Legally Blonde The Musical is running at Belfast’s Grand Opera House until July 25 and Amber Davies shines as Elle Woods

Taking an iconic movie beloved by millions and adapting it for the stage is a huge gamble – will the magic translate and captivate audiences in the same way.

Legally Blonde holds a special place in the hearts of many millennials, me being one of them, so when it was turned into a musical back in 2007 it’s been on my list to see.

Finally when the production rolled into Belfast this week, it was my turn to witness the magic and see if they could bring that sparkle that makes the movie so special and turn it into a musical format.

Stepping into the pink heels of Elle Woods is Strictly star Amber Davies who first shot to the spotlight in Love Island back in 2017. But underestimate this woman at your peril because she is a complete triple-threat powerhouse.

Advertisement

In a poetic way she is the perfect person to take on the role of Elle Woods, who many underestimate as she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School to follow her ex-boyfriend Warner.

She has to prove there is more to her than her blonde hair and show everyone what she is truly capable of in her own Elle Woods style. I would say Amber may feel an element of affinity with Ms Woods, shaking off any pre-conceptions people may have of a reality TV star to show her true self, a real musical theatre star.

This role was made for her as she perfectly nails Elle’s quick quips, iconic one-liners and boy can she sing. If you watched her on Strictly then you know she can move, but she really is the full package as her vocals pack a punch as well.

The musical is very true to the rom-com we all know and love and closely follows the story as Elle follows Warner to law school, seeks to prove herself and ends up discovering so much more about herself and what she is capable of.

Along the way she meets Emmett, played by George Crawford, who helps her be her true self. I loved the natural chemistry between these two who bounced off each other and you couldn’t help but root for them in the end.

The production is high energy with the ensemble cast bringing plenty of laughs, sparkle and fun to the stage. I didn’t know any of the musical numbers before seeing the show and although I really enjoyed the performances, I didn’t leave rushing to listen to the playlist afterwards.

It’s pink, sparkly fun but for me, the songs weren’t classics I’ll be belting out in the car myself.

It was a joy to see the movie’s most famous moments, such as the bend and snap, brought to life on stage. And special mention needs to go to Karen Mavundukure as Paulette, her solo runs were stand-out moments and she brought so much energy and pure joy to the stage.

So if you are looking for a trip down memory lane and your favourite movie moments brought to life then Legally Blonde is sure not to disappoint. It’s been a hit on stage for so long for a reason. A night of pure escapism with plenty of feel-good moments so you leave feeling on a high.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here

The retailer’s new partnership expands on its existing Whoosh delivery service, offering more options for fast, store-to-door deliveries.

Tesco announced that the collaboration will launch in August and make Clubcard prices and points available to even more customers across the UK.

Expanding the delivery service to Uber Eats and Deliveroo is set to bring “benefits to even more customers”.

How will Tesco shoppers benefit from the new delivery services?

Ashwin Prasad, CEO of Tesco UK, said: “Whoosh has transformed the way millions of customers shop with Tesco – offering speed, convenience, and great value through the power of Clubcard.

“Launching with Uber Eats and Deliveroo will enable us to bring those benefits to even more customers.

“Our online business continues to go from strength to strength and these partnerships represent another important step in expanding our reach.

“By combining Tesco’s market-leading range, quality, and value with the scale of Uber Eats and Deliveroo, we’re making it even easier for more customers to shop with Tesco in a way that suits them best.”

The partnerships mean that customers will be able to earn Clubcard points and benefit from Clubcard prices on orders placed through both Uber Eats and Deliveroo platforms.

Saskia De Jongh, vice president at Uber Eats, said: “As the UK’s leading delivery platform we are thrilled to partner with Britain’s biggest supermarket.

“Uber Eats reaches over 90% of people in the UK, with more and more people choosing instant delivery for the everyday essentials that keep life moving.

“We cannot wait to help bring Tesco’s Clubcard Prices and quality products to an even wider range of customers this August.”

