Small boat crossings to the UK have almost halved while the irregular crossings to Europe are down almost 40 per cent so far this year, The Independent can reveal.
Analysis of Home Office data shows 12,214 people have arrived in the UK on small boats by 9 July this year – down 42 per cent from 2025, when 21,117 people had made the perilous journey across the English Channel in the same period.
While migration experts are clear that numbers are falling, it is hard to know definitively why this is.
EU border officials have pointed to partnerships in north Africa stemming the number of onward journeys, but experts caution that these pacts come with a deadly cost.
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Nearly 1,300 people have lost their lives in the Mediterranean so far this year, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Here, The Independent examines how many people are travelling on migration routes into Europe, and onwards to the UK, and why this might be.
How many people are arriving on small boats to the UK?
At the end of June this year, 11,884 migrants had arrived on dinghies – down 41 per cent on the same period in 2025 – a particularly high year for crossings, second only to a record-breaking 2022 – and down 12 per cent on 2024.
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Labour has tried to bring the numbers down by paying more money to French police enforcement to stop migrants from leaving their shores and sending small boat migrants back to France in exchange for asylum seekers.
But the “one in, one out” scheme, which began in August 2025, has only removed a comparatively small number of migrants, with 1,087 people sent back to France as of the end of June. There have been reports that the French are looking to end the programme in October this year, to focus on a European-wide strategy of tackling irregular migration.
Why are the number of UK small boat migrants falling?
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Dr Mihnea Cuibus, senior researcher at the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, said it was hard to identify any one policy change, or factor, as contributing to the fall in crossings.
He said: “Arrivals are down throughout Europe. They were also significantly down last year, which is significant because you would expect a bit of a lag as people travel through Europe to the UK. The decline we saw last year could finally be feeding through into arrivals in the UK.
“The other thing is change in policies, with the new deal with France, and the one in, one out scheme. The share of those who have been removed to France has remained very low, so we wouldn’t expect that to make a massive difference.
“It is likely that there seems to be a bit of an effect [from the different policy changes], but there are other factors such as arrivals into the EU.”
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People thought to be migrants wade in the water as they attempt to board a small boat off the coast of Berck, France, during an attempt to cross the English Channel on June 15, 2026 (PA Wire)
In 2026 so far, 187 boats have arrived in the UK, compared to 362 boats in the same period last year. The size of dinghies has increased significantly as smugglers adapt to increased police activity on French beaches. Larger boats now ‘taxi’ around the coast of France and wait to pick up people offshore. In an indication of how big the small boats are now getting, a record 128 migrants arrived in one dinghy this week.
The previous record was 125 in September 2025. In total 41,472 people arrived in 672 boats last year, compared to 36,816 people in 695 boats in 2024.
However, the dip in arrivals in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025 may be due to when the bulk of people arrived last year. In 2025, arrivals were spread out throughout the year, starting with 4,568 people in March and continuing through the summer, with more than 5,000 people arriving in September. In 2024 and 2023 however, more people arrived later in the year, with 5,417 people crossing in October 2024.
This shows that while the arrivals are tracking down this year so far, more could still make the journey in the second half of 2026.
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Dr Cuibus cautioned: “We do see these numbers move up and down, at times quite randomly over the past five or six years. We still don’t understand why 2025 was so big, just as we don’t understand quite why there was a surge in people in 2022 – particularly in Albanians.”
He added: “If this trend continues until the end of summer, that will be very interesting. We are in a bit of a waiting pattern until we’ve seen the summer through.”
Where are small boat migrants coming from?
Eritrea was the top country of origin for arrivals last year, with more than twice as many than in 2024. Many leave to escape national service, which is compulsory for all citizens aged 18 to 40 and there is a near-total suppression of civil or religious freedoms in the country.
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The number of people coming from Afghanistan, which was the top country of origin in 2023 and 2024, declined to second in 2025 after a peak in 2022, the year after the Taliban takeover – with 8,319 people arriving via small boats.
Figures for the first three months of 2026 show that the Eritrean numbers are being sustained, with 743 citizens making the crossing compared to 735 Sudanese and 598 Afghans.
Migrants leave an area of their camp that was cleared by French authorities on July 2, 2026 in Loon-Plage, France. (Getty)
The number of Syrian, Iraqi and Vietnamese nationals also fell in 2025, while those from Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia all increased.
