The American singer-songwriter had the audience shouting along to her catalogue of hits

Is this reality…or a huntastic fever dream?

Anastacia, dressed in a gold jacket, tinted sunglasses and skinny jeans, is strutting down the stage belting out One Day In Your Life.

She has a large gold chain attached to her belt hook.

Is she aware this look is pretty dated? Yes, probably. Does she care? Hell no!

Anastacia is 58 but looks like she’s about 20 years younger. With skin that good, I probably wouldn’t care either.

I have officially died and gone to noughties ‘power rock’ heaven.

The singer is performing at the 02 Apollo as part of the UK leg of her #NTK (Not That Kind) tour. And boy is she bringing the energy.

The gig is packed with her famous tunes, which propelled her to superstardom across the globe in the early 2000s.

Even though the venue is a seated theatre, audience members immediately pop up from their chairs and begin dancing.

I see a pair of crutches being hit together in time to the beat by a fan at the front of the audience, such is the enthusiasm in the room.

Anastacia builds up an easy rapport with the audience between songs. She jokily asks what to call people from Manchester. ‘Is it Manqueeneys?….I heard it’s something like Monks.’

You get the sense that she’s the nice, friendly brand of diva. You can more easily picture her having a gossip with her beautician while having her eyebrows waxed, rather than screaming at her assistant for getting the wrong coffee order.

At one stage the hun levels of the night actually peak off the charts. As I queue at the bar, none other than TikTok star Luke Hamnett appears. We grab a quick selfie with him before my friend shouts ‘I love your mum more than you!’ at him.

Surreal.

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There are moments of reprieve from the energetic dancing – at one stage the pop star and her two backup singers perform soulful acoustic songs under dramatic spotlights.

But it’s the big hits the audience (who Anastacia cheekily refers to as ‘virgins’ because it’s the first time most of us have seen her live) are here for.

After a few outfit changes – from a green kimono, to a ‘rock chick’ leather jacket, Anastacia wheels out the classics such as Paid My Dues, before finishing with the seminal I’m Outta Love.

It’s hard to describe how much of a high you leave on after an Anastacia gig. The singer oozes warmth, humour and charm. There is no attempt to try be cool here – it’s all about letting loose, having a fabulous time and belting out soulful tunes.

Just a shame that after all that singing along I’m outta vocal cords when I leave the venue.

The Princess of Wales wore a set of earrings which belonged to Princess Diana as she and Prince William attended the world premiere of Tom Cruise’s new film.

William, who is the president of Bafta, and Kate attended the premiere of Digger in Leicester Square, central London, on Tuesday. Kate wore a purple floor-sweeping Jenny Packham dress accessorised with Diana, Princess of Wales’s earrings and the Queen Mother’s amethyst sautoir necklace.

William wore a black velvet tuxedo that attracted a compliment from Mr Cruise, who greeted the prince with the words “great jacket”.

The film premiere came as the Prince of Wales’s late mother has dominated headlines due to the publication of her brother Earl Spencer’s book.

The 64-year-old Mr Cruise stars opposite Riz Ahmed, Sandra Huller and Jesse Plemons in the film about an oil tycoon whose company sets off an ecological disaster, forcing the Mission: Impossible star’s billionaire character to embark on a mission to save humanity from his own mess.

The Hollywood star wore a traditional black tuxedo with cummerbund and bow tie, but his patent leather cowboy boots were a surprising nod to his Digger character.

Co-star Mr Ahmed, who opted for a single-breasted black blazer with flap pockets and wide-leg suit trousers, was accompanied by his mother in a traditional sari in red ombre tones.

British actor Mr Ahmed was not the only star who attended the event with his family: Sir David Beckham brought along two of his sons, Cruz and Romeo, with the family trio all in tuxedos.

They posed for photographs alongside William and Kate, who were also seen talking to the cast of the satirical black comedy, including House Of The Dragon’s Emma D’Arcy, Everything Now actress Sophie Wilde and Call Me By Your Name’s Michael Stuhlbarg.

