Shaun Murphy has brought a new weapon with him to this World Snooker Championship and it is working very nicely, having reached the final for a fifth time.

The Magician has been brilliant in Sheffield so far, narrowly beating Fan Zhengyi, hammering Xiao Guodong, ousting tournament favourite Zhao Xintong and edging the legend John Higgins.

He is bidding for a second world title 21 years after his first, but Mark Allen stands in his way in the final, with the Northern Irishman looking to win his first World Championship crown.

Allen will have to contend with Murphy’s innovative break-off, which is proving to be a tremendous addition to his arsenal.

The Magician started using an unusual break at the recent Tour Championship, hitting the third red in the pack, rather than the usual break which catches the last red.

He has been reliably leaving the white near the baulk cushion, spreading the reds open, but without leaving a shot to nothing.

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Master tactician Higgins was very impressed with the move, saying: ‘He was just on me all the time and his break-off was just too tough for me to deal with throughout the whole match.’

Asked if players will be copying Murphy, the Scot said: ‘He’ll need to tell us his secret.’

The Magician has revealed how he and coach, former world champion, Peter Ebdon, came up with the unusual break.

They did not invent it, but brought it back to the fore after a long time out of fashion.

‘We both were just in the snooker room at the house a few weeks ago before the Tour Champs and we said, let’s go and do a few hours. I said as we went in, I’m convinced there’s a better shot than the one we’ve been playing for 100 years,’ said Murphy.

‘It’s a hundred years of professional snooker this year and the break-off hasn’t changed.

‘You always leave the standard shot to nothing or you drag one up over the middle. I said to Peter, I’m convinced there’s a better shot in there.

‘I’m not sure my shot is better and it’s certainly not new, Steve Davis was doing that throughout the 80s. The most famous frame of all, the ’85 [World Championship] last frame, that’s how he broke off. I haven’t created anything new.

‘It’s a bit embarrassing when you go in-off or hit the blue or whatever. But it certainly poses a few problems. Since I’ve been doing it I’ve lost one frame from the break-off. So that’s a massive improvement.’

Neil Robertson hasn’t even faced the Murphy break-off, but he has been watching it and likes what he has seen.

‘I think Shaun’s really onto something there with the break-off because it stops all the negative exchange at the start of a frame,’ said the Australian after defeat to John Higgins in the quarter-finals.

‘And you never leave a long red on where it’s a shot to nothing. So that’s something I’m actually excited to work on because I think Shaun’s onto something new for the first time in 40 years of breaking-off differently.’

1997 world champion said on the BBC of the Magician’s new trick: ‘It’s such an aggressive break, but he’s used it to wonderful advantage throughout this championship.

‘John Higgins came to the table, lots of open reds, he played a safety shot, left Shaun a pot and sat in his chair for the rest of the frame. It’s such a wonderful advantage.’

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If you’re constantly exhausted, even when you’ve had a great night’s sleep, then you might be low on iron. 

According to statistics, iron deficiency affects around one third of UK women so supplementing the mineral in your diet can be a great way of boosting your levels.

‘Many young women become iron deficient due to blood loss during periods, dietary choices and busy lifestyles,’ says Kate Cook, nutritionist and founder of The Nutrition Coach. 

‘Fatigue that is not relieved by sleep, dizziness, paleness or hair thinning can all be signs. Iron is crucial for energy and overall wellbeing and if you feel better after taking a supplement, it is usually a sign deficiency was the cause,’ she adds. 

There are many different forms of iron supplements out there, from liquids to tablets, so finding one that works for you and slots into your everyday life is important. 

It’s also worth knowing that your body absorbs iron a lot better when you take it with vitamin C, so something as simple as a glass of orange juice alongside your supplement can help it work harder and get your levels back on track faster. 

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve rounded up a list of the best iron supplements to try now. Just scroll down and take a look…

The 7 Best Iron Supplements:

Spatone Apple Daily Iron Shots + Vitamin C (28 Sachets)

Spatone’s Apple Daily Iron Shots + Vitamin C are a simple and delicious way of topping up your iron levels without upsetting your stomach.

Made with naturally iron-rich water sourced from the Trefriw Wells Spa in Snowdonia, each sachet is paired with vitamin C to help your body absorb the iron more effectively.

