Chalk controversy has descended upon the Crucible, as Neil Robertson calls for a ban on the brand used by Ronnie O’Sullivan.

It is an intensely nerdy snooker debate, but one that has changed the game in recent years since the rise to prominence of chalk brand Taom.

The Finnish company has become the preferred chalk brand of almost every player on the professional tour, but not the most famous.

O’Sullivan has remained loyal to Triangle, the more traditional chalk manufacturer, which used to be used by the majority of players.

Most have moved over to Taom as it produces fewer kicks (unwanted poor contact between balls) and does not embed in the cloth as much as Triangle.

Looking at snooker matches now, there are far fewer chalk marks on the cloth, in fact they have been largely eradicated.

Are you snooker loopy?

You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro.

In my new newsletter, The Table, I’ll be analysing the biggest talking points, breaking down frames and crowning the week’s winners and losers every Monday.

Advertisement

The World Championship is here, so there’s no better time to sign up.

O’Sullivan still uses it, though, as he did in defeat to John Higgins on Monday, but Roberson wants to see it banned from the sport.

‘Ban that crap, please!’ Robertson said after beating Chris Wakelin in the second round of the World Championship. ‘All the players hate it, it destroys the game. You get kicks, you get bounces. Not only that, it makes an absolute mess of the table.

‘I know he [O’Sullivan] is good friends with Damien Hirst, but it’s like he’s doing artwork with chalk all over the cloth.

‘I don’t think he does it to put off anyone, he’s not that way inclined at all, but it’s not great. It’s hard enough to play Ronnie O’Sullivan, but he’s the only player, just about, on tour who uses that chalk. Hopefully they bring in a ban, but there’s only a couple of players who use it.’

Asked if he will genuinely raise a ban as a possibility, he said: ‘It’s something to bring up, because it can really ruin the game.

‘It’s not really fair for the players who aren’t using it. It can be used tactically if someone wanted to, which I don’t think should be allowed in the game.

‘Shaun [Murphy] and I were just having a littler chuckle about it, we would love to see it removed from the face of the Earth. Even snooker clubs are banning it! Why are we using it?’

Higgins edged O’Sullivan 13-12 earlier on Monday in a superb Crucible contest between two snooker legends.

The Wizard of Wishaw was not going as far as calling for a ban, but said it was an added challenge of facing the Rocket.

‘I’m just delighted I came to the party in the third session, because the first two sessions, how I was only 9-7 behind, I’ll never know,’ said Higgins after coming from behind to beat O’Sullivan.

‘Ronnie was by far the better player, his cue ball was amazing and that’s what sort of makes you just feel inferior sometimes, when his cue ball is so much better and I’m scrapping about.

‘But there are circumstances why that is because we all know he uses the other chalk and different things, so that’s what makes the table play a little bit bouncy and it’s all messy and different things, so it’s tough to play against, but you’ve just got to try and get it out of your mind.’

Asked if the chalk is an unfair advantage for the Rocket, Higgins said: ‘Listen, I know as players we speak about it. Why wouldn’t you take the advantage when you have got a better cue ball control than every other player?

‘So why wouldn’t you have that advantage? Because if you’re going in at a level playing field, everybody’s using the same chalk, no chalk marks, everything, it maybe gives players more chance of beating them.

‘Now, that’s what people do in every sport, they try to use the little advantage. I don’t know, you’d obviously have to ask Ronnie’s real feelings about that, about using old chalk. I think, yeah, who knows?’

MORE: Mark Selby slams Crucible conditions in ‘pathetic’ World Snooker Championship exit

MORE: Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘had flight booked for morning of John Higgins defeat’

MORE: Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘not the same player’ as John Higgins closes in at the Crucible

“This has been a challenging and complex process, but after months of hard work, on the principles and parameters of a deal, I believe a new, improved offer can be made and terms can be put in place that addresses the ballpark issues discussed at Acas, that Unite members can agree in order to end the strike once and for all.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) is in the running for the Trust of the Year – 10 schools or more category at the Tes Schools Awards, which celebrates outstanding contributions to education.

Winners will be revealed at a ceremony in London on June 19, hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan.

Lee Wilson, CEO of OGAT, said: “I am incredibly proud that we have been named as a finalist in this year’s Tes Schools Awards.

“This isn’t just an accolade for our family of schools as an organisation, but a celebration of our teachers, leaders, support staff and governors who work with such passion to transform lives.

“To be recognised alongside the very best in the UK is a wonderful validation of the inspiring work happening across all our academies.”

The Tes Schools Awards recognise excellence across both the state and independent education sectors throughout the UK.

The awards are free to enter and open to schools in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The awards include 23 categories covering all aspects of school life, from leadership and teaching to pupil outcomes and wellbeing.

Rod Williams, CEO of Tes, said: “This year’s shortlist showcases the exceptional standard of entries across the Tes Schools Awards, reflecting the breadth of impact being delivered in UK education.

“Each category highlights schools and individuals who are not only driving meaningful change within their own settings, but also setting a benchmark for the wider sector.

