The by-election, which will be the biggest in UK history with more than two million people eligible to vote, was triggered after Mr Burnham resigned from the post earlier this year as part of his plan to become Prime Minister.

He was elected as the Labour MP for Makerfield in June before taking over from Sir Keir Starmer this month.

Seven candidates are standing to succeed Mr Burnham, including Ms Craig for Labour, Phil Eckersley for the Conservatives, Geraldine Coggins for the Green Party, and Sian Astley for Reform UK.

(Image: NQ)

Liberal Democrat Richard Kilpatrick is also standing, alongside Restore Britain’s Marlon West and independent candidate Marcus Farmer.

Residents of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan will be able to have their say on Thursday.

Mr Burnham came first in all 10 areas in 2017, 2021, and 2024.

Speaking ahead of polling day, he said serving as mayor for nearly a decade was an “immense privilege”.

He added: “After years working alongside Bev Craig, I have no doubt that she will work every single day to build on the progress we’ve all made together.

“Bev will focus on putting more money in your pocket, giving families more breathing space on the cost of living, and making sure young people across every borough have the opportunities they need to thrive.

(Image: The Labour Party)

“Bev will do this by working in lockstep with every community across our city region so we can shape our future together.

“She is the only candidate who will make sure every town, every borough, and every person shares in Greater Manchester’s success.

“Together, for our future, vote Bev Craig today to be our next mayor of Greater Manchester.”

Labour’s Ms Craig is the leader of Manchester City Council.

Bev Craig, commenting ahead of polls opening in the Greater Manchester Mayoral By-election, said: “I’m proud to call Greater Manchester home, and I know our best days are still ahead of us – but only if we keep moving forward together, face up to our biggest challenges, and make life better for everyone. That’s why, today, I am asking you to choose hope and vote Labour.”

Reform’s Ms Astley and Lib Dem Mr Kilpatrick also sit on the council.

(Image: Supplied)

Both Conservative Mr Eckersley and the Greens’ Ms Coggins are Trafford councillors.

Ms Coggins argued Greater Manchester needs “full-fat devolution, not semi-skimmed”, adding: “Labour in Greater Manchester has been a developers’ paradise, handing over large sums of money to developers to build unaffordable flats.

“I will be demanding powers to take them back and to impose tough financial penalties for land banking.”

Mr Eckersley has previously said “as a business owner, father and local councillor, I understand the challenges facing families, businesses, and communities across our city-region”.

(Image: Phil Eckersley)

Restore’s Mr West works as a mental health nurse but he was given an 18-month suspension earlier this month by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) following comments he made on social media about sexual grooming by Pakistani men.

Mr West has co-written a book, In Plain Sight, with his daughter, Scarlett, about rape and sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of Asian men.

Restore Britain’s leader, Rupert Lowe, said Mr West “is the best qualified candidate for any mayoral race for a very long time”, adding: “He has lost so much in his fight, including just being struck off nursing because he spoke out about his daughter’s rape.

(Image: Restore Britain)

“It’s scandalous.”

Mr Farmer, an independent candidate, previously stood against Mr Burnham in 2021, receiving just under 1% of the vote.

He also stood in 2017.

Polls will open at 7 am and close at 10 pm on Thursday.

Votes will not be counted until Friday, with the result likely to be announced in the afternoon.

It is the first time a by-election has been necessary to fill a vacancy for one of England’s combined authority mayors.

The cost of the contest is expected to run into the millions, with the 2024 mayoral election costing the taxpayer £4.7 million.

In 2024, Mr Burnham won by 63%, with 420,749 of the 663,631 valid votes cast in his favour across the 10 authorities.

The Conservatives followed in second place with 10%, an independent candidate was third on 50,304 (8%), Reform UK fourth on 49,532 (7%), the Greens fifth on 45,905 (7%), and the Liberal Democrats sixth on 28,195 (4%).

Mr Burnham was elected in a first-past-the-post (FPP) system in 2024, the same method of voting used in UK general elections, where the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.

This week’s by-election is using the supplementary vote (SV) method, which was used in both 2017 and 2021.

Labour passed legislation earlier this year to return to the SV system.

Under this, voters mark their ballot papers with a first and second choice.

If any candidate wins more than 50% of the first-choice votes, they are declared the winner.

But if no candidate has more than 50% of first-choice votes, all but the top two candidates are eliminated and the count moves to a second round.

