While there are many exciting names said to be in the running to land one of two vacant host roles on Strictly Come Dancing, one surprise contender is now being touted as a favourite.

Comedian Josh Widdicombe is reportedly now ‘a strong contender’ for the job, following long-time presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s decision to step down at the end of the last series.

Recent weeks have seen names like Rylan Clark, Emma Willis, Tom Allen, Alex Jones, Bradley Walsh, Alison Hammond and last series’ breakout star La Voix in the mix, following recent ‘secret auditions’.

This past week, Zoe Ball – former finalist and It Takes Two host – and past contestant Angela Scanlon emerged from the pack and had fans convinced they would be announced as the new duo.

But now 43-year-old Josh could have changed all that, with a decision on the new presenters said to be ‘imminent’.

A source told The Sun of his audition: ‘Josh blew the producers away with his dead-pan, witty banter. He is family friendly, having helmed several shows now, and loves Strictly.’

Bosses are thought to believe he would be ‘ideal to take the show into a new era’, especially following the scandals that have rocked Strictly in recent years.

If picked, he would be the first male host since Sir Bruce Forsyth fronted the show for its renewal from 2004 to 2013, alongside Tess.

Josh also competed in the 2024 Christmas special with pro partner Karen Hauer.

‘After years as a stand-up, he can handle a live audience and is razor-sharp,’ the insider added.

‘He’s not a household name, yet, and so to step into Brucie’s shoes would be a stellar move for his career.’

Josh and Karen performed a festive themed Charleston as penguins to Let it Snow.

At the time of his announcement, The Last Leg team captain quipped: ‘I am utterly terrified this will end in humiliation and worried I’m going to be so bad I will ruin Christmas for the nation. Why have I done this?’

However, he went on to deliver a charming and fun performance which was a real crowd-pleaser.

Metro has contacted the BBC and reps for Josh Widdicombe for comment.

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A place in the EFL is at stake at Wembley for Boreham Wood and Rochdale today

Boreham Wood and Rochdale are set to go head-to-head at Wembley Stadium this weekend with a place in the Football League on the line.

After a gruelling National League season, the two sides meet in the play-off final.

Rochdale, who only narrowly missed out on automatic promotion after a dramatic final day clash with York City, will be looking to secure an immediate return to the EFL.

Meanwhile, Boreham Wood are aiming to reach the top four divisions for the first time in their history.

Here is everything you need to know about the clash.

What time is Boreham Wood v Rochdale kick-off?

The match between Boreham Wood and Rochdale kicks off at 3pm on Sunday, May 10. ^{The game is being played at Wembley Stadium.}

Is the game on TV? What about living streaming?

The match will be broadcast live. ^{In a shift for the National League, the final will be shown exclusively on DAZN.}

Viewers in the UK can access the match through the DAZN app on smart TVs, mobile devices, and games consoles. ^{For those with a Sky box, the DAZN channel (usually found on channel 429) will also carry the coverage.}

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What is the team news?

Boreham Wood are expected to rely on play-off hero Zak Brunt, who has scored winners in both the eliminator and semi-final. Leading scorer Matt Rush, who has 26 goals this season, will spearhead the attack.

Meanwhile, Rochdale have a clean bill of health following their semi-final victory over Scunthorpe. ^{Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who is level with Rush on 26 goals for the season, remains their primary goal threat.}

What are the latest odds?

• Boreham Wood win: 19/5
• Draw: 5/2
• Rochdale win: 11/10

(Odds courtesy of SkyBet and correct at time of publishing. 18+ please gamble responsibly)

There are six host cities (Miami, Houston, Dallas, Monterrey, Kansas City and Atlanta) where the WBGT could feasibly reach at least 32C (90F) during the afternoon which would be considered as extreme heat stress where the body really struggles to keep itself cool.

To reduce these risks, matches are generally scheduled outside the hottest part of the day, with many kick-offs taking place in the late afternoon or evening. Scotland’s group C game against Brazil in Miami, for example, will have a kick-off time of 18:00 ET (23:00 BST).

Some venues, including stadiums in Houston and Dallas, also have retractable roofs and climate control to moderate conditions.

Summer heatwaves are also a common occurrence in North America and Mexico where temperatures can rise 10C (18F) or more above average, potentially pushing conditions into much more challenging territory for both players and fans.

In New York for example, the location of this year’s World Cup final on 19 July at 15:00 ET (20:00 BST), a typical heatwave could result in air temperatures in the mid-30sC (mid 90F) and WBGT of around 30C (86F) leading to extreme heat stress.

