THERE are some artists who seem forever tethered to a particular moment in time.

David Gray, who played The Piece Hall, Halifax, last night, could easily have been one of them.

After all, White Ladder was the soundtrack to countless lives at the turn of the millennium, an album so ubiquitous that it threatened to overshadow everything that followed.

Having last played York in March 2019, Gray appears to have outgrown The Barbican, his current tour playing to 5,000-plus audiences including Scarborough’s Open-Air Theatre over the weekend.

Tonight, on a warm summer evening at Halifax’s magnificent Piece Hall, Gray demonstrated why he has endured far beyond the era that made him famous.

Review – David Gray, The Piece Hall, Halifax, July 5, 2026

I bought Gray’s debut album on its release date in April 1993 from Bradley’s Records, Halifax and reminiscing with my brother before the show, recalled seeing him at a marquee in Castlefield in 1994 and at pubs and clubs in Birmingham, London, Oxford and Derby in subsequent years.

However, this was not a nostalgia trip but a reminder that, more than three decades into his career, David Gray remains one of Britain’s most distinctive and emotionally compelling singer-songwriters.

The historic courtyard was packed to capacity as Gray arrived in Halifax on his Past & Present world tour, delivering a set that balanced the familiar with the lesser known. The setting could hardly have been more fitting. As dusk settled over the 18th-century walls, Gray’s weathered voice carried effortlessly across the crowd, retaining the raw emotional power that has always been his greatest asset.

Review – David Gray, The Piece Hall, Halifax, July 5, 2026

Opening with the confidence of a performer who knows he has a catalogue people genuinely care about, Gray moved through a career-spanning selection that showcased both his songwriting depth and his refusal to stand still creatively.

Songs such as Be Mine, My Oh My and You’re The World To Me were greeted like old friends, while newer material sat comfortably alongside the classics.

What has always distinguished Gray from many of his contemporaries is his ability to make large spaces feel intimate. Even in front of thousands, there was something deeply personal about the performance. He rarely resorted to grand gestures, instead allowing the songs to do the work. The audience responded in kind, hanging on his every word.

The inevitable highlights came from White Ladder. Please Forgive Me, White Ladder itself and the ever beautiful This Year’s Love prompted waves of recognition across the courtyard.

Yet these songs felt refreshed rather than preserved, benefitting from arrangements that reflected the years Gray has spent refining them on stage.

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Then came the moment everyone knew was coming. As the opening notes of Babylon rang out, the Piece Hall became one giant choir. Thousands of voices joined Gray for a singalong that bordered on the spiritual, a collective release that encapsulated everything live music does at its best. It was one of those moments that will live long in the memory of those fortunate enough to be there.

Review – David Gray, The Piece Hall, Halifax, July 5, 2026

Closing with a beautifully delivered Sail Away, Gray left the stage to sustained applause and the kind of appreciative roar reserved for artists who have earned their audience over decades rather than seasons.

The Piece Hall has hosted no shortage of stellar performances this summer, but David Gray’s appearance felt particularly special.

Perhaps it was the setting, perhaps it was the songs, or perhaps it was the reminder that great songwriting never really ages.

Whatever the reason, Halifax witnessed an artist still operating at the height of his powers.

Review by Gareth John / Photos by Cuffe and Taylor

Former girlband star and LMFAO collaborator Lauren Bennett has died aged 37.

Bennett was best known for her feature spot on 2011 chart-topping hit Party Rock Anthem, and her time in band GRL. 

Her ex-bandmates confirmed her death in a heartbreaking statement on Monday which read, ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren.

‘Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us. We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us. 

‘Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved.

‘Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts. Your GRLS, Em, Tash, and P.’

Bennett was best known for her feature spot on 2011 chart-topping hit Party Rock Anthem – pictured with LMFAO’s Redfoo and Skyblu in 2011

The death comes 12 years after Bennett’s GRL bandmate Simone Battle (seen center in 2013) died by suicide aged 25 – Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen also pictured

A cause of death has not been publicly announced. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Bennett for further comment. 

Bennett’s final Instagram post was shared on February 22 and showed the singer performing a cover of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walkin’. 

The death comes 12 years after Bennett’s GRL bandmate Simone Battle died by suicide aged 25. 

The band, created as a reboot of the Pussycat Dolls and formed by Robin Antin, was also comprised of Emmalyn Estrada, Natasha Slayton and Paula Van Oppen.

Bennett is survived by one daughter, Harlow, aged six, who she shares with dancer and Footloose actor Kenny Wormald.

The English singer first landed in the music industry in short-lived girl group, The Paradiso Girls, featuring members from different countries.

The group included Chelsea Korka from the United States, Aria Crescendo from France, Shar Mae Amor from the Philippines, and Bennett and Kelly Beckett from the United Kingdom.

They released debut single Patron Tequila featuring Lil Jon and Eve in 2009 – but later disbanded in 2010.

Her biggest hit came in 2011 with Party Rock Anthem, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for six weeks.

