Mel B frolics on the beach with husband Stephen Belafonte in red and gold bikini

Enjoying some time away from their busy life in Los Angeles, Mel B and husband Stephen Belafonte looked to be having a great time together while in Australia last week.
The Spice Girls star's amazing figure was hard to miss in a tiny red bikini, complete with gold metal detailing, as she scrambled across rocks on Bronte Beach in Sydney.
The singer looked incredibly happy as the pair held hands while walking across the sand before heading back to their hotel... but not before her hubby got a handful while helping her get changed.

Beach bum: Mel B showed off her trim figure as she spent the day at Bronte Beach in Sydney

Radiant in red: The singer was joined by husband Stephen Belafonte

The 38-year-old, who married Stephen in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas in 2007, looked toned while showing off her ample chest in the triangular two-piece.
The star's tattoos could clearly be seen on her stomach, side and arm as she leaped from rocks with help from the hunky film producer.
Mel kept her famous curly brown hair down for the day, but covered up in a pair of dark aviator sunglasses.

SCARY stuff! The couple took a giant leap off a rock during some time off together

Baywatch moment: Mel looked stunning in a red bikini as she took in the sights at the gorgeous spot before heading back to her hotel

Cheeky! Her hubby got a handful while helping her undress

The mother-of-three looked happy to show off her slim physique as she ran around the beauty spot, before covering up in a eye-catching jumpsuit.
The strapless all-in-one featured a colorful zig-zag pattern and ruching around the ankles, which proved a little too tricky for the star to put on alone.
While keeping her accessories to a minimum, as most people do when hitting the beach, Mel did wear a large gold watch and matching bracelet.

Don't be shy! Stephen showed off his impressive chest but kept his legs covered up

Frolic: The Spice Girls star's tattoos could be seen on her arm, stomach and side during her day out

Metallic: The singer's bikini featured gold embellishment on the straps and bottoms

Active lifestyle: The couple looked to be having great fun as they clambered over a rock

After returning home, the star took to Twitter to say that she'd: 'Had soooo much fun in OZ'.
She also took to the micro-blogging website to discuss her holiday earlier in the week, writing: 'Sooooo much fun performing my new single #ForOnceInMyLife today in the @LavazzaAus marquee!'
Flashing a lot less flesh, Mel wore a floor length strapless white gown for event with unusual leather detailing and also chose races appropriate headwear.

Helping hand: Mel B covered up in a highly patterned jumpsuit

Lovely: The couple got married in June 2007 in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas

Jump! The pair clearly weren't content with just a spot of sunbathing

However Stephen looked a lot less eager to strip down to his swimwear, sporting a plain black pair of tracksuit bottoms, while keeping his legs under wraps.
Mel has never made a secret of just how close the Spice Girls were at the height of their fame.
And now she has once again opened up about the five-piece's intimate relationship, rating the group in terms of their smooching abilities.

Summer Lovin! The couple looked relaxed as they frolicked on the beach together last week

Toned: Mel looked as if she had been putting in some time at the gym if her trim stomach was anything to go by

Come back again soon! The star tweeted to say she'd had so much fun in Australia

Sitting down with Australian magazine CLEO, Mel said: 'I got a tongue piercing and I was like, tell me what it feels like!
'Emma and Victoria were quite soft kissers, and Geri and Mel C were a bit more aggressive, passionate.'
Meanwhile, Mel also opened up about her relationship with Stephen in the interview with Cleo, dismissing the rumours back in 2010 that the pair had enjoyed a threesome with a stripper.

Mummy and daddy time: The couple have a two-year-daughter together named Madison

Child-free zone: Mel and Stephen looked to have had a great time as they joked with each other

Leap of faith! Mel looked unsure about the jump but was soon convinced otherwise

She said: 'I don’t think we’ll be having threesomes any time soon. My husband’s mine, nobody else’s.'
However, Mel did admit that she can 'appreciate a good stripper', and has even taking a stripping course herself to get her body into shape, adding 'it really helps you feel a little bit sexy.'
And Mel doesn't mind Stephen joining in her love of strippers - as long as she's there with him.