Tesco’s Whoosh service has offered customers rapid delivery since 2021, promising groceries in as little as 20 minutes from around 1,800 stores.

The company said Whoosh sales grew by 51 per cent over the past year, with around 1.5 million customers using the service across the UK.

Are you excited that Tesco will be offering deliveries through Uber Eats and Deliveroo? Let us know in the comments.

A Jacobean survivor on the Tees

Set at the west end of Gainford, the hall has been a landmark in the village for more than 400 years, its tall chimneys and clustered gables giving it the classic “Old Hall” silhouette that once made it a favourite subject for art students at Gainford Academy.

It sits on the edge of the village above the river, surrounded by old gardens, orchards and former farm buildings that tell the story of its working past.

Built for a colourful cleric

Gainford Hall was built around 1600–1603 for the village’s vicar, Reverend John Cradock, whose “remarkable” career took him from Durham to London and back again.

He is thought to have commissioned one of the earliest fully designed “double‑pile” houses in the North – two rooms deep, with central chimneys and staggered floors served by staircases at either end – a layout that was cutting‑edge for its day.

Dr Cradock was one of the most controversial and possibly corrupt clerics of his day, arrested by his enemies mid-service in Durham Cathedral and perhaps murdered by his own wife who had become fed up with his intrigues.

Without a rich clerical patron to continue updating it, the hall slipped into use as a farmhouse and was described as “dilapidated” by the mid‑19th century.

Some restoration work was carried out in the 1840s by architect William Burn, but for much of its life Gainford Hall survived by being largely left alone, its original form spared the heavy remodelling that changed many country houses beyond recognition.

From ‘at risk’ to restored

By the late 20th century, the Grade I‑listed hall and its 17th‑century dovecote were both on Historic England’s Buildings at Risk register, empty for years and in urgent need of major repair.

Raby Estates, which owns the property, has since funded a substantial restoration programme – including new roof timbers, repointing of external walls and steel ties to secure the structure – partly through new housing developments in Gainford and nearby Staindrop.

That work has now seen both the hall and dovecote removed from the risk register, with the interior refurbished as a large residential property.

It is arranged over six staggered floors, retaining fireplaces, high ceilings and views across the Tees to the south.

The estate describes letting the hall as a “truly unique opportunity” and was previously exploring long‑term, sympathetic uses that fit its heritage significance.

You might find yourself walking through the store with your arms full of items and struggling to carry them all.

You can either go all the way back to the shop’s entrance to pick up a basket or struggle to carry everything to the checkout.

After seeing shoppers walking through its stores with so many products, B&M has made a change to its stores that fans are calling “genius”.

How has B&M changed its stores?

In a video posted to TikTok, B&M has revealed it is adding baskets to the end of the middle aisles in the store as well as at the entrance.

The video was captioned with “game changer” and the text on it read: “When we decided to put baskets in the middle of the aisles.”

Fans of the store have flooded the video’s comments with praise for the change with one saying: “I saw these yesterday, with my hands full of stuff, and thought ‘genius’.

“Why did it take this long?

“No more trudging back to the doors for a basket!

“Plus, finally pull along ones.”

Another user commented: “If I had a pound for every time my mother-in-law says half way around ‘we should have got a basket’.

“Love this idea.”

Another fan has asked for trolleys to be added to the middle aisles as well for when people need to “upgrade”.

Others have already used the baskets in the middle aisle with one person saying: “Helped a girl out when everything was falling out of my hands.”

When did B&M open in the UK?

B&M is a discount retail store that sells a range of products from groceries and homeware to garden items and furniture.

B&M was founded in 1978 and has slowly become one of the leading retailers in the UK.

The first store was opened in Blackpool, and the brand now has more than 700 stores and employs more than 35,000 people.

Every week, more than four million customers visit B&M stores across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Are you excited by the new change introduced at B&M stores? Let us know in the comments.

