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MANCHESTER UNITED and Ipswich Town clash at Old Trafford in Wednesday’s Premier League encounter.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Man Utd vs Ipswich preview

Manchester United welcome a beleaguered Ipswich Town to Old Trafford with both sides in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory.

The Red Devils used their “get out of jail free” card against Everton over the weekend, netting twice in eight second-half minutes before seeing their opponents’ penalty controversially overturned by VAR in the dying minutes.

The result helped Ruben Amorim avoid successive defeats for the third time in his tenure, and moved the club 13 points clear of the relegation zone with 12 matches remaining.

But it was far from a vintage display with United looking forlorn for 72 minutes, with the performance of Patrick Dorgu the only bright spot.

Amorim will hope to use their late comeback as a platform for Wednesday’s clash against an Ipswich side who’ve kept just one clean sheet in their last 24 Premier League away games.

United are also unbeaten in their last seven home league games against Ipswich, winning each of the last three by an aggregate score of 15-0.

Manchester United have lost seven Premier League home games this season, with five of those coming in Ruben Amorim’s seven in charge.

But an eight looks fairly unlikely against Kieran McKenna’s side, who are now five points adrift following a run of five defeats in their last six league games (L5, D1).

And you would have to go back to May 1984 for the last time the Tractor Boys won at Old Trafford, which was also the last occasion Man Utd lost a home league game in which they led at half-time.

Ipswich’s 4-1 defeat against Tottenham last time out was the seventh different league game in which they’ve conceded 4+ goals this season and a huge turnaround will be required to leave Manchester with anything.

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Man Utd vs Ipswich preview betting odds

• Man Utd 6/11 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Draw 16/5 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE

• Ipswich 21/4 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Man Utd vs Ipswich preview betting tips and predictions

Alejandro

Manchester United deserve credit for the second-half improvement against Everton, and that will likely see Alejandro Garnacho return to the starting XI.

He and Patrick Dorgu combined nicely down the left channel and they should again against a side with the third-worst defensive record in the division.

Nobody in the Manchester United squad has fired off more efforts at goal (8) or shots on target (3) than Garnacho over the last four league matches, while the Argentine is averaging an attempt every 36.5 minutes – the highest in the squad.

• Alejandro Garnacho to score at 9/5 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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Slow start

It looks likely to be a slow start for Manchester United, which supporters have grown accustomed to this season.

The Red Devils haven’t been ahead at half-time in any of their last 19 matches in all competitions, since leading 2-0 against Everton in December.

Indeed, in the Premier League this term only Leicester City (7) have scored fewer first half goals than the Red Devils (9). The chances of a first-half goal look even more unlikely given Ipswich have trailed just five times away from home at half time.

• Half-time result – draw at 7/5 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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EMMA RADUCANU is set to be offered up to five extra security guards should she return to action next week.

The British tennis star, 22, was targeted by a “fixated man” during her second round match in Dubai last week.

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Emma Raducanu was involved in a worrying incident last week[/caption]

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Raducanu, 22, could be back in action next week[/caption]

Her childhood coach Roman Kelecic went on to claim that the individual had stalked her across four countries in recent weeks.

The man was detained by police after being ejected from Raducanu’s match and subsequently handed a restraining order.

Since leaving Dubai, Raducanu has been back in the UK.

She is expected to jet out to the United States to participate in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event, often unofficially considered the “fifth Grand Slam”.

Should she decide to play in the California desert, extra security measures are expected to be taken in the wake of her ordeal last week.

According to The Times, WTA chiefs would likely offer Raducanu as many as five security guards at the event.

She could also be accompanied off site by members of the security detail, having been approached in a restaurant by her stalker last week.

Safety measures at Indian Wells will be managed by WTA vice-president of security Bob Campbell.

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The former secret service agent of 20 years is working to ensure that Raducanu feels comfortable enough to travel and play Indian Wells.

SunSport understands that the former U.S. Open champion is keen to put the incident behind her and get back on court as soon as possible.

Raducanu has previously turned down opportunities to hire her own personal security to accompany her on tour.

But she and her management company IMG, who also represented Maria Sharapova during her career, could change that stance moving forward.

Indian Wells is one of the most lucrative events on the WTA Tour, with the winner taking home £952,000 in prize money.

A first round exit still pockets stars £20k.

