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Monday 20 January 2014

Hayley Cropper's death: Tributes and reactions pour in after Corrie's traumatic scenes



 


Coronation Street character Hayley Cropper took her own life tonight in one of the long-running soap's most controversial storylines.

The two emotional episodes had much of the country glued to the screen - and led to reactions and tributes flooding social media sites.

The much-loved character, played by actress Julie Hesmondhalgh , took her own life and ended her battle with pancreatic cancer.

The 43-year-old actress quit the ITV soap after 15 years as cafe owner Roy’s transsexual wife.

ITV bosses announced in January last year that the actress would leave the series by ending her own life.
ITV Coronation Street
The tragic scenes
 

Before the episodes aired, actress Julia tweeted to say she wouldn't be online as her character's emotional exit was aired.
The actress  admitted she wept ­uncontrollably while watching her Corrie character Hayley Cropper take her own life  rather than continue a losing battle with cancer.
And she wasn't the only one.
Co-star Catherine Tyldesley tweeted her support for the actress, before admitting she was heartbroken watching her exit.
"master class in acting from @ juliehes and David ...just amazing... corrie" she tweeted.
 

 


Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz, was also keen to show her support.

She tweeted an on-set picture of the pair filming Hayley and Roy's wedding.

Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Webster, said: “One of the great iconic soap moments. Stunning @juliehes #DavidNeilson.”
ITV Coronation Street
Hayley takes the dreaded cocktail
 

Antony Cotton (Sean Tully) took the opportunity to plug his co-star’s bid to win at the National Television Awards, posting a picture of an award on twitter.

TV presenter Jenni Falconer spoke of her emotions during the show when she wrote: “What incredible acting and emotional scenes. I know it’s a soap but my heart is aching for Roy. #GoodbyeHayley.”

Broadcaster Richard Bacon said simply: “Nice one Corrie” while Tory MP Nadine Dorries could not resist a political rant.

She wrote: “Not everyone has a loving Roy. For many people the NoK (next of kin) is a hospital, care home or a similar budget constrained autonomous body #scary.

“A reason why assisted suicide is unlikely to ever be fully legal. The law is there to protect the vulnerable from prey.

“For many disabled people, the prospect of legalised assisted suicide is abhorrent. The state is often someone’s carer #strappedforcash.”

Dignity in Dying, the organisation that campaigns for people to have the choice of an assisted death, tweeted: “Hayley was protecting Roy before she ends her life. Many dying people who want control at the end do similar. Very sad #Corrie.”

#goodbyehayley was the number one trending topic, with 8,000 tweets per minute being posted during the show.


What are your views about this traumatic story line? Comments below....


#mirror.co.uk

PHOTOS: Smiling serial killer Joanna Dennehy poses for chilling pictures hours before stabbing two more victims






Smiling serial killer Joanna Dennehy poses for a series of chilling photographs just hours before stabbing two more victims.

Grinning for the camera in her final moments on the run, Dennehy appears to be having the time of her life in the images - revealed at Cambridge crown court today.

On the day the shots were taken Dennehy allegedly moaned "I want my fun" as she and her alleged accomplice Gary Stretch hunted down innocent dog walkers to kill at random.

And jurors were told she boasted of wanting to end her killing spree like notorious American criminals Bonnie and Clyde.

In one chilling shot, Dennehy, 31, wields a large knife - not the murder weapon used to kill three men and injured two others. In another she happily flashes her bra before her 7ft 3ins tall pal Stretch, 47, strikes the same pose.

Shortly after these pictures were taken, Dennehy leapt out of the Vauxhall Astra driven by Stretch and brutally stabbed two men, Robin Bereza and John Rogers, the court was told.

They were lucky to survive the vicious attacks in Hereford on April 2 last year.

The pictures were revealed as witness Mark Lloyd, who appears in two of the snaps, gave evidence yesterday.

He recalls meeting Dennehy at a flat belonging to a pal in Kingstone near Hereford on April 2. It was here where several of the pictures were taken.

When she greeted him, Dennehy proudly told Mr Lloyd: "Hello Mark, I'm a killer.

"I've killed three people, Gary helped dispose of them and I want to do some more."

