Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has warned the Gunners off making too many signings, believing they do not need to bring in another left-winger this summer.

The Premier League champions have made three major signings so far this window, with Bruno Guimaraes arriving from Newcastle, Ezri Konsa coming in from Aston Villa and Christos Tzolis jetting in from Club Brugge.

Piero Hincapie has also made his loan move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent, as expected, while Illan Meslier has come in on a free from Leeds United.

There has also been the notable exit of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas and now Gabriel Martinelli is expected to complete a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Left wing has been the focus of debate for Arsenal transfer business all summer, with links to huge names like Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez and Premier League options including Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye.

Sagna thinks his former club should swerve making another signing in that position, though, feeling Tzolis, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have it covered and any further arrivals would bloat the squad.

‘If Martinelli leaves I think Arsenal have Eze who has played on the left wing for Crystal Palace and did well there. Arsenal have a bunch of players that are able to deliver regardless of where they’re playing,’ Sagna told The Action Network.

‘Madueke could easily play on the left and that will allow him to cross the ball early and be naturally on his left foot also. I think it’s going to be an interesting season going forward because Arsenal have options.

‘I think Tzolis is young enough to be able to play game after game. He’s young. At 24 he will be able to compete all season and he’s smart. He doesn’t always get in between the lines, he doesn’t get kicked a lot. He’s a smart player and I think he’s able to play the whole season the same way Saka did and still deliver.’

He added: ‘At the moment, I don’t think they need Iliman Ndiaye or Junior Kroupi.They have enough players. You don’t want to overload the team.

‘Also, you need to be smart and not just buy a player and have him sitting on the bench.’

Martinelli is set to move to Al Hilal, ending a stint at Arsenal which began in 2019 when he moved from Brazilian side Ituano.

The 25-year-old has made 278 appearances for the Gunners and scored 62 goals, but is set to depart in a deal reportedly worth £50m.

‘It’s going to be sad to see Martinelli leaving because he’s been a fantastic professional for Arsenal,’ said Sagna.

‘He’s been doing well, and I think Arsenal was blessed enough to be able to be rewarded for taking risks with him when he was young.’

MORE: Champions League draw LIVE: Updates as Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool learn fixtures

MORE: Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Jurrien Timber injury updates from Mikel Arteta

MORE: Marseille considering shock move for Arsenal summer signing

“Whatever way our legislation is written at present…one objection and that’s it the yellow lines cannot go in.”

Stormont is being urged to review its double yellow line policy amid a Lisburn residential dispute that could affect all cul-de-sacs in Northern Ireland.

Concerns have been raised over the potential for a single person being able to virtually hold road safety to ransom despite “99.9%” of residents supporting the measures.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council is now seeking to meet with Department of Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to resolve the parking matters.

READ MORE: ‘Serious concerns’ over traffic rules enforcement close to Lisburn children’s playpark

READ MORE: Councillor steps down from body after losing daughter in ‘horrific tragedy’

In chambers, Lisburn North DUP councillor Jonathan Craig said: ”I find this very unfortunate as all the Lisburn North councillors in the past have met with DfI on this issue and there were promises made to us of double yellow lines being put into a local cul de sac.

“Now, I had a very interesting phone call from DfI themselves on this a couple of weeks ago, it turns out that one individual didn’t want these double yellow lines.

“Whatever way our legislation is written at present…one objection and that’s it the yellow lines cannot go in. I would ask the council to write to the minister to review the legislation.

“I just find it remarkable as it might mean that 99.9% of individuals asked actually agree with the yellow lines going in, but just one objection and it doesn’t go ahead.

“That does not seem fair to me.”

Double yellow lines are painted along the road side to prohibit parking at any time, though there are some expectations for emergency vehicles, disabled badge holders and deliveries.

The current road safety legislation has been criticised as “remarkable” in comparison to council requirements for Irish language signage being on a different scale.

Councillor Craig added: ”If you look at other issues, such as if you want an Irish language plate up, there you have Belfast City Council having 15% of people saying yes to it can have it agreed.

