By Laura Parkin for Mailonline

Published: 07:02 EST, March 9, 2024 | Updated: 07:07 EST, March 9, 2024

While it may be becoming increasingly controversial among some people, the tradition of Miss World – at least for now – lives on.

The competition, which was founded in the UK in 1951 by Eric Morley, was originally part of the Festival of Britain celebrations, and was known by the name the Festival Bikini Contest.

In fact, the original purpose of the event was to promote the bikini, a fairly new addition to the fashion market – and it was reportedly the press which dubbed the competition, which at that time was considered by many to be rather immodest, ‘Miss World’.

Eventually, to counteract this, in 1980, the pageant introduced a new slogan: Beauty With a Purpose. Contestants were given the additional challenges of intelligence and personality tests. But this was not enough for the BBC to keep broadcasting the event, ditching it in 1984, after which it was moved to various channels including ITV, Thames Television, Sky One, and Channel 5.

Dropping the show, BBC1 controller Michael Grade said: ‘I believe these contests no longer merit national air time. They are an anachronism in this day and age of equality and verging on the offensive.’

Here, FEMAIL looks at what happened to some of the contestants after they were crowned in the controversial event.

Kaiane Aldorino 

Crowned in December 2009, Kaiane made history with her victory as the first ever Miss Gibraltar to be crowned Miss World.

She was the first Gibraltarian woman not only to win a major pageant, but to ever reach the semi-finals of a major one.

And the pageant winner, who was born in 1986, arguably refutes Michael Grade’s opinion that these contestants are an ‘anachronism’ which fail to ‘merit air time’.

After all, she had impressive achievements under her belt: Kaiane is a Gibraltarian politician – between 2017 and 2019, she held the ceremonial position of mayor.

Preceded by a stint as Deputy Mayor, which began in 2014, she became mayor of the territory in 2017. 

On top of this, in 2018, Kaiane took part in a twinning ceremony between Gibraltar and Jamaica. She was part of a delegation that travelled to Jamaica in 2019 to consolidate the agreement.

She has also carried out philanthropic gestures, donating $10,000 received from the Miss World Organization to the Rainbow Ward at St Bernard’s Hospital and St Martin’s School in 2018.

Kaiane, the first woman to receive the Freedom of the City in Gibraltar, visited more than 40 countries during her reign.

Linor Abargil

Israeli Linor Abargil, who was born in 1980, won Miss World in 1998. Her victory came after she had signed with Look modeling agency in 1996. 

It also followed Linor being raped at knifepoint in 1998 while in Milan, an event which would inspire her to become a global advocate fighting against sexual violence. 

Despite the violence of the attack, and despite arresting the rapist, Italian authorities declined to prosecute and released the attacker.

The trauma of the attack made it difficult for Linor to deal with her public duties and fame after winning the Miss World title.

After frustration at the Italian authorities’ refusal to prosecute, Linor then reported the attack to Israeli authorities.

They were more proactive, issuing an arrest warrant for the rapist, and beginning extradition proceedings.

After her Miss World win, Linor continued modelling and did some acting. 

Eventually, however, she  decided to give up modelling and instead enrolled in law school, planning to use her education to fight sexual violence.

In 2008, Linor became the subject of a documentary she initiated about her rape and subsequent activism, titled Brave Miss World. 

Premiering on Israeli television in 2013 and screening at multiple film festivals in the United States and Europe throughout 2013 and 2014, the film was praised and nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Documentary Film.

Now a mother-of-four, Linor was admitted to the Israeli Bar in 2019.

Mary Stävin

Swede Mary Stävin, who was born in Örebro County in 1957 was crowned Miss World in 1977. 

After winning the pageant, she appeared in some of the most prolific films of all the winners.

She started her acting career seriously in the early 80s, with roles in two music videos Ant Rap and Strip – both for Adam Ant.

Mary also enjoyed appearances in two James Bond films: Octopussy, where she played an Octopussy girl, and A View to a Kill, playing agent Kimberley Jones, a larger role among other films. She also appeared in TV show Twin Peaks.

Famously, Bond Roger Moore wrote of the model and actress ‘floating away on board a submarine with Mary Stavin must be many men’s dream’. 

The win also meant she enjoyed a prolific dating life, seeing footballer Don Shanks from 1978 to 1982, and George Best from 1982 to 1985. The two worked together on an exercise album titled Shape Up and Dance.

