As speculation mounts that PM will call a snap poll... KEMI: I'M SET FOR ELECTION AT XMAS
EXCLUSIVE
By Glen Owen
POLITICAL EDITOR
KEMI Badenoch has put the Tory Party on notice for a pre-Christmas general election, amid growing speculation that Andy Burnham will call a snap poll.
The Opposition leader – who galvanised the party faithful with her conference speech in Birmingham – told The Mail on Sunday last night: 'I've instructed the Conservative Party to be ready for an election at any point.'
Mrs Badenoch does not believe Mr Burnham's claim last month that there will be ‘no election any time soon’, suspecting that he might strike while he is enjoying a bounce in the polls and both the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats are in disarray.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski was humiliated on Thursday when he failed to win the
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Sussex Squad
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WAR OF WORDS: Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump
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THE American killer who survived two failed execution attempts was discharged from hospital yesterday and returned to prison.
Christa Pike, 50, was moved back to the women's jail in Tennessee where she has been on death row for 30 years.
Having survived two supposedly fatal injections during her failed execution on September 30, Pike suffered pneumonia, a blood clot, inability to swallow and burns on her arms from the poison.
While she had been unconscious and on a ventilator for several days after the injections, with medical experts
suggesting she may have brain damage, Pike finally awoke, with her mind ‘somewhat foggy,’ said her lawyer Stephen Ferrell. Her legal team added that she has now taken tentative steps, is eating and ‘regaining movement and strength’ in her arms.
After ten days in hospital, her medical care will continue in the prison.
Her lawyers added: 'She is grateful to the first responders and her medical
team for their care. She is continuing to receive medical care at the prison and we will continue to track her recovery.'
Pike still faces execution for stabbing and beating to death her University of Tennessee classmate Colleen Slemmer, 19, in 1995, when she was 18.
Prosecutors are debating whether to go ahead with another attempt at fulfilling her death sentence.
Experts believe it is too early to assess the long-term damage inflicted on her.
Trump's outburst against Zelensky – just hours after he strikes new deal with Putin for Russian diesel
By Elizabeth Ivens
DONALD TRUMP said Ukraine should ‘get a new leader’ as a war of words with Volodymyr Zelensky escalated last night following the announcement of a diesel deal between the US and Russia.
Earlier, the Ukrainian premier had reacted with fury after the US President revealed he had personally struck the supply arrangement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky condemned the move as ‘a gift to Putin’ and denounced the decision by Mr Trump to lift economic sanctions on Russia to bring in the diesel, claiming it would allow the Russian leader to ‘kill more people’ and ‘wage war for longer’.
But laying the blame for the diesel shortage firmly back at Mr Zelensky's door, Mr Trump said that Ukraine should never have attacked Russian refineries.
‘I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,’ he told reporters. ‘I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.’
Warning that Mr Zelensky 'better damn well stop', he accused him of making 'problems for the world and our farmers and ranchers' with strikes on refineries.
“We told them, “Do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel, because this is a big problem, a big shortage.”
'And what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel.' Mr Trump blindsided the Ukrainians by announcing on his Truth Social account that he had personally struck a deal with Putin and that diesel prices would be ‘coming down in record numbers and fast’. He added: ‘Lower prices for Americans, particularly ranchers and truckers, is my greatest priority.’
Speaking outside the White House, Mr Trump said ‘massive amounts’ of oil would be coming in and he ‘wanted to thank President Putin’.
And just hours after the conversation between Mr Putin and Mr Trump to broker the deal, Russia launched more attacks on Ukraine. Five bombs hit residential buildings in the city of Zaporizhzhia, killing at least 15 people, including three children.
Accusing the US of making ‘an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged’, Mr Zelensky said: ‘Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness.'
With the US midterm elections looming next month and prices at the pumps rising rapidly, Mr Trump had been under pressure to lift the economic burden.
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marketplace', followed by 500,000 tons in November and another million after that.
He added that a further three million tons of Russian diesel would be delivered ‘within a short period’, depending on Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.
A US official told the Axios news site yesterday that Ukraine had eroded goodwill on the American side by striking Russian oil refineries.
Russian official Yury Ushakov also tormented Ukraine by claiming that the long call with Mr Trump was so friendly that ‘neither side wanted to hang up first’.
But Ukraine hit back, continuing its attacks on Russian infrastructure and striking a key oil hub in Rostov-on-Don.
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Former Ukrainian vice prime minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said yesterday that the deal would be like Mr Trump buying diesel from Osama bin Laden. And she accused him of ‘clear hypocrisy’ after so recently threatening other countries with sanctions for buying Russian oil.
'If we asked every single American would they be fine if Donald Trump was buying – if it was available – diesel from Osama bin Laden and they were fine with this, then something is profoundly wrong with the United States of America,' she told Radio 4's Today programme.
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All week she's been hearing about her lothario husband's basic instincts. So no wonder Catherine Zeta-Jones struck a very familiar pose that shouts:
泽塔-琼斯女士此次前往纽约是为了宣传她即将推出的 Amazon Prime Video 惊悚剧集《杀死杰基》(Kill Jackie)。她开玩笑说，她的礼服是向《星球大战》中的金色机器人 C-3PO “致敬”。
似曾相识：
凯瑟琳模仿莎朗·斯通的场景（左图）
📄 Original Section
Don't forget me, Michael!
By Katie Hind
CONSULTANT EDITOR SHOWBUSINESS
HER husband Michael Douglas has spent the last week candidly cataloguing his many sexual exploits as he promotes his autobiography, One Helluva Ride.
So no wonder Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones seems keen to remind the lothario of her charms now she is the only woman in his life.
On stage on Friday night, the 57-year-old struck a risque pose reminiscent of the famously steamy scene from Basic Instinct in which her husband's detective character tries to retain focus as Sharon Stone provocatively crosses her legs.
Appearing at New York Comic Con, Ms Zeta-Jones donned a gold sequinned dress that gave fans more than a peek of her toned thigh – with the star later admitting in an Instagram post that she was flashing a 'whole bunch of leg'.
It comes after Douglas, 82, shared details of his sexual exploits in his book, including confessing to an affair with Kathleen Turner, his co-star in the 1984 movie Romancing The Stone.
He wrote: 'Kathleen and I fell hard for each other and began a relationship. It wasn't a fly-by-night affair; it grew naturally from how closely we were working together, how much pressure we were under, how much we respected and cared for one another, and how attracted we were to each other.'
Douglas also told how he had a fling with his Basic
GUILD FILM DISTRIBUTION
Instinct co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn, who was nearly 20 years his junior, admitting he 'fell very hard' for her.
He revealed that when he was married to film producer Diandra Luker, she declined to spend the night with him during a trip to Los Angeles so he called another woman to join him in bed.
And when he began dating
Ms Zeta-Jones in 1998, he had to make ‘five quick phone calls’ to break up with other women. The pair wed in November 2000.
Ms Zeta-Jones was in New York to promote her forthcoming Amazon Prime Video thriller series Kill Jackie. She joked that her frock was 'an homage to C-3PO', the gold robot from Star Wars.
萨里郡“训练犬公司”（The Trained Dog Company）的创始人安东尼娅·米切尔（Antonia Mitchell）告诉《星期日邮报》，她在新冠疫情后发现了市场空白，当时许多首次养宠的人需求激增，但难以对其进行训练。她说：“狗狗在离开我们时，已经掌握了松绳行走、100%的召回率、在咖啡馆和酒吧安静休息的能力、出入门口的礼仪，以及对所有人、其他犬类和牲畜保持中立。这需要时间。”
莱斯特郡“三叉戟精英家庭护卫犬”（Trident Elite Family Protection Dogs）的首席训犬师艾希利·戴维斯（Ashley Davis）补充道：“他们希望跳过在家里啃咬和如厕训练的阶段，从第一天起就迎来一只社交良好、性格平衡的家庭宠物。”
如需订购本幅或任何其他 Mac 漫画的印刷版，请访问 Mailpictures.newsprints.co.uk 或致电 0191 6030 178
mac
“噢。这难道不让人自豪吗？我们的孙辈们开始对政治感兴趣了。”
📄 Original Section
The pre-trained pups fetching £15,000
PUDDLES on the floor, chewing the sofa and barking at the wind... it's all part of the joys, and frustrations, of training a new puppy.
But dog lovers can now pay an eye-watering premium of around £15,000 to avoid that phase altogether – and get a six-month-old pup who comes fully house-trained and can sit on command.
There has long been a market for pre-trained dogs for the rich and famous, including Game of Thrones actress Indira Varma, who bought
By Katie Hodge
her cocker spaniel from a high-end kennel service. But specialist dog trainers say there is now increasing interest from busy families or retirees keen to avoid the demanding early days of caring for a puppy, and are prepared to pay up to ten times the normal cost of a pedigree pooch for the privilege.
Antonia Mitchell, founder of The Trained Dog Company in Surrey, told
The Mail on Sunday she saw a gap in the market after Covid, when there was a spike in demand for pets by first-time owners who struggled to train them. She said: 'The dogs leave us with loose lead walking, one hundred per cent recall, ability to settle in cafes and pubs, manners around doorways, neutrality to all people, dogs and livestock. It takes time.'
Ashley Davis, head trainer at Trident Elite Family Protection Dogs in Leicestershire, added: 'They wanted to skip the chewing and toilet-training stage in the house, and welcome home a well-socialised, balanced family pet from day one.'
Dogs are only available from six months, in accordance with laws to prevent puppy farming.
One pre-trained puppy owner, who asked not to be named, bought her pup Leo on retiring. She said: 'The time, expertise and care invested in Leo's early development have given us a confident, well-adjusted companion and allowed us to enjoy life with him from the very first day.'
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mac
'Aw. Doesn't it make you proud? Our grandkids are taking an interest in politics'
FOUR people have been killed as Hurricane Isaias swept along the south-east of the US. Hundreds more have been left without power or injured after winds of 105mph hit Florida on Friday evening before heading along the Gulf Coast.
A woman was killed after a tree fell on her house and another person died from carbon monoxide poisoning from operating a generator indoors during the storm, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed yesterday.
Two other people in Alabama also died, said Governor Kay Ivey, adding: 'This storm brought in heavy winds throughout Alabama, taking down trees, knocking out power and doing damage.'
A deputy with the Dale County Sheriff's Department, who was helping the rescue mission, got away with minor injuries after a tree crashed onto their car.
The storm has also disrupted travel plans nationwide in the US, with nearly 300 flights cancelled and more than 800 delayed.
Retail chiefs set for No11 summit as Healey faces heat over warehouse tax
THE Chancellor is set to host a delegation of retail and hospitality chiefs in Downing Street on Tuesday, amid reports that a ‘warehouse tax’ raid has been ruled out.
John Healey has come under mounting pressure not to clobber businesses with more tax hikes and business costs that have pushed up prices, as he prepares to unveil his first Budget in 17 days' time.
Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin has led the charge, urging the new Chancellor ‘to get Britain
growing again by taking the handcuffs off business'.
In a dramatic intervention, he told the Daily Mail yesterday that Labour's last two Budgets – which piled £75 billion of extra taxes on firms and families – were ‘a disaster’ that the Chancellor needed to reverse.
The call was echoed by Jason Tarry, chairman of John Lewis and Waitrose, who warned the Government that a tax raid on department stores and supermarkets could trigger a wave of shop closures that would ‘only harm our high streets’.
Retailers are particular concerned that Prime Minister Andy Burnham's promise to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues will be funded by hitting larger supermarkets with a so-called ‘warehouse tax’.
PLEA: M&S boss Stuart Machin's entreaty in yesterday's Daily Mail
‘You’re paying for a cheaper pint by loading costs on to the weekly shop,’ Mr Machin said.
In the Mail's exclusive yesterday, he urged Mr Healey to 'restore hope' and added: 'I've never hidden what I thought of the last two Budgets. They were a disaster. Britain needed a plan for
---
“我们想要的是增长，结果却得到了新税收”
📄 Original Section
M&S boss tells Labour: Now take the handcuffs off business
growth and got a pile of new taxes and regulations instead.
'I know money is tight. I'm not asking the Chancellor to rip up his fiscal rules. But at the very least, he should start unravelling the mistakes of the last two Budgets.'
British firms already face the highest property tax burden of any major economy, a recent report by tax consultants Ryan found. Labour has increased business rates on large warehouses, introducing a higher rate surcharge for larger commercial properties with rateable value above £500,000.
Dubbed the ‘Amazon tax’, it was meant to target online retailers and shift the tax burden away from physical high streets.
But the tax also applies to ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers like Tesco, which have huge distribution centres at the heart of their supply chains.
Mr Healey is now understood to recognise that a tax increase on warehouse space could hit high street shops and family businesses, Telegraph Online reported.
The Chancellor faces a tough balancing act in his maiden Budget after Britain's borrowing costs surged to a 28-year high, cutting the fiscal ‘headroom’ or buffer he has to play with to just £12billion.
Last night, it was unclear who will be at Tuesday's meeting in Downing Street.
Sainsbury's said that it hadn't been invited, while Asda boss
Allan Leighton won't be attending due to a prior engagement, spokesmen for the respective supermarkets said.
An HM Treasury spokesman declined to comment on ‘rumour, speculation or proposals’.
“We want Britain’s retailers to thrive, and the Chancellor has
---
动物园惊魂
📄 Original Section
‘We wanted growth but got new taxes instead’
been clear that the way to tackle cost pressures in the long term is through growth,' they added.
‘That is why he is focused on creating the conditions for businesses to invest, expand and create jobs in every postcode – and we are already backing firms through business-rates cuts, a cap on corporation tax and a £4.3 billion package to help businesses manage costs and keep investing.’
约克郡野生动物园于2009, 开业，其“老虎之乡”（Land Of The Tigers）区域于2011. 开放。它
---
📄 Original Section
Visitors film as ‘man in 20s’ kneels in front of 30-stone big cat and is mauled to death
By Nick Constable and Tom Midlane
FAMILIES watched in horror as a man was mauled to death by a 30-stone Siberian tiger yesterday, after he climbed into its enclosure at a wildlife park.
One witness said the ‘agitated’ intruder was ‘grabbed by the throat’ within seconds of scaling a fence at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
PREDATOR: Altai, the male Siberian tiger who killed the ‘agitated’ man who entered his enclosure
Videos posted online show the tiger, called Altai, circling him on the grass before shaking him like a ragdoll. The man, thought to be in his 20s, was heard crying ‘no, no’ during the attack.
Before the tiger struck, the victim – who had not been named last night – is seen kneeling on the ground with his arms out wide
He was also seen pointing his finger at the animal, repeatedly screaming 'stop'. Meanwhile, visitors started shouting in a desperate a bid to distract the tiger.
On the footage, a woman's voice can be heard saying: 'I tried to stop him.' Zoo keepers raced to
the scene armed with gas-powered acoustic guns, firing five loud, shotgun-like blasts close to the predator in an attempt to drive it off.
A witness told The Mail on Sunday the man, who had a mobile phone and was wearing AirPods, appeared to 'psyche himself up' by performing a 'dance' in the spectator area before climbing the fence.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service sent two road ambulances plus an air ambulance. Paramedics with blood transfusion kits were seen desperately trying to save the victim, but South Yorkshire Police later confirmed he had died from his injuries.
Keepers were later seen wrapping black plastic sheeting around a section of the enclosure to shield it from view.
Police said they received reports at 1.35pm of a man entering the enclosure. A statement said: 'The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.
‘Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
'The man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.'
Officers urged people not to share footage of the attack.
The tiger was uninjured and remained in its enclosure, the
AFTERMATH: Air ambulance and police at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort as, right, visitors evacuate
force added, saying there was no wider risk to the public. The park, near Doncaster, said it was working closely with the authorities to establish exactly what happened.
The attraction was evacuated after the attack and will remain shut today. One witness praised staff for remaining calm during the incident.
Altai arrived at the park in February 2025 from Dyreparken Zoo in Norway, where he was born.
A Yorkshire Wildlife Park spokesman said last night: 'We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure. Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated and emergency services attended the scene.
‘We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.’
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the Land Of The Tigers area opening in 2011. It is
a purpose-built two-acre reserve for Siberian tigers, an endangered species with around 500 left in the wild. Photos show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.
The attack comes only four months after a three-year-old boy was thrown into a crocodile pit by a man in Cambridgeshire.
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Starmer, Zelensky and EU leaders to meet Trump today – but will he listen to a single word they say?
SIR KEIR Starmer By Andy Lehning will be
SIR KEIR Starmer will join EU and Nato leaders to bolster Volodymyr Zelensky in his crunch White House meeting with Donald Trump today. They will present a united front in the hope of moderating Mr Trump's treatment of the Ukrainian leader,
whom he humiliated at the Oval Office in February.
European ministers fear that Mr Zelensky is walking into a trap laid by Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian leader said last night that the 'coalition of the willing' - the UK and other nations that have pledged to support Kyiv - held a 'useful' two-hour video conference yesterday. He revealed that they had a 'common view on what a peace agreement should be' and insisted it did not include changing state borders by force.
In a sign of EU leaders' bullishness, French president Emmanuel Macron said afterwards: 'If we're not strong today, we'll pay dearly tomorrow.'
It came after Boris Johnson called on Sir Keir to lead global efforts to protect Ukraine from
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In 2007, British exchange student Meredith Kercher was found murdered in her apartment in Perugia, Italy. Her roommate, the American student Amanda Knox (Grace Van Patten), was convicted of her murder amid a storm of media coverage. This controversial eight-part drama centres on Knox's 16-year battle to prove her innocence in the face of a wave of public opinion that
Holborn and St Pancras by-election, and faces mounting pressure on his leadership over anti-Israeli activism. The party's poll ratings have halved this year, with the lost voters overwhelmingly switching to Labour.
Sir Ed Davey is also battling to save his job as leader of the Lib Dems after one of his MPs, Charlie Maynard, resigned from the front bench on Friday in an apparent attempt to force a contest.
A senior Conservative source said: 'We think the election will come sooner rather than later, possibly before the end of the year.'
Mrs Badenoch's strategists were even on alert during Labour con-
ference in case Mr Burnham used his speech to trigger a contest. The party has been holding election meetings since July, and has a draft manifesto and campaign 'grid' – detailing the seats Mrs Badenoch will visit and public appearances she will make – in place.
Mrs Badenoch said last night: 'We know there's a battle of ideas coming in British politics and I've instructed the Conservative party to be ready for an election at any point. When that election comes there will be a simple choice between Conservative plans to get Britain working again and a Labour party that keeps putting up taxes, refuses to cut welfare and won't fund our defence.'
Mrs Badenoch's team were buoyed by the response to her speech at the Tory conference in Birmingham, in which she sig-
ALMOST every Prime Minister identifies a fictional voter they need to target on the road to No10. Tony Blair had middle-class Mondeo Man in 1997 and Boris Johnson needed older, working-class Workington Man to topple Labour's Red Wall in 2019.
Now The Mail on Sunday has been told Kemi Badenoch has Waitrose Woman in her sights as the Tories gear up for a snap election.
Insiders say their target voter is ‘aspirational – not necessarily a millionaire, but above all wants a lower tax burden. She wants to work hard, get on and pay less tax so she can have more money in her pocket.
‘She may have voted Labour or Lib Dem at the last election but was heartily sick of the Conservatives. Maybe because of the way we behaved, we didn’t deliver, or we were in too long. There are a bunch of different things, but these people are still Tories when it comes to the economy.
'There's a conventional way of looking at people as only Left-wing or only Right-wing – we are not doing that.' The caricature underpins a new
nalled a return to the party's traditional focus on lower taxes and home ownership – vowing to scrap inheritance tax on main residences as part of a ‘battle for the soul of the nation’.
Mr Burnham does not have to call an election until 2029, but the
strategy to win back aspirational voters, who one shadow cabinet minister said are ‘sick to the back teeth of being hammered by tax rises’.
The strategy helps explain some of the policies unveiled at last week's party conference in Birmingham – where Mrs Badenoch, right, likened the Tory comeback to another aspirational retailer, Marks and Spencer.
Her plans includes abolishing inheritance tax on family homes, childcare support for parents on £100,000-plus and scrapping the ‘grocery tax’ on packaging – all paid for by slashing the welfare budget.
Recent polling by YouGov says that among regular Waitrose shoppers, Labour polls 28 per cent with the Tories on 24 points and Lib Dems on 21.
The Tories have not selected Waitrose Woman by chance.
One insider said: 'We have done a ton of research...listening to people and identifying these things.'
Left-wing policies he set out in his conference speech – such as establishing a national care service – would require tax rises ruled out by the 2024 manifesto.
The deteriorating economic situation ahead of this month's Budget has also highlighted the difficulties involved in balancing the books while Chancellor John Healey has his hands tied on income tax, VAT and National Insurance.
Adjusting the triple lock pension system, reversing Brexit and introducing electoral reform also point to the prime minister seeking his own mandate from voters at the ballot box.
As The Mail on Sunday reveals today, the Tories' target voter will be 'Waitrose Woman'. Like shoppers at the high-end supermarket, she is 'aspirational – not necessarily a millionaire' – and
After PM appeared to back club's U Labour's £290,000 of Man City freebies
UNDER PRESSURE: Andy Burnham talks to the chairman of Man City, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, left
By Nick Constable
PRESSURE is growing on Andy Burnham to distance Labour from the Man City financial scandal after revelations that Labour MPs received almost £290,000 of freebies from the club and its UAE owners.
Spread over a decade, the gifts came in the form of VIP match tickets, flights and luxury junkets to the Arab state where City's majority stakeholder Sheikh Mansour is deputy prime minister.
Among the main beneficiaries was Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell, whose Manchester Central constituency includes the club's Etihad Stadium. According to the MPs' Register of Interests, seen by The Sun, she accepted free tickets worth £2,360 to five matches over an 11-month period.
Last night, the TaxPayers' Alliance watchdog urged the PM to 'make clear that football regulation will be left entirely to the proper independent bodies, with no political interference whatsoever'.
In total, Labour MPs scooped £14,000 of City tickets and hospitality while 25 of them took hand-outs worth £275,000 in flights and luxury trips to the UAE.
Tory members picked up nearly £175,000 of UAE trips while the
SNP, Lib Dems and Reform accounted for £18,500 of Emirates state hospitality.
The extent of the City-linked handouts has emerged in an analysis of the MPs' Register of Interests. Among Labour MPs who benefited from club freebies were Manchester MPs Andrew Western and Jeff Smith who each accepted tickets for four matches. Former PM Keir Starmer, an avid Arsenal fan, received a £900 ticket for City's home game against the Gunners in March 2024.
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Football fans and taxpayers alike have every right to expect complete transparency when politicians accept expensive hospitality from powerful organisations.'
It comes as the Prime Minister's close links to the club have raised fears among Premier League rivals of political interference.
Last month an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of 115 alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.
After the verdicts were announced, Mr Burnham caused controversy by telling the BBC that ‘...if wrongdoing is established those responsible should face the appropriate consequences’. Wrongdoing had by then already been established and a No10 spokesman attempted to clarify the statement by replacing the word ‘if’ with ‘wherever’.
Mr Burnham denied he had downplayed the findings. Rival club sources later told the BBC his comments were ‘absolutely bizarre’ and ‘at best naive and at worst quite manipulative’.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded that Downing Street releases details of all meetings between the PM and senior Man City figures.
‘wants to work hard, get on and pay less tax so she can have more money in her pocket’.
Nigel Farage's Reform UK is also preparing for a snap election by appointing a senior figure from the Armed Forces as his defence spokesman – one of several military figures expected to join the party – because the issue of defence funding is likely to be central to the campaign.
In addition, a high-profile expert on health policy is being sought, along with other figures from private industry and the public sector.
It was reported yesterday that Mr Farage is launching his own eight-page newspaper, The Reformer, which will be distributed to 15 million homes as part of a move to ensure his ‘message is heard by the masses’.
The paper will include features on Reform policies and comment pieces from Mr Farage, who has embarked on a ‘general election tour’ of the country this month, visiting Red Wall areas where Reform hopes to topple Labour.
The latest polling suggests that if an election were to be held now, Labour would win 313 seats – down 99 on their 2024 performance – while the Conservatives would win 123 – up 2 - and Reform would get 95. That would leave Labour just short of an overall majority, but could easily form a Government in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
这种怀疑在周五凌晨进一步增强，当时绿党领导人扎克·波兰斯基在霍本和圣潘克拉斯（Holborn and St Pancras）补选中未能获胜，与此同时，他还在应对党内关于反以色列会议决议的内战。波兰斯基先生将失败归咎于基尔·斯塔默爵士旧选区的选民希望“给伯纳姆一个机会”——这是一种天生具有时效限制的蜜月心态。
HEN Andy Burnham gave his lachrymose conference speech in Liverpool last month, Kemi Badenoch and her closest aides were tensed for one particular announcement amongst the plethora of Left-wing policy pledges.
‘We thought that he might use the moment to call a general election,’ says a senior Conservative source. ‘We were poised and ready to roll – and still are.’
Mrs Badenoch used her own conference moment in Birmingham last week to emphasise her disdain for Nigel Farage's Reform UK, saying to loud cheers: 'To those who say "unite the Right", we are not uniting with THAT.'
But there is one thing the parties do agree on – the need to be battle-ready in case Mr Burnham pulls the trigger on a snap poll before Christmas.
To that end, the Tories already have a campaign ‘grid’ – setting out the order of visits to battleground seats by Mrs Badenoch – and a draft manifesto which could be polished and printed within a fortnight. Candidate selections are well-advanced, while election meetings were merging staff at Tory HQ with the Leader of the Opposition’s advisers have been taking place since the summer.
Although the strategists were originally planning for an election next May, they now think it possible that a poll could be called as soon as December: although Mr Burnham said on the eve of his conference that he was ruling out calling a snap election, no one
“A win would free him from restrictions on raising taxes”
in the Tory team believes him. The senior source said: 'Kemi's view is that Burnham said that the [pensions] triple lock was safe, then decided he would ditch it, and he has also changed his mind on Brexit. So why should we trust him on this?'
Over at Reform, Mr Farage is moving to plug some of the gaping holes in his front bench - starting with a senior Armed Forces figure who will be announced within the coming
INSIDE WESTMINSTER With the Right split and other parties on the Left in disarray ...why wouldn't Burnham call an election?
weeks – and is even preparing to launch his own eight-page newspaper. The Reformer will be distributed to 15million households across the country, necessitating what party sources claim is the biggest newsprint order anywhere in the world this year.
The move is both a reaction to, and the product of, the party's controversial funding model: in September, Mr Farage celebrated a whopping £72million windfall from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne.
Aides say this has given him a war chest sufficient to bypass the traditional media outlets which have raised the most persistent questions about the party's donors – including why Mr Farage failed to declare a £5million donation from Mr Harborne. The donation is being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards, who is expected to report imminently.
Both Tory and Reform camps think that Mr Burnham is tempted to spring an election while he is enjoying a bounce in the polls and his rival parties on the Left are in disarray.
That suspicion only increased in the early hours of Friday morning, when Green Party leader Zack Polanski failed to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, while battling civil war in his party over anti-Israeli conference resolutions. Mr Polanski blamed his defeat on the fact that the voters in Sir Keir Starmer's old seat wanted to 'give Burnham a chance' – a honeymoon mentality with an inherently limited shelf-life.
CHALLENGE: Lib Dem leader
Ed Davey faced coup attempt
On the same day, the irrelevance of Sir Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats was highlighted by the fact that he suffered an attempted coup against his leadership without anyone noticing or caring, when one of his MPs, Charlie Maynard, resigned from the party's frontbench in an attempt to force a contest to replace him. It means that Mr
Burnham dominates the Left, at a time when the Right appears hopelessly split.
The latest polling shows Labour moving closer to the 30 per cent figure, while the Tories and Reform are scrapping it out in the low-20s. If an election was held tomorrow, the most sophisticated seat projections put Labour on 313 seats – down 99 on 2024 – the Conservatives on 123 – up 2 – and Reform on 95. Labour would be just short of an overall majority, but could form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
Although Mr Burnham would lose Sir Keir's thumping majority, the pro-poll advocates within Labour argue that waiting longer will give the Tories or Reform time to get their act together, while a victory now would give Mr Burnham his own mandate and free him from the restrictions on raising taxes in the 2024 manifesto.
A senior Tory source said: 'We think the election will come sooner rather than later, possibly before the end of the year. The manifesto is in good shape. It will not be a Christmas tree, like some previous Conservative ones – trying to find a policy to please every special interest group – but will have a clear, compelling message. We are ready to go.'
印度研究人员基于美国品牌 Life Savers 的糖果进行了研究，并要求 100 多名男女对他们偏好的颜色进行排序。
近一半（43%）的人选择红色作为首选，而约四分之一（26%）
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Olympic hero is quizzed over fatal crash – as the daughter of PSG manager escapes injury
By Elizabeth Ivens and Gerard Couzens
TOP British showjumper Scott Brash and the daughter of Paris Saint-German manager Luis Enrique have been involved in a horror road accident in Spain that left a young motorcyclist dead.
Double Olympic gold medal-winning Scottish rider Brash is believed to have been driving an Audi Q3 with Sira Martinez as his passenger when the car collided with a motorbike south of Valencia at 7.45pm last Thursday.
Mr Enrique's model daughter Ms Martinez, 26, who is also a showjumper, and Brash, 40, are rumoured to be in a relationship.
Both escaped unscathed from the accident, according to reports.
Police confirmed last night that the ‘British car driver’ was being probed on suspicion of manslaughter and was likely to be summoned for questioning by a judge.
The Spanish Guardia Civil spokesman said: 'A motorbike collided with the side of a car. The motorbike rider, a 20-year-old Spanish national, died at the scene.
INVESTIGATION: Left: British equestrian star Scott Brash. Top: Sira Martinez and, above, with her father and family after PSG's 2025 Champions League win
‘The British car driver and his Spanish passenger were unharmed. The car driver is being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter because it appears he made an improper turn.
'A report on the incident has been submitted to a local court so it can summon him for questioning.' Police confirmed the driver of the car passed drug and alcohol tests.
Equestrian sensation Brash, from the Scottish Borders town of Peebles, won his first Olympic gold medal at the London 2012 Games. He scooped Britain's first Olympic showjumping title for 60 years when he helped to clinch a surprise team title in Greenwich
Park with teammates Ben Maher, Nick Skelton and Peter Charles.
In 2024, he repeated his Olympic gold success in the team event at the Paris Games.
While Mr Brash is rumoured to be dating Ms Martinez it has never been formally confirmed that he has split from his long-term girlfriend Hannah Colman, his travelling head groom. Ms Martinez has previously been linked with PSG and Spanish international striker Ferran Torres.
She is the only surviving daughter of former Barcelona player Mr Enrique.
His youngest daughter Xana died in 2019 at the age of nine after battling bone cancer.
“与温暖和成熟相关”
的人选择了蓝色。
橙色紧随其后，占比 15%
，而 10%
的人选择了绿色，仅 5%
的人偏好黄色。
研究人员在 Open Science Framework 上写道，红色之所以可能排名第一，是因为一种被称为“感知流畅度”（perceptual fluency）的现象——即大脑将图像与我们的预期相匹配的便捷程度和速度。
THE thousands of music fans who have secured coveted tickets to Glastonbury Festival next year face an anxious wait to find out which stars will perform.
But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that one of the headline acts at Worthy Farm in June will be British singer Sam Fender.
The official line-up for those paying at least £400 to attend will not be confirmed until the spring, but Fender is set to headline the festival's main Pyramid Stage.
The Geordie musician, 32, has had a successful year after his song Rein Me In, a duet with Olivia Dean, broke records as the
By Dolly Busby
CHIEF SHOWBUSINESS WRITER
longest-running No1 single in UK music history, spending a total of 23 weeks at the top of the charts.
A source said: 'Sam is over the moon, it's a major milestone in his career and he's so excited he's even been telling his neighbours.'
The five-time Brit Award winner shares close ties with previous Glastonbury acts such as Dean and his friend Lewis Capaldi, who both played the festival in 2025. The event had one of its regular fallow years this year, to give the Worthy Farm land a chance to recover.
An industry source said: 'Lewis has been gunning for Sam to get the headline slot. He's been bringing Sam on stage at his gigs just to get him more out there and more talked-about.'
Fender previously played the Pyramid Stage in 2022, three years after cancelling a planned appearance at the last minute because of illness.
Tickets for Glastonbury 2027 – which has a capacity of 210,000 – sold out in just 42 minutes last Sunday, despite no performers being announced.
独家报道
📄 Original Section
Got a sweet tooth? Just blame the red ones
By Roger Dobson
IF YOU'VE ever found yourself fighting over the last red sweet in the packet you're not alone. The red ones are by far our favourites, scientists say – and it's all down to how humans have evolved.
A study which investigated our confectionary preferences found we associate red with warmth, sweetness and ripeness, which makes the red sweets in a pack far more appealing than other colours.
Yellow sweets, meanwhile, are the most likely to be left lingering at the end of a pack.
They are eight times less popular than red sweets because the colour is associated with a sour flavour.
The Indian researchers based their study on sweets from US brand Life Savers, and asked more than 100 men and women to rank which colours they preferred.
Nearly half – 43 per cent – picked red as their top choice, while about one quarter, 26
The researchers, writing in the Open Science Framework, said red likely came top because of a phenomenon known as ‘perceptual fluency’ – the ease and speed with which the brain matches an image with our expectations.
This means red was more easily associated with sweetness than other colours.
Blue, meanwhile, triggers feelings of calmness and peace, according to the study ‘Colours evoke specific emotions, and dictate the mood of consumers,’ the researchers said. ‘This gives the visual appeal of red a competitive advantage over other flavours.’
THE commander who led the land operation to liberate the Falklands has triggered a furore by saying that boats carrying migrants across the Channel should be machine-gunned.
‘I would shoot them,’ Major-General Julian Thompson told a documentary about mass immigration to Britain.
Last night, the Home Office warned that anyone taking the law into their own hands would face ‘serious criminal consequences’, while the Tories stressed that ‘opening fire on migrant boats would be completely wrong’.
Maj Gen Thompson, 92, who headed 3 Commando Brigade during the conflict,
'One blast is all it would take – they'd get the message'
said of the thousands of migrants who land on UK shores each month: 'We could stop them tomorrow if we really had the guts. I'd shoot them, sorry, but I would.'
When contacted by The Mail on Sunday, Maj Gen Thompson clarified that he thought the bullets should be aimed at the vessels, not the occupants. Asked if he feared a backlash to his remarks, Maj Gen Thompson said: 'As long as they don't come around here, I don't mind what they do.
‘They come over here and rape our girls. One machine-gun blast is all it would take... then they would get the message. I just want them to bugger off. If they [the Government] don’t stop them then there will be a revolution. Our leaders are just wet.’
Maj Gen Thompson's remarks were made to journalist Steven Edginton in a documentary being broadcast on Edginton's YouTube channel this weekend.
More than 20,000 small-boat migrants have arrived so far this year, down by 40 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. However, the numbers travelling on each vessel has increased, with an average of 67 migrants packing on to every boat.
Maj Gen Thompson joined the Marines in 1952 and served for 34 years, writing numerous books on military history after he retired.
He led the ground forces of Operation Sutton, the amphibious landings at San Carlos Water in May 1982, which established a
TARGET: Migrants crossing the Channel last month, crowded on one of the mega-dinghies people-smugglers are increasingly using
Furore as marine who liberated Falklands says: Machine-gun the migrants' boats
GLORY: King – then Prince – Charles greets Maj Gen Thompson on returning from the Falklands. Above right: With his medals
secure beachhead on East Falkland despite heavy Argentine air attacks. On the eve of battle, he appeared on HMS Fearless with a piece of paper carrying the order to begin the operation, and told his men: 'Gentlemen, here we go.' In his YouTube interview, Maj
Gen Thompson calls the Islamic belief of many migrants ‘a flawed religion, in that women are totally out. They can be treated like chattels, and children the same’.
He also says Britain is ‘just going downhill’, adding: ‘I’m glad I won’t see it, I’ll be dead.
‘It’s not Britain any more, it’s a sort of funny conglomeration of people, and in a wet country that allows itself to be pushed around all over the place.’
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Opening fire on migrant boats would be completely wrong. I understand people's anger at migrant crossings but we cannot shoot at people. There is another way to end this.
'If the French won't stop the boats near the shore then the British Government should deport every illegal immigrant within a week of arrival. This requires us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, which the Conservative borders
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比尔·奈伊在被恶作剧者的 Meta 眼镜秘密拍摄后感到“不安”
《真爱至上》主演比尔·奈伊（Bill Nighy）成为了 Meta “变态眼镜”的受害者，他被一名 YouTube 恶作剧者秘密录像。
plan does, but the Labour Government is too weak to do. Instead of being deported on arrival, illegal immigrants get put up in hotels and flats. This has to end.'
A Home Office spokesman said: last night: 'This government is bearing down on dangerous and illegal crossings.
‘Anyone who seeks to take the law into their own hands is putting lives at risk and will face serious criminal consequences.’
IN TOUGH times, businesses have to watch every penny – but diners have accused Toby Carvery of going too far when a chef was filmed carefully weighing a slice of meat he was serving up.
After being roasted by online critics, the restaurant chain insisted it was not taking a newly miserly approach to its
By Jacinta Taylor
usually generous portion size. The debate started when Facebook user Tee Gee posted a video of himself handing his plate to a chef who puts it on a set of scales before carving the meat.
He captioned the footage:
'Tiny Yorkshire puddings and they're weighing the meat now. Good job I went king size. They'll be counting the peas next.'
In the clip, he is seen asking the chef: 'How long have you been weighing the meat?'
The chef in Poole, Dorset, replies: 'About three weeks now', before confirming the scales have also been
introduced at other branches. Tee Gee then asks: 'How much meat can I get in weight?' and is told: 'It's 216g for a king-size plate. It's about 160g on a normal plate.' One riverished 'We milk
One viewer joked: 'We will need ration books soon.'
Toby – which offers unlimited sides and trimmings with its carvery meals – said the scales are used only for
staff training. A spokesman said: 'Don't worry, Toby fans, nothing has changed with our portion sizes.
‘Our chefs are highly trained and generally carve portions using their experience. Sometimes, we use scales to help train new team members or to reassure existing chefs that their portion servings are on point.’
encer Jack Jones, who was wearing the controversial Ray-Ban smart glasses which are fitted with a tiny camera.
Jones, who made his name making fake phone calls, accosted Nighy outside a London cafe and engaged him in conversation, which was recorded without the actor's consent. The video has been uploaded to Jones' YouTube channel, which has 500,000 subscribers.
The perplexed double-Bafta winner is seen to respond: 'For?'
In the footage, Jones, wearing the glasses developed by the firm behind Facebook, calls out to Nighy as he stands outside the cafe, saying: 'Excuse me, Bill, I'm going to have to report you.'
‘For being the best actor in the world,’ quips Jack, before asking Nighy questions about his life.
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A source close to Nighy has described Jones' behaviour as 'very unpleasant and disrespectful'.
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It is not the first time Jones has targeted Nighy at what appears to be the same cafe. In another video, posted two years ago, he surprises the actor from behind by loudly saying, 'Good afternoon, Philip' – a reference to his character in 2004 comedy Shaun Of The Dead.
As Nighy leaps from his seat in shock and walks away, Jones keeps filming and repeatedly asks, 'Where is Shaun, Philip?'
'DISRESPECTFUL': Bill Nighy in a video filmed by Jack Jones, below
Among a string of comments from viewers of the footage, the stunt was branded 'vile' and 'a horrible thing to do'. A year later, Jones thing to do'. A year later, Jones uploaded another clip entitled 'Me and Bill Nighy have squashed the beef', showing him presenting flowers to the actor by way of apology.
There has been widespread criticism over the use of the Meta glasses to film without consent.
该倡议是一系列庆祝黑人历史月活动的一部分。在南伦敦国民信托旗下的莫登大厅公园（Morden Hall Park），5 至 12 岁的儿童将在一次“有趣且具有教育意义”的烘焙课程中，学习 1968 年奥运会期间该敬礼的起源。
批评者称该计划“可悲”，并表示这进一步证明该慈善机构已经背离了保护英国历史遗产的创始原则。
活动团体“恢复信任”（Restore Trust）的科妮莉亚·范德波尔（Cornelia van der Poll）曾批评国民信托追求日益“觉醒”的政治议程，她表示，美国民权
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📄 Original Section
Backing you with recruitment support.
As well as being used by online content creators, they have been exploited by stalkers and harassers, gaining them the label ‘pervert glasses’.
Numerous venues and businesses, including Wetherspoon pubs, theatres and schools, have banned them.
In August, ministers in Australia and Norway revealed they were considering banning and regulating wearable gadgets with cameras.
Jones, 33, made his name in the mid-2010s for prank videos that included honking horns behind people in the street and telling people they had a spider on their shoulder.
Responding to the latest video of Nighy, Jones insisted that he had the actor's consent to upload the recording. He said: 'I approached Bill while I was filming content using the Meta glasses.
'I explained that I had been film-
ing and showed him the type of content I create, which is mainly positive videos involving flowers, kindness and doing nice things for people.
‘Bill was very nice about it and seemed to like what I was doing. There was no intention to make him look
bad or embarrass him in any way. The whole purpose of my content is to create positive moments and spread a bit of kindness, and that's exactly the context of the interaction.'
REFORM UK has accused a jail governor of ‘working against patriotic British people’ after refusing to remove books that help foreign criminals become UK citizens.
Maidstone prison in Kent, which has a wing for foreign offenders, stocks guidance in its library on passing the 'Life in the UK' test – a vital step in earning citizenship.
Zia Yusuf, Reform's home affairs spokesman, said last night: 'When we demanded the books be removed, the prison governor Paul Mason refused. Taxpayers will be shocked that they are forced to help foreign criminals get British citizenship.
'The establishment is working against patriotic British people. As Home Secretary I will deport every single prisoner in that jail.'
Under current guidelines, people are not disqualified from applying for UK citizenship if they have served up to four years in prison.
Last night Mr Mason said: 'Having reviewed the material I have not identified any security, safety, good order, discipline or public protection concerns arising from the availability of Life in the UK test study materials within the library.
'Nor is the publication subject to any national restriction. As such, there is no policy basis upon which I could justify directing its removal from prison stock.'
Earlier this year, Reform leader Nigel Farage said if he wins power he will send the 10,000 foreign nationals in UK jails to El Salvador.
另一位 Python 成员迈克尔·帕林爵士（Sir Michael Palin）表示，在 1977年戒酒的查普曼可能会更喜欢 2012 年在伦敦北部海格特（Highgate）Angel 酒吧侧墙上为他设立的非官方牌匾：“格雷厄姆会觉得非常有趣。”
名人版《叛徒》的 12 个秘密
📄 Original Section
Now woke National Trust teaches children aged 5 about Black Power - in a cookie-baking lesson
EXCLUSIVE
By Chris Hastings
THE National Trust has sparked renewed uproar by announcing 'ultra-woke' plans to teach children as young as five about the controversial Black Power salute – during a baking workshop.
The initiative forms part of a series of events to mark Black History month. It will involve children aged five to 12 being taught about the origins of the salute at the 1968 Olympics during a ‘fun and educational’ baking session at Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property in south London.
Critics have branded the plans ‘pathetic’ and said it was further proof that the charity had lost sight of its founding principles to protect the UK’s historic heritage.
Cornelia van der Poll, of campaign group Restore Trust, which has criticised the National Trust for pursuing an increasingly 'woke' political agenda, said any link between the US civil rights
但当摄像机停止拍摄时，这部 BBC One 节目的参赛者们依然“在互相攻击”，因为他们之间的紧张气氛和“极度偏执”已经蔓延到了现实生活中。
消息人士称，与去年嘉宾阵容愉快享受节目的名人版不同，这一次它
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📄 Original Section
'Not relevant to this particular property'
movement and Morden Hall Park was ‘highly contrived’.
She said: 'Teaching children about a Black Power salute is not relevant to this particular property and it's not relevant to what the National Trust does.
‘Much as we might sympathise and we do sympathise with civil rights in America, nevertheless it is a political subject... When you emphasise the political at the cost of everything else, you end up short-changing [children] on the actual relevant history.’
Describing the National Trust as ‘ultra-woke’, historian Andrew Roberts said it was ‘sad, pathetic but wholly predictable’ that the charity ‘won’t even let five-year-olds bake cakes on their premises without taking the opportunity to force Left-wing propaganda down their throats’.
The Trust's website says children attending the baking session will 'learn about the inspiring story of Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos and their iconic Black Power salute'. They will then be assisted to make and bake their own 'Olympic Gold Cookies'.
The 200m sprinters raised their black-gloved fists on the podium at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics during the playing of the American national anthem to protest systemic racism and institutional segregation in the US. The salute has become an enduring icon of the civil rights movement.
The only link between slavery and Morden Hall Park is that the family who owned it had a business processing snuff, Ms Van der Poll said.
‘What the National Trust is trying to do is tell people of African descent that this is particularly relevant to them, assigning them victim status,’ she said.
‘It is treating black people as a group rather than as individuals who might be interested in the historic properties.’
A National Trust spokesman said: 'We provide opportunities for people of all ages to explore the
POLITICAL: A Morden Hall Park event will teach children about the 1968 salute, right
people, events and ideas that have shaped history and the world we live in today.
‘This Black History Month, activities taking place across the National Trust cover 18th to 20th-century history.
‘At Morden Hall Park, people can hear about the 1968 Olympics and how they became such a significant moment in modern history.'
An unnamed member of the National Trust said: 'I think it would be best for all concerned if the Trust just allowed the kids a chance to bake. The Trust should be teaching the children about the property, not about Black Power.'
...as English Heritage rejects bid to honour Python star with blue plaque
NOT THE MESSIAH: Graham Chapman famously starred in The Life Of Brian
IT SEEMS Life Of Brian star Graham Chapman is still regarded as ‘a very naughty boy’ more than 45 years after the film’s release.
English Heritage has turned down a request to erect a blue plaque to celebrate the life and work of the former Python.
Chapman, who died aged 48 in 1989, was snubbed even though he met the eligibility criteria for the honour.
Friends and supporters fear he may have fallen victim to a drive by the charity to increase the number of black and Asian figures who are celebrated.
Last night, fellow Python and writing partner John Cleese,
By Chris Hastings
said: 'I wonder why they have not decided to go ahead.
‘It seems that a lot of these quangos have woke inclinations unrepresentative of most British people.
'Presumably, we can put up a plaque ourselves.'
English Heritage, which runs the official blue plaques scheme in London, receives about 80 nominations annually and this year said it would erect nine.
The charity's list included Oscar-winning actor Sir Laurence Olivier and pioneering astronomer Cecilia
Payne-Gaposchkin. But others honoured will be less familiar.
They include Kamal Chunchie, a Sri Lankan-born Methodist pastor who fought for racial justice in London's East End in the 1930s and 40s, and Duse Mohamed Ali, who was a leading figure in London's Pan-Africanism movement.
Chapman co-write some of the best-known Python skits, including the Dead Parrot sketch, the Argument Clinic and Four Yorkshiremen.
He is best known for playing the title role in the 1979 film Monty Python's The Life Of Brian, about a man wrongly assumed to be a messiah.
Brian's mother Mandy – played by Terry Jones – famously declared: 'He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy.'
A spokesman for English Heritage said it had ‘carefully considered’ Chapman’s nomination, adding: ‘The selection process is highly competitive, with many exceptional candidates considered each year.’
Another Python, Sir Michael Palin, said Chapman, who quit drinking in 1977, would have preferred the unofficial plaque put up in his honour on the side of the Angel pub in Highgate, north London, in 2012: ‘Graham would be very tickled.’
It's only a game, darlings... even off screen stars are at one another's throats
EXCLUSIVE
By Codie Bullen
SHOWBUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
ON SCREEN, the stars of Celebrity Traitors viciously murder or banish their fellow cast members in a bid to win the show.
But when the cameras stop rolling, contestants on the BBC One show are still ‘at one another’s throats’ as the tension and ‘utter paranoia’ between them spills over into real life.
Sources say that unlike last year's celebrity version of the programme, when the line up had fun and enjoyed it, this time it
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詹姆斯的50道阴影！这位被弃之于憨豆先生而后的瘦高喜剧演员如何成为“城堡里最火的男人”
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📄 Original Section
'One contestant really lost their nerve'
became extremely stressful behind the scenes.
Traitors insiders suggest that wrong decisions at the round table when two Faithfuls were sent home sparked the paranoid behaviour.
On Thursday, US actress Myha'la, star of BBC One's Industry, was banished and on Friday, former Coronation Street favourite Julie Hesmondhalgh was sent home in a shock decision – rather than mathematician Professor Hannah Fry, a Traitor.
A show insider told The Mail on Sunday: 'The tension is coming across on screen, but it was just as bad if not worse when the cameras stopped rolling. It is a tense environment, and they are cut off from the outside world; it is hard for them to switch off even when they head back to their individual lodgings. They were constantly thinking about the game.'
Even funnyman Rob Beckett surprised his co-stars, with high energy behaviour which was at times hard for the others to deal with while filming in Scotland early in the summer.
The source added: 'They were all making each other more stressed out. A lot of them just couldn't hack it, I'm not sure what they thought they were signing up to.
One contestant really lost their nerve at one point and their co-stars were absolutely stunned.
‘And Rob, who is usually so funny, really struggled at points and surprised the others with his behaviour. They put it down to the fact that things were so tense.’
Another source said that some on the show, which also stars Ross Kemp, Miranda Hart, Maya Jama and Jerry Hall, struggled to remember it was just a game.
The pressure became so intense for comedian James Acaster, who was recruited as a Traitor in the second episode, that filming had to be paused. The 41-year-old became ‘very anxious’ on set in Ardross Castle and some of the other contestants were forced to speak up and insist the cameras stop rolling.
BBC bosses later stressed that the welfare of contestants was a priority.
Viewers of the game show have watched as Acaster has become increasingly distressed on screen, repeating: 'I'm not good at lying.'
The stand-up comic expressed his wish to remain a Faithful on the show.
Faithful Kemp – best known for
TENSION: The celebrities were on edge behind the scenes
playing hardman Grant Mitchell on EastEnders – has entertained viewers by becoming increasingly paranoid when other cast members touch him.
And it wasn't just the celebrities feeling the stress.
During filming, their teams were kept completely in the dark and had no contact with their clients until they exited the game.
Agents and publicists have no say in what is shown and can only hope their clients get a good edit.
Yes, it's beautiful – but should Blunt really be plugging his £1,695 suit on social media?
THE BBC ordered singer James Blunt to remove an online post in which he plugged a £1,695 tweed suit he wore in the opening episode of Celebrity Traitors.
Days before the launch of the series, Blunt, 52, uploaded on to his X account a BBC publicity shot, right, of him in the suit.
The picture, with logos for the BBC and Celebrity Traitors, appeared with a link to the X account of Barrington Ayre, a Cotswolds-based tailor which supplied Blunt with the suit.
Blunt, whose big 2005 hit was You're Beautiful, has two million
By Chris Hastings
followers and captioned the post, 'The name's Blunt. James Blunt.'
Editorial guidelines which apply to all BBC talent prohibit stars from exploiting BBC programmes or brands in any advertisements or promotions.
The BBC and Studio Lambert, the production company behind the show, were believed to be unaware of Blunt's post until contacted by The Mail on Sunday.
A BBC insider said: 'As soon as the BBC was alerted, it spoke to all parties and the post was removed from X.'
Celebrity Traitors is a ratings juggernaut with each episode watched by a live audience of upwards of ten million.
Barrington Ayre posted the same picture of Blunt in the suit on its own website.
Managing director Tom Wharton last night insisted it had no formal commercial relationship with Blunt and there was no prior agreement for him to wear the suit on the BBC programme.
He declined to say how much Blunt had paid for the suit or whether it had been gifted. 'I wouldn't do that with any customer,' he said.
A spokesman for Blunt did not provide a comment.
He is one of the show's army of Faithfuls and has proved popular with both viewers and his fellow contestants.
The former Army Captain has taken the lead in some of the show's group bonding tasks.
A fellow contestant, comedienne Miranda Hart, delighted viewers when she said she found his commanding behaviour ‘mildly erotic’.
50 shades of James! How the lanky comic dumped for Mr Bean became the ‘hottest bloke in the castle’
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揭秘：英国人若在某种情况下可殴打妻子
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By Codie Bullen
SHOWBUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
GEEKY, lanky and awkward, with a penchant for corduroy trousers and grandad jumpers, 'heartthrob' is hardly the first word that comes to mind when you look at James Acaster. But the Celebrity Traitors star has, it seems, become an unlikely stud.
Following his sensational start on the hit BBC show, which saw him become the third becloaked Traitor, the comedian has found himself at the centre of a lively debate about his relationship status.
And not least because – as his legion of admirers have been aghast to discover – he has the dubious ‘honour’ of having been dumped in favour of Mr Bean.
Yes, you read that correctly: the 41-year-old, whose 6ft 1in frame and foppish blond curls have been leaving middle-aged women weak, was once the partner of actress and comedian Louise Ford, better known as Rowan Atkinson's second wife.
Indeed, Atkinson split from his first wife,
Sunetra Sastry, with whom he shares two grown-up children, to be with Ms Ford in 2014, after the pair met while appearing in a play together. They now have a young daughter.
Yet this bizarre entry in Acaster's relationship history seems only to have further endeared him to fans. Many have taken to social media to declare their affection for the star, with some admirers even creating fan pages on TikTok.
They are full of video compilations or ‘thirst trap edits’ designed
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‘He’s swapped scruffy stand-up look for a more polished style’
to showcase a person's physical appeal – a huge compliment for any man on the wrong side of 40.
The videos include clips of Acaster strutting about Ardross Castle and taking part in the gruelling challenges – all long limbs, arched eyebrows and deadpan wit.
One edit has racked up almost 200,000 views, with one person commenting: 'Yeah, he's fit! Didn't realise until last night!'
Another agreed, adding: ‘Glad it’s not just me.’ A third, referring to EL James’s erotic novel, drooled: ‘Fifty Shades of James.’
Many note that the Off Menu podcast host has had a glow-up for the show, swapping his signature scruffy late-night stand-up look for a more polished style.
And they will be pleased to learn that he appears to be single.
He was with Ms Ford between 2011 and 2013, with their relationship coming to an end after she met the now 71-year-old Atkinson.
Addressing the break-up in his 2018 stand-up tour, Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, Acaster joked: 'I found out a year after we split up. I opened the newspaper, and there's a photo of the two of them walking arm-in-arm down the street together and a full story about how they were a couple now.
‘It’s my job to say things that are funny, and the funniest thing that's ever happened to anyone happened to me, and I put it on the back burner out of respect. Until you get left for Mr Bean, you don't realise how frequently he pops up.
'There's a shop two streets from my house that sells masks of his face. There's nowhere I'm going to go that he's not there.'
Since then, he has had only one significant relationship, with New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo, the creator and star of BBC rom-com Starstruck. And it appeared to affect him deeply.
Their split in 2017 plunged Acaster into a dark place mentally, which he has discussed in his podcasts and wrote about in his 2019 book, Perfect Sound Whatever.
‘That was when I started having serious suicidal thoughts for the first time,’ he said.
'I didn't attempt it. I was in New York, the first time I'd ever been, which should have been really exciting. Instead I'd find myself thinking about ways I could kill
HEARTTHROB: Acaster on Celebrity Traitors. Right, his ex-partner with Atkinson
myself. That scared me. I'm very lucky, personality-wise, that as soon as I recognise something needs doing, I'll do it. So as soon as I got back to England I booked a therapy session.'
Having worked on his mental health, Acaster then used the experience for his comedy material.
He's since said he is in a much better place. But he hasn't had the easiest ride on Celebrity Traitors.
Despite telling host Claudia Winkleman that he would rather be a Faithful, and was not comfortable with lying, he was recruited to be a Traitor by Richard E Grant and Love Island presenter Maya Jama in the second episode. In a tense scene, Acaster and former Today show host Amol
Rajan were forced to plead for their lives in the Traitors chapel before being told to lie in a coffin and await their fate.
Rajan was ‘murdered’ and Acaster saved – and he has been forced to plot with his fellow Traitors in the turret since.
But whether he has it in him to continue to deceive and murder the Faithfuls has yet to be seen. Several times Ms Jama has tried to encourage him to enjoy the power of being a Traitor, and to relish in picking new targets to knock off.
And while he hasn't faced much suspicion yet, he reportedly became 'very anxious' on set, which led to filming being briefly paused during the summer to allow him to calm down.
'Everyone was aware of the pressure getting to James; it was difficult to watch him struggling,' one source told this newspaper.
Producers have since addressed the reports, stressing that the welfare of contestants is a priority while filming the notoriously intense reality series.
Acaster previously predicted that being a part of a major
TV show would cause him stress.
Speaking on the podcast of Romesh Ranganathan – who is also appearing on Celebrity Traitors – he admitted: 'I've turned shows down because I've watched them and thought they would be too stressful.
'Like, I love Strictly, but I'm never going to do that. I think I would have a meltdown before the first episode went out.'
The comedian, who is thought to be worth £4.5million.
certainly keeps busy, with frequent stand-up shows and his Off Menu podcast, which he co-hosts with Ed Gamble, the presenter of the Traitors BBC2 companion programme Uncloaked.
And after the show he is likely to be in high demand – particularly with the ladies.
社会融合专家、《超越委屈：左翼对少数族裔的误解》（Beyond Grievance: What The Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities）一书的作者拉基布·埃桑（Rakib Ehsan）表示：“英国的多文化主义模式辜负了这些隔离社区中的女性。由于采取轻触式警务，国家对我们城市中那些持有退步观念的族群封闭区域视而不见。”
ITTING before his many followers, a preacher dressed in white urges the men to hit their wives if they refuse to be ‘called to bed for intimacy’.
Clasping his hands, he beseeches husbands never to tolerate disobedience, and to ‘discipline them physically... lightly hitting them to show them who is in charge’.
A scene from a film or television drama, some medieval fantasy set in a distant, untamed land perhaps?
Depressingly, we are in modern Britain and the cleric's words are only too real. His name is Yasin Munye from The Hackney Islamic Community Centre, a religious charity in east London.
Referring to scriptures, and making clear what he believes are grounds for domestic violence, Munye cites ‘disobeying the husband when it comes to calling her to bed’.
Were an Anglican vicar to deliver such a sermon, one might expect police to drag him from the pulpit in handcuffs.
Certainly, officers have been only too quick to beat a path to the door of members of the public who've tweeted their opinions online, one example being the two detectives who paid a visit to grandmother Helen Jones last year – simply for criticising Labour politicians on Facebook.
But when Saudi Arabia-trained Munye's diatribe surfaced in a video last week, and his mosque was reported to the Charity Commission, there was a conspicuous absence of public discussion, much less howls of protest. For its part, the Met said it was ‘assessing’ a complaint against the Hackney mosque.
Yet, The Mail on Sunday has discovered that the Munye case is by no means isolated. Similarly ugly and misogynistic advice is dispensed up and down the country to Muslim husbands, often via video lectures.
Concerns have been raised about the creeping spectre of sharia law in modern Britain. Last month, a video emerged of men and women queuing separately in an Asian supermarket in Romford, Essex, and last October The Mail on Sunday revealed that a London mosque had organised a ‘family friendly’ charity run from which women were banned.
Rakib Ehsan, an expert in social integration and author of Beyond Grievance: What The Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities, said: 'Britain's model of multiculturalism has let down women in these segregated communities. With light-touch policing, the state has turned a blind eye to ethnically insular areas of our cities that
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伊玛目告诉男性，如果妻子对性行为说“不”
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MAHAMED ABDURRAZAQ BIRMINGHAM
'If a wife continues to refuse to have intercourse... her husband [can] hit her... but not with something that's going to break her bones'
have regressive attitudes. So because the state has not engaged with these communities, imams there feel emboldened to preach violent misogyny and other practices that run counter to British laws and customs.'
In August, Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed to make tackling violence against women and girls ‘a driving mission’, adding: ‘We must be laser focused on stamping out these vile crimes.’
But after his protestations, the Munye video was uncovered by the National Secular Society (NSS), which said that ‘a religious manosphere’ is now taking hold in Britain. Domestic abuse charity Jeena International, meanwhile, said that Munye’s preachings reinforce the view in some Asian communities ‘that rape cannot take place inside of marriages’. The charity’s founder Rani Bilkhu said: ‘These preachers are using religion for coercive control of women... and are giving the go-ahead for sexual violence and domestic abuse.’
ing Muslim women from reporting rape and domestic violence to the police, Ms Bilkhu added: 'It is a factor, alongside other issues like Muslim women being reluctant to come forward anyway, as well as there being language barriers. Sometimes, being woke stops society from tackling these issues in case a white man or woman might be called racist. This is not a woke issue, this is a safeguarding issue.'
This newspaper's investigation paints a depressing picture of Britain in 2026, as scores more imams proudly display their archaic prejudices in sermons
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'A wife cannot leave the house without husband's permission... physical discipline [cannot] cause pain, injury, fear and humiliation'
posted online. One denounced women who 'leave the house' wearing perfume as 'fornicators', while in another video, Abu Sa'ad Muhammad, who preaches at the same mosque as Munye, said the 'unfortunate reality of this country' meant that wives had been turned against husbands, and that wives 'know if you slap them once, they will call the police'.
Meanwhile, Mahamed AbdurRazaq, from the An-Noor Masjid and Community Centre in Birmingham, advises ‘admonishing’ wives in the first instance for refusing sex. If this fails, he adds, ‘then he’s allowed to hit her, a hitting that does not bruise and that does not break bones’.
Hitting your wife, even lightly, can amount to common assault and be prosecuted as domestic abuse.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines the offence as physical abuse and violent or threatening behaviour. A single incident could qualify. Police might also have grounds to pursue Munye under the Serious
昨晚，该组织声称有250,000名抗议者走上街头。在《星期日邮报》发稿时还没有官方数据，但伦敦警察厅此前预计人数不超过10,000人。英国皇家退伍军人协会（Royal British Legion）的一位发言人表示：“战争纪念碑和花圈是为了纪念每一位做出最终牺牲的武装部队成员，理应受到最高程度的尊重。”
由 Isaac Crowson 和 Livvy Mason-Myhill 参与报道
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they are afraid of being accused of Islamophobia?
ABU SA'AD MUHAMMAD
HACKNEY, EAST LONDON
'The unfortunate reality of this country [is] that they turned the wife against husband... if you slap them once, they call the police' acts of coercive control, including where they occur in a religious setting or context.'
‘Disobeying the husband when it comes to calling her to bed... is a major sin. Discipline them by lightly hitting them to show who is in charge’
Meanwhile, in London, at the Darussalam Mosque in Southall, imam Abdur Rahman Hassan told his congregation that it was sinful for a woman to wear perfume outside her home. He said: 'Any woman who leaves the house and she places perfume on herself, she is a fornicator.'
Although domestic violence rates among Muslims are roughly in line with the national average, many do not report abuse for fear of family disownment and community isolation.
Ironically, a specialist domestic violence unit at Green Lane Mosque said in 2024 that there was a ‘hidden pandemic’ of violence that official figures did not reflect.
Journalist and commentator Khadija Khan, who grew up in a Muslim household in which her father beat her mother for disobeying him, said it is ‘a stain on Britain’s conscience’.
She added: 'Successive governments have been recklessly supine in challenging blatant misogyny and violence against women and girls being taught in these mosques.
‘Many fear being called “racist” and “Islamophobic”, and there are those MPs who willingly throw minority women under the bus by appeasing religious and cultural fanatics in a shameless bid to secure the “Muslim vote’.’
Crime Act 2007 for ‘intentionally encouraging or assisting an offence’.
League match at Aston Villa in Birmingham last November. The controversial decision, which was criticised for being based more on cultural politics rather than sound evidence, eventually led to the resignation of the force's chief, Craig Guildford.
Last night, Birmingham MP Jess Phillips, the former Labour Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, told the MoS: 'I am utterly appalled and disgusted that people think they can preach and influence populations to do this.'
MEN ONLY: MoS report last October about mosque's charity run that banned women
NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said the sermons could ‘encourage domestic violence and marital rape’. She added: ‘Charity regulators cannot ignore this, and neither should authorities concerned with protecting women from abuse. This religious manosphere has no place in the charity sector. Authorities must have the courage to hold religious charities to account.’
Last night the Home Secretary would not be drawn on the actions of specific mosques but a spokesman said: 'The Government condemns all acts of psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as
Ms Phillips, who faces criticism for her handling of a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, added: 'These preachers should not be allowed to speak to anyone in my constituency or in my city.'
Some of the most misogynistic sermons the MoS uncovered have taken place in the Green Lane Masjid in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham, located in Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's Ladywood constituency.
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'These speeches by extremist imams are disgusting and misogynist. They directly incite domestic violence, assaults on women and rape.'
In a speech from December, imam Aqeel Mahmood delivered a 47-minute lecture on the Islamic laws of marriage, explaining the ‘duties of husbands and wives’.
During this speech the cleric insisted that the husband has a right to ‘discipline his wife in case of rebellion’. In the video posted online he said: 'It is not permissible for the wife to leave the house without the husband's permission', and added: 'Physical discipline is a last resort on the condition that it doesn't cause pain, injury, fear and humiliation.'
The NSS, which obtained the video, has complained to the Charity Commission about Mahmood's speech, and it is believed that the regulator gave the mosque ‘advice and guidance’.
At the same mosque, a year earlier, another preacher called Abu Rayan told worshippers that a wife should make herself sexually available to her husband at all times. One of the mosque's former imams, Abu Usamah at-Thahabi, was embroiled in controversy in 2023 when he said ‘homosexuality is not permissible’, leading to the Government cancelling a £2 million grant. Despite this, Green Lane was one of the mosques West Midlands Police consulted before banning fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv from a Europa
He called on the police to investigate these imams, and the Charity Commission to
'act urgently'.
Last night, the commission told the MoS that it will probe our evidence on imam Hassan telling women not to wear perfume at the Darussalam Mosque. The regulator said it warned the Hackney Islamic Community Centre in 2024 about extremist speakers, and opened another probe last month after the NSS sent them the videos of Munye and Muhammad.
The Commission had already issued ‘formal guidance’ to the An-Noor Masjid not to invite extremist speakers. A spokesman said: ‘Anyone who advocates violence against women has absolutely no place in charity. When concerns are raised with us, we assess each case carefully and take strong regulatory action where necessary.’
All the mosques featured have been contacted by the MoS.
A spokesman for Green Lane said: ‘Green Lane Masjid unequivocally rejects violence, domestic abuse, coercion and all other forms of violence and abuse.’
By Nicholas Pyke, Sophie Carlin and Lydia Veljanovski
FAR-LEFT thugs fought police, trampled poppies and desecrated London's Battle of Britain Monument as yesterday's pro-Palestine march descended into violence.
Agitators climbed on top of the memorial – erected to commemorate the defence of Britain in the early days of the Second World War – and chanted, 'f\*\*\* the police'.
A display of poppy wreaths was kicked apart by the protesters, many from the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP), and several people were arrested, including some on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
Yesterday's protest comes just days after the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attacks – in which 1,200 Israeli civilians were murdered and a further 251 taken hostage. The pro-Israel Stop The Hate group staged a counter demonstration along the route.
The trouble started when officers from the Metropolitan Police attempted to arrest people wearing face masks on Victoria Embankment, with a group of RCP supporters scuffling to hold the officers back.
As tempers flared the police detained two protesters on the ground, only for more activists to surround the officers, who drew
Pro-Palestine thugs spark fury as they stamp on poppies and clamber over Battle of Britain memorial as march descends into violence
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HAMAS their batons. One group of protesters climbed to the top of the monument and spent half an hour banging on the stone-and-bronze structure while they chanted vile insults at the police. Some held signs saying: 'For Palestine to live, imperialism must die.'
TENSION: Poppies lie desecrated at the Battle of Britain monument. Right: A police officer grabs an activist during the violent protest
Dozens more activists stood at the base, baying ‘scum, scum, scum’ at the officers attempting to control the crowds.
Others blasted sirens through loudspeakers and shouted ‘tout le monde deteste la police’ (everyone hates the police) – a rallying cry from the recent student riots in France which have seen dozens of officers injured.
The Met arrested 20 people, including a man and a woman said to have been carrying placards supporting the proscribed Palestine Action group.
Six people were detained on suspicion of criminal damage.
When one man was asked, 'What have you been arrested for?', he replied, 'I punched him [a policeman] in the face.'
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, whose father was a Battle of Britain Spitfire ace, told The Mail on Sunday: 'People who stamp on the memory of the heroes of the past are not fit to be in Britain. The very freedoms they now use to protest, all those freedoms they have now would not exist were it not for those heroes.' Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said: 'There is no word for these people but "scum".'
Clearing up the ruined poppies in the aftermath, Steve Chilcott, 57, said: 'I think this is disgusting. To see crowds with Communist flags climbing all over it and shouting and screaming is sickening. It's a huge lack of respect to Britain and our parents and grandparents who fought for freedom they are now enjoying.'
The display of poppies at its base included wreaths laid by members of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association to mark last month's anniversary of the famous air battle – a crucial victory in the skies above Kent and London. The demonstration was organised by the Palestine Coalition umbrella group to mark what it calls ‘three years of genocide’ in Gaza.
Last night it claimed that 250,000 protesters had taken to the streets. There were no official figures when the MoS went to press, but the Met had earlier been expecting no more than 10,000. A Royal British Legion spokesman said: 'War memorials and wreaths honour the memory of every member of the Armed Forces who has made the ultimate sacrifice, and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.'
Additional reporting by Isaac Crowson and Livvy Mason-Myhill
IT WAS probably not the reception Prince Harry envisaged when he planned his dramatic return to the UK.
As the Duke of Sussex watched the Premiership match between Leicester Tigers and Gloucester on Friday night, the unmistakable sound of booing from fellow rugby fans rippled around Leicester's Welford Road stadium as he appeared on a big screen.
That's not much of a welcome, quips TV commentator as rowdy rugby fans boo Prince Harry
It was enough for TV commentator Nick Mullins to quip: 'Well, that wasn't overly welcoming, was it?'
Perhaps predictably, the duke's loyal ‘Sussex Squad’ supporters claimed online this weekend that it was the referee – and not Harry – who was the subject of the crowd's jeers.
Harry's attendance at the match, which was won by the Tigers, was one of a handful of his solo public outings since he, his wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet returned to the UK in August.
The duke, 42, sat in the stands with his cousin George McCorquodale, each drinking a pint of beer as they watched the match. They were accompanied by Andrea
Pinchen, the Tigers' chief executive. With 26 minutes gone of the first half, the duke and Mr McCorquodale were shown on the big screen at the Clubhouse End of the ground.
‘Ah, face in the crowd,’ said TNT Sports commentator Mullins. ‘Prince Harry, back home and enjoying some rugby again. They don’t have nights like this in California.’
Seconds later, however, boos could be heard from among the crowd of around 18,000 spectators.
‘One or two boos around Mattioli Woods Welford Road,’ Mullins said.
Former England winger and pundit Ugo Monye wryly added: 'Welcome home!'
Fellow pundit and former Wales captain Sam Warburton then joked that the crowd could be jeering Monye, a former Harlequins player, before Mullins referred again to the duke's reception. 'Well, that wasn't overly welcoming, was it?' he said.
'No, it wasn't,' Monye replied, before Mullins quipped: 'Maybe they think he is a
JEERED: The Duke of Sussex at the match. Below: TNT Sports' Nick Mullins
Gloucester supporter.' Online supporters of the Sussexes insisted the booing came from Gloucester fans unhappy at referee Karl Dickson for awarding the home side a scrum.
‘That’s a lie,’ wrote one.
'They were booing [the] referee's decision and then the camera cut to Harry.'
Another wrote: ‘They were booing the referee’s decision. Not Harry.’
Meanwhile, a friend of the duke last night told the MoS: 'It's been presented as the crowd booing him and that's what the press have decided. Doesn't matter that they were actually booing the ref's call to award the scrum to Leicester following an alleged knock-on from Gloucester.'
But a careful analysis of footage, which was broadcast live, makes such an explanation implausible.
The referee awarded the scrum to Leicester after 26 minutes and 38 seconds. The booing did not start until 26 minutes and 54 seconds – 16 seconds later.
The son of Princess Diana's older sister Lady Sarah, George McCorquodale, 41, lives in Lincolnshire and is known to be close to Harry. The duke was guest of honour at Mr McCorquodale's wedding to Bianca Moore in South Africa in 2016.
A passionate rugby fan, Harry was patron of the Rugby Football Union from 2016 until 2021.
His night out comes amid a series of public outings by the Sussexes in recent weeks.
The couple were photographed earlier this month having lunch at Cotswolds pub The Falkland Arms.
Meghan is back on British TV ... on tiny Freeview channel
THE Duchess of Sussex is returning to our TV screens later this month – but viewers will have to scour the listings to find her.
Meghan's wish to be back on British TV will be fulfilled on October 19 when she appears as a special judge on MasterChef Australia.
But to see her you'll have to find the U&W channel, which can be accessed on Freeview's Channel 25 or through the network's U streaming service.
It's a far cry from rumours that she was in talks with producers of the hit Netflix series, The Gentlemen, and that that was the reason for her return to Britain with Prince Harry.
In fact, it later emerged the duchess had little more than a preliminary meeting with the programme's bosses.
Now the brief reappearance on TV of the ex-Suits actress will sit alongside
EXCLUSIVE
By Katie Hind
20-year-old re-runs of defunct police soap The Bill, 999 Rescue Squad and Inside The Operating Theatre.
A television insider said: 'Meghan will be able to watch herself on the telly after all, but it's not like it's on a streaming giant, the BBC or even ITV.
‘It’s on Freeview, right back on channel 25. But it will be the first time she has been on our screens for a long while and UKTV bosses are hoping it will bring a boost in ratings.
‘She will surely be really happy to be on the telly, but it’s not quite the big return that was talked about. She has divided the nation so it’s going to be interesting to see what the reaction is like from British viewers.' Meghan, 45, filmed the MasterChef Australia special in April while on a four-day tour of the country with the prince.
Contestants were tasked with creating a dish ‘fit for a duchess’ using some of her favourite seasonal ingredients. She joined regular judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli and insisted on being called Meghan.
It also featured a video call from Prince Harry who apparently had no idea that she was filming the show, but cameras were on hand to record it all. The programme aired on Australia's Network 10 in July.
Meghan showed her love of cooking in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. Despite running for two series, Netflix figures revealed it was not among its top 300 most watched programmes.
SPECIAL GUEST: The Duchess of Sussex with fellow MasterChef judges Sofia Levin and Poh Ling Yeow
The world has been held in a state of macabre fascination botched execution of Christa Pike. Now a friend who was
HEY were intended as encouraging words of farewell. Uttered as a kind of salve – if any could exist – to the looming horror ahead. 'In October, I'm coming back to visit you,' said Marcy Wilson, as she sat in a small visiting room in the maximum-security confines of the Debra K Johnson rehabilitation centre, in Nashville, Tennessee. Sitting in the room with Marcy, a 60-year-old mother, was Christa Pike, a convicted killer who, four days later, was scheduled to become the first woman to be executed in the state of Tennessee in more than 200 years.
Marcy, who'd become one of Pike's closest friends, having forged an unlikely bond when her own troubled daughter was incarcerated with the now 50-year-old death row inmate, was trying to tell her not to give up hope. That there might be a last-minute reprieve.
She didn't truly believe it, of course. Nor, it seems, did Pike. Sentenced to die three decades ago for the chilling, sadistic murder of a fellow college student, she knew her time was up, she was at peace and, says Marcy, 'ready to go'.
Although no reprieve, in the conventional sense, came, what followed was more extraordinary than anyone could have imagined.
Pike managed to survive two doses of the lethal injection pentobarbital on September 30, only to be rushed to hospital where she hovered, so those close to her thought, on the brink of death.
And then she woke, on Tuesday, 'confused and angry', according to her legal team, but crucially very much alive. Yesterday, in a sign of just how remarkable her recovery has been, she was returned from her bed in that heavily-guarded hospital room to the Debra K Johnson prison.
克里斯塔告诉我她害怕疼痛但已准备好面对死亡……而现在她
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Marcy, meanwhile, remains haunted by the prescience of her final words of comfort, as she waits to hear when, or if, she'll be able to fulfil her promise and visit her friend again. Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday, Marcy says: 'I cannot even begin to imagine what our first conversation is going to be like. But it's going to be absolutely wonderful.' Since that botched execution, the world has been held in a state of macabre fascination, torn between sympathy and outrage.
Today, experts who wanted to kill her have been replaced by those who want to save her. For now.
She has a blood clot, her hands are swollen to resemble inflated rubber gloves and are marked by what appear to be severe chemical burns, mostly likely caused by the highly alkaline, bleach-like drug spilling into her flesh instead of straight into her bloodstream as intended. She has, however, begun to eat and to walk.
‘Her physical recovery has been remarkable,’ say her legal team.
What the long-term effects may be – physically and psychologically – remain unclear. While the spotlight is firmly fixed on the ethical and legal questions around the botched execution, the status of her sentence is also uncertain.
Many will point out that what Pike has endured pales next to the crime she committed in 1995, when she and two accomplices lured 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer into woods, where she was bludgeoned to death. While she was still alive, a pentagram was carved into her chest with a box-cutter. Pike even kept part of her victim's skull as a twisted souvenir.
Marcy, one of the last people to
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
speak to Pike over the phone on the eve of the astonishing debacle 11 days ago, knows many will struggle to understand her friendship and affection for someone capable of such a heinous crime.
But her support transcends all moral argument, and the rights and wrongs of capital punishment.
‘She’s a survivor,’ she says tearfully – the irony of those words not lost on her.
Christa Pike is indeed a survivor, in uncharted territory. While there have been other bungled
‘It was the most profound thing to look into her eyes’
execution attempts (the execution of fellow Tennessee inmate Tony Carruthers was abandoned earlier this year after medics failed to find a vein), she is believed to be the only person to have survived lethal injection.
The past two weeks have been a blur, says Marcy. 'It was bad news one day, good news the next,' she says. 'The hospital declared her brain dead on Monday night and then she wakes up talking the next morning...
‘It makes me wonder. Did they even do a test on her brain or were the authorities just trying to get her off the ventilator?’
Pike's half-sister Alicia, who flew from her home in Hawaii to be at the execution, is believed to have power of attorney for her younger sibling and would have been the one to give the go-ahead for life support to be switched off.
At one point, Pike's legal team were getting ready to make the death announcement, before things changed drastically.
‘Where am I?’ and ‘Who are you?’ said Pike when she woke at around 9.30am on Tuesday.
Marcy, so close to Pike that she has three of the murderer's 'beautiful' paintings in her home, has been kept updated. She admits she was aghast when she learned, back in 2017, that her troubled daughter Teddy, who had become addicted to prescription drugs, had been transferred to maximum-security Debra K Johnson prison. She was horrified further when she learned with whom she was sharing a wing. To her surprise, Pike sent Teddy shower shoes when she didn't have any, a gesture that brought about an unlikely friendship between the two women. Marcy sent Pike a letter of thanks, forg ing their own bond, which continued even after Teddy died in 2023, aged 32, from a fentanyl overdose.
At first it was letters, then Pike began to call, once a month, sometimes more, using her limited prison savings. They met for the first time in 2017, and started meeting regularly earlier this year.
Marcy recalls her last visit, a three-and-a-half-hour meeting.
'I was led into a small room and I got to hug her. We sat close, we got to touch each other. We had snacks. I prayed with her.
‘I was dreading it, I was thinking, “Oh my God, three and a half hours is a long time”. But Christa made the time go by so fast.
‘We talked about happy times and different things that happened when she and Teddy were there together.'
Though others may find it unsettling, Marcy says Pike cared deeply for others and loved animals and drawing pictures of mermaids. 'I would send pictures of animals on my farm, and she would give them names and ask about them. It was a way for her to live outside the walls,' she recalls of the inmate who spent 27 years in solitary confinement.
‘I’m adopting a thoroughbred mare and I knew Christa needed something to keep her mind occupied [in the run-up to the execution], so I messaged and said, “I’m getting this jet-black mare just for you and I need a name for her.”
- torn between sympathy and outrage – since the with her as she prepared for the end tells the MoS...
THE TENNESSEAN
GRISLY: A room like the one Pike was to be executed in
her friend directly – Pike was unable to see even her legal team until a court ruling on Wednesday – Marcy can only guess as to her state of mind now. Pike's lawyers say their client is 'angry and confused' and 'continues to experience challenges with concentration and memory'.
'Physicians have cautioned it may take months to fully understand whether she sustained lasting cognitive injuries,' they say.
Her lawyers insist she
He is aware, too, of the painful irony of efforts to kill Pike a fortnight ago and last week's efforts
Prof Zivot knows all too well the damage pentobarbital can do – just as he knows that for medics helping Pike, only time will allow the poison to work its way out of her system.
visit, she said she had come up with the name: Nyx. Christa's of Greek heritage and Nyx means black or dark.'
Amid chat about the farm, there was talk, too, about what was to come. 'We were sitting in the room and at one point she just crumbled,' Marcy says. 'It's the most profound thing to be looking in the eyes of a condemned woman.'
At one point Pike asked Marcy: 'Do you want some of my ashes and a lock of my hair?'
tion against all warning was unforgivable and inevitable, he says. 'As the day of the execution wore on, I was watching the clock and thinking, "Well, it must be starting now."
‘I sent an e-mail to one of the lawyers and said, “Can you keep me updated if this goes awry?” Because, you know, I thought it might. Within five minutes, he replied, “It has gone awry”.’
‘I said, “Yes, I do”,’ recalls Marcy, again in tears. ‘It was really hard to talk about. I’ve never had a conversation with someone who knew when her expiration date was. She was pleased when I said yes.
‘She was calm, she was happy, she was sad. It was every single emotion you can think of.
‘She spoke of going to heaven and said that she loved me’
‘She told me, “Marcy, I’m not afraid to die. I’m just afraid of the process”. She was afraid because of the pain.
‘So many people have made comments like, “Look at the pain that she put her victim through,” and those are valid statements, but it's only human for her to be afraid of pain.'
But what of remorse? Her victim's mother May Martinez has decried the absence of any apology direct to her family. She travelled from Florida to Tennessee for the execution, wanting to hold her daughter's photograph aloft
HEINOUS
CRIME:
Victim Colleen
Slemmer,
killed at 19.
Left: Christa
Pike in a 2023
jail mugshot
while watching the woman who killed her meet her own end.
In the end, it was a torturous day – a last-minute stay of execution was overturned by the Supreme Court, before the execution began in front of seven media witnesses, legal representatives, May Martinez and family members.
To say May's anguish has multiplied would be an understatement: 'I think that the state owes me a big apology,' she has said.
‘If I could have gotten in that room, I would have taken the box-cutter and cut her up like she did Colleen.’ Marcy, however, insists Pike was remorseful,
‘She told me many times that she wished she could take back what she did. She was just months into being 18 when it happened and if she’d been a bit younger, it would have been a different outcome,’ she says.
She says that when she hugged Pike goodbye, her friend was ready for what was to come. 'I don't want you to worry about me. I'm ready. I'm good. Everything's going to be OK,' said the condemned woman.
‘endured more than enough’, and that her sentence should revert to life behind bars. Until the legal position is clarified, she remains very much a woman on death row.
They spoke again, on the eve of execution day. ‘We talked about how when she got to heaven she was going to find my daughter and they were going to ride horses,’ recalls Marcy. ‘She told me and my husband to take care of each other and that she loved us.’
Marcy's compassion is palpable, and without being able to speak to
Pike's lawyers, apart from arguing that her age at the time of the crime and extensive physical and sexual abuse she suffered as a child should be a factor in determining the severity of her punishment, had warned that lethal injection was fraught with risk.
Yet, asked in court whether the state intended to reschedule Pike's execution, Tennessee's attorney general said he did not know.
She had a blood disorder, they said, and her small veins created a heightened risk of complications, as well as the possibility of extreme pain and bleeding.
What exactly went wrong is yet to be determined. Tennessee governor Bill Lee has ordered an independent investigation and suspended all executions in the state for the rest of the year.
Joel Zivot, a professor of anaesthesiology and surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, was the medical expert who warned how much risk lethal injection posed to Pike. He's vehemently opposed to any re-run. 'I've always taken the position that [lethal injection] is an effrontery to the practice of medicine,' he told the MoS. 'This is a sinister impersonation of medical practice.'
政治学家兼“变革中的英国”（UK In A Changing Europe）智库主任阿南德·梅农（Anand Menon）告诉《星期日邮报》：
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📄 Original Section
‘The state tried to kill her, doctors tried to save her’
to save her. 'I suppose everyone was doing their job. The state was doing its job in trying to kill her and the doctors were doing their job in trying to save her,' he says.
He points out one curious feature of this whole grisly debacle. The law, he says, requires that punishment not be cruel. But how can that be determined when the one person who really knows – the prisoner – dies?
‘Here’s an opportunity to ask someone, “What you were subjected to, did you experience that as cruel or not?” I’d like to ask her that question.’
For Marcy, she cannot wait to see her friend again. 'She told me that she was going to come back and haunt me, but in a good way, and that made me laugh,' she says.
What is clear is that Pike's story and the growing debate over her punishment for the brutal murder of a young girl whose laughter was extinguished over 30 years ago, is far from over.
Senior MEP sets out the price of returning to EU UK must axe the pound if it wants to rejoin Brussels
BRUSSELS would insist on the UK ditching the pound as the price of rejoining the EU, according to a French Eurocrat.
Sandro Gozi MEP last night told The Mail on Sunday he wanted to see Britain as part of a ‘more
By Gabriel Millard-Clothier
POLITICAL REPORTER
integrated' European Union. But that would mean signing up to free movement of people, an ‘army of Europeans’ and the euro, as well as sending even more money to the continent.
Italian-born Mr Gozi was formerly Italy's Europe minister and is now a senior figure representing France in Renew Europe in
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the EU Parliament. He described Brexit as a ‘democratic disaster’ and claimed reneging on the 2016 referendum would be the ‘biggest victory for us over Nigel Farage’.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said his dream is to see the UK ‘rejoin the EU in my lifetime’. But all 27 member countries would have to agree to ‘accession’, while any new members are legally required to adopt the euro.
Anand Menon, political scientist and director of the UK In A Changing Europe think-tank, told the MoS:
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本周金句
“我遇到过‘萨塞克斯小队’。哇。”
克里斯·菲利普斯神父（Father Chris Phillips）在暗示梅根那款售价£112的巧克力降临节日历有更便宜的替代品后，遭到了梅根支持者的网络攻击。
‘It is absolutely true that the EU would like us back in, but they will seek the best possible deal for themselves in achieving that.’
The PM has already faced a backlash over his pro-EU comments.
Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith told the MoS: 'By making his prejudices in favour of the EU so clear, the Prime Minister's negotiating position is already hopeless.
'If the EU says jump, he says "How high?" He is on an undemocratic fool's errand. The British people would never forgive the man who sacrificed the pound, ushered in free movement and gave Brussels back control of our laws.'
Politicians on the continent have made it clear the UK would not get the same deal as the one it left.
Mr Gozi said: 'It will have to start from scratch where we will have to apply our own rules.'
噢贝蒂，有些评论员还挺有范儿！
📄 Original Section
4 held after teen killed in melee
Many Eurocrats believe that the UK should play a greater role in European defence co-operation.
Paramedics could not save the victim in his late teens who died at the scene in Stoke-on-Trent at 11.30 on Friday night. A youth in his late teens taken to hospital was ‘critical but stable’ last night.
THREE teenagers and a young man have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a youth died and another was left fighting for life when violence erupted on a street.
The Spanish PM and the EU defence commissioner have both called for a European fighting force of 100,000 troops. Mr Gozi called on Mr Burnham to be part of this ‘army of Europeans’. Downing Street declined to comment.
Two 18-year-olds, a 20-year-old and a boy of 17, all from Stoke-on-Trent, were arrested on suspicion of murder. The boy was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. All were in custody last night.
Detective Inspector Katie Gregory said: 'I reassure the community there is no wider risk to them.'
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伊恩·赖特戴贝雷帽模仿塞缪尔·杰克逊，结果更像弗兰克·斯宾塞
作者：贾辛塔·泰勒（Jacinta Taylor）
戴着俏皮的贝雷帽，配上抢眼的眼镜和宽大的西装，你可能会认为足球评论员伊恩·赖特（Ian Wright）是在尝试模仿好莱坞演员塞缪尔·杰克逊（Samuel L Jackson）……或者是弗兰克·斯宾塞（Frank Spencer）。或者也许他以为英格兰队在对阵法国队。
她看起来很真实，衣服也具有可穿性。通常，当我们看到年长女性出现在 T 台上时，她们往往被装扮成与年轻模特群体截然不同的样子，通常穿着一些无法穿着的、古怪的服装。Miu Miu 的设计师
📄 Original Section
Ian Wright dons beret for Samuel L Jackson look but ends up more like Frank Spencer
By Jacinta Taylor
WITH his jaunty beret, statement spectacles and oversized suit you might think football pundit Ian Wright was trying to copy Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson... or Frank Spencer. Or maybe he thought England were playing France.
In any case, Wright's £69 black wool beret was a far more interesting talking point than England's straightforward 3-0 Nations League victory over Czechia.
His striking look certainly stopped ITV viewers switching over, with one joking online: 'Loving Ian Wright's Frank Spencer cosplay'. Others added:
我们应该支持小型独立服装店的众多原因之一，就是这些环境拥有能够且愿意向顾客建议其从未想过可行之方案的员工。这与在大量经过修图的年轻女性照片中滚动浏览有着巨大的区别——没错，即使是 M&S 和 Next 也难辞其咎——而这些照片对于那些害怕被贴上“老太婆”标签、不敢尝试突破和实验的女性毫无帮助，尽管她们可能会从中获得乐趣。
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📄 Original Section
'How did Roy Keane keep a straight face?'
'That's not Frank Spencer, that's Frank Marks & Spencer', 'How did Roy Keane keep a straight face?' and 'Is that the French version of Samuel L Jackson?'
'Ooh Betty!', joked another referring to Spencer's (played by Michael Crawford) on-screen wife in the TV comedy Some Mothers Do'Ave'Em.
Supporters of his former club Crystal Palace were unimpressed: 'Bad version of Orson Welles? More like Orson Cart,' wrote one, presumably more senior, fan.
Fashion expert Adam
Cheung on t GQ website was more complimentary: 'He looked like
TALKING POINT: Frank Spencer, Ian Wright and Samuel L Jackson, below
an art professor you'd actually turn up to a 9am lecture for,' he wrote. The beret came from
small Kent-based independent menswear label AWMS and Wright teamed it with a £230 oversized grey linen-cotton suit from the Universal Works brand in Nottingham. His stylist, Jess
Stebbings, told GQ: 'I an's style is just
BBC/ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
generally quite timeless and classic, and he knows what suits him, what works for him, what he likes. He doesn't really follow trends. We just wanted to switch up his hats a bit.'
The beret did come in useful when Wright, fellow ITV pundit Roy Keane and presenter Mark Pougatch were caught off-guard when the Wembley pitch sprinklers came on before kick-off on Tuesday.
As the pundits ran for cover, Pougatch jokingly asked Wright: 'Is that why you've got a hat on?'
... and son Shaun says his Strictly partner Alexis is scarier than Mourinho
FORMER footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips was once famously given a lengthy set of rules by his then-manager Jose Mourinho, which included fines for misbehaving.
But the Strictly star says his professional dance partner Alexis Warr is far ‘scarier’ than the Portuguese coach, under whom he played at Chelsea in the mid-2000s.
The ex-England winger, 44, who is tipped to be the next elimination from the show, told The Mail on Sunday: 'Mourinho is unpredictable, so you never know when it's coming.
‘I’m kind of prepared for when
By Alex Doyle
Alexis is coming, so I'll just be like: "Alright, I'm just done. I'll do it again." And it's scary.
Wright-Phillips, the adopted son of ex-Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, said his father had no idea how tough the show was until he watched him training.
Wright-Phillips said: 'He came and watched us the other day. He had a laugh with us but he understood the complexities of the routine that I was learning and how hard it is.'
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ON SUNDAY
TORY leader Kemi Badenoch can congratulate herself on the first stage of a job well done. She has established herself as a major character on the national stage. Her face and voice are well-known. So is her obvious force of personality.
Kemi needs more than Waitrose Woman – she needs Nigel Farage, too
She has pushed aside the old image of the Conservative Party, the body which crashed and burned in the 2024 election. She took a lot of trouble, both by tax promises and by careful use of language, to appeal to her core base, and wisely so. She cannot win without it, though nowadays she needs to appeal beyond it to hope for a majority.
These are significant achievements. But they are nothing like enough, as she well knows. Andy Burnham could at almost any time decide to call a General Election, for which the Tories are not yet anything like ready. They need to remedy that, and Mrs Badenoch knows it.
Tory researchers and campaigners are hard at work, winning back lost supporters and seeking new ones. The Mail on Sunday reports today that Mrs Badenoch plans to woo ‘Waitrose Woman’ who shops at England’s famously upmarket food store. And let us hope she succeeds.
But voting patterns in this country are shifting fast. A posh suburb no longer means a safe Tory seat – sometimes rather the reverse. Survey figures show that the old assumption that well-off Britons are Tories is totally
outdated. Recent polling of Waitrose customers by YouGov put Labour on 28 points, the Tories on 24 points and the Lib Dems on 21 points. Affluence is now the preserve of the Left, while it is the less-cushioned who increasingly support the new movements of the Right.
We first saw this in the Red Wall seats won by the Tories in the Boris Johnson era. We can expect to see it again in the tougher parts of Britain, as discontent grows about crime, prisoner releases, the soaring cost of living, uncontrolled
borders, especially the not-so-small boats, welfare misuse and NHS failure.
These may concern Waitrose Woman, or even Waitrose Man. But they actively affect those who were once reliable Labour voters and now don't know where to turn.
We have many times urged Mrs Badenoch and Nigel Farage to form an alliance so that they can harness such voters for a new Right-wing, patriotic coalition. Together, we have repeatedly said, the Tories and Reform can shatter the Left and prevent a frightening get-together by Labour, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats.
Maybe the next election is – or seems – too far away for Mrs Badenoch and Mr Farage to consider working together. Maybe the great wave of Tory defections to Reform is too recent for wounds to be healed. But what if Labour see this division as their chance to go for a snap election in the next few months, with Kemi's revolution half-finished and Reform's great windfall of money still sitting in the bank?
The outcome of that could all too easily be a new Left-wing majority committed to changing the voting system to suit itself and quite possibly set on trying to re-enter the EU. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Together or in competition, the Tories and Reform must find a way of mobilising Britain's powerful new conservative constituency.
Olivia proves fashion is for the over-50s - but be bold
I'VE been on the road promoting my new book and at every festival or bookshop at least one woman puts her hand up to ask why fashion doesn't address women of middle or later age.
Last week, I was able to direct them to the vision of Olivia Colman, 52, on the catwalk at Miu Miu in Paris. The actress appeared with barely-there make-up (though it probably took some time in the chair for the make-up
REAL STYLE: Olivia in Paris
team to apply) and her newly greying hair was in a messy bun.
She was wearing gorgeous flat loafers and an oversized leather jacket and skirt that would have been especially made for her, as no way would she fit into the minuscule sizes of most models.
She looked real and the clothes were accessible. Usually, when we see older women on the catwalk, they tend to be dressed to stand out from the crowd of younger models, generally in some unwearable, freaky number. Miu Miu's designer
Miuccia Prada, 77, showed Colman simply as a very attractive version of herself in some great clothes. Not entirely dissimilar to Prada's own appearance.
The issue then, is not so much that there are no clothes but that as we age it gets harder to imagine how we will look in unfamiliar styles. Many women don't want to keep wearing the same old thing but lack the confidence to try something new.
Even I – and I love new fashions – find that when the seasons change I have to make a conscious effort not to repeat buy what I already own but try something different to spice up my wardrobe. It's usually a success.
One of the many reasons we should support small, independent clothes shops is that these environments have staff who can and will suggest things a customer might not have thought would ever work. That's a big difference between scrolling through a mass of photoshopped images of young women – and yes, even M&S and Next are guilty of that – which don't help a woman scared of the mutton alert to branch out and experiment, which they might enjoy.
INCIDENTALLY, I gather that the current trend for barrel-leg trousers is one that many readers loathe. I differ. I've just ordered a new pair from Albaray to add to my fairly substantial collection – on the basis that they're far more flattering than skinny-leg jeans and disguise chunky thighs.
BOOTS is one of our best-known brands, but for years it's been languishing in that place in hell reserved for uncherished household names. It still features on most high streets but – other than in the big, flagship stores – offers only unattractive racks of products in uninspiring shops.
Now the Canadian branch of the Weston family has bought Boots, including its No7 cosmetic brand, for £7 billion, I'm hopeful this will change. The Westons have form in turning stores around. They transformed Selfridges from a moribund department store always playing catch-up to Harrods into the liveliest emporium in London.
The mastermind in charge of that reinvention was Vittorio Radice, who envisaged the store as a ‘piazza’, or town square, housing myriad experiences. I don’t expect Boots will become quite that – but the stores are undoubtedly an opportunity to do something much more interesting, and lucrative.
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瑞茜抢走了我的旧 Louboutin 鞋吗？
劳拉·邓恩和瑞茜·威瑟斯彭前几天被拍到在访问 Oxfam 的西本本格罗夫分店。那是我清理衣物时经常捐赠衣服的地方，所以我好奇她们两人是否抢走了我在上次行程中存放的旧 Ferragamo 手袋、那双略有磨损的 Christian Louboutin 高跟鞋，或是那件 Dries van Noten 束腰外衣？
📄 Original Section
Medics forget their bedside manners
WHEN I was in hospital a few years ago, despite excellent medical treatment, I was struck by the seemingly uncaring attitude of many of the doctors who checked me out on their rounds. They would discuss me over my head, scarcely addressing me, the patient, at all, as if my thoughts were utterly irrelevant and information didn't need to be shared.
Poppy's Promise, launched last week by Katie and Neil Russell in memory of their baby daughter who died
shortly after birth, is an initiative to encourage a more ‘compassionate and people-focused approach’ in hospitals and embed that in training. We all know that the NHS is overwhelmed and staff have little time for each patient, but a fraction of that time spent making them feel the practitioner cares about them as an individual would be time very well spent.
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我支持死刑且目睹过两次执行。但我敦促你不要观看一名美国士兵被行刑队的直播死刑 By PETER HITCHENS
MY mother used to say that all gifts can be interpreted as criticisms. I think she meant that things like soap indicated one wasn't taking enough baths.
It's true that gifts can alert one to shortcomings – as happened when a friend arrived with a beautiful bunch of dahlias. She said her garden was stuffed with them.
Despite having planted hundreds this year, my own garden has been bereft of anything other than the odd, sad drooping bloom for weeks. When I look at her beautiful offering, I feel my own failure.
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“一道人造闪电猛然击中他的身体”
静脉注射管。我们将这些东西与治愈联系在一起。将死亡伪装成医疗程序是错误的。
第二次是在1995年4月，在佐治亚州，一名名为尼古拉斯·李·英格拉姆（Nicholas Lee Ingram）的英国出生男子在电椅上被处决。同样，他的罪行毫无疑问。英格拉姆闯入了J.C.和玛丽·索耶（Mary Sawyer）夫妇偏远的家中，用枪恐吓他们，强迫他们进入森林，将他们绑在树上，然后向两人的头部开枪。
AMID controversy over ADHD diagnoses among young people, my friend Gillian Johnson Shakespeare has co-written a new book, Women And ADHD, with Dr Sally Cubbin. For anyone who feels they might have this condition it's a very helpful guide, but, as one who doesn't, I was fascinated to read that along with hyperactivity, forgetfulness, inability to prioritise and a propensity to break things, including your own limbs, women with ADHD frequently have a higher sex drive.
LAURA Dern and Reese Witherspoon were pictured the other day visiting the Westbourne Grove branch of Oxfam. That is where I take many of my clothes when I am clearing out, so I wonder whether either snapped up the old Ferragamo handbag, the slightly scuffed Christian Louboutin heels or the Dries van Noten tunic I deposited on my last trip?
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10:09
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📄 Original Section
I back capital punishment and have seen two executions. But I urge you NOT to watch the live stream of a US soldier's death by firing squad By PETER HITCHENS
HAVING seen two executions at close quarters, I can advise you quite strongly not to watch the planned shooting in Texas of the mass killer Nidal Hasan by a live-streamed firing squad.
The former US Army major killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, and has admitted it, so I am not really worried about whether it is right to execute him. It's the public element of it that I dislike.
I am pretty leathery and hard-boiled after half a century in the cruel trade of journalism, so you should listen to me. Watching an execution will change you.
You will be older, and you will be guilty. Of what? Of all your own sins, only more so, is the easiest way of explaining.
I know of people more sensitive than I am who have been haunted by what they had witnessed many years afterwards, as they approached their own deaths. I worry about this.
The first execution I saw, of a squalid killer called Larry Anderson, was by lethal injection in Texas. This was in April 1994. He had abducted, robbed and many times stabbed a woman called Zelda Webster and then dumped her body on waste ground. There was no doubt of his guilt.
To my surprise I ended up wishing the execution had been more violent. There was something loathsome about the hospital atmosphere and furniture of the death chamber, and the use of
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📄 Original Section
“A thwack of a man-made bolt of lightning jolted his body”
intravenous tubes. We associate these things with healing. It was wrong to disguise death as a medical procedure.
The second time, in Georgia in April 1995, was the death in the electric chair of a British-born man called Nicholas Lee Ingram. Again, there was no doubt of his guilt. Ingram had broken into the remote home of J.C. and Mary Sawyer, terrified them with his gun, forced them into the woods, tied them to a tree and shot them both in the head.
Mrs Sawyer survived and was able to give decisive evidence against him.
I have seen pictures of Mr Sawyer's body after the murder. I don't think we should ever write about executions without remembering the victims of the executed person.
Death by electrocution is very violent. Ingram, by this time a shaven-headed, shackled and helpless prisoner, literally spat his defiance before being strapped into the polished dark wood chair by enormous guards.
I do not know if US Secretary for War Pete Hegseth will offer Nidal Hasan the choice of facing his firing squad or being blindfolded, but Ingram's face was covered with a shiny leather mask whether he liked it or not. I am quite glad of that, actually. And then there was a tremendous thwack as a manmade bolt of lightning went through him, stiffening and jolting his body against the chair. Nothing went wrong. He didn't catch fire, as some electric chair occupants have. There was no smell of burning. There was no visible sign that he suffered prolonged torture, only that single devastating blow.
CHILLING SIGHT: An execution chamber
He was just brutally, ferociously dead, when he had been alive a few minutes before, thanks to the will of the State of Georgia.
I still don't actually think either of these executions was wrong in principle. I think heinous murder needs to be punished and deterred, and I think the arguments against capital punishment are either sentimental or evasive. Only total pacifists (which I am not) can accept them.
I am even glad that I saw them, because it was my job as a reporter. First, I had in a way willed them, by supporting capital punishment in general – though I should say here that I don't support it in today's Britain, where juries are far too weak and the chance of wrongful conviction is terrifyingly high.
Second, I agree with the American principle of keeping things open. There should be media witnesses at such events (as there once were in England) to see that they are properly handled. Nobody made me go.
I am not complaining about the price I paid, just urging you not to pay it.
Public executions ended in Britain in 1868, in France in 1939 and in the US in 1936. America's last such event took place in Owensboro, Kentucky, after a dubious rape trial in an era of grave racial bigotry. The executed man, Rainey
Bethea (who was black), was hanged in front of a festive crowd of 20,000. Photographs exist. Spectators ate hot dogs and drank fizzy drinks as Bethea died.
There were all-night ‘hanging parties’ and nearby hotels were full of spectators. The State of Kentucky, embarrassed, ended such spectacles thereafter.
They had learned what Britain already knew, that public execution is a disturbing and depraved event, a nasty form of pagan human sacrifice, releasing emotions that ought not to be released.
Charles Dickens attended a double hanging in Southwark, south London in November 1849. Afterwards he wrote to The Times – not to criticise the death penalty but the effect it had on the crowd.
He wrote that ‘a sight so inconceivably awful as the wickedness and levity of the immense crowd collected at that execution this morning could be imagined by no man, and could be presented in no heathen land under the sun’.
He described how ‘when the day dawned, thieves, low prostitutes, ruffians and vagabonds of every kind, flocked on to the ground, with every variety of offensive and foul behaviour. Fightings, faintings, whistlings... brutal jokes, tumultuous demonstrations of indecent delight when swooning women were dragged out of the crowd by the police, with their dresses disordered, gave a new zest to the general entertainment’.
He lamented: 'When the sun rose brightly – as it did – it gilded thou-
‘Wickedness of the crowd could be imagined by no man’
sands upon thousands of upturned faces, so inexpressibly odious in their brutal mirth or callousness, that a man had cause to feel ashamed of the shape he wore, and to shrink from himself, as fashioned in the image of the Devil.
'When the two miserable creatures who attracted all this ghastly sight about them were turned quivering into the air, there was no more emotion, no more pity, no more thought that two immortal souls had gone to judgment, no more restraint in any of the previous obscenities than if the name of Christ had never been heard in this world, and there were no belief among men but that they perished like the beasts.'
It still took almost 20 years for public hangings to be abolished here. No doubt there were plenty of Trump-like politicians to defend them. But I am with Dickens. Millions watching on wide screens in their homes are no better than crowds milling around that Southwark scaffold. Such appetites, once stirred, will grow. And it will be a downward step.
President Trump and his Secretary for War probably have little idea of the forces they will be stirring if they go ahead with this event on December 3.
I hope they change their minds. If they do not, I urge you not to watch, and certainly not to bring this sight into the peace of your home.
Peter Hitchens Follow Peter on Twitter @clarkemicah ✗
THE panic flight of the US Air Force from Fairfield has ended an awkward partnership begun when we were bankrupt and alone in 1940. We and America
just don't need each other in that way any more. Mr Trump's USA – America First and America Alone – is happy to go its own way in its aggressive adventures. Good.
When Donald Trump opened his assault on Iran, the world was full of supposedly ‘Right-wing’ commentators, urging him on and denouncing the evils of the Islamic Republic.
How silly they all look now. The usual propaganda was deployed. Iran was a brutal tyranny and we were spreading freedom and democracy.
We didn't succeed in this of course, as anyone at all well-informed could have told Mr Trump. And the fact that the 'West' is allied with more than one such
I AM not sure that planning to build yet more houses all over England is the way to win back Tory votes. In fact, I am sure it is not. A lot of conservative patriots do not yearn for another bout of Thatcherism.
despotism, and does not care, was avoided or ignored.
Quite honestly how anyone can be in alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey (as we are) and think he is serving the causes of democracy, law and freedom, I do not know. They are at least as nasty as Iran and Russia.
Sir Keir Starmer, then our Premier, was excoriated by those militant voices for being cautious about allowing the USAF base in Fairford to be used in this war. Alas, he quickly gave in and pretended that the giant bombers as based there were engaged in 'defensive' operations as they were unloaded high explosive on the Iranian targets. This fell into the class of things of which it can be stated 'if you can believe that, you can believe anything'.
So now where are we? Iran is not defeated. It has hit America hard in its Gulf bases, destroying crucial, highly costly and irreplaceable US military equipment and facilities.
It has survived questionable murders of its own leadership. Is murder too hard a word? I do not think so. Among the dead were wholly innocent relatives of the
US bombers leave our shores – and take the phoney 'special relationship' home with them
assassinated leaders. Let us call things by their proper names – for we would surely do so if Iran did the same to our side.
Every so often, President Trump stirs himself into a new rage and threatens to wipe Iran from the map. So far, he has not done so but I do not think any of us can be quite sure that he will not try. No more terrifying figure has ever held the presidency of the USA.
But this season of folly has finally ripped up the fiction that was the ‘special relationship’ between us and the USA.
Anyone who still believes in this great gloopy tripe sandwich only needs to remember Mr Trump's recent crass call for a united Ireland. Americans would turn and rend us if we did the same sort of thing to them – say, supporting Mexican demands for the return of the lands Uncle Sam violently seized from them in 1848.
So there is no need for any more fake smiles and awkward meetings. American public figures are increasingly willing to be as rude and dismissive about this country in public as they have long been in private. And Donald Trump's USA no longer needs to carry what is left of our armed forces in its baggage, to pretend that it has allies.
I am not sorry. This country will never again be the great power it was in 1914, or even in 1939. But we can be an important and influential nation again, once we struggle free of the obsolete American alliance.
The sudden disappearance of US bombers from Fairford shows that they never really needed it to bomb Iran. Modern in-flight refuelling made it unnecessary years ago. Their desire to implicate us in the increasingly disastrous Iran war was the only reason for using Fairford this time. Now they don't even want to do that any more.
Good. Breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the approaching day when we finally declare independence from the USA.
LOOK out for posters for The Michael Portillo Show where you live. I cannot show one to you but you will enjoy the sight of the sometime Secretary of State for Defence looking like a game show host, wearing a fluorescent suit and a smile of pure cheese.
Has he now run out of railways to visit? Apparently he plans to share the story of his father's flight from the Spanish Civil
War. His promoters promise ‘funny and insightful’ observations about his old boss Margaret Thatcher and his reflections on the decay of political power. They say: ‘He’ll tell us about his break into TV – including the time he became a single mum...’
Well, how are the mighty diverted. I remember him when he was terribly important and ‘the future of the Right’. I even challenged him when he sought to become Tory MP for Kensington and Chelsea. It was like trying to attack a Panzer tank squadron on a pushbike. He was destined for the top. Plainly, I needn't have bothered. Will it be Puss In Boots next, or Dick Whittington? What is it that they say? Showbusiness is politics for attractive people? Something like that.
---
莎拉·维恩（SARAH VINE）休假中
我是谁？
我销售一款名为“Jack”的香水，带有青柠、柑橘以及大麻的香调。
我数学很差，不记得乘法表。
我录制过一首舞曲，歌词采用了莎士比亚的“生存还是毁灭……”独白。
十岁时，我撞见母亲与父亲最好的朋友在行房，从此我开始在日记中倾诉。
我对酒精过敏，但却因饰演一名酗酒者而闻名。
我出生在当时还被称为斯威士兰的埃斯瓦蒂尼，我的真实姓氏是 Esterhuysen。
谁？
什么？
哪里？
我们有趣的每周测验，邀请您猜测新闻中的人物、地点和事物……
我被《名人叛徒》（The Celebrity Traitors）节目驱逐了。
我是什么？
● 我开创了“套餐餐食”（meal deal）。
● 我的店铺曾设有图书馆。
我赞助了所有四个本土国家的女子足球队。
● 我的科学家发明了布洛芬。
1925年，我在皮卡迪利圆环（Piccadilly Circus）开设了一家24小时营业店。
我曾被称为“英美植物建立机构”（British and American Botanic Establishment），并在我的诺丁汉店销售草药疗法。
我以 £67 亿美元 的价格被 Primark 背后的家族收购。
我在哪里？
我这里有一座阴森的解剖博物馆，展出包含人类静脉和神经的标本桌，以及温斯顿·丘吉尔的假牙。
● 关于该地区最早的书面记录可见于 959 年由和平者埃德加国王（King Edgar The Peaceful）签署的一份特许状。
答案：理查德·E·格兰特（Richard E Grant）、Boots 药店、霍本（Holborn）。
史蒂夫·本内特（STEVE BENNETT）
📄 Original Section
Sign of failure
FASTENED to a fence in London's beautiful Fitzroy Square, I found an infuriating poster telling me 'phone thieves target this area'. When will the police grasp that such notices say, 'We, the police, no longer patrol or control this place. You're on your own. We've surrendered to crime'? Bin the posters. Get out on the streets again, on foot.
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LABOUR last night descended into open warfare over immigration and the economy, sourcing Andy Burnham's first party conference as Prime Minister. Cabinet ministers are at loggerheads over a planned crackdown on migrant visas, while another grandee blasted the leadership for putting union demands ahead of economic growth.
The very public rows threaten to overshadow what Mr Burnham had planned would be a triumphant party conference, which gets under way in Liverpool today. Those hopes took a blow when Angela Rayner doubled down on her criticism of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to make it harder for migrants to gain permanent residence in the UK, which
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Historic corner of London is turned into Paris for Lily's last (very lucrative) advertising shoot
CHIC: Lily Collins reprises her role on set, top left, for a travel advert
SHE filmed her final scenes for Emily In Paris last month after six years navigating messy love triangles and career dramas while sporting an enviably fashionable wardrobe.
But Lily Collins slipped back into character last week for a London
photoshoot after signing a lucrative deal to become the face of travel app Expedia, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The success of the hit Netflix show sparked a surge in demand for trips to the French capital since airing in 2020. And the partnership with Expedia looks set to capitalise on the
interest in Paris and the fashion boutiques which gave inspiration to Ms Collins' character, Emily Cooper.
These exclusive pictures reveal historic Sicilian Avenue in London's Holborn reimagined as a slice of Paris, featuring chic French cafes, bistro tables, vintage cars and bustling shoppers.
Ms Collins, 37, was wearing in a black-and-white polka dot dress with her trademark sleek bob as she reprised her role as American marketing executive Emily one last time.
The actress was filmed browsing clothing rails, flower displays and vintage stalls.
Partnering with the Netflix show is a savvy move for Expedia, which has reported a spike in searches for Paris when a new series airs. This so-called ‘set-jetting’ phenomenon sees viewers inspired to visit places they have watched on television.
And few have proved such an effective advert as Emily In Paris, serving up swanky hotels, fashionable restaurants and picturesque streets.
The show has followed Emily as she navigates work, romance and French culture – and this last series will see her make a big decision about the life she has built in Paris.
Fans will also see Emily travel to Greece to visit love interest Gabriel – scenes which will, inevitably, help to boost that country's tourism, too.
In real life, Ms Collins – daughter of musician Phil Collins – has put down roots in Queen's Park, northwest London, with husband Charlie McDowell. They welcomed a daughter, Tove, via surrogate last year.
Jolley
You're determined to be the puffin who replaces churchill on bank notes, aren't you?
A ROGUE AI agent sent US police a bogus tip-off about an unsolved murder in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.
The agent, developed by tech firm Anthropic, posted the fake intelligence on a Philadelphia police website that invites the public to help solve open homicide cases.
The message, which told detectives it had seen ‘someone matching the description’, was automatically flagged as spam on the day it arrived. But it took more than two months for the company to detect it, and a further nine days passed before Anthropic admitted the breach to police.
A police spokesman called the delay ‘unacceptable’ and said the firm ‘must strengthen its safeguards to prevent similar incidents’.
They added that police systems had stopped it going any further, but this did ‘not diminish the seriousness of an AI system presenting fabricated information as though it came from a person with knowledge of a homicide’.
Last week, Anthropic published a report detailing some of its agents' ‘unintended actions’. One filed 20 visa applications through a State Department web form, though all were incomplete, officials said.
FTER one of showbiz's most toxic divorces, triggered by the discovery of text messages to another woman, Ruth Langsford could be forgiven for walking away from her husband of 14 years for good.
But in a surprising turn of events – and one which will leave jilted husbands scratching their heads – it appears Eamonn Holmes has come out of it all rather better than some say he deserved.
For I hear that Ruth, who once claimed that the split two years ago left her with a ‘broken heart’ and ‘broken dreams’, has swallowed her pride and is back at her estranged husband’s side.
While this is no romantic reunion, it is one borne of affection as she is caring for him while he remains vulnerable following a stroke six months ago.
It is an astonishing turnaround given how toxic their divorce had become. The couple, who'd hosted ITV's This Morning together for the entire duration of their marriage, had started communicating almost exclusively via their lawyers.
And perhaps more astonishingly still, Ruth has been joined in her efforts by Eamonn's first wife, Gabrielle Holmes, with whom he has three children, and from whom he got divorced three decades ago.
Both women have, I'm told, put the past behind them – and for Ruth, the huge emotional toll of the recent break-up – and are bonding over the serious concerns they share for 66-year-old Eamonn's wellbeing.
While both at one time vowed to stand by him (in sickness and in health).
While both at one time vowed him ‘in sickness and in health’, it’s likely neither imagined they would be continuing to fulfil those promises after their respective marriages ended.
《NOW That's What I Call 60s Soul》将灵魂乐第一个黄金十年的88首定义之作收录在四张CD中。
我们以艾瑞莎·弗兰克林的标志性歌曲《Respect》开篇，随后是至上女声的《You Can't Hurry Love》、史蒂夫·汪达的《Uptight (Everything's Alright)》以及迪翁·沃里克优雅的《Walk On By》。接着是吉米·鲁芬的《What Becomes of the Brokenhearted》和马文·盖伊的《I Heard It Through the Grapevine》所展现的凄美之感。
第一盘
1 Aretha Franklin – Respect
2 The Supremes – You Can’t Hurry Love
3 Stevie Wonder – Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
4 Martha Reeves & The Vandellas – Dancing in the Street
5 Bob & Earl – Harlem Shuffle
6 Dionne Warwick – Walk On By
7 Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
8 Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through the Grapevine
9 The Temptations – My Girl
10 Mary Wells – My Guy
11 Dusty Springfield – Son of a Preacher Man
12 Marlena Shaw – California Soul
13 The Delfonics – Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love)
14 Four Tops – Reach Out I’ll Be There
15 The Isley Brothers – Behind a Painted Smile
16 Sly & the Family Stone – Dance to the Music
17 James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good)
18 Wilson Pickett – In the Midnight Hour
19 Fontella Bass – Rescue Me
20 Carla Thomas – B-A-B-Y
21 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – I Second That Emotion
22 Otis Redding – (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay
诱惑乐队的《My Girl》和玛丽·威尔斯的《My Guy》与达斯蒂·斯普林菲尔德的《Son Of A Preacher Man》并列。而且不要忘记那些组合：四顶帽子乐队、艾斯利兄弟、斯莱与家庭之石乐队、Booker T. & The MGs、雪纺裙女团、水晶女团、马维莱特女团、漂流者乐队、罗内特女团……以及那位伟大的灵魂乐天后格拉迪斯·奈特。这不仅仅是一套四CD的合辑，更是一份历史文献……它就是这么出色！
第二碟
1 Ben E. King – Stand By Me
2 Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves a Woman
3 The Drifters – Up On the Roof
4 The Chiffons – Sweet Talkin' Guy
5 The Crystals – Da Doo Ron Ron
6 The Marvelettes – Please Mr Postman
7 The Ronettes – Baby, I Love You
8 The Velvelettes – Needle in a Haystack
9 Gloria Jones – Tainted Love
10 Tami Lynn – I'm Gonna Run Away From You
11 R. Dean Taylor – There's a Ghost in My House
12 Frank Wilson – Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
13 Gladys Knight & The Pips – Just Walk in My Shoes
14 Tobi Legend – Time Will Pass You By
15 Barbara Randolph – I Got a Feeling
16 Robert Knight – Love on a Mountain Top
17 Al Wilson – The Snake
18 Jimmy James & The Vagabonds – Ain't No Big Thing
His latest girlfriend moved out months after his stroke. So how relieved the stricken broadcaster must be to have not one, but two, of his former wives rushing to his side...
It is perhaps telling, too, that last week Eamonn's much-younger girlfriend, Katie Alexander, 44, moved out of the penthouse apartment she shared with the TV presenter in Kingston, south-west London, with some telling me that those in Holmes's circle had concerns about her.
Some insist that they have not broken up, but have said the situation is ‘very sad’ and that Katie is ‘devastated’.
And supporting him through that, too, will be his former wives.
'For a long time Eamonn and Ruth have just been completely at odds with one another,' the source said. 'They reached a point where they couldn't even communicate directly.
‘Things became very difficult. Ruth was really upset about it all. It’s astonishing that she’s managed to put this behind her. You could argue Eamonn didn’t necessarily deserve it. It’s an incredible shift.
But the anger appears to have thawed and has been replaced by genuine concern.'
The source added: 'The thought of Ruth and Gabrielle being on good terms was just as unlikely.
‘Yet here they all are, clubbing together and rallying around with the kids to protect Eamonn.
‘Ruth and Gabrielle have come through when Eamonn needed them the most. It has been a lot of pressure for Eamonn’s children and having the support of these two women has been most helpful.’
For all Ruth's generosity now, it must have taken a gargantuan effort to put the past behind her.
Famously, when Ruth discovered that Eamonn had moved on from their split and was romantically involved with relationship counsellor Katie, she resorted to brutal (some might say petty) measures.
As Eamonn prepared to go on a romantic break with Katie, Ruth, 66, disabled the stairlift in their marital home so Eamonn – who because of ongoing health difficulties has struggled with his mobility
‘The two are bonding over concerns they share for him’
\- would not be able to go upstairs to pack for the trip.
Giggling as she told friends what she had done, Ruth felt Eamonn deserved to suffer an indignity of his own.
Things only got worse when Ruth was forced to instruct lawyers to take her husband to court as the row over the division of their money, and the £3.2million family mansion in Weybridge, Surrey, became increasingly bitter.
Eamonn and Ruth are supposed to be in court again in November over the splitting of their £10million joint fortune. But it is not clear whether that will still go ahead as I am told things ‘aren’t as straightforward or as simple' as it might appear.
Those familiar with the Holmes clan say Ruth and Gabrielle were put in touch by Eamonn's eldest children, Declan, 37, Rebecca, 35, and Niall, 33.
All three are very close to Ruth – who shares son, Jack, 24, with Eamonn – and expressed their concerns to her as their father's health deteriorated. I revealed earlier this month that he has had to stand down from presenting his GB News Breakfast show.
Eamonn's exes and his children have also raised concerns about Katie and her influence over him – more on which later.
It's perhaps no coincidence, then, that she moved out last week.
The unlikely alliance has led the women to instruct a prominent entertainment PR firm to act on Eamonn's behalf.
Letters sent out by the agency, Plank PR, confirm they are now acting collectively on behalf of Eamonn, Ruth, Gabrielle and their children – further proof that not only is the family committed to standing together, but that it is Ruth who has been pulling the strings to make it happen.
The agency is run by a long-standing television publicist, Lou Plank, who is also one of Ruth's closest friends. She had previously represented Ruth and Eamonn jointly until 2022, when Eamonn left This Morning.
Just a few months later, Eamonn joined GB News and went on to take some vicious pot shots at his former employers, which embarrassed his then-wife who still worked for the network.
'Plank PR made it very clear that they were Team Ruth and have been at her side through her split from Eamonn,' says an industry source.
'The fact they are now involved with Eamonn again is a hugely significant sign. It's nothing less than a show of defiance to Katie.'
Gabrielle, who lives in Eamonn's native Northern Ireland, married the former GMTV star in 1985 before he became a stalwart of the daytime sofa, after meeting nine
When his career took off in the early 1990s, their marriage became strained. He moved to London during the week, only returning home at weekends, while Gabrielle remained with the children in Belfast.
WITH SECOND WIFE,
RUTH LANGSFORD
Eamonn addressed their marriage in his 2008 memoir This Is My Life: The Autobiography, saying: 'We tended to be apart during the week because of my job, and I had no trouble with that, though Gabrielle obviously did.'
They split in 1996 and a year later Eamonn began a relationship with Ruth, who had been a
for TV regional station Television South West in Plymouth.
In 2002, she gave birth to their son Jack, and they married eight years later in a star-studded wedding at the smart country house hotel The Elvetham in Hampshire.
There was no crossover between Eamonn's marriage to Gabrielle and his later relationship with Ruth, and the two women had no reason to be in touch.
WITH GIRLFRIEND, KATIE
Katie, meanwhile, has been going out with Eamonn since his marriage to Ruth broke down – although Ruth and others suspect source. It wasn't the nicest thing to watch Katie and Eamonn set up home together, or go off on holiday on a cruise where they were photographed at every port.'
Little wonder that many close to the wider family were pleased to see Katie leave Eamonn's apartment.
Katie had been splitting her time between the Kingston flat and her home in West Yorkshire, where her children and former husband live.
She was reported to be ‘devastated’ at having to clear her things from the rented property, as Eamonn’s family stepped in to manage his affairs more tightly.
Sources tell me his family felt that Katie had been enjoying a comfortable life at Eamonn's
LIVING APART: Eamonn has been with Katie since his marriage to Ruth broke down
expense. One entertainment insider said: 'You can't help but wonder if the family are trying to make sure as much of his money as possible stays safe and unspent.
‘It has now been decided that the family should step up with matters like that.
‘What has happened to Eamonn is devastating. He is still so young, but he is struggling and has been for a while now. That flat isn’t cheap, and clearly Eamonn isn’t
---
2026年10月 11 • 星期日邮报 伊甸秘密 (Eden Confidential)
📄 Original Section
‘Those close to the family were pleased to see Katie leave’
going to be living independently any time soon. His family have really stepped things up on his behalf and are starting to lock things down.'
