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BBC Ludwig season 3 details including ‘special’ episode filmed away from Cambridge

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David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin return for Ludwig series three and a special with a big change in location

The second series of David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin’s popular detective drama is drawing to a close.

The acclaimed show returned in August with David’s character, master puzzle-setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, and his sister-in-law Lucy, portrayed by Anna, continuing from where the first series left off.

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Shot in Cambridge, the second run has featured Ludwig working as a Crime Scene Consultant, partnering with DCI Russell Carter (Dipo Ola) on “impossible” crimes for the Cambridge Police Authority.

In the second series finale, a devastating death close to home left John rattled when all evidence pointed towards Joanne Kemper.

The concluding episode was broadcast on Thursday, September 24, at 9pm on BBC One, prompting many to question whether a third series of the British mystery drama, praised as the “ultimate comfort food” in crime television, would follow. Here’s what we know, according to Wales Online.

Will there be a series 3 of Ludwig?

Yes, BBC executives confirmed a third series had been commissioned before the second had even been broadcast.

The third instalment, currently in production, will see David Mitchell reprise his role as ‘Ludwig’, with Anna Maxwell Martin returning as Lucy Betts-Taylor.

David Mitchell said at the time of the announcement: “I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries. I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app.”

Kenton Allen, Executive Producer and CEO Big Talk Studios, added: “Ludwig has become one of those rare shows that genuinely cuts through – critically, commercially and internationally. We’re hugely grateful to the BBC, ZDF and ITV Studios for the confidence they’ve shown in greenlighting a third season ahead of the launch of series two.

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“What Mark Brotherhood has created is brilliantly original, hugely entertaining and deceptively distinctive in the way it blends smart comedy with a richly satisfying detective engine. At the heart of that success is the remarkable partnership between David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, brought to life by an exceptional creative team. In a crowded global market, for audiences to have embraced Ludwig on this scale feels incredibly special. There’s clearly nothing puzzling about that.”

Although a premiere date and full cast details are yet to be revealed, BBC bosses have confirmed that the third series will comprise six hour-long episodes.

What is the ‘extra’ Ludwig episode?

The BBC has confirmed that a Christmas special of Ludwig is in the works for this year, forming part of the Ludwig series 2 commission.

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David and Anna will be joined by a stellar ensemble cast for the festive special, which includes Sir David Suchet, Jason Flemyng, Joe Wilkinson, Cathy Tyson, Alexandra Roach, and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.

The 60-minute special will be set in Yorkshire rather than Cambridge, following John, Lucy, and Henry as they check into a secluded Christmas-themed hotel for what was intended to be a well-deserved break — until a sudden power cut transforms the festive retreat into a chilling locked-room murder mystery.

Stranded by a raging blizzard and completely cut off from the outside world, the guests find themselves forced to spend the night with a killer amongst them. With John reluctantly drawn into one of the most baffling cases of his career, the Taylor family must race against time to crack the crime before Christmas.

Ludwig seasons one and two are available on BBC iPlayer now.

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Delivery driver who killed five-year-old boy while taking a short cut through ‘no entry sign’ is jailed for six years

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Abdullah Ebrahim was struck down on a Leeds backstreet in 2022 by delivery driver Colin Agyei, who carried on without stopping

A delivery driver who killed a five-year-old boy while taking a short cut through a ‘no entry’ sign has been jailed for six years. 

Abdullah Ebrahim was struck down on a Leeds backstreet on July 7, 2022 by 32-year-old Colin Agyei, who had driven the wrong way in order to save time. 

Abdullah’s mother, Salma Begum, watched in horror as her son – who later died in hospital – lay on the street and Agyei carried on without stopping his vehicle.

On Thursday, Agyei, of Knottingley in West Yorkshire, was jailed for six years at Leeds Crown Court after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by a jury last month. He was also handed a driving ban of more than seven years.

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In an emotional statement, Ms Begum told the court she is haunted by the image of her son lying alone in the road after he was run over and killed. 

She said: ‘I will never forget the image of Abdullah lying on the floor on his own. That image has stayed with me for four years. It is something I carry every single day.’

The court heard Agyei – who was driving a black Nissan Note – drove past a ‘no entry’ sign and proceeded the wrong way down one-way Back Camberley Street, Beeston, because it saved time while he made deliveries.

It was then he collided with five-year-old Abdullah as the youngster ran across the road. The boy sadly died in hospital shortly following the incident. 

