The four-part drama based on the 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas, starring Pierre Niney, and has been branded a “masterpiece” by viewers.

A period drama hailed as a “masterpiece” and divided into four episodes is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

The Count of Monte Cristo is a 2024 film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ celebrated 1844 novel.

Pierre Niney leads the cast as Edmond Dantes, a young sailor wrongfully imprisoned for treason on his wedding day.

After escaping the fortress where he has been held for over a decade, he reinvents himself as a wealthy Count, forging a new life beneath a false identity.

Concealed behind this façade, he embarks on a mission to exact revenge upon those who betrayed him, reports the Mirror.

The synopsis reads: “Falsely accused, imprisoned for 15 years – now he’s out for revenge on those who wronged him. An epic drama of betrayal, love and vengeance starring Pierre Niney.”

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The 2024 film has been split into four parts for BBC iPlayer after becoming a huge hit when it first premiered.

One fan hailed it an “excellent adaptation from the beautiful novel, with another calling it “absolutely terrific”.

One viewer branded it a “masterpiece”, while someone else said: “I truly loved this movie and I am not an avid movie watcher, easily one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.”

“A dream come true for Monte Cristo fans,” one said, as another review was titled “Absolutely stunning”.

“Go out of your way to see this one,” one viewer advised, while someone else called it “unmissible”. They continued: “I was absolutely captivated by the film from start to finish. Every moment kept me on the edge of my seat, and I wasn’t bored for a single second.”

“A gorgeous modern production of timeless epic,” another person said, while one fan called it “spectacular”.

Despite the widespread praise, French actor Pierre Niney previously admitted he was “pessimistic” about the project at the start.

He told Forbes: “I remember thinking ‘It’s not going to be made, they’re not going to find the money’. It would take people crazy enough to embark on a 1200 pages book to make one movie.

“So I was pessimistic at the start, thinking it was too good to be true. And actually it’s even better than what I had imagined, so it will stay engraved in my memory forever.”

The Count of Monte Cristo is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

A joint statement from both , who married in 2003, said “there are no other parties involved in this decision”.

The post on Instagram said: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

“This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us.

“We remain great friends and more importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.

“There are no other parties involved in this decision. We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together.

“We will not be making any further public comments. Tess and Vernon.”

The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter, 57, and the BBC Radio 2 DJ, aged 52, are parents to daughter Phoebe, born in October 2004, and Amber, born in May 2009.

Both are former models who carved out successful careers as presenters.

Their marriage made headlines in 2010 when Vernon admitted he sent explicit texts to around five women, going on to apologise to hundreds of thousands of listeners on the Radio 1 show he hosted at the time.

He interrupted the programme to tell his two million listeners he had been “foolish and stupid”.

However a month later, Daly said their partnership was “worth fighting for” because they had had “10 great years together” and shared “two beautiful kids”.

She told the One Show: “Dealing with it in private is difficult enough, but dealing but with it in public is even harder”, adding that she was touched by the amount of support she had received.

Tess was born in Stockport and Vernon is from Horwich.

Their birthdays, in April, are just a day apart.

Although both were well-known faces when they married in 2003, they shunned offers of six-figure deals with glossy celebrity magazines for exclusive photographs of their wedding.

The couple, both dressed in white, instead posed for fans’ photographs outside St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, in Horwich, near Bolton.

Strictly launched the following year and Tess took up her role next to the late Sir Bruce Forsyth.

She helmed the BBC dancing competition’s main show for 21 years with Claudia Winkleman, joining her every Saturday from 2014, after Sir Bruce stepped down.

Both stepped back last year, both choking back tears as they signed off for the final time in December.

In the shadow of the 2008 global financial crisis, trust in the financial system was at a historic low. Banks had failed, markets had collapsed, and confidence in central institutions had been deeply shaken.

It was in this moment of uncertainty that an anonymous figure, Satoshi Nakamoto, published the Bitcoin white paper – a nine-page document that quietly introduced a radical new idea: a financial system that would not rely on trust in institutions at all.

