show's plush swivel chairs in the brightly lit studio. She captioned the video: "Good morning everyone. Pre show shenanigans here @bbcmorninglive with @louiseminchin and we are so ready to spin around on this Friday morning." Before she took to the airwaves, Naga Munchetty and Charlie fronted the Friday edition of BBC Breakfast amid growing tensions. It has previously been revealed the show's editor Richard Frediani, has taken an extended period of leave amid claims of bullying. Who are the current presenters of BBC Breakfast? The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are: Jon Kay - Since 2022 Sally Nugent - Since 2021 Charlie Stayt - Since 2006 Naga Munchetty - Since 2014 Carol Kirkwood - Since 1997 Naga, 50, is said to be at the 'end of her tether' with Frediani and the fractious working environment. She was also alleged to have used a slang term for a sexual act off-air in separate damning claims. A BBC spokesperson previously said: "While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. "We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.' The fresh claims emerged as Beeb bosses urged any member of staff with concerns to raise them. 4 The presenter was introduced as a 'consumer expert' as she now fronts Rip Off Britain Credit: BBC
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
TUI family holiday ruined after raunchy behaviour and finding ‘vomit in pool'
A family looking forward to a two-week holiday at a five-star hotel in Jamaica were left shocked after an adults-only festival hosted by the resort led to 'all hell breaking loose' Liverpool mum Katie had been eagerly looking forward to her TUI holiday in Jamaica, but says her stay there was ruined by raunchy guests who exhibited "sexual behaviour [...] for all to see". During an appearance on BBC's Rip Off Britain, Katie and her sister Rachel spoke of Jamaica as their "second home", and somewhere where they regularly take their children to visit relatives. According to Katie, whose husband lives in the Caribbean island nation, it's important for her children to stay connected to their dual culture. She shared: 'Jamaica is our second home. We're really, really proud of the island and love the culture.' Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the children hadn't been able to visit their grandparents in Jamaica for two years. And so, the family booked a two-week stay at the Luxury Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Montego Bay. The group of 24 family and friends spent approximately £15,000 on their booking, which should have been a dream holiday. Unfortunately, things allegedly took a turn. At first, the five-star hotel appeared perfect, with the group impressed by the delicious food, gorgeous grounds, and the great service provided by members of staff. The resort advertised plenty of family-friendly facilities, including watersports and a kids' pool, and felt like the ideal place to bring little ones. Then, four days into their stay, the tone changed when the group learned the hotel was hosting a four-day music festival, Fantasy Island. Marketed as an adults-only festival, Fantasy Island was attended by some 700 revellers, who apparently "didn't care" whether or not their antics were suitable for children. The sisters shared: 'All hell broke loose. The main pool was overtaken. People were drinking like fish. It's fine if it's in a nightclub, not morning time around a pool with children. There was sexual behaviour going on at the pool bar for all to see. They didn't care if there were children there.' After Katie complained to the hotel manager and TUI rep, she was offered four free nights by the hotel, while TUI offered them £150 per person in vouchers or £100 in cash. They believe this compensation just wasn't enough. Katie and Rachel weren't the only guests to take issue with the Fantasy Island event. NHS worker Emma Owen and her family were drawn to the hotel due to its family-friendly appeal, and paid £7,000 for an 11-night all-inclusive break. She recalled seeing attendees 'vomit in the pool' as the festival got underway. Travel expert Lisa Minot stated: 'It really is down to the tour operator to inform their guests that there is going to be a significant change or impact on their holiday.' A TUI spokesperson previously told the Daily Express: "We're very sorry that some of our customers' holidays were impacted by this unexpected event at the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in August 2021. "While the hotel did not make us aware in advance, we understand how upsetting this was, and have offered a refund for the full four days, along with our sincere apologies. We'd like to reassure customers that this hotel will no longer be hosting this event."
