Revealed: The staggering amount of Brits who’d swap their dad if they had the chance

Although many people have good relationships with their dad, some are very challenging (Picture: thortful/Cover Media) 

If your relationship with your dad is a tricky one, you’re not alone, new research has revealed.

One in five Brits have admitted they would swap their father given the chance, while one in three pretend they have a better relationship with their parent than they really do.

Many also confessed that they buy Father’s Day cards out of obligation rather than love, according to the survey by online greetings card marketplace thortful.

The research busts the common myth of the perfect dad or hero father, which can leave people agonising over which greetings card to buy.

It also found that one in four would rather celebrate their mum than their dad on Father’s Day.

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Some of the cards from thortful’s Father’s Day, which reflect complex feelings people can experience (Picture: thortful/Cover Media) 

Thortful has launched a new campaign called “Dad’s not perfect… but” challenging the idea of the “best dad ever” stereotype ahead of the event on June 21.  

The company is offering 50 specially designed cards providing an option for those who do not have the perfect relationship. 

They also reflect that Father’s Day can be shaped by loss, absence, distance or a relationship that simply isn’t straightforward. 

Andy Pearce, founder and CEO of thortful said: ‘Father’s Day can bring up a real mix of emotions. 

‘My own experience of losing my father was one of the catalysts for this campaign, because I know first-hand that the day does not look or feel the same for everyone. 

The cards are designed to bust the myth of the perfect dad or hero father (Picture: thortful/Cover Media) 

‘Our research shows that plenty of Brits are navigating relationships with their dads that are more complex than traditional cards tend to allow for, and we wanted to create a range that makes space for that. 

‘These cards are about honesty, humour and genuine relationships, giving people a way to mark Father’s Day in a way that reflects their actual relationship, not the one they feel they are supposed to have.’

Pip Heywood, MD at thortful, added: ‘Our research shows that Father’s Day messaging needs a reality check and at thortful we are championing a new kind of Father’s Day – one that reflects real life, not just clichés. 

‘Ultimately, we want to help people mark Father’s Day in a way that is true to them, without the pressure to pretend their relationship is something it is not.’

Thortful’s alternative Father’s Day card range is available here.  

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Alan Shearer tips ‘exceptional’ Arsenal star to miss out on England World Cup squad

Former England captain Alan Shearer (Picture: Getty)

Alan Shearer believes that Myles Lewis-Skelly will be one of the high-profile omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.

Lewis-Skelly scored the first goal of the Tuchel era last March against Albania, but has found himself outside the squad in recent international breaks after his minutes dried up at Arsenal.

However, the teenager has enjoyed a resurgent end of the season under Mikel Arteta, displacing Martin Zubimendi and starting in central midfield alongside Declan Rice for key games in the end-of-season run-in.

That versatility could come in handy for England this summer, but Shearer suspects Lewis-Skelly might not have done enough to force his way into Tuchel’s squad, which is set to be announced on Friday.

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‘Tuchel has used Hall and Livramento in a left-back position as well, so my guess is that two of the three will go,’ Shearer told Metro.

‘Nico O’Reilly I think will definitely go and then it will be one of either Livramento who will go left or Lewis Hall.’

On Lewis-Skelly, Shearer added: ‘I think he’s not played a lot of football this season, he’s just come back into the fold, into the midfield, and he’s been exceptional.

Myles Lewis-Skelly could be handed a surprise England recall (Picture: Getty)

‘But whether that’s been enough to get him into the left-back position or midfield, I don’t think so.’

One player who appears guaranteed to miss out on the squad is Harry Maguire, who took to social media to share his disappointment at his impending omission.

And Shearer wondered whether Dan Burn’s added time spent with Tuchel in England camps compared to Maguire may have proved the pivotal factor.

Harry Maguire is set to miss out (Picture: Getty)

‘Well, I think Konsa and Guehi are guaranteed,’ Shearer, a Betfair ambassador, added. ‘I think he’ll take Jon Stones because of the experience and he’s already said how much he sort of admires and likes him.