The numbers of Somalians making the Channel crossing surged from 697 in 2024 to 3,783 in 2025. The steep rise comes after the jihadist group Al-Shabaab made major advances last year in its battle against the Somali government.
In Sudan, where the second highest number of small boat migrants now come from, the country has been experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis after three years of civil war. Over 14 million people have been displaced and two-thirds of the population – 33.7 million people – are in need of humanitarian support, according to the International Rescue Committee.
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Judith Sunderland, from Human Rights Watch (HRW), said: “We’ve seen a massive outflow of people from Sudan, many who are stuck in Libya. We’ve already seen an increase in Sudanese on boats to Europe and there could be a really significant increase if various factors align.”
Explaining migration flows more broadly, she added: “There are a lot of people on the move because they are trying to improve their situation and the lives of their family. So long as there is bad governance and poverty, people will try to get someone where they think they can have a better chance.”
Dr Cuibus explained that Syrians and Afghans are now less likely to be granted asylum in Europe than they were in previous years and said this could be contributing to the reduced numbers arriving.
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Irregular border crossings into Europe are also down
Irregular crossings into Europe are down almost 40 per cent in the first five months of 2026 compared to the year before, data from border agency Frontex shows.
Nearly 39,000 crossings were recorded in the months January to June – a decline attributed to co-operation between the EU and Africa to increase police enforcement at departure points. The Western African route saw the steepest decline, with detections down by 71 per cent on the year before.
The number of people arriving in Italy from north Africa across the central Mediterranean route, usually the busiest crossing, is also down 52 per cent year-on-year, with 14,340 people making the journey so far in 2026.
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Why are small boat crossings to Europe falling?
Judith Sunderland, senior associate director at HRW, said the EU drive to stop people making the journey to Europe “carries with it enormous risks and suffering”. She explained “people are essentially trapped in various locations in their migration journeys”, such as migrants who get sent back to Libyan detention camps when they are picked up trying to cross the Mediterranean.
“Focusing on the numbers hides the suffering that is behind this. It is based on a lot of extremely dubious deals that the EU and individual member states have pursued and support for security forces in places like Libya, Tunisia, Mauritania and elsewhere,” she added.
Giorgia Meloni’s government in Italy, backed by the European Union, is funding, equipping and training both the Libyan and Tunisian coast guards to intercept people on their way to Europe.
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Human rights organisations have this week called for the EU to stop funding Tunisia over its security forces “reckless and violent conduct” during interceptions at sea.
According to the charity Statewatch, the EU is also looking to team up with Libya’s eastern forces to stem the number of people launching boats from its shores.
Ms Sunderland explained that there are lots of factors that would influence the numbers getting on boats, such as the weather, smuggling dynamics, and the work of border forces.
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Migrants trying to flee to Europe, disembark in Sfax from a ship owned by the Tunisian coast guards, after being intercepted by them at sea on August 10, 2023. (AFP/Getty)
“The numbers have decreased recently compared to the past several years, but they are still higher than they were six or seven years ago,” she explained.
She said that, those who remain stuck in third-party countries such as in detention in Libya, will not give up their determination to move on. “They will keep trying. Very few turn back. And people smuggling networks adapt and change.”
Dr Cuibus added: “The view is that all of these deals, with Libya, Tunisia, more co-operation with Morocco, these things together do seem to have an effect, because at the end of the day it is about physical prevention. Experience kind of reveals that physical enforcement can stop the boats, if you stop people leaving countries from transit, or at least temporarily divert them to other routes. But there are also broader factors at play, like the changes in the home countries’ situation.”
A spokesperson for the IOM told The Independent: “While the number of irregular arrivals to Europe has declined in 2026, the situation continues to demand urgent attention because too many people are still risking – and losing – their lives on dangerous migration routes.
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“The Central Mediterranean continues to be the world’s deadliest migration route… equally concerning is the growing number of migrants who disappear without trace, with increase evidence of so-called ‘invisible shipwrecks’ where vessels are lost and their fate remains unknown.”
A 43-year-old man has been taken to hospital with a serious head injury following an alleged incident in Barry. A second man, aged 30, has been arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
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The incident happened on Skomer Road at around 11.20pm on Friday, July 17. According to Google maps there was a road closure in place on Saturday morning.
A spokesman for the force said: “Officers are appealing for witnesses following assault which took place on Skomer Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan at around 11:20pm yesterday (Friday July 17).