Since returning to the UK, Raducanu has changed her Instagram bio to “ad astra per aspera” – Latin for “to the stars through hardships”.

She also released a statement in the wake of her ordeal, which read: “Thank you for the messages of support.

“Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match.

“Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”

Following Indian Wells, Raducanu is next scheduled to be in action in Miami later in March.

Her attention will then turn towards the clay court season and the build-up to the French Open.

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Raducanu had ended a four-match losing streak in Dubai[/caption]

A MAJOR Scottish city is to become the first in the country to trial a free public transport scheme.

Glasgow councillors have approved a £225,000 budget offering concessionary travel to 1,000 residents.

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Glasgow will be the first to trial a free public transport scheme[/caption]

The initiative aims to explore the “social, economic, and environmental benefits of universal free travel”, reports the Glasgow Times.

The pilot will see participants given a smart card ticket for the bus, train and subway.

People aged between 22 and 59 years could be included in the trial but exact details have not yet been confirmed.

The cost of the scheme is estimated to be around £95.7million for this age group and duration, excluding admin costs.

The initiative follows a study by transport firm Stantec Limited, which found such a scheme to be possible.

The study said: “The intention of the pilot is to provide a mechanism through which benefits and costs of free public transport can be captured and assessed, to inform future decision making and policy setting for potential wider roll-out of the scheme across the city on a more permanent basis.”

The council has a target to reduce car travel by 30% and reach net zero emissions by 2030.

We told how Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station is set to be transformed into a “world-class” transport hub as part of a major revamp.

It is owned and run by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), but the redesign will be carried out by AtkinsRéalis.

The engineering company revealed that they have been appointed to work on the station, located in the city centre, as well as the surrounding site.

According to Glasgow Times, the firm revealed it will create a “new vision” for the station in a bid to improve user experience.

They are also aiming to improve transport links and develop a “future-focused masterplan” for the bus station.

MARRIED At First Sight UK’s Shona Manderson has proudly shown off a sparkly diamond ring after being “proposed to” by Matt Pilmoor.

On Monday night, E4 aired a reunion special that saw past faces from MAFS sit down for a classically dramatic dinner catch-up.

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Shona showed off her diamond promise ring after Matt’s emotional speech[/caption]

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The couple got together after failing to find love elsewhere on the show[/caption]

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The pair have been together for the past year and a half[/caption]

Shona was seen looking loved up with Matt as they made an appearance, after getting together thanks to the show i 2023.

While they weren’t originally ‘married’ to each other, the couple became an item when their respective on-screen relationships broke down.

In a sweet moment on Monday’s show, during a round from the Honesty Box, Matt gave a speech about how much he loved her, before giving her a promise ring for their future together.

After the episode aired, Shona showed off her new bling on Instagram to clear up her relationship status.

She wrote alongside it: “I said yes!!! hehe I’m semi engaged to @mattpilmoor I love my promise ring it was such a cute way to end our journey on MAFS.

“I still can’t believe how it all worked out & after it all, it was Matty. His speech was sooo special & emotional but obviously you couldn’t see it all so I’ve left it here for you guys.

“Thank you for cheering us on. Never stop believing in love!!! Love you all xxxx #promisering #mafs #lovestory”

The message was cheered on by other former MAFS brides, with Hannah Norburn writing: “#couplegoals obsessed with you two!!! “

Amy Kenyon also wrote: “The cutest ”

However, viewers seemed confused by the sweet memento, with one writing: “Semi engaged isn’t a thing, either you are or you aren’t ”

“Don’t see the point in a promise ring, congratulations anyway,” said another.

“What does a promise ring mean versus an engagement? You’re so perfect together – just say engaged,” questioned a third.

While the pair got their happy ending, the same couldn’t be said with the others – with all the 2024 couples now broken up and ending up in tears as they were reunited.

Kieran revealed that he had a “secret sleepover” with another former MAFS bride, leaving his ex-wife Kristina heartbroken as he hadn’t warned her before filming.

Swipes were also taken between Lacey and Nathan, who originally left the show deciding to stay together, with Nathan accusing Lacey of wanting a “showmance” with him.

Married At First Sight UK is available now on Channel 4 on Demand.

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Shona looked pleased with her new bling after the heartwarming speech[/caption]

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Matt and Shona have been going strong since deciding to give things a go[/caption]

ED Jackson’s rugby career was ended when a horrific swimming pool accident in 2017 left him paralysed.