‘So then it would be between Dan and Harry, and I might guess, and it’s only a guess, that he might opt for Dan. I think just because he’s had him in camp, he knows what he brings to the camp and that’s perhaps why he might edge it.’

Reports suggest that high-profile names such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White are set to miss out on Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s tournament.

But Shearer suspects that Tuchel will given no consideration to any potential fan or media furore when finalising his picks.

‘I don’t think he’s bothered,’ he added. ‘I think the one good thing about Thomas Tuchelt is that he won’t be bothered by what people think of him or what people say about him.

‘I genuinely don’t think he’ll be interested in what anyone has to say about his squad or team selection. I think one of the positive things for him is that I think he’s too experienced to worry about different opinions; he will think there’s only one opinion that matters, and it’s his.’

Alan Shearer was talking at the launch of Betfair’s World Cup campaign. Everyone’s got an opinion, back yours at Betfair…

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Family of three women who died off Brighton beach ‘struggling to come to terms’ with deaths

Jane, Christina and Rebecca were sisters, from the Uxbridge area of London (Picture: Family handout)

The family of the sisters found dead off Brighton beach have said ‘no parent should ever have to bury their child, let alone all three’.

Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, were pulled from the water near Madeira Drive on May 13.

They are believed to have entered the water close where they were found, before emergency services were called.

A fundraiser for their dad Joseph, who has ‘been left with a great emptiness that words cannot heal’, has been set up to help support funeral costs.

His brother Adesoji Adetoro said: ‘As a family, we are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

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‘The girls had so much life ahead of them, and their loss has left a pain and emptiness in our hearts that words cannot describe.

The three women were in the sea off Brighton beach on May 13 (Picture: Charlotte Coney/Getty Images)

‘While trying to process this unimaginable tragedy, my brother is now also faced with the heartbreaking task of arranging three funerals.

‘As a family, we simply want to give the girls the loving and dignified farewell they deserve.’

More than £10,000 has already been donated to the family.

Their father, Joseph, said in a statement: ‘Jane, Christina, and Becky were more than daughters to me; they were my joy, my strength, and the beautiful light that filled our family with happiness and love.

Flowers were laid at the scene where the three sisters were found (Picture: Anahita Hossein-Pour/PA Wire)

‘Each of you was unique and precious in your own special way. Your smiles brightened dark days, your laughter brought comfort, and your presence made life more meaningful.

‘Though your time on earth was short, the impact you made will remain in our hearts forever.

‘The tragedy of losing all three of you has left an emptiness that words cannot heal. There are days when the grief feels unbearable, yet I hold tightly to the memories we shared — the laughter, the conversations, the love, and the bond that death can never take away.’

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Moment Rachel Reeves hits back at flag heckler calling her a ‘piece of s***’

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Nigel Farage has offered to buy a pint for a man who shouted that the Chancellor is a ‘piece of s***’ to her face.

Rachel Reeves was filmed trying to ignore a Reform UK supporter yelling abuse as she tried to do a piece to camera at a petrol station in Leeds.

The man in a truck, flying two St George’s flags, repeatedly shouted over her, causing her take to be ruined.

The driver yelled: ‘Nigel Farage, go on Nigel,’ before telling her: ‘You’re ruining the country. Get Keir Starmer out.’

As he drove off, he continued: ‘I’ve got British flags on. Am I going to get arrested? We’ve got English flags on here, Rachel, am I going to get arrested?’

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Rachel Reeves tried to get her point across at the pumps during a media visit to a Leeds petrol station
(Credits: Jacob King/PA Wire)

Ms Reeves responded: ‘I love our country. I love our country – and one of the things about our country is good manners.’

He is then heard yelling ‘piece of s***’, at her, before she shouted back ‘Not very British’.

Regaining composure, Reeves joked with reporters: ‘I don’t think he heard the news about the freeze in fuel duty.’