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I don't know if she voted...' Queen Camilla enjoyed watching Angela Rippon on Strictly
Queen Camilla loved watching on Angela Rippon on Strictly Come Dancing. Former BBC News journalist Angela, 80, made history by becoming the oldest celebrity to take part in the BBC One Latin and ballroom dancing show in 2023, and Angela's appearance with her 29-year-old professional dance partner Kai Widdrington got the royal seal of approval. Angela - who finished in eighth place on Strictly Come Dancing - told the new issue of Woman's Weekly magazine: "Queen Camilla said we were cool, but I don't know if she voted." The esteemed broadcaster shot to fame in 1975 when she got a permanent newsreader job on the BBC Nine O'Clock News, after covering for the Richard Baker in February of that year. She said: "I could never have imagined that I was entering a vintage period in my career, which quickly led to me becoming a household name. "As far as I was concerned, I was just filling in." Angela - who was named Newsreader of the Year in 1976, 1977 and 1978 - left BBC News in 1981 and had a very brief stint as a presenter on TV-am's Good Morning Britain news programme in 1983. Her varied seven-decade spanning career has also seen her work on BBC Radio 2, be a stand-in newsreader on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast, host a series of Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting for BBC Two and become a presenter on Cash in the Attic. Rippon is certain she would not be enjoying a "long and rewarding career" if it was not for the BBC giving her a chance in 1975. She admitted: "It was all such a long time ago now. Yet without it, I might still not be enjoying such a long and rewarding career. "It's really flattering that people took me to their hearts all those years ago - and they've never forgotten how my career started." Angela turns 81 on October 12, and she has no plans of retiring. The TV presenter - who spent 15 years fronting the factual BBC One consumer affairs show Rip Off Britain, with the 77-year-old journalist Julia Somerville and the 85-year-old Loose Women panellist Gloria Hunniford - said: "I'm busy, busy, busy - but it beats the alternative. "People don't say to me, 'When are you going to retire?' But why would I stop doing something I love and enjoy while people are still asking me to do it?" Last year, Angela was replaced on Rip Off Britain in 2024 by 56-year-old ex-BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Our town is a vile dust bowl making us ILL after months of relentless roadworks forced us to sell up
LOCALS in a market town are furious as roadworks continue to cause chaos nearly ten years on from when the work first started. The work on a residential development in Stafford began in 2016 after plans were submitted for 475 new homes. 9 9 9 While the houses have since been completed, the project is still far from finished as road improvement plans remain underway. These plans include a new dual-carriageway, re-configuring a roundabout and installing several new sets of traffic lights. However, beyond the works causing regular congestion on the A513, they have also left residents outraged. One angry local, Jade, said: 'It is just vile with all the dust and dirt. 'Now they have started work on the roundabout just by our place and there is digging, banging, and lorries reversing all through the night.' Jade went on to explain that she is a mother of four and her son has autism so is struggling with the noise. She added: 'My little boy has autism and won't sleep because of the noise. 'Everyone is fed up with the temporary lights and there being no safe spaces for kids to cross an A-road. "It is also making me ill." Houses in this development cost a premium of up to £500,000, which only resulted in the properties being featured on an episode of Rip off Britain. Teacher and mum-of-six, Rachel Kennedy moved to the development in October 2020. After experiencing flooding both in her garden and also in the nearby playground, she has described the roadworks as an 'added pain.' She explained that her mile long route to school now takes up to 30 minutes. Rachel said: 'I have walked it but with four children under seven it is difficult.' She also described the roundabout built at the top of her road as "unnecessary." Stafford Borough Council announced the works in February 2023, saying they would last 12 months. However, 28 months on there is still no end in sight for the disgruntled residents. Anton and his wife Tash, both 32, share similar frustrations to their neighbours. The pair, who own an electrical business, said: 'Everything about the estate is a pain.' Anton added: 'This was supposed to be a cul-de-sac but earlier this year they had to open it up as it was the only access point to the estate and we couldn't get onto our drive because of the queuing cars. 9 9 9 'People were driving into the cones in frustration.' In reference to the amount of dust the roadworks have caused, he added: 'The only people happy around here are the window cleaners.' Another fed-up local, Paula, 28, said: 'We moved in four years ago and no-one told us there would be a building site opposite with great piles of rubble. 'We will wash our cars and overnight they collect dust.' Paula, who works as a technical trainer, was promised green space upon moving to the development, however is still yet to see an end to the road works. She said: 'I understand the road works are necessary and will make things better but the finish date has been moved three times already.' Mother of four and salon owner, Bailey Wilkin, explained that it has now reached a point where some of her neighbours are trying to sell up. She said: 'People are selling up but with all these works going on the houses are devalued.' Another mum, Sophie, 28, added: 'The school runs are really bad. 