BOSTON (AP) — Former New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs was found not guilty Tuesday of assaulting his personal chef in a case marked by conflicting accounts of what happened inside his home after disputes over money and their relationship.

His trial lasted two days and the jury deliberated for less than two hours.

The charges stemmed from a Dec. 2 incident at his house in Dedham, where Jamila Adams, a former live-in personal chef known as Mila, testified that Diggs slapped and choked her during an argument. He had pleaded not guilty to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge.

Diggs’ attorneys said the alleged assault never happened and challenged Adams’ credibility, arguing the dispute was about money or relationship tensions — including a disagreement over a planned trip to Miami — rather than a violent attack.

They pointed to financial demands she made and testimony from friends and employees who said she did not appear injured in the days after the encounter, while prosecutors argued the case rests on her account of what happened inside the home.

Defense attorney Andrew Kettlewell told jurors during closing arguments that prosecutors had not presented “a single shred of credible evidence” that an assault occurred. He said Adams made the accusation to “leverage and humiliate and to punish” Diggs.

“There was no assault, no strangulation, no incident at all on that day or any other day,” he said.

Assistant District Attorney Drew Virtue said Adams’ behavior should be viewed in the context of her relationship with Diggs, whom he described as “a sometimes lover, a boss, landlord,” pointing to the imbalance in that relationship as a factor in how she responded afterward.

“He was an athlete, a celebrity, financially powerful, surrounded by people that were all on his payroll that liked him,” Virtue said. “And when you put that all in consideration, her behavior does make sense.”

He urged jurors not to dismiss Adams’ testimony because she was not “a perfect witness.”

“She was argumentative, avoidant, difficult. But does that mean you should throw away everything she said? No,” he said, adding that jurors should give her testimony “the attention, the scrutiny, the weight it deserves.”

CARROLLTON, Texas (AP) — A man shot five people, killing two, in back-to-back shootings Tuesday at a shopping center and then an apartment building because he was angry over business dealings, police said.

The first shooting happened just before 10 a.m. at a shopping center in a Koreatown neighborhood in a suburb north of Dallas, the Carrollton Police Department said. When police arrived, they found four adults who had been shot. While they were investigating, another shooting was reported at an apartment complex roughly 4 miles (6 kilometers) away, and responding officers found a dead man inside one of the apartments.

Investigators determined the suspect, 69-year-old Seung Ho Han, carried out both of the shootings, police said. He was arrested at a nearby grocery store after a short chase on foot. Police say Ho Han acknowledged he was the shooter in an interview with detectives and said he was angry at the people he shot because of financial disagreements over their business dealings.

It was not a random act of violence and the attacker knew both of the people who were fatally shot, Carrollton Police Chief Roberto Arredondo said.

“It was a known business relationship. We’re still trying to work to identify what caused his actions,” Arredondo said.

The three people injured in the shooting were in stable condition, Arredondo said. The names of the victims were not released.

Shortly after the shooting, officers with their guns drawn walked past doors at K Towne Plaza in an area of Carrollton known as Koreatown. Agents from the FBI were among law enforcement collecting evidence in the parking lot.

Carrollton — population 130,000 — is 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Dallas. More than 4,000 residents are of Korean descent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“We’re shocked,” said John Jun, who’s active in the Korean American community. “We’re not immune to something like this happening, but we are very generally a peaceful community that works hard.”

In the last 20 years, it has grown into a thriving Koreatown for the metro Dallas area, thanks to Korean investors. It’s anchored by big-box businesses like H Mart as well as dozens of restaurants serving everything from Korean fried chicken to shaved ice desserts.

The city is also home to multiple Korean churches from Baptist to Presbyterian congregations.

___

AP reporters Terry Tang in Phoenix, Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia and Ed White in Detroit contributed to this story.

___

This version corrects the spelling of the suspect’s name. The correct spelling is Seung Ho Han, not Seung Han Ho.

The death toll from a suicide attack on a security post in north-west Pakistan rose to 14 police officers, authorities said on Sunday morning.

A self-proclaimed breakaway group of the Pakistan Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A suicide bomber and several gunmen detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near the post in Bannu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, late on Saturday, said senior police official Sajjad Khan.

The attack triggered an intense shootout, with some officers being killed in the exchange, while others died later after the building collapsed.

Rescuers conducted a search operation for hours using heavy machinery to retrieve bodies from under the rubble, Khan said, adding that three police officers were wounded in the attack.

Security forces have also launched an operation to track down the perpetrators.

A newly formed militant group, Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to reporters.