Rather than banks or governments, transactions would be verified by a shared digital network run collectively by its users – a system that became known as blockchain. But blockchain was never just about technology – it was about rethinking mechanisms of trust, so it could be engineered rather than delegated.

Nakamoto’s vision was made possible through a consensus mechanism known as “proof of work” (PoW), which required participants to solve complex computational problems to validate transactions. The system was intentionally costly to operate. That cost was precisely what made it secure: changing the shared record of transactions would require immense resources, making manipulation economically unviable.

But as bitcoin’s popularity grew rapidly – from a niche experiment in 2009 to a network processing hundreds of thousands of daily transactions within a decade – so did its demands. Maintaining trust through continuous computation proved expensive – not just financially but environmentally.

The energy consumed by PoW systems began to rival that of entire countries, raising an important question: was this the most efficient way to produce trust?

A blockchain revolution

In 2022, the major global blockchain Ethereum – which underpins the second-biggest cryptocurrency after bitcoin – adopted another model of trust known as “proof of stake” (PoS). This was a response to the growing concern about the bitcoin blockchain’s excessive energy demands.

Rather than relying on large numbers of computers competing to solve mathematical problems, PoS selects validators based partly on how much cryptocurrency they lock into the network as a financial stake. They then help confirm transactions and maintain the system, without the energy-intensive process of mining used in bitcoin.

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Ethereum’s energy consumption fell by more than 99% following the shift, according to the Crypto Carbon Rating Institute. This suggested blockchain systems could be used at much greater scale without proportionately increasing their environmental footprint.

This chart illustrates Ethereum’s claimed energy use compared with some other industries and activities, demonstrating the large drop after its switch from a PoW to PoS blockchain system:

However, this increased energy efficiency introduced another kind of trade-off. Under PoW, influence is determined by access to computational resources. Under PoS, it is tied to ownership of financial assets – raising questions about whether control of this technology would be increasingly unequal.

This is not necessarily a flaw, but a reflection of a broader reality. Trust is never costless, and different systems distribute that cost in different ways.

Today, many newer blockchain platforms including Ethereum, Cardano and Solana use PoS. Bitcoin, though, continues to rely on PoW – in part because supporters argue its high computational cost remains central to both its security and principle of decentralisation.

Beyond cryptocurrencies, different blockchain systems are increasingly being explored for applications ranging from tracking goods in supply chains and energy trading to digital identity systems and cross-border payments. And this is ushering in a third evolution in blockchain trust technology: “proof of authority” (PoA).

Trust reconfigured again

Unlike its predecessors, PoA relies on a limited number of pre-approved validators – typically, organisations whose identities and reputations are known. This means only approved or verified participants can validate transactions within a particular network.

PoA-style systems and permissioned blockchain networks have already been adopted or tested by hundreds of organisations worldwide – particularly in finance, supply chains and energy infrastructure. In finance, banks including JP Morgan have explored private blockchain networks where only approved participants can validate and share transaction records.

This might seem like a major departure from blockchain’s original ethos. If trust is placed back in the hands of identifiable institutions, what remains of Nakamoto’s decentralised vision?

But in many real-world situations, such as tracking goods or processing financial transactions, participants do not require anonymity. They prioritise reliability, speed and accountability.

Rather than eliminating trust, PoA reorganises it. Although blockchain is often associated with anonymous cryptocurrency activity, its record-keeping structure makes transactions highly traceable and easier to audit over time.

For banks, companies and governments testing blockchain systems, this approach is often more practical than fully open blockchain networks that anyone can join. Brazil has used a government blockchain based on proof of authority, and the United Arab Emirates has promoted blockchain use across its public services and for some government transactions.

What is emerging is not the end of trust but its reconfiguration. Blockchain began as an attempt to bypass traditional institutions. Its evolution points to something more nuanced: a future where trust is reconfigured with the involvement of banks, payment providers, technology firms, energy companies and governments.

These organisations are not removing trust from the system – they are reshaping how it is created, verified and maintained.