'They take forever and I am late for work all the time. 'There are so many temporary traffic lights and lots of people suffering road rage. 'It's really unsafe.' A resident from Parkside estate on the other side of the A513, Christine Taylor, 74, said: 'My house could not be closer to the roundabout and they are working nights with diggers going all the time. 'It sets my dogs off barking all the time and now we are getting swarms of blue bottle flies. 'It must be something they've triggered. 'I filled out a form years ago for compensation but I'm quite sure nothing will come of it.' Reportedly, the works include dualling of the A513 Beaconside, the creation of a new signalised junction on the north side of the A513 and the signalisation of Newbold Drive. A Staffordshire County Council spokesperson said: 'As a new administration, we are well aware that the ongoing works at Beaconside being carried out by Taylor Wimpey as part of its Marston Grange development are causing considerable disruption. 'As this scheme is wholly developer-led the county council has minimal influence or control on the works or their progress. 'However we will maintain regular contact with Taylor Wimpey and continue to press them to conclude as quickly as possible. 'All updates on the scheme are provided by Taylor Wimpey.' A Taylor Wimpey representative added: 'We understand the frustrations of the local community whilst we carry out the programme of works for the highway improvement project. 'Whilst these improvements are aimed at reducing journey times, easing congestion and improving safety for residents and road users, we acknowledge that there have been some unexpected delays which have impacted the local community. 'We recognise the need for clearer communication, and would like to apologise for any inconvenience or confusion caused. 'We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum, and we are working closely with stakeholders to ensure all works are completed by the end of November.' 9 9 9
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC star 'will be absent from another series of beloved show as replaced named'
BBC viewers are awaiting another series of long-running consumer show Rip Off Britain and it's now been reported that Angela Rippon will be absent from the show once again BBC star Angela Rippon will reportedly be absent from another series of a long-running show that they had fronted for more than a decade. They are said to be taking an extended break, but it has been teased that they could return in the future. Angela, 80, was an original co-host on Rip Off Britain when it launched in 2009. She's primarily presented the show, which provides advice to consumers on various topics, alongside Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville. Last year, it was announced that Angela would be stepping down from the role. Former BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin replaced her in the presenting line-up, with her debut beside Gloria and Julia having aired earlier this year. It's now been reported that Angela will be absent once again from the upcoming eighteenth series. Louise, who joined the show in its sixteenth series and then returned for the seventeenth, is said to be taking her place in the line-up. The Daily Mail reports that Angela is on a break from Rip Off Britain, having previously decided to step back to pursue other projects. A source, however, told the outlet that the door is being "kept open" for her potential return, though. The source said that she is focusing on her Let's Dance campaign, which she launched after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. They said: "Angela won't be coming back for the next series as she extends her sabbatical to focus on her initiative to get people dancing across the country in a bid to improve the population's health and wellbeing." They added that Angela is still part of the Rip Off Britain "family" though. They said: "She is very much still part of the Rip Off Britain family and the door is being kept open by BBC bosses for a return later down the line - and Angela is adamant she will be returning when her schedule allows." The source continued: "The programme is filmed in blocks with a mix of studio and solo scenes on location which makes the shooting schedule more complex as producers juggle each star's personal schedules." They added that Louise is set to return in the vacancy left by Angela after being "a hit with viewers". Louise had shared her excitement about joining the long-running show when her involvement was announced in December last year. She said in a statement released at the time that she was "delighted" to be joining the BBC One show. She said: "I'm delighted to be joining the incredible team at Rip Off Britain. I've always admired the show for really making a difference, for shining a spotlight on the issues that matter most to people and empowering viewers with the knowledge to tackle everyday challenges and stand up for their rights. "From uncovering scams to giving audiences the advice they need to safeguard their money, we'll do our best to promote the stories that expose the latest consumer issues and help to make a real difference. It's going to be an exciting series!" At the time, commissioning editor for daytime, Rachel Platt, said about the new presenter: "Louise is a great addition to the Rip Off Britain team. She brings both the journalistic rigour needed to hold organisations to account and the warmth and empathy to get to the heart of real stories."