Despite doctors telling him he’d never walk again, Ed made an inspirational recovery and has gone on to achieve some incredible feats.

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Ed Jackson’s rugby career was ended by a horrific accident in 2017[/caption]

Wales News Service

Ed was left paralysed and told he’d never be able to walk again[/caption]

Who is Ed Jackson?

Ed Jackson was born on December 2, 1988, in Bath, England.

He is a former professional rugby player turned broadcaster, adventurer and charity fundraiser.

As a youngster, Ed captained both England’s U16 and U18 rugby union teams.

Rugby career

His rugby career spanned over a decade, during which time he played for some massive clubs.

He was a No. 8 for teams including Bath Rugby, London Welsh, Wasps and Newport Gwent Dragons.

But a catastrophic accident in 2017 ended his playing career and changed the trajectory of his life.

Life-changing accident

On diving into a shallow swimming pool, Ed suffered serious spinal injuries.

Defying medical predictions, Jackson regained partial mobility through rehabilitation.

And just a year later, Ed had climbed the 3,560ft tall Mount Snowdon in Wales after defying the medical experts.

Charity work

In 2020, he ascended Mera Peak in Nepal to raise funds for spinal injury rehabilitation.

Ed’s recovery inspired the creation of the charity Millimetres to Mountains (M2M), which he co-founded to support individuals facing physical or mental trauma through outdoor adventures.

He also co-founded Vapoura Rum and collaborates with Berghaus on adaptive outdoor gear, remaining a vocal advocate for redefining disability through adventure.

[The accident] made me realise I’m way more capable in different directions than I thought I was

Ed JacksonLucky

In 2023, Ed led an unsupported expedition to cross Iceland’s Vatnajökull ice cap with fellow disabled explorers, which is documented in the 2024 film The Mountain Within Me.

Broadcasting career

Ed transitioned to broadcasting in 2018, joining Channel 4 as a rugby commentator and later co-presenting the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics.

In 2025, he will be hosting Crufts alongside Clare Balding and Ellie Simmonds.

Crufts kicks off on Thursday, March 6, with the show taking place at the NEC Birmingham.

Ed Jackson

Ed Jackson is the co-founder of multiple charities and raises funds to support individuals facing physical or mental trauma through outdoor adventures[/caption]

In his bestselling autobiography, Lucky (2024), Ed writes: “[The accident] made me realise I’m way more capable in different directions than I thought I was.

“I think we all get pigeonholed by society, and as a rugby player, you’re told, ‘This is how you act, you like things that rugby players like, you hang around with other rugby players’.

“And I was terrified of what I would do after being a rugby player, because I thought that’s all I can do, that’s all I know, which, of course, is a load of rubbish.”

He continued: “One of the scariest things at the start was having that taken away, and my identity removed.

“But actually, in the long run, it’s been a blessing in disguise, because it’s removed that lens on my life and made me start from scratch again, and made me go out and explore who I really am and what I actually enjoy.

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Ed and Louis Jackson pictured in North Yorkshire in 2020[/caption]

“So the biggest realisation for me has been you don’t have to live the life you’re told, you can go and live the life you want, find things you’re passionate about, follow those dreams and work on them. Because you’re way more capable than you realise.”

Marriage

In October 2018, Ed married his long-term girlfriend Lois in Italy on their planned wedding date — not letting the accident get in the way of their big day.

Believing he was paralysed, Ed told his then fiancée, a life coach, that he would set her free from their commitments.

But Lois insisted she would never leave him.

Ed recalls: “I was saying you should leave me because she didn’t sign up for this.

“And she stood by me like a rock the whole time, which was amazing.

“And she became a person to really focus my energy towards getting better for.”

Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski broke what makes Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark so effective. The University of Iowa legend came in her rookie year with incredible hype as the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. And after some growing pains, Clark more than lived up to it, with several historic accomplishments throughout […]

The post Mike Krzyzewski gets 100% real about Fever star Caitlin Clark’s ‘feel for the game’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

MEMORY loss is usually the first thing that comes to mind when talking about dementia.

But while it’s the key feature of the condition estimated to affect around one million Brits, there are a number of other clues body parts can tell you about your risk.

Dementia, of which Alzheimer’s is the most common type, can impact how you speak, think, feel and act, and it’s characterised by a decline in brain function over time. 

