The popular ITV soaps have often been moved or axed from the schedule due to football matches, with next week no different.

Here’s what the changes are and which episodes the TV schedule shakeup affects.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street to see schedule change next week

Both Emmerdale and Corrie are set to be taken off air on Friday, June 5, due to the women’s football.

England is set to play Spain for a spot in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Due to live coverage of the World Cup qualifier on ITV1 during 8pm and 9pm, it crosses over into the soap slots.

Both usually air back-to-back in a soap “power hour” each weeknight, with Emmerdale from 8pm to 8.30pm followed by Corrie from 8.30pm to 9pm.

It is not yet known when the episodes will air, such as being moved to the weekend, or if there will be one fewer episode for the week.

It is not the first time this year Emmerdale and Corrie have both had schedule changes due to sport.

The soaps were moved to a weekend in March due to the England v Uruguay match.

A previous England vs Spain qualifier in April also saw schedule changes for both ITV soaps.

Coronation Street star returning after 23 years

While fans may be frustrated at the schedule changes, many may be excited due to a returning face after more than two decades.

Jake Parry, who originally played Simon Barlow on the ITV soap in 2003 alongside his twin brother Oscar, will make his comeback in a new role 23 years later.

He revealed the news in a TikTok post, sharing a brief clip from the show and writing: “Coronation Street trailer.

“Catch me as DAMO next week.”

Although Mr Parry’s return marks a return to the famous Weatherfield set, he has been clear that he will be playing a new character.

Mr Parry and his brother Oscar portrayed Simon Barlow from July to November 2003, though Daniel Whelan briefly took over the role for episodes aired in September that year.

Simon Barlow has since become a long-running character on the soap, most recently played by actor Alex Bain.

Mr Parry’s new character, Damo, is described in soap spoilers as a “young man,” though further details about the role remain under wraps.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street air live on ITV1 on weeknights at 8pm and 8.30pm, and are also available on ITVX.

Who is your favourite character on Emmerdale and/or Coronation Street? Let us know in the comments.

From booking an eye test to choosing frames, the focus is on simplicity, convenience and eye care expertise, so that customers feel looked after, every step of the way.

The Bolton team is proud to welcome the local community into the new store.

“Since opening our Boots Opticians store inside Morrisons, it’s been clear how much customers value having eye care in such a convenient location. Being part of a place people already visit regularly has made it much easier for them to fit eye tests into busy lives.

(Image: Boots Opticians)

“Our team has really enjoyed welcoming customers into the store – whether they’re booking an eye test, asking for advice or choosing new frames. We’re proud of the service we’re offering and are pleased to now be a familiar part of the Bolton community.” – Emma Hood, store manager, Boots Opticians Bolton

What you’ll find in the new Bolton store

The new Boots Opticians store has been designed to provide a reassuring environment, where you can access expert eye care in a convenient location.

• Easy and convenient booking

• A bright, contemporary layout to make visits smooth and stress-free

• Expert care and advice from fully trained optometrists and optical advisors

• Personal help in finding the right eyewear for you from a range of frames, contact lenses, lenses and accessories

(Image: Boots Opticians)

More choice, more care

• A wide range of frames – from everyday essentials to designer styles, plus lenses for screen use, driving and sport

• Advanced eye tests are available for all the family that not only check your sight, but can also help spot signs of wider health conditions

• Offers available: £10 eye test and £30 off when you spend £100*

Book your eye test today

Getting started is easy:

• Online: visit bootsopticians.com/book

• In-store: visit Boots Opticians inside Morrisons on Blackhorse Street, Bolton

• By phone: call 0345 125 3752 (calls charged at local rates. Please check with your provider as rates may vary. Calls from mobiles may be higher)

* £30 off when you spend £100:

Discount applied when you spend £100 or more on a complete pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses. Excludes non-prescription sunglasses, ready-made reading glasses and safety eyewear. First pair only. Can be used with our half price additional pairs offer, but not in conjunction with any other offer or discount on glasses or sunglasses. Offer ends 31/08/2026. Only available at Boots Opticians inside Morrisons Bolton only.

