The former Love Island star said the woman’s ‘selfish actions’ had ‘ruined the morale’ of their show

Amber Davies asked for a “selfish” audience member to be kicked out over her actions during a performance of Legally Blonde the Musical. The Welsh TV personality and musical theatre star, who stars as Elle Woods in the stage show, posted a video speaking about a woman “distracting” the cast as she filmed the show from the front row.

The ex-Love Islander vented her frustration during the interval of Saturday night’s show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin, reminding theatregoers not to record at the theatre.

Video, flash photography, and audio is prohibited during performances over copyright issues as well as being a distraction for the cast on stage. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

The Strictly star said: “This is your daily reminder not to film at the theatre.” She said they had a “beautiful audience” but said a woman in the front row had filmed “the entirety of act one” which she said left the cast distracted.

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“It’s ruined the morale of our wonderful eighth show on a Saturday night from selfish actions,” she added.

Amber told her followers that she had asked for the woman to be kicked out for the second act and will often ask for audience members to be removed if she sees them filming.

She continued: “Hopefully she’s not back for act two. I’ve asked, can she go so we can just enjoy ourselves. But there has been a couple of people filming in Ireland this week and I’m the type of person, I will count how many seats away you are from what door and you will be told and asked to leave.

“So yeah guys, don’t film. Let’s just enjoy the two and a half hours together, we don’t need to film everything. Okay, right I’m gonna go and do act two.”

Sixty years ago, the United States and the Soviet Union were embroiled in a race to the Moon, which the USA won. The 21st-century lunar contest, with China stepping in for the Soviet Union, has many similarities, but key differences.

The Apollo astronauts planted the stars and stripes in lunar soil, bounced – and drove – around, set up experiments and collected scientifically valuable rock samples. Ultimately, however, there was no real plan to stay.

The new Moon race is different: space agencies are targeting the south pole of the Moon due to its deposits of water ice. This water can be used for life support on a lunar base. It can also be turned into rocket fuel, splitting it into the hydrogen and oxygen used by space vehicles, making it a valuable resource.

But ice deposits are not evenly distributed and suitable spots for establishing human outposts are finite. This could spark competition to bag the best spots. So will the US-China lunar contest turn into a land grab?

For anyone growing up in the 1980s and 90s, human space travel almost seemed to become “routine”, but that era was still mainly the domain of the US and the Soviet Union (and then Russia). While the European Space Agency was growing, it focused largely on robotic scientific mission and commercial launches. Now, 30 years later, the sector has grown massively, and space is no longer the sole domain of a few superpowers.

Around 20 nations are able to carry out space launches, mainly to send satellites into orbit. But there have also been privately funded robotic missions to the Moon – albeit with significant support from government agencies.

Despite this globalisation of space, only three countries are currently able to send humans into space using their own rockets: the US, Russia and China. This is largely a reflection of the fact that spaceflight gets much harder when people are involved, because they need continuous supplies of food, water, heat and air.

Space is an unforgiving environment, so there is absolutely no margin for error. There’s limited scope for backup or rescue, and so everything needs to be tested and tested again.

That’s part of the reason China is on track to catch up with the US and Russia in terms of achievements in space, despite starting decades later. As of 2021 they operate a modular, permanently crewed space station called Tiangong. While not as large as the International Space Station, there is plenty of scope for expansion.

The very successful Chang’e lunar programme has returned samples from the Moon’s far side, deployed relay satellites to provide more reliable communications, and explored the lunar terrain with rovers. It’s due to these successes that China, partnering with Russia, is the main competition for the United States in Moon race 2.0.

So how should we expect this lunar contest to unfold? The US-led effort has a medium-term goal of establishing a permanent human base at the south pole. These lunar outposts would probably operate in a similar way to the International Space Station, and the research bases in the Antarctic, staffed by rotating crews.

Nasa is using the Orion spacecraft to carry astronauts from Earth to our closest celestial neighbour. But they will need a separate vehicle to land. These landers do not yet exist in final form. Two companies, Blue Origin and SpaceX, are competing to develop separate landing craft. An important test will take place next year: for Nasa’s Artemis III mission, an Orion capsule will attempt to dock with one or both landers in low Earth orbit.

Over the next few years a fleet of robotic craft will also send experiments, deliver cargo and use drones and rovers to scout landing sites and locations for lunar outposts. Like the lunar lander, many of these missions will be led by private industry.