There’s no known cure, but there’s lots you can do to reduce your risk of dementia – beyond taking care of your brain alone.

We asked Dr Ahmad Khundakar, a senior lecturer in biomedical sciences and neuroscience at Teesside University, to explain what you need to know about the different body parts that could provide clues to your dementia risk, and how to future-proof them… 

1. EARS

IF you find yourself constantly shouting, ‘WHAT did you say?’ in conversations, it might be time to get your lug holes checked. 

Dr Khundakar, says: “As highlighted in the recent Lancet Commission report on dementia, prevention and care, hearing loss remains a significant risk factor for dementia.

“Untreated hearing loss can lead to reduced stimulation to our brain, which may contribute to the development of dementia. 

“When hearing is impaired, the brain has to work harder to process sounds, diverting resources away from other cognitive functions and potentially accelerating cognitive decline.”

REDUCE YOUR RISK: To protect your ears and reduce dementia risk, get regular hearing check-ups.

Take a free online hearing test on the The Royal National Institute for Deaf People website.

Dr Khundakar says: “Use hearing aids if advised. 

“Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises and use ear protection when necessary.”

2. WRISTS AND HANDS

OPENING jars can be tricky for everyone sometimes, but if you’ve long given up even trying or always ask someone else, it’s time to rebuild your grip strength. 

Dr Khundakar says: “Weak grip strength is often associated with conditions such as frailty and sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with ageing. 

“Both frailty and sarcopenia are linked to an increased risk of falls, cognitive decline and dementia.”

One study looked at 190,000 people over the age of 56, testing their handgrip strength and looking at their brain health 10 years later.

According to the findings, published in JAMA Network Open, people with lower grip scores were more likely to later have problems with thinking and memory, brain imaging markers of vascular dementia, and diagnoses of dementia, a decade later.

REDUCE YOUR RISK: Dr Khundakar says: “To improve your muscle strength, engage in regular exercise, particularly weight-bearing activities, to maintain muscle mass and grip strength, and follow a balanced diet rich in protein and nutrients.”

Weight-bearing exercise (which can also be called strength training, or resistance training) works the muscles, which helps keep them strong.

You can do these in the gym, at fitness classes or at home. Even carrying the shopping or pushing the lawnmower helps – are you doing these often?

The NHS recommends those over 65 do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility on at least two days of the week.

For adults younger, it’s recommended to do strength training that works the full body at least twice a week.

You can also buy hand-held grip strengthener devices, so you can build muscle while you’re sitting watching telly – try this one from Amazon.

3. EYES

DON’T put off getting glasses!

Dr Khundakar says: “Like hearing problems, vision loss has recently been recognised as a risk factor for dementia by the Lancet Commission. 

“Poor vision or untreated eye conditions, such as cataracts or glaucoma, can limit sensory input to the brain and increase the risk of cognitive decline. 

“Vision problems may also lead to accidents or falls, which can further impact brain health.”

REDUCE YOUR RISK: It goes without saying that to protect your vision, you need regular eye check-ups.

It’s recommended to get a test at least every two years, or more often if your optician advises, or if symptoms come up.

Dr Khundakar says: “Wear sunglasses, ensure good lighting at home, manage conditions like diabetes and hypertension [which can have complications of the eyes], and stay mentally active by reading, doing crosswords, or staying socially engaged.”

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Eye conditions can increase the risk of cognitive decline[/caption]

4. LUNGS

YOUR brain is hungry for oxygen, so being able to take good deep breaths is really important. 

Dr Khundakar says: “Poor lung function, caused by smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or air pollution, can damage the tiny air sacs in your lungs called alveoli, which can make it harder for blood to carry oxygen to the brain.

“The brain relies on a steady supply of oxygen to function properly and any reduction in oxygen levels can have a negative impact on cognitive health.”

REDUCE YOUR RISK: If you’re a smoker, stop.

Download the NHS Quit Smoking App for support and judgement-free advice.

Dr Khundakar also says to avoid air pollution where possible.

“Engage in cardiovascular exercises like walking or swimming to improve lung capacity, and practice deep breathing exercises or yoga, which may help reduce anxiety and improve lung function,” he says.

Download The Breathing App for breathwork exercises.

