For all the controversy and clamour leading up to this contest, inside the Nagyerdei Stadium it was quiet a few hours before kick-off, almost eerily so, until ‘Michelle’ – a song by Israel’s 2026 Eurovision entry Noam Bettan – started playing over the stadium speakers about 90 minutes before kick-off.

The new presenting trio – made up of Emma, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe – caused quite the stir

Emma Willis has broken her silence following the first live show of Strictly Come Dancing amid backlash from viewers.

The presenter, 50, was joined by fellow hosts Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe to welcome all 15 couples to the ballroom floor, who performed live in front of judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke for the first time.

The trio split presenting responsibilities with Willis and Widdicombe stationed by the judges’ table while Radebe welcomed the dancers on the balcony ahead of the score reveal.

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The first live show of the BBC dance contest saw social media star John Nellis top the leaderboard.

The Northern Irish football content creator and his partner Katya Jones wowed the judges, who gave the couple 31 points.

The evening also saw EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola dance a cha cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston, scoring 27 points, while actress Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu’s quickstep to Stop This Flame by Celeste scored 26.

Former Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen finally made her Strictly debut with Nikita Kuzmin, after she was forced to pull out of last year’s show because of an injury. The couple scored 22 points for their samba to Lush Life.

Love Island star Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby were given 20 points for their quickstep to I Just Might by Bruno Mars, while hairstylist Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden’s tango to No Roots by Alice Merton earned them 16 points.

Meanwhile, the new hosts divided viewers with their presenting duties, with many taking to X to complain that the programme ‘does not need’ three presenters.

Taking to X, one viewer @SouthernCazza1 shared: “Why does it take three presenters anyway? Are Strictly Come Dancing saying that it takes three people to fill Claudia and Tess’s shoes? #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.”

@Claudiacc said: “This just doesn’t work. Overkill with three presenters. Josh totally wrong and Johannes lack of experience really shows. Emma is amazing but the two blokes are going to lose viewers unless the BBC act swiftly #strictly.”

Emma has now spoken out for the first time since hosting the first live show, but failed to address any of the criticism towards her fellow hosts.

Sharing a post with her 2 million followers on Instagram on Sunday (September 27), Emma stunned in photos showing off her beautiful white dress, as well as sharing a video with her partner Matt Willis.

The caption read: “Week one, done. I’ve never had so much fun! What a way to kick things off @bbcstrictly.”

A body was found off the coast of Wales, following a prolonged search for a man missing from England

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A body has been found in the search for a missing 18-year-old last seen over a week ago. On Sunday morning a body was recovered from water at a coastal location near Newport in Wales, according to a statement from Avon and Somerset Police.

George, from Portishead, a seaside town in north Somerset, England, went missing from that area at around 8.20pm on September 17. In the following days there was a large-scale search by the police, coastguard, RNLI and other services, reports WalesOnline.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson has now said: “The items of clothing worn by the man matched those George had last been seen wearing in Portishead on Thursday, September 17.

“As a matter of routine, a formal identification process will need to be undertaken. However, we have informed George’s family of this latest development and are continuing to provide them with support through a specially trained officer.

“The death is not being treating as suspicious and will be a matter for the coroner going forward.

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“While George’s family have been touched by all the offers of support they have received recently, quite understandably they are requesting their privacy is respected at this time.

“Finally, we would like to thank everyone who called in with information and shared our appeals, as well as Gwent Police and the RNLI for their involvement today.”

During the search last week, neighbourhood chief inspector Andy Barry said: “I would like to recognise the strength and resilience of George’s family during this time and we continue to keep them updated through a specialist liaison officer.”

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Sir Chris Bryant’s comments came as thousands of protesters continue to blockade the predominately nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown in a bid to prevent a contentious Orange Order parade passing

The Northern Ireland Secretary has appealed for calm as he urged political and community leaders to reach for compromise to resolve a tense parading stand-off in Portadown.

Sir Chris Bryant’s comments came as thousands of protesters continue to blockade the predominately nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown in a bid to prevent a contentious Orange Order parade passing.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other senior party figures joined those protesting on the road on Sunday, prompting accusations of law breaking from unionists.

Under parading legislation in the region, protests against parades must be notified and approved by the Parades Commission adjudication body.

The blockade on the Garvaghy Road is an unnotified gathering. Ms O’Neill and other ministers in the Stormont Executive are bound by a pledge of office that contains a commitment to uphold the law.

Through Sunday, police repeatedly notified the protesters through a loudspeaker that they are liable for arrest for blocking the road.

On Sunday evening, Ms O’Neill encouraged protesters to the “stay the course” as she urged them to remain on the road until at least midnight.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Sinn Féin leaders needed to face consequences for their actions.

“We can’t have a situation where people who have the privilege of holding high office in Northern Ireland so flagrantly disregard the pledge of office and statutory underpinnings of their office,” he told media in Belfast on Sunday afternoon.

A ruling by the Parades Commission permitting the Orange Order march from Drumcree Church and along the Garvaghy Road was upheld in an “unprecedented” late-night sitting of the High Court in Belfast in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Drumcree parade, which was associated with violent clashes during the Troubles, has been banned since 1998.

Protesters, many of them wearing balaclavas, clustered in large groups in heavy rain along the road on Sunday morning, a move that delayed the scheduled 8am start of the parade.

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The stand-off has continued through the day and into the evening, with Orangemen waiting at Drumcree Church around a mile from the road waiting to commence their parade.

Around 6pm, several Orangemen emerged from the church hall and walked down the hill where they were met by police. Officers subsequently told senior members of the institution that they could not have more than 35 people on the hill – as that was a restriction placed on the parade by the commission.

A crowd of supporters gathered with the Orangemen.

The escalating political row over the parade is set to test the stability of the powersharing institutions in Belfast.

Mr Robinson was asked whether he was prepared to continue to work with Sinn Féin. If either the DUP or Sinn Féin withdrew from the executive, the devolved government would effectively collapse.