While the group claims it was formed by splinter factions of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, authorities have accused it of being a front for the TTP.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, much of it blamed on the TTP, a separate group but an ally of the Afghan Taliban, who returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Islamabad often accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of providing sanctuary to the TTP, a claim that Kabul denies.

Tensions between the two neighbours have persisted, and both sides have engaged in fighting that has killed hundreds of people since late February.

In early April, Afghan and Pakistani officials held peace talks mediated by China. However, despite the talks, sporadic cross-border clashes have continued, though at a lower intensity than before.

In late April, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of committing “war crimes” after missile strikes were launched on northwestern Afghanistan.

While Casemiro is likely to miss out on a pay rise at Old Trafford he could be in line for a stunning pay-out at his new club after leaving Manchester United

Outgoing Manchester United star Casemiro is set to miss out on a pay rise at Old Trafford – but he could be raking in a stunning amount at his next club. United’s qualification for next season’s Champions League means some players are in line for a 25 per cent pay rise.

However, not everyone in the squad will benefit from the pay hike after United’s win over Liverpool last weekend secured entry to next season’s competition with three games to spare. It’s believed that club captain Bruno Fernandes will benefit, pocketing an estimated £250,000 per week thanks to the increase and becoming the club’s highest earner.

Casemiro, who announced his intention to leave United earlier this year, looks set to join Inter Miami this summer. Reports suggest that the Brazilian will take home a wage which is far in excess of the £350,000 a week he currently earns at United.

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The former Real Madrid star is expected to sign a two-year deal with the club, which is co-owned by United legend David Beckham. His new contract is rumoured to pay him a staggering £600,000 a week, more than doubling Fernandes’ new wage.

Casemiro, 34, had been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. The midfielder was believed to have little interest in moving his family to the Middle East, however, setting his heart on a move to the MLS.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been eager to reduce the club’s wage bill and has previously been dismissive of the mega-money deal that brought Casemiro to Old Trafford in August 2022.

Thus, a decision has been made to allow Casemiro, who cost United £70million, to leave for free. United are believed to be eyeing either Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba or Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as a replacement.

Casemiro, who has scored nine goals this season, has been instrumental for interim boss Michael Carrick. Replacing the player won’t be easy either, with the midfielder’s absence keenly felt during Saturday’s goalless draw with Sunderland.

The generous pay rise hitting several members of the United squad is also set to benefit Kobbie Mainoo, who recently signed a new five-year deal with the club. Harry Maguire, who also recently extended his stay at United by a year, will also receive a boost in wages, it’s believed.

According to The Guardian, Mainoo and Maguire’s contracts were believed to have been incentivised by securing Champions League football for next season. While the identities of those missing out are unknown, it’s understood that any pay rise is related to individual contract clauses.

Fernandes’ significant pay rise comes after he was awarded the Football Writers’ Association’s Men’s Footballer of the Year award this week. The Portuguese star resisted lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia last summer to lead United into the Champions League this season with eight goals and 20 assists so far.

The midfielder just needs one assist in his final three games to equal the all-time league record, held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Fernandes claimed the award by just 28 votes over Arsenal’s Declan Rice, with the United star gaining 45 per cent of the overall vote.

The United skipper is the first United player to win the men’s award since Wayne Rooney in 2010. Fernandes’ United future remains unclear, although he does have a contract with the club until 2027 that is also believed to include an option for an additional year.

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.

Rory McIlroy struggled in the third round of the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club, falling 13 shots behind as Alex Fitzpatrick took the PGA Tour leaderboard lead

Rory McIlroy slipped out of contention as Alex Fitzpatrick seized the third-round lead at the Truist Championship in North Carolina.

McIlroy, competing in his first tournament since claiming a second Masters title, began the day four shots behind the leaders .

However, despite opening his third round with a birdie, his aspirations of a fifth triumph in the event disappeared during a round that featured six bogeys – four of them consecutively from the turn.

He recovered one shot at the par five 15th, but a 75 left him at one under par and 13 shots adrift of the lead.

Fitzpatrick established a one-shot advantage on 14 under par over Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan after both carded 64.

The Englishman, pursuing a second PGA Tour victory following his card-securing win at the Zurich Classic alongside brother and 2022 US Open champion Matt, who sits a stroke behind McIlroy after a 69.

Alex Fitzpatrick registered five birdies on his front nine, adding another on the 12th and two more either side of his sole dropped shot on the 16th.

“I think having my brother around has been super helpful,” he said.

“He’s been and done everything that I want to do in the game, whether that’s Ryder Cup and win majors.

“Having him, kind of, being around and me being there for all of that, I felt like I got a really good sense of what it takes and what the atmosphere is like.”

