By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 16:27 BST, 27 September 2026 | Updated: 01:44 BST, 28 September 2026

Amandaland’s Lucy Punch has replaced Dawn French as the star of Marks & Spencer‘s big budget Christmas campaign, according to reports. 

The actress, 48 – who is best known for her portrayal of wannabe influencer and alpha mum Amanda in the BBC comedy series Motherland and spin-off show Amandaland – will front the retailer’s first ever joint fashion and food festive advertisements.

Previously, Dawn, 68, has fronted the M&S Food TV ads since 2021, while the likes of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Hannah Waddingham, Jennifer Saunders, Tan France and Zawe Ashton have also starred in Christmas campaigns for the company.

However, this year there is just one advert which will combine both fashion and food.  

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A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Amandaland is one of the most popular shows on telly right now, and bosses thought it would be really fun to cast Lucy in their Christmas ad to promote both their food and fashion ranges.

‘Filming has already taken place with a massive budget. Lucy’s character Amanda wears a lot of M&S clothes in the series so she is the perfect model for them. It’s all under wraps until November, but fans aren’t going to be disappointed.

‘There are still a few surprises in store, too.’

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Amandaland’s Lucy Punch (pictured far left)  has replaced Dawn French as the star of Marks & Spencer’s big budget Christmas campaign, according to reports

Previously, Dawn (pictured), 68, has fronted the M&S Food TV ads since 2021, while the likes of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Hannah Waddingham and Jennifer Saunders have also appeared

The Daily Mail has contacted Lucy’s representative and M&S for comment.  

Last year, more than 3.1million viewers tuned into the Amandaland Christmas special, placing it in the top ten most-viewed programmes of Christmas Day.

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Lucy previously discussed the show’s success, observing that many people think they ‘know’ a woman like the lead character.

The actress told Radio Times: ‘Everyone says they know an Amanda, but she’s based on a lot of people I’ve come across.

‘She’s lots of little pieces. She’s not a caricature; there’s stuff that’s endearing, and stuff that’s horrific and obnoxious. She can’t just be one thing, otherwise she’d have no friends and not be able to function.’

Lucy also acknowledged that while she’s like her on-screen character in some ways, she’s very different in others.

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The actress said: ‘I’m hopeful like she is, and can find the positive in a situation. I hope I’m a lot more self-aware, not as pretentious and snobby.’

Lucy has also been shocked by the longevity of her alter ego.

Asked if the character’s longevity was a surprise, Lucy replied: ‘I couldn’t have imagined ten years later I’d be here, but that first script was incredible, as was the cast. And here we are.’

The SDLP leader Claire Hanna called for “political leadership” and said it was “necessary to de-escalate”.

Hanna, who was at the protest, has called on the chief constable and Northern Ireland secretary to “use every power available” to intervene, and said she had reminded both that they had the “ability to revoke any permission for this parade”.

Following talks at Hillsborough, her party called for an international mediator to help resolve the dispute, with Sir Chris saying he is “giving consideration to anything that anybody comes up with”.

He said he is determined to keep on working and talking with people, but added that “we haven’t got a solution yet”.

Also speaking after the meeting, UUP leader Jon Burrows said the rule of law needed to apply to “everyone”, and that Stormont has been “put under threat”.

“It is vital that everyone obeys the law. I don’t care who that is. I don’t care how senior you are. The law applies to everyone. It cannot be enforced basically on the basis of it might be politically inconvenient,” he added.

The man has been identified as 56-year-old Leighton Brown, an employee of the New York City Housing Authority.

According to local news, he was walking through east Brooklyn neighbourhood working an extra shift when the deadly incident occurred.

“We mourn deeply for the loss of Leighton Brown, a NYCHA employee who faithfully served Brooklyn residents and who was known for his warm personality,” the Office of the NYC Public Advocate wrote on social media.

The nor’easter has caused widespread power cuts. More than 160,000 households, nearly all in the north-eastern US, have lost electricity, according to tracker PowerOutage.

