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Hilarious gift for Home and Away icon after her final scene

<p>After an incredible 33-year run on <em>Home and Away</em>, beloved actress Lynne McGranger has filmed her final scene, marking the end of an era for both the show and its devoted fans. Portraying the iconic Irene Roberts, McGranger’s departure is a moment of celebration and nostalgia for the Australian TV industry.</p> <p>McGranger wrapped up her last scene on the legendary Pier Diner set at Seven’s Eveleigh Studios in Sydney on Wednesday. The emotional moment was met with cheers and heartfelt applause as the cast and crew gathered to witness the final take for the longest-serving female cast member in the show’s history.</p> <p>Producer Lucy Addario led the tributes, presenting McGranger with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the <em>Home and Away</em> production team. Adding a touch of humour and nostalgia, she was also gifted the famous “Hamburger Phone” – a prop synonymous with the Diner – as a token of appreciation for her unforgettable contribution to the show.</p> <p>Grateful and emotional, McGranger reflected on her incredible journey. “I’ve had the ride of my life. And I love each and every one of you so much: The cast – Ray, Georgie, Emily, Shane, Ada, James, all the youngins,” she said. “The art department, the writers, everybody – there’s so many unsung heroes. This show is made up of so many parts. You’re all amazing, and it’s been my great privilege to work with each and every one of you. I’m touched, I’m humbled, and I’m so honoured. Thank you so much.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHp-tuUCy-h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHp-tuUCy-h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 7NEWS Sydney (@7newssyd)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Though McGranger’s time on set has concluded, her character’s exit storyline promises to keep viewers captivated for months to come. Since her debut in January 1993, Irene has been a cornerstone of Summer Bay, known for her toughness, sharp wit and heart of gold. A recovered alcoholic who turned her life around, Irene’s journey has seen her take in numerous foster children and face some of the show’s most dramatic storylines, from battling breast cancer to surviving bomb explosions and plane crashes.</p> <p>Throughout the years, Irene’s signature catchphrases – “girly”, “darl”, and “flippin’ heck!” – have cemented her place in Australian pop culture. In 2023, <em>TV WEEK</em> even ranked her the second Greatest Australian TV Character Of All Time, a testament to McGranger’s unforgettable performance <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">(Alf was No.1, in case you're wondering)</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">.</span></p> <p>Even as fans prepare to say goodbye to Irene Roberts over the coming months, McGranger’s legacy will live on in the hearts of <em>Home and Away</em> viewers. Her unmistakable charm has left an indelible mark on the show, and she will always be remembered as a true Summer Bay icon.</p> <p><em>Images: Network 7</em></p>

TV

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To tip or not to tip? Kyle weighs in on the great debate

<p>In a country where tipping is about as popular as warm beer, Kyle Sandilands has somehow managed to ignite a national debate with his bold approach after revealing his personal tipping policy: doubling the bill.</p> <p>While everyday Australians are grumbling about feeling "under surveillance" by watchful waitstaff, Sandilands has effectively turned the concept of tipping on its head by making it rain on every meal.</p> <p>“Whatever the bill is, I’ll pay that again,” he declared on air, leaving co-host Jackie O and newsreader Brooklyn Ross stunned.</p> <p>The revelation has sparked a flurry of reactions, ranging from admiration to outright panic. Many hospitality workers have suddenly discovered a newfound appreciation for Sandilands, with one Sydney waiter reportedly seen frantically Googling his favourite restaurants in hopes of securing a booking.</p> <p>Meanwhile, local economists are nervously clutching their calculators. "If this catches on, we could see a rapid rise in inflation, an economic boom in hospitality, or Kyle Sandilands accidentally becoming Australia's next Reserve Bank governor," speculated one financial analyst.</p> <p>Not everyone, however, is on board with the tipping craze. Outraged anti-tipping Australians have taken to social media, decrying the practice as "un-Australian" and a gateway to the country becoming “the 51st state of America”.</p> <p>One particularly passionate commenter warned, "This is how it starts! First, it's tipping, then it's calling football ‘soccer’, and next thing you know, we’re driving on the right side of the road!"</p> <p>Despite the uproar, Sandilands seems unfazed. With his unique approach, he may have found a loophole in Australia’s new EFTPOS tipping culture – if everyone else sticks to the modest 5-25% suggested range, he might actually be saving money.</p> <p>“You’re doubling the cost,” Ross pointed out in disbelief. “I’ll save big time,” Sandilands responded, seemingly unconcerned with mathematical realities.</p> <p>As for whether his fellow Australians will follow suit or hold the line against tipping tyranny, only time will tell. One thing’s for sure: if you see Kyle Sandilands dining out, you might want to consider switching tables – and bringing an extra billfold.</p> <p><em>Images: KIIS FM</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Dave Hughes finally confronts Kyle Sandilands in on-air ambush