Mary now lives in California with her second husband businessman Nicholas Wilcockson, who she wed in 1995, and the couple’s daughter.

Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite ‘Agbani’ Darego

Nigerian Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite ‘Agbani’ Darego was the first black African woman in the competition’s history to be crowned Miss World.

The model and beauty queen, who was born in 1982, was named winner of the competition in 2001 (she won Miss Universe that same year).

While she had some modelling experience before winning the competitions, after picking up the tandem crowns for Miss World and Miss Universe in 2001, her career skyrocketed.

Supermodel  Naomi Campbell invited her to take part in charity fashion Frock ‘n’ Roll in Barcelona, and she negotiated a modelling contract with American agency Trump Model Management.

Following her reign as Miss World, the London and Paris branches of Next Model Management represented her, winning her a three-year contract with L’Oréal (making her the second black model to do so).

The list of major brands Agbani has modelled for include Christian Dior and Sephora among many others.

Denise Perrier

Denise Perrier, who was born in 1935, is the only French Miss World winner. The former French actress, model and beauty queen picked up the crown in 1953.

Both before and after the victory, she has enjoyed some impressive achievements. 

When she was 18 years old, Denise was invited to compete in the Miss Saint-Raphaël beauty pageant contest – which she won.

The victory led to her participation (and victory) in Miss France, then in 1953 she was crowned Miss World.

Following the victory, Denise appeared in a number of films, most memorably, 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever.

She had a total career change after giving up modelling, moving to local government, working for the Mayor of Nice Jacques Médecin.

Denise has judged a number of Miss World competitions, in 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Rosemarie Frankland

Born in Wales in 1943, before moving to England as a child, Rosemarie enjoyed visiting a number of countries and throughout her lifetime (she died in 2000).

Rosemarie won the Miss World crown in 1961 (after previously finishing as a runner-up in the Miss Universe 1961 competition). 

Taking part in a lot of pageants, Rosemarie first won Miss Wales, before becoming Miss London in 1961.

She was crowned Miss Wales by Bob Hope who described her as ‘the most beautiful girl he had ever seen’.

She is said to have had an affair with Hope lasting many years, before becoming his personal assistant.

Meanwhile, professionally, she enjoyed a short acting career including a role in the 1965 film, I’ll Take Sweden starring Bob Hope.

Rosemarie married Grass Roots singer/guitarist Warren Entner in 1970, with the couple having a daughter together in 1976, before divorcing in 1981.

Ann Sidney

Born in the UK in 1944, Ann Sidney took a hairdressing apprenticeship before deciding she’d rather try her hand at modelling. 

She had some success and was crowned Miss World in 1964, becoming the second woman from her country to be crowned after Rosemarie Frankland.

Her reign as Miss World allowed her to see much of the world, and Ann travelled around the globe five times during her tenure – joining Bob Hope on his USO tour of Asia.

After giving up the title, Ann enjoyed a successful acting career.

Her credits included roles on the TV show The Avengers and Are You Being Served? among others.

She also appeared in a number of films, including (but not limited to) spy thriller Sebastian, and Performance (1970) with James Fox and Mick Jagger.

Reita Faria

Born in India in 1943, Reita Faria scooped the Miss World title in 1966, before her career took a major turn.

Reita is well-known for being the first winner of Miss World to qualify as a medical doctor.

As a tall adolescent, Reita was mocked and called ‘mommy long legs’, however, her height would go on to serve her well, both in playing sport at school and in her pageant career. 

Despite being offered a range of acting roles and lucrative modelling contracts during her year-long tenure a Miss World, she turned them down.

Instead, Reita studied medicine at the Grant Medical College & Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals followed by King’s College Hospital, London.

In 1971, she wed her mentor David Powell, with the couple moving to Dublin in 1973, where she started practising medicine.

Marjorie Wallace

After being crowned in 1973, US winner Majorie Wallace, born in 1954, made history as the first American woman to be crowned Miss World.

While in the UK in the early 70s to compete for the crown, she defeated 53 competitors at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

And she enjoyed dating some of the most prolific celebrities, including George Best and Tom Jones

She would go on to make history 104 days later, but this time, for a more negative reason.

Organisers decided to take away her crown as punishment for having an affair, making her the first winner to lose her title this way, just 104 days after acquiring it. 