But the lunar south pole is a challenging place for astronauts to operate. The ice deposits are at the bottom of craters that never see sunlight, where temperatures are more than 200 degrees below zero. There are mountaintops near the pole that are almost always visible from Earth, but relay satellites in lunar orbit are needed to help with communications when they do drop over the horizon.

The Sun also rises to just a few degrees above the horizon, and is sometimes below it for days at a time – plunging some locations into darkness. The low temperatures require heating units for humans and equipment alike. But, with inconsistent sunlight to generate solar power, other energy sources, such as nuclear fission, will be needed to keep the batteries charged.

The next phase of lunar exploration, pencilled in for 2029-2032, should see the laying down of key infrastructure, such as power supplies and communications systems.

Drilling and digging will prepare the ground for an eventual base, which could be partly underground to protect against radiation and impacts by tiny space rocks. Nasa will also send a more sophisticated Japanese-built rover to the surface with a pressurised interior. This will allow astronauts to live and work in a mobile lab without bulky space suits

The plans for the final phase, from 2032 onwards, involves people living for long periods on the Moon, building up a modular base and taking advantage of the Moon’s resources to produce water, oxygen and even building materials.

For the rival effort to build a lunar base, China is partnering with Russia and collaborating with several other countries. Over the next couple of years, Beijing will test its Mengzhou crew capsule and Lanyue landing vehicle ahead of a first lunar landing around 2030.

Construction of a base, called the International Lunar Research Station, is scheduled to be underway by 2035. The planned location for this base is also the lunar south pole, so there’s a race to pick the best spot.

There’s plenty of science to be done by crews living in these bases, some of it related to understanding the structure and formation of the Moon itself, as well as investigations related to medical and materials research.

Another scientific goal could be to establish radio telescopes on the far side of the Moon, where they would be shielded from the sea of radio communications originating on Earth. This could allow astronomers to detect faint cosmic signals that are otherwise impossible to detect using ground-based instruments.

And the relatively low gravity of the lunar surface could make it easier than Earth for launching missions to other destinations in the solar system. By sending up components and assembling them on the Moon, future missions could use much larger, more capable spacecraft. That’s particularly important if there are people on any of those missions.

There are also economic benefits to having a lunar presence. Private companies will make money by building the landers, rovers and other key technologies. There may also be a market in transporting equipment and experiments to the lunar surface. Making rocket fuel on the Moon would make space exploration cheaper than lugging it from Earth. It could even be used to refuel satellites in Earth orbit.

If humanity can do one thing well, for better or worse, it’s to exploit the natural environment.

The 1979 United Nations Moon Agreement states that no one can claim sovereignty over the Moon, and must use its resources responsibly – which sounds promising. Unfortunately, almost none of the countries involved with Artemis, including the US and UK, have signed it. As scientists, we live in hope that this doesn’t all turn into a big land grab.

He added: “The USA will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT’, but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.

In her statement to MPs, the home secretary said that Widdecombe’s death raised questions about the security of those in public life, and that police intend to issue guidance to MPs on safety soon.

She added she had recently commissioned the former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland to review the lessons learned from the murder of MP David Amess in 2021 regarding security for MPs.

Mahmood acknowledged Widdecombe’s death would be a “particular concern” for Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage, and said she has offered him a meeting with the chair of Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) – the public body responsible for managing the security of those in public life.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp described Widdecombe as a public figure who was “always formidable, always charming, always entertaining”, while Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice said she was “a colossus” in public and political life and that whenever she called him, he “always stood up on my toes”.

On Sunday Devon and Cornwall Police had said there was “nothing to suggest” the murder was politically motivated.

Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Matt Longman had said officers remained “open-minded” about a potential motive and that there was not thought to be any threat to the wider public.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it believed Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at about 12:30 and had since received more than 120 reports of information after making a public appeal.

Over the coming weeks there would remain a “heightened” police presence in the local area, ACC Longman added.

Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years, holding ministerial roles in Sir John Major’s government between 1994 and 1997.

Following her departure from the Commons in 2010, Widdecombe appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing that year, and was a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother eight years later.

She joined the Brexit Party in 2019, where she represented South West England as its MEP from 2019 to 2020.

On Sunday, about 40 mourners gathered in Haytor Vale to pay tribute to Widdecombe, including senior Reform figures.

Tice said he had spoken to Widdecombe last Monday and he “nearly fell over with shock and horror” when he heard of her death.