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Abdullah Ebrahim was struck down on a Leeds backstreet in 2022 by delivery driver Colin Agyei, who carried on without stopping 

Colin Agyei was jailed for six years at Leeds Crown Court after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving

Colin Agyei was jailed for six years at Leeds Crown Court after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving 

Judge Tom Bayliss KC, sentencing, said Agyei took Abdullah’s life ‘for no better reason’ than it saved him time as a delivery driver. 

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He said: ‘The one-way system was clearly signed and you had ample opportunity to observe these signs.

‘It’s a narrow street separating back gardens of two rows of terraced houses. The sort of place where children may either be playing or crossing.’

Judge Bayliss added Agyei was not speeding but his speed was still ‘inappropriate’ for the narrow backstreet. He also accepted Agyei was remorseful and had been ‘oblivious’ to the collision.

‘This was a little boy,’ he concluded. ‘It’s hard to imagine a more vulnerable road user.’

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Ms Begum told the court she failed to understand why Agyei failed to stop and left her child in the street. 

She said: ‘I attended the trial and had to sit and listen to the defendant say that he did not see my son. I heard his account change several times, and I felt that he was not telling the truth about what happened.

‘The jury took only around 40 minutes to find him guilty on all counts.

‘For me and my family, however, the pain did not end with that verdict. We have waited four years for justice. During that time, I have had to go through this awful ordeal again and again. Having to attend court, hear the evidence and relive the circumstances of Abdullah’s death has caused me enormous emotional suffering.’

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Ms Begum then asked the court to remember that behind the evidence, the charges and the verdict is a family who has lost someone they love.

‘Four years have passed, but my grief has not passed. I still miss my son. I still think about him every day,’ she said.

Speaking after sentence, Detective Sergeant Steve Suggit of West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team described Abdullah’s death as a ‘truly tragic incident’. 

He said the collision could have been ‘completely avoidable’ had Agyei complied with the no entry sign. 

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‘Young Abdullah would not have been expecting a vehicle to be driving up the road and did not have time to react,’ Detective Suggit said.

‘While we estimate that Agyei was driving at a relatively low speed of around 15mph, during our investigation we thoroughly tested the back street and found that because of the nature of the road you cannot drive safely on it at speeds of over 7mph.

‘Agyei admitted a lesser careless driving offence but was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

‘While he has been given a custodial sentence, I know that no sentence can ever in any way equate to the lifetime of grief that Abdullah’s family face.’

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Cambridge-based drama Professor T’s future confirmed as series four finale airs tonight

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Death in Paradise favourite Ben Miller’s drama Professor T concludes tonight as the final episode of series four airs on ITV1

The fourth series of Professor T draws to a close this evening but will it return for another season?

ITV broadcasts the sixth and final episode of the current run, entitled The Warrior Gene, on Thursday (September 24) night, as Professor Jasper Tempest ( Death in Paradise’s Ben Miller) grapples with his emotions towards Dr Helena Goldberg (Bend It Like Beckham’s star Juliet Stevenson).

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The synopsis reads: “In the run up to Wilfred and Zelda’s wedding, Jasper is wrestling with his feelings for Helena. Dan is stunned by a new case where he sees a dying man admit he killed someone.

“Whilst Dan and Chloe try to track down who’s been killed, Maiya thinks they are going on a wild goose chase, concerned this is about Dan’s grief over Lisa.

“Zelda has second thoughts about the wedding but when Jasper explains to her that ‘love is enough’, he realises his feelings for Helena and invites her to Zelda’s wedding.”, reports the Mirror.

It continues: “Ms. Snares takes Jasper to Lyndon Collins’ lecture on the warrior gene and Jasper is intrigued by something Collins says about the case Dan is investigating.

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“On the day of the wedding and Lisa’s memorial event, Jasper uses the case to get Dan to open up about Lisa and gain the strength to attend her memorial.

“After helping Dan, Jasper returns to Zelda and Wilfred’s wedding and is thrilled when Helena appears. Helena spots Jasper has finally removed his gloves. It’s clear he’s come a long way.”

Fans will be glad to know that the fifth season has already been filmed and is currently airing across the pond but fans in the UK will have to wait for the next installment.

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ITV is set to plug the Professor T-shaped hole in its schedule next week with the arrival of Richard Armitage’s new drama Winter, in which the actor portrays an unconventional forensic pathologist whose distinctive methods place him at the centre of a string of complex murder investigations.

Winter launches on ITV1 on Wednesday (September 30) at 9pm, with each episode presenting a standalone murder case alongside a continuing personal narrative for Armitage’s character.