<p>On Thursday morning, Australian radio’s greatest long-running feud got the surprise intervention nobody saw coming – except maybe Jackie O, who orchestrated the whole thing like a puppet master with a microphone.</p> <p>Jackie O shocked her KIIS FM co-host Kyle Sandilands by bringing in a “mystery guest”, a title that in this case translates to “someone Kyle would rather not speak to before breakfast”. That guest? None other than Australian comedian Dave Hughes, with whom Sandilands has been beefing since approximately the invention of sliced bread (or, more accurately, 2007).</p> <p>“I had a bit of apprehension,” Jackie admitted, as if unleashing an old nemesis on her co-host was a last-minute decision rather than a premeditated ratings bonanza. And fair enough – over the years, Sandilands and Hughesy have clashed at awards shows, on social media and even <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/dave-hughes-ruthless-stab-at-kyle-sandilands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a recent interview</a> where Hughesy announced to the world that he had "no empathy" for Sandilands.</p> <p>But the most shocking revelation of the day wasn’t the feud itself – it was the fact that one of their biggest online spats was started by none other than Jackie O herself. When she mentioned the duo’s "2009 Twitter feud", Sandilands – who has never had a Twitter account – looked baffled. Turns out, Jackie had taken it upon herself to create a fake Kyle Sandilands Twitter profile to fire back at Hughesy.</p> <p>Yes, in an era before blue checkmarks and widespread catfishing awareness, Jackie O was out there roleplaying as Kyle, getting into digital fisticuffs with Australia’s favourite nasal-voiced comedian. Hughesy, for his part, was shocked to discover that all these years later, he had been arguing with a radio host’s alter ego and not the real deal.</p> <p>Their Twitter war, largely fought over who had better TV and radio ratings (a battle in which there are no winners, only casualties), was quickly eclipsed by yet another awkward moment from the past: Sandilands once saying on TV that he “wanted to murder” Hughesy. A comment so extreme that even Kyle himself had no recollection of making it – though, to be fair, it’s probably not the first nor the last time Kyle has forgotten saying something controversial on air.</p> <p>“Look, I know you could afford to have me killed – and I could afford to have you killed – but we’re not going to do that,” Hughesy quipped, proving that humour can, in fact, be the best conflict resolution tool.</p> <p>With the beef officially squashed (or at least put on simmer), Hughesy bid farewell, but not before dropping yet another unexpected bombshell. When Sandilands asked if he still kept in touch with their <em>Masked Singer</em> co-star Lindsay Lohan, Hughesy recalled a moment so bizarre it might just be the greatest mystery in Aussie celebrity history.</p> <p>“The funniest moment of my life was driving along in the country on a Sunday and getting a call from Lindsay – she said ‘I want to go on your radio show right now, because Dannii Minogue’s trying to ruin my life.’ It was a Sunday!” Hughes revealed.</p> <p>And just like that, we were gifted another unexpected celebrity feud: Lindsay Lohan vs. Dannii Minogue – a battle that, unlike Kyle and Hughesy’s, had been lurking in the shadows all this time. What exactly did Dannii do to warrant Lohan’s dramatic distress call? Did she steal her spotlight? Refuse to share a hair straightener? These are the questions that will now keep Australia up at night.</p> <p>But for today, at least, we can rest easy knowing that Kyle and Hughesy have finally found common ground. And that common ground is mutual confusion over Jackie O’s decade-old social media catfishing escapades.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

Music

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Three's a charm: Olympic champ shares baby news!

<p>Australian Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers and his Norwegian swimmer fiancée Ingeborg Loyning have shared joyous news: they are expecting their first child. The couple, who have been together since 2022, celebrated their engagement ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, and now they are preparing to welcome a baby girl later this year.</p> <p>The announcement was made with heartfelt social media posts featuring ultrasound photos, matching 'mum' and 'dad' hats, and an adorable gender reveal. “We can’t wait to welcome our little Norwegian princess into the world later this year,” they wrote.</p> <p>The swimming community erupted with excitement over the news. Australian great Grant Hackett congratulated the couple, while Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus and fellow swimmer Shayna Jack expressed their happiness with enthusiastic messages. Isaac Cooper, British star Adam Peaty, and Dutch Olympic gold medallist Ranomi Kromowidjojo also sent their best wishes, with Kromowidjojo joking about a baby boom in the swimming world. She recently became a mother herself, while Italian legend Federica Pellegrini welcomed a child last year, and Swedish champion Sarah Sjostrom is currently pregnant.</p> <p>"This might gonna be a sick Olympic final some day," Kromowidjojo quipped, prompting World Aquatics to respond, "We can’t wait for 2044 then."</p> <p>Loyning, who competed for Norway at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, holds several national backstroke records and secured four titles at last year’s Norwegian national championships. Since moving to Adelaide to be with Chalmers, she has also become involved in his swimming academy.</p> <p>Chalmers, 26, cemented his Olympic legacy with a third straight medal in the 100m freestyle at Paris 2024, having won gold in Rio 2016. He also added silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay and bronze in the 4x100m mixed medley, bringing his total Olympic medal count to nine.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHFxbaNJUq-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHFxbaNJUq-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ingeborg Løyning (@ingeborgvloyning)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As the couple embarks on this new chapter, they have received an outpouring of support from the global swimming fraternity. Their fans and fellow athletes eagerly await the arrival of their little "Norwegian princess", who just might follow in her parents' Olympic-sized footsteps.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Dave Hughes' ruthless stab at Kyle Sandilands

