Amanda Meadowcroft, 53, of Argyle Street, and Bradley Couzins, 34, of Gillibrand Street, appeared before Manchester Crown Court to be sentenced for fraudulent evasion of a prohibition by bringing into or taking out of the UK a controlled drug.

The charges relate to April 22, when Meadowcroft and her friend arrived back in the UK from the Dominican Republic, where they were met by Border Force agents.

Officers asked Meadowcroft if she had packed the two bags herself, which she denied for one bag but admitted for the other.

Within the bags, a total of 14kg of cocaine was discovered.

However, Ben Berkson, prosecuting, said that analysis of the drugs showed that they were mostly cutting agents and had trace levels of cocaine in them.

Christopher Green, an expert witness, said that if the drugs were of a high quality, they were worth up to £294,000.

Judge Hilary Manley said: “The facts are simple, you flew from the Dominican Republic to Manchester with luggage that contained cocaine.

“It was of low purity, and it appeared you had been duped.

“The fact that the cocaine was of low purity is neither here nor there. I will temper [your sentence] to a degree to reflect that purity was low.”

A phone seized from Meadowcroft revealed communication with her son, who had arranged the travel, passports and transport from the airport.

Additionally, within the phone, it showed messages which, Amy Weir, mitigating, argued showed that Couzins had been intimidating and threatening his mother to import the drugs.

However, Mr Berkson argued that it did not match the messages.

He said: “Couzins is the organiser, directing Meadowcroft and her friend to carry out the offence; she was misled about the nature of the packages.

“Whilst he has appeared to direct Meadowcroft, the crown is of the view that they both played a significant role in the enterprise, and the idea that she was engaged through pressure, coercion, does not match with the messages.”

As a result, Couzins was arrested on August 7 after he had assaulted an emergency worker while trying to smash his phone that had fallen from his pocket.

Mr Berkson added that at the time of the offending, Meadowcroft had already been serving a suspended sentence for importing 30kg of cannabis, and she admitted that she had breached her suspended sentence.

Kristian Cavanagh, mitigating for Couzins, said that he had been engaging well since getting into prison, particularly with his work and with a trauma therapist at the prison.

READ MORE: Two charged over drugs offences following police raid

READ MORE: Two arrested for drug offences after police spot ‘suspicious vehicle’

He added that since he had a son of his own, he was looking to lead a law-abiding life.

Ms Weir said Meadowcroft was remorseful for her actions and, having been a drug user herself, expressed genuine remorse that she was now involved in a system that exacerbates issues for users.

She said: “This is a remorseful defendant, she used the word ashamed and ashamed she is involved in this offending for the second time.

“She has had issues with drug dependency and has had a difficult time in relation to drug use.

“She does express genuine shame that she is involved in a system that exacerbates the issues she has as a drug user.

“She has two children and grandchildren, and she is motivated to be a productive member of society, but she knows she is letting them down.”

A tearful Meadowcroft apologised profusely as she was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, while Couzins was sentenced to seven and a half years’ imprisonment.

Charles Lee, NCA Senior Investigation Officer, said: “This criminal family went to great lengths to source and smuggle class A drugs into the UK.

“The duo planned and executed an operation born out of greed, culminating in a violent assault on an NCA officer. Thankfully the officer made a full recovery.

“Alongside key partners such as Border Force and Lancashire Police, the NCA will continue to disrupt supply chains and bring criminals like Meadowcroft and Couzins to justice.”

“Joe was a much-loved son, brother and partner, his unnecessary death has left an immeasurable chasm in our lives.”

The family of a soldier who died of a gunshot to the head while waiting to go on a firing range have paid tribute to a “much-loved son, brother and partner”.

Lance Corporal Joe Spencer, 24, from Hampshire, was killed on November 1 2016 when an L115A3 sniper rifle fired a round while he was sheltering from the rain in an Iso shipping container at the Tain Air Weapons Range in the Scottish Highlands. At the end of a seven-day inquest in Winchester, the jury of five women and six men returned a narrative conclusion which said the exact circumstances of how the gun went off remained a mystery.

The jury concluded on Wednesday that “inconsistent range management and adherence to safety procedures” led up to the incident. Speaking on behalf of the family, L/Cpl Spencer’s father, Graham Spencer, said the inquest was “incredibly difficult” but was “something we needed to do to honour Joe’s memory”.