“Our party is maintaining the dignity of the Portadown Orangemen as they have shown determination and patience so will we,” replied Mr Robinson.

“I can look at you all in the eye today and say we are being plunged into difficult territory because of the actions of people who are expected to be lawmakers in our country breaking the law.

“The fundamental principle of upholding the rule of law in this society are sacrosanct and cannot be tarnished.”

Earlier, Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O’Neill told reporters on the Garvaghy Road that the reignition of the Drumcree dispute “brings into question how this whole peace process works”.

Party president Mary Lou McDonald called on Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris to intervene to ban the parade.

She said the people of the Garvaghy Road would “not be drawn back to the past”.

“The Secretary of State needs to intervene. The chief constable of the PSNI needs to intervene and put a stop to this,” she said.

Sir Chris has the power to ban the parade if Northern Ireland’s police chief requests such a step citing concerns over the potential for public disorder.

The Northern Ireland Secretary flew into Northern Ireland on Sunday from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool to have discussions with political leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Belfast, Sir Chris said “nobody wants to go back 28 years”.

“The whole idea of us coming here is to be able to try and be able to talk specifically face to face to some of the political leaders and some of the community leaders to see if we can get to a settled position,” he said.

“The truth is everybody has to double down on compromise – that’s what life’s all about – double down on compromise.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Jon Boutcher called for people come together to try to get past their issues.

He said the police operation thus far had involved evidence-gathering of “whatever has been happening from whatever party”.

“I am hoping we will bring all of today’s events to a sensible and peaceful conclusion,” he said.

On what a successful conclusion may look like, he added: “There has got to be a longer-term conversation which involves politicians and the people involved in what we have seen in the last 24 hours, trying to find a space that they can resolve these issues.”

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There had been many “sensible voices” calling for calm which he thought had been “listened to by all parties”.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appealed for “calm on all sides”, saying there have been “big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don’t want to see things go backwards”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also urged calm as he expressed concern about the situation.

Mr Martin also described the decision by the Parades Commission to allow a parade to go down the Garvaghy Road for the first time in nearly three decades as “incomprehensible and wrong”.

The parade was finally given the go ahead at a hearing which concluded at 2.15am on Sunday after opposing legal teams outlined their arguments over the controversial parade.

The hearing was one of three separate emergency legal challenges before the courts in Belfast across Saturday and into early Sunday.

The final time-limited sitting, which began at 12.20am on Sunday, was heard before Justice Michael Humphreys.

During proceedings he acknowledged the “unusual if not unprecedented circumstances as it is now 1.45am, with a parade scheduled to begin in just over six hours’ time”.

Outlining his decision, Justice Humphreys cited case law that as a public body the courts must respect the commission’s judgment and “their decisions will not be lightly interfered with”.

He said: “The picture painted here is of a public body which took evidence from the relevant sources, weighed up the key issues which were in play and arrived at a reasoned decision.

“The jurisdiction to impugn (a) public body’s decision on that basis is necessarily limited to cases where no reasonable decision could arrive at that outcome and in my view, in this case that threshold has not been met.”

He added: “This court cannot substitute its own view or anyone else’s view for that of the commission.”

Earlier, Northern Ireland’s most senior judge, Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan, also described the situation as “unprecedented” as she presided over the second challenge.

Justices Keegan and Humphreys joined Lady Justice Denise McBride in the Court of Appeal which, in the late hours of Saturday, upheld an appeal by Portadown Orangeman Alan Hynes to allow the march to go ahead. That appeal was heard after a temporary injunction was issued in the first legal challenge on Saturday that would have prevented Sunday’s parade happening as scheduled.

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In that initial ruling, Justice Patricia Smyth blocked the Parades Commission’s decision, saying the “long-running dispute has the potential to escalate” across Northern Ireland.

The stand-off at Drumcree made headlines in the 1990s, with nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road opposed to the parade passing through the area, leading to violent clashes for several summers and political tension necessitating major security operations.

The Orange Order has unsuccessfully applied for more than a quarter of a century to complete its 1998 walk along its traditional route.

On Friday, the commission reversed its long-running determination, to the welcome of unionist parties and outrage of nationalist and republican parties.

Permission was granted for a parade subject to strict restrictions, including a limit of 35 participants and the 8am start time.

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

The Northern Ireland Secretary has appealed for calm while urging political and community leaders to reach for compromise to resolve a tense parading stand-off in Portadown.

The plea from Sir Chris Bryant came as thousands of demonstrators maintained a blockade along the largely nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown, seeking to block a controversial Orange Order march from taking place.

Accusations of unlawful conduct were levelled by unionist politicians after Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and senior colleagues attended the demonstration on Sunday.

Regional legislation governing public processions dictates that any counter-protests must be submitted to and approved by the Parades Commission.

Because the demonstration along Garvaghy Road was not officially notified, it constitutes an unauthorised gathering. Under their pledge of office, Ms O’Neill and fellow ministers in the Stormont Executive are required to uphold the law.

Police officers spent Sunday using loudspeakers to warn demonstrators that blocking the public highway made them subject to arrest.

Addressing the crowd on Sunday evening, Ms O’Neill told those gathered to “stay the course” and remain present until midnight at the earliest.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson insisted that members of Sinn Féin ought to be held accountable for their conduct.

Speaking to reporters in Belfast on Sunday afternoon, he said: “We can’t have a situation where people who have the privilege of holding high office in Northern Ireland so flagrantly disregard the pledge of office and statutory underpinnings of their office,”

An earlier determination by the Parades Commission authorizing the Orange Order procession to march past Drumcree Church and along Garvaghy Road was upheld by the High Court in Belfast during an “unprecedented” early morning session on Sunday.

Having been linked to major civil unrest during the Troubles, the Drumcree parade has faced a prohibition since 1998.