<p>Dave Hughes has taken a verbal flamethrower to Kyle Sandilands and his less-than-rockstar status in the Melbourne radio market, leaving viewer and commentators stunned.</p> <p>The popular TV and radio star, comedian and professional truth-bomber recently sat down with the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/dave-hughes-revealed-why-he-has-no-empathy-for-kyle-sandilands/news-story/0d34b5e8e106e7b78772b42d6d3b4bf7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Herald Sun</em></a> and, in between deep sighs of relief at no longer being beholden to radio ratings, delivered some choice words about the industry, his axed show and, of course, his long-time Sydney rival, Sandliands.</p> <p>Hughesy, whose breakfast show Hughesy, Ed & Erin was unceremoniously booted off the airwaves last year, made it clear that he’s not losing any sleep over the fate of The Kyle and Jackie O Show’s Melbourne expansion woes.</p> <p>“And now I think that we’re finding that out. It’s just habits. You can be a rock star in one city and the other city cannot give a flying f**k about you because they didn’t have the habit for you,” Hughes explained.</p> <p>And if you were wondering whether Hughesy might have a shred of sympathy for Sandilands, let’s clear that up right now: "I don’t really have any empathy because Kyle doesn’t have any empathy for anyone. If he’s on air he’ll just slag everyone off, including me. So I’ve got no empathy at all. I couldn’t care less to be honest.”</p> <p>In fact, Hughesy’s concern seems to be exclusively reserved for the shareholders, because, as he so eloquently put it: “They are the ones who are bloody bleeding.”</p> <p>Sandilands, of course, had confidently predicted that he and Jackie O would dominate Melbourne radio by the end of 2024. That prediction aged about as well as milk left out in the sun, as the final ratings for last year told a harsh truth: The Kyle and Jackie O Show finished in sixth place, with a 5% market share – trailing far behind Jase and Lauren from Nova, who soared with an 11.5% share. To put it in perspective, Kyle and Jackie O lost 24,000 listeners in Melbourne. That’s a lot of people collectively saying, “Yeah, nah.”</p> <p>Of course, in their homeland of Sydney, the duo remains a powerhouse, finishing the year with a strong 13.5% audience share. But in Melbourne? It’s a different story – a story that Hughesy is gleefully watching unfold, popcorn in hand.</p> <p>Beyond the Kyle-bashing, Hughesy also took a swing at the entire radio ratings system, calling it out as nothing more than an elaborate magic trick.</p> <p>“When the ratings work for you, it’s like ‘this is a great system’ and when they don’t you say ‘this system is broken,’” he quipped. “It’s all smoke and mirrors, basically.”</p> <p>And with that, Hughesy rides off into the sunset, free from the shackles of radio ratings, leaving Kyle Sandilands to wrestle with his Melbourne flop. One thing’s for sure – if Hughesy ever returns to radio, we know who won’t be getting a sympathy card.</p>

Music

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"Dropping like flies": Cruise passengers ravaged by severe virus

<p>A dream holiday has turned into a floating nightmare for passengers onboard a P&O Cruise after the vessel was ravaged with a severe strain of novovirus. </p> <p>The luxury ship, Iona, was sailing through Northern Europe when the virus struck, affecting over 5000 guests and nearly 2000 staff onboard. </p> <p>Sky News UK reported that the onslaught of the virus has caused hundreds of passengers to fall ill with the company releasing statements providing updates as the situation grows worse aboard the ship.</p> <p>The ship, which is currently located off shore near Belgium, is continuing on with the itinerary as planned, with staff attempting to isolate the affected passengers and restrict their movements both aboard the ship and land-based stopovers.</p> <p>“People were throwing up in restaurants, on decks, outside cabins,” one of the passengers told Sky News. “A large number of guests and staff are experiencing the virus symptoms. They're dropping like flies."</p> <p>Norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis and causes diarrhoea, vomiting, and severe stomach pain.</p> <p>The symptoms usually develop 12 to 48 hours after being exposed and can take three days for a person to fully flush the virus from their system.</p> <p>P&O Cruises confirmed that some guests have reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness but refused to provide an update on the health of cruise staffers.</p> <p>“P&O Cruises works with global, national and regional public health authorities on approved and proven protocols across our ships in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all on board,” a P&O spokesperson said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Jackie O reveals how she lost her driver's license

<p>Jackie O has revealed the simple road rule she broke that cost her her drivers license many years ago. </p> <p>The KIIS FM host revealed live on air that after she was wearing her seatbelt incorrectly, she lost her license. </p> <p>"I always wear it over me, but it was just that one day because I had got a tan," Jackie explained to her listeners on Monday morning.</p> <p>Jackie O said she was put on a 12-month good behaviour period, which means she had been driving with one demerit for a year.</p> <p>However, in the final week of her restriction, she lost the point just days before earning all her points back.</p> <p>"I got through the whole year by one week and then lost it," she said.</p> <p>Jackie then confirmed she lost her license two weeks ago and said she was struggling not being allowed to drive. </p> <p>The 50-year-old said she first struggled with not having a license after she had been gifted a trip to the Blue Mountains by her friend Gemma O'Neill for her 50th birthday.</p> <p>But she questioned how she was going to travel to her weekend away, which is more than 110km away from her home in Sydney's eastern suburbs, now that she is unable to drive herself there.</p> <p>"Gemma – my best friend – she's given me a weekend away to a silent retreat," she said live on air.</p> <p>"I'm gonna have to catch the train because it's to the Blue Mountains and I don't have my licence!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Legal