He and Katie were regularly seen together at glamorous showbiz events.
But it was a carer who found the veteran presenter after his stroke in April before an ambulance took him to hospital.
The last time Eamonn was seen publicly was in June, with Katie at his side in hospital.
and back in a suit and tie,' he said. 'Watch this space – I'll be back after this break.'
Posing in his robe, struggling to crack a smile, Eamonn vowed to his fans that he would be back on their screens.
'I can't wait to be out of this gown
Despite that determination, Eamonn's ill-health appears to have put an end to his broadcasting career.
ITV / SHUTTERSTOCK
He has not been seen on GB News since March 11, after suffering a series of embarrassing on-air mishaps.
They included nodding off live on air – although he later insisted he ‘was just looking down at my mic pack to see why it was not working’ – and falling off his chair mid-broadcast.
During public appearances he had increasingly relied on wheel-chairs and walking frames to cope with his reduced mobility.
He had a double hip replacement in 2016, which was followed by agonising back problems caused by a dislocated pelvis and slipped discs.
Spinal surgery in 2022 failed to rectify his problems, and multiple falls and further procedures have only increased his discomfort.
He had spoken of the need to have physiotherapy each morning just to get himself ready for work.
‘Eamonn has been in the wars,’ says a source who knows him.
‘He had to keep working because of his money worries [he lost a court battle with HMRC in 2023 which left him facing a bill some estimate to be more than £1million].
'And he's stubborn, and would never let anyone tell him what to do. But now he has found himself in a situation where he desperately needs help and actually needs to accept it.
‘What perhaps he didn’t expect is that his guardian angels would be his two ex-wives.’
周五晚宴的宾客包括布拉德·皮特（Brad Pitt）及其女友伊内斯·德·拉蒙（Ines de Ramon）（见下图）、《Vogue》掌门人安娜·温图尔女爵士（Dame Anna Wintour）以及奥斯卡奖得主艾玛·汤普森女爵士（Dame Emma Thompson）。但萨塞克斯公爵夫妇的缺席格外引人注目。
Cocaine use triggers mental health crises in record 7,500 over-50s
A RECORD number of over-50s are being treated for cocaine-related mental health issues as middle-class use of the drug spirals.
Startling new statistics reveal hospitals in England treated 7,484 older people last year for problems linked to the Class A drug – up by a quarter in just 12 months.
The figures relate to mental and behavioural problems including psychosis, addiction and the side effects of withdrawal. And they are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg as they do not include cases of cocaine-related heart attacks, strokes and overdoses.
Experts say it reflects a growing trend for
people to start using cocaine again in later life following bereavements, loneliness, and life changes such as divorce and job stress. The drug is more accessible and cheaper than ever, with concerns it has become a socially acceptable alternative to alcohol at middle-class dinner parties.
Zaheen Ahmed, head of therapy at The UKAT Group, which runs private addiction centres, said the figures were a ‘wake-up call’, adding: ‘Cocaine abuse comes with two major misconceptions; first, that it’s just a young per-
这位56岁的名模（左图）上周在时尚学院（Vogue College of Fashion）向前BBC记者泽纳布·巴达维（Zeinab Badawi）讲述了她这项可能带来丰厚利润的创业计划——该品牌将于明年推出。
娜奥米还给学生们提供了一些建议，她说：“永远记得那些在你职业生涯早期对你友善的人。”睿智之言！
📄 Original Section
MUSIC2YOU PROUDLY PRESENTS
ABETHA FRANKLIN, THE SUPREMES, MARVIN GAYE, DIIONHE WARWICK, STEVIE WONDER, THE TEMPITATIONS
MARTHA BEEVES & THE VANDELLAS, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, JAMES BROWN, OTIS REDDINO, DEN E. XINO, IKE & TINA TURNER
FOUR TOPS, THE RONETTES, THE CRYSTALS, JIMMY RUFFIN, SMOKEY ROUWSON & THE MIRACLES, NINA SIMONE
THE DELFORTICS, MARY WELLS, MARLENA SHAW, PERCY SLEDGE, THE ISLEY BROTHERS, SILY & THE FAMILY STONE son's drug, and, second, that years of use without obvious consequences means you're somehow immune to its effects.
‘Many of the over-50s we treat for cocaine addiction aren’t lifelong users. They’re people who stopped years ago, but later-life experiences such as grief, deteriorating mental health and loneliness have driven them back to the drug. This time, though, they find they can’t stop.
‘These clients stopped taking cocaine when life demanded it, but
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（非常）现代的礼仪
◆ 我想，《神秘博士》的编剧罗素·T·戴维斯（Russell T. Davies，63岁）一定被提醒到了他与奥利弗·科尔（Oliver Cole）之间的年龄差距，因为他的“小男友”现在要回学校读书了。这位27岁的澳大利亚人即将开始在伦敦皇家戏剧艺术学院攻读为期三年的表演学士学位。奥利弗告诉我：“我迫不及待地想开始了——表演是我一直以来梦想做的事情，而这里将是学习的最佳场所。”虽然奥利弗的表演履历还很单薄，但罗素已经带他在《神秘博士》的拍摄现场体验了一把塔迪斯（Tardis）的飞行，这引发了一些不切实际的传闻，称他可能会成为下一任时间领主。
now find themselves alone, struggling with their mental health and with the financial means to sustain an expensive habit. The danger is that they're returning to a drug that has strengthened, while their resilience may have diminished. The consequences can be devastating.'
Even pensioners are being caught up in the epidemic, with cases involving the over-60s, so-called 'silver snorters', rising six-fold in a decade to 2,139. Figures for those needing treatment in their 50s tripled in ten years.
Older users account for more than one in four patients treated for cocaine-related mental and behavioural problems, compared with around one in nine ten years ago.
Across all ages, cocaine-related problems have risen 17 per cent in a year. Among them were 424 episodes of psychosis, up 46 per cent in a single year and a ten-year high.
Deaths from cocaine use have risen for 13 consecutive years in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The National Crime Agency has also warned that bumper South American harvests have pushed prices down and driven up purity, which makes it more cost-effective, but also more addictive.
Councils have been handed £1.1 billion of public health money this year to spend on drug and alcohol treatment.
Mr Ahmed added: ‘Addiction doesn’t have an age limit, and it’s never too late to seek help.’
An NHS spokesman said: ‘Cocaine use can seriously affect mental health and behaviour at any age, while people over 50 face a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.’
NOW That's What I Call 60s Soul brings together 88 defining tracks over four CDs, from soul's first golden decade.
We open with Aretha Franklin's signature Respect, before The Supremes You Can't Hurry Love and Stevie Wonder's Uptight (Everything's Alright), and Dionne Warwick's elegant Walk On By. Then the poignant beauty of Jimmy Ruffin's What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through the Grapevine.
Disc one
1 Aretha Franklin – Respect
2 The Supremes
– You Can’t Hurry Love
3 Stevie Wonder
– Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
4 Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
– Dancing in the Street
5 Bob & Earl – Harlem Shuffle
6 Dionne Warwick – Walk On By
7 Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
8 Marvin Gaye
– I Heard It Through the Grapevine
9 The Temptations – My Girl
10 Mary Wells – My Guy
11 Dusty Springfield
– Son of a Preacher Man
12 Marlena Shaw – California Soul
13 The Delfonics – Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love)
14 Four Tops – Reach Out I’ll Be There
15 The Isley Brothers
– Behind a Painted Smile
16 Sly & the Family Stone
– Dance to the Music
17 James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good)
18 Wilson Pickett
– In the Midnight Hour
19 Fontella Bass – Rescue Me
20 Carla Thomas – B-A-B-Y
21 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
– I Second That Emotion
22 Otis Redding
– (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay
The Temptations My Girl and Mary Wells' My Guy sit alongside Dusty Springfield's Son Of A Preacher Man. And let's not forget the groups: The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, Sly & The The Family Stone, Booker T. & The MGs, The Chiffons, The Crystals, The Marvelettes, The Drifters, The Ronettes... and that great Lady of Soul, Gladys Knight. Not just a four-CD compilation but an historic document... it's that good!
Disc two
1 Ben E. King – Stand By Me
2 Percy Sledge
– When a Man Loves a Woman
3 The Drifters – Up On the Roof
4 The Chiffons – Sweet Talkin' Guy
5 The Crystals – Da Doo Ron Ron
6 The Marvelettes
– Please Mr Postman
7 The Ronettes – Baby, I Love You
8 The Velvelettes
– Needle in a Haystack
9 Gloria Jones – Tainted Love
10 Tami Lynn
– I'm Gonna Run Away From You
11 R. Dean Taylor
– There's a Ghost in My House
12 Frank Wilson
– Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
13 Gladys Knight & The Pips
– Just Walk in My Shoes
14 Tobi Legend – Time Will Pass You By
15 Barbara Randolph – I Got a Feeling
16 Robert Knight
– Love on a Mountain Top
17 Al Wilson – The Snake
18 Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
– Ain't No Big Thing
19 Brenda Holloway
– Every Little Bit Hurts
20 Erma Franklin – Piece of My Heart
21 Etta James
– I Just Want to Make Love to You
22 Nina Simone
– Ain't Got No/I Got Life (From Hair)
Disc three
1 Ike & Tina Turner
– River Deep, Mountain High
2 Wilson Pickett – Land of 1000 Dances
3 Arthur Conley – Sweet Soul Music
4 The Contours – Do You Love Me
5 Solomon Burke
\- Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
6 Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood
7 Sam & Dave - Soul Man
8 The Elqins
\- Heaven Must Have Sent You
9 Little Eva - The Loco-Motion
10 Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Jimmy Mack
11 The Toys - A Lover's Concerto
12 The Delfonics
La-La Means I Love You
13 Brook Benton
Rainy Night in Georgia
14 Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
It Takes Two
15 Jr. Walker & The All Stars
(I'm a) Road Runner
16 Barrett Strong - Money
17 Booker T. & The MGs - Green Onions
18 Bobby Hebb - Sunny
19 Sly & The Family Stone
Everyday People
20 The 5th Dimension
Stoned Soul Picnic
21 Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs
Stay
22 The Drifters
Under the Boardwalk
Disc four
1 The Supremes – Baby Love
2 Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
3 The Temptations – Get Ready
4 The Ronettes – Be My Baby
5 The Crystals – Then He Kissed Me
6 The Chiffons – He’s So Fine
7 Dionne Warwick – I Say a Little Prayer
8 Aretha Franklin
– (You Make Me Feel Like)
A Natural Woman
9 Otis Redding
– Try a Little Tenderness
10 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
– You’re All I Need to Get By
11 Ben E. King – Spanish Harlem
12 Robert Knight – Everlasting Love
13 The Isley Brothers – This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
14 Edwin Starr – Stop Her On Sight
15 The Velvelettes
– He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin'
16 Reparata & The Delrons
– Captain of Your Ship
17 The Marvelettes
– When You’re Young and in Love
18 Etta James – At Last
19 Dinah Washington
– Mad About the Boy
20 James Brown
– It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World
21 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
– The Tracks of My Tears
22 Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
Readers can order a copy of this wonderful 88 track four-CD collection for just £9.99 including p&p, either for yourself or as a gift for a friend or loved one, by visiting music2you.co.uk/now. To see the full range of our popular CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and books, visit music2you.co.uk
OUR weekly irreverent look at some of the stories that might be breaking over coming days...
MONDAY
Kemi Badenoch's Britannia Shield runs into trouble – since the name is trademarked by a creosote manufacturer, a budget
condom brand and the East Kent Over-50s Lawn Bowls Championship.
In response to the Tories' iron dome, the Lib Dems offer their alternative: the tinfoil hat.
TUESDAY
After the M&S
boss urged Labour
to take handcuffs
off businesses,
an S&M boss
demands they be put back on.
BBC staff say they don't understand boss Matt Brittin's plea to 'be more Elvis', as the corporation is already bloated and irrelevant to those under 60.
WEDNESDAY
The Greens revive commitments to the environment... and how they can make them as hostile as possible for Jewish people. Also, Lord Archer's tombstone is revealed. It will read: 'Here lies Jeffrey Archer.'
Americans await the first livestreamed state
execution, with
viewers especially
excited to see the
bloopers reel.
FRIDAY
The first person to buy Meghan's £112 Advent calendar complains you can't peek behind windows because of privacy.
OCTOBER 11 • 2026 The Mail on Sunday Eden Confidential
你的身体系统中有些部分正在拖累你
加速衰老。现在就开始支持这一系统。
+15 至 +20 岁：器官显著衰老。请将此系统视为你的首要任务。
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📄 Original Section
What not to wear? Posh's name all over your shades
SUSANNAH Constantine has made her allegiance in the Beckham family feud crystal clear – by blacking out Victoria's name from her sunglasses.
While larking about in the back of a black cab with her former What Not To Wear co-host Trinny Woodall, the pair discussed Susannah's oversized Victoria Beckham-branded shades.
‘Darling, love your sunglasses,’ said Trinny, in a knowing tone.
'Aren't they great. They're so comfortable,' Susannah replied, before revealing there was one thing she had ...
the designer's name 'You can't see that, can you, because I Tippexed it off,' she admitted, laughing.
HAVING Princess Diana as your aunt does not always open doors for twins Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer – whose titles often fall on deaf ears. 'We go through the airport in Cape Town and they think our first name is Lady,' Amelia told Vanity Fair.
It's not the first time Susannah has made her thoughts known about the Beckham family debacle. When Brooklyn broke his silence on the family rift with a lengthy Instagram statement in January 2026, Susannah publicly declared herself #TeamBrooklyn.
'Can't believe I'm posting this. But for the record I'm #team-brooklyn @brooklynpeltzbeck-ham,' she wrote, adding: 'This young couple's love for each other is one of the few things that is real, deep and un-manufactured.'
Her striking words were a
THROWING SHADE: Susannah in the eyewear
staunch show of support for Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola, amid their estrangement from his parents.
Susannah's show of affection is particularly
interesting given her connection to the family: her daughter Esme and Brooklyn both have Sir Elton John as a godfather.
It appears that Sir Elton has subtly made his allegiances clear, too. The singer and his husband David Furnish have wined and dined Brooklyn and Nicola over the summer in Nice, but did not extend the same hospitality to their old friends, David and Victoria.
Dazzling night at
the museum for
George and Amal
IN A glittering Gucci gold gown, Amal Clooney stands by husband George to welcome A-lister pals to their black-tie charity gala, The Albies, at the Natural History Museum in London.
Among the guests at Friday's
soiree were Brad Pitt and his
girlfriend Ines de Ramon,
below, Vogue supremo Dame
Anna Wintour and Oscar
winner Dame Emma
Thompson. But conspicuous
by their absence were the
Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The couple invited the Clooneys to their wedding in 2018 and enjoyed a secret break at the Clooneys' villa in Italy. But the friendship has reportedly cooled since.
A friend of the Sussexes tells me Meghan was ‘at home’ on Friday, while Harry was
是因为胸腺（负责“训练”抗病 T 细胞的腺体）随年龄增长而萎缩。不平衡且多样性较低的肠道微生物群也会干扰肠道与免疫系统的信号传递，削弱身体的防御能力。但你的免疫系统并非注定随年龄增长而衰弱。通过富含抗氧化蔬菜、水果和蛋白质的营养全食饮食来强化肠道微生物群，通过平静练习减轻压力并增加活动，将有助于重新平衡炎症，逆转你的生物免疫年龄，从而使你减少感染、恢复更快，并能更好地防御慢性疾病。
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📄 Original Section
Glow like Naomi!
NAOMI Campbell memorably remarked ‘black don’t crack’ when asked if she used Botox.
Now I can reveal that the supermodel is set to help others achieve a similarly youthful glow, with her own skincare brand.
The 56-year-old, left, told former BBC journalist Zeinab Badawi about her potentially lucrative venture – to be launched next year – at Vogue College of Fashion last week.
Naomi also had some advice for the students, saying: 'Always remember the people who were kind to you early in your career.' Wise words!
◆ I IMAGINE Doctor Who writer Russell T. Davies, 63, has been reminded of the age gap between himself and Oliver Cole, now his toyboy is heading back to school. The Australian, 27, is embarking on a three-year BA in acting at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Oliver tells me: 'I can't wait to start – acting is all I've ever dreamed of doing and this is going to be the best place to learn.' While Oliver's acting CV is still thin, Russell has treated him to a spin in the Tardis on the Doctor Who set, sparking misplaced talk he could be the next Time Lord.
CLASSICAL singer Katherine Jenkins is trying to raise sartorial standards in the West End, where even opera-goers will turn up in grotty T-shirts and jeans. The Welsh mezzo-soprano, 46, has asked those due to attend her concert at the London Palladium this week to make an effort with their outfits. A message emailed to ticket-holders says: 'To make the evening extra special, Katherine is inviting guests to "dress to impress". While
there's no formal dress code, there'll be a special prize for the best dressed guest on the night, so why not make an occasion of it?'
RE YOU waking up tired no matter how much you sleep? Does your brain feel foggy, your gut unsettled and your body bloated and miserable, whatever you try? You may have had blood tests to find the cause, only for them to come back as ‘normal’. Yet deep down, you know something isn’t right.
Millions of men and women silently struggle with chronic symptoms that don't show up on blood tests or respond to standard treatments because the real problem is not being addressed.
Many doctors and medications only treat the symptoms of a condition – not the root cause, which lies deep in the 37 trillion cells of your body that work round the clock to keep you alive, energised and healthy.
When these cells are nourished, protected and activated, your organs stay young, strong and disease-resistant.
But when they become damaged - due to toxins and nutrient deficiency - the cells' 'powerhouse' mitochondria are less able to produce and use energy. Cell membranes weaken, inflammation increases and chronic illness can take root.
What is tragic isn't that our bodies wear down, but that most people don't realise they can be rebuilt, so settle for managing symptoms rather than restoring health and vitality.
Yet your body is designed to regenerate: every day it replaces 330 billion worn-out cells with new ones.
Healing can happen surprisingly quickly. The lining of your gut can regenerate in just three to five days, while minor muscle injuries can take two to four weeks and minor bone fractures six to eight weeks.
Your liver – one of the body's most powerful organs – begins to repair itself within just a few days of removing the source of the damage, such as alcohol or other toxins. Partial regrowth of healthy tissue takes around six to eight weeks, and complete regrowth roughly five months.
For someone with a fatty liver, this may mean regeneration begins in as little as two or three weeks after making healthy lifestyle changes.
We are both US functional medicine doctors with decades of clinical experience between us and specialise in treating the root causes of chronic disease. We regularly witness the body's extraordinary regenerative capabilities in our patients.
Not so long ago, it was generally assumed that each generation would live longer than the last. In fact, a 2021 study in the journal Nature Communications estimated a human lifespan might even stretch to 120 or 150 years, so long as the systems regulating internal balance – i.e. the health of our cells – remained intact.
But now, instead, life expectancy is plateauing or declining in many parts of the Western world.
A recent large-scale study from Boston University found that Americans aged between 25 and 44 are dying younger than expected, with excess deaths – the number above what is normally expected – rising sharply in
激素年龄
您是否在面对低性欲、生育问题、经前综合征（PMS） / 绝经期症状或低睾酮水平时感到困扰？(+5)
您是否在早晨感到精疲力竭，或依赖咖啡因来支撑一整天？(+5)
尽管饮食健康且坚持运动，您是否依然容易增加体重？(+5)
您是否难以应对压力，感到“精神亢奋但身体疲惫”，或注意到情绪波动频繁？(+5)
您是否每天进行压力管理（冥想、祈祷、呼吸练习或感恩练习）？(-5)
您每晚是否至少睡眠七小时且醒来后感到精神饱满？(-5)
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📄 Original Section
As an alarming new book warns the toxicity of modern life is damaging the 37 trillion cells our bodies rely on for EVERYTHING... The quiz that will tell you if your organs are ageing too fast. And the simple lifestyle changes to turn back the clock
recent years, due to a cascade of lifestyle-driven diseases.
That's because age isn't just the number of candles on your birthday cake, it's also a measure of how well your cells are functioning beneath the surface. And many people's biological clocks are ticking much faster than they should.
One example is early menstruation. A little over a
century ago, the average age for a girl's first period was 17, but today it's 12. One 2024 study by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the number of girls who began menstruating before the age of 11 had nearly doubled and the percentage menstruating before the age of nine more than doubled.
This isn't simply early development, it's premature hormonal
RESTORING your cellular health starts with identifying the organ or system holding you back. We've developed a simple questionnaire covering six major bodily systems, with practical action plans for each. We also suggest some easy tips to get you started – detailed plans are available in our new book, Heal Your Cells.
Today we will help you to assess the biological age of your immune system, hormones and liver. In tomorrow's extract we will look at digestive and metabolic age, brain and mood age and heart age.
(Always consult your doctor or health practitioner before beginning any new diet, exercise or other regimen, particularly if you have a diagnosed condition or are taking medication.)
For each question, answer yes or no, based on the last 90 days. If unsure, answer no.
For each section, add five years for every ‘yes’ to an ageing factor. Subtract five for every ‘yes’ to a protective factor. Then add or subtract the total from your actual age.
SCORES
-10 to 0 years: This organ is biologically younger than your chronological age. Keep doing what you are doing!
+5 to +10 years: Early signs of
ageing. The female body wasn't designed to mature this quickly: a girl who begins menstruating at eight instead of 16 has a hormonal system that is ageing at twice the rate it should. This matters because earlier periods are linked with a significantly higher risk of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes.
More menstrual cycles over a lifetime means greater exposure
to oestrogen, which stimulates breast tissue. Rising childhood obesity is thought to play a significant role, but exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, such as plastics and pesticides, processed foods and chronic stress could also contribute.
Meanwhile, testosterone levels in men have declined by over 30 per cent in recent decades, meaning a man in his 30s today may have the hormonal profile of a man in his 50s or 60s just a generation ago.
Fertility is dropping too. Sperm counts are reported to have fallen more than 50 per cent since the 1970s and women are seeing increased rates of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), irregular periods and early ovarian failure.
These aren't just reproductive issues but signs of hormonal and systemic ageing at a cellular level.
One key culprit is a diet that's increasingly dependent on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – cereals, biscuits, ready meals, sliced bread and junk food – often high in hidden sugars.
Sugar disrupts the gut's bacterial balance (as ‘bad’ bacteria feed on it), eventually leading to ‘leaky gut’ and body-wide inflammation. The liver also becomes overloaded trying to process excess fructose, common in packaged foods and fizzy drinks.
UPFs often contain industrial seed oils – including soybean, corn and sunflower – laden with omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, particularly linoleic acid, which may easily oxidise into unstable fatty acids.
It's thought that these may impair the function of your cells' mitochondria, responsible for turning food into energy in a usable form, known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells' energy supply.
At the same time, modern diets are often deficient in key nutrients, particularly in omega 3 fatty acids, fibre-rich legumes, good quality protein, antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables, olive oil and seeds and nuts.
Then there's exposure to toxins from plastics and pesticides. A particular concern is man-made ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAs, used in non-stick cooking equipment and food packaging, that don't break down easily and build up in the environment.
These can cause changes in cells, particularly in the mechanisms controlling gene expression, potentially leading to an increased cancer risk.
A sedentary lifestyle is another fast track to premature ageing – and around a third of the global population is physically inactive.
A 2018 landmark study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open found that being on the lowest rung of fitness is far more dangerous to your lifespan than smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Research published in the journal Oncotarget in 2018 found that people who did high levels of exercise had longer telomeres – the protective caps on DNA that shorten with age – than those who are sedentary, suggesting that regular exercise might preserve the blueprint of your longevity at cellular level.
Chronic stress – whether due to a culture of overdrive or loneliness – is another problem, keeping cortisol levels raised and disrupting sleep and circadian rhythms, worsened by artificial and blue lights from laptops, mobiles and TVs. These affect the internal rhythm of your cells and their ability to heal.
Together, this toxic storm of modern life is wrecking the foundations of our health – depleting our cells of the energy they need to function properly, sending hormones spinning out of control, straining our metabolisms and locking our immune systems in non-stop fight mode.
But the good news is that there are simple practical measures you can take to transform your health, regardless of your age or genetics.
NOT all organs age at the same rate. Just one ageing organ can quietly but significantly raise the risk of a serious health condition such as Alzheimer's, a heart attack, diabetes or cancer.
We know this thanks to a groundbreaking 2023 study from Stanford University, involving nearly 5,700 participants, which found one in five adults over 50 has at least one organ ageing faster than the rest of their body – often with no outward symptoms.
The researchers used advanced technology and algorithms to analyse thousands of proteins in blood samples to estimate the biological age of 11 key organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys and brain, plus the immune system. They
\- Do you get sick more often than you used to, or recover slowly from colds or infections? (+5)
Have you been diagnosed with autoimmune conditions or high inflammation (eg CRP, C-reactive protein)? (+5)
Do you often feel burned out, stressed or emotionally weighed down? (+5)
\- Do you experience frequent allergies, sinus issues or chronic congestion? (+5)
Do you consistently sleep seven to nine hours a night? (-5)
Do you spend time outdoors daily or engage in activities that bring calm and joy? (-5)
IMMUNE AGE SCORE IN YEARS
YOUR immune system is your body's standing army – always on patrol for invaders such as disease, toxins and mutated cells. Every day, your body produces billions of new immune cells that circulate through the blood and lymphatic (drainage) system, with white blood cells stationed in bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus and gut. But with age, this army can falter and inflammation can take hold. The gut microbiome is key - containing around 70 per cent of all your body's immune cells.
The immune system ages due to chronic low-grade, persistent inflammation, which damages tissues and accelerates disease risk and
because the thymus, the gland that ‘trains’ disease-fighting T-cells, shrinks with age. An unbalanced, less diverse gut microbiome also disrupts gut-immune signalling and weakens the body’s defences. But your immune system isn’t destined to weaken with age. Strengthening your gut microbiome with a nourishing whole food diet that’s full of antioxidant-rich vegetables, fruits and proteins, reducing stress with calming practices and increasing activity will help rebalance inflammation, reversing your biological immune age so you have fewer infections, recover faster and are better protected against chronic disease.
\- Take vitamin D3 with your first meal. This regulates more than 200 immune-related genes, strengthening defences and preventing immune over-activation.
identified organ-specific proteins that act as biomarkers – a snapshot of how each organ functions beneath the surface.
A rapidly ageing heart, for instance, carried a 150 per cent higher risk of heart failure and an ‘older’ brain had an 80 per cent higher risk of cognitive decline. People with more than one ageing organ were over six times as likely to die early as those with none.
However, we now have the tools not only to identify which organ is ageing prematurely, but also to intervene and strengthen it at a cellular level – even before disease is diagnosed.
To test this, we conducted our own 12-week clinical trial, with 110 participants (90 women and 20 men) between the ages of 32 and 72.
They all followed a carefully structured longevity programme based on a whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet, supplements, daily stress-relieving techniques, sleep hygiene methods and regular movement. There were no crash diets or extreme measures.
Blood samples were taken at the start and end of the programme to measure biological age using a tested method tracking DNA changes and organ-specific biomarkers.
In just three months, cellular inflammation – the driver of most age-related disease – dropped dramatically and oxidative stress (the cellular damage caused by harmful chemical reactions in the body) also fell, showing that cells were repairing and neutralising damage more efficiently.
More remarkably, telomeres grew longer, representing an estimated one to three years of cellular youth regained.
Mitochondrial efficiency also improved, as did cardiovascular fitness as measured by VO2 max (how efficiently your body turns oxygen into energy).
Grip strength, an accepted measure of longevity that naturally weakens with age, improved, as did gut health, easing years of bloating, food intolerance and IBS symptoms for many.
What stood out most was that many participants saw radical improvements in several different types of symptoms – including type 2 diabetes, weight, PCOS, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, low testosterone and chronic fatigue – and not just one.
Others saw relief from long-standing digestive disorders, skin conditions such as eczema, migraines, anxiety, depression and chronic joint and nerve pain.
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From Page 33
dish. Garlic is a natural antimicrobial and ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Spend 20 minutes outdoors. Natural light can stimulate vitamin D production, balances circadian rhythm and lowers stress hormones. Fresh air and time in nature also improve microbe diversity and immune resilience.
Bounce gently on a rebounder or small trampoline for five minutes. Regular exercise boosts circulation of the body's defensive white blood cells, and rebounding on a mini trampoline is particularly effective – five to ten minutes stimulates lymphatic draining, circulation and detoxification.
HORMONES are the body's chemical messengers, regulating energy, metabolism, fertility, mood, sleep and longevity. This system falters with age, stress, poor diet and toxin exposure, as the glands that produce hormones naturally weaken.
Toxin overload, environmental or dietary, can disrupt normal signalling. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, interfering with normal sex hormone function, suppressing ovulation, lowering testosterone and accelerating menopause symptoms.
But with the right foods, therapies and lifestyle practices it is possible to improve your biological hormone age, restoring vitality and fertility.
A range of nutrient-rich foods and herbs can have a beneficial impact on hormone health in both sexes. These include grass-fed red meat, fatty fish, vegetables and seeds and nuts.
\- Men: Eat a serving of pumpkin seeds (1oz, shelled) – high in zinc, essential for testosterone production, sperm health and prostate function. Do 30 minutes of resistance exercise, two or three times a week. Strength training increases testosterone production and improves insulin sensitivity and bone density.
\- Women (fertility): Eat a handful of berries. Egg cells are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, which can affect their mitochondria and DNA. Berries are rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, that help protect them. Drink a cup of cinnamon and ginger tea – both spices can help to regulate blood sugar and reduce inflammation.
Women (menopause): Take 1,000mg omega-3s to help reduce inflammation, protect the cardiovascular system, support brain function and improve joint mobility. Practise a stress-management technique – meditation or deep breathing – for ten to 20 minutes daily, shown to help reduce cortisol levels and ease menopausal symptoms.
YOUR liver, gallbladder and lymphatic system together form the body's primary cleansing network – processing toxins, regulating hormones, balancing fats and keeping your body running smoothly. Your liver filters around two pints of blood a minute, detoxifying pesticides, alcohol, medications and metabolic waste.
The gallbladder stores bile, which helps break down fats and carries toxins out of the body. Meanwhile, the lymphatic system drains cellular waste.
With age, poor diet, an accumulation of toxins from plastics and pesticides and a sedentary lifestyle, these systems become overburdened – leading to a toxic build-up, liver fat accumulation and lymphatic congestion, which manifests itself as skin problems, fatigue, weight gain, hormone imbalance and even autoimmune flare-ups.
But by fuelling your body's cleansing system with detoxifying foods, glutathione-supporting supplements (glutathione being a naturally occurring powerful antioxidant central to the liver's detoxification pathways) and daily movement, you can reverse your ‘detox age’.
\- Drink warm water with lemon or apple cider vinegar before your first meal. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which helps to 'recharge' spent glutathione into its active form and supports bile flow by thinning bile; and apple cider vinegar helps balance blood sugar and aids digestion and bile flow.
\- Add steamed cruciferous vegetables to at least one meal. Broccoli, kale and cabbage contain sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which boost detox enzymes and help clear excess oestrogen - a build-up can allow DNA-damaging by-products of oestrogen break down to circulate and reach tissues.
● Take 600mg NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) or liposomal glutathione. NAC boosts the raw material your liver needs to make glutathione, the molecule that binds to and neutralises toxins before flushing them out of the body. (We recommend a daily dose of 600-1,200 mg).
\- Go for a brisk walk outdoors, for 20-30 minutes, two or three times a week. Exercise stimulates lymphatic drainage and circulation. Being outdoors also reduces cortisol levels.
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📄 Original Section
Five HS2 workers axed after powerful air rifle fired inside workshop
EXTRAORDINARY video footage of HS2 night-shift workers firing a powerful air rifle inside a workshop led to a police investigation, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Five workers were sacked from the £100billion rail project after a whistleblower came forward with allegations concerning the ‘dangerous and unethical’ behaviour of his colleagues.
Footage captured by Aminadab Enos de Souza Dias, 42, showed mechanics at HS2's construction site in West Ruislip, London, whiling away the early hours blasting targets with an air rifle while listening to heavy metal music.
Mr Dias, a fitter's mate from Brazil, also submitted a dossier of maintenance and safety concerns, including photographs of his colleagues asleep on the
WHISTLEBLOWER: Aminadab Dias
By Mark Hookham and Nicholas Hellen
job, and alleged he was subjected to ‘verbal abuse, xenophobic comments and intimidation’.
The Government ordered an investigation after Mr Dias emailed the then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to warn him that the gun had been smuggled into the West Ruislip site, where an 8.4- mile tunnel is being dug.
The revelations throw the spotlight back on a beleaguered project that has become synonymous with colossal waste and delay.
hospital, although HS2 said there were no ‘major injuries’.
HS2's cost has ballooned from £37.5 billion in 2009 to potentially more than £100 billion, with services not reaching central London until 2040 at the earliest.
Separately, the MoS has learnt that an explosion took place at the same site seven months earlier in 2024.
AMINADAB
CCTV footage obtained by this newspaper shows workers wearing bright orange jackets hit by a powerful blast as they attempted to fix a leaking cement pipe. Four went to
TAKING AIM: A worker at the HS2 site using the air rifle (inset) while on a shift
Mr Dias claims the air rifle – owned by mechanic Keith Mewes – was kept at the site for more than two months in the spring of 2025. He said the gun was ‘frequently’ used on site, adding: ‘I left Brazil looking for a safer and better life. Ironically, I was forced to return.’
Videos recorded by the fitter's mate show Mr Mewes and a second man firing the gun, which appears to be a .22 calibre Stoeger X20 S2, inside the workshop.
Street in October. His email was forwarded to Lord Hendy, the Rail Minister, who said he was ‘shocked’ at Mr Dias’s complaint and had personally raised it with HS2 boss Mark Wild.
Mr Dias alerted HS2 and its contractor SCS in May 2025 but, after becoming frustrated at their response, contacted Downing
In a letter to Mr Dias, Lord Hendy revealed that one worker had been dismissed and ‘four other individuals involved in the incident have been removed from HS2 work immediately and permanently’.
Mr Mewes, the dismissed employee, told the MoS he took his gun to work to repair it during his breaks, but accepted this was ‘inappropriate’, adding: ‘I deeply regret the decisions I made.’
British Transport Police said it launched an investigation but its probe was closed after ‘it was established that the suspected air rifle was no longer on site’.
A spokesman for HS2 said: 'This was an unacceptable and isolated incident that took place around 18 months ago and action was taken to dismiss individuals involved and overhaul health and safety processes on sites to ensure this couldn't happen again.'
It added changes had been made to SCS's leadership, and searches for prohibited items had increased.
Meanwhile, it is understood the explosion in 2024 was caused by a compressed air line.
HS2 said: 'We took a number of actions to rectify the issues identified and improve safety.'
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A NIMAL activist Rose Patterson is upset. She is dismayed at being found guilty of stealing three lambs from King Charles after climbing into a field on his Sandringham estate in Norfolk back in 2023.
'I thought I had a 50-50 chance but it still came as a surprise,' she says of the recent court verdict following her three-day trial, but what did she expect? A damehood? The Order of the Baaaaa-th?
Rose was feeling sheepish because she did not believe she had broken the law in the first place. 'It was a sheep open rescue, not a sheep crime. I voluntarily gave myself up to the police afterwards,' she says.
After bonding with the royal lambs – whom she christened Sunny, Sammy and Sooty – Rose and her two accomplices piled the animals into the back of a van, whereupon they were driven to an undisclosed animal sanctuary. Here they were given the chance of ‘a long and happy life’ instead of their predestined fate of being taken to slaughter at about five months old.
'I saved their lives. They are in a secret place now, safe from slaughter, free to live until they grow old. I have no regrets. And I think King Charles would approve of what I did because he is an environmentalist, too.'
Can that possibly be true? The King is also a committed sheep farmer, one who perhaps does not take too kindly to intruders and livestock rustlers messing about with his 3,000-strong flock of highly prized, organic Aberfield sheep just to make a point about animal rights. At Norwich Crown Court last month, the jury took the same
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儿童慈善机构是否撤掉了弗吉的纪念牌？
一块纪念莎拉·弗格森（Sarah Ferguson）与格雷特奥蒙德街医院（Great Ormond Street Hospital）关系的纪念牌已消失，这引发了外界猜测，这位名声扫地的前公爵夫人可能又被另一家慈善机构抛弃了。
几十年来，一块带有金色字体的灰色石板纪念牌一直固定在伦敦的一家名为“家外之家”（Home from Home）的病童家长旅舍上，该旅舍由当时身为约克公爵夫人的弗格森于 1990 年揭牌启用。
robust view. After nearly four hours of deliberation, the five men and seven women returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Rose and her two accomplices were given fines totalling just over £1,000 and each ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid community work.
‘I was disappointed, I felt sad,’ says Rose, director of Animal Rising (formerly Animal Rebellion), a non-violent activist movement that campaigns for a sustainable, plant-based, meat-free food system for humans, and more rights for animals, particularly the right not to be eaten by said humans.
'The verdict made me realise there is so much work to do. It is depressing thinking about how far we've got to go to get animals out of this dire situation that they're in.'
One senses she is more than prepared for the fight. Rose is a very modern, very dedicated vegan animal activist whose east London lifestyle is thrillingly textbook.
Her rented, two-bedroom riverside home overlooks Leyton Marshes, her mid-century furniture is bought second-hand on Vinted and eBay.
She takes yoga and pilates classes, wears winged eyeliner, avoids leather and feathers, uses only cruelty-free cleaning products and has a fridge full of kale, oat milk, dairy-free mozzarella and pouches of her favourite Squeaky Bean vegan chicken-alike savoury bites.
‘I like the Cajun one best,’ she says, putting on the kettle to make some green tea and showing me the word ‘ahimsa’ tattooed on her right wrist. ‘It’s Sanskrit – it means compassion and non-violence to all living beings.’
本周我们学到的 5 件事
作者：乔恩·康奈尔（Jon Connell），来自每日在线时事通讯《知识：让新闻更易掌控》（THE KNOWLEDGE NEWS MADE MANAGEABLE）
Kale-loving, Sanskrit-tattooed Rose is such a staunch animal activist that even her two rescue dogs are vegan. So has her conviction for stealing the King's lambs left her at all sheepish? Not for a second
Rose, who is 37, lives here with her husband Wayne and their two rescue dogs, a Korean Jindo called Oliver and James the beagle. Need I add that everyone in this house-
霍奇斯 两党政治的回归……感谢于绿党的毒化和 Reform 党的崩溃
两党政治回来了。即便就在几个月前，这听起来仍是一个荒谬的说法。在 3 月 23, Reform 以 25 per cent 的支持率在民调中领先。紧随其后的是扎克·波兰斯基领导的、支持率激增至 18 per cent 的绿党。而 Tories 和 Labour 则处于两者之下，在 17 per cent 的政治底层苦苦挣扎。
Wayne is an animal rights lawyer from San Francisco who personally rescued Oliver from a Chinese dog meat factory, while Rose rescued James from a testing lab.
Rose earns £39,000 as the director of Animal Rising, the charity she joined in 2019 as a volunteer.
Since then, her life of protest and activism has seen her arrested more than 20 times, once for putting red dye in a Trafalgar Square fountain to ‘draw attention to the fact that animal agriculture is causing climate change’.
The judge threw the case out on the grounds the dye was not permanent and caused no damage.
What? I like Rose, I admire her commitment to her beliefs, but dyeing a fountain? What an utter waste of court time, police time, everybody's time, including hers.
However, in this curious world of provocative activism, practitioners feel they have the moral warrant to do as they please in the name of the cause.
In addition to the lamb heist, Rose has three more criminal convictions – one for aggravated trespass at a beagle breeding facility in Huntington, one for criminal damage during a protest and blockade outside a McDonald's burger factory in Scunthorpe, and one for disrupting a horserace at a track in Ayr.
Rose, I cry, what are you really? An animal activist or just a public nuisance? 'Well, I've never been convicted of causing a public nuisance, so I don't think I am one,' she says mildly.
Her worst moment came when Animal Rising were still called Animal Rebellion and they were going through a phase of using 'lock-on' equipment to make their point – chaining themselves to the gates of Smithfield meat market in London, blockading the streets of Westminster to demand that financial institutions stop backing animal agriculture, and so on. At the 2021 McDonald's factory protest, Rose chained herself to a van using a pair of thumb cuffs.
‘That was a mistake. The police removed me by pulling my thumbs out and I was screaming in pain. I kicked out and accidentally kicked the tail-light of a police van. I’m not proud of that. I did apologise.’
Rose appears not to be one of those militant activist fanatics who is going to firebomb your garden shed because you like eating sausages, but she is determined to achieve Animal Rising's stated aims of ending factory farming and turning the entire country vegetarian.
How realistic can that be, given that human beings are carnivores? 'No, we are not, we are omnivores,' she corrects. 'And we can all survive and thrive on a plant-based diet.'
She is so focused that she doesn't even mind that her activism has resulted in a criminal record that has a negative impact on her life.
It is unlikely, for example, that she will ever be able to travel to America, where her husband's family are based. And should she ever want to adopt children, that would prove extremely difficult, too.
'Well, I don't have plans to have children – I've never really had the urge,' she says. 'And I can't imagine loving human children more than I love James and Oliver. I love them so much! Just because
I didn't give birth to them and we're from a different species, that's not important.
‘I’m their mum and Wayne is their dad, and in future we only want to adopt non-human children. I honestly want to dedicate as much of my life as possible to helping animals.’
Which brings us back to Sandringham. 'I mean, look at Sammy, Sunny and Sooty,' she says. 'In rescuing them, we literally saved
three lives. We completely changed their world for them and I think that is worth it all. Yes, it has meant some disruption to my life, but that is OK.'
Yet what does this kind of performative, Instagram-friendly activism achieve and can Rose and Animal Rising really change the planet, one lamb at a time?
In any given spring there are 16 million to 20 million lambs in the UK, which puts Rose's token gesture, smoked into the headlines and on to news bulletins by the royal connection, into clear perspective. 'I'd love to rescue every single animal in the land but I can't, it's not practical,' says Rose.
‘We try our best to raise awareness, which is of course why we chose King Charles’ lambs.
On that spring day three years ago, just a few weeks after the King's coronation, Rose – along with her Animal Rising colleagues Sarah Foy and Rosa Sharkey (both now 26) – climbed over an electric fence and into a field on the Sandringham estate.
An unknown driver in a getaway van waited on the roadside. At the time, the King was 400 miles away on an official visit to Northern Ireland, oblivious to what was going down in deepest Norfolk.
Wearing matching pink Animal Rising T-shirts, armed only with buckets of sheep nuts and the righteous zeal of revolutionaries, Rose & co believed themselves to be emancipators rather than common thieves.
They had previously made several recces to the site and now sat in the field for hours, building trust with the flock, bonding with the three friendliest lambs, enjoying the kumbaya vibe.
‘Sarah is the sheep whisperer, she was amazing,’ says Rose. When they eventually picked up their chosen trio of animals, the women were surprised at how scratchy the lambs’ wool was and how much each lamb weighed. ‘So heavy! We could only carry away
one each.'
Did the babies bleat for their mothers as they were loaded into the van? Apparently not. The silence of the lambs proved to be their golden ticket on the Animal Rising freedom express.
Sheep are sentient beings and, whatever you may think about their methods, Animal Rising's campaigns to improve animal welfare are not without merit.
Rose, who grew up in Harrogate, has an MSc in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law from the University of Winchester.
This means she has a scientific understanding of sheep behaviour and must know that there is a strong bond between ewes and their lambs – one that is particularly marked in the Aberfield breed.
When the activists removed the lambs from the field they were still running with their mothers – one wonders where the peaceful Sanskrit ahimsa was to be found in this enforced separation.
'The lambs were going to be taken away from their mothers soon enough, we knew that they were going to be sent to slaughter,' says Rose.
‘It was literally a life-or-death situation. It was either be killed or be taken away to live a long and happy life.’
That is not strictly true. Within UK sheep production systems not all lambs are destined to be slaughtered, with about 4 million retained
SAVIOUR: Rose with her rescue beagle James and, inset, one of the King's lambs
each year to become adult sheep. Yet on this point, as on so many others, Animal Rising are convinced the moral high ground is theirs, even when it comes to inconvenient facts or the iniquity of theft.
For if you take something that does not belong to you, even if you believe you are taking it to make a principled stance, surely that is still stealing?
‘No,’ says Rose. ‘Not if it is for honest reasons.’
So if you were taking King Charles' Crown Jewels instead of King Charles' lambs, would the same determinant still apply?
‘It depends on the context. Maybe someone had a very good reason for stealing the Crown Jewels,’ she says.
During the trial, the prosecuting barrister asked Rose – who defended herself – that if, for example, someone took her
‘Sheep have a preference to grow old and avoid death’
bicycle, would she consider that stealing?
It would depend on the context, she countered, using her ‘honest reasons’ argument again.
‘Are they stealing my bike because it’s an emergency and they need to get to hospital to see their dying grandmother?’ she wondered. If that were the case, one presumes the bike would
be returned – but the authorities have never located Charles' missing sheep, despite what Rose calls ‘a lot of pressure from the police’.
She still claims ignorance of the location of the refuge where the sheep now live, although she seems very cognisant of their progress and thinks that she may visit them soon, now that the trial is over.
She says: ‘Sheep have their own inner world and a preference to live and to love and have babies, and to nurture their young and to grow old and avoid suffering and death. Sammy, Sunny and Sooty have made friends with goats in the sanctuary.’
That's nice.
'They seem happy.'
How do you know when a sheep is happy?
'I can't say for definite what makes a sheep happy, but I want to give them the opportunity for happiness.'
While preparing this article, I spoke to three different animal welfare and animal behaviourist experts at leading UK universities. All have had skirmishes with animal activists in the past and all understandably declined to be named – but each had their own misgivings about these events.
‘There is a question of how well they could care for the lambs – my feeling is not as well as the lambs were being cared for already,’ said one. ‘Why ensure that the
▶ Turn to Page 38
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From Page 37
lambs live a long life if the activists are concerned about the impact of sheep on the environment? It does seem illogical,' said another.
A third felt that the dignity of the sheep had been violated.
‘Sheep have given so much to mankind – milk, cheese, yogurt, wool, sheepskins.
‘They are one of the most important and useful domesticated species, and from the ram which Abraham sacrificed instead of his son Isaac to Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, they have their place in human history.
‘I felt the activists, apart from anything else, indulged in questionable anthropomorphism by giving the lambs the names Sammy, Sunny and Sooty.'
I asked Rose why they had done so. 'We called him Sooty because he looked like he had put his face in a bucket of coal. And then Sonny and Sammy because they began with an S,' she says.
She fondly remembers holding them in her arms for ten minutes before they began their journey from the heritage crops and organic fields of Sandringham to pastures new and unknown.
‘I wanted to make sure they were calm. Then they went off and I felt relief because this was so clearly the right thing to do.’
In Rose Patterson's crazy world of Squeaky Bean dinners, sheep nuts and thumb cuffs, being found guilty of stealing the King's lambs was a blow, but she is not going to let it halt her progress.
When the verdict was read out in court, Sarah the amazing sheep whisperer felt like she had been ‘punched in the gut’, but Rose was more philosophical.
‘It was a risk but I genuinely thought I was doing the right thing and I’d do it all again tomorrow,’ she says.
In the meantime, Rose must get on with her self-appointed task of persuading British farmers and the British people to transition to plant-based systems and vegetarian diets.
‘Yeah, it’s super complex but I think it’s possible,’ she says. ‘I have my hopes. I mean, there is no point in doing this work if you think it’s impossible, right?’ Right.
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MYSTERY: Sarah Ferguson's plaque in place, left, and as it is now, right
炖鸡肉配面团
英国鸡肉块配以浓郁肉汁和根茎类蔬菜，顶部覆盖一个香草面团。
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📄 Original Section
Has children's charity axed Fergie plaque?
A PLAQUE commemorating Sarah Ferguson's association with Great Ormond Street Hospital has vanished, prompting speculation the disgraced former Duchess has been dropped by yet another charity.
For decades, a grey slate plaque with gold lettering was fixed to a 'Home from Home' hostel in London for the parents of sick children, which was opened by Ferguson, as Duchess of York, in 1990.
Yet now there is no sign of the plaque, only a bare outline on the Georgian brickwork and two holes in the wall where it was displayed.
The former Duchess had a fall from grace last year when The Mail on Sunday published emails revealing the depth of her relationship with late US financier and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, even calling him her ‘supreme friend’.
Ferguson was soon dropped as a
By Nicholas Pyke
patron by charities including the children's hospice Julia's House, The Children's Literacy Charity and The Teenage Cancer Trust.
Neither the former Duchess nor the charity behind the hostel, which sits near the hospital's entrance, would comment last night.
But the apparent snub will come as a blow to Ferguson, 66, who was once a keen supporter of Great Ormond Street Hospital and had been a patron of the Sick Children's Trust, which runs the ‘Home from Home’ scheme.
Despite her many years of involvement – including visits to young patients, fundraising and opening a number of the ‘Homes from Home’ – there is no mention of Ferguson on the charity’s website.
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牧羊人派 (Cottage pie)
英国牛肉碎配胡萝卜和洋葱，加入浓郁牛肉肉汁，顶部铺上一层厚厚的土豆泥。
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📄 Original Section
5 THINGS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK By Jon Connell of daily online newsletter THE KNOWLEDGE NEWS MADE MANAGEBLE
1 American airports have started opening exclusive ‘private terminals’. In Miami, members pay about \$5,000 a year and then \$895 a trip to enjoy a swanky lounge where they complete security and passport checks in comfort, and enjoy caviar, champagne, spa treatments and other luxuries.
2 Is Mr Darcy's ‘10,000 a year’ a lot by modern standards? The answer is yes, as Literary Hub has calculated the sum is the equivalent of £1.1 million today. But topping the Jane Austen rich-list is Mansfield Park’s Mr Rushworth, whose annual income of £12,000 is the equivalent of about £1.3 million today.
3 Donald Trump has now appeared on the cover of Time magazine more than anyone else in history. The US
President has just notched up his 56th appearance, surpassing the 55 featuring the previous record-holder, Richard Nixon.
4 India has become remarkably good at protecting wild animals, says The Economist. Over the past two decades, for example, the country's tiger population has more than doubled to nearly 3,700, and it has even begun exporting them to Cambodia, where they had become extinct.
5 Some 60 per cent of secondary schools using technology to restrict pupils' smartphone use have reported improved GCSE results, according to data from more than 5,000 pupils at state and independent schools across England. They also reported calmer classrooms and more face-to-face interaction among students.
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浓郁牛肉千层面
浓郁的英国牛肉碎肉酱，与意面片层叠，顶部覆盖奶油白汁和温和的切达干酪。（含有酒精）。270g
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📄 Original Section
HODGES A return of two-party politics... thanks to Greens turning toxic and a Reform party that has imploded
T
WO-PARTY politics is back. Even just a few months ago that would have been a ludicrous statement to make. On March 23, Reform stood on top of the polls, with 25 per cent. Second were Zack Polanski's surging Greens on 18 per cent. Below them both were the Tories and Labour, scraping around in the political basement on 17 per cent.
But as the 2026 party conference season draws to a close, the natural political order is slowly but surely being restored.
It's a process that began in Birmingham at the start of September. Reform's annual gathering was billed as the opportunity for a political reset after a summer dominated by allegations of sleaze and Nigel Farage's farcical battle with Count Biface in the Clacton by-election.
Instead it imploded, as an undercover investigation by Channel 4 appeared to show two senior Farage aides soliciting money from an overseas donor, in breach of party financing rules.
A similar fate befell the Greens a few weeks later. Their own conference was initially supposed to provide the springboard for victory in the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras byelection. It ended with Polanski running away from Brighton as his party became engulfed by anti-Semitism, with a declaration Zionism was racism and the rejection of a motion aimed at protecting Jews in their places of worship.
A few days later they were roundly rejected by the voters of north London.
But while politically catastrophic, these conference collapses merely highlighted the major strategic problems undermining both organisations.
For Polanski it framed how his party is now Green in name only. Infiltrated by an influx of radical
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柠檬香草鸡配时令蔬菜
鲜嫩的烤鸡配以清爽的柠檬香草酱，以及胡萝卜、豌豆和土豆的彩色组合。300g
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📄 Original Section
‘The natural political order is slowly but surely being restored’
Corbynites, it has turned its back on its environmental heritage and adopted the worst excesses of the radicalised Left.
Reform have become comparably toxified. This should have been the year they moved beyond being plucky insurgents and became a serious alternative party of government. Instead they have abandoned any pretence they once had of winning the next election and have marched off into their own ideological cul-de-sac, embracing virulent ethno-nationalism in an increasingly desperate attempt to drag voters back from Rupert Lowe's splinter group Restore.
The impact on both parties has been charted in the polls. Reform's eight-point lead over Labour has become a four-point deficit. The Greens have plummeted to fourth place, neck-and-neck with Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats, who are themselves flatlining. Yet this conference season hasn't simply seen the restoration of the old British political duopoly by default.
Yes, Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch have been presented with an opportunity by their faltering opponents. But they have seized it with both hands.
When Burnham arrived in Liverpool, the perception of the Prime Minister was of an amiable communicator more at home producing TikTok videos than addressing the great issues of state. When he left he had set out a radical socialist vision that presages a dramatic transformation of pension provision, social care and the nation's electoral system.
Badenoch's job in Birmingham was seemingly to build on her well-received conference speech last year. But she surpassed it.
Concerns about the definition and direction of her party were firmly laid to rest as she articulated her competing and compelling vision for the country, one rooted in traditional Conservative values. And in a passage that matched any of the great conference oratory of the post-war era, she made a passionate, patriotic defence of her heritage and of multi-racial Britain.
It's true that political gravity will not completely reassert itself overnight. The Greens are still polling in double figures. Reform still sit just above the Tories. But the influence of both is set to fade.
Polanski is facing intense questioning over his future following his humiliation in Holborn. But even if he somehow clings on, his focus will solely be on trying to hold together a party falling apart before his eyes as the old Greens and Corbynite interlopers embark on a viscous internal civil war.
Within Reform there is renewed speculation about the future of their leader. Zia Yusuf is widely perceived to have embarked on a campaign to replace Farage, complete with a slick leadership video, increasingly open attacks on his former Tory colleagues (he means you, Robert Jenrick) and progressively inflammatory rhetoric aimed at appealing to his party's base.
Meanwhile, the political agenda is set to move away from the small boats crisis as the autumn and winter weather suppresses arrivals.
Simultaneously, the Budget will see the focus turn to the economy,
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羊肉碎热锅菜
羊肉碎和根茎类蔬菜配以浓郁肉汁，顶部铺上土豆片。
📄 Original Section
‘Tories are plotting a two-stage strategy over return to power’
an area where Reform have little to say and have zero credibility with the electorate.
In contrast, both Burnham and Badenoch exit conference season with their personal standing within their parties significantly enhanced.
Burnham has stolen Angela
Rayner's mantle as conscience of the Left. Which will be important as we enter the new year and he prepares for a snap election that will inevitably mean losses among his MPs.
Badenoch's authority has also been immeasurably bolstered. Speaking to shadow ministers at the Tory conference, a number were privately acknowledging it was asking too much to expect them to return to government in a single bound. Instead they are now planning what one called ‘the two-stage strategy’.
'The first part is to ensure we emerge from the election as the main party of opposition,' they explained. 'Then, when we've seen off Reform and Farage walks away, we can start to move in on Burnham.'
Significantly, all agreed Baden-och would lead them through both stages of that process. ‘Kemi’s safe, even if we lose the election,’ one told me.
‘If we finish, as I expect, well ahead of Reform then she won’t be seen as a loser. She’ll be seen as the person who saved the Conservative Party.’
The return of the old order will still present significant challenges.
Labour are going to have to find a way of aligning Burnham's desire to again make his party the tribune of the British working class, with people's festering fury over illegal immigration, fashionable wokeism and self-serving 'progressive' radicalism.
At the same time Badenoch is going to need to find a way of demonstrating that Margaret Thatcher's 80s radicalism retains relevance to a country fast approaching the third decade of the 21st century.
But those are problems for another day. Two-party politics is back. And given the current toxicity infecting the Greens and Reform, that is not such a bad thing.
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OCTOBER 11 • 2026 Health & HOLIDAYS THE HEALTH SECTION APPROVED BY DOCTORS
The shocking truths
I found out about my
'healthy' diet when
I joined the biggest
ever study on bowel
cancer in under-50s
By Ethan
Ennals
HEALTH EDITOR
NOT long ago, bowel cancer was not something that people in their 30s, like myself, had to worry about. But that's all changed.
Just about everyone my age is now aware that the deadly disease is surging in under-50s – and that doctors have no idea why.
In Britain, anyone under 50 today is about 60 per cent more likely to develop bowel cancer than under-50s were in the early 1990s. Theories
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have abounded, ranging from nutrient deficiencies, chemicals found in sausages and bacon, the growing number of babies born via caesarian and even traumatic events in childhood.
But, so far, no one has been able to come up with a clear answer. It is why, last week, researchers at King's College London announced a major, first-of-its-kind study, with the goal of identifying the hidden triggers of bowel cancer. The ambitious £20 million study, called Prospect, will track the lifestyle habits and health of more than 250,000 people over many years. They will be asked to fill in twice-yearly sur
veys on how they are living their lives and whether they have developed any diseases.
P
ERHAPS what is so strange about the rising rate of bowel cancer in young people is the fact that many who develop it are
seemingly healthy and active with no underlying medical problems.
And that is also how I would describe myself.
So what exactly is my bowel cancer risk? To find out, I signed up for Prospect, and then asked the leading researchers behind the study to analyse my lifestyle and health records to identify how likely I was to develop the disease before the age of 50.
The results were both surprising and deeply worrying. Moreover, they suggest that countless other young people who believe they are safe from bowel cancer could also
为了进行研究，来自新加坡杜克-国立大学医学院（Duke-NUS Medical School）和伦敦大学学院的科学家们开发了首个饮食诱导的消瘦型
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📄 Original Section
As soon as the professor sees I eat protein bars she confronts me with the list of ingredients
be equally at risk... or worse. So what are the suspected hidden triggers of early-age cancer? And what can you do to protect yourself against the disease?
Every year about 44,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. The disease, also known as colorectal cancer, kills about 17,000 over the same period.
There are some lifestyle habits that are known to increase the risk of bowel cancer. These include obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Crucially, another recognised factor is a lack of fibre.
are meticulously quizzed on every aspect of their life. What they eat, where they live, what they do for work, their mental health.
And the questions – which number in the hundreds – don't just focus on the present.
Studies show the nutrient, which is found in root vegetables, seeds, nuts and wholegrain bread, is important for good bowel health.
Research shows that for
fibre per day, people consume, they reduce their risk of bowel cancer by 10 per cent. Yet studies also conclude that around 90 per cent of Britons do not get their recommended daily fibre intake of 30g.
these known risk factors along cannot explain the marked increase in the number of people under the of 50 developing the disease – not least because so many were seemingly healthy and active before their diagnosis.
The PROSPECT study is also exploring whether people who are fast eaters are more at risk of bowel cancer.
One such case is that of Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek who died earlier this year after a two-year battle with bowel cancer at just 48 years old.
Participants are also asked to recount their childhood. Were they bullied? Did they move around often? Did they have any illnesses or injuries?
And the former teacher turned broadcaster, journalist and campaigner Dame Deborah James died in 2022 at the age of 40, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer at 35.
‘There are so many people who develop early-onset bowel cancer who don’t have any of the classic risk factors,’ says Dr Rosiered Brownson Smith, a King’s College London researcher working on the Prospect study. ‘These are often healthy, young people. Currently we can’t explain why they are getting the disease.’
The new study hopes to answer this question.
In order to do this, participants
None of the questions is asked at random. They all relate to scientific research into the causes of early-age bowel cancer.
The bullying in childhood question, for example, relates to studies that suggest stress can damage the bowel, raising the risk of abnormal changes that become cancerous later in life.
The researchers say they are nowhere near close to saying
whether any of these possible triggers is the culprit. Instead, the goal, explains Professor Sarah Berry, a nutritional science expert at King's College London and the study leader, is to cast as wide a net as possible. No potential trigger is off the table.
‘That’s why we need a vast number of people involved,’ she says. ‘Our hope is that, with that many participants, we can begin to see a pattern emerge in the lifestyles of those who develop bowel cancer.’
Participants entering the study would not ordinarily receive feedback on their answers. This is, in large part, because much of the data is anonymised to protect the privacy of those involved.
However, the Prospect researchers agreed to analyse my answers and explain where, according to early studies, I may be increasing my risk of bowel cancer.
Before I sat down to fill out the questionnaire, I felt confident that I was at low risk of developing early-age bowel cancer.
I pride myself on having a good diet and I exercise regularly. Admittedly, I enjoy a drink and the occasional cigarette. I also have a form of spinal arthritis, for which I take medication. But, by and large, I consider myself a sensible, healthy person.
gum every day and, apparently, this is packed with microplastics.
Then there is poor sleep. Early research suggests that patients with sleep disorders are three times more likely to develop the cancer within five years. As someone who regularly wakes in the night, this is alarming to hear.
two of the three days, I had eaten processed meat: pork sausages one night, and chorizo in a stew on another.
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON: Ethan Ennals with some of his not-so-healthy protein bars
to get bowel cancer,' she says. 'Cheese is made with dairy, meaning it's got plenty of calcium.'
But the most shocking moment was when Prof Berry took me to task on my snacking.
The research linking processed meat to bowel cancer is among the strongest, and believed to be due to the nitrates it contains – a chemical preservative used to keep meat fresh for longer.
Most days I eat a protein bar between meals, often before I go to the gym. And while they come in unhealthy-sounding flavours, such as salted caramel, they all claim to be low in sugar and high in protein, a nutrient that helps muscle growth.
The moment Prof Berry spots the bars on my food diary, she pulls up the list of ingredients and goes through them. Protein blend. Cocoa mass. Humectant. Glycerol. Maltitol. Palm oil. Rapeseed oil. Bulking agent. Emulsifier.
HESE, she explains, are considered ultra-processed. Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, have been increasingly linked with chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
In the case of cancer, there is research suggesting that emulsifiers in particular – added to snack bars and other ready-made meals to stop the various ingredients from separating – may damage the lining of the bowel, raising the risk of the disease.
‘All we know is that they are synthetic and contain nothing of nutritional benefit,’ says Prof Berry. ‘We don’t know yet what the impact of consuming synthetic ingredients day after day is, but it’s something people should be cautious of.’
Experts say it is important that patients do not obsess over their bowel cancer risk. In many cases, it can simply be down to bad luck. It is also possible for people to regularly consume things linked to cancer, such as alcohol, cigarettes and processed meat, and never develop the disease.
However, learning more about these risk factors has made me reassess my habits.
The product, Dentalblue, was developed by Molly Baldini, a former NHS dementia service manager in Hertfordshire, after seeing how distressing and time-consuming oral care can be for those with dementia and their carers.
Dementia can make everyday grooming tasks such as brushing teeth or hair difficult because the brain struggles to process multi-step sequences, recognise familiar tools or co-ordinate physical movements.
A CHEWABLE vitamin gummy could help people with dementia to keep their teeth clean without needing a toothbrush.
'I saw it was causing so much distress for carers trying to brush a person with dementia's teeth that it got pushed aside for other priorities like nutrition and hydration, and carers were left feeling they hadn't quite done their job,' says Ms Baldini.
'People with dementia were going without oral care and I was angry there was no alternative – I felt I had to create something.'
Gummies
to clean
teeth of
dementia
patients
Dentablue, developed through Alzheimer's Society's innovation programme, will be launched at the end of the month. The
Health 43
B
UT within a few questions I encountered my first risk factor. I'm asked whether I was born via a natural birth or
caesarian. As it happens, I was a caesarian baby.
‘We know there is a link between being born as a caesarian and developing bowel cancer,’ says Dr Brownson Smith. ‘The theory is that there are certain microbes picked up during a natural birth that may be crucial for good health. It’s something we are looking into.’
Another issue the study is looking at is the effect of microplastics: minuscule plastic particles that have been found in food, water and even human organs.
But perhaps the most sobering moment comes when I discuss my daily eating habits with Prof Berry.
Participants are asked to fill out a food diary recording everything they consume over three days, including one day at the weekend. This is the section I expected to ace. I take my diet seriously.
Hungary is believed to have the world's highest rate of bowel cancer cases – due in part to a diet heavy in processed meat.
Having read all the research into the benefits of fibre, I make sure to get my recommended 30g a day.
However, I was surprised when the researchers flagged other aspects of my diet as worrying.
Prof Berry pointed out that, on
In fact, I was pleased to find out that on one of the days I ate a whopping 48g of fibre.
Of course, there are certain aspects you can't change – not least how you were born or childhood experiences. And then some habits are harder to fix than others. I'm a bad sleeper, but no matter what I do, that doesn't change.
The who consume a diet rich in nitrates are as much as 25 per cent more likely to develop bowel cancer.
But there are habits I know I can change right now: smoking, drinking, chewing gum and eating protein bars. These are all things that I could give up.
‘It’s fine to eat processed meat occasionally in small portions – such as using it to add flavour to a meal,’ says Prof Berry. ‘But eating it every day is not a good idea.’
So perhaps it's time I kicked the social cigarette and started eating a handful of walnuts when hungry instead of a chocolate chip salted caramel snack bar.
‘Studies show that people who eat more calcium are less likely
As for the Prospect study, the researchers say, if enough people sign up they could begin to find answers in the next few years.
It wasn't all bad news. I usually try to avoid eating too much cheese because it contains high levels of fat. But when I tell Prof Berry I grated cheddar on to my Friday night stew, she tells me that this, in fact, could reduce my risk of bowel cancer.
‘We’re hoping that by 2028 we might be able to publish our first findings,’ says Dr Brownson Smith. ‘The more people we recruit, the more information we will get, and that will help us crack this question.’
● To sign up for the Prospect study, visit: healthspanconnect.kcl.ac.uk/our-studies/sign-up-to-prospect-uk-here/
peppermint-flavoured gummy can be chewed and swallowed in seconds.
They can be taken twice a day and contain vitamins C and D to help maintain healthy teeth and gums – and are sugar-free.
They will cost £16.99 a month for a pack of 28 via the company's website or Alzheimer's Society's online shop.
Natasha Howard Murray, innovation programme manager at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Dentablue is a great example of how practical innovations can help tackle some of the everyday challenges of dementia.
‘It can take around 15 minutes to support someone living with dementia to brush their teeth – a level of support that can be really difficult given staffing pressures.
‘For some with dementia, tooth brushing and mouthwash can sometimes become confusing, uncomfortable or distressing.
‘Dentablue offers another option and can help people maintain good oral health while reducing distress, as well as easing pressure on carers, freeing up time for other aspects of care.’
Could a little-known supplement made from citrus fruit help to banish lipoedema?
By Marti Stelling
OR more than a decade, Vivien Lees-Hamilton struggled with painfully swollen legs that often felt unbearably heavy. The
66-year-old from West Yorkshire says that at times it felt ‘like I was walking around on tree trunks’.
In February, after 12 years of symptoms, she finally discovered the cause: she was diagnosed with lipoedema – a little-understood condition that causes an abnormal build-up of fatty tissue, usually in the legs and sometimes the arms.
But she was reluctant to try treatments commonly recommended to manage the condition, including tight compression garments and prescription painkillers.
She says: 'I know some find compression garments help with pain and swelling, but even the thought of them makes me uncomfortable. I'd tear them off my legs.
'And anything prescription-wise always comes with side effects, which made me reluctant to take any strong painkillers.'
Instead, she began researching alternatives and came across a supplement containing two compounds derived from citrus fruits, diosmin and hesperidin.
Already used to treat varicose veins and haemorrhoids, the compounds are thought to improve circulation and cut fluid build-up.
Within a fortnight of taking them, alongside several other supplements, Vivien noticed a difference. 'The biggest thing was that my legs felt lighter,' she says.
SO COULD a relatively inexpensive supplement really help relieve the painful symptoms of lipoedema, which has no cure and is estimated to affect up to one in ten women?
Unlike the fat build-up of cellulite, which is largely a cosmetic concern, the abnormal fat build-up of lipoedema can cause debilitating pain, tenderness, a feeling of heaviness in the limbs and easy bruising.
In advanced cases it can also affect the lymphatic system – the network of vessels and organs that drains excess fluid from tissues and returns it to the bloodstream – causing additional swelling.
NHS treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and maintaining mobility, typically through compression garments, exercise, weight management and pain relief. Specialist liposuction, which removes abnormal fatty tissue, can provide lasting relief for some but it is not routinely available on the NHS. Private treatment can cost £6,000 to £11,000 per session.
Some lipoedema patients also have chronic venous insufficiency, in which damaged valves in the leg veins allow blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back towards the heart. As the venous and lymphatic systems work closely together, researchers have begun investigating whether treatments traditionally used for vein disease – including diosmin and hesperidin – might also ease lipoedema symptoms.
But experts caution it remains unclear whether benefits come from an effect on lipoedema itself or from treating an overlapping problem with the veins. Diosmin and hesperidin are thought to improve the function of veins, reduce leakage from blood vessels and support drainage of excess fluid through the lymphatic system. They are available together as a supplement costing about £20 for a two-month supply.
LTHOUGH there have been few studies specifically investigating their effects on lipoedema, a 2021
US expert consensus guideline suggested diosmin could be considered to help manage symptoms.
Valerie Briggs, a lymphoedema therapist with more than 20 years' experience, says the compounds may be particularly useful for those who also have problems with their veins or lymphatic system.
‘The fat tissue is accompanied by leaky, fragile blood vessels and sluggish lymphatic drainage, leading to intense fluid build-up, heavy legs and painful bruising,’ she says. This means that easing fluid build-up might relieve some symptoms, even without affecting the abnormal fatty tissue itself.
Consultant plastic surgeon Vasu Karri says: 'There is no clinical evidence diosmin and hesperidin treat lipoedema and they won't reduce lipoedema fat. However, they are low-cost and well tolerated, so a short trial to manage leg heaviness is a reasonable option.'
Dr Frank Agullo, a US plastic surgeon who treats patients with lipoedema, is also cautious.
‘Diosmin and hesperidin seem to work by tightening the tone of the veins, making small blood vessels less leaky and calming some vessel wall inflammation,’ he says. ‘Since lipoedema legs feel heavy, swell and bruise easily, it makes sense that people would try it.’
However, he stresses that most of the evidence for these benefits comes from studies of venous disease, rather than lipoedema.
A BLISTER is a small pocket of fluid that forms within, or just under, the upper layers of the skin. They are usually found on the hands and feet and can be caused by poorly fitting shoes, burns, sunburn and skin infections.
A callus is an area of thickened, hardened skin that forms to protect underlying tissue from repeated friction, pressure, or irritation.
'A supplement like this may ease some of the swelling and heaviness for some patients but there is no good evidence that it shrinks the abnormal fat itself,' he adds.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE... ...between a blister and a callus?
They can be treated by leaving them alone, keeping them clean and covering them with a soft plaster.
They are usually found on the soles of the feet, palms, fingers or knees. Treatment involves softening the skin through soaking and exfoliating with a file.
Experts say larger clinical trials are needed to see whether diosmin and hesperidin can reliably ease lipoedema symptoms, and which patients are most likely to benefit.
EATING too much salt may contribute to development of a severe type of fatty liver disease even in people who are not overweight, a study revealed.
Researchers said this suggests fatty liver disease may develop through different biological pathways in obese people and those who are a healthy weight.
They found that a diet that is high in salt produced relatively little fat accumulation in the liver but significant inflammation and scarring.
Scientists say the findings could help explain why treatments designed for obesity-associated fatty liver disease may not work as well in slim patients, and point toward more tailored approaches.
They added that some lean patients can have comparatively little liver fat yet still face a high risk of serious complications.
To investigate, scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and University College London developed the first diet-induced mouse model of lean
fatty liver disease, feeding mice a fatty liver disease-inducing diet with added high salt.
They found that excess dietary salt triggered liver inflammation and scarring in non-obese mice, suggesting it could play a role in fatty liver disease in people who are not overweight.
Dr Zhou Jin, from Duke-NUS Medical School, said: 'Our findings suggest that lean fatty liver disease is not simply the same disease occurring in a thinner person.
In the UK, fatty liver disease affects about a third of adults and is linked to obesity, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Most people with the condition do not have symptoms.
‘While obesity-associated fatty liver disease is closely linked to excess fat accumulation, our model shows that high dietary salt can alter liver metabolism and activate inflammatory pathways even without obesity.’
The condition can progress to inflammation, scarring and, in severe cases, liver failure.
Too much salt raises blood pressure, increasing risk of heart attacks and strokes. The NHS advises adults to eat no more than a level teaspoon of salt a day.
Why ‘healthy’ women die of heart attacks...like Vicar of Dibley’s Emma
F
OR women in their 50s, much of the health conversation for the past few years has been about one thing: menopause.
HRT, hot flushes, brain fog, bone strength.
All important. But a far bigger threat is being ignored, and it kills twice as many British women every year as breast cancer. Heart disease.
In my surgery, I have seen women genuinely shocked when I raise it. They eat well, they walk the dog, they feel fine. Surely heart attacks happen to overweight men?
That belief is dangerous. In Britain we have long treated heart attacks and cholesterol as a male problem. I have always loathed those health posters of a middle-aged man clutching his chest, as if women simply don't feature.
The consequences are real. According to the British Heart Foundation, women are 50 per cent more likely than men to be given the wrong initial diagnosis for a heart attack. Women are also less likely to recognise it could be happening to them, leading to delays in treatment that cost lives.
It's a fate that befell The Vicar of Dibley and Notting Hill actor Emma Chambers who, in 2018, died of a heart attack aged just 53. demo
Here is why it matters. Heart disease becomes markedly more common in women after the menopause. The female sex hormone oestrogen protects the heart. When levels fall, the risk climbs.
Women who go through an early menopause lose that protection sooner, so spend more years at higher risk. The menopause years can also often bring weight gain and less exercise too, both of which add to the danger.
And that stubborn tummy fat – sometimes unflatteringly referred to as meno-belly? It is not just demoralising. Fat around the middle is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease – the umbrella term for heart attacks, strokes and angina. All happen when the arteries get clogged up and blood can't get where it needs to go.
EARLY DEATH: Emma Chambers, who played Alice, with Dawn French in The Vicar of Dibley
In a heart attack or stroke, the supply is completely blocked, and unless it is restored fast the results can be fatal. In angina the flow is reduced, causing chest pain and tightness, a major warning sign that a heart attack may follow.
have extra ones that doctors rarely ask about: starting your periods early, recurrent miscarriages and pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure.
Some risk factors can't be changed. Family history and ethnicity are big ones. But women
If any apply to you, tell your GP. Don't wait to be asked, because you probably won't be.
This is how a seemingly healthy woman can be quietly at risk.
Women in England aged 40 to 74 are entitled to a free NHS Health Check every five years, designed to spot exactly these concerns. If you have been invited, go. If you haven't, ask your GP about it.
The good news is that the biggest risk factors – cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes – are what we call modifiable. We can bring them down with lifestyle changes, such as an improved diet and regular exercise. And it doesn't mean a joyless low-fat diet. The best cholesterol-lowering diets are often about adding things in: nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocados all help. Oats and soya are excellent.
If this isn't sufficient, then medications such as statins can help.
However, high blood pressure deserves special attention. Women are less likely than men to have it, but research suggests that when they do it raises their risk of a heart attack more than it does for men. That makes treating it vital.
……而且这可能会改变我们接种疫苗的时间
来自美国的初步数据表明，今年的主导毒株包含
📄 Original Section
Men should not feel ashamed for using weight-loss injections
I DON'T think we discuss enough the benefits of weight-loss jabs for men.
Just as heart disease is treated as a men's issue, these extraordinary drugs are often viewed as a treatment for women. There are even weight-loss medication companies, such as SheMed, specifically targeted at women.
But as far as I can tell, there aren't any firms focused on selling these drugs directly to men.
I have a few male patients who take these appetite-suppressing injections but, often, they are sheepish or embarrassed about doing so. This comes from the fact that men are told that the only socially acceptable way for them to lose weight is to do sport and go to the gym rather than get medical help.
It's time we changed this attitude, as there are countless men who would see their lives improved - not to mention extended - by jabs.
Are you a man who has taken weight-loss drugs? Did you feel embarrassed to take them? Please write in and let me know.
Know your numbers. I recommend buying your own blood pressure monitor, or you can get checked free at your GP surgery and at many pharmacies.
If your GP suggests tablets, please take them. But exercise, losing weight and cutting back on salt and alcohol will all help bring readings down.
Stress matters too. I will never forget one patient who was able to stop all three of her blood pressure medications after she retired from a very stressful teaching job.
Menopause deserves every bit of the attention it has had – but your heart deserves the same.
Your questions answered
I'VE been plagued with sexual problems since I started taking tablets for my enlarged prostate. What should I do?
FOR some patients, the side effects of taking medication for an enlarged prostate can be more unpleasant than the condition itself – meaning that it might be worth giving them up.
An enlarged prostate is one of the most common medical problems for men over the age of 60.
Throughout life, the prostate gland – which sits directly below the bladder and helps to produce semen – continues to grow.
But it means that by the time men are in their 60s, it can start to press against the tube that carries urine from the bladder, leading to an array of symptoms.
This includes frequent trips to the loo – particularly at night – and difficulty passing urine.
When the condition becomes disruptive, many men are offered medication,
the most common of which are tamsulosin and finasteride. These drugs – taken daily – are effective at easing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but they can also trigger sexual problems, such as difficulty holding an erection.
One solution is to take an erectile dysfunction drug, such as sildenafil, also known as Viagra.
Another option is surgery to remove part of the prostate, which usually eases the symptoms. But this is not risk-free either and surgery can, in some cases, lead to lasting sexual issues.
However, if patients believe that the sexual problems are more disruptive than the enlarged prostate symptoms, they can simply decide, with the help of their GP, to come off the tablets.
An enlarged prostate is not a life-threatening condition, so this decision is ultimately about what makes the patient most comfortable.
WRITE TO DR ELLIE
Do you have a question? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
IN SEPTEMBER 2023, my four-year-old son Billy started school. He was excited to be a big boy, make new friends and join the minis team at the local rugby club. His whole future was so incredibly bright. He was so incredibly happy.
Two months later I found myself in a hospital room while a doctor told me that my beautiful little boy had ‘a large mass’ in his brain. He was going to die.
Our world imploded. And the five months Billy had left were heartbreakingly difficult for me and my husband, Jamie.
Billy was happy-go-lucky. He loved superheroes, dinosaurs, rugby, riding his bike and scooting. He'd arrive at playschool on his trike wearing a different superhero costume every day.
He had looked forward to going to ‘big school’ for months, but almost as soon as he started, things began to change.
He became unsettled and frustrated. He had terrible night terrors. He complained that his legs ‘were too tired to walk’. I started leaving work early so I could get a parking space close to school because I’d often have to carry him from the gates to the car.
Our confident little boy became anxious about leaving our home in Surrey. He stopped wanting to play rugby and go swimming. He couldn't explain why. His speech regressed – he seemed to lose the 'big boy voice' he'd developed. His eyes looked heavy and tired. They were such small things – things that maybe even his teachers wouldn't notice. But we noticed.
We'd been back and forth to the doctors for months, knowing something wasn't right. Blood tests were clear, ultrasounds revealed nothing. I was starting to feel like one of those mothers.
On October 25, I emailed his school: ‘I just can’t believe this is the same boy... we just want our old Billy back!’
Six days later, his headteacher called to say Billy had fallen over in the playground ‘out of the blue’ – it was the second time that week. He’d also fallen over at home,
He'd also fallen over at home, while going up stairs.
I got off the phone and told Jamie, who whispered something that stopped me in my tracks.
He had suffered an illness in his early 20s that had triggered encephalitis – swelling of the brain – and recognised that loss of balance could be a symptom of something neurological. 'I think Billy might have a brain tumour.'
Ten minutes later, we were on the way to the GP. But after examining
在 2016-2025 年英国旅游大奖中被评为最佳旅行保险公司 \*旅行医生由 Air Doctor 提供支持。每份保单每位被保险人最多可预约 3 次。适用完整条款与条件。
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Nothing could have saved our little Billy the Brave from the cancer that killed him. But the NHS's failure of care in his final days made our anguish even worse
him, the doctor told me with confidence: 'There's absolutely no way he has a brain tumour.' A brain tumour meant excruciating headaches or weakness down one side, he reassured me. Billy's blood tests had been clear. His problems were likely to be mental health related – separation anxiety perhaps.
We were given the number of our local health visitor. We left, but deep down I knew something wasn't right. A week later, on
November 7, we took Billy to A&E – with the GP seeming not to believe there was anything serious wrong, we had nowhere else to turn.
Twenty-four hours later, after an MRI, we had a diagnosis: diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, a devastating brainstem tumour with no cure.
His prognosis was described to us as ‘dismal’. Our little boy, who only weeks earlier had walked through the school gates with his whole life stretching ahead of him, was going to die.
THE night after, Billy was lying in our bed talking about Ghostbusters. He said: 'Mummy, I can't wait to grow up!'
A doctor listened to us. Billy looked OK, she said, but because of our instincts and because we knew him best, she would order a CT scan. It found a mass in an area of Billy's brain called the pons, which helps control unconscious processes such as breathing and sleep.
I matched his enthusiasm, kissed him and tucked him in. Then I walked out of the room and silently wept, gripping the bannister tightly so I wouldn't collapse.
Billy didn't know he was dying. It was the most heartbreaking secret we've ever had to keep.
I want to be careful about what I
But accepting that Billy couldn't be cured does not mean accepting that everything about his care couldn't have been better.
say next. This isn't about claiming somebody could have magically saved him. DIPG killed Billy. It is a devastating paediatric cancer for which there is no truly effective treatment.
But as we were scrambling to find the right way forward, his tumour was already growing.
Looking back, the shortcomings surrounding his care, especially in his final hours, poured trauma on top of trauma.
Two weeks later Billy began the first of 13 sessions of intense radiotherapy – the only treatment offered for DIPG on the NHS. It exists just to buy time.
Within days of his diagnosis, Billy underwent a biopsy in the hope that understanding the genetic make-up of his tumour might open doors to experimental treatments. We were told he was theoretically eligible for an immunotherapy trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital. We were warned how hard it would be to get on the trial and how physically and mentally gruelling it would be.
08000223 129
stannah.com
Billy dressed as Iron Man for the fitting of the mask that would hold his head completely still while the radiation was delivered. They placed a warm sheet of
Radiotherapy was scary. Each day he was left in a room, bolted to a plinth so he didn't move, with a huge machine whirring over his head.
He wore his little Christmas jumpers, or his beloved gingerbread man costume, and I read books from his Mr Men advent calendar to him over the tannoy.
He was terrified, but did his best to smile. He'd adopted this mantra: 'I am brave, I am strong, I can do scary things.' And we said it together, often.
thermoplastic over his little face, covering his eyes, nose and mouth, and secured it to the bed while it hardened into his exact shape.
He experienced intense head pain after the first session – he screamed and began vomiting.
Since Billy's treatment, questions have been raised about whether delivering radiotherapy so intensively is the right approach for children, and I believe it was too much for our little boy.
The best seat in the house.
Jamie and I enlisted friends and family to desperately try to work out a plan to save him. We contacted DIPG specialists and hospitals from around the world.
He was nicknamed Billy The Brave. Although he once told me, his bottom lip trembling, 'I'm not brave, Mummy, cos I sometimes cry.'
We chased hope wherever we could find it.
We discovered trials that combined radiotherapy with other drugs, only to find Billy was automatically excluded because he had already completed his treatment. We weren't given options. We were told there weren't any.
As the weeks wore on, I became increasingly frustrated. It seemed as though world-leading doctors specialising in DIPG in other countries were more accessible, more responsive and, frankly, more hopeful than our NHS team.
I don't know whether any of those options would have changed Billy's outcome.
But I do question why parents of a newly diagnosed child should have to spend the precious time they have left trawling the internet, contacting specialists around the world and trying to navigate clinical trials themselves. Surely there should be an easier way?
ILLY'S symptoms outpaced the entire process of getting what little treatment there was available. He didn't make the trial
at Great Ormond Street Hospital. 'The worst of the worst,' our consultant explained. 'Dealing with his tumour mutation is like trying to hold back a tsunami.' We were told time was running out, but a drug called ONC201 had become available from the US on compassionate grounds. It might buy us a little time.
But by the time it arrived from America, Billy had lost the use of his legs. He’d experienced blindness and double vision. He’d lost the use of an arm. He was in such a bad way that we could not justify giving it to him, only to prolong his suffering. I was furious.
'Why wouldn't they listen to me weeks back, when I begged them to get plan B in place?' I wrote on
FADING: Billy and Ellie before his illness, left, and, above, as it took hold
Instagram, where I'd been posting about Billy's journey. 'Why hadn't this drug been ordered before?'
And all the while, Billy was changing. He was suffering with little to no respite. The steroids he was on to control the tumour's swelling caused terrible side effects, and they began taking their toll on our little boy. He became excessively bloated and uncomfortable. He was almost completely unrecognisable.
Just before Christmas, an attempt to reduce his steroids was followed by such rapid deterioration we were blue-lighted to St George's Hospital. Doctors talked about the possibility of a brain shunt, suspecting excess fluid and pressure within the brain.
Billy's days and nights were impossibly hard. But underneath the tumour, the steroids, the anxiety, the perpetual hunger and the desperate need to feel better, he was still a normal little boy.
When one side of his body became weaker, he played Mario on his Nintendo one-handed. He made us laugh, even when he could barely speak. He worried about his sister. He wanted to go back to school. He missed his friends.
We tried so hard to give him pieces of his old life, but the tumour took more and more of it away. By the end of March, we knew we were losing him.
We had boxes of end-of-life medication and equipment in our house. They had arrived weeks earlier, and I hated looking at them. They were there for the moment when hope finally ran out. The end.
It came on Saturday, March 30. Billy woke up early, as he always did, and we carried him downstairs. By now he was mostly paralysed. He still had the use of one hand, but he couldn't walk, turn over in bed or sit up himself.
He had some breakfast and was eating a bowl of broken-up chocolate from an Easter egg hunt the day before. He took his morning tablets. He was always so proud of how many he could swallow at once. But that morning, he threw them up.
By lunchtime he was struggling to swallow, and we couldn't administer the steroids he so desperately needed to stay alive. We carried him to bed early that night. He was insistent on sleeping in his own bedroom, listening to Queen songs, so we put a mattress next to his bed so I could sleep beside him.
I lay there watching him, but he began to vomit. Billy could no longer speak, but managed to give us one last thumbs-up to tell us he'd stopped vomiting so we could lay him back down to sleep.
It wasn't until the shock wore off days later that I realised I didn't remember his last words.
H
IS eyes closed for the last time, and I guess that's when he left us, and slipped into a coma. He was still alive,
but he was gone.
We carried him downstairs so we could be with him. His suffering visibly continued throughout the night. We called the hospital, begging for help.
A nurse arrived. She was unable to administer the drugs Billy needed without a second colleague, and had to video-call the hospital for approval. She told us she did not believe Billy was at the end of his life. She then told us the pain medication Billy needed wasn't in the locked boxes that had been left in our home for exactly this moment.
She left to retrieve the ‘missing items’, returning hours later to give Billy the medicine. And then she left again, promising to return first thing in the morning.
We felt abandoned.
The hours that followed were brutal. There are things that happened that I refuse to put into words, because they are too horrifying, too personal. The dying process, with no adequate medication, was traumatic. Billy had to fight to find peace.
The hospice nurse finally arrived at 10.50am, just 20 minutes before Billy died. When she saw him, she announced loudly: 'The situation's changed. He's dying.'
She left for the kitchen to get something from her medical bag. Her colleague was there, and they shared a joke – we could hear them laughing from the living room.
I whispered to Billy that he could rest and that everything was OK. I
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财富与个人理财
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DRUG TRIALS OFFERING HOPE FOR KIDS WITH BRAIN TUMOURS LIKE BILLY'S
FAMILIES whose children are diagnosed with brain tumours have desperately few options. But new ways to tackle the devastating cancers are now being explored.
Among the most exciting is CAR-T cell therapy, in which a patient's own immune cells are genetically engineered to recognise and attack cancer - two major trials are being carried out at Great Ormond Street. Researchers are also developing treatments that target specific genetic changes in tumours, and experimenting with drug combinations that are selected according to the specific genetic characteristics of each child's tumour.
And research published earlier this year found that children with certain genetic changes in their tumours appeared to respond better to an immunosuppressant drug called everolimus, although
it did not improve survival rates overall.
Meanwhile, scientists are investigating new ways to deliver drugs directly into brain tumours, bypassing barriers that prevent many medications from reaching them.
None of these approaches offers a cure, but they represent a growing effort to develop treatments beyond radiotherapy which may be able to slow the disease.
这一业绩证明了首席执行官 Simon Borrows 的能力，他于 2012 年被任命并执掌公司至今。
📄 Original Section
By Meike Leonard
\- T MAY only be early October, but flu season appears to be already under way – months earlier than usual. Official data released last week shows cases of respiratory viruses – are on the rise across Britain and health chiefs are warning of ominous signs of an unusually difficult winter ahead.
Monthly Covid infections are at their highest since October last year and are rising rapidly, with 1,374 cases recorded in August and 4,589 in September.
Flu cases, meanwhile, are triple what they were this time last year – with NHS England's national medical director Professor Frankie Swords saying monthly hospitalisation figures are 'the highest I can remember seeing at this time of year'.
‘Something is afoot,’ wrote prominent epidemiologist Dr Caitlin Rivers in a recent edition of her influential medical newsletter, Force Of Infection.
Dr Rivers, who is based at John Hopkins University in the US, where a similar surge in viruses is occurring, says she plans to get her flu vaccination as soon as possible, months earlier than usual.
So what's going on? Experts say the flu virus now spreading appears to be more contagious than last year's strain, making an early spike in cases more likely.
在我们的 Midas 专栏作家庆祝加入《星期日邮报》（MoS）二十周年之际...
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...and it could change when we get our vaccines
Preliminary data from the US suggests the predominant strain this year contains
20 年来，我一直致力于让读者变得更富有
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It's only autumn, yet flu, Covid and other winter bugs are on the rise. Now experts think they know why
to evade the immune system. a result, analysis published in the journal Nature concluded that fewer people will already have immunity to this year's flu. But, intriguingly, other experts say this year's early flu season could reflect genuine changes in the way that respiratory virus waves spread.
up in that noticeable a way until December,' says Dr Adam Finn, emeritus professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol. 'So the visible increase in flu recorded in September really is quite early.'
The first week of January is, on average, when flu cases peak in the UK, while the last week of July tends to be the lowest point.
THIS could be partially due to the lack of immunity to flu caused by the Covid lockdowns, he says. 'Covid changed all respiratory infections because no one was really socialising for around two years, so no one
caught flu those winters,' adds Prof Finn. 'As a result, many people – particularly younger adults and children – have far less immunity to flu than they did before.'
But other shifts can't be as easily explained. Several Asian countries in the northern hemisphere – which typically experience a similar flu season to the UK – have been seeing an extraordinary phenomenon over the past few years.
Rather than hitting hardest in the winter, when more people are inside and their immune systems, lacking vitamin D, tend to be weaker, flu has begun to strike at the height of summer.
Japan declared a flu epidemic in early October last year, after cases began to spike as early as July. And in Taiwan and Hong
Kong, this summer saw a similar increase in flu cases, which reached a ten-year high.
‘It’s caused a lot of consternation,’ says Prof Finn.
It is unclear why the shift has occurred, and whether it marks a permanent change. Hotter summers due to climate change – causing people to spend more time in air-conditioned, poorly ventilated indoor spaces – could have a role, Prof Finn theorises.
This may also, in part, explain the UK's early start to flu season, following the record hot summer.
P ROF Finn argues that Asia's early flu season could also be due to low immunity, meaning major outbreaks are more likely to
occur. And if these changes persist, it could require an adjustment to vaccination timings globally. 'It's a very big change that has lots of consequences,' says Prof Finn.
‘If the flu now begins in April and continues until September, vaccines being offered in October are useless,’ he says. ‘Instead, they may need to roll them out considerably earlier. Experts are scratching their heads about what to do.’
In the meantime, however, the advice remains the same – get the flu vaccine if eligible for it and make sure to wash your hands as much as possible.
Dr John Tregoning, professor of vaccine immunology at Imperial College London, says: 'We're not sure why flu season started earlier – but getting vaccinated and reducing risk-taking behaviour is the best thing you can do to not get sick.'
told him that he was so brave, the bravest, and so loved, but that he could sleep now, and not worry about a thing. I felt his breathing stop. My hand was on his chest when his little heart became still.
Billy died at 11.10am on March 31. Just 15 days away from his fifth birthday. Those final hours left us with questions that no complaint response has ever made up for, but I can only hope that, at the end, all Billy could feel was his Mummy and Daddy's love.
When your child dies, your world shatters. The following night, sobbing, I called the symptoms team, wondering if they'd still take a call, knowing our child was dead.
I wanted somebody to explain how our son's final hours unfolded the way they did. 'Was this right?' I begged. 'Should this have happened the way it did?' I was told briskly: 'I can't answer that. I was not working last night.' Case closed.
More than anything, I wanted somebody to reassure me that Billy had received everything he needed, but they couldn't.
We can't change Billy's story. And so I write this not with an axe to grind, but in the hope these words can change another person's experience. Because, for now at least, another family is going to receive this diagnosis. Another family will have to face the unimaginable reality that their child is going to die.
After Billy's death we founded Billy's Battalion, dedicated to raising awareness of DIPG, to fund research, treatments and one day a cure. A legacy in his name. Something good in the bad. We have been a registered charity for just over a year and have raised £140,000, and, since Billy's death, another £85,000 for Abbie's Army, the UK's leading DIPG charity.
I support Brain Cancer Justice and have taken Billy's story to Parliament, joining other families and campaigners to lobby MPs for greater investment in childhood brain tumour research and better access to clinical trials.
I'm also working alongside other bereaved parents and campaigners, including those behind Hugh's Law, to push for better support for families facing serious childhood illness and better care when a child reaches the end of their life.
Billy never got the chance to get better. His miracle did not come.
After he died, I wrote something that still stands true: 'And now I will fight for little ones like you. Because I'm not sure what else I am supposed to do if I can't do that.'
\- Visit billysbattalion.org or donate via Just Giving. Follow Ellie on Instagram at @ellielexie, and the charity at @billysbattalion.
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N OCTOBER 2006 the iPhone had not yet been released, ‘woke’ did not exist and velour tracksuits were the height of cool. That was when I wrote my first Midas share tip, recommending gas specialist BG Group.
I've made hundreds of recommendations since then – from tiny tiddlers to multinational conglomerates. From the moment I started, I've had a few golden rules.
I try to speak to someone at the top of every firm I write about. And I write about a business only if I understand what it does and how it's likely to grow. And the price must be right.
In my search for hidden gems that could make readers richer, I've spoken to thousands of chairmen, chief executives and finance directors – some charming, some surly, most, but not all, smart and deeply knowledgeable. These chats provide plenty of information and ideas, but I always add on independent research, online, in print and in conversation with City analysts and other experts. The process seems to work.
There have been some clangers – bruising experiences for which I can only apologise. However, more often than not, my tips are successful. I consistently beat the FTSE100 index and there have been some fabulous performers, including a few ‘ten-baggers’ – shares that have risen ten-fold since I first recommended them.
3i GROUP
INVESTMENT specialist 3i Group is a case in point. Tipped in 2012, when the shares were £2.16, they have since soared to £24.16, so an investment of £1,000 back then would be worth about £11,000 today, supplemented by £2,600 of dividends – a tasty total return.
The performance is testament to chief executive Simon Borrows, appointed in 2012 and at the helm to this day.
编辑：Rachel Rickard Straus money@mailonsunday.co.uk
📄 Original Section
As our Midas columnist celebrates two decades with the MoS...
Founded after the Second World War to fund small businesses, 3i evolved into a private equity pioneer and floated on the stock market in 1994. By 2012, however, it was in a sorry state.
Borrows was parachuted in to help and Midas recommended the stock a few months later, after the former investment banker spent £6 million of his money on shares. He slashed costs and reduced its investments from 140 to 30 firms, with an emphasis on long-term stewardship and active investment.
One investment from those days remains in force – Dutch discount retailer Action.
Back then, there were just 250 stores. Now there are 3,500 and Borrows hopes to more than double that number.
Action dominates 3i's portfolio, but other long-term investments include healthcare products firm Royal Sanders and Rotherham-based seals business AESSEAL. 3i also owns 29 per cent of independently listed 3i Infrastructure, whose investments range from low-carbon energy to subsea fibre-optic cables. Years of success took 3i shares to more than £44 last October but a disappointing update from Action sent the stock down to £22 this year.
The price has recovered a little since then and many supporters believe it deserves to go higher.
Borrows has also been acquiring shares over the past year – a good sign.
Long-term investors have done well with 3i but now is not the time to sell. New punters might also like to follow Borrows' lead.
COPPER and gold producer Anglo Asian Mining would seem to have little in common with 3i.
Based in Azerbaijan, the group is listed on Aim, chaired by 82-year-old Khosrow Zamani and has little truck with UK corporate governance convention.
But, like 3i, it has delivered the goods, soaring from just above
40p when I tipped the stock in 2018 to £4.15 today.
Back then, Anglo Asian was a small-scale gold miner, dominated by one site. Now the group is transitioning into a mid-sized copper, gold and silver group with three mines in production, two expected to come on stream by 2030 and several more under licence.
Copper is a key plank in Anglo Asian's transformation. Production is set to triple to more than 20,000 tons from last year to this year, and a target of about 50,000 tons per annum is in sight over the next five years. At the same time, gold production is set to remain stable at 20,000 to 30,000 ounces per year, generating plenty of cash for shareholders.
Anglo Asian had a bumpy ride a couple of years ago, when environmentalists claimed its main mine was polluting local communities. An independent survey was carried out, Anglo Asian came out clean and calm has been restored, along with the dividend, which was suspended in 2024 and 2025.
Anglo Asian is unconventional.
Four of the six board directors are in their 70s and 80s and have been in situ for years. Neither is Azerbaijan the most democratic of countries.
But management is well plugged in, succession plans are under discussion and, unlike almost any other miner, Anglo Asian has managed to bring its mines into production without recourse to shareholders.
With sales and profits expected to soar this year, and more to come in future, brokers believe Anglo Asian shares should rise to at least £5.50.
Cautious investors might choose to sell. Patient holders could yet reap more rewards from this maverick investment.
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交易市场：主市场 联系方式：baesystems.com
股票代码：BA
回顾过去，有一点非常突出——英国拥有大量令人难以置信的企业、世界领先的技术诀窍和卓越的人才。
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Traded on: Aim Ticker: AAZ Contact: angloasianmining.com
MANY of my Midas tips have risen five-fold since I first recommended them.
These range from commodity producers such as precious metals group Hochschild Mining and palm oil producer MP Evans to ventilation firm Volution and defence giant BAE Systems.
MIDAS recommended Volution in 2014 when it had just floated on the stock market and the shares were £1.55. Today they are £6.65, and City followers believe they should exceed £8.50 over the next year or so.
Back in the early days, Volution generated most of its revenues from Vent-Axia fans for homes across the UK.
Under chief executive Ronnie George, the group has spread its wings, with sales equally split between here, continental Europe and Australasia.
There is a sizeable commercial division too, from schools and hospitals to offices, factories and, as of this year, copper and gold mines. Across the group, one theme prevails – healthy air at home and at work.
Regulations increasingly mandate that buildings are insulated
1 Diversification is essential. No one can be 100 per cent right so hedge your bets in a wide selection of stocks.
2 Shares invariably do best over several years. Firms take time to grow, and those that do so steadily often produce the best results.
3 Dividends are vital and make a huge difference to total returns.
4 Management teams matter. Smart, honest and open
but ventilated, and Volution products fit neatly within this theme.
Results last week showed real momentum with profits up more than 20 per cent to £112 million and a dividend up 18.5 per cent to 12.8p. Further progress is bosses make a real difference and the shares will follow suit. 5 Beware snake-charmers. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. 6 Value is critical. A company can be doing everything right, but if the share price already reflects that there is little point in buying.
7 Do your research. Is a company equipped to do what it says it can? Do the financials stack up? Is it providing something that customers want at the price they are prepared to pay?
expected, both organically and from acquisitions. That makes Volution an attractive investment for new and existing holders.
Traded on: Main market Ticker: FAN
Contact: volutiongroupplc.com
8 Never buy shares in a business if the management cannot explain what it does.
9 Never put money into the market that you cannot afford to lose.
10 Don't be afraid to sell down if a company's shares have done well. No one lost money by banking a profit. 11 Shareholders are owners in a business. Think about that before you invest your precious cash.
12 Be brave. Adventure can be fun, particularly within a diverse portfolio.
BAE Systems was an early tip, recommended in 2009 when the shares traded at just £3.87.
Today, they are £18.60, and were even higher earlier this year, top-
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ping £23. The performance since 2009 reflects a radical shift in attitudes towards defence as the world has become increasingly dangerous and national security has become a
clear priority for sensible nations. But BAE has benefited from plenty of self-help measures too, as chief executive Charles Woodburn has focused on the so-called ‘three Ps’ – pension, portfolio and performance.
An onerous pension deficit has been addressed, the portfolio has been expanded and developed and a culture of hard work, drive and co-operation has helped to fuel a top performance.
Today, BAE sits on an order book of £84 billion, a pipeline valued at around £180 billion, a vast array of future opportunities and a central role in projects from the Global Combat Air Programme between the UK, Italy and Japan to the Royal Navy's Dreadnought submarine fleet.
The company is justly proud of its high-tech, super-resilient drones and counter-drones, too – a key part of modern warfare.
BAE shares have come off their highs, as some investors have taken profits or fretted about the group's lunch being eaten by smaller and nimbler competitors.
Those fears seem misplaced. At £18.60, with 22 years of rising dividends, the shares should deliver long-term value.
通过这样做，你可以使这些资产在未来免于支付股息税和资本利得税。是的，这涉及一定的成本，但这是一个精明的投资操作。这被称为“床铺与Isa”（bed and Isa），如果你是在投资平台上持有投资，他们会提供这项服务。
另一个精明的举措是将未持有在 Isa 或养老金中的投资资产在您与配偶之间进行分配。这被称为配偶间转移——它是免税的，而且你可以使资本利得税额度以及相应的年度股息免税额度翻倍。
保护你的财富，抵御社会主义的推进。
POLAR CAPITAL
Polar Capital Technology Trust plc（极地资本科技信托公开有限公司）
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Traded on: Main market Contact: baesystems.com
Ticker: BA
LOOKING back, one point stands out – the UK is home to a multitude of incredible businesses, world-beating know-how and incredible talent.
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应对颠覆。捕捉创新。锁定转型。聚焦未来。
探索基于数十年技术专业知识而建立的信托。
polarcapitaltechnologytrust.co.uk
资本有风险。
这是一篇营销通讯。投资者可能无法收回原始投资金额。本广告不应被视为投资建议。重要信息：本公告构成根据《2000年金融服务与市场法》第 21 条进行的金融推广，由 Polar Capital LLP 准备并发布。Polar Capital 是一家注册号为 OC314700 的有限责任合伙企业，经英国金融行为监管局（FCA）授权并监管。
财富与个人理财
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RASPBERRY PI
THE Cambridge-based computer specialist is a top example.
Primarily known for its low-cost kit used by schools and techno-geeks, Raspberry Pi is acquiring new fans, as its technology is increasingly used in industry, from military drones to ultrasound machines to display panels at Heathrow Airport.
Midas recommended the shares when it floated at £2.80 two years ago. Today, the price is £6.641.
Under super-charged chief executive Eben Upton, Raspberry Pi is winning business across the globe and, as more companies choose Raspberry Pi computers, interest in the company multiplies.
Half-year results last month showed soaring sales and profits, with brokers expecting more of the same for the full year and continued growth next year and beyond. Raspberry Pi shares have bounced around since floating in 2024 but the business is gaining traction and supporters believe the stock should top £10 in the next year or two.
汤姆补充道：“虽然我们中没有人具有计算机背景，但我渴望学习，使用 Google Gemini 等免费 AI 工具来解答关于如何制作卡片的问题。我在创建图像方面得到了帮助
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BLOOMSBURY
THIS publishing concern also punches above its weight on the worldwide stage. Known as the publisher of Harry Potter books and Sarah J Maas romantasy fare, Bloomsbury has defied the doomsters for years.
A £10,000 investment when the business floated in 1994 would be worth more than £610,000 today, if dividends had been reinvested – outgunning even Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
Midas came to the story much later, recommending the shares at £2.79 in 2020.
Even so, investors have done well, with the stock now at £6.73 and likely to head higher.
Founded by Nigel Newton in 1986, Bloomsbury differs from peers because it straddles consumer and academic publishing – from tomes, texts and online resources for education to an array of bestselling fiction.
Bloomsbury shares fell back earlier this year but have since recovered and should continue in that vein. Newton recently announced a well-received succession plan, the business is in fine fettle and figures this month are expected to please investors.
Shareholders who bought in 2020 may want to cash in some stock but, at £6.73, Bloomsbury still looks attractive.
Traded on: Main market
Contact: bloomsbury-ir.co.uk
Ticker: BMY
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“我没有计算机背景，但我渴望学习”
通过 Replicate 等网站以及 ChatGPT 和 Canva 等其他 AI 工具，来设计不同的卡片并生成可用于照片的模板。”
他们以每年 £30 的价格购买了网站 lookalikey.com。虽然 AI 图像可以在笔记本电脑上免费创建，但他们花费了 £500 购买了一台彩色打印机，以便将设计转化为可寄出的卡片。
但在启动后一个月内，通过社交 media 传播消息，他们发现从家中打印和邮寄一千张卡片的工作量过于繁重——于是将其外包给了一家位于根西岛的公司。虽然一张卡片及其邮资通常为 £4.49，但其中至少 £4 用于生产、邮寄、包装和卡片营销。
SHARE-tipping is not easy. Over the years there has been the odd, horrible mistake, from which I have learnt valuable lessons.
Among the worst was MotifBio, a biotech business trying to develop a new antibiotic. The firm expected to gain regulatory approval in the US but its confidence was premature and the stock sank from 27p to less than a penny in a few months.
Sirius Minerals was an even sadder story. The business was hell-bent on building a transformative mine under the Yorkshire Moors to produce agricultural fertiliser. The plans were seductive but the project proved far too ambitious and shareholders lost out.
On the flip side, there have been some extraordinary wins.
Delivery specialist DX Group was tipped at 32p in July 2023 and acquired that November at 48.5p a share, delivering a 50 per cent return to investors.
And, of course, there was BG itself, tipped at £6.65 and then acquired by Shell Group ten years later in a deal initially valued at £13.50 a share.
● Have you made or lost money from Midas share tips? Do tell us: money@mailonsunday.co.uk
我们在短短两年内建立了一家价值 100 万英镑 的家族企业，现在在毛里求斯享受着梦幻般的新生活
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Savvy investors are taking these steps ahead of the Budget ...I urge you to do the same
'M AFRAID the risk of a tax raid on our investments has just shot up.
Last week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed her intention to abolish inheritance tax as soon as she could. And she pledged that in the meantime a Conservative government would scrap inheritance tax when passing down family homes and that couples would get a £1 million tax-free allowance on top of that.
Her announcement backs Prime Minister Andy Burnham into a bit of a corner. He can hardly use his first Budget later this month to raise inheritance tax further when his opponent has pledged to scrap it. Even if he was planning an
attack on inheritance tax, I think it unlikely he'd go ahead with it now.
So he'll have to look for other targets to boost the Government coffers. So, I think investors had better watch out.
'Do not let the tax tail wag the investment dog' is a saying that has been around since before I wore shorts to school. It means you should make investment decisions on the growth potential of the funds or shares you have your eye on – not to save tax.
Yet while tax considerations alone should never drive major investment decisions, I'm not sure the saying holds true any longer. Indeed, it should be sidelined until such time we are no longer governed by a rabid socialist party eager to tax wealth to the hilt while binging on welfare spending.
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves set this in train with hikes in capital gains tax (CGT) on profits from share sales and second homes. Yet current Chancellor John Healey is likely to ratchet up this wealth attack in his Budget.
As a result, I believe that defending long-term wealth from Labour's tax grabbing mitts is now a priority. Investing, dear readers, can no longer be looked at in splendid isolation. Forget tax tails wagging investment dogs. Tax mitigation is the order of the day.
It means that tax-friendly investment vehicles such as Isas and pensions should be prioritised. Along with your home, they should be the foundation stones of your long-term wealth.
So utilise as much of your £20,000 annual Isa allowance as you can between now and April – and, if you're still working, try to increase your pension contributions. You'll thank me for such advice when you come to retirement and are pleasantly surprised by the size of your pension pot.
Also, don't forget the tax-friendly wrappers available to your children in the form of Junior Isas (Jisas) and pensions. Other tax-friendly options include Premium Bonds, investments such as Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs) for the wealthy and brave.
What tricks Healey has up his sleeve have yet to be revealed, yet I wouldn't be surprised if he aligns CGT rates with income tax rates.
When Reeves pushed up CGT in 2024, it jumped from 10 to 18 per cent for basic rate taxpayers – and 20 to 24 per cent for higher and additional rate taxpayers. Come the Budget, these rates could (not will) suddenly rise to 20, 40 and 45 per cent respectively.
According to numbers crunched by wealth manager Rathbones, the increase in tax for investors selling shares would be significant.
For example, a higher rate taxpayer earning £60,000, who makes a profit of £10,000 from a share sale, currently faces a CGT tax bill of £1,680. But if CGT rose to 40 per cent, the bill would jump 66.7 per cent to £2,800. If this same person was taking a capital gain of £50,000, the tax bill would leap from £11,280 to £18,800.
Rathbones' Kirsty Cartwright says there are some smart financial moves you can make to defend
against future CGT rate hikes. Among them are limiting gains you take so they fall within your annual CGT exemption allowance of £3,000. Or, even better, selling shares up to the value of £3,000 and then buying them back within your stocks and shares Isa.
By doing this, you future-proof them from tax on both dividends and capital gains. Yes, there are costs involved, but it's a savvy bit of investment manoeuvring. It's called 'bed and Isa' and if your investments are held on an investing platform, they offer the service.
Another shrewd move is to split investment assets not held in an Isa or pension between you and your spouse. It's called an interspousal transfer – it's tax-free and you double up on the CGT allowance as well as on the equivalent annual dividend allowance.
Navigating disruption. Capturing innovation. Targeting transformation. Focused on the future.
Discover the Trust built on decades of technology expertise.
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Capital at risk.
This is a marketing communication. Investors may not get back the original amount invested. This advertisement should not be construed as advice for investment. Important Information: This announcement constitutes a financial promotion pursuant to section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and has been prepared and issued by Polar Capital LLP. Polar Capital is a limited liability partnership with registered number OC314700, authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA").
WIMMING with dolphins just ten minutes from their home in the tropical paradise of Mauritius is how Tom and Olivia Herron now like to start their working day.
It is a far cry from a couple of years ago when public relations consultant Tom would trudge upstairs to a cramped attic office room in their three-bed semi-detached home in Haslemere, Surrey.
One bleak morning, staring out the window at the rain, Tom, 42, had an epiphany.
He says: 'A WhatsApp message showing a digitally enhanced image of my dad looking fatter than he really was, on a sofa with a beer in his hand, made us all laugh. But then we thought, if AI can create such a message for free, why can't we use this technology to make personalised greetings in various fun or humorous settings that could be sent in the post? So we started a business.'
After sharing the image with his wife Olivia, also 42, and brother Spencer, 38, they took a huge leap of faith and decided to create a greeting cards business relying on the skills of artificial intelligence (AI).
Customers send in photos of family, friends or pets to be digitally enhanced to provide sentimental or humorous personalised cards, typically for events such as birthdays.
Tom adds: 'Although none of us come from a computer background I was hungry to learn, using free AI tools such as Google Gemini to answer questions about how to go about creating cards. I got help creating images
'I've no computer background but I was hungry to learn'
from websites such as Replicate and other AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Canva, to design different cards and generate templates that could be adapted for photos.'
They bought the website lookalikey.com for £30 a year. While the AI images could be created for free on a laptop, they spent £500 on a colour printer to turn the designs into cards to post out.
But within a month of launching, using social media to spread the word, they became overwhelmed with the printing and postage of a thousand cards from their home – and so outsourced it to a company in Guernsey. Although the cost of a card and postage is typically £4.49, at least £4 of this goes on production, postage and packaging and card marketing.
A key driving force to starting their tailor-made greetings cards business was that it might enable them to quit the rat race and work from abroad. Again, the couple turned to AI – to ask where they should live.
Tom says: ‘It came up with places such as Panama, Costa Rica and Malaysia, because they offered nomad visas and lower tax on incomes. But we eventually chose Mauritius because it was such an idyllic location.’
LEAP OF FAITH: Tom and Olivia Herron took the plunge on a greeting card idea utilising AI
So, in January, Tom and Olivia, with their three children Max, 11, Finn, eight, and Eva, now six, having sold their £900,000 home, packed a single bag each and took a one-way flight to Mauritius, despite never visiting it before.
Four years earlier, in 2022, the couple had bought a run-down family home for £750,000. But after spending £150,000 on renovations over a couple of years, doing much of the exhausting work themselves, they were looking for a fresh start for the family without a mortgage, soaring energy bills and crippling high taxes.
Before they moved the couple were feeling they had little time to enjoy family life – with Tom working full-time just to pay the bills and full-time mum Olivia spending any spare time when not looking after the children doing up a property that was in desperate need of renovation.
Having escaped an exhausting and mundane routine that did not allow time for adventure, they still put in a full working day but now they have flexibility. Olivia says the more laid-back lifestyle and warmer weather of Mauritius leaves them freer to enjoy life.
Olivia often takes the children for a picnic on the beach after school – something she could never dream of doing before. Renting means they also no longer worry about the cost and time required to maintain a property.
Tom says: 'A key part of the business is it allows us to live wherever we want. We wanted to escape the treadmill of working in Britain – continually having to worry about how to pay the next bill. Having an affordable English-speaking international school was also a key factor in deciding to move here.'
Lookalikey is headquartered in Bolton, Lancashire – as this is where its accountant is based – and it pays UK corporation tax.
This starts at 19 per cent on profits of less than £50,000 rising to 25 per cent if above £250,000.
The couple says their business is profitable but do not wish to share the figures, but they can sell 1,000 cards a day and enjoyed company revenue of £1 million last year.
Olivia says: ‘The business grew far quicker than we expected, and last Christmas we were taking as much as £40,000 a day.’
As residents in Mauritius, they have free digital nomad visas – known as a Premium Visa. To get these you must prove you have a minimum income of \$1,500 a month (about £1,132) per adult and \$500 (£377) per child. So, for Tom and Olivia their income must be at least £40,740 a year.
When applying for a visa it is also necessary to provide proof of private health insurance cover, which costs them £2,400 a year.
Expats such as the Herron family – who live in Mauritius at least 183 days in the year – are deemed tax residents if their money is put in an island bank account.
But rather than pay the onerous income taxes of the UK, the rates are far less punitive – with no tax payable on the first Rs 500,000 Mauritian Rupee (about £7,968), 10 per cent on the next Rs 500,000 and anything above Rs 1,000,000 is charged at 20 per cent.
After day-to-day living costs the couple can afford to put aside at least half their income into stocks and shares tracker global funds and high-interest instant savings accounts. This money is salted away for emergencies and long-
term retirement savings. They pay £5,000 a year for each of their children to attend a private school and rent a three-bedroom villa for £2,500 a month.
Energy costs are less than a quarter what they were in Britain. Despite a need for air conditioning, they no longer need to worry about heating. Going out can be more expensive than Britain if they opt for tourist restaurants – but the Herrons often go where the locals prefer to dine.
Tom says: 'You soon adapt to the rhythm of the island. Grocery prices are not cheaper than in Britain, and the cost of living can be higher. But strolling along the beach or snorkelling around coral reefs costs nothing – and we constantly have to pinch ourselves at what a wonderful adventure we are now all living.'
●Have you made big changes for a cheaper or easier lifestyle? money@mailonsunday.co.uk
M
ANY of us save into a pension every month without ever truly working out how much we would need to set aside to enjoy retirement.
We funnel money away dur-
We runnel money away during the course of our lives, paying it into a string of work pensions. But there is a tipping point at each age, a point at which you have saved enough to guarantee yourself a prosperous time in later life.
Beyond this, you could safely stop saving into a pension and redirect your spare cash elsewhere. This is because your pension will be invested in the stock market, where it will continue to grow each year.
Small amounts invested early on in the stock market can compound into significant sums over the long term. Those able to invest a lump
sum could fare even better with far less effort – and it doesn't have to be a particularly large amount if you invest it early enough.
We asked experts to crunch the numbers so you can see how much you would need to have in your pension for each decade, from your 20s until your 60s, if you want to stop saving today and still reach a £1 million pension pot by age 65. We have also asked financial professionals what you can do if you are falling behind.
STARTING young is the best way to grow your wealth with minimal input. But this will require parents and grandparents to do the initial work. An investment of £6,721 made when a child is born could reach £1 million by their 65th birthday, calculations by Fidelity International show.
This assumes the money grows by 8 per cent a year after fees.
If that sounds like an ambitious level of return, it's in line with the performance of the MSCI World, a global stock market index, over the past 20 years.
However, it's important to note there are no guarantees when it comes to investing and your money could fall in market downturns.
Furthermore, you will need to bear in mind the impact of inflation. This is the case at every age, but particularly for those who are decades away from retirement. While £1 million is a substantial sum at the moment, it will be then, including the dotcom bubble burst in 2000, the global financial crisis in 2008, and the Covid pandemic of 2020.
Despite that, by May 2026, his initial £45,000 investment would have grown 977 per cent to an incredible £439,822.
worth less than this when you reach retirement age. For a good retirement, you are likely to have to target a higher sum than this.
Jason Hollands, from investment firm Bestinvest, says: ‘Lump sum investing may not always work out in the short term, but the power of compound growth means the earlier your money is invested the more chance it has to grow over time.’
Those able to avoid panicking when the market falls and who leave their money invested will benefit when the market recovers.
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You can put up to £9,000 a year into a Junior Isa (Jisa) for a child from when they are born until age 18. You can also open a pension – known as a self-invested personal pension (Sipp) – for anyone.
There is no minimum age, but if it is for someone under 18 then it is called a Junior Sipp.
Children benefit from the same tax relief as adults. You can make pension contributions of up to £2,880 a year, on which you will get a basic-rate tax refund, meaning the Government adds 20 per cent to what you pay in. If you pay the full £2,880 into the account, your money will be instantly topped up to £3,600 thanks to tax relief.
Parents who make just one large deposit from birth could make a very big difference and turn their child into a future millionaire. This is because young people are able to take advantage of the ultimate tool in any investor's kit: time.
The longer you leave your money to grow, the more it can benefit from compound interest.
This is the phenomenon where you earn interest on profits you have already made, which means your gains accelerate each year even if you don't add any more money to the pot.
Rob Morgan, chief investment analyst at Charles Stanley, says: 'Putting money to work at the earliest opportunity tends to become increasingly powerful as time goes on. As the saying goes, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is today."
THOSE starting later can still make use of this strategy but will need a larger initial investment to get them started. An 18-year-old would need to invest £26,859 to reach £1 million by age 65, Fidelity found. Someone starting at 25 would need to have £46,031 invested.
A common argument against investing a lump sum is the risk that the stock market could fall the next day, immediately slashing the value of your pot. But even if this happens, leaving your money invested means it can benefit from the market rebound. As the experts say: it's not timing the market, but time in the market.
Research by investment group Vanguard uses the example of ‘Unlucky Jim’, who invested a £45,000 lump sum in September 1997, on the eve of the Asian financial crisis, which caused global stock markets to plunge.
If Unlucky Jim left his money invested, he would have endured at least six subsequent crashes since
Hollands points out that, for the most part, stock markets tend to rise in more years than they fall.
The MSCI All Country World Index, which tracks the share price of markets around the world, has produced positive returns in 29 out of 38 years since it was launched, for example.
Hollands says: ‘So 76 per cent of the time, putting your money in the market up front with a lump sum would have been the right call compared to drip-feeding it gradually over the years.’
Meanwhile, the S&P500 in the US has risen in 40 out of the 50 years since it was launched – that's 80 per cent of the time.
Hollands adds: ‘The case for investing regularly is that it can help smooth out some of the ups and downs in the stock market. But the counter to that – putting your cash to work with a lump sum – is that in most years stock markets rise, so the sooner your money is invested, the more you benefit from compound interest.’
THOSE who leave the bulk of their retirement saving until later will need a larger sum in their pension to be able to reach that £1 million mark by 65.
A 30-year-old would need to have £67,635 in their pot to hit this target, analysis by Fidelity found, and a 40-year-old would need £146,018.
Hollands says money from a workplace bonus, a windfall such as an inheritance, or proceeds from a house sale could help to fund the pot.
‘You might even have left funding your annual Isa allowance until the end of the tax year and want to get it done and dusted,’ he says.
But investing significant amounts in one go comes with practical considerations. An individual can put up to £20,000 a year into an Isa, and all gains are tax-free, so this is a first port of call for investors.
Beyond this, it can make sense to use up your annual pension allowance, particularly if your goal is saving for retirement. This is because you will receive tax relief at your marginal rate on any contributions you make.
Basic-rate taxpayers get 20 per cent tax relief on their payments, which means you need to put in only £80 to reach £100. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers get tax relief at 40 per cent and 45 per cent.
It is possible to put up to £60,000 or 100 per cent of your earnings (whichever is lower) into a pension each year. Under current rules, the money can be accessed from age 55, although that is rising to 57 from 2028.
However, one useful perk of the annual allowance is that you can
如果你的伴侣不擅长理财，可能会让你倾家荡产的 5 种方式……以及你可以采取哪些保护措施
但投资公司 AJ Bell 的个人财务主管莎拉·科尔斯（Sarah Coles）警告说，不要让这种情况变成一种习惯。
Exactly how much you need in your pension at every age to stop saving and still have £1million by retirement
still benefit from any unused allowance over the three previous tax years, under certain conditions. You need to use up the current year's allowance first and have set up a pension to qualify.
Those investing larger sums are likely to need to make use of a general investment account. The benefits of these are that they offer flexibility over when you access your cash and have no limit on how much you can add each year. On the down side, profits could be subject to capital gains tax (CGT).
Currently, individuals have an annual CGT allowance of £3,000.
Basic rate taxpayers pay 18 per cent on gains beyond this, and higher and additional rate payers 24 per cent. However, Chancellor John Healey is said to be considering a hike on these figures.
It is possible to mitigate a tax bill by drawing down profits gradually, ensuring that you don't withdraw more than your annual allowance each year.
THE older you are, the harder it will be to reach that £1 million goal. According to Fidelity International, a 50-year-old would need to have £315,242 invested in their pot to reach seven figures by the age of 65.
The sums required at this stage get significantly larger because the money has less time to grow and compound. With only five years for their money to grow, a 60-year-old would need a hefty £680,583.
WHILE there is a certain allure to becoming a millionaire, you may not actually need to build a pot this large. For those who are investing for retirement, it is important to do some sums to work out how much you really need to aim for.
Guidelines from trade body Pensions UK and used widely by the pensions industry suggest an individual needs an annual income of £32,700 after tax for a moderate lifestyle in retirement.
This includes enough for £59 a week on groceries, an annual all-inclusive two-week holiday overseas, and £1,500 a year to spend on clothes.
Assuming they get the full state pension, currently about £12,600 a year, an individual would need to provide an extra £25,000 a year in income from their own savings.
Standard Life estimates that, at current rates, a savings pot of £431,000 will be enough to secure an inflation-linked annuity that would pay enough income for this.
For a comfortable lifestyle in retirement, Pensions UK estimates that an individual would need an annual income of about £45,400, or about £32,800 after state pension.
This is enough for £78 a week for groceries plus extra for takeaways and meals out, a four-star holiday abroad each year plus three long weekends in the UK, and £1,500 for clothes and shoes.
It would require a pot of about £719,000 to buy this level of income in the form of an annuity, according to Standard Life.
A lump-sum investment of just £2,420 made at birth could grow to £431,173 by age 65, enough to cover a moderate lifestyle, assuming annual investment growth of 8 per cent after fees.
A £4,036 lump-sum investment could reach £719,097, providing enough for a comfortable lifestyle retirement.