“A 43-year-old man from Barry has been taken to hospital with a significant head injury.
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“A 30-year-old man from Barry has been arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. He is currently in police custody.
“If you witnessed this incident or recorded any footage, please get in touch via 101, quoting 2600229849.”
What changed Sadiq? London Mayor Khan is caught on camera saying the House of Lords should be abolished just four years ago – now he is happily its latest member
Sadiq Khan was caught on camera saying the House of Lords should be abolished just four years ago, despite becoming its latest member.
The London Mayor is one of 15 new Labour peers announced in Sir Keir Starmer‘s resignation honours list as he clears No10 for Andy Burnham who will become PM on Monday.
But a video of Sir Sadiq discussing his progress as Mayor of London in 2022 has now exposed his hypocrisy.
In the London Assembly meeting, Khan referenced a heated City Hall exchange he had with Conservative peer Shaun Bailey who ran against him for mayor in 2021.
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He said: ‘That exchange between Shaun Bailey and myself is proof, if it was ever needed, that we should abolish the House of Lords.’
However, Sir Sadiq is now among the 25 new peers from across the parties who will be entitled to £390 tax free for every day they spend at the Lords.
Aides did not immediately say whether he would accept the payment or donate it to charity.
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Just four years ago Sir Sadiq Khan called for the House of Lords to be abolished but hehas now been appointed a peer
In the video from a London Assembly meeting, the Mayor of London said a heated exchange between himself and Lord Bailey was proof it should not exist
Sir Sadiq was one of 15 new Labour peers announced by Sir Keir Starmer in his resignation honours list
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And despite his controversial appointment, Sir Sadiq will not give up his job and could leave as late as 2028, when his third term ends.
Joining the Lords would also allow him to become a government minister, but it is understood that he would not accept a role under Mr Burnham.
It has not been made clear what the incoming Prime Minister thinks of Sir Keir’s appointments.
In the latest batch of appointments to the Lords, the Conservatives nominated three new peers, including former army chief General Patrick Sanders and Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.
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The Lib Dems were granted five peers, but there were no nominations from the outgoing PM for Reform.
‘London gave Sadiq the opportunities to go from a council estate to being Mayor, and his focus will continue to be ensuring that all Londoners get the same shot at reaching their full potential that London gave him and his family.
‘Serving as Mayor of the greatest city in the world continues to be the privilege of Sadiq’s life.
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‘He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead and he will devote his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer, greener London for everyone.’
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What changed Sadiq? London Mayor Khan is caught on camera saying the House of Lords should be abolished just four years ago – now he is happily its latest member
North Yorkshire Police have released this image of a man that they’d like to speak to after a bank card was stolen then used without permission in the town centre.
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It happened on July 2 at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate.
“Please contact us if you recognise the male pictured on CCTV, as he may have information that will assist our investigation,” said a spokesperson for the force.
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A second picture of the man that police are hoping to speak to (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
If you can help, please contact the police by emailing PC 1824 Chatland on ed.chatland@northyorkshire.police.uk, using the website or live chat, emailing 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
Please quote reference 12260124153 when providing information
England and Argentina will meet again on the sporting stage after their World Cup semi-final produced days’ worth of fallout
Mere days after their dramatic World Cup semi-final, England and Argentina are set for another meeting on the international stage.
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Argentina came out on top in Atlanta on Wednesday, scoring two late goals to come from behind and reach Sunday’s final. Now, though, England have a chance for revenge with a different shaped ball.
The Pumas will have home advantage in the Nations Championship on Saturday. However, Steve Borthwick and his players have history on their side.
On Wednesday, it looked for a while as though the reigning World Cup champions would see their hopes of back-to-back titles dashed. Anthony Gordon put England in front shortly before the hour mark, only for Enzo Fernandez to equalise from range and Lautaro Martinez to break English hearts with a stoppage time winner.
A couple of hours before that, the same country’s rugby stars will be in action in Santiago del Estero. Borthwick’s team have one win and one defeat from their first two matches, losing to South Africa in Johannesburg before thumping Fiji on home soil.
Argentina are chasing a third straight victory after getting the better of Scotland and Wales. Both of those matches were played in front of their own fans, in Cordoba and San Juan respectively.
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England have dominated previous meetings between the two nations, winning 24 out of 30 encounters. That record includes victories in all five World Cup clashes – including two at the 2023 edition.