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Home and Away icon bids farewell after 33 years

<p>In news that has sent shockwaves through lounge rooms across the country, Lynne McGranger, the heart and soul of <em>Home and Away</em>, is preparing to hang up her iconic apron and bid farewell to her beloved character, Irene Roberts.</p> <p>After an impressive 33 years of delivering heartfelt performances, dishing out sage advice and reminding every misbehaving local to "listen here, girlie", McGranger will be making her emotional exit later this year.</p> <p>Seven has promised fans that Irene’s departure will be one for the history books – no, not via the usual dramatic Summer Bay methods of freak storms, runaway cars or inexplicable amnesia, but an “emotional exit” that “cannot be missed”.</p> <p>While details are tightly under wraps, we can only speculate: Will Irene sail off into the sunset? Open a surf club for wayward teens? Or finally take that well-earned break from all the Summer Bay chaos and settle somewhere where people aren’t constantly getting lost at sea?</p> <p>Fans, naturally, have been left reeling. Social media has been flooded with messages of heartbreak, nostalgia and a desperate plea for Irene to return – even if only for a guest appearance or as a ghostly vision (a <em>Home and Away</em> classic).</p> <p>Lynne herself has spoken out about the farewell, calling it “bittersweet” to leave a role that has been not just a job, but a family. "After almost 33 years in my dream role and working every day with people I love, respect and whom I now consider family, it’s bittersweet to be closing the chapter on what has been the best and longest gig of my life,” she said.</p> <p>Ever the class act, Lynne expressed gratitude to the crew, writers and, of course, the fans – those who have stuck by Irene through every high, low and dramatic face-off at the Diner.</p> <p>And let’s not forget Irene’s legendary status. <em>TV Week</em> readers ranked her as the second Greatest Australian TV Character of All Time (although we suspect if the voting had been left solely to <em>Home and Away</em> die-hards, she’d have taken the crown).</p> <p>Julie McGauran, <em>Home and Away</em>’s Executive Producer, summed it up best: “Lynne’s extraordinary portrayal of down-to-earth Irene Roberts is why the character is held with such great affection by fans around the world.”</p> <p>Despite wrapping up filming in March, Irene will still grace our screens for months to come – enough time for fans to prepare themselves emotionally (and stock up on tissues). In the meantime, Lynne will return to the stage with her comedy show, "The Grandparents Club", proving that she has no plans to slow down anytime soon.</p> <p>The farewell will undoubtedly be a tearjerker, but if we know anything about Irene Roberts, she’ll be leaving Summer Bay the same way she lived in it: with heart, humour and a no-nonsense attitude.</p> <p>As one fan put it perfectly, "Now listen here, girlie, you are going to be missed soooo much."</p> <p>And that, as they say, is the bottom line.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Best hotels in Australia revealed

<p>The <a href="https://www.forbestravelguide.com/award-winners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2025 Forbes Travel Guide</a> has announced the winners of the Star Awards, with nine hotels and experiences in Australia being named in the list.</p> <p>Every property in the running for the awards is visited by highly trained inspectors who provide an evaluation based on up to 900 objective criteria.</p> <p>According to Forbes, the Star Rating system "emphasises service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks".</p> <p>Over 2000 hotels, experiences, restaurants and cruises were named on the global list, with nine Aussie winners featuring in the prestigious list. </p> <p>The only property in the country to receive a 5-star accommodation rating in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide was Crown Towers in Perth. </p> <p>Touted as "the pinnacle of Perth luxury", Forbes described the property as "Perth's most extravagant stay. Exuding understated glamour."</p> <p>In the spa category the Crown Spa Perth, which is tucked away in Crown Towers Perth, was awarded 4-stars for its "unbridled opulence".</p> <p>The Darling Sydney has once again received recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide for the ninth consecutive year, while The Darling's "world class" spa was also featured. </p> <p>Check out the list below.</p> <p>9. The Langham - Sydney</p> <p>8. Park Hyatt - Sydney</p> <p>7. Park Hyatt - Melbourne </p> <p>6. Capella - Sydney</p> <p>5. Como The Treasury - Perth</p> <p>4. The Darling Spa - Sydney</p> <p>3. The Darling - Sydney </p> <p>2. Crown Spa - Perth</p> <p>1. Crown Towers - Perth</p> <p><em>Image credits: Crown Hotels</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;"> </p>

Domestic Travel

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Kyle Sandilands denies nasty health rumours