He added that the family “remain disappointed that not all of those tasked with the safe delivery of the course gave full evidence in court”. Mr Spencer said: “Joe was a much-loved son, brother and partner, his unnecessary death has left an immeasurable chasm in our lives.

“He was our youngest son and we miss him more each day. Joe was kind and compassionate, always smiling, with a quick wit and dry sense of humour.

“Despite being badly injured while serving in Afghanistan, he fought back with incredible determination to continue the career he loved. That was the measure of Joe.

“It’s more than nine years since Joe was taken from us, however the passage of time has done nothing to ease the grief and sense of loss we feel. It has been hard to focus on remembering our Joe and the wonderful memories we have of him, because so much of our energy has gone into trying to establish the events that contributed to his death.

“The length of time this has taken has been incredibly difficult for the whole family. We’re grateful to Joe’s colleagues who attended the inquest and gave evidence in person. It was clear from their accounts that Joe was a highly capable and well‑respected soldier.”

The youngest of three brothers, L/Cpl Spencer joined the British Army in 2011, and became a member of 3rd Battalion The Rifles. He was deployed abroad on a number of occasions, including operations in Afghanistan, where he was seriously wounded in a grenade attack.

After 18 months of care following the Afghanistan incident, L/Cpl Spencer returned to operational duties and was promoted to the rank of lance corporal in May 2015. The following month he bought a home with his partner.

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Whether you are a fan of any of the many football teams he managed or, even, the reality TV show I’m a Celebrity… these days in his south-coast retirement Harry Redknapp is a national treasure. Even impartial observers will be watching to see if his horse, The Jukebox Man, can win the blue riband of jump racing, the Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

But, to borrow from footballing parlance, it is no tap-in for the Ben Pauling-trained eight-year-old who comes in unbeaten in all four starts over fences culminating in the-King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, his last start.

That day the first four all finished within half a length of each suggesting there is not much between The Jukebox Man, who admirably fought back after losing a length at the last, Gaelic Warrior, who was third that day, and the eye-catching finisher Jango Baie in fourth.

The Jukebox Man will be attempting to do it for Harry, England and St George and Pauling settled his nerves after a difficult week when Meetmebythesea won yesterday.

However, the Willie Mullins stable form – five winners this week so far – means Gaelic Warrior, the trainer’s only representative, will be sent off favourite to give him a fifth win in the race and colourful owner Rich Ricci, who won Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle with Lossiemouth, a first. Patrick Mullins has been saying for a year this is a Gold Cup winner.

Cheltenham Festival day 4 tips and results

1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: SELMA DE VARY
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: MINELLA STUDY
  Unbeaten in three starts, one of them at Cheltenham, for small northern yard
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: PROACTIF
  Hard to see why Willie Mullins’ favourite should be beaten by any of his other runners – had plenty in hand last time

2.00: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: JUBILEE ALPHA
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: ABSURDE
  Mixes it on the flat and over jumps, winner of this two years ago, third last year, should be there or thereabouts again
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: BOWENSONFIRE
  Tough as anything and very consistent

2.40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase

• Marlborough’s tip: PANIC ATTACK
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: PANIC ATTACK
  Has already had a sensational season winning some key races, she can win this on the way to the Grand National
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: DINOBLUE
  She has a fair bit in hand on official ratings

3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: THEDEVILUNO (Nap)
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: MONDOUI’BOY
  Improving Ascot winner who looks like he will find more improvement for extra half-mile
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: MONDOUI’BOY
  Irish will be hard to beat here, but he was good at Ascot

4.00: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

• Marlborough’s tip: THE JUKEBOX MAN
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: JANGO BAIE
  As long as he stays, appears to have a touch of class
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: THE JUKEBOX MAN (Nap)
  Did well to win the King George at Kempton, this stiffer track will suit him

4.40: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase

• Marlborough’s tip: STATTLER
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: WRAPPEDUPINMAY
  If it has rained all night the ground may have come for him
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: PANDA BOY
  Shrewd trainer, won going away last time

5.20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: EAST INDIA EXPRESS
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: AIR OF ENTITLEMENT
  Winner at the meeting last year for Henry de Bromhead, dropping back to handicap gives her a big chance
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: ROC DINO
  Very consistent in an open race

Gold Cup runner-by-runner

Envoi Allen
Eighth consecutive appearance at the Cheltenham Festival for this 12-year-old. First try over this Gold Cup trip and he’d need a career best to outstay some of his younger rivals at this stage.