Morgan says: 'By carefully considering where you want to get to and then working backwards, you'll have a realistic plan to work towards.
'The sums required to meet your goal may look intimidating, but it really does underline that time is an investor's greatest ally as it allows compounding to work its magic.'
IF YOU don't hit these targets, you are far from alone.
About 15 million people are not saving adequately for retirement, according to a warning from the Pensions Commission. The good news is there are a number of ways you can boost your workplace pension.
If there are times when you can afford to ramp up your contributions, or even put a lump sum in your pension, that can help keep you on track. Bear this in mind if you get a redundancy payout or an inheritance.
The rules of pension auto-enrolment state that employees must put a minimum of 5 per cent into their workplace pension and employers 3 per cent.
But some employers will match your contributions if you put in more. Ask yours what it offers.
If you have never checked where your workplace pension is invested, the chances are it has been put into a default fund. Check your latest annual pension statement or ask your provider for details of your investments.
Some schemes move you to lower-risk investments as you approach retirement – this is to reduce the chance that your pot suffers a stock market shock before you stop working.
However, if you plan to continue working further into your 60s, or if you don't plan to spend most of your pension for many years, the chances are you can afford to take more risk – and, hopefully, benefit from higher investment returns.
\- Do you have a £1million pension pot? Tell us how you did it. Email: moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
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5. 分手后的金钱问题
财务混乱在关系结束时会变得尤为剧毒。
Stowe Family Law 的合伙人西奥班·维格表示，离婚夫妇必须提供“全面且坦诚的财务披露”，包括以个人名义和共同名义持有的资金、房产、资产、债务和负债信息。
F YOUR partner is scatty with money or in debt, you may think that's their problem – especially if you manage your finances separately. But there are ways that you could suffer the fallout from their issues if you don't watch out.
So how can a financially chaotic partner leave you picking up the bill? We asked financial and legal experts what to watch out for.
IN THE early stages of a relationship, the damage may be relatively small. Perhaps your partner is always short before payday, asks you to cover dinner or needs to borrow money to pay a bill.
5 ways your partner could leave you penniless if they're useless with money ...and what you can do to protect yourself
But Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at investment firm AJ Bell, warns against allowing this to become a habit.
She says: 'Lending money to a partner brings real complications. You need to consider what you'll do if they don't repay you, or if they ask for more.
‘Similarly, consider whether you’re prepared to pay their way. Don’t just fall into this habit without thinking it through.’
The danger is that what starts as the occasional helping hand can turn into one partner permanently subsidising the other. That's not necessarily a problem, but it's something you should talk through together and work out what you're happy with.
able to save for major goals, from buying a home to holidays.
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matically disappear if the relationship ends or you close your joint account. You may need to ask the credit reference agencies to do it.
‘You don’t need their money issues to dictate the rest of your life,’ she says. ‘However, consider what you’ll do if they ask you to dip into savings to get them out of financial trouble.’
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A PARTNER who repeatedly misses payments can cause havoc with your finances and credit score.
If it's the rent or mortgage payments, you could lose your home. If they forget to pay bills, you could be in extreme debt before you find out anything is wrong.
Coles says couples could consider setting up a separate account for household bills, with both paying into it by direct debit at the start of the month. This can make it easier to ensure essential payments are made, but it is not foolproof.
‘It doesn’t protect you from someone whose finances are so bad that they don’t have enough money to fulfil the direct debit,’ she says.
Webb says: 'If you've already got a financial link but your partner's finances deteriorate, then you could potentially break the link. You'll need to make sure you have no joint accounts together, then do what's called a financial disassociation.'
You'll need to do this by contacting all three of the credit reference agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
A PARTNER who repeatedly gambles, takes out high-interest borrowing, speculates with household money or makes risky investments could put savings, home ownership and future plans under pressure.
Even if they pay the bills today, a lack of long-term planning can leave you carrying more of the financial burden later.
Coles says a partner who is constantly trying to escape a financial hole is less likely to be
Have open conversations about retirement planning to bring these issues into the open.
John Webb, at credit reference agency Experian, says: 'Whenever you apply for joint credit with someone else, you create a link on your credit report called a financial association. If your partner's credit history isn't great, particularly with significant issues such as court judgments or insolvencies, it could stop you getting credit deals you want.'
A JOINT bank account, loan or mortgage will create a financial association between you both – this means a lender may look at your partner's credit history when deciding whether to lend to you in the future.
The same applies to retirement. 'If they aren't planning for their own retirement, they may need to rely on you,' Coles says. 'It could mean having to share your income, or you may have very different lifestyles when you stop work.'
If you have a joint debt, both can be pursued for the full amount. And the link does not auto-
You can't force someone to prepare for retirement, but you can help them to set up a pension or increase their contributions if they are unsure how to do it themselves or need some encouragement.
FINANCIAL chaos becomes particularly toxic when a relationship ends.
Siobhan Vegh, a partner at Stowe Family Law, says divorcing couples must pro-
vide 'full and frank financial disclosure', including information about money, property, assets, debts and liabilities held in both sole and joint names.
‘The court can sometimes see debt built up during the marriage as a joint responsibility, meaning you might be liable for covering money you didn’t necessarily spend,’ she adds.
Couples can set out how their finances should be treated in the event that they split, through a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement.
Vegh says these documents identify the assets each person has, who owns them and what should happen in the event of divorce.
For unmarried couples, Vegh also points to cohabitation agreements, although she warns that legal and financial
rights on separation are generally more limited than those available to married couples.
I've spent £1m on cars but regret selling the convertible Princess Di once owned
ME AND MY
MONEY
Iain Dale
Broadcaster
BROADCASTER Iain Dale has been a presenter on LBC radio since 2009, writes YORK MEMBERY.
The 64-year-old has also written a string of political books and was crowned Radio Presenter of the Year at the Commercial Radio Awards in 2013 and 2016.
Dale, a lifelong West Ham United fan, lives with his partner John and their two dogs – miniature schnauzer Woody, three, and Jack Russell Dude, 15 – in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
A I was one of three – I’ve got two sisters – and grew up on a small farm in Essex run by my late parents.
My mother Jane, who was very frugal, warned me to ‘never a borrower or lender be’ – but I’m afraid I rather ignored her advice.
I had to borrow money from family and friends when I opened Politico's bookshop in 1997, and I later started a publishing company, because the banks were so unhelpful.
My father Garry was the opposite of my mum – if he wanted something, he'd buy it.
He amassed a collection of 2,000-plus country music and jazz LPs. If eBay or Amazon were around when I was a kid, I suspect that he'd have spent every penny on buying records.
A Yes, I graduated from university with debts of £20,000 in the mid-80s after using four or five credit cards to buy books, records and the latest gadgets.
I vowed never to get into debt again, but in 2004 I found myself walking along the street in Cromer with just 16p in my pocket, having maxed out my credit cards and exceeded my overdraft limit.
‘How on earth have I got myself into this situation?’ I wondered.
But politics is an expensive business – I was the Tory candidate for North Norfolk at the time, and after the 2005 general election I found myself £40,000 in debt.
I only got out of that financial hole by selling my cottage, which had gone up in value since I bought it a couple of years earlier.
A Some people might think I'm paid silly money for being a radio presenter. And yes, it is a well-remunerated profession – although I'm certainly not paid Gary Lineker-type money.
I also get paid handsomely to give speeches and talks. My best gig? Probably being paid £8,000 to host a two-day conference in Azerbaijan. Mind you, I sometimes think they must be absolutely mad to pay me so much!
A I remember thinking I'd made it when my salary went up from £14,000 to £25,000 in 1989 – but I went on to earn £60,000 as a transport industry lobbyist in the mid-1990s.
I didn't think it would get better than that, though I now make a six-figure sum as a broadcaster, commentator and author.
A I'm a bit of a petrolhead and have always liked driving nice cars. I started off with a Ford Cortina Mk III. I've since owned a string of Audis and currently drive an Audi Q6 e-tron, which set me back £65,000, and a used Audi S5 Cabriolet costing a third of that.
I must have spent approaching £1million on the 30-odd cars I've owned over the years, but I don't go on expensive holidays.
I think I'm a good driver, even if I've been banned twice after totting up speeding points – but there are cameras everywhere now.
I also once bid £5,000 in an auction to have afternoon tea with Joan Collins, but sadly [footballer] Peter Crouch outbid me.
A The first cabriolet I bought – painted turquoise with white seats – in 1995, had belonged to Princess Diana (I saw the paperwork so I knew it was true). It cost £23,000 and I sold it for the same amount the following year. I later heard that it was bought by someone in Hong Kong for £1 million after Diana died. It's a big regret – had I delayed the sale it would have set me up for life.
I later invested a six-figure sum in a friend's forestry company, but it turned out the bookkeeper was siphoning off money to fund a gambling habit, and the company was forced into liquidation. I lost my investment, but my friend has promised to pay me back when he's back on his feet.
A In terms of a return on an investment, it has to be the £1
I spent, aged 14, on a cinema screen at a local farm sale that I attended with my father, and then sold to my school for £110.
Besides that, it was buying a holiday home with my partner in Norfolk in 2013 – we sold it just over a decade later for close to double what we'd paid for it.
A We don't have any children, but John and I have drawn up wills to ensure that if one of us dies – I'm a type 2 diabetic so I doubt I'll live as long as some people – the other can be guaranteed a comfortable retirement.
That said, I'll naturally leave something for my wider family and friends.
I've been paying a relatively small amount into a private pension since my 20s, though I rather lost confidence in the pensions industry after [then Chancellor] Gordon Brown raided it in 1997.
Thankfully, John has made some good property decisions over the years.
ALL TALK: Iain Dale and, below, Princess Diana in one of her cars
Q Do you own any property?
A Yes, my main four-bedroom house in Tunbridge Wells which I bought with John for a six-figure sum in 2003. We also own a small house in the town which we rent out, and have a share in a friend's house in East Sussex.
A I'd abolish inheritance tax and stamp duty – as pledged by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch – as it's licensed robbery. I'd also slash public spending and put VAT up to 25 per cent to allow the Government to raise tax thresholds.
A To make sure that John and I can survive whatever the future has in store for us. I think we as a nation also need to develop much greater resilience when it comes to things like protecting our food supply and civil defence.
● Have I Said Too Much? – My Life In Politics And The Media (Biteback), by Iain Dale, is out now. Iain Dale In The Evening, LBC, Mon-Thurs, 7pm.
Invest in a pension to grow your wealth... and slash your tax bill
IN THIS series, our experts answer your burning questions about growing your wealth.
NVESTING in a pension is one of the best ways to build lifetime wealth – it will likely end up your most valuable asset, alongside your home.
The key is to start early, save regularly and benefit from decades of investment growth.
Pensions are probably the most tax-friendly way to put money aside. The principle is that you can save into a pension from untaxed income, so tax relief is offered at your income tax rate.
Basic rate tax relief is automatically added to contributions, boosting them 25 per cent. For example, if you paid in £80 it is topped up by £20 to £100 in total. Higher-rate 40 per cent taxpayers and additional rate 45 per cent taxpayers are eligible for even more tax relief.
However, many do not realise they may have to claim it through a tax return or by writing to HMRC. Savers miss out on an estimated £1 billion a year in this way.
The tax breaks are designed to encourage long-term saving. In return for these incentives, you cannot access a pension pot until a minimum age, currently 55 but moving up to 57 from 2028.
Pensions have an annual allowance on contributions of £60,000.
Tax relief is limited for those with earnings above £200,000 – if you fall into this bracket, paying for financial advice is wise.
WORK PENSIONS
EMPLOYERS are bound by law to offer a scheme to almost all employees and, thanks to auto-enrolment rules enacted in 2012, workplace pension saving has dramatically increased.
There are two types of workplace pension – defined benefit and defined contribution.
Defined benefit schemes involve an employer promising to pay a set amount in retirement based on how long the employee has worked at the organisation. They are now usually found only in the public sector, and are highly valuable because the responsibility for paying the pension income lies with the employer.
With defined contribution pension schemes, which almost all private sector companies now offer, both the employer and employee pay in. The money is invested to build a fund, which workers must turn into income in retirement.
Under auto-enrolment, employers must pay 3 per cent of qualifying salary into a pension, if employees contribute 5 per cent. Many workplace pension schemes are more generous and employers may match or even beat contributions up to a certain level, for example matching 5 per cent of salary paid in.
It is advisable to make the most of any workplace pension scheme, and ensure that you maximise employer contributions.
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INVESTING IN A SIPP
BEYOND a workplace pension there are private pensions – most of which are known as self-invested personal pensions (Sipps). They are also a good solution for self-employed workers.
A Sipp is essentially a tax wrapper around an investment account, similar to how a stocks and shares Isa works.
Some Sipps offer a full range of investments, while others are more limited.
It is possible to hold some more complicated investments in a Sipp than you can in a stocks and shares Isa, for example business assets. To do this you will need to take financial advice.
Sipps are offered by an array of DIY investment platforms and it is possible to get fees as low as they are on standard investment accounts. Fees eat away at the value of your portfolio, so you'll want to keep them low, but if you need more guidance and help it can be worth paying for.
Investing in a Sipp is as simple as opening an account at an investment platform, paying money in and choosing investments.
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DODGE THE TAX TRAPS
PENSION contributions have another handy aspect, as they reduce your taxable income and can help keep you below higher tax brackets or out of tax traps.
This is particularly useful at certain points, where due to quirks in the tax system marginal rates can be very high.
For example, the removal of child benefit between £60,000 and £80,000, the loss of free childcare if someone earns more than £100,000 and the 60 per cent tax trap, due to the removal of the personal allowance above £100,000.
Paying extra money into a workplace pension or a Sipp can reduce income to below these levels and mean you are not affected.
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BEST BUYS...The leading deals for your home and savings
This pays 4.94pc tax-free on a minimum £1,000, or you can take interest monthly at 4.83pc. You can transfer your existing Isas into this account – get Shawbrook to arrange any such transfer.
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在航程接近尾声的一个晚上，船上的音乐家在直升机停机坪上举行了一场音乐会。大家手持香槟聚集在一起，听着这对搭档歌唱。约翰·列侬和伦纳德·科恩的歌词填满了寒冷的空气，不知不觉中，当歌手们开始演唱埃尔维斯的《Can't Help Falling In Love》时，我的喉咙感到一阵哽咽——因为我也无可救药地爱上了这里。
行星们确实很懂：这不仅仅是好感，我是彻底沦陷了。
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邮报旅游 (Mail Travel)
一个您熟悉且信任的品牌
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Autumn Flash Sale
本周特惠
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By Harriet Mallinson
S I pack my suitcase I am getting mentally prepared for a full-on holiday crush. Not with a person, though – it's a place I'm expecting to fall in love with.
To be precise, Antarctica. Why? Because an astrocartographer told me so. Stick with me...
'Astrocartography is basically just using astrology and geography,' practitioner Clarisse Monahan explains. 'It's a bit like a cosmic travel agent.'
This branch of astrology maps your 'birth chart' to discover, based on planetary influences, which places on Earth.
ences, which places on Earth are most aligned with you.
This unusual method of deciding where to go has become a definite ‘thing’. Cruise line Royal Caribbean reports a surge in popularity in astrocartography among customers – up 53 per cent on last year – and the travel company has even partnered with Monahan to help passengers align getaways with their ‘deepest personal goals’.
'Astrocartography can really answer those questions as to why some places don't feel quite right,' says Monahan – and why others deliver an instant, well, crush.
As a sucker for romance, I am sold, and after telling her the precise minute I arrived in the world – required information for the assessment – Monahan produces a personalised map.
‘Your Jupiter line hits Antarctica,’ she informs me. ‘You could get a lot from a trip there.’
Jupiter is meant to be the planet of 'luck and abundance', I learn. After dismissing my 'Moon line' over Scotland (too rainy) and my 'Pluto line' through Indonesia (too sweaty), I follow the Jupiter lead.
All of which may sound vaguely bonkers – and it's a long way to go on a hunch – but destiny is clearly calling, as it has been for so many others of late.
Astrocartography has exploded across Instagram and TikTok, with chart-reading videos regularly racking up hundreds of thousands of views.
And so I head way down south to join a 13-day voyage to the White Continent.
Monahan has assured me ‘Jupiter is bountiful’ and my ship, one of cruise line Scenic’s
200-passenger ‘discovery yachts’, certainly lives up to that promise: all-luxury, all-inclusive and all kitted out with adventure-enhancing toys, from kayaks to helicopters. There’s even an extensively stocked (complimentary) whisky bar.
NCE we start exploring the Antarctic Peninsula's coast, it becomes clear my astrocartographer was not wrong about how I would react.
As we cruise among sprawl-
As we cruise among sprawling, gargantuan ice blocks, I'm elated. As well as these giants, there are icebergs that form perfect arches, standing elegantly alone like temple ruins, while others are twisted and deformed, looming like icy sea monsters, and some are smoother, with a polished, opal perfection.
Daily, we clamber into small boats to explore the beautiful scenery up close.
One afternoon our guide takes our group around a particularly striking frozen Valhalla, honeycombed with cavernous, twisting caves. On another, we switch off the engine and simply drift among the ice, revelling in the pure stillness and silence.
A big highlight is a trip on one of Scenic's
OTHERWORLDLY: Clockwise from top - icebergs in the Lemaire Channel; penguins diving in to the freezing waters; the cruise ship Scenic Eclipse; an ice tunnel in Queen Maud Land and Harriet relaxing in the onboard hot tub with a glass of fizz
helicopters, which lift you high above this majestic landscape.
Down below the outlines of icebergs are sharp against the sea. Clouds cling to the vertiginous mountain slopes as our pilot swoops alongside them, and in the distance you can see the continent's mainland: solemn, epic and just unimaginably vast.
The flight may be a mere 30 minutes, but it is so eye-wideningly, heart-quiveringly sublime, I'm rendered speechless. Jupiter is doing its job, yet again.
As for the ‘beautiful energy’ my astrocartographer promised, I soon discover it in Antarctica’s wildlife.
Penguins (gentoo, Adelie, chinstrap) are both charming and comical with their endearing waddle and cocked-headed wariness. Sleek and speedy in the water, they're anything but when wading ashore – their pearlescent white tummies wobbling about. Watching them hop along like a flock of
After consulting an ‘astrocartographer’, Harriet follows her ‘Jupiter line’ to the bottom of the earth
由 Just Go Holidays Ltd 运营，ABTOT 7022, ATOL 10889，该公司完全独立于关联报业有限公司（Associated Newspapers Ltd）及 Mail Travel。价格基于两人共用双人房 / 双床房。单人入住需补差价。\*起步价基于 2027年4月25日。^ 起点为英格兰和威尔士的一系列接送点。价格在印刷时准确无误。
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My 'cosmic cruise' to Antarctica
toddling nuns en route to Vespers brings a wide grin to my face.
In early January there are plenty of cute chicks to coo over, all fiercely protected by watchful parents. Vigilance is vital as skua birds wheel threateningly above, eyeing up the vulnerable, fluffy snacks. P-p-p-pick up a penguin has a more sinister meaning here.
The whales steal the show on the high drama stakes, though – and they do not keep you waiting. On day one in Antarctica, I spot two humpbacks breach the surface of the water as their huge bodies roll and twist before splashing back down – leaving me spluttering with astonishment into my morning coffee. They put in a shift most days, whale blows spurting out of the deep like crystal fireworks, and I soon learn to
Scenic's 13-day ‘Antarctica In Depth’ itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse costs from £16,098pp, with departures December 2026-February 2027 and November 2027-March 2028. Includes return flights, guided excursions, all meals, personalised butler service and wi-fi. For more information, visit scenic.co.uk.
keep my binoculars (every Scenic cabin has a pair) about me in case we sight the flash of a dorsal fin or a flicking tail.
One evening, I'm tucking in to a carbonara when the captain announces a pod of orcas portside. The ship's open-bridge policy puts me right at the heart of the action as I race to spot the predators from on high.
Another hallmark of Jupiter is ‘taking risks’, according to the astrocartographers – and arguably just by travelling to Antarctica I’m rolling the dice.
The Drake Passage between the polar continent and South America has a fearsome reputation among sailors – its treacherously stormy waters have claimed around 800 ships since navigation began in the 16th century. We mercilessly remain intact
century. we, mercifully, remain intact – even if the 20ft waves in the night make me feel like I'm being folded into a baking mix.
Yet another astrocartographic aspect of Jupiter is that travelling along its lines is supposed to create a ‘flow’ – and this is more than easily achieved when ensconced in Scenic’s opulence.
The team may have no control over wildlife appearances, but they make sure we guests enjoy every second of our time in Antarctica, from allowing extra time ashore, squeezing us into last-minute excursions and getting us out on deck for particularly picturesque stretches – all while remembering everyone's names.
And, as Monahan predicted, I feel a sense of ‘wow’ at nearly every turn in this unforgettable place.
One evening, towards the end of the voyage, the ship's musicians perform a concert up on the helipad. Everyone gathers, champagne in hand, as the pair sing. The words of John Lennon and Leonard Cohen fill the cold air, and before I know it, I have a lump in my throat as the crooners start on Elvis' Can't Help Falling In Love – because I can't either.
The planets know their stuff: this isn't just a crush; I'm head over heels.
A breathtaking ten-day tour of Niagara Falls and Canada's greatest cities
EXPERIENCE Canada at its most scenic as you traverse the breathtaking landscapes and cosmopolitan centres of the
spectacular Maple Leaf Trail.
Soak up the country's seasonal highlights, from colourful spring vistas to autumn foliage, on a ten-day exploration taking in the finest Great Lakes sights.
Start the holiday with a flight to Toronto and head to majestic Niagara Falls for your first two-night stay. Experience the falls at leisure the next day, perhaps from above on an optional helicopter flight or watching the cascades from below on a Hornblower Niagara Cruise.
You'll then continue along the idyllic Niagara Parkway to the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. After admiring the period architecture and leafy suburbs of this enchanting spot, you'll be driven to Toronto for a tour of the city's sights.
Enjoy a taste of its cosmopolitan spirit, with stops in a range of culturally diverse districts including Little Italy, Chinatown and Victorian Cabbagetown.
A panoramic journey along the Maple Leaf Trail follows, and you'll finish your fifth day in Ottawa. Having enjoyed the city at your own pace, head into the French-Canadian province of Quebec and spend some time in Unesco-listed Quebec City, one of the country's oldest settlements.
See the city's major sights, from the exquisite Chateau Frontenac to the monumental Citadelle on an optional guided tour, or explore under your own steam before heading back west to Montreal.
A final optional excursion, taking in the bohemian highlights of Plateau Mont-Royal and the city's hyper-modern waterfront landmarks, is available ahead of a return journey to Toronto.
但每一次沮丧都伴随着相应的喜悦。在除夕之夜，我们在 La Guarda 享用了九道菜的品鉴菜单，那是一栋迷人的、破旧的传统城镇住宅，因 1993 年的电影《草莓与巧克力》而闻名。用餐结束后，一名服务员问我们：“我带您去您的桌位好吗？”随后他将我们带到了一个屋顶露台
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REASONS TO BOOK
A region of two cultures Eastern Canada is home to two distinctive regional cultures in French-inspired Quebec and Ontario, and you'll discover the finer details and contrasts between the two provinces under expert guidance.
See the magnificent Chateau Frontenac, the grand hotel modelled on the chateaux of France's Loire Valley, in Quebec City and try a bowl of traditional poutine.
You can also embrace the quintessentially Victorian architecture in Toronto's Cabbagetown on a guided city tour.
Inner-city highlights During your tour you'll stop in some of Canada's finest Great Lakes cities, from Niagara Falls to lively Toronto. Take in the style and flair of trendy Montreal, set on the banks of the island-dotted St Lawrence River, and embrace the relaxed atmosphere and period architecture of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The elegant national capital, Ottawa, with its park-lined canals and Victorian architecture, is sure to be another highlight.
soaked Hornblower Niagara Cruise. You'll also travel along the picturesque Niagara Parkway en route to Ontario's Great Lakes cities.
Canada at its most colourful Depending on your departure date, you'll experience either North America's enchanting autumn foliage or the vivid hues of Canada in bloom. Tours taking place earlier in the year will enjoy opportunities to spot the region's newborn wildlife with warmer-weather excursions and colourful spring-time scenery.
Unspoilt natural beauty It won't just be Canada's urban areas that impress on this tour, with the country's untamed natural beauty on full display throughout. You'll marvel at the thunderous Niagara Falls and soak up the tumult from above on an optional helicopter ride, or brave the cascades on a spray-
In the autumn, you'll experience North America at its most atmospheric, with regional festivities and cooler temperatures, and, of course, the autumnal colours sweeping the nation's prettiest vistas.
√ Selected departures between April and October 2027
√ Return coach travel^ & ferry crossings
√ Seven nights' three-star half-board accommodation at selected hotels in Ireland
√ Tours and visits to Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Derry\~Londonderry, Knock, Galway, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Adare, Ring of Kerry (with Killarney) & Dublin
√ Services of a tour manager in Ireland
Call us FREE on 0808 239 6511 Visit www.mailtravel.co.uk
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd ABTOT 7022, ATOL 10889, a company wholly independent of Associated Newspapers Ltd and Mail Travel. Prices are based two people sharing a double/twin room. Single supplement applies. \*From price based on April 25, 2027. ^From a network of pickup points in England & Wales. Prices correct at the time of print.
To find out more, visit mailtravel.co.uk/canadamaple
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Holidays are operated by Newmarket Holidays ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812, a company wholly independent of Associated Newspapers Limited and Mail Travel. Price based on two people sharing. Single supplements apply. \*From price based on April 14, 2027, from London Heathrow. \*\*Save up to 10% applies to select tour bookings made by November 8, 2026, and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. Subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Price shown includes the discount. Prices correct at the time of print.
周五 28日 多米尼克，罗佐
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📄 Original Section
Our writer has visited this complicated country five times – and it continues to enthral...
By James Henderson
MERICA'S decision earlier this year to ramp up trade embargoes on Cuba has hit its economy hard, especially the squeeze on oil imports. Times are tougher than
ever in the communist Caribbean country, but it has long suffered shortages due to a chaotic approach to running its affairs – tourism being a case in point.
In my 35 years of writing about the Caribbean I have visited Cuba five times, most recently two Christmases ago for a family holiday. I have seen some shocking service and mismanagement in the region, but nothing, nothing, compares with Cuba.
Its tourism industry, steeped in ideological illogic, lapses into the surreal, occasionally into comedy. The dead hand of communism – ultimately the ugly grip of the regime – can be felt everywhere.
And yet Cuba is a lovely place to visit. I travelled there first in 1988 with the late Vietnam War photographer Tim Page. We drove through stupendous tropical countryside, passing billboards with revolutionary propaganda and comically insulting slogans – 'The Revolution Forever!' and 'Yankee Go Home!'
It was a memorable trip. On Sundays, small-town bandstands would burst into spontaneous songs and salsa dancing. And we heard Fidel Castro himself speak – for five hours, no less, in sweltering heat.
With rudimentary Spanish, I could feel only the fervour of the man and the obedience of his audience, but even then it seemed like a relic of the 1960s (he had taken power in 1959). Somehow, though, his regime survived another 40 years.
Our recent holiday was (mainly) wonderful. We were two parents, accompanied by our 25-year-old son and 23-year-old daughter. In Old Havana we stayed in a casa particular (private homestay) with sweaty nights due to power cuts.
Our guide, surprisingly free-speaking, led us through pretty Spanish colonial streets and palaces with cool interior colonnades. Parts of the old city were pathetically rundown. Buildings were known to collapse but, as our guide explained: 'Why keep them up if you can't own them?'
We rode in classic American cars, a Chevy and a Cadillac, past neo-baroque and art deco facades down on to the Malecon, the shorefront promenade, and inland to the lugubrious Plaza de la Revolucion. The car owner, we heard, earned more in two days driving tourists than he did in a month as a professor at a hospital.
Members of the communist party were leaving the island, he confided. Even they saw no future.
Trinidad, a town close to the south coast, is brightly painted, cobbled and beautiful. After dinner in a forested courtyard, we stumbled upon an open-air concert on the square beneath the main church. Next morning, in the Escambray Mountains, we hiked in a magical hidden valley, where dragonflies darted over crystalline pools.
Cuba certainly has beaches. Our north coast hotel stood on miles of superb coral sand. We enjoyed two days of reading and swimming. But my wife's requests for replacement lighting went unanswered. I suspected there were no spare bulbs.
Returning to Havana, we stayed at the Nacional, a wedding cake of a hotel by the Malecon where staff tell you how Frank Sinatra met his mafia friends via a secret passage. Unbelievably, at Cuba's flagship hotel, all payments had to be in advance. We could not even run a bar tab.
It was hopeless, requiring constant visits to the cashier, where only swiping cards worked – no chip and pin.
And the poor pool woman pleaded with us to return our towels. Perhaps she was forced to pay for items that went missing.
But each frustration had its corresponding delight. At New Year's Eve, at La Guarda, a lovely, crumbling traditional townhouse made famous by the 1993 film Fresa y Chocolate, we devoured a nine-course tasting menu, before being asked by a waiter: 'Shall I show you to your table?' He then took us to a rooftop terrace
there is no electricity and people go hungry. Where America's crackdown will lead is anyone's guess. Regime change, perhaps.
For now, Cuba remains the enigma of the Caribbean, by turns tricky for tourists but full of charm and interest too.
QUIET LIFE: The pretty Spanish colonial town of Trinidad
where party hats and rum were awaiting us, along with a 13-piece salsa band. Fantastic.
If Cuba is frustratingly illogical as a visitor, Cubans themselves surely deserve better. And the benefits of the revolution, the education and healthcare, are hard to justify when
An eight-day 'Beautiful Cuba' tour is from £1,195pp, visiting Havana, Trinidad, Cien Fuegos and Vinales, excluding flights, from about £800pp return (intrepidtravel.com). E-visas cost from £35 (evisacuba.cu/en/inicio). See the Cuba page of gov.uk.
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另一项全包福利是租车——我们乘坐一辆免费的电动 Mini Countryman 去探索 45 分钟车程外的
哈尼亚（Chania）的鹅卵石街道。不过，我们必须在儿童剧院的晚间演出前赶回来。
所有 Ikos 度假村在希腊（六家）和西班牙（两家）的各处地点都遵循类似的理念。
这里并不便宜，而且度假村在数月前就会被订满，但你的钱能换来充足的五星级价值。
📄 Original Section
Mon 24 St. George's, Grenada
Tue 25 Castries, St. Lucia
Elements of French influence can be seen throughout Castries, from its wonderful fusion food to colonial style architecture. Not to mention the French-based Creole language that you'll hear as you explore
Thu 27 A town steeped in history, surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty with plenty to see and do, Bridgetown is the perfect location to enjoy a generous helping of Caribbean charm and culture
\- Beverage Collection including Beers, Spirits and liqueurs, Wines, cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beverages
Essential Wi-Fi
\- Speciality Dining Credit worth up to \$140, covering the cost of premium dishes that incur a supplement
\- Essential Wi-Fi
Thu 3 Basseterre, St. Kitts
Fri 4 Road Town, Tortola
Fri 11 Funchal, Madeira
Enchanting towns and villages, breathtaking landscapes, a spectacular array of unique flora, and delicious local wines are awaiting your discovery on a cruise to the Portuguese islands of Madeira
Tue 15 Arrive in Southampton
Dates not mentioned will be spent relaxing at sea | STATEROOM/SUITE | FULL BOARDFARE (PP) | ALL-INCFARE FROM (PP) | Inside | £4,199 | £5,949 | Oceanview | £4,799 | £6,549 | Balcony† | £5,039 | £6,789 | Club Balcony | £8,099 | £9,849 | Princess Grill | £12,629 | £14,379 | Queens Grill | £15,099 | £16,849 | Solo fares are available from £8,479
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香港、韩国与日本探索之旅
乘坐 REGATTA 号启航
Cruise club UK 独家提供
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📄 Original Section
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📄 Original Section
The ALL-inclusive family holiday that lives up to the hype
OR months before we cracked and booked an Ikos holiday, it felt like the only game in town. You might not have heard of the brand, but
I could have sworn half of our London neighbourhood – mostly young families – were either heading off on one of these luxury all-inclusives or had just come back from one. The feedback was always the same: exceptional food and entertainment, and even better service.
Could it live up to the hype?
The bar is set high as soon as we arrive in Ikos's newest resort, Kissamos in Crete.
In the lobby we're greeted by Alexander, our personal concierge for the stay, who seems genuinely thrilled to meet our five-year-old son and six-month-old daughter.
The thing about Ikos – which families really rave about – is that it really is all included. The transfer, concierge and emergency room service are just the start.
For two frazzled parents, the joy
By Herbie Leonard
of this arrangement really hits home at the restaurants, where menus are crafted by chefs with Michelin pedigree. There are seven options – enough for a different venue each evening.
Our favourite is La Plage, serving French cuisine. There's also an Asian-themed restaurant, a classic Italian, Peruvian Azul and a Cretan eatery, Kriti.
One evening we put our eldest in the kids' supper club, hoping for a quiet meal. But half an hour into our dinner at Italian restaurant Fresco, disaster strikes: the baby is wailing and we must decamp to our room.
But one word to the waiter and the dishes are couriered to our balcony. The evening and my duck ragout are saved.
Another all-inclusive perk is car hire – and we take a complimentary electric Mini Countryman to explore the cobbled streets of
Chania, 45 minutes away. We have to be back for the evening show at the kids' theatre, though.
All Ikos resorts follow a similar ethos at their locations across Greece (six) and Spain (two).
It isn't cheap, and the resorts get booked up months in advance, but there's plenty of five-star value for
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📄 Original Section
TRAVEL FACTS
All-inclusive stays at Ikos Kissamos cost from about £400 a night in a double room. The resort opens for the 2027 season on April 29. Guests who book directly for five nights or more receive complimentary return private airport transfers. To book, visit ikosresorts.com.
your money. Kissamos only opened in April, but you wouldn't know it.
Staff are eager to impress, and everyone from the cleaners to resort manager Ioannis greets us each day with a friendly ‘kalimera’.
Our only sadness is missing out on the fire show at Azul, the
Peruvian restaurant, due to a booking mix-up.
As we prepare to leave, we chat to a family of three from Bedfordshire, who tell us this is their sixth Ikos holiday in four years. They're addicted, they say. It's the same familiar refrain we heard back home. Now we know why.
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寻找您的度假灵感...
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📄 Original Section
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From the vibrant streets of Hong Kong to the tropical beauty of Ishigaki and the scenic landscapes of Jeju Island, this captivating voyage combines fascinating cultures, iconic sights and stunning coastlines, all enjoyed in the luxurious comfort of Regatta.
Flights from the UK to Hong Kong and returning from Tokyo
BONUS 2 Night Premium Hotel Stay to explore Hong Kong
14 Night Cruise onboard Regatta from Hong Kong to Tokyo
Flights, 2 nights 4★ Auckland hotel, 15 nights motorhome hire sleeping up to 4, Abel Tasman Scenic Cruise, Walk & Kayak Tour, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Admission, Fox and Franz Josef Glacier Landing by Helicopter, Interislander Ferry transfer and 1 night 4★ Christchurch hotel
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寻找您的 2027 / 28 年手册假期...
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📄 Original Section
Great Value Garden Route & Safari, South Africa
12 nights from £2,149 $^{◇}$ Plus ZAR 659pp payable locally
Flights, 3★ to 4★ hotels, 9 days car hire, 2 Day Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, Franschhoek Wine Tram, Cango Caves Tour, Meerkat Safari, 2 Half Day Pumba Safari Experiences, 10 meals and private arrival transfer
10 nights from £1,399 $^{†}$ Flights with Qatar Airways, 4 nights 4★ Ubud hotel, 6 nights 4★ Bali beach resort, breakfast and private transfers
Explore the cultural and artistic hub of Bali, including jaw-dropping landscapes and quaint villages • Relax on Bali's glorious white sand beaches
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秘鲁：从亚马逊到安第斯山脉
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📄 Original Section
Essential Vietnam & Cambodia 17 nights from £2,399 $^{♦}$
Flights with Qatar Airways, 1 night pre-tour hotel and 17 day guided small group adventure tour incl 14 nights hotels, 1 night junk boat, 1 night sleeper train, shared transport, tour leader, activities/excursions & 20 meals
Australia's Sydney Rock & Reef 14 nights from £3,549 $^{◇}$
Flights with Qatar Airways, 5 nights 4★+ Sydney hotel, Introduction to Sydney Tour, Hop-On Hop-Off Sydney Bus Tour, 3 nights Uluru hotel, Uluru & Kata Tjuta NP Pass, Uluru Base & Sunset Tour, 6 nights 4★ Port Douglas hotel, Outer Barrier Reef Cruise, Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest Tour and selected transfers
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终极温哥华岛与阿拉斯加邮轮 20 晚起价 3,299 英镑^
直飞航班、2 晚 4★ 温哥华酒店、温哥华单车之旅、7 晚荷美号（Holland America Line）邮轮（含全餐）、11 晚房车租赁及轮渡接送
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📄 Original Section
Classic Sri Lanka & Beach 15 nights from £2,249 $^{♦}$
Flights with Qatar Airways, 9 day private tour incl 8 nights 3★ to 4★ hotels, private driver/guide, selected sightseeing & breakfast, 7 nights 4★ beach resort incl breakfast and private airport transfer
\- Visit the Cultural Triangle, the hill country town of Kandy and lush tea plantations
价格为每人价格（基于两人分担房费），包含从伦敦出发的航班（详情请致电），视供应情况而定，且适用于未来 6 周内的选定出发日期，但以下日期除外：#21 Nov - 15 Dec 26 †† Jan - 31 Mar 27 †1 Apr - 30 Jun 27 †- 30 Jul 27 ^1 Sep - 30 Nov 27。\*价格基于 2 名成人及 2 名 12 岁以下儿童出行。酒店、邮轮、旅游和航班价格为动态价格，根据消费者需求和旅行季节实时波动。酒店、邮轮、旅游和航班价格为动态价格，根据消费者需求和旅行季节实时波动。价格不含任何适用的当地税费。所有信息在 9 Oct 26 印刷时均准确无误。
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📄 Original Section
Galápagos Cruise: In Darwin's Footsteps 8 nights from £8,499^
Flights, 2 nights Quito hotel, 6 night cruise with HX Expeditions incl full board, selected drinks, daily sea and land excursions led by the team of expedition experts, daily re-caps and lectures, a complimentary backpack, HX water bottle, gratuities and transfers
Flights, 1 night pre-tour hotel and 12 day guided small group adventure tour incl 6 nights hotels, 3 nights camping, 2 nights Amazon lodge, shared transport, tour leader, activities/excursions & 12 meals
SPECIAL OFFER Room discount – saving £350 per person
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Ultimate Vancouver Island & Alaska Cruise 20 nights from £3,299^
Direct flights, 2 nights 4★ Vancouver hotel, Vancouver by Bike Tour, 7 night Holland America Line cruise incl full board, 11 night motorhome hire and ferry transfers
Prices are per person based on twin share including flights from London (call for details), are subject to availability & valid for selected departures in the next 6 weeks except #21 Nov - 15 Dec 26 †† Jan - 31 Mar 27 †1 Apr - 30 Jun 27 †- 30 Jul 27 ^1 Sep - 30 Nov 27. \*Price based on 2 adults & 2 children under 12 travelling, Hotel, cruise, tour and flight prices are dynamic, fluctuating in real time according to consumer demand and the season of travel. Hotel, cruise, tour and flight prices are dynamic, fluctuating in real time according to consumer demand and the season of travel. Prices exclude any applicable local taxes and fees. All information correct at time of going to print on 9 Oct 26.
The watch is connected to UK mobile networks, which means it has an unlimited range in the UK
Picture: YOURSTRIDE
A ROUND two million older people in the UK now use personal alarms to summon help if they have a fall.
But pull cords and red buttons only work when you are at home, while statistics show that 48 per cent of falls happen outside.
Now, a discreet and stylish new type of personal alarm is helping people to stay active as well as independent.
The YourStride alarm looks and functions like a smart watch and has an activity tracker to track your steps, measure heart rate and even blood pressure.
And on the screen, there's a button which you can use to summon help wherever you are in the country.
One grateful user, Gillian, says her watch has changed her life. Two years ago, she fell and
broke her hip and her local authority installed a red button-style alarm in her home.
'The problem is, this alarm only works if I'm in the house, it's no good if I'm in the garden, so I felt trapped indoors – and it made me feel old!' she says. 'But this watch has given me my freedom back.
'If I fall when I'm out, I just press a button on the watch and one of the lovely ladies who answers the calls will alert my named contacts or the emergency services.'
The watch is connected to UK mobile networks, which means it has an unlimited range in the UK.
Tap the button and your location is immediately sent to the monitoring team (who are available 24/7) and who can chat to you via a built-in speaker and microphone.
At £59.99 for the stylish and discreet watch and £17.99 per month for the SOS service, YourStride is cheaper than most personal alarm systems and it means you can
enjoy independence, with confidence that help is on hand anywhere you go.
Visit yourstride.com for more information or call 0203 868 5575
As the nights draw in, don't let eye strain follow
Picture: SERIOUS READERS
WITH shorter autumn evenings, the simple pleasure of reading or enjoying a hobby is often cut short by a familiar frustration: aching eyes and a building headache. We tend to blame age or fatigue, accepting it as an inevitable part of getting older.
This is often incorrect. The true culprit is frequently overlooked: the quality of the light itself.
Not all artificial light is the same. Many standard household LEDs, while bright, produce an imbalanced and incomplete spectrum. They often contain a harsh spike of blue light which can create a subtle, straining glare within the eye. More importantly, they are often deficient in the deep-red end of the spectrum.
This lack of red light is critical. Our eyes rely on these wavelengths to perceive sharp contrast. Without them, the brain receives an incomplete picture. Black text on a white page can appear faded and grey, forcing the muscles in your eyes to work constantly to bring the words into focus. This sustained effort is a direct cause of eye strain.
For tasks that demand close focus, the solution is to use a dedicated task light that produces a full, balanced spectrum – one that closely mimics the properties of natural daylight. By providing your eyes with the complete visual information they need, a full-spectrum light allows them to relax.
Words regain their sharpness, colours appear true, and the ability to concentrate for longer periods in comfort is restored. So, before you blame your eyes this winter, first look at the light you are asking them to work in.
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Emergency help at your fingertips with the YourStride Fall Alarm Watch
Peace of mind,
wherever life takes you
Be covered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At home, in the garden, or out and about.
With just the push of a button you will be connected to our UK-based emergency support team for a two-way conversation. They will then send help to your location.
11:27
16-01-2023
24/7 EMERGENCY HELP - INDOORS AND OUTDOORS
★★★★★ UK's HIGHEST RATED PERSONAL ALARM SERVICE
FEATURING AUTOMATIC FALL DETECTION
If the YourStride watch detects a fall, you will be connected to our experienced 24/7 monitoring team. You can manually call by pressing the SOS button on the front of the watch.
As 48% of falls occur outside, YourStride's fall alarm watch has been designed to work both indoors and outdoors. Stay active, socialise with friends, and even climb mountains with YourStride!
YourStride is a comfy, lightweight wristwatch with a clear time and date display. Alongside the SOS button and automatic fall detection, it monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and has a built-in step-counter.
The YourStride watch operates entirely on its own, independent of Wi-Fi or a landline. As a result, you can confidently access the help you need at home, in the garden, or out and about.
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您一直渴望的额外空间
新建一座阳光房可以创造出用于放松、娱乐或居家办公的空间，而成本仅为传统扩建工程的一小部分。
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“看到它搭建得如此之快，我非常满意。从基础工程到玻璃屋顶，一周内就完工了。”
斯利特夫人 – 法纳姆
山墙前脸阳光房 5.5m x 4m
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📄 Original Section
HOW THE ALARM SERVICE WORKS
Press the SOS button or have the watch detect a fall
Our team speaks to you through the watch to understand what has happened
We will send help to your location (named contacts or the emergency services)
We will keep your contacts updated with information as required
The YourStride watch is just £59.99 with 24/7 emergency help for £17.99/month. Fall detection add-on +£2/month. All on a flexible, rolling contract with no minimum term.
TO ORDER
call: 020 3885 0603
or visit: www.YourStride.com
Picture: HOTTER SHOES
Comfort, quality and timeless design from busy mornings to relaxed weekends
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只需选择您的设计并选定尺寸，即可通过我们的在线报价引擎立即查看价格。
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Designed for every occasion: footwear that fits your life
STEP out in style with a collection designed to keep pace with every part of your life.
From busy mornings to relaxed weekends and special evenings out, every pair effortlessly combines comfort, quality, and timeless design in both seasonal and classic colours.
For her, bestsellers like the Leanne II sporty trainer bring classic comfort and everyday versatility – perfect for running errands or casual meet-ups.
The Chase II trainer (pictured in chocolate and soft blue), with its clever adjustable laces and handy side zip, offers a modern twist on practicality, ideal for days when you're always on the move.
For cooler weather, the Whisper boot with twin zips makes slipping in and out effortless, pairing beautifully with jeans or dresses for day-to-night wear.
When the occasion calls for understated elegance, the Robyn
II ballerina pump is a timeless option, easy to dress up or down.
For him, the Energise adjustable casual is a go-to choice for everyday wear. For comfort that lasts from morning commutes to evening get-togethers, it's a style that never lets you down.
Wherever the season takes you – work, weekends, evenings, or simply time at home – this collection has the perfect fit for every occasion.
For more information, visit hotter.com or call 01695 797979
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我们提供多种灵活的付款方案，让您梦想中的阳光房成为现实。
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Bathe with support and ease
NEED assistance getting in and out of the bath? Let a bath lift make it less of a struggle.
A belt lift comes as a rechargeable, battery-powered unit, is easy to use and can be installed by fitters in an hour.
With this type of lift, a wide belt extends from the unit across the bath and is secured to the floor on the other side.
When operated, it will lower you gently into and lift you out of the water in a comfortable, seated
position, taking you right to the bottom of the bath. The Dolphin Batheasy™ bath lift (pictured) even monitors the water temperature, ensuring you never accidentally get into a boiling hot bath and get scalded.
Operate it simply by pushing buttons on the front of the unit or by using the handheld, waterproof remote control.
When it's time to get out, just press the button and the bath lift will raise you gently out of the
water as it retracts. Once back in a seated position, you can transfer out of your bath safely, easily and without fuss.
A bath lift from a trusted company such as Dolphin Bathing is ideal for anyone with reduced body strength or stiff joints who would like some help getting into the bath but would prefer to keep their bathroom as it is.
For further information on the Batheasy™ bath lift call 0800 011 4378
Picture: DOLPHIN BATHING
WHISPER
A bestselling ankle boot with cushioned insoles, integrated fatigue-reducing and signature ruched detailing, finished with twin zips for easy on and off.
This offer entitles the customer to purchase selected colours of Whisper at £65, a saving of £34 off RRP with code WH34JX, subject to availability. Offer valid until 10th November 2026. For full T&C's, visit hotter.com/page/terms-conditions
Bathe in luxury, comfort and safety once again!
British designed and manufactured
\- Safely lowers and raises you at the click of a button
\- Battery operated, no wiring or cables just recharge every 7-10 days
\- Belt retracts into cassette for normal bath use for other family members
\- Stud walls no problem
Dolphin bathing For a FREE brochure call us on: 0800 011 4574
Normally fitted in under an hour
TRY IT OUT!
WITH A FREE 'DRY'
HOME DEMO
ALSO, ASK ABOUT OUR RANGE OF MOBILITY SCOOTERS AND STAIRLIFTS.
Dolphin, Britains household name in mobility
Mail Shop | Seating
FREE DELIVERY to UK mainland\*
ONLY
£629.99
Was £1,389.99
SAVE £760
专属客户顾问
单一联系点，负责跟进您的阳光房项目，从下单到完工全程服务。
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Langley Electric Riser Recliner with Massage and Heat
The Langley is an electrically operated rise and recline chair with integrated massage and heat functions. Constructed from a solid, hardwood frame and upholstered in a durable bonded leather, with some faux leather used on low-stress areas. The chair's interior is a combination of pocket-sprung units and foam to give balance between comfort and support.
The strong recline mechanism supports up to 140kg and is powered by two motors to allow the user to operate the footrest and the recline functions independently.
Dimensions: H96 W86 D93cm
\- Two-man delivery — white-glove delivery service, which includes room of choice delivery and assembly of product. This is free of charge apart from selected postcodes. Please view our delivery information for postcodes which may incur a surcharge
\- Mobility aid – customers may be eligible for VAT relief
Shop now at www.mailshop.co.uk/langley or call 0330 230 0309 (Mon-Fri)
由我们制造
内部制造以确保完整的质量控制。您也可以安排参观我们的工厂展厅。
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The bright new heart of the home
Picture: CONSERVATORYLAND
O NCE seen as little more than a glass box added to the back of a house,
the modern conservatory has quietly undergone a remarkable transformation. No longer simply an extra room, it has become a flexible living space that reflects changing lifestyles and a growing desire for brighter, healthier homes.
One of the strongest trends is the rise of indoor-outdoor living. Expansive glazing, bifold doors and uninterrupted garden views are helping homeowners create spaces that effortlessly connect house and garden, making everything from family barbecues to evening entertaining feel more relaxed and sociable.
At the same time, conservatories are increasingly being designed with wellbeing in mind.
Flooded with natural light, they provide an ideal setting for yoga, reading, quiet reflection or simply enjoying a morning coffee, offering a welcome retreat from the pace of everyday life.
Nature is also moving indoors through the continued popularity of biophilic design. Houseplants, natural timber, earthy colours and organic textures are creating interiors that feel calm, restorative and closely linked to the surrounding landscape.
Flexibility remains another defining feature. Today's conservatory may serve as a home office during the day, a family snug in the evening and an entertaining space at weekends. This ability to adapt has made it one of the hardest-working rooms in the home.
Interior design is evolving too. Warm minimalism is replacing cooler, clinical aesthetics, with soft furnishings, gentle lighting and natural materials bringing comfort and character without sacrificing contemporary style.
Perhaps most significantly, homeowners are no longer seeking extra square footage for its own sake.
Instead, they are creating lifestyle spaces that encourage relaxation, connection and everyday enjoyment. In that respect, the conservatory has emerged not as an afterthought, but as one of the most desirable and adaptable spaces in the modern British home.
For further information call 0800 952 8000 or visit conservatoryland.com
庆祝 25 周年
自 2000年以来，我们凭借 $25+ 年值得信赖的工艺和专业知识，交付了高质量的阳光房。
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Keep the fun going with the grandkids throughout half-term
Picture: HUMFREE MOBILITY
ACCORDING to Age UK, around five million grandparents in Britain take on regular childcare tasks and responsibilities.
If you're one of them, you'll know there's nothing like spending quality time with your grandkids. But running around with them all day? That can be tiring enough for parents, let alone for grandparents.
When you're not quite as quick on your feet as you used to be, getting around more easily can make a huge difference. After all, looking after the kids should be all about the fun.
That's where Humfree comes in. This Bristol-based brand designs mobility scooters that help you get the most out of the everyday – as life is for thriving, not just surviving.
With six lightweight, portable, and easy-to-lift models to choose from, including a powerchair and the brand's innovative Connect®, Humfree's scooters make being out and about that bit easier.
Whether you're exploring the great outdoors, being dragged around the local shopping centre, or simply letting the grandkids take you wherever the day leads, a Humfree scooter helps you stay out a little longer, do a little more and go a little further.
Without the stress of getting around, you can focus on what really matters – making memories with the little ones.
To learn more about the range, visit humfree.co.uk or call 0800 999 2152
HALF PRICE\* HURRY LIMITED TIME ONLY
A SCOOTER
YOU CAN
ACTUALLY LIFT
The Connect scooter slips into the boot, lifts out with ease, and goes wherever the mood takes you. Market mornings, park strolls, popping round to see friends – it’s all within reach. So... where next?
Repair or replace guarantee
Designed in the UK
Quickest FREE Delivery 1–3 days
Only available at Humfree
Longest FREE warranty: 2 years
As seen on TV
Available in two colours
FREE engineer call-outs
Humfree®
Portable scooters. Endless possibilities.
Two parts make light work of it
Call today for your FREE brochure
0800 999 2152
\*Buy one get one half price, terms and conditions apply
OR GO ONLINE AT HUMFREE.CO.UK Quote Code: 4126HP2
ConservatoryLand®
More light. More space. More living.
Trustpilot 4.9 优秀
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The extra space you've always wanted
A new conservatory creates space for relaxation, entertaining or a home office at a fraction of the cost of a traditional extension.
10% OFF
ORDER BY 31/10/26
FOR CHRISTMAS
INSTALLATION
QUOTE: MOS4126
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
“I was very pleased to see how quickly it was put up. From ground works to the glass roof, it was finished in a week.”
Mrs Sleater – Farnham
Gable Front Conservatory 5.5m x 4m
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评级：优秀
我们在 Trustpilot 上的优秀评分反映了数百名客户对我们产品质量、贴心服务和沟通的赞赏。
使用我们简单的在线报价引擎，设计您的梦想阳光房。
如需获取即时价格或免费手册，请访问：ConservatoryLand.com
或致电：0800 952 8000 线路 7 天开放 报价码：MOS4126
扫描此处获取您的即时报价
📄 Original Section
Transparent pricing
Simply choose your design and select your size to see your price instantly, using our online quote engine.
Our excellent Trustpilot score reflects hundreds of customer reviews praising our product quality, helpful service and communication.
Design your dream conservatory using our simple online quote engine.
For an instant price or a FREE brochure visit: ConservatoryLand.com
Or call: 0800 952 8000 Lines open 7 days QUOTE: MOS4126
SCAN HERE FOR YOUR INSTANT QUOTE
我终于再次感觉回到了正常状态
“当它们寄到时，我简直不敢相信它们看起来和穿起来竟然这么好。
“它们柔软、舒适、隐蔽，且贴身合适，没有臃肿感。
“但更重要的是，很久以来，我终于再次感觉回到了正常状态。
“我不再时刻担心漏尿会渗到裤子上，或者被别人注意到。
“我现在白天穿 Daily 款，晚上穿 Max 高吸水款。
“谢天谢地，从那以后我再也没有出过一次尴尬的意外。”
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"I Stopped Playing Golf After One Very Embarrassing Accident" (For privacy purposes we have used a model's photo for David)
David Phillips says Securi-Briefs keep him dry all day long and without odour problems
DAVID PHILLIPS had always loved his golf. Since retiring, he played several times a week and enjoyed nothing more than getting out on the course with his friends. But one humiliating incident on the 18th hole changed everything.
"I'd had the odd little dribble now and then, but nothing prepared me for what happened that afternoon," says David.
"One of the lads was lining up his putt when Ben quietly walked over and muttered, 'Dave... mate... I think you've been caught out.'
"I thought he was accusing me of cheating, but then he nodded down towards my trousers.
"I looked down and was shocked to see a huge wet patch right across the front of my trousers. Not a little mark – properly wet. I was mortified.
"Thank God I was at the 18th hole – I couldn't get back to the car quick enough.
"Ben was brilliant about it. He quietly said, 'Don't worry Dave, I'll tell the lads you felt unwell.'
"I muttered, 'Cheers Ben,' and hurried to my car."
"A couple of months later Carol persuaded me to go back to the golf club so I could swing a few shots on the driving range.
"I was getting my clubs out of the boot when I heard someone shout, 'About time you showed your face again!'
"Of course it was Ben.
"I laughed awkwardly and said, 'Yeah... I've been busy with things.'
"He looked at me and then quietly said, 'Dave, I know what you're going through. I have exactly the same problem. I've had some terrible accidents over the years.'
"I honestly couldn't believe it. Ben always seemed so confident and laid-back. I'd never have guessed in a million years he struggled with bladder leaks too."
“Ben told me he’d tried pads, disposable pants, different brands – but hated most of them.
"Then he said, 'The only things that properly worked for me were Securi-Briefs. Honestly mate, I wish I'd found them sooner. They gave me my confidence back.'"
"He explained: ‘they look and feel like ordinary underwear but have built-in absorbent protection that stops leaks before they show through.’"
"He also liked the fact they're
washable and reusable.
"Before he left he said, 'Listen Dave, don't let this stop you living your life. Give them a try.'
"That night I ordered a few pairs. They had a great 5 pair offer so I stocked up."
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限时优惠 - 立省 £210！
隆重推出
Ryobi 36V
MAX POWER
无线
无刷
吹叶机
以实惠的价格提供专业级的汽油动力 这款无线吹叶机的威力比龙卷风还要强大！
最先进的电机技术、电子设备和电池性能，应对所有花园任务。
289.7km / h 风速
当涉及到清理落叶、碎片和剪下的草坪时，这款花园工具绝不敷衍。为您介绍 RYOBI 36V MAX POWER 无线无刷 WHISPER™ 吹叶机。
更多动力 / 更长运行时间
更长的电机寿命
市面上有很多吹叶机。但有些吹叶机会让你停下脚步并为之瞩目。
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📄 Original Section
I finally felt normal again
"When they arrived, I couldn't believe how good they looked and felt.
"They were soft, comfortable, discreet and fitted properly without feeling bulky.
"But more importantly, for the first time in ages I finally felt normal again.
"I wasn't constantly worrying about leaks showing through my trousers or people noticing anything.
"I now wear the Daily ones during the day and the Max absorbency ones overnight.
"And thankfully, I haven't had a single embarrassing accident since."
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惊人的风速
带有可变速度触发器的 LOCK-ON 定速巡航
凭借高达 289.7km / h 的惊人风速，这款吹叶机提供了足以击败汽油机的强劲性能，能将最棘手的花园清理工作变成一项极其快速的任务。
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📄 Original Section
Back on the golf course
"These days I'm back playing golf regularly and enjoying life again. I'm no longer planning every journey around toilets or worrying about getting caught out again.
"And the funny thing is, since opening up about it, I've realised just how many blokes of my age quietly struggle with the same problem.
“Most men are simply too embarrassed to talk about it. If sharing my story helps somebody else get their confidence back sooner than I did, then it’s worth it.”
"Believe me, accidents and leaks don't have to take over your life. Discovering Securi-Briefs changed everything for me." ■ Securi-Briefs are available exclusively from Active Direct from £29.95 a pair. However, during this promotional campaign, you can get 5 PAIRS FOR THE PRICE OF 3. Order now on freephone 0808 208 3101.
MENS | WHITE | ✕ | BLACK | ✕ | Post to: Active Direct, Discount Code SB625, Unit 9, Romsey Ind. Est., Greatbridge Rd, Romsey S051 OHR
□ I enclose a cheque/PO payable to Active Direct for £
□ Charge my credit/debit card (tick): □ VISA □ MasterCard □ = Size Out of Stock Please add £3.95 P&P TOTAL £
IMPORTANT: Please Include In case we need to contact you about your delivery:
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Pro-like petrol power at an affordable price The Cordless Blower that's more powerful than a tornado!
The most advanced motor technology, electronics & battery performance to tackle all garden tasks.
289.7km/h AIR SPEED
When it comes to clearing leaves, debris and grass cuttings, this is one garden tool that doesn't believe in doing things by halves. Meet the RYOBI 36V MAX POWER Cordless Brushless WHISPER™ Leaf Blower.
MORE POWER | MORE RUNTIME
LONGER MOTOR LIFE
There are leaf blowers. And then there are leaf blowers that make you stop and take notice.
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一个电池平台，多种可能性。此外还有实用
您所需的所有动力。
36V MAX POWER 充电器
更安静的性能
零排放
节省
时间、金钱
以及保护
环境
无需发动机维护
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Astonishing air speed
LOCK-ON Cruise Control with variable speed trigger
With an astonishing air speed of up to 289.7km/h, this Leaf Blower delivers the kind of serious, petrol-beating performance that can transform even the most stubborn garden clear-up into a remarkably quick job.
Wet leaves clinging stubbornly to the lawn? Grass cuttings scattered across the patio? Garden debris gathering in all the usual hard-to-reach places?
This is where serious blowing power comes into its own. At the heart of this Leaf Blower is RYOBI's high-performance
Motor, engineered to deliver professional-like power without the professional price tag. In other words, you get pro-power without the cost – and without having to buy a petrol-powered machine.
And that is where this cordless powerhouse really starts to make sense.
Because alongside its impressive power and speed comes complete battery convenience. No petrol to buy, store or mix. No mains cable trailing behind you. Simply fit the battery, pick it up and get to work.
It's the kind of freedom that makes tackling the garden considerably easier. And with petrol-beating performance on tap, there's no need to assume that cordless means compromising on power. But perhaps the most surprising thing about this powerhouse is what you don't hear.
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3 年\* 保修
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📄 Original Section
Shhh! Don't disturb the neighbours
Despite its formidable performance, the Max Power 36V Leaf Blower incorporates RYOBI's WHISPER™
technology, designed to reduce noise emissions. So while the leaves may be flying, you don't necessarily need to make the whole neighbourhood aware that you're doing battle with the garden.
It's a clever combination of serious power, cordless convenience and reduced noise – something traditional high-performance blowers haven't always been able to offer.
And this isn't simply a machine that operates at one speed. This Leaf Blower gives you the choice of Max Power and Max Runtlme modes, allowing you to select the performance you need for the job in hand. The variable-speed trigger also provides greater control, whether you're gently moving a scattering
unleashing maximum power on a more demanding pile of debris. Then there's that headline-grabbing figure again.
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扫描立即购物
仅限英国免费配送
促销代码 PR5605
订单：MT030 抓绒内里长裤
📄 Original Section
Air Speed of 289.7km/h and combined with Air Volume of 22.7m³ per/min, makes this the most powerful DIY blower on the market, bar none!
That's an extraordinary amount of airflow for a cordless garden tool, and it explains why this Leaf Blower is built for much more than tidying up a few leaves. It's designed for homeowners who want professional-like performance, tackle stubborn debris and get larger areas cleared quickly – without the cost, hassle and maintenance associated with petrol. And because this Leaf Blower is part of the RYOBI 36V MAX POWER system, the battery can be used across a range of compatible garden tools.
touches that make a difference when you're actually using the machine, including a rubber-tipped nozzle and removable nozzle for easier storage. So, perhaps the real story isn't simply that this is a cordless leaf blower. It's that cordless garden technology has come a very long way. With tornado-like speed, petrol-beating performance, professional-like power, complete battery convenience and WHISPER™ technology, the Max Power 36V Leaf Blower proves that serious garden power no longer has to mean petrol.
When the leaves need moving, this is one storm you definitely want in your garden.
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抓绒内里斜纹棉布裤
隐形腰部
调节扣可提供 2"
额外伸展空间
海军蓝
超级
舒适
抓绒
内里
松针绿
黑色
三种
长度
腰围 尺寸 原价 特惠 节省
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STARTER KIT INCLUDES:
36V MAX POWER
Brushless Leaf Blower
(RY36BLXC-140)
36V 4AH MAX POWER Battery
THE RYOBI® 36V MAX POWER CORDLESS SYSTEM INCORPORATES THE MOST ADVANCED MOTOR TECHNOLOGY, ELECTRONICS & BATTERY PERFORMANCE TO TACKLE ALL GARDEN TASKS.
Subject to availability. \*Registration required for guarantee extension from 2 – 3 years. Register within 30 days of receipt of goods at RyobiTools.co.uk, †Free 3-5 day delivery to GB Mainland only. NI & Scottish Highlands charged at £5.99. Restricted delivery postcodes: IM, JE, GY, TR2. Your right to cancel will last for 14 days after receipt of goods. If you change your mind during this period, provided the goods remain unused & in original packaging, you can notify us of cancellation. Product sold by Techtronic Industries (UK) Limited, company registration: GB 551396338. All rights reserved. For full terms & conditions of sale please visit RyobiTools.co.uk. RYOBI is a Trade Mark of Ryobi Limited, and is used under license. Trustpilot score correct as of May 2026.
Chums - the UK's premiere men's trouser supplier have developed this all year round Chino with a warm fleece lining throughout, ensuring you stay toasty whatever the weather. What's more, Chums have added a discreet auto expanding waistband providing up to two inches of growing room for supreme comfort. These Chinos are created in pure cotton with a polyester fleece lining and are machine washable. Tailored with two side, one hip pocket and 2 button fastening back pockets. The perfect trouser for everyday
Dark Stone
AT AMAZING LOW PRICE WHEN YOU ORDER DIRECT FROM CHUMS - JUST £29.
Available in Pine, Charcoal, Navy, Black or Dark Stone. Leg Lengths 27", 29", 31".
ORDER ONLINE NOW — IT'S FAST, SAFE & EASY — FREE RETURNS
SHOP AT CHUMS.CO.UK/OFFERS
OR CALL 08715 267 166 Calls cost 13p per minute plus network extras
G Pay Apple Pay
FOR THESE GREAT OFFERS PLEASE QUOTE THIS SOURCE CODE MOS4126
Chums offer you FREE RETURNS and complete satisfaction if you want an exchange or your money back.
Personal shoppers welcome at our showroom. Open Mon – Weds 10am – 4pm. M57 Junction 4, off School Lane, Unity Grove, Knowsley Business Park, Liverpool L34 9AR.
ALL SIZES
NOW ONLY £29
FREE DELIVERY
FREE RETURNS
CUSTOMER RATED
feefo
Good well made trousers that keep you warm in the colder weather. They wash well and I don't have to iron them.
Chums Ltd., (Dept. MOS4126), P.O. Box 94, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1FG. Please send me item(s) indicated PLEASE USE BLOCK LETTERS | ITEM NUMBER | COLOUR | SIZE | INSIDE LEG | QTY | PRICE | SUB TOTAL
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SOURCE CODE MOS4126
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Write to: The Letters Editor, The Mail on Sunday, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY. Email: letters@mailonsunday.co.uk
减 £5
📄 Original Section
Are small boat arrivals forced to wear hijabs?
I was disappointed to read your report last Sunday on how in the past year the Government has distributed more than 1,000 hijabs to immigrants arriving on small boats.
While few would object to the basic human dignity of providing a reasonable allowance of clothing to new arrivals, it is a cause of concern that some of the women in receipt of head coverings will be from places where the wearing of the hijab is mandatory and, as such, may well feel pressured by their male relatives to wear it.
The Conservative Party missed the point by complaining about the relatively small cost to the taxpayer. Surely, the strongest opposition to this policy is that Britain is a Christian nation and should therefore not facilitate the wearing of a garment that many consider to be oppressive, is restricted by several European countries, and forms part of a culture whose values are inherently opposed to those of this country.
The Home Office has handed out 1,000 hijabs to illegal migrants. How long before it starts giving condoms to the men?
Paul Simpson,
Lewisham, London letters
Peter Hitchens wrote last Sunday that the current electoral system provides a ‘strong Opposition’. But Tony Blair, Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer had such huge majorities that each Opposition was toothless. The worst thing for the UK is a large majority.
A new system to prevent this
So Andy Burnham wants to adjust the triple lock on pensions to pay for social care while the Government is wasting money on hijabs for illegal migrants?
Chris Dymond,
Ebley, Gloucestershire
The news that the British taxpayers have to supply hijabs to Channel migrants raises one question. If the hijab is so vital to these women, why weren't they wearing them in the first place?
Michael Lynchehaun,
Wallasey, Wirral
When it comes to male illegal immigrants, I believe all those between the ages of 18 and 45 – regardless of how they enter the UK – should be drafted into the Army for a two-year period. If they successfully complete the situation, such as proportional representation, has to be good.
Dave Pottinger,
West Bromwich
Peter is correct that Burnham and Labour's Left want to abolish elections. This must not happen.
Nick Mills,
Over, Cambridgeshire
programme then they would be given permanent status in the United Kingdom.
If they decide they do not wish to enter into Army service for the two years, then they would immediately be removed from the UK and returned to their country of origin.
I believe this would slow down, if not stop, illegal immigrants coming into the UK. The money saved from not subsidising them and not paying for them to stay in hotels would more than cover the cost of being in the Army, and their numbers would also strengthen our Army reserves.
In addition, the programme would give an opportunity to introduce them to the British way of life and culture.
The Celebrity Traitors is back with Claudia Winkleman, above, and the first to exit the show by being ‘murdered’ was Amol Rajan, the former presenter of Radio 4’s Today. You reported that he said two other contestants, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, had an advantage as they have worked together a lot. ‘Rob and Romesh know one another very well,’ he said. ‘They are better at reading the other people if they know them well.’ After being ‘murdered’ by her close friend Alan Carr in the last series, I doubt Paloma Faith would agree!
Margaret Archard,
Coleorton, Leicestershire
Alexandra Shulman wrote last Sunday about how she tried to watch The Celebrity Traitors but managed only about 15 minutes. I am similar, preferring to view the treachery in the real world. Just look how Andy Burnham was once faithful to not only Keir Starmer but also Brexit.
Samuel Farooq,
Tooting, London
I wonder if the people of Makerfield would have been so quick to give Andy Burnham their vote if they knew how much he would go back on his word. Never mind No10, he should be in Claudia's turret.
J. Kennedy, Stockport
The Tory Party's one hope
Much was written last Sunday about the future of the Conservative Party. To greatly enhance their chance of success they must beg Boris Johnson to lead the party, as he is a guaranteed vote winner. Second, he should do a deal with Nigel Farage to unite the Right.
John Dorricott,
New Milton, Hampshire
Kemi Badenoch is in a tricky position, as she needs to win back Reform voters, and those on the extreme Right want easy answers. She needs to announce populist policies, but she can't, as they go against her Conservative values.
I wanted to write to thank you for publishing Natalie Lisbon's article last Sunday, 'The brave Gazans daring to condemn Palestinian schools that teach their children to “slit the throats of Israelis”... even in so-called grammar lessons'.
I found the testimony from Gazan parents and activists especially powerful. Hearing Palestinians themselves speak about their concerns over the glorification of violence, martyrdom and the messages children are exposed to made the article much harder to dismiss as simply another outside commentary on the conflict.
The reporting on military-style youth programmes and the examples cited from school textbooks were also deeply concerning. Whatever one's wider views on Israel and Gaza, surely everyone should
be able to agree that children deserve an education that gives them hope for a future beyond hatred and conflict?
I am grateful that you gave space to Palestinian voices willing to speak openly about these issues. I hope you will continue to publish careful, detailed reporting on subjects that are difficult but important to confront.
Angela Stott, address supplied
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财经 星期日邮报
衣橱故障如何造就了一位连裤袜大亨 第 82 页
📄 Original Section
PRIZE LETTER
Letter of the Week wins a two-night stay for two at Leonardo Hotels. Choose from any of its hotels across the UK only (two nights' B&B, T&Cs apply). Providing the perfect base for a city break or getaway, Leonardo Hotels offer comfortable and contemporary rooms complete with a bespoke DREAM bed for the most indulgent night's sleep. For the best rates, book online at leonardohotels.co.uk. Vouchers are valid for 12 months.
LEONARDO Hotels
钢铁巨头：在 190亿英镑 电力升级中选择英国制造
📄 Original Section
Reminder helped me remember
I thank the writer of last Sunday's prize letter about airport parking charges for saving me a hefty fine. I had just got in from dropping my son off at Luton airport when I read the letter, which explained how barrierless airport parking relies on people remembering to pay after they leave. I immediately abandoned my paper and paid my drop-off charge!
Tony Thompson,
Deddington, Oxfordshire
You reported last Sunday that academics are saying dogs should have seatbelts in cars, left. I agree. When I take my labradoodle in the car, I secure her properly. She's a big dog and if I was in an accident, not only could she face serious injury but the occupants of the car could too. I use a harness that keeps her safe if I brake suddenly. Having to use such things should be the law.
Abby George,
Denbigh, North Wales
Say bye to ‘guys’
Why is it that whenever I
go out to eat or drink these days, I am greeted by ‘Hi, guys’? I recently took my elderly mother with dementia out for a cream tea. Once again, it was ‘Hi, guys’. Mum is 84 and I am 60 and neither of us is male! What has happened to ‘sir/madam’? Times have changed, but I have to say, guys, not for the better.
What are your No7 must-haves? From skincare staples to make-up favourites, everyone has their No7 go-tos.
From everyday essentials to expert-led skincare, there's something for every beauty routine. And we're giving readers an extra helping hand this weekend – simply spend £7 or more on No7 at Boots and you'll get £5 off!
So whether you're stocking up on a favourite or fancy trying something new, simply cut out the voucher right and make the most of this special offer.
此举旨在安抚那些担心首相安迪·伯纳姆（Andy Burnham）计划将权力和资金转移到北方的投资者和选民，以推广他的 Turn to Page 80
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CARTOONS
FRED BASSET
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Offer valid until Saturday, October 17, 2026. To qualify you must spend £7 on selected No7 in a single transaction. Voucher may be used in conjunction with the 3-for-2 offer but cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon. Voucher can be spent on selected No7 Skincare, Cosmetics, Accessories, Men's, Self tan, Suncare and Luxury Bath & Body. Excludes Good Intent, Advent Calendars, regime deals, collections, gift sets, electrical beauty, beauty services, price reduced lines, and Christmas gifts marked with a green parcel sticker. Only one voucher can be redeemed per transaction. Voucher can only be redeemed in Boots stores. Voucher can only be used once. Voucher cannot be redeemed on Boots online service, or as part payment with Boots Advantage Card points. Some products may only be stocked in larger Boots stores. No cash alternative is available and voucher is non-transferable. Photocopies will not be accepted. Subject to availability. Full Boots Advantage Card terms and conditions apply, see boots.com for more details.
Present this voucher at checkout of a participating Boots store with your No7 products worth £7 or more until shop close on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Battered industry fights to be included in ‘Great Grid’ overhaul after wind farm contract snub
STEEL companies have issued a 'Buy British' call in response to concerns they could be shut out from the £19bn boost to the national power network.
The Great Grid Upgrade is designed to fuel the growth of artificial intelligence and will be the largest overhaul of the electricity transmission system in decades, supplying energy from new offshore wind and other renewable sources to new industrial sites and data centres.
Gareth Stace, director-general of the trade body UK Steel, said British firms must be given the chance to build the thousands of pylons needed for the 600 miles of new power lines planned.
‘We are saying this is a great opportunity, let’s not miss out,’ he told The Mail on Sunday.
Stace fears a repeat of the rush to build a new generation of wind farms when UK firms were largely excluded from the £32 billion of contracts handed out.
The electricity transmission network in England and Wales is owned by National Grid, the £56 billion FTSE 100 giant.
As a quoted company, National Grid is not bound by rules that compel public projects to use British-made steel unless there is a good reason not to do so.
But Stace said his members
By Richard Marsden
had not received any details of National Grid's procurement wish list, which would allow them to bid for contracts.
Ministers are under pressure to ‘buy British’, especially in sectors involving critical national infrastructure, but they are said to fear a negative reaction from the protectionist Trump administration in the US as geopolitical tensions rise.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham last month announced a state-
owned Great British Grid company to rival National Grid. It would be set up using £4 billion from the taxpayer-backed Great British Energy investment company with the aim of ‘increasing competition, driving down costs and speeding up connections’.
Veteran Labour MP Clive Betts, deputy chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, whose Sheffield constituency includes two steelworks, said: 'Where there is a national interest, there ought to be a requirement for both the customer to look seriously at British steel and British steel companies.'
The renewed call to focus on backing Britain comes as a key decision looms over a £2 billion contract for the next-generation Skynet military satellites.
European aerospace group Airbus, which employs about 14,000 in the UK, is up against US contractor Lockheed Martin for the Ministry of Defence deal.
There are also worries that UK firms will be overlooked for contracts to build small modular reactor nuclear power stations for Rolls-Royce after the engineer appointed Czech manufacturer Skoda and South Korea's Doosan as subcontractors.
The state-owned Forgemasters steelworks in Sheffield is in talks with both firms about making key components for the reactors.
A National Grid spokesman said: ‘We will continue to work with industry to maximise opportunities for British businesses as this programme progresses.’
A government spokesman added: 'We are focused on reindustrialisation, having already taken steps to protect UK steelmaking and strengthening our domestic supply chains, including for grid parts.'
[Unreadable]
GOING GLOBAL: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and the Universal Studios logo
COMCAST has pumped more than £250 million into its new Universal theme park in Bedford.
The US media giant's commitment ranks among the biggest investments ever made in British tourism, latest accounts show.
Built on the site of a former brickworks, the 540-acre venue is due to open its gates in 2031 with ambitious plans to rival Disneyland Paris as Europe's most popular entertainment resort.
The theme park will create 28,000 jobs and include a 500-room hotel, a shopping and dining district and rides believed to be based on the James Bond films, Jurassic World and Paddington Bear. The Government rolled out the red carpet to ensure Comcast chose a British site over other countries.
The theme park sits in the middle of the Oxford-to-Cambridge ‘growth corridor’ championed by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Ministers are reportedly planning to press ahead with plans to link the two cities with promised road and rail projects to create ‘Europe’s Silicon Valley’.
The move is designed to reassure investors and voters concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plans to shift power and money to the North to promote his Turn to Page 80
他还发起了一场利用 M&G 首字母缩写的新品牌活动。“Momentum and Growth”（动力与增长）是指投资于 Pragmatic 等公司的 1000亿英镑 资金。
“Moving and Grooving”（律动与摇摆）是对投资 Seeker Music 的致敬，这是一家总部位于洛杉矶的企业，由
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The music will stop – but when?
S
TAY invested or bunk out? And if you do sell your shares, where do you go? It's a twitchy, troubling time for anyone wondering what to do with their savings.
The market keeps hitting highs, and that has rescued the portfolios of the many investors who bought into the American dream.
The message on Friday from UBS, the Swiss financial group that is on most measures the world's largest wealth manager, is to ‘stay invested’. But there are plenty of experienced investors who feel it's time to row back, notably Ray Dalio, who created the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates.
He warned that we're nearing a point where the AI bubble may burst, and rising bond yields are likely to put pressure on equities.
‘We are in a bond bear market, that’s, I think, pretty clear, and I think that there’s more to go would be my guess,’ he told CNBC last week. But – and this is important – he is not yet predicting a decline in US company earnings, or an immediate stock market correction. So where are we in this cycle? As Fred Astaire sang to Ginger Rogers in Irving Berlin's 1936 film Follow the Fleet, 'There may be trouble ahead'.
But for the moment at least, the markets are following the thrust of the song's next two lines: 'But while there's moonlight and music and love and romance, let's face the music and dance'.
It's worth quoting because of an uncomfortable echo. In July 2007, Chuck Prince, then chief executive of the New York bank Citigroup, declared: 'When the music stops, in terms of liquidity, things will be complicated. But as long as the music is playing, you've got to get up and dance. We're still dancing.'
That was just three months before Northern Rock had to be rescued, an early warning of the cascading banking collapses – and the rescues – that followed around the world.
Citigroup itself was saved by the US government, which took a 36 per cent stake in the company in 2009 and eventually managed to sell it for a decent profit.
You see the point. History doesn't repeat itself with any precision, and the world's banking system is much more robust now.
But government finances are weaker just about everywhere, bond yields and interest rates are climbing, and while corporate earnings in general are strong, we all know the music will stop.
In past cycles, the appropriate reaction would be to de-risk portfolios by rebalancing from equities to bonds. But that doesn't work this time. Investment this year in bonds has been a disaster, while even so-so equity markets such as our own have not performed too badly.
The FTSE100 index is up 6 per cent on the year and you'd add a bit for dividends, whereas if you had bought 10-year gilts, even allowing for interest payments, you'd be about 6 per cent down.
So what do you do? Everyone's circumstances are different, but
for long-term investors who won't need cash in the near future, the UBS point that you should stay invested is not a bad one.
It's impossible to time the top, and if you do get out of the market, it's jolly hard to know when to get back in. So yes, diversify a bit away from the sectors that seem most fashionable, and keep some cash so that when there is a correction you can take advantage.
But there are no strong signals of a global recession, and when you think of everything that has been thrown at the world economy over the past couple of years, that's most encouraging. Global businesses have proved to be tough old beasts.
There's something else at work. We're in the early stages of the great wealth transfer. That's money being passed from the older baby boomers and the so-called silent generation to Generation X. It runs into trillions.
Much of that wealth will be reinvested, but quite a lot will be spent. So, while incomes will be squeezed by higher interest rates, and almost certainly by higher taxes, it's hard to see a deep recession in the next couple of years at least. The Footsie still offers value. It's a sterling-based bet on the world economy.
Boring? Well, yes, it's not dancing. But right now I suggest boring is best.
'growth in every postcode' agenda. The Government fast-tracked planning permission for the theme park and has committed £1.3 billion of taxpayers' money, initially earmarking £474 million to upgrade local transport links.
The closest railway stations lack a direct line to London, so a new one is being built with four platforms that will be linked to the capital. The neighbouring A421 trunk road is also being widened and a dedicated junction is being built on it.
Comcast, which owns broadcaster Sky, has committed £6 billion to building and running the resort.
Comcast's spending hit top gear last year, according to accounts filed for its UDX subsidiary behind the project.
More than £59 million was spent buying land, while a further £84 million went into construction costs. Another £99 million was invested in the previous year, mainly on acquiring land, and £14 million in 2023, when Comcast was waiting for planning permission to be granted.
The rest of the Government's financial support will be paid in two stages. First, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, led by Lisa Nandy, will transfer a £438 million grant once Universal has completed its work on community infrastructure. Then a £400 million subsidy will be paid when the resort opens.
THE Chancellor will fly into Bangkok this weekend for the International Monetary Fund's annual meeting with the governor of the Bank of England's warning to balance the books or risk bond market turmoil still ringing in his ears.
The meeting will be a bed of nails for John Healey, who will briefly interrupt preparations for his maiden Budget at the end of the month.
It comes days after government borrowing costs hit a 28-year high and the Bank's Andrew Bailey, also on his way to rain-soaked Bangkok, sounded the alarm that a bond market storm could blow Healey's fiscal plans off course.
Annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) often take place in crisis – and this year is no different.
Managing director Kristalina Georgieva has warned that war in the Middle East was a clear and present danger for the global economy, threatening a return to 1970s-style inflation fuelled by the latest energy price shock. Oil has jumped by 40 per cent since the conflict with Iran began in February.
The mayhem in energy markets has proved to be a slow-burn crisis, but as winter approaches, the outlook remains highly uncertain.
The sessions here this week are likely to be dominated by fears over the huge debts run up by sovereign countries and by big tech in the race to dominate AI.
The AI debt pile, estimated at more than \$350 trillion and counting, is where the biggest danger lies, but the two issues are intimately related. Sovereign bonds set the price for private sector loans, whether they are residential mortgages or the fancy financing packages for Amazon or Nvidia.
The higher interest rates go, the more likely it is that weaker players in the credit supply chain could fall by the wayside.
The dangers are more acute because of the lack of visibility in loan markets caused by the rise in private credit provided by hedge funds, private equity and other financial intermediaries, which are largely unregulated.
Britain is seen as the weakest link, with its
SHOCK TACTICS: IMF boss Kristalina Georgieva and a stormy Bangkok skyline
30-year bonds yielding a chunky 6 per cent. But debt experts Pimco forecast this weekend that America's benchmark ten-year Treasury
bond could also soon yield 6 per cent, its highest level since 2002.
There are fears that governments will have to intervene with subsidies to protect consumers and defend business.
Bailey warned last week that ‘existing vulnerabilities in sovereign debt markets, credit markets and asset valuations could crystallise together'. In other words, be prepared for the gathering storm. The message from Georgieva to governments is: 'Tighten your belts.' They need to rebuild financial buffers and calm fragile bond markets.
It is never clear what will trigger the storm, but for the Chancellor, being caught in an Asian time zone should the edifice blow up in Europe or New York may not prove the best place to be.
我会被禁止每周工作四天吗？
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INTERVIEW BY RUTH SUNDERLAND
NDREA Rossi has come to an industrial park on the outskirts of Durham to visit a company producing minuscule computer chips that could warn you when your shirt needs a wash.
It is inconceivable that the immaculately attired Italian-Swedish boss of FTSE 100 investment giant M&G would ever need such a thing. Nonetheless, he has put millions of pounds of savers' money into its maker, Pragmatic Semiconductor.
Rossi, 60, sees Pragmatic as evidence that, despite all the negativity, there is plenty of growth potential in the UK economy, even though we are a bit too complacent for our own good.
M&G's Catalyst fund has ploughed more than £47 million into Pragmatic, which was founded in Cambridge in 2010 and raised more than £180 million of capital three years ago. It is part of a drive to use the billions of pounds of savers' money under his stewardship to back Britain.
The UK has an abundance of capital, skills and talent, he says, but is held back by political instability and a lack of ambition.
He says: 'There is a lot of capital in the system. There is £2 trillion in the UK just sitting in cash, in bank accounts earning one or two percent, when it could be making better returns for savers and supporting the economy. We have amazing start-ups and amazing
universities. We have more unicorns [privately held companies valued at more than £1 billion] than Germany, France and Sweden put together.'
Co-founder Dr Richard Price shows us round Pragmatic's factory and regales us with the myriad possible uses for its ultrathin, flexible, low-cost computer chips.
These include helping patients avoid counterfeit medicines and smart bandages to detect infection in wounds.
Pragmatic has even experimented with tiny chips designed to be put into the underarms of clothing to detect body odour. The idea of Project Plastic Armpit is that the chip sends people an alert on their smartphone when
We have amazing start-ups and universities, says the boss of investment giant M&G. But we are held back because we're just too complacent
they need another spray of deodorant. It is an ingenious idea, though the whiff-detecting garments are some way from appearing in the shops.
Why, with businesses like these, does Rossi think the UK economy is in the doldrums?
One reason is that we have lost our ambitious edge, partly because of the post-pandemic addiction to working from home.
Rossi says: ‘We ask where are the opportunities for young people to work, but is there a willingness to work? I don’t see this hunger any more in people. If we create a world where everyone sits at home, what are we becoming?
‘We have become too comfortable. If you become too comfortable, then that ambition is not there.
‘And if the population is not ambitious, how are you going to grow the economy?’
He is also frustrated at the way so many UK companies are being taken over by overseas buyers.
When he took over four years ago, the Square Mile was rife with talk that M&G itself was a bid target. That has, he says, ‘completely died down’.
There should, Rossi argues, be financial carrots for individuals and big City institutions to back UK plc.
‘In France and Italy, there are incentives to invest in their home market. Why not here? And why should we be the only modern country to have stamp duty on shares? For me, that is insane.
Italy has been the most unstable country since the Second World War. But we have had stability with Giorgia Meloni as Prime Minister. If only we could have more women PMs,' he says, momentarily forgetting about Liz Truss.
'I lived in Mrs Thatcher's house in Chelsea; I was renting it. I was hoping to see her ghost, but no, never. We need her again, but perhaps I am not allowed to say that.
‘We need growth in the economy. That is the only way to pay for health and welfare.
‘Politicians need to move from slogans to action. For that, you need stability.
‘In a company, if you change the chief executive every 18 months, you will go nowhere.
‘It is the same with a country.
AGE: 60
CAREER: Appointed M&G chief executive in 2022
FAMILY: Wife and one son
LIVES: West London
DRIVES: A vintage 1983
Porsche 911
BOOK HE IS READING NOW: SPQR by Mary Beard
MENTOR: His Swedish grandfather and Henri de Castries, the former AXA boss
CHAMPAGNE OR CUP OF TEA? Italian red wine, ideally Brunello
IDEAL DINNER PARTY GUEST (ALIVE OR DEAD):
Enzo Ferrari (pictured)
BACKING UK PLC: Andrea Rossi on a visit to Pragmatic Semiconductor, left, and, above, with co-founder Dr Richard Price
There has been too much changing of prime ministers. The rule of law and stability of this country have been excellent, but unfortunately that has changed. Everybody is negative, negative, negative.'
奥布莱恩凭借明星赛马觊觎三冠王
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ANDREA ROSSI: DRIVING UK GROWTH
When Rossi arrived, M&G had lost direction following its spin-off from the Prudential insurance company in 2019.
He says: 'There was a great heritage, a balance sheet with enormous potential.
‘But when I arrived, there was no clarity on what M&G wanted to be, no real ambition and purpose.’
Investors have seen total returns well in excess of 180 per cent since he took over. He has strengthened the balance sheet, delivered £250 million of cost savings and achieved record operating profit at the half year.
He has also launched a new brand campaign playing on M&G's initials. Momentum and Growth refers to the £100bn invested in companies such as Pragmatic.
Moving and Grooving is a nod to an investment in Seeker Music, an LA-based business founded by
1< / > 21I-< / > HARBOUR LIGHT N & W T-Davies 5-12-0< / > S T-Davies< / >< / > 2< / > 574< / > BRIGHT LEGEND F Bramley 6-12-0< / > J O'Neill (7)< / >< / > 3< / > 55-2< / > WESTERN GEORGE J & A O'Neill 5-12-0< / > J O'Neill Jr< / >< / > 4< / > 1P3-< / > ICAQUE DE L'ISLE (D) R Bandey 8-11-13< / > R Dingle< / >< / > 5< / > 23I-< / > WEST ORCHARD J Tizzard 9-11-11< / > F Gingell< / >< / > 6< / > P5-P< / > SHENGAI ENKI F Brennan 7-11-9< / > I Ryder (5)< / >< / > 7< / > 694< / > BALTRAY E Lavelle 8-11-8< / > L Harrison< / >< / > 8< / > 45-2< / > PIERS CROSS (C&D) P Evans 9-11-7< / > Doubtful< / >< / > 9< / > 44U< / > FINAL ENTRY D Pipe 5-11-6< / > R Corcoran
(5)< / >< / > 10< / > 88-4< / > PAPPARICHE (D) C Williams 6-11-0< / > J Tudor< / >< / > 11< / > 433< / > BOUND FOR GLORY R Stephens 4-11-0< / > I Mathias (7)< / >< / > 12< / > 2-7P< / > POET'S MUSE (D) I Chanin 5-10-8< / > L Williams< / >< / > 13< / > 5-48< / > GETUPTHEVARD N Hawke 7-10-4< / > D Noonan< / > |
投注：11-4 West Orchard, 3 Harbour Light, 13-2 Western George, 15-2 Bound For Glory, 10 Final Entry, 11 Icaque de L'Isle, 12 Baltray.
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'Politicians must move from slogans to action'
Evan Bogart, who co-wrote hits for Beyoncé and Rihanna.
Memories and Grandchildren is about helping people save enough for their future to enjoy their later years with their families.
Cheesy, perhaps. But behind it all is the mighty PruFund, a huge but relatively obscure investment powerhouse. A legacy of the days of the Man from the Pru, it is a 178-year-old life assurance fund with £73billion of assets.
Rossi sees it as a sleeping giant he can awaken and sell to a new generation of savers. He is planning an advertising campaign and wants to make it easier for individuals to invest directly.
What would he like to see in the Budget for M&G, for savers and for the country? He says: 'We want certainty. We want policies that are pro-growth and proportionate. You cannot just tax more because you will kill the economy.'
He never did see Mrs Thatcher's ghost, but perhaps it would be some consolation to have a pre-Halloween Budget that does not frighten savers.
Can I be stopped from working four days a week? – Page 82
HOW WE
BUILT IT
The entrepreneurs
behind successful firms
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3.47 障碍赛让磅赛 (2级) 2.5 万英镑 (13,202 英镑) 3英里
1 OP-6 DEEP CAVE (D3) C Williams 8-12-0. Tudor
2 12-1 MATTY'S GETAWAY (D2) K Bailey & M Nicholls 7-11-13℃ Gethings
3 1-71 SERVICE MINIMUM D Skelton 6-11-12 H Skelton
4 261 LEADER CRIK N & W T-Davies 5-11-8 S T-Davies
5 32-4 THANK YOU MAAM (D2) G Nicholls 7-11-5 L Murtagh
6 310 JURY'S IN (D) S Edmunds 6-11-5℃ Hammond
7 3-2F ALIEN STORM C Longsdon 8-11-3 D Bass
8 405 KING OF THE LAKE (C&D) J Scott 8-11-3℃ Bament (5)
9 732 TUNE IN A BOX (D2) T Lacey 7-11-2 S Sheppard
10 315 OAKLEY Mrs C Williams 8-10-11℃ Ring
11 145 JALISCO STAR (C&D) L Horsfall 8-10-11 S Bowen
12 022 TIME TO BITE (D) C Honour 11-10-6 B Carver
投注：3 Service Minimum, 4 Leader Crik, 5 Matty's Getaway, 10 Tune In A Box, Time To Bite, 12 Oakley, 14 Deep Cave, Jury's In.
4.22 高龄马障碍赛让磅赛 (3级) 2 万英镑 (10,562 英镑) 2英里
1 | 112-< / > NORN IRON (D) H Derham 8-12-0....P O'Brien< / > | 2< / > PP-1< / > GLENGOULY (D) F Bramley 10-12-0....S Bowen< / >< / > 3< / > 193-< / > OOH BETTY (D3) B Clarke 8-12-0....B R Jones< / >< / > 4< / > 226-< / > STREAM OF STARS (D2) N & W T-Davies 11-11-12 S T-Davies< / >< / > 5< / > 730-< / > FAIVOIR (D5) D Skelton 11-11-11....H Palin (5)< / >< / > 6< / > 1-06< / > NO ORDINARY JOE (D2) R Stephens 10-11-8 J Stenhouse (7)< / > |
7 U67- WELSH CHARGER (D3) A Ralph 8-11-7....J J Burke
8 611- HAAS BOY (D3) C Williams 9-10-12....L Williams
9 330- DR T J ECKLEBURG (C&D) Mrs C Williams 8-10-7...C Ring
10 122 GOWER PRINCE (D) J & A O'Neill 8-10-2....B Macey (5)
4.57 WASDELL GROUP 开放式平地赛 (4级) 7,200 英镑 (3,802 英镑) 2英里
1< / > 1-< / > OLD COAST ROAD D Skelton 5-11-0......H Skelton< / >< / > 2< / > 3-< / > MASKED BLAGNY S Edmunds 4-10-13......C Hammond< / >< / > 3< / > < / > MOTIVASPEED ESSEF Mrs C Williams 4-10-13....A Wedge< / >< / > 4< / > 1-< / > ONETINGFORNUTTIN M Bowen 4-10-13......J Bowen< / >< / > 5< / > < / > TOO MANY ACRES P Nicholls 4-10-13...S Twiston-Davies< / >< / > 6< / > 43-< / > ROXY ROCKS C Honour 5-10-7......B Carver< / >< / > | 投注：13-8 Old Coast Road, 3 Too Many Acres.< / > |
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By ANNE ASHWORTH
RIE Read started her online hosiery business Snag when her tights fell down in Edinburgh's smartest shopping area. She recalls the moment of acute embarrassment, which happened
on George Street on a morning in the autumn of 2017.
‘I looked up and saw that at least 100 people were watching,’ she says.
Read managed to step out of her tights but not away from the difficulty revealed by the wardrobe malfunction. Using her savings, plus loans from friends and family, she pursued the goal of better-fitting tights for all figures.
Snag has become an international enterprise and recently secured a seven-figure investment from James Caan of Dragons' Den fame.
The pair met through an acquaintance, but it is not hard to see how he would have been impressed by her readiness to question the entire basis of the £15 billion global tights industry.
Read says: ‘Everybody has a problem with tights, whatever their height and shape. This is a particular issue if you have to wear tights as part of your job, such as doctors, nurses and flight attendants.’
The decision to supply a comfortable but stylish product has not always been easy for the 45-year-old mother of two.
She has opted for inclusivity because, she says, it makes commercial and ethical sense. But she has had to endure criticism over Snag advertisements, which show women who are not size 8 lingerie models.
The website features the petite, the mid-sized and the curvy, but the images are not the filtered, ultra-glamorous norm.
Public disapproval of larger body types may be irksome, but the decision to cater for women of all sizes has paid off.
Snag, based in Oxfordshire, had sales of £54 million last year, offering its tights, underwear, leggings and other clothing through six websites in the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Germany and the EU.
One pair of Snag tights, which come in sizes 4 to 36 and retail for as little as £9.49, sells every 10 seconds. Not bad for a company that employs just 120 staff, most of them working remotely.
She argues that the fault lies not with customers, but with manufacturing methods and other retailers' willingness to tolerate what she regards as low standards.
Read found that the way in which tights were made, mostly in China, took only leg length into account, not body width.
'I found that an extra-large pair of tights usually had no more room around the hips; it just had longer legs.'
Snag tights are made by a small business in northern Italy in a full range of widths. Read's calculation that women, whatever their height or weight, were fed up and
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Goodwood 电视转播：RTV
R-H 赛道。场地状况：好至软-部分区域软。
顶尖骑师：O Murphy。顶尖练马师：A Balding。
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'My goal is better-fitting tights for all figures'
looking for a better fit proved successful almost immediately.
She says: 'My partner Tom, who's now our chief technology officer, built the website, and we went live at 11pm on March 1, 2018. We woke up the next morning to sales coming through.
‘Soon, we were taking £100,000 a month, showing that designing for real bodies is better for customers and better for business. Within the first year, we had sold 300,000 pairs of tights.’
She continues: 'I quit my job and, by late 2019, our turnover was £2 million a month. That spring, we had sought more finance, with our original investors putting in more and a new investor coming on board.' Leggings and other clothing were added to the range. But whatever the product, the focus on fit means that there are fewer returns, which was one of the aspects of the business that aspected to the business that attracted Caan. Read says: 'Online fashion return rates average about 40pc. Our return rate is 2pc.'
Caan describes this figure as ‘commercially compelling’, adding: ‘High return rates erode profitability and create unnecessary waste.
‘By designing for a broader customer base, the business opens up a significantly larger market opportunity. I back founders with conviction, and Brie has built something genuinely disruptive.’
The former Dragon must also have been struck by Read's inventiveness under pressure, which came to the fore during the pandemic when many worked from home, severely reducing demand for tights.
She says: 'Covid had struck, our finance person had told me we were running out of money and I was in the garden crying.
‘But I started a “Save Our Snag” campaign using our social media, under which our customers could buy one, get one free. Within days, we had raised £1.25 million. Our customers bailed us out.’
Instrumental to this initiative was the relationship that Read had with her 50,000 followers, known as ‘Snagglers’, on Instagram and her 100,000 Facebook followers. This month, the Snagglers will be celebrating Halloween in special tights, including a jack-o'-lantern pair, while also preparing for winter with 80-denier opaques.
Read says Caan's experience will mean that Snag should move ‘further and faster’. After all, Snag's strategy accords with Caan's central business dictum: ‘Observe the masses and do things differently.’
I want to work four days a week to help my wife with childcare. Do I need to give my employer a detailed reason and can they prevent it?
HR expert Kate Underwood says:
A I TAKE this call from dads more than people imagine, and they nearly always open with an apology, but they shouldn't. Flexible working is a legal right from your first day and you can make two requests in any 12-month period.
You do not owe your boss a life story either. The request has to be in writing, dated and set out what you want to change and when you want it to start. Since April 2024, you do not even have to explain how the business should cope without you.
Mention childcare if you want to, and it often does help, but nobody gets to demand a full account of your family arrangements as the price of being heard.
Your employer then has to talk it through with you properly and give you an answer within two months.
They can refuse, but only on one of eight set business grounds: extra cost; not being able to reorganise the work; not being able to recruit cover; a hit to quality, performance or customer service; not enough work in the hours you want; or planned changes to the business.
I'd advise you to write it as a business case, not a favour, and explain how the job will be done in four days, who picks up what, and offer a three-month trial so the risk feels temporary. If the answer is no, ask for the decision in writing and appeal.
Catrin Mills, employment partner with Sharpe Pritchard, adds:
A WHILE the law gives employees a right to ask for flexible working, there is no automatic right to have the request granted. If your employer is unable to agree because of genuine business reasons, you could also explore alternatives.
They may be more receptive to a temporary arrangement, a trial period, compressed hours over four days or a hybrid working pattern.
The key is that you should feel able to discuss this with your employer to try to reach a solution. | 1 | (2) | 000 | CRESTOFDISTINCTION (D2) J Channon 4-10-O... G Bass | 2 | (7) | 697 | THE STRIKIN VIKING (D2) H Al Jehani (UAE) 4-9-13T Marquand | 3 | (11) | 640 | CABURN (D2) J Tate 4-9-13....H Crouch | 4 | (3) | 210 | DEEP HAVANA (BF,D2) H Al Jehani (UAE) 5-9-12 J Doyle | 5 | (6) | 528 | MIDNIGHT THUNDER (BF,D2) S bin Suroor 4-9-11O Murphy | 6 | (9) | 125 | COLLECTING COIN (BF) J Candlish 4-9-6....G Wood | 7 | (10) | 440 | JUNGLE DRUMS (D4) J Osborne 4-9-5....W Carver | 8 | (14) | 055 | SUDDEN FLIGHT (D) R Hughes 4-9-2.. D J Murphy (5) | 9 | (8) | 233 | BONE MARRA (D) O Sangster 3-9-1.... B Loughnane | 10 | (13) | 226 | BROASY (C,D2) C Pike 4-9-1....R Ryan | 11 | (12) | 437 | DREAM COMPOSER (C&D) A Carroll 8-9-0 M Coppins (5) | 12 | (1) | 408 | JUSTCALLMEPETE (D12) A Carroll 7-8-13....J Dace (5) | 13 | (5) | 621 | PERCY'S STAR (C&D) C Dwyer 3-8-6....S De Sousa | 14 | (4) | 182 | FROM THE HIP (D3) M Usher 3-8-6....T Heard |
BETTING: 11-2 Percy's Star, 6 Deep Havana, 7 Collecting Coin, Bone Marra, Midnight Thunder, 8 Sudden Flight, 12 Brosay, From The Hip. | # O'Brien eyeing tilt at Triple Crown with star colt
赛马 83 五星全黑队卫冕夺杯
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📄 Original Section
Darkness shines in Dewhurst
By Sam Turner
AIDAN O'BRIEN is targeting an ambitious tilt at next season's Triple Crown with Darkness Falls after watching him brilliantly claim the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.
A winner of the nine-furlong Group One Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown on his previous start, Darkness Falls coped admirably with the two-furlong drop in trip to see off the well-touted Desert Castle by a neck in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Victory in all three of the British Classics for colts — the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger — has been an illusive target in recent decades, with no horse managing the feat since the legendary Nijinsky in 1970.
O'Brien went mighty close with Camelot in 2012. He captured the first two legs prior to being controversially beaten by Encke, who later failed an out-of-competition drugs test.
He now appears to have a live candidate to end the near 60-year wait, with Darkness Falls already confirming he has the speed required to be competitive in the 2,000 Guineas next May.
'You have to dream, he's a really good colt,' said Moore about the winner, who was priced at 25-1 to complete the Triple Crown by
William Hill. 'He only did what he had to do — it feels like there's more in the tank. You'd think he's going to stay a good bit further.
‘This guy will go the Guineas path now. There wouldn’t be many Dewhurst winners who would go and win over nine [furlongs] and then win over seven as he has done there.’
Unsurprisingly, O'Brien echoed Moore's enthusiasm: 'He has a lot of quality. He's very exciting. When they have that much class, they can do anything really.'
Charlie Appleby, trainer of Desert Castle, was proud of his colt's performance in defeat, saying: 'They are two smart colts, and the one thing we know about the winner was that he wasn't going to come back to us. Our horse will come forward for the experience as he's big and scopey.'
All the talk surrounding the Cesarewitch was whether Beylerbeyi could be the first horse to win back-to-back runnings of the race and just the second in its lengthy history to secure two renewals.
The Ian Williams-trained six-year-old ran a superb race to finish seventh, but it was Alphonse Le Grande who etched his name into history for trainer Tony Martin and 18-year-old apprentice Patrick McGettigan by reprising his controversial 2024 success at odds of 18-1.
Two years ago, Alphonse Le
MOORE SUCCESS: Darkness Falls claimed a big victory at Newmarket
Grande was initially disqualified when rider Jamie Powell was judged to have exceeded the Flat limit by using the whip 10 times.
However, connections appealed to an independent disciplinary panel, which ruled that the 10th strike was inadvertent contact, leading to Martin's stayer being reinstated.
Bought for 10,000 guineas (£10,500) four years ago, Alphonse Le Grande was his handler's third winner in the race.
YOUR GUIDE TO TODAY'S RACING, WITH EXPERT TIPS
Chepstow TV: SSR
L-H course. GOING: Good to Soft-Good in places.
TOP JOCKEY: Jones. TOP TRAINER: P Nicholls.
1.27 MARES' 'NH' NOVICES' HURDLE (CLASS 3)
£16,000 (£8,714) 2m 3f 100yds | 1 | 42-1 | KAMILLE AU KANADA A Honeyball 6-11-6......S T-Davies | 2 | 5-1U | BATH TAVERNESS P Evans 5-11-0......R T Dunne | 3 | 211- | CONNELLS CROSS K Bailey & M Nicholls 5-11-0..C Gethings | 4 | 1/30- | DIVINE DIVA D Skelton 5-11-0......H Skelton | 5 | 354- | MIDNIGHT DOYEN J Scott 6-11-0......R Dingle | 6 | 110- | PRINCESS DAY (BF,C) J Scott 5-11-0......L Williams | 7 | 1- | WALKINTHEMOURNES J Tizzard 5-11-0......B J Powell |
NEWMARKET Good-good to sort in places 1.15: HUMIDITY (James Doyle) 15-8 1; The Lost King 7-4f 2; High Stock 20-13.5 ran. (A Balding). 1½, 1¼. Tote: £3.15; £1.55, £1.30. Exacta: £6.70. Trifecta: £36.70. CSF: £5.55.
1.50: DRUMBEAT (R L Moore) 10-11f 1; Wykehurst Park 7-2 2; Apulia
Bay 5-1 3. 6 ran. (A P O'Brien (IRE)). 5½, 2l. Tote: £1.91; £1.30, £1.75. Ex: £6.10. Trifecta: £17.30. CSF: £4.50.
2.25: ROCK MONTREAL (W Buick) 11-8f 1; Sergei Diaghilev 15-8 2; Al Jabbar 4-13.7 ran. (R Varian). nk, 2%. Tote: £2.38; £1.20, £1.01, £1.40. Ex: £4.60. Trifecta: £7.70. CSF: £4.04.
3.00: DARKNESS FALLS (R L Moore) 6-4 1; Desert Castle 10-11f 2; Great Barrier Reef 15-2 3. 5 ran. (A P O'Brien (IRE)). nk, 2%. Tote: £2.75; £1.35, £1.15. Ex: £4.30. Trifecta: £7.40. CSF: £3.18.
3.40: ALPHONSE LE GRANDE (P McGettigan) 18-11; Sea Lantern 4-1f 2; Dawn Rising 6-13; High Fibre 12-14. 29 ran. (A J Martin (IRE)). shd, 1¼, 1½. Tote: £30.25; £2.30, £2.85, £3.80, £5.20. Ex: £312.40. Tricast: £527.41. Trifecta: £2232.00. CSF: £87.52.
2.05: GREY CUBAN (D Probert) 28-1-1; St Anton 25-1-2; Lord Melbourne 22-1-3; Say What You See 11-1-4, jt-f18 ran. (H Palmer). 11-2jt-f Thunder Run. ½, hd, 4l. Tote: £36.80; £5.90, £5.20, £4.90, £2.30. Ex: £427.10. Tricast: £9332.17. Trifecta: £7259.70. CSF: £476.36. NRs: Old Harrovian, Stoneacre Donny. Stoneacre Donny| Rule 4 applies to All Bets, deduct 15p in the pound.
NEWCASTLE Red Bulls' new England-qualified arrival is full of surprises. Let's start with Max Hicks' childhood. He was born and raised in New Zealand. His father, James, is Maori, and his mother, Liane, comes from Cornwall.
'I grew up in a little town called Coatesville, west of Auckland,' explains the 27-year-old. 'I had a pet eel called Scarface. We had this big creek that ran through the bottom of our property. We had agricultural day at primary school, where people would bring in sheep, calves, bunny rabbits.
'My old man was a builder and we had this old bathtub, so we went and caught one of the eels from the creek and I kept it as my pet. I put it back in the river but it would always come back. I always fed it butter chicken. I had a ram called Cookie, too. I would shout his name and he would run over to me. I was a pretty weird kid.'
His sporting journey has been equally unconventional. While the likes of Caleb Clarke and Tupou Vaa'i were nurtured through the All Blacks age grades, Hicks was often found playing hockey or Aussie Rules. A career in rugby seemed like an unlikely path.
'My parents encouraged me to get into all sports,' he says. 'I played 100 games of first-team hockey at high school and played for the New Zealand Maori hockey team. I started playing AFL in my last year of high school, too, and spent some time with St Kilda [one of the AFL's most historic sides]. AFL is such an athletic sport. The big men can all run, jump, kick off both feet, handle with both hands.
‘I loved playing rugby but I was never the best. I got invited to a few of the Under 20s camps but I was built like a rake. AFL wanted me to be super fit and to be able to run forever. Rugby wanted me to bulk up. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
‘Rugby never really hit me as a proper career path until I kind of left high school. Once I’d chosen rugby, I went on this big bulking journey to put on some weight. McDonald’s, KFC, ice cream!’
Hicks became a trainee builder to fund his rugby dream. He upped his calorie intake and took on an early-morning weights routine before going to work. By chance, his labouring colleague was school-mate Ethan Roots, the
Kiwi star MAX HICKS has caught the eye for Newcastle... is an England call next?
Auckland-born Exeter flanker who has been capped by England.
"I wasn't a young superstar who was picked up straight out of high school and straight into a rugby environment. I moved down to Tasman. They didn't offer me a full contract, but kind of said, 'Hey, if you come down here, work hard, you can earn yourself a spot on the team'.
‘The following year I joined the Highlanders. I remember going in for the first time
and seeing all these guys I'd watched on TV. It was surreal. I played for the
Maori All Blacks, representing my dad's side, and I was really keen to have an adventure, so I shot over to France and joined Perpignan.'
Wearing the No 6 jersey last season, Hicks' turnover haul was second only to Jack Willis in the Top 14. He now had the opportunity to retrace family roots.
‘My grandad was in the Royal Air Force and he got a posting in New Zealand. Mum was
born in Truro and moved over when she was around ten. I went to
Cornwall with mum for the first time last year, that was cool. She got to show me where she grew up. We spent some time in St Ives. Ethan and Jimmy Roots popped over from Exeter, too.
Newcastle's head of recruitment, Gavin Vaughan, learned of
NEW SURROUDINGS: Hicks in action for Newcastle this season
Hicks' English roots last year. In his new role with Newcastle, Vaughan has to hit targets of English-qualified players, making Hicks an attractive proposition.
‘I wasn’t actively looking to leave but I was open to hearing what was out there. Red Bull approached me and my agent and it’s such an awesome project. I thought, “How cool would it be to come into a new environment, with all this expectation, and turn a place around?”
‘It would be such a cool story to come here as a group of people from all around the world and fill the stadium. That’s what excited me. Mum was quite happy I moved over. I’ve represented my dad’s side and I guess now I’m representing my mum’s.’
During Newcastle's pre-season camp at the Red Bull HQ in Austria, Hicks had another surprise for his team-mates. He wowed everyone with his wake-boarding ability — another skill he picked up living by the coast in New Zealand.
Hicks has only played two Prem games but is already making a name for himself. Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has compared his ability to hold a ball in one hand to NBA superstar LeBron James.
At 6ft 6ins and 17st 9lbs, Hicks resembles former Saracens flanker Theo McFarland, whose basketball background gave him an athletic point of difference. His eye-catching performances have thrown him into the mix of England's World Cup bolters.
'It was never my reason for coming here but I would love to play international rugby,' he says, having represented the Maori All Blacks twice. 'I'd love to represent my mum's side of the family. If that happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm here to throw all my eggs into the club.
'I know we've had a tough start, but the progress has been really positive. Some teams have been together for a few years and know who's going to get a weak shoulder and throw an offload. We're still figuring that out, but when that clicks, it's going to be exciting.'
MAX VERSTAPPEN won the sprint race ahead of today's Singapore Grand Prix, which turned out to be the second Formula One event in a week to be delayed by bad weather, this time for 30 minutes.
The Dutchman then took pole for the race proper a few hours later, the 50th time he has accomplished the feat in his career.
The sprint was postponed when torrential rain landed a quarter of an hour before it was due to begin. This came six days after the Malaysian Grand Prix was controversially deferred for 90
minutes because the half-electric engines could not run as the heavens opened.
Verstappen's victory around Singapore's street circuit was achieved after George Russell crashed out while leading. 'Sorry, sorry, sorry,' he apologised to his Mercedes team.
The Briton was briefly in command of proceedings, but he slipped on to the white line on the final bend of the opening lap, and that was him done. He slid over the track to the other side and glanced the wall.
Verstappen went on to triumph by 2.5secs ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who finished second for Ferrari, roaring up from sixth on the grid after an excellent start in which he gobbled up ground. His team-mate Charles Leclerc came third, while the McLarens of world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri crashed at the end.
Leclerc qualified second for the grand prix with Hamilton third.
Russell, who shook his head disconsolately as he climbed out of his car, had made a perfect getaway in the sprint, passing Verstappen, who had gone off in pole position. Still wet on the Marina Bay Circuit at this stage, the spray was not in Russell's face but on those behind him.
He made an ‘unforced’ error — and his world championship campaign was over. Those hopes had already withered on the vine, truth be told, and now Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, who finished the sprint fourth and qualified fourth, heads Russell by 89 points. Russell
71-48
Saints win crazy Prem
game that felt more like
basketball than rugby
AT 7am yesterday, Johann van Graan sat down for breakfast with Ben Spencer at Bath's team hotel to watch the All Blacks' 50-19 victory over Australia.
Hitting half a century in Test rugby used to be something spectacular but, in the current climate it is becoming the new normal. Tries are coming thick and fast across the rugby world but this Prem fixture at Franklin's Gardens took the biscuit.
There were exceptional attacking skills on show from Fin Smith and Finn Russell but it felt more like a basketball game.
It was the second highest scoring game in the league's history and by the time Tommy Freeman touched down the 18th try of the afternoon it all seemed a little bit too easy.
Defence and tension are fundamental to rugby's DNA but right now the lawmakers have shifted the balance towards attacking play. Breakdowns are refereed more
harshly, tackle laws make it easier to offload and teams are gearing up to attack from deep.
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主帅痛批沃特福德失利球员，深感压力沉重
📄 Original Section
TRY-MENDOUS! New rules, warm weather, cat and mouse mauls... why Prem teams just can't stop scoring
There were 58 missed tackles here — 21 by Northampton and 37 by Bath
— but the audience were treated to an exhibition of dazzling tries.
HIGH SCORING: How we reported the crazy trends in Friday's newspaper
Northampton ultimately came out on top — thanks to a hat-trick by Ollie Sleightholme — but it left people questioning if the game is falling out of kilter.
‘There have been trends,’ said Van Graan. ‘To get 50 points at some stage was a big achievement but now we score 48 points away from home. If you look at South Africa v Australia two weeks ago, Australia were 42-17 up and South Africa could have won it with the last play of the game.
‘From an officiating point of view, attack is definitely on top. You get
Northampton
Bath
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迪奥尼西：我的球员们态度有问题
轻松取胜：泽基·阿姆杜尼在伯恩利 4-0 击败沃特福德的比赛中进球
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📄 Original Section
By Nik Simon AT FRANKLIN'S GARDENS
rewarded to keep the ball in hand. From a Prem point of view, all 10 teams want to play a certain brand of rugby. Our challenge is to adapt to this better than the other nine teams to stop the flow of it.'
Both teams were given time and space to offload.
Defences are more disruptive at Test level but the confidence flowing through Smith, Freeman and Alex Coles proves that England are blessed with attacking talent.
‘I know people will say it is too easy to score, but you’re not going to please everybody,’ said Northampton coach Phil Dowson.
'I think there's a balance. We don't want it to be 99-88. It's not basketball, but we also don't want a 9-3.
‘I used to have a coach called Mike Friday and one of his sayings was, “you
can't defend good rugby and there's lots of good rugby being played".
‘There will be some games this season that will be tough, horrible and nasty. But we want to be able to enjoy and reward great rugby.’
■ SARACENS secured a try bonus point as they beat Bristol 30-7 at StoneX Stadium.
Noah Caluori went over after just four minutes, while two penalties from Owen Farrell put the hosts 11-0 ahead at the break.
Bristol hit back through Harry Randall before Sarries pulled away again via a penalty try, and Jack Bracken ensured his side took the maximum five points.
qualified sixth, another blow. There are a maximum of 175 points to be won if all the scheduled rounds go ahead, despite the war in the Middle East, with races scheduled for Qatar and Abu Dhabi in November and December. They remain on the calendar but Imola — a cold winter day in prospect — is an option should either or both be called off.
Verstappen said of qualifying: 'The margins are very close between us today. This is the one I wanted [his first pole in Singapore]. The car has been strong all weekend. There are always things that can be better but it was enough for pole, so I am very happy.'
Verstappen is 129 points behind Antonelli, and even this miracle man cannot close that gap in the space of the races open to him, though he starts here under the lightbulbs as favourite for victory on the day.
● SINGAPORE GP: 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1
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little helps.
By Riath
Al-Samarrai
W
HATEVER else is said about Dan Friedkin, he is a good golfer. He plays off a handicap of one and, if we are to trawl his scorecards, Friedkin handled himself well in the company of a few touring professionals in Scotland last week.
That was at the Alfred Dunhill Links event, where he contested the Pro-Am in the days before it was announced, rather abruptly on Friday, that he was seeking a way to sell his controlling stake in Everton. Having only bought the club 22 months ago, the latter landed as a surprise.
But we'll return to that in a moment. First, we'll touch on the golf, because it's where the patriarch of an American business dynasty appears to channel his love. By that, we mean it's how he chose to spend the bulk of his time on this recent visit to the UK, rather than chatting with, say, David Moyes.
To Friedkin, the concerns of an Everton manager were one thing but the prospect of tee times across four days at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns was quite another. He chose golf.
His pro at the tournament was a Spanish player named Josele Ballester, better known for causing holy hell and hilarity at the Masters last year by taking a pee in Rae's Creek. Together, they were among the 20 teams out of 168 to make the cut and Friedkin pulled his weight — on 10 of their 72 holes, he returned the pair's best score and eagled a couple on a blustery day at Carnoustie.
Again, Friedkin is a good golfer. But let's now talk about swingers and those who seek a rapid escape in the small hours of the night.
If we are to assess Friedkin's behaviour since he reached into the bowl of investment opportunities and pulled out the keys to a Premier League club, then we'd see a man whose commitment to Everton was exposed by one salient detail: if he said even a single word to Ballester across their four days together, that would be one more than Silent Dan has uttered to Moyes in his entire tenure at Everton. And 178 less than a note left on the pillow by The Friedkin Group on Friday, when that brief statement dropped and outlined their willingness to sell a club they only purchased on December 19, 2024.
I remember the relief around Everton when The Friedkin Group first rocked up. After the debacle and chaos and debts of the Moshiri era, they were hastily viewed as a saviour for a grand old club in hard times. That was an understandable reflex. And more so in review of who else was trying to take control — 777 Partners, a consortium whose head, Josh Wander, was later charged with fraud.
For one of British football's most loved institutions, Everton were due a good turn. And they thought they had it in Friedkin, who did nothing, initially, to disabuse anyone of that notion.
This was his statement when he took over: 'I take immense pride in welcoming one of England's most
GOLF COMES FIRST: Dan Friedkin (left) with his son Ryan (right) and Everton supporter Tommy Fleetwood at Carnoustie last week
下周预告
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📄 Original Section
Friedkin never cared about Everton. He saw this grand old team as an investment opportunity and nothing more
historic football clubs to our global family, The Friedkin Group. Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honoured to become custodians of this great institution. We are deeply committed to honouring this legacy while contributing positively to the community, economy, and people of this remarkable city.'
We now know what ‘deeply committed’ meant — 660 days, and far too few of them chimed with internal expectations at the club.
So here's a question: what do we picture when we imagine a bad Premier League owner?
Is it the leeching Glazers at Manchester United? Is it the associations with a repressive state at Newcastle? Is it the cheats at Manchester City?
Is it the conflicted boardroom of Chelsea's present, or the Russian oligarch of their past? Was it the frugality at yesteryear's Tottenham or the mindless spending that followed the Daniel Levy era?
Is it the meddling and conspiracies of Evangelos Marinakis? Is it the price hikers? Is it anyone tied to the six mutineer clubs who wanted to cash in on a Super League, Arsenal and Liverpool among them?
I wouldn't pitch Dan Friedkin in with the worst of them in the rogues' gallery. Not even close. But he is representative of a festering and growing trend in the modern era of Premier League ownership — indifference. Never there, never cared. He attended as many games as he had conversations with Moyes.
There is a risk here of sounding naive. Too idealistic. Too seduced by a social-media post from the great Neville Southall on Friday, which read: 'Maybe Everton will go back to being the people's club. Not the corporate club.'
Wishful thinking, of course, because football's horse bolted years ago. And, besides, there were never as many butchers, bakers and candlestick makers in charge as some nostalgic fans choose to remember. But Everton deserved better than to fall into the hands of those who flit in and flip on. They deserved better than prospectors, especially those whose longer-term ambitions may have been curtailed by shoddy due diligence.
HE suggestion around the club on Friday was that this American consortium, long wedded to Roma in Serie A, simply did not fully appreciate the scale of what it costs to progress in the Premier League. The impression being that they were sucked in by the possibility of huge revenues and underestimated the complexities. The truth will inevitably be more nuanced.
But there is no disguising that the Friedkins failed to grasp a simple concept — clubs live and breathe and don't take well to being strangled.
If you try to sell a homegrown gem to solve a cash-flow issue, as they did with Harrison Armstrong, there will be chaos among the fans. If you label 13th place a ‘failure’, as the Friedkins evidently did internally at the end of last season, then you are incapable of understanding even the simplest truths of your new environment.
And if you oversee a shambolic transfer window, leaving the manager with 18 senior players, you are probably in the wrong line of work.
In time, the Friedkin reign might be viewed differently, because the group stabilised the club and it is no longer a distressed asset. Doubtless it will be more appealing to the next group who authorise a meaningless press release about ‘honouring the legacy’ of this ‘great institution’ in a ‘remarkable city’.
But there is likely a good reason that Everton's CEO, Angus Kin-near, only learned of the sale announcement two hours before it was published at 8.22am on Friday
明天 — 英超：考文垂 v 纽卡斯尔 (8.0, Sky Sports)。10月13日 — 欧冠：阿森纳 v 里尔 (8.0, TNT Sports)；马德里竞技 v 曼联 (8.0, Amazon Prime)；加拉塔萨雷 v 巴塞罗那 (8.0)；国际米兰 v 布鲁日 (8.0)；朗斯 v 葡萄牙体育 (5.45)；RB莱比锡 v PSV (8.0)；萨巴赫 v 布拉格斯拉维亚 (5.45)；维京 FK v 拜仁慕尼黑 (8.0)；比利亚雷亚尔 v 那不勒斯 (8.0)。英冠：伯明翰 v 普雷斯顿 (8.0)；布里斯托尔城 v 布莱克本；伯恩利 v查尔顿；卡迪夫 v 沃特福德；米尔沃尔 v 斯旺西；斯托克城 v 米德尔斯堡 (8.0, Sky )；狼队 v 博尔顿；雷克瑟姆 v 西布罗姆维奇。苏格兰冠军联赛：女王公园 v 因弗内斯 CT。女足世界杯预选赛 - 附加赛：英格兰 (1) v 希腊 (3) (7.30, ITV4)；葡萄牙 (4) v 北爱尔兰 (0) (2.0)；爱尔兰共和国 (8) v 哈萨克斯坦 (0) (2.0)；苏格兰 (2) v 捷克 (0) (7.15)；威尔士 (1) v 阿尔巴尼亚 (0) (2.0, BBC Wales)。
10月14日 — 欧冠：阿斯顿维拉 v 费内巴切 (8.0, TNT )；博多格林特 v 多特蒙德 (8.0)；费耶诺德 v 科莫 (5.45)；LASK v 利物浦 (5.45, )；曼城 v 巴黎圣日耳曼 (8.0, )；皇家贝蒂斯 v 波尔图 (8.0)；罗马 v 皇家马德里 (8.0)；顿涅茨克矿工 v AEK (8.0)；斯洛伐基亚布拉迪斯拉发 v 斯图加特 (8.0)。英冠：林肯城 v 西汉姆联 (8.0, Sky )；诺维奇 v 南安普顿；朴茨茅斯 v 谢菲尔德联；女王公园巡游者 v 德比郡。
10月15日 — 欧联杯：AFC伯恩茅斯 v 施图姆格拉茨 (8.0, )；本菲卡 v 凯尔特人 (8.0, )；里昂 v 水晶宫 (5.45, )；托雷恩塞 v 桑德兰 (5.45)。欧协联：布莱顿 v 考诺日尔吉里斯 (8.0)；哈茨 v 北雪兰 (8.0, )。英甲：曼斯菲尔德 v 牛津联 (8.0, Sky )。
10月16日 — 英冠：伯恩利 v 狼队 (8.0, Sky )。苏格兰冠军联赛：艾尔 v 帕蒂克 (7.30, BBC Scotland)。
Boss rips into his Watford flops as he's left feeling the heat
体育简讯
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Dionisi: My players have got an attitude problem
WALKOVER: Zeki Amdouni scores for Burnley in their 4-0 victory at Watford
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板球
第一场测试赛 — 阿布扎比，孟加拉国 346-10（92.3 轮；T H Tamim 83 分；S I Anik 67 分；L K Das 53 分；M Y Ahmadzai 3-79；M S Safi 4-82）；阿富汗 211-4（79.0 轮；R S Zurmatai 84 分未出局；A M Hussainkhil 62 分）。
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ROUND-UP By Graeme Down
GIVEN Watford's history of sacking managers since the Pozzo family became owners, Alessio Dionisi will be feeling the pressure after his side were thumped 4-0 by Burnley at Vicarage Road.
