Gladiators host Bradley Walsh was told off by referee Mark Clattenburg during Saturday’s semi-final of the BBC show
Gladiators’ audience began to boo as presenter Bradley Walsh was reprimanded by the referee.
Advertisement
The host was questioning the rules of one of the challenges on the programme when ref Mark Clattenburg retorted: “Be quiet!”
Unimpressed, the spectators started booing as Mark pointed his finger at the TV personality and scolded him, reports the Mirror.
The light-hearted clash occurred during Saturday’s semi-final (March 14) of the BBC show, as contenders Mo and Finn competed against the Gladiators in an attempt to secure a place in the final of the current series.
Mo was penalised for dropping a ball during the Collision challenge, telling Bradley afterwards that he believed he should have received the point regardless. “I think I got disqualified with one point. I should have been allowed that,” he said.
Addressing Mark, Bradley tried to clarify the situation, saying: “Please explain what’s going on there, please?”
The ref responded: “You’ve dropped the ball on the bridge. That’s against the rules.”
Advertisement
Bradley questioned whether there might be a loophole, asking: “There’s a case to be said that if you drop the ball and then you regain it and catch it? I mean, seriously.”
However, gesturing at him, the ref retorted: “Bradley, be quiet!”
“The rules are the rules,” he continued as the crowd erupted into a chorus of loud jeers.
Grinning at the fans, Bradley said of Mark: “He’s got out of the wrong side of the bed today.”
Advertisement
The incident also entertained viewers watching at home, with several taking to social media to comment on it.
One posted on X: “The referee telling Bradley to be quiet as he objected the rules!”
“Bradley getting in Mark’s bad books again, classic,” another person commented on the platform, previously known as Twitter.
Advertisement
However, another viewer felt it was a bit excessive, remarking: “This show is getting a bit pantomimey…” Someone else quipped: “Clattenburg getting his audition for Christmas panto villain in nice and early.”
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
Race Across The World is returning with a new set of contestants taking on the epic trek
22:34, 14 Mar 2026Updated 22:39, 14 Mar 2026
The new Race Across the World contestants are seen trudging through deep snow in a sneak peek at the new series.
The popular BBC show – which sees teams racing across huge distances with tight budgets, no phones and without using planes – is returning for a sixth series, and the broadcaster has shared a brief glimpse of what’s to come in a teaser trailer.
While the starting point has yet to be shared, this time around the contestants will be tasked with making their way from Europe to “to the uncharted edges of Mongolia”. Scenes in the trailer show the racers on horseback, in big cities, jumping off boats and trying to thumb rides.
Advertisement
“The further they go, the closer they’ll get,” is emblazoned across the screen, as one of this year’s contestants is heard saying: “This race, it’s a lifetime of exploring in such a short amount of time.
“It’s going to open up a lot of doors not many people have the privilege to unlock.”
Advertisement
Another contestant is then heard exclaiming: “This is an adventure.”
The BBC teased: “In this vast east-to-west journey, five pairs race from the familiarities of Europe all the way to the uncharted edges of Mongolia in Race Across the World series six.
“These teams must forge their own path… But on this journey of extremes, who will finish first? No flights. No phones. No safety net… Let the race begin!”
Advertisement
Fans have said they “can’t wait” after getting a taster of the series, with one posting on Instagram: “So excited for this.”
“OMG…. Can’t wait for this one!!!” said someone else, as another fan remarked: “My favourite programme.”
“Yippee!” exclaimed another viewer, as somebody else commented: “Yesssssss!! Cannot wait – best programme!!”
Last year’s instalment of Race Across the World saw the teams setting off from The Great Wall of China before travelling across China, Nepal and India to the end point of Kanniyakumari, the southernmost tip of India.
It was won by mother and son duo Caroline and Tom, who won the £20,000 prize when they were the first pair to make it to the final checkpoint.
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website
Everton were close to going ahead in the first half when McNeil had a chance from seven yards out, but Calafiori produced an impressive scorpion kick to block the strike, which looked to be beating David Raya.
Speaking after the game, Moyes hailed Calafiori’s block and claims it symbolises Arsenal’s determination to keep clean sheets this season.