American Cameron Young sat two off the pace after a bogey at the last spoiled a round of 63, two ahead of Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard and overnight leader Sungjae Im.

England’s Tommy Fleetwood finds himself five strokes adrift of the leaders following a round of 71.

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Heavyweights exist under a uniquely harsh spotlight and Dubois has absorbed more than his fair share of scrutiny. One defeat by Joe Joyce and two by Oleksandr Usyk shaped much of the public perception around him, as did persistent questions about his discipline.

Those doubts feel badly outdated now. At 28, Dubois is already a two-time heavyweight world champion – younger than both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury were when they achieved the same feat.

Throughout fight week, the contrast between the two men was stark.

Wardley carried himself with the ease of a man born for the camera. Articulate, witty, and relaxed, the Ipswich man was seen strolling through Manchester city centre. Dubois, meanwhile, walked out of two interviews.

In one, he visibly bristled when the Joyce defeat was raised. In another, he appeared irritated by what he felt was mocking “quick-fire” questioning.

It raises a broader question about double standards; would Joshua or Fury be criticised quite so heavily if they chose not to engage with pre-fight promotional content?

When Dubois answers awkwardly or offers clipped responses, he is often ridiculed online. But boxing is virtually the only world Dubois has ever known.

The home-schooled heavyweight has never looked entirely comfortable under the glare of cameras. He is not a natural salesman and has little interest in manufactured theatre.

Interestingly, moments after the biggest win of his career, Dubois appeared transformed.

In the post-fight interview he spoke calmly, clearly and with genuine warmth. He paid tribute to Wardley, and credited his opponent for the punishment he had absorbed.

Gone was the guarded, uneasy figure seen earlier in the week – Dubois looked entirely comfortable in his own skin.

Paul Remmer, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, secured the trio of titles at a competition in Milton Keynes on April 12.

The fitness model and former world champion is now preparing to compete for another global title in High Wycombe on November 7.

Paul Remmer with his three British titles (Image: PAUL REMMER)

Mr Remmer, who first spoke publicly in 2016 about being raped as a child by a trusted family friend, has since used fitness as a way to rebuild his life.

His abuser, Graham Pipes, was jailed in 2015 after admitting offences against Mr Remmer and another child.

Speaking after his latest success, Mr Remmer said his achievements in competition are about more than winning titles.

Paul Remmer with his world titles (Image: Stuart Boulton)

“I came out of retirement to do this competition, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could still do it,” said Mr Remmer.

“I still carry my past every day, but competing helps me manage it.

“If my story helps one person, then it’s worth it. People need to know there is help out there.”

Mr Remmer reported the abuse to police in 2011, but the case initially collapsed due to lack of evidence, leaving him in a “very dark place”.

Paul Remmer with his world titles (Image: Stuart Boulton)

In 2013, he attempted to take his own life.

A year later, a second victim came forward, leading to the case being reopened and ultimately resulting in Pipes being jailed.

Despite the conviction, Mr Remmer said his recovery took years and required intensive therapy.

With the support of counsellor Dave Taylor, he began to rebuild his life, later turning to fitness as a way of coping with trauma.

Dave Taylor and Paul Remmer with the book ‘Breaking The Silence – A Champions Journey’ (Image: Stuart Boulton)

He has since gone on to compete internationally, becoming a world champion fitness model.

His latest three-title win marks another milestone in that journey, as he looks ahead to November’s World Championships.

Mr Remmer has also shared his experiences in a book, Breaking The Silence, A Champion’s Journey, written with Mr Taylor, which details his recovery and aims to support others.

It was the aftermath of bringing out the book that motivated him to compete again.

“I had a bit of a struggle after bringing out the book,” Mr Remmer added.

“Having to relive such an awful part of my life and then having people coming up to you while you’re in Tesco and saying that you’re an inspiration – it’s lovely, but it’s very overwhelming.

“People would message saying that I was an inspiration. I’ve always struggled to take compliments, so it was very tough.

Breaking The Silence – A Champions Journey (Image: Stuart Boulton)

“I spiralled a little bit and knew I had to focus myself by competing again. I was starting to miss it.

“So, before Christmas, I cut out the booze, which I kept up for more than 120 days, and started training every day from 3.30am, going to work and then training some more.

“It was brutal, but it’s all worth it.

“I was fully focused on the British Championships.”

After landing the British championships and still training, he decided to book in for the world championships and try to retain his title.

The bodybuilder has called this competition his “last dance” and says that it would potentially be his last event, which he’ll go to with all of his family.

“I want to go out on a high with all of my family at the world championships,” he said.