A boyfriend said ‘I’m so sorry’ to his girlfriend after he lost control of their car and plunged into icy water that slowly drowned them over three hours.

Adam Dudzinski, 17, and his girlfriend Chloe-Ann Naylor, 16, died after their Ford Fiesta flipped into a ditch off a country road.

The car plunged into an icy drainage ditch outside Iwade, near Sittingbourne, Kent at around 8.30pm on 3 January – the coldest day of the year.

Trapped upside down and hidden from view it took three hours for the couple to drown in the shallow water.

A 16-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, only survived the crash after her dad managed to trace her through a phone app.

Chloe kept trying to keep her boyfriend’s head above water.

The teenager described preparing herself to drown before Chloe tapping her leg gave her the courage to release her seatbelt.

While trapped inside the submerged vehicle, she recalled Adam repeatedly saying: ‘I am sorry, I am so sorry.’

The survivor shouted Chloe’s name before she ‘went quiet’.

Kent and Medway Coroner Ian Potter heard Adam had been driving Chloe and their friend to Chloe’s home in Sittingbourne after the three had spent the evening at his house.

The court was told Adam, a supermarket worker who did not hold a driving licence and was uninsured, lost control of the Ford Fiesta on a sharp bend on the dark rural road.

In a statement, the surviving passenger said Adam had been driving quickly but was not speeding.

She said he attempted to slow down but failed to brake in time for the bend before the car left the road.

She also described Chloe desperately trying to keep Adam’s head above the rising water while repeatedly calling out to her friend before eventually falling silent.

The court heard the survivor’s father became concerned when his daughter’s location stopped updating on the Life360 mobile phone app.

He travelled to the last recorded location shortly before midnight and discovered the overturned vehicle partially submerged in the ditch.

Emergency services, including police, firefighters, paramedics and HM Coastguard, rushed to the scene.

Despite their efforts, Adam and Chloe were pronounced dead after drowning. The surviving teenager was rescued and later discharged from hospital.

Collision investigators found no evidence Adam had been exceeding the speed limit but concluded he had likely been travelling too fast for the road conditions.

The court also heard police sought to prosecute Adam’s legal guardian for allegedly permitting him to drive while uninsured and without a licence.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Recording verdicts of accidental death, Coroner Ian Potter expressed his condolences to the three families.

He said: ‘This is a very tragic state of circumstances and I cannot begin to imagine what the three families have been through.’

Following the tragedy, floral tributes were left at the scene in Old Ferry Road, while more than £15,000 was raised through fundraising campaigns to support the families of Adam and Chloe.

MORE: ‘Summer scramble’ hits UK roads as 14,100,000 drivers head on holiday

MORE: Mature 10-metre trees suddenly ‘savaged’ in middle of no-felling season

MORE: You could be fined £1,000 if you don’t have a paddleboard licence

The Hundred men’s competition, Utilita Bowl

Southern Brave 135-7 (100 balls): Miller 44 (35); Jansen 2-17

Welsh Fire 138-4 (98 balls): Salt 47* (37); Chaudhary 2-19

Welsh Fire won by six wickets

Scorecard. Table

Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt led from the front as his unbeaten 47 helped them begin the 2026 Hundred season with a six-wicket win against Southern Brave in Southampton.

Former world number one-ranked T20 batter Salt is The Hundred’s all-time leading scorer, having hit 1,138 runs in five seasons with his former side Manchester Originals.

Having signed for Fire as their captain before this year’s competition, he is aiming to guide the Welsh franchise, who finished bottom of both the men’s and women’s table last season, to their first-ever title.

Chasing 136 on Wednesday, Salt played the supporting role early on as fellow opener Matt Short struck a brisk 20 before he kept the visitors on course through partnerships with Joe Root (14) and Rachin Ravindra (24).

With nine runs required from the final five balls, Asa Tribe hit Brave captain Chris Jordan’s first ball for four before Salt sealed the victory with a six two balls later.