Firefox
Has had stamina doubts from an early age and whilst he ran respectably in the Irish Gold Cup on his last start, it would take a big effort to improve on that upped even further in trip.

Gaelic Warrior
Has become more consistent with experience. Hugely talented and capable of beating this field, but he will need to settle and jump well to be the strongest finisher over this stiff, three-mile-plus trip.

Gold Tweet
French raider who was fancied to run well at the Festival three years ago. Not become a top-class performer since then and has a lot to find on the Official Ratings here.

Grey Dawning
Comes into this a fresh horse which has always been the plan. Yet to prove he can beat a few of these but expect an improved performance from last time. Will need to be foot perfect over his jumps, which has sometimes let him down late in races.

Haiti Couleurs
Seems to enjoy running from close to the front so will need the race to suit on the stiffer New Course. Acts on any ground but may want rain to come to suit his run style and slow some of his opponents.

Inothewayurthinkin
Had a poor season up to now but recent reports suggest he’s coming back to himself. Trainer capable of readying one off such a campaign. However, this edition of the Gold Cup is stronger than last year and will need to be at his peak to win again.

Jango Baie
Confirmed he stayed three miles on his last start in the King George. Beaten by two of these that day and does need the even longer trip and stiffer track to bring about more improvement to reverse the form – general consensus is he will but he’s a strong traveller and it’s not a foregone conclusion.

L’Homme Presse
Ran with credit behind a couple of Friday’s opponents this year. A regular in this event and best chances to win perhaps come and gone. If the rain doesn’t arrive he’s likely to be tapped for speed at the business end of the race.

Spillane’s Tower
Bounced back at Cheltenham last start which put concerns about the track to rest. Enjoyed the soft ground that day and won’t have enjoyed the recent, settled forecast. A chance if they see rain.

The Jukebox Man
Lightly raced stayer who should be primed for this race. He has a good blend of speed and stamina, seems ground versatile and confirmed his ability when winning the King George last time. He’s a bold jumper from near the front, so his jockey, Ben Jones, won’t want to commit his mount too early, but the horse a typical type for this race.

Big-race trends

Triumph Hurdle
Nine of the last 12 winners were trained in Ireland, and eight of them ran in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown – four of those won that race, the other four placed. Being a juvenile race, experience is something to consider here, with 10 of the last 12 winners having at least one win over hurdles. However, last year’s 100/1 winner Poniros went against all trends; he had never run over hurdles before.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Stay away from the top of the market in this one. None of the last 12 winners returned as favourite, with just two winning after being sent off in the top three in the betting. Indeed, 10 out of the last 12 winners were priced 11/1 or higher. This is another race, much like the Stayers’ Hurdle, in which being tried and tested at the trip is paramount. All but one of the last 12 winners have won at least once over three miles.

Cheltenham Gold Cup
The big one and a race in which it has paid to back favourites on the whole. Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead have trained six of the past seven winners of this race. The starting-price favourite has won four of the previous six Gold Cups, while the favourite has only finished outside the top four once in the last 10 renewals. Each of the last 12 winners has been aged between seven and nine.

Cheltenham Festival day 4 ground and weather

Going Good, good to soft in places.

Weather Light rain showers and a moderate breeze, 9C.

Betting on Cheltenham?

There’s a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week.

How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 4

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the first five races of the day on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 12.45pm GMT every day until 5pm GMT. The races can also be streamed via ITVX. There is a preview show each morning from 9am GMT to 10am GMT which is shown on ITV4 and ITVX.

The final race of each day will not be shown on ITV but will be live on Racing TV. Subscriptions for the channel, which shows every race from the Festival, are available through Sky and Virgin Media and online through its website and app.

Paramedics were called to a property in March after the parents of a three-month-old baby found him not to be breathing, an inquest opening has heard. Cambridgeshire Police were called by the East of England Ambulance Service to a property on St John’s Chase in March at around 11am on January 3.

Atijus Elertaitis spent five days in hospital in a life-threatening condition before he died on January 8. The inquest into his death was opened by Coroner Elizabeth Gray at Vantage House on Thursday, March 12.

The inquest heard paramedics attended and carried out 90 minutes of resuscitation before transporting Atijus to Peterborough Hospital. Atijus was then transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where he was found to have “a bleed on the brain” and “no brain activity”.

A woman, 25, and a man, 22, both from March, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. They were both re-arrested on Thursday, January 8, on suspicion of murder.