A number of squad members, including lock Alex Coles, are football fans and watched the midweek defeat. However, they opted against wearing their England shirts while out and about in Argentina.
“I think, bearing in mind where we are and who we’re playing with, we’ve been pretty sensible about not wearing our English shirts around too much,” Coles said. “We had them all out in Liverpool and got a bit of a better reception than we might do here.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
The 78-year-old former MP was found dead at her home on July 9
The suspect in the murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe has been named as Joshua Kerry. The 78-year-old former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9.
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Counter-terrorism police are leading the probe into the ex-politican’s death. A 28-year-old white British man arrested on suspicion of murder – and the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism – remains in custody.
He has now been named as Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Mr Kerry was detained on July 11.
Miss Widdecombe’s body remained undiscovered for almost 24 hours following her death, police believe. Detectives said she was attacked at her house on July 8, 30 minutes before she was set to appear via video call on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.
She messaged a producer at 12.19pm, but failed to respond to a text at 12.48pm. Devon and Cornwall Police believe she was attacked at 12.30pm at her bungalow on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
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Following the news of Ann Widdecombe’s death, outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the former MP as a ‘highly distinguished, forthright politician’ and that there were ‘wider questions to address about the safety of politicians’.
Sacre bleu! Graeme Souness finally admits Paul Pogba is one of France’s ‘greatest-ever talents’ after years of criticising ex-Manchester United star in remarkable Paddy Power U-turn
Graeme Souness has finally been forced to concede that Paul Pogba is ‘one of France’s greatest ever talents’ as the former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder once again switches allegiance to England’s opponents.
The 73-year-old starred alongside fellow Scottish football icons Charlie Nicholas and Gordon Strachan in Paddy Power‘s comedy sketch ahead of England’s third-place play-off against France.
With Thomas Tuchel‘s side preparing to take on Les Bleus in what many view as a largely meaningless consolation match, the trio have apparently discovered French roots for the latest chapter in their anti-England campaign.
This marks the fourth time during the tournament that Souness, Nicholas and Strachan have adopted a new nationality in support of whoever happens to be facing England.
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Having previously reinvented themselves as passionate Mexico supporters, Norwegian converts and proud Argentinians, the former Old Firm trio have shown that there is no nation they will not embrace if it means cheering against the Three Lions.
In the latest instalment, Souness reappears as ‘Guillaume Sounet’. Questioned over whether his support for France is genuine rather than simply rooted in a desire to see England lose, Souness attempted to prove his loyalty to Kylian Mbappe and Co by offering rare praise for former Manchester United midfielder Pogba.
Souness offered rare praise for former United and France midfielder Pogba in Paddy Power’s latest sketch, as the Scotsman changes his allegiance to England’s opponent once again
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Souness, one of Pogba’s outspoken critics, was asked whether the former United midfielder was ‘one of France’s greatest ever talents’, to which he replied through gritted teeth: ‘oui’
The 73-year-old, long one of Pogba’s most outspoken critics, was then asked whether the former Manchester United midfielder was ‘one of France’s greatest ever talents’.
Through gritted teeth, Souness replied: ‘oui’.
This may come as a surprise to those who witnessed the war of words between the pair during Pogba’s Premier League days.
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It began shortly after Pogba’s return to United in 2016, with Souness referring to Pogba as ‘selfish’ and suggesting that, for the Frenchman, it’s all about ‘how cool he looks’ and ‘how clever he is’.
Later, during lockdown, the criticism continued while Pogba was injured.
In a Q&A with the Sunday Times, Souness said: ‘Pogba has absolutely everything to be a top player – great athleticism, super technique – but his attitude to the game is the polar opposite of mine.
‘He goes out with one thought in his mind: ‘I’m going to show everyone how clever I am today and be the star of the show.’
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‘He’d be an absolute doddle to play against.’
Then, finally, Pogba, whom United paid £89m to re-sign from Juventus in 2016, hit back.
‘I didn’t even know who he was, really,’ the France international told the United Podcast in April 2020. ‘I heard he was a great player and stuff like that. I know the face, but not the name.
‘I’m not someone who watches a lot of punditry. I watch a lot of football but I don’t stay after the game to listen to what they say about why they did this, or why they did that. I like to focus on football.’
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While the comments from Souness continued until Pogba’s eventual departure two years later, the last Pogba said on the matter came earlier this year on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast.