The ballot papers of the eliminated candidates are counted again and if there are any second-choice votes for the two remaining candidates, these are added to their first-choice totals.

The candidate with the highest overall total of first and second-choice votes is declared the winner.

Voters do not have to mark a second choice on their ballot papers, but they must mark a first choice or else their vote will not be counted.

By ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER

Published: 01:37 BST, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 01:55 BST, 30 July 2026

A French couple has been arrested after the bodies of five infants were found in cardboard boxes in their home. 

The remains were found in a house in the town of Orange, in France‘s southeastern Provence region, on Monday. 

The discovery came a day after the 32-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy boy at home, before being taken to hospital.

The man and his wife, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been arguing about what was in the boxes just a day after she had given birth following a pregnancy she denied. 

Local media reported this was the third time she had denied being pregnant.  

But after she began suffering from abdominal pains, she went to hospital while her husband stayed behind and looked inside. 

An investigating source previously told the Daily Mail that he ‘looked inside the cardboard boxes they had been arguing over – that’s when he found the five dead babies’.

They added: ‘All the foetuses were decomposing, and had been around for quite a while.’

The horrifying discoveries were made at a house in the French town of Orange in the Provence region on Monday morning

He called the police, who are now investigating the incident. 

The couple also had two children aged eight and nine, who have been taken in by relatives. The newborn was placed with social services, the prosecutor’s office said.

Medical examinations will determine the exact nature of the remains, as well as the circumstances and date of their deaths.  

Florent Jean, a neighbour, told Le Parisien that the couple were ‘charming people’ who had moved into the building around two years ago and whose children attended a local primary school. 

After she saw emergency services arrive for the mother, she asked herself: ‘Is she pregnant? That’s impossible, she’s so thin.’

Florent added that the woman would ‘pick up the children from school at lunchtime to eat’, while the man would ‘go to work in the morning and come back in the evening.’

The Orange horror has drawn parallels with the Dominique Cottrez multiple murder case.

Cottrez, a 45-year-old nursing assistant from northern France, confessed to killing her eight newborn children at birth and hiding their bodies.

The so-called ‘house of horror’ in Villers-au-Tertre was used to hide the bodies over almost 20 years.

Cottrez committed the murders between 1989 and 2006, by suffocating eight of her children shortly after giving birth.

The entrance to a building in Orange, Vaucluse department, southeastern France, 28 July 2026

An apartment in Orange, southern France, on July 28, 2026, after the bodies of five deceased infants were discovered

Cottrez was able to conceal her pregnancies from her husband and doctor due to being overweight, according to prosecution evidence.

In July 2010, two of the bodies were discovered in plastic bags by new owners working in the garden of Cottrez’s old house. 

When police contacted her, she immediately admitted that the bodies belonged to two infants she had given birth to.

She also told police that six more infants’ bodies were hidden in the garage.

In July 2015, Cottrez was found guilty of eight counts of infanticide and sentenced to a total of nine years in prison.

In March, a French court jailed a 44-year-old woman for 25 years over the deaths of two of her newborn babies, who police found in the family freezer. 

And in 2018, a court sentenced a woman with a depressive and sometimes violent husband to eight years in prison for drowning five of her newborn babies and freezing their bodies. 

The Moon in Aquarius links to Mars in Gemini, setting a practical tone for the day ahead. Productivity and rationality come easily.

Pisces, Aquarius and Capricorn, you know you can depend on yourself to get what needs to be done, done. Be your own biggest advocate.

Your sights have been set on a goal for some time now. Keep focused, and results will be shining.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Thursday July 30, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

The buzz of yesterday’s once-in-every-dozen years Jupiter/Sun Cazimi in the most self-expressive part of your chart is likely to be sustaining you today. In fact, as the Moon in fair-minded Aquarius links to your ruler Mars in Gemini, friends and colleagues can provide exactly the spark you crave. Conversations flow easily, making this an excellent day to network.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

They say that home is where the heart is, and if you are wanting to make any improvements to your abode, your enthusiasm to do so can be strong. Quick decisions and practical thinking can really help. Trust your instincts where the costs are concerned and avoid overthinking what already feels right. A little investment can bring a greater sense of comfort and peace.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Your words have rarely carried greater clout, but even if you are not trying to build a profile, your ability to showcase ideas in a very positive and dynamic way is absolutely supercharged. With the Moon also giving you a nudge to enjoy speaking freely, and Mars in your sign linking to her brilliantly, don’t hold back from speaking with confidence and verve.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