“We have lost an absolute colossus, a legend in all our lifetime,” he told the crowd.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to Widdecombe last week, describing her death as a “significant loss” as he called on people to “rise above” political differences.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Widdecombe as a “very fun and feisty woman”, adding her “heart is breaking for [Widdecombe’s] family”.

Farage, who visited Dartmoor to pay his respects to Widdecombe, described her as a “remarkable individual” and “the fiercest defender of free speech”.

REASONS to be cheerful, one, two, three, as the summer sounds of the city changed from John Smith’s race day on Knavesmire to Live At York Museum Gardens and onwards to the pubs of York once Saturday night turned into Sunday morning’s Hey Jude.

Kick-off time for day three of Live At York Museum Gardens had been moved forward by 30 minutes to accommodate England’s 10pm quarter-final clash with Leeds-born Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Saturday’s bill boasted five acts, one more than for Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and Self Esteem’s equally diverse evening line-ups on Thursday and Friday. Three bands from the Land of Song, the Super Furries, fellow seasoned Cardiff combo Los Campesinos! and Pys Melyn, from Pen Llŷn, North Wales, were joined by Nottingham’s Divorce and Buckinghamshire/West London-raised Baxter Dury.

Pictured, Divorce’s Tiger Cohen-Towell on song at Live At York Museum Gardens. (Image: Devon Chambers.)

Your reviewer arrived midway through Divorce’s set of confessional indie-folk rock and alt-country songs reminiscent of Mojave 3 and The Broken Family Band, drawn to the fiddle-playing as much as to the double-barrelled duo of bassist Tiger Cohen-Towell and Felix Mackenzie-Barrow alternating lead vocals.

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“Enjoy the rest of the day. Keep drinking water,” advised Mackenzie-Barrow. Messages on the screens to either side of the stage urged the same action: Stay Hydrated, it counselled, highlighting the availability of free water points for re-filling and also of free sun cream in the First Aid tent.

“Welcome to the rock concert,” announced Los Campesinos! lead singer Gareth David Paisley, drawing attention back to the stage.

Super Furry Animals wow York with brilliant comeback show – Pictured, Los Campesinos! lead vocalist Gareth David Paisey. (Image: Devon Chambers.)

Still favouring emo black attire, albeit in T-shirt and shorts form, they were hard working, earnest, political too in “standing up against the creeping fascism we see around as every day” and Freedom For Palestine banner.

The “Heart Swells” message on their stage backdrop was as much an invocation as the name of their record label, but the songs tended to be laborious, typified by 2008’s We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed failing to match the epic promise of its none-more-emo title.

Baxter Dury was in the mood to crack on, his three-piece band taking to the stage two minutes early, to be joined by the front man in yellow shirt and dark suit, strutting like a bull-baiting toreador. Behind him, keyboard player and vocalist Madelaine Hart did much of the melodic heavy-lifting, contrasting with his braggadocio spoken-word outbursts, as he hit you with his rhythm schtick.

Pys Melyn opening Saturday’s Live At York Museum Gardens concert. (Image: Devon Chambers.)

Super Furry Animals had never played York in 33 years together, but on this year’s return to the concert platform after a ten-year hiatus, what better setting could there be to revive Hello Sunshine (Come Into My Life) than in the botanical York Museum Gardens.

The day’s sunshine had mellowed by the time the Cardiff art-rockers opened with the embracing hug of (Drawing) Rings Around The World at 8.25pm, but their songs are marked as much by an orb of warmth as occasional weird edges, the musical style duly altering as often as frontman Gruff Rhys changed guitars.

Baxter Dury striking a pose in his provocative set at Live At York Museum Gardens. (Image: Devon Chambers.)

As for OMD’s set on Thursday, fast-moving video projections accompanied each number, mixing with live footage of Gruff in shades and peaked cap and linear stage lighting in colours to complement each song’s mood and the imagery.

This was an exemplary outdoor gig, stuffed with SFA highs such as Juxtaposed With U, Northern Lites and God! Show Me Magic, the Welsh-language wonder of Ymaelodi â’r Ymylon, and humorous visual flourishes, as impactful as in David Byrne’s shows, such as Rhys’s sign board switching from Applause to Louder And Ape Sh*t! or suddenly sporting a high-viz jacket and Power Rangers-style helmet.

How else could they finish than with the magnificent mayhem of The Man Don’t Give A ***, climaxing with a return to the stage in long-haired furry animal costumes. Something spectacular 4 the weekend indeed.