Batting first, Brave lost openers Jamie Smith and Ben McKinney for single figures but 18-year-old Thomas Rew helped rebuild their innings with a flashy 41 from 30 balls.

The Fire bowlers, led by Marco Jansen who finished with 2-17, kept the scoring in check for much of the innings.

David Miller struggled to find his rhythm at the start of his innings but finished strongly for Brave before departing in the penultimate delivery with a 35-ball 44, which lifted the hosts to 135-7, which ultimately proved not enough.

Almost 4,000 people have signed a petition calling for them to be banned

Advertisement

Thousands of people have called on the government to ban the sale of disposable BBQs in the UK following a surge of wildfires during the recent hot weather.

Almost 4,000 people have signed the petition to Parliament, which comes as wildfires continue to ravage many areas of the UK.

The petition, which can be viewed here, states: “We want the Government to introduce a nationwide ban on the sale of single-use disposable barbecues.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

“Disposable BBQs are increasingly linked to preventable wildfires, which poses a serious risk to public safety, wildlife, and emergency services. Also, disposable BBQs contribute to unnecessary waste

“With increasing pressure on waste management systems and growing climate-related fire risk, we believe action is needed to reduce avoidable harm caused by these products.

Miami Heat mistakenly posted a link on YouTube to LeBron James’ ‘introductory press conference’ despite the NBA great not yet deciding where he will play next season.

The link to the live stream – scheduled for 27 July – was uploaded to the Heat’s channel on Tuesday before being deleted.

A Heat spokesperson told Reuters, external the video was posted in error by staff who were preparing for the possibility of James joining the side.

BBC Sport has contacted Miami Heat for comment.

James, 41, announced he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in June after eight years, in which he led them to the 2020 NBA title – his fourth overall.

He previously played for Miami between 2010 and 2014.

James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season with the Lakers.

The 22-time All-Star is the NBA’s all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).

A return to Florida for James would form a formidable starting five for the Heat alongside fellow new signing and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and centre Bam Adebayo.

Given the Heat traded key members of their squad away to land Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, a player of James’ calibre would add further scoring power and experience with the Miami team focused on a quick rebuild towards a title push.

But earlier this week, James’ agent Rich Paul said he is “not going to be rushed” into making a decision.

“It’s his choice to make and when he makes the choice, he’ll make it,” Paul said on the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul podcast.

Iran’s foreign minister has warned an “eye for an eye” if Donald Trump continues with his threat to bomb a bridge or power plant for every ship targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on X, Abbas Araghchi said: “Our defence doctrine is clear: eye for an eye. Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response.”

An Iranian military source, cited by the Tasnim state news agency, has said Iran will retaliate with strikes on regional infrastructure linked to the US – including bridges and energy sites – if Washington does carry out its attacks first.

Both sides continue to wrestle for control of the vital waterway, with the US president warning a bridge or power plant would be bombed if further attacks on ships occurred.

Trump took to social media to express his outrage after an 11th night of strikes, following a breakdown in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

“From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP” he wrote.

Houthi Red Sea threat would challenge a stretched US military

A Houthi threat to impose a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea could significantly widen the Iran war and strain a U.S. military already focused on stopping Tehran’s attacks across the region, current and former U.S. officials said. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they would not allow ships to load or unload at Saudi ports, potentially blocking Saudi oil exports ⁠and choking off an additional 7 per cent of global oil supply.

Advertisement

Saudi Arabia, which hosts US forces, has not yet requested military assistance from Washington. But Trump suggested on Tuesday that a move by the group to obstruct shipping in the Red Sea — a vital corridor for global trade — could draw the United States in.

“If something like that happens, we’ll take care of it. We’ve done that with the Houthis before,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday.

