Need to know

A number of high profile shows have been affected after the new director-general announced cuts

Everything you need to know about the BBC’s £80 million cuts including Breakfast shake-up

• The new director-general of the BBC, Matt Brittin, has announced plans to cut £80 million from programming on TV, radio and news, as part of huge cuts across the corporation. That’s not all, as Licence Fee payers will also notice a reduction in services and choices as part of the £40 million-a-year cuts.
• The former Google executive unveiled his plans in a staff email on Wednesday (June 17), where he said that the BBC must be “simpler and faster” going forward and must try to avoid duplication.
• Amongst the confirmed changes announced, BBC Breakfast will no longer air on Sunday mornings from September, whilst the production teams making Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and Newsnight will merge. Radio 4’s The World Tonight will also end from September, and the number of permanent presenters on Today will be cut from five to four, with a single anchor on the show on Saturdays, and World Tonight is being replaced by Newshour.
• Several other Radio 4 programmes will also end during the next year, including the Midnight News, Money Box Live, AntiSocial, The Law Show, Crossing Continents, On the World Service, The Inquiry, The Conversation and The Fifth Floor.
• Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to go across the British broadcaster in the coming months, including 550 jobs in the BBC’s news and nations divisions.
• In the email to staff, Brittin explained that there could also be a reduction in dramas going forward, as they are “expensive” for the BBC to make.

READ THE FULL STORY: BBC Breakfast shake-up and shows scrapped as part of £80m cuts

24 Hours in Police Custody is back on Channel 4 tonight with a gripping episode following Cambridgeshire Police

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A groundbreaking Channel 4 documentary series is returning to television screens with another gripping instalment – and audiences won’t have to wait much longer.

24 Hours in Police Custody has established itself as a viewer favourite throughout the years, immersing audiences in authentic investigations within a local constabulary. Since launching in 2014, devotees of the programme keenly anticipate fresh episodes as they track Bedfordshire and Cambridge Police force working against time.

Chronicling cases from the moment a distressing 999 call is received, through to a possible court appearance, officers are shown uncovering shocking and harrowing truths while examining serious and major offences that shake a community.

From homicide and sexual violence to drug networks, the award-winning series doesn’t hold back from the intense realities confronting detectives. Another hard-hitting episode is scheduled to broadcast this evening (June 18) at 9pm on Channel 4, which audiences won’t want to miss.

Entitled The No Body Murder, this evening’s episode is a repeat that draws viewers into a complicated investigation when one man vanished, reports Wales Online.

A synopsis reads: “Cambridgeshire Police have a big problem: a murder hunt without a body. A complex search for clues takes them into the woods and across Europe, and features a mysterious post on Facebook.”

Writing on Facebook this week, the Policing Fenland page stated: “When a Wisbech man went missing in 2015 a murder investigation was launched – but it was far from straightforward.

“On Thursday (18 June) at 9pm Channel 4 will show a repeat of 24 Hours in Police Custody ‘the no body murder’.

“The investigation involved some unbelievable revelations along the way and uncovered suspected exploitation and modern slavery. We’re working hard to tackle modern slavery, but we need your help. Please know the signs to look out for and report any concerns.”

One commenter responded: “Seen this programme, truly a staggering case with an ending nobody could have predicted. If you haven’t seen it dont Google what happened, its mind blowing.”

24 Hours in Police Custody continues to attract glowing reviews, with viewers declaring it the “best” programme of its type on television.

On IMDb, one viewer previously commented: “This is a rare reality show that makes all others look like bad tv.”

Another noted: “It’s true crime, at its most honest and also most horrific; I like to believe in the basic good of human nature, but these episodes tell some pretty grim stories, and also show quite how hard it can be to secure a conviction.”

A third remarked: “Gripping, unpredictable, shocking. A fantastic insight into the Police in Beds/Cambs. Unmissable TV.”

Earlier instalments of the programme have left audiences appalled, with episodes also available to watch via Channel 4’s streaming platform. One viewer took to social media to write: “I saw both parts of this investigation and was sickened beyond belief.”

24 Hours in Police Custody returns to Channel 4 tonight at 9pm

The landmark documentary will return to television screens tonight with a chilling instalment

A landmark Channel 4 documentary will return to screens with yet another chilling episode – and viewers don’t have long to wait.