It took moments for the clip to be posted online before Nigel Farage weighed in, adding: ‘I’d like to buy this man a pint.

‘Does anyone know how I can find him?’

A man heckles the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves during her visit to a petrol station in Leeds (Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire)

The clash came as Labour faces mounting pressure following heavy losses in recent local and devolved elections, raising fresh questions about Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister confirmed the 5p per litre fuel duty cut, first introduced in March 2022, will be extended until the end of the year.

That means duty will remain at just under 53p per litre, with previously planned rises now scrapped.

Fuel prices have surged in recent months, with petrol up around 26p per litre and diesel up 44p since late February amid disruption linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Ms Reeves said the move would give families and businesses ‘certainty’.

‘This isn’t a war we started or joined,’ she said. ‘But it is having an impact here in the UK… and I recognise the challenges people are facing.’

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PSG boss Luis Enrique names what Arsenal are ‘best in the world’ at ahead of Champions League final

Luis Enrique is expecting a tough test against Arsenal in Budapest (Picture: Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has hailed Champions League final opponents Arsenal as the best team in the world without the ball.

The Ligue 1 and Premier League champions will meet in the Budapest final on May 30, having met in last season’s semi-finals.

PSG came through those two legs, winning 3-1 on aggregate, before thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.

The French team go in as favourites to defend their Champions League title against the Gunners and Enrique recognises they have a tough skillset to compete with.

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Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the day after Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions, the PSG boss said of the Gunners: ‘I think they deserve to win the league — they have had a brilliant season.

‘We have already played against this Arsenal side, so we know what they are capable of.

‘Without the ball, they are the best team in the world, and with it they can score a lot. It is a wonderful combination for them.

Luis Enrique got the better of Mikel Arteta in last year’s Champions League semi-final (Picture: Getty Images)

‘It makes sense that we are facing them in the final. We can look forward to a truly great final.’

Enrique has won the Champions League with both PSG and Barcelona, with three Ligue 1 and two La Liga titles to his name as well.

Arteta’s Premier League triumph this season is his first top flight title so is lagging long behind his compatriot when it comes to silverware, but has impressed Enrique.

The Arsenal squad celebrated their Premier League title win on Tuesday night (Picture: Getty Images)

‘When you look at Arsenal’s stats, you can see that Mikel Arteta is a leader as a manager, who has instilled a winning mentality in the team,’ said Enrique.

‘They have been improving for several seasons now; they love the ball, but they are the best team in Europe without it.

‘They won the Premier League and they’re in the Champions League final this year after reaching the semi-finals last season. They deserve to be there, and Arteta instils a competitive spirit in his players.’

Arsenal come into the Champions League final full of confidence (Picture: Getty Images)

He added: ‘The most important thing for us is to focus more on ourselves and less on the opposition. That is what we will continue to do.

‘We are talking about the best club competition in Europe, so yes, there’s an element of adaptation — because the standard is very high.’

Arteta was full of praise for both Luis Enrique’s PSG and Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich after the first leg of their semi-final this year.

He loved what he saw from both sides, but said both domestic leagues they compete in are a ‘different world’ from the Premier League.

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‘Bayern-PSG is probably the best game I have ever witnessed on the quality of two teams, and especially the individual quality that the players deliver,’ said Arteta earlier this month.

‘I’ve never seen something like this. But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, then I’m not surprised. To deliver those moments of quality, you have to be very fresh and the difference in the leagues and the way they compete is night and day, and you just have to see a lot of stats that have been recently around it.

‘We are competing in two different worlds, so you cannot compare one part of that without giving any context to that. I don’t think it’s fair.’

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Emi Martinez speaks out on ‘right choice’ of failed Manchester United move

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez came close to leaving last year (Picture: Getty Images)

Emiliano Martinez says he made the ‘right choice’ by staying at Aston Villa, after his failed move to Manchester United last summer.