For the US military, it may not be so simple. The Houthis have earned a reputation as hardened, nimble fighters who have successfully resisted earlier Saudi and US bombing campaigns. ⁠Taking them on would mean stretching American resources already focused on fighting Iran and maintaining the United ​States’ own ⁠blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf.

“You’re bifurcating your admittedly fairly robust resources in the region between two active fronts,” said Jason Campbell, a former senior Pentagon official.

Advertisement

Holly Evans22 July 2026 21:37

MAGA support for Trump’s Iran war plummets, poll finds: ‘Maximum level of frustration’

MAGA support for President Donald Trump’s war against Iran has cratered over the past two months – with just 37 percent of his crumbling base now saying the conflict should continue even if it increases inflation, according to a new poll.

That’s down from 50 percent since May, Politico said in a Wednesday report that came a day after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred with Democrats during a fiery Senate hearing over the cost of the war.

Advertisement

A person close to the White House told Politico that it’s “at a maximum level of frustration right now,” with Trump “fully aware that the only way to the victory that he wants is completely politically impossible.”

Read the full article here:

Holly Evans22 July 2026 20:55

Advertisement

Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role

Iranian drone attacks on CIA facilities in the Gulf have prompted US intelligence analysts to investigate whether Russia assisted by providing targeting information or advanced drone technology, four people familiar with US intelligence told Reuters.

These people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters, said US intelligence officials have not yet reached firm conclusions about the possible ⁠Russian involvement in the attacks on CIA facilities.

But they cited the strikes’ effectiveness and apparent precision, as well as Russia’s broader technical support for Iran, as possible evidence.

Reuters and other media have reported — and US officials have acknowledged — that Russia has provided targeting and other support for Iran in its strikes on US targets in the Gulf region generally, but the intelligence community’s investigation of possible Russian involvement in supporting the CIA facility attacks has not been previously disclosed.

Advertisement

Holly Evans22 July 2026 20:30

Iran warns their defence strategy is ‘eye for an eye’

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that Iran will issue a “powerful and decisive response” if strikes target their infrastructure.

He wrote on X: “Our defence doctrine is clear: eye for an eye. Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response.

Advertisement

“Those who contribute to such aggression, whatever the kind of support, will also be considered as legitimate targets.”

Holly Evans22 July 2026 20:10

Watch: Trump attends dignified transfer for four US soldiers killed in Iran war

Holly Evans22 July 2026 19:40

Advertisement

Israel’s spy chief held talks on Iran war in Washington, Axios reports

The head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence ⁠agency traveled to Washington two weeks ⁠ago ​to discuss ⁠the Iran war, ⁠in his ​first ⁠visit to ‌the US capital since taking ‌office, Axios reported ‌on Wednesday, citing ⁠two unidentified sources with knowledge of the situation.

He met with CIA Director ‌John Ratcliffe ​and ‌White House officials, ⁠the report ⁠said.

Holly Evans22 July 2026 19:14

Advertisement

Trump salutes killed soldiers during solemn ceremony

Donald Trump attended a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware ⁠for four US service members who returned to American soil in flag-draped caskets on Wednesday after being killed in Iranian attacks in the Middle East.

The ceremony, known as a “dignified transfer” of the bodies, comes amid growing frustration with the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Both Republican and ⁠Democratic lawmakers have raised questions about the war, which has boosted ​global ⁠oil prices and shows no signs of ending.

Advertisement

Trump, wearing a blue suit and red tie, stood at attention near the flight line ⁠and saluted as teams of seven service members solemnly carried each transfer case from the aircraft during the ceremony.

Family ​members, who ⁠arrived in a convoy of vans, watched from ‌a short distance as the flag-draped transfer cases were carried off the aircraft one by one and placed in one of two vans.

Asked what he would tell the families of the fallen, Mr Trump said: “All I’m going to say is, we love you. We love your child, and that’s what they are to them. They’re their children. There’s no games, no nothing.”

US presidents, vice presidents and dignitaries regularly attend the solemn transfer ceremonies at ⁠Dover — home of the largest US military mortuary — during times of war or conflict.