Advertisement
‘The block from Dwight McNeil from Calafiori is unbelievable,’ Moyes said.
Riccardo Calafiori produced a stunning block to deny Dwight McNeil from close range (Sky Sports)
‘And it tells you a little bit about what Arsenal are, they’re fighting for it, they’re defending the goal for their lives.
Your football fix
Metro‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.
‘Probably in the end I think Raya made more saves than Jordan Pickford in the game, but the block from Calafiori was amazing.’
In a separate interview with Sky Sports, Moyes added: ‘I thought Raya had more saves than Jordan tonight, and he kept a couple of great saves.
‘The bigger thing for me was the block [Riccardo Calafiori]. It tells you a bit about how good they are defensively. They are wholly defending that goal. So you have to praise them for that.’
The early hours will see temperatures around 3C, with a small chance of showers and a mild breeze.
By morning, the rain chance rises to 50 per cent at 9am, with temperatures increasing to 6C.
Showers become more likely at 10am and 11am, at 60 per cent and 70 per cent respectively, with winds picking up speed.
Advertisement
By midday, the mercury will rise to approximately 9C, with persistent rain likely and winds at speeds of up to 16mph.
The afternoon doesn’t promise any significant respite, with rain very likely at around 80 per cent, throughout and temperatures remaining around 9C to 10C.
Winds will remain strong, with speeds fluctuating between 14mph and 16mph, along with gusts in the mid-30s mph.
By 4pm, showers are still likely, with temperatures dropping slightly to around 9C.
Advertisement
Winds are set to ease slightly but will still hover around the 14mph mark, with the potential for gusts around the low-30s in miles per hour.
As the evening approaches at 6pm, temperatures will decrease to approximately 7C, with showers becoming a bit more scattered.
Wind speeds will settle to around 11mph, with gusts in the mid-20s mph.
For the rest of the evening, scattered showers remain a possibility, with a 60 per cent chance at 7pm and a 50 per cent chance at 8pm.
Advertisement
Temperatures will settle around 4C come 9pm.
Wind speeds will ease to approximately 9mph, with gusts around the low-20s mph.
As the evening progresses, showers will gradually ease at around 70 per cent chance at 10pm.
“Our upcoming fundraiser isn’t really about us. It’s about everyone who has been affected by cancer”
A group of young men from Derry have launched a fundraising initiative called “Endurance Against Cancer”.
Advertisement
This is to support the vital work of Foyle Hospice, turning their personal experiences with cancer into action.
Friends Oran Hughes, 22 and Matthew Dixon, 23, created the initiative alongside Matthew’s brothers, Shane, 21, and Stephen, 28, after both of their families were affected by cancer.
Oran’s father, Peter, was recently given a terminal diagnosis, while Matthew’s father, Martin received care as an inpatient at Foyle Hospice, before he died in January of this year.
Advertisement
Through their initiative, all four men will take on a series of extreme endurance challenges with the hope of raising £10,000 for Foyle Hospice, while also encouraging others to channel difficult experiences into something positive.The month of May will kick-start the fundraising efforts as Matthew and his brother Shane will run a Marathon in Switzerland, while Oran will take on Norn Iron 100, an incredible 108-mile Ultramarathon across Northern Ireland, and Stephen will be competing in ATHX in Dublin.
Additionally, Oran and Matthew are preparing to take on an Ironman.
The group are being supported in their training by local endurance athlete Danny Quigley, who is helping them prepare for the physical and mental challenges ahead.
Advertisement
Matthew understands first-hand how important the support of Foyle Hospice can be, something he says made a huge difference to their family during an incredibly difficult time.
“My dad was very well looked after,” Matthew said. “The staff went out of their way not just for him, but for all of us as a family. We were able to stay together and the Hospice even provided an apartment for us.
“It became like a second home during those months. Everyone was so kind and caring — even small things like offering tea or coffee meant so much.”
Martin, who worked as a taxi driver with City Cabs for 33 years, was well known across the community and remembered fondly by many.
Advertisement
Before Martin’s death, Matthew recalled how he promised his father he would take on a fundraiser saying: “When my dad was dying, I told him I wanted to raise money for the Hospice and he told me he would be very proud.