The film’s director Alejandro G Inarritu, who won best director Oscars for The Revenant and Birdman, was also on the black carpet.

Digger actress Huller wore a gold deep V-neck gown with cape-like sleeves, while her co-star Wilde walked the carpet in a dark purple off-the-shoulder crinkled dress with sculptural draped layers and a neckline bow.

Known for his exuberance at premieres, Cruise spent time taking photographs with fans and also signed the white shirt of one man who was in the crowd.

Also in attendance, Salma Hayek wore a silk-caped black maxi dress while actress Jodie Turner-Smith wore a peach-toned backless pleated dress with ruffled sleeves.

Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham also posed for photographs wearing a sparkly black strapless gown alongside her partner Nick Beresford-Cleary.

Digger will be released in cinemas in the UK on 2 October.

The French coastguard reported that around 60 migrants on a small boat endured more than 33 hours at sea ‘in precarious conditions’ while attempting to cross the English Channel

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Six people have been arrested after anti demonstrators “became hostile towards officers” in Gosport, Hampshire.

Police say members of the public were ‘closely following’ the arrival of a small boat crossing the English Channel on Tuesday, September 22.

The French coastguard reported that around 60 migrants on a small boat endured more than 33 hours at sea “in precarious conditions” and refused help as they were “determined to take all risks to reach the United Kingdom“.

Hundreds of demonstrators were then met by riot police after a dinghy was intercepted by two RNLI vessels. As a result, six arrests have been made by Hampshire Police.

The arrests occurred after immigration officials abandoned efforts to bring Channel migrants into Gosport due to the arrival of hundreds of protesters.

A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “To help facilitate peaceful protest, ensure the safety of the local community and support partners in the event of any emergency at sea, we deployed officers to Gosport and Portsmouth.

“Following news that the vessel would be docking elsewhere in the country, police were met with a group of people who remained in Gosport, some of whom became hostile towards officers.

“As a result, six people were arrested for offences including careless driving, assaulting an emergency worker and aggravated trespass.

“They remain in custody at this time and our enquiries into these incidents continue.

“We are also aware of a video circulating online relating to damage being caused to a boat in the English Channel on the afternoon of 22 September, and we are conducting enquiries into the matter.”

A number of men wearing black, several with face coverings, arrived at the front of the protesters with chants of “Send them back” from the crowd.

The black-clad protesters remained quiet as they lined up face-to-face with the police officers.

In a post on her Facebook page, Conservative MP for Gosport Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “I have just had confirmation that Border Force has intercepted the small boat that was reported as crossing the Channel earlier today and is now taking those on board to Dover by water.

“This is a good result. All day I have been making the case to the Home Office that this boat should not disembark in Gosport.

“Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones for Mayor, and I have been united and clear in our message that Gosport and Portsmouth Harbour are not suitable for small boat arrivals.

A fifth casualty was outside the house when crews arrived and was taken to hospital suffering from burns

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Four people, including three children, have died after a fire ‘rapidly spread’ through a house.

Firefighters from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended a semi-detached property on Stone Square in Bootle, Sefton, shortly before 3.45am on Tuesday following reports of the outbreak.

Speaking at the scene, Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle said four people, a woman and three children, had died and another person had been taken to hospital in the “intense fire which spread very rapidly”.

A spokesman for the fire service later confirmed the victims were a woman and three children and said their next of kin had been informed.

Firefighters found four casualties showing no signs of life in the upstairs bedroom of the home, the fire service said.

A spokesman said: “Two members of North West Ambulance’s Hazardous Area Response Team were subsequently committed into the incident and tragically confirmed that all four had lost their lives.”

The fifth casualty was outside the house when crews arrived and was taken to hospital suffering from burns.

Fire service area manager Kevin Longshaw said: “This is a devastating incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and been injured.

“We will work closely with relevant colleagues to ascertain the cause of the fire, but in the immediate term, we again extend our sincere condolences to those affected by this tragic incident.”

The fire service is now undertaking a joint investigation with Merseyside Police to establish the cause of the blaze.