Heavy rain fell on Sunday morning as large groups of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, gathered along the route, delaying the procession’s planned 8am commencement.

The impasse persisted throughout the day and into the evening, with Orangemen gathered roughly a mile away at Drumcree Church awaiting clearance to march.

At approximately 6pm, a group of Orangemen exited the church hall and walked down the hill before being stopped by police. Officers advised senior representatives that commission rules strictly capped attendance on the hill at 35 people.

A gathering of supporters assembled alongside the Orangemen.

The growing political conflict surrounding the march now threatens to destabilise the powersharing administration in Belfast.

When questioned if his party would continue sharing power with Sinn Féin—a move where a withdrawal by either side would trigger the collapse of the devolved executive—Mr Robinson addressed the situation directly.

“Our party is maintaining the dignity of the Portadown Orangemen as they have shown determination and patience so will we,” Mr Robinson stated.

He added: “I can look at you all in the eye today and say we are being plunged into difficult territory because of the actions of people who are expected to be lawmakers in our country breaking the law.

“The fundamental principle of upholding the rule of law in this society are sacrosanct and cannot be tarnished.”

Earlier on Garvaghy Road, Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O’Neill informed journalists that reigniting the debate around Drumcree “brings into question how this whole peace process works”.

Meanwhile, party president Mary Lou McDonald urged Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris to intervene directly and halt the parade.

She asserted that residents living near Garvaghy Road would “not be drawn back to the past”.

“The Secretary of State needs to intervene. The chief constable of the PSNI needs to intervene and put a stop to this,” she remarked.

Under current legislation, the Northern Ireland Secretary holds authority to stop a parade should the chief constable request an intervention over fears of severe public disorder.

Sir Chris travelled to Northern Ireland on Sunday from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool to conduct emergency talks with key political figures.

In statements to reporters in Belfast, Sir Chris remarked that “nobody wants to go back 28 years”.

He stated: “The whole idea of us coming here is to be able to try and be able to talk specifically face to face to some of the political leaders and some of the community leaders to see if we can get to a settled position,”

He added: “The truth is everybody has to double down on compromise – that’s what life’s all about – double down on compromise.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Jon Boutcher called upon all sides to collaborate in resolving the ongoing dispute.

He noted that the police operation was collecting evidence regarding “whatever has been happening from whatever party”.

“I am hoping we will bring all of today’s events to a sensible and peaceful conclusion,” he remarked.

Regarding a potential resolution, he said: “There has got to be a longer-term conversation which involves politicians and the people involved in what we have seen in the last 24 hours, trying to find a space that they can resolve these issues.”

He noted that several “sensible voices” urging restraint had been “listened to by all parties”.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham made an appeal for “calm on all sides”, adding that “big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don’t want to see things go backwards”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also voiced deep concern over the unfolding standoff while appealing for calm.

Mr Martin criticized the Parades Commission’s ruling to permit the march down Garvaghy Road for the first time in nearly 30 years as “incomprehensible and wrong”.

The legal clearance allowing the parade to proceed was finalized at 2.15am on Sunday following lengthy arguments presented by opposing legal teams.

The overnight hearing formed part of three distinct emergency legal actions brought before Belfast courts between Saturday and Sunday morning.

Justice Michael Humphreys presided over the final time-sensitive session, which opened at 12.20am on Sunday.

In his opening remarks, he highlighted the “unusual if not unprecedented circumstances as it is now 1.45am, with a parade scheduled to begin in just over six hours’ time”.

In delivering his ruling, Justice Humphreys emphasized legal precedent requiring courts to respect decisions by public bodies, noting “their decisions will not be lightly interfered with”.

He remarked: “The picture painted here is of a public body which took evidence from the relevant sources, weighed up the key issues which were in play and arrived at a reasoned decision.

“The jurisdiction to impugn (a) public body’s decision on that basis is necessarily limited to cases where no reasonable decision could arrive at that outcome and in my view, in this case that threshold has not been met.”

He further noted: “This court cannot substitute its own view or anyone else’s view for that of the commission.”

Earlier, Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan, Northern Ireland’s senior judge, similarly described the situation as “unprecedented” while hearing the second legal challenge.

Justices Keegan and Humphreys sat alongside Lady Justice Denise McBride in the Court of Appeal late on Saturday to grant an appeal brought by Portadown Orangeman Alan Hynes, permitting the march. That decision overturned a temporary injunction granted earlier on Saturday that would have halted the procession.

In that initial ruling, Justice Patricia Smyth suspended the commission’s permission, warning that the “long-running dispute has the potential to escalate” throughout the region.

Tensions surrounding Drumcree gained national attention throughout the 1990s as nationalist residents on Garvaghy Road opposed the parade passing through their neighborhood, prompting repeated summer clashes and extensive police operations.

For over twenty-five years, the Orange Order has repeatedly sought permission to finish the route it was blocked from completing in 1998.

On Friday, the commission overturned its established position, drawing support from unionist politicians alongside sharp criticism from nationalist and republican representatives.

The approval permitted the march under strict conditions, restricting participation to 35 individuals and maintaining the 8am start time.

The Burnage brothers will stop off in Glasgow, Manchester, Munich, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Boston, Las Vegas, Ireland and Knebworth

Tickets for Oasis’s 2027 tour have now sold out, the band confirmed.

The iconic Manchester band will play 42 shows across the UK, Ireland, Europe and the United States between May and September next year.

Oasis will stop off in Glasgow, Manchester, Munich, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Boston, Las Vegas, Ireland and Knebworth.

Click here for the latest on Oasis including ticket and 2027 tour details in our WhatsApp group

The huge tour will kick off at Glasgow’s Celtic Park before heading to Manchester’s Etihad Stadium for 11 dates in June. In September, the tour will end with six huge shows at Knebworth Park.

Fans were told to sign up to register their interest in tickets, and asked to identify their preferred venue.