By CHRISTINE RENDÓN, US SENIOR REPORTER

Published: 18:35 BST, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 19:24 BST, 13 July 2026

Two of Brad Pitt’s children are now moving forward with distancing themselves from their famous father. 

Both Pitt’s daughter Zahara and son Maddox have published notices revealing their intentions to drop ‘Pitt’ from their last name, according to court documents obtained by The Daily Mail. 

The advertisements were both published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal throughout the months of June and July. 

‘Petitioner Zahara Marley Joley-Pitt filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt to Zahara Marley Jolie,’ Zahara’s notice reads. 

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‘Petitioner Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt to Maddox Chivan Jolie,’ Maddox’s notice reads.

The notices both invite dissenting parties to appear at a scheduled hearing over the matter; Zahara’s hearing is scheduled for September 28 while Maddox’s is scheduled for September 14. 

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children Zahara and Maddox have now published notices revealing their intention to drop their father’s last name; Jolie pictured with her children in 2024

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The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Angelina and Brad for comment but has not yet heard back.   

The publication comes after Zahara filed a petition requesting that Zahara Marley Jolie be her new name – dropping ‘Pitt.’ 

She publicly dropped the last name three years ago when she joined a sorority at Spelman College. 

‘My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California,’ she appeared to say while introducing herself to sorority sisters, via People. 

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A source previously told TMZ that Pitt thinks Jolie is keeping their children from seeing him. Jolie and Pitt were raising six children together before she filed for divorce in 2016.

Their kids Shiloh and Vivienne have also stopped using Pitt’s last name. It is not known if Pax has stopped using the name as well.

After meeting on the set of the 2005 film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Pitt and Jolie were seen as Hollywood’s ‘It’ couple during their long-term relationship.

They tied the knot in August 2014 during a secret ceremony in the South of France, and welcomed three children together during their romance – Shiloh in 2006, and twins Vivienne and Knox in 2008.

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They also adopted two more, Zahara, and Pax, and Pitt legally adopted the son that Angelina had adopted before they got together, Maddox.

The former power couple had six children together during their time as ‘Brangelina’

Zahara has not been using her father’s last name for many years

But in 2016, it came to an explosive end after the pair got into an alleged physical altercation while on a private flight with their six kids.

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Jolie later claimed that Pitt ‘choked’ one of the children during the horrifying dispute and ‘struck’ another in the face, leaving her and the kids feeling like ‘hostages’ and cowering in fear under a blanket for hours until they landed.

She also alleged that he grabbed her by the head, slammed her against a wall, and violently shook her at one point during the flight – which resulted in her injuring her back and elbow.

Pitt’s rep called Jolie’s account ‘completely untrue’ to CNN at first, but then released an amended statement to the publication that read, ‘Angelina’s story continues to evolve each time she tells it.

‘Brad has accepted responsibility for what he did but will not for things he didn’t do. He has been on the receiving end of every type of personal attack and misrepresentation. 

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A source previously told TMZ that Pitt thinks Jolie is keeping their children from seeing him

‘Thankfully, the various public authorities she has tried to use against him over the past six years have made their own independent decisions. Brad will continue to respond in court as he has consistently done.’

Since they split, the two stars have been embroiled in one of the most publicized legal battles in Hollywood history over custody of their children, as well as the winery that they once owned together.

In May 2021, after years of duking it out in court, Pitt and Jolie were officially granted joint custody of their six kids, but one month later, the judge’s decision was thrown out.

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Warning signs have been put in place at Richmond Falls to help to highlight the risks, including deep pools, hidden rocks and strong currents at the series of waterfalls a short walk from the town centre.

There have been several incidents in recent years, including the death of a 12-year-old boy who drowned in August last year while playing in the River Swale.

Khaled Basem Al Satouf, from Leeds, was “joking around” in the water, but was actually drowning, an inquest held in Northallerton in May this year found.

Floral tributes left to Khaled Basem Al Satouf (Image: NORTHERN ECHI)

The 12-year-old, who was at the Falls with six other members of his family, disappeared under the waterline at around 4.30pm.

Water rescue teams, firefighters and police officers launched a desperate rescue mission to find the 12-year-old.

Tragically, his body was found on the evening of August 16, and he was pronounced dead at 10.55pm.

North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, whose responsibilities include emergency planning, said: “We want everyone who either lives in North Yorkshire or visits the county to enjoy all that is on offer in such a wonderful part of the country.