She later became the first member of Antin’s newest band, later known as GRL. 

Her ex-bandmates confirmed her death in a heartbreaking statement on Monday which read, ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren’

Bennett is survived by one daughter, Harlow, aged six, who she shares with dancer and Footloose actor Kenny Wormald, 41

Bennett is pictured in the 2011 music video for Party Rock Anthem

Bennett is pictured at the 2011 American Music Awards

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GRL collaborated with Pitbull on 2014 song Wild Wild Love – pictured performing at the iHeartRadio Music Awards

The English singer first landed in the music industry in short-lived girl group, The Paradiso Girls, featuring members from different countries – pictured 2010 with members Chelsea Korka, Aria Crescendo, Kelly Beckett and Shar Mae Amor

Bennett is pictured with mentor and GRL creator Robin Antin in 2012

The group sang song Vacation for the Smurfs 2 soundtrack, joining pop legend Britney Spears on the track list.

GRL later collaborated with Pitbull on 2014 song, Wild Wild Love. Their biggest hit as a group was Ugly Heart which peaked at 2 on the Australian charts. 

Battle died in September 2014 with the band releasing tribute single Lighthouse in January 2015. On 2 June 2015, the group officially disbanded.

In 2015, months after the suicide of Battle, Bennett spoke out on her grief and opened up the group’s final rehearsal as a five. 

‘You can never prepare yourself for something like this, ever,’ Bennett told PEOPLE.

‘We’d just been in rehearsals the day before, learning choreography for our show, and the next day we were starting the morning as usual when we got the call.’ 

 ‘I still can’t believe it. I don’t think any of us can. It’s weird that we’re even sitting here, talking about it.’

Van Oppen said that time has allowed them to regroup and process what happened to Battle.

‘She was such a strong woman, and very independent, and we had no idea what she was going through, or her pain,’ Van Oppen says. 

‘We admire how prideful she was, but now we just wish she’d let us in a little bit so maybe we could have helped her. 

‘Now we want to spread that message that it’s okay to talk about, and help people, maybe even change the world.’  

Following Battle’s death, TMZ reported that she was ‘depressed over money issues’.

Bennett later briefly reformed GRL with Slayton and new member Jazzy Mejia in 2016, and released track, Are We Good? – but the band later ended once again – pictured 2016

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Her family said they didn’t understand her money struggles because she was enjoying success with the girl group, including a collaboration with Pitbull, and had just finished a tour overseas at the time.

The family also reportedly told police that Battle had been worried she would never make it big.

Battle first started singing professionally after her breakout on the U.S. version of the X Factor in 2011. She made it to the top 17 and was mentored by judge Simon Cowell.

Bennett later briefly reformed GRL with Slayton and new member Jazzy Mejia in 2016, and released track, Are We Good? – but the band later ended once again.

Jude Bellingham produced a larger than life performance to inspire England to a thrilling win over Mexico in the Azteca to underline their World Cup credentials

Jude Bellingham has been “off the scale” in this World Cup. And in Mexico City against all of the odds, Bellingham produced one of the all-time great performances from an England player.

It was not just about his two goals, but his tireless running and effort for the team as England produced arguably their greatest-ever victory on foreign soil.

This was Bellingham’s finest hour. It was up there with Michael Owen’s hat-trick against Germany when England won 5-1 in Munich back in 2001. Wayne Rooney’s masterclass against Croatia in Euro 2004.

Up there with Paul Ince’s bloody heroics when England drew 0-0 in Rome in 1997 to reach their World Cup. Or David Beckham’s one-man show against Greece at Old Trafford in 2001 to also seal World Cup qualification.

But this one actually tops the lot. To do it in the iconic Azteca Stadium with 80,824 screaming fans against the joint hosts who had only lost two competitive games at home this century.

It was a career-defining performance for Bellingham and one which will also prove beyond any doubt that he is a team player.

Yes, Bellingham stole the show – he has been doing that throughout England’s World Cup campaign – but his tireless work for the team was just exceptional.

Bellingham also set the tone, raised the bar and that level quickly becomes infectious and resonates. When they see Bellingham chase balls into the corner, to make goal-saving clearances and give everything for the cause, they also see him as an inspiration.

That is why Harry Kane has looked so sharp. They feed off each other. Declan Rice could barely move but put in a hero’s display. Anthony Gordon was outstanding. Jordan Pickford stood firm. Dan Burn and John Stones made a difference.

It was a team effort but it was Bellingham who raised the bar and, in years to come when they talk about him being one of England’s greatest-ever players (and they will), this was the performance which will define him.

We need to move away from the Thomas Tuchel “tough love” narrative because Bellingham has been just the same whether it be Birmingham City, Borussia Dortmund or Real Madrid. His drive has always been there – and it is what makes him a special team player.

England boss Tuchel has put him at the heart of everything in the No10 role and has been rewarded with the performances of a player who would walk into any team at this tournament.

When asked about Bellingham’s levels going into the tournament and also in their games, Tuchel said: “High, high. The determination is always off the scale, he loves these kind of moments.