“Yet, as something as serious as this road safety issue, you can have one individual objecting and it doesn’t happen. That is absolutely remarkable.”

Lisburn North Alliance councillor Nicola Parker added: ”I would like to second the proposal.

“I think this is an issue everybody in our area is aware of having spoken to the residents over the last three to four years, it is absolutely an issue for DfI to try to resolve.”

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The park had become a target for vandalism in the past.

Concerns have been raised over the security of a kids’ play park in Maybole, just days after it reopened.

South Ayrshire Council announced earlier this month that Miller Park had re-opened following its closure last year.

The park had become a target for vandalism in the past and there had also been reports of “extensive” fire damage to some of the play equipment.

It prompted the local authority to close the park last year and carry out repairs. The total cost of the latest round of improvement work stands at £71,651.19.

South Ayrshire Council officials said on social media it was “great news” the park had opened again and thanked everyone for their patience.

But some locals are convinced the area could benefit from CCTV cameras and beefed-up security at the site.

One woman said on social media: “Hopefully the vandals leave it alone now. Cameras would most certainly be a deterrent, or place more lighting in the park. This was suggested long before the vandalism happened, as it was only a matter of time that this was going to happen.

“It’s not so bad in the summer but once the clocks change, it seems the vandalism is at its height. It is looking good now. Hopefully this will be taken on board.”

Another posted this message: “It’s great its opened again but we were told it would be open for the kids at the start of the holidays. It had been shut for about a year- definitely more than a few months- but I’m glad it’s open.”

The park holds a special place in the history of Maybole.

The park was gifted to the town by local benefactor Harold Chesney and was named in honour of his wife’s father, ex-Provost James Miller, a prominent draper and clothier. The original park opened in October 1953.

South Ayrshire Council has confirmed that patrols in the area “have been requested” to act as a deterrent and these patrols would involve Police Scotland and the local authority’s Community Safety Team.

MONACO (AP) — UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Swiss courts for possible financial mismanagement over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.

UEFA said Thursday it filed documents in a Manhattan court requesting discovery of potential evidence from the New York investment fund, Thrive Capital Management, founded by Joshua Kushner.

Thrive and Kushner were to be the anchor investors intending to pay FIFA $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a subsidiary that would run the soccer body’s commercial events, including the World Cup.

“UEFA and its counsel are contemplating a Swiss criminal proceeding against Infantino and possibly other FIFA officials for criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code,” UEFA’s lawyers state in a 56-page document seen by The Associated Press.

The document suggests the $4.2 billion figure could be a “fraudulently off-market price promoted by Infantino for his own benefit.”

Infantino dropped the sell-off plan on Aug. 1 after a furious backlash by global soccer leaders, including UEFA.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

The one-year-old terrier was “severely malnourished” and weighed just 6.9kg

A couple from Co Antrim have been sentenced for dog welfare offences after an underweight dog was found living at their property in “dirty conditions.”

Jason Gallagher and Aleshia McLaverty, both of Islandbawn Drive in Antrim, were sentenced at Antrim Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 26, having pleaded guilty to dog welfare offences. Gallagher pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the dog’s welfare, while McLaverty pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.

The criminal proceedings followed an investigation by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Animal Welfare Team after the PSNI reported that a dog had been seen living at the property in dirty conditions and appeared underweight.

Council officers attended the property that same day and found a terrier-cross dog which was severely underweight. Although the property had been cleaned before the Animal Welfare Officers arrived, police body-worn camera footage showed the dog living in a room where the floor and bedding were strewn with faeces, with no access to water.

Council officers removed the dog and took it to the Council vet who certified the animal as suffering.

A report from the Council vet stated: “The dog was a one-year-old, approximately, entire male wheaten-coloured terrier cross. He was severely malnourished and underweight, weighing just 6.9kg, with a body condition score of 1/5. He also had very overgrown nails.

“On physical examination, he had normal vital signs and was very hungry when offered food. I certified this animal as suffering due to his body condition score, inadequate environment and unsanitary conditions.”