“Losing my dad has affected me and my family every day, but I wanted to do something positive from it and these fundraising challenges will make that happen.”
He continued: “It’s crazy how many people have been affected by cancer and how many families have been helped by the Hospice. Our upcoming fundraiser isn’t really about us. It’s about everyone who has been affected by cancer and showing that even when you feel powerless, you can still do something to help.”Meanwhile, for Oran, the motivation is deeply personal, after his father, Peter, was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Throughout his career, Peter devoted much of his life to caring for others — something that has greatly inspired Oran’s determination to now give back and help others in return.
Advertisement
A former District Charge Nurse, Peter has served within the Western Trust since 1999, working across Strabane, Eglinton and Limavady, including 15 years at Waterside Health Centre. While Oran has previously completed Ultramarathons, with his longest distance to date being over 60 miles, he admits the Norn Iron 100 challenge will push him further than ever before.
“I’ve always enjoyed running, but this is about much more than that,” Oran said.
“When someone you love has cancer, you can feel powerless and vulnerable because there’s nothing you can do to change it. We realised that the one thing we could do was try to raise money and awareness to help other families going through the same thing.”Matthew’s brother, Stephen expressed his gratitude to Foyle Hospice saying: “I am doing this for Foyle hospice as they were amazing in the care they gave my dad in his last few months and they offered amazing support for our family in the heartbreaking time that we had. Dr Karen in particular was so helpful and paid attention to our needs as well, which I was extremely grateful for.”Shane recalled the care his father received saying: “Our father was a very charitable man who had spent his last month and a half in Foyle hospice and we would like to do him very proud – he was extremely grateful for the amazing people at the Hospice.”
Advertisement
The efforts of these four young men highlight the growing role of young people in supporting local charities, using sport and endurance challenges to make a real difference within their community.
Anyone wishing to support the group’s fundraising efforts can donate here.
The US military operation against Iran has demonstrated in the most dramatic terms the need for EU autonomy in global affairs. Responding to the situation, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has called for a new EU foreign policy to guide the bloc towards “European independence”.
But it is not enough for the EU simply to set itself against the Trump administration. It also needs to resolve a muddled “illiberal liberalism” that afflicts the way it has begun to pursue European autonomy. The EU can’t currently seem to decide whether it seeks independence so that it can preserve the liberal order or so that it can move beyond it.
The second Trump administration has supercharged the EU’s push for independence. It has prompted European governments to get far more serious about reducing their military and security dependence on the US and to reduce their broader external trade vulnerabilities. This is now the unrivalled driving force behind most European foreign and security policies.
But criticising the current US administration does not in itself amount to a vision for the EU’s place in the radically changed international order. Current debates have become unduly narrowed down to a focus on decoupling from and standing up to the US. This creates a false sense of comfort, as reacting against Trumpian excess is more straightforward than defining a coherent order-based geopolitical vision. The EU needs to ask not just what it is against but what it is for, and this remains unclear – at least, beyond rhetorical cliches.
Advertisement
An overly self-satisfied celebration of incipient EU resolution against the US – over Iran, Venezuela, Greenland, tariffs – draws the bloc away from clarifying the ultimate goal of toughened European autonomy.
In all this, the EU shows signs of what in psychology is known as “downward coping syndrome”. It seems to be feeling unjustifiably righteous about itself in comparison with the abominably low-standards of predatory diplomacy and illegality set by the Trump administration.
French president Emmanuel Macron’s speech at the Munich security conference, in which he merely ran through all the ways in which Europe stands in favourable contrast to the US, was an especially egregious case of this. Commentators also repeatedly celebrated the superiority of European rhetoric on peace, freedom, and rules and democracy compared to Maga’s civilisational chauvinism. These perspectives set a very low bar and do not interrogate whether European policies actually follow through on their own stated principles.
An illiberal turn
In practice, the EU is itself retreating from the very same liberal norms that it rightly excoriates the US for having jettisoned. Even if this policy drift is, of course, far more subtle than what is occurring in US foreign policies, it raises questions about what the EU really seeks to do with its emerging strategic autonomy.