But I think he’s a good mix between being relaxed, I see him very relaxed, I see him calm, I see him buy into the team patterns, he’s very reliable for us. On this basis, he puts these extra moments and performances at the highest level.”

Those moments that Tuchel talked about were Bellingham’s lung-busting runs to get into the box to score. England are so lucky to have a generational talent who, at 23, is already a leader and can become one of the country’s best players of all time.

If England were to win the World Cup, then we would easily have that conversation. He is the reason why – after three man-of-the-match performances in five games – why England are still going strong in this tournament.

Bellingham is also the reason why England will start as favourites against Norway in Saturday’s quarter final. He gives England an X Factor they crave because he is a genuine global superstar.

He is so skilful, so elegant and so clever. He has absolutely everything – including the ability and potential to become England’s greatest.

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The BBC has confirmed the release date for The Hairdresser Mysteries, a new detective drama starring Sally Phillips that is sure to appeal to Beyond Paradise fans

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Beyond Paradise enthusiasts searching for their next television obsession should look no further.

The Hairdresser Mysteries, penned by Jim Cartwright, has announced its eagerly-awaited launch date alongside an exclusive preview of the star-packed series.

The upcoming production features Bridget Jones’s Diary icon Sally Phillips, Coronation Street favourite Charlotte Jordan, You actor Ben Castle-Gibb, Ackley Bridge’s Sunetra Sarker, Holby City’s Guy Henry and Corrie’s Wendi Peters.

A synopsis for the forthcoming six-episode series reveals: “The Hairdresser Mysteries is an original, homegrown drama and a nostalgic nod to the 70’s which sees a high-end hairdresser, Lily Petal (Sally Phillips), opt out of the competitive city scene to buy a small village hairdressers at the top of a cobbled street.

“Everyone tells their hairdresser everything and soon she becomes the hub of her new village’s secrets and revelations.”, reports the Mirror.

“Using her own brand of uncannily developed hairdressing intuitive, empathy and understanding, Lily begins to solve the mysteries of the village.”

When does The Hairdresser Mysteries begin?

The six-episode series becomes available on BBC iPlayer in its entirety at 6am on Friday 17 July, broadcasting on BBC One from that afternoon at 2pm.

Sally Phillips portrays charming hairdresser Lily Petal while Charlotte Jordan takes on the role of Lily’s sharp and perceptive salon assistant Clary Coombs, with the duo joining forces to crack mysteries.

Meanwhile, Ben Castle-Gibb portrays young constable PC Adam Watson, who develops a fondness for Clary, Sunetra Sarker takes on the role of the village’s resident busybody Wincey Evans, Clive Rowe appears as charity shop manager Lonnie, while Guy Henry embodies quirky antiques dealer Race Runard.

The series will feature numerous guest appearances, including Wendi Peters as newcomer Gloria Crudd. Gloria is determined to establish her fledgling ice cream venture, but will her history come back to haunt her?

When the programme was first revealed, Will Trotter and Oliver Kent, Executive Producers for Mill Bay Media, commented: “We are thrilled to be making The Hairdresser Mysteries and working with renowned writer, Jim Cartwright, who has created a joyful world packed with colourful characters.

“None more so than hairdresser, Lily Petal, and we are delighted to have much-loved actor, Sally Phillips bring her to life.”

The Hairdresser Mysteries is available to watch on Friday 17 July on BBC One.

They’ve said that they “can’t completely rule them out this summer”

The threat of yet another heatwave has forced Anglian Water to reassess its stand on whether to impose a hosepipe ban across the Eastern region. In June, the water authority issued a statement saying it had “no plans to introduce a hosepipe ban this year.”

However, the latest weather forecasts – which suggest another stretch of exceptionally hot weather this July – have made Anglian Water reconsider its position.

Ian Rule, Anglian Water’s Director of Water Services said: “Although we’re not putting hosepipe bans in place at the moment, the situation is changing very quickly and we can’t completely rule them out for this summer.”

The upcoming spell of hot weather will be the third heatwave this year so far. Anglian Water suggested heatwaves could become the ‘new normal’ as the climate crisis progresses.

Mr Rule added: “Right now, we’re facing another hot spell, and we know we’re likely to see more of this weather this summer – not to mention the years to come.”

As such, the water provider believes consumers will need to develop a sustained behaviour change throughout the upcoming summer and beyond

“By using a little less water where you can, you can help ensure there’s enough for everyone, now and for generations to come,” the director said.

Anglian Water provides vital services to nearly seven million people across the Eastern region. Mr Rule assured consumers the company is planning ahead to ensure the region will continue to enjoy reliable water supplies for years to come.

He said: “Climate change and population growth are increasing pressure on our water resources, so we’re continuing to invest in major infrastructure, including our strategic pipeline and plans for two new reservoirs, alongside solutions like desalination and water reuse.”

USA star Folarin Balogun has been cleared to play in the team’s crucial World Cup round of 16 game after FIFA rejected an appeal launched by Belgian soccer chiefs. 

