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There are themes to every motor show – themes that often revolve around the latest technology, geopolitical matters and the financial climate.
At this year’s China Auto show – held in the massive China International Exhibition Centre in Beijing (it alternates with Shanghai) – the talk was all about AI and robotics. And robotics, of course, also includes the tech that powers driverless cars.
This show is on another level in terms of scale. Its 380,000 square metres – using the international measurement of area – equate to around 53 full-size football pitches, making it difficult to cover in a day, but I gave it my best shot.
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As well as looking at the cars, it’s a great time to catch up with the people running the car companies. I took the opportunity to ask them why China matters to you and me as car buyers, and what effect it has on established car makers.
Jose Munoz is the President and CEO of Hyundai and was announcing a huge push for his brand in China. Hyundai was once big in China – not anymore. Munoz’s plan is to make Hyundai big again. But does what he sees and learns, and what Hyundai does in China, benefit the wider business and customers around the world?
“When you come here to China and you just spend time, this is a different market,” Munoz told me. “It’s a market that has grown a lot, where young consumers get access to a lot of new technologies, then connect with the entire world, with a lot of the different ecosystems.
“Then there are technologies that are here that are not in other markets and behaviours that are here that are different than in other markets. Then you can develop autonomous driving systems that are very suitable for those markets – let’s call it US or Europe. Now you come to China and there are more people with different priorities, with different objectives in that particular day. Then you just walk around and you see people walking differently, and then you face people who are running, other people who are on bicycles, other people are in cars, and it’s way more complex.
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“No doubt, when you have an autonomous driving system that operates successfully here, that system is productively easy to adapt to other markets, but not the other way around. This is very, very unique.
“Also, the Chinese consumer is very demanding on software and technology because what other people do in other countries in their homes, in this country a lot of people do in their cars.
“Cars are a space where people spend time and work, and where they want to have a good quality of video or, let’s say, online series or music, or relax or whatever. So then it makes that space so special – it’s not just a commuting space, it’s a living space.
“These are all elements that help us extrapolate.”
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The speed of development in China is also changing how Hyundai and other car companies work. “When you utilise certain technologies in China, people are used to it being immediate,” said Munoz. “In other countries, people didn’t have the technology – now they have it. If you are slow, it’s okay. But in this market, you need to be fast.”
Chinese companies’ ability to keep costs down is also inspiring Munoz, as he explained. “So there are many, many elements that are exportable, but the most important element that is exportable is affordability. We want more for less as people, right? I want to get access to as much as possible with the least payment. Because China is so competitive, if you’re able to compete in China, you can export that to another market.”
After chatting with Munoz, I caught up with Mathias Geisen, sales and marketing boss for German giant Mercedes-Benz. He echoed many of Munoz’s views, but specifically mentioned how autonomous driving developments in China are shaping the rest of the car world.
“China has very demanding customers, especially when it comes to entertainment and when it comes to technology itself,” said Geisen. “The customers here in China are definitely younger than the ones we have in Europe, and what we learn here is something which will also be very present in Europe and the rest of the world, because there may be a demand here for Level Two+ [autonomous driving], which we are all aware of, but not yet in Europe.
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“Of course it will happen in Europe as well, because as soon as people realise that there is a superior technology available, they also want to have it.
“Basically, it speeds up a lot of things we do. This is why we also have an R&D hub here – to make sure that we stay on top of it and that we can keep innovating. This strong competition you have over here triggers an increasing speed of innovating what you’re doing. So I would say it’s beneficial.
“For example, Level Two+. We are now the only ones able to offer it in combustion engines because it was driven from here with our team here, with our local partner Momentum and with NVIDIA – now we do it for the rest of the world.
“So I would say if you’re competitive in China, you’re very well set up for the rest of the world. And when it comes to features like autonomous driving and digitisation, the customers here are the most demanding ones.”
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To get a very different perspective, my next long-distance, cross-hall walk took me to one of China’s big players – a corporation called GAC, standing for Guangzhou Automobile Group. Of its many brands, Aion is the newest arrival in the UK, and leading the charge as general manager is experienced UK car (and dealer) boss Jon Wakefield.