Buy Now for £17.85

Vitabiotics Feroglobin Liquid Plus

Designed to restore iron levels, Feroglobin Liquid Plus from Vitabiotics is an easy-to-take liquid that helps support energy when you’re feeling tired or run down.

Using iron and folate to help reduce fatigue and support normal energy release throughout the day, it also contains added vitamin D, Siberian Ginseng and other nutrients that help support overall health.

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Buy Now for £8.85

BlueIron Liquid Iron

If you’re looking to up your iron intake, BlueIron Liquid Iron is a tasty way to help support normal iron levels and reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Each spoonful provides 100% of your recommended daily iron intake to support normal energy release and immune function.

It also contains Nordic blueberry concentrate for flavour and is suitable for vegans and use during pregnancy.

Buy Now for £16

Floradix Iron and Vitamin Tablets (84 Tablets)

If you’re more of a tablet person, Floradix Iron and Vitamin Tablets are a great way to support your iron levels.

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They contain organic iron alongside B vitamins, vitamin C and niacin to support normal energy production and they’re gentle enough for everyday use as well as suitable for before and during pregnancy, breastfeeding mums, children, teens, older adults, and vegans.

Buy Now for £14

BetterYou Iron 10 Daily Oral Spray 25ml

BetterYou Iron 10 Daily Oral Spray is a high-strength iron spray that helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Instead of a tablet, you just spray it into your mouth where it’s absorbed quickly through the inner cheek, making it gentle on the stomach.

Each daily dose gives you 10mg of highly absorbable iron in just 4 sprays with a natural sugar-free pomegranate flavour and no added sugar.

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Holland & Barrett Gentle Iron 20mg (90 Capsules)

If you’re looking for an iron supplement that’s gentle on the stomach try Holland & Barrett’s Gentle Iron 20mg Capsules which use iron bisglycinate, a form that’s easier to digest, along with vitamin C to help improve absorption.

Each capsule provides 20mg of iron to help support energy levels and reduce tiredness and fatigue, while also supporting normal immune and cognitive function.

Buy Now for £9.59

New Leaf Iron Gummies 14mg (60 Gummies)

Gummies are a delicious way of taking supplements and New Leaf Iron Gummies provide a simple daily iron boost with a 14mg high-strength dose per gummy, helping support energy levels and reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Each pack contains 60 gummies for a 1-month supply, and they are vegan and gluten-free.

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Our two England fans fly out of Heathrow on Monday, 15 June with return flights to JFK in New York costing just over £500 each – which is good value.

With the Three Lions’ final group game taking place in New Jersey, it is the most cost-effective way to travel to the US and back, with the first stop being Dallas.

After landing in the States, they pick up a flight to Dallas the same night – this costs £283 per person.

Four nights at the Hampton Inn & Suites Dallas Market Center cost £624 (£156 a night) for a twin.

Double rooms, which are more available in all cities, come in cheaper at the Hilton Dallas Medical District at £560 (£140 a night).

Both properties have breakfast included, meaning Dallas – which also has free shuttle buses from stations to the stadium in Arlington – is an affordable start to the trip.

The England supporters fly to Boston on Friday, 19 June with the fare £378 each.

Boston is at the other end of the scale as one of the more expensive host cities for accommodation.

Our couple stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center, costing £1,650 (£330 a night), including breakfast, for five nights.

The cheapest twin-bed option in the city itself is £2,041 (£408 a night) without breakfast at the Courtyard Boston Downtown/North Station.

It is possible to book a hotel near the airport £500 cheaper but with five days in the city, it may not be worth the saving.

With England’s third game being in New Jersey, there is no need to take a flight. The supporters can hop on the Amtrak train to New York on Wednesday, 24 June with tickets £42 each.

Unlike in Boston, there are still lots of hotel options in New York with a five-night stay before the flight home on 29 June.

A double at the Truss Hotel Times Square costs £1,184 (£237 a night) while a twin at the AMTD Idea Tribeca Hotel is £1,275 (£255 a night).

This time, however, you will need to head out for breakfast.

But the last two games come with a sting – train tickets to the stadiums cost £59 per person from Boston and £114 from New York.

