Forget roses, because you can now buy gin bouquets for Valentines Day and they look amazing.

From 30th January, Edinburgh Gin is selling Botanical Bouquets – they’re flower bouquets with a bottle of gin hidden within them.

Each bouquet contains an arrangement of chamomile daisies, hot pink rose petals and lavender, and a 70cl bottle of Edinburgh Gin Valentine’s acting as a vase.

The bouquets are designed and hand-tied in partnership with MUD Urban Flowers.

David Wilkinson, Head Distiller at Edinburgh Gin said: ‘There’s a definite synergy between floristry and distilling, with a love of botanicals at their core. Collaborating with MUD, we’ve been able to create a limited edition release Botanical Bouquets that offer a multi-sensory gift.’

While the bouquets are beautiful, they are rather expensive, at £65 per bouquet.

But come on, that does include stunning flowers and a big bottle of gin. So, when you look at it that way it’s not actually too bad.

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A great-grandmother who has been dreaming of cosmetic surgery for more than half a century is finally getting a facelift – after saving her loose change in a giant Coca Cola bottle.

80-year-old Toni Goldenberg is set to become one of the oldest people in the country to have a face lift.

She first considered the procedure in her mid-twenties when her first facial wrinkles started to appear.

But it wasn’t until five years ago that he started saving for the £10,000 operation, in her ‘facelift fund’ money box.

She filled a giant Coca Cola bottle with spare coins before another filled with only £5 notes, and hopes the surgery will help boost her confidence so she can go out and make new friends.

She is finally planning to go under the knife next month at Harley Street Skin Clinic, where both her daughter and granddaughter have had successful procedures.

Toni, from Wallington in Surrey, said: ‘I still feel young at heart but my face just doesn’t match my body anymore – or my mind for that matter.

‘I’ve been a mum, I’ve been a grandma and a great-grandma and now it’s time for me.

‘I want to boost my confidence and feel happier when I look in the mirror and get rid of my turkey neck.

‘I’ve done a lot of extensive research so this is a formative decision and I understand the risks involved – which are bigger because of my age.

‘There is a risk I could die during surgery but we are all going to die at some point and at least I will look good in my coffin.’

Toni was recommended Dr Khan by her daughter Josie Carter, who has had two acid face peels and laser surgery at the central London clinic.

Encouraged by her daughter’s positive experiences, Toni said she is looking forward to ‘boosting her confidence and hopes to be given ‘a new lease of life’ after her four hour surgery.

She said: ‘I think it will help me to put myself out there and meet new people.

‘As you get older, you become less attractive and you can feel as though you are invisible.

‘People talk over you and they are not interested in you anymore – it can feel terribly lonely a lot of the time.

‘Surgery isn’t for everybody but I feel this will give me a new lease of life and boost my confidence to meet new friends.

‘There should also be more services which encourage older people to mix with younger people and try different things – rather than just playing bridge and Scrabble.’

Toni has lived on her own after her daughter Josie, 52, and son Giles, 42, left home.

She lost her husband when Josie was just six years old and met her son’s dad who she later separated from and said she enjoys her independence.

Toni’s friends and family support her decision to have a facelift and her daughter Josie said her mum’s friends are waiting to see the results so that they can get it done.

Josie said: ‘My mum and her friends are of the time when celebrities would not admit to having cosmetic surgery.

‘They would swear by going to sleep with her hair pulled back to avoid wrinkles when they were secretly having surgery.

‘Now with new technology and safer procedures, it is more accessible to people – and less scary so why shouldn’t they benefit too?

‘Of course I am scared, we are all scared.

‘But Dr Khan is excellent at what he does and they have tailored her surgery to suit my mum’s age.

‘It will be nice for my mum to look the best and feel the best she can.’

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A family-run chip shop has created what they claim is the world’s spiciest fish and chips – and apparently it’s so hot customers need to sign a waiver before eating it.

The flaming hot fillet of fish is coated in a batter made from ten heat-packed ingredients, before being smothered in chillies and hot sauce.

Father and son Nick and David Miller, owners of Millers Fish and Chips, created the meal.

Nick, 29, and David, 56, have been developing the recipe for a month and tried it out on staff members and loyal customers before adding it to the menu on Tuesday.

It costs £6.50 for a standard portion and those buying it have to sign a document before eating it so that the shop isn’t held responsible for its effects.

Millers, in Haxby, outside York, North Yorks, was named best fish and chip shop in the UK at the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards.

Nick said: ‘It’s important to offer something a bit different now and again. We’ve ended up with a battered fillet which tastes incredible but is ridiculously spicy.

‘I’m slightly scared to see what happens once customers start ordering it.

‘We’ve already tried it out with a few customers who said they were lovers of spicy food and they were blown away by the heat.

‘Anyone who orders will have to sign a piece of paper to say they don’t hold us responsible for what might happen when they take a bite.

‘Despite being incredibly spicy, the flavours are actually really nice so I’m hoping some people might actually enjoy it.’

The recipe is made up of ten ingredients including chilli powder, dried chilli, cayenne pepper, paprika, chilli flakes and hot sauce.

Also included is Seabrook Fire Eaters Scorchin’ Hot Trinidad Scorpion Chilli Crisps, which are said to be the spiciest on the market.

David, who’s dad set Millers up during the Second World War, said: ‘This isn’t quite traditional but I think it’s important to move with the times.

‘It’s exciting to try out new things and different recipes.

‘I think what we’ve come up with is actually delicious, as long as you like a bit of spice.’

Marcus Coleman, CEO of Seafish who run the National Fish and Chip Awards, said: ‘Nick, David and the team at Millers are always challenging the norm when it comes to delicious fish and chips.

‘Since they were crowned the UK’s best fish and chip shop in 2018, they’ve helped to break the mould of what people expect when they walk through the door.’

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Our generation is one that loves adventure, experience and entertainment – and if it comes accompanied by iconic (and ok, Instagrammable) imagery and amazing food, we’re in.

And, if you haven’t held your cat (or dog, or rabbit) up to the sun like Simba and told it ‘everything the light touches is our Kingdom’, have you even lived?

Disney recently topped a list of global brands with which we millennials have the most ‘intimate’ relationship. And beyond that, in a world where our real lives can be quite hard work, it just makes us happy.

We love Disney and its characters that we grew up with – but our love of Disney is not just about nostalgia.

There are many reasons why we millennials love Disney – here are 10 reasons why to visit Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

1. Discover classic (and new) worlds

Life moves so fast. The world is changing before our eyes – just look how different today’s world is from the world we were born in to! We don’t mind things being modernised – we are the internet generation after all – but we sometimes long for the time when things were so much simpler.