Ferdinand told Pogba how he had been heavily discussed by Souness, and the Frenchman bluntly replied: ‘I didn’t know who he was. I heard he’s a legend.’
Given their long and often bitter history, Souness’s willingness to finally praise the former United star is remarkable and underlines just how far he is prepared to go to back England’s latest opponents.
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Sacre bleu! Graeme Souness finally admits Paul Pogba is one of France’s ‘greatest-ever talents’ after years of criticising ex-Manchester United star in remarkable Paddy Power U-turn
Spain will play Argentina in the Fifa World Cup final on Sunday. The highly anticipated match takes place in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, with the teams vying for the most coveted prize in football.
Attacking flair and physicality will no doubt play a role. But we could also see an underappreciated element of football come to the fore: geometry.
In their 2-0 World Cup semi-final win over France, Spain formed neat passing triangles around the French players. This sometimes made it look as if Spain had extra people on the field.
Wherever a Spanish player received the ball, two teammates appeared at different angles – with their French opponents seemingly always arriving a fraction too late.
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The triangle mattered not because it was neat, but because it gave Spain choice and France uncertainty. Each pass forced a French defender to commit to one possible future: press the ball, block the inside route, or protect the space behind. By the time that choice was made, the ball had often moved and the geometry had changed again.
Spain were not simply finding space. They were controlling when and where the next space would appear.
Spain’s passing triangles repeatedly forced French defenders to commit to one possible future. Albert Pena / EPA Images
Forcing choices
Put three attackers in a straight line and one defender can often block both supporting players. But move one supporting player sideways and the passing lines separate.
The defender must choose which route to close. Press the ball and a pass can go around them. Protect the inside route and the outside may open. If another defender steps across, a Spanish player can attack the space left behind.
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A useful football triangle does not need equal sides or 60-degree angles. Its best shape changes with defenders’ positions, body orientation, ball speed and the space available.
A narrow triangle is easy to squeeze because one defender may block both lanes. A wide one makes the pass travel farther, giving an opponent more time to intercept it.
In their semi-final match against France, Spain found the middle ground again and again – close enough for quick combinations, but far enough apart to stretch France’s press.
Argentina are competing with Spain for the ultimate trophy in world football. Will Oliver / EPA Images
A pitch made of probabilities
Football geometry is a problem of time as well as space. A passing lane is not open simply because no defender is standing in it. The key question is whether the ball reaches the receiver before an opponent reaches the interception point.
A diagram shows where players are – but a useful model of the game asks where players can get to. Research using player-tracking data estimates control of the pitch from players’ position, direction, speed and acceleration. The result is a constantly changing map of who is most likely to reach each area first.
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Pedro Porro’s 58th-minute semi-final goal offered a compact example when, after exchanging passes with teammate Dani Olmo, he continued his run to score Spain’s second. The first pass shifted the defenders’ focus. Porro’s movement created a new angle for the return.
A living network
Three-player combinations make this idea even harder to defend. Spain’s strength was not just one triangle, but the speed with which several overlapped. A midfielder could be one corner of multiple shapes, connected to a defender, full-back, winger and another midfielder.
Passing-network research describes players as points and passes as links. Yet a final network diagram for a given football match misses something important: Spain were rebuilding those links with every movement and first touch they made.
The value of a pass is not only where the ball goes, but how it changes what could happen next. That is why ten sideways passes are not automatically better than one pass that removes two defenders.
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The shape that conquered basketball
Triangles are not unique to football. Under head coach Phil Jackson (1987-1998), US basketball team the Chicago Bulls made frequent use of a tactic called Tex Winter’s triangle offence. This places three players on one side of the court to create passing, cutting and scoring routes.
The sport was different but the principle was the same: triangles preserve alternatives. Close one route and another remains; follow the ball and space opens elsewhere.
In their match against Spain, France’s problem was not simply a lack of running. Pressing works only when several defenders move together and close connected passing options.
A triangle on a tactics board does nothing by itself. Its power depends on players scanning before receiving, opening their bodies, and using the first touch to preserve the option of more than one next action.
The deeper contest was between Spain’s speed of reconfiguration and France’s speed of recognition. Spain kept changing the problem faster than France could solve it. The triangles were visible – but their real advantage was control over what could happen next.