Just to get to the States and travel around, the estimated costs for two friends are £6,273 and for a couple £5,855.

And what of the family? It is going to cost £9,008 to get to the States, get around and put your heads down.

Costs are helped by some hotels offering free stays for children.

In Dallas, the Comfort Inn Dallas Medical-Market Center costs £627 (£156 a night).

The same Hampton Inn is used in Boston with a higher cost of £1,763 (£353 a night).

Over in New York, the Holiday Inn in Times Square costs £1,589 (£318 a night).

Great Barugh – a few miles north-west of Malton on the road to Kirkbymoorside and about 25 miles north of York – is home to a handful of streets and a scattering of farms.

Small as it is, it has been on the map for centuries: it appears in the Domesday Book and has links to both Roman Britain and the great age of coaching roads.

Roland Coates, landlord of the Golden Lion in 1978, promoting a ‘Guess the number of seeds in a pomegranate’ competition to raise funds for a senior citizens Christmas party. Photo: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Today it’s the kind of place most people flash through on the way to the A170, without realising the layers of history in the surrounding fields.

Yet for all its quiet, one thing continues to trip visitors up: how on earth do you pronounce it?

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So how do you say Great Barugh?

At first glance, “Barugh” looks like it should rhyme with “Bar-oo” or “Barg”, and many first‑timers have a go at something like “Bar-uff”, “Bar-oo” or even “Bar-rogue”.

Locals, however, tend to settle on something simpler: “Great BAR-uh” or “Great BAR-uff” – or ‘BAR-f’ to the untrained ear – with the “gh” effectively disappearing and the final vowel almost swallowed.

As with many Yorkshire place‑names, there is room for variation from family to family as records over the centuries show several forms of the name – often closer to “Barug” or “Baruch” – all pointing back to an older word – ‘berg’ – for a hill or mound.

A van negotiating the flooded road near Great Barugh after a water main burst in January 1983. Photo: Newsquest

What is Great Barugh known for?

Great Barugh’s story stretches back at least to Domesday, when it and nearby Little Barugh were recorded as small but valuable farming settlements on the higher ground above the River Derwent.

Their position gave good views across the valley and relatively dry land compared with the wetter low ground towards Malton and the river.

Mike and Sarnia Stanyon, left, with Bill and Sue Monkman, in July 1989, after taking over the Golden Lion. Photo: Newsquest

Long before that, the Romans were here. Archaeologists have found evidence of a Roman villa and a camp in the area, and a Roman road is believed to have passed close by, linking Malton’s fort with sites on the Moors.

In the centuries that followed, agriculture shaped Great Barugh. Fields were enclosed and farmsteads expanded. Unlike some villages that have become commuter hubs, Great Barugh has retained its farming feel through the patterns of fields and lanes.

Chief among the village buildings is its 17th-century coaching-style pub, The Golden Lion, that dates back to 1632. Low‑beamed and traditional, it stands close to the main road and has long provided a stopping‑off point between Malton and the western fringe of the Moors. For many visitors it was their only direct contact with the place: a Sunday lunch or an evening pint, coupled with that sense of being “out in the country”.

A field opposite the pub is classed as an ancient monument with some grounds for belief that it was a Roman cemetery or settlement.

In 1998, The Golden Lion, Great Barugh, raised £500 for St Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough. Pictured, L-R, Landlord Martin Hawkins, St Catherine’s Fundraiser Jackie Hutchinson and Landlady Jane Hawkins.

Written records show it belonged to the Swales family from the 1840s to the 1870s, with a John Skelton, who was also a butcher, taking over as landlord from 1890 to 1900. His ancestors included Mrs Martha Skelton who, according to 1903 records, applied for an hour’s extension of opening times one day a year for the benefit of the village club feast which involved a march to the church and back to the inn, with band and banners, for speeches, toasts and a meal provided by Martha.

In more recent times, the pub was well placed for custom from nearby villages and racing stables, with Press archives from the 1980s and 1990s showing that it was also a base for clubs such as The Derwent Beagles and Ryedale Hare Coursing Club.

A Victorian parish church, built in the 19th century, adds to the village skyline.