Lucky fans were then sent codes to access sales windows on Ticketmaster, which have been running from Friday until 8pm today (September 27).

Now, after the final window closed, the band confirmed that all tickets for the tour have now sold out.

Standard ticket prices were fixed and ranged from between £71.50 and £266.60, including fees, for all dates in the UK, according to Ticketmaster. There was also VIP packages available, which varied in price per venue and add-ons.

Richard Ashcroft is once again the special guest support act, but Liam Gallagher has said that more acts are set to join the line-up.

And Liam has also said that fans can expect to hear a different set list to the original 2025 reunion shows.

It is just two weeks since the Burnage band confirmed they would get back on the road for a second tour in as many years. A spectacular drone show took place over the Etihad Stadium.

Last year, 2025, saw the brothers reunite on stage after 16 years apart. Last summer saw the rockers play a staggering 41 shows as part of their Oasis Live ‘25 reunion, running from July through November.

Even since, fans and press have speculated that the huge tour, which stopped across the UK and Ireland and an international leg, would not be the last time the brothers and the band would appear on stage.

In recent weeks, it was confirmed that Oasis’ tour promoters, Manchester’s SJM, had secured the necessary permissions to host gigs at the sprawling Knebworth House park, which added further fuel to the fire surrounding the Oasis 2027 dates.

Knebworth was the scene of two huge Oasis shows in 1996, as they rode the crest of a wave following the release of the previous year’s album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory.

Oasis has issued a reminder for fans to be ‘vigilant’ following ticket sales for their 2027 tour, with all shows officially sold out.

Over the weekend, fans who registered ahead of the sales and received a unique, non-transferable code were assigned one of nine on-sale windows to manage traffic and reduce waiting times.

It’s fair to say the process was anything but stress-free, though, as many raged over ticket prices, which started at £170.50, and after encountering technical difficulties on Ticketmaster.

Nevertheless, the 42 shows sold out in their entirety, so all Liam Gallagher, 54, and brother Noel Gallagher, 59, have to do now is remain civil enough to ensure the tour goes ahead.

Kicking off in May in Glasgow, the Oasis Live ’27 dates will then cover Manchester, Munich, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Boston, Las Vegas, Slane Castle, and finally Knebworth, wrapping up on September 26.

It’s been confirmed that ‘no further shows will be added to this tour’ by Oasis and their team.

Following confirmation that the band’s gigs are sold out, they issued a warning to those unsuccessful in securing tickets.

‘All tickets for Oasis’ eagerly anticipated Oasis Live ‘27 tour sold out over the weekend during three days of on-sale windows,’ a press release announced on Sunday evening after three days of buying.

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‘Fans are now reminded to remain vigilant and avoid scams selling tickets on social media. These tickets will be fake and invalid.

‘Tickets currently seen on secondary websites are also liable to be cancelled.’

They stated that ‘resale tickets will only be available via Ticketmaster and Twickets, at the price originally paid, nearer to the tour dates’.

Famously feuding siblings Liam and Noel also took to X with their own post, writing on the Oasis page: ‘Tickets for Oasis Live ‘27 have now sold out. See you in 2027!’

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As expected, countless fans were disappointed not to have been successful in the sales, with @leonlfc calling the system – which did not have a general sale or any other public presales outside of the process – a ‘shambles’.

@DianaUpton20633 argued that the ‘cost of tickets ruined it for proper fans’, while @anoyingdevils raged that it was ‘shocking’ how they ‘never even got a code’.

Meanwhile, @laurathomas141 demanded to know what the band is ‘going to do’ about the extortionate cost of resale tickets already being advertised on various platforms, with some exceeding £1,400, but still with the danger of enticing the right person who wants them badly enough.

‘These should be cancelled simple as’, @liamjdbutler said of the resold tickets.

@Madferit31_ has already predicted a ‘stressful fight for resale’ after failing to bag tickets this weekend, with @jordanc5991 calling the sales ‘brutal’.

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Throughout the weekend, Liam, who is no stranger at all to an online clap-back, has been bantering with fans trying to secure a spot in the stadiums while also hitting out at critics of the pricing system.

On Friday, he instructed people to ‘stop moaning’ about the pricing, stating simply, ‘Don’t buy them’ if they had complaints.

Still, he was all for fans grabbing tickets to attend multiple shows where possible, with one user joking: ‘so you want all our money huh’.

He wrote back cheekily: ‘What else you gonna spend it on’.

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Full list of Oasis 2027 tour dates

• May 21 Glasgow, Celtic Park
• May 23 Glasgow, Celtic Park
• May 25 Glasgow, Celtic Park
• May 28 Glasgow, Celtic Park
• May 29 Glasgow, Celtic Park
• June 4 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 6 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 8 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 11 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 12 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 15 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 18 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 19 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 22 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 25 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• June 26 Manchester, Etihad Stadium
• July 2 Munich, Allianz Arena
• July 3 Munich, Allianz Arena
• July 6 Munich, Allianz Arena 
• July 10 Barcelona, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
• July 11 Barcelona, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
• July 16 Amsterdam, Johan Cruijff ArenA
• July 17 Amsterdam, Johan Cruijff ArenA
• July 20 Paris, Stade de France
• July 23 Paris, Stade de France
• July 26 Rome, Stadio Olimpico
• July 29 Rome, Stadio Olimpico
• July 30 Rome, Stadio Olimpico
• August 10 Boston, Gillette Stadium
• August 13 Boston, Gillette Stadium
• August 14 Boston, Gillette Stadium
• August 20 Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium
• August 21 Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium
• August 24 Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium
• September 4 Slane Castle, Ireland
• September 5 Slane Castle, Ireland
• September 11 Knebworth, UK
• September 12 Knebworth, UK
• September 18 Knebworth, UK
• September 19 Knebworth, UK
• September 25 Knebworth, UK
• September 26 Knebworth, UK

In 2025, having announced that the ‘guns had fallen silent’ and they were reuniting after splitting in 2009, Liam and Noel hit the road.