When it comes to managing things, you are one of the canniest members of the zodiac. Be it family resources, a business or even a corporation. Your instinctive and protective nature sniffs out value better than most. And currently, you can be feeling an extra appreciation of what you have. It may not be all you want, or need, but your sense of gratitude is heightened.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Your personal charisma is being burnished in a very special way. This can see people drawn to you and keen to follow your lead. And with the Moon and Mars collaborating to help you, whether it is friends, group involvements or colleagues, you have a chance to be right at the heart of things, perhaps in a leadership role. All sorts of new beginnings can also beckon.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Your great gift is for grappling with the details of situations but then finding ways to produce practical results. Today, someone can emerge whose ideas capture your imagination. Not only might they talk a lot of sense, but they can inspire you to see a situation from an entirely different angle. Sometimes one conversation really can change our perspective, helpfully.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Every so often the planets literally align to create a feel-good day, and this can be one. You can feel lighter and brighter, so even if you have been dealing with some of life’s grittier strands, you will feel more than equal to them. Some Scales may even opt for a midweek meet-up with friends, and it can prove to have a lively and uplifting vibe.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Admit it, the limelight is calling out to you. Even if you can be happier being a little bit off the radar, the planets are conspiring to raise your profile or connect you to influential people. Mars, your traditional ruler, is part of this, and your talent for business or shrewdly managing resources, mixed with your canny people skills, can see you make quite the impression.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

You are a naturally enthusiastic person, but this can be really amplified, as several planetary placements all help you to showcase your natural passion and appreciation of life’s broad canvas. Conversations, meetings, and short or long journeys all hold promise, and an unexpected exchange or connection could point you towards an exciting opportunity, Sagittarius.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Your practical approach to finances or work can pay dividends. This can come from your natural ability to remain calm whilst thinking on your feet. Knowledge really is power today, and you can gather a lot of information quickly that gives you a deeper view of a situation that may not be obvious to others. A bold investment may come from this and excite you.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Your independent nature can make you less in need of connections with others, and that means when you do bond, they can be more meaningful and lasting. With the Moon in Aquarius arcing to bold Mars, and the Sun having powered up Jupiter, the chance to make one of your unique alliances is heightened. You can also be encouraging to others.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

You’re in the mood to get things done, and even if you are laid back about domestic or work chores that run on the dull side, you can find the spark to crack on and get them done. Is there someone who is showing up just now that you feel drawn to, even if they are not your usual type? It’s possible with current planetary influences, and it may be in a very mundane setting too.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of July here.

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MORE: What is the buck moon and can it be seen in the UK today?

MORE: Daily horoscope July 29 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

MORE: Full Moon in Aquarius horoscope: The one thing your star sign needs to stop settling for

What does “curing” potatoes mean?

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Donald Trump has said he warned Andy Burnham that he is ‘killing’ the UK with an influx of migrants. 

Speaking from the Oval Office, the US President said he had spoken to the new Prime Minister and claimed ‘people [are] coming from all over the world and just camping out’ in Britain. 

He added: ‘He’s going to have to mention it because it’s killing your country.

‘I know Starmer did very little about it, and they’re coming from all over the world.

‘They’re coming from Africa, they’re coming from South America, they’re coming from different parts of Asia, and they’re invading Europe.’

Mr Trump indicated the UK was a ‘prime’ destination for migrants. 

The President said he also spoke to Mr Burnham about energy, adding that the new leader had indicated he was keen to take oil from the North Sea. 

He said if the Prime Minister followed through on his commitment the UK was ‘going to be a wealthy country’. 

Trump said he had spoken to the new Prime Minister (pictured) and claimed ‘people [are] coming from all over the world and just camping out’ in the UK

The US president, a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, has long championed the move as he has railed against ‘windmills’. 

‘He’s got windmills all over the place, and any time you see windmills, you see a failing country,’ Trump said. 

‘They’re made in China, not used by China, but they’re made in China.’

He went on: ‘You have one of the most valuable oil finds anywhere in the world, and if the United Kingdom would use it, they’d be a wealthy country again. And I tell you what, I could not get Starmer to use it. It was incredible.’

Mr Trump said: ‘You have your own oil and gas. If you use the North Sea, the UK will be a really rich country. I cannot get the point across.

‘The new gentleman, when I spoke to him, he said he’s going to open up the North Sea. Let’s see if that happens.’