However, it did not stop the beauty pageant entrant, who was born in Indianapolis, from enjoying a career in entertainment.

As an original co-host, Majorie helped launch the television programme Entertainment Tonight some years later.

Moving to LA in the 70s, Marjorie appeared on several television programmes including Baretta, Get Christie Love! and Match Game. 

Helen Elizabeth Morgan 

The next winner, Brit Helen Morgan who was born in 1952 and was crowned in 1974, also made history, but for a different reason.

Helen became the first winner to resign, making her the second winner (after Marjorie, just one year before) to cut her reign short. 

The Staffordshire-based banker, who entered modelling competitions on a part-time basis, scooped both Miss Wales and Miss United Kingdom in 1974.

Her victory in Miss United Kingdom allowed Helen to enter Miss World, which she went on to win.

However, after only four days, she became the subject of lurid headlines when it was discovered that she was an unwed mother with a n 18-month-old son. 

Despite not breaking competition rules, pressure from organisers, who felt embarrassed, led her to give up the title.

Although she lost the Miss World title, as Miss Wales and Miss United Kingdom Helen decided to leave her role at the bank, taking up a career in modelling, TV and films instead.

Eva Longoria looked incredible as she led the stars at the 17th Annual Women in Film Oscar Nominees Party on Friday.

At the event held at Catch Steak in Los Angeles, the Desperate Housewives star, 48, showed off her chic sense of style in a tan bustier teamed with high-rise, black trousers and a satin belt.

Over her stylish and sexy ensemble, she wore a blazer with sequined lapels over her shoulders.

The Flamin’ Hot director — who is joining the cast of Only Murders in the Building for season four — completed her look with pair of pointy pumps.

She was joined by Lili Reinhart, 27, and Danielle Brooks, 34, as they led the stars on the red carpet.

She styled her brunette tresses in voluminous, bouncy curls and donned a pair of diamond-encrusted hoop earrings to match the sparkling details in her outfit. 

For makeup, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine vet donned a flattering look featuring full lashes, peach-toned blush and a warm caramel brown lip gloss. 

On the red carpet, Longoria posed with her former co-star on her sitcom Telenovela.

Diana-Maria Riva, 54, looked dazzling in a royal blue, satin jumpsuit with a strapless style top and glittering platform heels.

Longoria also posed with legendary songwriter Diane Warren both on the red carpet and inside the event. 

Reinhart looked stunning as she posed on the red carpet in an eye-catching, monochromatic green outfit.

The Riverdale alum donned an olive green bustier layered over a silk button-down.

She modeled a flowing, floor-sweeping green skirt with loose suspender straps. 

The actress looked effortlessly chic with her usually long blonde hair styled in a dark, slicked back hairstyle and opted for a smoky eye and a bubblegum pink pout. 

Brooks looked glamorous in an edgy-chic dress featuring a wrapped blazer style top and a midi skirt tied together with lace-up details and silver grommets. 

The Color Purple sported a pair of clear sandals with shimmering rhinestone straps.

She accessorized with a metallic statement necklace as well as a flower brooch to celebrate her nomination.

Kelly Rowland was also spotted at the event when she was departing the star-studded bash with her husband Tim Weatherspoon. 

The Destiny’s Child singer looked fabulous in a sexy black gown and a cozy fleece trench coat.

Brittany Snow, 38, looked stunning at the bash in a black gown covered in shimmering metallic beads. 

The X star sported strappy heels and completed her look with a slicked back bun.

Dylan Mulvaney, 27, put on an elegant display in a Tiffany blue chiffon cape dress.

The social media personality paired the stunning garment with metallic strappy heels and a silver shoulder bag.

She styled her platinum blonde waves in a half-up and half-down look and wore pale blue eyeshadow to match her dress.

Nicky Hilton Rothschild also attended the bash in a stylish ensemble. 

She wore a semi-sheer, tan sweater with a snakeskin knee-length skirt and burgundy, patent leather pumps. 

She threw up her silky blonde tresses into a half-up bun and accessorized with dainty gold jewelry. 

Her mother Kathy Hilton was also seen at the party although the pair did not pose together on the red carpet. 

Her mother Kathy Hilton was also seen at the party although the pair did not pose together on the red carpet. 

