Emergency services were called to Whitson Road in Edinburgh on Monday morning.

A fire has ripped through a top-floor flat in Edinburgh.

The alarm was raised at a block of flats on Whitson Road in the Balgreen area of the capital after a fire broke out at around 10.45am on Monday, May 4.

A major response saw three fire crews, police and teams from the Scottish Ambulance Service drafted in. Residents were evacuated and the residential street has been locked down.

Images taken at the scene show a top-floor window at the property charred black with soot. Fire hoses can be seen lying around the garden as fire fighters continue to tackle the blaze.

One person has been transferred into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. Their injuries are unknown.

A fire response has since been scaled back after crews brought the flames under control.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10.46am on Monday, 4 May, to reports of a dwelling fire on Whitson Road, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised three fire appliances and a number of specialist resources to extinguish a fire affecting a top floor flat.

“One casualty has been taken into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“Two appliances remain at the scene.”

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A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Emergency services are in attendance following a fire at a block of flats in the Whitson Road area of Edinburgh, which was reported around 10.45am on Monday, May 4.

“Whitson Road and the surrounding access roads are currently closed.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area at this time.”

The Scottish Ambulance Service was contacted for comment.

Emergency services were called to the alley next to the Post Office on Percy Park Road, in Tynemouth, North Tyneside at around 8am today (May 4).

The area was cordoned off as police, crime scene investigators and paramedics attended the scene.

Police have confirmed the man’s death is believed to be not suspicious and enquiries are underway to formally identify the person and notify their next of kin.

Pictures from the scene show a cordon erected, with police wearing blue gloves while carrying out enquires at the scene.

Police at the scene of a body in the upmarket village of Tynemouth. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

Crime scene investigators were also spotted earlier this morning.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 8.05am today (May 4), we received a report of concern for a person on Percy Park Road in Tynemouth.

“Emergency services attended the scene where the body of a man was sadly located.

“A police presence is currently in the area and enquiries are underway to formally identify the person and notify their next of kin.

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the man’s death, and a report will be prepared for the coroner in due course.”

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) added: “We were called to an incident on Percy Park Road, Tynemouth shortly before 8am on May 4. We dispatched a double crewed ambulance to the scene.”

Christine McGuinness has had a transformative few years since her split from TV icon Paddy McGuinness, now describing herself as a ‘five-star lesbian’.

In 2022, the model and Paddy shocked the world when they confirmed they were separating after 11 years of marriage.

They co-parent twins Penelope and Leo, 13, and Felicity, 10, and still live at home despite a ‘toxic’ divorce.

However, Christine has revealed she’d love to find a ‘wife’ but any marriage would be more of ‘a blessing, a celebration of love’ than anything legal.

She’s recently been linked to Nicola Adams, 43, after being spotted together at the DIVA Awards.

So, who is The Real Housewives of Cheshire star, 38, dating and how does she date while living with her ex-husband?

Who is Christine McGuinness dating?

Christine was most recently spotted with former Strictly Come Dancing star Nicola, with the pair inseparable at the LGBTQ+ event.

According to the Daily Mail, the pair ‘looked like they were a couple’ but neither have confirmed the romance so far.

Nicola split from her partner of seven years, Ella Baig, last year, and the pair share a son, Taylor Nate, who was born by IVF in July 2022.

In an interview with The Sun, the boxer admitted that her girlfriend’s career as an OnlyFans model ‘had an impact on our relationship’.

She said as much as she respected what Ella did, she couldn’t deny the effect it had on them.

Nicola made history in 2012 by winning the first-ever Olympic Women’s Boxing Gold Medal, earning herself an OBE.

Since then, she’s appeared in several TV shows such as Gladiators, Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Gogglebox.

A close friend of Nicola’s also told the Daily Mail: ‘Nicola and Christine will make a good match as they’re both getting over long-term relationships and have children.’

Who has Christine McGuinness dated before?

When Paddy and Christine first split, she was spotted with Chelcee Grimes,33, while on vacation together and seemingly dating.

The two women never confirmed rumours they were dating but things appeared to have fizzled out by summer 2024.

Chelcee debuted a new partner in July that year with the caption ‘private but not secret’, in a suspected dig at Christine.

According to The Mirror, the singer also replied to a fan about the split in a now-deleted comment, reading: ’No. I had enough of being a secret after nearly 2 years.’

Christine didn’t comment on the post but has since said she lives a ‘double life’ when it comes to dating.

She told the It Started With A Kiss podcast: ‘My family, my kids, my home is up there and then I come to London… I can work, have fun… and I don’t need to worry about everything.