24 Hours in Police Custody has become a firm favourite over the years, plunging viewers into real life investigations within a local police force. Since its release in 2014, fans of the show eagerly await new instalments as they follow Bedfordshire and Cambridge Police force in a race against the clock.

Following a case from the minute a harrowing 999 call is made, right through to a potential court visit, detectives are seen uncovering horrific and brutal truths as they investigate serious and major crimes that rock a community.

From murder and sexual assault to drug gangs, the award winning programme does not shy away from the tense realities faced by detectives. Another brutal episode is set to air tonight (June 18) at 9pm on Channel 4, which viewers will not want to miss.

Titled The No Body Murder, tonight’s instalment is a repeat episode that takes viewers into a complex investigation when one man disappeared from his home.

Ricardas Puisys vanished from his home back in 2015, but a murder investigation was launched after police suspected foul play. But with no body, detectives were stunned to uncover unbelievable revelations.

A synopsis reads: “Cambridgeshire Police have a big problem: a murder hunt without a body. A complex search for clues takes them into the woods and across Europe, and features a mysterious post on Facebook.”

Taking to Facebook this week, the Policing Fenland page wrote: “When a Wisbech man went missing in 2015 a murder investigation was launched – but it was far from straightforward.

“On Thursday (18 June) at 9pm Channel 4 will show a repeat of 24 Hours in Police Custody ‘the no body murder’.

“The investigation involved some unbelievable revelations along the way and uncovered suspected exploitation and modern slavery. We’re working hard to tackle modern slavery, but we need your help. Please know the signs to look out for and report any concerns.”

One person replied: “Seen this programme, truly a staggering case with an ending nobody could have predicted. If you haven’t seen it dont Google what happened, its mind blowing.”

24 Hours in Police Custody continues to bring in rave reviews, with fans saying it is the “best” show of its kind on TV.

Over on IMD, one person previously said: “This is a rare reality show that makes all others look like bad tv.”

Another added: “It’s true crime, at its most honest and also most horrific; I like to believe in the basic good of human nature, but these episodes tell some pretty grim stories, and also show quite how hard it can be to secure a conviction.”

A third echoed: “Gripping, unpredictable, shocking. A fantastic insight into the Police in Beds/Cambs. Unmissable TV.”

Previous episodes of the show have left viewers disgusted, as they are also available to stream on Channel 4 online. One viewer wrote on social media: “I saw both parts of this investigation and was sickened beyond belief.”

Another penned: “That was GRIM #24hoursinpolicecustody.”

24 Hours in Police Custody returns to Channel 4 tonight at 9pm

The TV star revealed that he’s battling an aggressive form of the disease during the final episodes of his Prime Video series

Jeremy Clarkson is said to be in “spirits are high” despite his cancer diagnosis. The 66-year-old revealed that he’s battling an aggressive form of the disease during the final episodes of his Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm.

In the scenes, Jeremy was heard telling farm manager Kaleb Cooper and farmhand Charlie Ireland that he had been diagnosed with cancer in May during discussions about harvest planning. The TV presenter said he expected to be “fine” but would be out of action “for a while”.

A stunned Kaleb replies: “No, you haven’t. Where?” Jeremy replied: “Where it is is of no concern of anybody. I’ve known since May. I had a medical, you remember back in May.

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“I disappeared off the other week and I had a biopsy and it is cancer and it’s aggressive, but it’s really early so the treatment will be, you know. I was praying we could get the harvest done and then I could go and get some treatment but it’s going to be slap bang in the middle.”

He later reveals that the cancer was in his prostate and that he had undergone a procedure to remove part of it. “The prostate, 10 per cent of it’s dead,” he said. “The 10 per cent where the cancer is.”

Speaking from a hospital bed at the end of the season finale, the former Top Gear host revealed he had experienced complications during treatment. “We started season five with me in a hospital bed, and here we are at the end of season five, and I’m back in a hospital bed,” he said.

Jeremy was referring to being rushed to the hospital in 2024 after suffering chest pains. At the time, doctors found that one of his arteries was “completely blocked”. It’s said Jeremy had been “days from death”.