The reality star looked dazzling in a navy blue satin blouse teamed with a chic, black blazer and a sparkling, pleated midi skirt. 

She paired her all-black look with velvet heels with bedazzled star and moon details, which also matched her sparkling statement jewelry.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum was also joined by her former co-star Garcelle Beauvais — who put on a bold display as she rocked a head-to-toe leopard-printed outfit. 

She layered a blazer over a mock-neck gown and completed her look with a woven, gold handbag and matching heels. 

Celine Song looked effortlessly chic in an oversize black trench coat layered over a classic white button-down and baggy trousers.

The writer-director of Past Lives completed her look with a pair of chunky, patent leather dress shoes and wore a white flower brooch as well.

Diane Warren looked incredible in a black turtleneck with glittering red lipstick kiss designs, which matched her bold sneakers. 

The Fire Inside songwriter paired the top with a pinstriped blazer and dark skinny jeans as well as a flower brooch to celebrate her nomination.

Jane Seymour looked red hot in a strapless minidress layered with a satin waterfall-style skirt and matching pumps. 

The Harry Wild actress was a bombshell with her light brunette tresses in a silky blowout hairstyle. 

Kate Flannery put on an elegant display for the party and modeled a deep purple dress layered with a matching black, short-sleeved blazer. 

The Office star sported brown suede pumps and rocked a hot pink lip.

On the red carpet, Flannery was seen posing with Betsy Brandt — who oped for a polkadot, all-black ensemble for the star-studded bash. 

The Breaking Bad star carried a sparkling clutch purse and sported pointed-toe Mary Jane heels. 

Jameela Jamil looked fabulous in a figure-hugging blue dress with a corset-style bodice. 

The Good Place actress matched the black details in her dress with a pair of pointy pumps and completed her look with a dark magenta lip.

Selenis Levya looked fabulous in a sheeny, animal print dress. The Orange Is the New Black actress paired it with black heels and a chic handbag. 

Sherry Cola looked elegant and chic in a tan trench blazer and wide-leg trousers. 

The Joy Ride actress teamed her suit with a sheer beige turtleneck top and pointed-toe boots.

Frankenstein star Kathryn Newton looked dazzling in warm gold, sequined gown paired with a matching satin blazer coat and platform heels.

Gigi Gorgeous, the YouTube star, lived up to her name as she stunned in a figure-hugging, metallic silver gown with a unique cutout around the bust. 

Caitlin Reilly donned an oversize, black blazer with a belt around the waist as well as a pair of cream trousers and strappy heels. 

Rachael Harris looked effortlessly stylish at the bash in a strapless, button-down and black gown as well as matching specs. 

Amanda de Cadenet looked stunning in a sheer leopard-printed top layered with a velvet bra and teamed with a leather, zip-up midi skirt. 

Robbie Brenner opted for the same trendy pattern as she modeled a glamorous dress with voluminous short sleeves. 

The Mattel Films president also wore a flower brooch to celebrate Barbie’s nomination.

Zoe Lister-Jones and Sammi Cohen were a stylish pair in matching all-black and satin ensembles. 

C.J. Perry looked mesmerizing in an oversize, black trench coat layered over a sexy little business ensemble. 

Underneath the outerwear, the professional wrestler donned a white button-down and black micro shorts. 

Alex Meneses, who also starred in Longoria’s Telenovela, was a dazzling sight to behold in a chocolate brown, sequined and sleeveless gown.

Laura Karpman put on a bold display in bright colors and mixed patterns as the Oscar-nominated composer turned up in the most eccentric outfit of the night. 

She wore a colorful cozy cardigan with a tie around the waist layered over patterned bellbottom pants and a sky blue polo top.

Lake Bell showed off her toned physique in a figure-hugging, light gold minidress with long sleeves. 

She paired the garment with a cream-colored clutch and nude heels.

Mayan Lopez looked glamorous in a fully sequined, all-black suit featuring a blazer layered over a bustier and matching shorts. 

Abigail Spencer was radiant in a form-fitting cream gown teamed with shiny black pumps and a woven bucket bag. 

The Suits star styled her raven black tresses in soft beach waves and wore a bold, red lip for a fun pop of color. 

Jacqueline West was seen wearing a sling but still looked incredible as she modeled a chic, navy blue and satin ensemble. 