Walt Disney World Resort allows you to re-discover your inner child with the ultimate immersion in the magic of Disney.

Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – they are the places of our childhood dreams. But now we can also be physically present in fantasy worlds such as Pandora – World of AVATAR, where you can journey deep into a bioluminescent rainforest, or wander under the floating mountains of Pandora.

You can also immerse yourself in a galaxy far, far away, stepping into Star Wars where you will find attractions, character meet-and-greets and nighttime entertainment such as Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, bringing moments from the films to life.

Disney has sprinkled our memories with dazzle dust and offered them back to us. Where else could you ride Space Mountain, watch back-to-back Disney movies, dine in Cinderella Castle and meet a real life Disney prince – all in the space of a day?

2. The amazing food

The food at Walt Disney World Resort is the stuff of dreams. There is a world of food to be discovered at Epcot, too. Epcot’s World Showcase has 11 pavilions where you can experience foods from around the world, such as bratwurst from Germany and Esquites (that’s spicy corn topped with chipotle mayo, queso fresco and Tajín chile-lime powder) in Mexico.

Dole Whip (vegan!), giant sharing milkshakes, waffle sandwiches piled high with fruit, cream and Nutella – all can be enjoyed at Magic Kingdom.

Find the ‘grey stuff’ from Beauty & The Beast at the Be Our Guest restaurant, and Mickey Mouse shaped choc-ices at every turn.

You really can’t leave without trying the Night Blossom juice at Pongu Pongu in Pandora – The World of AVATAR, the newest part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The vivid pink and green layered juice topped with golden boba balls is THE most photogenic drink. Get these on your foodie bucket list stat.

When the Parks close there are plenty of dining options at Disney Springs, from Cuban delights at Bongos Cuban Cafe to seriously epic American burgers at The Edison and artisanal cheeses and charcuterie at Wine Bar George.

3. Actually live the dream

With themed hotels to stay in and replica restaurants to dine in, a day at Walt Disney World Resort can be totally immersive. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, one of over 25 Disney Resort Hotels, is one of the most meticulously themed of all the resorts. The blue-hued Little Mermaid room has an under the sea vibe with shell lights, a coral mirror and imagery of Ariel on the shower curtain, while the Lion King suite has such gorgeous decor – and it’s practically law to wake your squad up by singing Hakuna Matata.

For a more tropical theme, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is the one: a slice of the South Pacific in Orlando, with tropical palms, lush vegetation, cute waterside huts positioned right over the lagoon – and incredible cocktails.

4. Join the joy ride

Whether you’ve visited Walt Disney World Resort before or not, be sure to take a ride on the classic attractions such as Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or “It’s a Small World” (has the song stayed with you for decades as well as us?) – and discover new lands with new rides too.

Toy Story Land is just one, where you can find brand new rides including the exhilarating curves, hills and drops as you ride in Slinky Dog Dash’s coils or experience Alien Swirling Saucers with Buzz Lightyear and friends. Pandora – The World of AVATAR has an incredible 3D experience on Avatar – flight of Passage where you’re flying on the back of a mountain banshee over spectacular Pandora.

For more thrills, visit Hollywood Studios, where you’ll find The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™- an exhilarating ride with a sudden 39mph plunge into the dark – and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, a super-speedy stretch-limo roller-coaster with an Aerosmith soundtrack.

Or if you prefer your thrills wet, why not head to Summit Plummet at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park? Take it to the top for a near-vertical drop on one of the tallest, fastest freefall body slides in the world.

5. Catch limited edition new Disney experiences

Because who doesn’t want to get the jump on a hot new limited edition Disney moment? Brand new experiences have launched for 2019 that include Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park, a Pixar Pals party for the 30^th Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a wonderful celebration of the 25^th anniversary of Lion King (How has it been 25 years?), at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

They end on September 30 2019, so get planning now to make sure you catch these once-in-a-lifetime memory making experiences.

Now more than ever is the time to visit.

6. Experience a nighttime spectacular

The image of fireworks lighting up the sky around Cinderella Castle is one of the most magical and enduring memories of a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, and a ‘must do’ when visiting the park.

Now those fireworks are bigger and better than ever – and there’s a new display, Happily Ever After, to enjoy which includes cameos from characters like Ariel, Aladdin and Olaf. This time round, the show has gone high-tech, with the pyrotechnics combined with lasers and projections that light up the Kingdom.

7. It is Instagram gold

We know. It’s all about the ‘in real life’ experience. But who could resist a photo with a pair of mouse ears in front of one of Walt Disney World Resort’s millennial pink and purple feature walls? No one, that’s who.

Main Street U.S.A with Cinderella Castle in the background is the perfect photo opportunity for the ‘gram. Or if you are cultivating a more action-packed social media presence, you might want to post a mid-ride snap of you screaming on one of the many attractions with drops.

There are literally millions of photo opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort – the only hard bit is knowing when to stop snapping.

8 Unique experiences

Whisper it: A beach holiday can get just a tiny bit samey after a few days – how many palm trees can you really photograph before they all start looking the same?

At Walt Disney World Resort, you will never run out of new and exciting things to do. Why not try a Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom where you can ride off in an open-air vehicle for a tour of the lush African savanna, and maybe spot amazing animals such as the black rhino, giraffes, elephants and more in the 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve, a spectacular sanctuary dedicated to the protection of African animals.

Or go behind the scenes all across Walt Disney World Resort—and learn what it takes to bring the magic to life during a 7-hour tour, including discovering a secret network of underground passageways constructed beneath the theme park.

9 Take a break from being a grown-up

For most of the year we have to act all gown-up if we want to keep our jobs, flats, friends and family. That might mean typing up someone else’s memos, donning suits to commute, trying and failing to keep up with life admin and wondering when on earth we might be able to move out of our shared houses. Ugh!

It’s no wonder we embrace escapism when we travel. Enter Walt Disney World Resort, where you can swap your travel card for a FastPass+ which lets you reserve access to select attractions, entertainment and more as early as 30 days before you arrive (or up to 60 days prior to check-in if you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel) and spend your days reliving your youth.

There are few things more pure than acting like a big kid – and no one telling you to grow up.

10 Meet your favourite Characters

Not just for kids! We all have a favourite character that we’d love to get a hug from. Mickey, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren – or maybe you have a secret crush on Prince Eric or Aladdin. We know we do… Whichever Disney Character has a special place in your heart, a hug and a pic with them will be priceless.

Or book one of the Character Dining experiences across the Parks to get a chance to meet anyone from Disney Princesses to Chip ‘n’ Dale and Donald Duck while you enjoy a tasty meal. Double win.