Their Oasis Live ‘25 tour became an instant phenomenon from the moment they walked out in Cardiff holding hands, and what followed were months of unprecedented levels of euphoria and – for the first time in over a decade – unity and togetherness.

More than 10 million fans attempted to buy tickets from 158 countries, with an estimated £1billion generated for the UK economy alone as a result.

Speaking recently about the decision to tour again, Noel explained on Talksport: ‘It was after about the second Wembley show.

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‘Nobody really knew what was going to happen at the (time). Well, you can see it on the documentary, but nobody really knew how it was going to go.

‘We did Cardiff and Manchester, and then by the time we got to Wembley, somebody said, “Well, you know,” and it was decided we were going to do it, and it was all set in motion then.’

Alas, both brothers have denied that they’ll be adding new music to the set list, and while Liam has hinted that 2027 ‘could be the last time’ they play live together, Noel gave a marginally more hopeful answer of, ‘I don’t know’ when probed on whether the band will continue into the future.

Besides, while festival bosses shut down the rumours this time, there’s still every chance they’ll headline Glastonbury again…

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MORE: Amelia Dimoldenberg slams ‘puppet’ Ed Sheeran in brutal SNL UK monologue

MORE: Oasis codes land this weekend – here are 7 ways to survive ‘ticket anxiety’

MORE: Jeremy Clarkson defends Ed Sheeran after Macklemore controversy: ‘Who’ll get cancelled next?’

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Switched On

Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.

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Motsi Mabuse made a very cheeky remark to new presenter Josh Widdicombe during the first Strictly Come Dancing live show on Saturday night – as he was branded a ‘spare part’ by viewers.

Things got off to a shaky start with new presenting trio Josh, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman this year.

Comedian Josh, 43, was presenting from the dance floor with Emma, 50, as Tess did previously, while Johannes interviewed the stars from the auditorium like Claudia.

However, the decision didn’t go down well with viewers, who remarked that Josh looked like a ‘spare part’ next to seasoned professional Emma, before noticing that he missed his cue twice during the show.

Josh was also on the receiving end of a sassy comment from judge Motsi, 45, as Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, and her pro partner Julian Caillon were getting their feedback.

After Craig Revel Horwood gave his rather cutting feedback, Motsi turned to him to say that she actually agreed with what he was saying for once, which led to Craig quipping: ‘Great – we can move on to Shirley [Ballas] then!’

Motsi burst out laughing before then replying: ‘Well I have to do my job too!’

Josh then jokingly shouted: ‘Shirley!’ as if to skip over Motsi’s feedback like Craig had suggested.

Things got off to a shaky start with new presenting trio Josh, Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman this year

Motsi then cheekily remarked to Josh: ‘Well are we going to be friends or enemies, you choose now!’ as the audience and Josh laughed it off.

Reacting to the moment on X, one viewer said: ‘Josh feared for his P45 in Week 1. Motsi ate him up.’ 

Emma, Josh and Johannes have received mixed reactions since they took over from Tess and Claudia, who departed the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series. 

No doubt with a lot on her mind, Emma joked she was feeling ‘nervous’ about the live aspect of the show before introducing the judges and contestants to the stage.

And after it was revealed Josh and Emma would present together on the dance floor Josh was branded a ‘spare part’ by some. 

He did, however, earn some praise for making a ‘change partners’ joke, in a playful throwback to the new musical chairs-style format used to announce the pairs in the launch show. 

As Josh stood on the dancefloor looking bemused Emma, Johannes and judge Craig appeared alongside him, while Josh wailed ‘change partners’, leaving viewers in hysterics. 

Many reacted to the new trio on X as they penned: ‘I’m not going to be one of the people hating on Josh. For me the problem is that three hosts just aren’t needed. He’s just standing there awkwardly next to Emma without much to do. Josh should’ve been up where Johannes is and Johannes should be dancing imo.’,

‘ngl, i’m not a fan of this hosts setup. i’d switch jojo and josh around, why book a comedian and not put him causing chaos and fun in the clauditorium (or whatever we call it these days) #Strictly.’,

Amid his presenting Josh was also on the receiving end of a sassy comment from judge Motsi, 45, as Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, and her pro partner Julian got their feedback

Reacting to the moment on X, one viewer said: ‘Josh feared for his P45 in Week 1. Motsi ate him up’

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Many reacted to the new trio on X as they penned: ‘I’m not going to be one of the people hating on Josh. For me the problem is that three hosts just aren’t needed…’

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‘Ok. I still don’t feel it. It might have fared better if it was just Josh upstairs and Emma on her own. I feel that dynamic would’ve had more flow. What’s everyone else thinking??.’,

‘Everyone is being quite hard on Josh but he’s really not the problem. He should be up in the Clauditorium to crack jokes with the contestants. Emma is fantastic and such a natural so she should be on her own on the main floor. Three hosts are too much.’

No one will be leaving the show this week, with the scores from week one combined with next week’s before the first elimination next Sunday. 

Up first to perform was Big Brother presenter Will Best, 41, who performed the Samba to Rock DJ by Robbie Williams with his partner Dianne Buswell. 

While there was rapturous applause from the audience, Craig Revel Horwood was quick to point out Will’s ‘sloppy’ arms, and awarded him four points, the same as Shirley Ballas. 

Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke awarded Will scores of five, giving him a total score of 18. 

Then it was time for British skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, to jive to Animal by KATSEYE with new pro Mark Karmalita. 

She particularly impressed Anton, who said it was like seeing last year’s winner Karen Carney back on the dancefloor. He awarded her a score of seven. In turn, Motsi gave six, and Shirley five for a very respectable first week score of 22. 

Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, was paired with Julian Caillon and they took on the Quickstep to C’est Magnifique by Kay Starr. 