The pair have been released on bail until April 4. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Ms Gray said that the cause of Atijus’ death is “currently pending”. The inquest has been suspended.

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The FBI is investigating an attack on a synagogue in Michigan as an ‘act of targeted violence against the Jewish community.’ Chief Dale Young of the West Bloomfield Township Police confirmed that the attacker rammed his vehicle into the building and was killed by security guards on site.

The motive for the incident, which took place at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, is still under investigation, according to local authorities. The major synagogue also operates a preschool, according to MLive. No kids or staff members were injured, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard told reporters earlier in the day.

“We have no victims other than one of the lead security people, who was hit by the car and was taken to the hospital for treatment. That individual should be OK,” he told reporters.

The suspect’s car had mortars inside, CNN reports, citing law enforcement sources.

Bouchard confirmed the suspect drove a vehicle into the building and that “security did engage the suspect with gunfire.” He did not confirm the suspect’s cause of death.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and multiple other agencies are at the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed federal agents are also responding to the incident, which he described as an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation.”

On Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump said he’s been “fully briefed” on the incident, which he described as “a terrible thing.”

At 28st Graham Baalham faced leg amputation and severe breathing problems at night before his incredible 17st weight loss transformation

At 5ft 4in and 17st heavier than he is now, Graham Baalham’s nights were once frightening. The 55 year old window cleaner would wake suddenly up to seven times each night, struggling for air, alarmed as his airway appeared to constrict.

Instead of enjoying proper rest, he would find himself leaning out of the bedroom window or sitting upright in a chair for hours. His wife, Belinda, grew so concerned by his loud snoring and repeated pauses in breathing that she became certain he was suffering from sleep apnoea.

Reflecting back, Graham, from Bury St Edmunds, says: “I can honestly say that if I hadn’t joined Slimming World, I don’t believe I’d have lived to see 60.” Prior to shedding the pounds, Graham describes himself as perpetually worn out, sluggish and scarcely capable of walking a mile.

He told the Mirror: “I avoided the doctor for years because I knew what they’d say: ‘You have to lose weight’. Even though I’ve always worked in physical jobs – I was a groundsman and now I’m a window cleaner – and I always told myself I was fit for a big bloke, the reality was very different. As I got older, it became harder and harder to work the weight off. I was tired all the time.

“The real turning point came when I was in hospital for more than two weeks with a serious leg infection. The doctor drew a pen line around the infection and he told me it couldn’t spread past that mark. He said if the antibiotics didn’t work within 48 hours, they’d have to amputate my leg. That was it – that was the moment, I knew I’d run out of chances.”

Graham’s experience mirrors Slimming World research that demonstrates the strong correlation between sleep and weight. Slimming World’s ‘Snooze More to Lose More’ survey asked its members about their sleep habits over a week.

The study, which involved more than 3,000 members, found that nearly half of those who lost 15% or more of their body weight reported improved sleep. The survey indicated that the more weight members shed, the more likely they were to report enhancements in their sleep.

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Before joining his local group, Graham admits that each Saturday watching his beloved Ipswich Town would see him regularly consume 10 pints. He says: “I always worked hard, I was active, but food and drink was my downfall”.

“Every afternoon around 2.30pm I’d have six bags of crisps back-to-back, followed by five or six chocolate bars. Belinda would cook a healthy meal every evening, but once everyone had settled down, they’d hear me back in the kitchen rustling the packets – it was like I couldn’t stop myself.”

Graham recalls: “Walking into a Slimming World group felt terrifying, but Belinda encouraged me to go and as soon as I walked through the doors, Shani, the Consultant, clocked me straight away. She was brilliant and made me feel welcome, which gave me confidence.”

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He says the transformation has been life-changing: “Now, Belinda and I plan our meals together using the app. Our favourites include chicken risotto, pasta dishes, curries and the Slimming World Free Food range at Iceland.

“We recently went on an all-inclusive long weekend and I stayed on plan without feeling deprived or like I was missing out. That’s when I knew this is my new normal. The plan has become part of my everyday routine, so I ate well but stayed mindful about what I chose.

“For breakfast, instead of going straight for a full English, I leaned more towards fruit and if I did have bacon, I removed the fat. Lunch was usually chicken or tuna salad with fruit and I chose healthier dinner choices like fish or lean steak. I also kept alcohol low and it all felt natural – and showed me how much my habits have changed.

