This was a much better performance from Wales who claimed their first win in the Six Nations since March 2023

Wales won a Six Nations game for the first time in three years as they claimed a 31-17 victory over Italy at the Principality Stadium.

Steve Tandy’s side scored four tries in total with Aaron Wainwright (twice), Dewi Lake and Dan Edwards touching down. Edwards also contributed 11 extra points from the kicking tee, including a 40-metre drop goal.

Here are the Wales player ratings.

15. Louis Rees-Zammit 7

The Wales full-back looked very threatening with ball in hand linking up very well with both Ellis Mee and Josh Adams.

Rees-Zammit was also strong under the high-ball.

14. Ellis Mee 8

Mee was excellent under the high ball, and he chased very well. The Scarlets man looked physical in contact and made a couple of incisive breaks.

He also got his body underneath an Italian player to stop a try in the second half.

13. Eddie James 7

The 23-year-old put in some huge hits and made some excellent reads in defence. James carried very well getting over the gain-line while his distribution was also very good.

12. Joe Hawkins 7

The Scarlets centre carried well while his distribution helped cut open the Italian defence.

Hawkins’ partnership with Eddie James has also improved over the past four Test matches.

11. Josh Adams 7

The experienced winger was as solid as ever under the high ball and defended well as usual.

Adams also looked a threat with ball in hand and seemed more like his old self.

10. Dan Edwards 8

The Ospreys man controlled the game and kicked well out of hand.

Edwards was a threat with ball in hand showing his pace to score his second international try while he also got the backline moving well.

He plays with so much confidence and even kicked a drop goal from 40 metres out.

9. Tomos Williams 7

The 31-year-old was a constant threat with ball in hand keeping the Italy backrow honest throughout.

He kicked well out of hand and put in a tremendous try-saving tackle on Tommaso Allan.

8. Aaron Wainwright 8 (Star man)

Wales’ best player throughout the course of this Six Nations and it was no different in the final round.

Wainwright hit a superb angle to power his way over the line for Wales’ opening try.

7. James Botham 8

The Cardiff backrower put in another huge shift making 15 tackles while he also carried very well.

His work at the breakdown was his main attribute ensuring Wales got clean ball at the ruck while also effectively slowing Italy’s down.

6. Alex Mann 7

It was another huge shift from the Cardiff backrower who put in 11 tackles and was also very effective at the breakdown.

One of Wales’ most improved players.

5. Ben Carter 8

The Dragons lock has come of age over the course of the Six Nations and is now a first choice player.

Carter was given the responsibility of calling the lineouts, an area of the game in which Wales excelled against the Azzurri.

4. Dafydd Jenkins 7

The Exeter Chiefs lock has been consistently excellent for Wales throughout the Six Nations.

Jenkins got through a mountain of unseen work yet again, making 12 tackles while he was also very effective at the set-piece.

3. Tomas Francis 7

At the start of the Six Nations Tandy said Francis was one of the first players he spoke to upon taking the job.

The Wales coach knows the importance of a strong scrummaging tighthead and Francis has been worth his weight in gold.

He only lasted 37 minutes this time around due to injury but in that time he was excellent.

2. Dewi Lake 8

The Ospreys star led from the front making 13 carries and consistently got Wales over the gain-line.

Lake has improved immeasurably since the opening round defeat at Twickenham and has been nothing short of outstanding in his courageous leadership.

1. Rhys Carre 8

The Wales prop was outstanding yet again carrying extremely well and even winning a penalty at the breakdown late in the first-half.

Carre also scrummaged very well as Wales took the Italians to the cleaners in this area.

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Replacements

16. Ryan Elias 6

The Scarlets hooker carried well and was solid at the lineout.

17. Nicky Smith 6

Smith scrummaged well and got through a lot of work.

18. Archie Griffin 5

The Bath prop was busy around the park but blotted his copybook when he got sent to the sin bin.

19. Adam Beard 5

Solid if not spectacular.

20. Olly Cracknell 5

Solid with a few strong carries.

21. Kieran Hardy N/A

Not enough time.

22. Jarrod Evans 5

Solid.

23. Blair Murray N/A

Not enough time.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A turf war over a football team is developing between two Midwestern states with a sometimes-discordant history.

The storied Chicago Bears want to leave historic Soldier Field, where they’ve played for half a century. Indiana lawmakers are attempting to lure them from the Windy City with a plan to finance and build a domed stadium in Hammond, Indiana, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from their current home on Lake Michigan’s shore.