The synopsis for the new six-part series states: “Although Winter does not always follow the expected rules, he has an exceptional ability to examine the evidence and uncover clues that others might miss.

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“His skills bring him together with DI Lauren Bell, played by Annabel Scholey, a meticulous and no-nonsense detective who is equally determined when it comes to solving a case.

“Together, Winter and Bell form a formidable investigative partnership as they attempt to solve some of the most challenging murder cases.”

Professor X is available to stream on ITVX

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Catterick Garrison military barracks fire could burn through night

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An undated handout photo showing soldiers standing to attention outside a brick building with a clock tower.

Firefighters expect to work all night as a fire blazes at the military barracks accommodation block in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement that multiple crews were at the scene, along with an appliance from County Durham and Darlington.

“The incident is expected to be ongoing throughout the night,” the statement said.

Unverified videos and images shared online show flames and smoke rising up from a building as bystanders watch.

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The BBC has asked the Ministry of Defence for comment.

Hipswell and Colburn councillor Kevin Foster told local media that details were limited at this stage.

“My immediate concern is for the safety and wellbeing of everyone at the camp, including our military personnel, their families and the emergency services responding to the incident,” he said.

This is a developing story.

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Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour following Ed Sheeran controversy

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Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour following Ed Sheeran controversy

Those organisations include Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, Heal Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and UNRWA USA.

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Trump and Melania host China’s Xi alongside DC elite and business titans for lavish black-tie state dinner as details on historic toast, guest list and menu are revealed

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait to greet China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the North Portico of the White House for a State Dinner

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan at the North Portico, stopping for a quick group photo before heading to an opulent State Dinner alongside top business titans and government elites.

The lavish black-tie State Dinner in the historic East Room stands as one of the most star studded evenings of the administration, offering a glitzy opportunity to smooth over notoriously fierce geopolitical friction with the Asian superpower.

Some of the CEO’s invited that will enjoy the feast include Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Michael Dell, Jensen Huang, Sam Altman, Jane Fraser and Tim Cook. 

Beyond the corporate executives, key political attendees include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as family members like Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and foreign dignitaries including LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault. Prominent media figures are also present, including Fox News anchors and hosts Bret Baier, Laura Ingraham, and Jesse Watters.

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Behind closed doors in the East Room tonight, Melania’s office says they personally orchestrated the evening’s extravagant arrangements, transforming the space with red linens, Reagan-era vermeil, and overflowing urns of crimson dahlias – a striking aesthetic that the First Lady notes ‘draws on the color red’s longstanding cultural significance throughout Chinese history.’

As the leaders and their guests dine, there will be several performances, including military musicians and inauguration tenor Christopher Macchio setting a grand soundtrack.

Inside the dining room, guests are raising glasses of Schramsberg ‘Blanc De Noir’ for a symbolic toast, reviving the historic 1972 ‘Toast to Peace’ between Richard Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai in China. 

White House chefs fused classic American ingredients with subtle Asian flavors across a lavish multi-course menu.

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wait to greet China’s President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan at the North Portico of the White House for a State Dinner

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez arrive for a state dinner

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez arrive for a state dinner

Tim Cook, Chairman of the board of directors of Apple, arrives dressed in a black suit and bowtie, holding up a peace sign

Tim Cook, Chairman of the board of directors of Apple, arrives dressed in a black suit and bowtie, holding up a peace sign

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, left, and his wife Lori Huang walk to the White House Thursday evening

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, left, and his wife Lori Huang walk to the White House Thursday evening

VIPs enjoy a silky yellow squash velouté topped with crispy pancetta, followed by sesame-crusted sea bass served over braised baby bok choy, before rounding out the feast with a fruit-shaped vanilla cremeux paired with ice cream churned directly from White House honey.

The grand occasion comes with a touch of signature White House drama.

Trump has made no secret of his annoyance that his ambitious new White House ballroom remains unfinished, forcing the glittering diplomatic showcase into the East Room instead.

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While galas, orchestrated by the Office of the First Lady, traditionally serve as the most glamorous showcase of American power, tonight’s event is unfolding largely behind closed doors.

Often the secret catalyst for blockbuster trade deals and historic treaties, this evening’s private gathering marks the first White House state dinner hosted for China since former President Barack Obama welcomed Xi back in September 2015.

This week, President Trump rolled out the red carpet for Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The visit kicked off with full military pomp today – complete with blaring bands, crisp salutes, roaring jet engines, and a personal guided tour by Trump through his gold-encrusted White House hallways.