On Tuesday morning, the street was cordoned off by police and fire officers could be seen knocking on doors of neighbouring homes.

Fire engines could be seen arriving and leaving the scene.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “We all came out on the front and we could see smoke coming over from the houses.

“The sirens woke me up and there were fire engines in the street.”

Another woman said: “I heard shouting in the early hours but I just thought someone was having an argument, then I came downstairs and saw all the fire engines.”

Six fire engines were on the scene at the height of the fire and eight firefighters entered the house, which was well alight when they arrived, to search for occupants and tackle the blaze, a fire service spokesman said.

Great British Bake Off fans were impressed by Nigella Lawson as she made her debut as a new judge on Tuesday night. 

The TV chef was welcomed to the tent in an entertaining Doctor Who themed skit, which saw departing Prue Leith, 86, say her final farewell before regenerating into Nigella, 66. 

In the opening segment, host Alison Hammond said: ‘It feels like the end of an era.’ 

A ‘proving’ box Tardis then emerged with Alison, co-host Noel Fielding and judge Paul Hollywood bidding farewell to Prue as she headed into the Tardis for the ‘regeneration’. 

Nigella then appeared and fans took to X to share their excitement, with fans also praising the star for making the most of the chance to taste the bakers’ creations by helping herself to a big portion. 

They wrote: ‘Yay – Nigella Lawson is back on the telly!’ and ‘Crying at Bake Off having Prue Leith ‘regenerate’ into Nigella Lawson’

The TV chef was welcomed to the tent in an entertaining Doctor Who themed skit, which saw departing Prue Leith, 86, say her final farewell before regenerating into Nigella, 66

Prue announced last year that she had decided to leave The Great British Bake Off, and in January it was revealed that Nigella would be replacing her

‘Love how Nigella is inhaling these cakes – proper tasting, what a woman!’

‘Nigella bringing back the joy, wit and honesty that Mel and Sue had.’ 

‘Think this means Nigella Lawson is now officially the incumbent Doctor’

‘Nigella Lawson on Bake Off. My goodness. I adore that woman. Absolutely adore Nigella Lawson. I’m deeply content at the moment.’ 

And as the new batch of bakers kicked things off, it was far from smooth sailing as it all ends in tears for Molly – with Alison left consoling her. 

In tribute to Nigella’s first show, the contestant’s first challenge was to recreate one of her most beloved recipes: an iconic stout cake. 

But as Molly’s sponges emerged from the oven disaster soon struck, resulting in one of the first dramatic baking mishaps of the series as she accidentally lost grip of the cake. 

The cake clattered to the floor and steam was seen rising from the freshly baked offering. 

Fans also praised the star for making the most of the chance to taste the bakers’ creations by helping herself to a big portion

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Fans took to X to praise the ‘warm and witty’ star after her hilarious debut

And as the new batch of bakers kicked things off, it was far from smooth sailing as it all ends in tears for Molly – with Alison left consoling her

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As Molly’s sponges emerged from the oven, disaster soon struck, resulting in one of the first dramatic baking mishaps of the series as she accidentally lost grip of the cake

She then looked up from the broken baked good and simply said: ‘I’m going to cry,’ as the others glanced over to see what has happened.

As the tears fell, she took herself outside for some fresh air as she explained to a consoling Alison that she was ‘only using one oven glove’ and that the cake tin ‘got caught on the oven shelf’.

Despite a few hiccups, Bake Off’s opening episode saw the surprise news that no one would be leaving the tent, after Shannon was forced to withdraw from the Showstopper due to illness.

Hosts Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding then shared that due to Shannon’s exit, no one would be leaving the tent, with Mo awarded the Star Baker honour after impressing with his first week of creations.

As ever, this year’s Bake Off sees the introduction of wild and wacky themed weeks, and the 2026 competition will include ‘wearable’ bakes, a free-from week and, upon audience request, a signature challenge during which bakers must compete alongside a relative of their choice. 

Ahead of her debut, Nigella said she is ‘no polished’ baker herself and is now concerned that she won’t be up to scratch.

