Jack Hodgson faces a dramatic storyline on BBC’s Silent Witness.

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Jack Hodgson has been a fixture on Silent Witness for years – but could his tenure on the programme be drawing to a close?

There has been considerable speculation surrounding his future on the BBC drama following major new spoilers.

The upcoming episodes, Grace Of God, suggest a concerning development for Jack. The beloved forensic scientist becomes embroiled in a drunken pub altercation tonight, but matters escalate dramatically when the man he fought with subsequently turns up deceased.

Discussing what his character experiences this series, David said: “Jack and Nikki are settling into a new home in Birmingham and getting used to The Bowman Centre, trying to find a bit of balance.

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“Jack is still the same stubborn, sarcastic fella, just with a bit more self-awareness. He’s older and more mature. He’s more affected by the trials and tribulations of his work and we see that play out majorly in this series. Jack is really tested in one story, a very personal odyssey he must go on alone.”

In the dramatic instalment, we witness Jack battling to cope as he believes he’s responsible for this man’s death, and matters deteriorate further when he finds himself behind bars. Is Jack in serious peril?, reports the Mirror.

Discussing his character, David Caves spoke candidly about “vulnerable” Jack and his struggles. “The thing I love about Jack is that he’s tough but can be vulnerable. He can fight but knows how to control it. He’s a truth-seeker, a righteous crusader, a bit of a warrior-monk, really,” he said.

“There’s always something new to find with him. And honestly, the cast and crew feel like family now, the kind you don’t mind seeing again every year. It’s got everything, gripping stories, interesting science, and characters people have grown up with. It’s comforting in a strange way, even though it’s about death.”

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

The concluding instalment of Silent Witness, now streaming on BBC iPlayer, delivers a troubling development for Jack – as his wife Nikki Alexander desperately attempts to protect him using the only means at her disposal.

The question remains, however – will she reach him in time, or is Jack destined for a far darker fate?

Silent Witness is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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Darlington Soroptimists are collecting ideas for their exhibition on March 7, and so far have compiled some greats from history, like the first female mayor and councillor and the great female crusaders against slavery and for women’s suffrage.

Lady Starmer is therefore among them. For much of the 20th Century, she was Darlington’s version of the Queen Mother and nothing to do with our present Prime Minister. She was president of 38 local organisations and vice-president of 37; she gave huge amounts to charity, including her West End home which is now a sheltered house for elderly people; she was widely loved by the townspeople, even those she ran over with her Bentley due to her erratic driving.

But the Soroptimists are also highlighting women with connections to the town who are still very much making valuable contributions.

Women like Elspeth Robinson, who founded the Kumi Community Foundation which is absolutely crucial to the running of the Kumi hospital in Uganda, and Beryl Hankin, who for many decades ran the unique Guru boutique, and local historian Jean Kirkland and Olympian Joy Grieveson.

Hannah Dodd as Francesca Bridgerton and Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton

Plus there are more nationally famous names like actress Wendy Craig, singer Zoe Birkett and actress Ruth Gemmell who plays Lady Bridgerton in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton.

Ruth was born in Bristol in 1967 but her mother, a nurse, was from Barnard Castle and the family moved back to Barney where Ruth grew up. When her parents divorced, her mother moved into Darlington, and Ruth attended Polam Hall school, which regularly put on productions in its own theatre and in the Arts Centre.

“I think it was appearing in the Importance Of Being Earnest and as a fairy which made my mind up,” she told The Northern Echo in 2004, and since then she has appeared in everything from EastEnders to Tracy Beaker and Doc Martin.

More nominations are welcome – about 175 words and ideally a photograph to darlingtonsorops@gmail.com – for the exhibition which will run in St Cuthbert’s Church Hall from 10am to 3pm.

“We really hope people will come along on the day, discover inspirational women, see who they know and then write down some suggestions for next year,” said Barbara Brown, a Soroptimist for 44 years.