Advertisement
At present, contradictory logics abound as the bloc advances towards greater independence. The EU is striking partnerships with illiberal regimes like the Gulf states and autocracies in Asia ostensibly in the name of preserving liberalism. It courts other powers with desperate neediness apparently as a way of showing it has less need of others. It is adopting hard power supposedly to contain hard power. It is adopting distortionary trade preferences in the name of defending free trade.
In many ways, as the EU resists illiberal powers, it is becoming more like them and yet frames such resistance as a way of defending its traditional liberal identity. In this, it increasingly conflates two aims that are quite distinct: protecting itself and protecting progressive values in international politics.
Trump with his secretary of state Marco Rubio and secretary of war Pete Hegseth. EPA
While military capability is needed to dissuade territorial invasion, the EU needs other kinds of resources and action to wield influence over other powers for non-military aims. There is a risk of the military-defence turn becoming so predominant that it draws effort away from these other forms of leverage. It may be that ultra-realpolitik is what some people want from Europe, but then it cannot convincingly pitch its geostrategy as a defence of liberal order, peace and democracy.
These conundrums can clearly be seen in European responses to events in Iran. European governments are entirely correct to defend international law against military intervention. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez has been especially impressive in setting out this position. But they have failed to map out policies that lie in the vast ground between illegal military attacks, on the one hand, and indulgent inaction towards repressive regimes on the other. Repeating fealty to international law and standing back in moral self-satisfaction does little to help citizens who are suffering under regimes like those in Iran and Venezuela. A liberal European autonomy would surely entail more proactive engagement for democratic change, even as the bloc stands back from US military actions.
Advertisement
The complex and spiralling crises in Iran and elsewhere require the EU to show firm resolve against Trump but also a critical self-reflection. European governments need to define whether EU autonomy is to be measured in terms of a conceptually distinctive “alternative power” or the more visceral power politics that other powers are now adopting. Without this, European independence is a ship setting sail with no destination set.
This Morning’s Ashley James has said she is “absolutely devastated” after she was targeted by online scammers who used AI deepfakes to claim she had taken weight loss pills
22:19, 14 Mar 2026Updated 22:19, 14 Mar 2026
This Morning star Ashley James has said she was “absolutely devastated” when AI scammers made deepfakes of her saying she took weight loss pills. The star added that she was “incredibly angry” and that the video felt like a “total violation”.
The TV host took to Instagram to share how the video made her feel and set the record straight on her stance on weight loss medication. After sharing the deepfake, in which her AI counterpart said she lost “27 pounds in just one month” thanks to weight loss pills, Ashley made it clear that this was not her.
“So many of you have sent me this advert so I just want to be really clear – that is not me. It is completely AI generated,” she said. “Not only did I never say this, I’ve never taken these pills, I’ve never heard of these pills, and most importantly nor would I ever promote them. I’m honestly devastated that anybody might buy these products believing that I recommended them.”
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
She added that she always turns down opportunities to do with weight loss and diets. Ashley continued: “So not only does this feel like a total violation, but the message behind it makes me incredibly angry.
“We already live in a world where women are constantly told to shrink themselves, be smaller, be thinner, take up less space. And that’s only getting worse with the rise of weight loss injections.”
In the caption of the post, she said that fans should know that she would never promote weight loss medication. “Someone has taken my face and my voice and turned it into an advert telling women they should lose weight. If you know anything about me, you’ll know that is the exact kind of messaging I’ve spent years fighting against.
“I do not support these products,” she stated. “And I would never tell you, or anyone else, that you need to shrink yourself or diet. And if you see this advert please report it.
Advertisement
“Because how social media platforms are allowing this is disgraceful! It’s scary when you think about it. And remember: just because something looks real online doesn’t mean it is. And crucially: My body is not a problem that needs fixing. And neither is yours.”
Fans flooded the comments with words of support, with many saying how terrifying it was that the AI video was so realistic. One said: “That’s WILD! Imagine really upsetting when it’s YOU being used. And scary that it’s even possible to do that. We all need to become more aware so we can question things. I’m hoping that it will go a bit wild west like this and then we will clock it and stop it!”
Another said: “Well done making this point! This is unreal!! Honestly, do people not understand how dangerous this is? As someone with a 20 year long ED, I am outraged at this…. Girls are pressured enough, we don’t need fake Ai pressure.”