Following the phone call between the two leaders on Mr Burnham’s first day in office, Downing Street would not be drawn on any potential future plans for North Sea drilling after Mr Trump talked up a change in policy under Mr Burnham. 

Just days after Mr Burnham took office, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the UK was a ‘poverty-stricken disaster’.

Migrants board an inflatable boat on the beach at Hardelot-Plage in an attempt to cross the English Channel in northern France on July 28, 2026 

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He claimed that new drilling in the North Sea would ‘make the United Kingdom, from a Poverty Stricken Disaster, to one of the Richest Countries anywhere in the World’. 

Mr Trump had lost a legal battle with the Scottish Government to stop a wind turbine development visible from his Aberdeenshire golf course.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto said the party would not issue new North Sea licences. 

Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell said on Sunday Mr Burnham would stick to the party’s manifesto commitments on North Sea drilling but would ‘pursue a more pragmatic approach’.

In 2024 Labour said the party would not issue new North Sea licences, arguing to do so would ‘not take a penny off bills’ or improve energy security while accelerating climate change. 

But Mr Burnham is said to be ‘open-minded’ about the policy.

It is understood Mr Burnham believes he would not breach the manifesto by backing further drilling in the Scottish Rosebank and Jackdaw fields because licences had already been granted there.

Ms Powell did not say whether Mr Burnham would back more drilling but said she expected a ‘change of emphasis’ rather than a ‘change of policy’.

Regulators initially approved oil exploration at the two locations in 2022 and 2023 under the then-Tory government, but saw their efforts overturned last year after a legal challenge.

Ed Miliband, who held the energy and Net Zero brief under Sir Keir Starmer and had been a strong supporter of the election pledge, has now taken up the Foreign Secretary role.

The strangely-coloured substance appeared in the water at the weekend

The Environment Agency has investigated a coloured substance in a Cambridge river. A fluorescent yellow substance was spotted in the River Cam in Cambridge on Sunday (July 26).

The Environment Agency was made aware of the substance and has investigated. An EA spokesperson said: “An environment officer went to the river to investigate. We also talked to Cam Conservators, which manages the river.

“As is often the case, substances on the surface go as quickly as they appear, and there was nothing for us to see.” The EA added that the hot weather can change the colour of rivers and also produce algae.

The spokesperson added: “This looked like algae, but it is normally green, blue or brown. It looks like the river is now okay.

“Anyone with new concerns about the Cam or any river is urged to call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline: 0800 807060.”

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The Thursday letters page is frustrated at August’s release schedule for new games, as one reader calls for Assassin’s Creed to renew its present day storytelling.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Surprise score
I’m as confused as anyone about the Splatoon Raiders user reviews and becoming the seventh best game of all-time. I haven’t played it but I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s not actually better than The Last Of Us and every Zelda game ever made.

But then I’ve never put any stock in user reviews. Things like Metacritic are questionable enough given some of the no-name websites they include in the total, which seems to make everything a green score. But the user scores are all just fanboy wars, with people either marking games down for some imagined slight or boosting it just because they like the company (but not necessarily the game). Look at the scores and somehow half of them are always either 10 or zero.

It’s like this with user scores on other sites too. Less than 4 out of 5 seems incredibly rare on the PlayStation Store and the only one that actually seems to have sensible scores, that aren’t based on review bombs or trivial complaints, is Steam. And I think that’s because it has much more people voting in it.

So on this occasion I will say that I am not convinced Splatoon Raiders is the best Nintendo game ever and I’ll stick with the regular reviews for my advice.
Wotan

Co-operative arguments
Very happy to see Capcom already talking about Pragmata 2 but I am never going to get used to the time it takes to make a game now. Oh, they’re fast-tracking a sequel? Yep, so fast that it probably won’t be out until next decade and the PlayStation 6. Seems crazy that as recently as the Xbox 360 era we were getting sequels every year and waiting three years was seen as a pretty extreme gap.

I can’t really talk about what I’d like to see for the sequel without getting into spoilers, but the game did set itself up well for a follow-up, even if it’s hard to say what the specifics will be.

It’s pretty obvious that the only real problem to solve is variety, but I’m sure they’ll be on that. More enemy types, more weapons, and more complex hacking puzzles and I think you’re golden. I’d also be interesting in seeing if a co-op mode would work, although you’d probably end up getting very angry with your teammate.
Korbie

Slow month
I know August is not traditionally a busy time for buying games – who wants to be playing games when you can go outside in the burning sunshine, right? – but given what’s happening with the release dates this year, did no company think that maybe they should move one of their September games to August instead?