I met with AION’s UK general manager, Jon Wakefield, who showed me some of the cars coming to the UK (Steve Fowler)
It’s always strange to travel over 5,000 miles to chat with someone who’s based 40 miles up the road (we have met more locally, too), but Jon was keen to show me around the Aion stand and highlight a couple of other cars likely to head to the UK wearing Aion badges, including the S7 plug-in hybrid SUV that’s set for the UK, and another SUV, the S600, which to my eyes has a whiff of Porsche Macan about it but would cost a fraction of the price.
I asked Wakefield for his view on China and its importance to UK consumers.
“This is where the innovation, the development and the ability to build cars to a price come from,” he said. “This is the centre of it all.”
Even on the GAC stand, the scale of the organisation – and the opportunity for cars to come to the UK – is huge, as Wakefield told me: “The array of product is quite a lot to take in for us. Yes, we do have to choose the right car for the UK market. And within this sweet shop there are some really good models that are absolutely appealing for the UK consumer.
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“The Aion V is, of course, the first one that’s coming, and then there’s the S7 over there, which is a hybrid SUV that really suits the UK fascination for a proper high SUV. We’ll be bringing that into market next year.
“But it’s not just about the shape, the touch and the fit – it’s about the powertrains as well. I’m really interested in how we could bring range extender technology to the UK because I think there’s a real logic to that. Plug-in hybrid is more ICE and a bit of battery, while the range extender is more battery with a little bit of ICE. So it’s the next step – it still gives you that confidence to be able to go on a long journey.”
With the proliferation of new brands on show in Beijing, including more heading to the UK, Wakefield is mindful of the need for focus.
“I think one of the observations I would make now – and I think it’s becoming quite evident in the Chinese market – is there are too many brands, too many car lines, and the confusion that creates for the consumer is manifest. But also, in terms of how you build the trust and reputation of a brand, it’s very complex. There are lots of words being thrown around on size and trust and reliability and so on. People have to make their own minds up.
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“For me, our direction is to stick to one brand and then pull the other car lines in to sit within that brand.”
What’s clear out here is that there are definite areas where China is working hard to lead. I’ve just had a conversation with Chery chairman Yin Tongyue about his brand’s AiMoga humanoid robots – designed to support us humans and with plenty of learnings to take from the AI and autonomous technologies his cars are already using. He’s clearly keeping a watchful eye on what Elon Musk and Tesla are doing with robots, too.
Whatever your views on Chinese cars, they’re helping to raise standards and bring useful technology to every car – and I reckon that’s a good thing. You may have your own views and, as usual, I’d be delighted to hear them. Please drop me a line by hitting the email button below.
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Odegaard started the first leg but was withdrawn early in the second half before missing Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham.
Havertz, meanwhile, has missed the Gunners’ last two games after picking up an injury during their 1-0 win over Newcastle.
But the pair could be in line to return to the starting lineup at the Emirates on Tuesday as Arsenal bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006
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‘They’re available, in the squad both of them,’ Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference.
‘It’s great. We need options, we need the capacity to play different games tomorrow, whether it’s from the start or after.
‘It’s really, really good news for us to have them both back.’
Kai Havertz is poised to return to Arsenal’s matchday squad (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal, though, will still be without Jurrien Timber as his frustrating end to the season continues.
Havertz’s return to fitness could leave Arteta with a selection conundrum at the top of the pitch given Viktor Gyokeres’ impressive performances in the last week.
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The Swede scored Arsenal’s goal in the first leg from the spot and notched a brace at the weekend against Fulham.
Bukayo Saka also impressed against Fulham and looks poisedto start again on Tuesday, having been brought off at half-time on Saturday to manage his comeback from an injury.
On Saka’s return to fitness, Arteta added: ‘Great, that’s what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition – the players not only to be available, but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference, and Bukayo will certainly give us that.’
Revealing how filming Death in Paradise inspired his new book, A Plot to Die For, Ardal said: “I did 24 episodes. It must have been at least 30 murders. I didn’t even have to read the script, I knew who did it.”
Ardal went on: “When I was there I was always trying to dream up imaginative kind of murders.” Although he then said he “loves” the show, Ardal made a savage swipe at it’s storylines.
“But you would be thinking to yourself, ‘have we not done this plot before?’ You know, someone falling off a balcony again!” as his co-stars and show hosts laughed along with him.
Ardal was previously asked whether Jack Mooney leaving the show was a mutual decision. He told the Mirror: “From day one, it was always going to be like three series.