The Oscar-nominated costume designer for Dune layered her sheeny trench with her stylish jumpsuit and sported a pair of chunky sneakers.

Keegan-Michael Key joined his wife Elle Key at the event in a dapper suit. 

He posed alongside the film producer, who wore a stunning quilted coat covered in purple flowers as her statement piece to go with her otherwise all-black ensemble. 

Pamela Koffler and Christine Vachon, who are Oscar-nominated for producing Past Lives, wore matching red and black outfits.

Raney Aronson-Rath and Michelle Mizner looked radiant as they wore matching all-black, elegant outfits. 

Aronson-Rath also posed for a photo on the red carpet with the glamorous Gladys Murphy and the stunning Nazenet Habtezghi. 

Wendi McLendon-Covey put on a stylish display in a black blazer with a huge flower detail, which was layered over a satin, scoop-neck blouse and matching capri-style trousers. 

Zelda Williams looked oh-so-chic in a cream, polkadot blouse paired with checkered, high-waisted and wide-leg trousers. 

Sharon Lawrence put on a glamorous display in a muted orange blazer and a matching, sheer pleated skirt. 

She wore a bronze belt to cinch in her waist and teamed it with matching heels and a taupe leather purse.

Holland Roden looked glamorous in a low-cut black midi dress with floral details along the bodice.

She teamed the dress with a unique, cylindrical handbag and silver strappy heels.

Jamie Chung was mesmerizing in a black, velvet gown featuring diamond-style waist cutouts and a mock-neck style top

Cara Jade Myers looked elegant and chic in a blazer wrap dress with sheer tights and Mary Jane heels. 

Jeffrey Wright looked sharp in a pinstriped suit worn over a black turtleneck top and teamed with shiny oxford shoes. 

The event, which celebrates the women, nonbinary and trans people nominated at the Academy Awards, coincided with International Women’s Day on March 8. 

The Indian Banks’ Association and bank employee unions agreed on Friday to an annual wage hike of 17 percent.

New Delhi: A day after the Modi government announced a 4 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for central government employees, the Indian Banks’ Association and bank employee unions on Friday agreed to an annual wage hike of 17 per cent. This move will result in an additional annual expenditure of around Rs 8,284 crore for public sector banks.

As many as 8 lakh bank employees will benefit from the pay hike, which will come into effect from November 2022. The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation said in a joint note it was agreed to recognize all Saturdays as public holidays, pending notification from the government .

The revised working hours will come into effect after notification from the government, the report said. “The new pay scales have been constructed after merging the Dearness Allowance equivalent to 8,088 points and an additional tax on top of it,” the report said.

Under the new wage scheme, all female employees would be allowed to take one day of sick leave per month without providing a medical certificate. The accrued privilege leave can be redeemed for a period of up to 255 days at the time of retirement/on death of an employee while in service, the report said.

“Today marks an important milestone for the #banking sector as IBA and #UFBU #AIBOA #AIBASM and #BKSM signed the 9th Joint Memorandum and the 12th #Bipartite Settlement regarding the #salary revision for bank officers and employees, which was launched on 1 come into effect in November. January 1, 2022. @PIB_India #dfs,” IBA CEO Sunil Mehta said in a tweet.

Cabinet approves hike in DA for central government employees, MSP on jute increased

The Modi government on Thursday approved a 4 percent increase in dearness allowance for central government employees. The Union Cabinet has also approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute for the 2024-25 season at Rs 5,335 per quintal, an increase of Rs 285 per quintal over the previous season.

#WATCH | The Union Cabinet has approved an increase in Dearness Allowance for government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners by 4% from January 1, 2024, Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced. pic.twitter.com/IsWUnwBGHW

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2024

Here are some of the key decisions taken by the Union Cabinet:

• The Union Cabinet approves an increase in Dearness Allowance for government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners by 4 percent from January 1, 2024
• The Union Cabinet has approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute for the 2024-25 season at Rs 5,335 per quintal, an increase of Rs 285 per quintal over the previous season
• The Union Cabinet has approved a comprehensive national-level IndiaAI mission with a budget of over Rs 10,000 crores
• The Cabinet has approved the continuation of Rs 300 subsidy to consumers of Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana till March 31, 2025. The total expenditure for this will be Rs 12,000 crores

The BSE and NSE stock exchanges are closed on March 25 for the festival of Holi, Friday and March 29 for Good Friday.