Unwind: Mel had super high heeled shoes with her that were definitely not beach appropriate

Shady lady: The star left her curly brown hair down for the day but covered up in a pair of aviator sunglasses

Made it: The couple managed to make their way across the large rocks

She said: 'I was just in a strip joint in Vegas,. I took my husband and a few of my friends on my tour bus and we ended staying in Vegas for two-three days and we had a great time there.'
Mel's admission about kissing her bandmates came after an interview with Howard Stern last month in which she admitted to having been attracted to all of the girls at one point or another.
She said: 'Always. Yes they are my homies. I kissed all of them, yes.'
Asked whether she had had threesomes while in the Spice Girls, she appeared to say yes, replying: ‘Back in the day, I had fun.’

Opening up: Mel B has spoken about her incredibly close relationship with her Spice Girls bandmates, and even rated them in terms of their kissing skills

 

Mel B quashes 'stripper threesome' rumours

She added: ‘I did have a guy mentality back in the day, and why not? I was 18 and travelling the whole world. I had a lot of fun. I had a lot of fun.’
Mel joined the Spice Girls in 1994 aged 18, along with Victoria Beckham, Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell.

The group went on to become the best-selling girl band of all time, selling 75 million records.

As they were: Mel said 'Emma and Victoria were quite soft kissers, and Geri and Mel C were a bit more aggressive'

Happier then ever: Mel also opened up about her relationship with her husband of seven years, Stephen Belafonte

Read more:

• Mel B tells CLEO about THOSE threesome rumours

Read More »

Puppy love? Miley Cyrus shares shy photo while snuggling with her dog after getting caught kissing Benji Madden

She was caught 'making out' with Benji Madden on Thursday, as MailOnline exclusively reported.

And perhaps Miley Cyrus was feeling a little coy in the throes of her potential new romance, because she spent Saturday morning uploading shy, flirtatious photos of herself snuggling up in bed with one of her beloved pooches.

The 20-year-old - who is an avid 'selfie' aficionado - could not help but share intimate images of her resting place along with her fluffy pals who get to sleep with her every night.

Coy? Miley Cyrus posted a cutesy, enigmatic snap of herself being cuddled by her pooch on Saturday after rumours of her kissing Benji Madden at a Halloween party on Thursday

In one snap, Miley is conservatively dressed in a T-shirt as she lays back on her pillow with her dog Mary Jane adorably resting her paws around her neck.

'I love waking up to this,' she wrote as a caption alongside the photo that apparently documented her regular morning routine.

The Wrecking Ball songstress shoots the camera a cute, sleepy smile as she enjoys the furry nice hug.

And another: The 20-year-old singer shared yet another photo of her snuggle buddy on the same day

In another, the cute dog appears to be fast asleep on Miley's arm as she peeks over her head to barrel the lens.

And, giving the world first-hand insight into where she lays her head at night, the star even posted yet another snap of her actual bedroom.

'I'm so in love,' the singer wrote, adding: 'best sleeping partners in the world,' in reference to the three pups resting on her luxurious bed.

And this is where she sleeps! Miley incidentally showed the world where she rests her head with her dogs

Miley revealed her expensive tastes in the intimate share, as a giant Chanel blanket covered her bedspread as well as a Chanel cushion for good measure.

The sleepy snaps were posted just two nights after Miley was caught locking lips with Paris Hilton's ex boyfriend, rocker Benji Madden, suggesting she has moved on from her ex fiance Liam Hemsworth.

MailOnline exclusively reported that during a Thursday Halloween party that took place in West Hollywood nightclub Bootsy Bellows, a source saw the twerker 'making out' with Benji, and added that 'they seemed really into each other.'

Proud: The singer seemed to love her Lil' Kim costume which she wore to a party at Bootsy Bellows in West Hollywood on Halloween Thursday where she was seen making out with Benji Madden

Miley, who looked 'amazing' in her Lil Kim outfit, was introduced to Benji through a friend at Adam Lambert's Halloween Party Powered by CIROC, says the source.

'Soon they were flirting and talking very closely. Then they shared a kiss. They left Bootsy Bellows together around 1 am,' an eyewitness who was at the event tells MailOnline.

'They tried to be discreet by sharing a car with some other friends but it was clear they were leaving as a couple.'

Leaving together: The Wrecking Ball songstress was spotted leaving the club with Benji as well as a few other friends after partying

It was certainly an eventful night for the young star, as TMZ also reported that at one point Miley was seen being passed a suspicious looking rolled-up cigarette by pop star Adam Lambert.

Benji is the second person Miley has been romantically linked to since she split with Liam this summer; last week she was rumoured to be seeing Theo Wenner, who was once linked to Liv Tyler.

