Geri Halliwell has been revealed to be among the star-studded list of guests headlining at this year’s Hay Festival.

The Spice Girl, 51, will be joining in her capacity as an author, having penned a number of children’s books, including the popular Ugenia Lavender series.

The 11-day cultural event attracts around 300,000 people to Hay-on-Wye, Powys to celebrate literature each year, and saw pop superstar Dua Lipa headline last year.

Geri will be joined by Dame Judi Dench, who is leading the drama contributions by sharing extracts from her book, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent.

Gary Lineker will also be making an appearance for the festival’s Sports Day and Miriam Margolyes will be discussing her memoir Oh Miriam! in the Inspiring Life Stories segment. 

Other famous faces appearing include singer Bonnie Tyler, actor Stephen Fry, presenter Sir Lenny Henry, How to Fail’s Elizabeth Day, singer-songwriter James Blunt, comedian David Baddiel, journalist Clive Myrie, The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades and musician Charlotte Church.

There will also be number of comedy shows during the festival, with sets from Sara Pascoe, Jon Ronson, Ruby Wax, Nish Kumar, Angela Barnes, Adam Kay, Josh Berry, Garth Marenghi, Sofie Hagen, Ahir Shah, Natalie Haynes, Julian Clary and Marcus Brigstocke.

While Nobel Prize-winning activist Maria Ressa and National Poet of Wales Hanan Issa will also appear, as well as former Prime Minister Theresa May and ex-politician Rory Stewart.

A registered charity, Hay Festival is one of the world’s best known cultural events, bringing readers and writers together around the world with programmes to inspire, examine and entertain.

Hay Festival chief executive Julie Finch said: ‘In a year when more voters than ever in history will head to the polls, as at least 64 countries hold their elections, we present a programme to bring people together, respectfully exploring different perspectives and the power of storytelling to unite us.

‘With new venues on our free-to-enter Festival site and diverse new projects throughout the programme, this is a festival for everyone. Join us in a world of different ideas.’

The famed literary event’s 37th spring edition is due to take place between May 23 to June 2, with tickets to go on sale at 12pm on Friday March 15. 

The announcement that Geri will be headlining at the event comes amid her husband Christian Horner’s ‘sex texts’ scandal. 

F1 Red Bull team principal, Christian, 50, has been the subject of intense speculation after he was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female employee before the start of the 2024 season.

He had been cleared of allegations of ‘coercive behaviour’, but has been fighting for his future after flirtatious text messages apparently exchanged between him and the female complainant were divulged to 149 F1 figures.

Geri was spotted attending the Commonwealth Day Service in London on Monday after supporting her husband at both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs. 

Christian, who has won 13 world championships since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005, had previously thanked his ‘very supportive wife’ for her backing during the accusations.

Geri staged another public show of unity with Christian as she watched his team charge to victory with another one-two finish in Jeddah earlier this week.

Although the pair were seen cosying up again in front of the cameras, insiders claim that the leaked texts scandal ‘has been tough on her’.

Last week, Christian’s accuser was suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bull’s inquiry because she was reportedly ‘dishonest’ when giving evidence.

As the spotlight continues to glare on the couple, a source close to them told The Sun: ‘It’s been tough but Geri has been a rock for Christian through all this and he has spoken out about how much that means to him.

‘There was no question of her staying away from Saudi – that would have sent entirely the wrong message.’

Christian also faced reporters in a press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s race and admitted that the scandal had taken its toll on his family, while fending off questions on the woman at the centre of it.

He also said his wife had been ‘hugely supportive’ but admitted the scandal had been ‘very trying’ on his family.

‘It’s obviously been a very trying period,’ he said. ‘I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed upon your marriage.

‘I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and very supportive wife. Of course, It’s very trying, it’s very challenging. When there’s children involved, parents, families, it’s not pretty.’

He added that the grievance had been ‘dealt with in the most professional manner’ by Red Bull’s parent company GmbH, which had appointed one of the top ‘KCs in the land’.

After fielding a barrage of questions of the topic, he called for the invasion into his private life to cease and attention turned towards racing.