By coincidence, Mike Taylor recently sent in this picture of Lady Starmer doing what she did best. She was president of the Darlington Badminton League and allowed them to hold an annual tournament on the lawns of her home Danby Lodge, which is now an Abbeyfield assisted living home off Coniscliffe Road. This picture was taken after a tournament in September 1967. “I am in the second row from the back, second in from the left with my future wife in front of me holding the ‘wooden’ racquet,” says Mike. “I became secretary of the league in 1971 and so got to know Lady Starmer quite well.” She died at Christmas 1979 with no one really knowing her age as that is one thing you never ask a lady.

“We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.

As well as frying your food to perfection, the best air fryers can grill, bake, reheat, dehydrate and roast. By circulating hot air in a compact basket, these appliances reduce cooking times and have become kitchen staples since appearing on the cooking scene about 10 years ago.

“Air fryers have soared in popularity due to their healthier cooking, convenience and versatility,” says Izzy Forgione, small appliances expert at AO. “They also tend to cook food faster than your oven, which makes them great for busy households.”

Today, air fryers are widely available, with brands such as Philips, Instant and Tower offering energy-saving options in a variety of sizes, styles and prices from just over £50 to nearly £300. Ninja, in particular, seems to have a model for every type of cook. To help, we’ve tested the latest models from top brands. Our full reviews are below, followed by some frequently asked questions.

The best air fryers in 2026: At a glance

How to choose the best air fryer

First, consider size. Two to four litres is appropriate for a one-person household, while larger families (and bigger appetites) will be better served by a model that cooks six litres or more.

Next, think about design. “Single drawer air fryers are the most common and straightforward as they utilise a single cooking basket,” says Forgione. “Dual air fryers are the next step up, with two separate drawers allowing you to cook two meals simultaneously at different temperatures and times.” If you plan to cook multiple components of the same meals in your air fryer, choose a relatively large model with double baskets.

Think about special features. Some air fryers include a rotisserie, enabling them to cook whole chickens in time for Sunday roast. “There are also some air fryer ovens that mimic mini ovens and allow you to bake or grill your food,” Forgione says. And then there are multicookers, which, along with cooking food under timed conditions, can air fry too.

For energy-saving options, Forgione recommends you look for air fryers that come with a lower wattage.

The best air fryers of 2026

Italian cricket is in crisis days after the country’s T20 World Cup debut, as it emerged that a senior national governing body official has been investigated over a sexual assault allegation.

Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI) women’s cricket co-ordinator Prabath Ekneligoda, 57, was the subject of a criminal investigation relating to a claim he inappropriately touched a member of the Azzurri women’s national team.

Multiple members of the Italy board are said to have resigned over this case and other governance issues, BBC Sport has been told.

The sexual assault allegation was made to police in Rome in March last year by a player who has represented the national team.

The player, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, alleged that the sexual assault occurred during a massage on a knee injury at a training session, and she had been scared to report the incident because she feared it would cost her a spot in the team.

An investigation was concluded by a Rome prosecutor in November 2025 and Ekneligoda was interviewed by police the following month.

A decision is now set to be made on whether there is sufficient evidence to bring it to trial. Ekneligoda’s lawyer said his client denies the allegations, that there are ulterior motives to the allegations, and that a witness supports his version of events.

FCRI said in a statement to BBC Sport it “noted proceedings are currently under way before the federal prosecutor’s office” and will “co-operate with the relevant authorities”.

“The Italian Cricket Federation reiterates that its conduct is guided by principles of fairness, transparency and the protection of its registered members, as well as by the ethical and civic standards that underpin the sporting system,” added the statement.

“The federation therefore defers to the competent judicial authorities for any determinations arising from the matter.”

Ekneligoda, who is originally from Sri Lanka, was suspended from his role with the FCRI in November but has remained a visible presence on the Italian cricket scene.

He is the partner of FCRI president Maria Lorena Haz Paz and accompanied her to India for the men’s T20 World Cup.