11 Nighttime fun

It’s not all daytime fun at Walt Disney World Resort. Head to the Atlantic Dance Hall to throw down your best moves til 2am or drink margaritas at any one of dozens of bars: try BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas where you can sip on the Captain’s Seaside Sensation—a pineapple smoothie with a shot of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum!  Or head over to The Edison at Disney Springs where you can share some DB ‘Clothesline Candied Bacon’ or Deviled Eggs while enjoying their wide selection of beers and wines by the glass.

… And to round off your trip in style, don’t miss the views from the 15^th floor of the California Grill Lounge, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Hotel – book at sunset for a truly special sundowner with views over the Magic Kingdom.

12  Relaxation with adventure

As well as getting a healthy dose of sunshine, a big draw to Walt Disney World Resort is that whether you want to relax at the two water parks (or just by the pool at most Disney Resort Hotels), get your adrenaline pumping on one of the thrilling rides or celebrate your inner child by meeting one of your favourite Disney characters – you can do it all.

If that isn’t the clincher to make your next holiday to Walt Disney World Resort, we’re not sure what is.

Find out about the amazing offers here

A cat which went missing in 2009 has reappeared ten years later, after living in a house less than a mile away from her original owners.

39-year-old Alex Elliott was devastated when her beloved kitty Lilly disappeared ten years ago. Alex and her family assumed she had been run over by a car.

They put up posters in a desperate attempt to find Lilly, but eventually lost all hope of finding her.

However, Alex – whose youngest child had not even been born when Lilly disappeared – was stunned when she was reunited with the now 15-year-old cat at a veterinary surgery this January.

Lilly had been adopted by a man who believed she was a stray.

Lilly had been living just 400 yards away from her home – a route which Alex took on the school run with her daughters Emily, 10, and Kate, 7, every day.

Alex was only reunited with the pet after Lilly was scanned by vets when the neighbour decided he no longer wanted her.

Shocked Alex, a nurse from Driffield, East Yorkshire, said: ‘At first she went missing for a couple of weeks back in 2009 and then came home.

‘She had always been a cat who liked to explore and I assumed she’d been locked in a shed or something.

‘When she went missing again soon after, I didn’t panic straight away. A few days passed and I put posters out and asked around the village.

‘Eventually I thought she’d probably been knocked down by a car.’

Alex said she was devastated when she realised she wasn’t coming back and she began to ‘grieve’ for Lilly.

Two weeks ago, Alex received the incredible call to say Lilly was at a local vets and had been traced back to her original family because she had been microchipped.

She added: ‘The man who’d been keeping her had decided he didn’t want a cat anymore so the RSPCA collected her and took her to the vets.

‘She’d been kept inside as a house cat for ten years and he had a dog too.

‘I was crying my eyes out when I saw her again, I just gave her a big cuddle.

‘She was in good condition although her coat was coarse as if she’d not been stroked much, and I could tell she’d not had much attention.

‘It’s been awful for me. I should have had her with me for the past ten years.

‘I really want to highlight the importance of microchipping, as I would never have got her back otherwise.

‘If you think a cat is a stray, don’t start feeding it. Report it to the RSPCA who will take it to be scanned for a chip.’

Alex said Lilly had been loving with the whole family since her belated return.

She added: ‘Since she’s come home she’s been really loving, she loves cuddles and always did.

‘She’s gone straight back to being that cat again and has not left my side.’

Alex has four other cats – Harry, Eddy, Imogen and Leo – and Lilly has settled in well to the family.

Alex said: ‘I introduced them to her slowly and they all seem to get on well.

‘She’s 15 now so she’s old. I got her as rescue kitten.

‘My seven-year-old daughter had only ever seen photos of her and my ten-year-old was a baby when she went missing.

‘They adore her, they have such a loving bond.’

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An artist has created amazing sculptures out of Ferrero Rocher chocolate wrappers.

Ciro Wai fashions the Italian chocolate wrappers into golden sculptures, after starting out by making a dinosaur for his five-year-old daughter Tami Wai.

Now Ciro, 35, has a gallery of miniature sculptures including figures of Pokemon, animals, Chinese zodiac symbols, dragons and even a small Statue of Liberty.

He explains: ‘One day, I ate some Ferrero chocolate with my daughter. She always asks me to do some tiny handmade artwork or drawing, like character or animals with Blu Tack or paper origami.

‘She passed me the Ferrero golden packing foil and asked me to make her a dinosaur. It was then I started the first Ferrero artwork.

‘I also love a Japanese animation called “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac” about warriors who wear armour derived from the various constellations, so I thought that it is possible to make my own collection of it.

‘I usually make them with only my fingers and sometimes with toothpicks and pliers. It takes around half an hour to complete, maybe 2-3 hours for detailed work.

‘Sometimes I use more then one foil for bigger items, but I have a rule: works should only be made by Ferrero foil or packaging, and the size normally can put [sic] on the Ferrero base.’

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A girl has taken to Twitter to show just how long her the PrettyLittleThing trousers she’d ordered were, despite them being a size four.

Elodie Hicks uploaded a photo of her 6ft 2 boyfriend wearing the flared printed trousers, to show how they were too long even on him.

She captioned the photo: ‘When your size 4 flares are even too long for your 6’2 boyfriend… @OfficialPLT sort your sizing out’.

The post has received 122 likes and PrettyLittleThing has responded to ask Elodie to get in touch with the team so that they can assist her.

But it seems the fashion brand has been in the firing line as of late, with various customers taking to social media to complain about the clothes they had received.

One girl bought a shredded crop top which ended up flashing her nipples, while another bought a mustard dress which in person looked like a bright orange, high-vis jacket.

One woman was even left in tears after PrettyLittleThing sent her an entirely different New Year’s Eve outfit to what she’d ordered, and she had to slip on something out of her wardrobe last minute.

19-year-old Brittany Colley had bought a last minute outfit the day before New Year’s Eve, which was due to arrive at her house while she was at work.

She said: ‘I placed my order with PrettyLittleThing on December 30, as a last minute order as I couldn’t find anything to wear.’

However, instead of the high-neck, grey, sparkly midi dress she’d ordered, she was given a short, low-cut silver dress.

She continued: ‘I opened the parcel to get ready as I’d been to work so didn’t have a chance to look at it earlier in the day.

‘When I opened it the material wasn’t the same and when I held the dress up it was a complete different dress.’

According to Brittany, she burst into tears as soon as she tried the dress on. Her friend then posted photos of Brittany crying on his Twitter account.

Brittany said: ‘I was crying my eyes out because I didn’t have anything to wear and yeah it was nothing alike and so disgusting, like I couldn’t even wear what they had sent me.’

Brittany said it totally ruined New Year’s Eve.

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Look, it’s totally normal if you hate your job right now.

It’s cold, it’s miserable, you’ve had to adjust to working again after a week of doing nothing over Christmas.