The performer has been on a media blitz since her headline-making VMA performance where she rubbed a foam finger all over her body and stuck her tongue out suggestively as she danced on stage.

Hiding: The star was seen with her purple wig hiding in the car which also incidentally transported Benji

Ready for Halloween: Earlier in the night, Benji showed up at the nightclub in costume with a friend

Read More »

The dentist of the sea: Shrimp is happy to clean food and parasites from mouths of fish

This cleaner shrimp fulfilled its role as the 'dentist of the sea' as it cleared parasites and food remains from the mouth of a fish.
The white grouper fish - covered in red blotches - opened wide to allow the orange shrimp inside for its regular check-up.
Davide Lopresti, 33, snapped the scene 23 metres below the surface off Tulamben, north Bali.

Say ahh: A white grouper fish - covered in red blotches - opens wide to allow the orange shrimp inside for its regular check-up off Tulamben, north Bali

Tricky: Mr Lopresti, from Portovenere, Italy, said it was very difficult to photograph

The 33-year-old - who described the area as the 'Holy Grail' for underwater macro photographers - got to within 1ft of the fish.
He said: 'The grouper allows the shrimp to clean his mouth of food remains and parasites, so it will always have a clean mouth.
'It also gives the shrimp an easy food source.
'The grouper is very patient, but as soon it says stop - by making a little movement - the shrimp goes away.

The cleaner shrimp was pictured clearing parasites and food remains from the mouth of a fish

Mr Lopresti said: 'The grouper allows the shrimp to clean his mouth of food remains and parasites, so it will always have a clean mouth'

'The shrimp can spend all day doing the cleaning and is not at risk of being eaten.'
The grouper measures around 15in long, and the shrimp 2in.
Mr Lopresti, from Portovenere, Italy, added: 'It is very difficult to photograph because the grouper is very vulnerable to attack from predators while being cleaned so you have to be very quiet.'

Read More »

Going underground: The outlaws of New York's thriving subculture as seen by one photographer who spent years in city's underbelly

After graffiti artist Banksy argued last week that New York has lost its edge, a new book by photographer Tod Seelie is a poke in the eye to all those critics who claim the city has become too corporate and mainstream.
Bright Nights: Photographs Of Another New York compiles a decade and a half of Seelie’s adventures exploring the city’s rich underbelly of alternative and underground culture.
The New York documented by Steelie is one where people regularly climb bridges, party in railroad tunnels, and sail homemade rafts on the Hudson River.

A ruckus band perform at a squat in Alphabet City, Manhattan in 2012: A new book by photographer Tod Seelie is a poke in the eye to all those critics who claim New York City has become too corporate and mainstream

People on-board a makeshift raft sail round the southern tip of Manhattan, 2008: Bright Nights: Photographs Of Another New York compiles a decade and a half of Tod Seelie's adventures exploring the city's rich underbelly of alternative and underground culture

View of Manhattan from the top of the Williamsburg Bridge, 2011: The New York that Steelie documents is one where people climb bridges, party in railroad tunnels, and sail homemade rafts on the Hudson River

Steelie fell in love with the city and all its wild possibilities after moving from Rocky River, Ohio. Although the city he documents is a far cry from the picture postcard version on sale to tourists in Times Square. 
His New York is an underground haven for people at society’s edges, who come alive at night to party in abandoned spaces, to make music and art and noise and mess.
‘I hope what happens is when you take in all these images and the subject matter and the aesthetic and you pile them together, you get a sense of this world that's kind of swirling right underneath a lot of people’s feet in New York,’ Seelie told Slate.com.
He moved to the city to attend the Pratt Institute in 1997 and became immersed in Brooklyn’s burgeoning art and music scene.

Setting up for a secret dinner in the Freedom Tunnel, Manhattan, 2007: Steelie's New York is an underground haven for people at society's edges, who come alive at night to party in abandoned spaces

Burning car in Bushwick, Brooklyn, 2007: The city documented in Steelie's book is a far cry from the picture postcard version on sale to tourists in Times Square

Crowd dancing on a rooftop during a Fourth of July party, Bushwick, Brooklyn, 2006: The city that never sleeps is still there although if you want to find it perhaps you need to look a bit harder and travel a bit further

Although many of the DIY venues he once frequented have now closed due to rising rents, Seelie believes it remains possible to enjoy an alternative lifestyle in New York - even if you need a regular pay-cheek to help fund it.
‘Some people may think that to do some of the stuff you see in the photos you have to have no job, never work. In fact, the opposite is true.
'A lot of the people in the photos have day jobs, and this is what they do at night. It's really about what you're passionate about, what you do, what you like to make happen on your own,’ he said.
A lot of Seelie's photographs involve a high degree of risk as safety is often questionable and the police are never too far away, but for Steelie it is simply a matter of weighing risk and reward.