£10 eye test: Receive a discount of £19.95 when you purchase our Essential eye test. For NHS entitled to a free eye test, discount can be applied to an upgrade to our Advanced eye test. New bookings only. Essential eye test charge in Boots Opticians is £29.95. Offer ends 30/04/2027. Only available at Boots Opticians inside Morrisons Bolton only.

As Scotland’s highest-profile criminal investigation concludes, the Record looks back at some of the key moments from the incredible case.

It was the criminal investigation that rocked Scottish politics to its foundations.

Operation Branchform was launched almost five years ago after complaints were made about hundreds of thousands of pounds donated to the SNP were ultimately spent.

The probe bubbled along before exploding into the public consciousness in April 2023 following the decision to search the suburban Glasgow family home belonging to Peter Murrell, the former long-serving SNP chief executive, and Nicola Sturgeon.

It was perhaps the most dramatic moment of a police investigation that took several years to reach trial and cost more than £2 million to the taxpayer.

Sturgeon would be questioned by detectives but was later cleared of any involvement. Murrell, her now estranged husband, would go on to plead guilty to embezzlement.

But how did we get here?

March 2017

Nicola Sturgeon announces the SNP will push for a second referendum on independence following the 2016 Brexit vote. The party launches a #ScotRef fundraising appeal that same day. The online crowdfunder is closed after the June 2017 general election – which saw the SNP’s vote share drop – having raised almost half of its £1m target.

December 2019

The SNP wins 48 seats across Scotland at the general election. Sturgeon argues this is a clear mandate from the public to hold an IndyRef2. A second fundraising website, Yes.Scot, helps take the party’s campaign fighting fund total to nearly £667,000. SNP membership peaks at 126,000.

March 2021

Three SNP officials resign from the party’s finance and audit committee after being denied sight of the accounts. Frank Ross, Allison Graham and Cynthia Guthrie read out a joint statement at an SNP NEC meeting, the party’s ruling body. The Sunday Mail later obtains a video recording of the meeting. It shows Nicola Sturgeon telling the NEC the party’s finances have never been stronger, and warning of the impact on future donations if anyone goes public with their concerns.

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March 2021

Independence activist Sean Clerkin makes a formal complaint to Police Scotland calling on officers to launch an investigation into how party donations, supposedly ring-fenced for an IndyRef2 campaign, were being spent. He later tells the Record how he was branded a “traitor” and an “MI5 agent” by other independence campaigners for his actions.

May 2021

SNP MP Douglas Chapman resigns as the party’s treasurer. He claims that “despite having a resounding mandate from members to introduce more transparency into the party’s finances, I have not received the support or financial information” required to do the job. Chapman had only been in the role since the previous November, when he defeated long-serving treasurer Colin Beattie in an internal vote.

July 2021

Police Scotland launches Operation Branchform to investigate how the SNP spent more than £600,000 of donations intended for a second independence referendum campaign.

September 2022

The SNP loses the services of accounting firm Johnston Carmichael, which had audited the party’s finances for the previous decade. The loss of the auditors is only made public seven months later, with many senior SNP members left in the dark over the subsequent struggle to appoint a replacement firm.

February 2023

Nicola Sturgeon stuns the political world when she announces her sudden resignation as First Minister. The SNP is rocked as a bitter leadership contest subsequently begins to replace her as party leader. The Sunday Mail later reveals that police started interviewing potential witnesses as part of Operation Branchform that same month.

March 2023

The Sunday Mail reveals that detectives are investigating a series of high-value transactions by the SNP, including the purchase of vehicles. That same month, Peter Murrell resigns as SNP chief executive after a row over membership numbers shows the party has lost 30,000 in two years. Humza Yousaf wins the race to succeed Sturgeon as First Minister and party leader.

April 5, 2023

Murrell is arrested at the home he shares with Nicola Sturgeon on the outskirts of Glasgow. He is taken to Falkirk police station where he is questioned by detectives for several hours in connection with Operation Branchform. He is released without charge that evening, pending further investigations. Police also search the couple’s home over a 48-hour period. In Edinburgh, the SNP party HQ is searched and electronic equipment removed.

April 14, 2023

The Record reveals how a luxury campervan seized by police from outside the home of Peter Murrell’s elderly mother was intended to be an SNP campaign battle bus. The vehicle sat on a drive in Dunfermline for two years and was never used.