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The lavish black-tie State Dinner in the historic East Room stands as one of the most star studded evenings of the administration, offering a glitzy opportunity to smooth over notoriously fierce geopolitical friction with the Asian superpower

The lavish black-tie State Dinner in the historic East Room stands as one of the most star studded evenings of the administration, offering a glitzy opportunity to smooth over notoriously fierce geopolitical friction with the Asian superpower

Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup, arrives in a red sequined dress

Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup, arrives in a red sequined dress

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman arrives for the state dinner

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman arrives for the state dinner

A US Air Force flyover roared overhead as Xi remained unflinching and Trump cracked a smile

A US Air Force flyover roared overhead as Xi remained unflinching and Trump cracked a smile

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The first couple of China touched down just before 6pm local time. They will stay in the nation's capital through Friday afternoon

The first couple of China touched down just before 6pm local time. They will stay in the nation’s capital through Friday afternoon 

First ladies Liyuan and Trump pose for a photo with children during a visit to the Smithsonian's National Museum Of Asian Art

First ladies Liyuan and Trump pose for a photo with children during a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum Of Asian Art

The dramatic spectacle began the moment the Chinese President and his wife touched down at Joint Base Andrews.

As the leaders stood on the tarmac alongside rows of soldiers positioned in front of F-35 fighter jets and Air Force One, a screaming flyover shattered the air overhead.

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The deafening roar caught Trump off guard, causing him to visibly wince while a stoic, stone-faced Xi didn’t even flinch.

Breaking more than a decade of presidential protocol, the Trump’s personally greeted the Chinese delegation on the tarmac – marking the first time a sitting US president has met a foreign leader at an airport in over 11 years.

A grinning Trump also celebrated an immediate PR win when Xi announced Beijing is sending two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, to Zoo Atlanta within days, continuing the famous ‘panda diplomacy’ tradition sparked by Richard Nixon’s 1972 trip.

This week’s three-day visit is packed with cultural events alongside tough bilateral negotiations, where trade battles and thorny conflicts from tech dominance to Tehran are set to take center stage.

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According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the two leaders could face each other up to four times before the year is out, with November’s APEC summit in Shenzhen and December’s G20 at Trump’s Doral golf resort in Miami already on the schedule.

The diplomatic charm offensive continues Friday, when the Trumps, Xi, and Madame Peng tour the National Archives to view America’s original founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

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Man dressed as Batman pursues suspected handbag thief through Norwich city centre

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Sonni Mason was out celebrating a friend’s birthday when he saw a man allegedly snatch a handbag outside a bar

A reveller dressed as Batman turned into an unexpected hero after pursuing a suspected handbag thief through Norwich city centre and helping to retrieve a woman’s stolen property.

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Sonni Mason, 25, was out celebrating a mate’s birthday on Saturday evening when he witnessed a man allegedly grab a handbag outside a bar on Queen Street. Still wearing his Gotham City vigilante costume, he chased the suspect through the streets before getting help from a police officer.

The hunt for the missing bag eventually took Mr Mason to a wall near Norwich Cathedral, where it had been dumped. Sadly, his makeshift grappling hook, created from a recycled toilet roll, wasn’t up to the job, according to the Mirror.

Instead, Norwich’s own Dark Knight needed help from his fellow partygoers, who were dressed as Mr Fantastic, Poison Ivy and Cyclops, to collect the bag and give it back to its rightful owner.

The drama began when a stranger approached Sonni and his friends as they queued outside a bar. After initially seeming pleasant, the man allegedly claimed two women had stolen his cigarettes before snatching a handbag and running off.

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Sonni’s swift actions meant the bag was ultimately found with all its contents intact and returned to its owner. “There’s not a lot of good things going on in the world. At the time, being able to get someone’s bag back, [making] sure she could go home safe and see[ing] someone happy again felt good”, Sonni told the Eastern Daily Press.

“Everyone needs a little bit of that in them. A little bit of Batman. You have to be brave, bold and kind.”

A TikTok clip showcasing his brave actions has racked up over 300,000 views. Sonni frequently shares content on the social media platform dressed as various superheroes, including Daredevil and Cyclops, though this particular outing enabled him to use his outfit for something more meaningful.

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Despite his courageous deeds, Sonni acknowledged his day-to-day existence is far removed from that of Batman’s billionaire alter ego, Bruce Wayne. He’s employed at a local café while nurturing his love for filmmaking.