Reform and the Greens picked up councillors across the region, as they did across England

Greater Manchester could give Labour the answer to turning its fortunes around, an MP has said – without mentioning Andy Burnham or Angela Rayner’s names.

Speculation is rife that the mayor and the former deputy Prime Minister will launch leadership bids to oust Keir Starmer following a disastrous set of local election results. Labour had haemorrhaged 1,357 councillors by 10pm on Friday (May 8), including sweeping losses in Manchester, Wigan, Salford, Oldham, and Tameside.

Reform and the Greens picked up councillors across the region, as they did across England. In the face of a two-pronged attack, some Labour figures have called for the Prime Minister’s resignation – and some want Burnham or Rayner to replace him.

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However, a Greater Manchester MP says the formula for Labour’s revival is clear to see in Bury – and it doesn’t mention either.

James Frith, MP for Bury North, released a 227 word statement on Friday explaining how Labour ‘bucked the trend’ to stay in power and won more seats than Reform did at the polls.

He said: “In Bury, we bucked the national trend and outperformed much of Greater Manchester, resisting the scale of political shift seen elsewhere across the region and the country.

“It may be too soon and overstated to offer it as a good example to follow but the exception is worthy of noting. Reform can be beaten back.”

He added most of Reform’s support in the town came from right-leaning areas: “In Bury North, only Conservative-held wards switched to Reform, and one was a defection earlier in the campaign, reinforcing the point that Reform’s advance was strongest where the Conservatives switched or collapsed rather than where Labour stood strong, present and reliable in our community.

“Where Labour won off the Tories in Bury North, this felt like the electorate understanding the threat to the one-time all one-nation Remain Tory ward and so they did the best thing to defeat Reform there, and voted Labour.

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“Labour still faced real challenges, with the Workers’ Party taking a seat from Labour, abetted by the Green vote. Despite the only Labour loss Labour still finished ahead of Reform who were a close third in a busy field.

“Ultimately, Reform will be only the second-largest opposition party on Bury Council, as the independent Radcliffe First group remains the official opposition to the Labour-led, Labour-retained council.”

The other reported leadership hopefuls is Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Numerous senior Labour figures have come out to back the Prime Minister.

Kyle Patrick, 23, drove at 119mph after offering to pick up Erin Slane, 19, and her friend outside a bar in Perth, Scotland – as the terrified women hurtled along rural roads Erin texted her friends

A terrified teen texted her pals “I may not survive tonight. I’m scared. Kyle is steaming” as she was sped along country roads in the car of a drunk driver moments before her tragic death.

Erin Slane, 19, sent the message whilst sitting as a passenger in 23-year-old Kyle Patrick’s Ford Fiesta on September 1, 2024 after she accepted a lift from him, a court heard.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Patrick was hitting speeds of up to 119 miles per hour on a secluded Perthshire road as terrified Erin texted her friends.

Patrick was speeding along the B9099 Luncarty to Stanley road when he lost control of the car and it left the road, tumbling down a grass embankment into a field before it rolled several times before coming to rest on its roof, Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC told the court.

Patrick survived and Erin’s friend Keira Jones, also 19, also escaped from the wreck with injuries. However, Miss Slane lost her life, the Daily Record reports.

Police investigating the incident found Patrick had spent the night drinking with pals in Perth city centre before offering people lifts home – he took £10 from a teenager for a journey they took from Perth to Bankfoot.

He then picked up Miss Slane and Miss Jones and took them on a car journey which Mr Jessop said was taken at “excessive speed.”

Mr Jessop said: “During the journey, Erin Slane, the deceased, sent a couple of text messages to her friend group.

“At 0157 hours, she sent a message stating: ‘I may not survive tonight. I’m scared. Kyle is steaming.’ At 0205 hours, she wrote: ‘Kyle is steaming.’

“The fatal collision occurred about 0210 hours as the accused was driving his car towards Stanley on the B9099, Luncarty to Stanley Road, near to its junction with Gowrie Farm.