On Wednesday, August 26, District Judge Kennedy sentenced both individuals. Jason Gallagher received a two-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also disqualified from owning or keeping animals for five years. In addition, he was fined £300 and ordered to pay £250 in legal costs, £45 in court costs and £150 in veterinary costs.

Aleshia McLaverty received a five-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and was fined £500. She was ordered to pay £250 in legal costs, £45 in court costs and £150 in veterinary costs. She was also disqualified from owning or keeping animals for five years.

Commenting on the case, a spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said: “The Council gives a high priority to the welfare of domestic pets and horses and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements.

“Complaints are investigated thoroughly and, where necessary, formal action is taken. This may include the service of Improvement Notices or, in extreme cases, the seizure of animals.

“The Council may also prosecute for offences, as in this case. We hope this serves as a warning to anyone who does not take appropriate care of animals.”

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

Campaigners are demanding a statutory national school uniform grant in England as soaring costs push parents into debt and leave pupils facing isolation – check our interactive tool to see what financial support is available in your area

Squeezed by soaring mortgages, sky-high food bills, and relentless cost-of-living pressures, families across England are facing a financial breaking point as the cost of kitting out their children for the new school year reaches new highs.

Now, campaigners are demanding for the Government to introduce a statutory national school uniform grant for low-income families in England.

It comes as a new survey by Save the Children found 47% of parents rank school uniform as their biggest back-to-school financial anxiety, with a third going without things for themselves to cover the bills.

The move would bring England in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where nationally funded support is already available. The call comes as frontline charities report record demand from desperate parents who have nothing left after paying their essential bills.

Major Julie Pell, who runs a Salvation Army uniform bank out a church in Walthamstow, east London, said they are seeing more families than ever before.

What support is available in your area?

“Families can’t cope.” Major Julie told the Mirror. “After feeding their children, buying food and meeting the ever-rising cost of bills, there’s no money left to buy school uniforms.”

Last year, the Salvation Army handed out more than 29,000 pieces of uniform, and Julie expects that figure to rise this year.

“It is heartbreaking seeing parents unable to afford essentials. They just want their child to go to school looking the exact same as every other child. I can see just how desperate they are to send their children to school properly dressed”

Julie says some parents leave the uniform bank in tears, overwhelmed by the relief of being able to get what their children need.

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“There are points when it just gets overwhelmingly heartbreaking,” she said. “You know you’re helping people but you know there are still so many parents out there struggling. We’re seeing first hand that something needs to be done.”

Government research estimates the average cost of a secondary school uniform at £442, while primary school uniform costs average £343. Research by The Children’s Society found that 38% of parents struggled with uniform costs last year, rising to more than half among the lowest-income households.

The consequences of not having the correct uniform can be severe. Last year, devastating research found that children are paying the price for their parents’ financial struggles through harsh school discipline.

A nationwide poll of 3,000 parents conducted for The Children’s Society, found that more than two in five children (44pc) have experienced negative consequences at school due to unaffordable uniform requirements.

Across the UK, children have been being subjected to detentions (12pc), isolation (9pc), and even formal exclusions (8pc) over unaffordable uniforms. Secondary school pupils face the harshest treatment, with one in eight (12pc) placed in isolation for uniform breaches entirely outside their control.

Despite minor improvements, such as increased availability of second-hand uniforms, 42pc of parents said uniform costs had not become more affordable.

Matthew Sheeran, external relations manager at Money Wellness, warned that children are unfairly bearing the brunt of the price squeeze.

“If there are disciplinary measures in place, or they are having to wear different school uniform, it can cause bullying or name calling,” he said. “It’s never the children’s fault, and that’s the main thing to focus on.”

Money Wellness data shows one in 10 parents are now resorting to credit cards, or high-interest loans to fund school uniform purchases.

The government is introducing new rules in England from September, limiting the number of branded items schools can require parents to buy. Primary schools will generally be limited to three compulsory branded items, while secondary and middle schools can require four where one is a tie.

The rules are designed to allow parents to buy more generic items from cheaper retailers, with the Government estimating families could save up to £50 per child.