April 18, 2023

Colin Beattie, who had served as SNP treasurer for two decades in two stints in the role, is arrested and questioned by detectives in connection with Operation Branchform. He is released without charge that same day, pending further investigations.

June 11, 2023

Nicola Sturgeon is arrested by Operation Branchform detectives and questioned for several hours. The MSP is released without charge, pending further investigation.

April 18, 2024

Peter Murrell is charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party. The 59-year-old was quizzed at Falkirk police station, more than a year after his first arrest, before being charged.

March 20, 2025

Murrell appears in court in Edinburgh charged with embezzlement The former SNP chief executive, 60, made no plea during the private hearing and was granted bail. Police Scotland confirms Colin Beattie and Nicola Sturgeon are no longer under investigation.

May 25, 2026

Murrell appears at the High Court in Edinburgh and pleads guilty to one count of embezzlement.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our
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Notts County and Salford City battle it out at Wembley today with a place in League One up for grabs

Notts County and Salford City battle it out at Wembley today with a place in League One up for grabs.

The two sides were separated by just one point during the regular League Two season and now meet in the play-off final on Bank Holiday Monday.

Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the match live on TV and via streaming services.

What time is Notts County v Salford City kick-off?

The League Two play-off final kicks off at 3pm BST on Monday, May 25.

The match takes place at Wembley Stadium.

What TV channel is it on?

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Coverage is available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Is there a live stream?

Yes. Fans can stream the match live through the Sky Go app if they have a Sky Sports subscription.

The fixture is also available through NOW, with day passes and monthly memberships available.

Can I watch for free?

In the United States, the game is available free through CBS Sports Golazo Network.

UK viewers require a Sky Sports or NOW subscription to watch live coverage.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Get previews of every single team at the World Cup sent directly to your inbox, featuring the players to look out for, games you shouldn’t miss and Metro’s big England predictions.

The fire ripped through the chip shop and neighbouring buildings yesterday evening – with local groups already rallyng around to help those affected.

The community in Dunblane is coming together to help out and share best wishes after a major fire gutted a property yesterday evening.

The blaze, believed to have started at a chip shop on the corner of the town’s Stirling Road, has seen several neighbouring properties affected – including the popular Village Inn pub.

A massive fire service response was scrambled to the area, with multiple appliances in the area tasked with putting out the blaze.

In a statement on their social media late on Sunday evening, the owners of the Village Inn shared their thanks for locals banding together as the venue closes its doors to assess the damage.

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The post read: “Thanks for all the kind messages and offers of help, there has been seriously about a hundred.

“Also thanks to Reverend Duncan Strathdee for taking my mum and kids to Cowie – we can’t thank you enough and to Craig Peat, the police, local councillors etc for their help.

“Dionne from the Dunblane Centre for helping get people somewhere to sleep and making sure we got home OK.

“We are sure they have managed to save the pub and our flat.

“Our thoughts are for the people at the Chip Inn, and neighbours who have lost everything. We will update everyone when we can re-open.”

Local councillors have been among those sharing their well wishes for those affected by the fire.

Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor Alasdair Tollemache said: “A big thanks to all the emergency services for their response to this terrible incident, as well as Stirling Council’s resilience team, Police Scotland Forth Valley and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“I’m thinking about all those impacted.”

His words were echoed by fellow representative, Thomas Heald, who wrote: “My thoughts are with all those impacted by last night’s major fire in Dunblane.

“Please avoid the area if at all possible and consult ScotRail for latest advice on accessing the station.

“Stirling Council resilience team are available and please get in touch with either myself, Alasdair [Tollemache], Robin [Kleinman] or David [Wilson] if there are any questions.

The Dunblane Centre is among the local groups also offering support for anyone affected.

They said: “We are happy to be working with Stirling Council Resilience Team to offer our facilities to those affected by the fire in Dunblane.

“We have showers, general welfare services, refreshments and a safe and warm environment available to anyone displaced by events.”

The blaze has caused mild disruption for commuters this morning, with one entrance point to the town’s busy station due to the ongoing work at the site.

A Scotrail spokesman said: “The booking office at Dunblane station is now open but the station access via the main entrance remains closed.

“Customers will need to enter and exit via platform three.”

The Observer has reached out to Stirling Council and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for comment.