A police car at Richmond Falls the day after a 12-year-old boy drowned (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“But we also want people to be aware of the very real dangers that open water can pose. The signs highlight the local risks but these dangers are not unique to Richmond Falls.

“The deaths linked to water that have happened in recent months around the country and in North Yorkshire are tragic and will have a profound effect on the lives of family and friends of those involved.

“These signs are a small, but we hope important, reminder of the risks of entering open water.”

Pictured left to right at Richmond Falls are North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, Royal Air Force Air Cadets from the 2040 (Richmond) Squadron, Cadet Devynn Goodburn, Cadet Charlie Bridges, Cadet Courtney Appleyard, Flight Sergeant Meg Hall and Cllr Stuart Parsons, the local elected member for the council’s Richmond division (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL)

The threat that water can pose is often underestimated, especially during hot weather over the summer months.

There were at least 19 water-related deaths nationally during the heatwave that arrived towards the end of May this year, including Palwasha Akbar, a 13-year-old girl from Bradford, who tragically drowned in the River Wharfe in Burnsall, North Yorkshire, on May 31.

In the foreground are, pictured left to right, the officer commanding of the 2040 (Richmond) Squadron of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, Flight Sergeant Helen Bridges, Cadet Devynn Goodburn, Cadet Charlie Bridges and Flight Sergeant Meg Hall walking past one of the warning signs at Richmond Falls. In the background are Cllr Stuart Parsons, left, who is the local elected member for North Yorkshire Council’s Richmond division, and the council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, right (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL)

The key safety advice is for a person in danger in water to tilt their head back, spread their arms and legs and to relax while controlling their breathing.

If someone else is in trouble, do not enter the water and instead follow the ‘call, tell, throw’ principle – call 999, tell them to float, and throw something that can help them stay afloat.

The three signs at Richmond Falls are part of a water safety campaign which has been backed by Royal Air Force Air Cadets who are based in the town.

The officer commanding of the 2040 (Richmond) Squadron of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, Flight Sergeant Helen Bridges, said: “We are really pleased to be highlighting this campaign with our air cadets to show the very real dangers that water can pose.

One of the warning signs that have been placed at Richmond Falls to highlight the risks including deep pools, hidden rocks and strong currents at the series of waterfalls (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL)

“While anyone can get into trouble in water, the messages about safety are especially relevant to young people ahead of the start of the school holidays.”

Flight Sergeant Meg Hall, aged 16, who is from Richmond, added: “I know a lot of friends who do come down to the waterfalls especially when it is nice weather.

“It’s such a great spot to meet socially, but many people perhaps don’t realise just how dangerous it can be to go into the water.

“It’s really good that these signs have been introduced to get the message across to anyone who does come to Richmond Falls.”

The series of waterfalls is a popular destination for both Richmond’s residents and visitors to the town. They are especially popular during hot weather in the summer months.

Cllr Stuart Parsons, who represents the Richmond division on North Yorkshire Council, said: “Richmond Falls have long been a very popular spot in the town for people to come and enjoy such a beautiful location.

“The signs that have been installed are a very visible way of making people aware of the dangers that they could face if they do go into the water here.”

The water safety campaign at Richmond Falls comes after work was undertaken by North Yorkshire Council to tackle anti-social behaviour at the beauty spot.

Project Spotlight in Richmond was staged two years ago and saw a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour as council staff linked in with North Yorkshire Police to carry out regular patrols.

Fire services rushed to the blaze on Saturday evening (July 11)

Furious locals have slammed youngsters who allegedly let off fireworks shortly before a huge wildfire broke out near Dovestone reservoir.

Dozens of firefighters have today (Monday) spent another day battling to bring under control the blaze on the steep moorland surrounding the popular beauty spot near Saddleworth, which has been burning since Saturday evening (July 11).

Nearby residents have reported hearing ‘bangs’ so loud they thought they were gunshots shortly before fire crews first arrived at 8:45pm.

They then saw the sky being lit up by fireworks during what one onlooker described as a ‘Universal Studios style display.’

Videos of youths apparently setting fireworks in the area have also been shared on social media. One clip shows a young woman holding a rocket launcher as a firework explodes out from it.

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A firework then appears to spark a blaze in dry grasses, before a group of bystanders run over to the smoking section of moorland. In another video recorded shortly afterwards, flames can be seen quickly spreading across a hillside.