“The accused lost control of the vehicle whereby it crossed the opposing carriageway, left the road way, continued through wire fencing, down the grass embankment to a field, before rolling several times and coming to rest on its roof. The car was extensively damaged by impacts.

“At 0251 hours, the accused called Police Scotland stating he had been involved in a collision, he was the driver and had been drinking alcohol before so should not have been driving. He stated that he had pulled a passenger out of the car – the witness Keira Jones – and was so sorry for driving.

“Police, Fire Service and Ambulance crews attended a short time later. Upon their arrival, there was nothing they could do for Erin Slane who was clearly deceased still within the passenger seat of the car.”

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Investigators who took blood from the first offender at 4.30 am – two hours and twenty minutes after the incident – found he was more than three times the drink driving limit at that time.

The story emerged after Patrick, of Scone, Perthshire, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing Miss Slane’s death and serious injury to Miss Jones by driving dangerously whilst being impaired through consuming alcohol.

The court heard that Miss Slane, Miss Jones and three other friends got talking to Patrick outside a bar in Perth and he offered them a lift. He had previously been drinking with friends before offering a boy a lift in exchange for £10 before returning to Perth Centre, the court heard.

The fatal crash happened just a short time later. Investigators examining his car’s infotainment module after the crash found he reached speeds of 119mph during the trip.

The court heard that following the collision Miss Jones suffered a fractured arm, nine broken ribs, a fractured pelvis and a fractured finger – she has now made a full physical recovery.

Miss Slane was 19. Her death took place two days before her birthday – she suffered from blunt force heard injuries caused as a result of her being a front seat passenger in the collision. The court heard that she was due to start studying at Napier University on September 14 2024 and had an older sister and two stepbrothers.

The court also heard that collision investigators concluded that the collision was caused by a number of factors. Mr Jessop added: “These factors being the grossly excessive speed at which the driver of this vehicle had been travelling at coupled with his general driving inexperience, both of which were compounded by him being under the influence of alcohol.”

Defence advocate Tony Lenehan KC said: “Mr Patrick knows the terrible harm he has done, causing the death of Ms Slane. No words of Mr Patrick can do anything to undo this harm.

“He pleads guilty knowing that he deserves a substantial prison sentence. He tells me if he could serve ten times the sentence and be able to undo everything that happened, he would.”

Lord Harrower remanded Patrick in custody and called for a report into his background. He added: “This is a terrible tragedy for Ms Slane and her family, and for Miss Jones and her family.”

As security guards placed Patrick in handcuffs to take him to prison, a man who was sitting in the public gallery shouted: “You should be hung,”

Patrick will be sentenced at the High Court in Dundee on June 9, 2026.

Hammonds Butchers, located in Bainbridge, Wensleydale, welcomed Prince William as part of a visit focused on rural communities and the challenges facing farmers on Tuesday (May 5).

The future King stopped by the well-known local shop after meeting nearby hill farmers in Swaledale, where he discussed the pressures facing the agricultural industry, including rising costs and the need to diversify.

The Prince of Wales speaks to butchers during a visit to the the village of Bainbridge in North Yorkshire (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

The Prince of Wales during a visit to the the village of Bainbridge (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

The Prince of Wales exiting Hammonds Butchers (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

His visit to Bainbridge also highlighted the importance of small, independent businesses that play a vital role in supporting rural life across the Yorkshire Dales.

During his visit to the butchers, the prince didn’t buy anything but was seen chatting to two staff members behind the counter of the store.

Hammonds Butchers is a familiar name in the village, known for its high-quality meats and its role at the heart of the local community.

Set next to the bridge in Bainbridge, it’s a popular stop for both residents and visitors exploring the surrounding countryside.

The shop’s location makes it an easy addition to a day out in the Dales, with nearby attractions and scenic walks drawing tourists to the area year-round.

Visitors often pass through the village green before stopping at the butchers, which has built a reputation as a reliable spot for locally sourced produce.

During his visit, Prince William spent time speaking with members of the community, including those involved in the River Bain hydroelectric project that has been generating renewable energy for homes in the village since 2011.