The verdict was announced with just hours to go until the game started in Seatte, with Belgian bosses ominously suggesting the decision ‘leaves all further actions open’ if Balogun is now named on the United States teamsheet, as expected.

However the Daily Mail understands that, in the case that Balogun does feature on Monday night, Belgium will still go through with the game, as opposed to refusing to play. 

The World Cup descended into farce on Sunday after it emerged that Donald Trump had called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the one-match ban handed to USA star Balogun following a red card during their win over Bosnia on July 1.

Moments after Sunday’s announcement, President Trump, who has become close friends with Infantino, wrote: ‘Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’

White House sources confirmed to the Daily Mail that Trump took the extraordinary step of reaching out to Infantino, ahead of FIFA’s staggering decision to suspend the ban, before the President confirmed the news himself at a Monday press conference. 

The forward, who was sent off for this tackle, will now be available to face Belgium on Monday

Donald Trump called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to ask him to suspend the one-match ban

However, while Trump and millions of USA fans across the country celebrated the one-game ban suspension, the Belgian FA were left furious over the matter and launched an appeal to FIFA, shortly after the news was announced.

On Monday morning, they discovered the fate of that appeal after it was confirmed that the Belgian FA’s request had been rejected by FIFA. 

In a statement, the Belgian FA said: ‘The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has received the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee, signed by its member Mr Salman Al-Ansari, which declares the RBFA’s case inadmissible and confirms the earlier decision allowing United States player Folarin Balogun to play.

‘To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure id est a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee’s report. Which is a breach of FIFA regulations.

They added that: ‘The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee’s team sheet. This leaves all further actions open.’

According to sources close to the team, Belgium are considering taking legal action and referring the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

Meanwhile, FIFA released their own statement on the matter, which read: ‘The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered a request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as inadmissible in relation to the… decision to suspend for one year the match suspension imposed on Folarin Balogun following his dismissal for a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

‘The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision.’

FIFA confirmed they suspended the one-game ban handed to USA striker Balogun on Sunday

Trump has spoken out on his involvement in the Folarin Balogun red card drama 

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Controversially, the Belgian FA had claimed – just hours earlier – they they did not actually submit the appeal but, rather, had asked FIFA for more information on the matter and claimed that the governing body registered that as an official appeal.

The decision came just hours after Trump revealed how he phoned up FIFA chief Infantino over the matter and implored him to review Balogun’s red card. 

‘Yeah, I did, I spoke to Gianni. I asked for a review by FIFA,’ Trump said. ‘That’s all I did. And, you know, again, I’m good at this stuff. That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed who happened to crash into each other. 

‘He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong, and he’s our best player, or one of our best players, a very vital player and they gave him a red card. I didn’t think it meant much. Then I started hearing that it means you can’t play in the next game, at least in the next game. 

Following Trump’s admission that he had called up Infantino over the matter, the FIFA chief offered clarity over the matter through another statement on Monday. 

He said: ‘Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. 

‘During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.’

Hours before FIFA had reached their verdict, the Belgian FA accused FIFA of making their appeal ‘inadmissible’.

In a statement, they said: ‘After learning through media reports of FIFA’s decision to lift the automatic suspension of player Balogun, the RBFA sent a letter to FIFA requesting a copy of the decision, an explanation of the process that had been followed, and setting out its position regarding the applicable regulations.

Trump later thanked Infantino and the FIFA organisation for ‘reversing a great injustice’ 

The decision to show Balogun a straight red card sparked widespread fury on social media

‘As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal. No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA.

‘For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA’s own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant. While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible.

‘Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole.’

Pascale Van Damme, the Belgian FA president who is a member of the Fifa Council, is understood to have flown in to Seattle on Sunday amid ongoing discussions on the matter. 

Meanwhile, Belgium boss Rudi Garcia offered a brutal assessment on the matter during a press conference later in the day. 

He said: ‘I didn’t know that at the World Cup the 5th July is now April 1st and is now April Fool’s Day. We are defending football – its ethics and history. It’s the first time in WC history that such a decision has been taken…’

When asked about allegations that Trump influenced FIFA’s decision, Garcia added: ‘Don’t waste your time talking about that… if you have any football questions we will answer that but for the rest please go to the [FA].’

Balogun, 25, was sent off during the USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday following a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Balogun and Christian Pulisic were all smiles in training on Sunday after getting the news

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Though it initially appeared to be a fairly innocuous tackle, replays showed that the striker did appear to scrape his cleats down his rival’s leg. However, the decision still sparked widespread fury online, with many fans calling to overturn the suspension.

On Sunday morning, their wish was granted after FIFA confirmed the suspension. 

In their own statement, FIFA said: ‘In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year. 

‘If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.’

In response, the USMNT said: ‘We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. 

‘Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.’ 

The United States are trying to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 by beating Belgium, with many considering Monday night’s game the biggest ever in US soccer. 