Will we see a similar approach deployed in the final? Argentina will no doubt be closely studying their opponent’s tactics from other matches. But geometry will still play a prominent role – and may even prove a deciding factor.
Kick-off time and venue: The pre-season friendly is scheduled for Saturday, July 18. The action will kick off at 4pm BST (6pm local time) at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium.
UK channel: The match will be broadcast live on MUTV, which costs £29.99 a year. Coverage is scheduled to begin at 3.30pm BST, giving supporters half an hour of build-up, analysis and team news before kick-off.
Live stream: Fans looking to stream the match on their laptops, tablets or mobile devices can do so via the MUTV app or on the club website, both of which require an active subscription. Wrexham supporters can buy a single match streaming pass from their club’s website for £4.99.
United team news: Because this fixture falls in the middle of July, before the end of the World Cup, United’s international stars who went deep into the tournament will be handed extended summer breaks. Michael Carrick is expected to field a youthful line-up with a sprinkling of experience, like Mason Mount, who is looking to kick-start his United career after his injury issues.
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Manchester United’s first pre-season game will be played at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium(Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA via Getty Images)
Inside Sam Neill’s private family: Meet the late actor’s daughter who briefly followed in his footsteps before becoming a tattooist in Melbourne – and the son he reunited with after giving him up for adoption
Sam Neill was one of the world’s most recognisable actors, but away from the cameras his greatest pride was his family.
The Jurassic Park star was incredibly close to his children and grandchildren, becoming a devoted father-of-four and grandfather-of-eight after a life that took him from New Zealand to Hollywood.
Among his children was daughter Elena Neill, who briefly followed in her famous father’s footsteps before turning away from the spotlight and building a creative career of her own as a Melbourne tattoo artist.
Born in 1991, Elena is Sam’s only biological daughter with Japanese makeup artist Noriko Watanabe, whom he married in 1989.
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Growing up with one of Australia’s most celebrated actors as her father, Elena initially explored a career in front of the camera.
She appeared in the 2004 Australian television film The Brush-Off, based on Shane Maloney’s crime novel, playing Sophie, the daughter of her father’s character Murray Whelan.
Sam Neill was one of the world’s most recognisable actors, but away from the cameras his greatest pride was his family (Sam is pictured with members of his family, including daughter Elena Neill and step daughter Maiko)
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Among his children was daughter Elena Neill, who briefly followed in her famous father’s footsteps before turning away from the spotlight and building a creative career of her own as a Melbourne tattoo artist. (Elena is pictured in Top of the Lake)
She later appeared in Jane Campion’s acclaimed mystery drama Top of the Lake in 2013, where she played Stella, a young woman working as a tattoo artist.
The role proved to be an unusual glimpse into the future, as Elena eventually left acting behind and pursued tattoo artistry herself, becoming a Melbourne-based artist and creating a life away from her father’s fame.
Sam often spoke warmly about his daughter and included funny memories of fatherhood in his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This?
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One story recalled a young Elena being asked what her father did for a living.
‘My daddy sits in caravans,’ she responded, referring to the long hours actors spend waiting between scenes on film sets.
Elena later became a mother to a daughter whose name has not been revealed publicly.
Sam’s eldest son is Andrew Neill, who he welcomed during his early twenties before making the difficult decision to place him for adoption in 1969. The pair later reuniting.
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Speaking to The Times in 2014, Sam reflected on the experience.
Sam often spoke warmly about his daughter and included funny memories of fatherhood in his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? (Sam is pictured with members of his family including his ex-wife Noriko Watanabe, daughter Elena and step-daughter Maiko)
‘No one has all the answers on how to be a good parent. I’ve got a slightly unusual family; it’s more extended than most,’ he said.
‘My first son, Andrew, was given up for adoption when he was very small. I was quite small, too – in my early twenties. I didn’t see him for 25 years and then we went looking for each other.’
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Sam said their reunion was not the dramatic, emotional scene often portrayed in films.
‘These reunions are portrayed as sentimental and grisly, but there is nothing sentimental about it. No one sobs in anyone’s arms; it’s much more grown-up,’ he said.
‘If I could give my 20-year-old self any piece of advice, it would be that: you’re more capable than you think.’
By the time Sam and Andrew reconnected in 1994, the actor had already welcomed three more children.
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His son Tim Neill-Harrow was born in 1983 during his relationship with New Zealand actress Lisa Harrow, whom he met while filming Omen III: The Final Conflict.