He also met well-wishers on the green before heading into Hammonds Butchers, drawing attention to a business that reflects the strong link between Yorkshire’s food producers and its rural communities.

Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945

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Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire between Ukrainian and Russian forces to mark Victory Day. In a post on Truth Social, the United States President also teased this could mean the ‘end to the war’.

The ceasefire will take place in Ukraine after four years of fighting, as The Mirror reports Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945. It was first inaugurated in the 15 republics of the Soviet Union following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945.

The US president said he had asked for a halt in the fighting between May 9 and May 11, thanking leaders Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky for accepting his proposal.

Announcing the news on his social media platform, Trump added: “This Ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each Country. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard fought War.

“Talks are continuing on ending this Major Conflict, the biggest since World War II, and we are getting closer and closer every day.”

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“For years I believed I wasn’t capable. Now I know I can achieve what I put my mind to it.”

After years of believing university was beyond his reach, with the right support in place, including tailored help for his ADHD, Jonathan Breen has transformed not only his career, but also his confidence in his own ability to learn.

Jonathan, 35 and from Belfast, had spent 14 years working in mental health services, beginning as a nursing assistant and supporting patients through some of their most challenging moments.

Inspired by the nurses he worked alongside, he began to consider progressing his career.

READ MORE: ‘Losing my parents young inspired me to a greater calling in caring for others’READ MORE: ‘I had severe postnatal depression and a mum and baby mental health unit is long overdue’

“I loved working in mental health, listening to people’s stories and helping then through difficult times. I saw how nurses were able to offer additional support and guidance.

“It was never about the pay increase. It was about being that person someone could rely on when they felt hopeless,” he said.

But university had always felt out of reach. At school, Jonathan struggled with undiagnosed ADHD and left with just four GCSEs, without English and Maths.

“For years I believed what I had been told growing up, that I wasn’t smart enough for university,” he said. “I assumed it simply wasn’t an option for me.”

That perception began to shift when he saw colleagues successfully studying through The Open University while continuing to work.

Encouraged by their experiences, Jonathan decided to take the first step. He completed additional qualifications in Maths and English to meet entry requirements and applied for the nursing degree.

From the outset, the support he received played a critical role in his success. Studying part-time while working in the health service allowed him to maintain financial stability, but it was the personalised academic and wellbeing support that made the difference.

As Jonathan began to better understand his learning needs, including seeking a formal ADHD diagnosis during his studies, Open University staff worked with him to adapt his approach to learning.

“The flexibility was vital. It allowed me to build a study routine that worked for me and learn in a way that suited how my brain works.”

With guidance from support staff, Jonathan developed strategies to manage focus, structure his time, and approach assignments in a way that aligned with how he processes information.

“The support team gave me a safe place to talk about what I was finding difficult. They helped me realise I wasn’t ‘not smart’, I just learn differently,” he explained.

The ability to study flexibly also allowed him to build routines around his ADHD, fitting learning into his life in ways that felt manageable.

Whether studying during quiet moments at home or joining tutorials remotely while travelling, Jonathan was able to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Balancing work and study was not without its challenges, but with consistent support and a growing belief in his own ability, Jonathan set himself a personal goal: to graduate with a First-Class Honours degree in Mental Health Nursing.

“I didn’t need a first to get a job,” he said. “But I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.” After years of dedication, and with the right support behind him, he achieved exactly that.

Now working as a Band 5 Mental Health Nurse in an inpatient service for older adults, Jonathan’s transition from healthcare assistant to registered nurse was confirmed when he received his Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.

Reflecting on his journey, he says the experience has fundamentally changed how he sees himself: “The degree unlocked confidence in myself that I didn’t know was there.

“For years I believed I wasn’t capable. Now I know I can achieve what I put my mind to it.”

Jonathan hopes his story will resonate with others who may doubt their ability, particularly those with ADHD or other learning differences.

“The biggest thing that holds people back is fear. Fear of failure, fear of judgement, fear of not being good enough. If you’re thinking about doing it, take the opportunity. You might surprise yourself,” he said.