The Daily Mail understands that the USMNT were informed about the decision on Sunday morning. However, the squad were not told straight away and later found out through social media.

Prince Harry has touched down in the UK after being barred from staying in Buckingham Palace over a missed invite deadline.

The arrival of the Duke comes just two days after he was he could not take up the accommodation – at least 36 hours before his own team announced to the world that he would be, the Daily Mail understands.

The 41-year-old Prince, who had been due to arrive in the UK today without Meghan, Archie and Lilibet, took too long to accept an offer of royal accommodation from King Charles.

Amid the row over his son’s security arrangements, King Charles brushed aside the controversy on Monday as he climbed aboard a Challenger 3 battle tank during a royal engagement with the British Army in Bovington, Dorset. 

The monarch is understood to have asked for an answer from Harry about staying at Buckingham Palace by last Friday, but he was still flip-flopping over the weekend.

Harry had initially declined his father’s olive branch before changing his mind and attempting to accept it just hours later.

Royal officials informed him on Saturday evening that the stay could not go ahead because the necessary staffing and hospitality arrangements were no longer in place, making it logistically impossible.

However, there was confusion at the Palace on Monday when Harry’s team briefed preferred media outlets, including the BBC, that he would be staying at Buckingham Palace this week, citing direct discussions with the King.

Within minutes – and only hours before Harry was due to land in Britain – those claims were publicly challenged.

Palace sources said the Duke had simply failed to respond in time despite having had several weeks to consider the offer.

Harry’s spokesman subsequently issued an extraordinary statement expressing ‘disappointment’ and accusing Buckingham Palace of withdrawing the offer ‘at the last moment’ – a development that has plunged the Duke’s forthcoming visit into fresh turmoil.

‘I am aware of multiple briefings from Buckingham Palace last week suggesting that the Duke had not accepted the offer of accommodation at a Royal Residence,’ the spokesman said.

‘Following RAVEC’s decision not to provide security for his family, the Duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements. Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend.

‘It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, with Tuesday’s judgment in the Associated Newspapers Limited case cited as the reason.

‘Buckingham Palace has, however, been aware of that judgment since last Thursday. It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment.’

The latest dispute marks another twist in more than a week of tense negotiations over Harry’s security arrangements in Britain, a saga that sources say has left the Duke ‘in tears’.

The Daily Mail understands that, despite repeated requests for clarity, no formal acceptance of the offer of accommodation at a royal residence for the Duke and his family had been received by the Palace before the deadline at the end of last week.

Prince Harry claimed he accepted an offer from King Charles (pictured together in 2019) to stay at Buckingham Palace – only for it to emerge that this had been too late for the Palace to prepare

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Meghan could make her first return to the UK since 2022, accompanied by her children Prince Archie, 7, and five-year-old Lilibet

While every effort had, it is understood, been made to facilitate Harry’s stay, the Royal Household requires a minimum period of notice to ensure a royal residence can be staffed and prepared appropriately.

Since the offer was first made, every indication from the Duke and his senior team was that the accommodation had been deemed unsuitable, including correspondence received on Saturday morning formally declining the King’s offer.

Although a request was later received to accept the accommodation for a limited period, the necessary hospitality and staffing provision was no longer available.

Following consultation with His Majesty, the resulting outcome was communicated to the Duke through the ‘appropriate channels’.

It remains the case that accommodation at a Royal residence will be made available to the Duke and his family for a future visit.

Father and son are widely expected to meet, although any plans are likely to remain private.

The key question now is whether Meghan, Archie and Lilibet will also travel to Britain to see the King and spend time with him for the first time in four years.

Harry’s desire to stay in a royal palace is likely to raise eyebrows given his long-running criticism of the Royal Family and the so-called ‘men in grey suits’ who work for his father.

It came amid toing and froing over whether Meghan and the children would be coming over with him.

The Duchess of Sussex and her young children will not travel to London on Monday with Prince Harry after a demand for extra security was turned down.

The family are believed to have been holidaying in Europe.

Sources close to the couple have not ruled out Meghan and the children coming to the UK later in the week. Archie and Lilibet have not seen King Charles since 2022.

Meghan is due to join her husband at an event in Birmingham on Friday to promote next year’s Invictus Games, the charity for wounded servicemen that Harry set up in 2014.

It is understood Meghan and Harry could bring Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, with them when they travel to other parts of the UK.

Sources previously claimed there have been ‘real and credible threats’, including threats of terrorism, against Harry and his family in the capital.

The five-day Sussex trip to the UK has been fraught with upset and drama.

The Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will not travel to London on Monday after a request for police protection was denied, however they may still visit the UK for a quick visit and perhaps see the King 

Harry remains enraged that he does not receive around-the-clock police protection during his trips to the UK.

Instead he has to give three weeks’ notice of his visits which are assessed on a ‘case by case’ basis.

Harry’s team originally briefed the Press that he was coming with his wife and children – Meghan has not visited the UK since the Queen’s funeral in September 2022 – but, less than 24 hours later, said he feared for their safety if they came without full-time taxpayer-funded armed police protection and his spokesman said the family would no longer accompany him.