‘Eventually it gets to the point where… my woman’s going, “When am I going to meet the kids?”’ she said, adding that she’s always upfront about her boundaries.

In 2024, the MailOnline reported that Christine had gone on a getaway with rapper Roxxxan, 33, but it was unknown if they were romantically linked.

Christine has not gone official with any of her rumoured partners, likely as part of her efforts to keep her dating life far from her home life.

She did share on the It Started With A Kiss podcast: ‘I’ve never gone too serious with anybody in the industry, it’s always been more of a fun fling type thing.

‘I’ve spent time with a lot of women in sport. I’ve spent time with women in music. I’ve spent time with actresses.’

What happened between Christine and Paddy McGuinness?

In 2022, Christine and Paddy announced they had ended their 11-year marriage after enduring a ‘very difficult time’.

The pair had initially met in 2007 after a mutual friend introduced them, and they instantly hit it off.

Paddy proposed to Christine three years later on Christmas Eve, tying the knot in 2011 at Thornton Manor in Cheshire with Rick Astley performing.

In 2018, pictures then emerged of Paddy arm in arm with Nicole Appleton while on a night out.

Christine recalled how the pictures made her feel in her book, saying she’ran to the toilet to vomit.’

‘Still to this day I can remember that absolutely awful pit-of-your-stomach feeling,’ she added.

Three years later, the couple revealed all three of their children were diagnosed with Autism and shared a documentary, Our Family and Autism.

Christine was also then diagnosed, releasing another documentary – Unmasking My Autism – in 2023.

She’s been clear that her sexuality was not linked to the split, with Paddy knowing about her dating women too from when they first met and ‘was fine with it.’

‘We spoke about this after we separated – what are we comfortable with, how much did we want to share – because neither of us wants to wake up and find the other on the front page of a newspaper,’ she told the Daily Mail.

‘But it’s been three years now, I don’t need to know what he’s doing and he doesn’t need to know about me. It just stays outside the home.’

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Paddy McGuinness was back in his hometown and enjoyed a health breakfast at Regent Park Golf Club and Centre, which has undergone a huge investment.

And according to staff, Paddy, who is a keen golfer, said he will be back.

The Radio 2 presenter visited the club with some pals, all of whom, apart from Paddy, ordered a delicious large full English.

Saying ‘he is the boring one’ – he ordered the club’s Greek yoghurt pot, topped with all the good stuff, followed by smashed avocado on sourdough toast with poached eggs and cup of herbal tea.

And staff said that the clubhouse was nice and he ‘must come for lunch’ and the affable local lad posed for photos .

Paddy visited early last month.

No 19 serves up homecooked cuisine and an extensive array of drinks.

Paddy McGuinness at Regent Park Golf Club and Cnetre

Dishes include breakfast staples, light bites and pizzas, through to hearty mains, Sunday lunches, sweet treats and a selection of specials.

Posting the picture of him on social media, the club posted: “We recently had the pleasure of welcoming one of Bolton’s finest to one of Bolton’s finest.

“Always great to see local legends stopping by – the kettle was on and the welcome was warm as ever

“Hope to see you again soon, Paddy!”

Last year the officially opened the latest part of its multi-million pound development plan – a sumptuous event venue called The Lodge.

This latest addition to Regent Park Golf Club in Lostock meant a £600,000 investment and is already proving a popular draw, catering for a variety of celebrations.

In 2023 the club marked the opening of a new restaurant there two years ago.

Paddy’s often posts about playing the sport on his Instagram page.

Steve Davis is coming to the Kirk Theatre in Pickering for an evening of stories, insights, and entertainment.

A six-time World Champion and one of the most iconic figures in the history of the sport, Steve Davis dominated snooker during its golden era and remains a hugely respected and popular personality today.

A spokesperson for the Kirk Theatre said: “In this engaging live event, he’ll share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from his career, reflect on the highs and challenges of life at the top, and offer his unique perspective on how the game has evolved over the years.

“Known for his humour and relaxed, down-to-earth style, Steve brings warmth and wit to the stage, making this much more than a sporting talk — it’s an evening of great storytelling and entertainment. There will even be opportunities for audience questions, making the experience even more personal and memorable.

“Whether you’re a lifelong snooker fan or simply enjoy an evening of conversation with a true sporting great, this is a rare chance to see one of the game’s legends up close in the intimate setting of the Kirk Theatre.

“An evening of stories, laughter, and unforgettable moments with a true icon of British sport.”

An Evening with Steve Davis is at the Kirk Theatre in Pickering on Friday, November 27.

