“I want to thank myself.”

That was the phrase emblazoned on Mirra Andreeva’s jacket as she lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at the French Open.

After a dominant 6-3 6-2 victory over Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska that made the 19-year-old the youngest woman to win the Roland Garros singles title since Monica Seles in 1992, Andreeva rattled off a lengthy list of thank-yous.

She started by showing her gratitude to Chwalinska, before moving on to tournament organisers and her team – including her coach, former French Open finalist Conchita Martinez.

But Andreeva reserved the final – and most important – thanks for herself.

“I also want to thank myself for believing in myself,” she said.

“For giving 100% even when it’s been tough, trying every day to be better as a person and a player, believing I can do this, fighting so many demons inside of me.

“Only I know how tough it was for me and how nervous I was these past two weeks, so thanks to me for working so hard and giving my best.”

Andreeva has thanked herself after many of her title triumphs – a twist on a quote she “stole” from rapper Snoop Dogg.

“In the beginning I just said it so everyone would laugh at how funny I am,” Andreeva joked.

“Then after I realised: why not thank yourself? Because you are the one that works, you are the one doing the job, you’re the one that’s feeling all the nerves.”

Members of the Tartan Army have been left fuming after many packs turned out to contain a sticker of Ian Wright, a former England international.

This isn’t just a World Cup own goal…..this is an M&S World Cup own goal.

The popular high street store is rewarding shoppers with free stickers to celebrate the country’s return to football’s greatest extravaganza after 28 years.

But members of the Tartan Army have been left fuming after many packs turned out to contain a sticker of Ian Wright, a former England international.

The issue was raised online by TA veteran Alan Leitch, who demanded:”Haw Marks and Spencer!! What in the name of Archie Gemmill is going on here?”

Laura Johnston wrote on social media:”I need two Ian Wrights and three Anthony Ralstons – said no-one ever but that’s what I’ve ended up with.”

The Scotland Mens national team are preparing in the United States for their matches with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.

In the M&S World Cup promotion, in conjunction with Panini, one packet containing four stickers is handed out to M&S Food shoppers if they spend £20 or more.

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The give-away is being advertised in stores through large floor displays featuring the nation’s heroes, like Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Ryan Christie. But the floor displays do not carry any images of England players or women footballers.

Beneath the promotion, a sign says:”Official partner of the Scotland national teams.”

Ian Wright won 33 caps with England between 1991 and 1998. The closest he got to Scottish football was a brief four-month spell with Celtic during the 1999-2000 season, scoring three goals.

The supermarket chain last night defended the inclusion of Wright, as he is an M&S good eating ‘ambassador’.

An M&S spokesperson said: “Football is about bringing people together and for decades fans of all ages have loved collecting and swapping football stickers, so it’s no surprise that our Panini sticker albums are proving really popular ahead of the World Cup.

“As World Cup fever builds, we have albums for all four home nations which also include the biggest names in the women’s game as well as our Eat Well ambassador Ian Wright.”

The Scottish FA were approached for comment but did not respond.

This comes from a statement by the Bee Network, who said that 450 of all people who were fined for fare dodging in 2026 stated they did so because they were rushing.

The Bee Network stressed in their post that this is not acceptable, and punishable by a fine of up to £120.

The Bee Network website states: “You must pay for your journey when travelling on the bus or tram in Greater Manchester.

“If you don’t have a valid paper or mobile app ticket, or you don’t tap in successfully with a smart card, contactless card or contactless device, then you’ll be charged a penalty fare of up to £120.

“There will be more ticket checks than ever before on our network, including plain clothes ticket inspectors riding on the tram.”

“What surprised me most was how quiet it was, despite the powerful airflow”

While temperatures have finally dropped across the UK, the memory of the scorching heat and temperatures of well over 30C is still fresh in our minds. With summer just across the horizon, there will no doubt be more pockets of high temperatures in the coming months.

Fortunately, this means now is the perfect time to grab yourself a new fan in preparation for the next heatwave without the sun messing with your judgment. One standout cooling fan that has been heavily praised by our sister site, The Mirror, is the Dyson Find+ Follow Purifier Cool.

Zoe Cripps had the chance to try out the £549.99 cooling fan to see how it would help her during the heatwave. A key concern for Zoe was that she was juggling the heat, pregnancy, and insomnia, and was looking for a solution to help her finally experience some comfort – read below for a full breakdown of what she thought of the Dyson Find+ Follow Purifier Cool.