Callie crowd surfing during a Spank Rock show at Bodega, Bushwick, Brooklyn, 2009: Many DIY venues have closed due to rising rents, but Seelie believes it remains possible to enjoy an alternative lifestyle even if you need a pay-cheek to help fund it

Vogue dance battle at La Escuelita, Manhattan, 2012: An alternative lifestyle is still achievable says Seelie, even if most people have to work to supplement it

‘I try really hard not to get caught. It's just one aspect of life where you have to evaluate it for yourself. Maybe something's too dangerous, something's too risky, or something's just too stupid - but maybe it's totally worth it,’ he said.
Many people will view Seelie’s adventures as things they simply wouldn’t dream of doing – or perhaps are too scared to try – but it is somehow reassuring to know that somewhere out there in the night there are people crowd surfing in high heels or playing in a mutant brass band.
Seelie's photographs prove that the city that never sleeps is still there, it's just that if you want to find it you might need to look a bit harder and travel a bit further to the outer boroughs than some of those people so quick to say that New York isn’t as good as it once was.
Bright Nights: Photographs Of Another New York by Tod Seelie is available to buy now.

Seelie's book documents the photographs he has taken over the past 15 years of a very different New York to the one seen by most of its residents and visitors

Read More »

Al-Qaeda liquid bomb plotter asks European court to free him - because publicity over 'suicide video' infringed his human rights

Appeal: Abdulla Ahmed Ali, mastermind of the 'liquid bomb plot', has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights for his life sentence to be overturned.

The mastermind behind the 'liquid bomb plot', one of the most deadly terrorist plans ever to be unearthed in Britain, is making a bid to have his conviction overturned on human rights grounds.
Abdulla Ahmed Ali developed a home-made hydrogen peroxide bomb that could be disguised as a soft drink and taken on board a plane.
He and a group of associates planned to take the bombs aboard seven flights.
The discovery of his suicide plan in 2006 led to urgent changes to international restrictions on carrying fluids on to planes.
However, the al-Qaeda terrorist now claims his human rights were infringed by publicity before he was convicted for life for conspiracy to murder - and has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights.
He argues that the jury would have been prejudiced by coverage of a previous trial.
Although the Strasbourg court does not hold the power to quash the conviction, it would be extremely problematic for the Government if they ruled in the terrorist's favour.
If Ali wins his case it would allow him and fellow plotters to begin an attempt in British to have their convictions quashed, using the European ruling to convince judges that their convictions were not fair.
Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, said the case highlighted why there was an urgent need for reform to human rights laws.

'Suicide video': Ali and his associates posted a video that boasted of his airline bomb plot, which would have seen the group attempt to smuggle the bombs on to seven flights

He also the case was evidence that the Strasbourg court was increasingly willing to interfere in Britain's justice system.
'This yet a further example of why things cannot go on as they are', he said.
'It is unacceptable to have a situation in which claims to the European Court of Human Rights are actually being used to undermine our justice system.
'Our justice system is one of the best in the world and the Strasbourg court has no business telling us how to run it.'
Although British judges at the Court of Appeal have ruled the case deserve a hearing, the European Court has examined Ali's application.
It has allowed it through the first stage of consideration for a full hearing, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
His case has been adjourned because more information was needed.

Supplies: A picture of several empty bottles found at the group's East London base, that was shown to a jury at Woolwich Crown Court

PREVIOUS CASES THROWN OUT

Appeal: Co-conspirator Tanvir Hussain

Four of Ali's co-conspirators have attempted to take cases to Strasbourg.

However, so far they have all been thrown out.

In three of the cases it was because their lawyers made a mistake and missed appeal deadlines.
The fourth case was submitted several months late.

The applications by Tanvir Hussain, jailed for at least 32 years; Umar Islam, jailed for a minimum of 22 years and Ibrahim Savant, jailed for at least 20 years, were ruled inadmissible by the Strasbourg judges.