BBC Sport has seen evidence that Ekneligoda attended Italy’s matches wearing official accreditation and was permitted to sit with the rest of the FCRI party.

Ekneligoda was also seen at various events laid on for Italy’s cricket delegation, including a reception at the Italian consulate in Kolkata for officials, players and coaching staff.

The FCRI, its president Haz Paz, and safeguarding officers, had full knowledge of the seriousness of the claims made against Ekneligoda before the World Cup.

Last weekend, Il Messaggero, external and Corriere della Sera, external reported the allegations in the Italian media for the first time.

As of Monday, Ekneligoda was still listed as the women’s cricket coordinator on the FCRI website.

Sources have told BBC Sport that some members of the FCRI’s board have resigned over the matter, and other governance issues, which has placed Haz Paz’s position under greater scrutiny.

Senior officials in Italian cricket fear potential reputational damage, and the possibility of legal cases, will hamper opportunities to capitalise on their debut T20 World Cup appearance and grow the game further in the country.

Haz Paz was appointed president of the Italian cricket federation in February 2025 until 2028.

Italy’s debut at the T20 World Cup, and the stories of some of their players, had captured the imagination of the cricket world.

The Azzurri failed to make the Super 8 stage but beat Nepal in Mumbai and gave England a scare in Kolkata in their Group C fixtures.

The brand new bar has finally been spotted on shelves, incorporating new and existing flavours to create an original treat in anticipation of Formula 1.

KitKat Chunky’s new bar consists of a marbled caramel chocolate coating, with the standard crispy wafer inside.

It was announced in partnership with Formula 1 and is one of a number of products tailored towards the upcoming speed contest.

Stop the scroll. Start your engines 🏁 The NEW KitKat Chunky Caramel flavour bar, an innovation that celebrates the global partnership between KitKat and Formula 1 ️🍫 Created using our advanced technology, the new bar features a unique and distinctive marbling effect which is… pic.twitter.com/H7Zu6FNshr

— Nestlé UK & Ireland (@NestleUKI) February 18, 2026

The brand also recently released small race-car-shaped chocolate bars, signed off as ‘Official Chocolate Bar of Formula 1’.

Stephanie Scales, Marketing Manager for KitKat, Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: “Formula 1 brings unmatched energy and global cultural relevance, and we wanted to translate that into something that KitKat fans and Formula 1 lovers could enjoy.

“With its striking marbled effect and smooth caramel flavour, it’s poised to capture attention and generate real excitement for shoppers.”

The bar is also part of an on-pack promotion, allowing shoppers to win F1 prizes until April.

These include a full expenses paid trip to the Grand Prix in Monaco or Britain.

In the UK, KitKat is an absolute staple. The “Have a break” tagline has been used since the 1950s, successfully positioning the product as a staple for breaks.

It is bought by more than 60% of households annually and is considered the most global chocolate brand, with massive, consistent production (over 4 million bars a week in York alone).

The bars are being sold individually and in multi-packs, and are available across UK stores now.

Lindsey Vonn has shared she nearly had her leg amputated after suffering a horror crash at the Winter Olympics, with Cristiano Ronaldo among those sending messages of support

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message to Lindsey Vonn after the American skiing legend revealed in an emotional statement that she nearly faced a leg amputation following the severe crash she endured at the Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old was airlifted to hospital after striking a gate merely 13 seconds into the women’s downhill competition.

After being restricted to a hospital bed in Italy, where she underwent four major operations and subsequently a fifth after returning to the United States, she has now disclosed that she could have lost her leg were it not for Dr Tom Hackett. Taking to Instagram on Monday, she shared a video outlining her injuries and described how her leg was saved.

Vonn said: “I had a complex tibia fracture, I also fractured my fibula head and everything was in pieces, and the reason it was so complex was because I had compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is when you have so much trauma to one area of your body that there is too much blood and it gets stuck. It basically crushes everything in the compartment – muscles, nerves, tendons, it all kind of, dies. Dr Tom Hackett saved my leg, he saved my leg from being amputated.