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Stop smoking to protect your lungs[/caption]

5. SKELETON

AGEING is a given, but weak, break-prone bones and regular falls don’t have to be. 

Dr Khundakar says: “Low bone density, or osteoporosis, and dementia may be linked through shared risk factors such as ageing, vitamin D deficiency and physical inactivity. 

“Falls resulting from weak bones can also lead to head injuries, increasing the risk of an acute confusional state called delirium, which is thought to significantly worsen dementia symptoms. 

“Maintaining strong bones is therefore an important part of protecting your brain.”

REDUCE YOUR RISK: Prescribe yourself some sunshine – the best way to get vitamin D. 

Between October and March, when there is less sun, the NHS also advises everyone to take a vitamin D supplement, particularly those most at risk including people who live in care homes and are outdoors less. 

Poor oral health, such as gum disease and dental caries, has been linked to an increased risk of dementia

Dr Khundakar

Ensure adequate intake of calcium too – dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, green leafy vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, tinned sardines, nuts and seeds are good sources.

Dr Khundakar says: “Protect yourself against falls by improving balance and strength and have your bone density checked if you’re at risk.”

Risk factors include taking high-dose steroid tablets, a family history of osteoporosis or a history of an eating disorder.

Tai Chi is brilliant for balance and yoga is a gentle way to build strength (try Yoga with Adriene on YouTube).

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Low bone density and dementia may be linked through shared risk factors[/caption]

6. HEART

YOUR ticker could hold the answers to your brain health.

Dr Khundakar says: “The heart and blood vessels are closely tied to brain health, as conditions like hypertension [high blood pressure], high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries) can reduce blood flow to the brain, increasing dementia risk. 

“Small blood vessels reaching the brain may become damaged by poor heart health or by diabetes, reducing oxygen supply, potentially leading to damage to the brain tissue and cognitive decline.”

REDUCE YOUR RISK: Dr Khundakar says: “Maintain cardiovascular health through a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”

Skipping will get your heart pumping in no time – check out the Jump Rope Training App.

And go big on whole grains – like brown rice, oats and whole grain pasta and bread – to help slash high cholesterol. 

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Keeping your heart healthy can help keep your dementia risk low[/caption]

7. GUT

LOVING your gut is not just great for digestion, but mood and your brain too. 

Dr Khundakar says: “There is growing evidence that the gut plays a role in brain health. 

“The gut-brain axis suggests that gut health, particularly the balance of the microbiome, may influence cognitive function. 

“Poor gut health can lead to inflammation, which is linked to dementia.”

There are so many factors that can influence the health of your gut – which is an organ made up of trillions of bacteria.

This includes your diet, stress levels, alcohol use, and whether you’ve recently used antibiotics. 

REDUCE YOUR RISK: Dr Khundakar says: “Support your gut health with a diet rich in fibre, probiotics and prebiotics, while avoiding excessive ultra-processed foods and refined sugars.”

Try adding fermented foods to your diet, like having kefir with your yoghurt in the morning, and swapping ketchup for kimchi – a fermented red spicy cabbage – when you next have sausages. 

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The gut is home to trillion of bacteria that can alter your health[/caption]

8. LIVER

YOUR liver “plays a role in detoxifying the body and regulating metabolism”, says Dr Khundakar, but it’s not often we think about it in connection with the brain. 

“Liver dysfunction, such as from excessive alcohol consumption or obesity, can lead to a buildup of toxins, affecting brain health,” explains Dr Khundakar. 

For example, researchers in Sweden found that people over the age of 65 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – that’s the one typically caused by obesity – had higher rates of vascular dementia than those without it. 

REDUCE YOUR RISK: There are lots of things you can do for liver health.

Dr Khundakar says: “Protect your liver by limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding excessive use of medications, known as polypharmacy.”

The NHS recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol spread over a week (a standard glass of wine is 2 units and a pint of beer/lager/cider is 2-3).

To protect against NAFLD, or stop it worsening, eat a diet to manage weight, eating plenty of wholefoods like fruits, vegetables and brown grains, while limiting sugar and fried foods.

9. TEETH

YOUR gnashers can signal all types of conditions, from pregnancy and to dementia.

Dr Khundakar says: “Poor oral health, such as gum disease and dental caries, has been linked to systemic inflammation and an increased risk of dementia.”

