Emmerdale actor Ryan Hawley took to his Instagram to celebrate the soap’s latest win

Emmerdale stars were surprised to see Ryan Hawley posting on his Instagram as he celebrated the soap’s major win at the TV Choice Awards.

Actor Ryan Hawley reprised his Emmerdale role as Robert Sugden earlier this year after six years away from the ITV soap. Robert was sentenced in 2019 for the death of Lee Posner, and he swiftly cut off contact with Victoria Sugden and ex-husband Aaron Dingle.

His return came as Aaron was set to marry ex-Army medic John Sugden, and although Robert attempted to get Aaron back his efforts were rejected as Aaron vowed to move on without him.

However, things soon escalated when John was exposed for a long list of harrowing crimes, including the murder of Nate Robinson and holding Mackenzie Boyd hostage in an underground war bunker.

Robert found himself back in prison after John threw himself and Aaron off the edge of a cliff and blamed Robert on the incident. However, soon the truth was exposed and John fled from the country.

Since then, Robert and Aaron have been trying to get things back on track in their relationship and even decided to get married again during the epic Corriedale crossover that also saw John’s demise.

Away from the Dales, Ryan tends to keep his private life just that and isn’t one for sharing much on social media. However, after Emmerdale dominated the TV Choice Awards this year.

As well as the prestigious Best Soap prize, Lewis Barton actor Bradley Riches was named Best Soap Newcomer, and castmate Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) won Best Soap Performance.

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Taking to his Instagram, Ryan shared some snaps from the night, as well as him posing next to on-screen partner Danny Miller for the occasion.

He penned: “Congratulations to everybody at @emmerdale for the clean sweep the other night! Especially @brad_riches @laurashaw_or_patbutcher and of course @danny_b_miller. Very well deserved! Proud to be part of the show! X”.

Some of his co-stars rushed to the comments as they mentioned his rare upload to social media. Bradley Riches wrote: “Ryan posting? WTF? Welcome to the dark side THANK YOU DIVA XXX”.

Shebz Miah who plays Kammy Hadiq also had the same train of thought and added: “Pahahahaha man like Ryan posting on the gram u kno”, leading to fans of the ITV soap laughing along with him.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.

Good afternoon and welcome to coverage of the Transylvania Open final featuring top seed Emma Raducanu and third seed Sorana Cirstea.

Raducanu is contesting her first final since 2021, when she made that fairytale run to the championship match and US Open title after coming through qualifying.

The British No 1 has played some great tennis this week, coming back from a 5-0 deficit against Kaja Juvan in the second round and making lightwork of Greet Minnen and Maja Chwalinska in between. In her semi-final, Raducanu dropped her first set of the week against Oleksandra Oliynykova, coming through 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

The British No 1 was pleased with how she fought through in the three-set tussle: “I’m most proud of how I competed, came back in the third set, I don’t know if I could’ve done it without everyone’s support,” she said during her on court interview afterwards. “I really feel like I’m at home here, thank you so much everyone.”

Her opponent Cirstea is a home favourite who Raducanu has met once before – at Wimbledon in 2021 where Raducanu came out on top in straight sets. Cirstea, 35, will be retiring at the end of this season and will be looking to make happy memories at her home tournament.

Over in the Czech Republic, British No 4 Katie Boulter is taking on world No 124 Tamara Korpatsch in the Ostrava Open final.

The west Londoners are in a close-fought battle for the top four at the moment, with rivals Manchester United beating Tottenham in the early Premier League kick-off while Liverpool face title hopefuls Manchester City on Sunday, making a statement win against the division’s bottom side more or less a necessity. Wolves, though, have tightened up at the back under Rob Edwards in recent weeks, managing to frustrate Arsenal and Liverpool in narrow losses before holding United and Newcastle to stalemates.

Three university students are in hospital after being stabbed at a train station.

Two men, both aged 20, suffered stab injuries while a 22-year-old man was slashed in the face at Eghmam railway station in Surrey.

An 18-year-old was also assaulted.

A man in his 30s has been arrested.