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“As it turned out, I ended up doing part of a fourth series as well, before the handover to Ralf Little’s character [Neville Parker]. So to be honest with you, like you just wouldn’t be fit to do any more than that.”
He added: “It’s very gruelling, and you’re away from home for a very long time. So, you know, that was always the plan, and there was really very little that was going to change my mind about that.”
Ardal also went on to say that he believes the reason for the show’s success is the constant rotation of detectives. He stated: “I think the secret of the show’s success is constantly changing the lead detective, you know, before people get bored with them.”
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What’s more, despite enduring “very harsh” weather conditions during filming of the show, Ardal branded the experience a “lovely job to do”.
Legendary jazz club Ronnie Scott’s embraces classical with new weekly orchestral performances in its refurbished upstairs venue
Classical music is taking centre stage at Ronnie Scott’s in London, as the Soho institution launches its first weekly orchestral nights following the reopening of its refurbished upstairs space.
Upstairs at Ronnie’s closed in October 2024 for renovations and reopened in February 2026 as a newly reimagined 140-capacity space. The revamped room, now featuring dark wood interiors, soft lighting, upgraded acoustics and upholstered banquettes, has already welcomed Cuban salsa, gospel and R&B since reopening, all part of a seven-day-a-week programme spanning multiple genres.
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Now, for the first time in the club’s 65-year history, it hosts regular classical performances, with early and late shows scheduled every Monday. The new series forms part of a broader expansion that sees the venue move beyond its jazz roots to embrace chamber music, recitals and cross-genre collaborations, while maintaining its reputation as one of the UK’s leading independent music venues.
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Curated by violinist, vocalist and producer Lizzie Ball alongside the venue’s artistic director and pianist James Pearson, Monday’s programme is structured around three strands: the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars, the returning Classical Kicks series, and a new “Close Up Classical” format blending music with conversation.
Pearson has assembled a seven-piece chamber ensemble – The Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars – featuring some of the UK’s leading players, including violinists Ball and Shlomy Dobrinsky, violist Megan Cassidy, cellist Gabriella Swallow, multi-instrumentalist Jon Shenoy, brass player Callum Au and percussionist James Turner. The group reinterprets orchestral and symphonic favourites for an intimate setting.
“Bringing classical music into a venue best known for jazz opens it up to new audiences, and the energy of a jazz club combined with classical performance is something truly unique,” Pearson and Ball said. “Ronnie’s has always been about world-class music, and the club has deep classical connections, from John Williams and Nigel Kennedy to Hendrix’s last gig, so classical is a natural fit here.”
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Classical Kicks, Ball’s long-running project and the first classical night ever staged at Ronnie Scott’s between 2012 and 2019, has also returned with an all-star line-up and guest artists, performing repertoire ranging from Piazzolla to Gershwin. Meanwhile, Close Up Classical offers more intimate evenings combining performance and conversation, with guests including actor Juliet Stevenson and composer David Arnold.
“Our investment in Upstairs at Ronnie’s was always about wanting to create the best small venue in the world,” said managing director of Ronnie Scott’s, Fred Nash. “Presenting classical music in a jazz club setting creates a personal experience that feels both unpretentious and welcoming”.
The energy of a jazz club combined with classical performance is something truly unique
Alongside the musical expansion, the venue has also opened its backstage areas to the public, introducing The Greene Rooms, a “club within a club” members’ lounge and artist hub named after owner Sally Greene. The changes mark the most significant transformation of Ronnie Scott’s since its 2005 acquisition.
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“We hope Ronnie would be proud of this new venture, which is very much in the spirit of the club: you never know who you’ll see,” added Pearson and Ball.
The investment comes at a challenging time for the UK live music sector, with widespread venue closures and financial pressures. Against this backdrop, the expansion signals a renewed commitment to supporting live performance and broadening audiences.
Main image: Monika C Jakubowska
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Two people have been killed and three others injured after a small plane crashed into a building in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of south-east Brazil’s Minas Gerais state
19:21, 04 May 2026Updated 19:38, 04 May 2026
A small plane has crashed into a building in a city in south-east Brazil, killing two people and injuring three others.