However, parents and campaigners warn that the rules don’t go far enough, with schools demanding specific colour shares, requiring expansive PE kits, or marking up the prices of the remaining branded items.

Dr Sasha Hall, 41, a child psychologist from Essex, spent around £400 getting her four-year-old daughter and her three-year-old son ready for Reception and nursery receptively.

“I am in a dual-income household with decent salaries and I couldn’t believe how much it cost,” Sasha said.

“The shade of blue on my kids is not the kind of blue you can get off Amazon or in Asda.”

Her children wear the same size, meaning she cannot rely on hand-me-downs between them. The mum bought ten jumpers at £12.95 each from their local uniform shop, eight pairs of shorts at £6.95, joggers at £10.95 each, compulsory book bags at £8.95 each and hats costing £5.75.

She says she was also required to buy specific rain anoraks costing £26.95, as well as black coats and particular water bottles.

“When I was a child, you had those logos that you could sew on, so you could get anything from anywhere but now you can only buy it from the local uniform shop and it costs whatever their price is,” she added.

“The only thing I saved money on was the polo shirts which I bought a pack of five for £7 from Asda,” she said.

“I saw the same jumpers for a third of the cost but I needed ones with the embroidered logo on, so I had to buy them from the uniform shop. I just wonder how are other people paying for this?”

Donna Richardson, 45, from Loughborough, had to replace her daughter’s uniform when the school changed its logo, forcing her to replace perfectly good clothing.

“My daughter’s current uniform is still perfectly usable, but because the school has changed its logo, we are expected to buy new items with the updated branding.”

“What makes it even more frustrating is that my daughter moves to senior school next year, meaning this uniform will only be used for one year. It feels completely wasteful.”

“For parents, these aren’t small costs. Every new item adds up, and having to replace something that isn’t worn out or damaged purely because of a logo feels incredibly unfair.”

Meanwhile, Lauren Witter, 34, a social worker from Richmond-upon-Thames, has already spent £150 preparing her four-year-old daughter Gabriella for Reception – without even buying shoes yet.

Because her daughter is “very active”, Lauren bought multiples of items to avoid nightly washing, with the list of items including branded cardigans and jumpers, a separate PE kit, pinafores, shirts, underwear, socks and tights.

“I was shocked at how quickly the costs accumulated,” she said. “I’m happy the rules are coming in. I think it’s about time that it’s recognised school uniform is expensive.”

Support across England remains a postcode lottery. Money Wellness found that just 22 of England’s 153 local authorities offer a dedicated school uniform grant for the 2026/27 school year, with support ranging from £25 to £160 depending on location.

In Barnsley, the new Reform council has cut back what was previously one of England’s largest school uniform voucher schemes.

The scheme was introduced last year and all pupils in compulsory education were eligible for the discounts. Study support packs were also offered to children in year 11.

Previously, over 33,000 uniform vouchers were issued to families, totalling £2.5 million, reported The Star.

It provided £50 for primary school pupils and £100 for secondary pupils, and study support packs for Year 11 students, but now it is limited to children starting Reception and Year 7, with 5,500 families set to receive help.

James Higginbottom, leader of Barnsley Labour, estimated about 28,000 families would miss out.

Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Marie Tidball criticised the reduction, saying the scheme had supported more than 33,000 children and young people and that 94% of vouchers had been cashed in.

“Just a few months into a Reform-led council, Barnsley families are already seeing what their priorities look like: cutting back practical support that thousands of parents have relied on,” she said.

“This money had already been allocated in the Budget by Labour and should be delivered, so it is a political choice that Reform are making, to take this support away from children and families.

“At a time when families are still feeling the squeeze, Reform councillors should be expanding practical support, not cutting back a scheme that parents have used and valued.”

At the time, Cllr leader William Brown told the Barnsley Chronicle: “We want to move away from one-off, universal payments and instead offer more targeted and flexible support. To do this, we’ll use more external funding from Barnsley Council’s £4.7m allocation of the government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund to help our residents.

“Our approach also means we can spend taxpayers’ money wisely, use external funding where possible and focus support where it will have the biggest impact.”