Stock markets, NSE and BSE are closed today on the occasion of favorable conditions Mahashivratri. Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will remain closed during the morning sessions and will resume trading in the evening sessions, MCXIndia.com said.

Because today is a stock market holiday due to Mahashivratri.

When will the stock market resume?

The BSE and NSE stock exchanges will remain closed on March 8 on account of Mahashivratri.

When will trading on the stock exchanges – BSE and NSE – resume?

Both major equity markets BSE and NSE resume trading on Monday, March 11.

MCX holidays in March 2024 for the commodity market

Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) will remain closed during the morning sessions, i.e. from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and will resume trading during evening sessions, i.e. from 5:00 PM to 11:30/11:55 PM, according to the website, MCXIndia.com.

Upcoming trade fair holiday in March 2024

The BSE and NSE stock exchanges are closed on March 25 for the festival of Holi, Friday and March 29 for Good Friday.

Stock market holiday in 2024 complete list

1. January 26, 2024: Friday, Republic Day
2. March 8, 2024: Friday, Mahashivratri
3. March 25, 2024: Monday, Holi
4. March 29, 2024, Friday, Good Friday
5. April 11, 2024: Thursday, Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramadan Eid)
6. April 17, 2024: Wednesday, Ram Navami
7. May 1, 2024: Wednesday, Maharashtra Day
8. June 17, 2024: Monday, Bakri Id
9. July 17, 2024: Wednesday, Muharram
10. August 15, 2024: Thursday, Independence Day/Parsi New Year
11. October 2, 2024: Wednesday, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
12. November 1, 2024: Friday, Diwali Laxmi Pujan*
13. November 15, 2024: Friday, Gurunanak Jayanti
14. December 25, 2024: Wednesday, Christmas

In 2024, five other public holidays will fall on weekends. These are:

1. April 14, 2024, Sunday, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti
2. April 21, 2024, Sunday, Shri Mahavir Jayanti
3. September 7, 2024, Saturday, Ganesh Chaturthi
4. October 12, 2024, Saturday, Dussehra
5. November 2, 2024, Saturday, Diwali-Balipratipada

By Chikamso Chukwuenyem for Mailonline

Published: 5:28 PM EST, March 2, 2024 | Updated: 5:31 PM EST, March 2, 2024

House prices are more expensive than a year ago, the first time in more than a year that annual growth has been recorded.

Figures from Nationwide show that these were 0.7 percent higher in February than in the same month in 2023.

3

The average house price in Britain now stands at £260,420.

No year-on-year increase had been recorded since last January as mortgages soared following 14 rate hikes by the Bank of England.

The annual growth in real estate prices gives new confidence that the housing market is now stabilizing.

And it comes after official figures this week showed a rise in mortgage approvals.

Last year, buyers struggled to afford a mortgage as lenders increased interest charges on home loans.

The slowdown in the housing market has also resulted in more people being trapped in the rental sector, pushing rental prices to record highs.

Meanwhile, Rightmove, Britain’s largest property website, yesterday reported an eight percent rise in pre-tax profits to £260 million.

The increase was partly because real estate agents paid more to advertise real estate and realize sales during the crisis.

M&S law wins

MARKS & SPENCER has won the battle against Michael Gove’s attempt to block plans for the demolition and redevelopment of the Marble Arch store in central London.

The minister refused permission last year on heritage and environmental grounds, but the Hoge Court reversed its decision.

Asda pay rise

ASDA spends £150 million to be the highest paying supermarket.

The grocer said it will increase salaries for 120,000 staff to £12.04 per hour – £13.21 within the M25.

Co-owner Mohsin Issa said the company was still in a “transition period”. He denied a rift with brother Zuber, who may sell his stake.

Good week

3

ANDREW Nisbet, who will make at least £339 million from the sale of his kitchen supplier Nisbets to firm Bunzl.

Bad week

3

HALFORDS boss Graham Stapleton as shares fell by a quarter after warning of a slump in bicycle parts sales.

Waitrose’s hot cross buns have beaten its rivals in this year’s Good Housekeeping Easter Taste Test Awards.

The Good Housekeeping Institute blind-tested 162 products from a selection of UK brands and grocers to find the best products for costumers ahead of the Spring occasion, including Easter eggs and meat centrepieces.