It was a fifth defeat in six games for the Hornets, while Burnley celebrated their first league win since February.
The match was all but over as a contest after 25 minutes, with Nicky Hayen's side going 3-0 ahead with goals from Jacob Bruun Larsen, Zeki Amdouni and Reo Hatate. Marcus Edwards wrapped things up late on.
‘I’m very angry,’ said Dionisi, whose side are one point above the drop zone.
"The match was finished after 20 minutes. It is impossible to win if the team is not strong. It is difficult to explain.
'The first problem is attitude and today I didn't see [a good one].'
Hayen wants the result to set the benchmark for his team for the rest of the season.
‘We delivered a really good performance, particularly in the first 30 minutes,' he said. 'This group has a lot of quality, we have to perform like this every week.'
SWANSEA boss Vitor Matos praised his returning international stars as his side went two points clear at the top of the table after coming from behind to defeat NORWICH 2-1.
Having trailed to Jacob Wright's first-half opener, the hosts were ahead in the 59th minute after goals from Moussa Yeo and former Canaries striker Adam Idah.
Matos said: 'We lacked a little bit of precision in the first half in some situations, but it was something that we could easily improve.
‘It’s really important for us to win more than anything because we’ve had players flying around, joining in the last few days so it’s not been the most easy to prepare.
‘It’s always important when you can get results after this international break so I’m really happy.’
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Kim Hellberg insisted: 'It does not get better than this,' as his side moved up to second after beating WOLVES 1-0.
Will Lankshear settled the contest with a 57th-minute header — his seventh goal of the season.
‘A good performance against a good side,’ said Hellberg.
‘There were a lot of things that were very good. Up to the goal, we were absolutely brilliant in terms of the home game, pressing up high. We almost limited them to no chances in the first half.’
Camiel Neghli condemned Graham Alexander to defeat on his first game in charge of PRESTON as MILLWALL won 1-0 at Deepdale.
Ollie Rathbone netted his first goal of the campaign late on to earn WREXHAM a 1-1 draw at DERBY.
TODAY — Premier Lg: C Palace v N Forest (2.0, Sky Sports); Hull v Everton (2.0, Sky Sports); Liverpool v Man City (4.30, Sky Sports). Championship: So'ton v Portsmouth (12.0, ITV 1). Scottish Premiership: Aberdeen v St Johnstone (2.0, Premier Sports); Motherwell v Celtic (12.0, Sky Sports).
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网球
ATP & WTA 中国网球公开赛 — 半决赛：M·安德烈耶娃（俄罗斯）胜 N·巴图恩科娃（捷克）6-2 6-2；郑钦文（中国）胜 E·梅尔滕斯（比利时）7-5 6-2。
TOMORROW — Premier Lg: Coventry v Newcastle (8.0, Sky Sports). OCT 13 — Champions Lg: Arsenal v Lille (8.0, TNT Sports); At Madrid v Man Utd (8.0, Amazon Prime); Galatasaray v Barcelona (8.0); Inter v Club Brugge (8.0); Lens v Sporting (5.45); RB Leipzig v PSV (8.0); Sabah Baku v S Prague (5.45); Viking FK v B Munich (8.0); Villarreal v Napoli (8.0). Championship: Birmingham v Preston (8.0); Bristol City v Blackburn; Burnley v Charlton; Cardiff v Watford; Millwall v Swansea; Stoke v Middlesbrough (8.0, Sky Sports); Wolves v Bolton; Wrexham v West Brom. Scottish Championship: Queen's Park v Inverness CT. Women's World Cup Qualifying - Play Off: England (1) v Greece (3) (7.30, ITV4); Portugal (4) v N Ire (0) (2.0); Rep of Ire (8) v Kazakhstan (0) (2.0); Scotland (2) v Czech Rep (0) (7.15); Wales (1) v Albania (0) (2.0, BBC Wales).
OCT 14 — Champions Lg: A Villa v Fenerbahce (8.0, TNT Sports); Bodo/Glimt v B Dortmund (8.0); Feyenoord v Como (5.45); LASK v Liverpool (5.45, TNT Sports); Man City v PSG (8.0, TNT Sports); R Betis v Porto (8.0); Roma v R Madrid (8.0); Sh Donetsk v AEK (8.0); S Bratislava v Stuttgart (8.0). Championship: Lincoln City v West Ham (8.0, Sky Sports); Norwich v So'ton: Portsmouth v Sheff Utd; QPR v Derby.
OCT 15 — Europa Lg: AFC Bournemouth v Sturm Graz (8.0, TNT Sports); Benfica v Celtic (8.0, TNT Sports); Lyon v C Palace (5.45, TNT Sports); Torreense v Sunderland (5.45). Europa Conference Lg: Brighton v FK Kauno Zalgiris (8.0); Hearts v Nordsjaelland (8.0, TNT Sports). Lge One: Mansfield v Oxford Utd (8.0, Sky Sports).
OCTOBER 16 — Championship: Burnley v Wolves (8.0, Sky Sports). Scottish Championship: Ayr v Partick (7.30, BBC Scotland).
一些工作人员正努力理清已经发生的事情，将独立委员会调查结果的确定性，与雇主坚信他们将在上诉中获胜的确定性进行对比。他们一边讨论着这一具有地震般影响的判决，一边衡量着他们眼中索里亚诺的公信力以及他们对主席哈尔多恩·穆巴拉克（Khaldoon Al Mubarak）的感情。对于办公室的人来说，这是一个混乱的时期。
1ST TEST — Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh 346-10 (92.3 overs; T H Tamim 83; S I Anik 67; L K Das 53; M Y Ahmadzai 3-79; M S Safi 4-82); Afghanistan 211-4 (79.0 overs; R S Zurmatai 84no; A M Hussainkhil 62).
ATP & WTA CHINA OPEN — Semi Finals: M Andreeva (Rus) bt N Bartunkova (Cz) 6-2 6-2; Q Zheng (Chn) bt E Mertens (Bel) 7-5 6-2.
William Hill Scottish Premiership — Dundee Utd 1 Hibernian 0; Falkirk 1 Dundee 2; Hearts 5 St Mirren 0; Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 1. William Hill Scottish Championship — Arbroath 1 Morton 2; Ayr 1 Dunfermline 1; Inverness CT 2 Stenhousemuir 0; Livingston 1 Partick 2; Raith 2 Queen's Park 0.
William Hill Scottish League One — Alloa 0 Hamilton 3; Cove Rangers 1 East Fife 1; East Kilbride 2 Airdrieonians 2; Montrose 0 Ross County 5; Peterhead 0 Queen of South 1.
William Hill Scottish League Two — Annan Athletic 1 Stranraer 6; Clyde 2 Dumbarton 1; Edinburgh City 1 Spartans 3; Forfar 1 Elgin 2; Stirling 2 Kelty Hearts 1.
I S THIS an apparition that we see before us? Is it real? Is Liverpool-Manchester City at Anfield a football match or a ghost game? Will it remain in the sport's history books
or will it be erased when City's guilty verdicts on the vast majority of charges of chicanery meet their punishment some time in the months ahead?
There was a time when any Premier League clash between these two sides would have been regarded as the best advertisement for the English game that there could be. Not any more. This game is being played at a wonderful stadium but it might as well be in a circus tent. It is not a match. It is a giant and terrible curiosity.
The great managers who helped to define this collision between modern giants — Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola — are both gone and now this clash stands for something else: it marks the start of a period of slow torture for the top flight in this country, a period when we cannot know whether there is any permanence attached to results involving City. A period when we will not know whether we should believe what we see.
If — as many expect them to be — City are expelled from the
Punishment can't be meted out in violence, but in fines and relegations
Premier League before the end of this season, what happens to this afternoon's result then? It will be declared null and void, presumably. The same fate, perhaps, will befall all matches involving City this season. 'We're not really here,' City fans love to sing and its lyrics have never felt more apt.
‘We are not, we’re not really here,’ the chant goes. ‘We are not, we’re not really here, just like the fans of the Invisible Man, we’re not really here.’ And that’s the thing: none of us know whether City are really here or not now. We have been told that everything they achieved under their ownership by Abu Dhabi was just an illusion, and yet the illusion lingers still.
City are top of the league. Or are they? Are they just waiting for a fall? Or will they conjure an escape? Perhaps, against all expectations, their appeal will succeed. Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, has already expressed his admiration for City's owners before attempting to recant.
God only knows what machinations are whirring in the corridors of power as the appeal plays out and football wrestles with its new place as a puppet of geopolitics. And while City play on, while they await their punishment, the damage that the whole affair does to English football multiplies.
The credibility of the Premier League is at stake. If City win at Anfield and stay clear at the top of the table, does it matter? If they're going to get docked 100 points or kicked out of the league, then today's result and today's points will vanish into thin air. What's the value in even playing?
Some will say that the value is in vengeance. That is what much of the rest of the Premier League wants to gain over City. After so much arrogance and so much intransigence and so much dissembling and depriving fans of other teams of memories that would have lived with them forever, it is hard to blame them for wanting to see City humbled on the pitch.
But there must be limits to that lust for retribution. So much resentment and so much anger about glories stolen away and trophies unfairly won, will follow City into Merseyside this afternoon that it is only right to acknowledge that an occasion that will be one of the most extraordinary in the history of our game will bring with it extraordinary demands.
There is only one meaningful target to be achieved at Anfield and in the terraced streets that surround it, and it is not the kind of goal that can be scored in front of the Kop or the Anfield Road End.
For all the animosity towards their club, the only thing that really matters this afternoon is keeping City's players, staff and fans safe in a febrile atmosphere where emotions will be running wild.
The City team coach has been forced to run the gauntlet at Anfield several times before, most notably when the two teams met in a Champions League quarter-final first leg there in 2018. On that occasion, the bus was damaged enough by a range of missiles
作者：汤姆·科洛莫斯
在维拉公园球场
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How a blunt address from Maresca
IN scenes that felt symbolic of the last fortnight, a huge lorry contracted to work on the £300million Etihad Stadium redevelopment was impaled by an electronic bollard at about 3pm on Friday.
Stuck in the car park, gallons of liquid leaking out of the bottom, the skewer marginally missed the fuel tank.
Almost 24 hours earlier across Ashton New Road at the training ground, Manchester City bosses had been plugging any problems or uncertainty among their players.
Chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke to them as a collective. He did the same with the Treble class of 2023 inside the first-team auditorium when the Premier League charges initially dropped. But it was the blunt, forthright message imparted by manager Enzo Maresca that had the squad sitting up and listening.
Maresca is forging a reputation as a strong communicator, as seen during media duties before heading to Anfield, and there was one takeaway from his short, private address. 'Forget the noise,' he told them. 'We're here to win a league. Let's go and win the league.'
Maresca stalks a dressing room when he talks, repeating mantras over and over, louder and louder. City's players are listening to him and following him and it is little wonder that one source talked about being 'ready to go to war' because that is exactly the tone their manager is taking, with a delivery to boot.
Previous relationships with Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias come in handy, the pair at the club when Maresca was Pep Guardiola's assistant. Those two are said to have been the most vocal since the guilty verdict was released, calming influences as others worried about the ramifications of such a one-sided result that has taken City aback.
There are staff who are struggling to put the pieces together over what has transpired, comparing the certainty with the independent commission's findings and the certainty of their employers that they will prevail on appeal. Debating the seismic judgment with the credibility they see in Soriano and the affection they have for chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. These are confusing times for those in the offices.
'A perceived external threat can which rained down on it as it crawled along the Anfield Road for it to be rendered unable to carry the team back to Manchester.
It is not a problem germane to Anfield. Ten years ago, the Manchester United team coach was attacked on Green Street on its way to Upton Park to face West Ham in the final game played at the old stadium.
Hostilities are often inflamed in English football but it would be foolish to deny that this match is loaded with so much visceral disdain for the visiting team that there will be concerns about ensuring City have effective and comprehensive security. Many in the blue half of Manchester have felt unease for some years about travelling west to this fixture.
Some fan accounts on social media have called for Anfield to be the ‘most toxic we have ever seen it’. Some have encouraged the throwing of bottles of cider at the City coach. ‘Bus greeting vs Cheats,’ one Liverpool fan called to arms on X last week, mentioning a place to congregate two hours before kick-off.
‘Bring flags, banners, pyros, flares, Koppabergs. Let’s make it a sea of red. Show them. Scare them.’
In the days since the findings of an independent commission established City's guilt and the Premier League released a strongly worded statement accusing City of constructing ‘sham’ arrangements to inflate sponsorship revenues artificially, the club have become a pariah.
Many believe the most suitable punishment for the club who won the Premier League four times in a row under Guardiola and have
TROUBLE FLARES: How Liverpool supporters greeted the visiting Manchester City coach in April 2018
dominated the English game for much of the last decade is for them to be expelled from the top flight and demoted to League Two.
In Liverpool, the resentment against City centres on what was taken from the Anfield club unfairly. Steven Gerrard, one of the club's favourite sons, never won a Premier League winners' medal but he would have done in 2013-14 had City not been able to stack their side with players they bought because they cooked the books. Klopp would have built a dynasty in Liverpool had he not been denied by City sides.
All that is hard to oppose. A hostile reception is inevitable. And, of course, City's players and fans will be mercilessly baited during the match.
That is to be expected but let us hope it begins and ends there. Punishment for City's infractions must not be something to be meted
This is not a football match. This is a giant and terrible curiosity
out in violence. It should be handed down in the months ahead in fines, deductions and relegations.
Part of what fuels the resentment is the impression City give of being willing to use their fabulous wealth and endless legal resources to tear apart the fabric of the English game in their fury at being held to account. They have launched their appeal against the guilty verdicts and no one knows quite how long that appeal will take.
Until this crisis is resolved, English football will remain in limbo. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it will be in purgatory. This afternoon's ghost game at Anfield is just the beginning of a period of our football lives when we will look at the agonised contortions of Manchester City and the desperate dysfunctionality of the Premier League and wonder what the hell we have become.
strengthen a sense of togetherness, creating a feeling that the team need to prove people wrong,' said Dr Nikita Rowley, sport psychologist at Coventry University.
‘It is a double-edged sword. If it creates defensiveness, resentment or a siege mentality, it could increase pressure and distract players.
‘The key is whether that feeling translates into positive collective focus and cohesion, rather than a preoccupation with outside opinion.
Breaking things down into manageable, immediate goals helps bring attention back to the present. Strong leadership, consistent messaging and an environment where people feel supported can help maintain trust and stability.'
Maresca has confronted drama before, the ex-Juventus midfielder interviewed and subsequently cleared of betting on Serie A matches as part
FORTHRIGHT: Maresca has impressed
of the Calciopoli scandal when his former club were demoted to the second division. He can lean on that experience with his players.
That even goes for the more senior heads, with Haaland taken off media duties while away with Norway the day after news broke of the guilty findings for fear he would become the club's spokesman before an official judgment had been published.
Before the globetrotting striker sat down with Sky Sports in the days before boarding the bus for Merseyside — an interview that had been slated for weeks — there had been discussions between the broadcaster and City about what might be appropriate to ask and how that was framed. Similar took place with Norwegian powerhouses Viaplay and other television rights holders before a Friday press conference that surprisingly passed off without incident.
And there is an understandable feeling within the club that footballers — however decorated and however articulate they are — should not present the face of this.
In Maresca, like Guardiola before him, they possess somebody adept at navigating this situation. In a different way, with a smile and quick line rather than confrontation, but somebody they can rely on nevertheless. The Italian allowed Haaland to spend a few days playing golf in Marbella after being given time away from international duty at the end of the Nations League window.
Those not away with their countries — the suspended Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo — were given breaks to travel, too.
Semenyo, labelled ‘David Beckham’ by Haaland after stunning assists, got married during his time off. Still smiling after the bombshell news, City will need to take that attitude with them today if they are to thrive in an environment that many will not have experienced before.
Chelsea
Henderson 2, 70, Rogers 3,
Pedro 46, 67
Bournemouth
Evanilson 51
By Kieran Gill
AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
CHELSEA being kick-off bullies, Cole Palmer's family made a rookie mistake. There they were pitch-side — his parents, his siblings, his girlfriend — to celebrate his new contract until 2034 as he walked out of the tunnel for the start of this entertaining encounter with Bournemouth.
But then they had to head to their seats, the suavest ones usually up high in the gods. By the time they had climbed Stamford Bridge's staircases, Chelsea were already leading 2-0.
They should have known these speedy starts are becoming a trademark of this side. Xabi Alonso does not strike you as the effing and blinding type. We cannot imagine his speeches work the players into such a frenzy that they are frothing at the mouth for that first whistle.
And yet just look at their quite remarkable record in the Premier League this season. Against Fulham: Chelsea led after 38 seconds. Against Brighton: three minutes and 39 seconds. Against Arsenal: 77 seconds. Against Hull: six minutes and 15 seconds.
Here, Jordan Henderson scored Chelsea's first goal after 66 seconds, set up by Palmer. Then Morgan Rogers scored their second after 149 seconds, assisted by Henderson.
‘I have nothing to do with it so I don’t have the answer,’ Alonso said. ‘I have no explanation. It has never happened to me in such a short period to score that many early goals.’
Unfortunately for Henderson, it was not quite the fastest goal-and-assist combo in Premier League history. That honour still belongs to Emile Heskey for Leicester against Derby in 1998. Heskey managed to score and assist inside two minutes.
Yet this was some home debut from Henderson at 36 years young. Whatever Chelsea's fans may have had on their bingo cards as they
So Xabi, what's the secret to Chelsea's lightning starts? 'It's nothing to do with me!'
FLYING START: Alonso saw his team fly out of the blocks again yesterday
arrived here at Stamford Bridge, a brace featuring
their free signing from Brentford was unlikely to feature on it. But Henderson got this party going, and ended it exceptionally too.
His strike for Chelsea's first goal was sublime. Palmer led the attack, then teed him up for the curler from 20 yards, the ball satisfyingly pinging in off the post. Henderson had covered 40 yards without any Bournemouth player ever thinking to pick him up. In their defence, he is not known for such fantastic first-time finishes.
What followed was a passionate celebration from Henderson including a hand to the ear, a leap into the air, and a few fists into the chests. His team-mates appeared especially ecstatic for him, Rogers being one of the first to congratulate a player he previously described as ‘the best guy I’ve ever come across in football’ while on England duty.
Chelsea took a 3-0 lead when Joao Pedro scored one of his two goals here only 29 seconds into the start of the second half, finishing Pedro Neto's cross with aplomb.
That was despite Bournemouth occasionally threatening to score and Emiliano Martinez often being required to deny them. There was one particular double save from Martinez which thwarted Rayan, then Ryan Christie, which was a shoo-in for the Match of the Day highlights package.
The visitors managed to sneak one through while 3-0 down when Moises Caicedo — who was starting for Chelsea for the first time this season after overcoming his calf injury — blasted his clearance into Bournemouth striker Evanilson for a gimme of a goal.
That is one of Chelsea's problems. No matter how many goals they lead by, they still carry a sense of vulnerability. Bournemouth boss Marco Rose admitted afterwards that he 'had a feeling' they could get back into this game despite trailing 3-1.
It is now 22 consecutive games in the league that Chelsea have failed to secure a clean sheet — January 17 in a 2-0 home win over Brentford was their last. Yet Alonso's attack has the ability to overshadow their defensive shortcomings, though nobody at Stamford Bridge anticipated that their greatest goal threat here would be Henderson.
After Joao Pedro grabbed Chelsea's fourth goal by meeting Pep Chavarria's cross, Henderson's strike for their fifth was
IF UNAI Emery could bring back just one of the six first-teamers he lost in the summer, he would pick Ezri Konsa in a heartbeat.
Aston Villa have kept only one clean sheet this season and they let in two more here to throw away a first home win of the season.
Yehor Yarmoliuk gave Brentford the lead in the 10th minute before Nicolas Jackson equalised 90 seconds later. John McGinn thought he'd claimed the winner in the 76th minute yet this time Brentford bounced back instantly though Kristoffer Ajer.
NO matter what combination they try in central defence, they cannot fill the Konsa-shaped hole. The 28-year-old is an outstanding defender whose qualities are now appreciated worldwide as he plays for Arsenal and England. But why did Villa choose Taylor Harwood-Bellis to replace him? The 24-year-old cost up to £30million from Southampton but cannot even get in the squad. Villa relied on Victor Lindelof and Tyrone Mings, whose combined age is 65.
FOR most of Emery's reign, Villa Park has been a fortress but no longer. They have not won here this season and have lost six of their past 12 Premier League matches in front of their own fans.
'No excuses', insists Emery — but it does not help that Villa are playing in a three-sided ground. Villa hope to take their capacity to 52,000 in time for next season and that means rebuilding the North Stand across this campaign.
The construction work has removed a vital part of what made Villa so effective.
Villa had no choice. They need to boost revenue and a bigger ground is a good way to do so. In the meantime, they must find a way to limit the damage.
BRENTFORD ARE BIG PLAYERS
A POINT at home to Brentford feels disappointing for Villa fans but that is because we still judge them by the past not the present.
Unbeaten in all competitions, the Bees are arguably the best-run club in the Premier League.
The Manchester City guilty verdict makes this a grim time for football. With their clear sense of identity on and off the pitch, their smart recruitment and impressive football, over-achieving clubs like Brentford are a ray of light cutting through the general gloom.
26 yards
59 mph
STAR TURN: Henderson brings fans to their feet with his effort to make it 5-1 at Stamford Bridge
equally as exceptional as his opener.
It started with Palmer winning a free-kick, 25 yards from the target. We were all convinced that Palmer would take it. He had just signed his new contract. He had not yet gotten in on the goals like his pals. This was within his territory. Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic thought the same.
Instead, Palmer dummed, leaving Henderson to curl the ball into the corner from 25 yards.
Most Chelsea fans will have assumed they signed Henderson purely to add a little leadership off the pitch. But here he was crucial in crowning the win on it.
During the celebration, Martinez ran over to congratulate Alonso's set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee, which you do not usually see after a direct free-kick.
'We signed him for everything,'
Alonso said of Henderson last night. 'If he's able to score two beauties, we are more than happy for him. But apart from the goals, he does many, many good things.'
It was during stoppage time, and with Chelsea leading 5-1, that Henderson stood over a free-kick around 50 yards from Bourne-mouth's goal.
The home supporters begged him to shoot. He resisted. Two screamers were more than enough for him on this occasion.
Brighton on a high... but don't talk about the title!
NOTHING, it seems, can stop Brighton right now.
Not Manchester United. Not Arsenal. And not Sunderland, who never looked like breaching a visiting rearguard which comfortably held firm after Pascal Struijk's red card.
Fabian Hurzeler's men, who had just opened the scoring through Maxim De Cuyper, conjured a delightful late second through Jaouen Hadjam to seal another outstanding win.
all competitions and lifted them to within two points of the top.
Before the international break, they won 5-0 at Coventry and beat Arsenal 3-0, either side of an impressive 3-2 Carabao
Cup victory at Old Trafford. This success was not pretty at times, but Hurzeler's men made their superiority pay.
On 53 minutes, effervescent captain Pascal Gross's fine pass found De Cuyper and he drove an excellent, first-time shot past Robin Roefs.
Gross, 35, was named the Premier League Player of the Month for September and Hurzeler said: 'I compare Pascal to a good wine — the older the better.'
Strujik then saw red for hauling down Wilson Isidor as he threatened to break clear.
Neither referee Thomas Bramall nor his assistant gave a foul initially, but video assistant referee Neil Davies intervened and Struijk was dismissed.
Brighton defended superbly and then hit their hosts on the counter late on when Georginio Rutter's clever pass found fellow substitute Hadjam, who rifled home a brilliant left-foot finish.
Much is made of Brighton's ability to cut teams apart, but this was a win built on obstinate defending.
Hurzeler said: 'I sound a bit old school but there's a saying — defence wins championships — although I'm not speaking about championships!
‘Defence wins games. We want to be a team that plays effective football and this was a good start.’
Isidor led the line in the absence of Brian Brobbey but struggled to make any impact.
Bruno papers over the cracks as Arsenal's lack of muscle sets alarm bells ringing
ARSENAL'S title defence might soon be spared some jeopardy by events elsewhere, but the Premier League is no place for those who would rather jog to the line than sprint. It's a point that won't be lost on Mikel Arteta, even in victory.
For this was an ugly, unconvincing win and the kind that owed as much to the tiring legs of Leeds as it did to the qualities of the team that beat them.
Of course, we can make a virtue of the fighting spirit needed to retrieve a 1-0 deficit. But it is equally true that Arsenal were trapped between complacency and an off-day for prolonged periods of this match and that hasn't been a charge they have faced often in the past 14 months or so.
An irrelevant dip? Perhaps. Academic? That depends on Manchester City, because if they somehow avoid a points deduction, Enzo Maresca's side look fractionally more effective through the early stages of this campaign.
In the first half here, Arsenal were joltingly poor; they weren't outplayed in the style of their defeat against Brighton, but they were worse in the ways that they shrank from the physical battle. Worse in how willing they were to go with the flow. Worse in the details of how James Justin was able to score early in the second half.
Pinpointing that moment, we could see Declan Rice is yet to return to full sharpness, despite being rested by Thomas Tuchel across the past fortnight. We can never accuse Rice of not trying, but he was easily outrun by Gabriel Gudmundsson in the key phase of the attack, which was compounded when Noni Madueke failed to track Justin's surge up the opposite flank.
It was a bad goal to concede and it was almost followed by a second that would have made a drama of this match. Arsenal survived those attempts, however, and relocated enough class and grit to capitalise when the effort told on Daniel
Arsenal
Calafiori 62, Bruno Guimaraes 70
Leeds
Justin 55
By Riath Al-Samarrai
AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM
Farke's resources. Unbeaten in the league before this game, Leeds had run themselves into exhaustion.
The leveller was converted by Riccardo Calafiori, whose gifts continue to show in all areas of the pitch, and the winner soon followed from Bruno Guimaraes, whose £75million signing has not yet led to regular starting roles.
After an inauspicious beginning, and having delivered an outright stinker against Brighton, he began on the bench here and delivered a fine finish to follow the screamer he scored against Sunderland. It might serve as a launchpad to rounder performances.
For Arteta, there was some relief around the outcome and the return from injury for key personnel after a few uncertainties arose in the international break.
Christos Tzolis was unavailable due to a muscular injury sustained with Greece but Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa were passed
fit, as was Rice, though his role in Guimaraes's winner was an isolated high in his day. He still lacks sharpness.
Havertz's inclusion despite the niggles of a hamstring issue was primarily interesting for what it told us about Viktor Gyokeres's status. Having scored four in four for Sweden in the past fortnight, the expectation was that he might find
Amerates
ELY BETTER
SCREAMER: Guimaraes and Rice celebrate the himself back in favour, so a place among the substitutes for the first hour was jarring.
Arteta's wisdom wouldn't usually be questioned and there are few willing to make a case for Gyokeres. But the first half here offered little vindication for Arteta. Madueke had a couple of moments of joy in his duel with Jayden Bogle, but the rest of the unit were forgettable — Bukayo Saka got nowhere against Gudmundsson, Martin Odegaard got stuck in the traffic of Leeds's midfield and Havertz was too often isolated.
BACK IN BUSINESS: Arteta
None of which happened by accident, of course. Farke has built his success this season on a fine defence and a reliable goalkeeper in James Trafford, but there is also the benefit of calling upon big men.
MIKEL ARTETA said Arsenal rediscovered their identity by fighting back to beat Leeds after enduring ‘pain in his eyes’ for a week because of their humiliation by Brighton three weeks ago.
The Gunners were defeated 3-0 by the Seagulls before the international break in their worst performance for some time.
They started sluggishly against Leeds, who went ahead through James Justin — before second-half
ByIsaan Khan
AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM
strikes from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes steered Arsenal to the three points.
The Londoners are level on points at the top with Manchester City, who go to Anfield to face Liverpool today.
‘Before the game we talked about two things: the challenge ahead for us because Leeds had not lost in the Premier League and it was going to be really tough,' Arteta said.
'And second, to restore our identity and be ourselves again. We weren't pleased against Brighton and today was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected.
‘With 12:30pm at home after a defeat, it is a bad mixture and we got out of that through pinching our desire to win, to have a reaction, to show the personality and courage that we have in this team.
'The finishers came in to make a huge difference again to help us win the game and that's what we are made of.'
On enduring the days after the Brighton loss, he said: '[It was] not great, especially because you question yourself, what you haven't done in that game to be
TOP GUNS: Guimaraes scores the winner (main) after Calafiori's equaliser (far left)
If Brighton set a blueprint prior to the break by hassling Arsenal out of their patterns, then Leeds showed the advantage of old-fashioned strength in the challenges. Usually, Arteta's side can hold their own in that regard but here they found themselves being pushed around.
Occasionally, that went to ugly places — namely, Ao Tanaka and
Ethan Ampadu's bookings for clattering Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White — but Leeds also forced the best chances of the opening 45 minutes. Farke's wing backs were a riddle that Arteta struggled to solve.
Eventually, the package shaped into a Leeds breakthrough early in the second half, when Gudmundsson was able to beat Rice in a race to the left-hand byline before rolling low to Justin. Madueke, so dangerous on the ball but weaker off it, had eyes on Justin but didn't pursue him. Poor.
It might have got worse for Arteta, but Noah Okafor failed to reach Bogle's cross. Calafiori's equaliser reset the scale and the triple substitution that followed it proved inspired, as it brought Guimaraes into play and sent Rice into a more advanced positon.
索兰基用绝杀回报德泽尔比的信任
作者：马特·巴洛（Matt Barlow）
在老特拉福德球场
罗伯托·德泽尔比（ROBERTO DE ZERBI）将很多希望寄托在多米尼克·索兰基（Dominic Solanke）身上。
able to witness that again, my eyes were in pain.'
Guimaraes came off the bench to change the game and leave his manager full of plaudits for the midfielder.
'The timing, the connection and the execution of it [the goal], it was a beauty,' added Arteta.
'He's done it twice already, against Sunderland and against Leeds as well and that's the quality that is needed at this level to continue to win. He wasn't at that level against Brighton and this is the level for Arsenal.
‘Every week, every game, every minute, every action you have to be at that level.
'Today he was much better and can still be much better in the game than he's done.
'I'm going to demand the same with the [other] players because if we do that we will raise the standards and we'll be a better team.'
Both men thrived in the recalibration, with Saka and Martin Odegaard involved before a fabulous Rice flick opened a path for Guimaraes to stroke past Trafford from the edge of the area. A moment of class in a gritty win.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya 6; White 7 (Timber 63min, 7), Konsa 7, Gabriel 6, CALAFIORI 8 (Hincapie 82); Rice 6, Lewis-Skelly 5 (Guimaraes 63, 7); Saka 6, Odegaard 7 (Merino 90), Madueke 6; Havertz 5 (Gyokeres 63, 6).
ALVARO ARBELOA claims he does not ‘fear’ being sacked, despite Fulham extending their winless run to six matches after an eight-minute implosion at Ipswich.
That said, deep down he must feel the pressure. It is not just the record but the manner of the defeats, consistently dropping points at the death.
In four of their last five matches, they have conceded decisive goals in the last 15 minutes — crumbling when results are decided.
That lack of tenacity to see a game out is a major concern and should leave Arbeloa in a perilous position.
‘I never worry about my position,’ Arbeloa said. ‘I don’t feel fear. You cannot be a coach if you feel it. You need to show confidence to your players.
‘I am so happy with many things they are doing. It is not easy for them. It’s not about my position, it is about Fulham’s. That is the most important thing. Obviously it is just six games, but we need points.’
In his maiden press conference, the Portuguese requested patience because of Fulham's tough run of fixtures at the start of the season.
But a manager can only be given so much time. After five league games without a win, the fortnight after the international break looked critical on paper, with games against all three promoted sides.
Looking at the run, these fixtures were poised to reveal whether Fulham are genuinely in a relegation battle or have simply been victims of a difficult run of games.
For 87 minutes, there was reason to believe the latter. Fulham moved the ball well, created good chances and got their goal when Ryan Sessegnon picked up Issa Diop's headed
Ipswich
OUattara 88, O'Shea 90+1
1
Fulham
Sessegnon 55
By Bobby Manzi
AT PORTMAN ROAD
clearance on the edge of the penalty area and drilled into the bottom corner.
But the collapse was catastrophic. Abdoul Ouattara stunned Portman Road with a thunderous left-foot strike after 88 minutes before Dara O'Shea completed the turnaround in stoppage time.
Just four minutes separated the two goals as Fulham folded, lending legitimacy to fears that Arbeloa is the wrong man for the job. His team tired and fatigue kicked in as their belief faded.
Fulham took a risk appointing the coach, whose only stint as a senior boss was a brief interim role at Real Madrid.
By the day it appears more of a gamble than a calculated decision. With two games to come against teams likely to be in a relegation battle, Arbeloa's position must be evaluated.
If he is afforded more time and the wait for a win extends beyond matches against Hull and Coventry, Fulham could have major regrets come the end of the season.
After United fans celebrated the plight of their noisy neighbours, watching this feckless team must have felt like...
7 天电视指南与益智游戏插页 电视与评论 电影 音乐 戏剧 书籍 艺术
两对事业有成的情侣。一个致命的秘密。一场可能会将他们的生活炸得粉碎的聚会……
📄 Original Section
THE HANGOVER FROM HELL
By Ian Ladyman
FOOTBALL EDITOR AT OLD TRAFFORD
AT OLD TRAFFORD they revelled in what they believe will be the imminent downfall of their neighbours at Manchester City. They sang their songs about cheats and about relegation. They dragged old banners down from the loft and repurposed them. They bedded in for what they believe and hope will be a long and tortuous decline for the team from the east part of town.
But then they watched their own side play and reality came crashing in like a hangover after a good night out. It's hard to revel in the problems of others when your own team are as bad and as feckless as this.
Manchester United almost got away with it here. They were largely dreadful — embarrassingly and shamefully so in the first half — but looked set to win after a 73rd-minute Bryan Mbeumo goal was followed by the sending-off of Tottenham substitute Rodrigo Bentancur.
The Uruguayan's head-butt on Luke Shaw stands out as one of the most stunning acts of self-harm in a Spurs season that has had a few of them.
Premier League | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Man City | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 15 | Arsenal | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 15 | Brighton | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 13 | Brentford | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 10 | Chelsea | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 10 | Leeds | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 9 | Liverpool | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 9 | Everton | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 9 | Ipswich | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 9 | Hull | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 8 | Newcastle | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 8 | Man Utd | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 6 | Nottm Forest | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | Aston Villa | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 5 | C Palace | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 4 | Sunderland | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 4 | Bournemouth | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 3 | Tottenham | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | Coventry | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 3 | Fulham | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 2 | Before that Spurs had dominated but missed chances. We have seen this gory movie from Roberto de Zerbi's team a few times already this season. As such, United looked to somehow go home with only their second Premier League win of the season. Huge cracks looked set to be covered by three points on this occasion at least.
They would have been cheered off the field, because that's how football fans work. But the truth is that average teams tend to get average results and for the second home league game running, United could not manage to beat 10 men.
Last time it was City and a 1-0 defeat here after Phil Foden's red card. This time it was an injury-time Dominic Solanke goal that did for them. The boos at the end were loud and long and thoroughly deserved.
United have a heck of a week ahead now.
40 THIS is United's worst start to a league season for 40 years, when they won only four points from their first six games under Ron Atkinson:
Aug 22: LOST 2-0 v Hull
Aug 30: WON 5-2 v Ipswich
Sept 6: DREW 1-1 v Everton
Sept 13: LOST 1-0 v Man City
Sept 20: DREW 1-1 v Fulham
Yesterday: DREW 1-1 v Spurs
PS ATKINSON was ultimately sacked by the first week of November — and replaced by a certain Sir Alex Ferguson.
Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and Leeds United next Sunday. Both away. If they play anything like this, they lose both and Michael Carrick will be clinging on to his job before we have even bought our fireworks.
Worryingly for the United manager, his team don't look particularly well coached and, in a first half that Tottenham dominated, didn't look that keen to run around very much either.
Remember when Gary Neville had them for not trying hard enough in that 1-1 draw at Fulham before the international break? Well, this was worse.
United should have been two goals down after 25 minutes. The reason they weren't lay in the identity of the opposition. Spurs were impressive for large parts of this game. Conor Gallagher was magnificent, while Archie Gray was not far behind. But they have forgotten how to win, so once again they didn't.
Still it's not hard to see how Tottenham get out of the mess they are in, down near the foot of the table. Their results feel as though they will turn. United? They just don't look good enough.
Carrick and his staff had three weeks to think about this game, to work out how to correct the problems of early season. Yet United's first-half football was moribund. They were outplayed by a Tottenham who did everything but score.
Solanke, later to be the hero, was the most obvious early culprit. In only the third minute, United goalkeeper Senne Lammens passed the ball straight to Lucas Bergvall and when he played Solanke through, he allowed Lammens to save when he should have been given no chance.
Spurs were particularly progressive down their left, where United's emergency right-back Leny Yoro had a difficult time. A goal should have come from there in the 21st minute when a nice combination allowed Savio to feed Mohammed Kudus, only for the shot on the turn to fly by the post.
There was also a shot over the bar from Bergvall and a break into the box by Gallagher that was halted by a desperate but timely toe-poke from Youri Tielemans.
a late equaliser at Everton last month — couldn't beat 10 men after losing the Old Trafford derby to Manchester City.
‘When things aren’t quite going to plan, I understand the reaction at times,’ said Carrick of the boos at the end of both halves.
‘Obviously, it hurts, you know. It hurts a lot. It’s not nice to go through, but sometimes you have to go through it.
'I care as much as anybody about this club. But it's coming from a good place, really, and so I understand it.
‘I’m not happy with the amount of points we’ve had so far. There’s no hiding from that. I’m not hiding. That’s the reality and we’ve got to accept it.
‘We need to put things in a positive direction quite quickly, that’s pretty plain.
‘That’s two late, late goals against us to throw away two wins. So that changes a lot of things. It changes a feelings among ourselves and it changes the points.
‘We need to do better with seeing out games once we get ourselves in a good position, that’s for sure. We’re more than capable of doing that. We’ve just got to be a little bit more streetwise in the moments and a little bit more stubborn and strong.
‘It’s definitely something where, 10 men or not 10 men, if we’re ahead in games, we’ve got to see them out.’
Tottenham are still without a win in their six Premier League games this season, but the
SUCKER PUNCH: Solanke heads home Tottenham's late equaliser
On the touchline De Zerbi looked grimly frustrated and no wonder.
Early in the second half it was more even, but the better chances belonged to Spurs. Solanke diverted a Savio cross over, while Kobbie Mainoo blocked a shot of his own from the Brazilian.
New United signing Carlos Baleba was rapturously welcomed when he emerged as a substitute but it was another replacement, Joshua Zirkzee, who impacted the game more significantly as his hold-up play enabled United to get up the pitch more regularly. The home team briefly improved and with 17 minutes left, they somehow took the lead.
Mbeumo took his chance well,
FLASHPOINT: The teams square up after Tottenham's Bentancur was sent off (above), while United fans taunt neighbours City (below) by bringing back their famous old banner
turning on to a Matheus Cunha cross to shoot low across Antonin Kinsky. But with at least five Spurs players in the vicinity, he simply should not have been given the time. For Spurs, another disaster loomed. And things soon got an awful lot harder.
Bentancur's lunging tackle at Fernandes was not clever but the head-butt he planted on Shaw after the United player shoved him was just stupid. Briefly chaos reigned. When it settled, Spurs were a man down and a goal down.
United just had to manage the game but of course they couldn't. Two minutes into eight minutes of time, Sandro Tonali crossed for Solanke to head in after prevailing in a wrestling match with Lisandro Martinez, who would have been better off looking at the ball.
本周精选
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📄 Original Section
thanks, says boss
manner of their performance and fightback gave Roberto De Zerbi plenty of reason to feel positive.
The Italian admitted that Bentancur's reaction to being pushed by Shaw was the wrong one, but bizarrely revealed that he kissed the player in the dressing-room afterwards because he showed some fighting spirit.
'I kissed Rodrigo and say thanks,' revealed De Zerbi. 'It is clearly a mistake from Rodrigo, it is not the right reaction in
football. But now Tottenham needs to react. Sometimes the reaction is not nice, not positive for the team, but in that moment maybe with 10 players we played with more courage more energy.
‘For a long time Tottenham played without this blood and this character. Now I am the coach and I want to see this character every game.
‘With the qualities and the character and the right energy, we are going to win many games and score many goals.’
As his team celebrated, De Zerbi clutched a spare ball and kissed it. He may feel his luck is about to change. It should do. His team played to a clear pattern here.
By contrast, United continue to exist on a mixture of vague hope and sense of history. Neither will be good enough in the long term.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Lammens 5; Yoro 5 (Dalot 59min, 6), B Fernandes 6, Maguire 5.5, Shaw 6 (Heaven 90+5); Mainoo 5.5, Tielemans 6 (Baleba 59, 7); Amad 6 (Zirkzee 59, 7), Fernandes 6, Cunha 6 (Rashford 90+5); Mbeumo 6.5.
ROBERTO DE ZERBI has a lot hinging on Dominic Solanke.
Perhaps not all of it by design but by ostracising Richarlison, selling Will Lankshear and signing Omar Marmoush, who does not look like a natural fit at centre forward in this system, the Tottenham boss needs Solanke's fire to rekindle.
Having spent the international break working on him and the three forwards in support, none of whom were away playing for their countries, the Spurs boss asked him to lead the team at Old Trafford in every sense.
Solanke was given the honour of pulling on the armband and being the captain despite not being part of the five-man captaincy group.
It was, according to De Zerbi, a popular move to show faith in a striker who has been the target for criticism during Spurs' sluggish start to this season.
He started by missing a sitter and the time it took to collect the ball and work it into a shooting position betrayed his fragile confidence. Senne Lammens made a good save, but the 29-year-old should have scored.
Then he missed another glorious chance at the start of the second half but to his credit he kept going. He refused to let the misses haunt him. He held up the ball, fought to protect it when he could and drew Manchester United's centre halves into a physical contest.
In the end, Solanke earned his reward, out-muscling Lisandro Martinez to reach the teasing, inswinging cross from Sandro Tonali, the midfield general signed for a club-record £100million who finished the game at left back, from where he delivered his most significant contribution in a Spurs shirt.
Tonali's relief was clear. He is impatient to make an impression and produce a return on what he realises is a huge investment, and yet it will be nothing compared to Solanke's.
Centre forwards need to score, and here was his first in the Premier League since March.
His problems in front of goal since returning from an ankle injury which ruled him out of the first half of last season have been amplified by the team's problems finding the net.
There was no way Solanke was going to let anyone think he had not applied the slightest touch to the ball.
He raced away to a jubilant away end to bask in the glory.
De Zerbi applauded his performance. 'We need this Dominic Solanke because Dominic Solanke is able to make the difference in this team,' said the 47-year-old. Having been
SUFFERING: Spurs boss De Zerbi on the Old Trafford touchline last night
reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of Rodrigo Bentancur, his team showed some of the fighting spirit they have been accused of lacking in the last 12 months.
As a collective, Solanke's equaliser cast a positive glow across another game when they have failed to win.
Three points from six games is barely cause for celebration but De Zerbi has been searching for what he called a ‘click’.
Perhaps this goal will be it. Something to change the narrative. Perhaps to instil faith in what they are trying to do.
Something also to remind them they can fight back. De Zerbi adored the reaction. 'The first time we have played as a team,' purred the Italian.
Spurs have not come back from behind to win in the league for almost two years and the counter has ticked to 49 games.
It is an embarrassing statistic but fighting back to take a point with 10 men will go down as progress and De Zerbi will be thrilled at Solanke's part in the rescue act.
HOT
HEADS
《一生之爱》（LOVE OF YOUR LIFE）
周三，Prime Video
这部由导演瑞秋·莫里森（《内心之火》 / The Fire Inside）执导的剧集表演优雅，由玛格丽特·库里（左图）饰演玛雅，一个在遭受沉重打击后寻找重新热爱生活之道的女人。她通过前往里斯本及更远的地方来实现这一目标，沿途有一群英俊的男性提供帮助——由帕特里克·施瓦辛格、加布里埃尔·巴索和亚伦·皮埃尔饰演。
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📄 Original Section
Spurs star sent off but United fail to cash in
By Chris Wheeler
AT OLD TRAFFORD
MICHAEL CARRICK was left to rue Manchester United's failure to kill off 10-man Tottenham after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw at Old Trafford.
Carrick admitted it ‘hurt’ to be booed by fans after Dominic Solanke struck in injury-time to give Spurs a 1-1 draw and leave United with six points from six league games — their worst start in 40 years since Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson in November 1986.
It was the second Premier League game in a row at home that United — who also conceded
TURN TO PAGE 94
DRAMA: Bentancur head-butts Shaw and (above) Solanke is fired up after netting Spurs' late leveller
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PORTUGAL have suspended Cristiano Ronaldo after he dramatically stormed out of camp following an explosive fall-out with manager Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo showed his petulance during the international break, claiming Portugal boss Jesus ‘broke promises’ by leaving him on the bench during their 2-1 Nations League win over Norway.
The 41-year-old said a plan had been drawn up for him to come off the bench for 30 minutes, but Jesus made him warm up without bringing him on because he ‘didn’t need Cristiano’.
Ahead of Portugal's match against Denmark, football's all-time leading goalscorer is understood to have agreed to an eight-point statement for Jesus to deliver at his press conference.
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詹姆斯·沃尔顿 (James Walton)
德博拉·罗斯 (DEBORAH ROSS) 休假中
📄 Original Section
By Bobby Manzi
But Jesus veered off course, prompting Ronaldo to leave the camp before releasing an extraordinary 1,996-word statement accusing the manager of twice backtracking on his word.
Despite apologising to team-mates, Ronaldo now faces a suspension while an investigation takes place and could miss November's international break, when Portugal face Denmark and Wales.
In a statement released yesterday, the Portuguese Football Federation said a ‘provisional suspension’ was issued on October 9, with the case marked as ‘urgent’.
This grudge match should be played in a circus tent
OLIVER HOLT: Pages 88–89
No. 2272 The Mail on Sunday is published by ANL, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY. Printed by Newsprinters Holdings Ltd (Broxbourne); Newsprinters Holdings Ltd (Knowsley); Newsprinters Holdings Ltd (Eurocentral); KP Services (Jersey); Irish Times (Citywest, Dublin), Ireland; Bermont Impression, Madrid; TFPrint, SA, Tenerife; Miller Newsprint Ltd, Malta; Kronos Corporate Group Ltd, Cyprus; Milkro Hellas Publisher Services Ltd, Athens; Atlas Media Communication, Dubai, UAE. Associated Newspapers Ltd 2026 The Mail on Sunday is a registered trademark of Associated Newspapers Limited. The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2024 was 37.2%.
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It's a familiar scenario, from Brideshead Revisited and The Talented Mr Ripley to Saltburn. An outsider enters the glamorous world of the rich and privileged, and serious turmoil follows.
In a new five-part thriller about power, obsession and class adapted from Elizabeth Day's novel, we see Martin, 'the son of a cabinet-maker', in flashback, being brought up in Wales by his godly widowed mother (Joanna Scanlan). He's then awarded a scholarship to a posh boarding school where he's out of place and bullied until upper-class boy Ben takes him under his wing and invites him to his
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今年万圣节，加入由英国领先的光影步道制作方带来的惊悚家庭冒险之旅
万圣节
在 Kew
万圣节
在布伦海姆宫 (BLENHEIM PALACE)
在穆尔斯谷 (MOORS VALLEY)
一场适合所有人的惊悚趣味步道
10 月 16 日 - 11 月 1 日
一场适合所有人的惊悚趣味发光步道
Kew
RG LIVE
SONY MUSIC
10 月 22 日 - 11 月 1 日
RG LIVE SONY MUSIC
10 月 23 日 - 11 月 1 日
布伦海姆宫 (BLENHEIM PALACE)
halloweenatmoorsvalley.co.uk
英格兰林业局穆尔斯谷乡村公园与森林 MONEY MEASURE CULTURE CREATIVE
是 Raymond Gubbay Ltd. 的贸易名称。
www..
“全球最大的皮克斯沉浸式展览” Mail Online
M UNDO
PIXAR
EXPERIENCE
展期延长
今年秋天继续冒险
伦敦温布利公园 (WEMBLEY PARK / LONDON)
📄 Original Section
PICK OF THE WEEK
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布莱恩·维纳 (BRIAN VINER)
《起义》(The Uprising)
分级：15, 2小时8分钟
★★★★★
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📄 Original Section
THE PARTY
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, ITV1, 9pm
family's country pile in the holidays.
Fast-forward and Ben (Tom Cullen), now a politician, is hosting a lavish 40th birthday party at the same big house and best friend Martin (Luke Evans), a successful journalist but still very much in Ben's wake, is among the guests.
On the same day the Conservative Party has been thrown into chaos when the leader resigns. Snobby, cocksure Ben announces he will have a tilt at the leadership. Also at the party is a political rival who has been sniffing around for secrets that Ben and Martin might be hiding and which could blow Ben's challenge out of the water.
Ben is now married to the gushing Serena (Lydia Leonard), while Martin is with Lucy (Sarah Solemani) – all four were students at Oxford. Pregnant Lucy, another outsider, would rather be anywhere than at the party, an unease that's not helped by Martin. When seeking reassurance about how she looks, he tactlessly comments: 'Pregnancy doesn't suit everyone.' Let's
DARK PAST: Sarah Solemani, Luke Evans, Tom Cullen and Lydia Leonard
just say empathy appears not to be his strong suit.
Except for the reassuringly normal Lucy, and the young Ben (Jonathan Houlston), most of the characters are hard to like, but stick with it as the drama picks up in part two. Lindsay Duncan and Douglas Hodge also turn in wonderful cameos as Ben's parents.
The party runs as a backdrop throughout the series as it shifts smoothly between the past and the present. The night clearly doesn't end well though, as we see a simmering Martin being questioned by the police, his crisp white shirt covered in blood...
Elegantly performed drama from director Rachel Morrison (The Fire Inside), starring Margaret Qualley, left, as Maya, a woman looking for a new way to love life after a crushing loss. This she does by journeying to Lisbon and beyond, and a cast of good-looking men help along the way – played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Basso and Aaron Pierre.
一份新的人民宪章被迅速起草，抄写员们没日没夜地工作，用羽毛笔细致地为英格兰各地区抄写副本……这一幕并非本片首次让我不敬地联想到蒙提·派森（Monty Python）。他们其实只需要一名抄写员就够了，或许可以叫他“睿智的施乐（Xerox the Wise）”。
即便在观看《起义》（The Uprising）时，派森的精神没有萦绕在周围，某个 BBC 真人秀的精神或许会。随着剧情在伦敦塔汇聚，而我们必须有效地分辨谁是叛徒、谁是忠臣时，留着乌黑刘海的克劳迪娅·温克尔曼（Claudia Winkleman）会非常契合这个场景。当然，任何寻找更深层当代语境的人，都会发现许多涉及社会动荡和权力滥用的现代平行事件。
原片的编剧亚伦·索金现在兼任导演。在未能说服艾森伯格回归角色后，他由杰里米·斯特朗饰演扎克伯格，而这一次他被塑造成一个彻头彻尾的反社会人格，似乎在 Facebook 以及由其公司 Meta 运营的其他社交媒体平台的扭曲过程中扮演了共犯角色。
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📄 Original Section
THE BOOK THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
Wednesday, BBC2, 9pm
As many as 40 per cent of Brits admit they haven't read a book in the past year and avid reader Queen Camilla, left, hopes to change that. She meets people for whom reading a good book was to be life-changing, picking them up when they were down and leading them on adventures. A series of happy endings await...
A return to good, clean Sunday teatime drama – with vampires!
The Reluctant Vampire Sunday, BBC1 ★★★★★
Pierre
Monday, Channel 4 ★★★★★
Based on a 1982 children's book by Eric Morecambe, The Reluctant Vampire – appropriately enough – brings us sunshine. It also takes its place squarely in a TV tradi-
tion that seemed in danger of being long-lost: the Sunday teatime drama for all ages. (Think, in ascending order of your elderliness: Worzel Gummidge starring Mackenzie Crook, Super Gran, Worzel Gummidge starring Jon Pertwee, The Adventures Of Black Beauty and Catweazle.)
'Ghosts was our North Star throughout.' But even if he hadn't, that mightn't have been too hard to spot. There's the same winning mixture of daftness and warmth, the same commitment to piling up the gags – and the same ability to take the supernatural entirely for granted while also combining it with a recognisably human family drama.
It's not unknown, for example, for such a drama to feature a domineering father whose first-born son is both eager to please him and unable to. Or for the mum in this situation to be torn between the two. Or for the younger son to be annoyingly good at the things the older one is bad at. Less common, though, is for all this to revolve around vampires.
Last Sunday's opening episode began with 15-year-old Val (Lenny Rush) ruining a neck-biting expedition by needing to go for a wee just as his dad Victor (Tom Davis) was about to sink his fangs into a sleeping woman. Back at their duly gothic castle, Victor's disappointment at his son's wimpiness then led him to make the terrible accusation that, 'I'm not even sure you like blood!' Val tried to prove him wrong by
DEAD FUNNY: The cast of The Reluctant Vampire. Left: David Harewood in Pierre
sipping from a glass of the stuff without gagging. Meanwhile, younger son Vernon
(Gabriel Nagy) was smugly identifying his own tipple as 'Type A, with notes of lavender. Mainland Europe, circa 1700. Possibly from the neck of a Flemish merchant.'
The Reluctant Vampire is written by Neil and Rob Gibbons, Steve Coogan's collaborators in the most recent versions of Alan Partridge. Happily, they retain Morecambe's enjoyment of silliness, and of unapologetically corny jokes ('Blood type? B, O?' the castle butler tested Val at one point. 'Just trying a new aftershave,' replied Val).
They also, however, add some modern touches to the essentially retro feel. Some of these work well, especially Joe
Wilkinson's turn as a woke werewolf, keen that monsters shouldn't be defined simply by their monstrousness: 'Dr Jekyll's got the Mr Hyde stuff, but in the daytime he's a bloody good GP.'
Less successful – feeling somewhere between intrusive and weirdly misguided – are the rude jokes, which on Sunday included some pretty explicit (if admittedly funny) ones.
Nonetheless, this was a joyous half-hour of television. The adult members of the cast are obviously, and understandably, having a blast. Rush's touching but always very funny central performance could be described as 'towering' if he wasn't just over 3ft tall: a joke I think I'm allowed to make, given that Rush apparently insisted on some size gags. 'What's Val short for?' a local girl asked him, for instance. 'I stopped growing when I was four,' he explained.
In Pierre, by coincidence, the title character is a duty solicitor who prides himself on ‘caring for the little people’ – although in this case these are black Londoners facing a hostile justice system.
The series is co-written by Roy Williams, making his TV debut after years of political, race-related works for the stage. And that background shows here, because Pierre is in many ways an old-fashioned debate play.
At first, it seemed as if the debate would be interestingly even-handed. The first client Pierre (David Harewood) saw was a woman complaining of sexual harassment by a supermarket security guard who'd asked what was inside her pants. Except that, as Pierre pointed out, what was inside her pants were several items she'd shoplifted.
Next he met Michael (Ezrae Maye), who'd been arrested for taking a car without the owner's consent: the owner being his aunt Brenda (Cherrelle Skeete). Pierre urged her to drop the charges, as Michael wasn't a bad lad and a criminal record would do someone like him no favours. 'What favours are we doing young black men by continually making excuses for them?' countered Brenda.
Unfortunately, this vital technique for a debate play – always give good lines to the other side – didn’t last. Instead, it soon became clear that Michael was indeed being harassed by a racist copper, and was right to be fighting back by seeking to expose him. So would Pierre help, thereby rekindling the youthful idealism he’d lost when he started wearing ‘a white man’s suit’ and generally playing ‘the white man’s game’? (Unsurprising answer: yes he would.)
To be fair, this is a far richer drama than that summary might suggest. Pierre himself is not just a would-be crusader for justice but also an anxious father, a kindly but not hugely competent boss, a not-bad husband – apart from his gambling addiction – and a good friend to a fellow fifty-something who works in the police and shares Pierre's sense of belonging to a fast-disappearing era. ('We're the dinosaurs and the meteor's about to hit.')
For my money, though – and I appreciate I may not be the target audience here – the energy badly dips whenever the script heads back into straight and slightly wearisome agitprop.
This exhibition was always destined to be a triumph. It brings together paintings by some of
\_\_\_\_ paintings by Monet, Matisse and Picasso among them. Specifically, their paintings of one of the world's most seductively beautiful locations: the French Riviera.
Blue skies, bright sun and azure sea accompany us throughout, as do colourful flowers.
ART
It's an uplifting show from the off. In Morning At Antibes, one of the first works on view, Monet offers us a vista of the walled city of Antibes across a bay. So
Painting The French Riviera
Royal Academy Of Arts, London
Until January 31
★★★★★
sun-drenched is the scene that the ancient buildings almost seem to melt before our eyes in a haze.
The exhibition doesn't consist simply of one pretty picture after another. The organisers explain that the Riviera (known in French as the Cote d'Azur) was little visited before railways connected Paris with the south of France in the mid-19th century. Thereafter, it was discovered by tourists – and artists.
The show covers a period from the 1870s to the early 1960s, and features 150 works. Which is perhaps slightly too many, given the similarity of subject matter. Walking through this exhibition feels rather like overindulging on delicious chocolate.
Among the main takeaways is how the Riviera inspired artists to produce a truly stunning array of blues. In paintings such as Raoul Dufy's Golfe Juan, the water is such a deep cobalt colour that one feels tempted to jump
图 2-1
DEEP BLUE SEA: Raoul Dufy's Golfe Juan, 1927
into the picture for a swim.
For a few months, the Cote d'Azur comes to central London. Visitors will be left feeling anything but blue.
The Uprising, about the 1381 Peasants' Revolt, is one of the muddiest films I've ever seen, so we can only hope
that the irony of his surname occurred to writer-director Paul Greengrass. Either way, he makes a fine job of depicting late 14th-century England as an altogether wretched place.
Then as now, a pandemic had recently wrought havoc, although the Black Death was even more devastating than Covid, killing half the population. Among them were the wife and young daughters of a gutsy farmer we know only as ‘the Ploughman’.
Played by Andrew Garfield with a brow as unhappily furrowed as his soggy field, this Ploughman has absolutely no time for lunch. Grief-stricken, muscular and extremely miffed with the crown's boorish tax collectors, he's a perfect recruit for rebel leader Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis) and his priestly sidekick John Ball (Jamie Bell). They and their
‘We can just sit back and enjoy it as a well told story’
followers are all loyal to the teenage King Richard II (Woody Norman) but resent his ever-more punitive taxes and the baleful influence of his council, to whom the neurotic Richard is in thrall.
They duly march on London at the head of a peasant militia, to the horror of the young king, whose scheming mentor, Sir Robert Hales (Tom Hollander), announces that armies have been ordered back from France and Scotland ‘to quell this turmoil’.
Yet the turmoil continues, at least until Richard surprisingly agrees to Tyler's demands for a more just society, and discreetly allows the mob to take out their pent-up fury on his councillors, some of whom are unceremoniously beheaded.
A new people's charter is swiftly drawn up and copies for every part of England are meticulously quilled by scribes working round the clock... a scene which, not for the first time in this film, had me irreverently thinking of Monty Python. They'd have needed only one scribe, perhaps called Xerox the Wise.
Even if the spirit of Python doesn't hover as you watch The Uprising, the spirit of a certain BBC reality show might. As the action converges on the Tower of London and we must effectively distinguish between traitors and faithfuls, Claudia Winkleman, with her raven-black fringe, would fit right in. Of course, anyone looking for a more profound contemporary context will find plenty of modern parallels involving civil unrest and the abuse of power.
Alternatively, we can all just sit back and enjoy The Uprising as a well told, nicely acted story (also featuring Jonny Lee Miller, Stephen Dillane, Thomasin McKenzie and Katherine Waterston) without stretching for any modern-day perspectives.
A possible caveat to that enjoyment is the sheer bloodiness of it all, and a ‘one year later’ epilogue that will satisfy some and land with a dull clunk for others, with Greengrass evidently deciding to turn his doughty Ploughman into Robin Hood.
On the whole, though, despite its rather whimsical fictional flourishes, his film enlightens us about a relatively little-known
WHISTLEBLOWERS: Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison in The Social Reckoning
episode in English history much more successfully than, for example, Mike Leigh's 2018 misfire Peterloo.
The Social Reckoning shows us another fired-up mob, 640 years after Tyler and his angry peasants and arguably with a less worthy grievance. I refer to the notorious storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 by some of Donald Trump's more rabid supporters.
Now, if you believe that social media is one of the most troubling blights on our age, then this film is well worth seeing. It is
EXTREMELY MIFFED: Andrew Garfield as ‘The Ploughman’ in The Uprising. Above: Jamie Bell
notionally a sequel to David Fincher's movie The Social Network (2010), which chronicled in a broadly upbeat way the origins of Facebook, presenting its creator Mark Zuckerberg (then played by Jesse Eisenberg) as nerdy but brilliant: a tech genius only verging on sociopathic behaviour.
Aaron Sorkin, who scripted the original film, now also takes over directing duties. Having failed to persuade Eisenberg to reprise the role, he has Jeremy Strong playing Zuckerberg, this time as a fully fledged sociopath, seemingly complicit in the warping of Facebook, and other social media platforms run by his company Meta,
‘Worth seeing if you believe social media is a blight’
into something malignant.
This is conveyed through the true story of Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), an idealistic data scientist for Facebook who believed strongly in its mission to connect people, but gradually realised that it was doing so in a most insidious and sinister way, unearthing the alarming statistic that 64 per cent of those who joined extremist groups on the site were sent there by Facebook's own algorithms. This led inexorably, the film implies, to those events at the Capitol.
The Social Reckoning tells us how Haugen turned whistleblower, handing her evidence to Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), an investigative reporter on the Wall Street Journal. All this is rendered more complex than it needs to be by a zippy timeline that becomes almost impossible to follow.
I also find myself tiring of the way Sorkin seems to forge all his most noble characters in his own image: liberal crusaders for truth and justice, with lightning-quick minds, effortlessly quipping their way in and out of trouble.
His TV hit The West Wing was like that and he's still at it, in a film that tries just a little too hard to be a tech version of the 1976 classic All The President's Men. But if you can overlook all that, it's a compelling modern morality tale.
D one well, Rent is the musical equivalent of white-water rafting – and let me be clear: this new production of Jonathan Larson's cult show is done really well.
Starring Gaten Matarazzo – Stranger Things’ nerdy Dustin – as the MC among grungy young people in Nineties New York, Larson’s rollercoaster rock score launches us into the boiling rapids right from the off, with the title number.
From then on, it's a white-knuckle ride of shifting keys and twisting melodies – punctuated by gorgeous still, a cappella waters... and even a touch of tango.
Luke Sheppard's production is wanton, extravagant and sometimes downright profligate, with the cast exploding onto a stage, surrounded by the audience, in what is mocked up as a Manhattan loft.
But the rock-gig energy is also seamed with Larson's alternately
HUNKY HANDYMAN: Jonathan Groff in As You Like It
本周电视节目精选
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📄 Original Section
A white-knuckle ride in Nineties New York
joyful and agonising lyrics, charting the hang-ups, anxieties and pitfalls of young people in the big city: broke and in love.
Inspired by Puccini's opera La Boheme, about struggling artists in 19th-century Paris, its tale of sexual discovery is set in the shadow of Aids.
Devotees of Stranger Things (like me) will have had no clue that Matarazzo, 24, could sing and dance like this. His Mark is the straight one, filming his friends' break-ups... and breakdowns.
MUSIC
He fronts a formidably energetic ensemble led by Travis Ross as Roger, a tortured songwriter and ex-junkie, in love with Mimi (an eye-poppingly agile Alexa Lopez), still battling heroin. Jeevan Braich brings the house down as tragic drag queen Angel, giving Lazy Violet a run for her money as loud and promiscuous lesbian Maureen.
Larson put everything he could think of into this show, as if driven by a sense of his own mortality – he died at just 35 on the eve of its first preview off Broadway, 30 years ago.
So it's certainly exhausting. And, just like when you step out of your canoe after riding the rapids, you may have difficulty
TALES OF YOUNG LOVE: Billy Nevers, Jeevan Braich and Gaten Matarazzo in Rent
walking a straight line on your way home. But that's just another accolade, in my view, for a landmark production of a landmark musical.
Shakespeare's As You Like It has two of the Bard's most coveted female roles, so you need a pretty good reason for excluding women.
But Daniel Evans, co-artistic director of the RSC, gets away with it in his agreeable all-male revival starring Jonathan Groff (best known for originating the role of George III in Hamilton).
Groff plays Rosalind, a young noblewoman seeking refuge in the Forest of Arden after being banished from court alongside friend Celia (Fisayo Akinade).
With Rosalind disguised as a man and Celia disguised as a shepherdess, the comedy charts their adventures while pursued by a lovestruck young wrestler, Orlando (Elliot Barnes-Worrell).
Groff exudes some glamour at court wearing Alexander McQueen-ish black brocade. But he's 41 – and the bloom of youth hath fled his damask cheek, as the Bard might have said. There's little trace of his character's femininity in the forest, where he's dressed like a hunky handyman, sans power tools. And his American accent isolates him, in a production that's nominally Welsh.
As Celia, a perpetual bridesmaid in Rosalind's shadow, Akinade adds huffy comic moments. And Barnes-Worrell brings gravitas, levity and urgency to Orlando.
Although missing a feminine touch, there is plenty of spectacle: thanks to a panel of supersize French doors at court, lifting to reveal a bank of long grass and the mossy sward beyond.
With singles such as West End Girls appealing to fans of all ages,
Pet Shop Boys have spent the past few years burnishing their credentials. Their greatest hits tour has been packing out arenas, and 2024's Nonetheless LP was their biggest in over two decades.
But there's another side to singer Neil Tennant and musician Chris Lowe. Unlike many of their glossy, hit-making 1980s peers, they have become a respected albums act. In April they played a London residency highlighting their most obscure songs. Now they've made a concept album.
A Man From The Future tells the life story of Alan Turing, the British mathematician who played a key role in unlocking the German Enigma code during the Second World War. A powerful mix of electronic and symphonic sounds, it's a bold affair with a strong narrative thread.
If Pet Shop Boys are an art-pop duo, it's the artier side that's to
体育 足球
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📄 Original Section
ADRIAN THRILLS
Pet Shop Boys
A Man From The Future
Out now
★★★★★
the fore here. Tennant and Lowe made the record with Turing's biographer Andrew Hodges, with narrations by actress Juliet Stevenson and orchestrations by composer Sven Helbig.
The story is told in eight expansive tracks. On Natural Wonders Every Child Should Know, we learn of Turing's early interest in science and his sexual awakening as a gay man.
Lowe's cinematic electronics are prominent on The Enigma, a celebration of Turing's de-coding work at Bletchley Park, before the story takes a darker turn with his conviction for a same-sex relationship in 1952 (when homosexuality was still illegal in
Britain), his 1954 suicide and posthumous royal pardon in 2013.
As the story draws to a conclusion, we're treated to the unlikely phenomenon of former prime minister Gordon Brown in a Pet Shop Boys song: the title track contains a passage from
a speech in which Brown
apologised to all those prosecuted
under homophobic laws.
The album also acknowledges Turing's legacy. In imagining a world of smart computers, he predicted the rise of Artificial Intelligence – and Tennant
finishes by pondering the impact of that, mischievously asking whether this entire tale could be ‘the creation of a computer’.
Given its electronic pulses, it is, partly. It's also a thought-provoking take on Turing's story.
THE BEST
NEW FICTION
Murder Most Cryptic
Alys Cummings
Michael Joseph
£16.99, 416pp
Classic crime novels
have traditionally been compared with crossword puzzles. Now Cummings takes the connection to the next level. A man blunders into a group for recovering alcoholics and drops dead. In his pocket is a cryptic clue whose solution is ‘murder’. Further puzzles are weaved skilfully into a narrative that sees an odd couple of cops trying to find the killer among a cast of rogue crossword setters and lapsing drinkers.
John Williams
Partita
Barbara
Kingsolver
Faber £20, 352pp
When Livia Cable
escaped to college on
a piano scholarship,
she carried the legacy of her brother's suicide with her. Years later, a phone call tugs her back into the past, teeing up an intimate coming-of-age story rich in drama and overlaid with midlife yearning. It's an exquisite novel – more contained than its predecessor, the Pulitzer-winning Demon Copperhead, but as resonant as some of the music that fills its pages.
Hephzibah Anderson
American Hagwon
Min Jin Lee
Fourth Estate
£25, 656pp
The bestselling
Korean-American author of Pachinko returns with a chunky cross-continental saga about emigration and education as seen through the ups and downs of three siblings from Seoul. It opens in 1992, when they have to move to Australia because their father is blackmailed at work. The family's quest to regain prosperity ultimately leads to California, and the cram school (in Korean, 'hagwon') of the title. A warm intergenerational drama richly marbled with subplots.
Anthony Cummins
Life Out
Of Order
Audrey
Niffenegger
Jonathan Cape
£22, 560pp
Billed as a companion
piece to The Time Traveller's Wife, this kaleidoscopic novel retains its forerunner's complicated romantic situations and bamboozling logic of involuntary time travel, while adding more concrete concerns, from political upheaval to the dangers of AI. Skipping between the past, present and a gloom-laden future, it brims with ideas and emotions, but an erratic timeline and uneven plot make for a frustratingly episodic read.
Eithne Farry
In The Philippines
Michael Palin
Hutchinson Heinemann £20, 192pp
n your bottom, Michael! Backwards!'
This was ‘good advice’ from the director who was filming him, writes Michael Palin in his deliciously enjoyable short travelogue of 19 incident-filled days in the Philippines, ‘but not what a deeply confused 82-year-old, carrying flippers, and wearing punishingly tight goggles, wants to hear on a specially cleared beach.’
Somehow, though, Palin manages to manoeuvre himself down the rocks into the sea, where he's rewarded by the 'miraculous moment' of swimming next to a 'mass of glittering silver' – a shoal of sardines in perfect formation. There's a photo of this in his small book.
Accompanied by a camera crew and a team of supporters, Palin hops from island to island, sampling the Philippines in all its crazy variety. There's a useful map at the front for anyone who (like me) is a bit foggy about the archipelago's 7,641 islands and how to tell them apart. Basically, the northern ones are Roman Catholic and the southern ones more Muslim, and in one of the Muslim areas, the city of Marawi remains semi-derelict after being ravaged in 2017 by Islamic extremists. But it's coming out of it, according to a persuasive former jihadist whom Palin meets, and its new slogan is 'From Terrorism to Tourism' – which might be 'a little too honest', Palin suggests.
One of the islands, Pag-asa, is only one-tenth of a square mile in area – so tiny that the airport runway sticks out of both ends. The Chinese claim its waters, and have been known to ram Philippine fishing boats. Chinese ships sit ominously in view, reminding Palin of the vulnerability of these islands to the ‘raw reality of power’.
In Manila, Palin visits ‘Smokey Mountain’, the rubbish dump so huge it has houses built into it, and he comes across one of the most revolting forms of food I’ve ever read about: ‘pagpag’. A woman
What Palin saw in the Far East: muck, jihadis and recycled KFC
called Doring trawls round the branches of KFC late at night, strips flesh from leftover bones, washes it three times, refries it in ketchup and presents it the next morning on her stall. 'I like a gastro challenge,' writes Palin, 'and have eaten maggots and bull's testicles in my travelling life. But pagpag defeats me.'
It's an honour for him to be granted an audience with President Bongbong Marcos, son of Ferdinand and Imelda (she of the 3,000 pairs of shoes). The president stipulates that Palin may only ask him three prepared questions. Palin is very nervous. But the tables are turned as soon as they meet. 'Michael Palin!' Bongbong squeals. Having studied PPE at Oxford in the 1970s, he's a lifelong Monty Python fan, and longs to know how they came up with the fish-slapping dance. He treats Palin to a much longer and more friendly audience than was originally stipulated: British soft power at its best.
How to live when you have a 50% chance of dementia
It's just heartbreak after heartbreak after heartbreak.' An American woman named Barb is speaking to the writer Robert Kolker. She is talking about her pain as she witnesses members of her family succumb to early onset dementia. Everyone knows about Alzheimer's disease, not so many people understand that there are many other forms of dementia.
Barb's relatives have frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a disease that attacks parts of the brain controlling personality and behaviour. Typically, it begins to affect people in middle age. In Kolker's words, they 'lose the ability to earn an income, look after their children, do household chores, or take care of their hygiene'. A particular genetic mutation means that Barb's family members have a 50/50 chance of contracting FTD.
Barb's mother Jean had the disease. One of Barb's sisters, Christy, was in her 30s when she began to display the first signs. By her 40s, she was losing her previous self. In years to
come, sisters Jenny and Mary would fall prey to FTD, as would her brother Dutch.
Some of the manifestations of their disease verged on black comedy. When Cynthia, Christy's daughter, brought a boyfriend home, her mother regaled him with fantasies of how David Hasselhoff had made Cynthia pregnant.
The more serious symptoms were much more distressing. When police entered Christy's home for a welfare check, they found her sitting alone amidst mountains of dirty clothes and maggot-ridden cans of fruit.
A rare condition such as FTD does not attract the attention of pharmaceutical companies as Alzheimer's does. There are not enough patients to make it worthwhile. What research has come up with is a test to discover who has the genetic mutation and who has not. Barb took a long time to decide if she would take the test. She is free of the mutation but what is worse? Having it, or watching loved ones lose themselves because of it. Kolker proves the ideal chronicler for a story that demands sensitive telling. An intensely moving, humane study of a family forced to deal with an unimaginably cruel fate.
Anthea Rowan
BOOKS
The most important family in BRITISH HISTORY... (no - it's not the royals)
DISRUPTORS: Thomas, right, and Oliver Cromwell
剧集时间 (DRAMA TIME)
吉米·麦戈文（Jimmy McGovern）带着他那部曾获 BAFTA 奖项的监狱系列选集回归第三季，背景设定在一家青少年犯管教所。大卫·特南特（David Tennant，右）饰演一名在工作中经历道德觉醒的监管人员，与此同时他的婚姻正走向崩溃。青少年囚犯们是一群野蛮之辈，但麦戈文也在他们的故事中编织了一些悲剧和道德复杂性。周日，BBC1，晚上9点，以及 BBC iPlayer
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📄 Original Section
Thomas Cromwell and his great-great- great-nephew Oliver both changed the nation's history – one broke from Rome, the other deposed a king
KATHRYN HUGHES
HISTORY
The House Of
Cromwell
Miranda Malins
William Collins £25, 480pp
Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall, used to recount how, when she told people she was writing a novel about Thomas Cromwell, they would shoot back, 'don't you mean Oliver Cromwell?' The two men often get confused and sometimes even conflated.
Thomas was the Tudor courtier who became Henry VIII's ruthless fixer, obtaining the annulment that allowed His Majesty to marry Anne Boleyn in 1533. His reward was to be sent to the Tower and executed. Fast-forward a century, and Thomas's great-great-great nephew Oliver arranged for Charles I to be sent to the scaffold so that he could step into his shoes as 'His Highness Lord Protector of England'.
You could call it revenge, served very cold indeed.
In this masterly book, historian Miranda Malins sets out to show how the two Cromwells, Thomas and Oliver, were the product of a unique family culture that propelled them to dizzying heights before hurling them into the gutter. Thomas lost more than his head in 1540: his reputation immediately plunged to that of a ‘false churl’ and ‘arch-traitor’.
Oliver, by contrast, died peacefully in his bed and was granted a grand burial in Westminster Abbey. Yet two years on, and with Charles II now restored to the throne, the former Lord Protector was dug up, decapitated and his head stuck on a spike as a warning to anyone who might be tempted by a spot of regicide.
What was it about the Cromwell DNA, Malins wants to know, that turned these two men into political adventurers who flew too close to the sun? And how should we assess their achievements now that the
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‘Although landed gentry, Oliver dug his own fields’
dust of nearly five centuries has been allowed to settle?
Thomas was the son of a Putney blacksmith who ran away to Europe as a soldier-for-hire before picking up valuable experience as a clerk in a wealthy Italian merchant household.
He taught himself several foreign languages, learned some law, and observed carefully how money and power operated in the highest circles.
Armed with these essential skills he returned to England and began his climb up the greasy pole of Tudor court politics.
Oliver, by contrast, was born into the landed gentry, although on its lowest rung. He was obliged to leave Cambridge when his father died, in order to support his seven sisters. For a while, young Oliver was so poor that he was reduced to digging his own fields and milking his own cows.
Thanks to this early labour on marshy farmland, he contracted malaria, the disease that would eventually kill him. Only a lucky inheritance from a childless uncle in 1636 enabled Oliver to get back on the property ladder and into Parliament as MP for the prestigious seat of Cambridge.
Both Cromwells were canny operators who built up a power base of useful contacts by placing their sons, nephews and cousins in high official positions.
Affection came into it too. Both men saw themselves as paterfamilias, responsible for looking after all those younger sons and unmarried daughters who were in danger of falling into poverty.
Austin Friars, the magnificent London house where Thomas lived, was filled with young people whose education he paid for before placing them in key posts and advantageous marriages. Oliver also ‘delighted in gathering waifs and strays’, even inviting the family of his devoted deceased French manservant to live with his own.
Malins argues that Thomas's politicking in the 1530s bequeathed a set of intractable problems to his great-great-great nephew. It was on Thomas's watch that England broke with the Pope, which allowed Henry VIII to rule as an autocrat, answerable to no-one. A
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‘Thomas broke down when his wife and daughters died’
century later, Charles I tried to recreate this state of affairs by dissolving Parliament and declaring that he now ruled as an absolute monarch. It was only a matter of time before the Parliamentary Party, led by Oliver Cromwell, took up arms against the king and his supporters. The English Civil War had begun.
Oliver was 43 by this time, a late developer. Much to everyone's surprise, including his own, he emerged as a brilliant military strategist, eventually defeating the king's men at Marston Moor (1644) and Naseby (1645). Charles I was eventually executed in 1649, leaving the way clear for Cromwell to take his place, in all but name, as the Lord Protector.
In telling this complicated double story, Malins busts some deeply entrenched myths. Thomas Cromwell, for instance, was no-one's idea of a cold fish in the manner suggested by Mantel in Wolf Hall.
In the late 1520s, when the 'sweating sickness' carried off his wife and daughters, Thomas collapsed in a severe nervous breakdown, which had his friends worrying for his sanity. Oliver Cromwell, in turn, was far from being a dour puritan. He may have instructed his portrait painter to capture him 'warts and all' (he was famously knobbly) but he had a sharp eye for fashion. A 1649 portrait shows him in a silver suit embroidered with gold thread and tassels with fashionable bucket-topped boots. In his giddier moments, he had even been known to dance.
Both Thomas and Oliver Cromwells' lives have been told many times before, so it is surprising that Malins decides to repeat them in such detail (this chunky book is getting on for 500 pages). She also chooses to switch between the two narratives in a way that could be confusing for anyone coming to this material for the first time. What this ‘compare and contrast’ method does do, though, is allow us to see, perhaps for the first time, the fascinating echoes, rhymes and rhythms between these two great men of history, linked by a famous name and an enduring family connection.
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7.00 The Grosvenor: London's Grand Hotel A look at the hotel in Mayfair, which opened in 1929 and brought luxury to London on a scale never seen before.
8.00 22 Kids & Counting
Chloe Radford and her partner Jake welcome their second child, but the baby cries constantly, day and night, leaving Chloe, Jake and four-year-old Mila exhausted.
9.00 Live: NFL On 5 Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers (Kick-off 9.25pm). Dermot O'Leary, Sam Quek, and Osi Umenyiora present coverage of the week five NFC West match at Lumen Field. The teams last met in last season's NFC divisional play-offs, when the Seahawks claimed an emphatic 41-6 home win, and went on to win the Super Bowl for the second time in their history and the first since 2013.
12.30 Cops Real-life footage of police at work. (R)
CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R)
7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R)
11.10 American Pickers (R)
12.05 Channel 4
12.10 Renovation Nation (R)
1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R)
2.10 Countdown
3.00 A Place In The Sun (R)
4.00 Help! We Bought A Village
5.00 Four In A Bed (R)
5.30 Come Dine With Me (R)
6.00 A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
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📄 Original Section
Monday October 12
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7.00 Channel 4
7.55 Chloe's Story: Stand Up To Cancer 受癌症影响的人们分享他们个人且令人动容的故事。(R)
8.00 Jamie's 20 Minute Meals
杰米分享了一道甜葱干白兰地火焰酱牛排的食谱。
9.00 Pierre 2 / 6 在迈克尔的尸体被发现后，该律师仍处于震惊之中。
---
📄 Original Section
BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt 1.00 BBC
News 1.35 Regional News 1.45
BBC News 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R)
2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00
Escape To The Country 3.45
Garden Rescue 4.30 Bridge Of
Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
News 6.30 Regional News
7.00 The One Show
7.30 EastEnders
8.00 Roman Abramovich: How
He Hid His Fortune –
Panorama In-depth report.
8.30 Clickbait Clinic With Stacey
Dooley 4/6 A look at viral
wellness trends.
9.00 Time 2/3 Prison drama,
starring David Tennant.
10.00 BBC News At Ten
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 Have I Got News For You
2/10 Alex Jones hosts. (R)
11.10 FILM: Misbehaviour
(12/2020) Comedy drama
starring Keira Knightley.
12.55 BBC News
---
10.05 Geordie Coppers
11.05 Killing Anna 纪录片，追踪一起关于叙利亚战争罪行的调查。
12.35 24 Hours In A&E (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 电影：《The Girl They Forgot》(12 / 2023) 犯罪剧，由 Betsy Baker 和 Jeanette Branch 主演。 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55
7.00 Police Interceptors 警员们奋力阻止一名驾驶偷窃货车的危险司机。(R)
7.55
8.00 Traffic Cops: Elite Squad One 摩托车警员 Joe Moisley 响应 A63 公路一起严重碰撞事故。
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📄 Original Section
BBC2
6.20 Bargain Hunt (R) 7.05 Sign Zone: The Great House Revival (R) 7.55 Match Of The Day (R)
9.00 BBC News 12.15 Politics Live 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R)
3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.10 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 Global Eye Investigations from BBC correspondents all over the world.
7.30 Mastermind
8.00 Only Connect
8.30 University Challenge
9.00 Being Muslim After 9/11 The impact of the September 11 attacks on British Muslims.
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9.00 Michael Palin In The Philippines 3 / 3 Michael 开始他在南部民答峨岛的旅程最后一程。
10.00 Forensics: Murder Scene 3 / 6 在一家回收厂有了令人毛骨悚然的发现。(R)
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📄 Original Section
10.30 Newsnight
---
11.35 A Killer Makes A Call 3 / 8
1.00 Must Have Ideas (R)
---
📄 Original Section
11.05 FILM: American Fiction
(15/2024) Satire starring Jeffrey Wright.
12.55 Sign Zone: Countryfile (R)
---
10月13日 星期二
BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt (R) 1.00 BBC
1.35 Regional 1.45
BBC 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R)
2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00
Escape To The Country 3.45
Garden Rescue (R) 4.30 Bridge Of
Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
6.30 Regional
7.00 The One Show 由 Alex
Jones 和 Roman Kemp 主持。
7.30 EastEnders The Slaters
聚集在 Kat 身边。
8.00 DIY SOS 4 / 5 一个家庭需要
团队的帮助，以便让他们的
儿子从医院回家。
9.00 Blue Lights 3 / 6 Shane 与 Lee
陷入紧张的对峙。
10.00 BBC At Ten
10.30 Regional ; Weather
10.40 Stacey Dooley 讲述一些
女性在高处坠落后死亡的案例。(R)
11.40 Clickbait Clinic With Stacey
Dooley 4 / 6 探讨走红的健康趋势。(R)
12.10 Wisdom Of The Crowd (R)
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📄 Original Section
ITV1
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather 7.30 Cooking With The Stars 2/10 With Bez, Scarlett Moffatt and Zara McDermott.
8.00 Emmerdale Joe puts a new plot into motion.
8.30 Coronation Street Debbie feels scrutinised by Ronnie.
9.00 The Party 2/5 Martin struggles to contain the fallout from Ben's announcement.
10.00 ITV News; Weather 10.30 Local News; Weather 10.45 Killer In The House: The Murder Of Nicholas Billingham (R)
11.40 Killer In The House: The Murders Of Lesley Howell And Trevor Buchanan (R)
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BBC2
6.30 Bargain Hunt (R) 7.15
Escape To The Country (R) 8.00
Sign Zone: The Best Of Weatherman Walking (R) 9.00
BBC 12.15 Politics Live 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R)
3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 The Hairy Bikers Go West 1 / 7 David Myers 和 Si King 访问比ュ特岛。(R)
8.00 Saving Lives At Sea 9 / 10 Porthcawl 救援队接到关于一名陷入困境的冲浪者的求救电话。
9.00 John Simpson – Sixty Years At The BBC John Simpson 回顾他在 BBC 60年的职业生涯。
10.00 QI 13 / 18 益智游戏节目。(R)
10.30 Newsnight
11.00 Being Muslim After 9 / 11 (R)
12.05 Sign Zone: Damilola: The Untold Story (R)
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV ; Weather 1.55 Local ; 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local ; 6.30 ITV ; 7.15 The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live 金融专家回答最关键的财务问题。 8.00 Emmerdale Matty 发现农场生活很艰辛。 8.30 Coronation Street Todd 将 Kit 的秘密泄露给了惊恐的 Sarah。 9.00 The Party 3 / 5 Martin 承受着来自焦虑的 Ben 的情感压力。 10.00 ITV ; 10.30 Local ; 10.45 The Sugar Daddy Murder: True Crime Presents 探讨 Peter McMahon 被谋杀的案件。(R) 11.35 Sorry, I Didn't Know 4 / 5 (R) 12.00 Shop On TV
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📄 Original Section
12.35 Shop On TV
---
第4频道 (CHANNEL 4)
6.30 《女王之王》(The King Of Queens) (R) 7.45 《大家都爱雷蒙》(Everybody Loves Raymond) (R)
9.10 《弗雷泽》(Frasier) (R) 11.10 《美国捡宝》(American Pickers) (R) 12.05 第4频道新闻 12.10 《翻新国家》(Renovation Nation) (R) 1.10 《大宅赠予》(The Great House Giveaway) (R) 2.10 《倒计时》(Countdown) 3.00 《阳光下的居所》(A Place In The Sun) (R) 4.00 《救命！我们买了个村庄》(Help! We Bought A Village) 5.00 《四人一床》(Four In A Bed) (R) 5.30 《跟我一起用餐》(Come Dine With Me) (R) 6.00 《阳光下的新生活：他们现在如何？》(A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now?) (R)
7.00 第4频道新闻
7.55 《马修的故事：对抗癌症》(Matthew's Story: Stand Up To Cancer) 一名在2023年被诊断出患有侵袭性脑肿瘤的男子。(R)
8.00 《英国烘焙大赛》(The Great British Bake Off) 4 / 10 业余烘焙师们挑战面包周。
10.15 《英国烘焙大赛：二次加餐》(The Great British Bake Off: Second Helpings) 4 / 10 乔恩·理查森和朱迪·洛夫讨论面包周。
11.05 《沙发评论员》(Gogglebox) 3 / 16 (R)
12.05 《任务大师》(Taskmaster) (R)
6.00 《牛奶奶昔！》(Milkshake!) 9.15 杰里米·Vine
11.30 斯通与亚历克西斯 (Storm & Alexis) 12.45 新闻
12.50 马特·奥尔赖特 (Matt Allwright) 2.20 电影：《绑架：寻找艾玛·莫雷诺》(Abducted: Searching For Emma Moreno) (PG / 2023) 由维罗妮卡·拉米雷斯主演的惊悚片。 4.00 《阳光下的英国砍价族》(Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun) (R) 5.00 新闻 6.00 《康沃尔：海边的一年》(Cornwall: A Year By The Sea) (R) 6.55 新闻
9.00 《本·福格尔：荒野新生活》(Ben Fogle: New Lives In The Wild) 本在法属波利尼西亚的阿赫太平洋环礁见到了亨伯特一家。
10.00 《外科医生：生死攸关》(Surgeons: A Matter Of Life Or Death) 3 / 6 讲述了阿尔菲的故事，他的肿瘤正迅速向鼻子和脸颊生长。(R)
11.35 《医院：生死线》(The Hospital: Life On The Line) 纪录片。(R)
12.35 《警察》(Cops) (R)
晚上9点
晚上10点05分
📄 Original Section
CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) 9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4 News 12.10 Renovation Nation (R) 1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00 Help! We Bought A Village 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
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10月14日 星期三
---
📄 Original Section
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Chloe's Story: Stand Up To Cancer People affected by cancer share their personal and moving stories. (R)
8.00 Jamie's 20 Minute Meals
Jamie shares a recipe for steak in a sweet shallot and flambéed brandy sauce.
9.00 Pierre 2/6 The solicitor is still in shock after Michael's body was discovered.
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BBC1
6.00 《早餐》(Breakfast) 9.30 《早晨直播》(Morning Live) 10.45 《犯罪观察直播》(Crimewatch Live) 11.30 《锤下房产》(Homes Under The Hammer) (R) 12.15 《砍价猎人》(Bargain Hunt) (R) 1.00 BBC新闻 1.35 地区新闻 1.45 BBC新闻 2.00 《清理它，修复它》(Clean It, Fix It) (R) 2.30 《移走节俭》(Shift The Thrift) (R) 3.00 《逃往乡村》(Escape To The Country) (R) 3.45 《花园救援》(Garden Rescue) 4.30 《谎言之桥》(Bridge Of Lies) 5.15 《毫无头绪》(Pointless) (R) 6.00 BBC新闻 6.30 地区新闻 7.00 《综合节目》(The One Show) 由
11.05 Killing Anna Documentary following an investigation into Syrian war crimes.
12.35 24 Hours In A&E (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: The Girl They Forgot (12/2023) Crime drama starring Betsy Baker and Jeanette Branch. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 Police Interceptors Officers
battle to stop a dangerous
driver in a stolen lorry. (R)
7.55 News
8.00 Traffic Cops: Elite Squad One Motorcycle officer Joe Moisley responds to a serious collision on the A63.
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12.00 《名人内部圈子》(The Celebrity Inner Circle)
阿曼达·霍尔登主持。(R)
6.30 《逃往乡村》(Escape To The Country) (R)
7.15 《谎言之桥》(Bridge Of Lies) (R) 8.00 《手语区：不情愿的吸血鬼》(Sign Zone: The Reluctant Vampire) (R)
8.30 《气象员漫步精选》(The Best Of Weatherman Walking) (R) 9.00 BBC新闻 11.15 《政治直播》(Politics Live) 1.00 《不可能》(Impossible) (R)
1.45 《答案奔跑》(The Answer Run) (R) 2.30 《老板》(The Boss) (R) 3.15 《英国铁路之旅》(Great British Railway Journeys) (R) 3.45 《大宅复兴》(The Great House Revival) (R) 4.35 《古董路演经典》(Vintage Antiques Roadshow) (R)
5.15 《把它卖了！》(Flog It!) (R) 6.00 《游戏之屋》(House Of Games) 6.30 《严格舞步：两人同行》(Strictly: It Takes Two)
Sign Zone: The Best Of Weatherman Walking (R) 9.00
BBC News 12.15 Politics Live 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R)
3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 The Hairy Bikers Go West 1/7 David Myers and Si King visit the Isle of Bute. (R)
8.00 Saving Lives At Sea 9/10 A call comes in for the Porthcawl crew about a surfer in trouble.
9.00 John Simpson – Sixty Years At The BBC John Simpson takes a look back at his 60-year career at the BBC.
10.00 QI 13/18 Panel game. (R)
10.30 Newsnight
11.00 Being Muslim After 9/11 (R)
12.05 Sign Zone: Damilola: The Untold Story (R)
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather 7.15 The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live The cash expert answers the financial questions that matter most. 8.00 Emmerdale Matty is finding life at the farm hard. 8.30 Coronation Street Todd betrays Kit's confidence to a horrified Sarah. 9.00 The Party 3/5 Martin is put under emotional pressure from a frantic Ben. 10.00 ITV News; Weather 10.30 Local News; Weather 10.45 The Sugar Daddy Murder: True Crime Presents A look at the murder of Peter McMahon. (R) 11.35 Sorry, I Didn't Know 4/5 (R) 12.00 Shop On TV
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4 News 12.10 Renovation Nation (R) 1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00 Help! We Bought A Village 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Matthew's Story: Stand Up To Cancer A man diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2023. (R)
8.00 The Great British Bake Off 4/10 The amateur bakers tackle bread week.
9.15 Tempting Fortune 4/8 The exhausted contestants are offered the ultimate escape.
10.15 The Great British Bake Off: Second Helpings 4/10 Jon Richardson and Judi Love talk about bread week.
11.05 Gogglebox 3/16 (R)
12.05 Taskmaster (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine
11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News
12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Abducted: Searching For Emma Moreno (PG/2023) Thriller starring Veronica Ramirez. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 Traffic Cops (R)
7.55 News
8.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain's Speeders On the M6, PCs Tom Cordall and Greg Chadwick track a reportedly stolen Audi A3.
9.00 Ben Fogle: New Lives In The Wild Ben meets the Humbert family on the Pacific atoll of Ahe, in French Polynesia.
10.00 Surgeons: A Matter Of Life Or Death 3/6 Featuring Alfie, who has a tumour growing at speed into his nose and cheek. (R)
11.35 The Hospital: Life On The Line Documentary. (R)
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live 10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30 Homes Under The Hammer (R) 12.15 Bargain Hunt (R) 1.00 BBC News 1.35 Regional News 1.45 BBC News 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R) 2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00 Escape To The Country (R) 3.45 Garden Rescue 4.30 Bridge Of Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC News 6.30 Regional News 7.00 The One Show Hosted by
Alex Jones and Vernon Kay.
7.30 EastEnders Penny pushes Amy for answers.
8.00 The Repair Shop: Beyond The Barn 7/8 The experts restore a record player, a signet and a djembe drum.
9.00 Who Do You Think You Are?
4/8 Actress Rose Ayling-
Ellis traces her ancestry. (R)
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 MOTD: Uefa Champions
League Action from the latest matches.
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10月15日 星期四
BBC1
6.00 《早餐》 9.30 《早晨直播》
10.45 《犯罪观察直播》 11.30
《锤下之屋》(重播)
12.15 《砍价猎人》(重播) 1.00 BBC
新闻 1.35 地区新闻 1.45
BBC新闻 2.00 《清理它，修复它》(重播)
2.30 《移走旧货》(重播) 3.00
《逃往乡村》(重播) 3.45
《花园救援》(重播) 4.30 《谎言之桥》 5.15 《Pointless》(重播) 6.00 BBC
新闻 6.30 地区新闻
7.00 《One Show》
7.30 《东区东街》
8.00 《名人叛徒》5 / 10
圆桌会议带来了紧张的气氛。
9.05 《名人叛徒：揭秘》5 / 10 埃德·甘博
分析城堡中的最新进展。
9.30 《不打算出去》4 / 6 艾米·格莱希尔和露西·博蒙客串出演。
10.00 BBC十点新闻
10.30 地区新闻；天气
10.40 《问题时间》
11.40 《Newscast》
12.10 《修复店：谷仓之外》(重播)
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📄 Original Section
12.00 The Celebrity Inner Circle
Amanda Holden hosts. (R)
6.30 Escape To The Country (R)
7.15 Bridge Of Lies (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: The Reluctant Vampire (R)
8.30 The Best Of Weatherman Walking (R) 9.00 BBC News 11.15 Politics Live 1.00 Impossible (R)
1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R) 3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R)
5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two
10.45 Peston Political magazine hosted by Robert Peston.
11.30 The Assembly: More Unseen 8/8 (R)
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10月16日 星期五
---
📄 Original Section
12.00 Shop On TV
---
BBC1
---
📄 Original Section
CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4 News 12.10 Renovation Nation (R) 1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00 Help! We Bought A Village 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Morgan's Story: Stand Up To Cancer (R)
8.00 Location, Location, Location
Kirstie Allsopp and Phil
Spencer help two couples
search south London.
9.00 Grand Designs A revisit to a renovated textile mill near Huddersfield.
10.00 Fellow Travelers 1/8 Drama about the decades-long romance between two very different men.
---
10.40PM
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt 1.00 BBC
News 1.35 Regional News 1.45
BBC 2.00 Sister Boniface
Mysteries 2.45 Escape To The
Country (R) 3.45 Garden Rescue
4.30 Celebrity Bridge Of Lies (R)
5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
6.30 Regional
7.00 The One Show With Roman
Kemp and JB Gill.
7.30 Would I Lie To You? 2 / 11 (R)
8.00 The Celebrity Traitors 6 / 10
阴谋论四起。
9.05 The Celebrity Traitors:
Uncloaked 6 / 10
9.30 Have I Got For You
3 / 10 Jason Manford 主持。
10.00 BBC At Ten
10.30 Regional ; Weather
10.40 The Graham Norton Show
4 / 19 嘉宾包括 Quentin
Tarantino, Colin Farrell,
Ellen DeGeneres 和
Gemma Chan。
11.30 RuPaul's Drag Race UK (R)
12.40 BBC
---
📄 Original Section
11.25 Fellow Travelers 2/8
12.35 The Great British Bake Off
Bread week. (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Deadly Surrogacy (12/2022) Drama starring Rhonda Dent. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News 7.00 Invasion Of The E-Bikes:
Scourge Of Our Streets?
Investigating the e-bike boom, and how the rise in illegal, high-speed versions are posing a new threat.
7.55 News
8.00 Murder Scene: The Incident Room 3/6 A look into the death of 96-year-old Emma Finch in the Hampshire village of Liss.
9.00 Cause Of Death 3/12
Investigating the death of 17-year-old Derbyshire boxer Ed Bilbey.
10.00 My Wife, My Killer & The Secret Footage 1/2 (R)
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BBC2
6.30 Garden Rescue (R) 7.15 Bridge Of Lies (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Wilderness With Simon Reeve (R) 9.00 BBC 12.30 Political Thinking With Nick Robinson 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R) 3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two 7.00 Newsnight
7.30 Landward 访问牧羊犬世界赛。
8.00 Gardeners' World Frances Tophill 将处理秋季花园的各项工作。
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV ; Weather 1.55 Local ; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local ; Weather 6.30 ITV ; Weather
7.30 It'll Be Alright On The Night
由 Alexander Armstrong 和 Richard Ayoade 主持的电视节目大翻车集锦。(R)
8.00 Emmerdale Moira 感到被疏远。
8.30 Coronation Street Nick 对 ldris 介入他儿子生活及其生计感到愤慨。
9.00 Beat The Chasers 3 / 9
Ellie May, Yinka, Carl,
Helen 和 Charles 对阵
追击者团队。(R)
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📄 Original Section
Thursday October 15
BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt (R) 1.00 BBC
News 1.35 Regional News 1.45
BBC News 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R)
2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00
Escape To The Country (R) 3.45
Garden Rescue (R) 4.30 Bridge Of
Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
News 6.30 Regional News
7.00 The One Show
7.30 EastEnders
8.00 The Celebrity Traitors 5/10
The round table brings a
fractious atmosphere.
9.05 The Celebrity Traitors:
Uncloaked 5/10 Ed Gamble
analyses the latest
developments in the castle.
9.30 Not Going Out 4/6 Amy
Gledhill and Lucy
Beaumont guest star.
10.00 BBC News At Ten
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 Question Time
11.40 Newscast
12.10 The Repair Shop:
Beyond The Barn (R)
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10.00 ITV ; Weather
10.30 Local ; Weather
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📄 Original Section
BBC2
6.30 Garden Rescue (R) 7.15
Bridge Of Lies (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Gardeners' World (R) 9.00 BBC News 12.15 Politics Live 1.00
Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R) 3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)
6.00 House Of Games 6.30
Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 Escape To The Country
A couple seek a detached property in Surrey. (R)
8.00 Monty Don's British Gardens 2/5 Monty heads across the north of England to Northern Ireland. (R)
9.00 Surgeons: At The Edge Of Life 2/6 Neurosurgeon Rod Laing attempts to remove a slipped disc. (R)
10.00 Inside No 9 5/6 A woman and her son encounter a mysterious stranger. (R)
10.30 Newsnight
11.00 Uncanny 2/4 (R)
12.00 Sign Zone: Blue Lights (R)
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather
7.30 How To Stay Fit As You Age: Tonight Paul Brand investigates whether it is ever too late to get fit.
8.00 Emmerdale Cain is suspicious of Sadie's motives.
8.30 Coronation Street Debbie sends Abi to spy on Ronnie.
9.00 Long Lost Family 5/7 Cameras focus on the childhoods of Alan Parker and Katherine Fletcher. (R)
10.00 ITV News; Weather
10.30 Local News; Weather
10.45 The Late Debate News and events at Westminster.
11.15 FILM: Jurassic Park III
(PG/2001) Action adventure sequel starring Sam Neill.
12.40 Shop On TV
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10.45 电影：《侏罗纪世界：
陨落王国》(12 / 2018)
由 Chris Pratt 和 Rafe Spall 主演的动作续集。
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📄 Original Section
CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45
Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American
Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4
News 12.10 Renovation Nation
(R) 1.10 The Great House
Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown
3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00
Help! We Bought A Village 5.00
Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine
With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The
Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Becca's Story: Stand Up
To Cancer (R)
8.00 Our Tiny Islands Sheep
farming and wool
production on lona. (R)
9.05 Taskmaster 7/10 A former
contestant makes an
unexpected return.
10.05 Break Clause 5/6 Ben and
Lil bunk off work to enjoy a
day out in London.
10.35 Break Clause 6/6 Ben and
Lil prepare to go their
separate ways.
11.10 Gogglebox 6/16 (R)
12.15 Pierre (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine
11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News
12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Stranger On The Shore (PG/2023)
Thriller starring Koko Marshall.
4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 Sam & Ade Go Birding 3/3 The pair visit Yorkshire's Bempton Cliffs.
7.55 News
8.00 The Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright tries to save a lamb who has a birth defect.
9.00 Love Nature (R)
9.05 All Creatures Great And Small 5/7 Tristan smartens up for a date with Charlotte.
10.00 All Creatures Great And Small: Behind The Scenes
10.10 Alexander Armstrong In India 2/3 Alexander visits the Pink City of Jaipur. (R)
11.05 999: Killer On The Line 2/8 How Christopher Strettle spun a web of lies after murdering his friend.
12.05 Fatal First Dates
11.05PM
12.45 Shop On TV
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📄 Original Section
Friday October 16
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CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45
Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American
Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4
12.10 Renovation Nation
(R) 1.10 The Great House
Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown
3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00
Help! We Bought A Village 5.00
Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine
With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The
Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4
7.55 Yuvraj's Story: Stand Up
To Cancer (R)
8.00 George Clarke's Building Home 1 / 4 一对夫妇在兰开夏郡的 Ribble Valley 建造房屋。(R)
9.05 Gogglebox 7 / 16 扶手椅评论员分享他们对近期电视节目的看法。
10.05 The Last Leg 新系列。
嘉宾包括 Tim Minchin
和 Ellie Taylor。
11.10 电影：《美国大团圆》(15 / 2012) 由 Jason Biggs 主演的喜剧续集。
1.15 Break Clause (R)
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📄 Original Section
BBC1
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晚上 9.05
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 新闻 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 电影：《十二绝望时》(Twelve Desperate Hours) (12 / 2023) 由萨曼莎·马蒂斯主演的惊悚片。 4.00 阳光下的英国淘货族 (Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun) (重播) 5.00 新闻 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (重播) 6.55 新闻
6.00 早餐节目 10.00 星期六厨房直播 11.30 90岁的玛丽：一辈子的烹饪 (Mary At 90: A Lifetime Of Cooking) (重播) 12.00 淘货猎人 (Bargain Hunt) (重播) 12.45 足球访谈 1.00 BBC新闻；天气 1.15 免费之财 (Money For Nothing) (重播) 2.00 锤下之屋 (Homes Under The Hammer) (重播) 3.00 逃往乡村 (Escape To The Country) (重播) 3.45 最终比分 5.10 BBC新闻 5.20 地区新闻；天气 5.30 名人内圈 6.15 严格舞会：偶像周
问答节目，参赛者挑战演播室观众的集体知识，以赢取巨额现金奖金。
英超最新比赛集锦。 11.40 电影：《黑暗中讲述的恐怖故事》(Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark) (15 / 2019)
1.25 BBC新闻
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📄 Original Section
BBC2
6.30 Garden Rescue (R) 7.15 Bridge Of Lies (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Wilderness With Simon Reeve (R) 9.00 BBC News 12.30 Political Thinking With Nick Robinson 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R) 3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two 7.00 Newsnight
7.30 Landward Visiting the Sheep Dog World Trial.
8.00 Gardeners' World Frances Tophill is tackling jobs in the autumn garden.
9.00 Six Wives With Lucy Worsley 2/3 (R)
10.00 FILM: The Silence Of The Lambs (18/1991) Thriller starring Jodie Foster.
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather
7.30 It'll Be Alright On The Night
TV clangers featuring Alexander Armstrong and Richard Ayoade. (R)
8.00 Emmerdale Moira is feeling alienated.
8.30 Coronation Street Nick resents ldris muscling in on his son and his livelihood.
9.00 Beat The Chasers 3/9
Ellie May, Yinka, Carl,
Helen and Charles take on
a team of Chasers. (R)
---
CHANNEL 4
6.05 干杯 (Cheers) (重播) 7.50 大家都爱雷蒙德 (Everybody Loves Raymond) (重播) 9.45 弗雷泽 (Frasier) (重播) 11.45 辛普森一家 (The Simpsons) (重播) 1.40 四人同床 (Four In A Bed) (重播) 4.15 克斯蒂和菲尔的爱它或列出它 (Kirstie And Phil's Love It Or List It) (重播) 5.15 英国烘焙大赛 (The Great British Bake Off) (重播) 6.25 第4频道新闻 6.55 电影：《骑士与白天》(Knight And Day) (12 / 2010) 一名女子被绑架，并被卷入一名特工的行动中，该特工在被诬陷为叛徒后试图洗清自己的名声。由汤姆·克鲁斯和卡梅隆·迪亚兹主演的喜剧冒险片。
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Twelve Desperate Hours (12/2023) Thriller starring Samantha Mathis. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 The World's Most Luxurious Retirement Homes A look at residences in West Sussex, Miami and Colorado. (R)
7.55 News
8.00 Our Great Yorkshire Life
Emmerdale's Charlotte
Bellamy hunts for rare
Yorkshire gold near Whitby.
9.05 Play For Today: The Quiet Hour 4/6 Nurse Riya faces mounting emergencies, a near-fatal mistake and a combative amputee. Drama starring Archie Panjabi.
10.00 Piers Morgan: Uncensored
Opinion-led news show
hosted by Piers Morgan.
12.05 Traffic Cops: Elite Squad
One Documentary. (R)
来解谜吧！赢取 1,750 英镑 奖金
📄 Original Section
Saturday October 17
BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live 11.30 Mary At 90: A Lifetime Of Cooking (R) 12.00 Bargain Hunt (R) 12.45 The Football Interview 1.00 BBC News; Weather 1.15 Money For Nothing (R) 2.00 Homes Under The Hammer (R) 3.00 Escape To The Country (R) 3.45 Final Score 5.10 BBC News 5.20 Regional News; Weather 5.30 The Celebrity Inner Circle 6.15 Strictly Come Dancing: Icons Week
Quiz show, in which contestants take on the collective knowledge of the studio audience in a bid to win big cash prizes.
Highlights of the latest Premier League matches. 11.40 FILM: Scary Stories To Tell
In The Dark (15/2019)
1.25 BBC News
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谜题数量多于任何其他报纸，且涵盖一周每一天
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📄 Original Section
BBC2
6.00 Children's Shows 8.15 Countryfile (R) 9.15 Gardeners' World (R) 10.15 World Track Cycling Championships 2026. Coverage of the fourth day of the event. 2.15 FILM: North By Northwest (PG/1959) Hitchcock thriller starring Cary Grant. 4.25 Flog It! (R) 5.05 Wilderness With Simon Reeve (R) 6.05 FILM: Where Eagles Dare (PG/1968) A commando unit sets out to rescue an American general held captive by the Nazis in a heavily defended fortress. Second World War adventure with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood.
8.35 40 Hits Of 1986 At The BBC
A selection of archive performances from the year, featuring George Michael, Simply Red and Samantha Fox.
11.05 TOTP 1986: Big Hits Music by Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Wilde, the Pretenders and the Communards. (R)
12.05 Top Of The Pops: The Story Of 1986 (R)
6.00 FILM: Casino Royale (PG/1967) Spoof James Bond adventure starring David Niven.
8.20 James Martin's American Adventure (R) 9.25 ITV News 9.30 James Martin's Saturday Morning 12.00 Clodagh: Cooking At Home 12.30 ITV News; Weather 12.45 ITV Racing: Live From Ascot. Coverage of Champions Day. 5.00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (R) 6.00 ITV News; Weather 6.15 Local News; Weather 6.30 The Chase (R)
7.30 Win Win Interactive quiz show hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
8.35 The Voice UK 8/10 Emma Willis hosts as the battle rounds continue.
9.50 ITV News; Weather 10.10 Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening 1/3 With Alison Hammond and Carol Vorderman. (R)
11.05 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest matches.
6.05 Cheers (R) 7.50 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) 9.45 Frasier (R) 11.45 The Simpsons (R) 1.40 Four In A Bed (R) 4.15 Kirstie And Phil's Love It Or List It (R) 5.15 The Great British Bake Off (R) 6.25 Channel 4 News 6.55 FILM: Knight And Day (12/2010) A woman is kidnapped and dragged into a rogue secret agent's mission to clear his name after he is framed as a traitor. Comedy adventure starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
(18/2014) An ex-secret agent fights to bring down a crime syndicate after coming to the aid of an abused prostitute. Action thriller with Denzel Washington and Chloe Grace Moretz.
11.40 FILM: 65 (12/2023) Sci-fi adventure starring Adam Driver, Chloe Coleman and Ariana Greenblatt.
1.15 Iris Prize Best British Shorts Compilation of films.
6.00 Milkshake! 9.00
Entertainment News On 5 9.05
Royal Births, Marriages & Deaths (R) 11.05 Secrets Of The Royal Traditions (R) 1.05 The Royals Uncensored 2.05 Spain With Michael Portillo (R) 4.05 The South Pole With Ben Fogle (R)
6.05 News 6.10 Mary Celeste: Solving The Mystery (R)
7.10 Killer Storm: The Fastnet Disaster Of '79 The tragedy that hit the sailing race. (R)
8.35 Claudia Winkleman: Behind The Fringe
Featuring a profile of the host of The Traitors. (R)
10.05 William & Harry: Love & Betrayal 1/2 First in a two-part documentary about the princes' fractured relationship. (R)
11.35 William & Harry: Love & Betrayal 2/2 The concluding part of the documentary examines Harry's marriage to Meghan. (R)
Hay is a vital part of the daily diet for many of the 4,000 rescued animals in our care.
This year, prolonged dry weather has reduced yields, meaning supplies are expected to be lower and prices considerably higher than usual.
As a result, our winter feeding costs will be much greater. If you are able to help, your support will go directly towards providing the hay our rescued animals rely on throughout the colder months. Thank you for caring ...
| Please send me: | Price | No of Items | £ | p | 20 'Wild in the Country' Christmas Cards | £12 | Hillside Sanctuary Scenes 2027 Calendar | £5 | Below items not shown but available and also online at hillside.org.uk | Hillside Writing & Pen Set | £5 | Hillside Logo Pen (Black ink) | £2 | Christmas Gift Wrap 12 sheets & 12 Tags | £12 | Hillside Bookmark | £4 | Hillside Logo Foldaway Shopping Bag | £5 | Hillside Magnet | £4 | Hillside 2027 Pocket Diary Red, Black or Navy | £5 | Hillside 2027 Desk Diary Red, Black or Navy | £8 | A donation of just £6 will help provide much-needed hay for our rescued animals | Hay Bale £6 | 'Wild in the Country'
Please send me a FREE NEWSLETTER with details of Hillside's Work, Gifts & Open Days
Please post to: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Hall Lane, Frettenham, Norwich NR12 7RW
Orders sent by return post
Hillside Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1995 to help and campaign for animals in need, particularly those suffering every day in the intensive factory farming industry.
... Please help us to feed and care for our many rescued animals by making a donation TODAY or buying cards and gifts at... www.hillside.org.uk
We are home to 2500 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, 750 cows, 300 pigs, 850 sheep and goats, and lots of other animals including dogs and deer...
Hillside
2027 Calendar
13 Sanctuary Scenes of
Hillside's rescued animals
(opens to 11" x 16")
£5
To donate via PayPal Debit/Credit Card please scan this QR Code
All but one of the Star Trek characters listed below are hidden in the grid. Find the missing term and you could win £100! Words can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, backwards or forwards. Answer next week. Last week's missing term: CAMERON. | W | Q | Y | F | G | O | W | R | O | N | Q | A | H | T | F | S | E | J | U | S | Y | A | T | O | K | A | H | C | T | K | F | I | U | E | A | R | E | O | B | R | I | E | N | F | M | A | J | R | D | H | I | N | B | V | D | X | R | S | Y | Z | C | Y | D | A | T | M | U | V | E | R | E | E | Y | T | T | O | C | S | A | P | V | S | E | R | A | W | H | N | W | L | J | D | O | E | Y | M | O | V | T | C | A | S | A | S | O | P | S | F | Y | B | T | T | K | Z | I | R | U | K | Q | Y | R | F | R | I | R | M | M | C | E | P | F | R | O | C | V | D | F | I | N | I | S | U | L | U | H | M | C | V | J | I | N | I | S | F | K | I | K | K | N | U | C | M | U | R | Z | J | Z | K | W | E | K | R | N | K | O | Y | O | T | K | R | I | K | E | A | R | F | R | P | A | E | U | S | K | I | C | L | Q | R | B | A | S | H | I | R | Y | U | P | B | I | D | A | X | A | J | R | G | O | F | A | E | O | O | Q | M | R | H | X | S | P | A | G | D | S | G | Q | N | C | T | M | K | A | L | R | C | U | L | O | E | Y | U | O | K | O | U | T | W | September 20 winner: Shirley Miles, Littlehampton.
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现在有三种参与方式
完成奖金填字游戏，并计算完成后的网格中字母“i”出现了多少次。然后发送短信 ISPY 以及您的答案、姓名和邮编至 65700。短信费用为 £1 加上您的标准网络费用。或者拨打 0905 652 2172 并留下您的答案和详细信息。通话费用为 £1 加上您电话公司的网络接入费。参赛作品受理截止至周五晚上 11:59。或者将您完成的网格以及 iSpy 答案邮寄至 Prize Crossword 2290, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 354, Wymondham, NR18 8JG。参赛作品必须在 10 月 16 日周五前寄达（不接受复印件）。获胜者将从正确的 iSpy 答案中随机抽取。条款和条件请参阅今日的答案面板。
2287 期获胜者：S. Wake, Scotby, Cumberland。上周答案：14
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📄 Original Section
WIN £100 | BASHIR | PICARD | CHAKOTAY | QUARK | CHEKOV | RIKER | CRUSHER | SAREK | DATA | SCOTTY | DAX | SEVEN OF | GARAK | NINE | GOWRON | SISKO | JANEWAY | SPOCK | KIRK | SULU | KIRA | TORRES | LA FORGE | TROI | MCCOY | TUVOK | O'BRIEN | UHURA | ODO | WORF | TO ENTER: Once you have found the missing word, text SEARCH followed by a space then your answer, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0905 652 2157 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
Test your mental agility with our Super Sudoku and you could win a £100 cash prize! Each row, column and 4x3 box must contain all the numbers from 1 to 12. Call 0905 652 2210 for extra tips. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge.
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顶点求和
如果每个三角形中的数字是其下方两个数字之和，那么顶部的数字是多少？答案下周公布。
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📄 Original Section
Winner of 1210:
Colin Adcock, Colchester.
TO ENTER: Text SUPER followed by a space, your 3 shaded squares, reading left to right, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5050 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
| 19 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 22 | 26 | 19 | 25 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 1 | 11 | 18 | 7 | # WIN £100 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 15Y | 3 | 16 | 4 | 17 | 5 | 18N | 6J | 19 | 7 | 20 | 8 | 21 | 9 | 22 | 10 | 23 | 11 | 24 | 12 | 25 | 13 | 26 | Crack our code for your chance to win £100 cash! Just work out which number goes with which letter to complete the grid below this puzzle. The answer could be a name, such as Danube, or a phrase, eg at once.
TO ENTER: Once you've found the word in the extra box, text CRACKER followed by a space, your answer, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5051 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | This week'sprize word | 14 | 10 | 22 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 24 | September 20 winner:
John Sandall, Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire.
NEED HELP GETTING STARTED? You can get up to three extra clues by calling 0901 292 5070. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Or text EXTRA to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network rate. Phone/text services Helpline: 0330 1000 601.
There's an amazing £1,000 prize for the first correct solution drawn at random in our general knowledge Prize Crossword. Entries must arrive by Friday, October 16 (photocopies not accepted). Today's solution will appear next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1. SEE BELOW THE GRID for details on how to enter.
NAME ....
ADDRESS ....
Across
1 Anna Mae \_\_\_\_, birth name of the singer Tina Turner (7)
5 English writer who wrote the 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe (6,5)
10 Impelled, drove, or hastened onwards (5)
11 Loose, sashed, ankle-length Japanese garments with wide sleeves (7)
13 Glenn \_\_\_\_, American actress who received the Academy Honorary Award in 2026 (5)
14 Tropical plant cultivated for its large, fleshy edible fruit topped with a tuft of leaves (9)
15 Miers, winner of the first series of the revamped version of MasterChef in 2005 (9)
16 Marble \_\_\_\_, London landmark designed by John Nash, relocated in 1851 (4)
17 4th Duke of Norfolk, executed for his involvement in the Ridolfi plot against his second cousin Elizabeth I (6,6)
20 Chess piece also called the castle (4)
21 A shallow, circular flat-bottomed dish, used in laboratories (5,4)
22 Trent, or Little \_\_\_\_, heroine of Charles Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop (4)
26 Actress made a dame in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, whose films include Educating Rita and Billy Elliot (5,7)
27 Type of plant typically growing in dense mats on trees, rocks and moist ground (4)
29 The transmission of disease from one person to another (9)
31 Fantasy novel by J. R. R. Tolkien, following Bilbo Baggins on a quest for treasure (3,6)
33 Fanny \_\_\_\_, the heroine of Jane Austen's novel Mansfield Park (5)
34 Republic in southeast Asia formerly known as Burma (7)
35 A poisonous substance produced by bacteria, animals or plants (5)
36 Stage performances and entertainments, especially as given by amateurs (11)
37 Spanish drink of red wine, sugar, spices, fruit and soda water or lemonade (7)
Down
1 The world's longest-running children's TV show (4,5)
2 Gabby \_\_\_\_, TV sports presenter and former rhythmic gymnast (5)
3 \_\_\_\_ Survey, the official map-making body for Great Britain (8)
4 A ground-living nocturnal parrot of New Zealand (6)
5 British artist whose works include the statue Verity (6,5)
6 An instrumental group of nine players (5)
7 A ruler with absolute power in a country (8)
8 A chain of small islands off the coast of the southeastern US, dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico (7,4)
9 A green transparent variety of beryl, a highly-valued gemstone (7)
12 Martin \_\_\_\_, director whose films include Taxi Driver (8)
16 Guillaume \_\_\_\_, French poet, writer and art critic; a defender of Cubism and forefather of Surrealism (11)
18 1936 Charlie Chaplin film inspired by the Great Depression (6,5)
19 Cultivated plant of the genus Pelargonium, with showy flowers (8)
23 British ocean liner sunk by a German submarine in the North Atlantic in May 1915 (9)
24 A warning of imminent danger (3,5)
25 English playwright whose black comedies included Loot (3,5)
26 Large prize, kitty, or accumulated stake that may be won in gambling (7)
28 Fragments or remnants of something destroyed or broken (6)
30 A spiral-horned southern African antelope (5)
32 A medium-sized, smooth-haired breed of dog with a short nose (5)
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快速数独
用数字 1 到 9 完成网格，使每行、每列和每个 3x3 宫格中的数字 1 到 9 仅使用一次。
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📄 Original Section
NOW THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO ENTER
Complete the Prize Crossword and count how many times the letter 'i' appears in the finished grid. Then text ISPY followed by your answer, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0905 652 2172 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. Or post your completed grid AND iSpy answer to Prize Crossword 2290, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 354, Wymondham, NR18 8JG. Entries must arrive by Friday, October 16 (photocopies not accepted). The winner will be selected at random from correct iSpy answers. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions.
Winner of 2287: S. Wake, Scotby, Cumberland. Last week's answer: 14
Place the tiles into the grid so that four different numbers and four different shapes appear in each row and column. Answer next week.
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赢取 £100
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📄 Original Section
KEN KEN
Fill the squares with numbers 1-6 so that each number appears once in each row and column. The number must also produce the result in the top left of each area - multiply, add up, subtract or divide. Numbers may be repeated within an area. Answer next week.
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单词构建者 (WORD BUILDER)
回答每个线索，使每个单词包含与前一个单词相同的字母，加或减一个字母。下周公布答案。
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📄 Original Section
QUICK SUDOKU
Complete grids with numbers 1 to 9 so each row, column and 3x3 block contains the numbers 1 to 9 used only once.
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酒馆问答 (PUB QUIZ)
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📄 Original Section
TO ENTER: Text PRIZE
10 ENTER: text PRIZE followed by your answer (3 shaded squares read top to bottom), name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5088 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. Phone/text services Helpline: 0330 1000 601. September 20 winner: Peter Ajibola, Feltham, West London. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
Find the familiar phrase, name or saying in the letters or symbols. Readers are invited to send in Dingbats to The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 354, Wymondham, NR18 8JG. There is a £10 book token for each one published. Check out the website at dingbats.net. Answers on today's solutions panel.
2027
2026
self
1. From Mike Pole, Southampton, Hants
P45 P45 P45
ROD TUBE CAN
2. From Linda Smith, Gainsborough, Lincs
3. From Guy Russell, Norwich, Norfolk
Second Third Fourth
First
4. From Sarah Bennett, Havant, Hants
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2 音乐：
哪位澳大利亚歌手发行了 1996 年的单曲《Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit》？
3 电视与广播：
在间谍电视连续剧
《复仇者》（The Avengers）中
谁饰演了约翰·斯蒂德？
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📄 Original Section
DITLOIDS
1 20,000 L U The S
2 1980: E of M S H
3 1 P, 2 P, 3 P, 4
Can you work out what the initials stand for below? For example, 7 D of the W = 7 days of the week. Answers on today's solutions panel. | 6 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
4 20 F C in the P L
5 1,760 Y in a M
6 1 F O The C N
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4 体育：
哪位威尔士斯诺克选手在 2026 年英国公开赛决赛中击败了马克·塞尔比？
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📄 Original Section
WIN £100
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5 饮食：
用橄榄油和盐调味制作卡普雷塞沙拉（Caprese salad）需要哪三种食材？
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📄 Original Section
WORD BUILDER
Answer each clue so that every word contains the same letters as the previous word, plus or minus one. Answer next week.