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“He did what is called a fasciotomy, where he cut open both sides of my leg, let it breathe, and he saved me. I always talk about everything happening for a reason. If I hadn’t torn my ACL, which I would have done anyway in this crash, Tom [Hackett] wouldn’t have been there, he wouldn’t have been able to save my leg. I feel very lucky and grateful for him, for this six-hour surgery he put in to rebuild it, which went amazingly well. I was in the hospital a little longer than I hoped because I had very low haemoglobin from the blood loss from all the surgeries.

“I was really struggling, the pain was a little bit out of control and I had to have a blood transfusion. That helped me a lot and I turned the corner and now I am out. I am in a wheelchair right now, I am very much immobile, and I will be in a wheelchair for a whilst because I also broke my right ankle. I hope I can be on crutches in a little bit but we will see, and I will probably be on crutches for at least two months. But I’ll get right to work on rehab and see what I can do and take it one step at a time, like I always do.”

Amongst the thousands of supportive messages was one from Portugal and Manchester United icon Ronaldo, who posted a stirring tribute. “Champions are defined by the moments they win, and the moments they refuse to give up,” he wrote beneath the post.

“Lindsey Vonn, the mountains you conquered were never bigger than the strength you carry. Keep fighting. Legends always rise.”

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Vonn has undergone multiple operations in Italy before travelling back to the United States where she had an additional procedure. However, after a gruelling fortnight, she has now returned home where she will carry on with her recovery.

“Now I will focus on rehab and progressing from a wheelchair to crutches in a few weeks,” Vonn continued. “It will take around a year for all of the bones to heal and then I will decide if I want to take out all the metal or not, and then go back into surgery and finally fix my ACL.

“It will be a long road but I’ll get there. At least I’m out of the hospital. Love you all.”

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Local residents have raised concerns about the recent appearance of the site

An ‘illegal’ lorry park has been issued an Enforcement Notice by a Cambridgeshire council. An investigation into environmental concerns relating to the lorry park is ongoing, according to Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty.

Mr Obese-Jecty said Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) has issued an enforcement notice and is investigating environmental concerns relating to an ‘illegal’ lorry park on the edge of Brington. The Enforcement Notice has reportedly been appealed by the landowner and a decision by the Planning Inspectorate is due.

Mr Obese-Jecty visited the site earlier this week and said that he had been contacted by nearby parish councils and local residents who have raised concerns about the recent appearance of the site and the activities taking place there.

He said that the council’s Environmental Health Service had visited the site and investigated concerns regarding pollution, oils, and fluids leaking into nearby waterways. The service requires more evidence of environmental pollution before they are able to take further action, Mr Obese-Jecty said.

The MP said: “I will continue to monitor this situation closely and the outcome of the Planning Inspectorate’s decision.”

A spokesperson for HDC said: “I can confirm we did issue a Planning Enforcement Notice in September 2025 against the unauthorised material change of use of the land. The tenants of the land have submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against our Enforcement Notice, which is currently under consideration and we await the Inspectors [sic] decision.”

The prosecution argues Stephen McCullagh put on an ‘act’ to police after his girlfriend was found with horrific injuries in her home

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A man accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend allegedly tried to cover his tracks by pre-recording a clip he said was ‘livestreamed’ online at the time she was killed.

The mum-to-be, Natalie McNally, 32, was brutally attacked and killed in her own home in Lurgan, Co Armagh, just a week before Christmas on December 20 in 2022.

Stephen McCullagh, 36, of Lisburn, appeared before Belfast Crown Court this week on suspicion of her murder, which he denies, reports The Mirror.

The prosecution argues McCullagh murdered his partner and tried to cover his back for the crime – going so far as to suggest an ex of McNally’s was behind the attack. He also reportedly insisted he had been live streaming a game on YouTube for six hours at the time of the attack.