The Illinois General Assembly has responded with legislation that would give tax breaks to so-called megaprojects of at least $100 million, a plan that would encompass the Bears’ proposal to build a complex in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, about the same distance from Soldier Field as Hammond.

Critics complain it’s a bad deal for Illinois, where property taxes are already among the highest in the nation — especially when taxpayers still owe hundreds of millions of dollars on a Soldier Field renovation from two decades ago.

Here’s a look at what’s shaping up to be a showdown.

Why the big deal?

The Bears, one of only two remaining NFL founding members, are legend. Their nine championships, including a Super Bowl win, are second only to the rival Green Bay Packers — though recent decades have brought mostly heartbreak. The franchise carries an $8.9 billion price tag, among the most valuable of the NFL’s 32 teams, according to Forbes.

Born in the central Illinois city of Decatur in 1920, the Bears have called Chicago home for 105 years. Losing them to the Hoosier State would be a major thumb in the eye.

What’s wrong with Soldier Field?

With 61,500 seats, it’s the NFL’s smallest. The Bears have always rented their facilities — the Cubs’ Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970, and Soldier Field, maintained by the Chicago Park District, since. Like most teams, they want to own a stadium, giving them control over operations, scheduling and revenue streams from ticket sales, concessions, parking, naming rights and more.

And Soldier Field is open air. An enclosed facility would allow for other marquee sporting events: Super Bowls, NCAA Final Fours or WrestleMania, for instance.

Why the imbroglio between the states?

Along with the states’ established cultural and economic differences and an intense college basketball rivalry, the political fissure between Democrat-dominated Chicago and conservative Indiana has widened. It amped up last year when Indiana adopted a commission to study changing the state’s boundaries to include some central Illinois counties whose voters have approved ballot measures calling for secession from Chicagoland.

Arlington Heights, back to Chicago, to Hammond

The Bears have threatened to leave Chicago previously. When they broached moving in 1975, then-Mayor Richard J. Daley replied, “Like hell they will.”

But the City of Big Shoulders heaved an anxious sigh in 2023 when the Bears paid about $200 million for a 326-acre (132-hectare) former horse-racing track in Arlington Heights. They have envisioned a $5 billion, taxpayer-assisted development for a domed stadium and campus of housing, hotels, entertainment and retail space.

In 2024, the Bears offered a $5 billion plan, partially taxpayer-funded, for an enclosed stadium next to Soldier Field, which garnered little interest in the capital of Springfield. Late last fall, the team turned to Indiana.

Where the proposals stand

Indiana’s lure creates the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance, construct and lease a domed stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed it into law on Feb. 26. The Bears would agree to a 35-year lease. Borrowed state money would cover the as-yet-unknown cost of construction, repaid by increased local hospitality taxes.

In Illinois, majority Democrats have advanced legislation in the House that would provide incentives for any so-called megaproject of at least $500 million — or less, down to $100 million, depending on the number of jobs created. Developers would pay property taxes frozen at the parcel’s pre-construction value for as long as 45 years. During that time, they would make annual payments in lieu of taxes negotiated with local governments. There would also be a sales tax exemption on building materials for up to 15 years.

Critics claim weakness in Illinois plan

Opponents say the Illinois legislation, with its decades-long property tax freeze, would simply mean increased taxes for homeowners and other businesses — the payment in lieu of taxes would be a bonus.

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who supports the plan, last week countered that the proposal would encourage development on land that isn’t producing property taxes while ensuring increased revenue for local governments.

Meanwhile, a substantial debt remains on the last accommodation. Taxpayers in 2001 put up $399 million to finance a $587 million renovation of Soldier Field. With interest, the remaining tab is $467 million, according to the state’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

The Bears’ $7 million annual lease runs through 2033. Breaking it would cost the Bears a $10.5 million penalty for each year left on the agreement.

TV personality Maya Jama has reportedly decided she would like to go back to her first choice of career, acting, despite giving up after becoming ‘disheartened’ as a teenager

Love Island host Maya Jama has admitted she “is ready to move on” from presenting, as she eyes up a new career in acting. Drama was actually the TV star’s first love, with Maya, 31, auditioning for Channel 4‘s hit teen series Skins when she was just 15.

Despite getting to the final stages, she didn’t make it into the cast, which launched the careers of the likes of Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel and Daniel Kaluuya. And now the Bristol-born star, who is in a relationship with Man City footballer Ruben Dias, is ready to leave presenting to go back into acting.