Shocking images show the wreckage from the single-engine aircraft after it crashed into a residential building in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of the Minas Gerais state, on Monday. The pilot and co-pilot died, while three passengers were seriously injured and taken to João XXIII Hospital, the local fire department said in a statement.
The plane took off from Pampulha Airport in Belo Horizonte at 12.16pm local time and crashed into a building in the Silveira neighbourhood shortly after take-off, Brazilian outlet G1 reports.
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Residents near the crash site said they were startled by how low the aircraft was flying. Fabiana Parreiras told the outlet: “I was in my room with the window wide open. I heard the noise was from a plane flying very low. I caught the moment it passed and veered away from my building. I immediately imagined something was going to happen. Unfortunately, it did.”
The pilot reportedly told Pampulha Airport control tower he was experiencing difficulties during take-off. According to records from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, the aircraft was an EMB-721C model, manufactured in 1979.
The Brazilian Air Force has deployed investigators to determine the cause of the crash. The Civil Police of Minas Gerais are also investigating the case.
Doris Fisher, who founded the major fashion brand GAP in the late 1960s, has died at the age of 94
19:22, 04 May 2026Updated 19:26, 04 May 2026
Doris Fisher has died at the age of 94.
The businesswoman, who cofounded the Gap in 1969 with her late husband Don Fisher and saw it become one of the biggest fashion brands in US history, passed away on Sunday in San Francisco surrounded by family.
An tribute posted to GAP’s official website from GAP CEO Richard Dickson read: “I’m writing to share the sad news that Gap Inc. co-founder, Doris Fisher, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at age 94.
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Many of us were fortunate to have known Doris personally, an extraordinary human being whose brilliance, quiet determination, and heart shaped everything from Gap Inc.’s indelible influence on fashion and retail to philanthropy and the San Francisco art scene.
“There is simply no equal to Doris Fisher. In Gap-speak, she was a true original. Doris was a full partner in Gap Inc.’s founding and a path-breaking entrepreneur at a time when that was highly unusual for women. She understood first-hand the value of self-expression, diversity, and inclusion. And she worked tirelessly to ensure that Gap Inc. always did more than sell clothes. So, it’s no coincidence that there’s a whole lot of Doris in Gap Inc.’s purpose: we bridge gaps to create a better world.
“Never content with what is, Doris continuously imagined what might be and then made it happen. In fact, a great deal of Gap Inc. culture at its best derives from Doris’s influence. Saying what you mean. Doing what you say you’re going to do. And then doing it with kindness, candor, and respect.
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“As one of fashion’s great power couples, Doris and Don created a remarkable company that revolutionized fashion retail. They introduced the world to some of America’s most iconic brands, including energetic new perspectives on everything from denim and khakis to white shirts and safari jackets. Most of all, they gave us, the future of Gap Inc., a powerful legacy to grow.
“And that’s foremost on my mind as we evolve Gap Inc. to become a high-performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture.
“The team will share details soon on our plans to celebrate Doris’s life, together as one Gap Inc. family.”
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Manchester United have been tracking one of the Bruno Fernandes’ international colleagues
18:53, 04 May 2026Updated 18:53, 04 May 2026
Manchester United have stepped up their interest in West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes after rejecting the midfield star during Ruben Amorim‘s reign.
The Portuguese middleman was on United’s radar at the end of last season when he suffered relegation with Southampton. After United passed on the chance to land the 21-year-old, the Hammers swept in to sign him for £38million, plus £4m in add-ons.
Amid the London club’s struggles this season, Fernandes has stood out and will almost certainly leave if West Ham are relegated. Even if the Hammers beat the drop, they may struggle to retain the youngster amid interest from several clubs, including United, according to the Telegraph.
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Having watched him closely this season, United are said to have intensified their interest. Fernandes recently broke into the Portugal senior team, playing alongside Bruno Fernandes, who has been so impressed that he has even recommended him to United, reports The Sun.
Mateus looks up to his namesake, saying ahead of the international debut: “The biggest one [role model] right now is Bruno because of the player he already is. Back when I was at Sporting, I looked up to him and tried to learn from him.
“He plays in the same league as me, he has a lot of experience with the national team and in the Premier League, I try to watch him a lot. Without a doubt, he stands out.”
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is also a fan, calling his progress “incredible”. That progress could be rewarded with a place in Martinez’s World Cup squad.