‘The intrusion on my family is now enough,’ he said. ‘We need to move forward. It’s time now to focus on why we’re here, which is to go Formula One racing.’

Friends of the star claimed last week that it it would ‘break her heart’ to end her marriage to Christian — the man she sees as the ‘Prince Charming’ she has longed for since she was a little girl.

It’s believed that the scandal put the couple’s marriage ‘in question for the first time’.

Friends close to Geri, who stood by her husband of nine years resolutely throughout the internal probe, revealed she had ‘the meltdown to end all meltdowns over the leaks’.

The mother-of-two has been left ‘feeling humiliated’ after the messages were spread ‘so widely out there’, a friend added.

Hundreds of intimate WhatsApp exchanges purportedly between Horner and the colleague were released via an anonymous email account.

Geri had told friends that she was ‘relieved and elated’ that the claims against her partner ‘had finally been cleared’.

Friends of the Spice Girl told the Mail she thought the scandal had ‘finally gone away’ but have warned the appearance of the intimate messages – to which there are 79 screenshots – could ‘destroy’ her.

One said: ‘All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

Another said he now fears for how the star, who has been left mortified at the embarrassing fall out, will be able to comprehend such a public humiliation.

He said: ‘Geri has been living in this happy, happy bubble for so many years now, she thought she had her prince and her knight in shining armour but now this.

‘She thought that it had all gone away, she was delighted and over the moon when she learned Christian had been cleared.

‘Geri was pilloried when she got together with Christian because he had just had another baby with another woman but she has worked hard to rid that image of herself and Christian, and in particular that she is a homewrecker.

‘Now it has all come crashing down. The tears stopped when the judgment came in on Wednesday, now they absolutely will have started again. This will destroy her. All along Christian promised there was nothing in it.’

The couple mixed in social circles before they struck up a romance, having first met each other at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2009.

Their relationship, however, got off to a rocky start, coming under fire after the Red Bull chief left his long-term partner Beverley Allen six months after she gave birth to their daughter Olivia.

While the couple took a short break to see if Christian could rescue his relationship with the mother of his child, just nine months later he announced his engagement to Geri in an advertisement in the The Times in 2014.

The couple tied the knot at St Mary’s Church in Woburn, Bedfordshire, in 2015 and welcomed son Monty in January 2017.

Geri also shares daughter Bluebell 17, with her screenwriter ex Sacha Gervasi, who she split from before giving birth.

Hay fever sufferers are already bracing themselves after Britain received its first pollen warning for 2024, weeks earlier than normal.

Usually the season of sniffing, sore eyes and runny noses begins at the end of March, when the weather begins to warm up, with the result that plants begin to produce pollen.

However, experts claim that the recent spring-like weather has caused a surge in plant growth, causing an early release of alder pollen.

It comes as Brits are also starting to spend more time in the garden as we prepare for spring and warmer weather.

To make sure hay fever doesn’t hold you back, Brian Davenport, co-founder of The Solar Center, has listed the five plants you shouldn’t have in your garden if you suffer from allergies.

1. RAAEGRAS

The first plant banned from the experts’ list is ryegrass, one of the most common grass species in Britain.

It is popular for its durability, easy germination and ability to thrive in cold and wet climates.

But Davenport explained that it’s not an ideal option for allergy sufferers because it is wind-pollinated — meaning pollen is loosened by the wind and spread through the air, eventually landing on our skin, in our nose and mouth and causes allergies.

He added: ‘Grass pollen is the most irritating pollen type for hay fever sufferers, and an estimated 90 per cent of people with the allergy are affected.

‘Unfortunately, ryegrass is common on British lawns, so it is difficult to remove it from your garden if it is already present. If it’s seriously bothering you, it may be time to consider artificial grass.

‘Otherwise, the easiest way to minimize symptoms is to mow your lawn, which will prevent flowering and minimize pollen production.’

2. DAISIES

Despite their delicate appearance, pods are one of the worst plants for hay fever sufferers due to wind pollination.

The expert reveals: ‘Like ryegrass, daisy pollen becomes airborne and can become a major source of irritation and classic hay fever symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching and coughing.’