All of this sits at a crossroads of routes: minor roads that lead towards Kirkbymoorside, Pickering and Malton, and lanes that thread out into Ryedale’s farms.

In recent years even the peloton has found its way here, with world‑class riders passing through the village that once hosted Roman traffic – stage one of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire came through Malton and then out via Amotherby to Great Barugh, before swinging towards the Dalby/Pickering section.

Why you might visit Great Barugh?

People tend to know – or stumble across – Great Barugh for a few reasons.

Some come for the drive itself. The road out of Malton towards Kirkbymoorside runs through lovely countryside, with Great Barugh as one of the natural places to break a journey.

Others arrive for the walking and cycling. From Great Barugh you can fan out on footpaths and minor roads towards the Derwent, up towards the Moors or across to villages nearer Malton.

There is also the historical draw for anyone interested in Roman Yorkshire; for those who enjoy old pubs and village churches, it offers a stop on a slow tour of Ryedale. And for near-locals, it is simply one of those names that pops up on weather forecasts and road‑closure notices, prompting the occasional “How do you say that again?”

Small it may be, but Great Barugh’s name, layered landscape and unhurried crossroads give it a quiet appeal – however you choose to pronounce it.

WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: Chris Watts killed his pregnant wife Shanann and their two daughters, Bella and Cece, in a brutal murder that shocked the world – and he detailed his crimes in chilling prison letters

Family killer Chris Watts outlined murdering his family in chilling letters from prison and disclosed he needed two attempts to kill his own daughters.

Writing to author Cheryln Cadle from the Dodge Correctional Institution, Wisconsin, in the US, Watts described how he had been “thinking about killing” his wife for weeks, as reported by the Mail.

Infamously, Watts murdered his wife Shannan, 34, and suffocated his two daughters Bella, four, and Cece, three.

He later buried Shannan at a workplace approximately 40 miles away, before dumping his daughters’ bodies in crude oil tanks.

The offences horrified locals and people globally as they became notorious, particularly when the Netflix documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door was released.

Watts suffocated his daughters unsuccessfully before turning to his wife, saying “her eyes filled with blood”.

He recounted how he remembers her face “getting all black with streaks of mascara”.

In a letter, Watts writes: “August 13, morning of, I went to the girls’ room first, before Shanann and I had our argument.

“I went to Bella’s room, then Cece’s room and used a pillow from their bed (to kill them).”

“That’s why the cause of death was smothering. After I left Cece’s room, then I climbed back in bed with Shanann and our argument ensued.”

Shockingly, his two daughters awoke and trailed him around the house while he handled Shannan’s body.

She was pregnant at the time of her murder.

They were eventually killed at the site of their temporary burial, where “Bella is the only one that put up a fight” as “she knew I was killing her”.

The jailed killer disclosed: “After Shannan had passed, Bella and Cece woke back up. I’m not sure how they woke back up, but they did.”

“Bella’s eyes were bruised and both girls looked like they had been through trauma.”

While disposing of Shannan’s remains, Chris, who craved a fresh start with his clandestine girlfriend Nicole Kessinger, confessed he remained furious with Shannan following her death and saw she had delivered their baby post-mortem.

He said: “When I dug the hole, it seemed a lot deeper than it was. As I pulled on the sheet she rolled out and into the hole.

“I think she had given birth. She landed face down, I remember being so angry with her that I was not going to change how she landed.”

Previously regarded as a respectable family man, killer Watts tried to mask his appalling crimes – but managed to sustain the charade for merely days before police caught up with him.

He first insisted the killings were spontaneous, before subsequently admitting that he had planned them in advance, including remembering the moment he was tucking his two daughters into bed for the last time.

Watts revealed: “August 12 when I finished putting the girls to bed, I walked away and said ”That’s the last time I’m going to be tucking my babies in.””.

“I knew what was going to happen the day before and I did nothing to stop it.”

ITV gardener Alan Titchmarsh revealed what inspired him to take on a new career venture, following a recent change to his working schedule

Alan Titchmarsh has embarked on a fresh chapter in his extensive career – though it comes with a touch of apprehension. Best recognised for his horticultural knowledge, the 76-year-old is also a seasoned writer with multiple books under his belt. For his 13th fiction work, the gardener is venturing into a different genre – murder mystery.