She told the Radio Times: ‘I was a bit worried because, well, you wouldn’t mark me up for my polished finishes as a baker.

‘Generally speaking, I don’t think of myself as a judge. I came to baking later in life and because of that it’s something that intrigues and fascinates me.

‘I’ve learnt by doing and I’m a home baker, not a professional. It’s quite interesting because the contestants are home bakers, too, so I have sympathy for that.’

For more than two decades, Nigella has worn the tiara of the British food culture scene, famed for her best-selling cookery books and television shows including Simply Nigella.

Bake Off is not Nigella’s first foray into the world of televised cooking competitions but her previous judging positions centred around scrutinising professional chefs in MasterChef Australia rather than amateur bakers.

Nigella is acutely aware of the big boots she is expected to fill as she describes her new role: ‘I felt it was a huge leap, but it’s been lovely.’

Her fellow judge, Paul, who Nigella describes as the ‘backbone of Bake Off’, has previously worked alongside Dame Mary Berry and Dame Prue Leith since the show first aired 16 years ago.

Paul said: ‘The thing is Mary was different to Prue, Prue was different to Nigella and Nigella is different to Mary.

‘They each bring their own character to it, and Nigella is a very warm person, especially to the bakers. More so than Mary was and I think more akin to Prue.

‘There’s a very nurturing nature to Nigella, which was quite strong this year. Whereas me, I suppose I’m the constant. So I remain in my position of being constructively critical.’

Malcolm Offord had insisted an IndyRef2 should not be debated by the Scottish Parliament as the matter is reserved to Westminster.

Reform MSPs flounced out of the Holyrood chamber tonight after the party failed to get a debate on independence cancelled.

Malcolm Offord had insisted the issue of IndyRef2 should not be debated by the Scottish Parliament as the matter is reserved to Westminster.

But Kenny Gibson, the Presiding Officer, told the Reform leader in Scotland: “This is a parliament and it’s free to debate any issue it wishes.”

Offord then branded the debate a “farce” and led his MSPs in a walkout – to jeers and laughter from members of other parties.

Gibson later branded that “a gross discourtesy to all members”. But Offord, a former Tory peer, insisted: “This debate is not just a farce, it is an insult to the Scottish electorate who expect their politicians to deal with serious issues in their communities.”

He argued that Scots wanted to see MSPs dealing with “shocking” homelessness figures released earlier on Tuesday, the nation’s public finances or drug deaths – with a further rise in these expected to be announced on Wednesday.

“These are the serious matters of Government,” the Reform MSP said. “In contrast this debate is ill-judged, self-serving and wholly inappropriate.

“Reform won’t engage further in these pointless proceedings. We didn’t come into the Parliament to waste our time on vanity projects, and therefore I withdraw my amendment and we will exit from the chamber.”

It came as MSPs debated from John Swinney which declared: “Scotland is a nation that has a right to decide its own future.”

This was passed by 84 votes to 18 – despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham having recently made clear another referendum is “off limits”.

The Prime Minister however had to pull back from comments he made in the Commons chamber, which appeared to suggest a second ballot on independence could be possible if Scots support one.

But Swinney claimed Burnham’s opposition to another referendum “cannot hold”.

The SNP leader added: “My party believes it is for the people of Scotland to decide when there is an independence referendum.”

Saying that Scotland needs the “fresh start” of independence, he told MSPs the “fundamental right to decide our nation’s future remains”.

Referring back to the 2014 referendum – where 55% of voters backed staying in the UK – Mr Swinney said: “Just because a right has been exercised once does not mean it can never be exercised again.

“If the people of Scotland themselves want the opportunity to ask the question again, who has the right to stop them?

“Scotland is a nation and its people have the right to decide their future.

“The UK is a voluntary union, which means its nations can stay part of it or they can choose their independence.

“These two things were once accepted right across the political spectrum in Scotland.”

His comments were echoed by Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer, who insisted: “Our journey of self determination, our journey of national democracy, didn’t end in 2014. Democracy isn’t a one-off event.”

He added: “The public are not bound by a decision made in 2014 any more than this Parliament is bound by its predecessors.”