But in the midst of all that January gloom, it’s a good idea to work out if your job resentment is just the standard new year lull, or if you’re ready to move on.

If those niggling frustrations just won’t budge, maybe it is time to ditch your current gig and find something new.

Handily enough, if you’re looking for a total change-up Glassdoor’s just released a list that might give you some inspiration.

The jobs site has just released their rankings of the best jobs in the UK, judged on median base salary, job satisfaction, and the number of openings.

Apparently we should all be going into tech and management.

You’ll notice that the top jobs aren’t the highest paid jobs, and that’s for an important reason: Salary isn’t everything.

Audit Managers, on average paid £52,000, have the highest job satisfaction of the bunch, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating. There are currently 1,124 job openings for this role.

Solutions Architects, despite being paid on average £70,000, report a lower job satisfaction with 3.4 out of 5. There are 1,597 of these roles up for the taking.

Do your research and think carefully about what kind of work would make you feel fulfilled before rushing towards whichever role pays the best.

But as Glassdoor mentions, management or tech roles seem to be a good shout.

Amanda Stansell, of Glassdoor, said: ‘There’s no question that emerging technologies designed to grow and scale business, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation, are having an impact on the types of jobs employers are hiring for across the country.

‘As a result, we’re seeing a spike in demand for highly skilled workers in 2019.

‘With such a healthy job market kicking off 2019, we’re seeing many of these best jobs open for people to apply to and get hired at employers across all industries and in all areas of the country.’

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When I first heard the term ‘Brexiteer’, I laughed.

I still do. It sounds ridiculous. It reminds me of that old tale The Three Musketeers. And then I end up picturing Boris Johnson dressed up in a silly hat, brandishing a sword, which just makes me laugh harder.

Then I remember watching him give a speech about how we have to ‘unshackle ourselves from the chains of the EU’, and I realise that I was sat with all the Brexiteers, and then it clicks. Technically, I am a Brexiteer.

Well, shit.

How do I feel about this label? Not going to lie, I’m not really a fan.

I don’t know who coined the term, but I wish I could punch them in the face. It’s so annoying.

Every time I hear or read the word ‘Brexiteer’ in the news, or in conversation, I can’t help but roll my eyes. It conjures up an image I don’t identify with. I’m not a soldier brandishing a sword, waving it in thin air and hoping it hits a target I’ve dreamed up.

But the problem is, I feel that’s how everyone who didn’t vote Leave views me – and the group I’ve ended up a part of. I feel that society views every Brexiteer as a bumbling Boris figure, blindly sending us into unknown territory without a plan.

I didn’t feel like this at the start. Before I consciously connected my views on Brexit with the label Brexiteer, I thought my ideas were innovative.

We could change Britain. Make it a more attractive global trading partner. Focus inwards, on the hardships people in disadvantaged areas face, then reboot, so to speak, and look outwards again – in a new way. Perhaps I was the Musketeer they drew in old tales, with a sword I thought I’d know how to use when the time came.

But now I’ve realised I’m holding this massive sword, I don’t know what to do with it, and I feel like a bit of a fool, really.

I don’t want to be referred to as a Brexiteer. I don’t even consciously do so in my head. I attach the label unwillingly, when I have to. I place myself into that group in my head whenever I realise I was there the whole time.

The thing is, the label Brexiteer doesn’t have a clear definition, for me. I have spoken to Remainers who see Brexiteers as ignorant, narrow-minded, racist people who just want to deport people.

I’ve also spoken to Remainers who think Brexiteers are arrogant Tories sat in luxurious mansions funded by their grandparents, sending the country to the dogs because it will benefit them, so who gives a damn about anyone else.

And I’ve spoken to Remainers who see Brexiteers as the less well-off groups of people living in economically deprived areas of the country, who blindly put their faith in those who championed Brexit, and now either stubbornly hold onto the belief it will work, or have been left feeling angry and betrayed.

The term Brexiteer simultaneously applies to all of these people, and none of them. Personally, I identify with none of them, so I don’t feel like I can be one, really. But I did mark the Leave box on the ballot paper in 2016…

So who does that make me? I don’t know. The minute I heard the term Brexiteer, I thought of Boris Johnson dressed up in a silly hat, and laughed – but I also saw that mental image shatter into a thousand fragmented pieces, because none of it makes sense, and when it comes to Brexit, I don’t know who I am any more.

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Welcome to Lean On Me – a weekly agony aunt style column from Metro.co.uk where Kate Leaver answers your friendship woes.

Dear Kate,

I have these two friends, they’re a couple. We’ve been really close for years and used to be able to talk about anything. We’d have these very lively conversations about life and love and politics.

Just after the Brexit referendum, I was ranting to them about the result, not realising that they actually voted to leave. When they told me, I was shocked because otherwise they’re very socially progressive.

We’ve since kind of just stopped talking about politics at all and I really miss our debates, but I think we might risk losing our friendship if we really get into talking about Brexit.

Can I still be friends with people I disagree with so strongly, on something so important? Do we just not mention it ever again? What should I do?

Lucas, 36

Ah Lucas,

This reminds me of the time I was living with a couple, right when I first moved to London. I came home one evening from a panel event about refugee policy and launched into a sweary rant about how I wished people would be more compassionate.

The guy muted the episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta they were watching, looked at me sheepishly and said, ‘Kate, we vote Tory. We’re anti-immigration.’

Until that moment, I had thought that Tories under the age of 35 were an urban myth. I stuttered in shock and resolved not to bring it up again, unless I absolutely had to heckle Boris Johnson when he was on the telly.

Let’s just say I ended up breaking the lease and do not see them anymore. I did wonder, fleetingly, what they might’ve voted in the referendum.

Look, Lucas, ideally we’d be able to befriend and stay friends with people who oppose us politically or vote differently to us. These people do exist; it is indeed possible to love someone who puts a little cross in a different box on election day. I know this because I have family members who vote differently to me.

I have learned, over time, to censor myself on Christmas Day and just placidly avoid certain subjects, unless I fancy raising my voice at the dinner table and storming off.

I know and adore at least one person who voted Leave in the referendum and as passionately as I remain a Remainer, I think I understand why she did it. We try not to talk about it and just rather pleasantly get on with our otherwise delightful relationship.

I wonder if you might reach the same unspoken agreement to leave Brexit out of the conversation – or if that’s utterly impossible because all you need to talk about right now is Mrs May and her trail of chaos. Could you not simply vent about Brexit with other friends, and talk about, I don’t know, holidays and jobs and Netflix with the Leave voters?

I hope this doesn’t sound like shallow advice; I’m not telling you to be untrue to yourself, but rather to walk towards the loveliness in your friendship rather than focus on the one glaring difference of opinion.