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Speaking to the BBC, Maya revealed she got “disheartened” after having to many unsuccessful auditions as a teen, leading her to give up on her dream. But now, after filming has wrapped for the upcoming release of the second season of Netflix crime thriller The Gentlemen, Maya’s love for the art has been reignited.

She told the broadcaster that her “dream role” would be to play a villain, but she “naturally fell into presenting roles” after starting out on YouTube. After a few years on social media, she made the move to TV to co-host ITV game show Cannonball, as well as MOBO Awards in 2017.

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The year after she booked to host reality show The Circle and then ITV2 panel show Don’t Hate the Playaz. Of course, Jama’s big break came in 2022 when she replaced Laura Whitmore as the host for hit ITV reality dating show, Love Island.

Maya added: “I always remember when I started being like ‘how on Earth am I going to get on primetime TV as a girl from Bristol doing YouTube videos’ – it seemed like a massive reach.”

She added: “I naturally fell into presenting when I was young because I got to be myself on camera and I’m interested in humans”, adding: “Now it just feels like the doors opened up again [to get into acting]”. Maya said she is “ready to do something else after presenting for so long.”

Maya reportedly plays the glam wife of a friend of lead character Eddie Horniman, alongside the likes of Vinnie Jones and Ray Winstone. She spent time in 2025 filming at Gloucestershire’s Grade II listed building Badminton House, which is Eddie’s home.

The TV personality soft-launched her new gig with the streamer on social media at the start of last year. She teased her followers on Instagram when she posted a snap of a cast list with the Netflix logo on it.

She also shared a peek of a Netflix script, and posted a photo of her and Skins star Kaya, who plays mob boss Susie Glass in the show. Further adding to the speculation around what is next for Maya, she posted a photo of a Netflix mug, with fans then certain she was working on something big.

A source told The Sun : “Maya is over the moon to land a role in such a massive show with Guy Ritchie at the helm. The Gentlemen was one of 2024’s biggest series and it’s such a glossy, sexy show. It’s a perfect fit.”

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Two sections of the Wales Coast Path have been closed due to dangerous conditions, with walkers saying they ‘literally nearly died’ on paths covered in mud and water above steep drops to the sea

Two stretches of the Wales Coast Path have been shut in Gwynedd due to “dangerous conditions”. Walkers had reported dangerous areas along the route on the northern Llŷn Peninsula.

The affected sections are between Traeth Towyn and Porth Ychain near Tudweliog; and from Porthor to Anelog slightly further west. Alternative routes are in place.

On social media, a walker reported the footpath has been “slowly slipping for a while”. Another said it was “where we literally nearly died”. A third remarked: “Can’t believe we made it round.”

In late January, a wooden walkway was engulfed by a large sinkhole in the same location, between Trefgraig Plas and Bodferin near Llangwnnadl. Members of the public were urged “not walk past under any circumstances”, reports North Wales Live.

The recent closures followed accounts that Pen Llŷn sections were submerged in mud and water above a precipitous drop to the sea. Cyngor Gwynedd said they were shut for safety purposes. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

A spokesperson said: “This decision has been made to protect the path users, and we kindly ask that the public avoids the area and uses the alternative route for the time being.

“Cyngor Gwynedd’s Wales Coast Path team are monitoring the situation closely, and they will provide an update in the coming weeks.”

A succession of closures have impacted the 870-mile route following a winter of persistent rainfall. Eighteen sections are presently inaccessible.

While some are connected to construction projects, the bulk have resulted from erosion and landslides.

Among the most recent incidents was a significant landslip at Porth Swtan, Llanfaethlu. Also on Anglesey, a landslide affected the coastal path at Traeth Lligwy, requiring a diversion along road and footpath connecting to Porth y Môr.

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Love Island star Olivia Bowen has opened up about how scary the birth of her second child was and how that has affected not only her parenting, but whether or not she would have more children

Olivia Bowen has said a “close call” during the birth of her daughter left her “anxious as a mum” and explained how her pregnancy led to her husband’s vasectomy. The Love Island star gave birth to her second child, Siena, August 2025.

The star, who shares her children with fellow Love Islander Alex Bowen, had already suffered heartbreak during the pregnancy, as she was originally expecting twins but suffered a miscarriage at eight weeks. As such, she only carried Siena to term. Olivia has now explained that the birth was difficult and that caused her and husband to decide not to have more children. They already shared a son called Abel.