He warns that chamomile flowers are in the same family and can have exactly the same effect.

We advise that it is best to remove any stages from your lawn and not plant them in flower beds or hanging baskets.

3. Ragweed

Third on the expert’s list of plants to avoid is ragweed, one of the most allergenic plants on this list.

Making itself a problem for allergy sufferers, ragweed can grow just a few inches or more than a meter in height and produce up to a billion strands of pollen during its lifespan.

Davenport says: ‘Like the other plants mentioned, ragweed pollen is very lightweight, so it can be easily moved in the wind and wreak havoc on allergy-affected immune systems, so removal from your garden is essential.

‘The easiest way to get rid of it is to spray the bunches with herbicide in early summer while they are still growing.’

He suggests, “You can also pull out the ragweed by hand. Gather as much of the root as possible in a gloved hand and pull hard, then dig up the remaining roots with a hoe to prevent regrowth.

‘It’s incredibly difficult to remove every bit of ragweed when there’s a lot of it in your outdoor space, but removing as much as possible can reduce the irritation.’

4. SUNFLOWERS

Sunflowers are a favorite in British gardens and easily brighten up dull spaces. But unfortunately, they do pose a problem for people with allergies.

The head of a sunflower is filled with pollen, which can be loosened by even the slightest breeze. The larger they are, the more pollen they will spread.

But that is not such a big problem, the garden expert explains.

‘Fear not, because sunflower lovers can simply choose to plant pollen-free sunflower varieties.

‘For example, the ‘Firecracker’ sunflowers are a dwarf species that only grows to a height of 90 cm.

“It is relatively much smaller than common sunflowers, which can grow to over six feet, but it has an orange-yellow color, similar to a classic sunflower,” Davenport suggests.

5. CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Finally, if you want to add some color to your garden this spring, you may want to use a few chrysanthemums if you have hay fever.

Despite their beauty, they have airborne pollen grains that can cause severe irritation due to the concentration of pollen between multiple flower heads.

The expert advises: ‘If you have chrysanthemums in your garden, you can exchange them for roses and peonies. The pollen of roses is too large to travel through the air and peonies are more likely to be pollinated by insects than by the wind.

‘Ultimately, there are plenty of plant-based alternatives that are safe for hay fever patients and that are just as beautiful as the allergenic plants mentioned.’

The advice comes just after Gardeners’ World star Monty Don released crucial advice, warning people to wait when it comes to one specific spring gardening task.

The British horticulturist and broadcaster, 68, advised his fans on his monthly blog about one thing they absolutely ‘shouldn’t’ do until ‘at least June’.

In the section entitled ‘Bulbs’ he wrote: ‘Do NOT cut back, tie off or tidy up the leaves of flower bulbs, but allow them to die naturally as next year’s flower is created by the photosynthesis of the foliage.’

It is a centuries-old regulation whose origins are uncertain.

But that didn’t stop workers from sticking to it this week, as evidenced by the bale of hay pictured hanging from London’s Millennium Bridge.

The century-old regulation in question is on the Port of London Authority’s list of regulations from 2012.

They talk about how, when the bridge clearance is reduced – as has been the case this week due to the presence of dangling engineers – a bundle of hay must be hung during the day to warn the river traffic below.

The contractors were carrying out urgent repairs to the crossing, which was closed for three weeks on Saturday.

The Millennium Bridge was featured in the 2009 film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where an attack by the Death Eaters causes it to collapse into the Thames.

It also appears in the 2014 Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy during a battle scene.

Also known as the ‘Wobbly Bridge’, the £18.2 million bridge connects the Tate Modern to St Paul’s Cathedral.

It was forced to close just three days after opening in 2000 when it swayed under the weight of thousands of pedestrians.

Port of London Authority regulations state: ‘Where the headroom of an arch or span of a bridge is reduced from its usual limits, but that arch or span is not closed to navigation, the person in control of the bridge has, hang it from the center of the bridge. that arch or spans a bundle of straw large enough to catch the eye during the day and a white light at night.’