When it comes to buns, Waitrose reigned supreme, winning both the classic category with its £2.50 Golden Hot Cross Buns and the flavoured category with its £2.50 Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns.

Cadbury’s £12 Crunchie Inclusions Ultimate Easter Egg took the top spot as the best milk chocolate Easter egg, and Asda’s £15 Extra Special Cocoa Noir Easter Egg was this year’s egg of choice for dark chocolate.

Meanwhile, Co-op’s £15 Irresistible Hereford Beef Joint got the title of best roast centrepiece, while Asda’s £8.50 Chicken Crown with Leek & Pancetta Stuffing was the best budget option.

Waitrose was crowned the winning supermarket this year, performing particularly well in the hot cross bun category.

Asda came second and was highly commended for its selection of Easter eggs, coming in the top five across eight categories, including dark eggs, milk eggs, vegan eggs and children’s eggs.

In picking the winners, each product was blind tested by a consumer panel to avoid brand bias. Testers based their rating on the items’ appearance, aroma, texture, and flavour.

The panel sampled 34 hot cross buns in total, including traditional, flavoured, and gluten-free options.

Waitrose impressed with their Golden Hot Cross buns, but their Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns took the top spot for their ‘moist’ and ‘fudgy’ texture, according to the Institute.

Discount supermarket Aldi was runner-up with their Specially Selected Hot Cross Buns, priced at £1.35 for four.

Co-op also impressed the panel with its gluten-free offering. ‘The Co-op Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns are expertly spiced with a good hit of cinnamon and ginger, alongside more unusual additions such as ground coriander,’ the results read.

Amazon Fresh worked their way into the spotlight as the best budget option, with its six Hot Cross Buns priced at £1.15 and commended for their fruity punch.

The £12 Cadbury Crunchie Inclusions Ultimate Egg scooped up the top prize in the milk Easter egg category, with the chocolate and honeycomb combination proving to be a hit with the taste testers.

For fans of dark chocolate, Asda’s £15 Extra Special Cocoa Noir Easter Egg should be a solid choice, having won this year’s dark egg of choice for its balanced flavours.

In the white chocolate category, Betty’s took the top spot with its playful White Chocolate Flat Easter Egg with Milk Chocolate Lamb, priced at £13.75.

Those who follow a plant-based diet need not miss out on an Easter egg this year because the panel commended an impressive range of vegan eggs, with Cutter & Squidge’s £23.99 ‘Cookie Easter Egg’ winning the category overall.

Consumers who maintain a sustainable outlook when selecting their eggs might opt for Sainsbury’s £8 Taste the Difference Belgian Chocolate Orange Egg because it scored top among panellists.

Sainsbury’s was recognised for implementing more sustainable practices when creating the egg.

Waitrose’s £5 ‘Sam on Toast’, crafted to look like a fried egg on a slice of toast, impressed critics in the children’s eggs category and came top place.

Competition was tight when it came to Easter Sunday dinner components, but Co-op managed to secure the top spot for meat centrepieces with the £15 Irresistible Hereford Beef Joint’.

Asda’s Chicken Crown with Leek Pancetta Stuffing was awarded the best budget meat centrepiece, priced at £6.50.

Competition was tight for fish centrepieces, causing a tie between Aldi’s The Fishmonger Boneless Side of Salmon and Duke’s Hill Dressed Side of Oak Smoked Salmon.

For vegetarians and vegans, COOK’s Roasted Pepper and Goat’s Cheese Quiche was 2024’s best vegetarian main, while Asda’s OMV! Deliciously Vegan Mushroom Wellington came out top in the plant-based category.

Finally, the panellists tested roast potatoes, and this year, the Tesco Finest Maris Piper Goose Fat potatoes, priced at £3, were the overall winner.

Callum Black, Food & Drink Testing Manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute said: ‘We’ve been hard at work since December tasting the most innovative and high-quality products on the market to ensure there’s something for everyone this Easter.

‘In our 100th year of testing, it’s great to see our results capturing consumers’ love of the classics. 

‘Our winning products showcase the flavours of Easter: hot cross buns jammed packed with chocolate, affordable roasts, and to top it all off, Cadburys securing the winning spot in milk Easter eggs. It’s clear that tradition and nostalgia are top of mind this Easter.’