The three U.S. service members killed when an Iranian missile hit their sleeping barracks at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Friday were First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19. All three were assigned to U.S. Army air defence brigades.

Advertisement

The fourth death, of Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, occurred on Sunday in a separate incident in Erbil, Iraq, during a controlled detonation of an attack drone.

Holly Evans22 July 2026 18:12

DP World to build two new terminals on UAE’s eastern coast, reducing Hormuz reliance

DP World will develop two new container terminals ​in Fujairah on the United Arab Emirates’ eastern coast, the global ports operator said on Wednesday as the Gulf state works to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.

Advertisement

“The development ⁠will expand DP World’s UAE capacity and gateway network, giving customers greater choice, flexibility, and connectivity across regional and global trade routes,” the Dubai-based firm said in a statement.

Once operational, the development will boost DP World’s total container handling capacity in the UAE ⁠to almost 22 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from ​the current ⁠19.4 million TEUs, while significantly expanding general cargo and Ro-Ro (Roll-on-Roll-off) capability.

The US-Iran conflict, which started on February 28, has killed thousands of people ⁠and Iran’s restrictions on energy shipments from Gulf states have contributed to ​inflation worldwide.

Vessel ⁠crossings via the Strait of Hormuz ‌dropped further on Tuesday, shipping data showed, as Tehran’s near-total blockade of the key waterway continued and security concerns lingered amid ongoing attacks by the United ‌States and Iran.

Advertisement

Holly Evans22 July 2026 17:48

ICYMI: Hegseth heckled by protestors during Iran war funding hearing

James Reynolds22 July 2026 17:28

Advertisement

British couple in grave condition as they ramp up hunger strike in Iran jail

The family of a British couple on hunger strike in an Iran jail say they are “sick with worry” as the pair ramp up their hunger strike after 10 weeks without food.

Lindsay Foreman, who has not eaten in 66 days, has reportedly vowed to continue her strike until death to expose their treatment inside Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

She and her husband Craig Foreman were arrested on a once-in-a-lifetime world motorbike tour 18 months ago, and were later sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges, which they completely deny.

James Reynolds22 July 2026 17:00

Advertisement

City of York Council has agreed the sale of 22, The Avenue, in Clifton, for an undisclosed sum after plans for its conversion were first lodged in November.

A council report on the decision stated the building had stood vacant since the unit closed in 2019 due to it no longer being suitable for operational use.

The latest plans for the conversion stated the conversion was an opportunity to return the building to its original use as a home.

The council’s decision to sell the property comes after initial plans to change its use to a flexible residential dwelling were approved in January.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Detailed plans setting out how the building will be converted, subject to further council approval, were lodged in June.

The building was originally constructed as a home in around 1920.

Plans stated the outside of the building was currently suffering from a number of poor quality repairs and piecemeal alterations made during its previous use.

They added alterations including a concrete ramp, poor quality pebbledash render, and the blocking up of doors had detracted from the character of the building and would be removed.

Renovations proposed in the plans include creating a new front entrance with a bigger porch.

An impression showing how a former mental health unit in The Avenue, Clifton, York, could look following its conversion (Image: Brown and Company)

A dropped kerb would also be added to create access for vehicles which would be subject to a separate planning application.

A ground floor extension would also house a new dining room and study linked by a glazed corridor.

Works at the back of the building include the creation of a new contemporary dormer, a skylight and new openings connecting to the garden.

Plans stated the design of the building had been informed by buildings in the surrounding area.

They stated: “The proposed development presents an opportunity to reverse a number of unsympathetic modern alterations to the building, significantly enhance its visual appearance on this attractive historic street, and restore both its historic architectural character and its use as a residential dwelling.

“Carefully considered modern interventions have been incorporated as part of these proposals detailed within this report, to bring the building up to contemporary standards and make it suitable for family occupation.”