Despite the shock of the news, Kaleb, his Clarkson’s Farm co-star, has revealed that Jeremy is “good” amid his health struggles. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jeremy shared: “He is good. The spirits are high, which is good.

“If anything like this happens to any of your friends and you just said to my best mate, you’ve gotta be supported through that whole journey. And that’s where I’ve been, I’ve been right by his side and his spirits are really good, so thank you.”

Kaleb went on to praise Jeremy for the determination he’s shown since receiving his diagnosis. The TV star and farmer said: “He’s strong-minded, he’s got a strong mind on him, which is good. And the message about catching anything early is quite important.

“That’s the main thing, but you’ve gotta keep checking, you know what I mean, it’s all these things, you know, people can sit there and say I’m busy, busy, busy. But actually, sometimes you’ve gotta go I’m gonna just have to check and see if I’m OK.”

For weeks, Restore has sparked curiosity. The party has attempted to establish itself as a challenger to Reform UK in one of the most closely watched by-elections of the year.

In Makerfield, Rupert Lowe’s party is polling third at around five per cent. Quite remarkable for a party that only established itself in June 2025 and officially registered as a national political party on March 20 this year.

Despite the growing attention on Restore, the party’s candidate has – it seemed – remained largely out of sight.

The Manchester Evening News first contacted Restore on May 19, a day after local businesswoman Rebecca Shepherd was announced as the party’s candidate, inviting her to take part in a hustings event and requesting an interview.

Since then, there has been a lot of back and forth.

The M.E.N was unable to attend a Restore campaign event at Bryn Community Centre on May 21, but contacted the party several times to say the paper was still interested in future events and interviews.

Until today – Wednesday, June 17 – we have continued to seek an interview with candidate Ms Shepherd.

Earlier this week, many voters said they hadn’t seen her. Other media organisations are understood to have struggled to speak to Ms Shepherd.

Read our full story on the search for Restore’s candidate HERE.

The crash reportedly involved a lorry and a car

A major city road is closed after a crash on Thursday morning (June 18). The A1139 in Peterborough has been closed since around 3am after a crash.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix said: “A1139 Fletton Parkway Eastbound closed, queueing traffic due to emergency repairs and earlier accident, a lorry and a car involved at Goldhay Way. Congestion to Orton Parkway.”

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: “Please be aware that the Fletton Parkway Eastbound at Orton Goldhay is currently closed due to a collision. Please choose an alternative route.”

A diversion via the roundabout is in place. Emergency services have been contacted for more information.

Kombucha has become part of the wider boom in gut-friendly foods and drinks. But a major heart-health charity is urging consumers to look more carefully at what these products actually contain.

The British Heart Foundation has warned that some popular gut-friendly products can come with drawbacks. Commercial kombucha may be a healthier alternative to some sugary fizzy drinks, but shop-bought versions can contain added sugar. Other fermented foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, can be high in salt.

The warning points to a wider problem. Foods and drinks sold with a health halo are not always straightforwardly healthy. The fact that a product contains potentially active compounds does not prove it will produce a meaningful benefit.

Kombucha is often sold as more than a fizzy drink. Because it is fermented, it is commonly linked with gut health, wellbeing and even stress resilience.

But in our controlled human study, the results were more complicated. Drinking kombucha each day changed some metabolic markers in the body, but did not clearly change how healthy adults responded to acute laboratory stress.

That may sound disappointing to consumers, and to researchers hoping to see a clear effect. But it tells us something important: biological activity does not automatically mean a meaningful health benefit.

The metabolic findings from the study have been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings on stress responses are currently under review and should be treated as emerging evidence.

Kombucha is made by fermenting tea and sugar with a mixed culture of bacteria and yeasts, often called a scoby.

The final drink can contain organic acids, tea polyphenols, microbial metabolites and other compounds produced during fermentation. These features make it scientifically interesting and attractive to food and drink companies.

But kombucha is not a single, standardised product. Drinks vary depending on the tea used, the fermentation process, whether they are pasteurised or filtered, and how they are stored. Findings from one kombucha product should not automatically be applied to every bottle or can on the market.

Testing stress in the lab

Because kombucha products vary so widely, our study used a controlled version of the drink and compared it with a placebo. That allowed us to test the effect of this specific kombucha product, rather than making broad claims about every kombucha on the market.