For example, one review of 14 studies found that of the 34,000 participants, those with more tooth loss had a 28 per cent higher risk of dementia, on average.

It’s theorised poor oral health may lead to increased bacteria in the mouth which in turn, may cause inflammation in the brain.

REDUCE YOUR RISK: Problems with teeth are already more common with age.

So it’s all the more important to keep a good brushing and flossing routine – twice a day.

Dr Khundakar says: “Practice good oral hygiene, visit the dentist regularly, and treat gum disease promptly to protect your teeth and gums.”

EDDIE HEARN thought he was “going to have a heart attack” during the epic fight between Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi.

The Brit light-heavyweight duo put on an early contender for Fight of the Year on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev‘s rematch with Dmitry Bivol last Saturday.

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Callum Smith and Joshua Buatsi went to war in Saudi Arabia last weekend[/caption]

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Smith edged a thrilling contest via unanimous decision[/caption]

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Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn’s heart rate was racing during the fight[/caption]

Smith emerged victorious from the back-and-forth contest, ending Buatsi’s undefeated record to claim the interim WBO 175lbs title.

And all the drama had the heart of Smith promoter Hearn racing at a million miles an hour – so much so that he became a bit dizzy.

He told The Stomping Ground: “I actually thought I was going to have a heart attack tonight. I really did.

“During the Callum Smith fight, I sat down and felt a bit dizzy.

“I do often wonder… you never know when you’re on the verge of keeling over, do you?

“I was thinking to myself, ‘If the Good lord took me now, it wouldn’t be a bad way to go.’ Would it?'”

Hearn was blown away by the grit and guts shown by Liverpudlian Smith, telling DAZN: “Callum Smith was unbelievable.

“What a fight. That was an incredible domestic tussle. I’m very proud of Callum, I thought it was a brilliant performance.

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Eddie Hearn was blown away by Dmitry Bivol’s performance in his rematch with Artur Beterbiev[/caption]

“Shoutout to Buatsi as well because he was tough as old boots but the right man won.”

Hearn’s heart rate was undoubtedly elevated during the epic rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol, in which the latter exacted his revenge 133 days after losing their first thriller.

He said: “I think a lot of people felt he [Bivol] won the first fight. It was obviously very close.

‘It was one of the best performances I’ve ever witnessed.

“I thought he won the first two rounds and then Beterbiev won the next three I think but it was the way he won them.

“What Bivol did was just incredible, young fighters should look at the way he boxed.

“To do that to Beterbiev, who is an absolute beast and one of the greatest fighters of our generation.

“It’s the kind of performance that cements you as a pound-for-pound king.”

DEAR DEIDRE: I’M in such a mess. I didn’t even want to become a dad when my girlfriend told me she was pregnant. Now I’ve learned my boss is also expecting my child.

My girlfriend and I have been together barely six months. I’m 29, she’s 26.

When she told me she was pregnant, I was shocked because parenthood wasn’t on the cards as far as I was concerned.

Still, she was adamant she wanted to keep the baby and over the weeks I’ve come around to the idea of being a dad. But our sex life has fallen away.

I work in an accounts department and my boss is lovely. She’s 34.

Last year my team went out and my boss had one too many. I told the others that I’d make sure she got home OK.

When we got to her flat, she insisted I went in with her and so I sent the taxi away thinking I’d make sure she had a couple of glasses of water before I left.

She sobered up pretty quickly and I must have been there a few hours.

When she suggested I stay over, I said I’d sleep on the sofa. Her answer was to lead me to her bedroom.

We had a cuddle, a kiss and then sex. I’d missed sex so much. It felt incredible.

We went for lunch yesterday and she told me she’s pregnant.

The baby is due three months after that with my girlfriend.

I desperately want her to have the baby terminated.

DEIDRE SAYS: You cannot insist she has an abortion – it is entirely her decision.

If she keeps the baby, you will have to tell your girlfriend because there are two innocent children being born into chaos.

They need to be supported financially and emotionally. Now you’ve absorbed the news, ask your boss how she plans to handle things at work.

At least you will then know whether it would be wise to find a new job.

You’ll have to beg and plead forgiveness from your girlfriend about your mistake and you are likely to lose her. But if the two babies are yours, there’s no alternative but to come clean.

My support pack Cheating: Can You Get Over It? will help you work things through with your girlfriend – if she allows it.