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The cruise ship is currently carrying around 150 stranded passengers and is now travelling to Tenerife

Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency is “continuing to monitor” the Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.

The regional public health organisation said it is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the “evolving situation” associated with the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, which is situated off the coast of Cape Verde.

The cruise ship is currently carrying around 150 stranded passengers and is now travelling to Tenerife, where it is expected to dock on Sunday. It comes as a third British national has suspected hantavirus linked to the cruise ship outbreak.

READ MORE: Rat concerns raised ahead of annual community street partyREAD MORE: Three die on cruise ship amid suspected Hantavirus outbreak as another fights for life

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Public Health Agency said: “The Public Health Agency is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on the evolving situation associated with the MV Hondius.

“We will continue to monitor the situation alongside other agencies and partners. Further information and updates can be found on the UKHSA website at www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak.”

Hantavirus is usually transmitted through breathing in infected rodent urine, faeces or saliva. Although uncommon, human-to-human transmission can occur, potentially causing severe and life-threatening respiratory failure.

The UKHSA said none of the UK citizens on board the ship are currently reporting systems, but they are being closely monitored.

A spokesperson for the UKHSA added: “UK Government staff will be on the ground ready to support the British nationals disembarking.

“British passengers and ship crew not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus will be escorted by UK Government staff to an airport and given free passage back to the UK.”

It said Foreign Office officials and UKHSA teams will continue to support passengers, with a dedicated repatriation flight being organised for passengers and crew.

The statement added: “UKHSA is working with partners to ensure the flight operates under strict infection control measures.

“Public health and infectious disease specialists from UKHSA and the NHS will be on board to monitor British nationals whilst on the flight, to ensure that preventative measures are in place and to provide any care in the unlikely event that any passengers become unwell on the flight.”

The UKHSA said two British nationals have confirmed hantavirus but there is now “an additional suspected case of a British national on Tristan da Cunha”.

The patient remains on the remote South Atlantic island. The other two British nationals remain in hospital in the Netherlands and South Africa.

All British passengers and crew from the ship are being asked to isolate for 45 days upon returning to the UK, with close monitoring by UKHSA officials.

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John Swinney’s party will form the Government again after a resounding victory.

John Swinney has challenged Downing Street after the SNP won a commanding victory at the Holyrood election.

The First Minister, whose party fell short of the majority he said was needed for indyref2, said the UK Government has a “lot of listening to do” after Labour was humbled.

Labour and Reform are still battling it out for second place after Anas Sarwar’s party suffered a terrible defeat.

The SNP victory came after a fractious election campaign which failed to capture the public’s imagination.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s troubles hit Labour hard, boosted Reform and led to the SNP romping to another win.

The SNP picked up seats in Shetland and Eastwood and an overall majority was within touching distance early on Friday afternoon.

But they lost seats to the Greens in Edinburgh Central and Glasgow Southside, as well as to Labour in Na h-Eileanan and to the Lib Dems.

Losing Edinburgh Central meant Swinney’s cabinet colleague Angus Robertson lost his place at Holyrood.

READ MORE: SNP has ‘significant mandate’ for independence referendum and UK Government ‘must not stand in the way’READ MORE: SNP veteran Angus Robertson crashes out of Holyrood after Greens gain Edinburgh Central in historic result

The SNP easily won more seats than any of their rivals but failed to reach the 65 cited by Swinney as the mandate required for a second referendum.

With most of the results announced, the SNP are on 57 MSPs, while Labour and Reform are on 17 and 15 respectively.

The Highlands and Islands List, which is still to declare, will determine who comes second. The Greens are currently on 13 MSPs, with the Tories on 11 and the Lib Dems 9.

Swinney said: “It is now clear that the SNP has won and we have won emphatically.

“Living in a democracy is something that all of us should cherish and I would like thank everyone who voted in this election.

“Once again the people of Scotland have put their trust in us.

“However you voted today, I promise that I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland.

“All of us care about our country’s future.