More than 2,400 flights were delayed and another 1,199 grounded on Saturday, according to FlightAware.

A full moon was projected to worsen coastal flooding. Streets and homes were inundated with floodwater in the coastal New Jersey communities of Surf City and Manasquan on Saturday.

‘Stand tall up in heaven my boy as your legacy goes on in your four beautiful children’

The mother of a Welshman who died while on holiday in Spain has shared a moving tribute to mark the second anniversary of his death. Nathan Osman, a 30-year-old welder, disappeared in Benidorm on September 27, 2024, and was later found dead at the bottom a cliff on the outskirts of the city.

The Pontypridd dad-of-four went missing within hours of arriving on the holiday with friends. His loved ones have long claimed Spanish authorities failed to fully investigate all lines of enquiry.

In a social media post on Sunday, his mother Elizabeth Osman wrote: “How have two years passed Nathan since your life was taken? It has been the most horrendous time of our lives having to go on without you here with us to love.

“I’m not going to go on about our pain because you all know and have been on our journey with us. Today the anniversary of Nathan’s passing is no different to any other day, it’s just a reminder of so much heartache in such little time.

“Looking back I’m so damn proud of us and all Nathan’s friends for the continued love and strength shown. Our fight is so real. Our lawyer is outstanding. Our fight is now ongoing and we are forever united in solidarity.

“My boy was sooo loved and protected for 30 years and will be sooo loved forever and a day. When I think of Nathan I am totally filled with love, a love that can’t be removed or replaced.

“Nathan’s infectious smile and humour were his personality from a small boy and he excelled to share his love with us all. It’s true that where there is deep love then there is deep grief. Yes we feel it but I’m so grateful to have had Nathan in my life for 30 years. You blessed me and I’m thankful to God for every beautiful memory we shared.

“I know your with us everyday as I feel you always. Stand tall up in heaven my boy as your legacy goes on in your four beautiful children. The best Daddy ever. Keep smiling and keep being the inquisitive, smart, intelligent, funny, loving soul you are. Love you Nath with all that I am xxx.”

The death was still being investigated by Spanish police as of December last year, according to a Sky News article from that time reporting on the family’s concerns over the handling of the case.

Local authorities had reportedly closed the case before the family carried out their own investigation and presented their findings to Spanish prosecutors as evidence that others may have been involved. This led to the case being reopened, according to Sky News.

Nathan’s family previously told the BBC they believed Nathan was abducted while walking alone to his hotel where he was staying with friends, before being robbed and taken to a remote area.

They claimed attempts were made to use Nathan’s bank card after his body was found, and that his movements would have been captured by CCTV cameras.

The family also claimed a health app on Nathan’s phone tracked his last movements to the cliff and suggested he was in a vehicle, rather than walking or running.

Elizabeth said her son had “everything to live for” and had been “so excited” for the last-minute trip away as a break from working two jobs.

We previously reported on the efforts of four of Nathan’s friends to raise funds to support the family’s campaign to ensure the case is properly investigated. The friends drove 1,400 miles to Benidorm in a £200 car so the family could meet legal and travel costs.

“He was just one of those people who had everything going for him,” said one of the friends, Lloyd Perry. “He was the kind of person who was everyone’s friend.”

Last year South Wales Police said it was “carrying out enquiries on behalf of HM Coroner and a family liaison officer has been appointed to provide support”.

Five men have been arrested as counter-terrorism detectives investigate whether Iran was behind a suspected car-bomb plot targeting US troops at RAF Fairford.

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Counter-terrorism investigators are examining whether Iran orchestrated a suspected car-bomb conspiracy targeting an RAF base

Armed police detained five individuals, observed travelling in three vehicles, following an apparent alert from a courageous member of the public.

However, President Donald Trump cautioned the suspected plotters intended to inflict “big damage”, stating they had been “under investigation” for “a long time”.