East Riding of Yorkshire has withdrawn its dedicated school clothing grant altogether and now signposts eligible families to its Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Elsewhere, Greenwich has expanded its scheme to include eligible pupils attending academy schools, while Brent has introduced a new pilot school uniform grant for low-income families.

With official support falling short, parents are taking matters into their own hands. In Bristol, retail supervisor Faye Psyden, 36, helped run a free uniform swap in her local library after her two children moved to different schools.

“We had so much uniform built up, we wondered what are we going to do with it all?” she said.

At their first event, more than 100 people turned up. “People were so grateful,” Faye added. Most of the uniform was taken, with three large boxes remaining for the next swap.

Faye says branded uniform can cost around £10 per item at her children’s school, and the expense quickly adds up as children lose, stain or grow out of clothes.

“It’s racking up,” she said. “I have struggled with school uniform cost,” she added. “You have to think in advance how you are going to afford things.”

She worries that even unbranded uniform could become more expensive, if further action isn’t taken.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “School uniform matters, but it shouldn’t break the bank. No family should have to choose between putting food on the table and buying a new blazer.

“Parents have told us they want fewer costly branded items and that’s exactly what we’re delivering, limiting branded items from September 2026 giving families breathing space, and saving some parents up to £50 per child. We are also supporting schools with our new guidance to take more steps to bring down the cost of individual items.

“We are keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking families, so the back-to-school shop doesn’t push parents into debt and children can focus on their education, not their outfit.”

But campaigners say the changes need to go further.

“It’s only 22 of the local authorities that have a dedicated grant, so the vast majority of people aren’t getting that support,” Matthew added.

“Someone who is struggling in a different part of the UK is having to find alternative ways to support that. As long as the responsibility sits with the council, it will be hard to have every council on the same path.”

• In Scotland, you can apply for a school clothing grant through mygov.scot. In Wales, you can apply for the School Essentials Grant through gov.wales. In Northern Ireland, apply through the Education Authority.

Year 11 pupils at Smithills School have achieved the school’s strongest results to date. 

Improvements were made in overall pupil attainment and the proportion of students securing strong passes in both English and maths.

Carolyn Dewse, headteacher at Smithills School, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 pupils and everything they have achieved.

(Image: Smithills School)

“Their hard work, resilience and commitment throughout their time at Smithills have been remarkable, and it was wonderful to see so many of them delighted with what they had achieved.

“Our staff have also shown tremendous commitment, going above and beyond to support our young people and give every pupil the opportunity to succeed.

“Our vision is ‘Success for All’, and these outcomes demonstrate what can be achieved when pupils, staff and families work together.

“Most importantly, our young people can now look ahead with confidence as they move on to the next stage of their education, training or employment.

“We wish every one of them the very best for the future.”

Pupils also shared their excitement and gratitude as they collected their results.

Dior said: “I’ve done really well and passed all of my GCSE’s. I would like to thank Mrs Turner for helping me throughout Year 11, and I’m so glad we all went out with a bang”.

Nathan said: “I’ve just got my results, I’m really happy, I’ve got really high grades, and I’m going to Runshaw College to do business, accounting and criminology.”

(Image: Smithills School)

Imani said: “I’ve passed everything, I’m going to the Sixth Form Bolton. I would like to thank my teachers and especially my parents for all the support they have given me.”

Jason Nash, Head of Year 11, said: “Some fantastic results. It’s been such a pleasure working with you as a Year group, the Green Dream Team.

“You’ve finally come to the end of your journey here at Smithills School; remember you will always be a part of the Smithills Family. Keep in touch.”

Plug-in solar panels could land on British shelves today – just in time for a grey, wet and overcast bank holiday weekend.

The panels, a smaller, cheaper and more portable version of traditional solar panels, have not been allowed in Britain to date because of safety regulations.

New rules allowing their sale come into force today, following much fanfare from the government. 

It says the rule change will allow more people to save money by using solar energy, including those living in flats and renting their homes.

I’m exactly the person who this scheme is aimed at. I live in a ground-floor flat, which presents an obvious problem when it comes to getting traditional solar panels in that someone else lives between me and the roof.