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6 政治：
在乔治六世在位期间，有多少位不同的人担任过英国首相？
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📄 Original Section
PUB QUIZ
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7 自然：
在九月份，豹属（Leopardus）中的哪种小型野猫被正式鉴定为一个新的独立物种？
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📄 Original Section
1 MOVIES:
Which 1981 comedy film stars Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as friends who enlist in the United States Army?
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极简填词 (BARE BONES)
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📄 Original Section
2 MUSIC:
Which Australian singer released the 1996 single Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit?
3 TV & RADIO:
Who played John Steed
in the espionage
television series
The Avengers?
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8 艺术：
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📄 Original Section
4 SPORT:
Which Welsh snooker player defeated Mark Selby in the final of the 2026 British Open?
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答案见今日的解答面板。
哪位荷兰艺术家绘制了 1654 年的错视画作品《金翅雀》？
1 Owing
2 Employed
3 Drench
4 Accommodated
5 Sprayed with water
6 Money, informally
7 Container for bricks
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📄 Original Section
5 FOOD & DRINK:
What three ingredients are seasoned with olive oil and salt to make a Caprese salad?
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9 词汇：
viscid 这个词的意思是什么？ a) 真实的，b) 黏稠的，c) 可怕的。
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📄 Original Section
6 POLITICS:
How many different people served as UK prime minister during the reign of George VI?
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10 英国：
英格兰的威尔士语名称是什么？
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📄 Original Section
7 NATURE:
In September, which small wild cat in the genus Leopardus was formally identified as a new distinct species?
What punctuation mark is used in mathematics to denote the ratio of two quantities?
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单词方格
尝试这个迷你谜题。答案下周公布。
横向
1 抓紧
2 柔软
3 驴子
4 部分融化的雪
5 坐的地方
纵向
1 学生群体
2 精细织物
3 迷失，困惑 (2,3)
4 一张纸
5 刺激物
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📄 Original Section
WIN A COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS SET, AND A BRADFORD'S CROSSWORD SOLVER'S DICTIONARY
Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid - numbers and squares - as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away.
There is a prize of a Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus set, and a Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Crossword 1277, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 354, Wymondham, NR18 8JG. Entries must arrive by Friday, October 16 (photocopies not accepted). The winner's name will be published on November 1 from the first correct entry drawn.
Winner of 1274 David Cairns, Stevenston, North Ayrshire.
NAME ....
ADDRESS.
Run along our mental arithmetic train track to see how far you can get – and how long you take to get there! There are four station stops, A, B, C and D. You can start at A, B or C and stop at B, C or D. From your chosen starting point, drive through the instructions to your destination. Write your answer at each stop, then start again with the first number after the station. Answers on today's solutions panel.
RATINGS: Good - from A to B in 30 seconds.
Very good - B to C in 30 seconds or A to C in 50 seconds.
Excellent - C to D in 30 seconds, B to D in 50 seconds or A to D in 75 seconds.
根据你找到的单词数量评分 - 17 Good 25 Very good 33 or more Excellent.
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📄 Original Section
Across
1 Firework often found in salad
4 Way out beginning with small tragedy
10 Scum ready where the shooting happens (Two words)
11 Month in the past, acquire new shape
12 Vessel right at the back
13 Sign fluctuates, but not initially
14 When I get a lot of land
15 Lively mole grabs badger's tail
16 Husband lost out, before showing laziness
---
箭头字谜 (ARROWORD)
完成网格，然后将黄色方格中的字母重新排列，揭晓一种史前生物。答案将于下周公布。
参与方式：发送短信 AWORD 以及你的答案、姓名和邮编至 65700（例如：AWORD London John Smith W8 5TT）。短信费用为 £1 加上标准网络费用。或拨打 0901 292 5090 留下你的答案和详细信息。通话费用为 £1 加上你电话公司的网络接入费。线路将于周五晚上 11.59pm 关闭。条款和条件请参阅今日的答案面板。September 20 获胜者：Helen Corbet，剑桥。电话 / 短信服务帮助热线：0330 1000 601。
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📄 Original Section
TELEPHONE
17 Pain concealed by teacher
21 Tear-jerker accommodating irrational belief
22 Feeble mariner at the plant?
23 Occupant not applicable in shelter
24 Sportsman creates drama with hesitation
Down
1 Mention a palindrome
2 Statesman disturbed African lion
3 Bearing seat away
5 Car manoeuvring small curves
6 Drunken friends in the upper classes (Two words)
7 This antagonist conceals seasonal benefactor
8 Surprising bird around junction
9 Plug nowadays – it's ever-changing
15 Brief drink
18 Foreign articles for senior figure
19 Nordic fellow reaches tavern
20 Global language around dinner dance
2 4 1 2 2 1 4 0 3 1
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赢取 £100
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📄 Original Section
MENTAL BLOCKS
Fit the coloured blocks into the square without rotating or flipping them. The numbers covered by each block should add up to the totals in the circles. There should be no repeated numbers in a coloured block. Answer next week.
How many words of four or more letter can you make from the letters given? Letters may be used only once and the centre letter must be used in each word. At least one word uses all nine letters. No words with a capital, hyphen or apostrophe, no verb forms ending in 's', no plurals ending in 's'. Answers next week.
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杀手数独 (KILLER)
适用普通数独规则。此外，每个内部虚线形状中的数字之和必须等于左上角的数字。答案将于下周公布。
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📄 Original Section
How did you do?
Score the number of words that you found - 17 Good 25 Very good 33 or more Excellent.
Complete the grid, then unscramble the letters in the yellow squares to reveal a prehistoric creature. Answer next week.
TO ENTER: Text AWORD then your answer, name and postcode to 65700 (eg AWORD London John Smith W8 5TT). Texts cost £1 plus standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5090 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Lines close at 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. September 20 winner: Helen Corbet, Cambridge. Phone/text services Helpline: 0330 1000 601.
Each line across and down is to be filled with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The same number cannot occur more than once in any row or column. Your only clues are the numbers given and whether a number is larger (>) or smaller (<) than the adjacent number. Answer next week.
Fill each sequence of blank squares using the numbers 1-9. Each sequence - across and down - must total the number in the shaded box at the beginning or top of that sequence. Numbers may be repeated within a line or column but NOT in a sequence. Answer next week.
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12 来解谜吧！
📄 Original Section
EVENS
Insert any digit from 1 to 9 in the squares, so that the numbers in each row and column add up to the given totals. No digits may be repeated within a row or column, and even numbers must be placed in shaded squares. Answer next week.
Using the given shapes, create four four-letter anagrams by dividing the grid into sections. You may rotate the shapes, but may not flip them. Answers next week.
N I R A
U G K N
M Y B S
S E W I
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兰斯洛特爵士的隐晦线索
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📄 Original Section
CHESS
White is a piece down, with most of their remaining pieces under attack and poorly defended. Can White win before this becomes a real problem? Our answer on the solutions panel.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
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横向
9 Armistice is cute, arranged with Republican (5)
10 Instrument shows laugh registered by woman (9)
11 Individual man returned staff (9)
12 Want to change guitarist's first musical sound (5)
13 Reckless mother and daughter reach limit (6)
14 Also includes a prisoner and a reptile (8)
16 Parking inside, remove exhaust (7)
18 European prompt to include record in poem (7)
20 Disputed assistance pursued profits (8)
22 Attack in the morning by former president (6)
25 Arson involved echolocation (5)
26 Nice mural, composed using digits (9)
28 Tolerance for permitted quantity (9)
29 Notice a speedometer (5)
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📄 Original Section
BATTLESHIPS
Find one battleship, two cruisers, three destroyers and four submarines in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row contain ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Answers next week.
9月20日获胜者：Carol Foster, Halsnead Park, Merseyside。上周答案：9
6 抒情的 (6)
7 遇到问题 (3,1,4)
8 亚洲国家 (10)
13 非洲岛屿 (10)
15 开始的 (9)
17 以灵活的方式 (8)
19 诗歌类型 (8)
21 饮用管 (6)
23 不复杂的 (6)
24 树脂化石 (5)
27 享受 (4)
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📄 Original Section
SIR LANCELOT AND HIS PAGE PLAY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £250!
Every week our gallant knight engages in an amiable joust with his page. They provide different clues that give the same answers. Sir Lancelot gives the Cryptic Clues and his page the Quick Clues. Join them in their game and count how many times the letter ‘i’ appears in the completed grid for a chance to win £250! Answers next Sunday.
7 Strike a small horse and meet with difficulty (3,1,4)
8 Report boy – he's moved country (10)
13 Mark pursues crazy range on island (10)
15 Creature has spirit – new start (9)
17 Work around Latin translation in an impressionable way (8)
19 Five lines of fruit, man! (8)
21 Stars wander about with means of drinking (6)
23 A French company – old, large and excitable (6)
24 Clambering around some jewellery (5)
27 Similar to love (4)
THE PAGE'S QUICK CLUES
Across
9 Ceasefire (5)
10 Mouth organ (9)
11 Employees (9)
12 Plucking sound (5)
13 Impulsive (6)
14 Large snake (8)
16 Empty out (7)
18 Pastoral poem (7)
20 Denied (8)
22 Surprise attack (6)
25 Navigation device (5)
26 Involving numbers (9)
28 Grant (9)
29 Timepiece (5)
Down
1 Cease (4)
2 Stinking (6)
3 Renew (8)
4 Glisten (5)
5 Stretched (9)
TO ENTER: Complete the Crossword and count how many times the letter 'i' appears in the grid. Then text LANCELLOT followed by a space, your answer, name and postcode to 65700, eg LANCELLOT 9 John Smith W8 5TT. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network rate. To enter by phone, call 0905 652 2140 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See below for terms and conditions. Phone and text Helpline 0330 1000 601.
代码破解者 (CODE CRACKER) 上周答案：MINERAL BARE BONES NO 1276
偶数
$^{1}$ Y $^{14}$ V $^{2}$ N $^{15}$ S $^{3}$ W $^{16}$ P $^{4}$ B $^{17}$ I $^{5}$ C $^{18}$ G $^{6}$ O $^{19}$ Z $^{7}$ U $^{20}$ M $^{8}$ K $^{21}$ H $^{9}$ F $^{22}$ X $^{10}$ J $^{23}$ D $^{11}$ T $^{24}$ L $^{12}$ Q $^{25}$ A $^{13}$ E $^{26}$ R
All of the listed numbers fit into the grid and there's only one way to do it. One number has been provided to get you started. Answer next week.
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本周答案
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📄 Original Section
PATHFINDER
Beginning with the letter E in the square box, follow a continuous path to find 23 golf terms. The trail passes through each and every letter once and may twist up, down or sideways, but never diagonally. Answer next week. | U | T | R | B | D | I | E | L | E | O | D | P | T | E | I | R | A | C | G | W | O | G | T | O | V | I | D | D | E | A | E | E | R | S | E | W | E | R | D | I | E | N | S | L | R | U | O | D | E | K | N | H | G | U | I | A | T | C | G | E | B | U | B | R | O | C | B | R | S | A | L | O | G | E | Y | F | E | L | O | S | G | F | G | N | I | Y | A | I | A | E | L | F | S | W | I | R | A | W | R | R | H | O | O | K | B | K | O | N | C | L | A | P | E | R | C | A | O | O | H | B | U | ---
$^{1}$ Y $^{14}$ V $^{2}$ N $^{15}$ S $^{3}$ W $^{16}$ P $^{4}$ B $^{17}$ I $^{5}$ C $^{18}$ G $^{6}$ O $^{19}$ Z $^{7}$ U $^{20}$ M $^{8}$ K $^{21}$ H $^{9}$ F $^{22}$ X $^{10}$ J $^{23}$ D $^{11}$ T $^{24}$ L $^{12}$ Q $^{25}$ A $^{13}$ E $^{26}$ R
As speculation mounts that PM will call a snap poll... KEMI: I'M SET FOR ELECTION AT XMAS
EXCLUSIVE
By Glen Owen
POLITICAL EDITOR
KEMI Badenoch has put the Tory Party on notice for a pre-Christmas general election, amid growing speculation that Andy Burnham will call a snap poll.
The Opposition leader – who galvanised the party faithful with her conference speech in Birmingham – told The Mail on Sunday last night: 'I've instructed the Conservative Party to be ready for an election at any point.'
Mrs Badenoch does not believe Mr Burnham's claim last month that there will be ‘no election any time soon’, suspecting that he might strike while he is enjoying a bounce in the polls and both the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats are in disarray.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski was humiliated on Thursday when he failed to win the
Turn to Page 6 >>
ROYAL EXCLUSIVE
Rugby fans
were booing
the ref, not
Harry, claims
Sussex Squad
Page 17
UK FORECAST
London, South East, South, South West, Channel Islands: Morning mostly cloudy with light winds. Afternoon remains overcast. Evening partly cloudy with calm winds. Max 17C 63F.
Wales, Midlands, East Anglia: Morning cloudy with light winds. Afternoon remains overcast with slight breeze. Evening sees rain and stronger winds. Max 16C 61F.
North West, North East: Morning cloudy skies, light winds. Afternoon mild, remaining cloudy. Evening mostly cloudy, cooler with gentle breeze. Max 14C 57F.
Scotland: Morning cloudy, light breeze. Afternoon mostly cloudy, mild. Evening clearer, cool with light winds. Max 13C 55F.
Northern Ireland, Eire: Morning starts cloudy with light winds. Afternoon sees sunny intervals. Evening brings rain, winds picking up slightly. Max 15C 59F.
Monday starts with rain, becoming cloudy by Tuesday. On Wednesday, skies clear with mostly dry conditions, but by Thursday, rain returns, particularly in the north and west, with brisk winds.
All our journalists observe the Editors' Code of Practice and the Mail is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). We aim to correct any errors as promptly as possible.
■ To report an inaccuracy, email corrections@ mailonsunday.co.uk. To make a formal complaint, go to mailonsunday.co.uk/readerseditor. You can also write to Readers' Editor, The Mail on Sunday, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY, or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk. ipso. Regulated
WAR OF WORDS: Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump
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Death row survivor sent back to jail
THE American killer who survived two failed execution attempts was discharged from hospital yesterday and returned to prison.
Christa Pike, 50, was moved back to the women's jail in Tennessee where she has been on death row for 30 years.
Having survived two supposedly fatal injections during her failed execution on September 30, Pike suffered pneumonia, a blood clot, inability to swallow and burns on her arms from the poison.
While she had been unconscious and on a ventilator for several days after the injections, with medical experts
---
From Peter Sheridan
IN LOS ANGELES
suggesting she may have brain damage, Pike finally awoke, with her mind ‘somewhat foggy,’ said her lawyer Stephen Ferrell. Her legal team added that she has now taken tentative steps, is eating and ‘regaining movement and strength’ in her arms.
After ten days in hospital, her medical care will continue in the prison.
Her lawyers added: 'She is grateful to the first responders and her medical
team for their care. She is continuing to receive medical care at the prison and we will continue to track her recovery.'
Pike still faces execution for stabbing and beating to death her University of Tennessee classmate Colleen Slemmer, 19, in 1995, when she was 18.
Prosecutors are debating whether to go ahead with another attempt at fulfilling her death sentence.
Experts believe it is too early to assess the long-term damage inflicted on her.
She's awake – and she's angry: Pages 18-19
‘It’s time for Ukraine to get a new president’
Trump's outburst against Zelensky – just hours after he strikes new deal with Putin for Russian diesel
By Elizabeth Ivens
DONALD TRUMP said Ukraine should ‘get a new leader’ as a war of words with Volodymyr Zelensky escalated last night following the announcement of a diesel deal between the US and Russia.
Earlier, the Ukrainian premier had reacted with fury after the US President revealed he had personally struck the supply arrangement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky condemned the move as ‘a gift to Putin’ and denounced the decision by Mr Trump to lift economic sanctions on Russia to bring in the diesel, claiming it would allow the Russian leader to ‘kill more people’ and ‘wage war for longer’.
But laying the blame for the diesel shortage firmly back at Mr Zelensky's door, Mr Trump said that Ukraine should never have attacked Russian refineries.
‘I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,’ he told reporters. ‘I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.’
Warning that Mr Zelensky 'better damn well stop', he accused him of making 'problems for the world and our farmers and ranchers' with strikes on refineries.
“We told them, “Do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel, because this is a big problem, a big shortage.”
'And what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel.' Mr Trump blindsided the Ukrainians by announcing on his Truth Social account that he had personally struck a deal with Putin and that diesel prices would be ‘coming down in record numbers and fast’. He added: ‘Lower prices for Americans, particularly ranchers and truckers, is my greatest priority.’
Speaking outside the White House, Mr Trump said ‘massive amounts’ of oil would be coming in and he ‘wanted to thank President Putin’.
And just hours after the conversation between Mr Putin and Mr Trump to broker the deal, Russia launched more attacks on Ukraine. Five bombs hit residential buildings in the city of Zaporizhzhia, killing at least 15 people, including three children.
Accusing the US of making ‘an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged’, Mr Zelensky said: ‘Any easing of sanctions against Russia without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia is an obvious weakness.'
With the US midterm elections looming next month and prices at the pumps rising rapidly, Mr Trump had been under pressure to lift the economic burden.
Check Lotto Raffle numbers at national-lottery.co.uk
He said that 300,000 tons of diesel would be released immediately by Russia ‘to the American and global
MISSED BORIS
YESTERDAY?
LOTTO NUMBERS
SCAN TO READ ON MAIL+
marketplace', followed by 500,000 tons in November and another million after that.
He added that a further three million tons of Russian diesel would be delivered ‘within a short period’, depending on Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.
A US official told the Axios news site yesterday that Ukraine had eroded goodwill on the American side by striking Russian oil refineries.
Russian official Yury Ushakov also tormented Ukraine by claiming that the long call with Mr Trump was so friendly that ‘neither side wanted to hang up first’.
But Ukraine hit back, continuing its attacks on Russian infrastructure and striking a key oil hub in Rostov-on-Don.
HELPLINE: 0330 1000 601 If your Mail on Sunday is missing any section it is not the fault of your newsagent. Please call the Helpline between 9am and 6pm from today until Tuesday or email us at helpline@mailonsunday.co.uk and we will send it without delay (UK only). If your Mail on Sunday was unavailable, let us know by calling free on 0330 1000 601\* or email us at availability@mailonsunday.co.uk and we will try to ensure this is rectified.
Former Ukrainian vice prime minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said yesterday that the deal would be like Mr Trump buying diesel from Osama bin Laden. And she accused him of ‘clear hypocrisy’ after so recently threatening other countries with sanctions for buying Russian oil.
'If we asked every single American would they be fine if Donald Trump was buying – if it was available – diesel from Osama bin Laden and they were fine with this, then something is profoundly wrong with the United States of America,' she told Radio 4's Today programme.
The estimated jackpot in last night's Lotto draw was £12million.
THUNDERBALL
4, 15, 16,
18, 33
Bonus 10
For Promotions and Reader Offer enquiries, please call us on 0330 1000 601\*. \* Calls to 0330 numbers are free from landlines; mobile providers may charge.
■ To contact The Mail on Sunday, email us at news@mailonsunday.co.uk or call the Newsdesk on 020 7938 6000.
All week she's been hearing about her lothario husband's basic instincts. So no wonder Catherine Zeta-Jones struck a very familiar pose that shouts:
Don't forget me, Michael!
By Katie Hind
CONSULTANT EDITOR SHOWBUSINESS
HER husband Michael Douglas has spent the last week candidly cataloguing his many sexual exploits as he promotes his autobiography, One Helluva Ride.
So no wonder Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones seems keen to remind the lothario of her charms now she is the only woman in his life.
On stage on Friday night, the 57-year-old struck a risque pose reminiscent of the famously steamy scene from Basic Instinct in which her husband's detective character tries to retain focus as Sharon Stone provocatively crosses her legs.
Appearing at New York Comic Con, Ms Zeta-Jones donned a gold sequinned dress that gave fans more than a peek of her toned thigh – with the star later admitting in an Instagram post that she was flashing a 'whole bunch of leg'.
It comes after Douglas, 82, shared details of his sexual exploits in his book, including confessing to an affair with Kathleen Turner, his co-star in the 1984 movie Romancing The Stone.
He wrote: 'Kathleen and I fell hard for each other and began a relationship. It wasn't a fly-by-night affair; it grew naturally from how closely we were working together, how much pressure we were under, how much we respected and cared for one another, and how attracted we were to each other.'
Douglas also told how he had a fling with his Basic
GUILD FILM DISTRIBUTION
Instinct co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn, who was nearly 20 years his junior, admitting he 'fell very hard' for her.
He revealed that when he was married to film producer Diandra Luker, she declined to spend the night with him during a trip to Los Angeles so he called another woman to join him in bed.
And when he began dating
Ms Zeta-Jones in 1998, he had to make ‘five quick phone calls’ to break up with other women. The pair wed in November 2000.
Ms Zeta-Jones was in New York to promote her forthcoming Amazon Prime Video thriller series Kill Jackie. She joked that her frock was 'an homage to C-3PO', the gold robot from Star Wars.
SEEMS
FAMILIAR:
Catherine mimics the Sharon Stone scene, left
The pre-trained pups fetching £15,000
PUDDLES on the floor, chewing the sofa and barking at the wind... it's all part of the joys, and frustrations, of training a new puppy.
But dog lovers can now pay an eye-watering premium of around £15,000 to avoid that phase altogether – and get a six-month-old pup who comes fully house-trained and can sit on command.
There has long been a market for pre-trained dogs for the rich and famous, including Game of Thrones actress Indira Varma, who bought
By Katie Hodge
her cocker spaniel from a high-end kennel service. But specialist dog trainers say there is now increasing interest from busy families or retirees keen to avoid the demanding early days of caring for a puppy, and are prepared to pay up to ten times the normal cost of a pedigree pooch for the privilege.
Antonia Mitchell, founder of The Trained Dog Company in Surrey, told
The Mail on Sunday she saw a gap in the market after Covid, when there was a spike in demand for pets by first-time owners who struggled to train them. She said: 'The dogs leave us with loose lead walking, one hundred per cent recall, ability to settle in cafes and pubs, manners around doorways, neutrality to all people, dogs and livestock. It takes time.'
Ashley Davis, head trainer at Trident Elite Family Protection Dogs in Leicestershire, added: 'They wanted to skip the chewing and toilet-training stage in the house, and welcome home a well-socialised, balanced family pet from day one.'
Dogs are only available from six months, in accordance with laws to prevent puppy farming.
One pre-trained puppy owner, who asked not to be named, bought her pup Leo on retiring. She said: 'The time, expertise and care invested in Leo's early development have given us a confident, well-adjusted companion and allowed us to enjoy life with him from the very first day.'
To order your print of this or any other Mac cartoon, visit Mailpictures.newsprints.co.uk or call 0191 6030 178
mac
'Aw. Doesn't it make you proud? Our grandkids are taking an interest in politics'
Four killed as 105mph hurricane hits the US
FOUR people have been killed as Hurricane Isaias swept along the south-east of the US. Hundreds more have been left without power or injured after winds of 105mph hit Florida on Friday evening before heading along the Gulf Coast.
A woman was killed after a tree fell on her house and another person died from carbon monoxide poisoning from operating a generator indoors during the storm, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office confirmed yesterday.
Two other people in Alabama also died, said Governor Kay Ivey, adding: 'This storm brought in heavy winds throughout Alabama, taking down trees, knocking out power and doing damage.'
A deputy with the Dale County Sheriff's Department, who was helping the rescue mission, got away with minor injuries after a tree crashed onto their car.
The storm has also disrupted travel plans nationwide in the US, with nearly 300 flights cancelled and more than 800 delayed.
---
By Patrick Tooher
CONSULTANT CITY EDITOR
Retail chiefs set for No11 summit as Healey faces heat over warehouse tax
THE Chancellor is set to host a delegation of retail and hospitality chiefs in Downing Street on Tuesday, amid reports that a ‘warehouse tax’ raid has been ruled out.
John Healey has come under mounting pressure not to clobber businesses with more tax hikes and business costs that have pushed up prices, as he prepares to unveil his first Budget in 17 days' time.
Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin has led the charge, urging the new Chancellor ‘to get Britain
---
'Sainsbury's said it hadn't been invited'
growing again by taking the handcuffs off business'.
In a dramatic intervention, he told the Daily Mail yesterday that Labour's last two Budgets – which piled £75 billion of extra taxes on firms and families – were ‘a disaster’ that the Chancellor needed to reverse.
The call was echoed by Jason Tarry, chairman of John Lewis and Waitrose, who warned the Government that a tax raid on department stores and supermarkets could trigger a wave of shop closures that would ‘only harm our high streets’.
Retailers are particular concerned that Prime Minister Andy Burnham's promise to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues will be funded by hitting larger supermarkets with a so-called ‘warehouse tax’.
PLEA: M&S boss Stuart Machin's entreaty in yesterday's Daily Mail
‘You’re paying for a cheaper pint by loading costs on to the weekly shop,’ Mr Machin said.
In the Mail's exclusive yesterday, he urged Mr Healey to 'restore hope' and added: 'I've never hidden what I thought of the last two Budgets. They were a disaster. Britain needed a plan for
---
M&S boss tells Labour: Now take the handcuffs off business
growth and got a pile of new taxes and regulations instead.
'I know money is tight. I'm not asking the Chancellor to rip up his fiscal rules. But at the very least, he should start unravelling the mistakes of the last two Budgets.'
British firms already face the highest property tax burden of any major economy, a recent report by tax consultants Ryan found. Labour has increased business rates on large warehouses, introducing a higher rate surcharge for larger commercial properties with rateable value above £500,000.
Dubbed the ‘Amazon tax’, it was meant to target online retailers and shift the tax burden away from physical high streets.
But the tax also applies to ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers like Tesco, which have huge distribution centres at the heart of their supply chains.
Mr Healey is now understood to recognise that a tax increase on warehouse space could hit high street shops and family businesses, Telegraph Online reported.
The Chancellor faces a tough balancing act in his maiden Budget after Britain's borrowing costs surged to a 28-year high, cutting the fiscal ‘headroom’ or buffer he has to play with to just £12billion.
Last night, it was unclear who will be at Tuesday's meeting in Downing Street.
Sainsbury's said that it hadn't been invited, while Asda boss
Allan Leighton won't be attending due to a prior engagement, spokesmen for the respective supermarkets said.
An HM Treasury spokesman declined to comment on ‘rumour, speculation or proposals’.
“We want Britain’s retailers to thrive, and the Chancellor has
---
‘We wanted growth but got new taxes instead’
been clear that the way to tackle cost pressures in the long term is through growth,' they added.
‘That is why he is focused on creating the conditions for businesses to invest, expand and create jobs in every postcode – and we are already backing firms through business-rates cuts, a cap on corporation tax and a £4.3 billion package to help businesses manage costs and keep investing.’
Horror at the zoo
Visitors film as ‘man in 20s’ kneels in front of 30-stone big cat and is mauled to death
By Nick Constable and Tom Midlane
FAMILIES watched in horror as a man was mauled to death by a 30-stone Siberian tiger yesterday, after he climbed into its enclosure at a wildlife park.
One witness said the ‘agitated’ intruder was ‘grabbed by the throat’ within seconds of scaling a fence at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
PREDATOR: Altai, the male Siberian tiger who killed the ‘agitated’ man who entered his enclosure
Videos posted online show the tiger, called Altai, circling him on the grass before shaking him like a ragdoll. The man, thought to be in his 20s, was heard crying ‘no, no’ during the attack.
Before the tiger struck, the victim – who had not been named last night – is seen kneeling on the ground with his arms out wide
He was also seen pointing his finger at the animal, repeatedly screaming 'stop'. Meanwhile, visitors started shouting in a desperate a bid to distract the tiger.
On the footage, a woman's voice can be heard saying: 'I tried to stop him.' Zoo keepers raced to
---
'He psyched himself up before climbing fence'
the scene armed with gas-powered acoustic guns, firing five loud, shotgun-like blasts close to the predator in an attempt to drive it off.
A witness told The Mail on Sunday the man, who had a mobile phone and was wearing AirPods, appeared to 'psyche himself up' by performing a 'dance' in the spectator area before climbing the fence.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service sent two road ambulances plus an air ambulance. Paramedics with blood transfusion kits were seen desperately trying to save the victim, but South Yorkshire Police later confirmed he had died from his injuries.
Keepers were later seen wrapping black plastic sheeting around a section of the enclosure to shield it from view.
Police said they received reports at 1.35pm of a man entering the enclosure. A statement said: 'The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.
‘Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
'The man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.'
Officers urged people not to share footage of the attack.
The tiger was uninjured and remained in its enclosure, the
AFTERMATH: Air ambulance and police at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Resort as, right, visitors evacuate
force added, saying there was no wider risk to the public. The park, near Doncaster, said it was working closely with the authorities to establish exactly what happened.
The attraction was evacuated after the attack and will remain shut today. One witness praised staff for remaining calm during the incident.
Altai arrived at the park in February 2025 from Dyreparken Zoo in Norway, where he was born.
A Yorkshire Wildlife Park spokesman said last night: 'We can confirm that a serious incident has occurred today at the tiger enclosure. Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated and emergency services attended the scene.
‘We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.’
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the Land Of The Tigers area opening in 2011. It is
---
Paramedics with blood kits tried to save him
a purpose-built two-acre reserve for Siberian tigers, an endangered species with around 500 left in the wild. Photos show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.
The attack comes only four months after a three-year-old boy was thrown into a crocodile pit by a man in Cambridgeshire.
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Starmer, Zelensky and EU leaders to meet Trump today – but will he listen to a single word they say?
SIR KEIR Starmer By Andy Lehning will be
SIR KEIR Starmer will join EU and Nato leaders to bolster Volodymyr Zelensky in his crunch White House meeting with Donald Trump today. They will present a united front in the hope of moderating Mr Trump's treatment of the Ukrainian leader,
whom he humiliated at the Oval Office in February.
European ministers fear that Mr Zelensky is walking into a trap laid by Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian leader said last night that the 'coalition of the willing' - the UK and other nations that have pledged to support Kyiv - held a 'useful' two-hour video conference yesterday. He revealed that they had a 'common view on what a peace agreement should be' and insisted it did not include changing state borders by force.
In a sign of EU leaders' bullishness, French president Emmanuel Macron said afterwards: 'If we're not strong today, we'll pay dearly tomorrow.'
It came after Boris Johnson called on Sir Keir to lead global efforts to protect Ukraine from
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THE TWISTED TALE OF AMANDA KNOX
In 2007, British exchange student Meredith Kercher was found murdered in her apartment in Perugia, Italy. Her roommate, the American student Amanda Knox (Grace Van Patten), was convicted of her murder amid a storm of media coverage. This controversial eight-part drama centres on Knox's 16-year battle to prove her innocence in the face of a wave of public opinion that
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A battle of ideas is
Forget Workington Man... now
Tories target Waitrose Woman
From Page One
Holborn and St Pancras by-election, and faces mounting pressure on his leadership over anti-Israeli activism. The party's poll ratings have halved this year, with the lost voters overwhelmingly switching to Labour.
Sir Ed Davey is also battling to save his job as leader of the Lib Dems after one of his MPs, Charlie Maynard, resigned from the front bench on Friday in an apparent attempt to force a contest.
A senior Conservative source said: 'We think the election will come sooner rather than later, possibly before the end of the year.'
Mrs Badenoch's strategists were even on alert during Labour con-
---
PM needs a mandate for his Left-wing policies
ference in case Mr Burnham used his speech to trigger a contest. The party has been holding election meetings since July, and has a draft manifesto and campaign 'grid' – detailing the seats Mrs Badenoch will visit and public appearances she will make – in place.
Mrs Badenoch said last night: 'We know there's a battle of ideas coming in British politics and I've instructed the Conservative party to be ready for an election at any point. When that election comes there will be a simple choice between Conservative plans to get Britain working again and a Labour party that keeps putting up taxes, refuses to cut welfare and won't fund our defence.'
Mrs Badenoch's team were buoyed by the response to her speech at the Tory conference in Birmingham, in which she sig-
ALMOST every Prime Minister identifies a fictional voter they need to target on the road to No10. Tony Blair had middle-class Mondeo Man in 1997 and Boris Johnson needed older, working-class Workington Man to topple Labour's Red Wall in 2019.
Now The Mail on Sunday has been told Kemi Badenoch has Waitrose Woman in her sights as the Tories gear up for a snap election.
Insiders say their target voter is ‘aspirational – not necessarily a millionaire, but above all wants a lower tax burden. She wants to work hard, get on and pay less tax so she can have more money in her pocket.
‘She may have voted Labour or Lib Dem at the last election but was heartily sick of the Conservatives. Maybe because of the way we behaved, we didn’t deliver, or we were in too long. There are a bunch of different things, but these people are still Tories when it comes to the economy.
'There's a conventional way of looking at people as only Left-wing or only Right-wing – we are not doing that.' The caricature underpins a new
nalled a return to the party's traditional focus on lower taxes and home ownership – vowing to scrap inheritance tax on main residences as part of a ‘battle for the soul of the nation’.
Mr Burnham does not have to call an election until 2029, but the
---
By Gabriel Millard-Clothier
POLITICAL REPORTER
strategy to win back aspirational voters, who one shadow cabinet minister said are ‘sick to the back teeth of being hammered by tax rises’.
The strategy helps explain some of the policies unveiled at last week's party conference in Birmingham – where Mrs Badenoch, right, likened the Tory comeback to another aspirational retailer, Marks and Spencer.
Her plans includes abolishing inheritance tax on family homes, childcare support for parents on £100,000-plus and scrapping the ‘grocery tax’ on packaging – all paid for by slashing the welfare budget.
Recent polling by YouGov says that among regular Waitrose shoppers, Labour polls 28 per cent with the Tories on 24 points and Lib Dems on 21.
The Tories have not selected Waitrose Woman by chance.
One insider said: 'We have done a ton of research...listening to people and identifying these things.'
Left-wing policies he set out in his conference speech – such as establishing a national care service – would require tax rises ruled out by the 2024 manifesto.
The deteriorating economic situation ahead of this month's Budget has also highlighted the difficulties involved in balancing the books while Chancellor John Healey has his hands tied on income tax, VAT and National Insurance.
Adjusting the triple lock pension system, reversing Brexit and introducing electoral reform also point to the prime minister seeking his own mandate from voters at the ballot box.
As The Mail on Sunday reveals today, the Tories' target voter will be 'Waitrose Woman'. Like shoppers at the high-end supermarket, she is 'aspirational – not necessarily a millionaire' – and
After PM appeared to back club's U Labour's £290,000 of Man City freebies
UNDER PRESSURE: Andy Burnham talks to the chairman of Man City, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, left
By Nick Constable
PRESSURE is growing on Andy Burnham to distance Labour from the Man City financial scandal after revelations that Labour MPs received almost £290,000 of freebies from the club and its UAE owners.
Spread over a decade, the gifts came in the form of VIP match tickets, flights and luxury junkets to the Arab state where City's majority stakeholder Sheikh Mansour is deputy prime minister.
Among the main beneficiaries was Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell, whose Manchester Central constituency includes the club's Etihad Stadium. According to the MPs' Register of Interests, seen by The Sun, she accepted free tickets worth £2,360 to five matches over an 11-month period.
Last night, the TaxPayers' Alliance watchdog urged the PM to 'make clear that football regulation will be left entirely to the proper independent bodies, with no political interference whatsoever'.
In total, Labour MPs scooped £14,000 of City tickets and hospitality while 25 of them took hand-outs worth £275,000 in flights and luxury trips to the UAE.
Tory members picked up nearly £175,000 of UAE trips while the
SNP, Lib Dems and Reform accounted for £18,500 of Emirates state hospitality.
The extent of the City-linked handouts has emerged in an analysis of the MPs' Register of Interests. Among Labour MPs who benefited from club freebies were Manchester MPs Andrew Western and Jeff Smith who each accepted tickets for four matches. Former PM Keir Starmer, an avid Arsenal fan, received a £900 ticket for City's home game against the Gunners in March 2024.
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Football fans and taxpayers alike have every right to expect complete transparency when politicians accept expensive hospitality from powerful organisations.'
It comes as the Prime Minister's close links to the club have raised fears among Premier League rivals of political interference.
Last month an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of 115 alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.
After the verdicts were announced, Mr Burnham caused controversy by telling the BBC that ‘...if wrongdoing is established those responsible should face the appropriate consequences’. Wrongdoing had by then already been established and a No10 spokesman attempted to clarify the statement by replacing the word ‘if’ with ‘wherever’.
Mr Burnham denied he had downplayed the findings. Rival club sources later told the BBC his comments were ‘absolutely bizarre’ and ‘at best naive and at worst quite manipulative’.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded that Downing Street releases details of all meetings between the PM and senior Man City figures.
coming... I'm ready
‘wants to work hard, get on and pay less tax so she can have more money in her pocket’.
Nigel Farage's Reform UK is also preparing for a snap election by appointing a senior figure from the Armed Forces as his defence spokesman – one of several military figures expected to join the party – because the issue of defence funding is likely to be central to the campaign.
In addition, a high-profile expert on health policy is being sought, along with other figures from private industry and the public sector.
It was reported yesterday that Mr Farage is launching his own eight-page newspaper, The Reformer, which will be distributed to 15 million homes as part of a move to ensure his ‘message is heard by the masses’.
The paper will include features on Reform policies and comment pieces from Mr Farage, who has embarked on a ‘general election tour’ of the country this month, visiting Red Wall areas where Reform hopes to topple Labour.
The latest polling suggests that if an election were to be held now, Labour would win 313 seats – down 99 on their 2024 performance – while the Conservatives would win 123 – up 2 - and Reform would get 95. That would leave Labour just short of an overall majority, but could easily form a Government in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
Comment: Page 22
---
By GLEN OWEN
POLITICAL EDITOR
HEN Andy Burnham gave his lachrymose conference speech in Liverpool last month, Kemi Badenoch and her closest aides were tensed for one particular announcement amongst the plethora of Left-wing policy pledges.
‘We thought that he might use the moment to call a general election,’ says a senior Conservative source. ‘We were poised and ready to roll – and still are.’
Mrs Badenoch used her own conference moment in Birmingham last week to emphasise her disdain for Nigel Farage's Reform UK, saying to loud cheers: 'To those who say "unite the Right", we are not uniting with THAT.'
But there is one thing the parties do agree on – the need to be battle-ready in case Mr Burnham pulls the trigger on a snap poll before Christmas.
To that end, the Tories already have a campaign ‘grid’ – setting out the order of visits to battleground seats by Mrs Badenoch – and a draft manifesto which could be polished and printed within a fortnight. Candidate selections are well-advanced, while election meetings were merging staff at Tory HQ with the Leader of the Opposition’s advisers have been taking place since the summer.
Although the strategists were originally planning for an election next May, they now think it possible that a poll could be called as soon as December: although Mr Burnham said on the eve of his conference that he was ruling out calling a snap election, no one
---
“A win would free him from restrictions on raising taxes”
in the Tory team believes him. The senior source said: 'Kemi's view is that Burnham said that the [pensions] triple lock was safe, then decided he would ditch it, and he has also changed his mind on Brexit. So why should we trust him on this?'
Over at Reform, Mr Farage is moving to plug some of the gaping holes in his front bench - starting with a senior Armed Forces figure who will be announced within the coming
INSIDE WESTMINSTER With the Right split and other parties on the Left in disarray ...why wouldn't Burnham call an election?
weeks – and is even preparing to launch his own eight-page newspaper. The Reformer will be distributed to 15million households across the country, necessitating what party sources claim is the biggest newsprint order anywhere in the world this year.
The move is both a reaction to, and the product of, the party's controversial funding model: in September, Mr Farage celebrated a whopping £72million windfall from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne.
Aides say this has given him a war chest sufficient to bypass the traditional media outlets which have raised the most persistent questions about the party's donors – including why Mr Farage failed to declare a £5million donation from Mr Harborne. The donation is being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards, who is expected to report imminently.
Both Tory and Reform camps think that Mr Burnham is tempted to spring an election while he is enjoying a bounce in the polls and his rival parties on the Left are in disarray.
That suspicion only increased in the early hours of Friday morning, when Green Party leader Zack Polanski failed to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, while battling civil war in his party over anti-Israeli conference resolutions. Mr Polanski blamed his defeat on the fact that the voters in Sir Keir Starmer's old seat wanted to 'give Burnham a chance' – a honeymoon mentality with an inherently limited shelf-life.
CHALLENGE: Lib Dem leader
Ed Davey faced coup attempt
On the same day, the irrelevance of Sir Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats was highlighted by the fact that he suffered an attempted coup against his leadership without anyone noticing or caring, when one of his MPs, Charlie Maynard, resigned from the party's frontbench in an attempt to force a contest to replace him. It means that Mr
Burnham dominates the Left, at a time when the Right appears hopelessly split.
The latest polling shows Labour moving closer to the 30 per cent figure, while the Tories and Reform are scrapping it out in the low-20s. If an election was held tomorrow, the most sophisticated seat projections put Labour on 313 seats – down 99 on 2024 – the Conservatives on 123 – up 2 – and Reform on 95. Labour would be just short of an overall majority, but could form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
Although Mr Burnham would lose Sir Keir's thumping majority, the pro-poll advocates within Labour argue that waiting longer will give the Tories or Reform time to get their act together, while a victory now would give Mr Burnham his own mandate and free him from the restrictions on raising taxes in the 2024 manifesto.
A senior Tory source said: 'We think the election will come sooner rather than later, possibly before the end of the year. The manifesto is in good shape. It will not be a Christmas tree, like some previous Conservative ones – trying to find a policy to please every special interest group – but will have a clear, compelling message. We are ready to go.'
Olympic hero is quizzed over fatal crash – as the daughter of PSG manager escapes injury
By Elizabeth Ivens and Gerard Couzens
TOP British showjumper Scott Brash and the daughter of Paris Saint-German manager Luis Enrique have been involved in a horror road accident in Spain that left a young motorcyclist dead.
Double Olympic gold medal-winning Scottish rider Brash is believed to have been driving an Audi Q3 with Sira Martinez as his passenger when the car collided with a motorbike south of Valencia at 7.45pm last Thursday.
Mr Enrique's model daughter Ms Martinez, 26, who is also a showjumper, and Brash, 40, are rumoured to be in a relationship.
Both escaped unscathed from the accident, according to reports.
Police confirmed last night that the ‘British car driver’ was being probed on suspicion of manslaughter and was likely to be summoned for questioning by a judge.
The Spanish Guardia Civil spokesman said: 'A motorbike collided with the side of a car. The motorbike rider, a 20-year-old Spanish national, died at the scene.
INVESTIGATION: Left: British equestrian star Scott Brash. Top: Sira Martinez and, above, with her father and family after PSG's 2025 Champions League win
‘The British car driver and his Spanish passenger were unharmed. The car driver is being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter because it appears he made an improper turn.
'A report on the incident has been submitted to a local court so it can summon him for questioning.' Police confirmed the driver of the car passed drug and alcohol tests.
Equestrian sensation Brash, from the Scottish Borders town of Peebles, won his first Olympic gold medal at the London 2012 Games. He scooped Britain's first Olympic showjumping title for 60 years when he helped to clinch a surprise team title in Greenwich
Park with teammates Ben Maher, Nick Skelton and Peter Charles.
In 2024, he repeated his Olympic gold success in the team event at the Paris Games.
While Mr Brash is rumoured to be dating Ms Martinez it has never been formally confirmed that he has split from his long-term girlfriend Hannah Colman, his travelling head groom. Ms Martinez has previously been linked with PSG and Spanish international striker Ferran Torres.
She is the only surviving daughter of former Barcelona player Mr Enrique.
His youngest daughter Xana died in 2019 at the age of nine after battling bone cancer.
Sam Fender set to headline Glastonbury
EXCITED: Chart-topper Fender
THE thousands of music fans who have secured coveted tickets to Glastonbury Festival next year face an anxious wait to find out which stars will perform.
But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that one of the headline acts at Worthy Farm in June will be British singer Sam Fender.
The official line-up for those paying at least £400 to attend will not be confirmed until the spring, but Fender is set to headline the festival's main Pyramid Stage.
The Geordie musician, 32, has had a successful year after his song Rein Me In, a duet with Olivia Dean, broke records as the
By Dolly Busby
CHIEF SHOWBUSINESS WRITER
longest-running No1 single in UK music history, spending a total of 23 weeks at the top of the charts.
A source said: 'Sam is over the moon, it's a major milestone in his career and he's so excited he's even been telling his neighbours.'
The five-time Brit Award winner shares close ties with previous Glastonbury acts such as Dean and his friend Lewis Capaldi, who both played the festival in 2025. The event had one of its regular fallow years this year, to give the Worthy Farm land a chance to recover.
An industry source said: 'Lewis has been gunning for Sam to get the headline slot. He's been bringing Sam on stage at his gigs just to get him more out there and more talked-about.'
Fender previously played the Pyramid Stage in 2022, three years after cancelling a planned appearance at the last minute because of illness.
Tickets for Glastonbury 2027 – which has a capacity of 210,000 – sold out in just 42 minutes last Sunday, despite no performers being announced.
Got a sweet tooth? Just blame the red ones
By Roger Dobson
IF YOU'VE ever found yourself fighting over the last red sweet in the packet you're not alone. The red ones are by far our favourites, scientists say – and it's all down to how humans have evolved.
A study which investigated our confectionary preferences found we associate red with warmth, sweetness and ripeness, which makes the red sweets in a pack far more appealing than other colours.
Yellow sweets, meanwhile, are the most likely to be left lingering at the end of a pack.
They are eight times less popular than red sweets because the colour is associated with a sour flavour.
The Indian researchers based their study on sweets from US brand Life Savers, and asked more than 100 men and women to rank which colours they preferred.
Nearly half – 43 per cent – picked red as their top choice, while about one quarter, 26
---
'Associated with warmth and ripeness'
per cent, opted for blue.
Orange came in next with 15
per cent, while 10 per cent
chose green and only 5 per
cent preferred yellow.
The researchers, writing in the Open Science Framework, said red likely came top because of a phenomenon known as ‘perceptual fluency’ – the ease and speed with which the brain matches an image with our expectations.
This means red was more easily associated with sweetness than other colours.
Blue, meanwhile, triggers feelings of calmness and peace, according to the study ‘Colours evoke specific emotions, and dictate the mood of consumers,’ the researchers said. ‘This gives the visual appeal of red a competitive advantage over other flavours.’
Thompson
---
EXCLUSIVE
USIVE By GLEN OWEN
POLITICAL EDITOR
THE commander who led the land operation to liberate the Falklands has triggered a furore by saying that boats carrying migrants across the Channel should be machine-gunned.
‘I would shoot them,’ Major-General Julian Thompson told a documentary about mass immigration to Britain.
Last night, the Home Office warned that anyone taking the law into their own hands would face ‘serious criminal consequences’, while the Tories stressed that ‘opening fire on migrant boats would be completely wrong’.
Maj Gen Thompson, 92, who headed 3 Commando Brigade during the conflict,
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'One blast is all it would take – they'd get the message'
said of the thousands of migrants who land on UK shores each month: 'We could stop them tomorrow if we really had the guts. I'd shoot them, sorry, but I would.'
When contacted by The Mail on Sunday, Maj Gen Thompson clarified that he thought the bullets should be aimed at the vessels, not the occupants. Asked if he feared a backlash to his remarks, Maj Gen Thompson said: 'As long as they don't come around here, I don't mind what they do.
‘They come over here and rape our girls. One machine-gun blast is all it would take... then they would get the message. I just want them to bugger off. If they [the Government] don’t stop them then there will be a revolution. Our leaders are just wet.’
Maj Gen Thompson's remarks were made to journalist Steven Edginton in a documentary being broadcast on Edginton's YouTube channel this weekend.
More than 20,000 small-boat migrants have arrived so far this year, down by 40 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. However, the numbers travelling on each vessel has increased, with an average of 67 migrants packing on to every boat.
Maj Gen Thompson joined the Marines in 1952 and served for 34 years, writing numerous books on military history after he retired.
He led the ground forces of Operation Sutton, the amphibious landings at San Carlos Water in May 1982, which established a
TARGET: Migrants crossing the Channel last month, crowded on one of the mega-dinghies people-smugglers are increasingly using
Furore as marine who liberated Falklands says: Machine-gun the migrants' boats
GLORY: King – then Prince – Charles greets Maj Gen Thompson on returning from the Falklands. Above right: With his medals
secure beachhead on East Falkland despite heavy Argentine air attacks. On the eve of battle, he appeared on HMS Fearless with a piece of paper carrying the order to begin the operation, and told his men: 'Gentlemen, here we go.' In his YouTube interview, Maj
Gen Thompson calls the Islamic belief of many migrants ‘a flawed religion, in that women are totally out. They can be treated like chattels, and children the same’.
He also says Britain is ‘just going downhill’, adding: ‘I’m glad I won’t see it, I’ll be dead.
‘It’s not Britain any more, it’s a sort of funny conglomeration of people, and in a wet country that allows itself to be pushed around all over the place.’
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Opening fire on migrant boats would be completely wrong. I understand people's anger at migrant crossings but we cannot shoot at people. There is another way to end this.
'If the French won't stop the boats near the shore then the British Government should deport every illegal immigrant within a week of arrival. This requires us to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, which the Conservative borders
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‘We can end this, but Labour are too weak’
plan does, but the Labour Government is too weak to do. Instead of being deported on arrival, illegal immigrants get put up in hotels and flats. This has to end.'
A Home Office spokesman said: last night: 'This government is bearing down on dangerous and illegal crossings.
‘Anyone who seeks to take the law into their own hands is putting lives at risk and will face serious criminal consequences.’
Measure portions? No weigh, says Toby Carvery
IN TOUGH times, businesses have to watch every penny – but diners have accused Toby Carvery of going too far when a chef was filmed carefully weighing a slice of meat he was serving up.
After being roasted by online critics, the restaurant chain insisted it was not taking a newly miserly approach to its
By Jacinta Taylor
usually generous portion size. The debate started when Facebook user Tee Gee posted a video of himself handing his plate to a chef who puts it on a set of scales before carving the meat.
He captioned the footage:
'Tiny Yorkshire puddings and they're weighing the meat now. Good job I went king size. They'll be counting the peas next.'
In the clip, he is seen asking the chef: 'How long have you been weighing the meat?'
The chef in Poole, Dorset, replies: 'About three weeks now', before confirming the scales have also been
introduced at other branches. Tee Gee then asks: 'How much meat can I get in weight?' and is told: 'It's 216g for a king-size plate. It's about 160g on a normal plate.' One riverished 'We milk
One viewer joked: 'We will need ration books soon.'
Toby – which offers unlimited sides and trimmings with its carvery meals – said the scales are used only for
staff training. A spokesman said: 'Don't worry, Toby fans, nothing has changed with our portion sizes.
‘Our chefs are highly trained and generally carve portions using their experience. Sometimes, we use scales to help train new team members or to reassure existing chefs that their portion servings are on point.’
Bill Nighy left ‘unsettled’ after he is secretly filmed on prankster’s Meta specs
LOVE ACTUALLY star Bill Nighy has fallen victim to Meta's ‘pervert glasses’ after being covertly recorded by a YouTube prankster.
The actor, 76, is said to have been left ‘unsettled’ after an encounter with social media influ-
UK Government
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DIARY EXCLUSIVE By Harriet Kean
encer Jack Jones, who was wearing the controversial Ray-Ban smart glasses which are fitted with a tiny camera.
Jones, who made his name making fake phone calls, accosted Nighy outside a London cafe and engaged him in conversation, which was recorded without the actor's consent. The video has been uploaded to Jones' YouTube channel, which has 500,000 subscribers.
The perplexed double-Bafta winner is seen to respond: 'For?'
In the footage, Jones, wearing the glasses developed by the firm behind Facebook, calls out to Nighy as he stands outside the cafe, saying: 'Excuse me, Bill, I'm going to have to report you.'
‘For being the best actor in the world,’ quips Jack, before asking Nighy questions about his life.
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A source close to Nighy has described Jones' behaviour as 'very unpleasant and disrespectful'.
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It is not the first time Jones has targeted Nighy at what appears to be the same cafe. In another video, posted two years ago, he surprises the actor from behind by loudly saying, 'Good afternoon, Philip' – a reference to his character in 2004 comedy Shaun Of The Dead.
As Nighy leaps from his seat in shock and walks away, Jones keeps filming and repeatedly asks, 'Where is Shaun, Philip?'
'DISRESPECTFUL': Bill Nighy in a video filmed by Jack Jones, below
Among a string of comments from viewers of the footage, the stunt was branded 'vile' and 'a horrible thing to do'. A year later, Jones thing to do'. A year later, Jones uploaded another clip entitled 'Me and Bill Nighy have squashed the beef', showing him presenting flowers to the actor by way of apology.
There has been widespread criticism over the use of the Meta glasses to film without consent.
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As well as being used by online content creators, they have been exploited by stalkers and harassers, gaining them the label ‘pervert glasses’.
Numerous venues and businesses, including Wetherspoon pubs, theatres and schools, have banned them.
In August, ministers in Australia and Norway revealed they were considering banning and regulating wearable gadgets with cameras.
Jones, 33, made his name in the mid-2010s for prank videos that included honking horns behind people in the street and telling people they had a spider on their shoulder.
Responding to the latest video of Nighy, Jones insisted that he had the actor's consent to upload the recording. He said: 'I approached Bill while I was filming content using the Meta glasses.
'I explained that I had been film-
ing and showed him the type of content I create, which is mainly positive videos involving flowers, kindness and doing nice things for people.
‘Bill was very nice about it and seemed to like what I was doing. There was no intention to make him look
bad or embarrass him in any way. The whole purpose of my content is to create positive moments and spread a bit of kindness, and that's exactly the context of the interaction.'
Row over prison books that help migrants stay
By Glen Owen POLITICAL EDITOR
REFORM UK has accused a jail governor of ‘working against patriotic British people’ after refusing to remove books that help foreign criminals become UK citizens.
Maidstone prison in Kent, which has a wing for foreign offenders, stocks guidance in its library on passing the 'Life in the UK' test – a vital step in earning citizenship.
Zia Yusuf, Reform's home affairs spokesman, said last night: 'When we demanded the books be removed, the prison governor Paul Mason refused. Taxpayers will be shocked that they are forced to help foreign criminals get British citizenship.
'The establishment is working against patriotic British people. As Home Secretary I will deport every single prisoner in that jail.'
Under current guidelines, people are not disqualified from applying for UK citizenship if they have served up to four years in prison.
Last night Mr Mason said: 'Having reviewed the material I have not identified any security, safety, good order, discipline or public protection concerns arising from the availability of Life in the UK test study materials within the library.
'Nor is the publication subject to any national restriction. As such, there is no policy basis upon which I could justify directing its removal from prison stock.'
Earlier this year, Reform leader Nigel Farage said if he wins power he will send the 10,000 foreign nationals in UK jails to El Salvador.
MARCH OF THE WOKE WARRIORS 11
Now woke National Trust teaches children aged 5 about Black Power - in a cookie-baking lesson
EXCLUSIVE
By Chris Hastings
THE National Trust has sparked renewed uproar by announcing 'ultra-woke' plans to teach children as young as five about the controversial Black Power salute – during a baking workshop.
The initiative forms part of a series of events to mark Black History month. It will involve children aged five to 12 being taught about the origins of the salute at the 1968 Olympics during a ‘fun and educational’ baking session at Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property in south London.
Critics have branded the plans ‘pathetic’ and said it was further proof that the charity had lost sight of its founding principles to protect the UK’s historic heritage.
Cornelia van der Poll, of campaign group Restore Trust, which has criticised the National Trust for pursuing an increasingly 'woke' political agenda, said any link between the US civil rights
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'Not relevant to this particular property'
movement and Morden Hall Park was ‘highly contrived’.
She said: 'Teaching children about a Black Power salute is not relevant to this particular property and it's not relevant to what the National Trust does.
‘Much as we might sympathise and we do sympathise with civil rights in America, nevertheless it is a political subject... When you emphasise the political at the cost of everything else, you end up short-changing [children] on the actual relevant history.’
Describing the National Trust as ‘ultra-woke’, historian Andrew Roberts said it was ‘sad, pathetic but wholly predictable’ that the charity ‘won’t even let five-year-olds bake cakes on their premises without taking the opportunity to force Left-wing propaganda down their throats’.
The Trust's website says children attending the baking session will 'learn about the inspiring story of Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos and their iconic Black Power salute'. They will then be assisted to make and bake their own 'Olympic Gold Cookies'.
The 200m sprinters raised their black-gloved fists on the podium at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics during the playing of the American national anthem to protest systemic racism and institutional segregation in the US. The salute has become an enduring icon of the civil rights movement.
The only link between slavery and Morden Hall Park is that the family who owned it had a business processing snuff, Ms Van der Poll said.
‘What the National Trust is trying to do is tell people of African descent that this is particularly relevant to them, assigning them victim status,’ she said.
‘It is treating black people as a group rather than as individuals who might be interested in the historic properties.’
A National Trust spokesman said: 'We provide opportunities for people of all ages to explore the
POLITICAL: A Morden Hall Park event will teach children about the 1968 salute, right
people, events and ideas that have shaped history and the world we live in today.
‘This Black History Month, activities taking place across the National Trust cover 18th to 20th-century history.
‘At Morden Hall Park, people can hear about the 1968 Olympics and how they became such a significant moment in modern history.'
An unnamed member of the National Trust said: 'I think it would be best for all concerned if the Trust just allowed the kids a chance to bake. The Trust should be teaching the children about the property, not about Black Power.'
...as English Heritage rejects bid to honour Python star with blue plaque
NOT THE MESSIAH: Graham Chapman famously starred in The Life Of Brian
IT SEEMS Life Of Brian star Graham Chapman is still regarded as ‘a very naughty boy’ more than 45 years after the film’s release.
English Heritage has turned down a request to erect a blue plaque to celebrate the life and work of the former Python.
Chapman, who died aged 48 in 1989, was snubbed even though he met the eligibility criteria for the honour.
Friends and supporters fear he may have fallen victim to a drive by the charity to increase the number of black and Asian figures who are celebrated.
Last night, fellow Python and writing partner John Cleese,
By Chris Hastings
said: 'I wonder why they have not decided to go ahead.
‘It seems that a lot of these quangos have woke inclinations unrepresentative of most British people.
'Presumably, we can put up a plaque ourselves.'
English Heritage, which runs the official blue plaques scheme in London, receives about 80 nominations annually and this year said it would erect nine.
The charity's list included Oscar-winning actor Sir Laurence Olivier and pioneering astronomer Cecilia
Payne-Gaposchkin. But others honoured will be less familiar.
They include Kamal Chunchie, a Sri Lankan-born Methodist pastor who fought for racial justice in London's East End in the 1930s and 40s, and Duse Mohamed Ali, who was a leading figure in London's Pan-Africanism movement.
Chapman co-write some of the best-known Python skits, including the Dead Parrot sketch, the Argument Clinic and Four Yorkshiremen.
He is best known for playing the title role in the 1979 film Monty Python's The Life Of Brian, about a man wrongly assumed to be a messiah.
Brian's mother Mandy – played by Terry Jones – famously declared: 'He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy.'
A spokesman for English Heritage said it had ‘carefully considered’ Chapman’s nomination, adding: ‘The selection process is highly competitive, with many exceptional candidates considered each year.’
Another Python, Sir Michael Palin, said Chapman, who quit drinking in 1977, would have preferred the unofficial plaque put up in his honour on the side of the Angel pub in Highgate, north London, in 2012: ‘Graham would be very tickled.’
12 SECRETS OF THE CELEBRITY TRAITORS
It's only a game, darlings... even off screen stars are at one another's throats
EXCLUSIVE
By Codie Bullen
SHOWBUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
ON SCREEN, the stars of Celebrity Traitors viciously murder or banish their fellow cast members in a bid to win the show.
But when the cameras stop rolling, contestants on the BBC One show are still ‘at one another’s throats’ as the tension and ‘utter paranoia’ between them spills over into real life.
Sources say that unlike last year's celebrity version of the programme, when the line up had fun and enjoyed it, this time it
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'One contestant really lost their nerve'
became extremely stressful behind the scenes.
Traitors insiders suggest that wrong decisions at the round table when two Faithfuls were sent home sparked the paranoid behaviour.
On Thursday, US actress Myha'la, star of BBC One's Industry, was banished and on Friday, former Coronation Street favourite Julie Hesmondhalgh was sent home in a shock decision – rather than mathematician Professor Hannah Fry, a Traitor.
A show insider told The Mail on Sunday: 'The tension is coming across on screen, but it was just as bad if not worse when the cameras stopped rolling. It is a tense environment, and they are cut off from the outside world; it is hard for them to switch off even when they head back to their individual lodgings. They were constantly thinking about the game.'
Even funnyman Rob Beckett surprised his co-stars, with high energy behaviour which was at times hard for the others to deal with while filming in Scotland early in the summer.
The source added: 'They were all making each other more stressed out. A lot of them just couldn't hack it, I'm not sure what they thought they were signing up to.
One contestant really lost their nerve at one point and their co-stars were absolutely stunned.
‘And Rob, who is usually so funny, really struggled at points and surprised the others with his behaviour. They put it down to the fact that things were so tense.’
Another source said that some on the show, which also stars Ross Kemp, Miranda Hart, Maya Jama and Jerry Hall, struggled to remember it was just a game.
The pressure became so intense for comedian James Acaster, who was recruited as a Traitor in the second episode, that filming had to be paused. The 41-year-old became ‘very anxious’ on set in Ardross Castle and some of the other contestants were forced to speak up and insist the cameras stop rolling.
BBC bosses later stressed that the welfare of contestants was a priority.
Viewers of the game show have watched as Acaster has become increasingly distressed on screen, repeating: 'I'm not good at lying.'
The stand-up comic expressed his wish to remain a Faithful on the show.
Faithful Kemp – best known for
TENSION: The celebrities were on edge behind the scenes
playing hardman Grant Mitchell on EastEnders – has entertained viewers by becoming increasingly paranoid when other cast members touch him.
And it wasn't just the celebrities feeling the stress.
During filming, their teams were kept completely in the dark and had no contact with their clients until they exited the game.
Agents and publicists have no say in what is shown and can only hope their clients get a good edit.
Yes, it's beautiful – but should Blunt really be plugging his £1,695 suit on social media?
THE BBC ordered singer James Blunt to remove an online post in which he plugged a £1,695 tweed suit he wore in the opening episode of Celebrity Traitors.
Days before the launch of the series, Blunt, 52, uploaded on to his X account a BBC publicity shot, right, of him in the suit.
The picture, with logos for the BBC and Celebrity Traitors, appeared with a link to the X account of Barrington Ayre, a Cotswolds-based tailor which supplied Blunt with the suit.
Blunt, whose big 2005 hit was You're Beautiful, has two million
By Chris Hastings
followers and captioned the post, 'The name's Blunt. James Blunt.'
Editorial guidelines which apply to all BBC talent prohibit stars from exploiting BBC programmes or brands in any advertisements or promotions.
The BBC and Studio Lambert, the production company behind the show, were believed to be unaware of Blunt's post until contacted by The Mail on Sunday.
A BBC insider said: 'As soon as the BBC was alerted, it spoke to all parties and the post was removed from X.'
Celebrity Traitors is a ratings juggernaut with each episode watched by a live audience of upwards of ten million.
Barrington Ayre posted the same picture of Blunt in the suit on its own website.
Managing director Tom Wharton last night insisted it had no formal commercial relationship with Blunt and there was no prior agreement for him to wear the suit on the BBC programme.
He declined to say how much Blunt had paid for the suit or whether it had been gifted. 'I wouldn't do that with any customer,' he said.
A spokesman for Blunt did not provide a comment.
He is one of the show's army of Faithfuls and has proved popular with both viewers and his fellow contestants.
The former Army Captain has taken the lead in some of the show's group bonding tasks.
A fellow contestant, comedienne Miranda Hart, delighted viewers when she said she found his commanding behaviour ‘mildly erotic’.
James Blunt @JamesBlunt
The name's Blunt. James Blunt.
Tailored by @MrTabbs
5:48 PM · Sep 23, 2026 · 122.8K Views
50 shades of James! How the lanky comic dumped for Mr Bean became the ‘hottest bloke in the castle’
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By Codie Bullen
SHOWBUSINESS CORRESPONDENT
GEEKY, lanky and awkward, with a penchant for corduroy trousers and grandad jumpers, 'heartthrob' is hardly the first word that comes to mind when you look at James Acaster. But the Celebrity Traitors star has, it seems, become an unlikely stud.
Following his sensational start on the hit BBC show, which saw him become the third becloaked Traitor, the comedian has found himself at the centre of a lively debate about his relationship status.
And not least because – as his legion of admirers have been aghast to discover – he has the dubious ‘honour’ of having been dumped in favour of Mr Bean.
Yes, you read that correctly: the 41-year-old, whose 6ft 1in frame and foppish blond curls have been leaving middle-aged women weak, was once the partner of actress and comedian Louise Ford, better known as Rowan Atkinson's second wife.
Indeed, Atkinson split from his first wife,
Sunetra Sastry, with whom he shares two grown-up children, to be with Ms Ford in 2014, after the pair met while appearing in a play together. They now have a young daughter.
Yet this bizarre entry in Acaster's relationship history seems only to have further endeared him to fans. Many have taken to social media to declare their affection for the star, with some admirers even creating fan pages on TikTok.
They are full of video compilations or ‘thirst trap edits’ designed
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‘He’s swapped scruffy stand-up look for a more polished style’
to showcase a person's physical appeal – a huge compliment for any man on the wrong side of 40.
The videos include clips of Acaster strutting about Ardross Castle and taking part in the gruelling challenges – all long limbs, arched eyebrows and deadpan wit.
One edit has racked up almost 200,000 views, with one person commenting: 'Yeah, he's fit! Didn't realise until last night!'
Another agreed, adding: ‘Glad it’s not just me.’ A third, referring to EL James’s erotic novel, drooled: ‘Fifty Shades of James.’
Many note that the Off Menu podcast host has had a glow-up for the show, swapping his signature scruffy late-night stand-up look for a more polished style.
And they will be pleased to learn that he appears to be single.
He was with Ms Ford between 2011 and 2013, with their relationship coming to an end after she met the now 71-year-old Atkinson.
Addressing the break-up in his 2018 stand-up tour, Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, Acaster joked: 'I found out a year after we split up. I opened the newspaper, and there's a photo of the two of them walking arm-in-arm down the street together and a full story about how they were a couple now.
‘It’s my job to say things that are funny, and the funniest thing that's ever happened to anyone happened to me, and I put it on the back burner out of respect. Until you get left for Mr Bean, you don't realise how frequently he pops up.
'There's a shop two streets from my house that sells masks of his face. There's nowhere I'm going to go that he's not there.'
Since then, he has had only one significant relationship, with New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo, the creator and star of BBC rom-com Starstruck. And it appeared to affect him deeply.
Their split in 2017 plunged Acaster into a dark place mentally, which he has discussed in his podcasts and wrote about in his 2019 book, Perfect Sound Whatever.
‘That was when I started having serious suicidal thoughts for the first time,’ he said.
'I didn't attempt it. I was in New York, the first time I'd ever been, which should have been really exciting. Instead I'd find myself thinking about ways I could kill
HEARTTHROB: Acaster on Celebrity Traitors. Right, his ex-partner with Atkinson
myself. That scared me. I'm very lucky, personality-wise, that as soon as I recognise something needs doing, I'll do it. So as soon as I got back to England I booked a therapy session.'
Having worked on his mental health, Acaster then used the experience for his comedy material.
He's since said he is in a much better place. But he hasn't had the easiest ride on Celebrity Traitors.
Despite telling host Claudia Winkleman that he would rather be a Faithful, and was not comfortable with lying, he was recruited to be a Traitor by Richard E Grant and Love Island presenter Maya Jama in the second episode. In a tense scene, Acaster and former Today show host Amol
Rajan were forced to plead for their lives in the Traitors chapel before being told to lie in a coffin and await their fate.
Rajan was ‘murdered’ and Acaster saved – and he has been forced to plot with his fellow Traitors in the turret since.
But whether he has it in him to continue to deceive and murder the Faithfuls has yet to be seen. Several times Ms Jama has tried to encourage him to enjoy the power of being a Traitor, and to relish in picking new targets to knock off.
And while he hasn't faced much suspicion yet, he reportedly became 'very anxious' on set, which led to filming being briefly paused during the summer to allow him to calm down.
'Everyone was aware of the pressure getting to James; it was difficult to watch him struggling,' one source told this newspaper.
Producers have since addressed the reports, stressing that the welfare of contestants is a priority while filming the notoriously intense reality series.
Acaster previously predicted that being a part of a major
TV show would cause him stress.
Speaking on the podcast of Romesh Ranganathan – who is also appearing on Celebrity Traitors – he admitted: 'I've turned shows down because I've watched them and thought they would be too stressful.
'Like, I love Strictly, but I'm never going to do that. I think I would have a meltdown before the first episode went out.'
The comedian, who is thought to be worth £4.5million.
certainly keeps busy, with frequent stand-up shows and his Off Menu podcast, which he co-hosts with Ed Gamble, the presenter of the Traitors BBC2 companion programme Uncloaked.
And after the show he is likely to be in high demand – particularly with the ladies.
Exposed: The British to beat their wives if
Are police and ministers failing to crack down because
SHARIA
BRITAIN 2026
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By ABUL TAHER and IAN GALLAGHER
ITTING before his many followers, a preacher dressed in white urges the men to hit their wives if they refuse to be ‘called to bed for intimacy’.
Clasping his hands, he beseeches husbands never to tolerate disobedience, and to ‘discipline them physically... lightly hitting them to show them who is in charge’.
A scene from a film or television drama, some medieval fantasy set in a distant, untamed land perhaps?
Depressingly, we are in modern Britain and the cleric's words are only too real. His name is Yasin Munye from The Hackney Islamic Community Centre, a religious charity in east London.
Referring to scriptures, and making clear what he believes are grounds for domestic violence, Munye cites ‘disobeying the husband when it comes to calling her to bed’.
Were an Anglican vicar to deliver such a sermon, one might expect police to drag him from the pulpit in handcuffs.
Certainly, officers have been only too quick to beat a path to the door of members of the public who've tweeted their opinions online, one example being the two detectives who paid a visit to grandmother Helen Jones last year – simply for criticising Labour politicians on Facebook.
But when Saudi Arabia-trained Munye's diatribe surfaced in a video last week, and his mosque was reported to the Charity Commission, there was a conspicuous absence of public discussion, much less howls of protest. For its part, the Met said it was ‘assessing’ a complaint against the Hackney mosque.
Yet, The Mail on Sunday has discovered that the Munye case is by no means isolated. Similarly ugly and misogynistic advice is dispensed up and down the country to Muslim husbands, often via video lectures.
Concerns have been raised about the creeping spectre of sharia law in modern Britain. Last month, a video emerged of men and women queuing separately in an Asian supermarket in Romford, Essex, and last October The Mail on Sunday revealed that a London mosque had organised a ‘family friendly’ charity run from which women were banned.
Rakib Ehsan, an expert in social integration and author of Beyond Grievance: What The Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities, said: 'Britain's model of multiculturalism has let down women in these segregated communities. With light-touch policing, the state has turned a blind eye to ethnically insular areas of our cities that
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MAHAMED ABDURRAZAQ BIRMINGHAM
'If a wife continues to refuse to have intercourse... her husband [can] hit her... but not with something that's going to break her bones'
have regressive attitudes. So because the state has not engaged with these communities, imams there feel emboldened to preach violent misogyny and other practices that run counter to British laws and customs.'
In August, Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed to make tackling violence against women and girls ‘a driving mission’, adding: ‘We must be laser focused on stamping out these vile crimes.’
But after his protestations, the Munye video was uncovered by the National Secular Society (NSS), which said that ‘a religious manosphere’ is now taking hold in Britain. Domestic abuse charity Jeena International, meanwhile, said that Munye’s preachings reinforce the view in some Asian communities ‘that rape cannot take place inside of marriages’. The charity’s founder Rani Bilkhu said: ‘These preachers are using religion for coercive control of women... and are giving the go-ahead for sexual violence and domestic abuse.’
Asked if this sort of preaching is prevent-
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AQEEL MAHMOOD BIRMINGHAM
ing Muslim women from reporting rape and domestic violence to the police, Ms Bilkhu added: 'It is a factor, alongside other issues like Muslim women being reluctant to come forward anyway, as well as there being language barriers. Sometimes, being woke stops society from tackling these issues in case a white man or woman might be called racist. This is not a woke issue, this is a safeguarding issue.'
This newspaper's investigation paints a depressing picture of Britain in 2026, as scores more imams proudly display their archaic prejudices in sermons
SCAN TO
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SHOCKING
VIDEOS
ON MAIL+
'A wife cannot leave the house without husband's permission... physical discipline [cannot] cause pain, injury, fear and humiliation'
posted online. One denounced women who 'leave the house' wearing perfume as 'fornicators', while in another video, Abu Sa'ad Muhammad, who preaches at the same mosque as Munye, said the 'unfortunate reality of this country' meant that wives had been turned against husbands, and that wives 'know if you slap them once, they will call the police'.
Meanwhile, Mahamed AbdurRazaq, from the An-Noor Masjid and Community Centre in Birmingham, advises ‘admonishing’ wives in the first instance for refusing sex. If this fails, he adds, ‘then he’s allowed to hit her, a hitting that does not bruise and that does not break bones’.
Hitting your wife, even lightly, can amount to common assault and be prosecuted as domestic abuse.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines the offence as physical abuse and violent or threatening behaviour. A single incident could qualify. Police might also have grounds to pursue Munye under the Serious
YASIN MUNYE
HACKNEY, EAST LONDON
imams telling men they say NO to sex
they are afraid of being accused of Islamophobia?
ABU SA'AD MUHAMMAD
HACKNEY, EAST LONDON
'The unfortunate reality of this country [is] that they turned the wife against husband... if you slap them once, they call the police' acts of coercive control, including where they occur in a religious setting or context.'
‘Disobeying the husband when it comes to calling her to bed... is a major sin. Discipline them by lightly hitting them to show who is in charge’
Meanwhile, in London, at the Darussalam Mosque in Southall, imam Abdur Rahman Hassan told his congregation that it was sinful for a woman to wear perfume outside her home. He said: 'Any woman who leaves the house and she places perfume on herself, she is a fornicator.'
Although domestic violence rates among Muslims are roughly in line with the national average, many do not report abuse for fear of family disownment and community isolation.
Ironically, a specialist domestic violence unit at Green Lane Mosque said in 2024 that there was a ‘hidden pandemic’ of violence that official figures did not reflect.
Journalist and commentator Khadija Khan, who grew up in a Muslim household in which her father beat her mother for disobeying him, said it is ‘a stain on Britain’s conscience’.
She added: 'Successive governments have been recklessly supine in challenging blatant misogyny and violence against women and girls being taught in these mosques.
‘Many fear being called “racist” and “Islamophobic”, and there are those MPs who willingly throw minority women under the bus by appeasing religious and cultural fanatics in a shameless bid to secure the “Muslim vote’.’
Crime Act 2007 for ‘intentionally encouraging or assisting an offence’.
League match at Aston Villa in Birmingham last November. The controversial decision, which was criticised for being based more on cultural politics rather than sound evidence, eventually led to the resignation of the force's chief, Craig Guildford.
Last night, Birmingham MP Jess Phillips, the former Labour Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, told the MoS: 'I am utterly appalled and disgusted that people think they can preach and influence populations to do this.'
MEN ONLY: MoS report last October about mosque's charity run that banned women
NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said the sermons could ‘encourage domestic violence and marital rape’. She added: ‘Charity regulators cannot ignore this, and neither should authorities concerned with protecting women from abuse. This religious manosphere has no place in the charity sector. Authorities must have the courage to hold religious charities to account.’
Last night the Home Secretary would not be drawn on the actions of specific mosques but a spokesman said: 'The Government condemns all acts of psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as
Ms Phillips, who faces criticism for her handling of a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal, added: 'These preachers should not be allowed to speak to anyone in my constituency or in my city.'
Some of the most misogynistic sermons the MoS uncovered have taken place in the Green Lane Masjid in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham, located in Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's Ladywood constituency.
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'These speeches by extremist imams are disgusting and misogynist. They directly incite domestic violence, assaults on women and rape.'
In a speech from December, imam Aqeel Mahmood delivered a 47-minute lecture on the Islamic laws of marriage, explaining the ‘duties of husbands and wives’.
During this speech the cleric insisted that the husband has a right to ‘discipline his wife in case of rebellion’. In the video posted online he said: 'It is not permissible for the wife to leave the house without the husband's permission', and added: 'Physical discipline is a last resort on the condition that it doesn't cause pain, injury, fear and humiliation.'
The NSS, which obtained the video, has complained to the Charity Commission about Mahmood's speech, and it is believed that the regulator gave the mosque ‘advice and guidance’.
At the same mosque, a year earlier, another preacher called Abu Rayan told worshippers that a wife should make herself sexually available to her husband at all times. One of the mosque's former imams, Abu Usamah at-Thahabi, was embroiled in controversy in 2023 when he said ‘homosexuality is not permissible’, leading to the Government cancelling a £2 million grant. Despite this, Green Lane was one of the mosques West Midlands Police consulted before banning fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv from a Europa
He called on the police to investigate these imams, and the Charity Commission to
'act urgently'.
Last night, the commission told the MoS that it will probe our evidence on imam Hassan telling women not to wear perfume at the Darussalam Mosque. The regulator said it warned the Hackney Islamic Community Centre in 2024 about extremist speakers, and opened another probe last month after the NSS sent them the videos of Munye and Muhammad.
The Commission had already issued ‘formal guidance’ to the An-Noor Masjid not to invite extremist speakers. A spokesman said: ‘Anyone who advocates violence against women has absolutely no place in charity. When concerns are raised with us, we assess each case carefully and take strong regulatory action where necessary.’
All the mosques featured have been contacted by the MoS.
A spokesman for Green Lane said: ‘Green Lane Masjid unequivocally rejects violence, domestic abuse, coercion and all other forms of violence and abuse.’
Trampling on the memory of The Few
By Nicholas Pyke, Sophie Carlin and Lydia Veljanovski
FAR-LEFT thugs fought police, trampled poppies and desecrated London's Battle of Britain Monument as yesterday's pro-Palestine march descended into violence.
Agitators climbed on top of the memorial – erected to commemorate the defence of Britain in the early days of the Second World War – and chanted, 'f\*\*\* the police'.
A display of poppy wreaths was kicked apart by the protesters, many from the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP), and several people were arrested, including some on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
Yesterday's protest comes just days after the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attacks – in which 1,200 Israeli civilians were murdered and a further 251 taken hostage. The pro-Israel Stop The Hate group staged a counter demonstration along the route.
The trouble started when officers from the Metropolitan Police attempted to arrest people wearing face masks on Victoria Embankment, with a group of RCP supporters scuffling to hold the officers back.
As tempers flared the police detained two protesters on the ground, only for more activists to surround the officers, who drew
Pro-Palestine thugs spark fury as they stamp on poppies and clamber over Battle of Britain memorial as march descends into violence
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HAMAS their batons. One group of protesters climbed to the top of the monument and spent half an hour banging on the stone-and-bronze structure while they chanted vile insults at the police. Some held signs saying: 'For Palestine to live, imperialism must die.'
TENSION: Poppies lie desecrated at the Battle of Britain monument. Right: A police officer grabs an activist during the violent protest
Dozens more activists stood at the base, baying ‘scum, scum, scum’ at the officers attempting to control the crowds.
Others blasted sirens through loudspeakers and shouted ‘tout le monde deteste la police’ (everyone hates the police) – a rallying cry from the recent student riots in France which have seen dozens of officers injured.
The Met arrested 20 people, including a man and a woman said to have been carrying placards supporting the proscribed Palestine Action group.
Six people were detained on suspicion of criminal damage.
When one man was asked, 'What have you been arrested for?', he replied, 'I punched him [a policeman] in the face.'
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, whose father was a Battle of Britain Spitfire ace, told The Mail on Sunday: 'People who stamp on the memory of the heroes of the past are not fit to be in Britain. The very freedoms they now use to protest, all those freedoms they have now would not exist were it not for those heroes.' Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said: 'There is no word for these people but "scum".'
Clearing up the ruined poppies in the aftermath, Steve Chilcott, 57, said: 'I think this is disgusting. To see crowds with Communist flags climbing all over it and shouting and screaming is sickening. It's a huge lack of respect to Britain and our parents and grandparents who fought for freedom they are now enjoying.'
The display of poppies at its base included wreaths laid by members of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association to mark last month's anniversary of the famous air battle – a crucial victory in the skies above Kent and London. The demonstration was organised by the Palestine Coalition umbrella group to mark what it calls ‘three years of genocide’ in Gaza.
Last night it claimed that 250,000 protesters had taken to the streets. There were no official figures when the MoS went to press, but the Met had earlier been expecting no more than 10,000. A Royal British Legion spokesman said: 'War memorials and wreaths honour the memory of every member of the Armed Forces who has made the ultimate sacrifice, and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.'
Additional reporting by Isaac Crowson and Livvy Mason-Myhill
---
By Mark Hookham
IT WAS probably not the reception Prince Harry envisaged when he planned his dramatic return to the UK.
As the Duke of Sussex watched the Premiership match between Leicester Tigers and Gloucester on Friday night, the unmistakable sound of booing from fellow rugby fans rippled around Leicester's Welford Road stadium as he appeared on a big screen.
That's not much of a welcome, quips TV commentator as rowdy rugby fans boo Prince Harry
It was enough for TV commentator Nick Mullins to quip: 'Well, that wasn't overly welcoming, was it?'
Perhaps predictably, the duke's loyal ‘Sussex Squad’ supporters claimed online this weekend that it was the referee – and not Harry – who was the subject of the crowd's jeers.
Harry's attendance at the match, which was won by the Tigers, was one of a handful of his solo public outings since he, his wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet returned to the UK in August.
The duke, 42, sat in the stands with his cousin George McCorquodale, each drinking a pint of beer as they watched the match. They were accompanied by Andrea
---
'Maybe they think he is a Gloucester supporter'
Pinchen, the Tigers' chief executive. With 26 minutes gone of the first half, the duke and Mr McCorquodale were shown on the big screen at the Clubhouse End of the ground.
‘Ah, face in the crowd,’ said TNT Sports commentator Mullins. ‘Prince Harry, back home and enjoying some rugby again. They don’t have nights like this in California.’
Seconds later, however, boos could be heard from among the crowd of around 18,000 spectators.
‘One or two boos around Mattioli Woods Welford Road,’ Mullins said.
Former England winger and pundit Ugo Monye wryly added: 'Welcome home!'
Fellow pundit and former Wales captain Sam Warburton then joked that the crowd could be jeering Monye, a former Harlequins player, before Mullins referred again to the duke's reception. 'Well, that wasn't overly welcoming, was it?' he said.
'No, it wasn't,' Monye replied, before Mullins quipped: 'Maybe they think he is a
JEERED: The Duke of Sussex at the match. Below: TNT Sports' Nick Mullins
Gloucester supporter.' Online supporters of the Sussexes insisted the booing came from Gloucester fans unhappy at referee Karl Dickson for awarding the home side a scrum.
‘That’s a lie,’ wrote one.
'They were booing [the] referee's decision and then the camera cut to Harry.'
Another wrote: ‘They were booing the referee’s decision. Not Harry.’
Meanwhile, a friend of the duke last night told the MoS: 'It's been presented as the crowd booing him and that's what the press have decided. Doesn't matter that they were actually booing the ref's call to award the scrum to Leicester following an alleged knock-on from Gloucester.'
But a careful analysis of footage, which was broadcast live, makes such an explanation implausible.
The referee awarded the scrum to Leicester after 26 minutes and 38 seconds. The booing did not start until 26 minutes and 54 seconds – 16 seconds later.
The son of Princess Diana's older sister Lady Sarah, George McCorquodale, 41, lives in Lincolnshire and is known to be close to Harry. The duke was guest of honour at Mr McCorquodale's wedding to Bianca Moore in South Africa in 2016.
A passionate rugby fan, Harry was patron of the Rugby Football Union from 2016 until 2021.
His night out comes amid a series of public outings by the Sussexes in recent weeks.
The couple were photographed earlier this month having lunch at Cotswolds pub The Falkland Arms.
Meghan is back on British TV ... on tiny Freeview channel
THE Duchess of Sussex is returning to our TV screens later this month – but viewers will have to scour the listings to find her.
Meghan's wish to be back on British TV will be fulfilled on October 19 when she appears as a special judge on MasterChef Australia.
But to see her you'll have to find the U&W channel, which can be accessed on Freeview's Channel 25 or through the network's U streaming service.
It's a far cry from rumours that she was in talks with producers of the hit Netflix series, The Gentlemen, and that that was the reason for her return to Britain with Prince Harry.
In fact, it later emerged the duchess had little more than a preliminary meeting with the programme's bosses.
Now the brief reappearance on TV of the ex-Suits actress will sit alongside
EXCLUSIVE
By Katie Hind
20-year-old re-runs of defunct police soap The Bill, 999 Rescue Squad and Inside The Operating Theatre.
A television insider said: 'Meghan will be able to watch herself on the telly after all, but it's not like it's on a streaming giant, the BBC or even ITV.
‘It’s on Freeview, right back on channel 25. But it will be the first time she has been on our screens for a long while and UKTV bosses are hoping it will bring a boost in ratings.
‘She will surely be really happy to be on the telly, but it’s not quite the big return that was talked about. She has divided the nation so it’s going to be interesting to see what the reaction is like from British viewers.' Meghan, 45, filmed the MasterChef Australia special in April while on a four-day tour of the country with the prince.
Contestants were tasked with creating a dish ‘fit for a duchess’ using some of her favourite seasonal ingredients. She joined regular judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin, and Jean-Christophe Novelli and insisted on being called Meghan.
It also featured a video call from Prince Harry who apparently had no idea that she was filming the show, but cameras were on hand to record it all. The programme aired on Australia's Network 10 in July.
Meghan showed her love of cooking in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. Despite running for two series, Netflix figures revealed it was not among its top 300 most watched programmes.
SPECIAL GUEST: The Duchess of Sussex with fellow MasterChef judges Sofia Levin and Poh Ling Yeow
The world has been held in a state of macabre fascination botched execution of Christa Pike. Now a friend who was
HEY were intended as encouraging words of farewell. Uttered as a kind of salve – if any could exist – to the looming horror ahead. 'In October, I'm coming back to visit you,' said Marcy Wilson, as she sat in a small visiting room in the maximum-security confines of the Debra K Johnson rehabilitation centre, in Nashville, Tennessee. Sitting in the room with Marcy, a 60-year-old mother, was Christa Pike, a convicted killer who, four days later, was scheduled to become the first woman to be executed in the state of Tennessee in more than 200 years.
Marcy, who'd become one of Pike's closest friends, having forged an unlikely bond when her own troubled daughter was incarcerated with the now 50-year-old death row inmate, was trying to tell her not to give up hope. That there might be a last-minute reprieve.
She didn't truly believe it, of course. Nor, it seems, did Pike. Sentenced to die three decades ago for the chilling, sadistic murder of a fellow college student, she knew her time was up, she was at peace and, says Marcy, 'ready to go'.
Although no reprieve, in the conventional sense, came, what followed was more extraordinary than anyone could have imagined.
Pike managed to survive two doses of the lethal injection pentobarbital on September 30, only to be rushed to hospital where she hovered, so those close to her thought, on the brink of death.
And then she woke, on Tuesday, 'confused and angry', according to her legal team, but crucially very much alive. Yesterday, in a sign of just how remarkable her recovery has been, she was returned from her bed in that heavily-guarded hospital room to the Debra K Johnson prison.
By BETH HALE and BARBARA MCMAHON
Marcy, meanwhile, remains haunted by the prescience of her final words of comfort, as she waits to hear when, or if, she'll be able to fulfil her promise and visit her friend again. Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday, Marcy says: 'I cannot even begin to imagine what our first conversation is going to be like. But it's going to be absolutely wonderful.' Since that botched execution, the world has been held in a state of macabre fascination, torn between sympathy and outrage.
Today, experts who wanted to kill her have been replaced by those who want to save her. For now.
She has a blood clot, her hands are swollen to resemble inflated rubber gloves and are marked by what appear to be severe chemical burns, mostly likely caused by the highly alkaline, bleach-like drug spilling into her flesh instead of straight into her bloodstream as intended. She has, however, begun to eat and to walk.
‘Her physical recovery has been remarkable,’ say her legal team.
What the long-term effects may be – physically and psychologically – remain unclear. While the spotlight is firmly fixed on the ethical and legal questions around the botched execution, the status of her sentence is also uncertain.
Many will point out that what Pike has endured pales next to the crime she committed in 1995, when she and two accomplices lured 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer into woods, where she was bludgeoned to death. While she was still alive, a pentagram was carved into her chest with a box-cutter. Pike even kept part of her victim's skull as a twisted souvenir.
Marcy, one of the last people to
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
speak to Pike over the phone on the eve of the astonishing debacle 11 days ago, knows many will struggle to understand her friendship and affection for someone capable of such a heinous crime.
But her support transcends all moral argument, and the rights and wrongs of capital punishment.
‘She’s a survivor,’ she says tearfully – the irony of those words not lost on her.
Christa Pike is indeed a survivor, in uncharted territory. While there have been other bungled
---
‘It was the most profound thing to look into her eyes’
execution attempts (the execution of fellow Tennessee inmate Tony Carruthers was abandoned earlier this year after medics failed to find a vein), she is believed to be the only person to have survived lethal injection.
The past two weeks have been a blur, says Marcy. 'It was bad news one day, good news the next,' she says. 'The hospital declared her brain dead on Monday night and then she wakes up talking the next morning...
‘It makes me wonder. Did they even do a test on her brain or were the authorities just trying to get her off the ventilator?’
Pike's half-sister Alicia, who flew from her home in Hawaii to be at the execution, is believed to have power of attorney for her younger sibling and would have been the one to give the go-ahead for life support to be switched off.
At one point, Pike's legal team were getting ready to make the death announcement, before things changed drastically.
Christa told me she was afraid of the pain but was ready to die... NOW SHE'S
---
AND SHE'S
‘Where am I?’ and ‘Who are you?’ said Pike when she woke at around 9.30am on Tuesday.
Marcy, so close to Pike that she has three of the murderer's 'beautiful' paintings in her home, has been kept updated. She admits she was aghast when she learned, back in 2017, that her troubled daughter Teddy, who had become addicted to prescription drugs, had been transferred to maximum-security Debra K Johnson prison. She was horrified further when she learned with whom she was sharing a wing. To her surprise, Pike sent Teddy shower shoes when she didn't have any, a gesture that brought about an unlikely friendship between the two women. Marcy sent Pike a letter of thanks, forg ing their own bond, which continued even after Teddy died in 2023, aged 32, from a fentanyl overdose.
At first it was letters, then Pike began to call, once a month, sometimes more, using her limited prison savings. They met for the first time in 2017, and started meeting regularly earlier this year.
Marcy recalls her last visit, a three-and-a-half-hour meeting.
'I was led into a small room and I got to hug her. We sat close, we got to touch each other. We had snacks. I prayed with her.
‘I was dreading it, I was thinking, “Oh my God, three and a half hours is a long time”. But Christa made the time go by so fast.
‘We talked about happy times and different things that happened when she and Teddy were there together.'
Though others may find it unsettling, Marcy says Pike cared deeply for others and loved animals and drawing pictures of mermaids. 'I would send pictures of animals on my farm, and she would give them names and ask about them. It was a way for her to live outside the walls,' she recalls of the inmate who spent 27 years in solitary confinement.
‘I’m adopting a thoroughbred mare and I knew Christa needed something to keep her mind occupied [in the run-up to the execution], so I messaged and said, “I’m getting this jet-black mare just for you and I need a name for her.”
‘When I went up for the [last]
- torn between sympathy and outrage – since the with her as she prepared for the end tells the MoS...
THE TENNESSEAN
GRISLY: A room like the one Pike was to be executed in
her friend directly – Pike was unable to see even her legal team until a court ruling on Wednesday – Marcy can only guess as to her state of mind now. Pike's lawyers say their client is 'angry and confused' and 'continues to experience challenges with concentration and memory'.
'Physicians have cautioned it may take months to fully understand whether she sustained lasting cognitive injuries,' they say.
Her lawyers insist she
He is aware, too, of the painful irony of efforts to kill Pike a fortnight ago and last week's efforts
Prof Zivot knows all too well the damage pentobarbital can do – just as he knows that for medics helping Pike, only time will allow the poison to work its way out of her system.
visit, she said she had come up with the name: Nyx. Christa's of Greek heritage and Nyx means black or dark.'
Amid chat about the farm, there was talk, too, about what was to come. 'We were sitting in the room and at one point she just crumbled,' Marcy says. 'It's the most profound thing to be looking in the eyes of a condemned woman.'
At one point Pike asked Marcy: 'Do you want some of my ashes and a lock of my hair?'
tion against all warning was unforgivable and inevitable, he says. 'As the day of the execution wore on, I was watching the clock and thinking, "Well, it must be starting now."
‘I sent an e-mail to one of the lawyers and said, “Can you keep me updated if this goes awry?” Because, you know, I thought it might. Within five minutes, he replied, “It has gone awry”.’
‘I said, “Yes, I do”,’ recalls Marcy, again in tears. ‘It was really hard to talk about. I’ve never had a conversation with someone who knew when her expiration date was. She was pleased when I said yes.
‘She was calm, she was happy, she was sad. It was every single emotion you can think of.
‘She spoke of going to heaven and said that she loved me’
‘She told me, “Marcy, I’m not afraid to die. I’m just afraid of the process”. She was afraid because of the pain.
‘So many people have made comments like, “Look at the pain that she put her victim through,” and those are valid statements, but it's only human for her to be afraid of pain.'
But what of remorse? Her victim's mother May Martinez has decried the absence of any apology direct to her family. She travelled from Florida to Tennessee for the execution, wanting to hold her daughter's photograph aloft
HEINOUS
CRIME:
Victim Colleen
Slemmer,
killed at 19.
Left: Christa
Pike in a 2023
jail mugshot
while watching the woman who killed her meet her own end.
In the end, it was a torturous day – a last-minute stay of execution was overturned by the Supreme Court, before the execution began in front of seven media witnesses, legal representatives, May Martinez and family members.
To say May's anguish has multiplied would be an understatement: 'I think that the state owes me a big apology,' she has said.
‘If I could have gotten in that room, I would have taken the box-cutter and cut her up like she did Colleen.’ Marcy, however, insists Pike was remorseful,
‘She told me many times that she wished she could take back what she did. She was just months into being 18 when it happened and if she’d been a bit younger, it would have been a different outcome,’ she says.
She says that when she hugged Pike goodbye, her friend was ready for what was to come. 'I don't want you to worry about me. I'm ready. I'm good. Everything's going to be OK,' said the condemned woman.
‘endured more than enough’, and that her sentence should revert to life behind bars. Until the legal position is clarified, she remains very much a woman on death row.
They spoke again, on the eve of execution day. ‘We talked about how when she got to heaven she was going to find my daughter and they were going to ride horses,’ recalls Marcy. ‘She told me and my husband to take care of each other and that she loved us.’
Marcy's compassion is palpable, and without being able to speak to
Pike's lawyers, apart from arguing that her age at the time of the crime and extensive physical and sexual abuse she suffered as a child should be a factor in determining the severity of her punishment, had warned that lethal injection was fraught with risk.
Yet, asked in court whether the state intended to reschedule Pike's execution, Tennessee's attorney general said he did not know.
She had a blood disorder, they said, and her small veins created a heightened risk of complications, as well as the possibility of extreme pain and bleeding.
What exactly went wrong is yet to be determined. Tennessee governor Bill Lee has ordered an independent investigation and suspended all executions in the state for the rest of the year.
Joel Zivot, a professor of anaesthesiology and surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, was the medical expert who warned how much risk lethal injection posed to Pike. He's vehemently opposed to any re-run. 'I've always taken the position that [lethal injection] is an effrontery to the practice of medicine,' he told the MoS. 'This is a sinister impersonation of medical practice.'
Pressing ahead with the execu-
---
‘The state tried to kill her, doctors tried to save her’
to save her. 'I suppose everyone was doing their job. The state was doing its job in trying to kill her and the doctors were doing their job in trying to save her,' he says.
He points out one curious feature of this whole grisly debacle. The law, he says, requires that punishment not be cruel. But how can that be determined when the one person who really knows – the prisoner – dies?
‘Here’s an opportunity to ask someone, “What you were subjected to, did you experience that as cruel or not?” I’d like to ask her that question.’
For Marcy, she cannot wait to see her friend again. 'She told me that she was going to come back and haunt me, but in a good way, and that made me laugh,' she says.
What is clear is that Pike's story and the growing debate over her punishment for the brutal murder of a young girl whose laughter was extinguished over 30 years ago, is far from over.
Senior MEP sets out the price of returning to EU UK must axe the pound if it wants to rejoin Brussels
BRUSSELS would insist on the UK ditching the pound as the price of rejoining the EU, according to a French Eurocrat.
Sandro Gozi MEP last night told The Mail on Sunday he wanted to see Britain as part of a ‘more
By Gabriel Millard-Clothier
POLITICAL REPORTER
integrated' European Union. But that would mean signing up to free movement of people, an ‘army of Europeans’ and the euro, as well as sending even more money to the continent.
Italian-born Mr Gozi was formerly Italy's Europe minister and is now a senior figure representing France in Renew Europe in
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the EU Parliament. He described Brexit as a ‘democratic disaster’ and claimed reneging on the 2016 referendum would be the ‘biggest victory for us over Nigel Farage’.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said his dream is to see the UK ‘rejoin the EU in my lifetime’. But all 27 member countries would have to agree to ‘accession’, while any new members are legally required to adopt the euro.
Anand Menon, political scientist and director of the UK In A Changing Europe think-tank, told the MoS:
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'Will seek the best deal for themselves'
‘It is absolutely true that the EU would like us back in, but they will seek the best possible deal for themselves in achieving that.’
The PM has already faced a backlash over his pro-EU comments.
Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith told the MoS: 'By making his prejudices in favour of the EU so clear, the Prime Minister's negotiating position is already hopeless.
'If the EU says jump, he says "How high?" He is on an undemocratic fool's errand. The British people would never forgive the man who sacrificed the pound, ushered in free movement and gave Brussels back control of our laws.'
Politicians on the continent have made it clear the UK would not get the same deal as the one it left.
Mr Gozi said: 'It will have to start from scratch where we will have to apply our own rules.'
4 held after teen killed in melee
Many Eurocrats believe that the UK should play a greater role in European defence co-operation.
Paramedics could not save the victim in his late teens who died at the scene in Stoke-on-Trent at 11.30 on Friday night. A youth in his late teens taken to hospital was ‘critical but stable’ last night.
THREE teenagers and a young man have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a youth died and another was left fighting for life when violence erupted on a street.
The Spanish PM and the EU defence commissioner have both called for a European fighting force of 100,000 troops. Mr Gozi called on Mr Burnham to be part of this ‘army of Europeans’. Downing Street declined to comment.
Two 18-year-olds, a 20-year-old and a boy of 17, all from Stoke-on-Trent, were arrested on suspicion of murder. The boy was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. All were in custody last night.
Detective Inspector Katie Gregory said: 'I reassure the community there is no wider risk to them.'
---
QUOTES of the week
'I've encountered the Sussex Squad. Wow.'
Father Chris Phillips
who was trolled by Meghan's
supporters after he suggested
that there were cheaper
alternatives to her £112
chocolate Advent calendar.
'I can't help wondering whether the inveterate plot-maker has even faked his own death, so he could read his obituaries.'
Commentator Dominic Lawson on Jeffrey Archer, after the novelist and former MP's death at 86.
'There is only so much comic mileage in having Olivia Colman re-enact the Kama Sutra with a sentient basket.'
The Daily Telegraph's damning review of Olivia Colman's new film, which sees her marry a man made of wicker.
'Middle-aged wannabe sexy Santa.'
Actress Lucy Punch, the star of Amandaland, describes her outfit for the forthcoming Christmas special.
'Am I allowed to touch you, Ross? Is that OK?'
Prince William
teases Celebrity Traitors
star Ross Kemp, who keeps
thinking he has been
murdered in plain sight on the
show by being touched.
'The Conservatives have had an export boom – of drama queens going to Reform.'
Kemi Badenoch in her Tory conference speech.
'I don't think they've seen anything I've done on television, as they don't even own a TV.'
Silent Witness star Emilia Fox has a surprise confession about her actor parents Edward Fox and Joanna David.
'Hope will not stop an Iranian drone. Vibes will not bring down a cruise missile.'
Shadow Defence Secretary
James Cartlidge
mocks touchy-feely
PM Andy Burnham.
Ooh Betty, some pundits do 'ave 'em!
Ian Wright dons beret for Samuel L Jackson look but ends up more like Frank Spencer
By Jacinta Taylor
WITH his jaunty beret, statement spectacles and oversized suit you might think football pundit Ian Wright was trying to copy Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson... or Frank Spencer. Or maybe he thought England were playing France.
In any case, Wright's £69 black wool beret was a far more interesting talking point than England's straightforward 3-0 Nations League victory over Czechia.
His striking look certainly stopped ITV viewers switching over, with one joking online: 'Loving Ian Wright's Frank Spencer cosplay'. Others added:
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'How did Roy Keane keep a straight face?'
'That's not Frank Spencer, that's Frank Marks & Spencer', 'How did Roy Keane keep a straight face?' and 'Is that the French version of Samuel L Jackson?'
'Ooh Betty!', joked another referring to Spencer's (played by Michael Crawford) on-screen wife in the TV comedy Some Mothers Do'Ave'Em.
Supporters of his former club Crystal Palace were unimpressed: 'Bad version of Orson Welles? More like Orson Cart,' wrote one, presumably more senior, fan.
Fashion expert Adam
Cheung on t GQ website was more complimentary: 'He looked like
TALKING POINT: Frank Spencer, Ian Wright and Samuel L Jackson, below
an art professor you'd actually turn up to a 9am lecture for,' he wrote. The beret came from
small Kent-based independent menswear label AWMS and Wright teamed it with a £230 oversized grey linen-cotton suit from the Universal Works brand in Nottingham. His stylist, Jess
Stebbings, told GQ: 'I an's style is just
BBC/ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
generally quite timeless and classic, and he knows what suits him, what works for him, what he likes. He doesn't really follow trends. We just wanted to switch up his hats a bit.'
The beret did come in useful when Wright, fellow ITV pundit Roy Keane and presenter Mark Pougatch were caught off-guard when the Wembley pitch sprinklers came on before kick-off on Tuesday.
As the pundits ran for cover, Pougatch jokingly asked Wright: 'Is that why you've got a hat on?'
... and son Shaun says his Strictly partner Alexis is scarier than Mourinho
FORMER footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips was once famously given a lengthy set of rules by his then-manager Jose Mourinho, which included fines for misbehaving.
But the Strictly star says his professional dance partner Alexis Warr is far ‘scarier’ than the Portuguese coach, under whom he played at Chelsea in the mid-2000s.
The ex-England winger, 44, who is tipped to be the next elimination from the show, told The Mail on Sunday: 'Mourinho is unpredictable, so you never know when it's coming.
‘I’m kind of prepared for when
By Alex Doyle
Alexis is coming, so I'll just be like: "Alright, I'm just done. I'll do it again." And it's scary.
Wright-Phillips, the adopted son of ex-Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, said his father had no idea how tough the show was until he watched him training.
Wright-Phillips said: 'He came and watched us the other day. He had a laugh with us but he understood the complexities of the routine that I was learning and how hard it is.'
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ON SUNDAY
TORY leader Kemi Badenoch can congratulate herself on the first stage of a job well done. She has established herself as a major character on the national stage. Her face and voice are well-known. So is her obvious force of personality.
Kemi needs more than Waitrose Woman – she needs Nigel Farage, too
She has pushed aside the old image of the Conservative Party, the body which crashed and burned in the 2024 election. She took a lot of trouble, both by tax promises and by careful use of language, to appeal to her core base, and wisely so. She cannot win without it, though nowadays she needs to appeal beyond it to hope for a majority.
These are significant achievements. But they are nothing like enough, as she well knows. Andy Burnham could at almost any time decide to call a General Election, for which the Tories are not yet anything like ready. They need to remedy that, and Mrs Badenoch knows it.
Tory researchers and campaigners are hard at work, winning back lost supporters and seeking new ones. The Mail on Sunday reports today that Mrs Badenoch plans to woo ‘Waitrose Woman’ who shops at England’s famously upmarket food store. And let us hope she succeeds.
But voting patterns in this country are shifting fast. A posh suburb no longer means a safe Tory seat – sometimes rather the reverse. Survey figures show that the old assumption that well-off Britons are Tories is totally
outdated. Recent polling of Waitrose customers by YouGov put Labour on 28 points, the Tories on 24 points and the Lib Dems on 21 points. Affluence is now the preserve of the Left, while it is the less-cushioned who increasingly support the new movements of the Right.
We first saw this in the Red Wall seats won by the Tories in the Boris Johnson era. We can expect to see it again in the tougher parts of Britain, as discontent grows about crime, prisoner releases, the soaring cost of living, uncontrolled
borders, especially the not-so-small boats, welfare misuse and NHS failure.
These may concern Waitrose Woman, or even Waitrose Man. But they actively affect those who were once reliable Labour voters and now don't know where to turn.
We have many times urged Mrs Badenoch and Nigel Farage to form an alliance so that they can harness such voters for a new Right-wing, patriotic coalition. Together, we have repeatedly said, the Tories and Reform can shatter the Left and prevent a frightening get-together by Labour, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats.
Maybe the next election is – or seems – too far away for Mrs Badenoch and Mr Farage to consider working together. Maybe the great wave of Tory defections to Reform is too recent for wounds to be healed. But what if Labour see this division as their chance to go for a snap election in the next few months, with Kemi's revolution half-finished and Reform's great windfall of money still sitting in the bank?
The outcome of that could all too easily be a new Left-wing majority committed to changing the voting system to suit itself and quite possibly set on trying to re-enter the EU. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Together or in competition, the Tories and Reform must find a way of mobilising Britain's powerful new conservative constituency.
---
Olivia proves fashion is for the over-50s - but be bold
I'VE been on the road promoting my new book and at every festival or bookshop at least one woman puts her hand up to ask why fashion doesn't address women of middle or later age.
Last week, I was able to direct them to the vision of Olivia Colman, 52, on the catwalk at Miu Miu in Paris. The actress appeared with barely-there make-up (though it probably took some time in the chair for the make-up
REAL STYLE: Olivia in Paris
team to apply) and her newly greying hair was in a messy bun.
She was wearing gorgeous flat loafers and an oversized leather jacket and skirt that would have been especially made for her, as no way would she fit into the minuscule sizes of most models.
She looked real and the clothes were accessible. Usually, when we see older women on the catwalk, they tend to be dressed to stand out from the crowd of younger models, generally in some unwearable, freaky number. Miu Miu's designer
Alexandra Shulman's Notebook
Miuccia Prada, 77, showed Colman simply as a very attractive version of herself in some great clothes. Not entirely dissimilar to Prada's own appearance.
The issue then, is not so much that there are no clothes but that as we age it gets harder to imagine how we will look in unfamiliar styles. Many women don't want to keep wearing the same old thing but lack the confidence to try something new.
Even I – and I love new fashions – find that when the seasons change I have to make a conscious effort not to repeat buy what I already own but try something different to spice up my wardrobe. It's usually a success.
One of the many reasons we should support small, independent clothes shops is that these environments have staff who can and will suggest things a customer might not have thought would ever work. That's a big difference between scrolling through a mass of photoshopped images of young women – and yes, even M&S and Next are guilty of that – which don't help a woman scared of the mutton alert to branch out and experiment, which they might enjoy.
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I love the trousers you seem to hate
INCIDENTALLY, I gather that the current trend for barrel-leg trousers is one that many readers loathe. I differ. I've just ordered a new pair from Albaray to add to my fairly substantial collection – on the basis that they're far more flattering than skinny-leg jeans and disguise chunky thighs.
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Boots really needs a Selfridges glow-up
BOOTS is one of our best-known brands, but for years it's been languishing in that place in hell reserved for uncherished household names. It still features on most high streets but – other than in the big, flagship stores – offers only unattractive racks of products in uninspiring shops.
Now the Canadian branch of the Weston family has bought Boots, including its No7 cosmetic brand, for £7 billion, I'm hopeful this will change. The Westons have form in turning stores around. They transformed Selfridges from a moribund department store always playing catch-up to Harrods into the liveliest emporium in London.
The mastermind in charge of that reinvention was Vittorio Radice, who envisaged the store as a ‘piazza’, or town square, housing myriad experiences. I don’t expect Boots will become quite that – but the stores are undoubtedly an opportunity to do something much more interesting, and lucrative.
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Medics forget their bedside manners
WHEN I was in hospital a few years ago, despite excellent medical treatment, I was struck by the seemingly uncaring attitude of many of the doctors who checked me out on their rounds. They would discuss me over my head, scarcely addressing me, the patient, at all, as if my thoughts were utterly irrelevant and information didn't need to be shared.
Poppy's Promise, launched last week by Katie and Neil Russell in memory of their baby daughter who died
shortly after birth, is an initiative to encourage a more ‘compassionate and people-focused approach’ in hospitals and embed that in training. We all know that the NHS is overwhelmed and staff have little time for each patient, but a fraction of that time spent making them feel the practitioner cares about them as an individual would be time very well spent.
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Say it with flowers... even if it's a barb
MY mother used to say that all gifts can be interpreted as criticisms. I think she meant that things like soap indicated one wasn't taking enough baths.
It's true that gifts can alert one to shortcomings – as happened when a friend arrived with a beautiful bunch of dahlias. She said her garden was stuffed with them.
Despite having planted hundreds this year, my own garden has been bereft of anything other than the odd, sad drooping bloom for weeks. When I look at her beautiful offering, I feel my own failure.
---
ADHD shock – the H stands for horny!
AMID controversy over ADHD diagnoses among young people, my friend Gillian Johnson Shakespeare has co-written a new book, Women And ADHD, with Dr Sally Cubbin. For anyone who feels they might have this condition it's a very helpful guide, but, as one who doesn't, I was fascinated to read that along with hyperactivity, forgetfulness, inability to prioritise and a propensity to break things, including your own limbs, women with ADHD frequently have a higher sex drive.
---
Did Reese snap up my old Louboutins?
LAURA Dern and Reese Witherspoon were pictured the other day visiting the Westbourne Grove branch of Oxfam. That is where I take many of my clothes when I am clearing out, so I wonder whether either snapped up the old Ferragamo handbag, the slightly scuffed Christian Louboutin heels or the Dries van Noten tunic I deposited on my last trip?
I back capital punishment and have seen two executions. But I urge you NOT to watch the live stream of a US soldier's death by firing squad By PETER HITCHENS
HAVING seen two executions at close quarters, I can advise you quite strongly not to watch the planned shooting in Texas of the mass killer Nidal Hasan by a live-streamed firing squad.
The former US Army major killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, and has admitted it, so I am not really worried about whether it is right to execute him. It's the public element of it that I dislike.
I am pretty leathery and hard-boiled after half a century in the cruel trade of journalism, so you should listen to me. Watching an execution will change you.
You will be older, and you will be guilty. Of what? Of all your own sins, only more so, is the easiest way of explaining.
I know of people more sensitive than I am who have been haunted by what they had witnessed many years afterwards, as they approached their own deaths. I worry about this.
The first execution I saw, of a squalid killer called Larry Anderson, was by lethal injection in Texas. This was in April 1994. He had abducted, robbed and many times stabbed a woman called Zelda Webster and then dumped her body on waste ground. There was no doubt of his guilt.
To my surprise I ended up wishing the execution had been more violent. There was something loathsome about the hospital atmosphere and furniture of the death chamber, and the use of
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“A thwack of a man-made bolt of lightning jolted his body”
intravenous tubes. We associate these things with healing. It was wrong to disguise death as a medical procedure.
The second time, in Georgia in April 1995, was the death in the electric chair of a British-born man called Nicholas Lee Ingram. Again, there was no doubt of his guilt. Ingram had broken into the remote home of J.C. and Mary Sawyer, terrified them with his gun, forced them into the woods, tied them to a tree and shot them both in the head.
Mrs Sawyer survived and was able to give decisive evidence against him.
I have seen pictures of Mr Sawyer's body after the murder. I don't think we should ever write about executions without remembering the victims of the executed person.
Death by electrocution is very violent. Ingram, by this time a shaven-headed, shackled and helpless prisoner, literally spat his defiance before being strapped into the polished dark wood chair by enormous guards.
I do not know if US Secretary for War Pete Hegseth will offer Nidal Hasan the choice of facing his firing squad or being blindfolded, but Ingram's face was covered with a shiny leather mask whether he liked it or not. I am quite glad of that, actually. And then there was a tremendous thwack as a manmade bolt of lightning went through him, stiffening and jolting his body against the chair. Nothing went wrong. He didn't catch fire, as some electric chair occupants have. There was no smell of burning. There was no visible sign that he suffered prolonged torture, only that single devastating blow.
CHILLING SIGHT: An execution chamber
He was just brutally, ferociously dead, when he had been alive a few minutes before, thanks to the will of the State of Georgia.
I still don't actually think either of these executions was wrong in principle. I think heinous murder needs to be punished and deterred, and I think the arguments against capital punishment are either sentimental or evasive. Only total pacifists (which I am not) can accept them.
I am even glad that I saw them, because it was my job as a reporter. First, I had in a way willed them, by supporting capital punishment in general – though I should say here that I don't support it in today's Britain, where juries are far too weak and the chance of wrongful conviction is terrifyingly high.
Second, I agree with the American principle of keeping things open. There should be media witnesses at such events (as there once were in England) to see that they are properly handled. Nobody made me go.
I am not complaining about the price I paid, just urging you not to pay it.
Public executions ended in Britain in 1868, in France in 1939 and in the US in 1936. America's last such event took place in Owensboro, Kentucky, after a dubious rape trial in an era of grave racial bigotry. The executed man, Rainey
Bethea (who was black), was hanged in front of a festive crowd of 20,000. Photographs exist. Spectators ate hot dogs and drank fizzy drinks as Bethea died.
There were all-night ‘hanging parties’ and nearby hotels were full of spectators. The State of Kentucky, embarrassed, ended such spectacles thereafter.
They had learned what Britain already knew, that public execution is a disturbing and depraved event, a nasty form of pagan human sacrifice, releasing emotions that ought not to be released.
Charles Dickens attended a double hanging in Southwark, south London in November 1849. Afterwards he wrote to The Times – not to criticise the death penalty but the effect it had on the crowd.
He wrote that ‘a sight so inconceivably awful as the wickedness and levity of the immense crowd collected at that execution this morning could be imagined by no man, and could be presented in no heathen land under the sun’.
He described how ‘when the day dawned, thieves, low prostitutes, ruffians and vagabonds of every kind, flocked on to the ground, with every variety of offensive and foul behaviour. Fightings, faintings, whistlings... brutal jokes, tumultuous demonstrations of indecent delight when swooning women were dragged out of the crowd by the police, with their dresses disordered, gave a new zest to the general entertainment’.
He lamented: 'When the sun rose brightly – as it did – it gilded thou-
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‘Wickedness of the crowd could be imagined by no man’
sands upon thousands of upturned faces, so inexpressibly odious in their brutal mirth or callousness, that a man had cause to feel ashamed of the shape he wore, and to shrink from himself, as fashioned in the image of the Devil.
'When the two miserable creatures who attracted all this ghastly sight about them were turned quivering into the air, there was no more emotion, no more pity, no more thought that two immortal souls had gone to judgment, no more restraint in any of the previous obscenities than if the name of Christ had never been heard in this world, and there were no belief among men but that they perished like the beasts.'
It still took almost 20 years for public hangings to be abolished here. No doubt there were plenty of Trump-like politicians to defend them. But I am with Dickens. Millions watching on wide screens in their homes are no better than crowds milling around that Southwark scaffold. Such appetites, once stirred, will grow. And it will be a downward step.
President Trump and his Secretary for War probably have little idea of the forces they will be stirring if they go ahead with this event on December 3.
I hope they change their minds. If they do not, I urge you not to watch, and certainly not to bring this sight into the peace of your home.
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Peter Hitchens Follow Peter on Twitter @clarkemicah ✗
THE panic flight of the US Air Force from Fairfield has ended an awkward partnership begun when we were bankrupt and alone in 1940. We and America
just don't need each other in that way any more. Mr Trump's USA – America First and America Alone – is happy to go its own way in its aggressive adventures. Good.
When Donald Trump opened his assault on Iran, the world was full of supposedly ‘Right-wing’ commentators, urging him on and denouncing the evils of the Islamic Republic.
How silly they all look now. The usual propaganda was deployed. Iran was a brutal tyranny and we were spreading freedom and democracy.
We didn't succeed in this of course, as anyone at all well-informed could have told Mr Trump. And the fact that the 'West' is allied with more than one such
I AM not sure that planning to build yet more houses all over England is the way to win back Tory votes. In fact, I am sure it is not. A lot of conservative patriots do not yearn for another bout of Thatcherism.
despotism, and does not care, was avoided or ignored.
Quite honestly how anyone can be in alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey (as we are) and think he is serving the causes of democracy, law and freedom, I do not know. They are at least as nasty as Iran and Russia.
Sir Keir Starmer, then our Premier, was excoriated by those militant voices for being cautious about allowing the USAF base in Fairford to be used in this war. Alas, he quickly gave in and pretended that the giant bombers as based there were engaged in 'defensive' operations as they were unloaded high explosive on the Iranian targets. This fell into the class of things of which it can be stated 'if you can believe that, you can believe anything'.
So now where are we? Iran is not defeated. It has hit America hard in its Gulf bases, destroying crucial, highly costly and irreplaceable US military equipment and facilities.
It has survived questionable murders of its own leadership. Is murder too hard a word? I do not think so. Among the dead were wholly innocent relatives of the
US bombers leave our shores – and take the phoney 'special relationship' home with them
assassinated leaders. Let us call things by their proper names – for we would surely do so if Iran did the same to our side.
Every so often, President Trump stirs himself into a new rage and threatens to wipe Iran from the map. So far, he has not done so but I do not think any of us can be quite sure that he will not try. No more terrifying figure has ever held the presidency of the USA.
But this season of folly has finally ripped up the fiction that was the ‘special relationship’ between us and the USA.
Anyone who still believes in this great gloopy tripe sandwich only needs to remember Mr Trump's recent crass call for a united Ireland. Americans would turn and rend us if we did the same sort of thing to them – say, supporting Mexican demands for the return of the lands Uncle Sam violently seized from them in 1848.
So there is no need for any more fake smiles and awkward meetings. American public figures are increasingly willing to be as rude and dismissive about this country in public as they have long been in private. And Donald Trump's USA no longer needs to carry what is left of our armed forces in its baggage, to pretend that it has allies.
I am not sorry. This country will never again be the great power it was in 1914, or even in 1939. But we can be an important and influential nation again, once we struggle free of the obsolete American alliance.
The sudden disappearance of US bombers from Fairford shows that they never really needed it to bomb Iran. Modern in-flight refuelling made it unnecessary years ago. Their desire to implicate us in the increasingly disastrous Iran war was the only reason for using Fairford this time. Now they don't even want to do that any more.
Good. Breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the approaching day when we finally declare independence from the USA.
Is Portillo now on track for Puss In Boots?
LOOK out for posters for The Michael Portillo Show where you live. I cannot show one to you but you will enjoy the sight of the sometime Secretary of State for Defence looking like a game show host, wearing a fluorescent suit and a smile of pure cheese.
Has he now run out of railways to visit? Apparently he plans to share the story of his father's flight from the Spanish Civil
War. His promoters promise ‘funny and insightful’ observations about his old boss Margaret Thatcher and his reflections on the decay of political power. They say: ‘He’ll tell us about his break into TV – including the time he became a single mum...’
Well, how are the mighty diverted. I remember him when he was terribly important and ‘the future of the Right’. I even challenged him when he sought to become Tory MP for Kensington and Chelsea. It was like trying to attack a Panzer tank squadron on a pushbike. He was destined for the top. Plainly, I needn't have bothered. Will it be Puss In Boots next, or Dick Whittington? What is it that they say? Showbusiness is politics for attractive people? Something like that.
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Sign of failure
FASTENED to a fence in London's beautiful Fitzroy Square, I found an infuriating poster telling me 'phone thieves target this area'. When will the police grasp that such notices say, 'We, the police, no longer patrol or control this place. You're on your own. We've surrendered to crime'? Bin the posters. Get out on the streets again, on foot.
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By Christian Calgie and Brendan Carlin
LABOUR last night descended into open warfare over immigration and the economy, sourcing Andy Burnham's first party conference as Prime Minister. Cabinet ministers are at loggerheads over a planned crackdown on migrant visas, while another grandee blasted the leadership for putting union demands ahead of economic growth.
The very public rows threaten to overshadow what Mr Burnham had planned would be a triumphant party conference, which gets under way in Liverpool today. Those hopes took a blow when Angela Rayner doubled down on her criticism of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to make it harder for migrants to gain permanent residence in the UK, which
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CLICK NEWS - GOFF / NETFLIX
Emily in... Holborn?
Historic corner of London is turned into Paris for Lily's last (very lucrative) advertising shoot
CHIC: Lily Collins reprises her role on set, top left, for a travel advert
SHE filmed her final scenes for Emily In Paris last month after six years navigating messy love triangles and career dramas while sporting an enviably fashionable wardrobe.
But Lily Collins slipped back into character last week for a London
photoshoot after signing a lucrative deal to become the face of travel app Expedia, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The success of the hit Netflix show sparked a surge in demand for trips to the French capital since airing in 2020. And the partnership with Expedia looks set to capitalise on the
FINALE: Ms Collins has wrapped the Netflix show
---
DIARY EXCLUSIVE By Harriet Kean
interest in Paris and the fashion boutiques which gave inspiration to Ms Collins' character, Emily Cooper.
These exclusive pictures reveal historic Sicilian Avenue in London's Holborn reimagined as a slice of Paris, featuring chic French cafes, bistro tables, vintage cars and bustling shoppers.
Ms Collins, 37, was wearing in a black-and-white polka dot dress with her trademark sleek bob as she reprised her role as American marketing executive Emily one last time.
The actress was filmed browsing clothing rails, flower displays and vintage stalls.
Partnering with the Netflix show is a savvy move for Expedia, which has reported a spike in searches for Paris when a new series airs. This so-called ‘set-jetting’ phenomenon sees viewers inspired to visit places they have watched on television.
And few have proved such an effective advert as Emily In Paris, serving up swanky hotels, fashionable restaurants and picturesque streets.
The show has followed Emily as she navigates work, romance and French culture – and this last series will see her make a big decision about the life she has built in Paris.
Fans will also see Emily travel to Greece to visit love interest Gabriel – scenes which will, inevitably, help to boost that country's tourism, too.
In real life, Ms Collins – daughter of musician Phil Collins – has put down roots in Queen's Park, northwest London, with husband Charlie McDowell. They welcomed a daughter, Tove, via surrogate last year.
Jolley
You're determined to be the puffin who replaces churchill on bank notes, aren't you?
Al sent police false tip-off about murder
By Elizabeth Ivens
A ROGUE AI agent sent US police a bogus tip-off about an unsolved murder in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.
The agent, developed by tech firm Anthropic, posted the fake intelligence on a Philadelphia police website that invites the public to help solve open homicide cases.
The message, which told detectives it had seen ‘someone matching the description’, was automatically flagged as spam on the day it arrived. But it took more than two months for the company to detect it, and a further nine days passed before Anthropic admitted the breach to police.
A police spokesman called the delay ‘unacceptable’ and said the firm ‘must strengthen its safeguards to prevent similar incidents’.
They added that police systems had stopped it going any further, but this did ‘not diminish the seriousness of an AI system presenting fabricated information as though it came from a person with knowledge of a homicide’.
Last week, Anthropic published a report detailing some of its agents' ‘unintended actions’. One filed 20 visa applications through a State Department web form, though all were incomplete, officials said.
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SARAH VINE IS AWAY
WHO AM I?
\- I market a fragrance called Jack, with notes of lime, mandarin – and marijuana.
\- I'm terrible at maths and don't know my times tables.
\- I've recorded a dance track using Shakespeare's ‘to be or not to be...’ soliloquy as the lyrics.
I began confiding in a diary after seeing my mum in flagrante with my dad's best friend when I was ten.
\- I'm allergic to alcohol, yet famously played an alcoholic.
Born in Eswatini when it was still called Swaziland, my real surname is Esterhuysen.