British Transport Police described it as ‘an incredibly serious incident’.

Three of the victims are believed to be students at Royal Holloway University.

None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

BTP Detective Superintendent David Udomhiaye said: ‘We’re aware of concerns from the local community and, while this is of course an incredibly serious incident, I can confirm that thankfully no one has been fatally injured.

‘This is being treated as an isolated incident at the station involving two groups of people who we believe were not known to each other.

‘There will be witnesses who have yet to speak to us, and I’d urge anyone in the area who might have dash or doorbell camera footage to make contact as quickly as possible.’

Royal Holloway University said: ‘We are aware of an incident at Egham train station last night in which three of our students were injured.

‘Police have arrested a suspect and have confirmed there is no ongoing threat.

‘Our teams supported the students involved last night and will continue to offer help.

‘Out of respect for those involved and the ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

‘Our Wellbeing teams are available to support any students should they have concerns, and we would urge people to follow Surrey Police and British Transport Police channels for further updates, as opposed to relying on unverified sources.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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A coin released to celebrate what would’ve been the late monarch’s 100th birthday has drawn a flood of criticism, with some saying the portrait “doesn’t even look like her”

A commemorative coin has been released to honour what would’ve been the late Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday, with the portrait drawing a wave of criticism for its unfortunate design.

The $5 (£2.56) and 50 cent silver coins, released by the Australian Royal Mint, were created to commemorate the centenary of the Queen’s birth, happening on April 21.

The artwork was created by Alex Stokic and depicts the Queen in her later years, surrounded by floral designs, her royal cypher, as well as horse and corgi motifs. Unlike traditional royal coinage, which has consistently portrayed Elizabeth II in profile throughout her reign, the Australian mint opted for a full frontal portrait.

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The design, which was released on Wednesday through a national ballot, quickly went viral online, with many flocking to social media to share their thoughts on the coin with many claiming the portrait looks nothing like the late Queen.

Social media users piled on with their own unflattering comparisons, likening the portrait to Mrs Brown from Mrs Brown’s Boys and Mrs Doubtfire, the fictional housekeeper portrayed by the late Robin Williams. One commenter declared: “That’s got to be the most unpleasant portrait on a coin.” Another simply stated: “The Queen looked nothing like that.”

One royal fan added: “There’s a reason most portraits are from the side. Looks like she just ran into a wall,” while another said: “If I saw that face without the hairdo and pearls, would never guess who it was meant to be.”

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Other people were more positive about the design, with one person writing on social media: “Looks awesome! I’m glad they put something out to do with Queen Elizabeth II, she deserves to have recognition in a special way on what would’ve been her 100th birthday.”

The Royal Australian Mint defended the design, noting that photographs “don’t always capture the full detail of the coins once etched in silver”. As well as the queen’s portrait, the coins feature designs “symbolically reflecting the many facets of Queen Elizabeth II’s life and legacy”, the mint said.

These include motifs of a horse and corgi, references to art and theatre to mark “her enduring support for culture”, as well as some of her favourite flowers – roses and lily of the valley. The golden wattle, Australia’s national floral emblem, is also represented.

“The design incorporates Her Majesty’s Royal Cypher, a stylised St Edward’s Crown and the Auxiliary Territorial Service emblem, acknowledging her wartime service and lifelong sense of duty,” the mint added.

Queen Elizabeth II served as Queen of Australia throughout her reign, making the unflattering depiction particularly notable given the nation’s ongoing debates about its constitutional future, and increased calls for Australia to become a republic.

Mr Burton, from Trimdon, was a Labour Party councillor in County Durham and was a member of Sedgefield Borough Council.

He served as Tony Blair’s constituency agent from 1983 and throughout his 24 years as Sedgefield MP, until Mr Blair stood down as Prime Minister in 2007.

John Burton pictured in 2010 (Image: ANDY LAMB)

Mr Burton worked tirelessly as the former prime minister’s agent, helping Mr Blair juggle his job as an MP with the demands of running the country from No. 10.