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The first thing I tested was bedtime. Rather than blasting cold air in one fixed direction, the fan subtly tracked my position as I shifted around the bed during the night. I’m prone to a lot of movement at night, so it meant I wasn’t constantly adjusting the fan or waking up feeling stuffy (well, more stuffy than I already am, thanks to this baby).

What surprised me most was how quiet it was, despite the powerful airflow. In Sleep mode, the machine dims its display and significantly reduces noise levels. I’m highly sensitive to sound when trying to drift off, and my partner to light, so these features were perfect for us.

The cooling performance itself is excellent. I’d actually say better than the Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool Formaldehyde fan I was previously using. Dyson says it delivers more than 290 litres of air per second, and while I didn’t exactly get out a measuring jug, I can confirm it made my bedroom noticeably more comfortable during the particularly sticky nights this week.

The purification element is arguably just as impressive. The Find + Follow continuously monitors air quality and uses a fully sealed HEPA H13 filtration system designed to capture allergens, dust, pet dander and airborne particles. I don’t suffer from hayfever really, but I do worry about living in central London with all the air pollution, so this feature really gives me peace of mind.

One of my favourite touches is the intelligence behind the system. If you leave the room, it automatically stops directing airflow towards you while continuing to purify the air. If no one returns after an hour, it switches to auto mode to conserve energy. The fan is essentially smarter than my 16-year-old nephew.

Is £549.99 a lot of money for a fan? Absolutely. But I don’t look at this as just a fan. It’s a cooling system, air purifier and smart home gadget rolled into one. After a week of testing during one of the hottest spells of the year, I can say for sure that it’s one of the few products that has made a noticeable difference to my sleep. And right now, that’s worth its weight in gold.

But if £549.99 is a bit too much for keeping your home cool, you could opt for the ARTETHYS Portable Air Conditioner, which is currently available on Amazon for £62.99. This air conditioner comes with a 7L water tank which evaporates at three speeds to help quickly cool down your home.

If you still want something a bit more upmarket, you could opt for the Bush 4L 2 in 1 Air Cooler, which is available at Argos for £110. This air conditioner is capable of both tackling heat and humidity in the air and comes with three cooling modes and three fan speeds.

Key features of the Dyson Find+Follow

Priced at £549.99, this advanced air purifier and cooler features technology that automatically tracks your position to direct airflow toward you as you move around the room. For shared spaces, its multi-person detection system adjusts the oscillation up to 350° to distribute airflow evenly among everyone. The machine purifies and cools simultaneously, utilising a powerful airflow that cools your space while thoroughly filtering the air.

At its core is a HEPA H13 filtration system that captures 99.95% of microscopic particles—including pollen, dust, pet dander, and bacteria—alongside a permanent catalytic filter that continuously destroys formaldehyde without ever needing to be replaced. You can easily keep track of your environment via real-time air quality monitoring displayed on the built-in LCD screen.

For convenience and efficiency, smart energy-saving features automatically adjust operations when you leave the room, while app connectivity lets you monitor air quality, set schedules, and control settings remotely. Finally, it offers versatile operational modes, including a dimmed, ultra-quiet Sleep mode for overnight use, and a Diffuse mode that purifies the entire room without blowing air directly onto you.

It can be hard to keep children entertained while at the pub so you could try these family-friendly options.

Taking a trip to the pub in summer is a traditional British pastime. Spending time with friends and family while enjoying a beer in a pub garden is a great way to soak up some sun.

To make sure the whole family gets to enjoy a trip to the pub, many places have playgrounds and activities for children to allow parents to have a relaxing break. CambridgeshireLive asked its readers to tell us where their favourite pubs are that have things to do in the garden for children.

If you are unsure which pubs have kid-friendly pub gardens that will keep them entertained for a few hours, you might like to try out one of these recommendations from Cambridgeshire residents. You can find out which pubs made it into the top three below.

3. Axe and Compass

Location: High St, Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdon PE28 9AH

The Axe and Compass is known for its cosy atmosphere throughout the winter but is also a popular option for the summer. The pub has a huge beer garden with children’s play equipment and plenty of space for kids to run around.

With tables dotted around the garden area, parents are able to enjoy a beer or glass of wine while watching their children. The Axe and Compass also offers a range of pub classic dishes such as sausage and mash and a pie of the day as well as burgers and pizzas meaning there should be something you like on the menu.

2. The Five Bells

Location: 44 High St, Burwell, Cambridge CB25 0HD

The Five Bells came in second place in our poll. The pub is described as being a place where “you will find a warm welcome” as well as “home cooked food” and a “quality range of drinks”.