But new Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra said the Parliament’s priority should be “getting back on track” with targets for tackling child poverty.

And an amendment from him called on Holyrood to reaffirm its commitment to child poverty targets – including the ambition to cut the number of youngsters living in relative poverty to less than 10% by 2030.

Marra said it was “disappointing, but not surprising the SNP has a different priority” to this.

His comments came as he insisted Scotland “can be a fairer and stronger nation without being a separate state”.

He added: “I don’t believe we have to risk our currency, our defence, our markets and our budgets to deliver a more equal and just Scotland.”

Police in Inverness are seeking to trace a man who speaks with a Liverpudlian accent following an ‘incident’ in the city centre.

A man who may be from Liverpool could hold the key to an investigation into an ‘incident’ in Inverness city centre. Police have released a CCTV image of the man who they wish to speak to following the incident in the early hours of Sunday, July 6.

He is understood to have spoken with a Liverpudlian accent and is believed to be from Liverpool. Police described the man as white, of heavy build and over 6ft tall.

Officers were called following the incident in Stephen’s Brae at around 1am on July 6. At the time, the man was wearing a black jacket, black trousers, and black trainers, with a black cap.

No details of the incident were released by Police Scotland. Anyone who knows the man or who may be able to help trace him is asked to come forward.

The 124-page report found it was not possible to identify those responsible for Mr O’Kelly’s murder, but reached some findings about how it was carried out.

The murder of prosecutor Rory O’Kelly in Co Tyrone in 1977 was “carefully planned by the Provisional IRA”, a report has found.

The 59-year-old father of five was shot by the terror group at Lyttle’s Bar in Coalisland on March 4 after returning to his home town to attend a funeral.

Mr O’Kelly had twice acted as election agent for TD and MP Austin Currie and joined the SDLP in 1970. He worked for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland (DPP) as an assistant director.

In its first published report, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) found he was the fifth person connected to the administration of justice to be murdered by PIRA, with the aim being to “undermine it by terrorist threat”.

The 124-page report found it was not possible to identify those responsible for Mr O’Kelly’s murder, but reached some findings about how it was carried out.

These included that his murder was a “one of a series of carefully planned attacks by the Provisional IRA”, and that Mr O’Kelly was selected as a target because he worked for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In a statement, Mr O’Kelly’s daughter Anne commended the work of the ICRIR.

She said the report comes 11 months after the death of her brother Roger, who pursued the case throughout his life.

She added that three members of the ICRIR sat by his bedside in a hospice last year and related the details they had found.

She said it was a “sacred and transformative” meeting, and she and her brother had been “moved into a space of serenity and light, all anger taken away”.

“I would never have expected to know this sort of release,” she said.

Ms O’Kelly said she had always had a “feeling of irrecoverable loss and distress” and could never talk about her father’s killing to anyone.

“I can never thank the members of the ICRIR enough for working so hard to piece together the facts of the death of our father, and the three lovely persons who came over to England to tell us what they had found; all done just in time,” she said.

“Roger died barely a week later. It was that he had now found a great peace.”

She added they will “probably never know who the operative was”.

“There is one hero in this story, or heroine, I should say – our mother. Silently and bravely, she accepted her place in the ranks of the lonely widows, still young herself, mother of five, with two little ones still to rear,” she said.

“She kept the home warm and cheerful, and encouraged us to get qualified and be independent.

“She never got over the loss of her husband. She missed his kindliness, his humour and his story-telling. She thought of him every day of her life.”

Ms O’Kelly said she hopes for a “just and satisfactory outcome for everyone who has come to the ICRIR for answers”.

She said while theirs was a “straightforward case”, digging up the simple facts 50 years later was a “difficult task”.

“Truth takes precedence and nothing short of the truth in full will work. Truth is the foundation for real forgiveness and a lasting reconciliation,” she added.

ICRIR chief commissioner Sir Declan Morgan said he is grateful to Ms O’Kelly for her confidence in the panel.

He said the publication of its first report after two years in operation was a “significant moment”, adding that a number other late-stage investigations and draft reports are developing.