Scotland Yard and MI5, working alongside American intelligence operatives, were yesterday evening attempting to establish whether Tehran masterminded the plot to murder American personnel stationed at RAF Fairford. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared in July it would not permit US bombers to operate from Fairford, stating any base used to launch strikes would be a legitimate target.

The five suspects were originally detained on suspicion of “committing offences under the Explosives Act”. They were subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.

The individuals were stripped to their torsos over concerns they might also have been wearing suicide vests, reports the Express.

The five suspects were originally detained on suspicion of “committing offences under the Explosives Act”. They were subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act.

The individuals were stripped to their torsos over concerns they might also have been wearing suicide vests. A police source informed the Daily Express: “This was intelligence led policing, pure and simple. There has been a lot of covert activity in the background.”

Explosive ordnance disposal specialists were sent to inspect the devices discovered in the three vehicles, with approximately 85 households relocated from their properties to a neighbouring leisure facility during the high-stakes operation.

A remotely operated device from the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal unit manoeuvred between the three stationary vehicles, with what looked to be substantial black containers positioned outside the van.

Detectives are investigating multiple potential explanations, including whether the group was executing instructions on behalf of Tehran or Moscow, or whether it constituted an Islamist terror conspiracy.

President Trump stated: “We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our fort. We had them under view for a long time, and we got them.”

RAF Fairford had served as a launching point for US long-range bomber aircraft during military engagements in Iran. A frightened local resident in Whelford, Gloucestershire, contacted authorities after observing a “large group of hooded and ‘balaclava’d’ men” near the military installation during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The farmer, who requested anonymity, stated: “I saw a group of Middle Eastern-looking young guys running off through the trees. Some of them had masks or balaclavas on, and they all scattered ahead of us as we drove back past.

“Some of them ran into the fields, and some of them turned to run towards the air base. We realised this was something pretty serious.

“We knew the air base had a credible threat of a terrorist attack before last night. So as soon as I saw them I was worried.”

The resident also suggested police and intelligence agencies may have been in possession of vital information beforehand.

She said: “We thought something was going on as they had housed B1 bombers at the base until earlier this week when they were moved. And then suddenly they started blocking entrances to the air base.

“They started blocking those with diggers and tractors and things early in the week, which seems a bit Dad’s Army to be honest.

“By Friday they had sent all their civilian staff home, and then because this is a small village, we started noticing people who weren’t local and the suspicion was they were plain clothes police of some kind. We all knew something unusual was going on.”

She added: “A plucky amateur shouldn’t be spotting an unusual bit of activity at 1am when the air base is on high alert. I think it’s absolutely astonishing.”

One of the vehicles inspected by bomb-disposal units was marked with “FUEL 2YOU” on the side in red lettering, along with a telephone number.

However, there is virtually no public trace of such a firm. A business with a comparable name, Fuel 2U, confirmed to the Daily Express that they owned two vans, and both were at their depot in London.

It raises the possibility that the alleged attackers were attempting to remain inconspicuous by masquerading as a fuel delivery firm. The firm released a statement saying: “We want to make it absolutely clear that neither the vehicle nor any of the individuals involved has any connection whatsoever with Fuel2U, its directors, employees or current business operations.

“We are extremely concerned that our company’s name has been used without our knowledge or permission.

“We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and will assist them with any enquiries.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham admitted the “incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country.”

He added: “The safety and security of the public is our first priority, and I want people to know that we will always take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep our country safe. The investigation remains ongoing, and I would urge people not to speculate while the authorities establish the full facts.”

The Republic of Ireland players were jeered by the small number of Israel fans in attendance when they emerged for their pre-game warm-up.

While the FAI confirmed no tickets would be sold to Republic of Ireland supporters, a handful of fans were spotted inside the stadium.

Hallgrimsson confirmed Bazunu would be included in the squad for Thursday’s game against Austria in Dublin, but not for the second match against Israel.

“I think he is very happy that we have won the game,” said Hallgrimsson.

“Nobody was questioning his decision. It was only the timing that was difficult for us to kind of react to it, but none of us were asking him not to take his stand and now he’s flying back with us on the plane.”