She then went on to say: "I want some fun. You have had your fun Gary, I want some fun now."

Mr Lloyd says he was "terrified" as Dennehy brandished a knife, which was covered in blood, but then began flirting with him.

"She was caressing my backside and running her hand down my neck," he said.

"It was like being touched by a rattlesnake."

He was forced to join Dennehy and Stretch in their Vauxhall Astra to Hereford. On the way, Dennehy made Stretch pull over, saying: "I want a photo."

She asked Stretch and Mr Lloyd to pose near some houses because she thought Hereford was an attractive place.

In the car, Dennehy took a picture of Mr Lloyd making an offensive hand gesture, although Mr Lloyd told the jury he cannot recall this being taken.

She then begged Stretch to find her some "fun".

Stretch spotted Mr Bereza, 64, walking his pet dog shortly after this and suggested: "Will he do?", it is claimed.

Mr Lloyd says Dennehy jumped out of the car and began attacking the retired firefighter.

Describing the attack, Mr Lloyd said: "She was holding the knife like the film Psycho."

Mr Bereza was left fighting for his life and had to be airlifted to hospital.

Mr Lloyd added: "She gets in the car, she's happy as Larry, big smile on her face.

"She kissed Gary on the cheek and said 'thanks'."

Following this, Stretch drive the group just a few minutes away and pulled over close to where Mr Rogers was walking his dog.

Mr Lloyd described this attack as even more brutal than the first.

He said: "It was frenzied. She just went absolutely mad on the fella.

"Gary was just mumbling away."

Dennehy left Mr Rogers, 56, bleeding on the ground and stole his pet lurcher.

On returning to the car she said: "Look at my best mate. He's so cute."

Mr Lloyd said: "This dog was terrified. He was shaking in her lap."

After this Mr Lloyd said Dennehy was desperate to take the dog for a walk but shortly after, they were arrested by police.

Earlier the court heard witness Georgina Page also told how Dennehy boasted she wanted to end her killing spree like Bonnie and Clyde - who died in a gun fight with cops in 1934 after killing nine people.

Miss Page said Dennehy warned Stretch: "You know we're going to get caught and go to jail for a long time. I want to be caught like Bonnie and Clyde."

In a further grim revelation, Dennehy tucked into a ham sandwich while looking at the bloody corpse of one victim.

The jury heard Stretch, 47, remarked there was "lots of claret (blood) on the floor" while Dennehy munched on her snack.

According to Miss Page, Stretch said he couldn't kill anyone, describing himself as a "professional burglar".

Speaking about Dennehy eating a ham sandwich while in the same room as a bleeding body, Miss Page said: "You are mad Jo, why did you do that?"

In response, she replied: "They shouldn't have p***** me off, they shouldn't have flirted with me."

An "ecstatic" Dennehy jumped for joy when she saw news reports about her crime spree. However she complained the picture police used in their appeal to trace her was "horrible".

Miss Page, who Dennehy visited with Stretch on April 1 following the three murders, said her friend insisted on showing her a news report on TV Ceefax.

She recalled it describing Stretch as "Britain's tallest murder suspect", adding: "She was jumping all about. She was proud."

Miss Page also revealed disturbing details about Dennehy's past. She told how her pal showed her scars on her stomach and arms, which were from self-harming, and confessed she would sometimes self-harm during sex.

Dennehy has admitted stabbing John Chapman, 56, Lukasz Slaboszewski, 31, and her landlord Kevin Lee, 49, in the heart and dumping their bodies in ditches in Cambridgeshire in March last year.

Stretch, of Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, has denied three counts of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and two of attempted murder.

Layton, of Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, denies two counts of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body and one of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.







#mirror.co.uk

PHOTOS/VIDEO: Barack Obama and his family honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service by helping a soup kitchen prepare its daily meals

 
Obama celebrates MLK holiday, visits soup kitchen
 
 
Obama celebrates MLK holiday, visits soup kitchen
 
 

 
 
 CLICK BELOW TO WATCH VIDEO:
 




President Barack Obama honored Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service Monday by helping a soup kitchen prepare its daily meals and a host of administration figures fanned out across the capital to appear at holiday events.