“I’m a bog-standard guy, to be honest, I currently work at a café, but I’m a creative at the core. I love films and have four or five years of experience in that industry.

“I didn’t want to jump off rooftops or beat people up. I just want to make sure everyone else is all right. Sincerely, that’s what [Batman] is about. He’s a protector. I just hope more people will be inspired to do the same if they see someone being mugged or feeling uncomfortable on a night out.”

Norfolk Police have confirmed that officers were approached for help during their regular patrols on Saturday, 19th September. No arrests were made.

A police spokesman said: “Officers on routine night-time economy patrols in Norwich were approached by a member of the public, on Saturday, September 19, who requested help to find a missing bag.”

The spokesman added: “Following enquiries at the scene, the bag was located with all of its contents intact and subsequently returned to its owner.”

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Hampshire travel company brings The Gambia into the classroom with educational school trips

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Hampshire travel company brings The Gambia into the classroom with educational school trips

A Hampshire-based travel company is encouraging schools and colleges across Portsmouth and the wider county to discover a different approach to learning, with tailor-made educational trips to The Gambia designed to bring classroom subjects to life through first-hand experiences.

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BBC replaces Ludwig with ‘phenomenally good’ series as season two ends

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Cambridge-filmed Ludwig series two finale airs this week

BBC One’s acclaimed detective series Ludwig is drawing to a close after six episodes.

The second series of the beloved drama, starring comedian David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, launched in August and has proved a resounding hit with viewers.

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Filmed on location in Cambridge, the show follows David’s character, master puzzle-setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, alongside his sister-in-law Lucy, portrayed by Anna. The British mystery drama has been lauded as the “ultimate comfort food” in crime television, making its conclusion all the more bittersweet for devoted fans.

The second series has picked up where the first left off, with Ludwig serving as a Crime Scene Consultant, working alongside DCI Russell Carter (Dipo Ola) to crack “impossible” cases for the Cambridge Police Authority, reports Wales Online.

The sixth and final episode of series two will broadcast on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday, September 24. The synopsis for the finale reads: “A shocking death that strikes close to home leaves John shaken when all avenues point to Joanne Kemper. The clock is ticking, but the Taylors are no closer to understanding how it all fits together.”

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“With everything laid out on the table, John and Lucy must place their trust in those around them as the investigation comes to a head. Has Kemper finally made a wrong move? Will Ludwig ensure that justice is served before another life is lost?” With the drama now concluded, BBC bosses have confirmed what will replace Ludwig.

Starting next Thursday, 1 October, The Celebrity Traitors returns with Claudia Winkleman once again at the helm.

Series two will air from 8pm, featuring a fresh lineup of celebrities competing in the ultimate game of detection, trust, and betrayal, vying for a charity cash prize of up to £100,000. The main programme will be followed by The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked at 9:15pm.

Confirming the scheduling, the BBC announced: “The Celebrity Traitors series two begins on Thursday 1 October 2026 with an extra-long opening episode at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series airs two nights a week on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm.”

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The multi-award-winning series boasts a stellar cast this time round, including singer James Blunt, actor Bella Ramsey, comedian Joe Lycett, presenter Maya Jama, and Welsh actor Michael Sheen.

Explaining his decision to take part, Joe Lycett said: “Because – I’m going to say it – it’s the best show on TV. The first series was just such phenomenally good television, and I didn’t think that it could be bettered, and then the celeb series came along. The last episode was beautiful.”

Ludwig will air on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday, September 24.

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Portugal 1-0 Wales: Craig Bellamy wants more from his side after narrow Portugal loss

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Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo

Wales earned plaudits but Craig Bellamy wants more from his side, after admitting they were forced to suffer in their narrow 1-0 defeat in Portugal.

Joao Felix’s deflected strike proved enough to earn victory in Lisbon for the hosts, who also saw Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort ruled out by VAR.

It was a winning start to the Nations League title defence for Portugal and for new manager Jorge Jesus.

Despite being under pressure for long spells in Lisbon, Bellamy’s injury-hit side ended strongly as Brennan Johnson and Lewis Koumas both went close to snatching a draw.

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“It was a difficult game for us. We had to suffer a lot,” said Bellamy.

“I think that’s the longest we’ve been in a game without the ball.

“We could have done more with the ball but I’m beyond proud as well.

“We have a lot of players who weren’t here. That’s OK, we can handle it.

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“A lot of players who don’t play, week-in, week-out. So for them to use the energy they were able to, we’ve got to have a big heart to be able to do that. They’ve always shown that and they showed that again.”