The pub has an extensive lunch and dinner menu for those wanting food as well as a children’s menu with plenty of dishes kids will love. Alongside the outdoor space in front of the pub, there is also a large enclosed garden with a kids play area making it a safe spot for families.

1. The Seven Wives

Location: Ramsey Rd, St. Ives PE27 5RF

The Seven Wives came out on top in our poll with a huge amount of the votes. The pub is known for having plenty of things for kids to do while parents relax including a climbing frame with a slide and a bouncy castle.

The pub also has lots of events running throughout the year including live music events and BBQs for the summer. Found in the centre of St Ives, the Seven Wives could be a good spot to stop off for a drink with your family when visiting the town.

Elaine retrained last year and is now a fully accredited intimacy coordinator for film and television. In the role, she provides support to cast and crew during pre-production, rehearsals and on-set filming of intimate scenes.

An actor has told how she vowed to follow her onscreen dreams and retrained as an intimacy coordinator to honour a promise made to a dying friend.

Elaine McKergow is best known for her role in the 2018 Netflix feature film Outlaw King, as well as for her extensive 16-year career in UK theatre.

Alongside acting, Elaine has worked in directing and drama teaching, and has appeared in BBC’s River City.

She also worked in hospitality to support herself.

However, Elaine retrained last year and is now a fully accredited intimacy coordinator for film and television. In the role, she provides support to cast and crew during pre-production, rehearsals and on-set filming of intimate scenes.

Elaine, 49, from Glasgow, said she decided to pursue her dream of working on screen as a final promise to her best friend, Lucie Randal, who died following a battle with cancer in June.

Elaine said: “Last year, one of my oldest and dearest friends, Lucie, passed away at the age of 47 from an aggressive cancer.

“I spent two weeks with her in hospice care. She made me promise that I would make a change because she knew I wasn’t fulfilled working in hospitality.

“She knew the path my life had taken and had seen the highs and lows. She reminded me that we don’t know what’s around the corner. We only get one life, and she encouraged me to stop waiting and pursue what really mattered to me.

“I thought, ‘Life is short.’ Intimacy coordination had been on my radar for a while. Hospitality paid the bills, but it wasn’t fulfilling me, and Lucie encouraged me to take the leap.

“I’ve absolutely no regrets. Every morning I wake up excited about what might happen next.”

Elaine studied acting and performance at Langside College before later landing a role in Outlaw King, which was filmed in Scotland.

However, the offer of a regular stint on River City was later shelved due to the pandemic.

Last year, Elaine applied for a course run by the Intimacy Professionals Association, founded by Amanda Blumenthal, one of the world’s leading intimacy coordinators.

Most recently, she worked as an intimacy coordinator on the new short-form horror drama Loch nam Madadh/Wolf Bay.

Filming wrapped earlier this month and the series is set to debut later this year on BBC iPlayer and the BBC ALBA YouTube channel.

She said: “The role feels like a privilege. People are trained to ride horses safely, use weapons safely and perform stunts safely.

“Yet for years there was no specialist support for actors performing intimate scenes, despite those often being the most vulnerable situations they face.

“For me, intimacy coordination is about creating an environment where actors feel safe enough to do their best work. When boundaries and consent are clearly discussed and agreed, creativity can flourish.

“The best performances happen when people feel secure. These conversations can be awkward for everyone, and having someone trained to facilitate them makes a huge difference.”

Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.

Decades of “barbaric” attacks at the Yarm institution between the 1960s and 1990s have been the focus of Cleveland Police’s Operation Magnolia since it launched in 2014.  

A total of 938 victims have come forward to police and at least 21 suspects have been interviewed as part of the probe – but not one person has been convicted. 

Numerous victims of “daily brutality” at the “torture camp” say they feel “forgotten” by police, and fear they may never get justice as former officers die.

While the operation has previously been branded as “inadequate” by victims, police say survivors of abuse “remain at the very heart” of the work. 

And this week, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Chatterton said it remains “fully committed” to improving communication with those who suffered behind bars.

HMP Kirklevington (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It comes after concerns were raised by victims about how the force had communicated with them regarding the operation. 

DCI Chatterton said: “I can wholeheartedly understand the concerns, frustrations and questions around the length of time this investigation has taken. 

“This investigation remains active, and we continue to pursue all lines of enquiry and work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

“We have not lost sight of the fact that the length of time this investigation has taken is upsetting and frustrating for all those affected. 

HMP Kirklevington (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“We remain fully committed to listening to victims and survivors and improving our communication with them. 

“We have clearly defined strategies to ensure that significant investigative updates are provided in a timely manner to each individual victim.