<p>Kyle Sandilands has been forced to deny rumours that he is faking his brain aneurysm. </p> <p>The KIIS FM radio host, who recently revealed that he needs surgery and major medical <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kyle-sandilands-reveals-major-health-diagnosis-live-on-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener">intervention</a> to monitor a dangerous brain aneurysm, reacted to the "nasty" rumour live on air after being told about the gossip by his co-host Jackie O. </p> <p>Jackie told Kyle that media veteran Craig Bruce and radio executive Wade Kingsley were discussing Sandilands' diagnosis on his podcast <em>Game Changers: Melbourne Radio Wars</em>, sowing the seed that his health battle could be a publicity stunt. </p> <p>“You know your favourite podcast <em>Game Changers</em> … There was a rumour that popped up on their podcast, Wade, one of the hosts, he brought up a rumour in the industry about your brain aneurysm …” Henderson said.</p> <p>She then played audio from the podcast, in which Kingsley says, “I can’t believe this would be true, but a rumour has got to me this week that Kyle is actually faking his brain aneurysm. Surely there’s no possibility they’ve set this up as a stunt, is there?”</p> <p>Bruce, who had a 30-year career working at Southern Cross Austereo, believed questions may have come up regarding Sandilands’ diagnosis given he was yet to undergo “emergency surgery”.</p> <p>“It’s not true,” he began. “The emergency surgery he was talking about last Monday that hasn’t happened yet has thrown a couple of people off.”</p> <p>Bruce continued, “Don’t be surprised if there’s a living funeral. I wouldn’t be surprised if that idea is floating through the business at the moment. ‘Let’s make the most of this moment’. He’s [Sandilands] wanted to do it for a long time.”</p> <p>Kyle was quick to laugh off the rumour, but couldn't hide his surprise at the media veteran's knack for gossip. </p> <p>“I’m surprised at Craig Bruce … Years ago he was one of the most renowned radio genius’, but he hasn’t even taken his own advice here and done any research,” Sandilands said.</p> <p>“The surprise that I haven’t had the emergency surgery is no surprise to anyone who listens to the show, because I’ve gone to the surgeon and it’s a strange shape, so it’s not a simple thing to get to.</p> <p>“I’ve made it quite clear to journalists and on this show that it’s more dangerous to go in and get it out right now than it is to keep monitoring it.</p> <p>“It is dangerous, I’ve got to change my whole lifestyle which is complete s**t, but it is what it is.”</p> <p>Sandilands added doctors that would be monitoring his condition for “six months”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: KIIS FM </em></p>

Caring

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"See a therapist": Jackie O's emotional video sparks frenzy

<p>Fans have been left feeling perplexed over an unusual detail in the background of Jackie O's podcast clips. </p> <p>In a candid moment of vulnerability, the radio host opened up about her struggled with single life, chatting to her friend and co-host Gemma O’Neill about dating. </p> <p>Sitting comfortably on her couch, microphone in hand, the radio star began sharing an emotional reflection on life after dating “the one”.</p> <p>“That person just comes around once in a blue moon, and I just got disheartened,” Henderson says, holding back tears. “I don’t want to cry about it, but you just think of that person and go, ‘Am I ever going to meet someone like that again?’”</p> <p>She then admits that while she’s “fine” and “every day is great”, there are moments when she “can’t help but be sad”. </p> <p>The moment was uploaded to the podcast's Instagram with the caption, “For all the single souls out there, we see you.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFqW9CKpU1R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFqW9CKpU1R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Besties (@wearebestiesofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Despite the honest conversation taking place, eagle-eyed fans spotted an unexpectedly hilarious detail in the clip, which has over 20,000 views.</p> <p>In the background, her cleaner was busy doing laundry and ironing bed sheets, going about their duties seemingly unbothered by the ladies on the couch.</p> <p>“Love the cleaner in the background,” one comment read, while another added, “I’m distracted by the housekeeper working their butt off.” </p> <p>One also joked it was the “maid’s five minutes of fame”.</p> <p>Others were quick to slam Jackie O's complaining, as one person said, “All this while the maid cleans your $50 million house!” </p> <p>“Care factor? See a therapist,” another said bluntly. </p> <p>However, many of her fans were not bothered by the cleaner and shared messages of support. </p> <p>“I feel you,” said one, as another wrote, “This feeling is a reminder of what you want.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

Home & Garden

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Kyle Sandilands shares grim new health update

<p>Just days after Kyle Sandilands revealed he has to undergo surgery for a <a href="https://o60.me/vwv7ix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brain aneurysm</a>, the radio star recently found another aneurysm in his chest. </p> <p>During the <em>Kyle and Jackie O Show</em>, the radio shock jock explained he had been discussing his options with surgeons and specialists when he was told the grim update. </p> <p>“They found another one in my chest and that’s a separate surgery and I have very bad calcium build-up in the heart where I’m likely to have a heart attack,” he shared. </p> <p>Sandilands said he has a 25 per cent chance of having a heart attack in the next five years “if I do nothing about that”.</p> <p>He also revealed that the surgery for the brain aneurysm will involve drilling a large hole in his skull.</p> <p>"It's in the front right hand side of my brain... they have to drill a hole through my skull the size of a drinking glass, pull that bit of skull out, and go into the brain," he explained. </p> <p>"They [will] put a titanium clip on the vein where the problem is and then they stitch me up with a plastic surgeon."</p> <p>"That will mean I have this huge scar from the forehead to top of ear and they would have to drill a hole in my skull, go into the brain and clip it off," he continued. </p> <p>On the 3rd of February, Sandilands first made his diagnosis public, saying: "I have a brain aneurysm and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery," and that he could need up to eight weeks off the air. </p> <p>He went on to explain that his brain aneurysm was “not a blockage” but rather a “puncture”.</p> <p><em>Image: KIIS FM</em></p>

