How mystery over Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes' disappearance deepened over donkeys

Zoe Sugg, the 36-year-old YouTube personality better known by her alias Zoella, has been absent from social media for nearly six months. It's a departure that has left her fans and followers bewildered, considering her and her partner, Alfie Deyes, have built an empire from their online presence. The couple, who have been together since 2012, have been fixtures of the YouTube scene, sharing daily vlogs and brand campaigns with their devoted audience. But since January, Zoe has been MIA, sharing only a final post during the festive period, a roundup of photos that left fans wondering if she was taking a break or if something more was amiss.

Zoe and Alfie's rise to fame began in 2012, a time when YouTube was still in its heyday. They built a massive following, sharing their lives with fans through daily vlogs and collaborations with other popular creators. The couple's relationship was very much on display, and their fans grew accustomed to seeing them share every aspect of their lives online. However, in January, Zoe vanished, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Her absence was particularly jarring, considering she had participated in her usual Vlogmas, a festive tradition she and Alfie had maintained for years.

Alfie, 32, has also been noticeably absent from social media, with his last post dating back to April. This departure from his usual daily vlogs has left his fans wondering if something was amiss. However, it seems Alfie has been keeping busy, albeit in a way that's not exactly in line with his online persona. According to local planning documents, Alfie has submitted a planning application to build a donkey sanctuary at his home in West Sussex. The application, which includes plans for a tractor parking area, a donkey enclosure, and stable, a wildlife pond, and three shepherd huts, has sparked a local controversy.

The planning application has angered some residents in the quiet West Sussex village, who have argued that the development will cause safety hazards and disrupt the local environment. The residents are concerned that the heavy vehicles needed to care for the donkeys will damage the root systems of mature trees and cause disruption on the newly created access point onto their private lane. The controversy has escalated to the point where Alfie has been forced to respond to the local parish council's concerns. The dispute has shed new light on the couple's disappearance from social media, with some fans speculating that the stress of the planning application may have contributed to their online hiatus.

As the controversy surrounding the donkey sanctuary continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Zoe and Alfie's disappearance from social media will play out. Will they return to their usual online selves, or will the stress of the planning application and the controversy surrounding it take a toll on their mental health?Zoe and Alfie's decision to build a donkey sanctuary at their home has sparked a local controversy, but it also raises questions about the couple's priorities and values. As a writer, I find it fascinating to see how the couple's online presence has given way to a more peaceful, rural lifestyle. Will this new chapter in their lives be a success, or will the stress of the planning application and the controversy surrounding it take a toll on their mental health?