For more information and tickets go to https://kirktheatre.littleboxoffice.com/events/162723

Leinster SFC semi-final: Westmeath 2-21 Kildare 0-23

Westmeath defied history, injuries, fatigue and, ultimately, a ferocious Kildare comeback to drag themselves into just the sixth Leinster final of their history — and, better yet, into this year’s All-Ireland series, writes Garry Doyle.

There was nothing straightforward about it. Nothing comfortable. Nothing that suggested, at any stage, that this was a team cruising towards a milestone. Instead, it was wrestled, reclaimed and, in the end, seized through sheer persistence in O’Connor Park.

When the final whistle sounded after extra time, confirming a 2-21 to 0-23 victory, the pitch invasion told its own story.

There are layers to this win, and history sits at the centre of them. This is only the sixth time Westmeath have reached a Leinster final. Of the previous five, four ended in defeat. The outlier — 2004 — came under the guidance of an outsider, Páidí Ó Sé, who reshaped belief in the county.

Now, two decades on, there is a familiar echo. Mark McHugh, another voice from the west, has brought something similar. Not in style, perhaps, but in substance. He has refined them tactically and strengthened them emotionally. He has made them harder to break, and, crucially, harder to dismiss.

On paper, they had no business beating Meath in the quarter-final — Division 2 champions, All-Ireland semi-finalists a year ago. But they did. And here, against a Kildare side with greater depth and expectation, they did it again.

This time without Luke Loughlin and, for most of the game, Matthew Whittaker, their two most influential players.

If that stripped them of firepower, it forced them into something else — collective resilience.

But nothing about the journey through this semi-final came easily.

Kildare were sharper from the outset. Eoin Cully and Ben Loakman set the tone early, both finding their range with a directness that immediately put Westmeath under pressure. Even when Ray Connellan responded with a point from play and a free to level matters, there was a sense that Kildare held the rhythm.

Loakman’s third point and Tommy Gill’s contribution pushed them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead, and it might have been more. Cully’s goal chance — denied only by a sharp intervention from Jason Daly — lingered as one of those moments that quietly shape a game.

Kildare pressed again. Another Loakman score extended the lead, and although Shane Corcoran responded, Callum Bolton restored a three-point cushion. Kildare looked to be in control.

Then, almost without warning, it shifted.

Westmeath began to disrupt. Turnovers became their currency. Kevin O’Sullivan sparked it, Senan Baker followed, and suddenly possession began to translate into pressure.

Brandon Kelly reduced the gap. Baker levelled. Kelly edged them in front. What had been Kildare’s game was no longer under their control.

And then came the moment that defined the half.

Sam McCartan, operating with clarity throughout, slipped a pass into the path of Brian Cooney. The finish was instinctive and precise. Gill was beaten for pace, keeper Cian Burke exposed, and from a tight angle Cooney found the net. In the space of seven minutes, Westmeath had turned a four-point deficit into a 1-8 to 0-7 lead.

It was not just the scores — it was the shift in belief.

Kildare, to their credit, steadied. Darragh Swords landed a two-pointer, their first score in over a quarter of an hour, and Cully followed with another point. By half-time, the gap was back to a single point — 1-8 to 0-10 — and the game had reset itself.

The second half followed the same restless pattern.

Cully levelled early, but Tadhg Baker responded. McCartan’s two-point free and another Brandon Kelly score stretched Westmeath’s lead again, only for Alex Beirne and Darragh Kirwan to drag Kildare back into contention.

Kevin Feely’s equaliser on 55 minutes felt significant — not just in terms of the scoreboard, but in momentum. Again, Westmeath had to respond.

And again, they did.

McCartan, calm and clinical, delivered from placed balls and from play to push them clear once more. But Kildare would not allow separation. Points from Jack Robinson, Cully and Kirwan brought them level again, the game tightening with every exchange.

Shane Allen’s score on 68 minutes looked, briefly, like it might hold. But deep into stoppage time, Beirne stepped forward and levelled it again.

No separation. No resolution.

Extra time was inevitable.

And it was here that the game finally revealed itself.

Kildare struck first, Kirwan putting them ahead for the first time since the 28th minute. It was a moment that might have been decisive. Brian McLoughlin followed with a free, and for a brief spell, Kildare held the initiative.

But Westmeath refused to concede the narrative.

Ronan Wallace, their captain, stepped forward with a score that steadied them. It was not spectacular, but it was necessary. It pulled them back into the contest and reset the terms.

Then came the defining sequence.