Caring

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Kyle Sandilands reveals major health diagnosis live on air

<p>Kyle Sandilands has shared his shocking health diagnosis live on air, telling his listeners he is due to undergo emergency brain surgery. </p> <p>The radio shock jock shared the news on Monday morning, saying he would be stepping back from the KIIS FM hosting role to look after his health and recover from the major operation. </p> <p>“On Friday, I was told by my medical team, which sounds like I’m already very sick - to have a medical team - that I have a brain aneurysm and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery,” Sandilands told listeners.</p> <p>“If you just tuned in to us after all these years, lap it up. And if you’re in Melbourne ... you’re coming to the party too late. You may get your wish. I may be dead.”</p> <p>After being away on Friday, Sandilands shared that he received his diagnosis after a difficult period of difficult headaches. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFlTXUwo5w6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFlTXUwo5w6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kyle and Jackie O (@kyleandjackieo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"It's not a blockage. It's like, imagine your blood vessel is the garden hose, and the garden hose is weak and it blisters out like a big bubble, you know, like a puncture in it. (It's) like a bike tyre with a big bubble - that bubble's the aneurysm, so it's not blocked," he explained.</p> <p>"It's expanded and if it bursts, (I will become) either a vegetable, in the wheelchair, or dead instantly"</p> <p>Sandilands expects to take eight weeks off from his hit show, <em>The Kyle and Jackie O Show,</em> to recover. </p> <p>“My wife, every time I look at her, her eyes well up with tears. She is already counting down the days.”</p> <p>“The facts are a life of cocaine abuse and partying are not the way to go,” he said.</p> <p>Sandilands then used his condition as a warning to others, saying, "If anyone is having persistent headaches or any of those recurring issues, get a brain scan. It could save your life."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

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Kyle and Jackie O's $200 million contract death clause revealed

<p>Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson have revealed the grim death clause in their individual contracts.</p> <p>In November 2023, the longtime KIISFM hosts signed a monster $200 million deal with Australian Radio Network (ARN)  that will see them remain on airwaves until 2034, each pocketing a minimum of $10 million per year.</p> <p>However, added to the whopping sum come a series of unique clauses.</p> <p>Speaking candidly on Thursday morning's show, Kyle and Jackie O opened up about what would happen to the show if one of them were to die, and they each had different stipulations.</p> <p>“They [lawyers] did ring me when they were doing this new deal and said ‘Jackie wants this [death] clause’,” Sandilands said. “I said, ‘I’ve had this for years.’”</p> <p>As part of Henderson’s contract, the host specified she’d want the option to leave the show if Sandilands passed away.</p> <p>“I don’t know if I would want to do it with someone else,” Henderson told her co-host.</p> <p>“Aw, bless you,” Sandilands said, before savagely responding, "We drop your name. I get your income.”</p> <p>“I’d just soldier on without you. I wouldn’t like it, [but] I wouldn’t want to let that great bit of content die on the vine. I’d rather be on-air crying.”</p> <p>Elsewhere, Sandilands said it was stated in his contract he would only fly via private jet or first class if he was required to work overseas, while admitting that many of their contract clauses are "beyond belief”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: KIISFM</em></p>

Legal

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"A bit wonky": Miriam Margolyes rip into Australia

<p>Beloved British comedian and actress Miriam Margolyes has ripped into Australia, suggesting that the country has gone downhill in recent years.</p> <p>The 83-year-old has spent a lot of time Down Under as her partner of 50 years is Australian, and has always professed her love for the country. </p> <p>However, during a candid chat with Kyle and Jackie O, Margolyes - who is an Australian citizen -  said that Aussies have grown less polite in comparison to other countries. </p> <p>Jackie O asked Margolyes about how polite modern Australians are, to which she replied, “Oh, f**k darling, terrible.”</p> <p>“I love Australia, I think it’s a fabulous country,” she continued. “But I think it’s going a bit wonky at the moment, like the rest of the world. But no, I do care about it. And I am an Australian citizen. </p> <p>“I became a citizen because my partner is Australian, and I wanted to be ever closer to Australia.”</p> <p>The <span id="U843459980797gQF">Harry Potter</span> star, who is busy promoting her latest ABC series about New Zealand, went on to share that she’s grown to prefer it to Australia, admitting, “But now I think my allegiance has slipped slightly and gone to New Zealand.”</p> <p>Elsewhere in the interview, Miriam and Kyle clashed as Sandilands brought up Donald Trump, to which Margolyes insisted she didn't want to discuss American politics. </p> <p>“Oh, don’t tell me you’re one of these fools that don’t understand he’s going to bring greatness,” ranted Sandilands. “You’re not. Oh, you’ve been you’ve been twisted by the Whoopi Goldberg’s of the world. What a shame.”</p> <p>In an attempt to skip over any tension, Margolyes replied, “I wouldn’t mind being twisted by Whoopi Goldberg!”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Steve Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Home and Away couple silence break-up rumours with holiday photos