Who?
?What?
Where
OUR fun weekly quiz, in which we ask you to figure out people, places and things in the news...
\- I’ve been banished from The Celebrity Traitors.
WHAT AM I?
● I pioneered the meal deal.
● My shops used to include libraries.
\- I’ve sponsored the women’s football teams of all four home nations.
● My scientists invented ibuprofen.
\- In 1925, I opened a 24-hour store at Piccadilly Circus, right.
I was called the British and American Botanic Establishment and sold herbal remedies from my Nottingham store.
\- I’ve been sold for £6.7billion to the family behind Primark.
WHERE AM I?
\- I'm home to a macabre ● The earliest written record of this area is in a 959 charter from King Edgar The Peaceful.
anatomy museum exhibiting tables containing human veins and nerves, and Winston Churchill's dentures.
\- In the 1720s, Mother Clap's Molly House, a clandestine meeting place for gay men, operated here.
● The Great Fire of London was halted on my boundary.
\- George III nicknamed my local Territorial Army regiment ‘the Devil’s Own’ – because they were mostly lawyers.
\- I'm half the name of Sir Keir Starmer's old constituency where Zack Polanski was defeated.
ANSWERS: Richard E Grant, Boots, Holborn.
STEVE BENNETT
EAMONN'S EX-
INSIDE SHOWBIZ! By Katie Hind
CONSULTANT EDITOR
SHOWBUSINESS
FTER one of showbiz's most toxic divorces, triggered by the discovery of text messages to another woman, Ruth Langsford could be forgiven for walking away from her husband of 14 years for good.
But in a surprising turn of events – and one which will leave jilted husbands scratching their heads – it appears Eamonn Holmes has come out of it all rather better than some say he deserved.
For I hear that Ruth, who once claimed that the split two years ago left her with a ‘broken heart’ and ‘broken dreams’, has swallowed her pride and is back at her estranged husband’s side.
While this is no romantic reunion, it is one borne of affection as she is caring for him while he remains vulnerable following a stroke six months ago.
It is an astonishing turnaround given how toxic their divorce had become. The couple, who'd hosted ITV's This Morning together for the entire duration of their marriage, had started communicating almost exclusively via their lawyers.
And perhaps more astonishingly still, Ruth has been joined in her efforts by Eamonn's first wife, Gabrielle Holmes, with whom he has three children, and from whom he got divorced three decades ago.
Both women have, I'm told, put the past behind them – and for Ruth, the huge emotional toll of the recent break-up – and are bonding over the serious concerns they share for 66-year-old Eamonn's wellbeing.
While both at one time vowed to stand by him (in sickness and in health).
While both at one time vowed him ‘in sickness and in health’, it’s likely neither imagined they would be continuing to fulfil those promises after their respective marriages ended.
His latest girlfriend moved out months after his stroke. So how relieved the stricken broadcaster must be to have not one, but two, of his former wives rushing to his side...
It is perhaps telling, too, that last week Eamonn's much-younger girlfriend, Katie Alexander, 44, moved out of the penthouse apartment she shared with the TV presenter in Kingston, south-west London, with some telling me that those in Holmes's circle had concerns about her.
Some insist that they have not broken up, but have said the situation is ‘very sad’ and that Katie is ‘devastated’.
And supporting him through that, too, will be his former wives.
'For a long time Eamonn and Ruth have just been completely at odds with one another,' the source said. 'They reached a point where they couldn't even communicate directly.
‘Things became very difficult. Ruth was really upset about it all. It’s astonishing that she’s managed to put this behind her. You could argue Eamonn didn’t necessarily deserve it. It’s an incredible shift.
But the anger appears to have thawed and has been replaced by genuine concern.'
The source added: 'The thought of Ruth and Gabrielle being on good terms was just as unlikely.
‘Yet here they all are, clubbing together and rallying around with the kids to protect Eamonn.
‘Ruth and Gabrielle have come through when Eamonn needed them the most. It has been a lot of pressure for Eamonn’s children and having the support of these two women has been most helpful.’
For all Ruth's generosity now, it must have taken a gargantuan effort to put the past behind her.
Famously, when Ruth discovered that Eamonn had moved on from their split and was romantically involved with relationship counsellor Katie, she resorted to brutal (some might say petty) measures.
As Eamonn prepared to go on a romantic break with Katie, Ruth, 66, disabled the stairlift in their marital home so Eamonn – who because of ongoing health difficulties has struggled with his mobility
‘The two are bonding over concerns they share for him’
\- would not be able to go upstairs to pack for the trip.
Giggling as she told friends what she had done, Ruth felt Eamonn deserved to suffer an indignity of his own.
Things only got worse when Ruth was forced to instruct lawyers to take her husband to court as the row over the division of their money, and the £3.2million family mansion in Weybridge, Surrey, became increasingly bitter.
Eamonn and Ruth are supposed to be in court again in November over the splitting of their £10million joint fortune. But it is not clear whether that will still go ahead as I am told things ‘aren’t as straightforward or as simple' as it might appear.
Those familiar with the Holmes clan say Ruth and Gabrielle were put in touch by Eamonn's eldest children, Declan, 37, Rebecca, 35, and Niall, 33.
All three are very close to Ruth – who shares son, Jack, 24, with Eamonn – and expressed their concerns to her as their father's health deteriorated. I revealed earlier this month that he has had to stand down from presenting his GB News Breakfast show.
Eamonn's exes and his children have also raised concerns about Katie and her influence over him – more on which later.
It's perhaps no coincidence, then, that she moved out last week.
The unlikely alliance has led the women to instruct a prominent entertainment PR firm to act on Eamonn's behalf.
Letters sent out by the agency, Plank PR, confirm they are now acting collectively on behalf of Eamonn, Ruth, Gabrielle and their children – further proof that not only is the family committed to standing together, but that it is Ruth who has been pulling the strings to make it happen.
The agency is run by a long-standing television publicist, Lou Plank, who is also one of Ruth's closest friends. She had previously represented Ruth and Eamonn jointly until 2022, when Eamonn left This Morning.
Just a few months later, Eamonn joined GB News and went on to take some vicious pot shots at his former employers, which embarrassed his then-wife who still worked for the network.
'Plank PR made it very clear that they were Team Ruth and have been at her side through her split from Eamonn,' says an industry source.
'The fact they are now involved with Eamonn again is a hugely significant sign. It's nothing less than a show of defiance to Katie.'
Gabrielle, who lives in Eamonn's native Northern Ireland, married the former GMTV star in 1985 before he became a stalwart of the daytime sofa, after meeting nine
WIVES CLUB to the rescue
years earlier.
When his career took off in the early 1990s, their marriage became strained. He moved to London during the week, only returning home at weekends, while Gabrielle remained with the children in Belfast.
WITH SECOND WIFE,
RUTH LANGSFORD
Eamonn addressed their marriage in his 2008 memoir This Is My Life: The Autobiography, saying: 'We tended to be apart during the week because of my job, and I had no trouble with that, though Gabrielle obviously did.'
They split in 1996 and a year later Eamonn began a relationship with Ruth, who had been a
for TV regional station Television South West in Plymouth.
In 2002, she gave birth to their son Jack, and they married eight years later in a star-studded wedding at the smart country house hotel The Elvetham in Hampshire.
There was no crossover between Eamonn's marriage to Gabrielle and his later relationship with Ruth, and the two women had no reason to be in touch.
WITH GIRLFRIEND, KATIE
Katie, meanwhile, has been going out with Eamonn since his marriage to Ruth broke down – although Ruth and others suspect source. It wasn't the nicest thing to watch Katie and Eamonn set up home together, or go off on holiday on a cruise where they were photographed at every port.'
Little wonder that many close to the wider family were pleased to see Katie leave Eamonn's apartment.
Katie had been splitting her time between the Kingston flat and her home in West Yorkshire, where her children and former husband live.
She was reported to be ‘devastated’ at having to clear her things from the rented property, as Eamonn’s family stepped in to manage his affairs more tightly.
Sources tell me his family felt that Katie had been enjoying a comfortable life at Eamonn's
LIVING APART: Eamonn has been with Katie since his marriage to Ruth broke down
expense. One entertainment insider said: 'You can't help but wonder if the family are trying to make sure as much of his money as possible stays safe and unspent.
‘It has now been decided that the family should step up with matters like that.
‘What has happened to Eamonn is devastating. He is still so young, but he is struggling and has been for a while now. That flat isn’t cheap, and clearly Eamonn isn’t
---
‘Those close to the family were pleased to see Katie leave’
going to be living independently any time soon. His family have really stepped things up on his behalf and are starting to lock things down.'
He and Katie were regularly seen together at glamorous showbiz events.
But it was a carer who found the veteran presenter after his stroke in April before an ambulance took him to hospital.
The last time Eamonn was seen publicly was in June, with Katie at his side in hospital.
and back in a suit and tie,' he said. 'Watch this space – I'll be back after this break.'
Posing in his robe, struggling to crack a smile, Eamonn vowed to his fans that he would be back on their screens.
'I can't wait to be out of this gown
Despite that determination, Eamonn's ill-health appears to have put an end to his broadcasting career.
ITV / SHUTTERSTOCK
He has not been seen on GB News since March 11, after suffering a series of embarrassing on-air mishaps.
They included nodding off live on air – although he later insisted he ‘was just looking down at my mic pack to see why it was not working’ – and falling off his chair mid-broadcast.
During public appearances he had increasingly relied on wheel-chairs and walking frames to cope with his reduced mobility.
He had a double hip replacement in 2016, which was followed by agonising back problems caused by a dislocated pelvis and slipped discs.
Spinal surgery in 2022 failed to rectify his problems, and multiple falls and further procedures have only increased his discomfort.
He had spoken of the need to have physiotherapy each morning just to get himself ready for work.
‘Eamonn has been in the wars,’ says a source who knows him.
‘He had to keep working because of his money worries [he lost a court battle with HMRC in 2023 which left him facing a bill some estimate to be more than £1million].
'And he's stubborn, and would never let anyone tell him what to do. But now he has found himself in a situation where he desperately needs help and actually needs to accept it.
‘What perhaps he didn’t expect is that his guardian angels would be his two ex-wives.’
By Matt Davis
Cocaine use triggers mental health crises in record 7,500 over-50s
A RECORD number of over-50s are being treated for cocaine-related mental health issues as middle-class use of the drug spirals.
Startling new statistics reveal hospitals in England treated 7,484 older people last year for problems linked to the Class A drug – up by a quarter in just 12 months.
The figures relate to mental and behavioural problems including psychosis, addiction and the side effects of withdrawal. And they are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg as they do not include cases of cocaine-related heart attacks, strokes and overdoses.
Experts say it reflects a growing trend for
people to start using cocaine again in later life following bereavements, loneliness, and life changes such as divorce and job stress. The drug is more accessible and cheaper than ever, with concerns it has become a socially acceptable alternative to alcohol at middle-class dinner parties.
Zaheen Ahmed, head of therapy at The UKAT Group, which runs private addiction centres, said the figures were a ‘wake-up call’, adding: ‘Cocaine abuse comes with two major misconceptions; first, that it’s just a young per-
MUSIC2YOU PROUDLY PRESENTS
ABETHA FRANKLIN, THE SUPREMES, MARVIN GAYE, DIIONHE WARWICK, STEVIE WONDER, THE TEMPITATIONS
MARTHA BEEVES & THE VANDELLAS, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, JAMES BROWN, OTIS REDDINO, DEN E. XINO, IKE & TINA TURNER
FOUR TOPS, THE RONETTES, THE CRYSTALS, JIMMY RUFFIN, SMOKEY ROUWSON & THE MIRACLES, NINA SIMONE
THE DELFORTICS, MARY WELLS, MARLENA SHAW, PERCY SLEDGE, THE ISLEY BROTHERS, SILY & THE FAMILY STONE son's drug, and, second, that years of use without obvious consequences means you're somehow immune to its effects.
‘Many of the over-50s we treat for cocaine addiction aren’t lifelong users. They’re people who stopped years ago, but later-life experiences such as grief, deteriorating mental health and loneliness have driven them back to the drug. This time, though, they find they can’t stop.
‘These clients stopped taking cocaine when life demanded it, but
---
'Addiction doesn't have an age limit'
now find themselves alone, struggling with their mental health and with the financial means to sustain an expensive habit. The danger is that they're returning to a drug that has strengthened, while their resilience may have diminished. The consequences can be devastating.'
Even pensioners are being caught up in the epidemic, with cases involving the over-60s, so-called 'silver snorters', rising six-fold in a decade to 2,139. Figures for those needing treatment in their 50s tripled in ten years.
Older users account for more than one in four patients treated for cocaine-related mental and behavioural problems, compared with around one in nine ten years ago.
Across all ages, cocaine-related problems have risen 17 per cent in a year. Among them were 424 episodes of psychosis, up 46 per cent in a single year and a ten-year high.
Deaths from cocaine use have risen for 13 consecutive years in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The National Crime Agency has also warned that bumper South American harvests have pushed prices down and driven up purity, which makes it more cost-effective, but also more addictive.
Councils have been handed £1.1 billion of public health money this year to spend on drug and alcohol treatment.
Mr Ahmed added: ‘Addiction doesn’t have an age limit, and it’s never too late to seek help.’
An NHS spokesman said: ‘Cocaine use can seriously affect mental health and behaviour at any age, while people over 50 face a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.’
NOW That's What I Call 60s Soul brings together 88 defining tracks over four CDs, from soul's first golden decade.
We open with Aretha Franklin's signature Respect, before The Supremes You Can't Hurry Love and Stevie Wonder's Uptight (Everything's Alright), and Dionne Warwick's elegant Walk On By. Then the poignant beauty of Jimmy Ruffin's What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through the Grapevine.
Disc one
1 Aretha Franklin – Respect
2 The Supremes
– You Can’t Hurry Love
3 Stevie Wonder
– Uptight (Everything’s Alright)
4 Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
– Dancing in the Street
5 Bob & Earl – Harlem Shuffle
6 Dionne Warwick – Walk On By
7 Jimmy Ruffin – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
8 Marvin Gaye
– I Heard It Through the Grapevine
9 The Temptations – My Girl
10 Mary Wells – My Guy
11 Dusty Springfield
– Son of a Preacher Man
12 Marlena Shaw – California Soul
13 The Delfonics – Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love)
14 Four Tops – Reach Out I’ll Be There
15 The Isley Brothers
– Behind a Painted Smile
16 Sly & the Family Stone
– Dance to the Music
17 James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good)
18 Wilson Pickett
– In the Midnight Hour
19 Fontella Bass – Rescue Me
20 Carla Thomas – B-A-B-Y
21 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
– I Second That Emotion
22 Otis Redding
– (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay
The Temptations My Girl and Mary Wells' My Guy sit alongside Dusty Springfield's Son Of A Preacher Man. And let's not forget the groups: The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, Sly & The The Family Stone, Booker T. & The MGs, The Chiffons, The Crystals, The Marvelettes, The Drifters, The Ronettes... and that great Lady of Soul, Gladys Knight. Not just a four-CD compilation but an historic document... it's that good!
Disc two
1 Ben E. King – Stand By Me
2 Percy Sledge
– When a Man Loves a Woman
3 The Drifters – Up On the Roof
4 The Chiffons – Sweet Talkin' Guy
5 The Crystals – Da Doo Ron Ron
6 The Marvelettes
– Please Mr Postman
7 The Ronettes – Baby, I Love You
8 The Velvelettes
– Needle in a Haystack
9 Gloria Jones – Tainted Love
10 Tami Lynn
– I'm Gonna Run Away From You
11 R. Dean Taylor
– There's a Ghost in My House
12 Frank Wilson
– Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
13 Gladys Knight & The Pips
– Just Walk in My Shoes
14 Tobi Legend – Time Will Pass You By
15 Barbara Randolph – I Got a Feeling
16 Robert Knight
– Love on a Mountain Top
17 Al Wilson – The Snake
18 Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
– Ain't No Big Thing
19 Brenda Holloway
– Every Little Bit Hurts
20 Erma Franklin – Piece of My Heart
21 Etta James
– I Just Want to Make Love to You
22 Nina Simone
– Ain't Got No/I Got Life (From Hair)
Disc three
1 Ike & Tina Turner
– River Deep, Mountain High
2 Wilson Pickett – Land of 1000 Dances
3 Arthur Conley – Sweet Soul Music
4 The Contours – Do You Love Me
5 Solomon Burke
\- Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
6 Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood
7 Sam & Dave - Soul Man
8 The Elqins
\- Heaven Must Have Sent You
9 Little Eva - The Loco-Motion
10 Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Jimmy Mack
11 The Toys - A Lover's Concerto
12 The Delfonics
La-La Means I Love You
13 Brook Benton
Rainy Night in Georgia
14 Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
It Takes Two
15 Jr. Walker & The All Stars
(I'm a) Road Runner
16 Barrett Strong - Money
17 Booker T. & The MGs - Green Onions
18 Bobby Hebb - Sunny
19 Sly & The Family Stone
Everyday People
20 The 5th Dimension
Stoned Soul Picnic
21 Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs
Stay
22 The Drifters
Under the Boardwalk
Disc four
1 The Supremes – Baby Love
2 Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
3 The Temptations – Get Ready
4 The Ronettes – Be My Baby
5 The Crystals – Then He Kissed Me
6 The Chiffons – He’s So Fine
7 Dionne Warwick – I Say a Little Prayer
8 Aretha Franklin
– (You Make Me Feel Like)
A Natural Woman
9 Otis Redding
– Try a Little Tenderness
10 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
– You’re All I Need to Get By
11 Ben E. King – Spanish Harlem
12 Robert Knight – Everlasting Love
13 The Isley Brothers – This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
14 Edwin Starr – Stop Her On Sight
15 The Velvelettes
– He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin'
16 Reparata & The Delrons
– Captain of Your Ship
17 The Marvelettes
– When You’re Young and in Love
18 Etta James – At Last
19 Dinah Washington
– Mad About the Boy
20 James Brown
– It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World
21 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
– The Tracks of My Tears
22 Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
Readers can order a copy of this wonderful 88 track four-CD collection for just £9.99 including p&p, either for yourself or as a gift for a friend or loved one, by visiting music2you.co.uk/now. To see the full range of our popular CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and books, visit music2you.co.uk
Buy now at music2you.co.uk/now
NEXT WEEK'S NEWS...TODAY!
OUR weekly irreverent look at some of the stories that might be breaking over coming days...
MONDAY
Kemi Badenoch's Britannia Shield runs into trouble – since the name is trademarked by a creosote manufacturer, a budget
condom brand and the East Kent Over-50s Lawn Bowls Championship.
In response to the Tories' iron dome, the Lib Dems offer their alternative: the tinfoil hat.
TUESDAY
After the M&S
boss urged Labour
to take handcuffs
off businesses,
an S&M boss
demands they be put back on.
BBC staff say they don't understand boss Matt Brittin's plea to 'be more Elvis', as the corporation is already bloated and irrelevant to those under 60.
WEDNESDAY
The Greens revive commitments to the environment... and how they can make them as hostile as possible for Jewish people. Also, Lord Archer's tombstone is revealed. It will read: 'Here lies Jeffrey Archer.'
Americans await the first livestreamed state
execution, with
viewers especially
excited to see the
bloopers reel.
FRIDAY
The first person to buy Meghan's £112 Advent calendar complains you can't peek behind windows because of privacy.
Also, banks report a huge rise in women blaming
Asos hackers for their massive clothing bills.
---
SATURDAY
The White House names the massive turkey the President will be pardoning this Thanksgiving: the new Tom Cruise movie Digger.
Steve Bennett
OCTOBER 11 • 2026 The Mail on Sunday Eden Confidential
What not to wear? Posh's name all over your shades
SUSANNAH Constantine has made her allegiance in the Beckham family feud crystal clear – by blacking out Victoria's name from her sunglasses.
While larking about in the back of a black cab with her former What Not To Wear co-host Trinny Woodall, the pair discussed Susannah's oversized Victoria Beckham-branded shades.
‘Darling, love your sunglasses,’ said Trinny, in a knowing tone.
'Aren't they great. They're so comfortable,' Susannah replied, before revealing there was one thing she had ...
the designer's name 'You can't see that, can you, because I Tippexed it off,' she admitted, laughing.
HAVING Princess Diana as your aunt does not always open doors for twins Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer – whose titles often fall on deaf ears. 'We go through the airport in Cape Town and they think our first name is Lady,' Amelia told Vanity Fair.
It's not the first time Susannah has made her thoughts known about the Beckham family debacle. When Brooklyn broke his silence on the family rift with a lengthy Instagram statement in January 2026, Susannah publicly declared herself #TeamBrooklyn.
'Can't believe I'm posting this. But for the record I'm #team-brooklyn @brooklynpeltzbeck-ham,' she wrote, adding: 'This young couple's love for each other is one of the few things that is real, deep and un-manufactured.'
Her striking words were a
THROWING SHADE: Susannah in the eyewear
staunch show of support for Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola, amid their estrangement from his parents.
Susannah's show of affection is particularly
interesting given her connection to the family: her daughter Esme and Brooklyn both have Sir Elton John as a godfather.
It appears that Sir Elton has subtly made his allegiances clear, too. The singer and his husband David Furnish have wined and dined Brooklyn and Nicola over the summer in Nice, but did not extend the same hospitality to their old friends, David and Victoria.
Dazzling night at
the museum for
George and Amal
IN A glittering Gucci gold gown, Amal Clooney stands by husband George to welcome A-lister pals to their black-tie charity gala, The Albies, at the Natural History Museum in London.
Among the guests at Friday's
soiree were Brad Pitt and his
girlfriend Ines de Ramon,
below, Vogue supremo Dame
Anna Wintour and Oscar
winner Dame Emma
Thompson. But conspicuous
by their absence were the
Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The couple invited the Clooneys to their wedding in 2018 and enjoyed a secret break at the Clooneys' villa in Italy. But the friendship has reportedly cooled since.
A friend of the Sussexes tells me Meghan was ‘at home’ on Friday, while Harry was
Glow like Naomi!
NAOMI Campbell memorably remarked ‘black don’t crack’ when asked if she used Botox.
Now I can reveal that the supermodel is set to help others achieve a similarly youthful glow, with her own skincare brand.
The 56-year-old, left, told former BBC journalist Zeinab Badawi about her potentially lucrative venture – to be launched next year – at Vogue College of Fashion last week.
Naomi also had some advice for the students, saying: 'Always remember the people who were kind to you early in your career.' Wise words!
(Very) modern manners
◆ I IMAGINE Doctor Who writer Russell T. Davies, 63, has been reminded of the age gap between himself and Oliver Cole, now his toyboy is heading back to school. The Australian, 27, is embarking on a three-year BA in acting at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Oliver tells me: 'I can't wait to start – acting is all I've ever dreamed of doing and this is going to be the best place to learn.' While Oliver's acting CV is still thin, Russell has treated him to a spin in the Tardis on the Doctor Who set, sparking misplaced talk he could be the next Time Lord.
CLASSICAL singer Katherine Jenkins is trying to raise sartorial standards in the West End, where even opera-goers will turn up in grotty T-shirts and jeans. The Welsh mezzo-soprano, 46, has asked those due to attend her concert at the London Palladium this week to make an effort with their outfits. A message emailed to ticket-holders says: 'To make the evening extra special, Katherine is inviting guests to "dress to impress". While
there's no formal dress code, there'll be a special prize for the best dressed guest on the night, so why not make an occasion of it?'
By DR JOSH AXE and DR WILL COLE
A
RE YOU waking up tired no matter how much you sleep? Does your brain feel foggy, your gut unsettled and your body bloated and miserable, whatever you try? You may have had blood tests to find the cause, only for them to come back as ‘normal’. Yet deep down, you know something isn’t right.
Millions of men and women silently struggle with chronic symptoms that don't show up on blood tests or respond to standard treatments because the real problem is not being addressed.
Many doctors and medications only treat the symptoms of a condition – not the root cause, which lies deep in the 37 trillion cells of your body that work round the clock to keep you alive, energised and healthy.
When these cells are nourished, protected and activated, your organs stay young, strong and disease-resistant.
But when they become damaged - due to toxins and nutrient deficiency - the cells' 'powerhouse' mitochondria are less able to produce and use energy. Cell membranes weaken, inflammation increases and chronic illness can take root.
What is tragic isn't that our bodies wear down, but that most people don't realise they can be rebuilt, so settle for managing symptoms rather than restoring health and vitality.
Yet your body is designed to regenerate: every day it replaces 330 billion worn-out cells with new ones.
Healing can happen surprisingly quickly. The lining of your gut can regenerate in just three to five days, while minor muscle injuries can take two to four weeks and minor bone fractures six to eight weeks.
Your liver – one of the body's most powerful organs – begins to repair itself within just a few days of removing the source of the damage, such as alcohol or other toxins. Partial regrowth of healthy tissue takes around six to eight weeks, and complete regrowth roughly five months.
For someone with a fatty liver, this may mean regeneration begins in as little as two or three weeks after making healthy lifestyle changes.
We are both US functional medicine doctors with decades of clinical experience between us and specialise in treating the root causes of chronic disease. We regularly witness the body's extraordinary regenerative capabilities in our patients.
Not so long ago, it was generally assumed that each generation would live longer than the last. In fact, a 2021 study in the journal Nature Communications estimated a human lifespan might even stretch to 120 or 150 years, so long as the systems regulating internal balance – i.e. the health of our cells – remained intact.
But now, instead, life expectancy is plateauing or declining in many parts of the Western world.
A recent large-scale study from Boston University found that Americans aged between 25 and 44 are dying younger than expected, with excess deaths – the number above what is normally expected – rising sharply in
As an alarming new book warns the toxicity of modern life is damaging the 37 trillion cells our bodies rely on for EVERYTHING... The quiz that will tell you if your organs are ageing too fast. And the simple lifestyle changes to turn back the clock
recent years, due to a cascade of lifestyle-driven diseases.
That's because age isn't just the number of candles on your birthday cake, it's also a measure of how well your cells are functioning beneath the surface. And many people's biological clocks are ticking much faster than they should.
One example is early menstruation. A little over a
century ago, the average age for a girl's first period was 17, but today it's 12. One 2024 study by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the number of girls who began menstruating before the age of 11 had nearly doubled and the percentage menstruating before the age of nine more than doubled.
This isn't simply early development, it's premature hormonal
Work out which
RESTORING your cellular health starts with identifying the organ or system holding you back. We've developed a simple questionnaire covering six major bodily systems, with practical action plans for each. We also suggest some easy tips to get you started – detailed plans are available in our new book, Heal Your Cells.
Today we will help you to assess the biological age of your immune system, hormones and liver. In tomorrow's extract we will look at digestive and metabolic age, brain and mood age and heart age.
(Always consult your doctor or health practitioner before beginning any new diet, exercise or other regimen, particularly if you have a diagnosed condition or are taking medication.)
For each question, answer yes or no, based on the last 90 days. If unsure, answer no.
For each section, add five years for every ‘yes’ to an ageing factor. Subtract five for every ‘yes’ to a protective factor. Then add or subtract the total from your actual age.
SCORES
-10 to 0 years: This organ is biologically younger than your chronological age. Keep doing what you are doing!
+5 to +10 years: Early signs of
ageing. The female body wasn't designed to mature this quickly: a girl who begins menstruating at eight instead of 16 has a hormonal system that is ageing at twice the rate it should. This matters because earlier periods are linked with a significantly higher risk of breast cancer and type 2 diabetes.
More menstrual cycles over a lifetime means greater exposure
to oestrogen, which stimulates breast tissue. Rising childhood obesity is thought to play a significant role, but exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, such as plastics and pesticides, processed foods and chronic stress could also contribute.
Meanwhile, testosterone levels in men have declined by over 30 per cent in recent decades, meaning a man in his 30s today may have the hormonal profile of a man in his 50s or 60s just a generation ago.
Fertility is dropping too. Sperm counts are reported to have fallen more than 50 per cent since the 1970s and women are seeing increased rates of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), irregular periods and early ovarian failure.
These aren't just reproductive issues but signs of hormonal and systemic ageing at a cellular level.
One key culprit is a diet that's increasingly dependent on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – cereals, biscuits, ready meals, sliced bread and junk food – often high in hidden sugars.
Sugar disrupts the gut's bacterial balance (as ‘bad’ bacteria feed on it), eventually leading to ‘leaky gut’ and body-wide inflammation. The liver also becomes overloaded trying to process excess fructose, common in packaged foods and fizzy drinks.
UPFs often contain industrial seed oils – including soybean, corn and sunflower – laden with omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, particularly linoleic acid, which may easily oxidise into unstable fatty acids.
It's thought that these may impair the function of your cells' mitochondria, responsible for turning food into energy in a usable form, known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells' energy supply.
At the same time, modern diets are often deficient in key nutrients, particularly in omega 3 fatty acids, fibre-rich legumes, good quality protein, antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables, olive oil and seeds and nuts.
Then there's exposure to toxins from plastics and pesticides. A particular concern is man-made ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAs, used in non-stick cooking equipment and food packaging, that don't break down easily and build up in the environment.
These can cause changes in cells, particularly in the mechanisms controlling gene expression, potentially leading to an increased cancer risk.
A sedentary lifestyle is another fast track to premature ageing – and around a third of the global population is physically inactive.
A 2018 landmark study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open found that being on the lowest rung of fitness is far more dangerous to your lifespan than smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Research published in the journal Oncotarget in 2018 found that people who did high levels of exercise had longer telomeres – the protective caps on DNA that shorten with age – than those who are sedentary, suggesting that regular exercise might preserve the blueprint of your longevity at cellular level.
Chronic stress – whether due to a culture of overdrive or loneliness – is another problem, keeping cortisol levels raised and disrupting sleep and circadian rhythms, worsened by artificial and blue lights from laptops, mobiles and TVs. These affect the internal rhythm of your cells and their ability to heal.
Together, this toxic storm of modern life is wrecking the foundations of our health – depleting our cells of the energy they need to function properly, sending hormones spinning out of control, straining our metabolisms and locking our immune systems in non-stop fight mode.
But the good news is that there are simple practical measures you can take to transform your health, regardless of your age or genetics.
NOT all organs age at the same rate. Just one ageing organ can quietly but significantly raise the risk of a serious health condition such as Alzheimer's, a heart attack, diabetes or cancer.
We know this thanks to a groundbreaking 2023 study from Stanford University, involving nearly 5,700 participants, which found one in five adults over 50 has at least one organ ageing faster than the rest of their body – often with no outward symptoms.
The researchers used advanced technology and algorithms to analyse thousands of proteins in blood samples to estimate the biological age of 11 key organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys and brain, plus the immune system. They
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part of your system is holding you back
accelerated ageing. Start supporting this system now.
+15 to +20 years: Significant organ ageing. Make this system your top priority.
---
IMMUNE AGE
\- Do you get sick more often than you used to, or recover slowly from colds or infections? (+5)
Have you been diagnosed with autoimmune conditions or high inflammation (eg CRP, C-reactive protein)? (+5)
Do you often feel burned out, stressed or emotionally weighed down? (+5)
\- Do you experience frequent allergies, sinus issues or chronic congestion? (+5)
Do you consistently sleep seven to nine hours a night? (-5)
Do you spend time outdoors daily or engage in activities that bring calm and joy? (-5)
IMMUNE AGE SCORE IN YEARS
YOUR immune system is your body's standing army – always on patrol for invaders such as disease, toxins and mutated cells. Every day, your body produces billions of new immune cells that circulate through the blood and lymphatic (drainage) system, with white blood cells stationed in bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus and gut. But with age, this army can falter and inflammation can take hold. The gut microbiome is key - containing around 70 per cent of all your body's immune cells.
The immune system ages due to chronic low-grade, persistent inflammation, which damages tissues and accelerates disease risk and
because the thymus, the gland that ‘trains’ disease-fighting T-cells, shrinks with age. An unbalanced, less diverse gut microbiome also disrupts gut-immune signalling and weakens the body’s defences. But your immune system isn’t destined to weaken with age. Strengthening your gut microbiome with a nourishing whole food diet that’s full of antioxidant-rich vegetables, fruits and proteins, reducing stress with calming practices and increasing activity will help rebalance inflammation, reversing your biological immune age so you have fewer infections, recover faster and are better protected against chronic disease.
---
TRY NOW
\- Take vitamin D3 with your first meal. This regulates more than 200 immune-related genes, strengthening defences and preventing immune over-activation.
Add garlic and ginger to one
▶ Turn to Page 34
How you can strengthen organs at a cellular level
From Page 33
identified organ-specific proteins that act as biomarkers – a snapshot of how each organ functions beneath the surface.
A rapidly ageing heart, for instance, carried a 150 per cent higher risk of heart failure and an ‘older’ brain had an 80 per cent higher risk of cognitive decline. People with more than one ageing organ were over six times as likely to die early as those with none.
However, we now have the tools not only to identify which organ is ageing prematurely, but also to intervene and strengthen it at a cellular level – even before disease is diagnosed.
To test this, we conducted our own 12-week clinical trial, with 110 participants (90 women and 20 men) between the ages of 32 and 72.
They all followed a carefully structured longevity programme based on a whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet, supplements, daily stress-relieving techniques, sleep hygiene methods and regular movement. There were no crash diets or extreme measures.
Blood samples were taken at the start and end of the programme to measure biological age using a tested method tracking DNA changes and organ-specific biomarkers.
In just three months, cellular inflammation – the driver of most age-related disease – dropped dramatically and oxidative stress (the cellular damage caused by harmful chemical reactions in the body) also fell, showing that cells were repairing and neutralising damage more efficiently.
More remarkably, telomeres grew longer, representing an estimated one to three years of cellular youth regained.
Mitochondrial efficiency also improved, as did cardiovascular fitness as measured by VO2 max (how efficiently your body turns oxygen into energy).
Grip strength, an accepted measure of longevity that naturally weakens with age, improved, as did gut health, easing years of bloating, food intolerance and IBS symptoms for many.
What stood out most was that many participants saw radical improvements in several different types of symptoms – including type 2 diabetes, weight, PCOS, menstrual and menopausal symptoms, low testosterone and chronic fatigue – and not just one.
Others saw relief from long-standing digestive disorders, skin conditions such as eczema, migraines, anxiety, depression and chronic joint and nerve pain.
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From Page 33
dish. Garlic is a natural antimicrobial and ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Spend 20 minutes outdoors. Natural light can stimulate vitamin D production, balances circadian rhythm and lowers stress hormones. Fresh air and time in nature also improve microbe diversity and immune resilience.
Bounce gently on a rebounder or small trampoline for five minutes. Regular exercise boosts circulation of the body's defensive white blood cells, and rebounding on a mini trampoline is particularly effective – five to ten minutes stimulates lymphatic draining, circulation and detoxification.
---
HORMONE AGE
\- Do you struggle with low libido, fertility issues, PMS/ menopause symptoms or low testosterone? (+5)
Do you feel exhausted in the morning or rely on caffeine to get through the day? (+5)
Do you gain weight easily despite eating well and exercising? (+5)
Do you have trouble handling stress, feel ‘wired and tired’ or notice frequent mood swings? (+5)
Do you practise daily stress management (meditation, prayer, breathing exercises or gratitude)? (-5)
Do you get at least seven hours of sleep per night and wake feeling rested? (-5)
---
HORMONE AGE SCORE IN YEARS
HORMONES are the body's chemical messengers, regulating energy, metabolism, fertility, mood, sleep and longevity. This system falters with age, stress, poor diet and toxin exposure, as the glands that produce hormones naturally weaken.
Toxin overload, environmental or dietary, can disrupt normal signalling. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, interfering with normal sex hormone function, suppressing ovulation, lowering testosterone and accelerating menopause symptoms.
But with the right foods, therapies and lifestyle practices it is possible to improve your biological hormone age, restoring vitality and fertility.
A range of nutrient-rich foods and herbs can have a beneficial impact on hormone health in both sexes. These include grass-fed red meat, fatty fish, vegetables and seeds and nuts.
---
TRY NOW
\- Men: Eat a serving of pumpkin seeds (1oz, shelled) – high in zinc, essential for testosterone production, sperm health and prostate function. Do 30 minutes of resistance exercise, two or three times a week. Strength training increases testosterone production and improves insulin sensitivity and bone density.
\- Women (fertility): Eat a handful of berries. Egg cells are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, which can affect their mitochondria and DNA. Berries are rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, that help protect them. Drink a cup of cinnamon and ginger tea – both spices can help to regulate blood sugar and reduce inflammation.
Women (menopause): Take 1,000mg omega-3s to help reduce inflammation, protect the cardiovascular system, support brain function and improve joint mobility. Practise a stress-management technique – meditation or deep breathing – for ten to 20 minutes daily, shown to help reduce cortisol levels and ease menopausal symptoms.
---
DETOX AND LIVER AGE
\- Do you regularly drink alcohol (3+ drinks a week) or take medications? (+5)
Are you frequently exposed to harsh household cleaners, fragrances or chemical products? (+5)
Do you struggle with resentment, anger or letting go emotionally? (+5)
Do you sweat infrequently, rarely exercise or feel your body doesn't 'detox' well? (+5)
Do you drink the recommended six to eight glasses of water each day or do other detox supportive practices (e.g. sauna, dry-brushing)? (-5)
Do you regularly eat cruciferous vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, kale) or liver-supporting plants (such as matcha, dandelion)? (-5)
---
DETOX/LIVER AGE SCORE IN YEARS
YOUR liver, gallbladder and lymphatic system together form the body's primary cleansing network – processing toxins, regulating hormones, balancing fats and keeping your body running smoothly. Your liver filters around two pints of blood a minute, detoxifying pesticides, alcohol, medications and metabolic waste.
The gallbladder stores bile, which helps break down fats and carries toxins out of the body. Meanwhile, the lymphatic system drains cellular waste.
With age, poor diet, an accumulation of toxins from plastics and pesticides and a sedentary lifestyle, these systems become overburdened – leading to a toxic build-up, liver fat accumulation and lymphatic congestion, which manifests itself as skin problems, fatigue, weight gain, hormone imbalance and even autoimmune flare-ups.
But by fuelling your body's cleansing system with detoxifying foods, glutathione-supporting supplements (glutathione being a naturally occurring powerful antioxidant central to the liver's detoxification pathways) and daily movement, you can reverse your ‘detox age’.
---
TRY NOW
\- Drink warm water with lemon or apple cider vinegar before your first meal. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which helps to 'recharge' spent glutathione into its active form and supports bile flow by thinning bile; and apple cider vinegar helps balance blood sugar and aids digestion and bile flow.
\- Add steamed cruciferous vegetables to at least one meal. Broccoli, kale and cabbage contain sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which boost detox enzymes and help clear excess oestrogen - a build-up can allow DNA-damaging by-products of oestrogen break down to circulate and reach tissues.
● Take 600mg NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) or liposomal glutathione. NAC boosts the raw material your liver needs to make glutathione, the molecule that binds to and neutralises toxins before flushing them out of the body. (We recommend a daily dose of 600-1,200 mg).
\- Go for a brisk walk outdoors, for 20-30 minutes, two or three times a week. Exercise stimulates lymphatic drainage and circulation. Being outdoors also reduces cortisol levels.
IN TOMORROW'S Daily Mail
REVEALED: WHAT TO EAT TO
DEFY YOUR BODY'S REAL AGE
Five HS2 workers axed after powerful air rifle fired inside workshop
EXTRAORDINARY video footage of HS2 night-shift workers firing a powerful air rifle inside a workshop led to a police investigation, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Five workers were sacked from the £100billion rail project after a whistleblower came forward with allegations concerning the ‘dangerous and unethical’ behaviour of his colleagues.
Footage captured by Aminadab Enos de Souza Dias, 42, showed mechanics at HS2's construction site in West Ruislip, London, whiling away the early hours blasting targets with an air rifle while listening to heavy metal music.
Mr Dias, a fitter's mate from Brazil, also submitted a dossier of maintenance and safety concerns, including photographs of his colleagues asleep on the
WHISTLEBLOWER: Aminadab Dias
By Mark Hookham and Nicholas Hellen
job, and alleged he was subjected to ‘verbal abuse, xenophobic comments and intimidation’.
The Government ordered an investigation after Mr Dias emailed the then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to warn him that the gun had been smuggled into the West Ruislip site, where an 8.4- mile tunnel is being dug.
The revelations throw the spotlight back on a beleaguered project that has become synonymous with colossal waste and delay.
hospital, although HS2 said there were no ‘major injuries’.
HS2's cost has ballooned from £37.5 billion in 2009 to potentially more than £100 billion, with services not reaching central London until 2040 at the earliest.
Separately, the MoS has learnt that an explosion took place at the same site seven months earlier in 2024.
AMINADAB
CCTV footage obtained by this newspaper shows workers wearing bright orange jackets hit by a powerful blast as they attempted to fix a leaking cement pipe. Four went to
TAKING AIM: A worker at the HS2 site using the air rifle (inset) while on a shift
Mr Dias claims the air rifle – owned by mechanic Keith Mewes – was kept at the site for more than two months in the spring of 2025. He said the gun was ‘frequently’ used on site, adding: ‘I left Brazil looking for a safer and better life. Ironically, I was forced to return.’
Videos recorded by the fitter's mate show Mr Mewes and a second man firing the gun, which appears to be a .22 calibre Stoeger X20 S2, inside the workshop.
Street in October. His email was forwarded to Lord Hendy, the Rail Minister, who said he was ‘shocked’ at Mr Dias’s complaint and had personally raised it with HS2 boss Mark Wild.
Mr Dias alerted HS2 and its contractor SCS in May 2025 but, after becoming frustrated at their response, contacted Downing
In a letter to Mr Dias, Lord Hendy revealed that one worker had been dismissed and ‘four other individuals involved in the incident have been removed from HS2 work immediately and permanently’.
Mr Mewes, the dismissed employee, told the MoS he took his gun to work to repair it during his breaks, but accepted this was ‘inappropriate’, adding: ‘I deeply regret the decisions I made.’
British Transport Police said it launched an investigation but its probe was closed after ‘it was established that the suspected air rifle was no longer on site’.
A spokesman for HS2 said: 'This was an unacceptable and isolated incident that took place around 18 months ago and action was taken to dismiss individuals involved and overhaul health and safety processes on sites to ensure this couldn't happen again.'
It added changes had been made to SCS's leadership, and searches for prohibited items had increased.
Meanwhile, it is understood the explosion in 2024 was caused by a compressed air line.
HS2 said: 'We took a number of actions to rectify the issues identified and improve safety.'
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A NIMAL activist Rose Patterson is upset. She is dismayed at being found guilty of stealing three lambs from King Charles after climbing into a field on his Sandringham estate in Norfolk back in 2023.
'I thought I had a 50-50 chance but it still came as a surprise,' she says of the recent court verdict following her three-day trial, but what did she expect? A damehood? The Order of the Baaaaa-th?
Rose was feeling sheepish because she did not believe she had broken the law in the first place. 'It was a sheep open rescue, not a sheep crime. I voluntarily gave myself up to the police afterwards,' she says.
After bonding with the royal lambs – whom she christened Sunny, Sammy and Sooty – Rose and her two accomplices piled the animals into the back of a van, whereupon they were driven to an undisclosed animal sanctuary. Here they were given the chance of ‘a long and happy life’ instead of their predestined fate of being taken to slaughter at about five months old.
'I saved their lives. They are in a secret place now, safe from slaughter, free to live until they grow old. I have no regrets. And I think King Charles would approve of what I did because he is an environmentalist, too.'
Can that possibly be true? The King is also a committed sheep farmer, one who perhaps does not take too kindly to intruders and livestock rustlers messing about with his 3,000-strong flock of highly prized, organic Aberfield sheep just to make a point about animal rights. At Norwich Crown Court last month, the jury took the same
---
'I think the King would approve of what I did'
robust view. After nearly four hours of deliberation, the five men and seven women returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Rose and her two accomplices were given fines totalling just over £1,000 and each ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid community work.
‘I was disappointed, I felt sad,’ says Rose, director of Animal Rising (formerly Animal Rebellion), a non-violent activist movement that campaigns for a sustainable, plant-based, meat-free food system for humans, and more rights for animals, particularly the right not to be eaten by said humans.
'The verdict made me realise there is so much work to do. It is depressing thinking about how far we've got to go to get animals out of this dire situation that they're in.'
One senses she is more than prepared for the fight. Rose is a very modern, very dedicated vegan animal activist whose east London lifestyle is thrillingly textbook.
Her rented, two-bedroom riverside home overlooks Leyton Marshes, her mid-century furniture is bought second-hand on Vinted and eBay.
She takes yoga and pilates classes, wears winged eyeliner, avoids leather and feathers, uses only cruelty-free cleaning products and has a fridge full of kale, oat milk, dairy-free mozzarella and pouches of her favourite Squeaky Bean vegan chicken-alike savoury bites.
‘I like the Cajun one best,’ she says, putting on the kettle to make some green tea and showing me the word ‘ahimsa’ tattooed on her right wrist. ‘It’s Sanskrit – it means compassion and non-violence to all living beings.’
Kale-loving, Sanskrit-tattooed Rose is such a staunch animal activist that even her two rescue dogs are vegan. So has her conviction for stealing the King's lambs left her at all sheepish? Not for a second
Rose, who is 37, lives here with her husband Wayne and their two rescue dogs, a Korean Jindo called Oliver and James the beagle. Need I add that everyone in this house-
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY JAN MOIR
hold is vegan, including the dogs? I thought not.
Wayne is an animal rights lawyer from San Francisco who personally rescued Oliver from a Chinese dog meat factory, while Rose rescued James from a testing lab.
Rose earns £39,000 as the director of Animal Rising, the charity she joined in 2019 as a volunteer.
Since then, her life of protest and activism has seen her arrested more than 20 times, once for putting red dye in a Trafalgar Square fountain to ‘draw attention to the fact that animal agriculture is causing climate change’.
The judge threw the case out on the grounds the dye was not permanent and caused no damage.
What? I like Rose, I admire her commitment to her beliefs, but dyeing a fountain? What an utter waste of court time, police time, everybody's time, including hers.
However, in this curious world of provocative activism, practitioners feel they have the moral warrant to do as they please in the name of the cause.
In addition to the lamb heist, Rose has three more criminal convictions – one for aggravated trespass at a beagle breeding facility in Huntington, one for criminal damage during a protest and blockade outside a McDonald's burger factory in Scunthorpe, and one for disrupting a horserace at a track in Ayr.
Rose, I cry, what are you really? An animal activist or just a public nuisance? 'Well, I've never been convicted of causing a public nuisance, so I don't think I am one,' she says mildly.
Her worst moment came when Animal Rising were still called Animal Rebellion and they were going through a phase of using 'lock-on' equipment to make their point – chaining themselves to the gates of Smithfield meat market in London, blockading the streets of Westminster to demand that financial institutions stop backing animal agriculture, and so on. At the 2021 McDonald's factory protest, Rose chained herself to a van using a pair of thumb cuffs.
‘That was a mistake. The police removed me by pulling my thumbs out and I was screaming in pain. I kicked out and accidentally kicked the tail-light of a police van. I’m not proud of that. I did apologise.’
Rose appears not to be one of those militant activist fanatics who is going to firebomb your garden shed because you like eating sausages, but she is determined to achieve Animal Rising's stated aims of ending factory farming and turning the entire country vegetarian.
How realistic can that be, given that human beings are carnivores? 'No, we are not, we are omnivores,' she corrects. 'And we can all survive and thrive on a plant-based diet.'
She is so focused that she doesn't even mind that her activism has resulted in a criminal record that has a negative impact on her life.
It is unlikely, for example, that she will ever be able to travel to America, where her husband's family are based. And should she ever want to adopt children, that would prove extremely difficult, too.
'Well, I don't have plans to have children – I've never really had the urge,' she says. 'And I can't imagine loving human children more than I love James and Oliver. I love them so much! Just because
I didn't give birth to them and we're from a different species, that's not important.
‘I’m their mum and Wayne is their dad, and in future we only want to adopt non-human children. I honestly want to dedicate as much of my life as possible to helping animals.’
Which brings us back to Sandringham. 'I mean, look at Sammy, Sunny and Sooty,' she says. 'In rescuing them, we literally saved
---
‘We saved three lives. We changed their world’
three lives. We completely changed their world for them and I think that is worth it all. Yes, it has meant some disruption to my life, but that is OK.'
Yet what does this kind of performative, Instagram-friendly activism achieve and can Rose and Animal Rising really change the planet, one lamb at a time?
In any given spring there are 16 million to 20 million lambs in the UK, which puts Rose's token gesture, smoked into the headlines and on to news bulletins by the royal connection, into clear perspective. 'I'd love to rescue every single animal in the land but I can't, it's not practical,' says Rose.
‘We try our best to raise awareness, which is of course why we chose King Charles’ lambs.
On that spring day three years ago, just a few weeks after the King's coronation, Rose – along with her Animal Rising colleagues Sarah Foy and Rosa Sharkey (both now 26) – climbed over an electric fence and into a field on the Sandringham estate.
An unknown driver in a getaway van waited on the roadside. At the time, the King was 400 miles away on an official visit to Northern Ireland, oblivious to what was going down in deepest Norfolk.
Wearing matching pink Animal Rising T-shirts, armed only with buckets of sheep nuts and the righteous zeal of revolutionaries, Rose & co believed themselves to be emancipators rather than common thieves.
They had previously made several recces to the site and now sat in the field for hours, building trust with the flock, bonding with the three friendliest lambs, enjoying the kumbaya vibe.
‘Sarah is the sheep whisperer, she was amazing,’ says Rose. When they eventually picked up their chosen trio of animals, the women were surprised at how scratchy the lambs’ wool was and how much each lamb weighed. ‘So heavy! We could only carry away
one each.'
Did the babies bleat for their mothers as they were loaded into the van? Apparently not. The silence of the lambs proved to be their golden ticket on the Animal Rising freedom express.
Sheep are sentient beings and, whatever you may think about their methods, Animal Rising's campaigns to improve animal welfare are not without merit.
Rose, who grew up in Harrogate, has an MSc in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law from the University of Winchester.
This means she has a scientific understanding of sheep behaviour and must know that there is a strong bond between ewes and their lambs – one that is particularly marked in the Aberfield breed.
When the activists removed the lambs from the field they were still running with their mothers – one wonders where the peaceful Sanskrit ahimsa was to be found in this enforced separation.
'The lambs were going to be taken away from their mothers soon enough, we knew that they were going to be sent to slaughter,' says Rose.
‘It was literally a life-or-death situation. It was either be killed or be taken away to live a long and happy life.’
That is not strictly true. Within UK sheep production systems not all lambs are destined to be slaughtered, with about 4 million retained
SAVIOUR: Rose with her rescue beagle James and, inset, one of the King's lambs
each year to become adult sheep. Yet on this point, as on so many others, Animal Rising are convinced the moral high ground is theirs, even when it comes to inconvenient facts or the iniquity of theft.
For if you take something that does not belong to you, even if you believe you are taking it to make a principled stance, surely that is still stealing?
‘No,’ says Rose. ‘Not if it is for honest reasons.’
So if you were taking King Charles' Crown Jewels instead of King Charles' lambs, would the same determinant still apply?
‘It depends on the context. Maybe someone had a very good reason for stealing the Crown Jewels,’ she says.
During the trial, the prosecuting barrister asked Rose – who defended herself – that if, for example, someone took her
---
‘Sheep have a preference to grow old and avoid death’
bicycle, would she consider that stealing?
It would depend on the context, she countered, using her ‘honest reasons’ argument again.
‘Are they stealing my bike because it’s an emergency and they need to get to hospital to see their dying grandmother?’ she wondered. If that were the case, one presumes the bike would
be returned – but the authorities have never located Charles' missing sheep, despite what Rose calls ‘a lot of pressure from the police’.
She still claims ignorance of the location of the refuge where the sheep now live, although she seems very cognisant of their progress and thinks that she may visit them soon, now that the trial is over.
She says: ‘Sheep have their own inner world and a preference to live and to love and have babies, and to nurture their young and to grow old and avoid suffering and death. Sammy, Sunny and Sooty have made friends with goats in the sanctuary.’
That's nice.
'They seem happy.'
How do you know when a sheep is happy?
'I can't say for definite what makes a sheep happy, but I want to give them the opportunity for happiness.'
While preparing this article, I spoke to three different animal welfare and animal behaviourist experts at leading UK universities. All have had skirmishes with animal activists in the past and all understandably declined to be named – but each had their own misgivings about these events.
‘There is a question of how well they could care for the lambs – my feeling is not as well as the lambs were being cared for already,’ said one. ‘Why ensure that the
▶ Turn to Page 38
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From Page 37
lambs live a long life if the activists are concerned about the impact of sheep on the environment? It does seem illogical,' said another.
A third felt that the dignity of the sheep had been violated.
‘Sheep have given so much to mankind – milk, cheese, yogurt, wool, sheepskins.
‘They are one of the most important and useful domesticated species, and from the ram which Abraham sacrificed instead of his son Isaac to Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, they have their place in human history.
‘I felt the activists, apart from anything else, indulged in questionable anthropomorphism by giving the lambs the names Sammy, Sunny and Sooty.'
I asked Rose why they had done so. 'We called him Sooty because he looked like he had put his face in a bucket of coal. And then Sonny and Sammy because they began with an S,' she says.
She fondly remembers holding them in her arms for ten minutes before they began their journey from the heritage crops and organic fields of Sandringham to pastures new and unknown.
‘I wanted to make sure they were calm. Then they went off and I felt relief because this was so clearly the right thing to do.’
In Rose Patterson's crazy world of Squeaky Bean dinners, sheep nuts and thumb cuffs, being found guilty of stealing the King's lambs was a blow, but she is not going to let it halt her progress.
When the verdict was read out in court, Sarah the amazing sheep whisperer felt like she had been ‘punched in the gut’, but Rose was more philosophical.
‘It was a risk but I genuinely thought I was doing the right thing and I’d do it all again tomorrow,’ she says.
In the meantime, Rose must get on with her self-appointed task of persuading British farmers and the British people to transition to plant-based systems and vegetarian diets.
‘Yeah, it’s super complex but I think it’s possible,’ she says. ‘I have my hopes. I mean, there is no point in doing this work if you think it’s impossible, right?’ Right.
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MYSTERY: Sarah Ferguson's plaque in place, left, and as it is now, right
Has children's charity axed Fergie plaque?
A PLAQUE commemorating Sarah Ferguson's association with Great Ormond Street Hospital has vanished, prompting speculation the disgraced former Duchess has been dropped by yet another charity.
For decades, a grey slate plaque with gold lettering was fixed to a 'Home from Home' hostel in London for the parents of sick children, which was opened by Ferguson, as Duchess of York, in 1990.
Yet now there is no sign of the plaque, only a bare outline on the Georgian brickwork and two holes in the wall where it was displayed.
The former Duchess had a fall from grace last year when The Mail on Sunday published emails revealing the depth of her relationship with late US financier and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, even calling him her ‘supreme friend’.
Ferguson was soon dropped as a
By Nicholas Pyke
patron by charities including the children's hospice Julia's House, The Children's Literacy Charity and The Teenage Cancer Trust.
Neither the former Duchess nor the charity behind the hostel, which sits near the hospital's entrance, would comment last night.
But the apparent snub will come as a blow to Ferguson, 66, who was once a keen supporter of Great Ormond Street Hospital and had been a patron of the Sick Children's Trust, which runs the ‘Home from Home’ scheme.
Despite her many years of involvement – including visits to young patients, fundraising and opening a number of the ‘Homes from Home’ – there is no mention of Ferguson on the charity’s website.
---
5 THINGS WE LEARNED THIS WEEK By Jon Connell of daily online newsletter THE KNOWLEDGE NEWS MADE MANAGEBLE
1 American airports have started opening exclusive ‘private terminals’. In Miami, members pay about \$5,000 a year and then \$895 a trip to enjoy a swanky lounge where they complete security and passport checks in comfort, and enjoy caviar, champagne, spa treatments and other luxuries.
2 Is Mr Darcy's ‘10,000 a year’ a lot by modern standards? The answer is yes, as Literary Hub has calculated the sum is the equivalent of £1.1 million today. But topping the Jane Austen rich-list is Mansfield Park’s Mr Rushworth, whose annual income of £12,000 is the equivalent of about £1.3 million today.
3 Donald Trump has now appeared on the cover of Time magazine more than anyone else in history. The US
President has just notched up his 56th appearance, surpassing the 55 featuring the previous record-holder, Richard Nixon.
4 India has become remarkably good at protecting wild animals, says The Economist. Over the past two decades, for example, the country's tiger population has more than doubled to nearly 3,700, and it has even begun exporting them to Cambodia, where they had become extinct.
5 Some 60 per cent of secondary schools using technology to restrict pupils' smartphone use have reported improved GCSE results, according to data from more than 5,000 pupils at state and independent schools across England. They also reported calmer classrooms and more face-to-face interaction among students.
Sign up for free to The Knowledge, a five-minute daily newsletter that makes news more manageable at theknowledge.com
HODGES A return of two-party politics... thanks to Greens turning toxic and a Reform party that has imploded
T
WO-PARTY politics is back. Even just a few months ago that would have been a ludicrous statement to make. On March 23, Reform stood on top of the polls, with 25 per cent. Second were Zack Polanski's surging Greens on 18 per cent. Below them both were the Tories and Labour, scraping around in the political basement on 17 per cent.
But as the 2026 party conference season draws to a close, the natural political order is slowly but surely being restored.
It's a process that began in Birmingham at the start of September. Reform's annual gathering was billed as the opportunity for a political reset after a summer dominated by allegations of sleaze and Nigel Farage's farcical battle with Count Biface in the Clacton by-election.
Instead it imploded, as an undercover investigation by Channel 4 appeared to show two senior Farage aides soliciting money from an overseas donor, in breach of party financing rules.
A similar fate befell the Greens a few weeks later. Their own conference was initially supposed to provide the springboard for victory in the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras byelection. It ended with Polanski running away from Brighton as his party became engulfed by anti-Semitism, with a declaration Zionism was racism and the rejection of a motion aimed at protecting Jews in their places of worship.
A few days later they were roundly rejected by the voters of north London.
But while politically catastrophic, these conference collapses merely highlighted the major strategic problems undermining both organisations.
For Polanski it framed how his party is now Green in name only. Infiltrated by an influx of radical
---
‘The natural political order is slowly but surely being restored’
Corbynites, it has turned its back on its environmental heritage and adopted the worst excesses of the radicalised Left.
Reform have become comparably toxified. This should have been the year they moved beyond being plucky insurgents and became a serious alternative party of government. Instead they have abandoned any pretence they once had of winning the next election and have marched off into their own ideological cul-de-sac, embracing virulent ethno-nationalism in an increasingly desperate attempt to drag voters back from Rupert Lowe's splinter group Restore.
The impact on both parties has been charted in the polls. Reform's eight-point lead over Labour has become a four-point deficit. The Greens have plummeted to fourth place, neck-and-neck with Ed Davey's Liberal Democrats, who are themselves flatlining. Yet this conference season hasn't simply seen the restoration of the old British political duopoly by default.
Yes, Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch have been presented with an opportunity by their faltering opponents. But they have seized it with both hands.
When Burnham arrived in Liverpool, the perception of the Prime Minister was of an amiable communicator more at home producing TikTok videos than addressing the great issues of state. When he left he had set out a radical socialist vision that presages a dramatic transformation of pension provision, social care and the nation's electoral system.
Badenoch's job in Birmingham was seemingly to build on her well-received conference speech last year. But she surpassed it.
Concerns about the definition and direction of her party were firmly laid to rest as she articulated her competing and compelling vision for the country, one rooted in traditional Conservative values. And in a passage that matched any of the great conference oratory of the post-war era, she made a passionate, patriotic defence of her heritage and of multi-racial Britain.
It's true that political gravity will not completely reassert itself overnight. The Greens are still polling in double figures. Reform still sit just above the Tories. But the influence of both is set to fade.
Polanski is facing intense questioning over his future following his humiliation in Holborn. But even if he somehow clings on, his focus will solely be on trying to hold together a party falling apart before his eyes as the old Greens and Corbynite interlopers embark on a viscous internal civil war.
Within Reform there is renewed speculation about the future of their leader. Zia Yusuf is widely perceived to have embarked on a campaign to replace Farage, complete with a slick leadership video, increasingly open attacks on his former Tory colleagues (he means you, Robert Jenrick) and progressively inflammatory rhetoric aimed at appealing to his party's base.
Meanwhile, the political agenda is set to move away from the small boats crisis as the autumn and winter weather suppresses arrivals.
Simultaneously, the Budget will see the focus turn to the economy,
---
‘Tories are plotting a two-stage strategy over return to power’
an area where Reform have little to say and have zero credibility with the electorate.
In contrast, both Burnham and Badenoch exit conference season with their personal standing within their parties significantly enhanced.
Burnham has stolen Angela
Rayner's mantle as conscience of the Left. Which will be important as we enter the new year and he prepares for a snap election that will inevitably mean losses among his MPs.
Badenoch's authority has also been immeasurably bolstered. Speaking to shadow ministers at the Tory conference, a number were privately acknowledging it was asking too much to expect them to return to government in a single bound. Instead they are now planning what one called ‘the two-stage strategy’.
'The first part is to ensure we emerge from the election as the main party of opposition,' they explained. 'Then, when we've seen off Reform and Farage walks away, we can start to move in on Burnham.'
Significantly, all agreed Baden-och would lead them through both stages of that process. ‘Kemi’s safe, even if we lose the election,’ one told me.
‘If we finish, as I expect, well ahead of Reform then she won’t be seen as a loser. She’ll be seen as the person who saved the Conservative Party.’
The return of the old order will still present significant challenges.
Labour are going to have to find a way of aligning Burnham's desire to again make his party the tribune of the British working class, with people's festering fury over illegal immigration, fashionable wokeism and self-serving 'progressive' radicalism.
At the same time Badenoch is going to need to find a way of demonstrating that Margaret Thatcher's 80s radicalism retains relevance to a country fast approaching the third decade of the 21st century.
But those are problems for another day. Two-party politics is back. And given the current toxicity infecting the Greens and Reform, that is not such a bad thing.
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OCTOBER 11 • 2026 Health & HOLIDAYS THE HEALTH SECTION APPROVED BY DOCTORS
The shocking truths
I found out about my
'healthy' diet when
I joined the biggest
ever study on bowel
cancer in under-50s
By Ethan
Ennals
HEALTH EDITOR
NOT long ago, bowel cancer was not something that people in their 30s, like myself, had to worry about. But that's all changed.
Just about everyone my age is now aware that the deadly disease is surging in under-50s – and that doctors have no idea why.
In Britain, anyone under 50 today is about 60 per cent more likely to develop bowel cancer than under-50s were in the early 1990s. Theories
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have abounded, ranging from nutrient deficiencies, chemicals found in sausages and bacon, the growing number of babies born via caesarian and even traumatic events in childhood.
But, so far, no one has been able to come up with a clear answer. It is why, last week, researchers at King's College London announced a major, first-of-its-kind study, with the goal of identifying the hidden triggers of bowel cancer. The ambitious £20 million study, called Prospect, will track the lifestyle habits and health of more than 250,000 people over many years. They will be asked to fill in twice-yearly sur
veys on how they are living their lives and whether they have developed any diseases.
P
ERHAPS what is so strange about the rising rate of bowel cancer in young people is the fact that many who develop it are
seemingly healthy and active with no underlying medical problems.
And that is also how I would describe myself.
So what exactly is my bowel cancer risk? To find out, I signed up for Prospect, and then asked the leading researchers behind the study to analyse my lifestyle and health records to identify how likely I was to develop the disease before the age of 50.
The results were both surprising and deeply worrying. Moreover, they suggest that countless other young people who believe they are safe from bowel cancer could also
As soon as the professor sees I eat protein bars she confronts me with the list of ingredients
be equally at risk... or worse. So what are the suspected hidden triggers of early-age cancer? And what can you do to protect yourself against the disease?
Every year about 44,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. The disease, also known as colorectal cancer, kills about 17,000 over the same period.
There are some lifestyle habits that are known to increase the risk of bowel cancer. These include obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Crucially, another recognised factor is a lack of fibre.
are meticulously quizzed on every aspect of their life. What they eat, where they live, what they do for work, their mental health.
And the questions – which number in the hundreds – don't just focus on the present.
Studies show the nutrient, which is found in root vegetables, seeds, nuts and wholegrain bread, is important for good bowel health.
Research shows that for
fibre per day, people consume, they reduce their risk of bowel cancer by 10 per cent. Yet studies also conclude that around 90 per cent of Britons do not get their recommended daily fibre intake of 30g.
these known risk factors along cannot explain the marked increase in the number of people under the of 50 developing the disease – not least because so many were seemingly healthy and active before their diagnosis.
The PROSPECT study is also exploring whether people who are fast eaters are more at risk of bowel cancer.
One such case is that of Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek who died earlier this year after a two-year battle with bowel cancer at just 48 years old.
Participants are also asked to recount their childhood. Were they bullied? Did they move around often? Did they have any illnesses or injuries?
And the former teacher turned broadcaster, journalist and campaigner Dame Deborah James died in 2022 at the age of 40, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer at 35.
‘There are so many people who develop early-onset bowel cancer who don’t have any of the classic risk factors,’ says Dr Rosiered Brownson Smith, a King’s College London researcher working on the Prospect study. ‘These are often healthy, young people. Currently we can’t explain why they are getting the disease.’
The new study hopes to answer this question.
In order to do this, participants
None of the questions is asked at random. They all relate to scientific research into the causes of early-age bowel cancer.
The bullying in childhood question, for example, relates to studies that suggest stress can damage the bowel, raising the risk of abnormal changes that become cancerous later in life.
The researchers say they are nowhere near close to saying
whether any of these possible triggers is the culprit. Instead, the goal, explains Professor Sarah Berry, a nutritional science expert at King's College London and the study leader, is to cast as wide a net as possible. No potential trigger is off the table.
‘That’s why we need a vast number of people involved,’ she says. ‘Our hope is that, with that many participants, we can begin to see a pattern emerge in the lifestyles of those who develop bowel cancer.’
Participants entering the study would not ordinarily receive feedback on their answers. This is, in large part, because much of the data is anonymised to protect the privacy of those involved.
However, the Prospect researchers agreed to analyse my answers and explain where, according to early studies, I may be increasing my risk of bowel cancer.
Before I sat down to fill out the questionnaire, I felt confident that I was at low risk of developing early-age bowel cancer.
I pride myself on having a good diet and I exercise regularly. Admittedly, I enjoy a drink and the occasional cigarette. I also have a form of spinal arthritis, for which I take medication. But, by and large, I consider myself a sensible, healthy person.
gum every day and, apparently, this is packed with microplastics.
Then there is poor sleep. Early research suggests that patients with sleep disorders are three times more likely to develop the cancer within five years. As someone who regularly wakes in the night, this is alarming to hear.
two of the three days, I had eaten processed meat: pork sausages one night, and chorizo in a stew on another.
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON: Ethan Ennals with some of his not-so-healthy protein bars
to get bowel cancer,' she says. 'Cheese is made with dairy, meaning it's got plenty of calcium.'
But the most shocking moment was when Prof Berry took me to task on my snacking.
The research linking processed meat to bowel cancer is among the strongest, and believed to be due to the nitrates it contains – a chemical preservative used to keep meat fresh for longer.
Most days I eat a protein bar between meals, often before I go to the gym. And while they come in unhealthy-sounding flavours, such as salted caramel, they all claim to be low in sugar and high in protein, a nutrient that helps muscle growth.
The moment Prof Berry spots the bars on my food diary, she pulls up the list of ingredients and goes through them. Protein blend. Cocoa mass. Humectant. Glycerol. Maltitol. Palm oil. Rapeseed oil. Bulking agent. Emulsifier.
HESE, she explains, are considered ultra-processed. Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, have been increasingly linked with chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
In the case of cancer, there is research suggesting that emulsifiers in particular – added to snack bars and other ready-made meals to stop the various ingredients from separating – may damage the lining of the bowel, raising the risk of the disease.
‘All we know is that they are synthetic and contain nothing of nutritional benefit,’ says Prof Berry. ‘We don’t know yet what the impact of consuming synthetic ingredients day after day is, but it’s something people should be cautious of.’
Experts say it is important that patients do not obsess over their bowel cancer risk. In many cases, it can simply be down to bad luck. It is also possible for people to regularly consume things linked to cancer, such as alcohol, cigarettes and processed meat, and never develop the disease.
However, learning more about these risk factors has made me reassess my habits.
The product, Dentalblue, was developed by Molly Baldini, a former NHS dementia service manager in Hertfordshire, after seeing how distressing and time-consuming oral care can be for those with dementia and their carers.
Dementia can make everyday grooming tasks such as brushing teeth or hair difficult because the brain struggles to process multi-step sequences, recognise familiar tools or co-ordinate physical movements.
---
By Marti Stelling
A CHEWABLE vitamin gummy could help people with dementia to keep their teeth clean without needing a toothbrush.
'I saw it was causing so much distress for carers trying to brush a person with dementia's teeth that it got pushed aside for other priorities like nutrition and hydration, and carers were left feeling they hadn't quite done their job,' says Ms Baldini.
'People with dementia were going without oral care and I was angry there was no alternative – I felt I had to create something.'
Gummies
to clean
teeth of
dementia
patients
Dentablue, developed through Alzheimer's Society's innovation programme, will be launched at the end of the month. The
Health 43
B
UT within a few questions I encountered my first risk factor. I'm asked whether I was born via a natural birth or
caesarian. As it happens, I was a caesarian baby.
‘We know there is a link between being born as a caesarian and developing bowel cancer,’ says Dr Brownson Smith. ‘The theory is that there are certain microbes picked up during a natural birth that may be crucial for good health. It’s something we are looking into.’
Another issue the study is looking at is the effect of microplastics: minuscule plastic particles that have been found in food, water and even human organs.
---
'I was angry there was no alternative'
The questionnaire asks whether participants store food in plastic containers or drink from plastic water bottles. I rarely do either.
But it isn't only plastic packaging that is the problem. I chew
Some studies suggest that peo-
IT'S A FACT
But perhaps the most sobering moment comes when I discuss my daily eating habits with Prof Berry.
Participants are asked to fill out a food diary recording everything they consume over three days, including one day at the weekend. This is the section I expected to ace. I take my diet seriously.
Hungary is believed to have the world's highest rate of bowel cancer cases – due in part to a diet heavy in processed meat.
Having read all the research into the benefits of fibre, I make sure to get my recommended 30g a day.
However, I was surprised when the researchers flagged other aspects of my diet as worrying.
Prof Berry pointed out that, on
In fact, I was pleased to find out that on one of the days I ate a whopping 48g of fibre.
Of course, there are certain aspects you can't change – not least how you were born or childhood experiences. And then some habits are harder to fix than others. I'm a bad sleeper, but no matter what I do, that doesn't change.
The who consume a diet rich in nitrates are as much as 25 per cent more likely to develop bowel cancer.
But there are habits I know I can change right now: smoking, drinking, chewing gum and eating protein bars. These are all things that I could give up.
‘It’s fine to eat processed meat occasionally in small portions – such as using it to add flavour to a meal,’ says Prof Berry. ‘But eating it every day is not a good idea.’
So perhaps it's time I kicked the social cigarette and started eating a handful of walnuts when hungry instead of a chocolate chip salted caramel snack bar.
‘Studies show that people who eat more calcium are less likely
As for the Prospect study, the researchers say, if enough people sign up they could begin to find answers in the next few years.
It wasn't all bad news. I usually try to avoid eating too much cheese because it contains high levels of fat. But when I tell Prof Berry I grated cheddar on to my Friday night stew, she tells me that this, in fact, could reduce my risk of bowel cancer.
‘We’re hoping that by 2028 we might be able to publish our first findings,’ says Dr Brownson Smith. ‘The more people we recruit, the more information we will get, and that will help us crack this question.’
● To sign up for the Prospect study, visit: healthspanconnect.kcl.ac.uk/our-studies/sign-up-to-prospect-uk-here/
peppermint-flavoured gummy can be chewed and swallowed in seconds.
They can be taken twice a day and contain vitamins C and D to help maintain healthy teeth and gums – and are sugar-free.
They will cost £16.99 a month for a pack of 28 via the company's website or Alzheimer's Society's online shop.
Natasha Howard Murray, innovation programme manager at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'Dentablue is a great example of how practical innovations can help tackle some of the everyday challenges of dementia.
‘It can take around 15 minutes to support someone living with dementia to brush their teeth – a level of support that can be really difficult given staffing pressures.
‘For some with dementia, tooth brushing and mouthwash can sometimes become confusing, uncomfortable or distressing.
‘Dentablue offers another option and can help people maintain good oral health while reducing distress, as well as easing pressure on carers, freeing up time for other aspects of care.’
44 Health
Could a little-known supplement made from citrus fruit help to banish lipoedema?
By Marti Stelling
OR more than a decade, Vivien Lees-Hamilton struggled with painfully swollen legs that often felt unbearably heavy. The
66-year-old from West Yorkshire says that at times it felt ‘like I was walking around on tree trunks’.
In February, after 12 years of symptoms, she finally discovered the cause: she was diagnosed with lipoedema – a little-understood condition that causes an abnormal build-up of fatty tissue, usually in the legs and sometimes the arms.
But she was reluctant to try treatments commonly recommended to manage the condition, including tight compression garments and prescription painkillers.
She says: 'I know some find compression garments help with pain and swelling, but even the thought of them makes me uncomfortable. I'd tear them off my legs.
'And anything prescription-wise always comes with side effects, which made me reluctant to take any strong painkillers.'
Instead, she began researching alternatives and came across a supplement containing two compounds derived from citrus fruits, diosmin and hesperidin.
Already used to treat varicose veins and haemorrhoids, the compounds are thought to improve circulation and cut fluid build-up.
Within a fortnight of taking them, alongside several other supplements, Vivien noticed a difference. 'The biggest thing was that my legs felt lighter,' she says.
SO COULD a relatively inexpensive supplement really help relieve the painful symptoms of lipoedema, which has no cure and is estimated to affect up to one in ten women?
Unlike the fat build-up of cellulite, which is largely a cosmetic concern, the abnormal fat build-up of lipoedema can cause debilitating pain, tenderness, a feeling of heaviness in the limbs and easy bruising.
In advanced cases it can also affect the lymphatic system – the network of vessels and organs that drains excess fluid from tissues and returns it to the bloodstream – causing additional swelling.
NHS treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and maintaining mobility, typically through compression garments, exercise, weight management and pain relief. Specialist liposuction, which removes abnormal fatty tissue, can provide lasting relief for some but it is not routinely available on the NHS. Private treatment can cost £6,000 to £11,000 per session.
Some lipoedema patients also have chronic venous insufficiency, in which damaged valves in the leg veins allow blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back towards the heart. As the venous and lymphatic systems work closely together, researchers have begun investigating whether treatments traditionally used for vein disease – including diosmin and hesperidin – might also ease lipoedema symptoms.
But experts caution it remains unclear whether benefits come from an effect on lipoedema itself or from treating an overlapping problem with the veins. Diosmin and hesperidin are thought to improve the function of veins, reduce leakage from blood vessels and support drainage of excess fluid through the lymphatic system. They are available together as a supplement costing about £20 for a two-month supply.
LTHOUGH there have been few studies specifically investigating their effects on lipoedema, a 2021
US expert consensus guideline suggested diosmin could be considered to help manage symptoms.
Valerie Briggs, a lymphoedema therapist with more than 20 years' experience, says the compounds may be particularly useful for those who also have problems with their veins or lymphatic system.
‘The fat tissue is accompanied by leaky, fragile blood vessels and sluggish lymphatic drainage, leading to intense fluid build-up, heavy legs and painful bruising,’ she says. This means that easing fluid build-up might relieve some symptoms, even without affecting the abnormal fatty tissue itself.
Consultant plastic surgeon Vasu Karri says: 'There is no clinical evidence diosmin and hesperidin treat lipoedema and they won't reduce lipoedema fat. However, they are low-cost and well tolerated, so a short trial to manage leg heaviness is a reasonable option.'
Dr Frank Agullo, a US plastic surgeon who treats patients with lipoedema, is also cautious.
‘Diosmin and hesperidin seem to work by tightening the tone of the veins, making small blood vessels less leaky and calming some vessel wall inflammation,’ he says. ‘Since lipoedema legs feel heavy, swell and bruise easily, it makes sense that people would try it.’
However, he stresses that most of the evidence for these benefits comes from studies of venous disease, rather than lipoedema.
A BLISTER is a small pocket of fluid that forms within, or just under, the upper layers of the skin. They are usually found on the hands and feet and can be caused by poorly fitting shoes, burns, sunburn and skin infections.
A callus is an area of thickened, hardened skin that forms to protect underlying tissue from repeated friction, pressure, or irritation.
'A supplement like this may ease some of the swelling and heaviness for some patients but there is no good evidence that it shrinks the abnormal fat itself,' he adds.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE... ...between a blister and a callus?
They can be treated by leaving them alone, keeping them clean and covering them with a soft plaster.
They are usually found on the soles of the feet, palms, fingers or knees. Treatment involves softening the skin through soaking and exfoliating with a file.
Experts say larger clinical trials are needed to see whether diosmin and hesperidin can reliably ease lipoedema symptoms, and which patients are most likely to benefit.
Salt link
to liver
disease
in thinner
people
---
By Marti Stelling
EATING too much salt may contribute to development of a severe type of fatty liver disease even in people who are not overweight, a study revealed.
Researchers said this suggests fatty liver disease may develop through different biological pathways in obese people and those who are a healthy weight.
They found that a diet that is high in salt produced relatively little fat accumulation in the liver but significant inflammation and scarring.
Scientists say the findings could help explain why treatments designed for obesity-associated fatty liver disease may not work as well in slim patients, and point toward more tailored approaches.
They added that some lean patients can have comparatively little liver fat yet still face a high risk of serious complications.
To investigate, scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and University College London developed the first diet-induced mouse model of lean
---
'Excess salt can alter liver metabolism'
fatty liver disease, feeding mice a fatty liver disease-inducing diet with added high salt.
They found that excess dietary salt triggered liver inflammation and scarring in non-obese mice, suggesting it could play a role in fatty liver disease in people who are not overweight.
Dr Zhou Jin, from Duke-NUS Medical School, said: 'Our findings suggest that lean fatty liver disease is not simply the same disease occurring in a thinner person.
In the UK, fatty liver disease affects about a third of adults and is linked to obesity, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Most people with the condition do not have symptoms.
‘While obesity-associated fatty liver disease is closely linked to excess fat accumulation, our model shows that high dietary salt can alter liver metabolism and activate inflammatory pathways even without obesity.’
The condition can progress to inflammation, scarring and, in severe cases, liver failure.
Too much salt raises blood pressure, increasing risk of heart attacks and strokes. The NHS advises adults to eat no more than a level teaspoon of salt a day.
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HER UNMISSABLE COLUMN
Why ‘healthy’ women die of heart attacks...like Vicar of Dibley’s Emma
F
OR women in their 50s, much of the health conversation for the past few years has been about one thing: menopause.
HRT, hot flushes, brain fog, bone strength.
All important. But a far bigger threat is being ignored, and it kills twice as many British women every year as breast cancer. Heart disease.
In my surgery, I have seen women genuinely shocked when I raise it. They eat well, they walk the dog, they feel fine. Surely heart attacks happen to overweight men?
That belief is dangerous. In Britain we have long treated heart attacks and cholesterol as a male problem. I have always loathed those health posters of a middle-aged man clutching his chest, as if women simply don't feature.
The consequences are real. According to the British Heart Foundation, women are 50 per cent more likely than men to be given the wrong initial diagnosis for a heart attack. Women are also less likely to recognise it could be happening to them, leading to delays in treatment that cost lives.
It's a fate that befell The Vicar of Dibley and Notting Hill actor Emma Chambers who, in 2018, died of a heart attack aged just 53. demo
Here is why it matters. Heart disease becomes markedly more common in women after the menopause. The female sex hormone oestrogen protects the heart. When levels fall, the risk climbs.
Women who go through an early menopause lose that protection sooner, so spend more years at higher risk. The menopause years can also often bring weight gain and less exercise too, both of which add to the danger.
And that stubborn tummy fat – sometimes unflatteringly referred to as meno-belly? It is not just demoralising. Fat around the middle is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease – the umbrella term for heart attacks, strokes and angina. All happen when the arteries get clogged up and blood can't get where it needs to go.
EARLY DEATH: Emma Chambers, who played Alice, with Dawn French in The Vicar of Dibley
In a heart attack or stroke, the supply is completely blocked, and unless it is restored fast the results can be fatal. In angina the flow is reduced, causing chest pain and tightness, a major warning sign that a heart attack may follow.
have extra ones that doctors rarely ask about: starting your periods early, recurrent miscarriages and pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure.
Some risk factors can't be changed. Family history and ethnicity are big ones. But women
If any apply to you, tell your GP. Don't wait to be asked, because you probably won't be.
This is how a seemingly healthy woman can be quietly at risk.
Women in England aged 40 to 74 are entitled to a free NHS Health Check every five years, designed to spot exactly these concerns. If you have been invited, go. If you haven't, ask your GP about it.
The good news is that the biggest risk factors – cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes – are what we call modifiable. We can bring them down with lifestyle changes, such as an improved diet and regular exercise. And it doesn't mean a joyless low-fat diet. The best cholesterol-lowering diets are often about adding things in: nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocados all help. Oats and soya are excellent.
If this isn't sufficient, then medications such as statins can help.
However, high blood pressure deserves special attention. Women are less likely than men to have it, but research suggests that when they do it raises their risk of a heart attack more than it does for men. That makes treating it vital.
Men should not feel ashamed for using weight-loss injections
I DON'T think we discuss enough the benefits of weight-loss jabs for men.
Just as heart disease is treated as a men's issue, these extraordinary drugs are often viewed as a treatment for women. There are even weight-loss medication companies, such as SheMed, specifically targeted at women.
But as far as I can tell, there aren't any firms focused on selling these drugs directly to men.
I have a few male patients who take these appetite-suppressing injections but, often, they are sheepish or embarrassed about doing so. This comes from the fact that men are told that the only socially acceptable way for them to lose weight is to do sport and go to the gym rather than get medical help.
It's time we changed this attitude, as there are countless men who would see their lives improved - not to mention extended - by jabs.
Are you a man who has taken weight-loss drugs? Did you feel embarrassed to take them? Please write in and let me know.
Know your numbers. I recommend buying your own blood pressure monitor, or you can get checked free at your GP surgery and at many pharmacies.
If your GP suggests tablets, please take them. But exercise, losing weight and cutting back on salt and alcohol will all help bring readings down.
Stress matters too. I will never forget one patient who was able to stop all three of her blood pressure medications after she retired from a very stressful teaching job.
Menopause deserves every bit of the attention it has had – but your heart deserves the same.
Your questions answered
I'VE been plagued with sexual problems since I started taking tablets for my enlarged prostate. What should I do?
FOR some patients, the side effects of taking medication for an enlarged prostate can be more unpleasant than the condition itself – meaning that it might be worth giving them up.
An enlarged prostate is one of the most common medical problems for men over the age of 60.
Throughout life, the prostate gland – which sits directly below the bladder and helps to produce semen – continues to grow.
But it means that by the time men are in their 60s, it can start to press against the tube that carries urine from the bladder, leading to an array of symptoms.
This includes frequent trips to the loo – particularly at night – and difficulty passing urine.
When the condition becomes disruptive, many men are offered medication,
---
'Come off the tablets with the help of a GP'
the most common of which are tamsulosin and finasteride. These drugs – taken daily – are effective at easing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but they can also trigger sexual problems, such as difficulty holding an erection.
One solution is to take an erectile dysfunction drug, such as sildenafil, also known as Viagra.
Another option is surgery to remove part of the prostate, which usually eases the symptoms. But this is not risk-free either and surgery can, in some cases, lead to lasting sexual issues.
However, if patients believe that the sexual problems are more disruptive than the enlarged prostate symptoms, they can simply decide, with the help of their GP, to come off the tablets.
An enlarged prostate is not a life-threatening condition, so this decision is ultimately about what makes the patient most comfortable.
WRITE TO DR ELLIE
Do you have a question? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
IN SEPTEMBER 2023, my four-year-old son Billy started school. He was excited to be a big boy, make new friends and join the minis team at the local rugby club. His whole future was so incredibly bright. He was so incredibly happy.
Two months later I found myself in a hospital room while a doctor told me that my beautiful little boy had ‘a large mass’ in his brain. He was going to die.
Our world imploded. And the five months Billy had left were heartbreakingly difficult for me and my husband, Jamie.
Billy was happy-go-lucky. He loved superheroes, dinosaurs, rugby, riding his bike and scooting. He'd arrive at playschool on his trike wearing a different superhero costume every day.
He had looked forward to going to ‘big school’ for months, but almost as soon as he started, things began to change.
He became unsettled and frustrated. He had terrible night terrors. He complained that his legs ‘were too tired to walk’. I started leaving work early so I could get a parking space close to school because I’d often have to carry him from the gates to the car.
Our confident little boy became anxious about leaving our home in Surrey. He stopped wanting to play rugby and go swimming. He couldn't explain why. His speech regressed – he seemed to lose the 'big boy voice' he'd developed. His eyes looked heavy and tired. They were such small things – things that maybe even his teachers wouldn't notice. But we noticed.
We'd been back and forth to the doctors for months, knowing something wasn't right. Blood tests were clear, ultrasounds revealed nothing. I was starting to feel like one of those mothers.
On October 25, I emailed his school: ‘I just can’t believe this is the same boy... we just want our old Billy back!’
Six days later, his headteacher called to say Billy had fallen over in the playground ‘out of the blue’ – it was the second time that week. He’d also fallen over at home,
He'd also fallen over at home, while going up stairs.
I got off the phone and told Jamie, who whispered something that stopped me in my tracks.
He had suffered an illness in his early 20s that had triggered encephalitis – swelling of the brain – and recognised that loss of balance could be a symptom of something neurological. 'I think Billy might have a brain tumour.'
Ten minutes later, we were on the way to the GP. But after examining
Nothing could have saved our little Billy the Brave from the cancer that killed him. But the NHS's failure of care in his final days made our anguish even worse
him, the doctor told me with confidence: 'There's absolutely no way he has a brain tumour.' A brain tumour meant excruciating headaches or weakness down one side, he reassured me. Billy's blood tests had been clear. His problems were likely to be mental health related – separation anxiety perhaps.
We were given the number of our local health visitor. We left, but deep down I knew something wasn't right. A week later, on
November 7, we took Billy to A&E – with the GP seeming not to believe there was anything serious wrong, we had nowhere else to turn.
Twenty-four hours later, after an MRI, we had a diagnosis: diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, a devastating brainstem tumour with no cure.
His prognosis was described to us as ‘dismal’. Our little boy, who only weeks earlier had walked through the school gates with his whole life stretching ahead of him, was going to die.
THE night after, Billy was lying in our bed talking about Ghostbusters. He said: 'Mummy, I can't wait to grow up!'
A doctor listened to us. Billy looked OK, she said, but because of our instincts and because we knew him best, she would order a CT scan. It found a mass in an area of Billy's brain called the pons, which helps control unconscious processes such as breathing and sleep.
By Ellie Thompson
I matched his enthusiasm, kissed him and tucked him in. Then I walked out of the room and silently wept, gripping the bannister tightly so I wouldn't collapse.
Billy didn't know he was dying. It was the most heartbreaking secret we've ever had to keep.
I want to be careful about what I
But accepting that Billy couldn't be cured does not mean accepting that everything about his care couldn't have been better.
say next. This isn't about claiming somebody could have magically saved him. DIPG killed Billy. It is a devastating paediatric cancer for which there is no truly effective treatment.
But as we were scrambling to find the right way forward, his tumour was already growing.
Looking back, the shortcomings surrounding his care, especially in his final hours, poured trauma on top of trauma.
Two weeks later Billy began the first of 13 sessions of intense radiotherapy – the only treatment offered for DIPG on the NHS. It exists just to buy time.
Within days of his diagnosis, Billy underwent a biopsy in the hope that understanding the genetic make-up of his tumour might open doors to experimental treatments. We were told he was theoretically eligible for an immunotherapy trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital. We were warned how hard it would be to get on the trial and how physically and mentally gruelling it would be.
08000223 129
stannah.com
Billy dressed as Iron Man for the fitting of the mask that would hold his head completely still while the radiation was delivered. They placed a warm sheet of
Radiotherapy was scary. Each day he was left in a room, bolted to a plinth so he didn't move, with a huge machine whirring over his head.
He wore his little Christmas jumpers, or his beloved gingerbread man costume, and I read books from his Mr Men advent calendar to him over the tannoy.
He was terrified, but did his best to smile. He'd adopted this mantra: 'I am brave, I am strong, I can do scary things.' And we said it together, often.
thermoplastic over his little face, covering his eyes, nose and mouth, and secured it to the bed while it hardened into his exact shape.
He experienced intense head pain after the first session – he screamed and began vomiting.
Since Billy's treatment, questions have been raised about whether delivering radiotherapy so intensively is the right approach for children, and I believe it was too much for our little boy.
The best seat in the house.
Jamie and I enlisted friends and family to desperately try to work out a plan to save him. We contacted DIPG specialists and hospitals from around the world.
He was nicknamed Billy The Brave. Although he once told me, his bottom lip trembling, 'I'm not brave, Mummy, cos I sometimes cry.'
We chased hope wherever we could find it.
We discovered trials that combined radiotherapy with other drugs, only to find Billy was automatically excluded because he had already completed his treatment. We weren't given options. We were told there weren't any.
As the weeks wore on, I became increasingly frustrated. It seemed as though world-leading doctors specialising in DIPG in other countries were more accessible, more responsive and, frankly, more hopeful than our NHS team.
I don't know whether any of those options would have changed Billy's outcome.
But I do question why parents of a newly diagnosed child should have to spend the precious time they have left trawling the internet, contacting specialists around the world and trying to navigate clinical trials themselves. Surely there should be an easier way?
ILLY'S symptoms outpaced the entire process of getting what little treatment there was available. He didn't make the trial
at Great Ormond Street Hospital. 'The worst of the worst,' our consultant explained. 'Dealing with his tumour mutation is like trying to hold back a tsunami.' We were told time was running out, but a drug called ONC201 had become available from the US on compassionate grounds. It might buy us a little time.
But by the time it arrived from America, Billy had lost the use of his legs. He’d experienced blindness and double vision. He’d lost the use of an arm. He was in such a bad way that we could not justify giving it to him, only to prolong his suffering. I was furious.
'Why wouldn't they listen to me weeks back, when I begged them to get plan B in place?' I wrote on
FADING: Billy and Ellie before his illness, left, and, above, as it took hold
Instagram, where I'd been posting about Billy's journey. 'Why hadn't this drug been ordered before?'
And all the while, Billy was changing. He was suffering with little to no respite. The steroids he was on to control the tumour's swelling caused terrible side effects, and they began taking their toll on our little boy. He became excessively bloated and uncomfortable. He was almost completely unrecognisable.
Just before Christmas, an attempt to reduce his steroids was followed by such rapid deterioration we were blue-lighted to St George's Hospital. Doctors talked about the possibility of a brain shunt, suspecting excess fluid and pressure within the brain.
Billy's days and nights were impossibly hard. But underneath the tumour, the steroids, the anxiety, the perpetual hunger and the desperate need to feel better, he was still a normal little boy.
When one side of his body became weaker, he played Mario on his Nintendo one-handed. He made us laugh, even when he could barely speak. He worried about his sister. He wanted to go back to school. He missed his friends.
We tried so hard to give him pieces of his old life, but the tumour took more and more of it away. By the end of March, we knew we were losing him.
We had boxes of end-of-life medication and equipment in our house. They had arrived weeks earlier, and I hated looking at them. They were there for the moment when hope finally ran out. The end.
It came on Saturday, March 30. Billy woke up early, as he always did, and we carried him downstairs. By now he was mostly paralysed. He still had the use of one hand, but he couldn't walk, turn over in bed or sit up himself.
He had some breakfast and was eating a bowl of broken-up chocolate from an Easter egg hunt the day before. He took his morning tablets. He was always so proud of how many he could swallow at once. But that morning, he threw them up.
By lunchtime he was struggling to swallow, and we couldn't administer the steroids he so desperately needed to stay alive. We carried him to bed early that night. He was insistent on sleeping in his own bedroom, listening to Queen songs, so we put a mattress next to his bed so I could sleep beside him.
I lay there watching him, but he began to vomit. Billy could no longer speak, but managed to give us one last thumbs-up to tell us he'd stopped vomiting so we could lay him back down to sleep.
It wasn't until the shock wore off days later that I realised I didn't remember his last words.
H
IS eyes closed for the last time, and I guess that's when he left us, and slipped into a coma. He was still alive,
but he was gone.
We carried him downstairs so we could be with him. His suffering visibly continued throughout the night. We called the hospital, begging for help.
A nurse arrived. She was unable to administer the drugs Billy needed without a second colleague, and had to video-call the hospital for approval. She told us she did not believe Billy was at the end of his life. She then told us the pain medication Billy needed wasn't in the locked boxes that had been left in our home for exactly this moment.
She left to retrieve the ‘missing items’, returning hours later to give Billy the medicine. And then she left again, promising to return first thing in the morning.
We felt abandoned.
The hours that followed were brutal. There are things that happened that I refuse to put into words, because they are too horrifying, too personal. The dying process, with no adequate medication, was traumatic. Billy had to fight to find peace.
The hospice nurse finally arrived at 10.50am, just 20 minutes before Billy died. When she saw him, she announced loudly: 'The situation's changed. He's dying.'
She left for the kitchen to get something from her medical bag. Her colleague was there, and they shared a joke – we could hear them laughing from the living room.
I whispered to Billy that he could rest and that everything was OK. I
TURN TO PAGE 48
DRUG TRIALS OFFERING HOPE FOR KIDS WITH BRAIN TUMOURS LIKE BILLY'S
FAMILIES whose children are diagnosed with brain tumours have desperately few options. But new ways to tackle the devastating cancers are now being explored.
Among the most exciting is CAR-T cell therapy, in which a patient's own immune cells are genetically engineered to recognise and attack cancer - two major trials are being carried out at Great Ormond Street. Researchers are also developing treatments that target specific genetic changes in tumours, and experimenting with drug combinations that are selected according to the specific genetic characteristics of each child's tumour.
And research published earlier this year found that children with certain genetic changes in their tumours appeared to respond better to an immunosuppressant drug called everolimus, although
it did not improve survival rates overall.
Meanwhile, scientists are investigating new ways to deliver drugs directly into brain tumours, bypassing barriers that prevent many medications from reaching them.
None of these approaches offers a cure, but they represent a growing effort to develop treatments beyond radiotherapy which may be able to slow the disease.
---
By Meike Leonard
\- T MAY only be early October, but flu season appears to be already under way – months earlier than usual. Official data released last week shows cases of respiratory viruses – are on the rise across Britain and health chiefs are warning of ominous signs of an unusually difficult winter ahead.
Monthly Covid infections are at their highest since October last year and are rising rapidly, with 1,374 cases recorded in August and 4,589 in September.
Flu cases, meanwhile, are triple what they were this time last year – with NHS England's national medical director Professor Frankie Swords saying monthly hospitalisation figures are 'the highest I can remember seeing at this time of year'.
‘Something is afoot,’ wrote prominent epidemiologist Dr Caitlin Rivers in a recent edition of her influential medical newsletter, Force Of Infection.
Dr Rivers, who is based at John Hopkins University in the US, where a similar surge in viruses is occurring, says she plans to get her flu vaccination as soon as possible, months earlier than usual.
So what's going on? Experts say the flu virus now spreading appears to be more contagious than last year's strain, making an early spike in cases more likely.
...and it could change when we get our vaccines
Preliminary data from the US suggests the predominant strain this year contains
It's only autumn, yet flu, Covid and other winter bugs are on the rise. Now experts think they know why
to evade the immune system. a result, analysis published in the journal Nature concluded that fewer people will already have immunity to this year's flu. But, intriguingly, other experts say this year's early flu season could reflect genuine changes in the way that respiratory virus waves spread.
up in that noticeable a way until December,' says Dr Adam Finn, emeritus professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol. 'So the visible increase in flu recorded in September really is quite early.'
The first week of January is, on average, when flu cases peak in the UK, while the last week of July tends to be the lowest point.
THIS could be partially due to the lack of immunity to flu caused by the Covid lockdowns, he says. 'Covid changed all respiratory infections because no one was really socialising for around two years, so no one
caught flu those winters,' adds Prof Finn. 'As a result, many people – particularly younger adults and children – have far less immunity to flu than they did before.'
But other shifts can't be as easily explained. Several Asian countries in the northern hemisphere – which typically experience a similar flu season to the UK – have been seeing an extraordinary phenomenon over the past few years.
Rather than hitting hardest in the winter, when more people are inside and their immune systems, lacking vitamin D, tend to be weaker, flu has begun to strike at the height of summer.
Japan declared a flu epidemic in early October last year, after cases began to spike as early as July. And in Taiwan and Hong
Kong, this summer saw a similar increase in flu cases, which reached a ten-year high.
‘It’s caused a lot of consternation,’ says Prof Finn.
It is unclear why the shift has occurred, and whether it marks a permanent change. Hotter summers due to climate change – causing people to spend more time in air-conditioned, poorly ventilated indoor spaces – could have a role, Prof Finn theorises.
This may also, in part, explain the UK's early start to flu season, following the record hot summer.
P ROF Finn argues that Asia's early flu season could also be due to low immunity, meaning major outbreaks are more likely to
occur. And if these changes persist, it could require an adjustment to vaccination timings globally. 'It's a very big change that has lots of consequences,' says Prof Finn.
‘If the flu now begins in April and continues until September, vaccines being offered in October are useless,’ he says. ‘Instead, they may need to roll them out considerably earlier. Experts are scratching their heads about what to do.’
In the meantime, however, the advice remains the same – get the flu vaccine if eligible for it and make sure to wash your hands as much as possible.
Dr John Tregoning, professor of vaccine immunology at Imperial College London, says: 'We're not sure why flu season started earlier – but getting vaccinated and reducing risk-taking behaviour is the best thing you can do to not get sick.'
Why had our son's final hours unfolded this way?
FROM PAGE 47
told him that he was so brave, the bravest, and so loved, but that he could sleep now, and not worry about a thing. I felt his breathing stop. My hand was on his chest when his little heart became still.
Billy died at 11.10am on March 31. Just 15 days away from his fifth birthday. Those final hours left us with questions that no complaint response has ever made up for, but I can only hope that, at the end, all Billy could feel was his Mummy and Daddy's love.
When your child dies, your world shatters. The following night, sobbing, I called the symptoms team, wondering if they'd still take a call, knowing our child was dead.
I wanted somebody to explain how our son's final hours unfolded the way they did. 'Was this right?' I begged. 'Should this have happened the way it did?' I was told briskly: 'I can't answer that. I was not working last night.' Case closed.
More than anything, I wanted somebody to reassure me that Billy had received everything he needed, but they couldn't.
We can't change Billy's story. And so I write this not with an axe to grind, but in the hope these words can change another person's experience. Because, for now at least, another family is going to receive this diagnosis. Another family will have to face the unimaginable reality that their child is going to die.
After Billy's death we founded Billy's Battalion, dedicated to raising awareness of DIPG, to fund research, treatments and one day a cure. A legacy in his name. Something good in the bad. We have been a registered charity for just over a year and have raised £140,000, and, since Billy's death, another £85,000 for Abbie's Army, the UK's leading DIPG charity.
I support Brain Cancer Justice and have taken Billy's story to Parliament, joining other families and campaigners to lobby MPs for greater investment in childhood brain tumour research and better access to clinical trials.
I'm also working alongside other bereaved parents and campaigners, including those behind Hugh's Law, to push for better support for families facing serious childhood illness and better care when a child reaches the end of their life.
Billy never got the chance to get better. His miracle did not come.
After he died, I wrote something that still stands true: 'And now I will fight for little ones like you. Because I'm not sure what else I am supposed to do if I can't do that.'
\- Visit billysbattalion.org or donate via Just Giving. Follow Ellie on Instagram at @ellielexie, and the charity at @billysbattalion.
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MIDAS Special
OUR SHARES GURU WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH
N OCTOBER 2006 the iPhone had not yet been released, ‘woke’ did not exist and velour tracksuits were the height of cool. That was when I wrote my first Midas share tip, recommending gas specialist BG Group.
I've made hundreds of recommendations since then – from tiny tiddlers to multinational conglomerates. From the moment I started, I've had a few golden rules.
I try to speak to someone at the top of every firm I write about. And I write about a business only if I understand what it does and how it's likely to grow. And the price must be right.
In my search for hidden gems that could make readers richer, I've spoken to thousands of chairmen, chief executives and finance directors – some charming, some surly, most, but not all, smart and deeply knowledgeable. These chats provide plenty of information and ideas, but I always add on independent research, online, in print and in conversation with City analysts and other experts. The process seems to work.
There have been some clangers – bruising experiences for which I can only apologise. However, more often than not, my tips are successful. I consistently beat the FTSE100 index and there have been some fabulous performers, including a few ‘ten-baggers’ – shares that have risen ten-fold since I first recommended them.
3i GROUP
INVESTMENT specialist 3i Group is a case in point. Tipped in 2012, when the shares were £2.16, they have since soared to £24.16, so an investment of £1,000 back then would be worth about £11,000 today, supplemented by £2,600 of dividends – a tasty total return.
The performance is testament to chief executive Simon Borrows, appointed in 2012 and at the helm to this day.
As our Midas columnist celebrates two decades with the MoS...
I've been making readers richer for 20 years
These are the secrets
Founded after the Second World War to fund small businesses, 3i evolved into a private equity pioneer and floated on the stock market in 1994. By 2012, however, it was in a sorry state.
Borrows was parachuted in to help and Midas recommended the stock a few months later, after the former investment banker spent £6 million of his money on shares. He slashed costs and reduced its investments from 140 to 30 firms, with an emphasis on long-term stewardship and active investment.
One investment from those days remains in force – Dutch discount retailer Action.
Back then, there were just 250 stores. Now there are 3,500 and Borrows hopes to more than double that number.
Action dominates 3i's portfolio, but other long-term investments include healthcare products firm Royal Sanders and Rotherham-based seals business AESSEAL. 3i also owns 29 per cent of independently listed 3i Infrastructure, whose investments range from low-carbon energy to subsea fibre-optic cables. Years of success took 3i shares to more than £44 last October but a disappointing update from Action sent the stock down to £22 this year.
The price has recovered a little since then and many supporters believe it deserves to go higher.
Borrows has also been acquiring shares over the past year – a good sign.
Long-term investors have done well with 3i but now is not the time to sell. New punters might also like to follow Borrows' lead.
Traded on: Main market
Contact: 3i.com
Ticker: III
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ANGLO ASIAN MINING
COPPER and gold producer Anglo Asian Mining would seem to have little in common with 3i.
Based in Azerbaijan, the group is listed on Aim, chaired by 82-year-old Khosrow Zamani and has little truck with UK corporate governance convention.
But, like 3i, it has delivered the goods, soaring from just above
40p when I tipped the stock in 2018 to £4.15 today.
Back then, Anglo Asian was a small-scale gold miner, dominated by one site. Now the group is transitioning into a mid-sized copper, gold and silver group with three mines in production, two expected to come on stream by 2030 and several more under licence.
Copper is a key plank in Anglo Asian's transformation. Production is set to triple to more than 20,000 tons from last year to this year, and a target of about 50,000 tons per annum is in sight over the next five years. At the same time, gold production is set to remain stable at 20,000 to 30,000 ounces per year, generating plenty of cash for shareholders.
Anglo Asian had a bumpy ride a couple of years ago, when environmentalists claimed its main mine was polluting local communities. An independent survey was carried out, Anglo Asian came out clean and calm has been restored, along with the dividend, which was suspended in 2024 and 2025.
Anglo Asian is unconventional.
Four of the six board directors are in their 70s and 80s and have been in situ for years. Neither is Azerbaijan the most democratic of countries.
But management is well plugged in, succession plans are under discussion and, unlike almost any other miner, Anglo Asian has managed to bring its mines into production without recourse to shareholders.
With sales and profits expected to soar this year, and more to come in future, brokers believe Anglo Asian shares should rise to at least £5.50.
Cautious investors might choose to sell. Patient holders could yet reap more rewards from this maverick investment.
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Traded on: Aim Ticker: AAZ Contact: angloasianmining.com
MANY of my Midas tips have risen five-fold since I first recommended them.
These range from commodity producers such as precious metals group Hochschild Mining and palm oil producer MP Evans to ventilation firm Volution and defence giant BAE Systems.
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VOLUTION GROUP
MIDAS recommended Volution in 2014 when it had just floated on the stock market and the shares were £1.55. Today they are £6.65, and City followers believe they should exceed £8.50 over the next year or so.
Back in the early days, Volution generated most of its revenues from Vent-Axia fans for homes across the UK.
Under chief executive Ronnie George, the group has spread its wings, with sales equally split between here, continental Europe and Australasia.
There is a sizeable commercial division too, from schools and hospitals to offices, factories and, as of this year, copper and gold mines. Across the group, one theme prevails – healthy air at home and at work.
Regulations increasingly mandate that buildings are insulated
1 Diversification is essential. No one can be 100 per cent right so hedge your bets in a wide selection of stocks.
2 Shares invariably do best over several years. Firms take time to grow, and those that do so steadily often produce the best results.
3 Dividends are vital and make a huge difference to total returns.
4 Management teams matter. Smart, honest and open
but ventilated, and Volution products fit neatly within this theme.
Results last week showed real momentum with profits up more than 20 per cent to £112 million and a dividend up 18.5 per cent to 12.8p. Further progress is bosses make a real difference and the shares will follow suit. 5 Beware snake-charmers. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. 6 Value is critical. A company can be doing everything right, but if the share price already reflects that there is little point in buying.
7 Do your research. Is a company equipped to do what it says it can? Do the financials stack up? Is it providing something that customers want at the price they are prepared to pay?
expected, both organically and from acquisitions. That makes Volution an attractive investment for new and existing holders.
Traded on: Main market Ticker: FAN
Contact: volutiongroupplc.com
8 Never buy shares in a business if the management cannot explain what it does.
9 Never put money into the market that you cannot afford to lose.
10 Don't be afraid to sell down if a company's shares have done well. No one lost money by banking a profit. 11 Shareholders are owners in a business. Think about that before you invest your precious cash.
12 Be brave. Adventure can be fun, particularly within a diverse portfolio.
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BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems was an early tip, recommended in 2009 when the shares traded at just £3.87.
Today, they are £18.60, and were even higher earlier this year, top-
MONEY
TITLE
OF THE
YEAR
ping £23. The performance since 2009 reflects a radical shift in attitudes towards defence as the world has become increasingly dangerous and national security has become a
clear priority for sensible nations. But BAE has benefited from plenty of self-help measures too, as chief executive Charles Woodburn has focused on the so-called ‘three Ps’ – pension, portfolio and performance.
An onerous pension deficit has been addressed, the portfolio has been expanded and developed and a culture of hard work, drive and co-operation has helped to fuel a top performance.
Today, BAE sits on an order book of £84 billion, a pipeline valued at around £180 billion, a vast array of future opportunities and a central role in projects from the Global Combat Air Programme between the UK, Italy and Japan to the Royal Navy's Dreadnought submarine fleet.
The company is justly proud of its high-tech, super-resilient drones and counter-drones, too – a key part of modern warfare.
BAE shares have come off their highs, as some investors have taken profits or fretted about the group's lunch being eaten by smaller and nimbler competitors.
Those fears seem misplaced. At £18.60, with 22 years of rising dividends, the shares should deliver long-term value.
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Traded on: Main market Contact: baesystems.com
Ticker: BA
LOOKING back, one point stands out – the UK is home to a multitude of incredible businesses, world-beating know-how and incredible talent.
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RASPBERRY PI
THE Cambridge-based computer specialist is a top example.
Primarily known for its low-cost kit used by schools and techno-geeks, Raspberry Pi is acquiring new fans, as its technology is increasingly used in industry, from military drones to ultrasound machines to display panels at Heathrow Airport.
Midas recommended the shares when it floated at £2.80 two years ago. Today, the price is £6.641.
Under super-charged chief executive Eben Upton, Raspberry Pi is winning business across the globe and, as more companies choose Raspberry Pi computers, interest in the company multiplies.
Half-year results last month showed soaring sales and profits, with brokers expecting more of the same for the full year and continued growth next year and beyond. Raspberry Pi shares have bounced around since floating in 2024 but the business is gaining traction and supporters believe the stock should top £10 in the next year or two.
Traded on: Main market
Contact: raspberrypi.com
Ticker: RPI
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BLOOMSBURY
THIS publishing concern also punches above its weight on the worldwide stage. Known as the publisher of Harry Potter books and Sarah J Maas romantasy fare, Bloomsbury has defied the doomsters for years.
A £10,000 investment when the business floated in 1994 would be worth more than £610,000 today, if dividends had been reinvested – outgunning even Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
Midas came to the story much later, recommending the shares at £2.79 in 2020.
Even so, investors have done well, with the stock now at £6.73 and likely to head higher.
Founded by Nigel Newton in 1986, Bloomsbury differs from peers because it straddles consumer and academic publishing – from tomes, texts and online resources for education to an array of bestselling fiction.
Bloomsbury shares fell back earlier this year but have since recovered and should continue in that vein. Newton recently announced a well-received succession plan, the business is in fine fettle and figures this month are expected to please investors.
Shareholders who bought in 2020 may want to cash in some stock but, at £6.73, Bloomsbury still looks attractive.
Traded on: Main market
Contact: bloomsbury-ir.co.uk
Ticker: BMY
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LOSERS AND TAKEOVERS
SHARE-tipping is not easy. Over the years there has been the odd, horrible mistake, from which I have learnt valuable lessons.
Among the worst was MotifBio, a biotech business trying to develop a new antibiotic. The firm expected to gain regulatory approval in the US but its confidence was premature and the stock sank from 27p to less than a penny in a few months.
Sirius Minerals was an even sadder story. The business was hell-bent on building a transformative mine under the Yorkshire Moors to produce agricultural fertiliser. The plans were seductive but the project proved far too ambitious and shareholders lost out.
On the flip side, there have been some extraordinary wins.
Delivery specialist DX Group was tipped at 32p in July 2023 and acquired that November at 48.5p a share, delivering a 50 per cent return to investors.
And, of course, there was BG itself, tipped at £6.65 and then acquired by Shell Group ten years later in a deal initially valued at £13.50 a share.
● Have you made or lost money from Midas share tips? Do tell us: money@mailonsunday.co.uk
Savvy investors are taking these steps ahead of the Budget ...I urge you to do the same
'M AFRAID the risk of a tax raid on our investments has just shot up.
Last week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch revealed her intention to abolish inheritance tax as soon as she could. And she pledged that in the meantime a Conservative government would scrap inheritance tax when passing down family homes and that couples would get a £1 million tax-free allowance on top of that.
Her announcement backs Prime Minister Andy Burnham into a bit of a corner. He can hardly use his first Budget later this month to raise inheritance tax further when his opponent has pledged to scrap it. Even if he was planning an
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We are governed by a rabid socialist party
attack on inheritance tax, I think it unlikely he'd go ahead with it now.
So he'll have to look for other targets to boost the Government coffers. So, I think investors had better watch out.
'Do not let the tax tail wag the investment dog' is a saying that has been around since before I wore shorts to school. It means you should make investment decisions on the growth potential of the funds or shares you have your eye on – not to save tax.
Yet while tax considerations alone should never drive major investment decisions, I'm not sure the saying holds true any longer. Indeed, it should be sidelined until such time we are no longer governed by a rabid socialist party eager to tax wealth to the hilt while binging on welfare spending.
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves set this in train with hikes in capital gains tax (CGT) on profits from share sales and second homes. Yet current Chancellor John Healey is likely to ratchet up this wealth attack in his Budget.
As a result, I believe that defending long-term wealth from Labour's tax grabbing mitts is now a priority. Investing, dear readers, can no longer be looked at in splendid isolation. Forget tax tails wagging investment dogs. Tax mitigation is the order of the day.
It means that tax-friendly investment vehicles such as Isas and pensions should be prioritised. Along with your home, they should be the foundation stones of your long-term wealth.
So utilise as much of your £20,000 annual Isa allowance as you can between now and April – and, if you're still working, try to increase your pension contributions. You'll thank me for such advice when you come to retirement and are pleasantly surprised by the size of your pension pot.
Also, don't forget the tax-friendly wrappers available to your children in the form of Junior Isas (Jisas) and pensions. Other tax-friendly options include Premium Bonds, investments such as Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs) for the wealthy and brave.
What tricks Healey has up his sleeve have yet to be revealed, yet I wouldn't be surprised if he aligns CGT rates with income tax rates.
When Reeves pushed up CGT in 2024, it jumped from 10 to 18 per cent for basic rate taxpayers – and 20 to 24 per cent for higher and additional rate taxpayers. Come the Budget, these rates could (not will) suddenly rise to 20, 40 and 45 per cent respectively.
According to numbers crunched by wealth manager Rathbones, the increase in tax for investors selling shares would be significant.
For example, a higher rate taxpayer earning £60,000, who makes a profit of £10,000 from a share sale, currently faces a CGT tax bill of £1,680. But if CGT rose to 40 per cent, the bill would jump 66.7 per cent to £2,800. If this same person was taking a capital gain of £50,000, the tax bill would leap from £11,280 to £18,800.
Rathbones' Kirsty Cartwright says there are some smart financial moves you can make to defend
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Defend against future CGT rate hikes
against future CGT rate hikes. Among them are limiting gains you take so they fall within your annual CGT exemption allowance of £3,000. Or, even better, selling shares up to the value of £3,000 and then buying them back within your stocks and shares Isa.
By doing this, you future-proof them from tax on both dividends and capital gains. Yes, there are costs involved, but it's a savvy bit of investment manoeuvring. It's called 'bed and Isa' and if your investments are held on an investing platform, they offer the service.
Another shrewd move is to split investment assets not held in an Isa or pension between you and your spouse. It's called an interspousal transfer – it's tax-free and you double up on the CGT allowance as well as on the equivalent annual dividend allowance.
Protect your wealth from the march of socialism.
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Wealth & Personal Finance
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By Toby Walne
WIMMING with dolphins just ten minutes from their home in the tropical paradise of Mauritius is how Tom and Olivia Herron now like to start their working day.
It is a far cry from a couple of years ago when public relations consultant Tom would trudge upstairs to a cramped attic office room in their three-bed semi-detached home in Haslemere, Surrey.
One bleak morning, staring out the window at the rain, Tom, 42, had an epiphany.
He says: 'A WhatsApp message showing a digitally enhanced image of my dad looking fatter than he really was, on a sofa with a beer in his hand, made us all laugh. But then we thought, if AI can create such a message for free, why can't we use this technology to make personalised greetings in various fun or humorous settings that could be sent in the post? So we started a business.'
After sharing the image with his wife Olivia, also 42, and brother Spencer, 38, they took a huge leap of faith and decided to create a greeting cards business relying on the skills of artificial intelligence (AI).
Customers send in photos of family, friends or pets to be digitally enhanced to provide sentimental or humorous personalised cards, typically for events such as birthdays.
Tom adds: 'Although none of us come from a computer background I was hungry to learn, using free AI tools such as Google Gemini to answer questions about how to go about creating cards. I got help creating images
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'I've no computer background but I was hungry to learn'
from websites such as Replicate and other AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Canva, to design different cards and generate templates that could be adapted for photos.'
They bought the website lookalikey.com for £30 a year. While the AI images could be created for free on a laptop, they spent £500 on a colour printer to turn the designs into cards to post out.
But within a month of launching, using social media to spread the word, they became overwhelmed with the printing and postage of a thousand cards from their home – and so outsourced it to a company in Guernsey. Although the cost of a card and postage is typically £4.49, at least £4 of this goes on production, postage and packaging and card marketing.
A key driving force to starting their tailor-made greetings cards business was that it might enable them to quit the rat race and work from abroad. Again, the couple turned to AI – to ask where they should live.
Tom says: ‘It came up with places such as Panama, Costa Rica and Malaysia, because they offered nomad visas and lower tax on incomes. But we eventually chose Mauritius because it was such an idyllic location.’
We set up our £1m family business in just two years and now enjoy a dreamy new life in Mauritius
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...and new technology means anyone can do it
LEAP OF FAITH: Tom and Olivia Herron took the plunge on a greeting card idea utilising AI
So, in January, Tom and Olivia, with their three children Max, 11, Finn, eight, and Eva, now six, having sold their £900,000 home, packed a single bag each and took a one-way flight to Mauritius, despite never visiting it before.
Four years earlier, in 2022, the couple had bought a run-down family home for £750,000. But after spending £150,000 on renovations over a couple of years, doing much of the exhausting work themselves, they were looking for a fresh start for the family without a mortgage, soaring energy bills and crippling high taxes.
Before they moved the couple were feeling they had little time to enjoy family life – with Tom working full-time just to pay the bills and full-time mum Olivia spending any spare time when not looking after the children doing up a property that was in desperate need of renovation.
Having escaped an exhausting and mundane routine that did not allow time for adventure, they still put in a full working day but now they have flexibility. Olivia says the more laid-back lifestyle and warmer weather of Mauritius leaves them freer to enjoy life.
Olivia often takes the children for a picnic on the beach after school – something she could never dream of doing before. Renting means they also no longer worry about the cost and time required to maintain a property.
Tom says: 'A key part of the business is it allows us to live wherever we want. We wanted to escape the treadmill of working in Britain – continually having to worry about how to pay the next bill. Having an affordable English-speaking international school was also a key factor in deciding to move here.'
Lookalikey is headquartered in Bolton, Lancashire – as this is where its accountant is based – and it pays UK corporation tax.
This starts at 19 per cent on profits of less than £50,000 rising to 25 per cent if above £250,000.
The couple says their business is profitable but do not wish to share the figures, but they can sell 1,000 cards a day and enjoyed company revenue of £1 million last year.
Olivia says: ‘The business grew far quicker than we expected, and last Christmas we were taking as much as £40,000 a day.’
As residents in Mauritius, they have free digital nomad visas – known as a Premium Visa. To get these you must prove you have a minimum income of \$1,500 a month (about £1,132) per adult and \$500 (£377) per child. So, for Tom and Olivia their income must be at least £40,740 a year.
When applying for a visa it is also necessary to provide proof of private health insurance cover, which costs them £2,400 a year.
Expats such as the Herron family – who live in Mauritius at least 183 days in the year – are deemed tax residents if their money is put in an island bank account.
But rather than pay the onerous income taxes of the UK, the rates are far less punitive – with no tax payable on the first Rs 500,000 Mauritian Rupee (about £7,968), 10 per cent on the next Rs 500,000 and anything above Rs 1,000,000 is charged at 20 per cent.
After day-to-day living costs the couple can afford to put aside at least half their income into stocks and shares tracker global funds and high-interest instant savings accounts. This money is salted away for emergencies and long-
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‘We constantly have to pinch ourselves’
term retirement savings. They pay £5,000 a year for each of their children to attend a private school and rent a three-bedroom villa for £2,500 a month.
Energy costs are less than a quarter what they were in Britain. Despite a need for air conditioning, they no longer need to worry about heating. Going out can be more expensive than Britain if they opt for tourist restaurants – but the Herrons often go where the locals prefer to dine.
Tom says: 'You soon adapt to the rhythm of the island. Grocery prices are not cheaper than in Britain, and the cost of living can be higher. But strolling along the beach or snorkelling around coral reefs costs nothing – and we constantly have to pinch ourselves at what a wonderful adventure we are now all living.'
●Have you made big changes for a cheaper or easier lifestyle? money@mailonsunday.co.uk
M
ANY of us save into a pension every month without ever truly working out how much we would need to set aside to enjoy retirement.
We funnel money away dur-
We runnel money away during the course of our lives, paying it into a string of work pensions. But there is a tipping point at each age, a point at which you have saved enough to guarantee yourself a prosperous time in later life.
Beyond this, you could safely stop saving into a pension and redirect your spare cash elsewhere. This is because your pension will be invested in the stock market, where it will continue to grow each year.
Small amounts invested early on in the stock market can compound into significant sums over the long term. Those able to invest a lump
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By Holly Mead
sum could fare even better with far less effort – and it doesn't have to be a particularly large amount if you invest it early enough.
We asked experts to crunch the numbers so you can see how much you would need to have in your pension for each decade, from your 20s until your 60s, if you want to stop saving today and still reach a £1 million pension pot by age 65. We have also asked financial professionals what you can do if you are falling behind.
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INVEST LIKE IT'S CHILD'S PLAY
STARTING young is the best way to grow your wealth with minimal input. But this will require parents and grandparents to do the initial work. An investment of £6,721 made when a child is born could reach £1 million by their 65th birthday, calculations by Fidelity International show.
This assumes the money grows by 8 per cent a year after fees.
If that sounds like an ambitious level of return, it's in line with the performance of the MSCI World, a global stock market index, over the past 20 years.
However, it's important to note there are no guarantees when it comes to investing and your money could fall in market downturns.
Furthermore, you will need to bear in mind the impact of inflation. This is the case at every age, but particularly for those who are decades away from retirement. While £1 million is a substantial sum at the moment, it will be then, including the dotcom bubble burst in 2000, the global financial crisis in 2008, and the Covid pandemic of 2020.
Despite that, by May 2026, his initial £45,000 investment would have grown 977 per cent to an incredible £439,822.
worth less than this when you reach retirement age. For a good retirement, you are likely to have to target a higher sum than this.
Jason Hollands, from investment firm Bestinvest, says: ‘Lump sum investing may not always work out in the short term, but the power of compound growth means the earlier your money is invested the more chance it has to grow over time.’
Those able to avoid panicking when the market falls and who leave their money invested will benefit when the market recovers.
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You can put up to £9,000 a year into a Junior Isa (Jisa) for a child from when they are born until age 18. You can also open a pension – known as a self-invested personal pension (Sipp) – for anyone.
There is no minimum age, but if it is for someone under 18 then it is called a Junior Sipp.
Children benefit from the same tax relief as adults. You can make pension contributions of up to £2,880 a year, on which you will get a basic-rate tax refund, meaning the Government adds 20 per cent to what you pay in. If you pay the full £2,880 into the account, your money will be instantly topped up to £3,600 thanks to tax relief.
Parents who make just one large deposit from birth could make a very big difference and turn their child into a future millionaire. This is because young people are able to take advantage of the ultimate tool in any investor's kit: time.
The longer you leave your money to grow, the more it can benefit from compound interest.
This is the phenomenon where you earn interest on profits you have already made, which means your gains accelerate each year even if you don't add any more money to the pot.
Rob Morgan, chief investment analyst at Charles Stanley, says: 'Putting money to work at the earliest opportunity tends to become increasingly powerful as time goes on. As the saying goes, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is today."
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USING A LUMP SUM EARLY
THOSE starting later can still make use of this strategy but will need a larger initial investment to get them started. An 18-year-old would need to invest £26,859 to reach £1 million by age 65, Fidelity found. Someone starting at 25 would need to have £46,031 invested.
A common argument against investing a lump sum is the risk that the stock market could fall the next day, immediately slashing the value of your pot. But even if this happens, leaving your money invested means it can benefit from the market rebound. As the experts say: it's not timing the market, but time in the market.
Research by investment group Vanguard uses the example of ‘Unlucky Jim’, who invested a £45,000 lump sum in September 1997, on the eve of the Asian financial crisis, which caused global stock markets to plunge.
If Unlucky Jim left his money invested, he would have endured at least six subsequent crashes since
Hollands points out that, for the most part, stock markets tend to rise in more years than they fall.
The MSCI All Country World Index, which tracks the share price of markets around the world, has produced positive returns in 29 out of 38 years since it was launched, for example.
Hollands says: ‘So 76 per cent of the time, putting your money in the market up front with a lump sum would have been the right call compared to drip-feeding it gradually over the years.’
Meanwhile, the S&P500 in the US has risen in 40 out of the 50 years since it was launched – that's 80 per cent of the time.
Hollands adds: ‘The case for investing regularly is that it can help smooth out some of the ups and downs in the stock market. But the counter to that – putting your cash to work with a lump sum – is that in most years stock markets rise, so the sooner your money is invested, the more you benefit from compound interest.’
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IN YOUR 30s AND 40s
THOSE who leave the bulk of their retirement saving until later will need a larger sum in their pension to be able to reach that £1 million mark by 65.
A 30-year-old would need to have £67,635 in their pot to hit this target, analysis by Fidelity found, and a 40-year-old would need £146,018.