Obama took his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha to DC Central Kitchen, which is a few minutes away from the White House by presidential motorcade. They joined an assembly line that was churning out burritos. Asked what the burritos were being stuffed with, Obama said it looked like lamb. It actually was beef in a sauce, along with unidentified vegetables and cheese.

Obama said he came to help the facility mark its 25th anniversary on Monday. Among those joining him there was senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.

DC Central Kitchen prepares thousands of meals every day for distribution to local shelters.

Vice President Joe Biden appeared at the National Action Network's annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, and later joined the Catholic Volunteer Network in serving a hot lunch to guests at SOME — So Others Might Eat.

Several of Obama's Cabinet officers, including Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, as well as White House chief of staff Denis McDonough, also took part in various holiday-related events.

15 Foods To Keep Your Waist Tamed Forever







Salad:
Use a high-nutrient spinach as the base of a salad and top with cherry tomatoes, beans and nuts. Transform this side dish into a meal by adding grilled chicken breast, cooked shrimp or any of your faves!



Whole Wheat Pita Pocket Or Tortilla:
These are associated with a variety of health benefits including weight control. You can pack the pita or wrap with all of your healthy faves and eat it on the go. Everything that you like on your salad–wrap it up!



Dairy products:
The options here can be yogurt or cottage cheese which provide both calcium and protein. Dairy products are also great for snacks or used within meals. These products stretch and can keep you healthy for multiple meals and multiple days.



Prepared Pesto Made With Olive Oil:
Olive oil has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and this pesto is a great way to work it into your diet. But don’t just stop at pesto; use on snacks or main dishes too!



Almond butter:
Almond butter is considered a “smart fat,” which helps in lowering cholesterol and enhances the immune system. While almond butter has many great properties, make sure you follow the portion size, as it’s still high in fat, even though it is the healthy kind. You can use this yummy treat as a snack or you can get creative with it in your main dishes.


Hummus:
Hummus is an easy protein-rich snack that fights hunger and balances blood sugar levels. Yummy on it’s own, with your fave veggies or on a pita, hummus is a savory snack worth keeping in your fridge.


Salsa:
Salsa actually low in calories, when you skip the tortilla chips. Use the healthy snack on brown rice, flax or sesame seed crackers instead of the chips and you’ll find yourself snacking without the guilt. In the morning try it on your eggs or put it on your salads at lunch or dinner. It’s a great condiment no matter what time of day it is!



Eggs:
Some believe that while dieting, eating only the egg whites is best, but it’s not; you to leave out all the protein, which is found in the yolk. The yolk protein helps stimulate the release of glucagon, which aids in fat-burning specially belly fat.



Chia seeds:
Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and iron, all which are great for weight loss. You can put these in smoothies, on your salad or use them to bread your chicken or thicken your soup.



Quinoa:
This is a gluten-free grain, which can be savory or sweet, depending on what it is mixed with. As a complete protein source, quinoa is packed with amino acids and vitamin B. Hello health! Cook this up as a side or add some texture to your salad, either way, you’re packing in a lot of benefits with one little ingredient.



Lean Protein:
Having lean protein in your fridge is important because it helps keep you full. Excellent sources of this include skinless poultry, edamame, crab, fish fillets and pork tenderloin.



Bananas:
Bananas are packed with potassium and fiber and can be added to other nutritious foods that aid in dieting, like oatmeal and almond butter. This is one of the best snacks to always have on-hand.



Mushrooms:
Mushrooms are is often overlooked when dieting, but these “fun guys” help to tide you over in between meals. They also can act as a side or even the full meal, especially if you like portobello mushrooms.



Blueberries:
Blueberries are on the top of the list for the fruits with the most health benefits. They have 40% more antioxidant capacity than strawberries, are high in vitamin C and strengthen the immune system! Keep these around to put in your yogurt, on your salad or just to have as a snack.



Bell Pepper:
Red, yellow or green, bell peppers help in improving the looks of hair and skin, as well as eases aches and pains. Also, due to the high water content, this low-calorie food assists in weight loss. Keep these around for snacks, or cook them up in your meals.