And while I’m hardly an eco zealot, I try to be sustainable where I can – especially if doing so can save me money.

I keep tabs on energy use, harvest rainwater to use on the garden and buy things like furniture, clothes and books second hand where possible. My partner cajoles me into taking plastic film to the special recycling bin at the supermarket, even though I find it a pain.

But I won’t be rushing out to get the new plug-in solar panels – and here’s why.

1. You may not even find any 

First of all, it might not even be possible to buy them today (although do let us know if you spot any on sale – editor@thisismoney.co.uk). 

While retailers including B&Q, Currys, Amazon and Lidl said they’d be keen to stock the panels once the regulations changed, none have confirmed that they will be doing so straight away.

As any panels sold will have to meet strict regulations, it may still be a while before we see them on shelves (or more likely online, as they weigh about 25kg). 

And that’s before you consider whether retailers will consider it wise to stock up on the sun-sucking devices in the summer’s final throes.

If you are considering buying them, you can read our guide to the nine pitfalls to avoid with plug-in solar panels here.

2. I’m not sure they’ll save much money 

My second qualm is that I’m not sure the sums will add up. Estimates suggest a standard plug-in solar panel set-up for an average-sized flat will cost between £400 to £600. 

According to government estimates, they could save households between £70 and £110 per year on energy bills.

It means it will take four to six years for users to break even – but that is based on optimum conditions. 

This means the panel being placed in a spot that gets sun for most of the day, which is easy if you have a roof you can put them on, but much harder if you have to attach them to a wall, balcony or fence.

Take my flat, where the front of the house is the part which is south-facing and sunny. Would I really want to leave a £500 piece of kit sitting in view of the street all day? 

Location, location, location: Solar panels won’t perform well if they’re kept in a shady place – which becomes trickier if you don’t have a roof to mount them on

3. They might annoy the neighbours 

I can easily see other flat-dwellers running into issues with freeholders or landlords objecting to them putting up the panels, or neighbours griping about them being attached to a shared fence.

Apparently these solar panels are common in Europe, including Spain and Germany where they are called ‘Balconkraftwerk’ or balcony power plants, but perhaps neighbours there are more easy-going (it’s obviously also sunnier).

4. Safety checks will be crucial – and eat into cost savings

The cost saving calculations also omit the price of safety checks, which are going to be absolutely crucial for anyone considering plug-in solar. 

Speaking to Insurance Post magazine, Megan Durnford of insurer Zurich this week warned that the new panels shouldn’t be treated as a ‘plug and play gadget’.

The systems generate electricity and feed it back into the wiring system, which isn’t something our homes were designed to support. 

‘Fundamentally, you’re adding a mini power station to your home,’ Durnford said.

If your wiring is old, badly maintained or unsuitable you risk electrical faults, overheating and even fire. 

In my flat, which dates from 1880, I wouldn’t want to plug in without enlisting an electrician to make sure everything was safe.

But an electrical safety check costs between £100 and £250 according to Checkatrade, wiping out at least another year and a half of those £70 to £110 of energy bill savings.

It’s essential to buy from a retailer you trust and check that devices meet the regulations. If the panels aren’t readily available straight away, I worry that less reputable outfits will try to cash in. 

Do also tell your home insurer, as installing the panels without doing so could make your cover void.

5. They have a huge flaw compared to roof panels

The biggest problem I have with plug-in solar panels, though, is that they will be far less effective for saving money than roof-mounted ones. 

Not because of their size, or even the sub-optimal places they might be positioned, but because they’re missing an essential component.

Most households with traditional solar panels install a battery, which means they can store the electricity they generate when it’s sunny and use it later. They can even make extra cash by selling it back to the National Grid.

But batteries can’t be used with plug-in systems, meaning households must use the power from the panels at the same time it is being generated. I’m not often at home during the day, so for me this would reduce the benefits dramatically.

Even if I was, I’m not sure I’d remember to put the washing machine on or run the dishwasher every time the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

What do you think – will you be buying plug-in solar panels? If not, what would be a better way to encourage households to go green? Let me know in the comments. 