<p><em>Home and Away </em>stars Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart have silenced break-up rumours with one Instagram post. </p> <p>The couple shared a series of intimate photos from their New Years vacation on the Gold Coast, accompanied by Nicodemou's son Johnas and Stewart's daughter Scout, both 12. </p> <p>“Our week spent in paradise… 3 theme parks in 3 days, go karting, JetSki’s, bowling, swimming, singing and lots of laughs and love ️…bring on 2025!!!” the actress wrote in the caption. </p> <p>The blended family visited all the different attractions in the tourist spot, including Wet N Wild, Movie World and Sea World and also enjoyed dinner at Broadbeach, where Stewart's twin brother Nick and his family joined them. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEmLXlWzcaY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEmLXlWzcaY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ada Nicodemou (@adanicodemou)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The intimate holiday photos comes weeks after the couple sparked rumours of a break-up when Nicodemou revealed on <em>TV Week </em>that they would be spending Christmas apart. </p> <p>“It’s our first Christmas together as a couple, I’m so excited,” she said in early December.  “[But] James is going to be in Queensland, as his family are all up there, and I’ll be in Sydney with mine. But that’s okay – we see each other all the time.”</p> <p>“Ada and I are so family-oriented,” James added in the interview. “She has this amazing Cypriot family, and they’re so well-connected. And my family are up in Queensland and, you know, I miss Mum.”</p> <p>Fans on the popular Home and Away Facebook group have also backed the couple, saying that they are still together. </p> <p>“I saw them on the beach at the Gold Coast last week and they were very much together," one wrote. </p> <p>“Happy families... James and Ada are very much in love,” another fan added. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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"Insurmountable grief": Block stars share their devastating loss

<p><em>The Block</em> stars Dan and Dani Reilly have shared the devastating news that their daughter has passed away. </p> <p>In an emotional post on Instagram, the couple confirmed the heartbreaking loss, revealing their daughter Billie Vera Reilly was just 10 days old.</p> <p>"It is with insurmountable grief that we share the news that our daughter Billie, has passed on from this life and into the next at just 10 days young," the couple shared.</p> <p>Alongside a photo of the couple at hospital by Billie's side, they shared that Billie was everything that they had ever wanted.</p> <p>"In Billie's short time in this world, she taught us an intensity of both love and pain we never knew possible. She taught us what really matters," the post said.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDxf6lmz5q4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDxf6lmz5q4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dani Reilly (@dani_wales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Billie was so wanted, so loved and she made us parents… and what an honour it is to be her mummy and daddy. She will always be our daughter."</p> <p>"It's clear to us that Billie was far too good for this world but if we know anything for sure, it's that Billie's legacy will make an impact greater than all of us."</p> <p>The couple shared a link to make a donation to The Royal Women's Hospital, asking for people to make a contribution in Billie's honour.</p> <p>"We want to make special mention of "Billie's Besties" at @theroyalwomens - the nurses, doctors & staff in NICU are some of the most incredible people to walk this earth and we'll be forever grateful for the care and love they gave our girl, and us" the post concluded.</p> <p>Dan and Dani first appeared as contestants on <em>The Block</em> in 2012 before returning for an All Star season, where they walked away with a $220,000 profit. </p> <p>Dan later became a foreman on the show. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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ABC host ignites feud of the century with Kyle Sandilands