When asked if player’s opinions regarding the fixture were taken into account when selecting his team for Sunday’s game, Hallgrimsson said: “Absolutely not.

“This team selection was about who we thought could make the best performance for Ireland.”

During a dramatic day on Saturday, doubts emerged over whether the game would take place after the Republic of Ireland’s pre-match news conference was postponed because of the squad meeting.

When the news conference commenced at 14:30 BST on Saturday – more than five hours later than planned – Courell said a players’ vote on whether to play the game passed by a “significant majority”.

Courell added that the Republic of Ireland would not engage in pre-match formalities such as handshakes.

In 2024, the Ireland women’s basketball team chose not to shake hands with Israel players or stand on court for the anthems before a EuroBasket qualifier in Riga, but the teams did exchange handshakes when they met again last year.

The Republic of Ireland have faced calls to boycott the matches since the Nations League draw in February.

Last November, the FAI approved a motion calling for Uefa to suspend Israel from Uefa competitions.

In May, the team’s friendly against Qatar was interrupted after fans threw tennis balls featuring the Palestinian flag on to the pitch.

In June, the FAI confirmed their home fixture would be played behind closed doors in Backa Topola instead of Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, citing “operational challenges that could impact on the delivery of the game on home soil”.

At an extraordinary general meeting in July, delegates backed an FAI motion to proceed with the games amid concerns that boycotting the fixtures would cause “significant and lasting harm” for the association.

Calls for the Republic of Ireland to boycott the games have intensified in recent weeks. Earlier this week, more than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter by Irish Sport for Palestine group urging the team not to play.

Courell also said last week Uefa had rejected a request for the Republic of Ireland and Israel to be kept apart in future competition draws.

Tensions between the teams were raised this week when the Israel Football Association accused Hallgrimsson of “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity” after the coach said, “we’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide”.

Speaking on Saturday, Hallgrimsson said it was “a wrong word for me to use”, while Israel FA head of communications Shlomi Barzel said he would not apologise for his association’s response but said he would “take back the word stupidity”.

The armed Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive in Gaza, during which more than 73,000 people have been killed, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.

Israel has repeatedly denied that it has committed genocide, as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity. It says its military operations in Gaza have been conducted in self-defence and in accordance with international law.

By JEFF PRESTRIDGE, MONEY EDITOR AT LARGE

Updated: 23:33 BST, 27 September 2026

Ireland and Israel players did not shake hands before their UEFA Nations League match in Hungary. The FAI had announced on Saturday that there would be no pre-match handshake.

Players from Ireland and Israel declined to shake hands before this evening’s UEFA Nations League fixture in Hungary.

Following the national anthems, both sides opted against the customary pre-match handshake ritual, with the Irish squad – all wearing black armbands to honour those who have lost their lives in the Israel/Palestine conflict – bowing their heads during the Israeli anthem.

Captains Dara O’Shea and Manor Solomon did not exchange handshakes when they approached the match officials for the pre-match coin toss.

Managers Heimir Hallgrímsson and Ram Ben Shimon also refrained from shaking hands.

On Saturday, FAI Chief Executive David Courell had confirmed there would be no handshake, no joint official photograph, and no exchange of pennants, reports the Irish Mirror.

In response, Israeli midfielder Dor Peretz said “I think we’re going to put our hands out, we give the respect. If they don’t want to shake their hands, that’s OK,” while manager Ram Ben Shimon remarked “Yes, yes, my hand is open for everyone who wants to shake it.”

Sunday night’s match got underway at 7:45pm, with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu missing from the squad following his withdrawal on Saturday.

In a statement, he said “Representing my country means everything to me. I have the utmost respect for every single one of my team mates, the Manager, his staff and the Irish people.

“However I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith and try my best to be a person of character and principle therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.

“My decision is based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.

“It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region.

“There are few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger and I strongly believe that this is one of them.”

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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.”