But now Harry’s team are saying that while the family will not travel to London with him there is a chance they may join him during other parts of his UK visit.

It is thought he wants to take his children to his mother Princess Diana’s family home, Althorp, where she is buried on a private island in the middle of a lake.

A source said: ‘Harry longs to bring his children to the UK, to show them where he comes from and to introduce them to their heritage. And he wants to take them to Althorp which is where Diana was raised and where she rests. 

‘It’s important to him that the English side of their heritage is part of their life. But their security is everything. There are real and credible threats and he will not put his family in danger.’

Harry and Meghan had planned to attend other charity events in the UK including a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

It is thought Harry will now attend the London events solo.

The Sussex drama has been going on all week.

The family is currently in Europe, possibly at their holiday villa in Portugal, and had been scheduled to travel together on Monday.

The Mail understands there are tentative plans to see members of the Royal Family, including the King, but in a private capacity with courtiers telling the Sussexes they cannot release any photographs of any reunion.

Prince William and Princess Kate are unlikely to see the Sussexes during their visit.

Meghan and Harry flew to Canada and then the US during Megxit in March 2020 when they stepped down as working members of the Royal Family.

They live in a £14million mansion in Montecito and friends say both Lilibet and Archie have strong American accents.

Harry has previously said it is his ‘ardent wish’ for his children to know about their British heritage.

Meghan’s jam-making business in the US has not been the roaring success she hoped it would be and their $100million Netflix deal was cancelled last year.

A Netflix source said: ‘They need a strong connection to the UK to be relevant in the US. People only care about the fact that Harry is Diana’s son. Their only currency is their proximity to the Royal Family, certainly as far as America is concerned. They need to maintain their links to the King.’

Harry has long argued that security concerns have prevented him bringing his family to Britain after his taxpayer-funded protection changed – he says he wants his children to visit

Critics have accused Harry of using ’emotional blackmail’ by flip-flopping on his decision about whether to bring his children to the UK.

The King, who is very close to his other grandchildren, has made it clear he would love to see Archie and Lilibet, particularly as he has been fighting cancer.

Harry is due to attend events for WellChild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers during his visit.

The ruling in his case against Associated Newspapers is due on Tuesday, as Harry makes his first speech in the UK. 

He and others accused the Daily Mail of using unlawful means to produce stories, a charge the Daily Mail vehemently denies. 

If he loses the case he could potentially face millions of pounds in legal fees.

If you visit Scandinavia you are likely to find yourself at an exhibition about Vikings. There are many to choose from.

The National History Museum in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, houses a major permanent exhibition on Viking. The Swedish History Museum in Stockholm boasts the largest Viking Age exhibition in the world. And the new Norwegian Museum of the Viking Age in Oslo, set to open in 2027, promises to be the world’s leading Viking museum. In the meantime, a temporary exhibition displays highlights of Viking Age archaeological finds at the Museum of Cultural History.

Obviously, Scandinavian national museums expect that audiences, domestic and international, visit their museums to see objects from and hear stories about the Vikings. But there’s more to the national museums’ obsession with vikings than simply wanting to meet demand. National museums use history to help shape ideas about national identity and Vikings are often used to reflect current values and needs.

During the 1800s, when national projects were popular, the Viking Age became a key part of the construction of national identity in Scandinavia. Since then, the Vikings have become such well-known symbols that they are now recognised around the world. In the popular imagination, a Viking is tall, broad-shouldered man who wields a sword, and might have a modern haircut like a skin fade or lots of tattoos. However, this picture is mostly a made up one.

Experts at Scandinavian national museums know that Vikings were a diverse group, far from the all-male warrior myth. Yet the image of the male Viking warrior stubbornly lingers, drawing crowds while also haunting the galleries like a restless spectre.

Across three of the exhibitions, the male Viking emerges as a warrior, a seafarer, and a merchant. He is also repeatedly depicted as a farmer, his days spent working the land. The agricultural portrayals add depth but the curation of exhibitions tends to foreground the more popular image than this more complex one

One glimpse of this can be seen in the Swedish exhibition, which notes that many free men and women owned weapons, but only a few truly saw themselves as warriors. Still, the exhibitions spotlight ships, swords and artefacts of trade and travel, placing them front and centre.

In Copenhagen, visitors to The National Museum are told to see “our Viking exhibition, where we’ll explore a world more than 1,000 years old – shaped by a warrior culture and the gods Odin, Thor, and Freyja”. Here we see the real history butting up against the expected fantasy of norse legends, warriors and gods.

There seems to be a tension that curators feel in giving audiences what they are looking for while also presenting real history.

Another place this tension can be seen is in their depiction of female vikings. While these intuitions are attempting to insert women into the male-dominated picture of the Viking age, descriptions of women’s lives and their social or cultural influence tend to be limited.