After a few mistakes in her routine, Dame Storey was awarded a three by Craig and fours by the remaining judges, giving her a final score of 15. 

Emmerdale’s Lawrence Robb, 34, and Jowita Przystał performed the Paso Doble to Aperture by Harry Styles, earning him a four from Craig, fives from Motsi and Shirley and a six from Anton, totalling 20. 

Former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, stepped up to perform the Cha Cha to Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russell, with his partner Alexis Warr. 

He failed to impress, earning a two from Craig, fours from Motsi and Shirley and five from Anton for 15 overall. 

House Of The Dragon actress and West End star Bethany Antonia, 28, performed a Quickstep to Stop This Flame by Celeste. 

She was paired with Nancy Xu, having requested a female dance partner after Nicola Adams and Katya Jones’s coupling in 2020 helped with her coming out journey.

The move paid off, with the pair’s dance branded the best of the night so far and earning them a score of 26 – consisting of sixes from Craig and Shirley and sevens from Anton and Motsi. 

However, they didn’t stay top of the leaderboard for long.

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, performed a Cha Cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston alongside fan favourite Vito Coppola, earning a standing ovation from Shirley. 

The routine earned them 27 – with sevens from Craig, Shirley and Anton and six from Motsi. 

Comedian Josh, 43, was presenting from the dance floor with Emma, 50, as Tess did previously, while Johannes interviewed the stars from the auditorium like Claudia 

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During Strictly’s first live show YouTuber John Nellis surprisingly topped the leaderboard as viewers finally warmed to the ‘worst-ever’ lineup

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, 43, teamed up with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden to Tango to No Roots by Alice Merton. 

They scored 16 – made up of three from Craig, four from Motsi and Shirley and five from Anton.

The oldest celebrity in the new series, Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters, 64, took on the Cha Cha to Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee.

Paired with long-time pro Aljaž Škorjanec, she scored a total of 15 – including two from Craig, fours from Motsi and Shirley and five from Anton.

Love Island star Cach Mercer, 25, performed a Quickstep to I Just Might by Bruno Mars with new pro dancer Maddie Ingoldsby. 

The pair were criticised for adding too much freestyle to the ballroom routine but still scored a respectable 20 – three from Craig, sixes from Motsi and Anton and five from Shirley. 

Dog trainer Graeme Hall, 59, was a dark horse on the night as he showed off his skills doing the Cha Cha to Hound Dog (Smokey Joe’s Café version) with his partner Lauren Oakley. 

Craig, Motsi, Shirley and Anton all awarded him six points for a total of 24. 

The stakes were high for actress Jaime Winstone, 41, who was paired with reigning champion Carlos Gu for her Tango to I Feel Love by Donna Summer. 

Yet she proved she could hold her own, and while there were some criticisms for not including enough ballroom moves, she still scored 21 – fives from Craig, Motsi and Shirley and six from Anton. 

A year later than she’d hoped, Dani Dyer, 30, finally made it onto the dancefloor, reuniting with her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin after an ankle injury forced her to withdraw before the live shows last year.

The pair’s first dance was a Samba to Lush Life by Zara Larsson, and it was worth the wait, with Dani earning sixes from Craig and Anton and fives from Motsi and Shirley for a score of 22. 

They were cheered on by Dani’s famous father Danny – who sat proudly in the front row of the audience. 

Sports Youtuber John, 33, and Katya then had their dance labelled the ‘best’ of the night – earning scores of eights from Shirley, Motsi and Anton and a seven from Craig to send them rocketing to the top of the leaderboard. 

Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, 41, rounded off the show by performing the Samba to Baianá by Barbatuques with her partner Kai Widdrington.

They scored 29 after eight from Motsi and sevens from Craig, Shirley and Anton.

The live show allowed viewers to warm to the celebrity contestants, after the lineup was previously branded ‘the worst ever’.

The celeb lineup was announced on social media this year rather than on radio and TV, but many followers had never heard of the names.

John, for example, a ‘sports content creator’, doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page.

But that doesn’t seem to matter to producers, who are said to have specifically selected stars who have large social media followings, rather than being known to the average Joe.

In recent years, BBC bosses have started to introduce content creators, reality stars and online influencers to the lineup in a bid to attract Gen Z viewers.

It’s a move that paid off, with YouTuber Joe Sugg, Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri for example, all proving popular with fans and reaching the final.

Yet this year, that idea was put into overdrive, with an insider claiming the series has actively targeted stars with a big social presence to attract younger viewers.

Stars such as Kim Kardashian’s hair stylist Chris might not be a household name, but he does boast a huge social media following with four million fans on Instagram.

Sports YouTuber John has an even bigger fanbase, with 15.7 million YouTube subscribers.

However, loyal fans were left scratching their heads over the lineup, with many of the comments on the Strictly social posts asking who the celebrity is, rather than expressing any excitement.

Indeed, while bosses may be keen to attract Gen Z – the majority of Strictly viewers are in fact Gen X and Baby Boomers.

Audience demographic data indicates that around 60 per cent of the audience is aged 55 or older, putting the average viewer age firmly in the mid-50s and above.

Yet this year, it’s been suggested Strictly is following a similar, hugely successful social media strategy employed by its US counterpart Dancing With The Stars.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER 

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AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC’s EastEnders 

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m so excited and terrified at the same time but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.’

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DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!’

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

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BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!’

DAME SARAH STOREY

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AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain’s most successful Paralympian 

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.’

BETHANY ANTONIA 

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AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.’

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GRAEME ‘THE DOGFATHER’ HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!’

TABBY STOECKER 

AGE: 25

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BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’

MELANIE WALTERS 

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AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.’

DANI DYER

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AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!’

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CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars – including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.’

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

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BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!’

JAIME WINSTONE

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AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.’

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 

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AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!’

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LAWRENCE ROBB

AGE: 34

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV’s Emmerdale

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!’