When the hay was spotted on Twitter, owners of the City Bridge Foundation said: ‘In keeping with age-old tradition (and the Port of London’s Thames Byelaws) a bundle of straw is hung from the Millennium Bridge to warn shipping of work under the bridge (we’). I’m not making this up, to be honest).’

Their photos showed contractor Robert using a rope to lower the hay over the side of the bridge.

Maintenance crews must replace the degrading synthetic membrane that separates the bridge’s steel structure from the aluminum bridge deck.

Its owners, the City Bridge Foundation, said the problem “needs to be urgently addressed” because the structure is “starting to show its age,” as they insisted: “We need to do this work.”

Signposted pedestrian diversion routes will be in place throughout the closure, directing walkers via Southwark Bridge to the east and Blackfriars Bridge to the west.

The work will be carried out 24 hours a day by contractor FM Conway, but the City Bridge Foundation said no power tools will be used between 9pm and 8am to minimize noise.

During the closure, the structure will also receive a thorough cleaning.

When it was forced to close shortly after opening on June 10, 2000, engineers spent months working out a solution before submitting a report in September that year.

In February 2001, the Millennium Bridge Trust announced that they had raised the £5 million needed to make the necessary changes to the structure.

Repair work began in May that year and was completed in January 2002. The bridge reopened the following month after a series of tests to ensure the problem had been resolved.

The modifications included a series of shock-absorbing dampers – usually under the deck – designed to limit the bridge’s movement to an acceptable level.

It became the capital’s first dedicated pedestrian bridge and was the first new river crossing to be built in central London in more than 100 years, since Tower Bridge in 1894.

The structure is the fifth City of London bridge under the jurisdiction of the City Bridge Foundation, joining Southwark, Tower, Blackfriars and London Bridges.

City Bridge Foundation chairman Giles Shilson said yesterday: ‘Since its opening to mark the new millennium, the bridge has become a much-loved and much-used part of London’s landscape, but it is starting to show its age.

‘The separation layer under the bridge deck is starting to deteriorate, which means it is having a negative impact on the bridge deck and needs to be addressed urgently.

“Replacing this layer is a time-consuming process, leaving us with no choice but to close the bridge for three weeks and work around the clock to get it done as quickly as possible.”

‘We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but we hope that people will understand that we have to do this work, and that they will see the benefits after we give the bridge a much-needed deep clean so that it looks as good as new .’

The 900-year-old organization was founded to collect tolls from London Bridge and now maintains the five bridges, which it says is done at no cost to taxpayers.

It says its assets grew so large in 1995 that it was allowed to donate some of its annual surplus to charities – and now gives away an average of £30 million a year.

I’m a doctor and here are four ways to get your hay fever under control WITHOUT taking medication, including a household cleaning tip

By Gina Kalsi For Mailonline

published: 02:29 EDT, Jun 23, 2023 | Updated: 06:54 EDT, Jun 23, 2023

I’m a pharmacist and these are the 5 unusual hay fever symptoms to watch out for

By Elmira Tanatarova for Mailonline

published: 02:31 EDT, Jun 19, 2023 | Updated: 03:56 EDT, Jun 19, 2023

Farm worker is tragically killed in a freak accident after being crushed by a hay bale

• Dead on regional Australian farm
• Man, 65, dies in freak accident

By Peter Vincent For Daily Mail Australia

published: 04:56 EDT, Jun 18, 2023 | Updated: 05:27 EDT, Jun 18, 2023

Many will have heard the recording of sneezes and sniffles in the office in recent weeks.

Millions of people in the UK suffer from hay fever – and the season for it has really arrived.

What’s more, according to AllergyUK, the suffocating symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough or itchy eyes, can even prevent some patients from getting a good night’s sleep.

Here, Sammy Margo — a sleep expert at Dreams — shared her top tips for hitting the hay — without a fever.

These include simpler fixes like taking a hot shower before bed — to more outlandish hacks, like sleeping with a sock filled with rice to relieve sinus pressure.

“It’s no secret that hay fever is synonymous with sleep disturbances, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability and reduced productivity,” explains Sammy.

“So it’s important for hay fever sufferers to take steps to manage their symptoms and improve their sleep quality.”