#hellobeautiful

Finding The Right Jeans For Your Body Type

Buying a flattering pair of jeans can seem an almost impossible task. Six in ten women admit to struggling to find the right pair and four in ten squeeze into jeans that are too tight.
But according to denim boutique owner Donna Ida Thornton, known as London's 'jeanius', buying jeans doesn't have to be a nightmare.
Here, Donna helps five writers of very different shapes and sizes prove every woman can find the perfect pair.

PEAR SHAPE

Lauren Libbert, 43, is a size 12
Blue kick-flare jeans, £154, mih-jeans.com
Blue kick-flare jeans, £154, mih-jeans.com
 

PETITE

Caroline Chiu, 34, is a size 10
Navy boot-cut jeans, £230,  J Brand at trilogystores.co.uk
Navy boot-cut jeans, £230, J Brand at trilogystores.co.uk

Donna says: Pick a high waistband, which will draw attention to your tiny midriff.
A flare balances you out at  the bottom, takes the eye away from your thighs and streamlines the silhouette.  

Lauren says: For me, wearing jeans is about damage control. What will make my bum shrink, or shave inches off my hips?
I've tried bootcut, boyfriend, even the horror show that was super-skinny. When Donna suggested that a high-waisted flare would look great, I thought she'd gone mad. But she's proved me wrong.
These jeans sucked in my lumps and bumps, flattened my tummy and smoothed out my hips. An unexpected success.
 
Donna says: Petite people are usually well-proportioned, just smaller. A high-rise waist will give you the illusion of longer legs and a slim boot-cut adds shape. Just don't choose an all-out flare, which will dwarf those will smaller proportions.

Caroline says: My tiny 5ft 3in frame means I've always been envious of how jeans look on women with long legs.
I usually have to buy straight-leg jeans and then get them shortened. These high waist, slim boot-cut jeans that Donna recommended may be expensive, but they are miraculous, creating the illusion that my legs are longer. I even had the confidence to stand up a little taller.


BOYISH

Alice Smellie, 40, is a size 8
Blue boyfriend jeans, £125, Current Elliott at donnaida.com
Blue boyfriend jeans, £125, Current Elliott at donnaida.com

Donna says: Boyish figures have slim hips, an undefined waist and a flattish bottom. Being on the slim side, they can get away with most jean shapes, but bulky boyfriend styles are the most flattering, as they add more shape - with rolled-up legs to show off slim ankles.

Alice says: As a mother-of-three on what feels like a permanent school run, I have favoured the same boot-cut style since the mid-Eighties. I own 20 pairs, all virtually identical!
To my astonishment, the boyfriend roll-ups made my legs look elegant rather than stumpy - I love the flash of ankle! And although I'm hardly curvy, my waist looks more defined. I look, dare I say it, almost sexy.

APPLE SHAPE

Claudia Connell, 47, is a size 14
Black skinny jeans, £145, beautyincurves.com
Black skinny jeans, £145, beautyincurves.com
 
 

LONG LEGS

Kate Battersby, 49, is a size 10
 
Kate Battersby in light blue skinny jeans, £44.95, Gap.com
Kate Battersby in light blue skinny jeans, £44.95, Gap.com


Donna says: Apples have slim legs but carry weight around their middle - classic 'mum tum' shape. It sounds strange, but the best shape is a stretchy skinny jean that shows off slim pins. Make sure you have a mid to high waist to hold in the tummy.  

Claudia says: Any jeans big enough to fit around the waist are baggy on the legs and bottom. When Donna suggested I try skinny, high-waisted jeans, I panicked. 'Skinny' is a style I associate with teenagers, while high waists make me think of Simon Cowell.
But these fitted like a second skin, the high waist flattening my stomach so I could do up the button on the first go. Result!
 
Donna says: Long-legged ladies are tall and lean and, therefore, may not have much of a waist.
Pick a straight jean to show off your pins, but watch out for any high-rise waists that could lengthen your legs and shorten the torso. Stick to mid or low-rise styles. Experimenting with shaded denim will add extra shape to twiggy limbs.

Kate says: Having long legs isn't the worst of burdens, but it's often futile searching for jeans with a 32in leg that flatter everywhere else, too. I tend to carry any weight around my middle, so high-waisted jeans make me look like a badly wrapped parcel. Donna was right - both the mid-rise and shading were flattering.



#dailymail.co.uk