Although there’s some that might be all right, I can’t say I’m all that excited by any of the games in your list of the best for August. It’s barely any better than July and that’s really disappointing.

There’s going to be so many flops in September and October, because they’re too grouped together, but I’m not sure how much sympathy I’m going to have considering how they’re just blindly walking into the meat grinder.
Cubby

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Play less
Very interesting that Shigeru Miyamoto’s advice for making a game is to base it on a hobby you’re interested in. I feel that if you asked a Western developer for similar advice you’d get much more technical advice and probably a shopping list of games to use as inspiration.

I doubt Miyamoto has ever looked at any Western game for fun or work. In fact, the only one not by Nintendo I’ve ever heard him talk about positively was Pac-Man, which apparently he’s a big fan of. I’m not sure there’s any evidence he’s liked anything else since.

This to me is all a very clear explanation for the quality and imagination of his games, and Nintendo in general. He’s not chasing trend or trying to emulate something someone else has already made, he’s just coming up with ideas and making things he thinks will be cool.

I’m not saying he always gets it right – I never really liked Pikmin – but I suspect if more developers played less games they’d probably make something more interesting.
Londi

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£5 off
Was in town the other day and decided to take a look in CeX, because we all like a physical game, especially in the current climate/incoming situation annnnnnnd… Mario Kart World, 60 quid, used you know, second-hand, refurbished… £60.

Now a quick look on Google and I found it in Currys for £65, brand new, sealed, with that (I presume), new game smell! Is it any wonder second-hand games shops are dying out, that’s lack of competition, I guess.
big boy bent

Radio silence
I was wondering, what with all of this furore about Sony calling an end to disc based games, what’s your level of access to Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo? Do you put in interview requests? How often do you communicate with the high-ranking decision makers of these corporations? I found an interview that you did with Jim Ryan from 2015 and in that interview you didn’t hold back at all with regards to asking difficult questions.

Instinctively I’m guessing that any high-level employee of a company would be significantly guarded even if a journalist did succeed in cutting through layers and layers of public relations minions to talk to them. It’s all about the share price isn’t it? One wrong answer and the value of stock can plummet.

It would be nice to read an interview with someone at Sony at this, apparently, emotionally charged time, but I suppose there’s no advantage to any representative from that company putting their head above the parapet.
Michael Veal

GC: Microsoft and Sony haven’t given proper interviews to gaming press since before Covid. It’s not just us; they hardly speak to anyone anymore. Sony’s plan at the moment is clearly complete silence. But who knows, if the dissent about physical media goes on maybe they’ll be forced to make a statement.

Trucking on
Will you be reviewing Truxton Extreme? I’d love to hear your opinion, I hope it’s good. I’ve been hoovering up horizontal and vertical shooters recently and such a respected game getting a new entry is exciting.

Thanks again for being the best source for reviews out there, you guys and gals are the best.
Beastiebat

GC: Thanks very much. We’ll try to, although we haven’t got a copy in yet.

Start from the beginning
I’m a huge Assassin’s Creed fan and have been since the very first game. I’m also one of the few people who actually enjoyed the modern day sections.

Personally, I feel the overall story disappeared when Desmond died. The modern day storyline was what tied everything together and gave the historical stories a bigger purpose.

What made Assassin’s Creed special was that the whole point of using the Animus was to go back through your ancestors’ memories to discover clues about Pieces of Eden and other First Civilization secrets. The modern day Assassins were reliving those memories to find where these artefacts had been hidden in the present day, before the Templars could get to them.

I’d love to see Assassin’s Creed return to its roots. Bring back the mystery surrounding the Pieces of Eden, the conflict between Assassins and Templars and a strong modern day narrative that actually matters. Most importantly, I’d like to see a young protagonist who learns the ways of the Assassins throughout the game. Watching characters grow and develop was a huge part of what made Altaïr and Ezio so memorable.

These days, many of the protagonists seem to begin their journeys already as elite warriors, master assassins or highly skilled fighters. This removes the sense of progression and discovery that made the earlier games so rewarding.

I still enjoy the games, but I miss the feeling that everything was building towards something bigger.
Adam_Lion_23 (PSN ID/gamertag)

Inbox also-rans
What EA Sports FC needs is a simple yearly update rather than releasing a brand new game every year. What do you think?
Henry

GC: We think EA would prefer you give them £70 every year. Or even better, £140.