Cooney’s initial effort was saved by Cian Burke, but the rebound fell to Brandon Kelly. His reaction was immediate. The finish, instinctive. The effect, decisive.

2-17 to 0-21.

For the first time since early in the game, there was daylight.

Kildare tried to respond. Colm Dalton added a point, but something had shifted. Westmeath, despite the fatigue, found another surge. Charlie Drumm extended the lead. Robbie Forde followed. Eoghan McCabe added another. Kelly, now central to everything, struck again.

Each score carried weight. Each one edged Kildare further from reach.

By the closing stages, Westmeath were the ones still moving, still thinking clearly, still executing. Kildare, who had matched them for so long, began to fade.

The final whistle confirmed what the performance had suggested — this was not about control or dominance, but about endurance.

Westmeath had been tested in every way. They trailed, they led, they were pulled back, and still they found a way forward.

For Kildare, it is another difficult chapter. They had opportunities, control at times, and momentum when it mattered. But they could not close it.

Westmeath could.

And that, more than anything else, is why they are heading to a Leinster final.

American music legend Ne-Yo headed out to some of Manchester’s top restaurants and bars – before sampling his first ever “soccer” game and what a match he got

As if the small matter of entertaining thousands of fans with his two huge sold out gigs in Manchester at the weekend was not keeping him busy enough, music superstar Ne-Yo also made time to fully enjoy his stay in the city. The American hitmaker played two gigs at Co-op Live alongside Akon on Friday and Saturday night.

And he made a full weekend of it in Manchester, enjoying the real Champagne Life with lunches and dinners out at some of the city’s swankiest bars and restaurants. He was spotted out at both Australasia on Spinningfields and its neighbouring venue, cocktail bar Ocasa.

It sounds like he enjoyed his food in the city, for Australasia shared a video of the star saying how “absolutely amazing” he found the food at the newly relaunched venue after sampling its new signature dish of short-rib beef. He was pictured beaming alongside staff, wearing a bright yellow tracksuit and matching head scarf.

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In the video he said: “What’s going on everybody it’s Ne-Yo, listen, I had an absolutely amazing experience here, the food was phenomenal.” He added: “Ok every single dish absoultely amazing I absolutely recommend”, before signing off “Pull up ok, pull up.”

It was not only Manchester’s nightlife he got to sample, though. For he also got to enjoy his first ever “soccer” game – and he certainly picked a good one to start.

For Ne-Yo headed to watch Manchester United beat Liverpool in spectacular 3-2 style at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ne-Yo posted a video of his time at Old Trafford, sharing his excitement about the game with his 4.9million followers on Instagram.

In the video, he said: “Manchester United. This is arguably my first soccer, well sorry, my first football game,” swiftly correcting his American reference to the Beautiful Game.

He continued: “I’ve been to one before but it was very much a situation where we went in, met some people and then left so I didn’t really get to enjoy the game. So yeah, I’m here today to go and enjoy a lovely game of football.”

His video showed the wild celebrations of fans at the match, as well as a host of fans clamouring for photos with the star after the game. One United fan was seen asking “when are you doing a song with 50 Cent again?” to which Ne Yo replied: “Good question, you gotta call 50 and ask him!”

The video ends with Ne-Yo presented with a special Manchester United shirt with his name and the squad number 24.

Holding the shirt aloft he says: “Wow man, no greater honour, it’s the closest I’ll ever come to doing this,” he laughed gesturing at the pitch.

Chart-topping star Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, is known for his global smash hits like Miss Independent, Closer and Stay. He is in the midst of his massive co-headlining world tour with Akon, called Nights Like This.

They return to Manchester for their third and final city gig on Wednesday to Co-op Live. And it sounds like there are plans for more nights out after that.

For both Yours bar on Deansgate and Australasia are set to play host to the stars for after-parties following their huge gig on Wednesday.

It will be double the celebration for Australasia – as Wednesday sees the venue toast its 15th anniversary on the city scene as well.

Emergency services were called to Burn Lane at 10.55am on Monday, May 4.

Two people were discharged at the scene, and two people were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said: “We were called to a single vehicle road traffic incident on Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe at 10.55am on May 4.

“We dispatched two double crewed ambulances and a clinical team leader.

“Two patients were discharged at the scene, and two patients were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.”

Witnesses at the scene said the vehicle had flipped on its roof.

Durham Police have been contacted for more information.

“That is division, divisive politics, in practice and I’ve made it clear, that’s why I’ll have nothing to do with Reform, that’s why there will be no place for Reform in the governance of Scotland, if I become the first minister and I have the majority in the Scottish Parliament, because we cannot go down this route.