I want you to keep these people in your life, however ardently you and I might disagree with what they wrote on a piece of paper on the 23 June 2016. You might be angry with them but frankly I think it should take more than a little rage to end a friendship. The best friendships are the ones robust enough to withstand something like political disagreement.

We should be able to spar with the people we love, although I do get that sometimes it’s impossible because things get personal and you start to accidentally equate one political stance with an entire person’s moral value system (see again: my family get-togethers). It’s very hard to reconcile the person you adore with an opinion you abhor, but I do think it’s possible, even advisable.

To be honest with you, I think your friends are decidedly on the wrong side of history and I suspect they may live to regret wanting to leave the EU. But I have to say, if I were you, I’d try and leave the nasty in-fighting to our politicians and find something pleasant to talk about with your mates instead.

If you feel like it, you could gently broach the topic and try to understand their perspective, so you might be able to at least park some of your confusion and bewilderment. Perhaps if more of us did that in our everyday lives, we wouldn’t be so dramatically divided as a country.

All I know is that it doesn’t feel like the right time to be firing friends based on political differences. To me, it feels like a time to practice empathy and try to understand one another.

Good luck to you.

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Sweet little Bear looks a little different to your average hedgehog.

That’s because he doesn’t have a hedgehog’s prickly spines, after stress caused nearly all of them to fall out.

Bear was brought into the Cuan Wildllife Rescue Centre in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, by a person who had no idea what the hedgehog actually was.

He’s now being cared for by staff at the centre, who reckon that the loss of his spines is due to an ear mite infection, which led to stress.

Luckily for him, it’s expected that his spines will grow back – but that’ll require some extra care.

That care comes in the form of daily massages with aloe vera and a weekly bath with special antibacterial shampoo to soothe his skin.

Centre manager Fran, 52, said: ‘It’s heartbreaking, it really is.

‘We can only assume that he went into hibernation and had these ear mites which took hold. When hedgehogs get stressed they lose their spines.

‘I think that prematurely brought him out of hibernation which added to the stress.

‘He must have been so cold as well.

‘I’ve worked for Cuan for ten years and have seen probably six or seven bald hedgehogs but never one as bad as this. We’ve had some in the past that have lost 65 to 70 per cent of their spines but Bear’s got to have lost about 97 per cent.

‘He was brought in on Sunday by a member of the public who at first wasn’t sure what he was.

‘He was incredibly hungry. We put some cat food in front of him and he ate the lot. He also drank almost solidly for four minutes.’

Bear will be looked after for around four months before he’s let back into the wild.

Fran said: ‘We think the spines will grow back but it will just take a bit of time.

‘We need to keep conditioning the skin to encourage blood circulation and promote spine growth.

‘He’ll have one bath a week and a daily massage with aloe vera. His skin is very dry which may be partly down to dehydration.

‘He was clearly a big hedgehog because he’s got so much loose skin so he’s downsized an enormous amount. He weighs 1lb 4oz at the moment which is a reasonably good size for a hedgehog but he’s clearly been much bigger.

‘We don’t know how long he’ll be with us – each animal responds differently but we anticipate it will be at least a couple of months then he’ll be released back into the wild.

‘We try not to get attached to the animals but it will be difficult not to with him. He’s so adorable.

‘We don’t usually name them but because he’s going to be with us for a while we decided to.

‘The fact he’s eating us out of house and home is a good sign. If they will eat they’re almost half way there. We’ve a great team and he’ll get all the care he needs. He’s a little poppet.’

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We know that wedding planning can make people do some wild things.

So let’s be gentle with this particular bride, who’s been slammed in a vegan Facebook group.

No, the criticism isn’t because she’s serving cocktail sausages, but because she plans to ban any friend or family member who eats meat from her special day.

The anonymous bride shared that she was fed up of guests trying to ‘guilt trip’ her into inviting them, when she had made the no-omnivores rule clear when she started planning her wedding.

‘When your ‘family’ tries to guilt trip you into letting them come to your fully vegan wedding, even though they’re omnivores,’ the bride wrote in the Facebook group, News.com.au reports.

‘Just for some context, some family members were told they are not invited to my wedding because we don’t want to host murderers. Our wedding is supposed to be one of the happiest days of our lives.’

Wow. Not only are people not invited to the wedding, but they’re also being called murderers. That’s quite intense.

While members of the vegan group applauded the bride for having an all-vegan menu, they weren’t so sure about the choice to ban anyone who dares to eat meat or animal products outside of the special day.

One person wrote: ‘As a vegan, wouldn’t this be a prime opportunity to prove that vegan food can be just as delicious as omnivore food anyway?’

‘I totally understand serving vegan food exclusively, that makes sense … but banning people and calling them murderers is just ridiculous,’ said another.

In response to the backlash, the bride added more detail about how her veganism had been an ongoing issue with her family. But that didn’t make people accept her unusual wedding plans.

‘They have consistently attacked me and my partner just for being vegan,’ she wrote. ‘When I broke the news to them, all I got was attacked because I don’t want the weight of having people that still kill animals (the very beings we are trying to protect) at my wedding on my conscience.

‘I’m sorry if that makes me ‘rude’ or a ‘bitch’ because I’m not compromising the ethics that I share with everyone here.’

The bride has since deleted her post, likely because she’s not enjoying the comments calling her decision ‘ridiculous’.

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How many umbrellas have you lost to bus journeys?

If you’re anything like us, it’s happened a few times too many.

But at least you’re not leaving behind anything too important. An umbrella can be replaced. It probably doesn’t have any sentimental value.

Not so lucky are the people who left behind some more strange and wonderful things on buses last year.

We’ll never know if the person who lost their boiled egg had to radically change their dinner plans, or if there’s a heartbroken woman out there still mourning the loss of her light saber.

What we do know, though, is what’s been left behind – even if the items prompt more questions than answers.

The Oxford Bus has shared a list of the strangest items of the 2,800 things that ended up in their lost and found department in 2018. They’ve actually seen a decrease in the number of belongings left behind, as 4,123 items were recorded in 2017, but we’re still talking about quite a lot of stuff.

Some of that stuff is… strange.

The list includes a toupee, a fireman’s hat, and a love letter detailing some sexual fantasies.

The owners never came to the lost and found department to retrieve their belongings, so most were given away to charity.

Customer relations officer Josh Stone said: ‘In the past 12 months we have experienced a sizeable reduction in the number of items left on our bus network.

‘We always seek to reunite passengers with their belongings, and we encourage everyone to check they have their personal items before leaving our buses.

‘Unfortunately, a lot of things do get left behind, and we hold them for a fixed period in case they are claimed, so it is always worth getting in touch if you’ve lost something.