Patsy Kensit has revealed Noel Gallagher confronted her over abandoning her career during her marriage to his brother Liam.

The Emmerdale star, 58, and Oasis frontman, 53, became one of the most famous celebrity couples in the 1990s, but Patsy has now told how the relationship became so all-consuming that she ‘lost part’ of herself and stopped taking film roles because she was ‘too afraid to leave him on his own’.

Speaking on Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast on Thursday, Patsy revealed it was Liam’s older brother Noel, 59, who eventually took her aside and questioned why she had put her career on hold.

She said: ‘I think what I forgot in that time was how much I’d done before it. That relationship became so big. It was bigger than me and therefore the pressure was huge.’

Patsy – who has a son, Lennon, a 26-year-old model, with Liam – added: ‘Of course, the Vanity Fair cover and all of that stuff is very… people love it. It was a very iconic time.

The Emmerdale star became one of the most famous celebrity couples in the Nineties when she began dating Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, now 53 (pictured in 1999)

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‘I lost part of who I was going into that relationship. I somehow lost her.’

Patsy was referring to the couple’s famous 1997 Vanity Fair shoot, which saw them sprawled together on a bed covered in Union Jack bedding for the magazine’s ‘London Swings! Again!’ issue celebrating Cool Britannia. The image became one of the defining photographs of the Britpop era.

Patsy had been acting since childhood and had starred opposite Mel Gibson in Hollywood blockbuster Lethal Weapon 2, as well as appearing in Absolute Beginners, before becoming synonymous with the Britpop era.

She recalled: ‘I remember Noel, who is lovely and divine, and he’s just always been lovely to me over the years.

‘I remember him taking me to one side and saying, “Why aren’t you working? Why aren’t you…” because I was always off doing films and going to the States and stuff.

‘And I remember saying, “Because I’m too afraid to leave him on his own.”‘

Patsy said Noel encouraged her to do more with her own career, but her turbulent relationship with Liam eventually ‘ran its course’.

She added: ‘There were some fantastic times. We were very irresponsible. I always say I had some very late nights in the Nineties.’

Patsy met Liam in 1995 and the pair married at Marylebone Town Hall in April 1997, becoming fixtures of the Cool Britannia era.

They divorced in September 2000, the year after welcoming their son Lennon.

Looking back at how they first met, Patsy said she encountered Liam on a flight to Glasgow, when one of the first things he did was compliment the small round John Lennon-style sunglasses she was wearing.

But Patsy has now told how the relationship became so all-consuming that she ‘lost part’ of herself and stopped taking the film roles because she was ‘too afraid to leave him on his own’

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Patsy revealed it was Liam’s older brother Noel, 59, (R) who eventually took her aside and questioned why she had put her career on hold

Patsy shares model son Lennon, 26, with Liam (pictured together in 2023)

She said: ‘The first thing he said to me was, “Oh, top bins.” I was really tempted to give them to him. Then I thought no, I got these in New York, and I actually really quite like them.

‘As the years went on, he’d always come home with a new pair of sunglasses that someone had given him, but I was so pleased that I wasn’t that girl.’

She said they then ‘just kept running into each other’, adding of the start of their romance: ‘It was quite sweet. It wasn’t a sleazy kind of get-together.’

Patsy was still married to her second husband, Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr, now 67, at the time, but said the pair were already ‘leading separate lives’.

She and Jim share a son, James, 32, and divorced in 1996 after four years of marriage.

Patsy said she does have regrets over how events unfolded, but would never wish away the relationship because it gave her Lennon.

She reflected: ‘Do I regret that? Yeah, I look back now, but then I wouldn’t have had my youngest son, and that’s a blessing. It came out of, you know, some very tough times in that marriage.’

The actress – who is now preparing to return to Emmerdale as scheming Sadie King after a 20-year absence – also reflected on the extraordinary level of scrutiny surrounding her and Liam at the time, saying the pair came to represent something much bigger than their relationship.

‘It was bigger than me. The pressure was huge,’ she said.