Even before Casemiro’s impending departure was confirmed in January, it was clear that strengthening the midfield was going to be a priority this summer. Newcastle star Sandro Tonali, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Wolves’ Joao Gomes have all been linked with moves to Old Trafford.
Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is another potential target. The Frenchman is understood to be high on the club’s midfield wishlist and could be sold by the 15-time European champions if they can sign a quality replacement.
There has been progress in the midfield department, with Kobbie Mainoo penning a new contract, tying him to the club until 2031. It completed a remarkable turnaround for the England star, who struggled for game time under Amorim and looked set to leave the club at one stage.
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.
When your party’s internal rows centre on whether a post was racist, you do not have a values problem – you have a values crisis. Nigel Farage has built his movement on stoking division and resentment
Reform rot is laid bare
With days to go before voters head to the polls, Reform UK finds itself mired in a row that speaks volumes about its judgment and its morals.
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Arron Banks, the man who bankrolled Brexit and remains one of Reform’s most prominent backers, thought it perfectly acceptable to respond to a clip of a Black activist campaigning in Wales for Plaid Cymru with the sneering words “Welsh lad?”
The message behind that post was not subtle. Nobody with an ounce of decency could pretend otherwise. What makes this worse is that Reform’s own candidate, James Evans, felt compelled to call it out as racist.
When your party’s internal rows centre on whether a post was racist, you do not have a values problem – you have a values crisis.
Nigel Farage has built his movement on stoking division and resentment. Banks’ post is not an accident or an outlier. It is the rotten heart of Reform laid bare.
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If you needed one reason not to give Farage’s party your vote on Thursday, here it is.
Precious time
A one-minute cancer jab replacing hours on a drip is not just a medical advance, it is a crucial human one.
Drugs like pembrolizumab are already saving lives. Now they are giving something just as precious: time.
Time not spent in hospital chairs. Time with family. Time in the garden. For thousands facing devastating diagnoses, that matters.
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The NHS deserves credit for moving fast to roll this out, and staff for embracing change that will treat more patients, sooner.
This shows what is possible when innovation meets determination and why investment in cutting-edge treatment must never falter.
Fergie wishes
Concern will ripple through football at the news Sir Alex Ferguson has been taken to hospital after feeling unwell.
A towering figure of the game, he has given the sport so much. We wish Sir Alex well.
Throughout the bank holiday, tables at the popular venue off Piccadilly were busy and by the end of today (Monday, May 4), 1,000 people are expected to have passed through its doors.
It houses start-up local businesses, mostly in the catering industry, before they often move onto larger accommodation elsewhere.
On its eighth birthday diners and drinkers at SPARK said they liked its atmosphere, the variety of food, the ability to socialise in the open air and the chance to support local traders.
Busy tables at SPARK in Piccadilly York (Image: Newsquest)
Luke Castle, SPARK’s partnerships lead, said: “There is nothing else quite like it in York. York really took a chance when we first opened up, and we are very grateful for their support.”
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Although it has recently got planning permission to be at the same site until 2030, Spark accepts that Piccadilly will not be its “forever home”.
It is hoping to find a permanent home elsewhere in the city centre, he said.
“York is home to SPARK, we want to stay in York, in the centre.”
A big balloon at SPARK (Image: NQ staff)
Among those at the venue on its eighth birthday was Barbara, who was at SPARK for the first time. She was following the suggestion of her daughter and said she could dine alone at SPARK as she couldn’t at a standard restaurant.
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“I’ll be back,” she said as she ate a pizza.
As part of the celebrations, free cup cakes from Crumbs Cupcakery proved very popular and a lucky few customers each hour on the hour were given a free drink.
In the evening, there was a special edition of Quingo, the venue’s popular winter quiz-bingo night, which raised funds for the Merchant Taylors’ Community Grant Fund.
The actress is returning to TV screens in a brand new Channel 5 drama alongside an EastEnders legend
Former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay is back with a brand new TV series, but did you know that away from the screen she has a number one single and is married to a former Oasis drummer’s brother?
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Prior to becoming an actress, Sally and her school choir, the St Winifred’s School Choir, released There’s No One Quite Like Grandma which reached number one on the UK Singles chart in 1980. The group even appeared on Top of the Pops to perform the song.