Representing the men, and responsible for the last appeal papers, were Tuckers Solicitors.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors, the lawyers for Waheed Zaman, serving a minimum of 20 years, also submitted the papers late.

Eight men were convicted for their involvement in the plot to blow up aircraft with liquid bombs after three trials.

The government has now been asked by judges in Europe to answer a series of questions about Ali's prosecution.
They said they wish to establish whether he had a 'fair trial by an impartial tribunal' as required under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Ali, now 33, was convicted of conspiracy to endanger the safety of an aircraft in his first trial in 2008.
However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of conspiracy to murder.
He was therefore re-trialled at Woolwich Crown Court, London, in September 2009.
There he was convicted of both charges and jailed for life -  with a minimum term of 40 years.
'Adverse publicity' generated by the media between his 2008 trial and his retrial a year later is the reason Ali claims his human rights were breached.
During the trials, it was revealed how Ali and a group of associates recorded 'suicide videos' at a flat in Walthamstow, east London.
The videos revealed his plot to bring down airliners with bombs smuggled in soft drink containers.
During the footage it was said the was intended to 'teach a lesson' that non-Muslims 'will never forget'.
Ali singled out seven flights to San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, Washington, New York and Chicago that departed within two-and-a-half hours of each other and said his group would taken the explosives on board.
If successful, the explosions could have exceeded the carnage of the September 11 attacks.
When Ali was arrested he had a computer memory stick in his pocket that highlighted seven flights from London to North American cities that were each carrying hundreds of passengers and crew.
Security sources believed the group were also planning a further attack involving 18 suicide bombers which could have killed 5,000 people in the air and the same number on the ground.
At the time it was revealed that the men had gathered enough chemicals to make 20 liquid bombs.
Investigating and prosecuting the conspiracy has already cost the taxpayer more than £100million and Ali's legal challenge will push the bill higher.

Read More »

Floating on cloud nine! Rita Ora wears floral white dress and strappy heels as she arrives to host BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards

As co-host of the awards, Rita Ora looked as if she wanted her outfit to make an impact when she arrived on the red carpet on Sunday... and it certainly did that!The singing sensation's eye-catching dress resembled a fluffy white cloud as she attended BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards at Wembley Arena.
The 22-year-old looked stunning in the unusual design which she teamed with a pair of matching strappy heels.

Scroll down for full list of winners

Cloud nine: Rita Ora arrives at BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards at the Wembley Arena in London

The Radioactive singer showed off her best pout as she stood alongside Nick Grimshaw, who was also hosting the event.
Tweeting a photo of herself on stage during rehearsals, she wrote: 'It's happening wembley! #Grimita I can't wait to see all of you!!'
The blonde star kept her hair down in a loose wave while also sporting pale pink lipstick and bright red nails on her hands and feet.

#Grimita: The singer is hosting the event with DJ Nick Grimshaw

Radioactive: The star showed off her pins in the short dress and strappy sandals

  

Her unique floral dress showed off the star's slim pins and included a delicate lace hemline and racy thigh split.
While Nick, 29, looked a little more casual in a biker-style leather jacket, black jeans and matching pumps.
He did add a splash of colour with a pattered shirt, while sporting his trademark quiff in his hair.
Also tweeting ahead of the bash, he wrote: 'Rehearsals with @ritaora watch yo' back Richard & Judy #GRIMITA'.

Blonde ambition: Rita tweeted to say she was excited to see everyone at the awards

Feeling quiffy! The radio DJ looked a little more casual in a black biker-style leather jacket and patterned shirt

During the ceremony itself there were two wins for One Direction as the five-piece boy band were named Best British Group and got Best Single for Best Song Ever at the event at Wembley Arena in London.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Best British Group One Direction
Best Single One Direction, Best Song Ever 
Best Solo Artist Olly Murs
Breakthrough Award Union J
Best TV Show Doctor Who
Best Sports Star Andy Murray
Best Actor Maisie Williams
Best Vlogger Zoella

Fellow X-Factor contestants Olly Murs was named Best Solo Artist and boyband Union J got the Breakthrough Award while Doctor Who won Best TV Show and Andy Murray was named Best Sports Star.
Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams was named Best Actor and Zoella won the Best Vlogger award for her fashion and beauty website.
Tinie Tempah, Rizzle Kicks and Jessie J were among the performers with special guests including Taylor Swift and Little Mix handing out awards.
Awards were also handed out to three Teen Heroes, nominated by Radio 1 and Radio 2 listeners, and chosen by celebrities including Professor Green.
Among the winners, which were voted for by radio listeners, was 14-year-old Jeremiah Emmanuel who serves as Deputy Youth Mayor in Lambeth, South London, and has campaigned against youth violence.
Grimshaw said: ‘This year's Radio 1 Teen Awards was amazing. The live music was brilliant, there were some very deserving winners and being able to celebrate the incredible Teen Heroes was an honour, and all in front of a very appreciative audience. It really was Radio 1 at its best.’
Highlights from the show will be on BBC Three at 7pm on Monday.