JOHN NELLIS 

AGE: 33

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BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’

 

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British couples have lost tens of thousands of pounds after an IVF clinic in Portugal filed for insolvency – leaving many in limbo mid-treatment – in what has been described as the “biggest disaster globally in the sector”.

Ovom Care continued to take payments from its patients and administered treatments just days before they abruptly closed their business. Given that many of their patients had not paid via a credit card to avoid hefty exchange fees, they have been informed they are ineligible for refunds and have received no word about compensation.

Investors in Ovom said claims for prepaid treatment can be registered with the insolvency administrator.

One couple believe the ordeal has cost them upwards of £30,000, while another woman says she was left devastated to discover she had paid for three IVF rounds – despite her new doctor informing her she likely suffers from endometriosis.

At least 38 British patients are known to have been with the clinic at the time it became insolvent. However, The Independent has been told Ovom likely had around 200 clients and that around 60 per cent were UK nationals.

Ovom Care’s chief executive told The Independent the clinic was “deeply sorry” to patients for distress caused, but those who had paid for treatment they had not received would now need to contact insolvency administrators. She suggested a: “number of claims circulating publicly are factually not correct”, without specifying.

Pippa Hogg and her wife Jay Brown, both 39, had always known they wanted children. As a same-sex couple, they were aware of the financial pressures of undergoing IVF in the UK, which can spiral into the tens of thousands of pounds.

After researching various clinics and speaking with friends, they decided to pick Ovom Care as they felt protected by EU rules and were pleased that Portugal had almost identical laws to the UK on sperm donation. They travelled to the country and felt reassured by the staff and enjoyed a good relationship with their doctor – so decided to proceed with treatment.

After months of living on “the extreme frugal side”, they transferred £5,000 for a round in February which failed, and then made a second £10,000 payment on 15 August for three egg collections, as well as an additional £2,800 for their sperm donor vials.

Ms Hogg underwent her first scan on 21 August and began her simulation three days later. But the couple were left blindsided when they were informed on 28 August that Ovom were insolvent.

“It’s been really hard to be honest,” Ms Hogg told The Independent. “It was such a shock, I got really, really upset. As a queer person, you’ve already gone through other barriers and it felt like the final nail in the coffin. I also found it hard while also being treated for hormones and the procedure – I’ve not been back to work since. I’ve found it hard to be normal.”

Ms Hogg and Ms Brown are now undergoing treatment with Avenues. Given that they are now seeking another sperm donor and their bank has refused their fraud claim on the money paid to Ovom, they now believe the process has cost them in the region of £32,000.

A spokesperson for Ms Hogg and Ms Brown’s MP, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: “Miatta is very saddened and concerned to read about the experiences of those affected by the situation at Ovom Care.

“We would strongly encourage the constituents affected to get in touch with our office directly if they have not already done so. We will be looking out for their cases and will ensure that they are treated as a high-priority case by our office.”

Michelle, who does not wish to include her surname, 42, and her husband had been trying for a baby for years. They chose Ovom Care due to the high quality of doctors advertised but now feel their “one shot” of having a child has been taken from them.

Prior to beginning their treatment with Ovom, Michelle says she went for a scan at a clinic in Harley Street, London, and was informed she may have endometriosis. Upon asking Ovom’s specialist doctors if she should investigate further, she said was reassured further scans were not necessary.

In December 2025, she underwent her first egg transfer. She discovered that the transfer had failed on Christmas Day, but claims to have felt pressured to continue with her second transfer in February, which also failed.

“I was in such a bad way mentally and thinking ‘what’s wrong with me physically, I’m killing these things. I’m the reason this isn’t working, I’m a bad person’,” she said.

Given her age, she asked if she should take part in another egg retrieval or undergo further testing, but says she was once again reassured by the clinic that all was well, and she should proceed with her third and final transfer in August.

She discovered this had also failed on 26 August, just one day after Ovom filed for insolvency and two days before they informed their patients.

An estimated 60 per cent of Ovom’s patients were British and London-based Avenues clinic, run by Ovom co-founder Dr Cristina Hickman, has offered to take over their care. Avenues subsequently informed Ms Haworth that her initial scans had shown endometriosis, endometrioma and adenomyosis.

Michelle and her husband believe they are now £20,000 out of pocket, and are unsure how to raise the funds for a second opportunity. They have joined forces with other affected patients to launch a fundraiser, with the hope of using it to recuperate costs and pay for future treatment.

Dr Hickman, who said she left Ovom in 2024 over disagreements with the direction the clinic was taking, said there had been a “misalignment between healthcare and venture capital business”, which had failed to prioritise patients.

The clinic had been backed by venture capital firms Alpha Intelligence Capital, Ananda Impact Ventures and Merantix Capital, and received a €4.8m (£4.1m) investment in 2024.

“It’s hard to navigate the private equity and venture capital space as a healthcare provider as you want different things, there is a different target,” Dr Hickman said.

“Six months before your runway of money runs out you should do a transfer of care, stop further care from starting and transfer the embryos. There is a way to shut down clinics and there is no registered doctor I know that would have done this.

She added: “You don’t just announce an insolvency and walk away. People remortgage their households to do this treatment.

“This is the biggest disaster I have seen globally in the IVF sector, this is as bad as it gets.”

Ovom Care’s German parent company is separately subject to its own insolvency proceedings. Restructuring measures are initiated and a mergers and acquisitions process is organised.

The insolvency administrator and Portugal’s regulator for assisted reproduction, the CNPMA, approved a process for stored eggs, sperm and embryos to be transferred to the Ava Clinic in Lisbon. Ovom say this was safely carried out under the CNPMA’s authorisation and clinical data is also being securely transferred.

Rachael and Anthony Jones, 38 and 36, had been trying for a baby but had suffered three miscarriages. They were drawn to Ovom Care after continuously seeing their adverts “popping up online”, and after conducting their research and having a “no pressure” consultation, they felt that the clinic was a good fit.