Hollands says money from a workplace bonus, a windfall such as an inheritance, or proceeds from a house sale could help to fund the pot.
‘You might even have left funding your annual Isa allowance until the end of the tax year and want to get it done and dusted,’ he says.
But investing significant amounts in one go comes with practical considerations. An individual can put up to £20,000 a year into an Isa, and all gains are tax-free, so this is a first port of call for investors.
Beyond this, it can make sense to use up your annual pension allowance, particularly if your goal is saving for retirement. This is because you will receive tax relief at your marginal rate on any contributions you make.
Basic-rate taxpayers get 20 per cent tax relief on their payments, which means you need to put in only £80 to reach £100. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers get tax relief at 40 per cent and 45 per cent.
It is possible to put up to £60,000 or 100 per cent of your earnings (whichever is lower) into a pension each year. Under current rules, the money can be accessed from age 55, although that is rising to 57 from 2028.
However, one useful perk of the annual allowance is that you can
Exactly how much you need in your pension at every age to stop saving and still have £1million by retirement
still benefit from any unused allowance over the three previous tax years, under certain conditions. You need to use up the current year's allowance first and have set up a pension to qualify.
Those investing larger sums are likely to need to make use of a general investment account. The benefits of these are that they offer flexibility over when you access your cash and have no limit on how much you can add each year. On the down side, profits could be subject to capital gains tax (CGT).
Currently, individuals have an annual CGT allowance of £3,000.
Basic rate taxpayers pay 18 per cent on gains beyond this, and higher and additional rate payers 24 per cent. However, Chancellor John Healey is said to be considering a hike on these figures.
It is possible to mitigate a tax bill by drawing down profits gradually, ensuring that you don't withdraw more than your annual allowance each year.
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IN YOUR 50s AND 60s
THE older you are, the harder it will be to reach that £1 million goal. According to Fidelity International, a 50-year-old would need to have £315,242 invested in their pot to reach seven figures by the age of 65.
The sums required at this stage get significantly larger because the money has less time to grow and compound. With only five years for their money to grow, a 60-year-old would need a hefty £680,583.
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NEEDS IN RETIREMENT
WHILE there is a certain allure to becoming a millionaire, you may not actually need to build a pot this large. For those who are investing for retirement, it is important to do some sums to work out how much you really need to aim for.
Guidelines from trade body Pensions UK and used widely by the pensions industry suggest an individual needs an annual income of £32,700 after tax for a moderate lifestyle in retirement.
This includes enough for £59 a week on groceries, an annual all-inclusive two-week holiday overseas, and £1,500 a year to spend on clothes.
Assuming they get the full state pension, currently about £12,600 a year, an individual would need to provide an extra £25,000 a year in income from their own savings.
Standard Life estimates that, at current rates, a savings pot of £431,000 will be enough to secure an inflation-linked annuity that would pay enough income for this.
For a comfortable lifestyle in retirement, Pensions UK estimates that an individual would need an annual income of about £45,400, or about £32,800 after state pension.
This is enough for £78 a week for groceries plus extra for takeaways and meals out, a four-star holiday abroad each year plus three long weekends in the UK, and £1,500 for clothes and shoes.
It would require a pot of about £719,000 to buy this level of income in the form of an annuity, according to Standard Life.
A lump-sum investment of just £2,420 made at birth could grow to £431,173 by age 65, enough to cover a moderate lifestyle, assuming annual investment growth of 8 per cent after fees.
A £4,036 lump-sum investment could reach £719,097, providing enough for a comfortable lifestyle retirement.
Morgan says: 'By carefully considering where you want to get to and then working backwards, you'll have a realistic plan to work towards.
'The sums required to meet your goal may look intimidating, but it really does underline that time is an investor's greatest ally as it allows compounding to work its magic.'
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WHAT IF YOU FALL SHORT?
IF YOU don't hit these targets, you are far from alone.
About 15 million people are not saving adequately for retirement, according to a warning from the Pensions Commission. The good news is there are a number of ways you can boost your workplace pension.
If there are times when you can afford to ramp up your contributions, or even put a lump sum in your pension, that can help keep you on track. Bear this in mind if you get a redundancy payout or an inheritance.
The rules of pension auto-enrolment state that employees must put a minimum of 5 per cent into their workplace pension and employers 3 per cent.
But some employers will match your contributions if you put in more. Ask yours what it offers.
If you have never checked where your workplace pension is invested, the chances are it has been put into a default fund. Check your latest annual pension statement or ask your provider for details of your investments.
Some schemes move you to lower-risk investments as you approach retirement – this is to reduce the chance that your pot suffers a stock market shock before you stop working.
However, if you plan to continue working further into your 60s, or if you don't plan to spend most of your pension for many years, the chances are you can afford to take more risk – and, hopefully, benefit from higher investment returns.
\- Do you have a £1million pension pot? Tell us how you did it. Email: moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
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By Sophie Warburton
F YOUR partner is scatty with money or in debt, you may think that's their problem – especially if you manage your finances separately. But there are ways that you could suffer the fallout from their issues if you don't watch out.
So how can a financially chaotic partner leave you picking up the bill? We asked financial and legal experts what to watch out for.
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1. YOU'RE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BAIL THEM OUT
IN THE early stages of a relationship, the damage may be relatively small. Perhaps your partner is always short before payday, asks you to cover dinner or needs to borrow money to pay a bill.
5 ways your partner could leave you penniless if they're useless with money ...and what you can do to protect yourself
But Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at investment firm AJ Bell, warns against allowing this to become a habit.
She says: 'Lending money to a partner brings real complications. You need to consider what you'll do if they don't repay you, or if they ask for more.
‘Similarly, consider whether you’re prepared to pay their way. Don’t just fall into this habit without thinking it through.’
The danger is that what starts as the occasional helping hand can turn into one partner permanently subsidising the other. That's not necessarily a problem, but it's something you should talk through together and work out what you're happy with.
able to save for major goals, from buying a home to holidays.
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matically disappear if the relationship ends or you close your joint account. You may need to ask the credit reference agencies to do it.
‘You don’t need their money issues to dictate the rest of your life,’ she says. ‘However, consider what you’ll do if they ask you to dip into savings to get them out of financial trouble.’
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2. THEY KEEP MISSING PAYMENTS ON BILLS
A PARTNER who repeatedly misses payments can cause havoc with your finances and credit score.
If it's the rent or mortgage payments, you could lose your home. If they forget to pay bills, you could be in extreme debt before you find out anything is wrong.
Coles says couples could consider setting up a separate account for household bills, with both paying into it by direct debit at the start of the month. This can make it easier to ensure essential payments are made, but it is not foolproof.
‘It doesn’t protect you from someone whose finances are so bad that they don’t have enough money to fulfil the direct debit,’ she says.
Webb says: 'If you've already got a financial link but your partner's finances deteriorate, then you could potentially break the link. You'll need to make sure you have no joint accounts together, then do what's called a financial disassociation.'
You'll need to do this by contacting all three of the credit reference agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
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4. THEY PUT YOUR PLANS IN JEOPARDY
A PARTNER who repeatedly gambles, takes out high-interest borrowing, speculates with household money or makes risky investments could put savings, home ownership and future plans under pressure.
Even if they pay the bills today, a lack of long-term planning can leave you carrying more of the financial burden later.
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3. THEIR POOR CREDIT SCORE DRAGS DOWN YOURS
Coles says a partner who is constantly trying to escape a financial hole is less likely to be
Have open conversations about retirement planning to bring these issues into the open.
John Webb, at credit reference agency Experian, says: 'Whenever you apply for joint credit with someone else, you create a link on your credit report called a financial association. If your partner's credit history isn't great, particularly with significant issues such as court judgments or insolvencies, it could stop you getting credit deals you want.'
A JOINT bank account, loan or mortgage will create a financial association between you both – this means a lender may look at your partner's credit history when deciding whether to lend to you in the future.
The same applies to retirement. 'If they aren't planning for their own retirement, they may need to rely on you,' Coles says. 'It could mean having to share your income, or you may have very different lifestyles when you stop work.'
If you have a joint debt, both can be pursued for the full amount. And the link does not auto-
You can't force someone to prepare for retirement, but you can help them to set up a pension or increase their contributions if they are unsure how to do it themselves or need some encouragement.
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5. MONEY PROBLEMS AFTER SEPARATION
FINANCIAL chaos becomes particularly toxic when a relationship ends.
Siobhan Vegh, a partner at Stowe Family Law, says divorcing couples must pro-
vide 'full and frank financial disclosure', including information about money, property, assets, debts and liabilities held in both sole and joint names.
‘The court can sometimes see debt built up during the marriage as a joint responsibility, meaning you might be liable for covering money you didn’t necessarily spend,’ she adds.
Couples can set out how their finances should be treated in the event that they split, through a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement.
Vegh says these documents identify the assets each person has, who owns them and what should happen in the event of divorce.
For unmarried couples, Vegh also points to cohabitation agreements, although she warns that legal and financial
rights on separation are generally more limited than those available to married couples.
I've spent £1m on cars but regret selling the convertible Princess Di once owned
ME AND MY
MONEY
Iain Dale
Broadcaster
BROADCASTER Iain Dale has been a presenter on LBC radio since 2009, writes YORK MEMBERY.
The 64-year-old has also written a string of political books and was crowned Radio Presenter of the Year at the Commercial Radio Awards in 2013 and 2016.
Dale, a lifelong West Ham United fan, lives with his partner John and their two dogs – miniature schnauzer Woody, three, and Jack Russell Dude, 15 – in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
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Q What did your parents teach you about money?
A I was one of three – I’ve got two sisters – and grew up on a small farm in Essex run by my late parents.
My mother Jane, who was very frugal, warned me to ‘never a borrower or lender be’ – but I’m afraid I rather ignored her advice.
I had to borrow money from family and friends when I opened Politico's bookshop in 1997, and I later started a publishing company, because the banks were so unhelpful.
My father Garry was the opposite of my mum – if he wanted something, he'd buy it.
He amassed a collection of 2,000-plus country music and jazz LPs. If eBay or Amazon were around when I was a kid, I suspect that he'd have spent every penny on buying records.
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Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
A Yes, I graduated from university with debts of £20,000 in the mid-80s after using four or five credit cards to buy books, records and the latest gadgets.
I vowed never to get into debt again, but in 2004 I found myself walking along the street in Cromer with just 16p in my pocket, having maxed out my credit cards and exceeded my overdraft limit.
‘How on earth have I got myself into this situation?’ I wondered.
But politics is an expensive business – I was the Tory candidate for North Norfolk at the time, and after the 2005 general election I found myself £40,000 in debt.
I only got out of that financial hole by selling my cottage, which had gone up in value since I bought it a couple of years earlier.
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Have you ever been paid silly money?
A Some people might think I'm paid silly money for being a radio presenter. And yes, it is a well-remunerated profession – although I'm certainly not paid Gary Lineker-type money.
I also get paid handsomely to give speeches and talks. My best gig? Probably being paid £8,000 to host a two-day conference in Azerbaijan. Mind you, I sometimes think they must be absolutely mad to pay me so much!
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Q What was the best year of your financial life?
A I remember thinking I'd made it when my salary went up from £14,000 to £25,000 in 1989 – but I went on to earn £60,000 as a transport industry lobbyist in the mid-1990s.
I didn't think it would get better than that, though I now make a six-figure sum as a broadcaster, commentator and author.
---
The most expensive thing you bought for fun?
A I'm a bit of a petrolhead and have always liked driving nice cars. I started off with a Ford Cortina Mk III. I've since owned a string of Audis and currently drive an Audi Q6 e-tron, which set me back £65,000, and a used Audi S5 Cabriolet costing a third of that.
I must have spent approaching £1million on the 30-odd cars I've owned over the years, but I don't go on expensive holidays.
I think I'm a good driver, even if I've been banned twice after totting up speeding points – but there are cameras everywhere now.
I also once bid £5,000 in an auction to have afternoon tea with Joan Collins, but sadly [footballer] Peter Crouch outbid me.
---
Q What was your biggest money mistake?
A The first cabriolet I bought – painted turquoise with white seats – in 1995, had belonged to Princess Diana (I saw the paperwork so I knew it was true). It cost £23,000 and I sold it for the same amount the following year. I later heard that it was bought by someone in Hong Kong for £1 million after Diana died. It's a big regret – had I delayed the sale it would have set me up for life.
I later invested a six-figure sum in a friend's forestry company, but it turned out the bookkeeper was siphoning off money to fund a gambling habit, and the company was forced into liquidation. I lost my investment, but my friend has promised to pay me back when he's back on his feet.
---
Best money decision you have made?
A In terms of a return on an investment, it has to be the £1
I spent, aged 14, on a cinema screen at a local farm sale that I attended with my father, and then sold to my school for £110.
Besides that, it was buying a holiday home with my partner in Norfolk in 2013 – we sold it just over a decade later for close to double what we'd paid for it.
---
Q Will you pass down your money or spend it all?
A We don't have any children, but John and I have drawn up wills to ensure that if one of us dies – I'm a type 2 diabetic so I doubt I'll live as long as some people – the other can be guaranteed a comfortable retirement.
That said, I'll naturally leave something for my wider family and friends.
---
Q Do you have a pension?
I've been paying a relatively small amount into a private pension since my 20s, though I rather lost confidence in the pensions industry after [then Chancellor] Gordon Brown raided it in 1997.
Thankfully, John has made some good property decisions over the years.
ALL TALK: Iain Dale and, below, Princess Diana in one of her cars
Q Do you own any property?
A Yes, my main four-bedroom house in Tunbridge Wells which I bought with John for a six-figure sum in 2003. We also own a small house in the town which we rent out, and have a share in a friend's house in East Sussex.
---
If you were Chancellor what would you do?
A I'd abolish inheritance tax and stamp duty – as pledged by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch – as it's licensed robbery. I'd also slash public spending and put VAT up to 25 per cent to allow the Government to raise tax thresholds.
---
Q What is your number one financial priority?
A To make sure that John and I can survive whatever the future has in store for us. I think we as a nation also need to develop much greater resilience when it comes to things like protecting our food supply and civil defence.
● Have I Said Too Much? – My Life In Politics And The Media (Biteback), by Iain Dale, is out now. Iain Dale In The Evening, LBC, Mon-Thurs, 7pm.
Wealth & Personal Finance
Invest in a pension to grow your wealth... and slash your tax bill
IN THIS series, our experts answer your burning questions about growing your wealth.
NVESTING in a pension is one of the best ways to build lifetime wealth – it will likely end up your most valuable asset, alongside your home.
The key is to start early, save regularly and benefit from decades of investment growth.
Pensions are probably the most tax-friendly way to put money aside. The principle is that you can save into a pension from untaxed income, so tax relief is offered at your income tax rate.
Basic rate tax relief is automatically added to contributions, boosting them 25 per cent. For example, if you paid in £80 it is topped up by £20 to £100 in total. Higher-rate 40 per cent taxpayers and additional rate 45 per cent taxpayers are eligible for even more tax relief.
However, many do not realise they may have to claim it through a tax return or by writing to HMRC. Savers miss out on an estimated £1 billion a year in this way.
The tax breaks are designed to encourage long-term saving. In return for these incentives, you cannot access a pension pot until a minimum age, currently 55 but moving up to 57 from 2028.
Pensions have an annual allowance on contributions of £60,000.
Tax relief is limited for those with earnings above £200,000 – if you fall into this bracket, paying for financial advice is wise.
WORK PENSIONS
EMPLOYERS are bound by law to offer a scheme to almost all employees and, thanks to auto-enrolment rules enacted in 2012, workplace pension saving has dramatically increased.
There are two types of workplace pension – defined benefit and defined contribution.
Defined benefit schemes involve an employer promising to pay a set amount in retirement based on how long the employee has worked at the organisation. They are now usually found only in the public sector, and are highly valuable because the responsibility for paying the pension income lies with the employer.
With defined contribution pension schemes, which almost all private sector companies now offer, both the employer and employee pay in. The money is invested to build a fund, which workers must turn into income in retirement.
Under auto-enrolment, employers must pay 3 per cent of qualifying salary into a pension, if employees contribute 5 per cent. Many workplace pension schemes are more generous and employers may match or even beat contributions up to a certain level, for example matching 5 per cent of salary paid in.
It is advisable to make the most of any workplace pension scheme, and ensure that you maximise employer contributions.
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INVESTING IN A SIPP
BEYOND a workplace pension there are private pensions – most of which are known as self-invested personal pensions (Sipps). They are also a good solution for self-employed workers.
A Sipp is essentially a tax wrapper around an investment account, similar to how a stocks and shares Isa works.
Some Sipps offer a full range of investments, while others are more limited.
It is possible to hold some more complicated investments in a Sipp than you can in a stocks and shares Isa, for example business assets. To do this you will need to take financial advice.
Sipps are offered by an array of DIY investment platforms and it is possible to get fees as low as they are on standard investment accounts. Fees eat away at the value of your portfolio, so you'll want to keep them low, but if you need more guidance and help it can be worth paying for.
Investing in a Sipp is as simple as opening an account at an investment platform, paying money in and choosing investments.
Read our guide at this is money. co.uk/sipps.
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DODGE THE TAX TRAPS
PENSION contributions have another handy aspect, as they reduce your taxable income and can help keep you below higher tax brackets or out of tax traps.
This is particularly useful at certain points, where due to quirks in the tax system marginal rates can be very high.
For example, the removal of child benefit between £60,000 and £80,000, the loss of free childcare if someone earns more than £100,000 and the 60 per cent tax trap, due to the removal of the personal allowance above £100,000.
Paying extra money into a workplace pension or a Sipp can reduce income to below these levels and mean you are not affected.
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Autumn Flash Sale
By Harriet Mallinson
S I pack my suitcase I am getting mentally prepared for a full-on holiday crush. Not with a person, though – it's a place I'm expecting to fall in love with.
To be precise, Antarctica. Why? Because an astrocartographer told me so. Stick with me...
'Astrocartography is basically just using astrology and geography,' practitioner Clarisse Monahan explains. 'It's a bit like a cosmic travel agent.'
This branch of astrology maps your 'birth chart' to discover, based on planetary influences, which places on Earth.
ences, which places on Earth are most aligned with you.
This unusual method of deciding where to go has become a definite ‘thing’. Cruise line Royal Caribbean reports a surge in popularity in astrocartography among customers – up 53 per cent on last year – and the travel company has even partnered with Monahan to help passengers align getaways with their ‘deepest personal goals’.
'Astrocartography can really answer those questions as to why some places don't feel quite right,' says Monahan – and why others deliver an instant, well, crush.
As a sucker for romance, I am sold, and after telling her the precise minute I arrived in the world – required information for the assessment – Monahan produces a personalised map.
‘Your Jupiter line hits Antarctica,’ she informs me. ‘You could get a lot from a trip there.’
Jupiter is meant to be the planet of 'luck and abundance', I learn. After dismissing my 'Moon line' over Scotland (too rainy) and my 'Pluto line' through Indonesia (too sweaty), I follow the Jupiter lead.
All of which may sound vaguely bonkers – and it's a long way to go on a hunch – but destiny is clearly calling, as it has been for so many others of late.
Astrocartography has exploded across Instagram and TikTok, with chart-reading videos regularly racking up hundreds of thousands of views.
And so I head way down south to join a 13-day voyage to the White Continent.
Monahan has assured me ‘Jupiter is bountiful’ and my ship, one of cruise line Scenic’s
200-passenger ‘discovery yachts’, certainly lives up to that promise: all-luxury, all-inclusive and all kitted out with adventure-enhancing toys, from kayaks to helicopters. There’s even an extensively stocked (complimentary) whisky bar.
NCE we start exploring the Antarctic Peninsula's coast, it becomes clear my astrocartographer was not wrong about how I would react.
As we cruise among sprawl-
As we cruise among sprawling, gargantuan ice blocks, I'm elated. As well as these giants, there are icebergs that form perfect arches, standing elegantly alone like temple ruins, while others are twisted and deformed, looming like icy sea monsters, and some are smoother, with a polished, opal perfection.
Daily, we clamber into small boats to explore the beautiful scenery up close.
One afternoon our guide takes our group around a particularly striking frozen Valhalla, honeycombed with cavernous, twisting caves. On another, we switch off the engine and simply drift among the ice, revelling in the pure stillness and silence.
A big highlight is a trip on one of Scenic's
OTHERWORLDLY: Clockwise from top - icebergs in the Lemaire Channel; penguins diving in to the freezing waters; the cruise ship Scenic Eclipse; an ice tunnel in Queen Maud Land and Harriet relaxing in the onboard hot tub with a glass of fizz
helicopters, which lift you high above this majestic landscape.
Down below the outlines of icebergs are sharp against the sea. Clouds cling to the vertiginous mountain slopes as our pilot swoops alongside them, and in the distance you can see the continent's mainland: solemn, epic and just unimaginably vast.
The flight may be a mere 30 minutes, but it is so eye-wideningly, heart-quiveringly sublime, I'm rendered speechless. Jupiter is doing its job, yet again.
As for the ‘beautiful energy’ my astrocartographer promised, I soon discover it in Antarctica’s wildlife.
Penguins (gentoo, Adelie, chinstrap) are both charming and comical with their endearing waddle and cocked-headed wariness. Sleek and speedy in the water, they're anything but when wading ashore – their pearlescent white tummies wobbling about. Watching them hop along like a flock of
After consulting an ‘astrocartographer’, Harriet follows her ‘Jupiter line’ to the bottom of the earth
My 'cosmic cruise' to Antarctica
toddling nuns en route to Vespers brings a wide grin to my face.
In early January there are plenty of cute chicks to coo over, all fiercely protected by watchful parents. Vigilance is vital as skua birds wheel threateningly above, eyeing up the vulnerable, fluffy snacks. P-p-p-pick up a penguin has a more sinister meaning here.
The whales steal the show on the high drama stakes, though – and they do not keep you waiting. On day one in Antarctica, I spot two humpbacks breach the surface of the water as their huge bodies roll and twist before splashing back down – leaving me spluttering with astonishment into my morning coffee. They put in a shift most days, whale blows spurting out of the deep like crystal fireworks, and I soon learn to
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TRAVEL FACTS
Scenic's 13-day ‘Antarctica In Depth’ itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse costs from £16,098pp, with departures December 2026-February 2027 and November 2027-March 2028. Includes return flights, guided excursions, all meals, personalised butler service and wi-fi. For more information, visit scenic.co.uk.
keep my binoculars (every Scenic cabin has a pair) about me in case we sight the flash of a dorsal fin or a flicking tail.
One evening, I'm tucking in to a carbonara when the captain announces a pod of orcas portside. The ship's open-bridge policy puts me right at the heart of the action as I race to spot the predators from on high.
Another hallmark of Jupiter is ‘taking risks’, according to the astrocartographers – and arguably just by travelling to Antarctica I’m rolling the dice.
The Drake Passage between the polar continent and South America has a fearsome reputation among sailors – its treacherously stormy waters have claimed around 800 ships since navigation began in the 16th century. We mercilessly remain intact
century. we, mercifully, remain intact – even if the 20ft waves in the night make me feel like I'm being folded into a baking mix.
Yet another astrocartographic aspect of Jupiter is that travelling along its lines is supposed to create a ‘flow’ – and this is more than easily achieved when ensconced in Scenic’s opulence.
The team may have no control over wildlife appearances, but they make sure we guests enjoy every second of our time in Antarctica, from allowing extra time ashore, squeezing us into last-minute excursions and getting us out on deck for particularly picturesque stretches – all while remembering everyone's names.
And, as Monahan predicted, I feel a sense of ‘wow’ at nearly every turn in this unforgettable place.
One evening, towards the end of the voyage, the ship's musicians perform a concert up on the helipad. Everyone gathers, champagne in hand, as the pair sing. The words of John Lennon and Leonard Cohen fill the cold air, and before I know it, I have a lump in my throat as the crooners start on Elvis' Can't Help Falling In Love – because I can't either.
The planets know their stuff: this isn't just a crush; I'm head over heels.
Holidays
A breathtaking ten-day tour of Niagara Falls and Canada's greatest cities
EXPERIENCE Canada at its most scenic as you traverse the breathtaking landscapes and cosmopolitan centres of the
spectacular Maple Leaf Trail.
Soak up the country's seasonal highlights, from colourful spring vistas to autumn foliage, on a ten-day exploration taking in the finest Great Lakes sights.
Start the holiday with a flight to Toronto and head to majestic Niagara Falls for your first two-night stay. Experience the falls at leisure the next day, perhaps from above on an optional helicopter flight or watching the cascades from below on a Hornblower Niagara Cruise.
You'll then continue along the idyllic Niagara Parkway to the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. After admiring the period architecture and leafy suburbs of this enchanting spot, you'll be driven to Toronto for a tour of the city's sights.
Enjoy a taste of its cosmopolitan spirit, with stops in a range of culturally diverse districts including Little Italy, Chinatown and Victorian Cabbagetown.
A panoramic journey along the Maple Leaf Trail follows, and you'll finish your fifth day in Ottawa. Having enjoyed the city at your own pace, head into the French-Canadian province of Quebec and spend some time in Unesco-listed Quebec City, one of the country's oldest settlements.
See the city's major sights, from the exquisite Chateau Frontenac to the monumental Citadelle on an optional guided tour, or explore under your own steam before heading back west to Montreal.
A final optional excursion, taking in the bohemian highlights of Plateau Mont-Royal and the city's hyper-modern waterfront landmarks, is available ahead of a return journey to Toronto.
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REASONS TO BOOK
A region of two cultures Eastern Canada is home to two distinctive regional cultures in French-inspired Quebec and Ontario, and you'll discover the finer details and contrasts between the two provinces under expert guidance.
See the magnificent Chateau Frontenac, the grand hotel modelled on the chateaux of France's Loire Valley, in Quebec City and try a bowl of traditional poutine.
You can also embrace the quintessentially Victorian architecture in Toronto's Cabbagetown on a guided city tour.
Inner-city highlights During your tour you'll stop in some of Canada's finest Great Lakes cities, from Niagara Falls to lively Toronto. Take in the style and flair of trendy Montreal, set on the banks of the island-dotted St Lawrence River, and embrace the relaxed atmosphere and period architecture of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The elegant national capital, Ottawa, with its park-lined canals and Victorian architecture, is sure to be another highlight.
soaked Hornblower Niagara Cruise. You'll also travel along the picturesque Niagara Parkway en route to Ontario's Great Lakes cities.
Canada at its most colourful Depending on your departure date, you'll experience either North America's enchanting autumn foliage or the vivid hues of Canada in bloom. Tours taking place earlier in the year will enjoy opportunities to spot the region's newborn wildlife with warmer-weather excursions and colourful spring-time scenery.
Unspoilt natural beauty It won't just be Canada's urban areas that impress on this tour, with the country's untamed natural beauty on full display throughout. You'll marvel at the thunderous Niagara Falls and soak up the tumult from above on an optional helicopter ride, or brave the cascades on a spray-
In the autumn, you'll experience North America at its most atmospheric, with regional festivities and cooler temperatures, and, of course, the autumnal colours sweeping the nation's prettiest vistas.
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Grand Tour of Ireland
8 days from £1,199 $^{pp}$
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
√ Selected departures between April and October 2027
√ Return coach travel^ & ferry crossings
√ Seven nights' three-star half-board accommodation at selected hotels in Ireland
√ Tours and visits to Belfast, Titanic Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Derry\~Londonderry, Knock, Galway, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Adare, Ring of Kerry (with Killarney) & Dublin
√ Services of a tour manager in Ireland
Call us FREE on 0808 239 6511 Visit www.mailtravel.co.uk
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd ABTOT 7022, ATOL 10889, a company wholly independent of Associated Newspapers Ltd and Mail Travel. Prices are based two people sharing a double/twin room. Single supplement applies. \*From price based on April 25, 2027. ^From a network of pickup points in England & Wales. Prices correct at the time of print.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
\- Return flights to Canada and coach travel throughout
Eight nights' room-only accommodation, in Niagara Falls (2 nights), Toronto (2), Ottawa (1), Quebec City (2) and Montreal (1)
Visit to Niagara Falls and
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HOW TO BOOK
Niagara-on-the-Lake
■ Visit to Quebec and Ottawa
■ Guided tour of Toronto
■ Sightseeing on the Maple Leaf Trail
■ Fully escorted by a tour manager
The dates Between April 2027 and October 2029
The price From £2,528pp\*
CALL 0808 239 1392
To find out more, visit mailtravel.co.uk/canadamaple
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Holidays are operated by Newmarket Holidays ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812, a company wholly independent of Associated Newspapers Limited and Mail Travel. Price based on two people sharing. Single supplements apply. \*From price based on April 14, 2027, from London Heathrow. \*\*Save up to 10% applies to select tour bookings made by November 8, 2026, and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. Subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Price shown includes the discount. Prices correct at the time of print.
Our writer has visited this complicated country five times – and it continues to enthral...
By James Henderson
MERICA'S decision earlier this year to ramp up trade embargoes on Cuba has hit its economy hard, especially the squeeze on oil imports. Times are tougher than
ever in the communist Caribbean country, but it has long suffered shortages due to a chaotic approach to running its affairs – tourism being a case in point.
In my 35 years of writing about the Caribbean I have visited Cuba five times, most recently two Christmases ago for a family holiday. I have seen some shocking service and mismanagement in the region, but nothing, nothing, compares with Cuba.
Its tourism industry, steeped in ideological illogic, lapses into the surreal, occasionally into comedy. The dead hand of communism – ultimately the ugly grip of the regime – can be felt everywhere.
And yet Cuba is a lovely place to visit. I travelled there first in 1988 with the late Vietnam War photographer Tim Page. We drove through stupendous tropical countryside, passing billboards with revolutionary propaganda and comically insulting slogans – 'The Revolution Forever!' and 'Yankee Go Home!'
It was a memorable trip. On Sundays, small-town bandstands would burst into spontaneous songs and salsa dancing. And we heard Fidel Castro himself speak – for five hours, no less, in sweltering heat.
With rudimentary Spanish, I could feel only the fervour of the man and the obedience of his audience, but even then it seemed like a relic of the 1960s (he had taken power in 1959). Somehow, though, his regime survived another 40 years.
Our recent holiday was (mainly) wonderful. We were two parents, accompanied by our 25-year-old son and 23-year-old daughter. In Old Havana we stayed in a casa particular (private homestay) with sweaty nights due to power cuts.
Our guide, surprisingly free-speaking, led us through pretty Spanish colonial streets and palaces with cool interior colonnades. Parts of the old city were pathetically rundown. Buildings were known to collapse but, as our guide explained: 'Why keep them up if you can't own them?'
We rode in classic American cars, a Chevy and a Cadillac, past neo-baroque and art deco facades down on to the Malecon, the shorefront promenade, and inland to the lugubrious Plaza de la Revolucion. The car owner, we heard, earned more in two days driving tourists than he did in a month as a professor at a hospital.
Members of the communist party were leaving the island, he confided. Even they saw no future.
Trinidad, a town close to the south coast, is brightly painted, cobbled and beautiful. After dinner in a forested courtyard, we stumbled upon an open-air concert on the square beneath the main church. Next morning, in the Escambray Mountains, we hiked in a magical hidden valley, where dragonflies darted over crystalline pools.
Cuba certainly has beaches. Our north coast hotel stood on miles of superb coral sand. We enjoyed two days of reading and swimming. But my wife's requests for replacement lighting went unanswered. I suspected there were no spare bulbs.
Returning to Havana, we stayed at the Nacional, a wedding cake of a hotel by the Malecon where staff tell you how Frank Sinatra met his mafia friends via a secret passage. Unbelievably, at Cuba's flagship hotel, all payments had to be in advance. We could not even run a bar tab.
It was hopeless, requiring constant visits to the cashier, where only swiping cards worked – no chip and pin.
And the poor pool woman pleaded with us to return our towels. Perhaps she was forced to pay for items that went missing.
But each frustration had its corresponding delight. At New Year's Eve, at La Guarda, a lovely, crumbling traditional townhouse made famous by the 1993 film Fresa y Chocolate, we devoured a nine-course tasting menu, before being asked by a waiter: 'Shall I show you to your table?' He then took us to a rooftop terrace
TRAVEL FACTS
there is no electricity and people go hungry. Where America's crackdown will lead is anyone's guess. Regime change, perhaps.
For now, Cuba remains the enigma of the Caribbean, by turns tricky for tourists but full of charm and interest too.
QUIET LIFE: The pretty Spanish colonial town of Trinidad
where party hats and rum were awaiting us, along with a 13-piece salsa band. Fantastic.
If Cuba is frustratingly illogical as a visitor, Cubans themselves surely deserve better. And the benefits of the revolution, the education and healthcare, are hard to justify when
An eight-day 'Beautiful Cuba' tour is from £1,195pp, visiting Havana, Trinidad, Cien Fuegos and Vinales, excluding flights, from about £800pp return (intrepidtravel.com). E-visas cost from £35 (evisacuba.cu/en/inicio). See the Cuba page of gov.uk.
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AllClear Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum achieved Which? Best Buy. AllClear Gold Plus has been 5 Star rated by Defaqto. ^ We offered cover in 99.5%+ of cases (2025 quotes) but can't guarantee cover in every circumstance. $^{1}$ UK Broker Awards, Customer Service Award 2025. For more information please refer to T&Cs at AllClearTravel.co.uk.
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35 NIGHTS DEPARTING 11 $^{TH}$ JANUARY 2028
---
JANUARY 2028
Tue 11 Embark Queen Mary 2 and depart Southampton
Sat 15 Santa Cruz, Tenerife
Sat 22 Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Here you'll be met with idyllic island vistas. Lush green hillsides, bustling shops and restaurants and, of course, beautiful turquoise Caribbean waters lapping at the shore
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Mon 24 St. George's, Grenada
Tue 25 Castries, St. Lucia
Elements of French influence can be seen throughout Castries, from its wonderful fusion food to colonial style architecture. Not to mention the French-based Creole language that you'll hear as you explore
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Wed 26 - Bridgetown, Barbados (overnight)
Thu 27 A town steeped in history, surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty with plenty to see and do, Bridgetown is the perfect location to enjoy a generous helping of Caribbean charm and culture
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Fri 28 Roseau, Dominica
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Thu 3 Basseterre, St. Kitts
Fri 4 Road Town, Tortola
Fri 11 Funchal, Madeira
Enchanting towns and villages, breathtaking landscapes, a spectacular array of unique flora, and delicious local wines are awaiting your discovery on a cruise to the Portuguese islands of Madeira
Tue 15 Arrive in Southampton
Dates not mentioned will be spent relaxing at sea | STATEROOM/SUITE | FULL BOARDFARE (PP) | ALL-INCFARE FROM (PP) | Inside | £4,199 | £5,949 | Oceanview | £4,799 | £6,549 | Balcony† | £5,039 | £6,789 | Club Balcony | £8,099 | £9,849 | Princess Grill | £12,629 | £14,379 | Queens Grill | £15,099 | £16,849 | Solo fares are available from £8,479
---
Plus, upgrade to Premium Signature Package, for an additional £10pp per day $^{++}$ , & receive:
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The ALL-inclusive family holiday that lives up to the hype
OR months before we cracked and booked an Ikos holiday, it felt like the only game in town. You might not have heard of the brand, but
I could have sworn half of our London neighbourhood – mostly young families – were either heading off on one of these luxury all-inclusives or had just come back from one. The feedback was always the same: exceptional food and entertainment, and even better service.
Could it live up to the hype?
The bar is set high as soon as we arrive in Ikos's newest resort, Kissamos in Crete.
In the lobby we're greeted by Alexander, our personal concierge for the stay, who seems genuinely thrilled to meet our five-year-old son and six-month-old daughter.
The thing about Ikos – which families really rave about – is that it really is all included. The transfer, concierge and emergency room service are just the start.
For two frazzled parents, the joy
By Herbie Leonard
of this arrangement really hits home at the restaurants, where menus are crafted by chefs with Michelin pedigree. There are seven options – enough for a different venue each evening.
Our favourite is La Plage, serving French cuisine. There's also an Asian-themed restaurant, a classic Italian, Peruvian Azul and a Cretan eatery, Kriti.
One evening we put our eldest in the kids' supper club, hoping for a quiet meal. But half an hour into our dinner at Italian restaurant Fresco, disaster strikes: the baby is wailing and we must decamp to our room.
But one word to the waiter and the dishes are couriered to our balcony. The evening and my duck ragout are saved.
Another all-inclusive perk is car hire – and we take a complimentary electric Mini Countryman to explore the cobbled streets of
Chania, 45 minutes away. We have to be back for the evening show at the kids' theatre, though.
All Ikos resorts follow a similar ethos at their locations across Greece (six) and Spain (two).
It isn't cheap, and the resorts get booked up months in advance, but there's plenty of five-star value for
TRAVEL FACTS
All-inclusive stays at Ikos Kissamos cost from about £400 a night in a double room. The resort opens for the 2027 season on April 29. Guests who book directly for five nights or more receive complimentary return private airport transfers. To book, visit ikosresorts.com.
your money. Kissamos only opened in April, but you wouldn't know it.
Staff are eager to impress, and everyone from the cleaners to resort manager Ioannis greets us each day with a friendly ‘kalimera’.
Our only sadness is missing out on the fire show at Azul, the
Peruvian restaurant, due to a booking mix-up.
As we prepare to leave, we chat to a family of three from Bedfordshire, who tell us this is their sixth Ikos holiday in four years. They're addicted, they say. It's the same familiar refrain we heard back home. Now we know why.
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Great Value Garden Route & Safari, South Africa
12 nights from £2,149 $^{◇}$ Plus ZAR 659pp payable locally
Flights, 3★ to 4★ hotels, 9 days car hire, 2 Day Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, Franschhoek Wine Tram, Cango Caves Tour, Meerkat Safari, 2 Half Day Pumba Safari Experiences, 10 meals and private arrival transfer
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Flights with Qatar Airways, 1 night pre-tour hotel and 17 day guided small group adventure tour incl 14 nights hotels, 1 night junk boat, 1 night sleeper train, shared transport, tour leader, activities/excursions & 20 meals
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Australia's Sydney Rock & Reef 14 nights from £3,549 $^{◇}$
Flights with Qatar Airways, 5 nights 4★+ Sydney hotel, Introduction to Sydney Tour, Hop-On Hop-Off Sydney Bus Tour, 3 nights Uluru hotel, Uluru & Kata Tjuta NP Pass, Uluru Base & Sunset Tour, 6 nights 4★ Port Douglas hotel, Outer Barrier Reef Cruise, Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest Tour and selected transfers
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Flights with Qatar Airways, 9 day private tour incl 8 nights 3★ to 4★ hotels, private driver/guide, selected sightseeing & breakfast, 7 nights 4★ beach resort incl breakfast and private airport transfer
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Flights, 2 nights Quito hotel, 6 night cruise with HX Expeditions incl full board, selected drinks, daily sea and land excursions led by the team of expedition experts, daily re-caps and lectures, a complimentary backpack, HX water bottle, gratuities and transfers
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12 nights from £2,349 $^{†}$
Flights, 1 night pre-tour hotel and 12 day guided small group adventure tour incl 6 nights hotels, 3 nights camping, 2 nights Amazon lodge, shared transport, tour leader, activities/excursions & 12 meals
SPECIAL OFFER Room discount – saving £350 per person
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Direct flights, 2 nights 4★ Vancouver hotel, Vancouver by Bike Tour, 7 night Holland America Line cruise incl full board, 11 night motorhome hire and ferry transfers
SPECIALIST TEAMS | CRUISE SPECIALISTS | 020 7084 6502 | CORPORATE TRAVEL | 020 7368 1499 | GROUP TRAVEL | 020 7938 3858 | TRAVEL INSURANCE | 020 7408 9005 | VISA & PASSPORT SERVICE | 020 7368 1504 | WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS | 020 7408 9008 | GAP YEAR & STUDENT TRAVEL | 020 7084 6530 | PRIVATE TOURING | 020 7084 6504 | Calls may be recorded for accuracy & training
NO.1 FOR FLIGHTS ON TRUSTPILOT – HERE'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SAYING
“Lauren was so helpful in getting us a better price for our flights by moving our dates around. Saved us over £1,000! Great service.”
\- All flights include at least 20kg of baggage.
★★★★★
\- 24/7/365 support from a person based in the UK, not a chat-bot. Often solving problems before you knew they existed.
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| Economy | Business | Norway | £179 $^{\dagger}$ | £369 $^{\dagger}$ | Bangkok | £435 $^{\#}$ | £1,757 $^{\#}$ | Vietnam | £457 $^{\dagger}$ | £1,999 $^{\dagger}$ | Sri Lanka | £499 $^{\diamond}$ | £1,875 $^{\dagger}$ | New York | £589 $^{\#}$ | £2,769 $^{\#}$ | Los Angeles | £599 $^{\diamond}$ | £2,897 $^{\dagger}$ | Cape Town | £658 $^{\#}$ | £2,569 $^{\#}$ | Sydney | £674 $^{\#}$ | £3,099 $^{\#}$ | Vancouver | £789 $^{\wedge}$ | £3,159 $^{\diamond}$ | Auckland | £899 $^{\dagger}$ | £3,099 $^{\diamond}$ | CALL FOR ANY DESTINATION OR ROUTING
---
NO ONE LOOKS AFTER YOU BETTER
Prices are per person based on twin share including flights from London (call for details), are subject to availability & valid for selected departures in the next 6 weeks except #21 Nov - 15 Dec 26 †† Jan - 31 Mar 27 †1 Apr - 30 Jun 27 †- 30 Jul 27 ^1 Sep - 30 Nov 27. \*Price based on 2 adults & 2 children under 12 travelling, Hotel, cruise, tour and flight prices are dynamic, fluctuating in real time according to consumer demand and the season of travel. Hotel, cruise, tour and flight prices are dynamic, fluctuating in real time according to consumer demand and the season of travel. Prices exclude any applicable local taxes and fees. All information correct at time of going to print on 9 Oct 26.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
The alarm watch that works wherever you go
The watch is connected to UK mobile networks, which means it has an unlimited range in the UK
Picture: YOURSTRIDE
A ROUND two million older people in the UK now use personal alarms to summon help if they have a fall.
But pull cords and red buttons only work when you are at home, while statistics show that 48 per cent of falls happen outside.
Now, a discreet and stylish new type of personal alarm is helping people to stay active as well as independent.
The YourStride alarm looks and functions like a smart watch and has an activity tracker to track your steps, measure heart rate and even blood pressure.
And on the screen, there's a button which you can use to summon help wherever you are in the country.
One grateful user, Gillian, says her watch has changed her life. Two years ago, she fell and
broke her hip and her local authority installed a red button-style alarm in her home.
'The problem is, this alarm only works if I'm in the house, it's no good if I'm in the garden, so I felt trapped indoors – and it made me feel old!' she says. 'But this watch has given me my freedom back.
'If I fall when I'm out, I just press a button on the watch and one of the lovely ladies who answers the calls will alert my named contacts or the emergency services.'
The watch is connected to UK mobile networks, which means it has an unlimited range in the UK.
Tap the button and your location is immediately sent to the monitoring team (who are available 24/7) and who can chat to you via a built-in speaker and microphone.
At £59.99 for the stylish and discreet watch and £17.99 per month for the SOS service, YourStride is cheaper than most personal alarm systems and it means you can
enjoy independence, with confidence that help is on hand anywhere you go.
Visit yourstride.com for more information or call 0203 868 5575
As the nights draw in, don't let eye strain follow
Picture: SERIOUS READERS
WITH shorter autumn evenings, the simple pleasure of reading or enjoying a hobby is often cut short by a familiar frustration: aching eyes and a building headache. We tend to blame age or fatigue, accepting it as an inevitable part of getting older.
This is often incorrect. The true culprit is frequently overlooked: the quality of the light itself.
Not all artificial light is the same. Many standard household LEDs, while bright, produce an imbalanced and incomplete spectrum. They often contain a harsh spike of blue light which can create a subtle, straining glare within the eye. More importantly, they are often deficient in the deep-red end of the spectrum.
This lack of red light is critical. Our eyes rely on these wavelengths to perceive sharp contrast. Without them, the brain receives an incomplete picture. Black text on a white page can appear faded and grey, forcing the muscles in your eyes to work constantly to bring the words into focus. This sustained effort is a direct cause of eye strain.
For tasks that demand close focus, the solution is to use a dedicated task light that produces a full, balanced spectrum – one that closely mimics the properties of natural daylight. By providing your eyes with the complete visual information they need, a full-spectrum light allows them to relax.
Words regain their sharpness, colours appear true, and the ability to concentrate for longer periods in comfort is restored. So, before you blame your eyes this winter, first look at the light you are asking them to work in.
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If you are struggling to focus, and suffer eyestrain and fatigue, the problem could be your light.
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Emergency help at your fingertips with the YourStride Fall Alarm Watch
Peace of mind,
wherever life takes you
Be covered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At home, in the garden, or out and about.
With just the push of a button you will be connected to our UK-based emergency support team for a two-way conversation. They will then send help to your location.
11:27
16-01-2023
24/7 EMERGENCY HELP - INDOORS AND OUTDOORS
★★★★★ UK's HIGHEST RATED PERSONAL ALARM SERVICE
FEATURING AUTOMATIC FALL DETECTION
If the YourStride watch detects a fall, you will be connected to our experienced 24/7 monitoring team. You can manually call by pressing the SOS button on the front of the watch.
As 48% of falls occur outside, YourStride's fall alarm watch has been designed to work both indoors and outdoors. Stay active, socialise with friends, and even climb mountains with YourStride!
---
AN ACTIVITY AND HEALTH MONITOR
YourStride is a comfy, lightweight wristwatch with a clear time and date display. Alongside the SOS button and automatic fall detection, it monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and has a built-in step-counter.
The YourStride watch operates entirely on its own, independent of Wi-Fi or a landline. As a result, you can confidently access the help you need at home, in the garden, or out and about.
---
HOW THE ALARM SERVICE WORKS
Press the SOS button or have the watch detect a fall
Our team speaks to you through the watch to understand what has happened
We will send help to your location (named contacts or the emergency services)
We will keep your contacts updated with information as required
The YourStride watch is just £59.99 with 24/7 emergency help for £17.99/month. Fall detection add-on +£2/month. All on a flexible, rolling contract with no minimum term.
TO ORDER
call: 020 3885 0603
or visit: www.YourStride.com
Picture: HOTTER SHOES
Comfort, quality and timeless design from busy mornings to relaxed weekends
Designed for every occasion: footwear that fits your life
STEP out in style with a collection designed to keep pace with every part of your life.
From busy mornings to relaxed weekends and special evenings out, every pair effortlessly combines comfort, quality, and timeless design in both seasonal and classic colours.
For her, bestsellers like the Leanne II sporty trainer bring classic comfort and everyday versatility – perfect for running errands or casual meet-ups.
The Chase II trainer (pictured in chocolate and soft blue), with its clever adjustable laces and handy side zip, offers a modern twist on practicality, ideal for days when you're always on the move.
For cooler weather, the Whisper boot with twin zips makes slipping in and out effortless, pairing beautifully with jeans or dresses for day-to-night wear.
When the occasion calls for understated elegance, the Robyn
II ballerina pump is a timeless option, easy to dress up or down.
For him, the Energise adjustable casual is a go-to choice for everyday wear. For comfort that lasts from morning commutes to evening get-togethers, it's a style that never lets you down.
Wherever the season takes you – work, weekends, evenings, or simply time at home – this collection has the perfect fit for every occasion.
For more information, visit hotter.com or call 01695 797979
Bathe with support and ease
NEED assistance getting in and out of the bath? Let a bath lift make it less of a struggle.
A belt lift comes as a rechargeable, battery-powered unit, is easy to use and can be installed by fitters in an hour.
With this type of lift, a wide belt extends from the unit across the bath and is secured to the floor on the other side.
When operated, it will lower you gently into and lift you out of the water in a comfortable, seated
position, taking you right to the bottom of the bath. The Dolphin Batheasy™ bath lift (pictured) even monitors the water temperature, ensuring you never accidentally get into a boiling hot bath and get scalded.
Operate it simply by pushing buttons on the front of the unit or by using the handheld, waterproof remote control.
When it's time to get out, just press the button and the bath lift will raise you gently out of the
water as it retracts. Once back in a seated position, you can transfer out of your bath safely, easily and without fuss.
A bath lift from a trusted company such as Dolphin Bathing is ideal for anyone with reduced body strength or stiff joints who would like some help getting into the bath but would prefer to keep their bathroom as it is.
For further information on the Batheasy™ bath lift call 0800 011 4378
Picture: DOLPHIN BATHING
WHISPER
A bestselling ankle boot with cushioned insoles, integrated fatigue-reducing and signature ruched detailing, finished with twin zips for easy on and off.
This offer entitles the customer to purchase selected colours of Whisper at £65, a saving of £34 off RRP with code WH34JX, subject to availability. Offer valid until 10th November 2026. For full T&C's, visit hotter.com/page/terms-conditions
Bathe in luxury, comfort and safety once again!
British designed and manufactured
\- Safely lowers and raises you at the click of a button
\- Battery operated, no wiring or cables just recharge every 7-10 days
\- Belt retracts into cassette for normal bath use for other family members
\- Stud walls no problem
Dolphin bathing For a FREE brochure call us on: 0800 011 4574
Normally fitted in under an hour
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Langley Electric Riser Recliner with Massage and Heat
The Langley is an electrically operated rise and recline chair with integrated massage and heat functions. Constructed from a solid, hardwood frame and upholstered in a durable bonded leather, with some faux leather used on low-stress areas. The chair's interior is a combination of pocket-sprung units and foam to give balance between comfort and support.
The strong recline mechanism supports up to 140kg and is powered by two motors to allow the user to operate the footrest and the recline functions independently.
Dimensions: H96 W86 D93cm
\- Two-man delivery — white-glove delivery service, which includes room of choice delivery and assembly of product. This is free of charge apart from selected postcodes. Please view our delivery information for postcodes which may incur a surcharge
\- Mobility aid – customers may be eligible for VAT relief
Shop now at www.mailshop.co.uk/langley or call 0330 230 0309 (Mon-Fri)
The bright new heart of the home
Picture: CONSERVATORYLAND
O NCE seen as little more than a glass box added to the back of a house,
the modern conservatory has quietly undergone a remarkable transformation. No longer simply an extra room, it has become a flexible living space that reflects changing lifestyles and a growing desire for brighter, healthier homes.
One of the strongest trends is the rise of indoor-outdoor living. Expansive glazing, bifold doors and uninterrupted garden views are helping homeowners create spaces that effortlessly connect house and garden, making everything from family barbecues to evening entertaining feel more relaxed and sociable.
At the same time, conservatories are increasingly being designed with wellbeing in mind.
Flooded with natural light, they provide an ideal setting for yoga, reading, quiet reflection or simply enjoying a morning coffee, offering a welcome retreat from the pace of everyday life.
Nature is also moving indoors through the continued popularity of biophilic design. Houseplants, natural timber, earthy colours and organic textures are creating interiors that feel calm, restorative and closely linked to the surrounding landscape.
Flexibility remains another defining feature. Today's conservatory may serve as a home office during the day, a family snug in the evening and an entertaining space at weekends. This ability to adapt has made it one of the hardest-working rooms in the home.
Interior design is evolving too. Warm minimalism is replacing cooler, clinical aesthetics, with soft furnishings, gentle lighting and natural materials bringing comfort and character without sacrificing contemporary style.
Perhaps most significantly, homeowners are no longer seeking extra square footage for its own sake.
Instead, they are creating lifestyle spaces that encourage relaxation, connection and everyday enjoyment. In that respect, the conservatory has emerged not as an afterthought, but as one of the most desirable and adaptable spaces in the modern British home.
For further information call 0800 952 8000 or visit conservatoryland.com
Keep the fun going with the grandkids throughout half-term
Picture: HUMFREE MOBILITY
ACCORDING to Age UK, around five million grandparents in Britain take on regular childcare tasks and responsibilities.
If you're one of them, you'll know there's nothing like spending quality time with your grandkids. But running around with them all day? That can be tiring enough for parents, let alone for grandparents.
When you're not quite as quick on your feet as you used to be, getting around more easily can make a huge difference. After all, looking after the kids should be all about the fun.
That's where Humfree comes in. This Bristol-based brand designs mobility scooters that help you get the most out of the everyday – as life is for thriving, not just surviving.
With six lightweight, portable, and easy-to-lift models to choose from, including a powerchair and the brand's innovative Connect®, Humfree's scooters make being out and about that bit easier.
Whether you're exploring the great outdoors, being dragged around the local shopping centre, or simply letting the grandkids take you wherever the day leads, a Humfree scooter helps you stay out a little longer, do a little more and go a little further.
Without the stress of getting around, you can focus on what really matters – making memories with the little ones.
To learn more about the range, visit humfree.co.uk or call 0800 999 2152
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The Connect scooter slips into the boot, lifts out with ease, and goes wherever the mood takes you. Market mornings, park strolls, popping round to see friends – it’s all within reach. So... where next?
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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
“I was very pleased to see how quickly it was put up. From ground works to the glass roof, it was finished in a week.”
Mrs Sleater – Farnham
Gable Front Conservatory 5.5m x 4m
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Manufactured by us
Manufactured in-house to ensure complete quality control. You can also arrange a visit to our factory showroom.
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Celebrating 25 years
Since 2000, we've delivered high-quality conservatories with $25+$ years of trusted craftsmanship and expertise.
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Trustpilot 4.9 Excellent
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Rated Excellent
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"I Stopped Playing Golf After One Very Embarrassing Accident" (For privacy purposes we have used a model's photo for David)
David Phillips says Securi-Briefs keep him dry all day long and without odour problems
DAVID PHILLIPS had always loved his golf. Since retiring, he played several times a week and enjoyed nothing more than getting out on the course with his friends. But one humiliating incident on the 18th hole changed everything.
"I'd had the odd little dribble now and then, but nothing prepared me for what happened that afternoon," says David.
"One of the lads was lining up his putt when Ben quietly walked over and muttered, 'Dave... mate... I think you've been caught out.'
"I thought he was accusing me of cheating, but then he nodded down towards my trousers.
"I looked down and was shocked to see a huge wet patch right across the front of my trousers. Not a little mark – properly wet. I was mortified.
"Thank God I was at the 18th hole – I couldn't get back to the car quick enough.
"Ben was brilliant about it. He quietly said, 'Don't worry Dave, I'll tell the lads you felt unwell.'
"I muttered, 'Cheers Ben,' and hurried to my car."
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I couldn't face going back
"After that happened, I stopped playing golf completely.
"I kept imagining people seeing me with a wet patch on my trousers.
"It sounds daft now, but it really knocked my confidence.
"I started making excuses not to go out. I turned down golf days, pub lunches, long drives with Carol – anything where I might get caught short.
"I became obsessed with where the toilets were. Before going anywhere, I'd be thinking: 'Can I get to a loo quickly enough?'
"Carol could tell something wasn't right, but I kept brushing it off.
"I think a lot of blokes do that. You don't want to admit you have bladder problems."
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Then I soaked the bed
"A few weeks later things got even worse.
"One morning Carol suddenly jumped out of bed shouting, 'Dave, the bed's wet!'
"I looked down and my pyjama bottoms were soaked. Properly soaked.
“Lying there, at my age, in soaking wet pyjamas was probably the lowest point for me.
"Carol stripped the bed and tried to reassure me, but I felt completely ashamed.
“That was when I finally admitted everything to her – the accident on the golf course, the smaller leaks, all of it.
"To be honest, saying it out loud was actually a relief. I'd been bottling it all up for months."
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Pads made me feel old
"Carol bought me some pads, but I hated them.
"They were bulky, uncomfortable and always seemed to move about.
"And to be honest, they made me feel old.
"I kept thinking: 'Is this it now? Is this what life's become?"
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Then I bumped into Ben again
"A couple of months later Carol persuaded me to go back to the golf club so I could swing a few shots on the driving range.
"I was getting my clubs out of the boot when I heard someone shout, 'About time you showed your face again!'
"Of course it was Ben.
"I laughed awkwardly and said, 'Yeah... I've been busy with things.'
"He looked at me and then quietly said, 'Dave, I know what you're going through. I have exactly the same problem. I've had some terrible accidents over the years.'
"I honestly couldn't believe it. Ben always seemed so confident and laid-back. I'd never have guessed in a million years he struggled with bladder leaks too."
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He told me about Securi-Briefs
“Ben told me he’d tried pads, disposable pants, different brands – but hated most of them.
"Then he said, 'The only things that properly worked for me were Securi-Briefs. Honestly mate, I wish I'd found them sooner. They gave me my confidence back.'"
"He explained: ‘they look and feel like ordinary underwear but have built-in absorbent protection that stops leaks before they show through.’"
"He also liked the fact they're
washable and reusable.
"Before he left he said, 'Listen Dave, don't let this stop you living your life. Give them a try.'
"That night I ordered a few pairs. They had a great 5 pair offer so I stocked up."
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I finally felt normal again
"When they arrived, I couldn't believe how good they looked and felt.
"They were soft, comfortable, discreet and fitted properly without feeling bulky.
"But more importantly, for the first time in ages I finally felt normal again.
"I wasn't constantly worrying about leaks showing through my trousers or people noticing anything.
"I now wear the Daily ones during the day and the Max absorbency ones overnight.
"And thankfully, I haven't had a single embarrassing accident since."
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Back on the golf course
"These days I'm back playing golf regularly and enjoying life again. I'm no longer planning every journey around toilets or worrying about getting caught out again.
"And the funny thing is, since opening up about it, I've realised just how many blokes of my age quietly struggle with the same problem.
“Most men are simply too embarrassed to talk about it. If sharing my story helps somebody else get their confidence back sooner than I did, then it’s worth it.”
"Believe me, accidents and leaks don't have to take over your life. Discovering Securi-Briefs changed everything for me." ■ Securi-Briefs are available exclusively from Active Direct from £29.95 a pair. However, during this promotional campaign, you can get 5 PAIRS FOR THE PRICE OF 3. Order now on freephone 0808 208 3101.
Super Absorbent Securi-Briefs
Fits and feels like normal briefs
√ Reliable discreet protection
√ Stay confident all day
Available in Daily or Max absorbency
√ Washable for over 200 wears
Best value 5-pair offer
90-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
Black or white – Sizes S/M/L/XL/XXL
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Pro-like petrol power at an affordable price The Cordless Blower that's more powerful than a tornado!
The most advanced motor technology, electronics & battery performance to tackle all garden tasks.
289.7km/h AIR SPEED
When it comes to clearing leaves, debris and grass cuttings, this is one garden tool that doesn't believe in doing things by halves. Meet the RYOBI 36V MAX POWER Cordless Brushless WHISPER™ Leaf Blower.
MORE POWER | MORE RUNTIME
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There are leaf blowers. And then there are leaf blowers that make you stop and take notice.
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Astonishing air speed
LOCK-ON Cruise Control with variable speed trigger
With an astonishing air speed of up to 289.7km/h, this Leaf Blower delivers the kind of serious, petrol-beating performance that can transform even the most stubborn garden clear-up into a remarkably quick job.
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Trustpilot 4.8/5 "Rated Excellent"
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Serious blowing power gets the job done
Wet leaves clinging stubbornly to the lawn? Grass cuttings scattered across the patio? Garden debris gathering in all the usual hard-to-reach places?
This is where serious blowing power comes into its own. At the heart of this Leaf Blower is RYOBI's high-performance
Motor, engineered to deliver professional-like power without the professional price tag. In other words, you get pro-power without the cost – and without having to buy a petrol-powered machine.
And that is where this cordless powerhouse really starts to make sense.
Because alongside its impressive power and speed comes complete battery convenience. No petrol to buy, store or mix. No mains cable trailing behind you. Simply fit the battery, pick it up and get to work.
It's the kind of freedom that makes tackling the garden considerably easier. And with petrol-beating performance on tap, there's no need to assume that cordless means compromising on power. But perhaps the most surprising thing about this powerhouse is what you don't hear.
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Shhh! Don't disturb the neighbours
Despite its formidable performance, the Max Power 36V Leaf Blower incorporates RYOBI's WHISPER™
technology, designed to reduce noise emissions. So while the leaves may be flying, you don't necessarily need to make the whole neighbourhood aware that you're doing battle with the garden.
It's a clever combination of serious power, cordless convenience and reduced noise – something traditional high-performance blowers haven't always been able to offer.
And this isn't simply a machine that operates at one speed. This Leaf Blower gives you the choice of Max Power and Max Runtlme modes, allowing you to select the performance you need for the job in hand. The variable-speed trigger also provides greater control, whether you're gently moving a scattering
unleashing maximum power on a more demanding pile of debris. Then there's that headline-grabbing figure again.
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Air Speed of 289.7km/h and combined with Air Volume of 22.7m³ per/min, makes this the most powerful DIY blower on the market, bar none!
That's an extraordinary amount of airflow for a cordless garden tool, and it explains why this Leaf Blower is built for much more than tidying up a few leaves. It's designed for homeowners who want professional-like performance, tackle stubborn debris and get larger areas cleared quickly – without the cost, hassle and maintenance associated with petrol. And because this Leaf Blower is part of the RYOBI 36V MAX POWER system, the battery can be used across a range of compatible garden tools.
touches that make a difference when you're actually using the machine, including a rubber-tipped nozzle and removable nozzle for easier storage. So, perhaps the real story isn't simply that this is a cordless leaf blower. It's that cordless garden technology has come a very long way. With tornado-like speed, petrol-beating performance, professional-like power, complete battery convenience and WHISPER™ technology, the Max Power 36V Leaf Blower proves that serious garden power no longer has to mean petrol.
When the leaves need moving, this is one storm you definitely want in your garden.
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STARTER KIT INCLUDES:
36V MAX POWER
Brushless Leaf Blower
(RY36BLXC-140)
36V 4AH MAX POWER Battery
THE RYOBI® 36V MAX POWER CORDLESS SYSTEM INCORPORATES THE MOST ADVANCED MOTOR TECHNOLOGY, ELECTRONICS & BATTERY PERFORMANCE TO TACKLE ALL GARDEN TASKS.
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One battery platform multiple possibilities. There are also practical
ALL THE POWER YOU'LL EVER NEED.
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Chums - the UK's premiere men's trouser supplier have developed this all year round Chino with a warm fleece lining throughout, ensuring you stay toasty whatever the weather. What's more, Chums have added a discreet auto expanding waistband providing up to two inches of growing room for supreme comfort. These Chinos are created in pure cotton with a polyester fleece lining and are machine washable. Tailored with two side, one hip pocket and 2 button fastening back pockets. The perfect trouser for everyday
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Write to: The Letters Editor, The Mail on Sunday, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY. Email: letters@mailonsunday.co.uk
Are small boat arrivals forced to wear hijabs?
I was disappointed to read your report last Sunday on how in the past year the Government has distributed more than 1,000 hijabs to immigrants arriving on small boats.
While few would object to the basic human dignity of providing a reasonable allowance of clothing to new arrivals, it is a cause of concern that some of the women in receipt of head coverings will be from places where the wearing of the hijab is mandatory and, as such, may well feel pressured by their male relatives to wear it.
The Conservative Party missed the point by complaining about the relatively small cost to the taxpayer. Surely, the strongest opposition to this policy is that Britain is a Christian nation and should therefore not facilitate the wearing of a garment that many consider to be oppressive, is restricted by several European countries, and forms part of a culture whose values are inherently opposed to those of this country.
Keeley Cavendish,
Dulwich, London
Buried under landslides
The Home Office has handed out 1,000 hijabs to illegal migrants. How long before it starts giving condoms to the men?
Paul Simpson,
Lewisham, London letters
Peter Hitchens wrote last Sunday that the current electoral system provides a ‘strong Opposition’. But Tony Blair, Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer had such huge majorities that each Opposition was toothless. The worst thing for the UK is a large majority.
A new system to prevent this
So Andy Burnham wants to adjust the triple lock on pensions to pay for social care while the Government is wasting money on hijabs for illegal migrants?
Chris Dymond,
Ebley, Gloucestershire
The news that the British taxpayers have to supply hijabs to Channel migrants raises one question. If the hijab is so vital to these women, why weren't they wearing them in the first place?
Michael Lynchehaun,
Wallasey, Wirral
When it comes to male illegal immigrants, I believe all those between the ages of 18 and 45 – regardless of how they enter the UK – should be drafted into the Army for a two-year period. If they successfully complete the situation, such as proportional representation, has to be good.
Dave Pottinger,
West Bromwich
Peter is correct that Burnham and Labour's Left want to abolish elections. This must not happen.
Nick Mills,
Over, Cambridgeshire
programme then they would be given permanent status in the United Kingdom.
If they decide they do not wish to enter into Army service for the two years, then they would immediately be removed from the UK and returned to their country of origin.
I believe this would slow down, if not stop, illegal immigrants coming into the UK. The money saved from not subsidising them and not paying for them to stay in hotels would more than cover the cost of being in the Army, and their numbers would also strengthen our Army reserves.
In addition, the programme would give an opportunity to introduce them to the British way of life and culture.
Barry Warwick, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
I know the ideal man for the turret
The Celebrity Traitors is back with Claudia Winkleman, above, and the first to exit the show by being ‘murdered’ was Amol Rajan, the former presenter of Radio 4’s Today. You reported that he said two other contestants, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, had an advantage as they have worked together a lot. ‘Rob and Romesh know one another very well,’ he said. ‘They are better at reading the other people if they know them well.’ After being ‘murdered’ by her close friend Alan Carr in the last series, I doubt Paloma Faith would agree!
Margaret Archard,
Coleorton, Leicestershire
Alexandra Shulman wrote last Sunday about how she tried to watch The Celebrity Traitors but managed only about 15 minutes. I am similar, preferring to view the treachery in the real world. Just look how Andy Burnham was once faithful to not only Keir Starmer but also Brexit.
Samuel Farooq,
Tooting, London
I wonder if the people of Makerfield would have been so quick to give Andy Burnham their vote if they knew how much he would go back on his word. Never mind No10, he should be in Claudia's turret.
J. Kennedy, Stockport
The Tory Party's one hope
Much was written last Sunday about the future of the Conservative Party. To greatly enhance their chance of success they must beg Boris Johnson to lead the party, as he is a guaranteed vote winner. Second, he should do a deal with Nigel Farage to unite the Right.
John Dorricott,
New Milton, Hampshire
Kemi Badenoch is in a tricky position, as she needs to win back Reform voters, and those on the extreme Right want easy answers. She needs to announce populist policies, but she can't, as they go against her Conservative values.
Andrew Nutt,
Bargoed, South Wales
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Children deserve better than hate
I wanted to write to thank you for publishing Natalie Lisbon's article last Sunday, 'The brave Gazans daring to condemn Palestinian schools that teach their children to “slit the throats of Israelis”... even in so-called grammar lessons'.
I found the testimony from Gazan parents and activists especially powerful. Hearing Palestinians themselves speak about their concerns over the glorification of violence, martyrdom and the messages children are exposed to made the article much harder to dismiss as simply another outside commentary on the conflict.
The reporting on military-style youth programmes and the examples cited from school textbooks were also deeply concerning. Whatever one's wider views on Israel and Gaza, surely everyone should
be able to agree that children deserve an education that gives them hope for a future beyond hatred and conflict?
I am grateful that you gave space to Palestinian voices willing to speak openly about these issues. I hope you will continue to publish careful, detailed reporting on subjects that are difficult but important to confront.
Angela Stott, address supplied
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PRIZE LETTER
Letter of the Week wins a two-night stay for two at Leonardo Hotels. Choose from any of its hotels across the UK only (two nights' B&B, T&Cs apply). Providing the perfect base for a city break or getaway, Leonardo Hotels offer comfortable and contemporary rooms complete with a bespoke DREAM bed for the most indulgent night's sleep. For the best rates, book online at leonardohotels.co.uk. Vouchers are valid for 12 months.
LEONARDO Hotels
Reminder helped me remember
I thank the writer of last Sunday's prize letter about airport parking charges for saving me a hefty fine. I had just got in from dropping my son off at Luton airport when I read the letter, which explained how barrierless airport parking relies on people remembering to pay after they leave. I immediately abandoned my paper and paid my drop-off charge!
Tony Thompson,
Deddington, Oxfordshire
You reported last Sunday that academics are saying dogs should have seatbelts in cars, left. I agree. When I take my labradoodle in the car, I secure her properly. She's a big dog and if I was in an accident, not only could she face serious injury but the occupants of the car could too. I use a harness that keeps her safe if I brake suddenly. Having to use such things should be the law.
Abby George,
Denbigh, North Wales
Say bye to ‘guys’
Why is it that whenever I
go out to eat or drink these days, I am greeted by ‘Hi, guys’? I recently took my elderly mother with dementia out for a cream tea. Once again, it was ‘Hi, guys’. Mum is 84 and I am 60 and neither of us is male! What has happened to ‘sir/madam’? Times have changed, but I have to say, guys, not for the better.
Shirley Martin,
New Milton, Hampshire
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GARFIELD
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PEANUTS
Financial MAIL ON SUNDAY
How wardrobe malfunction created a tights tycoon Page 82
Steel chiefs: Buy British in £19bn power upgrade
Battered industry fights to be included in ‘Great Grid’ overhaul after wind farm contract snub
STEEL companies have issued a 'Buy British' call in response to concerns they could be shut out from the £19bn boost to the national power network.
The Great Grid Upgrade is designed to fuel the growth of artificial intelligence and will be the largest overhaul of the electricity transmission system in decades, supplying energy from new offshore wind and other renewable sources to new industrial sites and data centres.
Gareth Stace, director-general of the trade body UK Steel, said British firms must be given the chance to build the thousands of pylons needed for the 600 miles of new power lines planned.
‘We are saying this is a great opportunity, let’s not miss out,’ he told The Mail on Sunday.
Stace fears a repeat of the rush to build a new generation of wind farms when UK firms were largely excluded from the £32 billion of contracts handed out.
The electricity transmission network in England and Wales is owned by National Grid, the £56 billion FTSE 100 giant.
As a quoted company, National Grid is not bound by rules that compel public projects to use British-made steel unless there is a good reason not to do so.
But Stace said his members
By Richard Marsden
had not received any details of National Grid's procurement wish list, which would allow them to bid for contracts.
Ministers are under pressure to ‘buy British’, especially in sectors involving critical national infrastructure, but they are said to fear a negative reaction from the protectionist Trump administration in the US as geopolitical tensions rise.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham last month announced a state-
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‘We can’t afford to miss out again’
owned Great British Grid company to rival National Grid. It would be set up using £4 billion from the taxpayer-backed Great British Energy investment company with the aim of ‘increasing competition, driving down costs and speeding up connections’.
Veteran Labour MP Clive Betts, deputy chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, whose Sheffield constituency includes two steelworks, said: 'Where there is a national interest, there ought to be a requirement for both the customer to look seriously at British steel and British steel companies.'
The renewed call to focus on backing Britain comes as a key decision looms over a £2 billion contract for the next-generation Skynet military satellites.
European aerospace group Airbus, which employs about 14,000 in the UK, is up against US contractor Lockheed Martin for the Ministry of Defence deal.
There are also worries that UK firms will be overlooked for contracts to build small modular reactor nuclear power stations for Rolls-Royce after the engineer appointed Czech manufacturer Skoda and South Korea's Doosan as subcontractors.
The state-owned Forgemasters steelworks in Sheffield is in talks with both firms about making key components for the reactors.
A National Grid spokesman said: ‘We will continue to work with industry to maximise opportunities for British businesses as this programme progresses.’
A government spokesman added: 'We are focused on reindustrialisation, having already taken steps to protect UK steelmaking and strengthening our domestic supply chains, including for grid parts.'
[Unreadable]
GOING GLOBAL: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and the Universal Studios logo
£250m cash boost for UK theme park
By Christian Sylt and Caroline Reid
COMCAST has pumped more than £250 million into its new Universal theme park in Bedford.
The US media giant's commitment ranks among the biggest investments ever made in British tourism, latest accounts show.
Built on the site of a former brickworks, the 540-acre venue is due to open its gates in 2031 with ambitious plans to rival Disneyland Paris as Europe's most popular entertainment resort.
The theme park will create 28,000 jobs and include a 500-room hotel, a shopping and dining district and rides believed to be based on the James Bond films, Jurassic World and Paddington Bear. The Government rolled out the red carpet to ensure Comcast chose a British site over other countries.
The theme park sits in the middle of the Oxford-to-Cambridge ‘growth corridor’ championed by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Ministers are reportedly planning to press ahead with plans to link the two cities with promised road and rail projects to create ‘Europe’s Silicon Valley’.
The move is designed to reassure investors and voters concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plans to shift power and money to the North to promote his Turn to Page 80
The music will stop – but when?
S
TAY invested or bunk out? And if you do sell your shares, where do you go? It's a twitchy, troubling time for anyone wondering what to do with their savings.
The market keeps hitting highs, and that has rescued the portfolios of the many investors who bought into the American dream.
The message on Friday from UBS, the Swiss financial group that is on most measures the world's largest wealth manager, is to ‘stay invested’. But there are plenty of experienced investors who feel it's time to row back, notably Ray Dalio, who created the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates.
He warned that we're nearing a point where the AI bubble may burst, and rising bond yields are likely to put pressure on equities.
‘We are in a bond bear market, that’s, I think, pretty clear, and I think that there’s more to go would be my guess,’ he told CNBC last week. But – and this is important – he is not yet predicting a decline in US company earnings, or an immediate stock market correction. So where are we in this cycle? As Fred Astaire sang to Ginger Rogers in Irving Berlin's 1936 film Follow the Fleet, 'There may be trouble ahead'.
But for the moment at least, the markets are following the thrust of the song's next two lines: 'But while there's moonlight and music and love and romance, let's face the music and dance'.
It's worth quoting because of an uncomfortable echo. In July 2007, Chuck Prince, then chief executive of the New York bank Citigroup, declared: 'When the music stops, in terms of liquidity, things will be complicated. But as long as the music is playing, you've got to get up and dance. We're still dancing.'
That was just three months before Northern Rock had to be rescued, an early warning of the cascading banking collapses – and the rescues – that followed around the world.
Citigroup itself was saved by the US government, which took a 36 per cent stake in the company in 2009 and eventually managed to sell it for a decent profit.
You see the point. History doesn't repeat itself with any precision, and the world's banking system is much more robust now.
But government finances are weaker just about everywhere, bond yields and interest rates are climbing, and while corporate earnings in general are strong, we all know the music will stop.
In past cycles, the appropriate reaction would be to de-risk portfolios by rebalancing from equities to bonds. But that doesn't work this time. Investment this year in bonds has been a disaster, while even so-so equity markets such as our own have not performed too badly.
The FTSE100 index is up 6 per cent on the year and you'd add a bit for dividends, whereas if you had bought 10-year gilts, even allowing for interest payments, you'd be about 6 per cent down.
So what do you do? Everyone's circumstances are different, but
---
‘Global firms are proving to be tough old beasts’
for long-term investors who won't need cash in the near future, the UBS point that you should stay invested is not a bad one.
It's impossible to time the top, and if you do get out of the market, it's jolly hard to know when to get back in. So yes, diversify a bit away from the sectors that seem most fashionable, and keep some cash so that when there is a correction you can take advantage.
But there are no strong signals of a global recession, and when you think of everything that has been thrown at the world economy over the past couple of years, that's most encouraging. Global businesses have proved to be tough old beasts.
There's something else at work. We're in the early stages of the great wealth transfer. That's money being passed from the older baby boomers and the so-called silent generation to Generation X. It runs into trillions.
Much of that wealth will be reinvested, but quite a lot will be spent. So, while incomes will be squeezed by higher interest rates, and almost certainly by higher taxes, it's hard to see a deep recession in the next couple of years at least. The Footsie still offers value. It's a sterling-based bet on the world economy.
Boring? Well, yes, it's not dancing. But right now I suggest boring is best.
Taxpayers' £1.3bn for Universal's mega-resort
From Page 79
'growth in every postcode' agenda. The Government fast-tracked planning permission for the theme park and has committed £1.3 billion of taxpayers' money, initially earmarking £474 million to upgrade local transport links.
The closest railway stations lack a direct line to London, so a new one is being built with four platforms that will be linked to the capital. The neighbouring A421 trunk road is also being widened and a dedicated junction is being built on it.
Comcast, which owns broadcaster Sky, has committed £6 billion to building and running the resort.
Comcast's spending hit top gear last year, according to accounts filed for its UDX subsidiary behind the project.
More than £59 million was spent buying land, while a further £84 million went into construction costs. Another £99 million was invested in the previous year, mainly on acquiring land, and £14 million in 2023, when Comcast was waiting for planning permission to be granted.
The rest of the Government's financial support will be paid in two stages. First, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, led by Lisa Nandy, will transfer a £438 million grant once Universal has completed its work on community infrastructure. Then a £400 million subsidy will be paid when the resort opens.
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From Alex Brummer in Bangkok
THE Chancellor will fly into Bangkok this weekend for the International Monetary Fund's annual meeting with the governor of the Bank of England's warning to balance the books or risk bond market turmoil still ringing in his ears.
The meeting will be a bed of nails for John Healey, who will briefly interrupt preparations for his maiden Budget at the end of the month.
It comes days after government borrowing costs hit a 28-year high and the Bank's Andrew Bailey, also on his way to rain-soaked Bangkok, sounded the alarm that a bond market storm could blow Healey's fiscal plans off course.
Annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) often take place in crisis – and this year is no different.
Managing director Kristalina Georgieva has warned that war in the Middle East was a clear and present danger for the global economy, threatening a return to 1970s-style inflation fuelled by the latest energy price shock. Oil has jumped by 40 per cent since the conflict with Iran began in February.
The mayhem in energy markets has proved to be a slow-burn crisis, but as winter approaches, the outlook remains highly uncertain.
The sessions here this week are likely to be dominated by fears over the huge debts run up by sovereign countries and by big tech in the race to dominate AI.
The AI debt pile, estimated at more than \$350 trillion and counting, is where the biggest danger lies, but the two issues are intimately related. Sovereign bonds set the price for private sector loans, whether they are residential mortgages or the fancy financing packages for Amazon or Nvidia.
The higher interest rates go, the more likely it is that weaker players in the credit supply chain could fall by the wayside.
The dangers are more acute because of the lack of visibility in loan markets caused by the rise in private credit provided by hedge funds, private equity and other financial intermediaries, which are largely unregulated.
Britain is seen as the weakest link, with its
SHOCK TACTICS: IMF boss Kristalina Georgieva and a stormy Bangkok skyline
30-year bonds yielding a chunky 6 per cent. But debt experts Pimco forecast this weekend that America's benchmark ten-year Treasury
bond could also soon yield 6 per cent, its highest level since 2002.
There are fears that governments will have to intervene with subsidies to protect consumers and defend business.
Bailey warned last week that ‘existing vulnerabilities in sovereign debt markets, credit markets and asset valuations could crystallise together'. In other words, be prepared for the gathering storm. The message from Georgieva to governments is: 'Tighten your belts.' They need to rebuild financial buffers and calm fragile bond markets.
It is never clear what will trigger the storm, but for the Chancellor, being caught in an Asian time zone should the edifice blow up in Europe or New York may not prove the best place to be.
INTERVIEW BY RUTH SUNDERLAND
NDREA Rossi has come to an industrial park on the outskirts of Durham to visit a company producing minuscule computer chips that could warn you when your shirt needs a wash.
It is inconceivable that the immaculately attired Italian-Swedish boss of FTSE 100 investment giant M&G would ever need such a thing. Nonetheless, he has put millions of pounds of savers' money into its maker, Pragmatic Semiconductor.
Rossi, 60, sees Pragmatic as evidence that, despite all the negativity, there is plenty of growth potential in the UK economy, even though we are a bit too complacent for our own good.
M&G's Catalyst fund has ploughed more than £47 million into Pragmatic, which was founded in Cambridge in 2010 and raised more than £180 million of capital three years ago. It is part of a drive to use the billions of pounds of savers' money under his stewardship to back Britain.
The UK has an abundance of capital, skills and talent, he says, but is held back by political instability and a lack of ambition.
He says: 'There is a lot of capital in the system. There is £2 trillion in the UK just sitting in cash, in bank accounts earning one or two percent, when it could be making better returns for savers and supporting the economy. We have amazing start-ups and amazing
---
'Created a world where everyone sits at home'
universities. We have more unicorns [privately held companies valued at more than £1 billion] than Germany, France and Sweden put together.'
Co-founder Dr Richard Price shows us round Pragmatic's factory and regales us with the myriad possible uses for its ultrathin, flexible, low-cost computer chips.
These include helping patients avoid counterfeit medicines and smart bandages to detect infection in wounds.
Pragmatic has even experimented with tiny chips designed to be put into the underarms of clothing to detect body odour. The idea of Project Plastic Armpit is that the chip sends people an alert on their smartphone when
We have amazing start-ups and universities, says the boss of investment giant M&G. But we are held back because we're just too complacent
they need another spray of deodorant. It is an ingenious idea, though the whiff-detecting garments are some way from appearing in the shops.
Why, with businesses like these, does Rossi think the UK economy is in the doldrums?
One reason is that we have lost our ambitious edge, partly because of the post-pandemic addiction to working from home.
Rossi says: ‘We ask where are the opportunities for young people to work, but is there a willingness to work? I don’t see this hunger any more in people. If we create a world where everyone sits at home, what are we becoming?
‘We have become too comfortable. If you become too comfortable, then that ambition is not there.
‘And if the population is not ambitious, how are you going to grow the economy?’
He is also frustrated at the way so many UK companies are being taken over by overseas buyers.
When he took over four years ago, the Square Mile was rife with talk that M&G itself was a bid target. That has, he says, ‘completely died down’.
There should, Rossi argues, be financial carrots for individuals and big City institutions to back UK plc.
‘In France and Italy, there are incentives to invest in their home market. Why not here? And why should we be the only modern country to have stamp duty on shares? For me, that is insane.
Italy has been the most unstable country since the Second World War. But we have had stability with Giorgia Meloni as Prime Minister. If only we could have more women PMs,' he says, momentarily forgetting about Liz Truss.
'I lived in Mrs Thatcher's house in Chelsea; I was renting it. I was hoping to see her ghost, but no, never. We need her again, but perhaps I am not allowed to say that.
‘We need growth in the economy. That is the only way to pay for health and welfare.
‘Politicians need to move from slogans to action. For that, you need stability.
‘In a company, if you change the chief executive every 18 months, you will go nowhere.
‘It is the same with a country.
AGE: 60
CAREER: Appointed M&G chief executive in 2022
FAMILY: Wife and one son
LIVES: West London
DRIVES: A vintage 1983
Porsche 911
BOOK HE IS READING NOW: SPQR by Mary Beard
MENTOR: His Swedish grandfather and Henri de Castries, the former AXA boss
CHAMPAGNE OR CUP OF TEA? Italian red wine, ideally Brunello
IDEAL DINNER PARTY GUEST (ALIVE OR DEAD):
Enzo Ferrari (pictured)
BACKING UK PLC: Andrea Rossi on a visit to Pragmatic Semiconductor, left, and, above, with co-founder Dr Richard Price
There has been too much changing of prime ministers. The rule of law and stability of this country have been excellent, but unfortunately that has changed. Everybody is negative, negative, negative.'
ANDREA ROSSI: DRIVING UK GROWTH
When Rossi arrived, M&G had lost direction following its spin-off from the Prudential insurance company in 2019.
He says: 'There was a great heritage, a balance sheet with enormous potential.
‘But when I arrived, there was no clarity on what M&G wanted to be, no real ambition and purpose.’
Investors have seen total returns well in excess of 180 per cent since he took over. He has strengthened the balance sheet, delivered £250 million of cost savings and achieved record operating profit at the half year.
He has also launched a new brand campaign playing on M&G's initials. Momentum and Growth refers to the £100bn invested in companies such as Pragmatic.
Moving and Grooving is a nod to an investment in Seeker Music, an LA-based business founded by
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'Politicians must move from slogans to action'
Evan Bogart, who co-wrote hits for Beyoncé and Rihanna.
Memories and Grandchildren is about helping people save enough for their future to enjoy their later years with their families.
Cheesy, perhaps. But behind it all is the mighty PruFund, a huge but relatively obscure investment powerhouse. A legacy of the days of the Man from the Pru, it is a 178-year-old life assurance fund with £73billion of assets.
Rossi sees it as a sleeping giant he can awaken and sell to a new generation of savers. He is planning an advertising campaign and wants to make it easier for individuals to invest directly.
What would he like to see in the Budget for M&G, for savers and for the country? He says: 'We want certainty. We want policies that are pro-growth and proportionate. You cannot just tax more because you will kill the economy.'
He never did see Mrs Thatcher's ghost, but perhaps it would be some consolation to have a pre-Halloween Budget that does not frighten savers.
Can I be stopped from working four days a week? – Page 82
HOW WE
BUILT IT
The entrepreneurs
behind successful firms
---
By ANNE ASHWORTH
RIE Read started her online hosiery business Snag when her tights fell down in Edinburgh's smartest shopping area. She recalls the moment of acute embarrassment, which happened
on George Street on a morning in the autumn of 2017.
‘I looked up and saw that at least 100 people were watching,’ she says.
Read managed to step out of her tights but not away from the difficulty revealed by the wardrobe malfunction. Using her savings, plus loans from friends and family, she pursued the goal of better-fitting tights for all figures.
Snag has become an international enterprise and recently secured a seven-figure investment from James Caan of Dragons' Den fame.
The pair met through an acquaintance, but it is not hard to see how he would have been impressed by her readiness to question the entire basis of the £15 billion global tights industry.
Read says: ‘Everybody has a problem with tights, whatever their height and shape. This is a particular issue if you have to wear tights as part of your job, such as doctors, nurses and flight attendants.’
The decision to supply a comfortable but stylish product has not always been easy for the 45-year-old mother of two.
She has opted for inclusivity because, she says, it makes commercial and ethical sense. But she has had to endure criticism over Snag advertisements, which show women who are not size 8 lingerie models.
The website features the petite, the mid-sized and the curvy, but the images are not the filtered, ultra-glamorous norm.
Public disapproval of larger body types may be irksome, but the decision to cater for women of all sizes has paid off.
Snag, based in Oxfordshire, had sales of £54 million last year, offering its tights, underwear, leggings and other clothing through six websites in the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Germany and the EU.
One pair of Snag tights, which come in sizes 4 to 36 and retail for as little as £9.49, sells every 10 seconds. Not bad for a company that employs just 120 staff, most of them working remotely.
She argues that the fault lies not with customers, but with manufacturing methods and other retailers' willingness to tolerate what she regards as low standards.
Read found that the way in which tights were made, mostly in China, took only leg length into account, not body width.
'I found that an extra-large pair of tights usually had no more room around the hips; it just had longer legs.'
Snag tights are made by a small business in northern Italy in a full range of widths. Read's calculation that women, whatever their height or weight, were fed up and
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'My goal is better-fitting tights for all figures'
looking for a better fit proved successful almost immediately.
She says: 'My partner Tom, who's now our chief technology officer, built the website, and we went live at 11pm on March 1, 2018. We woke up the next morning to sales coming through.
‘Soon, we were taking £100,000 a month, showing that designing for real bodies is better for customers and better for business. Within the first year, we had sold 300,000 pairs of tights.’
She continues: 'I quit my job and, by late 2019, our turnover was £2 million a month. That spring, we had sought more finance, with our original investors putting in more and a new investor coming on board.' Leggings and other clothing were added to the range. But whatever the product, the focus on fit means that there are fewer returns, which was one of the aspects of the business that aspected to the business that attracted Caan. Read says: 'Online fashion return rates average about 40pc. Our return rate is 2pc.'
Caan describes this figure as ‘commercially compelling’, adding: ‘High return rates erode profitability and create unnecessary waste.
‘By designing for a broader customer base, the business opens up a significantly larger market opportunity. I back founders with conviction, and Brie has built something genuinely disruptive.’
The former Dragon must also have been struck by Read's inventiveness under pressure, which came to the fore during the pandemic when many worked from home, severely reducing demand for tights.
She says: 'Covid had struck, our finance person had told me we were running out of money and I was in the garden crying.
‘But I started a “Save Our Snag” campaign using our social media, under which our customers could buy one, get one free. Within days, we had raised £1.25 million. Our customers bailed us out.’
Instrumental to this initiative was the relationship that Read had with her 50,000 followers, known as ‘Snagglers’, on Instagram and her 100,000 Facebook followers. This month, the Snagglers will be celebrating Halloween in special tights, including a jack-o'-lantern pair, while also preparing for winter with 80-denier opaques.
Read says Caan's experience will mean that Snag should move ‘further and faster’. After all, Snag's strategy accords with Caan's central business dictum: ‘Observe the masses and do things differently.’
Can I be stopped from working four days a week?
THE WORK DOCTOR
I want to work four days a week to help my wife with childcare. Do I need to give my employer a detailed reason and can they prevent it?
HR expert Kate Underwood says:
A I TAKE this call from dads more than people imagine, and they nearly always open with an apology, but they shouldn't. Flexible working is a legal right from your first day and you can make two requests in any 12-month period.
You do not owe your boss a life story either. The request has to be in writing, dated and set out what you want to change and when you want it to start. Since April 2024, you do not even have to explain how the business should cope without you.
Mention childcare if you want to, and it often does help, but nobody gets to demand a full account of your family arrangements as the price of being heard.
Your employer then has to talk it through with you properly and give you an answer within two months.
They can refuse, but only on one of eight set business grounds: extra cost; not being able to reorganise the work; not being able to recruit cover; a hit to quality, performance or customer service; not enough work in the hours you want; or planned changes to the business.
I'd advise you to write it as a business case, not a favour, and explain how the job will be done in four days, who picks up what, and offer a three-month trial so the risk feels temporary. If the answer is no, ask for the decision in writing and appeal.
Catrin Mills, employment partner with Sharpe Pritchard, adds:
A WHILE the law gives employees a right to ask for flexible working, there is no automatic right to have the request granted. If your employer is unable to agree because of genuine business reasons, you could also explore alternatives.
They may be more receptive to a temporary arrangement, a trial period, compressed hours over four days or a hybrid working pattern.
The key is that you should feel able to discuss this with your employer to try to reach a solution. | 1 | (2) | 000 | CRESTOFDISTINCTION (D2) J Channon 4-10-O... G Bass | 2 | (7) | 697 | THE STRIKIN VIKING (D2) H Al Jehani (UAE) 4-9-13T Marquand | 3 | (11) | 640 | CABURN (D2) J Tate 4-9-13....H Crouch | 4 | (3) | 210 | DEEP HAVANA (BF,D2) H Al Jehani (UAE) 5-9-12 J Doyle | 5 | (6) | 528 | MIDNIGHT THUNDER (BF,D2) S bin Suroor 4-9-11O Murphy | 6 | (9) | 125 | COLLECTING COIN (BF) J Candlish 4-9-6....G Wood | 7 | (10) | 440 | JUNGLE DRUMS (D4) J Osborne 4-9-5....W Carver | 8 | (14) | 055 | SUDDEN FLIGHT (D) R Hughes 4-9-2.. D J Murphy (5) | 9 | (8) | 233 | BONE MARRA (D) O Sangster 3-9-1.... B Loughnane | 10 | (13) | 226 | BROASY (C,D2) C Pike 4-9-1....R Ryan | 11 | (12) | 437 | DREAM COMPOSER (C&D) A Carroll 8-9-0 M Coppins (5) | 12 | (1) | 408 | JUSTCALLMEPETE (D12) A Carroll 7-8-13....J Dace (5) | 13 | (5) | 621 | PERCY'S STAR (C&D) C Dwyer 3-8-6....S De Sousa | 14 | (4) | 182 | FROM THE HIP (D3) M Usher 3-8-6....T Heard |
BETTING: 11-2 Percy's Star, 6 Deep Havana, 7 Collecting Coin, Bone Marra, Midnight Thunder, 8 Sudden Flight, 12 Brosay, From The Hip. | # O'Brien eyeing tilt at Triple Crown with star colt
Darkness shines in Dewhurst
By Sam Turner
AIDAN O'BRIEN is targeting an ambitious tilt at next season's Triple Crown with Darkness Falls after watching him brilliantly claim the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.
A winner of the nine-furlong Group One Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown on his previous start, Darkness Falls coped admirably with the two-furlong drop in trip to see off the well-touted Desert Castle by a neck in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Victory in all three of the British Classics for colts — the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger — has been an illusive target in recent decades, with no horse managing the feat since the legendary Nijinsky in 1970.
O'Brien went mighty close with Camelot in 2012. He captured the first two legs prior to being controversially beaten by Encke, who later failed an out-of-competition drugs test.
He now appears to have a live candidate to end the near 60-year wait, with Darkness Falls already confirming he has the speed required to be competitive in the 2,000 Guineas next May.
'You have to dream, he's a really good colt,' said Moore about the winner, who was priced at 25-1 to complete the Triple Crown by
William Hill. 'He only did what he had to do — it feels like there's more in the tank. You'd think he's going to stay a good bit further.
‘This guy will go the Guineas path now. There wouldn’t be many Dewhurst winners who would go and win over nine [furlongs] and then win over seven as he has done there.’
Unsurprisingly, O'Brien echoed Moore's enthusiasm: 'He has a lot of quality. He's very exciting. When they have that much class, they can do anything really.'
Charlie Appleby, trainer of Desert Castle, was proud of his colt's performance in defeat, saying: 'They are two smart colts, and the one thing we know about the winner was that he wasn't going to come back to us. Our horse will come forward for the experience as he's big and scopey.'
All the talk surrounding the Cesarewitch was whether Beylerbeyi could be the first horse to win back-to-back runnings of the race and just the second in its lengthy history to secure two renewals.
The Ian Williams-trained six-year-old ran a superb race to finish seventh, but it was Alphonse Le Grande who etched his name into history for trainer Tony Martin and 18-year-old apprentice Patrick McGettigan by reprising his controversial 2024 success at odds of 18-1.
Two years ago, Alphonse Le
MOORE SUCCESS: Darkness Falls claimed a big victory at Newmarket
Grande was initially disqualified when rider Jamie Powell was judged to have exceeded the Flat limit by using the whip 10 times.
However, connections appealed to an independent disciplinary panel, which ruled that the 10th strike was inadvertent contact, leading to Martin's stayer being reinstated.
Bought for 10,000 guineas (£10,500) four years ago, Alphonse Le Grande was his handler's third winner in the race.
YOUR GUIDE TO TODAY'S RACING, WITH EXPERT TIPS
Chepstow TV: SSR
L-H course. GOING: Good to Soft-Good in places.
TOP JOCKEY: Jones. TOP TRAINER: P Nicholls.
1.27 MARES' 'NH' NOVICES' HURDLE (CLASS 3)
£16,000 (£8,714) 2m 3f 100yds | 1 | 42-1 | KAMILLE AU KANADA A Honeyball 6-11-6......S T-Davies | 2 | 5-1U | BATH TAVERNESS P Evans 5-11-0......R T Dunne | 3 | 211- | CONNELLS CROSS K Bailey & M Nicholls 5-11-0..C Gethings | 4 | 1/30- | DIVINE DIVA D Skelton 5-11-0......H Skelton | 5 | 354- | MIDNIGHT DOYEN J Scott 6-11-0......R Dingle | 6 | 110- | PRINCESS DAY (BF,C) J Scott 5-11-0......L Williams | 7 | 1- | WALKINTHEMOURNES J Tizzard 5-11-0......B J Powell |
5.30: I'VE GOT A FRIEND (B Hughes) 13-8 1; The Gloves Are Off 10-11f 2; Pether's Daisy 20-13.6 ran. (G Hanmer). 1¼, 1½. Tote: £2.63; £1.20, £1.10. Ex: £3.80. Trifecta: £16.70. CSF: £3.36. NR: Big Vik. Placepot: £35.30. Quadpot: £18.30.
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NEWMARKET
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Good-good to soft in places
NEWMARKET Good-good to sort in places 1.15: HUMIDITY (James Doyle) 15-8 1; The Lost King 7-4f 2; High Stock 20-13.5 ran. (A Balding). 1½, 1¼. Tote: £3.15; £1.55, £1.30. Exacta: £6.70. Trifecta: £36.70. CSF: £5.55.
1.50: DRUMBEAT (R L Moore) 10-11f 1; Wykehurst Park 7-2 2; Apulia
Bay 5-1 3. 6 ran. (A P O'Brien (IRE)). 5½, 2l. Tote: £1.91; £1.30, £1.75. Ex: £6.10. Trifecta: £17.30. CSF: £4.50.
2.25: ROCK MONTREAL (W Buick) 11-8f 1; Sergei Diaghilev 15-8 2; Al Jabbar 4-13.7 ran. (R Varian). nk, 2%. Tote: £2.38; £1.20, £1.01, £1.40. Ex: £4.60. Trifecta: £7.70. CSF: £4.04.
3.00: DARKNESS FALLS (R L Moore) 6-4 1; Desert Castle 10-11f 2; Great Barrier Reef 15-2 3. 5 ran. (A P O'Brien (IRE)). nk, 2%. Tote: £2.75; £1.35, £1.15. Ex: £4.30. Trifecta: £7.40. CSF: £3.18.
3.40: ALPHONSE LE GRANDE (P McGettigan) 18-11; Sea Lantern 4-1f 2; Dawn Rising 6-13; High Fibre 12-14. 29 ran. (A J Martin (IRE)). shd, 1¼, 1½. Tote: £30.25; £2.30, £2.85, £3.80, £5.20. Ex: £312.40. Tricast: £527.41. Trifecta: £2232.00. CSF: £87.52.
2.05: GREY CUBAN (D Probert) 28-1-1; St Anton 25-1-2; Lord Melbourne 22-1-3; Say What You See 11-1-4, jt-f18 ran. (H Palmer). 11-2jt-f Thunder Run. ½, hd, 4l. Tote: £36.80; £5.90, £5.20, £4.90, £2.30. Ex: £427.10. Tricast: £9332.17. Trifecta: £7259.70. CSF: £476.36. NRs: Old Harrovian, Stoneacre Donny. Stoneacre Donny| Rule 4 applies to All Bets, deduct 15p in the pound.
NEWCASTLE Red Bulls' new England-qualified arrival is full of surprises. Let's start with Max Hicks' childhood. He was born and raised in New Zealand. His father, James, is Maori, and his mother, Liane, comes from Cornwall.
'I grew up in a little town called Coatesville, west of Auckland,' explains the 27-year-old. 'I had a pet eel called Scarface. We had this big creek that ran through the bottom of our property. We had agricultural day at primary school, where people would bring in sheep, calves, bunny rabbits.
'My old man was a builder and we had this old bathtub, so we went and caught one of the eels from the creek and I kept it as my pet. I put it back in the river but it would always come back. I always fed it butter chicken. I had a ram called Cookie, too. I would shout his name and he would run over to me. I was a pretty weird kid.'
His sporting journey has been equally unconventional. While the likes of Caleb Clarke and Tupou Vaa'i were nurtured through the All Blacks age grades, Hicks was often found playing hockey or Aussie Rules. A career in rugby seemed like an unlikely path.
'My parents encouraged me to get into all sports,' he says. 'I played 100 games of first-team hockey at high school and played for the New Zealand Maori hockey team. I started playing AFL in my last year of high school, too, and spent some time with St Kilda [one of the AFL's most historic sides]. AFL is such an athletic sport. The big men can all run, jump, kick off both feet, handle with both hands.
‘I loved playing rugby but I was never the best. I got invited to a few of the Under 20s camps but I was built like a rake. AFL wanted me to be super fit and to be able to run forever. Rugby wanted me to bulk up. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
‘Rugby never really hit me as a proper career path until I kind of left high school. Once I’d chosen rugby, I went on this big bulking journey to put on some weight. McDonald’s, KFC, ice cream!’
Hicks became a trainee builder to fund his rugby dream. He upped his calorie intake and took on an early-morning weights routine before going to work. By chance, his labouring colleague was school-mate Ethan Roots, the
Back home I used to feed curry to Scarface, my pet eel ...I was a weird kid!
Kiwi star MAX HICKS has caught the eye for Newcastle... is an England call next?
Auckland-born Exeter flanker who has been capped by England.
"I wasn't a young superstar who was picked up straight out of high school and straight into a rugby environment. I moved down to Tasman. They didn't offer me a full contract, but kind of said, 'Hey, if you come down here, work hard, you can earn yourself a spot on the team'.
‘The following year I joined the Highlanders. I remember going in for the first time
and seeing all these guys I'd watched on TV. It was surreal. I played for the
Maori All Blacks, representing my dad's side, and I was really keen to have an adventure, so I shot over to France and joined Perpignan.'
Wearing the No 6 jersey last season, Hicks' turnover haul was second only to Jack Willis in the Top 14. He now had the opportunity to retrace family roots.
‘My grandad was in the Royal Air Force and he got a posting in New Zealand. Mum was
born in Truro and moved over when she was around ten. I went to
Cornwall with mum for the first time last year, that was cool. She got to show me where she grew up. We spent some time in St Ives. Ethan and Jimmy Roots popped over from Exeter, too.
Newcastle's head of recruitment, Gavin Vaughan, learned of
NEW SURROUDINGS: Hicks in action for Newcastle this season
Hicks' English roots last year. In his new role with Newcastle, Vaughan has to hit targets of English-qualified players, making Hicks an attractive proposition.
‘I wasn’t actively looking to leave but I was open to hearing what was out there. Red Bull approached me and my agent and it’s such an awesome project. I thought, “How cool would it be to come into a new environment, with all this expectation, and turn a place around?”
‘It would be such a cool story to come here as a group of people from all around the world and fill the stadium. That’s what excited me. Mum was quite happy I moved over. I’ve represented my dad’s side and I guess now I’m representing my mum’s.’
During Newcastle's pre-season camp at the Red Bull HQ in Austria, Hicks had another surprise for his team-mates. He wowed everyone with his wake-boarding ability — another skill he picked up living by the coast in New Zealand.
Hicks has only played two Prem games but is already making a name for himself. Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has compared his ability to hold a ball in one hand to NBA superstar LeBron James.
At 6ft 6ins and 17st 9lbs, Hicks resembles former Saracens flanker Theo McFarland, whose basketball background gave him an athletic point of difference. His eye-catching performances have thrown him into the mix of England's World Cup bolters.
'It was never my reason for coming here but I would love to play international rugby,' he says, having represented the Maori All Blacks twice. 'I'd love to represent my mum's side of the family. If that happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm here to throw all my eggs into the club.
'I know we've had a tough start, but the progress has been really positive. Some teams have been together for a few years and know who's going to get a weak shoulder and throw an offload. We're still figuring that out, but when that clicks, it's going to be exciting.'
Double delight for Verstappen but it's
MAX VERSTAPPEN won the sprint race ahead of today's Singapore Grand Prix, which turned out to be the second Formula One event in a week to be delayed by bad weather, this time for 30 minutes.
The Dutchman then took pole for the race proper a few hours later, the 50th time he has accomplished the feat in his career.
The sprint was postponed when torrential rain landed a quarter of an hour before it was due to begin. This came six days after the Malaysian Grand Prix was controversially deferred for 90
---
FORMULA ONE By Jonathan McEvoy
IN SINGAPORE
minutes because the half-electric engines could not run as the heavens opened.
Verstappen's victory around Singapore's street circuit was achieved after George Russell crashed out while leading. 'Sorry, sorry, sorry,' he apologised to his Mercedes team.
The Briton was briefly in command of proceedings, but he slipped on to the white line on the final bend of the opening lap, and that was him done. He slid over the track to the other side and glanced the wall.
Verstappen went on to triumph by 2.5secs ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who finished second for Ferrari, roaring up from sixth on the grid after an excellent start in which he gobbled up ground. His team-mate Charles Leclerc came third, while the McLarens of world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri crashed at the end.
Leclerc qualified second for the grand prix with Hamilton third.
Russell, who shook his head disconsolately as he climbed out of his car, had made a perfect getaway in the sprint, passing Verstappen, who had gone off in pole position. Still wet on the Marina Bay Circuit at this stage, the spray was not in Russell's face but on those behind him.
He made an ‘unforced’ error — and his world championship campaign was over. Those hopes had already withered on the vine, truth be told, and now Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, who finished the sprint fourth and qualified fourth, heads Russell by 89 points. Russell
71-48
Saints win crazy Prem
game that felt more like
basketball than rugby
AT 7am yesterday, Johann van Graan sat down for breakfast with Ben Spencer at Bath's team hotel to watch the All Blacks' 50-19 victory over Australia.
Hitting half a century in Test rugby used to be something spectacular but, in the current climate it is becoming the new normal. Tries are coming thick and fast across the rugby world but this Prem fixture at Franklin's Gardens took the biscuit.
There were exceptional attacking skills on show from Fin Smith and Finn Russell but it felt more like a basketball game.
It was the second highest scoring game in the league's history and by the time Tommy Freeman touched down the 18th try of the afternoon it all seemed a little bit too easy.
Defence and tension are fundamental to rugby's DNA but right now the lawmakers have shifted the balance towards attacking play. Breakdowns are refereed more
harshly, tackle laws make it easier to offload and teams are gearing up to attack from deep.
---
TRY-MENDOUS! New rules, warm weather, cat and mouse mauls... why Prem teams just can't stop scoring
There were 58 missed tackles here — 21 by Northampton and 37 by Bath
— but the audience were treated to an exhibition of dazzling tries.
HIGH SCORING: How we reported the crazy trends in Friday's newspaper
Northampton ultimately came out on top — thanks to a hat-trick by Ollie Sleightholme — but it left people questioning if the game is falling out of kilter.
‘There have been trends,’ said Van Graan. ‘To get 50 points at some stage was a big achievement but now we score 48 points away from home. If you look at South Africa v Australia two weeks ago, Australia were 42-17 up and South Africa could have won it with the last play of the game.
‘From an officiating point of view, attack is definitely on top. You get
Northampton
Bath
---
By Nik Simon AT FRANKLIN'S GARDENS
rewarded to keep the ball in hand. From a Prem point of view, all 10 teams want to play a certain brand of rugby. Our challenge is to adapt to this better than the other nine teams to stop the flow of it.'
Both teams were given time and space to offload.
Defences are more disruptive at Test level but the confidence flowing through Smith, Freeman and Alex Coles proves that England are blessed with attacking talent.
‘I know people will say it is too easy to score, but you’re not going to please everybody,’ said Northampton coach Phil Dowson.
'I think there's a balance. We don't want it to be 99-88. It's not basketball, but we also don't want a 9-3.
‘I used to have a coach called Mike Friday and one of his sayings was, “you
can't defend good rugby and there's lots of good rugby being played".
‘There will be some games this season that will be tough, horrible and nasty. But we want to be able to enjoy and reward great rugby.’
■ SARACENS secured a try bonus point as they beat Bristol 30-7 at StoneX Stadium.
Noah Caluori went over after just four minutes, while two penalties from Owen Farrell put the hosts 11-0 ahead at the break.
Bristol hit back through Harry Randall before Sarries pulled away again via a penalty try, and Jack Bracken ensured his side took the maximum five points.
all over for Russell
qualified sixth, another blow. There are a maximum of 175 points to be won if all the scheduled rounds go ahead, despite the war in the Middle East, with races scheduled for Qatar and Abu Dhabi in November and December. They remain on the calendar but Imola — a cold winter day in prospect — is an option should either or both be called off.
Verstappen said of qualifying: 'The margins are very close between us today. This is the one I wanted [his first pole in Singapore]. The car has been strong all weekend. There are always things that can be better but it was enough for pole, so I am very happy.'
Verstappen is 129 points behind Antonelli, and even this miracle man cannot close that gap in the space of the races open to him, though he starts here under the lightbulbs as favourite for victory on the day.
● SINGAPORE GP: 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1
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little helps.
By Riath
Al-Samarrai
W
HATEVER else is said about Dan Friedkin, he is a good golfer. He plays off a handicap of one and, if we are to trawl his scorecards, Friedkin handled himself well in the company of a few touring professionals in Scotland last week.
That was at the Alfred Dunhill Links event, where he contested the Pro-Am in the days before it was announced, rather abruptly on Friday, that he was seeking a way to sell his controlling stake in Everton. Having only bought the club 22 months ago, the latter landed as a surprise.
But we'll return to that in a moment. First, we'll touch on the golf, because it's where the patriarch of an American business dynasty appears to channel his love. By that, we mean it's how he chose to spend the bulk of his time on this recent visit to the UK, rather than chatting with, say, David Moyes.
To Friedkin, the concerns of an Everton manager were one thing but the prospect of tee times across four days at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns was quite another. He chose golf.
His pro at the tournament was a Spanish player named Josele Ballester, better known for causing holy hell and hilarity at the Masters last year by taking a pee in Rae's Creek. Together, they were among the 20 teams out of 168 to make the cut and Friedkin pulled his weight — on 10 of their 72 holes, he returned the pair's best score and eagled a couple on a blustery day at Carnoustie.
Again, Friedkin is a good golfer. But let's now talk about swingers and those who seek a rapid escape in the small hours of the night.
If we are to assess Friedkin's behaviour since he reached into the bowl of investment opportunities and pulled out the keys to a Premier League club, then we'd see a man whose commitment to Everton was exposed by one salient detail: if he said even a single word to Ballester across their four days together, that would be one more than Silent Dan has uttered to Moyes in his entire tenure at Everton. And 178 less than a note left on the pillow by The Friedkin Group on Friday, when that brief statement dropped and outlined their willingness to sell a club they only purchased on December 19, 2024.
I remember the relief around Everton when The Friedkin Group first rocked up. After the debacle and chaos and debts of the Moshiri era, they were hastily viewed as a saviour for a grand old club in hard times. That was an understandable reflex. And more so in review of who else was trying to take control — 777 Partners, a consortium whose head, Josh Wander, was later charged with fraud.
For one of British football's most loved institutions, Everton were due a good turn. And they thought they had it in Friedkin, who did nothing, initially, to disabuse anyone of that notion.
This was his statement when he took over: 'I take immense pride in welcoming one of England's most
GOLF COMES FIRST: Dan Friedkin (left) with his son Ryan (right) and Everton supporter Tommy Fleetwood at Carnoustie last week
Friedkin never cared about Everton. He saw this grand old team as an investment opportunity and nothing more
historic football clubs to our global family, The Friedkin Group. Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honoured to become custodians of this great institution. We are deeply committed to honouring this legacy while contributing positively to the community, economy, and people of this remarkable city.'
We now know what ‘deeply committed’ meant — 660 days, and far too few of them chimed with internal expectations at the club.
So here's a question: what do we picture when we imagine a bad Premier League owner?
Is it the leeching Glazers at Manchester United? Is it the associations with a repressive state at Newcastle? Is it the cheats at Manchester City?
Is it the conflicted boardroom of Chelsea's present, or the Russian oligarch of their past? Was it the frugality at yesteryear's Tottenham or the mindless spending that followed the Daniel Levy era?
Is it the meddling and conspiracies of Evangelos Marinakis? Is it the price hikers? Is it anyone tied to the six mutineer clubs who wanted to cash in on a Super League, Arsenal and Liverpool among them?
I wouldn't pitch Dan Friedkin in with the worst of them in the rogues' gallery. Not even close. But he is representative of a festering and growing trend in the modern era of Premier League ownership — indifference. Never there, never cared. He attended as many games as he had conversations with Moyes.
There is a risk here of sounding naive. Too idealistic. Too seduced by a social-media post from the great Neville Southall on Friday, which read: 'Maybe Everton will go back to being the people's club. Not the corporate club.'
Wishful thinking, of course, because football's horse bolted years ago. And, besides, there were never as many butchers, bakers and candlestick makers in charge as some nostalgic fans choose to remember. But Everton deserved better than to fall into the hands of those who flit in and flip on. They deserved better than prospectors, especially those whose longer-term ambitions may have been curtailed by shoddy due diligence.
HE suggestion around the club on Friday was that this American consortium, long wedded to Roma in Serie A, simply did not fully appreciate the scale of what it costs to progress in the Premier League. The impression being that they were sucked in by the possibility of huge revenues and underestimated the complexities. The truth will inevitably be more nuanced.
But there is no disguising that the Friedkins failed to grasp a simple concept — clubs live and breathe and don't take well to being strangled.
If you try to sell a homegrown gem to solve a cash-flow issue, as they did with Harrison Armstrong, there will be chaos among the fans. If you label 13th place a ‘failure’, as the Friedkins evidently did internally at the end of last season, then you are incapable of understanding even the simplest truths of your new environment.
And if you oversee a shambolic transfer window, leaving the manager with 18 senior players, you are probably in the wrong line of work.
In time, the Friedkin reign might be viewed differently, because the group stabilised the club and it is no longer a distressed asset. Doubtless it will be more appealing to the next group who authorise a meaningless press release about ‘honouring the legacy’ of this ‘great institution’ in a ‘remarkable city’.
But there is likely a good reason that Everton's CEO, Angus Kin-near, only learned of the sale announcement two hours before it was published at 8.22am on Friday
Friedkin attended as many Everton games as he had conversations with Moyes — zero
— the Friedkins just weren't fussed about anything other than their own agenda. Either that or their boss was too busy at the driving range. |
Boss rips into his Watford flops as he's left feeling the heat
Dionisi: My players have got an attitude problem
WALKOVER: Zeki Amdouni scores for Burnley in their 4-0 victory at Watford
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ROUND-UP By Graeme Down
GIVEN Watford's history of sacking managers since the Pozzo family became owners, Alessio Dionisi will be feeling the pressure after his side were thumped 4-0 by Burnley at Vicarage Road.
It was a fifth defeat in six games for the Hornets, while Burnley celebrated their first league win since February.
The match was all but over as a contest after 25 minutes, with Nicky Hayen's side going 3-0 ahead with goals from Jacob Bruun Larsen, Zeki Amdouni and Reo Hatate. Marcus Edwards wrapped things up late on.
‘I’m very angry,’ said Dionisi, whose side are one point above the drop zone.
"The match was finished after 20 minutes. It is impossible to win if the team is not strong. It is difficult to explain.
'The first problem is attitude and today I didn't see [a good one].'
Hayen wants the result to set the benchmark for his team for the rest of the season.
‘We delivered a really good performance, particularly in the first 30 minutes,' he said. 'This group has a lot of quality, we have to perform like this every week.'
SWANSEA boss Vitor Matos praised his returning international stars as his side went two points clear at the top of the table after coming from behind to defeat NORWICH 2-1.
Having trailed to Jacob Wright's first-half opener, the hosts were ahead in the 59th minute after goals from Moussa Yeo and former Canaries striker Adam Idah.
Matos said: 'We lacked a little bit of precision in the first half in some situations, but it was something that we could easily improve.
‘It’s really important for us to win more than anything because we’ve had players flying around, joining in the last few days so it’s not been the most easy to prepare.
‘It’s always important when you can get results after this international break so I’m really happy.’
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Kim Hellberg insisted: 'It does not get better than this,' as his side moved up to second after beating WOLVES 1-0.
Will Lankshear settled the contest with a 57th-minute header — his seventh goal of the season.
‘A good performance against a good side,’ said Hellberg.
‘There were a lot of things that were very good. Up to the goal, we were absolutely brilliant in terms of the home game, pressing up high. We almost limited them to no chances in the first half.’
Camiel Neghli condemned Graham Alexander to defeat on his first game in charge of PRESTON as MILLWALL won 1-0 at Deepdale.
Ollie Rathbone netted his first goal of the campaign late on to earn WREXHAM a 1-1 draw at DERBY.
TODAY — Premier Lg: C Palace v N Forest (2.0, Sky Sports); Hull v Everton (2.0, Sky Sports); Liverpool v Man City (4.30, Sky Sports). Championship: So'ton v Portsmouth (12.0, ITV 1). Scottish Premiership: Aberdeen v St Johnstone (2.0, Premier Sports); Motherwell v Celtic (12.0, Sky Sports).
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(7.45 unless stated)
TOMORROW — Premier Lg: Coventry v Newcastle (8.0, Sky Sports). OCT 13 — Champions Lg: Arsenal v Lille (8.0, TNT Sports); At Madrid v Man Utd (8.0, Amazon Prime); Galatasaray v Barcelona (8.0); Inter v Club Brugge (8.0); Lens v Sporting (5.45); RB Leipzig v PSV (8.0); Sabah Baku v S Prague (5.45); Viking FK v B Munich (8.0); Villarreal v Napoli (8.0). Championship: Birmingham v Preston (8.0); Bristol City v Blackburn; Burnley v Charlton; Cardiff v Watford; Millwall v Swansea; Stoke v Middlesbrough (8.0, Sky Sports); Wolves v Bolton; Wrexham v West Brom. Scottish Championship: Queen's Park v Inverness CT. Women's World Cup Qualifying - Play Off: England (1) v Greece (3) (7.30, ITV4); Portugal (4) v N Ire (0) (2.0); Rep of Ire (8) v Kazakhstan (0) (2.0); Scotland (2) v Czech Rep (0) (7.15); Wales (1) v Albania (0) (2.0, BBC Wales).
OCT 14 — Champions Lg: A Villa v Fenerbahce (8.0, TNT Sports); Bodo/Glimt v B Dortmund (8.0); Feyenoord v Como (5.45); LASK v Liverpool (5.45, TNT Sports); Man City v PSG (8.0, TNT Sports); R Betis v Porto (8.0); Roma v R Madrid (8.0); Sh Donetsk v AEK (8.0); S Bratislava v Stuttgart (8.0). Championship: Lincoln City v West Ham (8.0, Sky Sports); Norwich v So'ton: Portsmouth v Sheff Utd; QPR v Derby.
OCT 15 — Europa Lg: AFC Bournemouth v Sturm Graz (8.0, TNT Sports); Benfica v Celtic (8.0, TNT Sports); Lyon v C Palace (5.45, TNT Sports); Torreense v Sunderland (5.45). Europa Conference Lg: Brighton v FK Kauno Zalgiris (8.0); Hearts v Nordsjaelland (8.0, TNT Sports). Lge One: Mansfield v Oxford Utd (8.0, Sky Sports).
OCTOBER 16 — Championship: Burnley v Wolves (8.0, Sky Sports). Scottish Championship: Ayr v Partick (7.30, BBC Scotland).
1ST TEST — Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh 346-10 (92.3 overs; T H Tamim 83; S I Anik 67; L K Das 53; M Y Ahmadzai 3-79; M S Safi 4-82); Afghanistan 211-4 (79.0 overs; R S Zurmatai 84no; A M Hussainkhil 62).
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Golf
DP WORLD TOUR OPEN DE ESPANA (Madrid) — 3rd rnd (Gbr & Irl unless stated, Par 71): 200 — J Dean 68 67 65; G Forrest 66 67 67; 201 — V Perez (Fra) 68 68 65; J Skov Olesen (Den) 67 69 65; J Girrbach (Swi) 68 66 67; 203 — A Ayora (Spa) 67 70 66; 204 — M Couvra (Fra) 70 66 68; 205 — E Lopez-Chacarra (Spa) 66 69 70; D Hillier (NZ) 67 69 69; J Lagergren (Swe) 71 70 64; 206 — H Du Plessis (SA) 70 68 68; O Lindell (Fin) 69 72 65.
ATP & WTA CHINA OPEN — Semi Finals: M Andreeva (Rus) bt N Bartunkova (Cz) 6-2 6-2; Q Zheng (Chn) bt E Mertens (Bel) 7-5 6-2.
William Hill Scottish Premiership — Dundee Utd 1 Hibernian 0; Falkirk 1 Dundee 2; Hearts 5 St Mirren 0; Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 1. William Hill Scottish Championship — Arbroath 1 Morton 2; Ayr 1 Dunfermline 1; Inverness CT 2 Stenhousemuir 0; Livingston 1 Partick 2; Raith 2 Queen's Park 0.
William Hill Scottish League One — Alloa 0 Hamilton 3; Cove Rangers 1 East Fife 1; East Kilbride 2 Airdrieonians 2; Montrose 0 Ross County 5; Peterhead 0 Queen of South 1.
William Hill Scottish League Two — Annan Athletic 1 Stranraer 6; Clyde 2 Dumbarton 1; Edinburgh City 1 Spartans 3; Forfar 1 Elgin 2; Stirling 2 Kelty Hearts 1.
I S THIS an apparition that we see before us? Is it real? Is Liverpool-Manchester City at Anfield a football match or a ghost game? Will it remain in the sport's history books
or will it be erased when City's guilty verdicts on the vast majority of charges of chicanery meet their punishment some time in the months ahead?
There was a time when any Premier League clash between these two sides would have been regarded as the best advertisement for the English game that there could be. Not any more. This game is being played at a wonderful stadium but it might as well be in a circus tent. It is not a match. It is a giant and terrible curiosity.
The great managers who helped to define this collision between modern giants — Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola — are both gone and now this clash stands for something else: it marks the start of a period of slow torture for the top flight in this country, a period when we cannot know whether there is any permanence attached to results involving City. A period when we will not know whether we should believe what we see.
If — as many expect them to be — City are expelled from the
---
Punishment can't be meted out in violence, but in fines and relegations
Premier League before the end of this season, what happens to this afternoon's result then? It will be declared null and void, presumably. The same fate, perhaps, will befall all matches involving City this season. 'We're not really here,' City fans love to sing and its lyrics have never felt more apt.
‘We are not, we’re not really here,’ the chant goes. ‘We are not, we’re not really here, just like the fans of the Invisible Man, we’re not really here.’ And that’s the thing: none of us know whether City are really here or not now. We have been told that everything they achieved under their ownership by Abu Dhabi was just an illusion, and yet the illusion lingers still.
City are top of the league. Or are they? Are they just waiting for a fall? Or will they conjure an escape? Perhaps, against all expectations, their appeal will succeed. Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, has already expressed his admiration for City's owners before attempting to recant.
God only knows what machinations are whirring in the corridors of power as the appeal plays out and football wrestles with its new place as a puppet of geopolitics. And while City play on, while they await their punishment, the damage that the whole affair does to English football multiplies.
The credibility of the Premier League is at stake. If City win at Anfield and stay clear at the top of the table, does it matter? If they're going to get docked 100 points or kicked out of the league, then today's result and today's points will vanish into thin air. What's the value in even playing?
Some will say that the value is in vengeance. That is what much of the rest of the Premier League wants to gain over City. After so much arrogance and so much intransigence and so much dissembling and depriving fans of other teams of memories that would have lived with them forever, it is hard to blame them for wanting to see City humbled on the pitch.
But there must be limits to that lust for retribution. So much resentment and so much anger about glories stolen away and trophies unfairly won, will follow City into Merseyside this afternoon that it is only right to acknowledge that an occasion that will be one of the most extraordinary in the history of our game will bring with it extraordinary demands.
There is only one meaningful target to be achieved at Anfield and in the terraced streets that surround it, and it is not the kind of goal that can be scored in front of the Kop or the Anfield Road End.
For all the animosity towards their club, the only thing that really matters this afternoon is keeping City's players, staff and fans safe in a febrile atmosphere where emotions will be running wild.
The City team coach has been forced to run the gauntlet at Anfield several times before, most notably when the two teams met in a Champions League quarter-final first leg there in 2018. On that occasion, the bus was damaged enough by a range of missiles
How a blunt address from Maresca
IN scenes that felt symbolic of the last fortnight, a huge lorry contracted to work on the £300million Etihad Stadium redevelopment was impaled by an electronic bollard at about 3pm on Friday.
Stuck in the car park, gallons of liquid leaking out of the bottom, the skewer marginally missed the fuel tank.
Almost 24 hours earlier across Ashton New Road at the training ground, Manchester City bosses had been plugging any problems or uncertainty among their players.
Chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke to them as a collective. He did the same with the Treble class of 2023 inside the first-team auditorium when the Premier League charges initially dropped. But it was the blunt, forthright message imparted by manager Enzo Maresca that had the squad sitting up and listening.
Maresca is forging a reputation as a strong communicator, as seen during media duties before heading to Anfield, and there was one takeaway from his short, private address. 'Forget the noise,' he told them. 'We're here to win a league. Let's go and win the league.'
Maresca stalks a dressing room when he talks, repeating mantras over and over, louder and louder. City's players are listening to him and following him and it is little wonder that one source talked about being 'ready to go to war' because that is exactly the tone their manager is taking, with a delivery to boot.
Previous relationships with Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias come in handy, the pair at the club when Maresca was Pep Guardiola's assistant. Those two are said to have been the most vocal since the guilty verdict was released, calming influences as others worried about the ramifications of such a one-sided result that has taken City aback.
There are staff who are struggling to put the pieces together over what has transpired, comparing the certainty with the independent commission's findings and the certainty of their employers that they will prevail on appeal. Debating the seismic judgment with the credibility they see in Soriano and the affection they have for chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. These are confusing times for those in the offices.
'A perceived external threat can which rained down on it as it crawled along the Anfield Road for it to be rendered unable to carry the team back to Manchester.