‘Mobile phones and bags are the most common items left on buses, but we do collect quite a few unusual items as well.

‘If an item is not claimed the driver who handed it in is entitled to keep it, but we do give a huge number of unclaimed items to charity every year.

‘It is nice that we are able to help charities in this way and make sure items do not go to waste and subsequently help others.’

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Having an anxiety disorder can feel a lot like living with a monster.

The monster is intent on disrupting your day. They pop up with panic attacks just when you really, really could do without one. They want you to stay in bed rather than doing things that will make you feel good.

They’re irritating, and they’re always there.

That’s something Scotland-based illustrator Jamie Squire, 27, sums up perfectly in her comic, Brain Fluff.

Jamie has been making art since she was old enough to hold a pen, but has been working as a self-employed illustrator and comic-maker for the last two years.

She’s also been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks.

‘It’s still something I’m dealing with but I have a much better handle on it now,’ Jamie tells Metro.co.uk.

‘When I was in university and around the time I was drawing my comic Brain Fluff my panic attacks were quite debilitating.

‘I was embarrassed by how out of control they made me feel.

‘I avoided social events and situations where I felt I couldn’t escape because I didn’t know what had the potential to trigger a panic attack.

‘It caused me to miss out on a lot of things that could have benefited me, I felt really isolated and it was difficult to meet people or maintain friendships while my mind was screaming at me that I wasn’t good enough.

‘Since I made Brain Fluff a lot of things have changed in my life – I’ve made some real progress with therapy and I have an amazing support network that I’m so thankful for.’

In Brain Fluff, Jamie turns anxiety into a little monster that lies under her bed, makes lists of things to worry about, and interrupts her day-to-day with questions about when she’ll have everything sorted.

We can relate.

When asked what inspired her to manifest anxiety as a half cute, half annoying creature called Fluff, Jamie explained: ‘Because anxiety is a monster! It’s a shape-changing, nasty, vindictive creature that likes to tell you everything that’s wrong with you and remind you constantly that you’re worthless.

‘The thing about Fluff is that he’s got just enough charisma for you to feel forced to keep him around.

‘The relationship I wanted to portray with Fluff is the same as the relationship I have to my anxious thoughts – I hate them and I know they’re bad for me but they can also give me immense comfort because they stop me from doing things that scare me, things that are new and exciting.

‘It’s like being in a perfectly comfortable prison of your own creation.

‘I decided to call him Fluff because ‘brain fluff’ describes the feeling I have when I’m having an anxious episode, my brain is fluff – full of stuff but none of it is useful.’

The message of the comic is pretty simple, but key: your anxiety monster may be hanging around and saying silly things, but you don’t always have to listen.

Jamie says: ‘I want Brain Fluff to encourage people to question their inner voice.

‘I think a lot of people with anxiety have to contend with a constant hum of negative thoughts – if you’ve been anxious for a long time you might not even be able to discern that negative self-talk from reality.

‘Brain Fluff is a tongue-in-cheek way of saying listen to that voice and hear how stupid it is.’

A bonus side-effect of creating the comics is that personifying her anxiety has helped Jamie, too.

Talking openly about her mental health and hearing from others about theirs has made her feel less weird and alone, and turning her struggles into a little monster has made them easier to handle.

‘It can be a vicious cycle if you don’t feel comfortable talking about mental health issues, because you’re left feeling like you’re the only person in the world who feels that way,’ says Jamie.

‘The more I talked about my anxiety the less alone I felt. There are so many people struggling with mental health issues, and I’m lucky enough to have a platform to try and encourage conversation and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

‘I found that personifying my anxiety as an infuriating fluffy monster meant I could finally give that feeling a name and acknowledge how ridiculous the negative voice in my head was.

‘Anxiety for me is a symbol of all the things I feel I can’t do. It’s like being your own worst enemy. My logical mind knows I have so much to be grateful for, that I’m safe, that I’m loved but all of that is so easily smothered by anxiety.

‘The thing that has helped me the most is talking about it. I share a lot online, I talk about my mental health all the time now, and I’m fortunate enough to have built an amazing, supportive community on social media who share a lot of similar feelings.

‘But recovering from anxiety isn’t always the linear path it’s made out to be – it’s something that will always be with me. I have my ups and downs but I’m getting better at telling Fluff to shut up when I need to.’

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If you’re planning a holiday (lucky you) you’re probably going to end up on the TripAdvisor website; whether to look for a hotel, activities, or best ways to get around.

Those whose first port of call is to go on the website will be pleased to know then that TripAdvisor has named its top hotels.

The one taking the sweet number one spot is a Costa Rican haven, complete with a private beach, bungalows or bamboo villas to stay in, and even a sloth rehab centre.

Who doesn’t want to live next to sloths?

The Tulemar Bungalows comes with rustic, jungle treehouse vibes, ideal for small families or solo travellers.

The resort comes with a few different styles of villa: there’s the SolAngelo where guests can enjoy a private pool, a yoga platform, and views of the jungle; the modern PazAmore villa with a private pool and an outdoor lounging area; the Mirazul villa, connected to four suites and breathtaking natural views; and the Casa de Frutas, a luxury suite loved by celebs.

If you want to learn more about Costa Rican wildlife, you don’t have to leave the resort – you can visit conservation centre, The Sloth Institute, or go on walks to see birds and monkeys.

You can even go on walks with the sloths.

‘Th octagonal design of the bungalows was created so that you have a special view from every window in all directions, and all the windows open completely to allow the outside to virtually come inside,’ it says on the website.

‘The bungalows are immersed in the jungle with great ocean views and lots of wildlife visits. It’s almost like living in a tree house.

‘These bungalows were built in the late 1980s and may seem a little dated, but they are clean and well maintained.’

You can stay in an octagonal bungalow up in the trees with a family or group of four or opt for a two-story villa if you’re travelling alone on a luxury solo trip.

All of the villas are equipped with a private pool, two raindrop showers, and views of the jungle and ocean.

But of course, all that doesn’t come cheap. You’ll have to fork out upwards of $285 (£218) for a room.

Don’t forget though, the hefty price tag means you’ll also have access to the private beach and four pools, some located in the jungle.

Sounds like a dream.

Here’s what you’ll get if you book:

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There’s so much skincare advice on social media, it’s hard to know what’s real and not.

When Kim Kardashian shared that she had psoriasis on Twitter she was recommended to rub everything from coconut oil to yoghurt all over her body by wannabe dermatologists.

Aesthetician Nayamka Roberts-Smith, however, cuts through all that crap, and tells us the things we really need to know.

She goes by LABeautyologist on Twitter, and regular doles out stellar skincare advice on her timeline and YouTube.