The Stockport native began her performing career in theatre and stand-up before turning her attention to acting. Sally got her big break in an episode of the sitcom The Royle Family as Michelle, Twiggy’s girlfriend.
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Going on to work on hit comedies Phoenix Nights and Fat-Friends, Sally joined Coronation Street in 2001 in the role of Shelly Unwin. Shelly was so popular that Sally won ‘Best Actress’ at the 2005 Inside Soap Awards.
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Shelley had two failed relationships on the cobbles, the first with Peter Barlow, who hid that he was already married and had a son Simon, as he and Shelley said their vows. After finding out the truth, she threw him out and had their marriage annulled.
She soon became involved with Charlie Stubbs, who was later murdered by Tracy Barlow, but his controlling behaviour left her too scared to eventually leave her own bedroom. Before they made it down the aisle, she dumped him at the altar.
With Sally deciding to leave the ITV soap in 2005 to pursue new career opportunities, Shelly’s final scenes saw her leave for a job managing a country pub in the Lake District. Pregnant when she left, it was later mentioned she gave birth to a daughter.
Once she was finished with her Weatherfield duties, Sally landed a role in the Wallace and Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death. Additionally, she co-developed and starred in ITV’s detective series Scott & Bailey which aired for five seasons.
On top of appearing on the ITV panel show Loose Women, Sally has appeared in the Sky One comedy-drama Mount Pleasant, the BBC sitcom Still Open All Hours. Since 2021, she has played Jean White in Channel 5’s The Madame Blanc Mysteries, which she co-created and produces.
Away from the spotlight, Sally has been married to Steve White since 2013. Steve is the former drummer of The Style Council and Paul Weller Band, he is the brother of Alan White, who played for Oasis from 1995 to 2004.
The couple welcomed twin sons, Victor and Louie, into the world. Sally is also a stepmother to her husband’s two children from a previous relationship, Kristabel and Curtis.
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After decades of entertaining the nation, Sally was made Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to drama. She said of the news: “Throughout my career I have met incredible people, made life-long friends and worked on many memorable projects.
“I would like to dedicate this award to the rest of the 8% of working class people who make up my industry and hope in the future there will be many more of us.”
Now, Sally is starring in a brand new Channel 5 series, titled Number One Fan. Acting alongside Sally is Jill Halfpenny, who is known for playing Rebecca Hopkins in Corrie and Kate Mitchell in EastEnders.
The series synopsis reads: “When a beloved TV presenter’s seemingly perfect life is disrupted by a chance encounter with an adoring fan, admiration slowly turns into something far more unsettling.
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“As the spotlight intensifies and trust begins to fracture, fame becomes a dangerous place to hide… And the line between fan and foe starts to blur with devastating consequences.
“To her horror, Lucy comes to realise that Donna has a link to a hidden secret in her past which threatens to derail the career she has so carefully curated.”
Number One Fan airs at 9pm on Monday, May 3, on Channel 5
A celebrity feline known locally in Ballymena as the “Cameron’s car park cat” is in critical condition after suffering heart problems and respiratory issues.
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The much-loved community moggy, who is named Derek, was discovered collapsed in the car park – where he is a fixture who has his own wee house – by shopper Beverley Gibson on Saturday.
She realised the cat was in urgent need of medical attention and desperately tried to get Derek help. Beverley took the cat to a nearby veterinarian facility but said they refused to take him because it was almost closing time.
Beverley and her husband then raced to the Clare Vet Clinic in Ballyclare, who took the struggling kitty off their hands.
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The good Samaritan told Belfast Live: “Derek suddenly collapsed in the car park, and we rushed him for urgent help, only to be turned away. With no time to lose, my husband drove to Ballyclare while I held Derek in the back seat – fearing we were losing him – as Clare Vet Group prepared to treat him as an emergency.
“It was a frightening, emotional race against time for a cat that means so much to the local community. We’re now fundraising to support his treatment as he is in critical condition. He has a long-term problem with his heart that has sadly been overlooked and untreated.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover Derek’s medical bills. You can view and contribute to his care by clicking here.
“I would like to formally acknowledge and thank Yvonne’s Independent Cat Rescue and Clare Veterinary Group, added Beverley. “Yvonne responded immediately and with genuine compassion in a moment of urgency. Clare Veterinary Group had a team ready on arrival and prioritised Derek’s care without delay or question.”
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