“Slimming World didn’t just help me lose weight – it taught me how to eat properly. I tried pills, exercise, everything. This is what worked. It’s given me my life back.

“Nowadays I feel like a 20-year-old. I walk up to 10 miles a day with my dog. Before, I was lucky if I managed one mile. I sleep through the night. No more gasping for air. No more sitting upright in the dark, terrified. I wake up feeling rested.”

He shared that some changes were drastic, stating: “I’ve ditched crisps and chocolate completely. Once I put my mind to it, I knew I could do it. I’m so proud knowing that I’ve inspired other people locally to join after seeing my journey on Facebook.

“Belinda and I have been married for 35 years and we have three adult children – Sian, Matthew and Bethany – and three grandsons aged eight, five and just seven months. I realised I didn’t just want to lose weight. I wanted to be here for them.

“At 55, I’ve been given a second chance. I’m not just lighter – I’m alive, awake and present. And I fully intend to be here, watching my grandchildren grow up, for many, many years to come.”

Shani Yates is Graham’s Slimming World Consultant. Shani says: “Supporting Graham has been an absolute joy. His determination has inspired every single member in our group and he’s become a bit of a local legend. Seeing him lose an incredible 17st and finally enjoy a full night’s sleep after struggling for so long makes me so proud.

“Graham brings energy, ideas and kindness to every session and the support he gives others is extraordinary. He’s a much‐loved member of our Slimming World family and a real example of what’s possible when you believe in yourself.”

Graham attends Shani Yates’ Slimming World group in Stanton, Bury St Edmunds. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Graham Baalham

• Start weight: 28st 12lbs
• Weight at group finals: 11st 13lbs
• Height: 5 ft 4 in
• Weight lost 16st 13lbs in 92 weeks

Graham’s day on a plate

Before

Breakfast: Nothing / Coffee with sugar

Lunch: White bread sandwich, packet of crisps, two or three chocolate bars, full sugar cola drink

Dinner: Roast beef with vegetables and new potatoes, full sugar cola, two to three bottles of beer

Snacks: Six packets of crisps, six chocolate bars, cheese biscuits, cream crackers with cheese and lashings of margarine, half a packet of custard creams, salted peanuts with a pint of full fat milk, coffee and tea with sugar

After

Breakfast: Overnight oats, Slimming World cooked breakfast at weekends, coffee without sugar

Lunch: Wholemeal bread sandwich, fruit, salad, water or low-calorie fruit squash

Dinner: Slimming World chicken and mushroom risotto or Slimming World pasta dishes, or a meal from the Slimming World Free Food range at Iceland with salad or vegetables, diet cola or water

Snacks: Fruit, two high fibre snack bars, low fat yoghurts, coffee or tea with no sugar

The classic view of British countryside is of hilly green fields, stone walls and sheep dotted about in the distance.

But that scene could be disappearing as farmers move away from keeping sheep, or reduce their flocks, in many areas of the country.

The total number of sheep and lambs decreased by 3.8%, to 13.3 million in June 2025. Breeding flock numbers have also dropped from 6.8 million in 2021 to 6.4 million in 2025.

Meanwhile, the nation’s eating habits also appear to be shifting as mutton and lamb production has dropped from 400,000 tonnes per year in the early 1990s to 276,000 tonnes today.

The geographical distribution of sheep across the UK is changing too, with Scotland – long celebrated for its hill flocks – reporting marked declines of sheep numbers particularly in the northwest and the Highlands.

So has the UK reached “peak sheep”?

The largest fall in sheep numbers occurred after the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak, and in England this decline deepened when government subsidies related to numbers of sheep were replaced with subsidies for looking after the land in 2024/25. This reduced the incentive to keep large flocks and led farmers to retain fewer animals. Simultaneously, UK and global dietary habits have been changing. UK red meat consumption fell by 13.7g per day per head between 2008 and 2019.

Cost, health concerns and the difficulty of positioning lamb as a fast food option have reduced demand. In 2021 60% of lamb was purchased by shoppers aged 55 plus, with younger consumers increasingly preferring alternative protein sources such as chicken and processed meat.

Planning for the future on low-income hill farms is also problematic. In the UK, 84% of farmers are over 45 (and 38% over 65), with many young people reluctant to enter an uncertain industry. On upland and hill farms, the average farm profit was just £32,000 in 2023/24, 69% of which came from government payments due to be phased out by 2027.