Healthy adults drank either 330ml of kombucha each day or a flavour-matched placebo drink for eight weeks. The kombucha was a prototype product made using organic green and black teas and a controlled four-week fermentation process. The placebo allowed us to ask whether any changes were due to the kombucha itself, rather than simply taking part in a study or expecting a benefit.

Participants completed a laboratory stress test before and after the eight-week intervention. The task, called the Maastricht acute stress test, combines cold-water hand immersion with timed mental arithmetic under observation.

Participants moved between placing a hand in cold water and completing arithmetic under pressure. This allowed researchers to examine physical and psychological stress responses in the same procedure, rather than relying only on how stressed someone said they felt.

They measured salivary cortisol, a hormone involved in the body’s stress response. They also recorded changes in sweating linked to physical arousal, and heart rate variability: small changes in the time between heartbeats that can offer clues about how the body responds to stress. Participants completed questionnaires about stress, mood and emotional state.

What the study found

The stress task worked. Participants showed measurable physical changes during the cold-water and arithmetic tasks, and during recovery. This gave us confidence that the procedure was producing the expected stress response.

But kombucha did not produce a clear change in stress responses compared with the placebo drink. We did not observe clear differences in cortisol recovery, sweating, heart rate variability or self-reported stress that could confidently be attributed to kombucha.

The largest changes appeared to be driven by adaptation to the stress test itself. By their second visit, participants showed some degree of habituation. This is common in repeated laboratory studies: once people know what is coming, their bodies may respond differently.

The data do not support the idea that eight weeks of kombucha clearly improves acute stress responses or recovery in healthy adults.

There is, however, another part of the story.

In related research using the same participant sample, our team reported that daily kombucha consumption influenced patterns of small molecules detected in urine and blood.

Some of these changes were consistent with the idea that fermented tea products can affect measurable aspects of human metabolism. But biochemical changes alone are not evidence of an improvement in mood, stress resilience or mental health.

Together, the findings suggest that kombucha was doing something biologically measurable. Demonstrating a meaningful wellbeing benefit requires further evidence.

For consumers, the findings suggest caution. Kombucha is often discussed in the context of the gut-brain axis, the two-way communication system linking the digestive system and the brain. But showing changes in metabolism is easier than showing meaningful changes in mood or stress resilience.

For companies, health claims need careful evidence. The presence of bioactive compounds, and the fact that a product is fermented, do not establish that it will produce a measurable benefit in people.

For researchers, the findings show where future studies may need to improve. Larger samples and longer interventions could help. Researchers may also need more detailed analysis of the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms living in the digestive system, and more precise measurements of heart rate variability using an electrocardiogram, or ECG.

It may also be useful to study people with higher baseline stress. Healthy adults may simply have had too little room for improvement.

Kombucha may be biologically interesting, and this study suggests it can alter aspects of metabolism. But the stress-response data do not support selling it as a simple way to become more resilient.

Fermented foods are worth studying properly. Consumers also deserve clear evidence, especially when the marketing is already several steps ahead of the science.

Chelsea are on the market for a left-back after cashing in on Marc Cucurella, while another exit is on the cards as new manager Xabi Alonso begins to build a squad in his image. Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Jan Paul van Hecke but could miss out to Manchester City for Sandro Tonali, while Liverpool have hijacked Newcastle’s move for Victor Munoz. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, June 18.

Welsh rugby star announces exit for ‘next chapter’

Scarlets back-rower Jarrod Taylor has announced he is leaving the club after his contract came to an end.

The South African-born forward, who became a popular figure in Llanelli during his two-and-a-half-year spell, departs having made 44 appearances for the west Wales region.

Taylor arrived from the DHL Stormers midway through the 2023-24 season and made his debut against Munster in February 2024.

Confirming his departure, the 25-year-old thanked everyone connected with the Scarlets and said he would look back fondly on his time in Wales.

“I’m very grateful for my time at Scarlets and I’ll always look back on my two and a half years at the club with fond memories,” Taylor said.

“Thank you to everyone who made me feel welcome and good luck to the boys for the future.”

Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies paid tribute to the flanker, describing him as an “outstanding professional” who had made a significant contribution both on and off the field.