So read this yesterday, it’s everything that’s wrong in the games industry, just disgusting: EA boss got £29 million bonus for Battlefield 6 while the devs were laid off.
TWO MACKS

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

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MORE: Games Inbox: Is GTA 6 the only game you’re buying this autumn?

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Waitress runs at the Grand Opera House in Belfast until Saturday, August 1

It’s not often I’ve wanted to jump to my feet for a standing ovation before the end of a performance, but when you witness a talent like Carrie Hope Fletcher that can’t be helped.

Taking on the role of Jenna Hunterson in Waitress, she perfectly portrayed the anguish of the downtrodden wife trapped in an unhappy, loveless marriage, who just wants a little joy.

Despite the heavy themes touched upon in the production as she navigates falling pregnant by cruel husband Earl, played by the excellent Mark Willshire, Fletcher brings a lightness and great comedic timing to what is a very funny and uplifting show.

We follow as expert pie-maker Jenna (Fletcher) finds herself falling for her affable gynaecologist Dr Pomatter, who comes to life thanks to the charming performance of Dan Partridge, and she finds a little happiness while coming to terms with having a child with a man she wants to leave.

They embark on an affair which helps Jenna find her spark again, alongside making the best pies around, that leads to a joyful ending for our leading lady.

Her performance of She Used To Be Mine was spell-bounding and received rapturous applause from the captivated audience, with many maybe feeling the urge to jump to their feet like me.

But as impressive as Fletcher was in her role as Jenna, the whole show is an utter joy because of the rest of the cast as well and the chemistry between them all. I loved every single character and how they were portrayed. Not an over exaggeration, they really were all excellent.

The trio – Jenna, Becky (Sandra Marvin), and Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins) – bounced off each other as the waitresses in Joe’s Pie Diner, bringing plenty of laughs and their own standout performances as each character gets their chance to shine.

Sandra Marvin brought great humour to her role of Becky, perfect timing and a powerful voice who commanded attention on stage. The show would not have been the same without her.

Evelyn Hoskins’ portrayal of Dawn was again very funny and endearing and her chemistry with love interest Ogie (the hilarious Mark Anderson) brought a great lightness and quirkiness to Waitress.

Aside from the performances, special mention must go to the impressive set that changed between a diner with booths, Jenna’s home, a doctor’s surgery and kitchen seemlessly.

I also loved that the band were on stage the whole time as well, blending well in the corner of the diner and being treated as customers at points as well.

I had no idea what to expect before seeing Waitress, I had heard of the show and its rave reviews but had never listened to the soundtrack but I just fell in love with the show.

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SEATTLE (AP) — The bullets that killed two bystanders during a shootout at a crowded Seattle food festival last weekend do not appear to have come from the gun that a 15-year-old arrested at the scene was firing, police said in court documents filed Wednesday.

The King County prosecutor’s office filed charges of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement as well as unlawful possession of a handgun by someone under 18. In a statement supporting the charges, police said the teen was seen firing an untraceable ghost gun into a crowd, but preliminary testing of bullets recovered from the two bystanders killed showed they did not match that weapon.

Shell casings found at the scene of Sunday’s shooting indicate four weapons were fired during the shootout, the document said.

Police say a 19-year-old suspect died in the gunbattle, and that as police escorted the 15-year-old past that suspect’s body, the 15-year-old said, “Love you bro.”

Police have been trying to identify at least one other person involved in the shooting. The statement did not indicate who might have fired the bullets that killed the bystanders.

The shooting in the waning hours of the three-day Bite of Seattle festival left three people dead, including a 19-year-old gunman, and at least four people injured, including a toddler. Authorities say they believe the violence was gang-related, and they are reviewing any available surveillance video and interviewing victims and witnesses in an effort to identify others who may have been involved.

An eighth person with a possible gunshot wound checked themself into a Seattle hospital after the shooting, but checked out before investigators could conduct an interview, Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday. Legal obstacles have prevented detectives from obtaining the patient’s identity, he added. It’s unclear if the injury was related to the festival shooting or whether the person might have been involved in it, but Barnes asked for the person to come forward and speak with investigators.

Prosecutors on Wednesday asked a judge to move the case to adult court, a decision that can take months after the judge considers arguments from both sides.

If the teen is convicted as an adult, the charges would carry a sentencing range of about eight to 10 years in prison, plus possibly another five years for the firearm enhancement. However, judges in Washington may also choose to sentence juveniles as juveniles even if they are convicted in adult court.