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Labour’s army of migrants: 83,279 small-boat arrivals since general election now outstrip the strength of the regular British Army

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Under Labour, the number of small-boat migrants who have reached Britain is now larger than the entire British Army (Pictured: A group of migrants attempt to cross the English Channel on September 23)

The number of small-boat migrants who have reached Britain under Labour is larger than the entire British Army.

The deepening crisis in the Channel saw 781 migrants arrive on Wednesday – the highest daily tally this year. It pushed the total since the general election to 83,279 – passing the Army’s 83,000 soldiers, said Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.

‘Labour has let an entire army-sized population cross the Channel illegally,’ the Tory frontbencher said. ‘More people have arrived in small boats than we have soldiers defending Britain. That is completely bonkers.

‘Labour has lost control of our borders and seems utterly incapable of getting it back.’

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He added: ‘The Conservative plan is to end hotels and benefits for illegal immigrants and instead deport them.’ 

Amid growing concerns over Labour’s response to the crisis, this week saw two dinghies reach UK shores without being intercepted by Border Force.

Cabinet minister Lucy Powell admitted the Government ‘can’t stop everything all of the time’ as she was grilled over a week of chaos.

Wednesday’s arrivals beat the previous high for this year of 752 on July 29, and mean 1,085 migrants reached Britain in the first three days of this week. There were further arrivals yesterday but numbers are yet to be officially confirmed.

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Under Labour, the number of small-boat migrants who have reached Britain is now larger than the entire British Army (Pictured: A group of migrants attempt to cross the English Channel on September 23)  

The total number of small migrants to enter Britain since the general election is 83,279 – passing the Army's 83,000 soldiers (Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent)

The total number of small migrants to enter Britain since the general election is 83,279 – passing the Army’s 83,000 soldiers (Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent)

The surge in crossings may indicate that traffickers are no longer experiencing problems obtaining dinghies and other maritime equipment such as outboard motors after a law enforcement crackdown restricted supply routes.

The figures will be embarrassing for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who claimed on September 2: ‘We are boosting officer numbers to record highs to crack down on small-boat launches and the gangs behind them. This work is bearing fruit.’

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This week’s two ‘uncontrolled landings’ included a dinghy with up to 30 migrants aboard which reached a Kent beach on Tuesday before police arrived. Officials confirmed 21 people were detained and taken to a Home Office facility, where they will be processed ahead of lodging asylum claims.

Ms Mahmood has ordered an urgent review of how the boats made it across the Channel unchallenged.

Education Secretary Ms Powell told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘[You] can’t stop everything all of the time. Of course it’s a concern.

‘That’s why the Home Secretary has demanded and ordered this urgent review, because this is not what we want to see. This is not acceptable.’

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A Border Force union – the ISU – warned that migrant boats were ‘definitely’ arriving undetected along the full length of the UK’s south coast.

The union’s Lucy Moreton said: ‘It’s absolutely, definitely happening. If no one sees them, no one sees them.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Labour has 'lost control of our borders' (Pictured: Migrants try to board a smuggler's boat)

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Labour has ‘lost control of our borders’ (Pictured: Migrants try to board a smuggler’s boat) 

‘But we know that we’ve had abandoned vessels, we’ve had reports of uncontrolled landings all the way down to Falmouth.’

Ms Moreton accused the Home Office of taking a position of: ‘If we don’t look for it, we don’t know it’s happening. We don’t know it’s happening, we don’t have to deal with it.’

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A former senior Home Office civil servant said the whole of the south coast should be monitored for migrant crossings, not just the narrowest section of the Channel near Dover.

Ex-Border Force director general Tony Smith said: ‘We’ve got technology – radar and drones and surveillance – but clearly, it didn’t work on this particular occasion.’

Asked why migrants would choose to arrive on a beach rather than be rescued and processed, he said they may have wanted to ‘evade capture’ and avoid biometric checks which could flag a criminal record or that they had previously arrived illegally.

A Government spokesman said: ‘Our progress this year in tackling small boats is indisputable – with crossings down by 42 per cent and the lowest recorded over the summer months since 2020.

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‘But this week’s events show that while the peaks we are seeing are far below those of previous years, we need to push further and harder in order to eradicate this vile trade.’

READ MORE: Anatomy of the Bayeux travesty: They set off from Normandy and landed here 36 hours later… inside the longest and most farcical crossing of the whole small-boat crisis – GUY ADAMS reveals what it tells us about our broken borders

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