“Jarrod has been a pleasure to work with from the day I arrived,” Davies said.

“He is an outstanding professional who prepares well, trains hard and consistently puts the team first.

“Sometimes in professional rugby difficult decisions have to be made around squad balance and how you utilise the resources and overseas positions available to you. Unfortunately, that has been the case here.”

Davies added that Taylor had earned the respect of coaches, team-mates and supporters through his commitment and professionalism during his time at Parc y Scarlets.

“On behalf of everyone at the Scarlets, we’d like to thank Jarrod for everything he has given to the club and wish him and his family every success for the future.”

Taylor’s next destination has yet to be confirmed.

England to hand debut to controversial call-up

England are set to hand a first senior appearance to controversial call-up Benhard Janse van Rensburg when they take on a France XV on Friday.

The South Africa-born Bristol Bears centre is expected to feature off the bench in the uncapped clash in Vannes, despite not officially qualifying for England until July 8.

Because the match is not a Test, Steve Borthwick is free to select the 29-year-old before his five-year residency qualification is completed.

Janse van Rensburg’s inclusion has sparked debate in recent weeks after he was named in England’s summer training squad.

Former England scrum-half Danny Care said the selection “doesn’t sit right” and argued opportunities should instead be given to English-born players such as Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence.

The controversy has been heightened by the fact Janse van Rensburg previously represented South Africa Under-20s and once spoke openly about his dream of playing for the Springboks.

However, the midfielder was cleared to represent England following a successful RFU appeal and has found support from former fly-half Andy Goode, who said criticism of the call-up was hypocritical given England’s history of selecting overseas-born players.

On Friday, Janse van Rensburg is expected to make his first appearance in an England shirt when he comes off the bench against the French invitational side.

Ojomoh and Seb Atkinson have been selected to start in midfield, with George Ford captaining the side and Marcus Smith named at full-back.

England head coach Borthwick said: “We’re looking forward to an exciting challenge against a strong French team in what will be a demanding fixture.

“I’m eager to see this group get out there and show what they’re capable of.”

Janse van Rensburg will not be eligible for England’s opening summer Test against South Africa on July 4, but could come into contention for matches against Fiji and Argentina later in the month once he officially qualifies.

England XV: M Smith (Harlequins); N Caluori (Saracens), M Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), C Murley (Harlequins); G Ford (Sale Sharks, capt), H Randall (Bristol Bears); A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), T Dan (Saracens), G Kloska (Bristol Bears), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), G Martin (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Bath Rugby), T Curry (Sale Sharks), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).

Replacements: J Blamire (Leicester Tigers), B Obano (Bath Rugby), V Sela (Bath Rugby), N Isiekwe (Saracens), J Kenningham (Harlequins), R Quirke (Sale Sharks), B Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), A Radwan (Leicester Tigers).

British Lion named academy chief after retirement

Former British and Irish Lion Joe Launchbury has landed a key rugby role just weeks after bringing his playing career to an end.

The 35-year-old has been appointed head of academy at Worcester Warriors as the Championship club continues its rebuild following its return from administration.

Launchbury retired at the end of the Premiership regular season after three years with Harlequins, ending a distinguished career that included 70 England caps and a British and Irish Lions tour.

The second row won three Six Nations titles with England and represented his country at two Rugby World Cups.

Much of his club career was spent with Wasps, where he made more than 150 appearances across two spells before joining Harlequins.

Worcester returned to professional rugby last season after their financial collapse in 2022 and enjoyed immediate success, winning the Championship play-off final to secure the second-tier title.

The establishment of an academy is viewed as a key step in the club’s long-term ambitions, with Premiership Rugby set to expand from the 2029-30 season.

Launchbury said he was “really honoured” to take up the position.

“Worcester is a club with a huge amount of history, especially in the academy area,” he said.

“Working with the next generation, working with these younger players definitely excites me, and the opportunity to come here to Worcester was something I didn’t want to turn down.”

Warriors chief executive Stephen Vaughan believes Launchbury is the perfect fit for the role.

He said the former England international’s playing career, leadership qualities and understanding of player development made him “the ideal person” to lead the academy programme.

Launchbury toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions in 2017 and now begins the next chapter of his rugby career away from the pitch.