READ MORE: Too Hot To Handle stars reveal they are expecting twins in sweet pregnancy postREAD MORE: Alex Bowen devastated by friend’s suicide as he makes desperate plea

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“I had a really bad haemorrhage during the birth,” Olivia told Fabulous. “It was a close call, so it was very scary for both of us.” She added that she felt the her “close call” changed her parenting.

“I think those things have made me a bit more anxious as a mum. I don’t think I was like this with Abel – I remember being more laid-back,” she said. “But if Siena’s got the smallest of snotty noses or a bit of a cough, I’m Googling it as I get so nervous.”

She went on to say that she and Alex decided they did not want anymore children. This was for a variety of reasons, including losing Siena’s twin, as Olivia felt she couldn’t “do that again”. To make sure they do not have anymore children, Alex underwent a vasectomy.

Olivia added that there was something “bittersweet” about knowing she would not be having anymore children. She said she didn’t want to stop breastfeeding Siena too soon as it “feels sad” that she “will never do it again”.

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Alex’s vasectomy is not the only major parenting decision the two have made recently. Olivia and Alex also decided to move their whole family to the UK as “it feels scary” to raise their children in the UK.

Olivia told Fabulous that she is “scared to raise a son” and that it feels “heavy to be a parent in the UK”. This prompted their move to Alicante in Spain, especially as Abel enjoys being outside.

She said that the “lifestyle” in Spain makes sense for their family and that they are looking at schools in Marbella. Abel is due to start school in September, but Olivia explained that she and Alex were thinking about deferring him until January so that they could “get him used” to Spain.

Olivia and Alex first met in Spain. The two met when they both appeared on series two of Love Island in 2016, where they spent weeks in a villa in Mallorca. As that series’ winners, Nathan and Cara Massey had a brief split in 2017 before getting back together and getting married, Olivia and Alex are Love Island’s longest-lasting couple.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at the Miscarriage Association. You can call them on 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk

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Britain’s Got Talent will not air this weekend because of the rugby Six Nations but some people are unhappy about the decision

Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left fuming as the latest instalment of the show was postponed because of the rugby.

The ITV entertainment favourite – which is fronted by presenters Ant and Dec – usually airs on Saturday nights.

But tonight’s instalment of the show (March 14) was delayed to make way for the Six Nations coverage. The tournament will air from 7.20pm on ITV1, with the France and England game set to kick off at 8.10pm.

However, some viewers were unimpressed, posting messages on social media revealing they would rather have tuned in to see Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and newcomer KSI judging the latest Britain’s Got Talent auditions.

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READ MORE: ITV Britain’s Got Talent fans baffled as huge star fails to make main showREAD MORE: Britain’s Got Talent child star unrecognisable 17 years after ‘most watched’ audition

One posted on X, which was formerly Twitter: “What have you done with Britain’s Got Talent?? You have ruined Saturday’s viewing for millions of people… millions of viewers will switch to another channel.”

“There is no BGT, 1% Club or Jonathan Ross because of the rugby!” exclaimed someone else.

Another viewer remarked on Facebook: “The BGT show has been really amazing this year. A lot of unusual acts which have been amazing. Yes why take off prime shows for rugby. There should be a separate sports channel.”

“They should have a separate channel for sports,” agreed someone else. “Booo!!” said one fan on Reddit.

However, others were pleased to hear that the rugby would be on, saying it was “good” news and that they were looking forward to the coverage.

“If we only had other TV channels and programmes to watch???” joked one.

The latest series of Britain’s Got Talent started in February, with the pre-recorded auditions currently airing.

Simon and co have already given out some Golden Buzzers, with 16-year-old magician Rafferty Coope and Australian para-athlete Paul Nunnari among those sent straight through to the next round of the competition.

The judges also awarded the Golden Buzzer to real-world video game act Antigravity, who had Simon and Alesha racing to hit the button first.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV.

The items were found during searches conducted in the city today

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Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Terrorism Investigation Unit located two suspected firearms during searches conducted in the Currynierin and Creggan areas of Derry.

PSNI said the searches were carried out earlier today, on Saturday March 14, as part of an ongoing investigation into dissident Republican criminality.

Derry City and Strabane Chief Inspector Craig added: “Firearms are extremely dangerous and present a serious risk. Removing them from communities will remain a priority.

READ MORE: Man injured after detaining suspected burglar at South Down propertyREAD MORE: Witnesses sought after quad bike stolen and driven away from farm on trailer

“I want to thank the local community for their patience while officers conducted these searches.”

