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Being given a frightening medical diagnosis boggles the mind. Adrenaline pumps. Your brain races. You can't compute the facts you have just been told.

Patients report experiencing such an acute physical reaction to the terrible news that they need the doctor or nurse to repeat the information several times to make sure the sad tidings sink in. Some ask to write their own diagnosis down, so they have a chance to digest it properly later. Others are tearful, even hysterical. Compassionate medics who have been breaking devastating news for decades find the process harrowing and approach it with dread.

That's why it is so disconcerting to discover patients are now finding out they have chronic or life-limiting conditions, including cancer and Parkinson's disease, either online or by video and phone calls.

Two mums were told their children had rare muscle-wasting diseases over the phone. This is the veritable definition of inhumanity. People need the human touch in their hours of direst panic. This breach of care must be mended urgently.

Not a soul in showbusiness is anything but gutted at the news that Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are calling time on their marriage. They are likeable, cheerful, generous and patient to work alongside ... and ridiculously good-looking.

The favoured theory is that the two have matured at different rates. Tess, 57, is embracing a sedate middle age, and Vernon, 52, is chasing about in the small hours with Noel Gallagher of Oasis, reliving his misspent youth.

There may be a glimmer of truth in the suggestion, but friends hoped two such thoroughly good eggs, both of whom have built stellar careers on their powers of communication, would have been able to negotiate and find a way to meet in the middle.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Tess and Vernon for years. Tess was an utter darling on Children in Need and a reassuring presence when I plonked around the Strictly floor in 2013. Vernon, my erstwhile Radio 2 colleague, was an absolute diamond to my ancient uncle and aunt when we did Family Fortunes in 2009.

Along with everyone else lucky enough to have come into their orbit, I wish T and V happiness and fulfilment, but can't help thinking it's a shame they couldn't find both together.

Phew! Not being able to find our keys/phone or wallet even when it is right there in front of us is not a sign of dementia. Michelle Spear, professor of anatomy at Bristol University, describes the phenomenon as "inattentional blindness".

Apparently, our brains are programmed to see not what is there, but what we believe to be there. In moments of stress, our brains are so frenziedly filtering information that we don't spot the bunch of keys clearly nestling in the fruit bowl.

Our relatives, on the other hand, see them immediately. The concept of a fresh pair of eyes may sound like an old wives' tale, but turns out, as so many things your grandma told you do, to make perfect scientific sense.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and her sister Ellie, who sits on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), are said to have had a stand-up row over Andy Burnham at a child's birthday party.

Reports suggest Rachel stormed out of her sister's house after "angry exchanges". True or apocryphal, the story confirms that children's parties are a fertile ground for family feuds and ancient grudges.

Adults flinging insults are a frequent accompaniment to pass the parcel and jelly and ice cream. It is an infringement of etiquette to discuss politics on social occasions, but in professionally political families, it is unthinkable to stick to the weather.

Bursting balloons, unfunny conjurors and Colin the Caterpillar cakes somehow invite ferocious family fallouts. We've all been there, Reeves sisters. No judgement from this columnist.

All the luck in the world to lovely Kate Garraway, 59, and her new squeeze - journalist Liam Halligan, 57.

After the trauma of nursing her late husband Derek Draper through harrowing complications when he was ravaged by Covid, parenting her two teenage children through the crisis and ultimately being widowed two years ago, Kate deserves unalloyed joy.

She has worked like a trooper to keep her family financially afloat, survived on scant sleep presenting GMB at dawn, and somehow kept a smile plastered on her pretty face even in her darkest days.

She is brave, bright and beautiful. No wonder Mr Halligan looks thoroughly smitten. Let's hope Kate gets frivolity, frolics and fun after all she has endured. Boy, will she appreciate it.