However, sheep are adaptable to changing circumstances and their ability to select plants to sustain themselves might offer a route to securing their future as the national flock continues to shrink.

That fastidious eating, once essential for survival, is proving invaluable for conservation. Many native breeds excel at balancing shrub browsing with grazing in areas inaccessible to machinery. Conservation success stories include the restoration of violets vital for fritillary butterflies and the maintenance of biodiverse mosaic grasslands.

Sheep eat different plants to cattle, so they can be deployed as appropriate to eat selectively, tackling problem plants that cattle might not. They also have less impact on the soil, which in some instances is beneficial.

Some rewilding supporters worry that sheep can harm nature in certain situations, but when they’re carefully managed, sheep can actually help store carbon and are important for looking after landscapes such as fens, saltmarshes, moorland and meadows.

Poorly managed, they can hinder conservation efforts, grazing too close to the soil. But the rise of “flying flocks” – mobile groups shepherded across different sites – demonstrates how sheep can support flexible land use on both lowland and upland farms. Meanwhile, the UK’s commitment to net zero, and the expansion of solar energy have created another niche.

Sheep, conveniently sized and behaviourally suited, are ideal for grazing underneath solar panels, keeping vegetation under control.

So, where does this leave the UK’s sheep industry?

We may be witnessing a move to lower levels with new breeds, and other changes emerging. In lowland areas, you may already be seeing more sheep, as arable farmers turn to them to graze cover crops which are used to avoid soils laying bare over long periods of time. Cover crops enhance soil structure and biodiversity, providing nutrients to the soil.

Lowland sheep are heavier, better suited to meat production and can be stocked more densely than on upland terrain, boosting efficiency. A growing proportion of the UK’s lamb supply is likely to come from lowland flocks, with reducing reliance on the traditional flow of breeding ewes from the hills.

Beyond their ecological contributions, sheep produce a remarkable annual bonus. From carpets and jumpers to natural insulation and high-end suits, wool is natural, renewable, sustainable and biodegradable. As the clothing industry increases the use of natural fibres, demand and prices are rising, this could offer a more lucrative alternative product for sheep farmers to sell.

Sheep still have a vital place in the UK. The country may have reached “peak sheep”, but given their versatility, their capacity to thrive in tough environments, our growing commitment to sustainable land management and our deepening understanding of their grazing behaviour, sheep are well placed to help us be better custodians of our landscapes.

Villa’s decision to go for Emery four years ago was a sign of their ambition to make a mark on the European stage.

While they are still well placed in fourth position in the English top flight, as they aim to secure a Champions League berth next term, success in the Europa League would also deliver the same outcome.

However, on Thursday it was just about recapturing their rhythm and some confidence after a winless run of four games domestically that included defeats to Newcastle, Chelsea and bottom club Wolves.

Speaking to TNT Sports, returning captain John McGinn suggested that the result had provided Villa with a “building block” and the opportunity to “reset” after a difficult few weeks.

“We needed a reset. The past month has not been great,” he said.

“We can’t dwell on it. We can learn from it but what we need to do is build and this is a building block. We know we can do a lot better but it is a good result.

“We showed signs of getting back to our best but there’s still a long way to go. Sunday is a massive game in the league as well [at third-placed Manchester United] so it is a tough run of fixtures, but that was a good start.

Meanwhile, Emery said he used the struggles of their Premier League rivals in the Champions League as a motivational tool before kick-off.

He said: “We respect this competition because we know the difficulties of each match away from home in Europe.

“We know how it is for the English teams, like this week in the Champions League, how they were struggling.”

The recent Netflix hit series Adolescence crystallised growing public concern about the proliferation of male supremacist beliefs targeted at young men. So Inside the Manosphere, Louis Theroux’s new documentary for the same platform, arrives at a critical moment in the masculinity debate.

Inside the Manosphere sets out to explore a group of prominent “manfluencers” who promise young men status, wealth and sexual success through a worldview shaped by misogynistic and male-supremacist beliefs about gender and power.

By crafting a stylised storyline that focuses on the few people benefiting from this phenomenon, the documentary risks presenting an idealised portrait of the manosphere that downplays the insecurity, hostility and exploitation that sustains it.

Despite moments of scrutiny, this documentary’s glamorisation of its subjects (epitomised by a slow motion shot of one subject stepping out of a sports car) renders the interrogation superficial. In other words, the show presents performative, profit-driven masculinity through the same aspirational lens that fuels these figures online appeal.