<p>In a clash of breakfast radio titans that can only be described as “delightfully petty”, ABC comedian-turned-radio-host Sammy J has escalated his light-hearted rivalry with Kyle Sandilands into the realms of philanthropy – by asking the public to help cover his “rent” in Sandilands’ head.</p> <p>The feud (or fauxd, depending on who you ask) began earlier this month when Sammy J, riding the high of his final Melbourne radio ratings, took a playful jab at the KIIS FM host. “My final ratings today went up and Kyle went down,” Sammy J declared online. “I am his white whale; his tormentor; the last face he sees at night and the first face he will see each morning. When he strolls on the beach at night, the wind will whisper ‘Sammy J.’”</p> <p>Melburnians collectively sipped their lattes and leaned in. Sandilands, broadcasting from Sydney’s superior ratings kingdom, apparently hadn’t heard the wind – or Sammy J. "What a deluded flog," he shot back. “I don’t know who you are, dog.”</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsammyjcomedian%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02P9tS8b4N6uz1uG81Fk3ToWbePxkwEzTUE5yTctEWjtcBVKuLu4YhtyvZKHArQzCWl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="554" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Sammy J had gleefully noted his superior ratings in Melbourne’s fiercely competitive radio market, where Sandilands’ Kyle and Jackie O Show has struggled to find a foothold. Despite dominating Sydney airwaves for years, Sandilands and co-host Jackie have been largely snubbed by Melbourne listeners, capturing just 5.1% of the breakfast audience. Sammy J, meanwhile, has consistently outperformed the KIIS duo, though both trail behind market leader 3AW.</p> <p>“It must be painful,” Sammy J retorted. “Like, it’s bad enough to be beaten by a dog, or a flog, or somebody with delusions. But to be beaten by all three at once? How humiliating.”</p> <p>Adding fuel to the fire, Sammy J released a tongue-in-cheek media statement earlier this week, addressing the so-called “feud” “To describe this as a ‘feud’ is incorrect and offensive to both myself and Mr. Sandilands,” he wrote. “I wish Mr Sandilands well and hope his 4am starts get easier with time.”</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsammyjcomedian%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0drGpPdfVTjPvQgCUfWdNbbDBXVMuzNqQLQ57Y8qgWaggSojoY8JnQFUYCFZbTE5Nl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="568" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>But the pièce de résistance came on Thursday, when Sammy J shrugged off the insult and <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-sammy-j-pay-rent-for-living-in-kyle-sandilands-head" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched a GoFundMe campaign</a>, cheekily titled “Help Sammy J Pay Rent for Living in Kyle Sandilands’ Head”. The real beneficiaries, however, are far from imaginary. Proceeds are being donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia, a charity Sammy J has supported for two decades.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">“I don’t earn $15 million a year like Kyle,” Sammy J quipped in the fundraiser description, “so I’ll need some help raising these funds.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Within hours, his modest $1,000 original goal was smashed faster than a Melbourne café’s avocado toast. Sammy J then upped the goal to $10k, and at last count, donations were approaching $11,000, leaving Sammy J’s fictional landlord very satisfied indeed.</span></p> <p>While Sandilands has yet to comment on this charitable turn of events, it’s hard to imagine he’d find the gesture offensive – after all, even a “dog”, “flog” and “deluded nobody” can inspire generosity in others.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Melbourne radio listeners have enthusiastically embraced Sammy J’s cheeky approach, with many applauding the charitable twist on a rivalry that has become the breakfast show equivalent of a soap opera.</p> <p>As Sammy J prepares to sign off the airwaves on December 13, one thing is clear: the wind will continue whispering his name – if only to remind Sandilands of Melbourne’s enduring resistance to Sydney’s radio royalty.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Music

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Home and Away star's urgent scam warning

<p><em>Home and Away</em> star Ethan Browne, best-known for his role as Tane Parata on the show, has issued an urgent warning to fans following an influx of social media accounts impersonating him. </p> <p>The actor took to Instagram to warn fans about people impersonating him online. </p> <p>"Please protect yourselves and don't message anyone who claims to be me," Ethan said.</p> <p>"THEY ARE ALL SCAMS!"</p> <p>He went on to explain that he would never message anyone privately, and his Instagram and personal Facebook page are his only social media accounts. </p> <p>"I would never privately message anyone other than my family and friends," he wrote. </p> <p>"This Instagram and my private Facebook account (for family and friends) are my only social media accounts. Unfortunately I can't control  every false account out there. Please be wise and don't respond to them."</p> <p>Fake Facebook profiles pretending to be actors often pop up on certain fan pages and interact with fans. </p> <p>One fan recalled her experience in one Home and Away Facebook group, saying that a  a fake Ethan profile had reached out to her and started sending private messages, resulting in her blocking him. </p> <p>Another fan said: "I got one from him (supposedly) and I said he was one of my favourite actors on the show next thing, I know he wanted a photo of me and the pennies dropped I was being scammed."</p> <p>"I was scammed [by someone] who I thought was Tane from Home and Away, but it wasn't even him... he was saying he wanted to meet up and go out with me," another fan wrote. </p> <p><em style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Image: Seven/ Instagram</em> </p>

Technology

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The eye-watering price of Jackie O's opulent Christmas tree

<p>Jackie O is getting in the festive spirit, sharing photos of her and her daughter Kitty in matching plaid pjs posing in front of their opulent Christmas tree. </p> <p>The KIIS FM host, who reportedly earns millions each year on her top-rated radio show, showed off the extraordinary festive decor, with many pointing out just how much she had spent on the tree. </p> <p>Jackie's tree comes from the brand Dancer & Dasher, where prices for their stunning "bespoke" creations start at a whopping $4,000.</p> <p>Those prices are for a 180cm tree decoration package with installation included, but for those looking to splash out on their festive decor, you'll have to join a waitlist. </p> <p>Jackie's tree was decorated with sparkling red baubles and giant bows, as well as sprigs of holly and berries. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCyQeFPPGbM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCyQeFPPGbM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jackie O (@jackieo_official)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She posed alongside the luxury decoration with her daughter Kitty, the pair in matching seasonal pyjamas. </p> <p>"Christmas ready!!!! Always so in awe of your beautiful trees @danceranddasher," Jackie wrote in her caption on Instagram. </p> <p>"It’s nice to have money haha," joked one fan in the captions while another said, "The best Christmas tree!!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

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