WIFE SAID OUR LOVE HAS GONE

DEAR DEIDRE: I KNOW men can have a mid-life crisis but can women? I ask because my wife has said she doesn’t love me any more and I should move on.

She’s 52 and I’m 58. I love her so much. Two months ago she sat me down and told me she didn’t want to sleep with me and could I move into the spare room.

I thought she might be hormonal because of the menopause, and invite me back into our bedroom in a day or so but that day never came.

We’ve been married nearly 30 years and our kids have left home.

I know she’s been chatting to a male colleague on her phone. I’m worried she’s having an affair.

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s possible for anyone to have a midlife crisis but it sounds as if your wife has simply checked out of your relationship.

It is hard when these things come out of the blue. Find a quiet moment and ask her what she wants to do about the relationship.

You can find support with a counsellor through BACP – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, (bacp.co.uk, 01455 883300), even if separation is the ultimate outcome.

UNI CREEP WON’T LEAVE ME ALONE

DEAR DEIDRE: A GUY at university won’t stop sending me disgusting texts, saying he wants to caress my body and have sex with me. I have only met him once and he was such a creep.

I’m 19 and I started uni in September. There was a WhatsApp group set up for freshers, which I joined so that I could meet a few people before my start date. The whole thing turned into a nightmare.

We went out to a club and this guy wouldn’t stop hassling me. He was drunk, but he kept pawing at me and trying to put his arm around my waist.

One of the other guys pushed him away and then I went home with one of the girls.

Since then, this pest has not stopped messaging me. He’s told me he loves me.

He mentions all the gross things he wants to do to me. I’m terrified he’ll start sending me explicit photos.

I told somebody in the students’ union, but nothing seems to be done about him.

I don’t know how to deal with him. He’s starting to scare me now.

DEIDRE SAYS: No wonder you’re frightened. He sounds a real menace and it is understandable that you’re worried.

If you can find the courage, message him and say that if the texts and harassment don’t stop, you’re going to the police. Report him to student welfare, too.

He may be obsessed with you or he may have mental health issues. Don’t go out alone and, if things don’t improve, make sure you keep a log of any incidents.

It would be safer to change your phone number to a new one. Put your current SIM in an old phone so that you can keep any messages separate from your daily life. This way you’ll have the evidence to prove what he is doing.

Find further tips through the National Stalking Helpline (stalkinghelpline.org, 0808 802 0300), which helps anyone who is intimidated by another person’s behaviour.

My support pack, called Standing Up For Yourself, will help.

GROWING up, Emily Katy always felt different. She was one of the youngest in her year but was ahead of her classmates, achieving high grades.

But she felt misunderstood and struggled to figure out how to be like everyone else.

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At 13, Emily had her first panic attack which led to a number of mental health struggles – she was diagnosed with anxiety, OCD and was even described as “hysterical”.

Just days after starting sixth form, she tried to take her own life.

Yet it would still be months before Emily, from St Albans, Herts, was finally diagnosed with autism – a moment that changed her life.

She is now a 23-year-old mental health nurse, autism advocate and author with 45,000 Instagram followers (@ItsEmilyKaty).

Here she tells her story to Sun Health with one aim – to ensure other young people who are going through what she did don’t feel alone.

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I have always felt different, and for a long time I believed that was a bad thing.

I was the youngest of the school year, yet years ahead of my classmates, reading full-length novels while they were still learning to read.

I preferred to read book after book at break time instead of playing with others. Friendships were confusing and unpredictable.

It was obvious to me that I was different, long before other children told me so.

Home was filled with love and joy, and as the eldest of three siblings, my brother and sister followed me around the house, joining in my imaginary games.

At home, I was happy. But as I went up through primary school, and found myself being bullied, things became harder.

I just wanted to fit in. I studied my peers and how they behaved, then did my best to adapt my behaviour by copying them.

I now know this is called masking — a strategy some autistic people develop to try to fit in.

Secondary school was like a minefield. There were hidden expectations, instructions I would forget the moment I’d been told them, loud corridors that made my chest feel tight and the ever-present fear of getting in trouble without meaning to.

‘Hysteric attacks’

I struggled to sleep at night, worrying about the next day.

At 13, on a school trip to Belgium, I had my first panic attack.

My grandfather had recently died, and seeing the war memorials and graveyards, on top of the blazing heat and loud students, triggered something in my brain.