There is a tradition of only showing Viking Age women who were exceptional figures, such as noble mistresses or shieldmaidens (female warriors), making ordinary women less visible. Elsewhere representations of women cleave to gender stereotypes focusing on their roles in home and their clothing. Take this example from the Danish exhibition, where it is stated that “guests were received by the lady of the house, who managed everything to ensure the occasion was a success. Women played an active role in running the farm, and also travelled widely.” Another caption explains that: “Jewellery and equipment in the graves of many wealthy and aristocratic women reflect the complex roles these women had.”

The curation is also concerned with the national founding narratives of Scandinavia.

The story that the Viking age was a pivotal moment in the birth of nations and culture is seen in various forms across all three exhibitions. The story is that in this period Scandinavia became distinct unified Christian kingdoms from a series of disparate and decentralised pagan tribes. Today, Scandinavians differ in their enthusiasm for this narrative. But it still looms over the storytelling of the period’s history.

In Denmark, history blends seamlessly with national identity. This has been bolstered by the nation-building legend of Harald Bluetooth. Bluetooth was the father of Sweyn Forkbeard and grandfather to Canute the Great – who converted to Christianity after witnessing the miracle of the monk Poppo carrying a piece of burning coal without burning his hands.

Several researchers have observed that, since the 1980s, the Viking Age has been used to create convenient contemporary narratives. For instance, those narratives suggesting successful cultural encounters between Scandinavians and Muslims in the past by highlighting archaeological finds) that testify to these encounters. This stems from a contemporary desire in Sweden and Norway to create a counterweight to the nationalistic use of the Viking Age that is often directed against Muslims.

As these examples show, creating a museum exhibition is a delicate balance between handling traditional narratives rooted in popular imagination and presenting accurate representations of the past. Still, the Scandinavian national museums’ obsession with the Vikings may be explained by their eagerness to present representations of the past that have more to do with the present state of society than what is known about the Viking world.

“At first it was agony, but after a couple of weeks you get into it and it becomes routine.”

A Bolton mum has revealed her routine that saw her go from a ‘couch potato’ to competitive body builder. Before her extraordinary transformation, Lyndsey Kelly would eat takeaways at least once a week, drink every weekend and rarely exercise.

But when the mum-of-one reached her mid 40s, she decided it was time to turn her life around. The 47-year-old hired a personal trainer and started waking up as early as 4am for workouts before heading off for 12-shifts as a machine operator.

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Now, Lyndsey has lost nearly five stone by doing 40 minutes of fasted cardio at 4am five times a week and eating the same meals every single day.

She has found a love for weightlifting and now at 8st 8lbs she competes in bodybuilding competition.

“I work 12 hour shifts so I get up at 4am and do 40 minutes of fasted cardio, then I walk to work and do a weights session in the gym after my shift finishes,” she said.

“At first it was agony, but after a couple of weeks you get into it and it becomes routine. I quite enjoy it now because I like the structure and the discipline but that only comes with time.

“I’m not killing myself with cardio, it’s just consistency.” Lyndsey says she was previously a “couch potato” who did no cardio and sat around drinking every weekend.

She said: “I was eating too much, drinking too much, having takeaways and doing no exercise. I’d just had enough.

“I changed for my son. I wanted to be a role model and show him what you can achieve.”

In January 2024, Lyndsey decided to make a change and entered an online competition to win three months of coaching with a personal trainer.

Although she didn’t win, the coach contacted her afterwards to ask if she still wanted to work together.

Lyndsey told Talk to the Press: “I thought the money I’d spend on coaching was the money I’d been spending on alcohol and takeaways anyway.

“I pay for three months coaching at a time which costs me £350, which is cheap compared to some coaches out there, but it’s a lifestyle choice.

“I yo-yo’d with my weight over the years, particularly when my son was young as he was my priority and I would put myself on the backburner.

“But he is 16 now so I’ve got so much more time. I signed up with Craig two and a half years ago and I still check in with him every Sunday. I know I can’t get away with anything.”

Lyndsey swapped chicken kebabs for five meals a day which are carefully weighed out.

Every single day, Lyndsey’s menu includes oats and yoghurt, chicken and rice, chicken wraps, mince meat with potatoes and vegetables, and sourdough bread with peanut butter.

Her coach was a bodybuilding specialist so got into bodybuilding straight away, eventually building up to enter the 2026 NABBA North West bodybuilding competition.

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Now her cardio work typically involves time on a static bike or on the Stairmaster, and most of her weight work focuses on heavy dumbbells.

Lyndsey said: “Women always say that they don’t want to get too bulky and that they just want to tone up, but toning up comes from building muscle.

“You’re not going to turn into a man overnight by lifting weights. It’s actually very hard for women to build muscle because we don’t naturally have the same testosterone levels, so its all about what we eat.”

On June 13, the mum finished second in the NABBA North West bodybuilding finals. She initially entered in the toned category but judges moved her into the athletic class because of her muscle definition and conditioning.

She said: “I was really nervous, but what I’ve taken away is to just have fun, don’t take it too seriously.

“Everybody is so lovely and puts you at ease. You’ve worked hard so it’s time to show it off.”