A number of items were seized for further examination, including the two suspected firearms, the force stated that enquiries are on going.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

It had been 1,491 days since Wales could savour the sweet taste of victory in a Six Nations match at the Principality Stadium.

There have been some dark days since beating Scotland in February 2022 but Wales have finally put an end to a run of 15 successive defeats in the Six Nations.

Wales were good value for this win as they upset the form book to get the better of Italy who could not come anywhere near the level of performance they reached during their historic victory over England seven days ago.

This was Wales’ day.

After 30 minutes when Dewi Lake had powered over the line for Wales’ third try, the stadium erupted into a chorus of Hymns and Arias.

It has been a long time since there was such a carnival atmosphere at the Principality Stadium but this victory meant so much to the home faithful as it did to the players.

When Rhys Carre won a penalty at the breakdown in the 38th minute the reaction of his teammates, who all ran over to congratulate the Saracens prop, spoke of a side who were united in adversity and had come out the other end stronger.

From the word go there was a purpose to Wales’ game as the hosts brought huge intensity to the game.

Unlike the opening two defeats against England and France, where Wales were comprehensively beaten, this time they were the aggressors.

Wales’ physicality has risen tenfold over the past two Test matches and they are now a side who can compete physically at this level.

To succeed in Test rugby you need to be at least as physical as the opposition, you need a solid set-piece and your defence has to be able to soak up a large amount of pressure without breaking.

Those are the foundations of a good side and these are areas Steve Tandy has fixed towards the latter part of the Championship.

It is important not to get carried away because a one-sided victory over Italy doesn’t mean Wales are world beaters, but at long last they are on an upward trajectory.

The performances over the past three Test matches has to be the baseline for Wales moving forward and if they can replicate this 80 minutes moving forward they will at the very least be competitive.

Tandy’s side still have a very long way to go before they can even entertain getting back to previous glories but such one-sided defeats as was witnessed in the autumn and the first two rounds of the Six Nations should hopefully have been consigned to the history books for the foreseeable future.

A number of players have stood up to be counted over the past few weeks to give Wales real hope moving forward.

Aaron Wainwright has been totemic and is as good a No 8 as you’ll find in the Northern Hemisphere, while Alex Mann has repaid the faith shown in him by the coaches.

Dragons second-row Ben Carter has also comprehensively answered the question as to whether he has the physicality for Test rugby.

The 25-year-old has been outstanding, standing his ground physically while getting through a mountain of work in defence.

But Carter has also been given the responsibility of calling the lineout and it is no surprise to see this facet of the game improve significantly since the Dragons man got given the responsibility.

He has now overtaken Adam Beard as Wales’ first choice lock alongside Dafydd Jenkins.

No player has been better than Rhys Carre.

Three years ago Carre got kicked out of Warren Gatland’s World Cup training camp for not meeting fitness targets and was in danger of not realising his potential.

But Tandy and his coaching staff have succeeded in getting the best out of the Saracens prop who is now a huge asset to this Wales side.

His sensational solo try in Dublin went viral but Carre has always been an x-factor player. The difference is he is now far more consistent while his work at the scrum has also improved immeasurably.

But the player who more than any other has typified Wales’ resurgence is Dewi Lake.

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The Wales hooker cut a dejected figure in the aftermath of the opening round hiding at Twickenham but he has been outstanding ever since.

Wales now have more players who are international class than most people thought at the start of the Championship.

However, this performance was not perfect as Wales endured a rocky ending to this Test match, but the only thing that matters is the victory.

Off the field, clarity is urgently required. The Welsh Rugby Union must resolve the long-running uncertainty surrounding the professional game and establish a coherent structure for the future.

Even with recent improvement, few would dispute the need for significant reform — both within the regions and across the player pathway.

For now, though, Tandy has demonstrated that this group of players are far better than many assumed. And for the first time in a long while, Welsh rugby has something it has sorely lacked.

Hope.

If he did make a dramatic return to the club, Redknapp – who this week was named as a contestant on ITV reality show ‘I’m A Celebrity… South Africa’ – would be by far the oldest manager to take charge of a Premier League club.

Aged 79 years and 12 days, Redknapp is two and a half years older than current record holder Roy Hodgson was when he left Crystal Palace in February 2024.

Redknapp is currently 10th on the list of oldest Premier League bosses, having left his last top-flight role with QPR in 2015 – a month before his 68th birthday.