It didn’t seem like it was exactly his choice when the Red Devils opted to sign Senne Lammens on transfer deadline day in September.

Martinez had looked extremely likely to leave Villa Park, waving to the fans with tears in his eyes on the final home game of the 2024/25 season.

The World Cup winner was left out of the Villa squad as they hosted Crystal Palace on August 31, with Marco Bizot starting in goal.

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It looked as though this was the signal that Martinez was about to depart, although Unai Emery gave little away, responding to questions on the Argentinian’s future by repeating: ‘Bizot. Marco Bizot.’

However, Martinez went nowhere and was back in the team for the next Premier League outing, remaining first choice ever since.

Old Trafford had appeared to be where the ‘keeper was heading, but the Red Devils opted to bring in Lammens instead, a move which has proved largely successful so far.

Senne Lammens has had an impressive first season at Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

The 33-year-old is now preparing for the Europa League final with Villa on Wednesday night, when they take on Freiburg in Istanbul, and he says he is pleased with how everything played out.

‘Well, I say goodbye and I cry when I left my family from Argentina to England as well,’ Martinez said of his tears at the end of last season. ‘Sometimes football can change, managers can come in and go. You know, in football people move around the place. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have full respect for the club. I love the club.

‘I have a commitment with Aston Villa. I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa, I have won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club. One day I am going to retire, so someone else will need to be between the sticks.

Martinez cut an emotional figure at Villa Park in May last year (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Listen, I am in a European final and we have got Champions League again with all the circumstances that we have had and battles we have had this year. We are one of the lowest spenders in the Premier League.

‘We have a top coach, a top captain [John McGinn] and a decent core of the team. When we stick together and when we fight together, I think that we can beat anybody. I am really proud to stay – I made the right choice.’

Martinez has been full of praise for Emery, who is bidding for a fifth Europa League title on Wednesday, having won the competition three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.

‘I think we deserve it, I think the fans deserve it, and obviously the manager has had four or five finals in this competition,’ said the goalkeeper.

Unai Emery is bidding for a fifth Europa League title (Picture: AVFC/2026 Aston Villa)

‘We don’t wish anyone else apart from him on the bench tomorrow, he doesn’t have to do the European final, but listen, every time I go into a final I never think I always think about the outcome.

‘I always think about where I come from, leaving my family behind when I was young. When I’m in the game, whatever happens, I know how tough times are in England.

‘When I was young, I missed my family. Even now, I’m a World Cup winner, and a few titles for the national team, but two things about that young kid who left Argentina to save his family from poverty.’

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Southampton thrown out of Championship play-offs over Spygate and face further punishment

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert will not be leading his team out at Wembley (Picture: Getty Images)

Southampton have been thrown out of the Championship play-offs over the Spygate scandal, with Middlesbrough taking their place in the final against Hull City.

The Saints have also been handed a four-point deduction that will be applied at the start of next season.

Middlesbrough accused Southampton of sending a member of staff to spy on a training session ahead of their play-off semi-final first leg, a charge the Saints have since admitted and have gone on to admit regulation breaches regarding two other Championship matches this season.

The Championship play-off final is scheduled for this Saturday (May 23) but Southampton now have the right to appeal the decision from the English Football League (EFL).

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The EFL have stated that any appeal will be heard and resolved on Wednesday May 20, but admit that the crunch Wembley fixture could be changed again.

An EFL statement read: ‘An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.

‘In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.

The Southampton spy at Middlesbrough’s training ground (Picture: Daily Mail)

‘The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.

‘Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025/26 season. Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.

‘Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.

‘Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture.

Southampton celebrating their win over Middlesbrough last week (Picture: Getty Images)

‘The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.

‘The Commission’s full written reasons will also be published in due course.’

Middlesbrough were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Southampton in the play-off semi-finals, but are now preparing to face Hull this weekend for a place in the Premier League.

Southampton fans mocked the spying charges (Picture: Getty Images)

A statement from Middlesbrough read: ‘Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing.