In doing so, Inside the Manosphere simplifies the vast range of misogynistic and male-supremacist attitudes, beliefs and identities circulating online and downplays the sheer scale of the harm caused by it.

What the documentary reveals

While this documentary is limited in its portrayal, it does offer viewers a glimpse behind the curtain of a growing “manfluencer” economy.

In following around several notable figures, Theroux places a spotlight on how these influencers carefully curate online identities that project moral authority, financial success and masculine credibility. And all while functioning as lucrative personal brands built on selling solutions to the anxieties of their audience. In this way, Theroux exposes the commercial logic that is driving the rise in extreme misogyny, where provocation, controversy and algorithmic engagement translate directly into profit and visibility.

The film also introduces viewers to the notion of “the red pill”, a metaphor borrowed from The Matrix (1999). This is widely used in manosphere spaces to describe an awakening to what some believe are the hidden truths governing gender relations and social power.

Through his exploration of the red pill idea, Theroux repeatedly stumbles upon an idea at the crux of what makes this worldview so exploitable: that men need to earn their worth in society. The red pill worldview frames modern society as hostile and stacked against men, portraying mainstream institutions and feminism as forces that have obscured the “true” rules governing gender and status.

In response, the red pill philosophy reframes masculinity as a competitive hierarchy that must be continuously navigated and optimised. By casting masculine value as something that must continually be earned, followers are left striving to keep up with ever-shifting standards of status and success. Meanwhile, influencers profit from offering the supposed path to achieving them.

Although the documentary repeatedly brushes against this critical dynamic, it rarely pauses to interrogate its significance, nor the harms these masculine norms produce, including the mental health struggles of those who internalise them. As a result, it falls short of the kind of sustained scrutiny that Theroux himself has argued is what gives spotlighting such figures its social value.

Instead, this documentary portrays the manosphere through a stylised and aspirational aesthetic. Slow-motion shots of his subjects in the gym, driving high-performance sportscars, wearing expensive watches and living in luxury apartments frame these influencers’ lifestyles with a cinematic sheen.

This means the show echoes the same aspirational aesthetics that underpin much of these influencers’ own branding. Elsewhere, clips of manfluencer content appear against stylised backdrops of red and black binary code over-dubbed with synth-wave music. This has the effect of rendering the content closer to internet theatre than a harmful ideological phenomenon.

The result risks trivialising the gravity of the misogynistic and male-supremacist ideas being promoted. Rather than showing how this booming economy has contributed to the normalisation of misogynistic ideas that have inspired mass violent attacks, and violence against women and girls, this documentary risks misleading viewers that the manosphere is no more than an entertainment culture.

The narrative framing of this documentary becomes clear in the way Theroux himself describes the manosphere’s composition, origins and ideological epicentre. Far from being largely made up of “relatively uncontroversial comedians and podcasters”, the manosphere encompasses a far broader network of forums, content and communities united by an anti-feminist and male-supremacist worldview.

While the misogynistic beliefs and male oppression narratives commonly seen online seem new due to their crossover with modern lifestyle, fitness, financial and entertainment cultures, these ideas did not originate with contemporary influencers, as Theroux suggests. Rather, they draw on much older traditions of anti-feminist thought.

These include “men’s self-help” movements centred on reclaiming declining masculine identities and political men’s rights movements that predate the internet. Recognising these historical roots is important because their familiarity makes these ideas more resonant and persistent.

While Theroux’s characterisation appears intended to justify the documentary’s focus on manfluencers, it inadvertently falls into the very trap that allows manosphere content to proliferate online: its ability to hide in plain sight.

The attention economy

How this documentary portrays the manosphere matters, not just for how it informs viewers, but for how it interacts with the forces that feed the phenomenon itself. On the internet, attention functions as the most valuable currency. Content that is provocative and engaging spreads quickly, rewarded by social media algorithms and amplified by cycles of debate and outrage.

In attempting to place a spotlight on the manosphere, this documentary becomes entangled in the spectacle that sustains it. The danger is that viewers may come away with a clear understanding of the style and aspirations of the manosphere. But they are left in the dark as to its harmful effects both to young men and women – and how this harm occurs.

As a result, Inside the Manosphere further fuels the attention economy that allows these figures to thrive. In these spaces, visibility equals power: controversy attracts clicks, clicks drive engagement, and engagement extends the reach and legitimacy of the ideas themselves.

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