TAKE A HOT SHOWER BEFORE GOING

“Hay fever can cause nasal congestion and inflammation, which can lead to breathing and sleeping problems,” said Sammy.

“The steam from a hot shower can help relieve nasal congestion by loosening mucus and relieving inflammation in the nasal passages.”

The sleep expert also explains that a nice, relaxing shower can help calm you down as you go to bed, helping to control your body temperature as it prepares for sleep.

SLEEP WITH A SOCK FILLED WITH RICE

Sammy says sinus pressure is a common symptom of hay fever — and strange as it sounds, stuffing a sock with rice is one way to deal with it.

“Fill a clean sock with uncooked rice and microwave it for 30 seconds and place it on your forehead or over your eyes,” she instructs.

“Making sure it’s not too hot, sleeping with a sock filled with rice is a simple and effective method that can help reduce sinus pressure caused by hay fever.”

The expert says the heat from the sock helps relieve sinus discomfort and promotes relaxation.

“In addition, the weight of the sock can provide a light pressure that can relieve headaches and other forms of discomfort caused by hay fever,” she added.

USE ANTI-ALLERGY BED LINEN

Sammy praises anti-allergy bedding as a ‘great investment’ for hay fever sufferers because it’s “designed to keep allergens like pollen and dust mites at bay.”

“These Dreams pillows, duvets and mattress protectors are made from special materials that prevent the build-up of allergens,” she added.

“Which can help reduce hay fever symptoms and improve sleep quality.”

SLEEP IN A LIGHT POSITION

This is perhaps an all too familiar tip for anyone who has trouble sleeping with a runny nose.

“Hay fever can cause nasal congestion and post nasal drip,” says Sammy. “Which can make it challenging to breathe and sleep comfortably.”

“Sleeping in a reclined position can help ease congestion and reduce post-nasal drip.

“This is because the lying position can help drain mucus from the nasal passages, allowing air to flow more freely through the airways.”

She says a specially designed wedge pillow or custom bed head can be one way to help with that.

USE A NETI POT

Sammy explains that another useful tool can be a neti pot – often used to avoid congestion.

“Rinsing your sinuses with a saline solution using a neti pot can help clear pollen and other allergens from your nasal passages,” she said.

“This can reduce inflammation and congestion, making it easier to breathe and sleep more comfortably.”

Saline, the expert adds, is a “natural and gentle way to clear the nasal passages” — and can help relieve symptoms without causing side effects.

DRINK HERBAL TEA

Drinking herbal teas can promote restful sleep by both promoting relaxation and addressing hay fever symptoms.

Some herbs – such as nettle leaf – have natural antihistamine properties, which can relieve hay fever symptoms such as sneezing and itching.

“Chamomile, peppermint, and lavender teas are known for their calming and sleep-inducing properties,” she also says.

“And may help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting restful sleep.”

AVOID DAIRY PRODUCTS

Thanks to a protein called casein, milkshakes and cheese platters might just be your worst enemy — tempting as they are in sunny weather.

This is because it has been shown to increase mucus production in some people.

“People with hay fever or allergies are therefore advised not to consume dairy products in the evening,” Sammy advised.

“Because they can make congestion and other symptoms worse.”

“By doing this, people with hay fever and allergies can experience a reduction in mucus production and congestion, leading to better breathing and a restful night’s sleep.”

WEAR AN EYE MASK

“An eye mask can help block light and create a darker sleeping environment, which can help relieve hay fever symptoms and promote better sleep,” says Sammy.

First of all, having a covering can help ‘prevent eye rubbing and itching’ – which is a common symptom.

In addition, by reducing light exposure, “the body is better able to produce melatonin, which can help regulate sleep-wake cycles and promote more restful sleep.”

TRY ACUPRESSURE

Acupressure can help with some hay fever symptoms, Sammy revealed.

“Sinus pressure and congestion caused by hay fever can make it difficult to breathe through the nose and can lead to snoring, which can interfere with sleep quality,” she explained.

“Acupressure can help relieve sinus pressure and promote relaxation.”

“By applying pressure to specific points on the body, such as the bridge of the nose or the base of the skull, you can stimulate the body’s natural healing processes and release tension.”