‘We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.

‘As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.’

Hull beat Millwall 2-0 on aggregate to reach the play-off final.

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Is Starmer fixing the ‘Brexit mess’ created by Farage? Readers discuss

Readers discuss the ex-Brexit party Reform, Starmer’s prospects and the power of a vote (Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

Is Streeting's stance on rejoining the EU 'odd'?

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy called it
‘a bit odd’ that Wes Streeting chose to highlight the possibility of rejoining the EU in his opening pitch to be the next prime minister (Metro, Mon).

It wasn’t in the least bit odd. Best for Britain found 83% of Labour supporters want to rejoin. LabourList says it’s 87% of party members.

What is odd is Labour politicians who don’t know or feign ignorance of this overwhelming pro-European view among their supporters.

Especially weird if they want to become or remain Labour leader and PM.

‘The answer has to be bigger, it has to be the sort of things this government is focusing on around good jobs, housing, living standards, cost of energy, opportunities for young people,’ said Ms Nandy. In other words, the sort of things Brexit has had a severe, negative impact on. Peter Brown, Cleckheaton

Monster Raving Loony Party antics

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party’s leader Alan ‘Howlin’ Laud Hope has expressed his intention to contest the Makerfield by-election.

This is the by-election in which Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham is hoping to see off Reform and pave his way to No.10.

Laud Hope should stand on a platform of keeping Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister, since that will not be the policy of any other candidate. David Lindsay, Lancaster

Is voting for Reform ‘blind?

I am sick and tired of people like TG (MetroTalk, Wed) talking about people who ‘blindly’ voted for Reform.

These people didn’t vote ‘blindly’ – they voted with a clear and concise mind as having seen the Conservatives on trial for 14 years followed by along another bunch of stupids, led by the most boring chap in politics, to make a mess of it all.

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If that’s not enough to make you look beyond the two mainstream parties then get with the programme, TG, you old-fashioned I’m-afraid-of-change fud.

No one is voting blind – it’s all to do with performance and it does not matter who Labour puts in, they are finished.

Likely as always this will never be published as it’s probably a Labour ‘icky’ reading this with bias. Peter, Bexley

‘Hardly an excuse why Brexit failed to gift us any improvements’

Julian (MetroTalk, Mon) says EU fans cannot provide any negative impacts of note Brexit has had on the UK but then relies on false information and excuses about Covid and the war in Ukraine.

Both of these events have affected the economy of countries across the world, not just our own, so they are hardly excuses for why Brexit has struggled to gift us any improvements.

And while Julian is correct that we have increased our trade with the
rest of the world, he avoids that
when we were a member of the EU, we were paid hundreds of billions for our exports.

But while we are now ‘free’ to trade with the rest of the world, the deals our governments have since managed to arrange fact bring in a fraction of the money we previously saw.

And that’s on top of all the additional paperwork and fees we face for products to be shipped through Europe – all the red tape we were warned we’d have to deal with if we left the EU.

Although I imagine, just like back in the day, this will be something else Julian brushes off as ‘Project Fear’ cwhile burying his head in the sand because he doesn’t want to hear about all the real issues. Matthew, Birmingham

‘Do cabinet members accept no responsibility forth government’s unpopularity?’

The blame for the current situation with the Labour Party (and British politics in general) all seems to have landed at the feet of the current PM.

Do the cabinet members accept no responsibility for the government’s unpopularity? If not, what have they been doing for the past two years?

The problem is not the current leader but all those who want to have a go at the job to boost their egos rather than showing a united front.

I sincerely hope the farce unfolding in Manchester with its mayor/wannabe Labour leader-in-waiting Andy Burnham, leaves them with egg on their faces – losing an MP in Makerfield and a mayor might just teach them a lesson about duty and loyalty.

However, I suspect if this happens it will just again be laid on the shoulders of Sir Keir Starmer and not seen as reflection of their arrogance. Alan, Watford

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

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