He sat in the dock between two prison guards on Monday morning as the trial got under way. Family and friends of Ms McNally are watching on from the public gallery.

A jury of six men and six women have been sworn to serve during the trial, which is expected to last for around five weeks, before Judge Mr Justice Patrick Kinney.

Prosecuting barrister Charles MacCreanor KC said it is their case that the defendant murdered Ms McNally and then “put on an act” to cover his tracks.

This included suggesting that an ex-partner of Ms McNally’s had been responsible, telling police there was “blood everywhere”, and that “someone had knocked 10 bells out of her by the look of it”.

Giving an outline of the evidence that will be heard during the trial, Mr MacCreanor contended that McCullagh, known on the online platform YouTube as Votesaxon07, concocted a “cover story” that he had been livestreaming himself playing video games on the evening of Sunday December 18.

But it is the prosecution case that McCullagh had pre-recorded six hours of himself playing video games which he broadcast as live that Sunday evening, and instead he took a bus to Ms McNally’s home in Lurgan.

McCullagh’s distressed sounding 999 call on the night of Monday December 19 was also played during the first day of the trial.

“We say that this is a planned, calculated, pre-meditated murder by the defendant,” Mr MacCreanor put to the jury. One which he hoped to get away with. Natalie McNally had suffered serious and multiple fatal injuries.”

He said her cause of death was found to have involved compression of her neck, “suggestive of finger tips grasping”.

She also suffered three stab wounds to her neck caused by a bladed weapon and five lacerations to the back, top and right of her head “in keeping with having sustained at least five heavy blows”.

He said any of these could have caused death alone.

He went on: “Natalie McNally was pregnant at the time and Stephen McCullagh was the father of her unborn child.”

The time of death has been estimated to be between 8.50pm and 9.30pm on Sunday December 18 2022. McCullagh made a 999 call at around 10pm on Monday December 19 from her home in Lurgan, and told police the last time he saw Ms McCullagh had been on Sunday afternoon.

“On the prosecution case, this call is false, it’s an act, it’s put on by him, part of his plan to do the murder and get away with it,” Mr MacCreanor KC said.

He said the ambulance service and police were quickly at the scene, and reported finding McCullagh with Ms McNally.

“Natalie McNally is lying at the top of the stairs … which was the living area of the home,” he said. “It’s clearly apparent to paramedics that Natalie McNally is dead, everything is consistent with this being an attack upon her, presence of blood and the visible injuries.

“Stephen McCullagh is described by the paramedics as performing CPR to the female and he’s described as being quite visibly upset.”

He said police described McCullagh as being “distraught and overcome”.

“Again, we say this is all part of an act, a front,” he said. During the 999 call, McCullagh is heard audibly upset and sobbing as he asked for emergency services to come to Ms McNally’s address in Lurgan, urging: “Please come as soon as you can”.

The operator talks McCullagh through how to position Ms McNally and administer CPR compressions as he waited for paramedics to arrive, encouraging him to “keep going”, telling him he was giving her the best chance.

The trial continues.

British number one Jack Draper marked his post-injury return to action on the ATP Tour with a straight-set victory over Frenchman Quentin Halys in Dubai.

Competing on the men’s tour for the first time since the US Open last August, Draper won 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 on his debut at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The 24-year-old, who has slipped to 15th in the world after reaching a career-high ranking of fourth in June, will play Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan or France’s Arthur Rinderknech next.

Draper contested his first competitive match for 164 days when he played at the Davis Cup Qualifiers earlier in February, beating Norway’s Viktor Durasovic in straight sets.

But he had remained absent from tour-level singles competition since withdrawing from the US Open before his second-round match because of a left arm injury six months ago.

Draper won the prestigious Masters 1,000 title at Indian Wells and reached the fourth round of the Australian and French Opens in a promising start to his 2025 season.

But he began struggling with a bruised bone in his service arm during the clay-court swing in April, and the issue progressively worsened.