There’s one tip she has which has really gotten people talking, specifically because it is incredibly easy and it isn’t just free, it saves you money in the long term.

The tip is simple: When you wash your face, do so with your fingers and continue massaging the cleanser for 60 full seconds.

Nayamka says that this helps your products do the job you bought them for, softens the skin, and dislodges sebum. The upshot of this should be improved skin texture and a reduction of spots.

It almost seems too good to be true, but multiple dermatologists and beauticians we spoke to confirmed it works.

Bav Shergill BSc, MBBS, MRCP, Consultant Dermatologist at The McIndoe Centre says: ‘Cleansers use chemicals to break down substances on the surface of the skin so that they are easier to rinse off. So, the 60-second rule should allow products enough time to properly dissolve the makeup, oil and dirt on your face.’

It’s not just the removal of dirt, either. Luisa Scott, clinical director at Newcastle Skin Clinic tells us: “Washing your face for 60 seconds or longer has lots of advantages – firstly, massaging is beneficial as it stimulates the lymphatic system, helping to reduce puffiness which can both strengthen muscle memory and encourage collagen production.’

The results of Nayamka’s advice are clear:

Deborah Mitchell, owner of Heaven (who counts Duchess Camilla, Victoria Beckham, and Gwyneth Paltrow as fans) says: ‘For a full cleanse, the one minute wash is perfect, because the skin’s pores need to be opened and the black heads and debris deep cleaned.

‘Also when people cleanse, they tend to wash straight off, which is the wrong thing to do. They think it’s not as important as moisturiser, but it’s the first thing to touch your skin.’

The type of cleanser you use can be just as important as the way you use it though, with different textures and formulations built to do different jobs.

Bav says: ‘If you are going to try the 60-second rule, it’s important to make sure you are using a cleanser that is suitable for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin and you use a harsh cleanser for 60-seconds, it’s likely that you will aggravate your skin more.

‘Ideally you want a solvent-based cleanser that dissolves the sebaceous oils without harming the lipids of the skin’s moisture barrier.’

He recommends something unfragranced, paraben and sulfate-free for sensitive faces. If you have oily skin, go for a non-comedogenic gel or cream cleanser.

If you want to step it up with more advanced ingredients, Luisa recommends something with glycolic acid or other AHAs, and Deborah says that Abeetoxin products are her holy grail.

Oh, and follow Nayamka on Twitter immediately. She’ll get you to chuck your harsh peach scrubs in the bin and care for your face properly.

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Our ancestors were really fit.

Ok, not the Henry VIII, medieval types – they mostly had syphilis and various plagues. We’re talking early man.

Primal man lived in caves, they had to hunt and forage for food, climb and jump over hostile landscapes, sprint away from saber tooth tigers.

They knew how to use the human body to the best of its ability – but over the years, we have forgotten.

Through school, work, and the developments of technology, we are trained from an early age to live a pretty sedentary lifestyle.

And even when we do engage in physical activity, the movement of our bodies is normally limited to one plane – forwards. Think about running, treadmills, cycling  and the like.

Primal movement encourages us to explore different directions, get closer to the ground and utilise the natural freedom of movement that we have evolved to be able to do.

Experts say it could hold the key to keeping us fit, strong and alleviating lifestyle-triggered chronic pain and illness.

Primal movement is essentially about reconnecting with how are bodies were actually designed to move.

By exploring the different planes of movement, crawling, rolling, jumping and crouching, we unlock the complexity and diversity of how our bodies can move.

And the best thing about it is that it is entirely functional.

The fluidity of moving across different levels with a mixture of explosive and controlled movements, helps to improve balance and coordination, prevent injuries and release tension in the nervous system.

Who knew that crawling around on the floor could make you feel less stressed?

So we know the fundamentals, but how does it actually work in practice? How primal do you have to go?

The Primal hot yoga class at Fierce Grace is a good starting point to try it out.

Safe for newcomers, the class combines all the challenging movement of a typical hot yoga class with rhythmic, animalistic movement – focusing on breathing, fluidity and a tonne of core strength.

The poses are powerful and flowing, encouraging you to connect with your primal instincts, move away from modern restrictions on movement and discover new limits to your flexibility.

The warmth in the hot yoga session is great for this. It warms up your muscles which makes you a bit bendier – but that also means you have to be really careful to warm down properly and avoid pushing yourself too far.

And you don’t have to be in a yoga studio to reap the benefits of primal movement. These are moves you can do anywhere, from the park, to the gym, to your living room.

Take the bear crawl for example.

Positioned on your hands and feet, crawling forwards, backwards and in diagonal directions for a set amount of time is an incredible workout.

Not only is it a great cardio move that will get you sweating, you’re also strengthening as you hold your body weight above the ground, tonight your muscles, working on your core and flexibility.

The crawl is a cross body pattern – you move your opposing hand and foot at the same time. It is a great foundation on which to build your running and walking form – so it helps you become a better athlete.

Fitness experts have been aware of the benefits of primal movement for a long time. More and more of them are starting to incorporate elements in to their classes and sessions.

‘The use of primal movements such as bear crawls, cat crawls, gorilla crawls and frog hops are a fantastic way to warm up the upper body,’ explains Everyday Athlete performance coach, Jonny Jacobs.

‘They utilise bilateral coordination and recruit specific muscles to enable the correct joint positions.

‘As well the fancy biomechanical stuff, they are a great way to increase dynamic flexibility and work the core as the body will need to be in tension to perform the movements correctly.’

Fierce Grace Primal classes are available across their seven London studios. They also have locations in Rome and New York.

The classes are 60-minutes long, and they currently have an intro offer of 30 consecutive days for £30 until 28th February.

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Mainstream representation of trans people is slim. It’s even slimmer when it comes to trans-masculine (meaning someone who is assigned female at birth, but identify with masculinity more than femininity) people. Slimmer still when looking for the visible stories and experiences of black trans-masculine folk.

‘I think a massive part of me not understanding my gender was the lack of representation,’ spoken word poet and artist Kai Isaiah Jamal (Kai uses he/him pronouns) tells Metro.co.uk. ‘When I was growing up, I didn’t know of many black queer celebrities or public figures – trans black figures were nowhere in my direct vision.’

Kai’s transness had been an undercurrent for a while but it was when he was 18 and becoming an artist that he feels like he became himself.

‘It was probably one of the hardest points of my life,’ he says. ‘A lot of people upped and left, a lot of people questioned and tried to find holes or counter arguments, and a lot of people decided they weren’t going to acknowledge it.’

When he first told friends, his partner at the time and his family that he was trans, Kai was faced with the surreal experience of watching people actively leave his life.