In 2013, he was awarded an MBE from the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles for his services.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, with his friend and agent John Burton, at Trimdon Village just a few hours before voting began in the 2001 general election (Image: NORTH NEWS)

Alan Strickland, MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor said he sends his “deepest condolences” to Mr Burton’s family.

Prime minister Tony Blair pictured with his agent John Burton as he arrives at Trimdon Labour Club on 10 May 2007 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

In a statement he said: “John’s death has come as an enormous shock to us all. I send my deepest condolences to his family at this very sad time.

“John leaves a huge legacy. As election agent to Tony Blair, chair of Sedgefield Labour Party and a Sedgefield Borough councillor, John made a major contribution to our area and the Labour movement.

“Thank you John for your public service, your kindness and your wisdom. You’ll be sadly missed.”

Experts have warned those on weight-loss injections against trying “jab hacks” like taking tiny doses or buying the medication from illegitimate sources.

Almost half of the 1.6 million people on weight-loss medication in the UK say they have either dabbled with dangerous techniques such as “microdosing” (32 per cent) or turned to unlicensed drugs and sellers (28 per cent) as the price of the medication rises, according to a survey by Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor.

One woman named Amy, whose name has been changed to keep her identity anonymous, explained she takes small doses of Wegovy to make the pen last longer and save money, meaning she uses each needle twice.

The 55-year-old woman from West Sussex told The Independent: “I pay £150 for a 1 milligram pen, which if you’re on the full dose lasts four weeks and if you halve it, it lasts eight weeks. I have been eking it out so that a full pen can last me eight to 10, maybe even 12 weeks.”

She has been buying Wegovy from her beauty therapist since March 2025. But weight-loss medication can’t be bought over the counter and must be prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a GP or pharmacist, following a consultation.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned against sourcing weight-loss medicines from unregulated suppliers, with the maker of Wegovy calling this a “direct danger to health”.

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Dr Kieran Seyan, chief medical officer at Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor, told The Independent: “I am increasingly worried by reports that some individuals may be accessing prescription-only weight-loss medication through unregulated sources like beauty therapists or salons.

“Medication from a source that is not appropriately regulated increases the risk of incorrect dosing, expired or improperly stored medication, and in some cases, counterfeit products.”

But Amy said she trusts her beauty therapist and believes she would struggle to access weight-loss drugs on the NHS.

“From the age of 10 I was taken by my mother to Weight Watchers, and eventually, 15 years ago, I had gastric bypass surgery privately that didn’t work,” she said.

“I started Wegovy in March through my beauty therapist who does aesthetics and Botox. She goes to a doctor to get it prescribed, and then I collect it from her.”

Amy explained she did have a phone consultation and had to have a BMI over 30 to access the weight-loss drug, which she was, but she admitted the process should be “stricter”.

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Weight-loss injections, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by mimicking the natural hormone which regulates blood sugar, appetite and digestion.

They are a prescribed drug and to access them on the NHS a patient needs to have a BMI of 40 or more, but private providers offer them to those with a BMI over 30.

Amy started on a low dose of 0.5mg and gradually increased to 1mg. After losing two-and-a-half stone and reaching a BMI of 25, she was told to reduce her dosage to half the amount with the intent to stop.

“I haven’t actually stopped, I kept going and I’m almost scared to come off it, I feel that I probably might be on it for good,” she added. “I’ve got to have a pen in the fridge all the time and I just think it’s something that I’ll be on for the foreseeable future.”

The hack known as “microdosing” involves taking smaller doses than the weight-loss jab is designed for.

Dr Seyan warned using smaller doses to make the medication last “isn’t an exact science” and hasn’t been tested. He explained there is a risk of administering “unequal doses”, which can make the jab less effective.

The dose is decided on by a pharmacist or doctor depending on the individual, and “chopping and changing” the dose doesn’t give the body a chance to adapt and can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tummy pain, and constipation, he explained.

He also warned that the pen itself is only supposed to last four weeks, so using it past this point could mean the medication itself has expired, making it less effective.