It is not a problem germane to Anfield. Ten years ago, the Manchester United team coach was attacked on Green Street on its way to Upton Park to face West Ham in the final game played at the old stadium.
Hostilities are often inflamed in English football but it would be foolish to deny that this match is loaded with so much visceral disdain for the visiting team that there will be concerns about ensuring City have effective and comprehensive security. Many in the blue half of Manchester have felt unease for some years about travelling west to this fixture.
Some fan accounts on social media have called for Anfield to be the ‘most toxic we have ever seen it’. Some have encouraged the throwing of bottles of cider at the City coach. ‘Bus greeting vs Cheats,’ one Liverpool fan called to arms on X last week, mentioning a place to congregate two hours before kick-off.
‘Bring flags, banners, pyros, flares, Koppabergs. Let’s make it a sea of red. Show them. Scare them.’
In the days since the findings of an independent commission established City's guilt and the Premier League released a strongly worded statement accusing City of constructing ‘sham’ arrangements to inflate sponsorship revenues artificially, the club have become a pariah.
Many believe the most suitable punishment for the club who won the Premier League four times in a row under Guardiola and have
TROUBLE FLARES: How Liverpool supporters greeted the visiting Manchester City coach in April 2018
dominated the English game for much of the last decade is for them to be expelled from the top flight and demoted to League Two.
In Liverpool, the resentment against City centres on what was taken from the Anfield club unfairly. Steven Gerrard, one of the club's favourite sons, never won a Premier League winners' medal but he would have done in 2013-14 had City not been able to stack their side with players they bought because they cooked the books. Klopp would have built a dynasty in Liverpool had he not been denied by City sides.
All that is hard to oppose. A hostile reception is inevitable. And, of course, City's players and fans will be mercilessly baited during the match.
That is to be expected but let us hope it begins and ends there. Punishment for City's infractions must not be something to be meted
---
This is not a football match. This is a giant and terrible curiosity
out in violence. It should be handed down in the months ahead in fines, deductions and relegations.
Part of what fuels the resentment is the impression City give of being willing to use their fabulous wealth and endless legal resources to tear apart the fabric of the English game in their fury at being held to account. They have launched their appeal against the guilty verdicts and no one knows quite how long that appeal will take.
Until this crisis is resolved, English football will remain in limbo. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it will be in purgatory. This afternoon's ghost game at Anfield is just the beginning of a period of our football lives when we will look at the agonised contortions of Manchester City and the desperate dysfunctionality of the Premier League and wonder what the hell we have become.
got his players ready for Mersey cauldron
strengthen a sense of togetherness, creating a feeling that the team need to prove people wrong,' said Dr Nikita Rowley, sport psychologist at Coventry University.
‘It is a double-edged sword. If it creates defensiveness, resentment or a siege mentality, it could increase pressure and distract players.
‘The key is whether that feeling translates into positive collective focus and cohesion, rather than a preoccupation with outside opinion.
Breaking things down into manageable, immediate goals helps bring attention back to the present. Strong leadership, consistent messaging and an environment where people feel supported can help maintain trust and stability.'
Maresca has confronted drama before, the ex-Juventus midfielder interviewed and subsequently cleared of betting on Serie A matches as part
FORTHRIGHT: Maresca has impressed
of the Calciopoli scandal when his former club were demoted to the second division. He can lean on that experience with his players.
That even goes for the more senior heads, with Haaland taken off media duties while away with Norway the day after news broke of the guilty findings for fear he would become the club's spokesman before an official judgment had been published.
Before the globetrotting striker sat down with Sky Sports in the days before boarding the bus for Merseyside — an interview that had been slated for weeks — there had been discussions between the broadcaster and City about what might be appropriate to ask and how that was framed. Similar took place with Norwegian powerhouses Viaplay and other television rights holders before a Friday press conference that surprisingly passed off without incident.
And there is an understandable feeling within the club that footballers — however decorated and however articulate they are — should not present the face of this.
In Maresca, like Guardiola before him, they possess somebody adept at navigating this situation. In a different way, with a smile and quick line rather than confrontation, but somebody they can rely on nevertheless. The Italian allowed Haaland to spend a few days playing golf in Marbella after being given time away from international duty at the end of the Nations League window.
Those not away with their countries — the suspended Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo — were given breaks to travel, too.
Semenyo, labelled ‘David Beckham’ by Haaland after stunning assists, got married during his time off. Still smiling after the bombshell news, City will need to take that attitude with them today if they are to thrive in an environment that many will not have experienced before.
Chelsea
Henderson 2, 70, Rogers 3,
Pedro 46, 67
Bournemouth
Evanilson 51
By Kieran Gill
AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
CHELSEA being kick-off bullies, Cole Palmer's family made a rookie mistake. There they were pitch-side — his parents, his siblings, his girlfriend — to celebrate his new contract until 2034 as he walked out of the tunnel for the start of this entertaining encounter with Bournemouth.
But then they had to head to their seats, the suavest ones usually up high in the gods. By the time they had climbed Stamford Bridge's staircases, Chelsea were already leading 2-0.
They should have known these speedy starts are becoming a trademark of this side. Xabi Alonso does not strike you as the effing and blinding type. We cannot imagine his speeches work the players into such a frenzy that they are frothing at the mouth for that first whistle.
And yet just look at their quite remarkable record in the Premier League this season. Against Fulham: Chelsea led after 38 seconds. Against Brighton: three minutes and 39 seconds. Against Arsenal: 77 seconds. Against Hull: six minutes and 15 seconds.
Here, Jordan Henderson scored Chelsea's first goal after 66 seconds, set up by Palmer. Then Morgan Rogers scored their second after 149 seconds, assisted by Henderson.
‘I have nothing to do with it so I don’t have the answer,’ Alonso said. ‘I have no explanation. It has never happened to me in such a short period to score that many early goals.’
Unfortunately for Henderson, it was not quite the fastest goal-and-assist combo in Premier League history. That honour still belongs to Emile Heskey for Leicester against Derby in 1998. Heskey managed to score and assist inside two minutes.
Yet this was some home debut from Henderson at 36 years young. Whatever Chelsea's fans may have had on their bingo cards as they
So Xabi, what's the secret to Chelsea's lightning starts? 'It's nothing to do with me!'
FLYING START: Alonso saw his team fly out of the blocks again yesterday
arrived here at Stamford Bridge, a brace featuring
their free signing from Brentford was unlikely to feature on it. But Henderson got this party going, and ended it exceptionally too.
His strike for Chelsea's first goal was sublime. Palmer led the attack, then teed him up for the curler from 20 yards, the ball satisfyingly pinging in off the post. Henderson had covered 40 yards without any Bournemouth player ever thinking to pick him up. In their defence, he is not known for such fantastic first-time finishes.
What followed was a passionate celebration from Henderson including a hand to the ear, a leap into the air, and a few fists into the chests. His team-mates appeared especially ecstatic for him, Rogers being one of the first to congratulate a player he previously described as ‘the best guy I’ve ever come across in football’ while on England duty.
Chelsea took a 3-0 lead when Joao Pedro scored one of his two goals here only 29 seconds into the start of the second half, finishing Pedro Neto's cross with aplomb.
That was despite Bournemouth occasionally threatening to score and Emiliano Martinez often being required to deny them. There was one particular double save from Martinez which thwarted Rayan, then Ryan Christie, which was a shoo-in for the Match of the Day highlights package.
The visitors managed to sneak one through while 3-0 down when Moises Caicedo — who was starting for Chelsea for the first time this season after overcoming his calf injury — blasted his clearance into Bournemouth striker Evanilson for a gimme of a goal.
That is one of Chelsea's problems. No matter how many goals they lead by, they still carry a sense of vulnerability. Bournemouth boss Marco Rose admitted afterwards that he 'had a feeling' they could get back into this game despite trailing 3-1.
It is now 22 consecutive games in the league that Chelsea have failed to secure a clean sheet — January 17 in a 2-0 home win over Brentford was their last. Yet Alonso's attack has the ability to overshadow their defensive shortcomings, though nobody at Stamford Bridge anticipated that their greatest goal threat here would be Henderson.
After Joao Pedro grabbed Chelsea's fourth goal by meeting Pep Chavarria's cross, Henderson's strike for their fifth was
Bees take advantage of a Konsa-shaped hole
IF UNAI Emery could bring back just one of the six first-teamers he lost in the summer, he would pick Ezri Konsa in a heartbeat.
Aston Villa have kept only one clean sheet this season and they let in two more here to throw away a first home win of the season.
Yehor Yarmoliuk gave Brentford the lead in the 10th minute before Nicolas Jackson equalised 90 seconds later. John McGinn thought he'd claimed the winner in the 76th minute yet this time Brentford bounced back instantly though Kristoffer Ajer.
Aston Villa
Jackson 12, McGinn 77
Brentford Yarmoliuk 10, Ajer 79
---
By Tom Collomosse
AT VILLA PARK
---
HOW VILLA MISS KONSA
NO matter what combination they try in central defence, they cannot fill the Konsa-shaped hole. The 28-year-old is an outstanding defender whose qualities are now appreciated worldwide as he plays for Arsenal and England. But why did Villa choose Taylor Harwood-Bellis to replace him? The 24-year-old cost up to £30million from Southampton but cannot even get in the squad. Villa relied on Victor Lindelof and Tyrone Mings, whose combined age is 65.
---
TROUBLE AT HOME
FOR most of Emery's reign, Villa Park has been a fortress but no longer. They have not won here this season and have lost six of their past 12 Premier League matches in front of their own fans.
'No excuses', insists Emery — but it does not help that Villa are playing in a three-sided ground. Villa hope to take their capacity to 52,000 in time for next season and that means rebuilding the North Stand across this campaign.
The construction work has removed a vital part of what made Villa so effective.
Villa had no choice. They need to boost revenue and a bigger ground is a good way to do so. In the meantime, they must find a way to limit the damage.
BRENTFORD ARE BIG PLAYERS
A POINT at home to Brentford feels disappointing for Villa fans but that is because we still judge them by the past not the present.
Unbeaten in all competitions, the Bees are arguably the best-run club in the Premier League.
The Manchester City guilty verdict makes this a grim time for football. With their clear sense of identity on and off the pitch, their smart recruitment and impressive football, over-achieving clubs like Brentford are a ray of light cutting through the general gloom.
26 yards
59 mph
STAR TURN: Henderson brings fans to their feet with his effort to make it 5-1 at Stamford Bridge
equally as exceptional as his opener.
It started with Palmer winning a free-kick, 25 yards from the target. We were all convinced that Palmer would take it. He had just signed his new contract. He had not yet gotten in on the goals like his pals. This was within his territory. Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic thought the same.
Instead, Palmer dummed, leaving Henderson to curl the ball into the corner from 25 yards.
Most Chelsea fans will have assumed they signed Henderson purely to add a little leadership off the pitch. But here he was crucial in crowning the win on it.
During the celebration, Martinez ran over to congratulate Alonso's set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee, which you do not usually see after a direct free-kick.
'We signed him for everything,'
Alonso said of Henderson last night. 'If he's able to score two beauties, we are more than happy for him. But apart from the goals, he does many, many good things.'
It was during stoppage time, and with Chelsea leading 5-1, that Henderson stood over a free-kick around 50 yards from Bourne-mouth's goal.
The home supporters begged him to shoot. He resisted. Two screamers were more than enough for him on this occasion.
CHELSEA haven't wasted any time in opening the scoring in their Premier League matches so far this season...
USDC
® BY CIRCLE
3mins 39secs
6mins 15secs
36
EARLY STRIKE: Henderson celebrates after putting Chelsea 1-0 ahead against Bournemouth yesterday
AT 36 years and 115 days, Henderson is the oldest Chelsea player to be involved in three or more goals in one game
Brighton on a high... but don't talk about the title!
NOTHING, it seems, can stop Brighton right now.
Not Manchester United. Not Arsenal. And not Sunderland, who never looked like breaching a visiting rearguard which comfortably held firm after Pascal Struijk's red card.
Fabian Hurzeler's men, who had just opened the scoring through Maxim De Cuyper, conjured a delightful late second through Jaouen Hadjam to seal another outstanding win.
It was Brighton's fourth win in
Sunderland
Brighton
De Cuyper 53, Hadjam 90+3
---
By Ross Heppenstall
AT THE STADIUM OF LIGHT
all competitions and lifted them to within two points of the top.
Before the international break, they won 5-0 at Coventry and beat Arsenal 3-0, either side of an impressive 3-2 Carabao
Cup victory at Old Trafford. This success was not pretty at times, but Hurzeler's men made their superiority pay.
On 53 minutes, effervescent captain Pascal Gross's fine pass found De Cuyper and he drove an excellent, first-time shot past Robin Roefs.
Gross, 35, was named the Premier League Player of the Month for September and Hurzeler said: 'I compare Pascal to a good wine — the older the better.'
Strujik then saw red for hauling down Wilson Isidor as he threatened to break clear.
Neither referee Thomas Bramall nor his assistant gave a foul initially, but video assistant referee Neil Davies intervened and Struijk was dismissed.
Brighton defended superbly and then hit their hosts on the counter late on when Georginio Rutter's clever pass found fellow substitute Hadjam, who rifled home a brilliant left-foot finish.
Much is made of Brighton's ability to cut teams apart, but this was a win built on obstinate defending.
Hurzeler said: 'I sound a bit old school but there's a saying — defence wins championships — although I'm not speaking about championships!
‘Defence wins games. We want to be a team that plays effective football and this was a good start.’
Isidor led the line in the absence of Brian Brobbey but struggled to make any impact.
92 PREMIER LEAGUE
Guimaraes digs Arteta
Bruno papers over the cracks as Arsenal's lack of muscle sets alarm bells ringing
ARSENAL'S title defence might soon be spared some jeopardy by events elsewhere, but the Premier League is no place for those who would rather jog to the line than sprint. It's a point that won't be lost on Mikel Arteta, even in victory.
For this was an ugly, unconvincing win and the kind that owed as much to the tiring legs of Leeds as it did to the qualities of the team that beat them.
Of course, we can make a virtue of the fighting spirit needed to retrieve a 1-0 deficit. But it is equally true that Arsenal were trapped between complacency and an off-day for prolonged periods of this match and that hasn't been a charge they have faced often in the past 14 months or so.
An irrelevant dip? Perhaps. Academic? That depends on Manchester City, because if they somehow avoid a points deduction, Enzo Maresca's side look fractionally more effective through the early stages of this campaign.
In the first half here, Arsenal were joltingly poor; they weren't outplayed in the style of their defeat against Brighton, but they were worse in the ways that they shrank from the physical battle. Worse in how willing they were to go with the flow. Worse in the details of how James Justin was able to score early in the second half.
Pinpointing that moment, we could see Declan Rice is yet to return to full sharpness, despite being rested by Thomas Tuchel across the past fortnight. We can never accuse Rice of not trying, but he was easily outrun by Gabriel Gudmundsson in the key phase of the attack, which was compounded when Noni Madueke failed to track Justin's surge up the opposite flank.
It was a bad goal to concede and it was almost followed by a second that would have made a drama of this match. Arsenal survived those attempts, however, and relocated enough class and grit to capitalise when the effort told on Daniel
Arsenal
Calafiori 62, Bruno Guimaraes 70
Leeds
Justin 55
By Riath Al-Samarrai
AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM
Farke's resources. Unbeaten in the league before this game, Leeds had run themselves into exhaustion.
The leveller was converted by Riccardo Calafiori, whose gifts continue to show in all areas of the pitch, and the winner soon followed from Bruno Guimaraes, whose £75million signing has not yet led to regular starting roles.
After an inauspicious beginning, and having delivered an outright stinker against Brighton, he began on the bench here and delivered a fine finish to follow the screamer he scored against Sunderland. It might serve as a launchpad to rounder performances.
For Arteta, there was some relief around the outcome and the return from injury for key personnel after a few uncertainties arose in the international break.
Christos Tzolis was unavailable due to a muscular injury sustained with Greece but Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa were passed
fit, as was Rice, though his role in Guimaraes's winner was an isolated high in his day. He still lacks sharpness.
Havertz's inclusion despite the niggles of a hamstring issue was primarily interesting for what it told us about Viktor Gyokeres's status. Having scored four in four for Sweden in the past fortnight, the expectation was that he might find
Amerates
ELY BETTER
SCREAMER: Guimaraes and Rice celebrate the himself back in favour, so a place among the substitutes for the first hour was jarring.
Arteta's wisdom wouldn't usually be questioned and there are few willing to make a case for Gyokeres. But the first half here offered little vindication for Arteta. Madueke had a couple of moments of joy in his duel with Jayden Bogle, but the rest of the unit were forgettable — Bukayo Saka got nowhere against Gudmundsson, Martin Odegaard got stuck in the traffic of Leeds's midfield and Havertz was too often isolated.
BACK IN BUSINESS: Arteta
None of which happened by accident, of course. Farke has built his success this season on a fine defence and a reliable goalkeeper in James Trafford, but there is also the benefit of calling upon big men.
Boss's relief as Gunners banish 'pain'
MIKEL ARTETA said Arsenal rediscovered their identity by fighting back to beat Leeds after enduring ‘pain in his eyes’ for a week because of their humiliation by Brighton three weeks ago.
The Gunners were defeated 3-0 by the Seagulls before the international break in their worst performance for some time.
They started sluggishly against Leeds, who went ahead through James Justin — before second-half
ByIsaan Khan
AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM
strikes from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes steered Arsenal to the three points.
The Londoners are level on points at the top with Manchester City, who go to Anfield to face Liverpool today.
‘Before the game we talked about two things: the challenge ahead for us because Leeds had not lost in the Premier League and it was going to be really tough,' Arteta said.
'And second, to restore our identity and be ourselves again. We weren't pleased against Brighton and today was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected.
‘With 12:30pm at home after a defeat, it is a bad mixture and we got out of that through pinching our desire to win, to have a reaction, to show the personality and courage that we have in this team.
'The finishers came in to make a huge difference again to help us win the game and that's what we are made of.'
On enduring the days after the Brighton loss, he said: '[It was] not great, especially because you question yourself, what you haven't done in that game to be
out of a hole
TOP GUNS: Guimaraes scores the winner (main) after Calafiori's equaliser (far left)
If Brighton set a blueprint prior to the break by hassling Arsenal out of their patterns, then Leeds showed the advantage of old-fashioned strength in the challenges. Usually, Arteta's side can hold their own in that regard but here they found themselves being pushed around.
Occasionally, that went to ugly places — namely, Ao Tanaka and
Ethan Ampadu's bookings for clattering Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White — but Leeds also forced the best chances of the opening 45 minutes. Farke's wing backs were a riddle that Arteta struggled to solve.
Eventually, the package shaped into a Leeds breakthrough early in the second half, when Gudmundsson was able to beat Rice in a race to the left-hand byline before rolling low to Justin. Madueke, so dangerous on the ball but weaker off it, had eyes on Justin but didn't pursue him. Poor.
It might have got worse for Arteta, but Noah Okafor failed to reach Bogle's cross. Calafiori's equaliser reset the scale and the triple substitution that followed it proved inspired, as it brought Guimaraes into play and sent Rice into a more advanced positon.
of Brighton defeat
able to witness that again, my eyes were in pain.'
Guimaraes came off the bench to change the game and leave his manager full of plaudits for the midfielder.
'The timing, the connection and the execution of it [the goal], it was a beauty,' added Arteta.
'He's done it twice already, against Sunderland and against Leeds as well and that's the quality that is needed at this level to continue to win. He wasn't at that level against Brighton and this is the level for Arsenal.
‘Every week, every game, every minute, every action you have to be at that level.
'Today he was much better and can still be much better in the game than he's done.
'I'm going to demand the same with the [other] players because if we do that we will raise the standards and we'll be a better team.'
Both men thrived in the recalibration, with Saka and Martin Odegaard involved before a fabulous Rice flick opened a path for Guimaraes to stroke past Trafford from the edge of the area. A moment of class in a gritty win.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya 6; White 7 (Timber 63min, 7), Konsa 7, Gabriel 6, CALAFIORI 8 (Hincapie 82); Rice 6, Lewis-Skelly 5 (Guimaraes 63, 7); Saka 6, Odegaard 7 (Merino 90), Madueke 6; Havertz 5 (Gyokeres 63, 6).
LATE SHOW: Dara O'Shea celebrates Ipswich's winner in the 91st minute
I don't fear for my job, insists winless Arbeloa
ALVARO ARBELOA claims he does not ‘fear’ being sacked, despite Fulham extending their winless run to six matches after an eight-minute implosion at Ipswich.
That said, deep down he must feel the pressure. It is not just the record but the manner of the defeats, consistently dropping points at the death.
In four of their last five matches, they have conceded decisive goals in the last 15 minutes — crumbling when results are decided.
That lack of tenacity to see a game out is a major concern and should leave Arbeloa in a perilous position.
‘I never worry about my position,’ Arbeloa said. ‘I don’t feel fear. You cannot be a coach if you feel it. You need to show confidence to your players.
‘I am so happy with many things they are doing. It is not easy for them. It’s not about my position, it is about Fulham’s. That is the most important thing. Obviously it is just six games, but we need points.’
In his maiden press conference, the Portuguese requested patience because of Fulham's tough run of fixtures at the start of the season.
But a manager can only be given so much time. After five league games without a win, the fortnight after the international break looked critical on paper, with games against all three promoted sides.
Looking at the run, these fixtures were poised to reveal whether Fulham are genuinely in a relegation battle or have simply been victims of a difficult run of games.
For 87 minutes, there was reason to believe the latter. Fulham moved the ball well, created good chances and got their goal when Ryan Sessegnon picked up Issa Diop's headed
Ipswich
OUattara 88, O'Shea 90+1
1
Fulham
Sessegnon 55
By Bobby Manzi
AT PORTMAN ROAD
clearance on the edge of the penalty area and drilled into the bottom corner.
But the collapse was catastrophic. Abdoul Ouattara stunned Portman Road with a thunderous left-foot strike after 88 minutes before Dara O'Shea completed the turnaround in stoppage time.
Just four minutes separated the two goals as Fulham folded, lending legitimacy to fears that Arbeloa is the wrong man for the job. His team tired and fatigue kicked in as their belief faded.
Fulham took a risk appointing the coach, whose only stint as a senior boss was a brief interim role at Real Madrid.
By the day it appears more of a gamble than a calculated decision. With two games to come against teams likely to be in a relegation battle, Arbeloa's position must be evaluated.
If he is afforded more time and the wait for a win extends beyond matches against Hull and Coventry, Fulham could have major regrets come the end of the season.
After United fans celebrated the plight of their noisy neighbours, watching this feckless team must have felt like...
THE HANGOVER FROM HELL
By Ian Ladyman
FOOTBALL EDITOR AT OLD TRAFFORD
AT OLD TRAFFORD they revelled in what they believe will be the imminent downfall of their neighbours at Manchester City. They sang their songs about cheats and about relegation. They dragged old banners down from the loft and repurposed them. They bedded in for what they believe and hope will be a long and tortuous decline for the team from the east part of town.
But then they watched their own side play and reality came crashing in like a hangover after a good night out. It's hard to revel in the problems of others when your own team are as bad and as feckless as this.
Manchester United almost got away with it here. They were largely dreadful — embarrassingly and shamefully so in the first half — but looked set to win after a 73rd-minute Bryan Mbeumo goal was followed by the sending-off of Tottenham substitute Rodrigo Bentancur.
The Uruguayan's head-butt on Luke Shaw stands out as one of the most stunning acts of self-harm in a Spurs season that has had a few of them.
Premier League | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Man City | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 15 | Arsenal | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 15 | Brighton | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 13 | Brentford | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 10 | Chelsea | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 10 | Leeds | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 9 | Liverpool | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 9 | Everton | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 9 | Ipswich | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 9 | Hull | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 8 | Newcastle | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 8 | Man Utd | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 6 | Nottm Forest | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | Aston Villa | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 5 | C Palace | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 4 | Sunderland | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 4 | Bournemouth | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 3 | Tottenham | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 | Coventry | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 3 | Fulham | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 2 | Before that Spurs had dominated but missed chances. We have seen this gory movie from Roberto de Zerbi's team a few times already this season. As such, United looked to somehow go home with only their second Premier League win of the season. Huge cracks looked set to be covered by three points on this occasion at least.
They would have been cheered off the field, because that's how football fans work. But the truth is that average teams tend to get average results and for the second home league game running, United could not manage to beat 10 men.
Last time it was City and a 1-0 defeat here after Phil Foden's red card. This time it was an injury-time Dominic Solanke goal that did for them. The boos at the end were loud and long and thoroughly deserved.
United have a heck of a week ahead now.
40 THIS is United's worst start to a league season for 40 years, when they won only four points from their first six games under Ron Atkinson:
Aug 22: LOST 2-0 v Hull
Aug 30: WON 5-2 v Ipswich
Sept 6: DREW 1-1 v Everton
Sept 13: LOST 1-0 v Man City
Sept 20: DREW 1-1 v Fulham
Yesterday: DREW 1-1 v Spurs
PS ATKINSON was ultimately sacked by the first week of November — and replaced by a certain Sir Alex Ferguson.
Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and Leeds United next Sunday. Both away. If they play anything like this, they lose both and Michael Carrick will be clinging on to his job before we have even bought our fireworks.
Worryingly for the United manager, his team don't look particularly well coached and, in a first half that Tottenham dominated, didn't look that keen to run around very much either.
Remember when Gary Neville had them for not trying hard enough in that 1-1 draw at Fulham before the international break? Well, this was worse.
United should have been two goals down after 25 minutes. The reason they weren't lay in the identity of the opposition. Spurs were impressive for large parts of this game. Conor Gallagher was magnificent, while Archie Gray was not far behind. But they have forgotten how to win, so once again they didn't.
Still it's not hard to see how Tottenham get out of the mess they are in, down near the foot of the table. Their results feel as though they will turn. United? They just don't look good enough.
Carrick and his staff had three weeks to think about this game, to work out how to correct the problems of early season. Yet United's first-half football was moribund. They were outplayed by a Tottenham who did everything but score.
Solanke, later to be the hero, was the most obvious early culprit. In only the third minute, United goalkeeper Senne Lammens passed the ball straight to Lucas Bergvall and when he played Solanke through, he allowed Lammens to save when he should have been given no chance.
Spurs were particularly progressive down their left, where United's emergency right-back Leny Yoro had a difficult time. A goal should have come from there in the 21st minute when a nice combination allowed Savio to feed Mohammed Kudus, only for the shot on the turn to fly by the post.
There was also a shot over the bar from Bergvall and a break into the box by Gallagher that was halted by a desperate but timely toe-poke from Youri Tielemans.
I kissed Bentancur and said
FROM BACK PAGE
a late equaliser at Everton last month — couldn't beat 10 men after losing the Old Trafford derby to Manchester City.
‘When things aren’t quite going to plan, I understand the reaction at times,’ said Carrick of the boos at the end of both halves.
‘Obviously, it hurts, you know. It hurts a lot. It’s not nice to go through, but sometimes you have to go through it.
'I care as much as anybody about this club. But it's coming from a good place, really, and so I understand it.
‘I’m not happy with the amount of points we’ve had so far. There’s no hiding from that. I’m not hiding. That’s the reality and we’ve got to accept it.
‘We need to put things in a positive direction quite quickly, that’s pretty plain.
‘That’s two late, late goals against us to throw away two wins. So that changes a lot of things. It changes a feelings among ourselves and it changes the points.
‘We need to do better with seeing out games once we get ourselves in a good position, that’s for sure. We’re more than capable of doing that. We’ve just got to be a little bit more streetwise in the moments and a little bit more stubborn and strong.
‘It’s definitely something where, 10 men or not 10 men, if we’re ahead in games, we’ve got to see them out.’
Tottenham are still without a win in their six Premier League games this season, but the
SUCKER PUNCH: Solanke heads home Tottenham's late equaliser
On the touchline De Zerbi looked grimly frustrated and no wonder.
Early in the second half it was more even, but the better chances belonged to Spurs. Solanke diverted a Savio cross over, while Kobbie Mainoo blocked a shot of his own from the Brazilian.
New United signing Carlos Baleba was rapturously welcomed when he emerged as a substitute but it was another replacement, Joshua Zirkzee, who impacted the game more significantly as his hold-up play enabled United to get up the pitch more regularly. The home team briefly improved and with 17 minutes left, they somehow took the lead.
Mbeumo took his chance well,
FLASHPOINT: The teams square up after Tottenham's Bentancur was sent off (above), while United fans taunt neighbours City (below) by bringing back their famous old banner
turning on to a Matheus Cunha cross to shoot low across Antonin Kinsky. But with at least five Spurs players in the vicinity, he simply should not have been given the time. For Spurs, another disaster loomed. And things soon got an awful lot harder.
Bentancur's lunging tackle at Fernandes was not clever but the head-butt he planted on Shaw after the United player shoved him was just stupid. Briefly chaos reigned. When it settled, Spurs were a man down and a goal down.
United just had to manage the game but of course they couldn't. Two minutes into eight minutes of time, Sandro Tonali crossed for Solanke to head in after prevailing in a wrestling match with Lisandro Martinez, who would have been better off looking at the ball.
thanks, says boss
manner of their performance and fightback gave Roberto De Zerbi plenty of reason to feel positive.
The Italian admitted that Bentancur's reaction to being pushed by Shaw was the wrong one, but bizarrely revealed that he kissed the player in the dressing-room afterwards because he showed some fighting spirit.
'I kissed Rodrigo and say thanks,' revealed De Zerbi. 'It is clearly a mistake from Rodrigo, it is not the right reaction in
football. But now Tottenham needs to react. Sometimes the reaction is not nice, not positive for the team, but in that moment maybe with 10 players we played with more courage more energy.
‘For a long time Tottenham played without this blood and this character. Now I am the coach and I want to see this character every game.
‘With the qualities and the character and the right energy, we are going to win many games and score many goals.’
As his team celebrated, De Zerbi clutched a spare ball and kissed it. He may feel his luck is about to change. It should do. His team played to a clear pattern here.
By contrast, United continue to exist on a mixture of vague hope and sense of history. Neither will be good enough in the long term.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Lammens 5; Yoro 5 (Dalot 59min, 6), B Fernandes 6, Maguire 5.5, Shaw 6 (Heaven 90+5); Mainoo 5.5, Tielemans 6 (Baleba 59, 7); Amad 6 (Zirkzee 59, 7), Fernandes 6, Cunha 6 (Rashford 90+5); Mbeumo 6.5.
Booked: Gallagher, Van Hecke, Gray. Sent off: Bentancur 78.
Manager: Roberto De Zerbi 7.
Referee: Stuart Attwell 6. Attendance: 74,129.
Solanke repays De Zerbi's faith with late strike
By Matt Barlow
AT OLD TRAFFORD
ROBERTO DE ZERBI has a lot hinging on Dominic Solanke.
Perhaps not all of it by design but by ostracising Richarlison, selling Will Lankshear and signing Omar Marmoush, who does not look like a natural fit at centre forward in this system, the Tottenham boss needs Solanke's fire to rekindle.
Having spent the international break working on him and the three forwards in support, none of whom were away playing for their countries, the Spurs boss asked him to lead the team at Old Trafford in every sense.
Solanke was given the honour of pulling on the armband and being the captain despite not being part of the five-man captaincy group.
It was, according to De Zerbi, a popular move to show faith in a striker who has been the target for criticism during Spurs' sluggish start to this season.
He started by missing a sitter and the time it took to collect the ball and work it into a shooting position betrayed his fragile confidence. Senne Lammens made a good save, but the 29-year-old should have scored.
Then he missed another glorious chance at the start of the second half but to his credit he kept going. He refused to let the misses haunt him. He held up the ball, fought to protect it when he could and drew Manchester United's centre halves into a physical contest.
In the end, Solanke earned his reward, out-muscling Lisandro Martinez to reach the teasing, inswinging cross from Sandro Tonali, the midfield general signed for a club-record £100million who finished the game at left back, from where he delivered his most significant contribution in a Spurs shirt.
Tonali's relief was clear. He is impatient to make an impression and produce a return on what he realises is a huge investment, and yet it will be nothing compared to Solanke's.
Centre forwards need to score, and here was his first in the Premier League since March.
His problems in front of goal since returning from an ankle injury which ruled him out of the first half of last season have been amplified by the team's problems finding the net.
There was no way Solanke was going to let anyone think he had not applied the slightest touch to the ball.
He raced away to a jubilant away end to bask in the glory.
De Zerbi applauded his performance. 'We need this Dominic Solanke because Dominic Solanke is able to make the difference in this team,' said the 47-year-old. Having been
SUFFERING: Spurs boss De Zerbi on the Old Trafford touchline last night
reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of Rodrigo Bentancur, his team showed some of the fighting spirit they have been accused of lacking in the last 12 months.
As a collective, Solanke's equaliser cast a positive glow across another game when they have failed to win.
Three points from six games is barely cause for celebration but De Zerbi has been searching for what he called a ‘click’.
Perhaps this goal will be it. Something to change the narrative. Perhaps to instil faith in what they are trying to do.
Something also to remind them they can fight back. De Zerbi adored the reaction. 'The first time we have played as a team,' purred the Italian.
Spurs have not come back from behind to win in the league for almost two years and the counter has ticked to 49 games.
It is an embarrassing statistic but fighting back to take a point with 10 men will go down as progress and De Zerbi will be thrilled at Solanke's part in the rescue act.
HOT
HEADS
Spurs star sent off but United fail to cash in
By Chris Wheeler
AT OLD TRAFFORD
MICHAEL CARRICK was left to rue Manchester United's failure to kill off 10-man Tottenham after Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for head-butting Luke Shaw at Old Trafford.
Carrick admitted it ‘hurt’ to be booed by fans after Dominic Solanke struck in injury-time to give Spurs a 1-1 draw and leave United with six points from six league games — their worst start in 40 years since Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson in November 1986.
It was the second Premier League game in a row at home that United — who also conceded
TURN TO PAGE 94
DRAMA: Bentancur head-butts Shaw and (above) Solanke is fired up after netting Spurs' late leveller
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Ronaldo suspended after spat with Portugal boss
PORTUGAL have suspended Cristiano Ronaldo after he dramatically stormed out of camp following an explosive fall-out with manager Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo showed his petulance during the international break, claiming Portugal boss Jesus ‘broke promises’ by leaving him on the bench during their 2-1 Nations League win over Norway.
The 41-year-old said a plan had been drawn up for him to come off the bench for 30 minutes, but Jesus made him warm up without bringing him on because he ‘didn’t need Cristiano’.
Ahead of Portugal's match against Denmark, football's all-time leading goalscorer is understood to have agreed to an eight-point statement for Jesus to deliver at his press conference.
---
By Bobby Manzi
But Jesus veered off course, prompting Ronaldo to leave the camp before releasing an extraordinary 1,996-word statement accusing the manager of twice backtracking on his word.
Despite apologising to team-mates, Ronaldo now faces a suspension while an investigation takes place and could miss November's international break, when Portugal face Denmark and Wales.
In a statement released yesterday, the Portuguese Football Federation said a ‘provisional suspension’ was issued on October 9, with the case marked as ‘urgent’.
This grudge match should be played in a circus tent
OLIVER HOLT: Pages 88–89
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7-DAY TV GUIDE & PUZZLES PULLOUT TV&CRITICS FILMMUSICTHEATREBOOKSART
Two high-flying couples. One deadly secret. A gathering that could blow their lives to smithereens...
Welcome to the party from hell
It's a familiar scenario, from Brideshead Revisited and The Talented Mr Ripley to Saltburn. An outsider enters the glamorous world of the rich and privileged, and serious turmoil follows.
In a new five-part thriller about power, obsession and class adapted from Elizabeth Day's novel, we see Martin, 'the son of a cabinet-maker', in flashback, being brought up in Wales by his godly widowed mother (Joanna Scanlan). He's then awarded a scholarship to a posh boarding school where he's out of place and bullied until upper-class boy Ben takes him under his wing and invites him to his
---
PICK OF THE WEEK
---
THE PARTY
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, ITV1, 9pm
family's country pile in the holidays.
Fast-forward and Ben (Tom Cullen), now a politician, is hosting a lavish 40th birthday party at the same big house and best friend Martin (Luke Evans), a successful journalist but still very much in Ben's wake, is among the guests.
On the same day the Conservative Party has been thrown into chaos when the leader resigns. Snobby, cocksure Ben announces he will have a tilt at the leadership. Also at the party is a political rival who has been sniffing around for secrets that Ben and Martin might be hiding and which could blow Ben's challenge out of the water.
Ben is now married to the gushing Serena (Lydia Leonard), while Martin is with Lucy (Sarah Solemani) – all four were students at Oxford. Pregnant Lucy, another outsider, would rather be anywhere than at the party, an unease that's not helped by Martin. When seeking reassurance about how she looks, he tactlessly comments: 'Pregnancy doesn't suit everyone.' Let's
DARK PAST: Sarah Solemani, Luke Evans, Tom Cullen and Lydia Leonard
just say empathy appears not to be his strong suit.
Except for the reassuringly normal Lucy, and the young Ben (Jonathan Houlston), most of the characters are hard to like, but stick with it as the drama picks up in part two. Lindsay Duncan and Douglas Hodge also turn in wonderful cameos as Ben's parents.
The party runs as a backdrop throughout the series as it shifts smoothly between the past and the present. The night clearly doesn't end well though, as we see a simmering Martin being questioned by the police, his crisp white shirt covered in blood...
Andrew Preston
LOVE OF YOUR LIFE
Wednesday, Prime Video
Elegantly performed drama from director Rachel Morrison (The Fire Inside), starring Margaret Qualley, left, as Maya, a woman looking for a new way to love life after a crushing loss. This she does by journeying to Lisbon and beyond, and a cast of good-looking men help along the way – played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Basso and Aaron Pierre.
---
THE BOOK THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
Wednesday, BBC2, 9pm
As many as 40 per cent of Brits admit they haven't read a book in the past year and avid reader Queen Camilla, left, hopes to change that. She meets people for whom reading a good book was to be life-changing, picking them up when they were down and leading them on adventures. A series of happy endings await...
BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
★★★ FOLLOWING 2 SELL OUT TOURS ★★★
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A return to good, clean Sunday teatime drama – with vampires!
The Reluctant Vampire Sunday, BBC1 ★★★★★
Pierre
Monday, Channel 4 ★★★★★
Based on a 1982 children's book by Eric Morecambe, The Reluctant Vampire – appropriately enough – brings us sunshine. It also takes its place squarely in a TV tradi-
tion that seemed in danger of being long-lost: the Sunday teatime drama for all ages. (Think, in ascending order of your elderliness: Worzel Gummidge starring Mackenzie Crook, Super Gran, Worzel Gummidge starring Jon Pertwee, The Adventures Of Black Beauty and Catweazle.)
'Ghosts was our North Star throughout.' But even if he hadn't, that mightn't have been too hard to spot. There's the same winning mixture of daftness and warmth, the same commitment to piling up the gags – and the same ability to take the supernatural entirely for granted while also combining it with a recognisably human family drama.
It's not unknown, for example, for such a drama to feature a domineering father whose first-born son is both eager to please him and unable to. Or for the mum in this situation to be torn between the two. Or for the younger son to be annoyingly good at the things the older one is bad at. Less common, though, is for all this to revolve around vampires.
Last Sunday's opening episode began with 15-year-old Val (Lenny Rush) ruining a neck-biting expedition by needing to go for a wee just as his dad Victor (Tom Davis) was about to sink his fangs into a sleeping woman. Back at their duly gothic castle, Victor's disappointment at his son's wimpiness then led him to make the terrible accusation that, 'I'm not even sure you like blood!' Val tried to prove him wrong by
DEAD FUNNY: The cast of The Reluctant Vampire. Left: David Harewood in Pierre
sipping from a glass of the stuff without gagging. Meanwhile, younger son Vernon
(Gabriel Nagy) was smugly identifying his own tipple as 'Type A, with notes of lavender. Mainland Europe, circa 1700. Possibly from the neck of a Flemish merchant.'
The Reluctant Vampire is written by Neil and Rob Gibbons, Steve Coogan's collaborators in the most recent versions of Alan Partridge. Happily, they retain Morecambe's enjoyment of silliness, and of unapologetically corny jokes ('Blood type? B, O?' the castle butler tested Val at one point. 'Just trying a new aftershave,' replied Val).
They also, however, add some modern touches to the essentially retro feel. Some of these work well, especially Joe
Wilkinson's turn as a woke werewolf, keen that monsters shouldn't be defined simply by their monstrousness: 'Dr Jekyll's got the Mr Hyde stuff, but in the daytime he's a bloody good GP.'
Less successful – feeling somewhere between intrusive and weirdly misguided – are the rude jokes, which on Sunday included some pretty explicit (if admittedly funny) ones.
Nonetheless, this was a joyous half-hour of television. The adult members of the cast are obviously, and understandably, having a blast. Rush's touching but always very funny central performance could be described as 'towering' if he wasn't just over 3ft tall: a joke I think I'm allowed to make, given that Rush apparently insisted on some size gags. 'What's Val short for?' a local girl asked him, for instance. 'I stopped growing when I was four,' he explained.
In Pierre, by coincidence, the title character is a duty solicitor who prides himself on ‘caring for the little people’ – although in this case these are black Londoners facing a hostile justice system.
The series is co-written by Roy Williams, making his TV debut after years of political, race-related works for the stage. And that background shows here, because Pierre is in many ways an old-fashioned debate play.
At first, it seemed as if the debate would be interestingly even-handed. The first client Pierre (David Harewood) saw was a woman complaining of sexual harassment by a supermarket security guard who'd asked what was inside her pants. Except that, as Pierre pointed out, what was inside her pants were several items she'd shoplifted.
Next he met Michael (Ezrae Maye), who'd been arrested for taking a car without the owner's consent: the owner being his aunt Brenda (Cherrelle Skeete). Pierre urged her to drop the charges, as Michael wasn't a bad lad and a criminal record would do someone like him no favours. 'What favours are we doing young black men by continually making excuses for them?' countered Brenda.
Unfortunately, this vital technique for a debate play – always give good lines to the other side – didn’t last. Instead, it soon became clear that Michael was indeed being harassed by a racist copper, and was right to be fighting back by seeking to expose him. So would Pierre help, thereby rekindling the youthful idealism he’d lost when he started wearing ‘a white man’s suit’ and generally playing ‘the white man’s game’? (Unsurprising answer: yes he would.)
To be fair, this is a far richer drama than that summary might suggest. Pierre himself is not just a would-be crusader for justice but also an anxious father, a kindly but not hugely competent boss, a not-bad husband – apart from his gambling addiction – and a good friend to a fellow fifty-something who works in the police and shares Pierre's sense of belonging to a fast-disappearing era. ('We're the dinosaurs and the meteor's about to hit.')
For my money, though – and I appreciate I may not be the target audience here – the energy badly dips whenever the script heads back into straight and slightly wearisome agitprop.
ALASTAIR SMART
This exhibition was always destined to be a triumph. It brings together paintings by some of
\_\_\_\_ paintings by Monet, Matisse and Picasso among them. Specifically, their paintings of one of the world's most seductively beautiful locations: the French Riviera.
Blue skies, bright sun and azure sea accompany us throughout, as do colourful flowers.
ART
It's an uplifting show from the off. In Morning At Antibes, one of the first works on view, Monet offers us a vista of the walled city of Antibes across a bay. So
Painting The French Riviera
Royal Academy Of Arts, London
Until January 31
★★★★★
sun-drenched is the scene that the ancient buildings almost seem to melt before our eyes in a haze.
The exhibition doesn't consist simply of one pretty picture after another. The organisers explain that the Riviera (known in French as the Cote d'Azur) was little visited before railways connected Paris with the south of France in the mid-19th century. Thereafter, it was discovered by tourists – and artists.
The show covers a period from the 1870s to the early 1960s, and features 150 works. Which is perhaps slightly too many, given the similarity of subject matter. Walking through this exhibition feels rather like overindulging on delicious chocolate.
Among the main takeaways is how the Riviera inspired artists to produce a truly stunning array of blues. In paintings such as Raoul Dufy's Golfe Juan, the water is such a deep cobalt colour that one feels tempted to jump
图 2-1
DEEP BLUE SEA: Raoul Dufy's Golfe Juan, 1927
into the picture for a swim.
For a few months, the Cote d'Azur comes to central London. Visitors will be left feeling anything but blue.
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The Uprising
Cert: 15, 2hrs 8mins
★★★★★
---
The Social Reckoning Cert: 15, 1hr 52mins ★★★★★
The Uprising, about the 1381 Peasants' Revolt, is one of the muddiest films I've ever seen, so we can only hope
that the irony of his surname occurred to writer-director Paul Greengrass. Either way, he makes a fine job of depicting late 14th-century England as an altogether wretched place.
Then as now, a pandemic had recently wrought havoc, although the Black Death was even more devastating than Covid, killing half the population. Among them were the wife and young daughters of a gutsy farmer we know only as ‘the Ploughman’.
Played by Andrew Garfield with a brow as unhappily furrowed as his soggy field, this Ploughman has absolutely no time for lunch. Grief-stricken, muscular and extremely miffed with the crown's boorish tax collectors, he's a perfect recruit for rebel leader Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis) and his priestly sidekick John Ball (Jamie Bell). They and their
---
‘We can just sit back and enjoy it as a well told story’
followers are all loyal to the teenage King Richard II (Woody Norman) but resent his ever-more punitive taxes and the baleful influence of his council, to whom the neurotic Richard is in thrall.
They duly march on London at the head of a peasant militia, to the horror of the young king, whose scheming mentor, Sir Robert Hales (Tom Hollander), announces that armies have been ordered back from France and Scotland ‘to quell this turmoil’.
Yet the turmoil continues, at least until Richard surprisingly agrees to Tyler's demands for a more just society, and discreetly allows the mob to take out their pent-up fury on his councillors, some of whom are unceremoniously beheaded.
A new people's charter is swiftly drawn up and copies for every part of England are meticulously quilled by scribes working round the clock... a scene which, not for the first time in this film, had me irreverently thinking of Monty Python. They'd have needed only one scribe, perhaps called Xerox the Wise.
Even if the spirit of Python doesn't hover as you watch The Uprising, the spirit of a certain BBC reality show might. As the action converges on the Tower of London and we must effectively distinguish between traitors and faithfuls, Claudia Winkleman, with her raven-black fringe, would fit right in. Of course, anyone looking for a more profound contemporary context will find plenty of modern parallels involving civil unrest and the abuse of power.
Alternatively, we can all just sit back and enjoy The Uprising as a well told, nicely acted story (also featuring Jonny Lee Miller, Stephen Dillane, Thomasin McKenzie and Katherine Waterston) without stretching for any modern-day perspectives.
A possible caveat to that enjoyment is the sheer bloodiness of it all, and a ‘one year later’ epilogue that will satisfy some and land with a dull clunk for others, with Greengrass evidently deciding to turn his doughty Ploughman into Robin Hood.
On the whole, though, despite its rather whimsical fictional flourishes, his film enlightens us about a relatively little-known
WHISTLEBLOWERS: Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison in The Social Reckoning
episode in English history much more successfully than, for example, Mike Leigh's 2018 misfire Peterloo.
The Social Reckoning shows us another fired-up mob, 640 years after Tyler and his angry peasants and arguably with a less worthy grievance. I refer to the notorious storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 by some of Donald Trump's more rabid supporters.
Now, if you believe that social media is one of the most troubling blights on our age, then this film is well worth seeing. It is
EXTREMELY MIFFED: Andrew Garfield as ‘The Ploughman’ in The Uprising. Above: Jamie Bell
notionally a sequel to David Fincher's movie The Social Network (2010), which chronicled in a broadly upbeat way the origins of Facebook, presenting its creator Mark Zuckerberg (then played by Jesse Eisenberg) as nerdy but brilliant: a tech genius only verging on sociopathic behaviour.
Aaron Sorkin, who scripted the original film, now also takes over directing duties. Having failed to persuade Eisenberg to reprise the role, he has Jeremy Strong playing Zuckerberg, this time as a fully fledged sociopath, seemingly complicit in the warping of Facebook, and other social media platforms run by his company Meta,
---
‘Worth seeing if you believe social media is a blight’
into something malignant.
This is conveyed through the true story of Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), an idealistic data scientist for Facebook who believed strongly in its mission to connect people, but gradually realised that it was doing so in a most insidious and sinister way, unearthing the alarming statistic that 64 per cent of those who joined extremist groups on the site were sent there by Facebook's own algorithms. This led inexorably, the film implies, to those events at the Capitol.
The Social Reckoning tells us how Haugen turned whistleblower, handing her evidence to Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), an investigative reporter on the Wall Street Journal. All this is rendered more complex than it needs to be by a zippy timeline that becomes almost impossible to follow.
I also find myself tiring of the way Sorkin seems to forge all his most noble characters in his own image: liberal crusaders for truth and justice, with lightning-quick minds, effortlessly quipping their way in and out of trouble.
His TV hit The West Wing was like that and he's still at it, in a film that tries just a little too hard to be a tech version of the 1976 classic All The President's Men. But if you can overlook all that, it's a compelling modern morality tale.
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Rent
Tom Stoppard
Theatre, London
Until May 29, 2hrs 45mins
★★★★★
As You Like It
Royal Shakespeare
Theatre, Stratford-
Upon-Avon
Until November 7, 2hrs 25mins
★★★★★
D one well, Rent is the musical equivalent of white-water rafting – and let me be clear: this new production of Jonathan Larson's cult show is done really well.
Starring Gaten Matarazzo – Stranger Things’ nerdy Dustin – as the MC among grungy young people in Nineties New York, Larson’s rollercoaster rock score launches us into the boiling rapids right from the off, with the title number.
From then on, it's a white-knuckle ride of shifting keys and twisting melodies – punctuated by gorgeous still, a cappella waters... and even a touch of tango.
Luke Sheppard's production is wanton, extravagant and sometimes downright profligate, with the cast exploding onto a stage, surrounded by the audience, in what is mocked up as a Manhattan loft.
But the rock-gig energy is also seamed with Larson's alternately
HUNKY HANDYMAN: Jonathan Groff in As You Like It
A white-knuckle ride in Nineties New York
joyful and agonising lyrics, charting the hang-ups, anxieties and pitfalls of young people in the big city: broke and in love.
Inspired by Puccini's opera La Boheme, about struggling artists in 19th-century Paris, its tale of sexual discovery is set in the shadow of Aids.
Devotees of Stranger Things (like me) will have had no clue that Matarazzo, 24, could sing and dance like this. His Mark is the straight one, filming his friends' break-ups... and breakdowns.
MUSIC
He fronts a formidably energetic ensemble led by Travis Ross as Roger, a tortured songwriter and ex-junkie, in love with Mimi (an eye-poppingly agile Alexa Lopez), still battling heroin. Jeevan Braich brings the house down as tragic drag queen Angel, giving Lazy Violet a run for her money as loud and promiscuous lesbian Maureen.
Larson put everything he could think of into this show, as if driven by a sense of his own mortality – he died at just 35 on the eve of its first preview off Broadway, 30 years ago.
So it's certainly exhausting. And, just like when you step out of your canoe after riding the rapids, you may have difficulty
TALES OF YOUNG LOVE: Billy Nevers, Jeevan Braich and Gaten Matarazzo in Rent
walking a straight line on your way home. But that's just another accolade, in my view, for a landmark production of a landmark musical.
Shakespeare's As You Like It has two of the Bard's most coveted female roles, so you need a pretty good reason for excluding women.
But Daniel Evans, co-artistic director of the RSC, gets away with it in his agreeable all-male revival starring Jonathan Groff (best known for originating the role of George III in Hamilton).
Groff plays Rosalind, a young noblewoman seeking refuge in the Forest of Arden after being banished from court alongside friend Celia (Fisayo Akinade).
With Rosalind disguised as a man and Celia disguised as a shepherdess, the comedy charts their adventures while pursued by a lovestruck young wrestler, Orlando (Elliot Barnes-Worrell).
Groff exudes some glamour at court wearing Alexander McQueen-ish black brocade. But he's 41 – and the bloom of youth hath fled his damask cheek, as the Bard might have said. There's little trace of his character's femininity in the forest, where he's dressed like a hunky handyman, sans power tools. And his American accent isolates him, in a production that's nominally Welsh.
As Celia, a perpetual bridesmaid in Rosalind's shadow, Akinade adds huffy comic moments. And Barnes-Worrell brings gravitas, levity and urgency to Orlando.
Although missing a feminine touch, there is plenty of spectacle: thanks to a panel of supersize French doors at court, lifting to reveal a bank of long grass and the mossy sward beyond.
With singles such as West End Girls appealing to fans of all ages,
Pet Shop Boys have spent the past few years burnishing their credentials. Their greatest hits tour has been packing out arenas, and 2024's Nonetheless LP was their biggest in over two decades.
But there's another side to singer Neil Tennant and musician Chris Lowe. Unlike many of their glossy, hit-making 1980s peers, they have become a respected albums act. In April they played a London residency highlighting their most obscure songs. Now they've made a concept album.
A Man From The Future tells the life story of Alan Turing, the British mathematician who played a key role in unlocking the German Enigma code during the Second World War. A powerful mix of electronic and symphonic sounds, it's a bold affair with a strong narrative thread.
If Pet Shop Boys are an art-pop duo, it's the artier side that's to
ADRIAN THRILLS
Pet Shop Boys
A Man From The Future
Out now
★★★★★
the fore here. Tennant and Lowe made the record with Turing's biographer Andrew Hodges, with narrations by actress Juliet Stevenson and orchestrations by composer Sven Helbig.
The story is told in eight expansive tracks. On Natural Wonders Every Child Should Know, we learn of Turing's early interest in science and his sexual awakening as a gay man.
Lowe's cinematic electronics are prominent on The Enigma, a celebration of Turing's de-coding work at Bletchley Park, before the story takes a darker turn with his conviction for a same-sex relationship in 1952 (when homosexuality was still illegal in
Britain), his 1954 suicide and posthumous royal pardon in 2013.
As the story draws to a conclusion, we're treated to the unlikely phenomenon of former prime minister Gordon Brown in a Pet Shop Boys song: the title track contains a passage from
a speech in which Brown
apologised to all those prosecuted
under homophobic laws.
The album also acknowledges Turing's legacy. In imagining a world of smart computers, he predicted the rise of Artificial Intelligence – and Tennant
finishes by pondering the impact of that, mischievously asking whether this entire tale could be ‘the creation of a computer’.
Given its electronic pulses, it is, partly. It's also a thought-provoking take on Turing's story.
THE BEST
NEW FICTION
Murder Most Cryptic
Alys Cummings
Michael Joseph
£16.99, 416pp
Classic crime novels
have traditionally been compared with crossword puzzles. Now Cummings takes the connection to the next level. A man blunders into a group for recovering alcoholics and drops dead. In his pocket is a cryptic clue whose solution is ‘murder’. Further puzzles are weaved skilfully into a narrative that sees an odd couple of cops trying to find the killer among a cast of rogue crossword setters and lapsing drinkers.
John Williams
Partita
Barbara
Kingsolver
Faber £20, 352pp
When Livia Cable
escaped to college on
a piano scholarship,
she carried the legacy of her brother's suicide with her. Years later, a phone call tugs her back into the past, teeing up an intimate coming-of-age story rich in drama and overlaid with midlife yearning. It's an exquisite novel – more contained than its predecessor, the Pulitzer-winning Demon Copperhead, but as resonant as some of the music that fills its pages.
Hephzibah Anderson
American Hagwon
Min Jin Lee
Fourth Estate
£25, 656pp
The bestselling
Korean-American author of Pachinko returns with a chunky cross-continental saga about emigration and education as seen through the ups and downs of three siblings from Seoul. It opens in 1992, when they have to move to Australia because their father is blackmailed at work. The family's quest to regain prosperity ultimately leads to California, and the cram school (in Korean, 'hagwon') of the title. A warm intergenerational drama richly marbled with subplots.
Anthony Cummins
Life Out
Of Order
Audrey
Niffenegger
Jonathan Cape
£22, 560pp
Billed as a companion
piece to The Time Traveller's Wife, this kaleidoscopic novel retains its forerunner's complicated romantic situations and bamboozling logic of involuntary time travel, while adding more concrete concerns, from political upheaval to the dangers of AI. Skipping between the past, present and a gloom-laden future, it brims with ideas and emotions, but an erratic timeline and uneven plot make for a frustratingly episodic read.
Eithne Farry
In The Philippines
Michael Palin
Hutchinson Heinemann £20, 192pp
n your bottom, Michael! Backwards!'
This was ‘good advice’ from the director who was filming him, writes Michael Palin in his deliciously enjoyable short travelogue of 19 incident-filled days in the Philippines, ‘but not what a deeply confused 82-year-old, carrying flippers, and wearing punishingly tight goggles, wants to hear on a specially cleared beach.’
Somehow, though, Palin manages to manoeuvre himself down the rocks into the sea, where he's rewarded by the 'miraculous moment' of swimming next to a 'mass of glittering silver' – a shoal of sardines in perfect formation. There's a photo of this in his small book.
Accompanied by a camera crew and a team of supporters, Palin hops from island to island, sampling the Philippines in all its crazy variety. There's a useful map at the front for anyone who (like me) is a bit foggy about the archipelago's 7,641 islands and how to tell them apart. Basically, the northern ones are Roman Catholic and the southern ones more Muslim, and in one of the Muslim areas, the city of Marawi remains semi-derelict after being ravaged in 2017 by Islamic extremists. But it's coming out of it, according to a persuasive former jihadist whom Palin meets, and its new slogan is 'From Terrorism to Tourism' – which might be 'a little too honest', Palin suggests.
One of the islands, Pag-asa, is only one-tenth of a square mile in area – so tiny that the airport runway sticks out of both ends. The Chinese claim its waters, and have been known to ram Philippine fishing boats. Chinese ships sit ominously in view, reminding Palin of the vulnerability of these islands to the ‘raw reality of power’.
In Manila, Palin visits ‘Smokey Mountain’, the rubbish dump so huge it has houses built into it, and he comes across one of the most revolting forms of food I’ve ever read about: ‘pagpag’. A woman
What Palin saw in the Far East: muck, jihadis and recycled KFC
called Doring trawls round the branches of KFC late at night, strips flesh from leftover bones, washes it three times, refries it in ketchup and presents it the next morning on her stall. 'I like a gastro challenge,' writes Palin, 'and have eaten maggots and bull's testicles in my travelling life. But pagpag defeats me.'
It's an honour for him to be granted an audience with President Bongbong Marcos, son of Ferdinand and Imelda (she of the 3,000 pairs of shoes). The president stipulates that Palin may only ask him three prepared questions. Palin is very nervous. But the tables are turned as soon as they meet. 'Michael Palin!' Bongbong squeals. Having studied PPE at Oxford in the 1970s, he's a lifelong Monty Python fan, and longs to know how they came up with the fish-slapping dance. He treats Palin to a much longer and more friendly audience than was originally stipulated: British soft power at its best.
The Vanishing Family
Robert Kolker
Quercus £22, 368pp
Ysenda Maxtone Graham
How to live when you have a 50% chance of dementia
It's just heartbreak after heartbreak after heartbreak.' An American woman named Barb is speaking to the writer Robert Kolker. She is talking about her pain as she witnesses members of her family succumb to early onset dementia. Everyone knows about Alzheimer's disease, not so many people understand that there are many other forms of dementia.
Barb's relatives have frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a disease that attacks parts of the brain controlling personality and behaviour. Typically, it begins to affect people in middle age. In Kolker's words, they 'lose the ability to earn an income, look after their children, do household chores, or take care of their hygiene'. A particular genetic mutation means that Barb's family members have a 50/50 chance of contracting FTD.
Barb's mother Jean had the disease. One of Barb's sisters, Christy, was in her 30s when she began to display the first signs. By her 40s, she was losing her previous self. In years to
come, sisters Jenny and Mary would fall prey to FTD, as would her brother Dutch.
Some of the manifestations of their disease verged on black comedy. When Cynthia, Christy's daughter, brought a boyfriend home, her mother regaled him with fantasies of how David Hasselhoff had made Cynthia pregnant.
The more serious symptoms were much more distressing. When police entered Christy's home for a welfare check, they found her sitting alone amidst mountains of dirty clothes and maggot-ridden cans of fruit.
A rare condition such as FTD does not attract the attention of pharmaceutical companies as Alzheimer's does. There are not enough patients to make it worthwhile. What research has come up with is a test to discover who has the genetic mutation and who has not. Barb took a long time to decide if she would take the test. She is free of the mutation but what is worse? Having it, or watching loved ones lose themselves because of it. Kolker proves the ideal chronicler for a story that demands sensitive telling. An intensely moving, humane study of a family forced to deal with an unimaginably cruel fate.
Anthea Rowan
BOOKS
The most important family in BRITISH HISTORY... (no - it's not the royals)
DISRUPTORS: Thomas, right, and Oliver Cromwell
Thomas Cromwell and his great-great- great-nephew Oliver both changed the nation's history – one broke from Rome, the other deposed a king
KATHRYN HUGHES
HISTORY
The House Of
Cromwell
Miranda Malins
William Collins £25, 480pp
Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall, used to recount how, when she told people she was writing a novel about Thomas Cromwell, they would shoot back, 'don't you mean Oliver Cromwell?' The two men often get confused and sometimes even conflated.
Thomas was the Tudor courtier who became Henry VIII's ruthless fixer, obtaining the annulment that allowed His Majesty to marry Anne Boleyn in 1533. His reward was to be sent to the Tower and executed. Fast-forward a century, and Thomas's great-great-great nephew Oliver arranged for Charles I to be sent to the scaffold so that he could step into his shoes as 'His Highness Lord Protector of England'.
You could call it revenge, served very cold indeed.
In this masterly book, historian Miranda Malins sets out to show how the two Cromwells, Thomas and Oliver, were the product of a unique family culture that propelled them to dizzying heights before hurling them into the gutter. Thomas lost more than his head in 1540: his reputation immediately plunged to that of a ‘false churl’ and ‘arch-traitor’.
Oliver, by contrast, died peacefully in his bed and was granted a grand burial in Westminster Abbey. Yet two years on, and with Charles II now restored to the throne, the former Lord Protector was dug up, decapitated and his head stuck on a spike as a warning to anyone who might be tempted by a spot of regicide.
What was it about the Cromwell DNA, Malins wants to know, that turned these two men into political adventurers who flew too close to the sun? And how should we assess their achievements now that the
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‘Although landed gentry, Oliver dug his own fields’
dust of nearly five centuries has been allowed to settle?
Thomas was the son of a Putney blacksmith who ran away to Europe as a soldier-for-hire before picking up valuable experience as a clerk in a wealthy Italian merchant household.
He taught himself several foreign languages, learned some law, and observed carefully how money and power operated in the highest circles.
Armed with these essential skills he returned to England and began his climb up the greasy pole of Tudor court politics.
Oliver, by contrast, was born into the landed gentry, although on its lowest rung. He was obliged to leave Cambridge when his father died, in order to support his seven sisters. For a while, young Oliver was so poor that he was reduced to digging his own fields and milking his own cows.
Thanks to this early labour on marshy farmland, he contracted malaria, the disease that would eventually kill him. Only a lucky inheritance from a childless uncle in 1636 enabled Oliver to get back on the property ladder and into Parliament as MP for the prestigious seat of Cambridge.
Both Cromwells were canny operators who built up a power base of useful contacts by placing their sons, nephews and cousins in high official positions.
Affection came into it too. Both men saw themselves as paterfamilias, responsible for looking after all those younger sons and unmarried daughters who were in danger of falling into poverty.
Austin Friars, the magnificent London house where Thomas lived, was filled with young people whose education he paid for before placing them in key posts and advantageous marriages. Oliver also ‘delighted in gathering waifs and strays’, even inviting the family of his devoted deceased French manservant to live with his own.
Malins argues that Thomas's politicking in the 1530s bequeathed a set of intractable problems to his great-great-great nephew. It was on Thomas's watch that England broke with the Pope, which allowed Henry VIII to rule as an autocrat, answerable to no-one. A
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‘Thomas broke down when his wife and daughters died’
century later, Charles I tried to recreate this state of affairs by dissolving Parliament and declaring that he now ruled as an absolute monarch. It was only a matter of time before the Parliamentary Party, led by Oliver Cromwell, took up arms against the king and his supporters. The English Civil War had begun.
Oliver was 43 by this time, a late developer. Much to everyone's surprise, including his own, he emerged as a brilliant military strategist, eventually defeating the king's men at Marston Moor (1644) and Naseby (1645). Charles I was eventually executed in 1649, leaving the way clear for Cromwell to take his place, in all but name, as the Lord Protector.
In telling this complicated double story, Malins busts some deeply entrenched myths. Thomas Cromwell, for instance, was no-one's idea of a cold fish in the manner suggested by Mantel in Wolf Hall.
In the late 1520s, when the 'sweating sickness' carried off his wife and daughters, Thomas collapsed in a severe nervous breakdown, which had his friends worrying for his sanity. Oliver Cromwell, in turn, was far from being a dour puritan. He may have instructed his portrait painter to capture him 'warts and all' (he was famously knobbly) but he had a sharp eye for fashion. A 1649 portrait shows him in a silver suit embroidered with gold thread and tassels with fashionable bucket-topped boots. In his giddier moments, he had even been known to dance.
Both Thomas and Oliver Cromwells' lives have been told many times before, so it is surprising that Malins decides to repeat them in such detail (this chunky book is getting on for 500 pages). She also chooses to switch between the two narratives in a way that could be confusing for anyone coming to this material for the first time. What this ‘compare and contrast’ method does do, though, is allow us to see, perhaps for the first time, the fascinating echoes, rhymes and rhythms between these two great men of history, linked by a famous name and an enduring family connection.
OUR TOP PICKS FOR THIS WEEK'S TV
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SPORT FOOTBALL
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DRAMA THE DIPLOMAT
The return of a series that takes the drama of marriage and international diplomacy, turns it up to 11 and delivers it in addictive fashion with an awards-worthy cast. The eight-part fourth series opens with Kate (Keri Russell), the US ambassador to the UK and her husband, US vice president Hal (Rufus Sewell), forced to stay at Windsor Castle when
There are 114 reasons why Liverpool will not give Man City and Elliot Anderson, right, a warm welcome in City's first game since being found guilty of financial breaches (k.o. 4.30pm). Both the Champions League and the Europa League also return, including Atletico Madrid v Man Utd (Tues, Amazon Prime) and Man City v PSG (Weds, TNT Sports 1) – k.o.s 8pm. Sunday, Sky Sports Main Event, 4pm
British protests against the Americans 'block off the M25'. Quite the protest, that. Also at Windsor is the US president and her husband (Emmy winner Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford, above left, with Russell and Sewell), which turns into a mini-drama all of its own. Set aside an evening for this one because, once you start, it's very hard to stop at just one episode.
Thursday, Netflix
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CHALLENGE ROB & ROMESH VS
The Celebrity Traitors stars are back with a well-timed new run of the show in which the duo throw themselves in way over their heads. The four-part ninth series opens with Rob
Beckett, left, and Romesh Ranganathan, right, in China to try their hands (and feet) at kung fu, visiting an actual Shaolin monastery and sparring with Jet Li before performing in a show. Wednesday, Sky One, 9pm
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DRAMA TIME
Jimmy McGovern returns with a third series of his Bafta-winning prison anthology set in a young offenders institution. David Tennant, right, stars as a custodial officer undergoing a moral awakening at work while his marriage breaks down. The teenage inmates are a feral bunch, but McGovern also weaves some tragedy and moral complexity into their stories. Sunday, BBC1, 9pm, and BBC iPlayer
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THRILLER CLEDDAU
The first series of this Welsh noir was a big hit and was, like Hinterland and Keeping Faith before it, released in an English-language version, too (as The One That Got Away, also on iPlayer). The second series (in Welsh with English subtitles) reunites detectives and old flames Ffion Lloyd (Elen Rhys, right) and Rick Sheldon (Richard Harrington) for another case, this time involving a potential dating-app killer. Sunday, S4C, 9pm and BBC iPlayer
PROFILE JOHN SIMPSON – SIXTY YEARS AT THE BBC
There aren't too many ‘jobs for life’ these days, but John Simpson, above, certainly had one with the BBC. Sprinkling amusing anecdotes alongside background info on world events, he reflects on his six decades at the corporation. Tuesday, BBC2, 9pm
Both sweeping historical saga and intimate romance, this US series follows two Washington staffers (Magic Mike's Matt Bomer and Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey, right) as they meet and fall in love in the 1950s. It's a moving decades-spanning love story, shaped by the changing social and political landscape of America. Wednesday, Channel 4, 10pm
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DRAMA FELLOW TRAVELERS
RADIO
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SUNDAY WHY DIDN'T THEY ASK EVANS?
A deadly fall from a cliff in Wales is at the heart of the Agatha Christie classic, given a Celtic twist. Radio 4, 3pm
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MON-FRI WINNIE-THE-POOH 100
Queen Camilla introduces the first of five readings about the cheery bear on his 100th birthday. Radio 4, 11.45am
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TUESDAY HISTORY'S SECRET HEROES
The life of the extraordinarily brave nurse and midwife Sybil Kathigasu, who risked her life to help the resistance during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Radio 4, 3pm
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THURSDAY CLASSIC FM LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERTHAJI
Veteran bass baritone Willard White and pianist Junyan Chen are among tonight's soloists. Classic FM, 7pm
NOW PLAYING IN LONDON & ACROSS THE UK FROM JANUARY 2027 Including GLASGOW, ABERDEEN, CARDIFF, LIVERPOOL, EASTBOURNE, and more!
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Sunday October 11
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BBC1
6.00 BBC News
7.40 Match Of The Day (R)
9.00 Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg Interviews with key politicians and public figures.
10.00 Politics England Regional political news and debate.
10.30 Sunday Morning Live Sean Fletcher and Holly Hamilton present topical debate.
11.30 Money For Nothing (R)
12.00 Bargain Hunt (R)
12.45 Points Of View Viewers' comments.
1.00 BBC News; Weather
1.15 Songs Of Praise The senior semi-final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year.
2.00 FILM: Shrek The Third (U/2007) Animated sequel featuring the voice of Mike Myers.
3.25 Kingdom (R)
4.15 Homes Under The Hammer (R)
5.15 BBC News
5.30 Regional News; Weather
5.40 Countryfile Anita Rani and Sean Fletcher head to the South Pennines.
6.40 The Polystant Vampire 2/
6.40 The Reluctant Vampire 2/6
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BBC2
6.40 Countryfile (R)
7.40 BBC News
9.00 Landward (R)
9.30 The Best Of Weatherman Walking Derek Brockway revisits choice moments from his travels. (R)
10.00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites Including recipes by Mike Reid, Donna Hay and Shivi Ramoutar.
11.30 Eva Longoria: Searching For France The actress explores the history, food and culture of Provence. (R)
12.10 Nigel And Adam's Farm Kitchen Last in series. (R)
1.10 FILM: The Ipcress File (PG/1965) Spy thriller starring Michael Caine.
2.55 FILM: Funeral In Berlin (PG/1966) Cold War thriller starring Michael Caine.
4.35 This Farming Life Carianne hopes to get a good price for Faillish the bull at the Oban Highland Show. (R)
5.35 Flog It! (R)
5.35 Flog It! (R)
6.20 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 13/20 Moira Stuart and Aled Jones face off in a battle of antiques in Kent. (R)
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ITV1
6.00 The Voice UK (R)
7.00 James Martin's Saturday
Morning (R)
9.25 ITV News
9.30 Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh With guests Michael Brandon, Caroline Harker, Antony Costa and Duncan James.
11.30 EFL Live Southampton v Portsmouth (kick-off 12pm). Hugh Woozencroft presents all the action from the south coast derby in the Championship, held at St Mary's Stadium.
2.25 Cooking With The Stars
Emma Willis and Tom Allen return with the culinary contest. (R)
2.50 Celebrity Lingo Charlotte Hawkins, Sean Fletcher, Fay Ripley and John Thomson take part. (R)
3.20 FILM: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (12/2018) Action sequel starring Chris Pratt and Rafe Spall.
5.40 The Chase Lynwen, Rob, Vikki and Keith take part. (R)
6.30 ITV News; Weather
6.45 Local News; Weather
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CHANNEL 4
6.10 Cheers Four episodes. (R)
8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond Double bill. (R)
9.00 Frasier Double bill. (R)
10.00 Sunday Brunch Guests include Lee Mack, Sarah Solemani, Emma Sidi and Russell T Davies.
The Party, 9pm Luke Evans stars as Martin in the new drama series
1.00 The Simpsons (R)
1.55 The Dog House Dafne the sausage dog is not sold on papillon cross Woody's moves to impress her. (R)
2.55 George Clarke's Amazing Spaces A Nottingham couple cement their relationship with an ambitious floating home. (R)
3.55 Worst House On The Street
A couple renovate their five-bedroom home in Balham, London. (R)
5.00 Channel 4 News Including sport and weather.
5.30 Formula 1: Singapore Grand Prix Highlights
Lee McKenzie presents action from the 17th round of the season, held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. With analysis from David Coulthard and Billy Monger.
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5
6.00 Milkshake! Children's shows, including: 8.00 Move It Milkshakers! (R) 8.10 The Creature Cases 8.25 The Smurfs (R) 8.35 Ben And Holly's Little Kingdom (R) 8.50 The Patrick Star Show (R)
9.00 Entertainment News On 5 Showbiz news and gossip.
9.05 The Cruise: Fun-Loving Brits At Sea Double bill. (R)
11.05 Holidaying With Jane McDonald & Friends (R)
12.00 Warship: Life In The Royal Navy Double bill. (R)
2.00 Live: NFL On 5 Jacksonville Jaguars v Philadelphia Eagles (kick-off 2.30pm). Nat Coombs and Osi Umenyiora present coverage of the week five match from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
5.30 The Wonderful World Of Chocolate Highlights from the documentary series. (R)
6.00 Million Pound Motorhomes
2/10 An author heads out in her motorhome on a research trip. (R)
Time, 9pm David Tennant and Ollie McNulty star in the drama series
The Great Celebrity Pottery
Throw Down, 7.45pm The final
Later... With Jools Holland, 10pm
Jools returns with the music show
6.55 News The headlines.
22 Kids & Counting, 8pm Sue and the family set off on a camping trip
7.10 Strictly Come Dancing: The Results Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe present as the two lowest-scoring couples go head to head in the second dance-off of the series.
8.00 Antiques Roadshow 5/18 Fiona Bruce presents the show from Dartington Estate in Devon, where finds include a walking stick with a secret, an African headrest and a Rolex watch rescued from the rubbish.
9.00 Time 1/3 A tragedy strikes in a young offenders' institution. Return of Jimmy McGovern's prison anthology drama starring David Tennant.
10.00 BBC News At Ten
10.25 Regional News; Weather
10.30 Match Of The Day Action from the latest Premier League matches, including Liverpool v Manchester City and Hull City v Everton.
11.35 FILM: The Nice Guys (15/2016) Crime comedy starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.
1.30 BBC News
7.20 Eva Longoria: Searching For France 3/8 The actress explores the history, food and culture of Bordeaux.
8.00 Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales 3/3 On the final stage of their journey, the travellers start outside Eryri national park, and head west towards the Llyn Peninsula. (R)
9.00 Wilderness With Simon Reeve 3/4 Simon treks and canoes through Canada's rugged and frozen Yukon Territory to meet the people who make the wilderness home, and to search for grizzly bears.
10.00 Later... With Jools Holland 1/6 Jools introduces performances by Paul Heaton, Skye Newman, DC3, Mary in the Junkyard and Dermot Henry, and chats to former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr.
10.45 FILM: Don't Look Now (15/1973) Thriller with Donald Sutherland.
12.35 Sign Zone: Not Going Out Starring Lee Mack. (R)
7.00 The Box 8/8 Gary Lineker hosts as the three finalists battle it out to be crowned the winner with the remaining celebrities facing a trio of high-stakes challenges.
8.00 Emmerdale Kim is worried about Joe, and Robert has a suggestion for Gabby. Meanwhile, Vinny feels the support of his family.
8.30 Coronation Street Kit refuses to act as a character witness for Sarah, Gary delivers bad news to his boys and Nick is blamed for a bout of food poisoning at Speed Daal.
9.00 The Party 1/5 A journalist is asked by his lifelong friend to undermine the leadership bid of his political arch-enemy. Political drama starring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen.
10.00 ITV News; Weather
10.20 DNA Journey 1/8 Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan learn about their family histories. (R)
11.40 The Party 1/5 (R)
12.45 Shop On TV
7.45 The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down 5/5 Liza
Tarbuck hosts as the four finalists create a dessert trifle set and take on a tricky throw in the surprise challenge. Rich Miller and Keith Brymer Jones judge their efforts before crowning the winner.
9.00 Apocalypse 5/8 A new survivor arrives at the West camp seeking shelter, and notices a gender divide in the West with the women sidelined, so urges Kelly and Celia to make a stand.
10.15 Gogglebox 6/16 The armchair critics share their opinions on what they have been watching during the week with cameras capturing their instant reactions. (R)
11.15 Geordie Coppers A bad batch of spice hits the streets and a manhunt begins, PC Siobhan searches for a known burglar, and PC Sherrie meets two homeless lovebirds. (R)
12.15 999: On The Front Line (R)
7.00 The Grosvenor: London's Grand Hotel A look at the hotel in Mayfair, which opened in 1929 and brought luxury to London on a scale never seen before.
8.00 22 Kids & Counting
Chloe Radford and her partner Jake welcome their second child, but the baby cries constantly, day and night, leaving Chloe, Jake and four-year-old Mila exhausted.
9.00 Live: NFL On 5 Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers (Kick-off 9.25pm). Dermot O'Leary, Sam Quek, and Osi Umenyiora present coverage of the week five NFC West match at Lumen Field. The teams last met in last season's NFC divisional play-offs, when the Seahawks claimed an emphatic 41-6 home win, and went on to win the Super Bowl for the second time in their history and the first since 2013.
12.30 Cops Real-life footage of police at work. (R)
Monday October 12
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BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt 1.00 BBC
News 1.35 Regional News 1.45
BBC News 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R)
2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00
Escape To The Country 3.45
Garden Rescue 4.30 Bridge Of
Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
News 6.30 Regional News
7.00 The One Show
7.30 EastEnders
8.00 Roman Abramovich: How
He Hid His Fortune –
Panorama In-depth report.
8.30 Clickbait Clinic With Stacey
Dooley 4/6 A look at viral
wellness trends.
9.00 Time 2/3 Prison drama,
starring David Tennant.
10.00 BBC News At Ten
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 Have I Got News For You
2/10 Alex Jones hosts. (R)
11.10 FILM: Misbehaviour
(12/2020) Comedy drama
starring Keira Knightley.
12.55 BBC News
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BBC2
6.20 Bargain Hunt (R) 7.05 Sign Zone: The Great House Revival (R) 7.55 Match Of The Day (R)
9.00 BBC News 12.15 Politics Live 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R)
3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.10 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 Global Eye Investigations from BBC correspondents all over the world.
7.30 Mastermind
8.00 Only Connect
8.30 University Challenge
9.00 Being Muslim After 9/11 The impact of the September 11 attacks on British Muslims.
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10.30 Newsnight
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11.05 FILM: American Fiction
(15/2024) Satire starring Jeffrey Wright.
12.55 Sign Zone: Countryfile (R)
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ITV1
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather 7.30 Cooking With The Stars 2/10 With Bez, Scarlett Moffatt and Zara McDermott.
8.00 Emmerdale Joe puts a new plot into motion.
8.30 Coronation Street Debbie feels scrutinised by Ronnie.
9.00 The Party 2/5 Martin struggles to contain the fallout from Ben's announcement.
10.00 ITV News; Weather 10.30 Local News; Weather 10.45 Killer In The House: The Murder Of Nicholas Billingham (R)
11.40 Killer In The House: The Murders Of Lesley Howell And Trevor Buchanan (R)
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12.35 Shop On TV
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CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) 9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4 News 12.10 Renovation Nation (R) 1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00 Help! We Bought A Village 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
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7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Chloe's Story: Stand Up To Cancer People affected by cancer share their personal and moving stories. (R)
8.00 Jamie's 20 Minute Meals
Jamie shares a recipe for steak in a sweet shallot and flambéed brandy sauce.
9.00 Pierre 2/6 The solicitor is still in shock after Michael's body was discovered.
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10.05 Geordie Coppers
11.05 Killing Anna Documentary following an investigation into Syrian war crimes.
12.35 24 Hours In A&E (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: The Girl They Forgot (12/2023) Crime drama starring Betsy Baker and Jeanette Branch. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 Police Interceptors Officers
battle to stop a dangerous
driver in a stolen lorry. (R)
7.55 News
8.00 Traffic Cops: Elite Squad One Motorcycle officer Joe Moisley responds to a serious collision on the A63.
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9.00 Michael Palin In The
Philippines 3/3 Michael begins the final leg of his journey on the southern island of Mindanao.
10.00 Forensics: Murder Scene
3/6 A gruesome discovery is made at a recycling plant. (R)
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11.35 A Killer Makes A Call 3/8
1.00 Must Have Ideas (R)
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Tuesday October 13
BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt (R) 1.00 BBC
News 1.35 Regional News 1.45
BBC News 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R)
2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00
Escape To The Country 3.45
Garden Rescue (R) 4.30 Bridge Of
Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
News 6.30 Regional News
7.00 The One Show With Alex
Jones and Roman Kemp.
7.30 EastEnders The Slaters
rally around Kat.
8.00 DIY SOS 4/5 A family needs
the team's help to get their
son home from hospital.
9.00 Blue Lights 3/6 Shane has
a tense stand-off with Lee.
10.00 BBC News At Ten
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 Stacey Dooley Cases of
women who have died after
falling from a great height. (R)
11.40 Clickbait Clinic With Stacey
Dooley 4/6 A look at viral
wellness trends. (R)
12.10 Wisdom Of The Crowd (R)
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BBC2
6.30 Bargain Hunt (R) 7.15
Escape To The Country (R) 8.00
Sign Zone: The Best Of Weatherman Walking (R) 9.00
BBC News 12.15 Politics Live 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R)
3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 The Hairy Bikers Go West 1/7 David Myers and Si King visit the Isle of Bute. (R)
8.00 Saving Lives At Sea 9/10 A call comes in for the Porthcawl crew about a surfer in trouble.
9.00 John Simpson – Sixty Years At The BBC John Simpson takes a look back at his 60-year career at the BBC.
10.00 QI 13/18 Panel game. (R)
10.30 Newsnight
11.00 Being Muslim After 9/11 (R)
12.05 Sign Zone: Damilola: The Untold Story (R)
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather 7.15 The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live The cash expert answers the financial questions that matter most. 8.00 Emmerdale Matty is finding life at the farm hard. 8.30 Coronation Street Todd betrays Kit's confidence to a horrified Sarah. 9.00 The Party 3/5 Martin is put under emotional pressure from a frantic Ben. 10.00 ITV News; Weather 10.30 Local News; Weather 10.45 The Sugar Daddy Murder: True Crime Presents A look at the murder of Peter McMahon. (R) 11.35 Sorry, I Didn't Know 4/5 (R) 12.00 Shop On TV
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CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4 News 12.10 Renovation Nation (R) 1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00 Help! We Bought A Village 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Matthew's Story: Stand Up To Cancer A man diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2023. (R)
8.00 The Great British Bake Off 4/10 The amateur bakers tackle bread week.
9.15 Tempting Fortune 4/8 The exhausted contestants are offered the ultimate escape.
10.15 The Great British Bake Off: Second Helpings 4/10 Jon Richardson and Judi Love talk about bread week.
11.05 Gogglebox 3/16 (R)
12.05 Taskmaster (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine
11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News
12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Abducted: Searching For Emma Moreno (PG/2023) Thriller starring Veronica Ramirez. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 Traffic Cops (R)
7.55 News
8.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain's Speeders On the M6, PCs Tom Cordall and Greg Chadwick track a reportedly stolen Audi A3.
9.00 Ben Fogle: New Lives In The Wild Ben meets the Humbert family on the Pacific atoll of Ahe, in French Polynesia.
10.00 Surgeons: A Matter Of Life Or Death 3/6 Featuring Alfie, who has a tumour growing at speed into his nose and cheek. (R)
11.35 The Hospital: Life On The Line Documentary. (R)
12.35 Cops (R)
9PM
10.05PM
Wednesday October 14
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BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live 10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30 Homes Under The Hammer (R) 12.15 Bargain Hunt (R) 1.00 BBC News 1.35 Regional News 1.45 BBC News 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R) 2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00 Escape To The Country (R) 3.45 Garden Rescue 4.30 Bridge Of Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC News 6.30 Regional News 7.00 The One Show Hosted by
Alex Jones and Vernon Kay.
7.30 EastEnders Penny pushes Amy for answers.
8.00 The Repair Shop: Beyond The Barn 7/8 The experts restore a record player, a signet and a djembe drum.
9.00 Who Do You Think You Are?
4/8 Actress Rose Ayling-
Ellis traces her ancestry. (R)
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 MOTD: Uefa Champions
League Action from the latest matches.
---
12.00 The Celebrity Inner Circle
Amanda Holden hosts. (R)
6.30 Escape To The Country (R)
7.15 Bridge Of Lies (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: The Reluctant Vampire (R)
8.30 The Best Of Weatherman Walking (R) 9.00 BBC News 11.15 Politics Live 1.00 Impossible (R)
1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R) 3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R)
5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 Celebrity Antiques Road
Trip 14/20 (R)
8.00 Secrets And Spies: A Nuclear Game 2/3 (R)
9.00 The Book That Changed
books that shaped them.
10.00 Live At The Apollo 6/7 (R)
10.30 Newsnight
With David Olusoga (R)
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9PM
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather
7.30 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals TV presenter Denise Van Outen hopes to win £20,000 for charity.
8.00 Emmerdale Nicola is grateful for Bob's support.
8.30 Coronation Street Sarah's murder trial opens with the case for the prosecution.
9.00 Winter 3/6 A double shooting leaves married couple Benjamin and Molly Draper dead.
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10.00 ITV News; Weather
10.45 Peston Political magazine hosted by Robert Peston.
11.30 The Assembly: More Unseen 8/8 (R)
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12.00 Shop On TV
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CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45 Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4 News 12.10 Renovation Nation (R) 1.10 The Great House Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown 3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00 Help! We Bought A Village 5.00 Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Morgan's Story: Stand Up To Cancer (R)
8.00 Location, Location, Location
Kirstie Allsopp and Phil
Spencer help two couples
search south London.
9.00 Grand Designs A revisit to a renovated textile mill near Huddersfield.
10.00 Fellow Travelers 1/8 Drama about the decades-long romance between two very different men.
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11.25 Fellow Travelers 2/8
12.35 The Great British Bake Off
Bread week. (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Deadly Surrogacy (12/2022) Drama starring Rhonda Dent. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News 7.00 Invasion Of The E-Bikes:
Scourge Of Our Streets?
Investigating the e-bike boom, and how the rise in illegal, high-speed versions are posing a new threat.
7.55 News
8.00 Murder Scene: The Incident Room 3/6 A look into the death of 96-year-old Emma Finch in the Hampshire village of Liss.
9.00 Cause Of Death 3/12
Investigating the death of 17-year-old Derbyshire boxer Ed Bilbey.
10.00 My Wife, My Killer & The Secret Footage 1/2 (R)
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11.05 My Wife, My Killer & The
Secret Footage 2/2 (R)
12.05 Ambulance: Code Red (R)
Thursday October 15
BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt (R) 1.00 BBC
News 1.35 Regional News 1.45
BBC News 2.00 Clean It, Fix It (R)
2.30 Shift The Thrift (R) 3.00
Escape To The Country (R) 3.45
Garden Rescue (R) 4.30 Bridge Of
Lies 5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
News 6.30 Regional News
7.00 The One Show
7.30 EastEnders
8.00 The Celebrity Traitors 5/10
The round table brings a
fractious atmosphere.
9.05 The Celebrity Traitors:
Uncloaked 5/10 Ed Gamble
analyses the latest
developments in the castle.
9.30 Not Going Out 4/6 Amy
Gledhill and Lucy
Beaumont guest star.
10.00 BBC News At Ten
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 Question Time
11.40 Newscast
12.10 The Repair Shop:
Beyond The Barn (R)
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BBC2
6.30 Garden Rescue (R) 7.15
Bridge Of Lies (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Gardeners' World (R) 9.00 BBC News 12.15 Politics Live 1.00
Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R) 3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)
6.00 House Of Games 6.30
Strictly: It Takes Two
7.00 Escape To The Country
A couple seek a detached property in Surrey. (R)
8.00 Monty Don's British Gardens 2/5 Monty heads across the north of England to Northern Ireland. (R)
9.00 Surgeons: At The Edge Of Life 2/6 Neurosurgeon Rod Laing attempts to remove a slipped disc. (R)
10.00 Inside No 9 5/6 A woman and her son encounter a mysterious stranger. (R)
10.30 Newsnight
11.00 Uncanny 2/4 (R)
12.00 Sign Zone: Blue Lights (R)
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather
7.30 How To Stay Fit As You Age: Tonight Paul Brand investigates whether it is ever too late to get fit.
8.00 Emmerdale Cain is suspicious of Sadie's motives.
8.30 Coronation Street Debbie sends Abi to spy on Ronnie.
9.00 Long Lost Family 5/7 Cameras focus on the childhoods of Alan Parker and Katherine Fletcher. (R)
10.00 ITV News; Weather
10.30 Local News; Weather
10.45 The Late Debate News and events at Westminster.
11.15 FILM: Jurassic Park III
(PG/2001) Action adventure sequel starring Sam Neill.
12.40 Shop On TV
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CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45
Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American
Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4
News 12.10 Renovation Nation
(R) 1.10 The Great House
Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown
3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00
Help! We Bought A Village 5.00
Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine
With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The
Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Becca's Story: Stand Up
To Cancer (R)
8.00 Our Tiny Islands Sheep
farming and wool
production on lona. (R)
9.05 Taskmaster 7/10 A former
contestant makes an
unexpected return.
10.05 Break Clause 5/6 Ben and
Lil bunk off work to enjoy a
day out in London.
10.35 Break Clause 6/6 Ben and
Lil prepare to go their
separate ways.
11.10 Gogglebox 6/16 (R)
12.15 Pierre (R)
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine
11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News
12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Stranger On The Shore (PG/2023)
Thriller starring Koko Marshall.
4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 Sam & Ade Go Birding 3/3 The pair visit Yorkshire's Bempton Cliffs.
7.55 News
8.00 The Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright tries to save a lamb who has a birth defect.
9.00 Love Nature (R)
9.05 All Creatures Great And Small 5/7 Tristan smartens up for a date with Charlotte.
10.00 All Creatures Great And Small: Behind The Scenes
10.10 Alexander Armstrong In India 2/3 Alexander visits the Pink City of Jaipur. (R)
11.05 999: Killer On The Line 2/8 How Christopher Strettle spun a web of lies after murdering his friend.
12.05 Fatal First Dates
11.05PM
Friday October 16
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BBC1
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10.40PM
6.00 Breakfast 9.30 Morning Live
10.45 Crimewatch Live 11.30
Homes Under The Hammer (R)
12.15 Bargain Hunt 1.00 BBC
News 1.35 Regional News 1.45
BBC News 2.00 Sister Boniface
Mysteries 2.45 Escape To The
Country (R) 3.45 Garden Rescue
4.30 Celebrity Bridge Of Lies (R)
5.15 Pointless (R) 6.00 BBC
News 6.30 Regional News
7.00 The One Show With Roman
Kemp and JB Gill.
7.30 Would I Lie To You? 2/11 (R)
8.00 The Celebrity Traitors 6/10
Conspiracies run wild.
9.05 The Celebrity Traitors:
Uncloaked 6/10
9.30 Have I Got News For You
3/10 Jason Manford hosts.
10.00 BBC News At Ten
10.30 Regional News; Weather
10.40 The Graham Norton Show
4/19 With Quentin
Tarantino, Colin Farrell,
Ellen DeGeneres and
Gemma Chan.
11.30 RuPaul's Drag Race UK (R)
12.40 BBC News
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BBC2
6.30 Garden Rescue (R) 7.15 Bridge Of Lies (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Wilderness With Simon Reeve (R) 9.00 BBC News 12.30 Political Thinking With Nick Robinson 1.00 Impossible (R) 1.45 The Answer Run (R) 2.30 The Boss (R) 3.15 Great British Railway Journeys (R) 3.45 The Great House Revival (R) 4.35 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 House Of Games 6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two 7.00 Newsnight
7.30 Landward Visiting the Sheep Dog World Trial.
8.00 Gardeners' World Frances Tophill is tackling jobs in the autumn garden.
9.00 Six Wives With Lucy Worsley 2/3 (R)
10.00 FILM: The Silence Of The Lambs (18/1991) Thriller starring Jodie Foster.
11.50 FILM: In Fabric (15/2018)
Comedy horror starring Sidse Babett Knudsen.
---
1.45 Sign Zone: Roman
Abramovich: How He Hid
His Fortune – Panorama (R)
6.00 Good Morning Britain 9.30 Lorraine 10.00 This Morning 12.30 Loose Women 1.30 ITV News; Weather 1.55 Local News; Weather 2.00 Dickinson's Real Deal (R) 3.00 Lingo (R) 4.00 Deal Or No Deal (R) 5.00 The Chase (R) 6.00 Local News; Weather 6.30 ITV News; Weather
7.30 It'll Be Alright On The Night
TV clangers featuring Alexander Armstrong and Richard Ayoade. (R)
8.00 Emmerdale Moira is feeling alienated.
8.30 Coronation Street Nick resents ldris muscling in on his son and his livelihood.
9.00 Beat The Chasers 3/9
Ellie May, Yinka, Carl,
Helen and Charles take on
a team of Chasers. (R)
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10.00 ITV News; Weather
10.30 Local News; Weather
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10.45 FILM: Jurassic World:
Fallen Kingdom (12/2018)
Action sequel starring Chris Pratt and Rafe Spall.
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12.45 Shop On TV
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CHANNEL 4
6.30 The King Of Queens (R) 7.45
Everybody Loves Raymond (R)
9.10 Frasier (R) 11.10 American
Pickers (R) 12.05 Channel 4
News 12.10 Renovation Nation
(R) 1.10 The Great House
Giveaway (R) 2.10 Countdown
3.00 A Place In The Sun (R) 4.00
Help! We Bought A Village 5.00
Four In A Bed (R) 5.30 Come Dine
With Me (R) 6.00 A New Life In The
Sun: Where Are They Now? (R)
7.00 Channel 4 News
7.55 Yuvraj's Story: Stand Up
To Cancer (R)
8.00 George Clarke's Building Home 1/4 A couple building a home in Lancashire's Ribble Valley. (R)
9.05 Gogglebox 7/16 The armchair critics share their opinions on recent TV.
10.05 The Last Leg New series.
With guests Tim Minchin
and Ellie Taylor.
11.10 FILM: American Reunion (15/2012) Comedy sequel starring Jason Biggs.
1.15 Break Clause (R)
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9.05PM
6.00 Milkshake! 9.15 Jeremy Vine 11.30 Storm & Alexis 12.45 News 12.50 Matt Allwright 2.20 FILM: Twelve Desperate Hours (12/2023) Thriller starring Samantha Mathis. 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun (R) 5.00 News 6.00 Cornwall: A Year By The Sea (R) 6.55 News
7.00 The World's Most Luxurious Retirement Homes A look at residences in West Sussex, Miami and Colorado. (R)
7.55 News
8.00 Our Great Yorkshire Life
Emmerdale's Charlotte
Bellamy hunts for rare
Yorkshire gold near Whitby.
9.05 Play For Today: The Quiet Hour 4/6 Nurse Riya faces mounting emergencies, a near-fatal mistake and a combative amputee. Drama starring Archie Panjabi.
10.00 Piers Morgan: Uncensored
Opinion-led news show
hosted by Piers Morgan.
12.05 Traffic Cops: Elite Squad
One Documentary. (R)
Saturday October 17
BBC1
6.00 Breakfast 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live 11.30 Mary At 90: A Lifetime Of Cooking (R) 12.00 Bargain Hunt (R) 12.45 The Football Interview 1.00 BBC News; Weather 1.15 Money For Nothing (R) 2.00 Homes Under The Hammer (R) 3.00 Escape To The Country (R) 3.45 Final Score 5.10 BBC News 5.20 Regional News; Weather 5.30 The Celebrity Inner Circle 6.15 Strictly Come Dancing: Icons Week
Quiz show, in which contestants take on the collective knowledge of the studio audience in a bid to win big cash prizes.
Highlights of the latest Premier League matches. 11.40 FILM: Scary Stories To Tell
In The Dark (15/2019)
1.25 BBC News
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BBC2
6.00 Children's Shows 8.15 Countryfile (R) 9.15 Gardeners' World (R) 10.15 World Track Cycling Championships 2026. Coverage of the fourth day of the event. 2.15 FILM: North By Northwest (PG/1959) Hitchcock thriller starring Cary Grant. 4.25 Flog It! (R) 5.05 Wilderness With Simon Reeve (R) 6.05 FILM: Where Eagles Dare (PG/1968) A commando unit sets out to rescue an American general held captive by the Nazis in a heavily defended fortress. Second World War adventure with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood.
8.35 40 Hits Of 1986 At The BBC
A selection of archive performances from the year, featuring George Michael, Simply Red and Samantha Fox.
11.05 TOTP 1986: Big Hits Music by Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Wilde, the Pretenders and the Communards. (R)
12.05 Top Of The Pops: The Story Of 1986 (R)
6.00 FILM: Casino Royale (PG/1967) Spoof James Bond adventure starring David Niven.
8.20 James Martin's American Adventure (R) 9.25 ITV News 9.30 James Martin's Saturday Morning 12.00 Clodagh: Cooking At Home 12.30 ITV News; Weather 12.45 ITV Racing: Live From Ascot. Coverage of Champions Day. 5.00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (R) 6.00 ITV News; Weather 6.15 Local News; Weather 6.30 The Chase (R)
7.30 Win Win Interactive quiz show hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.
8.35 The Voice UK 8/10 Emma Willis hosts as the battle rounds continue.
9.50 ITV News; Weather 10.10 Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening 1/3 With Alison Hammond and Carol Vorderman. (R)
11.05 English Football League Highlights Action from the latest matches.
12.35 Shop On TV
12.35 Shop On TV
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CHANNEL 4
6.05 Cheers (R) 7.50 Everybody Loves Raymond (R) 9.45 Frasier (R) 11.45 The Simpsons (R) 1.40 Four In A Bed (R) 4.15 Kirstie And Phil's Love It Or List It (R) 5.15 The Great British Bake Off (R) 6.25 Channel 4 News 6.55 FILM: Knight And Day (12/2010) A woman is kidnapped and dragged into a rogue secret agent's mission to clear his name after he is framed as a traitor. Comedy adventure starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
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9.00 FILM: The Equalizer
(18/2014) An ex-secret agent fights to bring down a crime syndicate after coming to the aid of an abused prostitute. Action thriller with Denzel Washington and Chloe Grace Moretz.
11.40 FILM: 65 (12/2023) Sci-fi adventure starring Adam Driver, Chloe Coleman and Ariana Greenblatt.
1.15 Iris Prize Best British Shorts Compilation of films.
6.00 Milkshake! 9.00
Entertainment News On 5 9.05
Royal Births, Marriages & Deaths (R) 11.05 Secrets Of The Royal Traditions (R) 1.05 The Royals Uncensored 2.05 Spain With Michael Portillo (R) 4.05 The South Pole With Ben Fogle (R)
6.05 News 6.10 Mary Celeste: Solving The Mystery (R)
7.10 Killer Storm: The Fastnet Disaster Of '79 The tragedy that hit the sailing race. (R)
8.35 Claudia Winkleman: Behind The Fringe
Featuring a profile of the host of The Traitors. (R)
10.05 William & Harry: Love & Betrayal 1/2 First in a two-part documentary about the princes' fractured relationship. (R)
11.35 William & Harry: Love & Betrayal 2/2 The concluding part of the documentary examines Harry's marriage to Meghan. (R)
1.00 Must Have Ideas
Winter Hay Appeal Hillside ANIMAL SANCTUARY
Christmas Cards...
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Heading Into Winter...
Hay is a vital part of the daily diet for many of the 4,000 rescued animals in our care.
This year, prolonged dry weather has reduced yields, meaning supplies are expected to be lower and prices considerably higher than usual.
As a result, our winter feeding costs will be much greater. If you are able to help, your support will go directly towards providing the hay our rescued animals rely on throughout the colder months. Thank you for caring ...
| Please send me: | Price | No of Items | £ | p | 20 'Wild in the Country' Christmas Cards | £12 | Hillside Sanctuary Scenes 2027 Calendar | £5 | Below items not shown but available and also online at hillside.org.uk | Hillside Writing & Pen Set | £5 | Hillside Logo Pen (Black ink) | £2 | Christmas Gift Wrap 12 sheets & 12 Tags | £12 | Hillside Bookmark | £4 | Hillside Logo Foldaway Shopping Bag | £5 | Hillside Magnet | £4 | Hillside 2027 Pocket Diary Red, Black or Navy | £5 | Hillside 2027 Desk Diary Red, Black or Navy | £8 | A donation of just £6 will help provide much-needed hay for our rescued animals | Hay Bale £6 | 'Wild in the Country'
20 Wildlife cards
in 5 different designs (5"x5") £12
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.Postcode.
Please send me a FREE NEWSLETTER with details of Hillside's Work, Gifts & Open Days
Please post to: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Hall Lane, Frettenham, Norwich NR12 7RW
Orders sent by return post
Hillside Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1995 to help and campaign for animals in need, particularly those suffering every day in the intensive factory farming industry.
... Please help us to feed and care for our many rescued animals by making a donation TODAY or buying cards and gifts at... www.hillside.org.uk
We are home to 2500 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, 750 cows, 300 pigs, 850 sheep and goats, and lots of other animals including dogs and deer...
Hillside
2027 Calendar
13 Sanctuary Scenes of
Hillside's rescued animals
(opens to 11" x 16")
£5
To donate via PayPal Debit/Credit Card please scan this QR Code
ALL Prices include P&P
Standard hay bale
£6
Large round hay bale
£50
Donation/Order Helpline
01603 736200
9am-9pm 7 Days
www.hillside.org.uk
GET PUZZLING! WITH £1,750 PRIZE MONEY TO BE WON
MORE PUZZLES THAN ANY OTHER PAPER, ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
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WORDSEARCH
All but one of the Star Trek characters listed below are hidden in the grid. Find the missing term and you could win £100! Words can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, backwards or forwards. Answer next week. Last week's missing term: CAMERON. | W | Q | Y | F | G | O | W | R | O | N | Q | A | H | T | F | S | E | J | U | S | Y | A | T | O | K | A | H | C | T | K | F | I | U | E | A | R | E | O | B | R | I | E | N | F | M | A | J | R | D | H | I | N | B | V | D | X | R | S | Y | Z | C | Y | D | A | T | M | U | V | E | R | E | E | Y | T | T | O | C | S | A | P | V | S | E | R | A | W | H | N | W | L | J | D | O | E | Y | M | O | V | T | C | A | S | A | S | O | P | S | F | Y | B | T | T | K | Z | I | R | U | K | Q | Y | R | F | R | I | R | M | M | C | E | P | F | R | O | C | V | D | F | I | N | I | S | U | L | U | H | M | C | V | J | I | N | I | S | F | K | I | K | K | N | U | C | M | U | R | Z | J | Z | K | W | E | K | R | N | K | O | Y | O | T | K | R | I | K | E | A | R | F | R | P | A | E | U | S | K | I | C | L | Q | R | B | A | S | H | I | R | Y | U | P | B | I | D | A | X | A | J | R | G | O | F | A | E | O | O | Q | M | R | H | X | S | P | A | G | D | S | G | Q | N | C | T | M | K | A | L | R | C | U | L | O | E | Y | U | O | K | O | U | T | W | September 20 winner: Shirley Miles, Littlehampton.
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WIN £100 | BASHIR | PICARD | CHAKOTAY | QUARK | CHEKOV | RIKER | CRUSHER | SAREK | DATA | SCOTTY | DAX | SEVEN OF | GARAK | NINE | GOWRON | SISKO | JANEWAY | SPOCK | KIRK | SULU | KIRA | TORRES | LA FORGE | TROI | MCCOY | TUVOK | O'BRIEN | UHURA | ODO | WORF | TO ENTER: Once you have found the missing word, text SEARCH followed by a space then your answer, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0905 652 2157 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
Test your mental agility with our Super Sudoku and you could win a £100 cash prize! Each row, column and 4x3 box must contain all the numbers from 1 to 12. Call 0905 652 2210 for extra tips. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge.
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Winner of 1210:
Colin Adcock, Colchester.
TO ENTER: Text SUPER followed by a space, your 3 shaded squares, reading left to right, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5050 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
| 19 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 22 | 26 | 19 | 25 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 1 | 11 | 18 | 7 | # WIN £100 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 15Y | 3 | 16 | 4 | 17 | 5 | 18N | 6J | 19 | 7 | 20 | 8 | 21 | 9 | 22 | 10 | 23 | 11 | 24 | 12 | 25 | 13 | 26 | Crack our code for your chance to win £100 cash! Just work out which number goes with which letter to complete the grid below this puzzle. The answer could be a name, such as Danube, or a phrase, eg at once.
TO ENTER: Once you've found the word in the extra box, text CRACKER followed by a space, your answer, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5051 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | This week'sprize word | 14 | 10 | 22 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 24 | September 20 winner:
John Sandall, Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire.
NEED HELP GETTING STARTED? You can get up to three extra clues by calling 0901 292 5070. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Or text EXTRA to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network rate. Phone/text services Helpline: 0330 1000 601.
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THE PRIZE CROSSWORD WIN £1,000
There's an amazing £1,000 prize for the first correct solution drawn at random in our general knowledge Prize Crossword. Entries must arrive by Friday, October 16 (photocopies not accepted). Today's solution will appear next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1. SEE BELOW THE GRID for details on how to enter.
NAME ....
ADDRESS ....
Across
1 Anna Mae \_\_\_\_, birth name of the singer Tina Turner (7)
5 English writer who wrote the 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe (6,5)
10 Impelled, drove, or hastened onwards (5)
11 Loose, sashed, ankle-length Japanese garments with wide sleeves (7)
13 Glenn \_\_\_\_, American actress who received the Academy Honorary Award in 2026 (5)
14 Tropical plant cultivated for its large, fleshy edible fruit topped with a tuft of leaves (9)
15 Miers, winner of the first series of the revamped version of MasterChef in 2005 (9)
16 Marble \_\_\_\_, London landmark designed by John Nash, relocated in 1851 (4)
17 4th Duke of Norfolk, executed for his involvement in the Ridolfi plot against his second cousin Elizabeth I (6,6)
20 Chess piece also called the castle (4)
21 A shallow, circular flat-bottomed dish, used in laboratories (5,4)
22 Trent, or Little \_\_\_\_, heroine of Charles Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop (4)
26 Actress made a dame in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, whose films include Educating Rita and Billy Elliot (5,7)
27 Type of plant typically growing in dense mats on trees, rocks and moist ground (4)
29 The transmission of disease from one person to another (9)
31 Fantasy novel by J. R. R. Tolkien, following Bilbo Baggins on a quest for treasure (3,6)
33 Fanny \_\_\_\_, the heroine of Jane Austen's novel Mansfield Park (5)
34 Republic in southeast Asia formerly known as Burma (7)
35 A poisonous substance produced by bacteria, animals or plants (5)
36 Stage performances and entertainments, especially as given by amateurs (11)
37 Spanish drink of red wine, sugar, spices, fruit and soda water or lemonade (7)
Down
1 The world's longest-running children's TV show (4,5)
2 Gabby \_\_\_\_, TV sports presenter and former rhythmic gymnast (5)
3 \_\_\_\_ Survey, the official map-making body for Great Britain (8)
4 A ground-living nocturnal parrot of New Zealand (6)
5 British artist whose works include the statue Verity (6,5)
6 An instrumental group of nine players (5)
7 A ruler with absolute power in a country (8)
8 A chain of small islands off the coast of the southeastern US, dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico (7,4)
9 A green transparent variety of beryl, a highly-valued gemstone (7)
12 Martin \_\_\_\_, director whose films include Taxi Driver (8)
16 Guillaume \_\_\_\_, French poet, writer and art critic; a defender of Cubism and forefather of Surrealism (11)
18 1936 Charlie Chaplin film inspired by the Great Depression (6,5)
19 Cultivated plant of the genus Pelargonium, with showy flowers (8)
23 British ocean liner sunk by a German submarine in the North Atlantic in May 1915 (9)
24 A warning of imminent danger (3,5)
25 English playwright whose black comedies included Loot (3,5)
26 Large prize, kitty, or accumulated stake that may be won in gambling (7)
28 Fragments or remnants of something destroyed or broken (6)
30 A spiral-horned southern African antelope (5)
32 A medium-sized, smooth-haired breed of dog with a short nose (5)
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NOW THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO ENTER
Complete the Prize Crossword and count how many times the letter 'i' appears in the finished grid. Then text ISPY followed by your answer, name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0905 652 2172 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. Or post your completed grid AND iSpy answer to Prize Crossword 2290, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 354, Wymondham, NR18 8JG. Entries must arrive by Friday, October 16 (photocopies not accepted). The winner will be selected at random from correct iSpy answers. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions.
Winner of 2287: S. Wake, Scotby, Cumberland. Last week's answer: 14
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10 GET PUZZLING!
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SUMMIT UP
If the number in each triangle is the sum of the two below, what is the top number? Answer next week.
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KEIJO
Place the tiles into the grid so that four different numbers and four different shapes appear in each row and column. Answer next week.
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KEN KEN
Fill the squares with numbers 1-6 so that each number appears once in each row and column. The number must also produce the result in the top left of each area - multiply, add up, subtract or divide. Numbers may be repeated within an area. Answer next week.
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QUICK SUDOKU
Complete grids with numbers 1 to 9 so each row, column and 3x3 block contains the numbers 1 to 9 used only once.
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TO ENTER: Text PRIZE
10 ENTER: text PRIZE followed by your answer (3 shaded squares read top to bottom), name and postcode to 65700. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5088 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. Phone/text services Helpline: 0330 1000 601. September 20 winner: Peter Ajibola, Feltham, West London. This week's solution will be published next week and the winner's name on Sunday, November 1.
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DINGBATS
Find the familiar phrase, name or saying in the letters or symbols. Readers are invited to send in Dingbats to The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 354, Wymondham, NR18 8JG. There is a £10 book token for each one published. Check out the website at dingbats.net. Answers on today's solutions panel.
2027
2026
self
1. From Mike Pole, Southampton, Hants
P45 P45 P45
ROD TUBE CAN
2. From Linda Smith, Gainsborough, Lincs
3. From Guy Russell, Norwich, Norfolk
Second Third Fourth
First
4. From Sarah Bennett, Havant, Hants
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DITLOIDS
1 20,000 L U The S
2 1980: E of M S H
3 1 P, 2 P, 3 P, 4
Can you work out what the initials stand for below? For example, 7 D of the W = 7 days of the week. Answers on today's solutions panel. | 6 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
4 20 F C in the P L
5 1,760 Y in a M
6 1 F O The C N
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WIN £100
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WORD BUILDER
Answer each clue so that every word contains the same letters as the previous word, plus or minus one. Answer next week.
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PUB QUIZ
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1 MOVIES:
Which 1981 comedy film stars Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as friends who enlist in the United States Army?
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2 MUSIC:
Which Australian singer released the 1996 single Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit?
3 TV & RADIO:
Who played John Steed
in the espionage
television series
The Avengers?
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4 SPORT:
Which Welsh snooker player defeated Mark Selby in the final of the 2026 British Open?
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5 FOOD & DRINK:
What three ingredients are seasoned with olive oil and salt to make a Caprese salad?
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6 POLITICS:
How many different people served as UK prime minister during the reign of George VI?
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7 NATURE:
In September, which small wild cat in the genus Leopardus was formally identified as a new distinct species?
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BARE BONES
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8 ART:
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Answers on today's solutions panel.
Which Dutch artist painted the 1654 trompe l'oeil work The Goldfinch?
1 Owing
2 Employed
3 Drench
4 Accommodated
5 Sprayed with water
6 Money, informally
7 Container for bricks
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9 WORDS:
What is the meaning of the word viscid? a) True, b) Sticky, c) Horrifying.
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10 BRITAIN:
What is the Welsh name for England?
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11 THIS YEAR:
Published on 22 September, what is the title of the memoir by Charles Spencer about his sister Diana?
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12 POT LUCK:
What punctuation mark is used in mathematics to denote the ratio of two quantities?
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WIN A COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS SET, AND A BRADFORD'S CROSSWORD SOLVER'S DICTIONARY
Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid - numbers and squares - as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away.
There is a prize of a Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus set, and a Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Crossword 1277, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 354, Wymondham, NR18 8JG. Entries must arrive by Friday, October 16 (photocopies not accepted). The winner's name will be published on November 1 from the first correct entry drawn.
Winner of 1274 David Cairns, Stevenston, North Ayrshire.
NAME ....
ADDRESS.
Run along our mental arithmetic train track to see how far you can get – and how long you take to get there! There are four station stops, A, B, C and D. You can start at A, B or C and stop at B, C or D. From your chosen starting point, drive through the instructions to your destination. Write your answer at each stop, then start again with the first number after the station. Answers on today's solutions panel.
RATINGS: Good - from A to B in 30 seconds.
Very good - B to C in 30 seconds or A to C in 50 seconds.
Excellent - C to D in 30 seconds, B to D in 50 seconds or A to D in 75 seconds.
Outstanding - A to D in 60 seconds.
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POSTCODE
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Across
1 Firework often found in salad
4 Way out beginning with small tragedy
10 Scum ready where the shooting happens (Two words)
11 Month in the past, acquire new shape
12 Vessel right at the back
13 Sign fluctuates, but not initially
14 When I get a lot of land
15 Lively mole grabs badger's tail
16 Husband lost out, before showing laziness
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TELEPHONE
17 Pain concealed by teacher
21 Tear-jerker accommodating irrational belief
22 Feeble mariner at the plant?
23 Occupant not applicable in shelter
24 Sportsman creates drama with hesitation
Down
1 Mention a palindrome
2 Statesman disturbed African lion
3 Bearing seat away
5 Car manoeuvring small curves
6 Drunken friends in the upper classes (Two words)
7 This antagonist conceals seasonal benefactor
8 Surprising bird around junction
9 Plug nowadays – it's ever-changing
15 Brief drink
18 Foreign articles for senior figure
19 Nordic fellow reaches tavern
20 Global language around dinner dance
2 4 1 2 2 1 4 0 3 1
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MENTAL BLOCKS
Fit the coloured blocks into the square without rotating or flipping them. The numbers covered by each block should add up to the totals in the circles. There should be no repeated numbers in a coloured block. Answer next week.
ACROSS
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WORD SQUARE
Try this mini-puzzle. Answers next week.
ACROSS
1 Grip
2 Lissom
3 Donkeys
4 Partly melted snow
5 Places to sit
DOWN
1 Group of pupils
2 Fine fabric
3 Lost, bewildered (2,3)
4 Piece of paper
5 Irritants
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BULL'S EYE
How many words of four or more letter can you make from the letters given? Letters may be used only once and the centre letter must be used in each word. At least one word uses all nine letters. No words with a capital, hyphen or apostrophe, no verb forms ending in 's', no plurals ending in 's'. Answers next week.
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How did you do?
Score the number of words that you found - 17 Good 25 Very good 33 or more Excellent.
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ARROWORD
Complete the grid, then unscramble the letters in the yellow squares to reveal a prehistoric creature. Answer next week.
TO ENTER: Text AWORD then your answer, name and postcode to 65700 (eg AWORD London John Smith W8 5TT). Texts cost £1 plus standard network charge. Or call 0901 292 5090 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Lines close at 11.59pm on Friday. See today's solutions panel for terms and conditions. September 20 winner: Helen Corbet, Cambridge. Phone/text services Helpline: 0330 1000 601.
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WIN £100
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QUICK CROSSWORD
Answers next week.
1 Nonchalant (5)
4 \_\_\_\_ Nights, folk tale collection (7)
8 Top sailor (7)
9 Pig-like mammal (5)
10 Consumes (4)
11 Convince (8)
13 Trig function (4)
14 Wealthy (4)
16 Wizards (8)
17 Money (4)
20 Bird (5)
21 Fit of temper (7)
22 Loss of hope (7)
23 Dresses (5)
DOWN
1 Aldous Huxley novel (5,3,5)
2 Own up (5)
3 Nobleman (4)
4 Snoozing (6)
5 Sensitive (8)
6 Bring a charge against (7)
7 Childhood verses (7,6)
12 Sleeplessness (8)
13 Tries (7)
15 Ice-performer (6)
18 Archer's missile (5)
19 Kiss (4)
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FUTOSHIKI
Each line across and down is to be filled with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The same number cannot occur more than once in any row or column. Your only clues are the numbers given and whether a number is larger (>) or smaller (<) than the adjacent number. Answer next week.
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KILLER
The normal rules of Sudoku apply. In addition, digits in each inner dotted shape must add up to the number in the top left corner. Answer next week.
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KAKURO
Fill each sequence of blank squares using the numbers 1-9. Each sequence - across and down - must total the number in the shaded box at the beginning or top of that sequence. Numbers may be repeated within a line or column but NOT in a sequence. Answer next week.
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EVENS
Insert any digit from 1 to 9 in the squares, so that the numbers in each row and column add up to the given totals. No digits may be repeated within a row or column, and even numbers must be placed in shaded squares. Answer next week.
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TETROMINOES
Using the given shapes, create four four-letter anagrams by dividing the grid into sections. You may rotate the shapes, but may not flip them. Answers next week.
N I R A
U G K N
M Y B S
S E W I
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CHESS
White is a piece down, with most of their remaining pieces under attack and poorly defended. Can White win before this becomes a real problem? Our answer on the solutions panel.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
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BATTLESHIPS
Find one battleship, two cruisers, three destroyers and four submarines in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row contain ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Answers next week.
SIR LANCELOT AND HIS PAGE PLAY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £250!
Every week our gallant knight engages in an amiable joust with his page. They provide different clues that give the same answers. Sir Lancelot gives the Cryptic Clues and his page the Quick Clues. Join them in their game and count how many times the letter ‘i’ appears in the completed grid for a chance to win £250! Answers next Sunday.
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SIR LANCELOT'S CRYPTIC CLUES
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Across
9 Armistice is cute, arranged with Republican (5)
10 Instrument shows laugh registered by woman (9)
11 Individual man returned staff (9)
12 Want to change guitarist's first musical sound (5)
13 Reckless mother and daughter reach limit (6)
14 Also includes a prisoner and a reptile (8)
16 Parking inside, remove exhaust (7)
18 European prompt to include record in poem (7)
20 Disputed assistance pursued profits (8)
22 Attack in the morning by former president (6)
25 Arson involved echolocation (5)
26 Nice mural, composed using digits (9)
28 Tolerance for permitted quantity (9)
29 Notice a speedometer (5)
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Down
1 Cancel socialists' initial summit (4)
2 Free place started rotten (6)
3 Assess having broken oven to repair (8)
4 Excel, and he's in trouble (5)
5 Expert yearned to be extended (9)
6 Cite new river, previously symbolic (6)
7 Strike a small horse and meet with difficulty (3,1,4)
8 Report boy – he's moved country (10)
13 Mark pursues crazy range on island (10)
15 Creature has spirit – new start (9)
17 Work around Latin translation in an impressionable way (8)
19 Five lines of fruit, man! (8)
21 Stars wander about with means of drinking (6)
23 A French company – old, large and excitable (6)
24 Clambering around some jewellery (5)
27 Similar to love (4)
THE PAGE'S QUICK CLUES
Across
9 Ceasefire (5)
10 Mouth organ (9)
11 Employees (9)
12 Plucking sound (5)
13 Impulsive (6)
14 Large snake (8)
16 Empty out (7)
18 Pastoral poem (7)
20 Denied (8)
22 Surprise attack (6)
25 Navigation device (5)
26 Involving numbers (9)
28 Grant (9)
29 Timepiece (5)
Down
1 Cease (4)
2 Stinking (6)
3 Renew (8)
4 Glisten (5)
5 Stretched (9)
TO ENTER: Complete the Crossword and count how many times the letter 'i' appears in the grid. Then text LANCELLOT followed by a space, your answer, name and postcode to 65700, eg LANCELLOT 9 John Smith W8 5TT. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network rate. To enter by phone, call 0905 652 2140 and leave your answer and details. Calls cost £1 plus your telephone company's network access charge. Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on Friday. See below for terms and conditions. Phone and text Helpline 0330 1000 601.
WIN £250
September 20 winner: Carol Foster, Halsnead Park, Merseyside. Last week's answer: 9
6 Lyrical (6)
7 Encounter a problem (3,1,4)
8 Asian country (10)
13 African island (10)
15 Commencing (9)
17 In a flexible way (8)
19 Type of poem (8)
21 Drinking tubes (6)
23 Not sophisticated (6)
24 Resin fossil (5)
27 Enjoy (4)
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NUMBERFIT
All of the listed numbers fit into the grid and there's only one way to do it. One number has been provided to get you started. Answer next week.
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PATHFINDER
Beginning with the letter E in the square box, follow a continuous path to find 23 golf terms. The trail passes through each and every letter once and may twist up, down or sideways, but never diagonally. Answer next week. | U | T | R | B | D | I | E | L | E | O | D | P | T | E | I | R | A | C | G | W | O | G | T | O | V | I | D | D | E | A | E | E | R | S | E | W | E | R | D | I | E | N | S | L | R | U | O | D | E | K | N | H | G | U | I | A | T | C | G | E | B | U | B | R | O | C | B | R | S | A | L | O | G | E | Y | F | E | L | O | S | G | F | G | N | I | Y | A | I | A | E | L | F | S | W | I | R | A | W | R | R | H | O | O | K | B | K | O | N | C | L | A | P | E | R | C | A | O | O | H | B | U | ---
$^{1}$ Y $^{14}$ V $^{2}$ N $^{15}$ S $^{3}$ W $^{16}$ P $^{4}$ B $^{17}$ I $^{5}$ C $^{18}$ G $^{6}$ O $^{19}$ Z $^{7}$ U $^{20}$ M $^{8}$ K $^{21}$ H $^{9}$ F $^{22}$ X $^{10}$ J $^{23}$ D $^{11}$ T $^{24}$ L $^{12}$ Q $^{25}$ A $^{13}$ E $^{26}$ R
1 Stripes, 2 Gina G, 3 Patrick Macnee, 4 Jak Jones, 5 Basil, tomatoes and mozzarella, 6 Four (Baldwin, Chamberlain, Churchill and Attlee), 7 Tilcayo, 8 Carel Fabritius, 9 b) Sticky, 10 Lloegr, 11 Swan Song, 12 Colon.
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DINGBATS
1 Year in, year out, 2 Self-centred, 3 Firing on all cylinders, 4 Premier Inn.
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BRAIN TRAIN
A-B=89, B-C=187, C-D=420.
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DITLOIDS
1 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, 2 1980: Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 3 1 Potato, 2 Potato, 3 Potato, 4, 4 20 Football Clubs in the Premier League, 5 1,760 Yards in a Mile, 6 1 Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
CHESS
1. h4 (removing the Black king's only escape square)
Rh8 2. Qh7+ Rxh7
3. Rxh7 mate.
Terms and Conditions: Open to UK residents only, excluding residents of Northern Ireland, employees of the Promoter or anyone connected with the Promotion, their relatives or members of their households. Entrants must be 18 years or over. By entering you accept these terms. One entry per person. One winner will be selected from all correct and eligible entries received. Winners will be notified within 7 days. Failure to accept the prize within 7 days will make any claim invalid, when the Promoter will select another winner. Prizes are non-transferable. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize with an item of equal value. The determination of the Promoter on all matters is final. No correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter reserves the right in its reasonable discretion to: (a) disqualify any entrant whose conduct is contrary to the spirit of the terms; (b) declare as void any entries resulting from any printing, production and/or distribution errors or an error materially affecting the number of claimants or the value of claims. If any of the provisions of these terms is unenforceable, it shall be severed from the remainder and the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected. These terms are governed by English law. The Promoter is Associated Newspapers Limited, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY.\*
🔥 一、正在进行的文化现象与时代切片 (Story & Mindset Deep-Dive)
🔥 要闻
“与该特定物业无关”
📰 报刊故事还原：运动与莫登霍尔公园（Morden Hall Park）之间的联系是“极其牵强的”。