‘It was both strange and often destroying to see those who you had known your whole life suddenly turn their back on you,’ he tells us. ‘It made me question unconditional love and what it meant; often it made me question myself.

‘But sometimes you just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and find your tribe.’

When Kai found BBZ London, a curatorial collective and club night that centres queer, trans, and non-binary people of colour, he believes he found his version of heaven. This was heightened when he met its co-founder Naeem Davis, a black non-binary trans-masculine person.

‘I realised that there were other people who looked like me, spoke like men, and felt the same way I did,’ says Kai.

For Naeem (Naeem uses they/them pronouns), they have always outwardly expressed their transness, however, they didn’t have the framework or words to describe it.

‘Growing up my gender expression was never in question but I think I conformed after time for safety reasons,’ Naeem tells us. ‘It was extremely uncomfortable and it meant that I was very rarely present for anything.’

When they met their partner Tia in 2012, Naeem’s trans identity was one of the first conversations they had together. It was a hugely important moment.

‘I instantly felt safe with her and knew I could undo all the knots in my head without fear of rejection.

‘A few people came into my life recently, helping me see myself more clearly and since creating BBZ, I’ve managed to set myself free of those fears and live my truth.’

However, prior to feeling like they could be themselves, Naeem often stifled their expression when in public because of fears of feeling like an imposter or being misunderstood.

‘Since I transitioned socially I’ve never been more aware of how I present, especially while travelling and how cautious I’ve become in the process,’ says Naeem. ‘People forget that gendered violence doesn’t just affect women and femme people.’

This violence is heightened for black and brown trans people who are subjected to racism and transphobia in tandem, affecting the way their bodies are seen and treated, particularly when it comes to healthcare.

‘Black bodies are different, have experienced different trauma, and can be triggered by different things,’ Kai notes. ‘There isn’t always the appropriate resources, staff or language used.’

Through a lack of representation and platorming of these experiences and voices, there’s a limited understanding of what it is to be a trans-masculine person, often fuelled by narrow misconceptions.

Naeem says: ‘People assume that we’re incredibly butch and macho before we open our mouths. I find this hilarious because me and my bois are very soft and open. Not to say that there is any right way to be trans-masculine but it always brings me great joy to smash that stereotype.’

Alongside assumptions that all trans-masculine people are heterosexual and use he/him pronouns, Kai finds that many seem to think that there is only one presiding narrative.

He tells us: ‘When I first started looking at hashtags on Instagram to connect with the trans men who were influencing and leading the voices of our community, I was disheartened by the lack of men of colour and I was upset with what people think trans men look like, act like, dress like…there is no checklist, there is no hierarchy or gradient – there are so many narratives that the world needs to be aware of.’

Last year, Kai wrote a list of ‘100 ways to be a better trans ally’, a resource for cisgender people in order to create safer and more supportive spaces for trans people, specifically black trans-masculine people, including respecting pronouns and speaking to trans people about more than gender. Naeem notes the importance of diversifying your knowledge on trans folk and not taking everything you’re given at face value: ‘Do your googling, mix up your feed, talk about it with your friends and family.’

Alongside considering language, criticising media for their portrayals of trans people, another way to affirm trans people is through supporting those saving for surgeries, housing, and more.

‘For example. Naeem and I are currently raising money for our top surgery, our medical aftercare and for other trans men and masculine folk of colour to live their best lives,’ says Kai.

‘Remember that all privileges are not afforded to trans folk and access to these different resources are taken away from us, meaning that we often have to ask the community to help us get the freedom everyone should feel when inside their body.

‘After all, isn’t that what we’re all worthy of?’

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If you’re one of the singletons in your group of friends then chances are, someone has tried to set you up with a cute guy at the gym or with or a nice colleague, right?

If that sounds like you then you’re not alone (well, you are in the romantic sense, but still) but thankfully a new dating app is here to save us, letting us put our pals in charge of the swiping.

The app, Ship, lets your friends sort out the wheat from the chaff, filtering out the weirdos, the timewasters, and the ones with long presentations on why you should date them.

How handy.

The app comes from media brands Betches and Match Group, the latter of which clearly knows how to attract the singles crowd, having launched Tinder, OK Cupid, and Plenty Of Fish.

Their latest enterprise puts the single person’s friend in the driver’s seat, letting them sift through the profiles and decide which could be a perfect match.

But don’t worry, using Ship doesn’t mean handing all the reins over to a mate (they might wreak havoc for banter, after all). You’ll have control of your profile.

You can choose your preference, your type, and write your own bio to describe yourself. It doesn’t have to be one friend who picks who’s best for you either; you can add a whole group of close friends.

Your pals will then explore the options and the profile of those they swipe right on will be sent to the group chat for the whole gang to discuss.

The potential match won’t be added to the group, meaning you can be as blunt and straightforward about them and dissect every little info about them, plus send gifs (we predict lots of aubergines) to one another.

After the whole squad has offered their two cents, the single person can decide if they want to match or not and if the potential suitor also matches, the two can go forth and attempt to find love with one another in this crazy mixed up world.

‘We build our lives around the connections and friendships that matter the most to us, and Ship allows us to be there for our friends as they navigate the world of dating,’ said founders Betches in their launch statement.

After all, some of your friends probably know you better than you know yourself.

Just maybe keep the app away from your mum.

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Model and podcast presenter Scott McGlynn says he loves doing fashion shoots. But often, the 31-year-old struggles with self-esteem, especially when it comes to being topless in front of the camera.

As a gay man, he feels appearance is so important and modelling can exacerbate lots of insecurities.

When he began modelling for brands three years ago, Scott, from Cardiff, was told he could get more work if he did shirtless photos but Scott says he wasn’t very confident about his body.

Recently, he’s finally started to accept himself.

‘A photographer told me to do shirtless photos to get more work but I didn’t feel comfortable as I’m not body confident. But I worked on it on my own and when I was ready I did a topless shoot in November which was a big step for me,’ he explains to Metro.co.uk.

‘I decided for myself I was ready to a topless shoulder shot, I felt my body was in okay shape and I like artistic photography.

‘I said to myself that day, on that shoot I’m going to do a shirtless photo for me, not for a client, I wasn’t modelling anything, it was just me.

‘We’re all human, we all love and dislike things on our body from our tummy to eyes to ears, but I’ve come to a point in my life where I accept this is me, this is who I am.

‘As a gay man, I’m also very comfortable with my sexuality, I don’t see it as an issue that hinders my modelling. It actually means I can do more things. I love doing hair and makeup tutorials which you don’t see much of from straight male models but I hope they do in the future.

‘I love doing stuff like that, doing up hair and make-up on set and screen, and showing people all over the world how to do it.

‘I hope this message of accepting yourself will reach others too.’

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