Unlike his father, Tim did not pursue acting and instead worked behind the scenes in film production, including roles in the camera and electrical departments on major productions such as The Matrix Reloaded and Guardians of the Galaxy.
One story recalled a young Elena being asked what her father did for a living. ‘My daddy sits in caravans,’ she responded, referring to the long hours actors spend waiting between scenes on film sets. (Sam is pictured in Jurassic Park)
His son Tim Neill-Harrow was born in 1983 during his relationship with New Zealand actress Lisa Harrow, whom he met while filming Omen III: The Final Conflict. (Sam and Lisa are pictured in 1981)
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Tim later became a father himself, welcoming son Lachlan and twin daughters Molly and Poppy.
Sam’s fourth child was Maiko Spencer, the daughter of Noriko Watanabe from a previous relationship, whom Sam adopted during his marriage to Noriko.
Maiko largely stayed away from the public eye, but in 2021 she welcomed her first child, Nahlo – a moment Sam was so proud of that he made a rare exception and shared it publicly.
‘The Love. I don’t put family on media stuff. Except when they’re brand new,’ he wrote alongside a photo of his grandson.
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‘This is my brand new grandson Nahlo, the bestest boy, two-weeks-old.
‘So chilled, no fuss. Just eats, sleeps and thinks about things. Parents blissed out, and everybody happy. Me particularly. The love.’
Despite his enormous success, Sam was candid about the difficulties of balancing fatherhood with a career that often took him around the world.
‘Probably a lot of my parenting has been marked by absence for one reason or another, not the least of them being that my job entails travel a lot,’ he told the ABC.
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Sam’s fourth child was Maiko Spencer, the daughter of Noriko Watanabe from a previous relationship, whom Sam adopted during his marriage to Noriko. (Sam and Maiko are pictured in 2006)
Sam is pictured with ex-wife Noriko Watanabe in 1997
Maiko largely stayed away from the public eye, but in 2021 she welcomed her first child, Nahlo – a moment Sam was so proud of that he made a rare exception and shared it publicly
‘I don’t have any tips myself as far as parenting is concerned. At the same time, I’m not going to beat myself up about it.’
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He also joked about the challenge of keeping up with his growing family.
‘Now I have eight grandchildren. This has to stop! I mean, I’ve only just got a handle on all their names anymore and I’ll be struggling. But they’re adorable,’ he said.
His son Tim was quick to defend his father, saying that despite the demands of acting, Sam had always been a loving parent.
‘There are worse things a dad can do than be off working. He is a good dad. He’s a very good dad. He’s grandad. Grad, as we call him.’
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That deep love for his family was ultimately what inspired Sam to write what would become one of his most personal legacies.
After being diagnosed with stage-three blood cancer in 2022, the actor began writing his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, at a time when he was confronting the possibility that he might not have much time left.
While the book became a bestselling memoir for fans, Sam always saw it as something far more personal – a record of his life that his children and grandchildren could return to long after he was gone.
Sam’s memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? is a record of his life that his children and grandchildren can return to long after he was gone
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The actor said writing allowed him to leave behind his memories, stories, jokes and reflections for the people who mattered most to him.
Sam died at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney on Monday after battling with pneumonia.
Family described his death as ‘sudden and unexpected’ in a statement published on his Instagram page.
The actor was previously diagnosed with a type of blood cancer.
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‘It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,’ they said.
‘The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.
‘More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.’
Police have launched a murder investigation after a pensioner was found dead at a property in Bolton.
10:49, 18 Jul 2026Updated 10:59, 18 Jul 2026
A woman has been arrested after the body of a 75-year-old man was found inside a house in Bolton.
Police were called to an address on Ormrod Street at around 8am on Friday, where officers discovered the man’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the MEN reports.
The 49-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
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Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team has launched a murder investigation and is continuing to pursue multiple lines of enquiry to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death.
Formal identification of the victim has yet to take place, but officers said his next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Detective Inspector Louise Kelly said: “I would like to express my deepest condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones as they navigate through this loss. They will continue to be supported by our specialist officers during this difficult time.
“It is our priority to obtain some answers regarding the full circumstances of this tragic incident, and we are appealing for information from the public to help us progress our investigation.”
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Anyone with information, CCTV or mobile phone footage is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police quoting log 744 of July 17, 2026, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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