He would not be the only big name to make a surprise return to management this season.

Ex-Leicester, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill, 74, is currently in his second interim spell in charge of Celtic, while Neil Warnock, 77, was recently named caretaker boss at National League South side Torquay United.

Speaking to Radio 5 Live, former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green said Redknapp’s return to Spurs would be even more “left-field” than O’Neill’s appointment at Celtic Park.

“I think it is even further for Spurs, but that is the sort of expertise in man management [they need],” he said. “It is a different kind of manager than the coaches we have now.

“The players have to have a charismatic leader to go in and lift the place, and certainly make them feel better about themselves.

“[Redknapp] is a manager that knows the club well. He certainly has a skill at getting the best out of people and people feeling good about themselves on the pitch.

“But for now, I just don’t see someone who has been out of the game in the country for as long as he has [coming back into management].

Earlier this season, Tottenham‘s Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence were widely criticised for refusing to shake former manager Frank’s hand following a limp home defeat to Chelsea – behaviour which former Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel says Redknapp would not condone.

“Can you imagine a player not shaking his hand after a game?” Friedel told the BBC’s Sportsworld. “That player wouldn’t be in the squad for the next game.

“When they fired Thomas Frank, I was one of the people that said to get someone like Harry – very similar to what Celtic did [with O’Neill] after [sacking] Wilfried Nancy.

“Harry would have gone in and said the right things.”

The ’10-year rule’ is talked about a lot and you’ll need to make sure your passport adheres to the strict validity rules in place in the UK and at your destination.

While some holidaymakers may believe their passport is valid for a total of 10 years after buying it, it’s easy to get caught out if you don’t check the relevant travel requirements.

This article explains exactly when a red passport will still work in 2026, when it won’t, and the quick checks you should do now before you book.

Do I need travel insurance?

What is the 10-year passport rule?

The Post Office explains: “Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years.

“But if your passport was issued before September 2018, it might be valid for up to 10 years and nine months.

“This is because, before 2018, the passport office would add up to nine extra months from your old passport to your new one.

“This means some people have passports that haven’t officially expired and are still valid for travel worldwide.

“The exception is travel in Europe, where passports must be less than 10 years old.”

Planning spring or Easter travel? Check your passport now.
If you need to renew, go to: https://t.co/wmJnvGiBl2 #PlanAhead pic.twitter.com/eTPy6gEhQk

— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) March 10, 2026

It warns Brits that their passports have to be “issued less than 10 years before your departure date” and “valid for at least three months” after the date you return” if you are travelling to Europe and Schengen destinations.

Sky News shared an example to make understanding this easier: “For example: Your passport was issued on 6 June 2016 and has an expiry date of 6 March 2027.

“You book a flight to Madrid on 7 July 2026, thinking it is well within the expiry date.

“But actually, your passport stopped being valid to enter an EU country on 6 June 2026.

“The only exception is Ireland.”

Before booking travel, make sure to check your passport’s expiry date and your destination’s validity requirements.

Can you still use a red passport in 2026?

UK passports are now a deep blue in colour and issued by His Majesty’s Passport Office following King Charles III’s coronation.

However, you might wonder if you can still use the older red ones.

If you’re going on holiday and are worried that your burgundy passport isn’t accepted anymore, there’s no need to worry.

Red passports are still allowed to be used in 2026 if they remain valid for travel, so you’ll need to check the expiry date and the rules regarding how much time you should have left on your passport to travel to your chosen destination.

What you need to apply for ETIAS

If your passport still has ‘European Union’ on the cover, you can still use it, but only if “it’s valid for travel”, according to the Government website.

When it’s time to renew your passport next, you’ll be given a blue one, but you don’t need to renew your passport unless yours has expired or it doesn’t have enough time left on it for travel.

You must also make sure your passport hasn’t been damaged for it to remain valid.

New Coat of Arms passport issued to Brits

From December 2025, British passports saw another change.

On X, His Majesty’s Passport Office explained: “British passports will start to feature His Majesty King Charles III’s Coat of Arms and new images of iconic UK landscapes.

“The new design includes world-leading security features – making our passports more secure than ever.”

Recommended reading:

How to renew your passport

If your passport needs to be renewed, you can apply for a new one either by post or online.

Renewing passports online is cheaper than filling out paper forms and sending them off via the post.

To renew your passport, you’ll need to find your old one and any passports you might have from another country.

If you have a passport from another country, you’ll need to send either photocopies of each page, including blank ones, or send the physical passport.