I never thought I'd see daylight, let alone a footie match

FOR the 471 days British hostage Emily Damari was held by Hamas she could only dream of taking country walks with her mum in England.

- BY ANDY LINES Chief Reporter and PAUL MARTIN

And the 28-year-old definitely never thought she would get to meet her Tottenham Hotspur idols Ossie Ardiles, Gary Mabbutt, Ledley King and James Maddison.

Now, during an "amazing" week back in the UK after finally being freed in January, the British-Israeli former hostage has managed to enjoy both and more.

Emily was one of 251 hostages captured by Hamas terrorists when they attacked settlements in Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people.

She was shot in the hand as she was dragged from her kibbutz home.

On her trip to the UK, Emily spent time relaxing and walking with her Surrey-born mum Mandy.

She visited the London synagogue that had "adopted" her during her 39-month ordeal in tunnels under Gaza, putting out an empty chair in her name.