Panic gripped me and I felt like I couldn’t breathe, as if my body wasn’t within my control.

I felt light-headed, dizzy, and genuinely like I was about to die.

I could no longer hide my anxiety and everything I had tried to suppress was now on display for everyone to see

Emily Katy

Several times I ran away from school. I also rocked under tables in classrooms, hands over my ears because it was too loud.

I couldn’t go out with my friends — if I did, I’d have a panic attack and leave early.

I could no longer hide my anxiety and everything I had tried to suppress was now on display for everyone to see.

Intrusive thoughts intensified. I imagined bad things happening to people I loved and worried that germs would make me and my family sick.

My brain offered solutions to reduce my anxiety.

If I tapped an object a certain amount of times, then my family would be safe, or if I washed my hands enough times, then I wouldn’t get sick.

If I counteracted negative thoughts with positive ones, or punished myself for my thoughts, then all would be OK.

Obsessive compulsive disorder was taking over my life, although I didn’t know that at the time.

Despite achieving all A*s in my GCSEs and being told I had a bright future ahead of me, I was at rock bottom.

I felt like everyone hated me, though I don’t know why.

I believed that the world hadn’t been made for me, and that I couldn’t cope anymore.

Just two weeks after starting sixth form, I attempted suicide.

Following five days in general hospital, I was transferred to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service unit.

To cope, I wrote everything down — but three weeks after being admitted, they took my diary off me as they said that the ring binder was a prohibited item.

Meltdowns

I was so distressed — I couldn’t start a new diary because that one wasn’t finished.

After I demanded to be discharged, I was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and not allowed to leave.

I was having meltdowns — at the environment, lack of routine and strangers watching me sleep.

I now know meltdowns are a common autistic experience.

My parents met my doctor to discuss whether I could be autistic, but he said I just had “high social anxiety”.

Despite this, my notes from the unit list my triggers as change of routine, strangers, noise and lack of control — all autistic traits.

Worse, a professional wrote: “Emily has hysteric attacks when she does not get her own way.”

When I was discharged, I had diagnoses of generalised anxiety disorder and mixed personality disorder (emotionally unstable and obsessive-compulsive type).

I initially accepted these as they described perfectionism, difficulty with emotions and rigidity.

Then, six months after my discharge, in the summer of 2018, aged 16, I was diagnosed with autism and everything changed.

I was so relieved because there was a reason I felt different, and I wasn’t alone.

I wouldn’t receive my ADHD diagnosis until 2023, aged 21, but autism explained so much.

Other people struggled with my diagnosis.

My parents didn’t understand why it wasn’t noticed when I was very young.

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Emily, the eldest of three siblings, found herself being bullied[/caption]

Some of my friends’ parents didn’t think I was autistic.

I got the general sense that people thought I was too normal to be autistic.

I quickly found the online autistic community and learned there were words for my experiences, like shutdowns, alexithymia and sensory overload.

I want autistic people to know that they aren’t alone.

Emily Katy

At last, I had words to describe what went on in my head. It felt like a miracle. I began my blog, Authentically Emily, and shared my journey on social media.

Connecting with others gave me comfort and a purpose.

I was angry — at the world, at myself, at professionals, at the system. But what made me angrier was learning how others had similar journeys to me.

My anger shifted to determination to fight for change.

I became a trustee for the charity Autistic Girls Network in 2021 and qualified as a mental health nurse in 2022.

I wrote my book Girl Unmasked: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life, now a Sunday Times Bestseller.

I want autistic people to know that they aren’t alone.

Today I am in a much better position than I was.

 I know what I find hard and what helps me to recover.

Making time to engage with my special interests and using my weighted blanket are my most helpful tools.

Social events like hen dos, weddings and parties are difficult, but certain strategies make them easier to navigate.

I can make my own adjustments. I leave the room for ten minutes when I need a break, I wear my noise-cancelling earplugs to help me to manage sensory overload and I ask for information about what to expect in advance.

For anyone experiencing similar challenges to what I went through, please know that the future holds an infinite number of possibilities.

Identify what truly matters to you and focus on that to try to get through the hard days.

Never underestimate the power of authentic connections — whether they are online or in real life. You are not alone.

• Girl UNMASKED: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life – The Sunday Times Bestseller – is now available from Waterstones, Amazon and other retailers.