A further report is being checked by Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant, and several others are being readied for that process.

“I recognise that the commission must keep improving and building its credibility across all parts of society. I hope that the commitment of the two governments to further partnership and progress on legacy can assist us all in that goal,” Sir Declan said.

“It is 12 months since two colleagues and I spoke with Rory O’Kelly’s son Roger as he lay dying in a hospice, and where we outlined our interim findings into his father’s murder,” he said.

“I was humbled by that poignant encounter before Roger died. That moment reiterated for me the vital work being undertaken by the commission.

“I am grateful to Roger’s sister Anne for placing ongoing confidence in the commission.

“Uncovered truths can help create a mosaic of reflection on the horrors of our past. Uncomfortable truths can help us promote reconciliation and understanding for future generations.

“That process requires continued courage and commitment from us all.”

The commissioner for investigations, Peter Sheridan, said: “After almost 50 years, today’s focus is rightly on the O’Kelly family’s tragic loss.

“There are well over 300 other families already with the commission, with over 140 live investigations. These cases come from every community background across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe.

“Investigating the legacy of Northern Ireland’s Troubles/Conflict is complicated and complex work. I want to recognise the patience of Rory O’Kelly’s family, and the persistence of the commission’s investigators and findings team.

“Today is not a time for anyone to play politics with legacy. It is a day to remember the families of all those bereaved through the Troubles/Conflict, and to remind everyone that the commission’s door is open to all.

“The commission has provided as many answers as possible in this report. However, like many legacy cases, there will be people who can still shed light on Rory O’Kelly’s murder. I am calling on those people to use this moment to engage with the commission for the sake of those members of Mr O’Kelly’s family who are seeking further information.

“Timelines for security checking and family representations in the commission’s processes are requirements of law to ensure fairness and appropriateness in our published findings reports. But society cannot wait any longer. Every family, victim and survivor deserves dignity, truth and acknowledgement.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Chris Bryant said it was a “momentous day” for Mr O’Kelly’s family.

He said: “Reading Anne O’Kelly’s deeply moving personal statement, I was struck by the transformative impact the information provided by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) has had on her and her family.

“Many families have waited too long to find out what happened to their loved ones during the Troubles, but I strongly believe that the work to uncover this information is of vital importance.

“I look forward to a steady rhythm now being established for the publication of ICRIR’s reports, as we work together to prepare for its transition to the Legacy Commission as set out in the NI Troubles Bill.”

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Consett Community Market runs across several town venues on Saturday, September 26, from 10am to 3pm.

The market has grown so quickly that organisers booked another hall for extra stallholders.

Visitors can browse food producers, bakers, craft sellers, authors and fashion retailers, plus hot-food vendors and outdoor stalls on Middle Street.

Indoor traders will set up at Consett Methodist Church on Station Road, the Foundation for Good building on Trafalgar Street and the town’s Masonic Hall on John Street.

Among the businesses attending will be Geordie Bangers, Cassie’s Scotch Eggs and a range of bakers selling cakes, fresh bread and savoury produce.

Organisers say the market’s craft stalls will help shoppers get ahead with their Christmas shopping.

Mr Mix HQ on Medomsley Road will also open from 10am to noon, giving visitors free popcorn and candy floss as they travel between venues.

Extra parking will be available at Consett Academy and Derwentside College.

The market organiser said its success showed growing support from traders and shoppers, adding that public backing would help it expand and return in future years.

In November 2025, Cllr Kathryn Rooney warned that Consett’s community markets could disappear if footfall did not improve, saying people needed to support them, but has welcomed the return of the event.

She said: “I love to see Consett busy on market day; it has a real buzz.”

Organisers have also announced plans for future market events, including children’s crafts on October 31.

While the December 5 market will be treated to a visit from Santa himself.

Detective Superintendent Dan Thompson, the Met’s spiking lead, said: “We’re seeing offenders use a wider range of substances than ever before, including everyday medications and substances added to vapes, while increasingly targeting victims in private settings such as homes, parties and student accommodation.