Lyndsey now shares her fitness journey with her 11,000 followers on Instagram @lynds.lifts.

For anyone considering starting their own fitness journey later in life, she advises: “You’ve got to get used to it and give it time. It can be a bit boring at first, but once you start seeing results, you realise it works. Trust the process.”

Kelly Faiers, 61, died at the Somerset home of predator Richard Scatchard, 70, before he mysteriously disappeared and was later found dead in a caravan miles away

A woman was found dead from a cocktail of sleeping tablets and alcohol inside the home of her sex‑offender boyfriend, who had a chilling history of drugging women, sparking a murder probe, an inquest heard.

Kelly Faiers, 61, died at the Somerset home of predator Richard Scatchard, 70, before he mysteriously disappeared and was later found dead in a caravan miles away. Her death was initially treated as non-suspicious, but a murder probe was later launched by police when other evidence came to light about his previous convictions.

Somerset Coroner’s Court heard Scatchard had a long history of sexual offending dating back to the 1980s, which included attempted rape, sexual assault and administering drugs, such as chloroform, to obtain sex, according to Somerset Live.

He was jailed for life in 2000 and told to serve a minimum of five years and four months’ imprisonment before he could be considered for parole.

“His modus operandi was to meet a female, usually by a dating website or equivalent, and given we are talking about offences in the late 1980s or 1990s it was a lonely hearts advert,” Samantha Marsh, senior coroner for Somerset, described when referencing the four women Scatchard had drugged and sexually assaulted.

“He would administer unknown drugs to women, causing the woman to lose consciousness, and while she was unconscious, he would commit sexual acts upon her without her knowledge or consent. He would photograph or video his committal of these acts.”

Scatchard was released from prison in April 2013 and later moved to Minehead in 2020, the inquest heard. Ms Faiers, who was single and worked at Bristol Airport, had met Scatchard on a dating website, and they had been in a relationship for around six months before she died.

For years she had been a “high-functioning” alcoholic, her family said, while co-workers described a “fantasy” Scatchard had of having sex with her while unconscious through drugs and alcohol. The sex offender was also said to be “controlling”, often criticising Ms Faiers’ appearance.

“I told Kelly she needed to get out of that relationship. Kelly replied saying she would never take anything without knowing what was going to happen,” said Claire Blick, Ms Faiers’ work supervisor.

“On one occasion, Kelly mentioned during a conversation that Scatchard had tried to raise his hand at her, and she told him that would never happen again.

“About a week later, Kelly turned up to work with a black eye and told me she had fallen down and hit her head on the table. She wore sunglasses at work to cover the injury.”

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Another colleague said he had “alarm bells” when Ms Faiers told him about text messages Scatchard sent her.

“Kelly told me Scatchard had asked her what flowers she would like to have at a funeral, and she was his sex slave and that she belonged to him,” Daniel Cepek said, adding, “When she told me these things, I said to her that’s just weird.

“The alarm bells continued to ring when another time Kelly told me that Scatchard had asked her to take some tablets so that he could have sexual relations with her while she was unconscious.

“After all these things that Kelly would disclose to the team, the team and I would tell Kelly she needed to get rid of him.”

Another colleague Jason Hemmings said: “Kelly expressed to me that Scatchard had a fantasy about her taking enough drugs and alcohol to the point of being unconscious and him having sex with her.

“I immediately told her it was not normal, and she needed to leave. She laughed it off, and it wasn’t spoken about again.”

A post-mortem examination found Ms Faiers, from Weston-super-Mare, had died from the combined effects of alcohol and sleeping tablets, pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery concluded.

The mother-of-four was just under three times the drink-drive limit, and the concentration of the sleeping tablets would support the taking of “an excess number of tablets”.

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“It is not possible from the toxicology results to confirm the exact number of tablets that were taken,” Dr Jeffery said.

“The effects of alcohol and the tablets would provide an explanation for the death. It should be noted that it is not possible to determine from the pathology or the toxicology whether Kelly took the tablets willingly or knowingly. It cannot exclude spiking.”

Empty blister packets of sleeping tablets and Viagra were recovered from Scatchard’s home, the pathologist added.

“I was provided with a schedule of messages that were shared between Richard Scatchard and Kelly in the days prior to her death. These were highly sexualised on the part of Richard Scatchard and dismissive on the part of Kelly.

“It was clear sexual activity was planned or expected by Richard Scatchard on the weekend. He made sexually explicit comments about her including bondage, rough sex, anal penetration by objects, comments were also made to her that she should do as she was told.

“She does not appear to engage with these messages and attempts to brush them off. Her messages suggest she would not engage in any further activity with him.

“In the messages, he indicates he has explicit photographs of her. He describes wanting to throw her on the floor and have sex, including anal sex with her, and comments about her lying there naked while unconscious.

“She responds that she doesn’t particularly like that, and she hates loss of control. He says they had agreed to compromise on six tablets, and she tells him it is what he said.”

The inquest in Taunton continues.