“There will always be support available for victims and survivors, and I encourage anyone affected to continue engaging with their appointed support services”.”

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey previously said he “shares the concerns” of victims over the length of the investigation.

Cleveland Police HQ in Hemlington (Image: Chris Booth)

Last month, The Northern Echo named one of the “barbaric” prison officers believed to have abused hundreds of children at the institution. 

Douglas Harrison – who died in 2019 – had been reported by 273 victims to police and was set to be charged with misconduct in a public office and numerous assaults days before his death. 

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the friends and families of those affected. 

“Child abuse is abhorrent and we commend the bravery of victims who come forward. It would be inappropriate to comment further while a police investigation is ongoing.”

Anyone who suffered abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre can report this to Cleveland Police. Victims can also contact Oakwood Solicitors for advice on legal claims.

Customers have reacted to the announcement saying they are ‘absolutely gutted’ to see it close

A “fabulous” high street bar and restaurant has announced that it is going to close. Three Lions Sports Bar and Restaurant, in March, will officially close at the end of July 2026.

Black Rock Grill and Smokehouse is the restaurant part of Three Lions Sports Bar and Restaurant, which is also closing. Three Lions said that the closure follows “several issues beyond [their] control” alongside “rising costs” that left them with “no other choice” but to close.

The restaurant and bar has a large beer garden with outdoor seating as well as two children’s play areas. It offers a range of smokehouse dishes including barbeque pork ribs and ‘the smokehouse burger’.

In a statement, Three Lions Sports Bar and Restaurant said: “Today we have some sad news. We are closing for good at the end of July.

“Due to several issues beyond our control and rising costs we have no other choice. Please come and see us before we close. Lastly, we just want to say thank you to all our amazing and loyal customers, we will never forget you.”

Since the announcement, the restaurant and bar have received more than 50 comments in response. One person wrote that they are “absolutely gutted” to hear of the news, saying they “love dining” at the restaurant.

Another customer wrote: “Devastated isn’t the word. Can’t believe we’re going to lose our favourite place to eat.”

The restaurant, Black Rock Grill and Smokehouse, has built a strong reputation during its time, with an average 4.8 stars out of five on Google. One customer wrote: “Absolutely brilliant, lovely service and being able to cook your steak exactly how you want it yourself on a red hot slab was great.”

Another guest described the food as “fabulous” adding that the staff are “friendly”. Additionally, someone else said they were “extremely pleased” with their experience, adding: “The food was excellent, the service we received was above and beyond. The servers were excellent, beyond expectation.”

Maura Higgins, who rose to fame on ITV2’s Love Island, will front a Disney+ reboot of the beloved series, which originally aired on ITV from 1985 to 2003.

The show was originally hosted by the late Cilla Black, and it was later revived by Channel 5 in 2017, with Paul O’Grady as presenter.

Blind Date to return to screens with Maura Higgins as host

A source told The Sun’s TV Biz: “Discussions are at an advanced stage, with the show’s producers convinced Maura’s the perfect choice for the job.”

The source highlighted Higgins’ background in dating entertainment and her growing international profile.

They said: “Not only did she shoot to fame on a TV dating contest, she is now an internationally famous face which is what a global service like Disney need for one of their shows.

“Maura also has an unquestionable glamour combined with cheeky charm which has echoes of Blind Date’s most famous host.”

News of the Disney+ reboot follows earlier reports that Higgins was in talks with the streaming giant about a presenting role.

A source previously told The Sun: “Maura is keeping her cards close to her chest but she couldn’t help but tell pals she’s reading scripts for Disney.

“Everyone – including Maura – is stunned at how well her career in the US is going. This is just the beginning.”

There has also been speculation that Higgins could appear as the next lead on The Bachelorette, after ABC reportedly put another contestant’s season on hold following legal concerns.

Despite her growing success, Higgins has spoken recently about wanting to move beyond her reality TV origins.

She told Cosmopolitan: “Obviously, I’ll always love Love Island because that’s where it all started. I wouldn’t be where I am without it.

“But I think it’s nice to venture away from that. I’ve been classed as an Islander for the last seven years.

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“You work so hard to try and get out of that box that you’re put in.

“It’s really difficult, and it takes a lot of work and perseverance.

“Now that I’m finally only just starting to distance myself, I’m like, Oh my god, it was all worth it.

“I feel like starting on Love Island is why everyone’s so invested in my love life and wants to know whether I’m single or dating.”

Would you like to see Blind Date return to screens? Let us know in the comments.