“The Tes Schools Awards are designed to recognise and elevate this work, celebrating those making a measurable difference to pupils, staff and communities across the UK – and with a record number of nominations received this year, it clearly reinforces the strength and impact being delivered across the UK education sector.”

The judging panel, made up of experienced school leaders and education specialists, selected finalists.

This year’s awards scheme is supported by Amazon Web Services, which is sponsoring the Best Use of Technology category.

Two new categories have been introduced for 2026: Teacher Development of the Year and Pupil Enrichment School of the Year, highlighting the growing emphasis on professional development and enriching the broader student experience.

Mr Wilson said the nomination was a testament to the trust’s collective efforts.

He said: “This isn’t just an accolade for our family of schools as an organisation, but a celebration of our teachers, leaders, support staff and governors who work with such passion to transform lives.”

The awards will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.

The posts feature a disclaimer that describes each video as an “illustrative AI scene”. In the original posts however, this was only mentioned at the end of the caption, which in many cases was only visible if users clicked “see more”. It is therefore possible some voters may have watched these videos without seeing any warning that they are not real.

The image submitted was used to promote Swift’s Disney+ docuseries The End Of An Era, and was described in the court filing as: “Taylor Swift holding a pink guitar, with a black strap and wearing a multi-colored iridescent bodysuit with silver boots. She is standing on a pink stage in front of a multi-coloured microphone with purple lights in the background.”

Bernard Mbusu, Isaac Kinoti Kobia, Evans Muthengi Mutaki and Kelvin Mwangi Njoroge previously appeared in court over the murder of Dunfermline businessman Campbell Scott.

Four suspects in the brutal murder of a Scots businessman, whose decomposing body was found in a sack of pineapples in Kenya, are set to go on trial accused of the violent robbery of another man.

Campbell Scott, from Dunfermline in Fife, was discovered dead with his hands bound in the Makongo forest 60 miles from Nairobi, Kenya, after he went missing from his hotel last February.

The suspects, Bernard Mbusu, Isaac Kinoti Kobia, Evans Muthengi Mutaki and Kelvin Mwangi Njoroge were apprehended at Ideal Apartments, Ukunda in the west African country. They appeared in court earlier this month over the 58-year-old’s murder.

The men have now pled not guilty in a separate case where they are accused of attacking an American man on April 11 at an apartment block in Mombasa. They allegedly stole cash worth around £4,000 as well as a laptop, mobile phone and jewellery worth about £1,100, reports the BBC.

The four men could be released on bail of £5,700 and are due to return to court on May 27. The charges are not linked to the separate investigation into the murder of Campbell Scott.

Police have not commented on the status of the investigation into Scott’s death, and whether the four men remain suspects in the case.

Mr Scott was a senior director at the credit scoring firm FICO and had travelled to Nairobi for a conference prior to his disappearance. He went missing after failing to meet with colleagues to deliver a presentation at the JW Marriott Hotel in the city’s Westlands area.

Mr Scott was known to have visited the Havana nightclub the previous evening. He had been taken to a property in the Pipeline area. His body was later discovered in a pineapple sack with his hands bound.

Kenyan police asked Interpol to help track Mr Scott’s mobile phone and debit and credit card transactions. Previously, a spokesperson for the National Police Service of Kenya described the death as a “heinous, heinous crime” and said it is an “intricate and complex” investigation being led by the country’s homicide unit.

Following the grim discovery of Mr Scott’s body, his workplace Fico said the company was “devastated by this tragic news”. They added: “We mourn his passing and will miss his humour and kindness.”

Mr Scott’s partner, Simon Farrar, previously paid tribute to him. He said: “Campbell really was once in a lifetime and touched many people in many ways. People said everyone should have a Campbell in their life. His generosity was there for everyone. No matter what situation you were in, he was the first to offer help.

“If you needed money he would give you his last penny. He was the absolute love of my life and we made memories I’ll cherish forever. A friend once said ‘where there’s a Campbell, there’s a Simon’. Now there’s just me and the memories. He’s left a huge hole in everyone’s lives that can never be filled.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE

The Treasury Whitby is set to open in June at 4 Baxtergate in the restored former Grade II-listed HSBC building, promising a new premium hospitality experience to the town.

The initial recruitment drive has seen 25 roles created across a range of positions, from front-of-house and bar staff to supervisors and operational roles.

However, the team is still actively recruiting, with a number of vacancies currently open ahead of launch.

RECOMMENDED READING:
The Treasury bar in Whitby to partner with Whitby Distillery

Further job creation is also planned in the coming months, as The Treasury prepares to introduce its full food offering, which will significantly expand the team.

The Treasury Whitby will initially open for drinks only, allowing for exceptional service from day one, before it expands into offering food later in the year.

As a family-led business, The Treasury Whitby says it is committed to investing in people as much as the building itself.

Mark Appleton, General Manager of The Treasury Whitby, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have already created 25 jobs ahead of opening, and it’s been fantastic to see such strong interest from the local community.