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Because Amy uses a Wegovy injection that comes with only four needles, she sometimes uses the needle twice to reach eight or more doses – which poses a risk of infection.

Leyla Hanbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, warned: “Patients should always use a clean and sterile needle for each injection.

“There is a significant risk for bacterial contamination as a used needle is no longer sterile and can infect the body with bacteria.

“There is also a risk of an inaccurate dose being administered if residue remained in the old needle, which will prevent the full dose of medication from being delivered. In addition, old needles can break and be damaged and can cause damage to the skin.”

An MHRA spokesperson said: “Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription-only medication, meaning it should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.

“Sourcing weight loss medicines from unregulated suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not approved for use. Products bought in this way will not meet the MHRA’s strict  safety and quality standards and could expose patients to incorrect dosages or dangerous ingredients.”

Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy, also warns against obtaining the medication from unregulated suppliers, adding it does not condone practices such as “microdosing” and medication should be taken at the recommended doses.

A spokesperson said: “At Novo Nordisk, patient safety is our top priority. Obtaining GLP-1 medicines without a prescription through non-legitimate routes poses a direct danger to health. The contents of the medicines obtained from sources other than a registered healthcare professional can be entirely different from the genuine medicine and should not be used.

“We urge patients to only obtain appropriate medicine on prescription through legitimate sources and after consultation with a healthcare professional. If a patient suspects they have administered a counterfeit product, they should seek medical advice straight away.”

On Tuesday, Wes Streeting announced a £10m fund to support the cost of travelling to and from cancer care for all children in England living with the disease

Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has called on the Northern Ireland Health Minister to introduce a child cancer travel fund for patients in Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the UK Government will provide £10 million a year through the National Cancer Plan for a new fund which will be open to all children and young people in England with cancer and their families, regardless of income, to support them with the cost of travelling to and from cancer care.

Following the announcement, Sorcha Eastwood confirmed that she has written to Mike Nesbitt asking him to follow the UK Government’s lead.

“From day one in Parliament, I’ve been fighting for children, young people and families going through cancer treatment,” she said.

“I’m delighted that the UK Government have announced a child cancer travel fund. However, this only applies to England, and I’m fighting hard to make sure Northern Ireland gets the same, not just money that is used to support something else.

“That’s why I’ve written to the NI Health Minister to make sure that no children and families are left behind in Northern Ireland. I’ll keep fighting until our children get what they need, but I’m delighted that our lobbying has paid off.”

The Powered by Poppy campaign, which was set up by parents Sharon and Mark in memory of their daughter Poppy Ogle, who died in 2022 aged 10 after a long battle with cancer, echoed Sorcha Eastwood’s calls.

“Amazing news from the UK Government regarding covering the cost of childhood cancer parents travel. This will lift a huge financial burden for families in England,” they posted on their Facebook page.

“Here in Northern Ireland, it is a postcode lottery how much it costs in travel, as our only Children’s Cancer unit is in Belfast at the RBHSC.

“We have met families from Fermanagh, Limavady, and Derry/Londonderry. The cost of travel for these families would be huge.”

They added: “Our question is, we all pay the same taxes to the same Government. Surely all children in the UK should be treated as equal?”

However, the Department of Health have confirmed that due to the “significant deficit” in their budget, they cannot introduce a similar scheme in Northern Ireland.

“The Department recognises that patients undergoing treatment for long-term conditions such as cancer may incur additional travel costs that can add additional financial pressure at an already difficult time,” a spokesperson said.

“The Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme provides individuals and their dependants with help for travel costs associated with medical treatment on referral from a doctor or dentist. The scheme is open to individuals and their dependants, primarily on low incomes.

“Additionally, the Department’s current policy for car parking provision and management includes guidance on free and concessionary parking for patients on particular care paths such as cancer.

“Given the significant deficit in the Department’s budget, it is not possible to consider any further financial assistance for young cancer patients and their families at this time.

“Any cancer patient or family affected by cancer who are experiencing difficulties with travel costs associated with their treatment are encouraged to discuss these with their health care provider.”