“I give you my commitment that I will work every day to improve your life and make Scotland the nation we know it can be.”

Swinney also said he wanted a “more cooperative” relationship with the UK Government after a recent “souring”.

He said Labour had been “hammered” at the election and urged Starmer to learn lessons.

He said: “My message to Downing Street tonight is very, very clear. They have got a lot of listening to do.”

The vote for First Minister will take place after MSPs are sworn in later this month, with Swinney set to be re-elected to the top job.

Meanwhile, the surge for Reform UK south of the border was replicated at the Holyrood election.

They came second in a swathe of constituencies and racked up MSPs on the regional lists.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who campaigned to win the election, had a dismal night after losing to the SNP throughout the country.

He set a target of winning 38 constituencies, but only picked up Na h-Eileanan an Iar were squeezed on the regional Lists.

At the election count in Glasgow, where Sarwar was returned as a List MSP, Sarwar said:

“This clearly is a disappointing result for us as a Scottish Labour party. We argued the case for change….it’s an argument we lost.”

Asked if he blamed the Prime Minister, he said: “Is there a national wave though that we tried to overcome, but failed to do so? Yes.”

He was also asked if he would stay in post after leading Labour to two defeats at Holyrood elections:

“My party is hurting. We are disappointed. We advocated for change. We didn’t win that argument, but it’s my job to hold us together and that’s the job I intend to do.”

Scottish Labour’s defeat triggered a blame game between insiders who blasted Starmer and those who pointed the finger at Sarwar’s campaign.

Candidate Paul Sweeney said the Prime Minister needed to think “very carefully” about his position.

He said some of the UK Government decisions had been “deeply, deeply disappointing” for “core voters”.

But a Labour source attacked Sarwar: “Watching Anas’ campaign was like watching someone trying to carry four pints back from the bar – everyone else knew what was going to happen, but he still thought he was making it to the table.”

The Lib Dems picked up constituency wins and the Greens also powered to their best ever result at Holyrood.

Winning Edinburgh Central and Glasgow Southside was the first time the Greens won constituencies at Holyrood.

However, the Tories under Russell Findlay’s leadership had a poor night.

Although they held on to many of their constituencies amid an SNP onslaught, they lost a number of List seats.

Sarwar and Starmer clashed this year after the Scottish Labour leader called for the PM to quit.

The Glasgow MSP was first out the traps last night to write to party members:

“The results today are not what we wanted or worked for and I know how disappointed everyone in our movement will be this evening.

“We tried to make the case for change but sadly we fell short across the constituencies in which we had been fighting so hard.

“We are hurting as a Party tonight and I see it as my job now to hold us together, as we regroup and chart the course ahead.

“I still believe it falls to the Scottish Labour Party to hold the SNP to account and in time deliver the change that our communities and our country need.

“We must also continue to stand together against the poison of Reform and we will do so by staying true to our values.”

Forty minutes later, Starmer also wrote to members:

“This is a really tough result and a difficult day for Scottish Labour. We’ve lost brilliant Labour members of the Scottish Parliament who’ve stood up for their communities and gave so much to our party.

“Today’s results were not the ones we hoped for, but I know that was despite the effort of Scottish Labour members, who knocked on thousands of doors, speaking to voters across Scotland and taking forward our message of change. So I want to say to you, a massive thank you.

“We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Anas for the energy he brought to the campaign. He rightly sought to focus this election on two decades of SNP failure and his vision for a better Scotland and I know he will continue making that case as we move forward from these results.

He added: “I know how much today hurts. As Labour Party leader and Prime Minister, I take my responsibility seriously. When Scottish voters send a message like this, it’s important to reflect and respond.

“The government I lead has always sought to deliver change to all parts of the United Kingdom. But I know people in Scotland are still deeply frustrated. They feel let down by decades of a failed status quo. And their lives aren’t changing fast enough.

“We’ve gone through a tough time as a country – we have weathered economic shocks and international conflict. People have seen incalculable damage to their communities and years of political chaos.

“I was elected to take on those challenges.”