Inspired by a transatlantic voyage on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, the novel is scheduled for publication next year.

Describing how the concept emerged, he said: “There were about 30 of us, writers and journalists, on board for a literature festival and one of the authors said to me, ‘Alan, you’ve never written crime, come on, it’s time you did’. The seed was sown then.”

Despite his excitement, Alan confessed he does harbour some worries about how the book will be received. Speaking to Yours Magazine, he said: “I have no doubt holes will be picked in my plot, but I have thoroughly enjoyed writing it. The characters are interesting and there’s a bit of humour. I never write things terribly, terribly serious.”

The fresh project follows his announcement of plans to reduce his working commitments in order to achieve a better balance between professional duties and family time.

According to Woman’s Weekly, he now avoids working on Fridays and occasionally Mondays, allowing for a more flexible schedule on his own terms.

As part of this transition, he has set up a YouTube channel, where he offers gardening guidance, advice and demonstrations from his own home. “It’s had millions of views,” he told Yours.

“It’s amazing. I think YouTube’s great strength is that it’s an intimate medium. One person has got you in their hand rather than a screen with a room and a country full of people watching it.”

Welcoming viewers to his channel, he said: “I’ve been a gardener for over 60 years and I can safely say that gardening is one of life’s greatest joys, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

“Whether you have green fingers or just starting out with your very first window box, join me in my garden for practical tips, step-by-step guides, and plenty of friendly advice to help you make the most of your garden – large or small.

“So pop the kettle on, pull up a chair (or a trowel!), and join me each week as we celebrate the wonderful world of gardening together,” he added.

In a recent episode, Alan offered timely guidance on spring gardening tasks, emphasising it as the perfect opportunity to address lawns that have been damaged by winter moss.

He further noted that gardeners ought to turn their attention to pricking out seedlings, sowing vegetable seeds, planting hardy perennials, and introducing cherry trees into their outdoor spaces.

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh airs Sundays at 9.30am on ITV and ITVX

Cody Gakpo’s stunning girlfriend Noa van der Bij has her own huge following on social media where she posts about her life of luxury

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo will have the backing of his stunning girlfriend Noa van der Bij when the Reds face Manchester United on Sunday. Arne Slot’s side head to Old Trafford with the winger expected to feature in the starting line-up as Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike remain unavailable through injury.

While it has been a difficult campaign for the 26-year-old, who has managed just eight goals this term, Noa’s potential attendance could provide a boost in a fixture where he’s found the net four times.

The Dutch pair are believed to have been an item since at least December 2020, during Gakpo’s spell at PSV Eindhoven, with their relationship seeing them relocate to Merseyside following his £45million transfer in 2022.

Understood to be employed by Cachet Models as a booker, the blonde beauty also boasts a considerable social media presence with more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shares glimpses of her luxurious holidays.

She has soaked up the sun in destinations including Saint Tropez, Monaco, Ibiza and Curacao, with numerous posts featuring her son, Samuël Seth Gakpo, whom the couple welcomed in May 2024.

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In Noa’s most recent picture-perfect carousel from last month, she documented a private jet journey with Gakpo and their son, as well as a pilates class with several friends.

Among those showering her posts with heart emojis are the likes of Saffie Khan, partner of Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, and Marina Reijnders, wife of Manchester City star Tijani Reijnders.

Ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering encounter, Gakpo’s finest moment in a fixture against Manchester United arrived during Liverpool’s stunning 7-0 demolition at Anfield in 2023, when he netted twice.

He achieved this with Noa watching from the stands, revelling in his breath-taking display. Gakpo’s double against the Red Devils came just over a year after joining Liverpool, who edged out United to land his signature in the January transfer window of 2022.

The 13-time Premier League champions – who were managed at the time by Erik ten Hag – reportedly held talks with Gakpo’s representatives during that winter window in a bid to secure the Dutchman’s services.

Yet it was Jurgen Klopp who ultimately triumphed in his pursuit of Gakpo, who has since gone on to claim every domestic honour at Liverpool with Noa at his side. He will be desperate for history to repeat itself on Sunday – only this time at Old Trafford.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.