Advertisement
“WTAF??? This is so frightening. Hope you’re ok babe x,” said a third. A fourth continued: “I think if anyone watched your videos they would know that wasn’t you!! Loads of stuff I’ve seen have been AI generated and it’s so scary!!!”
Ashley is not the only celebrity whose image has been manipulated in to sell a false weight loss product. Last year, Sara Davies begged her social media followers not to fall for a scam that said she had invested in weight loss pills.
She wrote on Instagram: “Yes this is a SCAM. They are all scams….. there are dozens of them going round and every day I’m hearing anecdotally from different friends, ‘So and so has asked me to get you to check with Sara if those slimming pills she’s invested in are any good’.
“Honestly I’m devastated – the thought that people are getting scammed out of so much money or worse they could actually send for something and be ingesting some random pills when they don’t know what’s in them.
Advertisement
“People are doing it because they think I said it was good – it boils my blood!” Sara previously that she’d gone from a size 16 to a 12 after significant weight loss. Although she’s since become a public advocate for healthy living and nutritious recipes, she insisted there is no ‘magic pill’ to do it all for you.”
The DWP Cold Weather Payment scheme ends on March 31, with claimants on six benefits including Universal Credit and Pension Credit eligible for £25 payments if temperatures stay below freezing for seven consecutive days.
DWP claimants have been warned about an imminent deadline regarding a payment scheme. Those claiming various benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit, may qualify for the payments.
Advertisement
The Cold Weather Payment scheme remains active, offering £25 payments when temperatures in your area are, or are forecast to be, at or below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days. Multiple £25 payments can be received through the programme if triggered repeatedly in your location.
Individuals receiving these six benefits may be eligible for the payment paid directly into their accounts:
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit
Support for Mortgage Interest.
The programme concludes shortly, running between November 1 and March 31. Matthew Sheeran, external relations manager at financial support organisation Money Wellness, addressed whether payments could be triggered during the rest of March.
He said: “We might see a bit of a cold snap this week with frost and some wintry showers, especially up north and in rural areas, but the forecasters aren’t pointing to temperatures staying below freezing for seven days straight – and that’s what you need to actually trigger a Cold Weather Payment before the end of March.
“So while it’ll feel cold, it’s not likely we’ll see a big wave of new £25 payments being triggered right now.”
Advertisement
Whether a Cold Weather Payment has been triggered in your area can be checked via the Government website, reports the Mirror.
When do Cold Weather Payments go out?
Regarding when payments are deposited into accounts, the Government guidance specifies: “After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days. It’s paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.”
However, the rules vary if you live in Scotland. Here, the scheme has been replaced by the Winter Heating Payment, with largely similar qualifying criteria concerning which benefits you need to claim.
This is a one-off payment that is issued regardless of the weather, and is valued at £59.75. These payments are distributed between December and the end of February.
Advertisement
If you were eligible to receive a payment, Social Security Scotland would have sent you a letter or email informing you of the impending amount.
A council has issued a warning after a fire which broke out at a recycling centre during the week was believed to have been started by a battery
Rob Currell Live news reporter
21:50, 14 Mar 2026
Mid Ulster District Council has warned residents to dispose of their batteries correctly after one is believed to have been responsible for a fire which broke out on Thursday evening.
The fire, which took place in a black bin compactor at the Magherafelt Recycling Centre resulted in members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attending the scene.
Advertisement
A post from the council’s Facebook page said: “Thank you to Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and our Household Recycling Centre Attendants for their quick response to the incident.
“Everybody needs to be aware that your batteries and electricals could cause a fire. We are reminding people to remove all batteries from electrical appliances before recycling in the right way to reduce the risk of fire and help keep our recycling staff safe.
“Our Household Recycling Centres all have appropriate containers to help you recycle your electrical items and batteries separately. Never put batteries in general waste or recycling bins at the kerbside, and only recycle batteries via a proper battery recycling service – never dispose of batteries in mixed waste at our Recycling Centres.
“Remove batteries from broken devices if you can, and recycle battery and device separately – batteries can be disposed of in battery bins and boxes at battery return stations in retailers or in schools.”
