I MUST have lost my marbles but today I will be careering down the hill at Alexandra Palace in the Red Bull Soapbox Race London 2026.
Alongside my teammates Kej and Frank from Virgin Radio UK Breakfast Show, and their big boss Dennie, we’ll be trying not to crash — and burn with shame — at the first jump as we drive a replica of the TFI Friday desk.
The Sun’s Ellie Henman at the Red Bull Soapbox Race London 2026 Credit: Supplied
Ellie and Virgin boss Dennie get to grips with their soapbox Credit: Supplied
Joining us are 52 amazing teams from all over the country, including The Flying Bulls, who came second last year during their first ever entry.
“Don’t use the brakes if you want to win it,” Oliver, the team’s co-captain tells me ahead of the race.
“The people who go ‘f**k it’ they fall apart halfway down the run.”
I fear that absolutely will be me.
The Flying Bulls are raising money for the ME Association in memory of their friend Ollie and will be driving a pub — complete with pumps.
Oliver says: “Ollie was a colleague of ours at work, none of us knew he had ME.
“Late last year he took his own life and it came out that he was battling it. I think it was more that he was battling with the impact on his .
“Ollie loved to go for a pint. He was an engineer, his parents are really supportive and are excited we are taking apart. We wanted to raise money in his name.”
Ellie’s teammates included stars from Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio UK Breakfast Show Credit: Getty
Bizarre’s Ellie in the hot seat and ready to race Credit: Supplied
They’re not the only ones competing for a good cause — the Tartan Trauma team are raising funds for Glencoe Mountain Rescue, after its members, Grant, Merel and Neil, were helped following a horrendous climbing accident in January.
Co-driver Merel explains: “We were about 100 metres up the mountain when one of us slipped and Neil and I dropped about 50m down the vertical rock face.”
He added: “I don’t remember much of the fall but as I woke up I remember seeing Neil hanging upside down about five to ten metres above me and I saw this brown liquid next to his head.
“I didn’t know if he was alive or dead. But then Neil woke up, looked at me and told me it was his coffee that had exploded out of his backpack.”
Grant called Glencoe Mountain Rescue and spent two hours doing a self-rescue with his pals before the rescuers arrived to help.
Grant explains: “It was , and instead of having a with their families they were coming out to us in the dark. It took them seven hours, which was a huge effort.
“They don’t get any compensation and they come out in all weathers, they are amazing people.”
Merel adds: “I had a suspected broken arm so I was stretchered down. It took about three hours. They did so much for us that day and we wanted to give back.”
Yesterday Chris gave his approval of our TFI-themed soap box and said: “It’s not aero–dynamic — but it looks solid. If this is the last time we speak, it could be the last time we speak . . . the hay bales aren’t there just for show.”
Don’t remind me Chris. Wish us luck!
- To get behind The Flying Bulls and support the ME Association, click here .
- To support Tartan Trauma, please click here .
JESY’S FEELING MESH BETTER
Jesy Nelson looks sensational on a sunny birthday getaway Credit: Instagram
is making us green with envy.
The former singer looks sensational on a sunny birthday getaway.
Clearly enjoying the weather, Jesy wore a green mesh dress with matching bag during her trip to Mykonos, Greece.
She is putting her best foot forward after former bandmate shocked social media by branding her “hard work”.
You’ve had a tough year, Jesy – here’s hoping you get to let your hair down on your trip.
THE have launched a new podcast, Speaking In Tongues.
Narrated by Norah Jones, the six-parter includes interviews with Sir , and – alongside chats with producer Andrew Wyatt and The Cure’s Robert Smith.
The episodes will take fans through the making of their new album, Foreign Tongues, out on July 10 and will be available on all major podcast platforms from next Thursday.
YACHT ROCK FOR PAUL & BARRY
A crew was sent in a rubber dinghy to rescue Paul Mescal and other stars Credit: Getty
Barry Keoghan was among the celebs to be rescued on the breezy Costa Brava coast Credit: Getty
Lucy Boynton was also aboard when the yacht got into trouble Credit: Getty
THE cast of biopics could have used a Yellow Submarine when their yacht got in trouble.
A crew was sent in a rubber dinghy to rescue , , Mia McKenna Bruce and Lucy Boynton on the breezy Costa Brava coast.
A source said: “The chains that were tied to the anchor snapped as the yacht was tugged in strong winds.
“The tide carried it into shallow waters, where the propellers got stuck in the seabed. The dinghy dragged it back into a deeper area.”
The scenes for Sam Mendes’ four biopics are recreating the 1964 holiday in the Virgin Islands where Paul McCartney, played by Paul Mescal, wrote Things We Said Today while seasick.
Macca was on the yacht with partner Jane Asher (played by Lucy), (Barry) and Ringo’s wife Maureen Starkey (Mia).
Meanwhile, ‘s first wife Pattie Boyd – played by Aimee Lou Wood in the biopics – has complained that she hasn’t been consulted about the movies.
She said: “I could have really told them some great stories.”
Something tells me the production might not be plain sailing . . .
RITA’S TRIBUTE IS PURE GOLD
Rita Ora poses backstage after an intimate Soho House gig Credit: Instagram
is a real golden girl as she poses backstage after an intimate Soho House gig.
During the show at West London’s White City House, Rita paid tribute to her close friend .
after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
Before performing a hauntingly beautiful version of their 2018 hit For You, Rita said: “I have always sung this song with another person and it’s been tough to sing Liam’s parts on my own.
“I didn’t really know them as they are his parts, but also it feels like a missing piece.”
Bizarre’s Jack was at the gig and she did Liam proud.
Rita is set to play the Festival, kicking off a series of summer gigs.
BRILLIANT LOLA BOWLS ‘EM OVER
Lola Young is back with a bang after her stage collapse Credit: Getty
SHE’S had a tough few years but Lola Young is back with a bang after putting on a spectacular show on Thursday night.
She’s only recently returned to live performances since
Lola told fans: “I had one moment where I thought there’s no way anyone’s gonna buy tickets again… because I’ve let so many people down.”
But the audience let out a deafening cheer of support for the London-born star.
Lola has been open about her struggles with alcohol and cocaine addiction. But she was clearly on top form, belting out bangers Dealer, Bad Game and One Thing.
She even played two hits from the 17-song setlist on the piano – an exclusive to Brixton.
It was the first of her two sold-out concerts at the Brixton Academy, and the energy in the room was off the scale.
She rounded off the gig with her award-winning tune Messy, much to her fans’ delight.
Dazzling lights, overwhelming talent and a pulsating crowd . . . Lola is a must-watch live.
AVA SOLIERI
’s secret contribution to a low-budget film has helped the director bag a gong.
Ed Sheeran’s brother-in-law worked on the music for animated movie Death’s Peak Credit: Getty
Ed’s brother-in-law, composer Charlie Seaborn, worked on the music for animated movie Death’s Peak, which won at the RTS Student Television Awards this week.
But he didn’t tell director Willy Fair that Ed had sung on it.
Willy said: “I had no idea until we did the credits.”
Confronting themes of grief, the animation’s main character David takes his brother’s corpse up a mountain, so don’t expect a cheery ditty.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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