• This is a developing story and we will continue to add to this as more comes in.

Clothing chain Quiz has confirmed it is shutting down its remaining 37 stores after falling into administration earlier this year.

The Glasgow-founded group owed more than £40million when it called in administrator Interpath at the start of the year.

Three stores in Belfast, Leeds and Romford have already shut.

A total of 109 staff at the firm’s head office and distribution centre have also been made redundant.

In an update issued over the weekend, Interpath said the chain’s remaining 37 stores are expected to shut by June 2026 as part of a ‘phased closure programme’.

Interpath hasn’t confirmed whether Quiz’s concessions across Ireland are affected by the closures.

Which shops are closing?

No official closure dates have been confirmed for the remaining shops, but those that will close over the next few weeks include:

• Aberdeen
• Basingstoke
• Bracknell
• Cardiff
• Carlisle
• Castleford
• Clydebank
• Craigavon
• Derby
• Dunfermline
• Eastbourne
• Gateshead – Metro
• Glasgow – Braehead
• Glasgow – Buchanan Galleries
• Glasgow – Fort
• Glasgow – St Enoch
• Hanley
• Hull
• Inverness
• Irvine
• Leicester
• Livingston
• Manchester – Arndale
• Manchester – Trafford Centre
• Mansfield
• Merryhill
• Newry
• Newtownabbey
• Northampton
• Norwich
• Portsmouth
• Sheffield – Meadowhall
• Stirling
• Telford
• Thurrock – Lakeside
• Warrington
• Watford

The remaining shops will continue to trade as normal as part of a ‘final clearance push’, with stock marked 60% off across clothing, footwear and accessories, and some items being sold for as little as £5 and £10.

Alistair McAlinden, the head of Interpath in Scotland, told RetailGazette: ‘As we head into the May bank holiday weekend, we would encourage shoppers to visit their local store as we commence our final closing down sale.’

Interpath managing director Geoff Jacobs added: ‘We’d once again like to say a huge thank you to Quiz staff who have shown such dedication and professionalism under difficult circumstances.’

The news comes after Morrisons confirmed that it will be closing 100 of its Daily convenience stores across the UK this year.

Meanwhile, restaurants Franco Manca and The Real Greek confirmed closures alongside 200 Beefeater and Brewers Fayre locations.

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Asian markets largely advanced on Monday, while global oil prices saw a significant drop, following comments from Donald Trump indicating progress in talks aimed at resolving the conflict with Iran.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index surged by 3.1 per cent in morning trading, reaching 65,321.56. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also added 0.4 per cent to 8,692.70, and the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.4 per cent to 4,127.53.

Trading was suspended in South Korea and Hong Kong for Buddha’s birthday holidays, with US markets also closed for Memorial Day.

Mr Trump stated that negotiations with Iran were “proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner.”

This comes as regional officials informed The Associated Press on Sunday that the United States is nearing an agreement with Iran.

The potential deal would reportedly end the war, facilitate the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz, and see Iran relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be a key factor in determining the future direction of oil prices. Its closure has previously prevented oil tankers from exiting the Persian Gulf, disrupting crude deliveries to customers worldwide. Japan, for instance, relies heavily on oil imports, with the majority passing through the strait.

“Markets are rapidly transitioning from pricing geopolitical fear toward pricing a potential peace dividend as Hormuz reopening expectations pressure oil and the dollar lower,” analyst Stephen Innes said in a commentary.

Early Monday, benchmark US crude was down $4.35 at $92.25 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, sank $4.16 to $99.38 a barrel.

In currency trading, the US dollar declined to 158.80 Japanese yen from 159.16 yen. The euro cost $1.1641, up from $1.1605.

Friday on Wall Street, stocks finished their eighth straight winning week, the best such streak since 2023. That’s even though a survey showed US consumers are feeling even worse about the economy.

The S&P 500 added 0.4 per cent and pulled closer to its all-time high set in the middle of last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6 per cent, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.2 per cent.

Recent earnings reports from US companies that topped analysts’ expectations also helped markets. But worries about inflation have pushed bond yields higher worldwide.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.56 per cent on Friday from 4.57 per cent late Thursday, but it remains well above its 3.97 per cent level from before the war.