Costume drama: The star was recently seen dressed up as a pink credit card for Halloween

Read More »

Natasha, 16, complained of headaches. She died after 13 doctors failed to diagnose a brain tumour

Natasha Simmonds: Her family say doctors did not take the 16-year-old seriously and failed to spot her brain tumour, despite seeing her 24 times in the last years of her life

A teenage girl died after medics failed to spot that she had a brain tumour – despite seeing her 24 times in the last year of her life.
Natasha Simmonds, 16, was treated by 13 doctors but none of them ordered a crucial MRI scan until it was  too late.
Her mother, Sarah Simmonds, claims that three months before her daughter died, one A&E doctor accused her of ‘putting the symptoms on’ and refused to give her a scan because they were reserved for ‘life and death’ situations.
Natasha, who was studying for a career in childcare, complained of headaches, numbness in her limbs, back pains, vomiting and problems with her eyesight.
But the paediatrician in charge of her care dismissed the symptoms as migraines. Natasha died on January 24, eight days after the tumour was finally discovered. It had twisted around her brain and spine.
Last night, Natasha’s grieving twin, Fiona, accused the health service of ignoring her sister’s complaints. ‘She was seen by so many people and none of them took her seriously,’ she said.
An inquest heard that Natasha, from Radstock in Somerset, had been attending hospital since 2008 and her condition got much worse in 2010.
She was referred to associate specialist paediatrician Colin Downie at Bath’s Royal United Hospital in February 2012, who said she had migraines. Because Natasha seemed to improve between each episode of ill-health, he said her symptoms were not serious enough for an MRI.

In the 11 months that followed, Natasha saw four paediatric doctors, six GPs and three A&E doctors, all of whom failed to diagnose the cancer.
Dr Downie finally ordered an MRI in November, nine months after he first saw the teenager, but the scan did not take place until January and the results were delivered only eight days before Natasha died. The scan showed a rare cancer – a disseminated oligodendroglioma-like leptomeningeal tumour.

Grief: Natasha's mother Sarah, centre,said that one doctor accused her of 'putting the symptoms on', while twin sister Fiona, right, accused the health service of ignoring complaints made by the tragic 16-year-old, pictured left

Dr Downie told the inquest he regretted not asking for the scan to be carried out urgently.
Natasha was admitted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol and  had two emergency operations on her brain and spine. She died on January 24, from lung damage caused by the cancer.
At the inquest on September 19, Avon coroner Maria Voisin recorded a narrative verdict, concluding that Natasha had died from natural causes. She said there was no need to make a formal recommendation for changes at the hospital.
But yesterday Mrs Simmonds, 47, told the Mail: ‘We’ll never know what would have happened if she’d been given an MRI scan when we first asked for one.
‘At the very least she wouldn’t have died so suddenly and so frightened.

Patient: Natasha was referred to paediatrician Colin Downie at Bath's Royal United Hospital, pictured, who said she had migraines

Emergency: Natasha was admitted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, pictured, and had two emergency operations on her brain and spine. She died on January 24, from lung damage caused by the cancer

‘We were so shocked. We’d been told for so long that it was migraines, we never thought it could have been cancer. She knew she was really sick and before her second operation she begged me to take her home so she could die. She spent the last few days of her life terrified.’
Mrs Simmonds, who works as a GP receptionist and is separated from Natasha’s father, Ken, added: ‘She was a beautiful person, unique and one of a kind. I just can’t believe she has gone.
‘I trusted in the medical profession and I feel so angry and let down. I’ve been told lessons have been learned but that doesn’t help when it’s your child that has died.’
A spokesman for the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust said: ‘In the next few weeks many of the clinicians who looked after Natasha will be meeting to discuss this sad case and ensure that any opportunities for learning are not missed.’

Read More »