Former English cricket star’s Strictly Come Dancing effort is being hampered by a long-term elbow injury
He has already admitted to having to miss two days of Strictly Come Dancing training due to his Test match commentating commitments. And now former England spin bowler Graeme Swann has revealed another reason that his salsa might not be quite up to par: he is nursing a serious elbow injury.
The 39-year-old, who is partnered with Oti Mabuse, has admitted he is struggling with nerve damage and a loss of feeling in his right arm.
Despite undergoing corrective surgery in his elbow five years ago, Swann is worried the pain might still affect his dance moves.
He says: ‘I haven’t got great feeling in my right hand.
‘I was a bit worried about my elbow with the lifts and stuff at first. The stuff above your head, twiddling around. I am not sure they will let me do that for a few weeks.’
But Swann is thankful that Oti is so light. ‘It is like picking up a cat,’ he jokes. ‘The dancers leap in the air and you hold them for a fraction of a second before they go down.’
If you’ve got it… don’t flaunt it
It’s official – money can’t buy you love. New research shows that it isn’t fancy clothes or shiny cars that attracts us to potential suitors, but an interesting or kind personality.
Those who flash their designer watches or sports cars are less likely to be rated as attractive, while those showcasing ‘low status’ goods, such as cheaper clothes, are rated most fanciable.
In the US studies, both men and women were introduced to a selection of individuals before ranking how likely they would be to strike up a romantic or non-romantic relationship with them.
The research, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, demonstrates what is known as the ‘status symbol paradox’ – people feel devalued when wealth is flaunted by others.
Taking hormone replacement therapy may cut a woman’s risk of dying from colon cancer by more than a quarter. In the first study of its kind, scientists at Lund University followed more than 1,100 Swedish women aged between 45 and 69. Those diagnosed with cancer were more likely to survive the disease if they took HRT than those who did not.
The authors of the research, published in the International Journal of Cancer, believe HRT has a protective effect.
The drug is commonly prescribed to counter the hot flushes, depression and nausea associated with the menopause. It contains oestrogen, which scientists believe interacts with the hormone insulin in the body.
Women taking hormone replacement therapy reduce their risk of dying from colon cancer
Grim truth about work
Work may help us pay the bills but it makes us miserable, according to a new study. Researchers looked at which activities increased or decreased happiness levels. Making love raised them by 14 per cent and topped the poll, while working and being ill were at the bottom of the list.
Researchers from the London School of Economic and Sussex University believe stress is the reason why people do not embrace working. They explained: ‘Even though people are positive about paid work when reflecting on the meaning and value of their lives, actually engaging in it comes at some personal cost in terms of the pressures and stress they face.’
Make your own cough medicine
Thousands of us are hit by coughs and colds at this time of year but new research says there is little in over-the-counter remedies that really help to alleviate the problem.
One option to soothe a sore throat is with this natural ‘power shot’. Pineapple has strong anti-inflammatory properties, while turmeric is a wonder ingredient when it comes to relieving pain.
It is possible to make your own cough medicine using pineapple, turmeric, oregano, lemon and honey
INGREDIENTS (MAKES 2 SHOTS):
- 100g fresh pineapple, skin removed
- 10g of fresh turmeric, peeled
- 1 whole lemon
- 15g fresh oregano
- 1 tbsp honey
DIRECTIONS:
1 Add all of the ingredients to a juicer and blitz.
2 Pour into a glass and drink the liquid in one.
Frederick Faulkner