In April, they made an up-front payment of more than £8,000 to cover three cycles of IVF and embryo transfers, and began the process in May. After travelling to Portugal for their egg retrieval, they felt encouraged by the “lovely” staff and nurses, and had no concerns about their treatment.

In July, they were informed that they could not undergo the embryo transfer as essential building work was taking place at the clinic, and on 21 August, they were disappointed when their transfer was delayed again due to a scan showing Rachael’s womb lining was not sufficiently optimal.

Just one week later, they received an email at 5:30pm on a Friday to inform them that the clinic had filed for insolvency.

“That weekend was just horrendous,” Rachael said. “I don’t think we slept properly. We were trying to contact Ava Clinic, where we were told the eggs would be transferred to, but they had also only found out on the Friday and were inundated with queries. They couldn’t get in touch with Ovom either. Ava only got our eggs a week ago and until then, it has been massively stressful.”

“We feel fleeced,” Anthony said. “The financial side has had to really dictate our choices. There’s the context of it as well – we’ve had three miscarriages which we haven’t really gotten over. You then take the scientific route and hope it will be a bit more in your control. We just feel like the unluckiest people in the world.”

Similar to Pippa and Jay, they are now also with Avenues, which has offered to retrieve their eggs for no additional cost. They are now hoping to embark on a new treatment plan in a few weeks, but the stress from the ordeal is believed to have triggered Rachael’s Graves’ disease, which means it is unlikely that they can go forwards with the embryo transfer for another six months.

Ovom Care chief executive, Felicia von Reden, said in a statement to The Independent: “I would like to start off by saying that we as management are deeply sorry for the distress and uncertainty caused by the insolvency proceedings.

“Stored eggs, sperm and embryos, together with patients’ clinical records, have been transferred to AVA Clinic in Lisbon, with the authorisation of the Portuguese health authority (CNPMA). If you are currently undergoing treatment, or wish to continue your care, please contact AVA Clinic directly. They are able to advise on next steps.

“If you have paid for treatment that was not provided, this is a claim against the insolvent estate.

“We are currently in the process of finding a fair outcome for patients who paid for treatment that was not delivered, and I will communicate further as soon as there is something concrete to share.

“The circumstances surrounding the insolvency, including the operational decisions taken after the court appointed an independent administrator, are before courts in Portugal and Germany. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on matters under judicial review.

“I will say, however, that a number of claims circulating publicly are factually not correct.

“My focus, and the priority of everyone involved, is making sure patients get the support and answers they need – we are working on this with all the resources we have.”

A spokesperson for the Ava Clinic said: “Portugal has a long-standing reputation for safe, reliable and high-quality fertility treatment. Ava Clinic is proud to be part of that tradition, with more than 25 years of experience in assisted reproduction that patients can trust.

“The situation with Ovom Care is unfortunately an example of poor business practice which can impact any sector in any country; but should never be allowed to impact patients. For this reason, Ava Clinic had no hesitation in doing everything possible to ensure the safety of Ovom Care patients and their frozen reproductive material.

“When our support was requested by the court-appointed insolvency administrator and by Portugal’s assisted reproduction regulatory authority, our priority was immediately to protect patients and ensure continuity of care. Our team worked intensively to safeguard frozen reproductive material, preserve clinical records and support every patient who wished to continue treatment.”

A joint statement from Alpha Intelligence Capital, Merantix Capital and Ananda Impact Ventures said: “Our funds invested in Ovom Care between 2023 and 2024. Alpha Intelligence Capital and Merantix Capital had representatives on the board of its German parent company; Ananda Impact Ventures held an observer position on the board.

“The insolvency of the Portuguese clinic and its German parent company is the subject of court-supervised proceedings in Portugal and Germany. Management acted throughout on legal advice, and both entities cooperated, and continue to cooperate, fully with the insolvency administrators and the courts. As the proceedings are ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on matters under judicial review.

“As Ovom has set out, patient safety measures were taken, including the transfer of biological material to an authorised backup facility, AVA Clinic in Lisbon, with the approval of the Portuguese health authority Claims for prepaid treatment can be registered with the Insolvency Administrator.

“Our sympathies are with everyone affected, particularly the patients whose treatment has been disrupted, and the clinic’s staff.”

The USS Klakring was struck by a missile and sank in the North Atlantic during the operation at the MOD’s Hebrides Range.

A US Navy warship has been sunk in Scottish waters as part of a joint military operation. The USS Klakring was struck by a missile from the USS Paul Ignatius with Royal Navy vessels and aircraft also involved in the operation at the MOD’s Hebrides Range.

UK and US forces have been undertaking live-fire exercises in the North Atlantic off the coast of the Western Isles this month. Known as Atlantic Thunder 2026, the operation included a joint-exercise targeting the USS Klakring, a decommissioned warship.

Dramatic footage published by the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet shows the moment the frigate was hit by a missile during the exercise. After launching a missile from the USS Paul Ignatius, explosions can be seen onboard the USS Klakring as smoke and flames erupt from the vessel while it is destroyed.

The operation was originally planned to take place in May, with the sinking of USS Klakring by co-ordination between British and American forces the centrepiece, but it was delayed by four months.

Launched in 1982, the USS Klakring was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate named for after World War II Rear Admiral Thomas B. Klakring. It was decommissioned in 2013 after three decades in active service and had been stored at the Philadelphia Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Pennsylvania before it was brought to Campbeltown ahead of the exercise.

All hazardous materials had been removed from the vessel before being sent to the bottom of the ocean.

It is not the first time a former US warship has been sunk as part of training exercises between UK and US forces off the coast of Scotland. A previous Atlantic Thunder operation took place in September 2022 in which HMS Westminster, a Wildcat helicopter and three RAF Typhoons sank the decommissioned frigate USS Boone alongside the US Navy and the US Air Force.

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