“This is just the beginning, as we introduce our full food offering, we’ll be creating even more opportunities. We’re building a team that shares our passion for hospitality, and we’re excited to welcome more people to be part of The Treasury’s journey.”

For more information on the roles available go tot: https://thetreasurywhitby.co.uk/recruitment/

For more information on the venue, visit www.thetreasurywhitby.co.uk or follow @thetreasurywhitby on social media.

Virgin Island series 2 has returned to Channel 4, with cast members required to follow a strict set of rules during filming

Virgin Island has returned with a fresh series launching tonight (April 27).

The Channel 4 programme follows 12 adult virgins participating in a distinctive intimacy retreat where they receive practical sexual guidance from specially qualified therapists, including sexological bodyworkers and sex surrogates.

This second series has been described as “bigger, bolder and even more transformative” and features an enlarged team of specialists, now incorporating a BDSM coach, reports the Daily Star.

Channel 4’s synopsis reveals: “Twelve new young people arrive on the island, each struggling with intimacy anxiety. This time, they know what the course offers and are determined to make the most of it.

Advertisement

“But Celeste and Danielle, backed by an expanded team of sex therapists, have surprises that push them to confront their sexual issues-from religious shame and online bullying to body image anxiety. The experts also tackle sexual disorders on the rise among young people, such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and vaginismus.

“With many scared of intimate touch, will anyone fall in love, fall into bed, or even lose their virginity? The results are remarkable – more life-changing than ever before.”

As this latest series begins, audiences might be curious about the regulations governing the programme, particularly considering how hands-on things can get.

Mobile phones are prohibited

This probably won’t surprise viewers too much, as the cast are filmed surrendering their mobile phones immediately upon arriving at the lavish private Obonjan Island Resort in Croatia.

Yet, it emerges that the phone prohibition extends beyond filming periods, meaning the cast cannot access their devices for the entire duration of production. Series 2 required slightly over three weeks to complete, with the participants only receiving their phones back on the vessel returning home.

Speaking about the restriction, Series 2 star Millie explained: “You can’t have them [phones] for the three and a bit weeks when you arrive on the island, and it’s good in a way because you’re there to focus on you and you’ve got no social media.

“You’ve just got no negativity to look back on. So we only got it back once the therapy had finished and we were on the boat back to the airport.”

One telephone call is permitted weekly

Advertisement

While their mobile phones are confiscated, the cast are permitted one telephone conversation per week with a family member or loved one during filming breaks.

Series 2’s Ed remembered: “We nominated a person who we’d want to talk to – I said my mum – and when we had a down day we’d get the opportunity to speak to them.

“It was really nice, but I think because everyone was so nice and I felt comfortable with everyone, I didn’t feel like I needed that phone call because I felt I had a support group with me.”

They must remain out of each other’s rooms

Each of the Virgin Island cast members receives their own room, which Millie described as being “big enough to fit a family of four in.”

Despite their generous living quarters, cast members are strictly forbidden from entering one another’s rooms. However, Ed acknowledged this rule was “easy enough to follow” given they spent as many as 15 hours together each day during filming.

The cast did push the boundaries somewhat by socialising on each other’s patios well into the early hours.

No contact with the therapists after the show

Season 1 participant Dave, who lost his virginity to sex surrogate Kat Slade on the programme, confirmed that ongoing contact with the therapists was not permitted.

In a 2025 interview with the Daily Mail following his appearance on the show, Dave revealed he was forbidden from maintaining contact with Kat. He revealed: “It was explained very clearly to us that you don’t stay in touch after – it’s sort of two weeks, and that’s it and then you move on.

“It’s not easy to just detach from feelings, but I think it’s an important lesson of it to like have those feelings and then let go of them, which probably is one of the most important lessons.”

Virgin Island airs Mondays and Tuesday nights from 9pm on Channel 4.

Emergency services worked for around two hours to tackle the blaze at a residential property on Lightbounds Road in Bolton.

Fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels, a positive pressure ventilation fan and a gas monitor to extinguish the fire.

The teenager was taken to hospital by ambulance crews.

Circumstances around the cause or nature of the fire are unclear at this time and we will provide updates as we have them.

The fire broke out on Lightbounds Road Bolton this evening, Monday, April 27 (Image: supplied)

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 6.30pm this evening (Monday 27th April), three fire engines from Bolton Central, Bolton North, and Horwich fire station were called to reports of a building fire involving a property on Lightbounds Road, Bolton.

 “Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels, a positive pressure ventilation fan and a gas monitor to extinguish the fire.

“A 13-year-old boy was taken to hospital by colleagues from North West Ambulance Service. Firefighters were in attendance for around two hours.”

We have contacted Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) for more information.

Belfast Live reached out to PSNI for comment.

A police spokesman said: “Road users are advised the M1 heading eastbound at its Blacks Road junction, Antrim is closed at the junction 6 off-slip due to a concern for safety in the area. “Please avoid the area at this time – and seek an alternative route for your journey.”