It is understood youths gathered in tribute to a teenager who tragically lost his life in the reservoir on Friday night (June 10). Karl Holland, 18, died after getting into difficulties in the water, with his body sadly recovered from the scene later.

The fire service have yet to comment on the cause of the fire which they say is currently under investigation.

Councillor Keiron Lawrence, the Reform UK councillor for Ashton Hurst, said the ‘reckless’ videos were being reviewed with ‘some of those responsible identified.’

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) this afternoon confirmed a 20 year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of arson as part of the investigation. She remains in custody for questioning.

As smoke continued to billow out across the moors today and fire crews spent hours using various means to try and bring it under control in tinder-dry, sweltering conditions, residents living nearby shared their sadness, bafflement and anger at what had unfolded.

“It’s crazy,” one woman, who did not want to be named, said. ”Absolutely baffling. I cannot even begin to fathom or understand it. There are signs everywhere saying ‘no fireworks.’

“What part of that don’t they understand? People need to be more careful and use their brains a bit more. I don’t think they understand the potential consequences of their actions.

“It might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact. It was very bad on Saturday and into Sunday. There was a big red line on the hillside. I just feel sorry for the firefighters having to fight it in this weather.”

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A neighbour said it was akin to a ‘Universal Studios style display’ which he claimed ‘went on for about 20 minutes.’

“I thought it was gunshots at first,” he said. “Then I went to my bedroom and saw bright fire bursts. It was like an audition for Dante’s Inferno.”

He claimed social media had put the previously ‘hidden gem’ area ‘on the map’ but was now ‘perpetuating anti-social behaviour.

’He said those responsible had endangered firefighters’ health and safety’ adding he was ‘devastated’ at the impact on the countryside and wildlife. “It’s very sad,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s any point in getting angry, we need to get smarter” as he called for the introduction of a park ranger in the area.”

Rob, who lives in Greenfield, said: “It’s mental. Just stupid. I know what they were trying to achieve, but I’m not sure what they expected to happen with the conditions tinder-dry like this.” He said the recurring fires were also becoming a big frustration to locals.

“If it’s an accident, then accidents happen. But when people are bringing barbecues up there and things like that, it’s ridiculous.”

“What else can we do?” he asked. “We can’t shut it off as that’s not what it’s about. Some people are just so selfish though.”

A woman who also lives in the village said it was ‘very sad for those who lost their friend’ but said those who let off the fireworks ‘had obviously not thought about what they were doing.’

She said residents in the village had been left facing ‘constant sirens and smoke’ from the fire.

“I feel like we’re getting used to it. It has happened that often” she said. “But it seems to have gotten worse in the last five years or so. I’m not sure what, or by who, but I feel like more needs to be done.”

A neighbour labelled the setting off of the fireworks as ‘disgraceful.

“We have all seen the footage” she said. “We were aware of it quite quickly. There’s a lot of anger,” she said.

She had been left unable to go outside in her garden and was left worrying if her children’s school may have to be closed due to the smoke, she added.

Councillor Jake Frater, who represents Dukinfield and Stalybridge, said he had provided a dossier of evidence to police and that he was ‘ sick of seeing the same destruction every summer.’

“Earlier today, I made contact with Greater Manchester Police and provided all of the information we have gathered so far, including videos and photographs” he said in a statement shared on social media.

“In total, there are over 40 pieces of media, and GMP are carrying out a thorough investigation. That is what real community teamwork looks like. Absolutely outstanding from every single one of you. Thank you.

“I sincerely hope this investigation results in everyone responsible being identified and held fully accountable for the damage they have caused across Greater Manchester. Actions have consequences, and those responsible should face them.

“We also need to start looking at what more can be done to prevent this from happening year after year. I’m sick of seeing the same destruction every summer, with wildlife and habitats devastated, public money spent on repairs, and residents forced to keep their windows shut during hot weather because smoke is affecting their health. This cannot just become another annual occurrence. We have to do better.”

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News at the scene on Monday afternoon, Ben Levy, Head of Response for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS), said he was aware wildfires were a ‘problem’ and a ‘nuisance’ for those living in the local area as he pledged to bring it under control ‘as quickly as possible.’

He said that ‘we investigate the cause of every fire and that normally starts from the moment we arrive.’

“Our priority now is bringing this fire under control and the safety of our firefighters,” he said. He said they would be working with partner agencies such as the police and that once a cause had been established they would ‘see what that means to us.’

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Asked about the social media footage, he said: “People will have seen that footage and it’s quite unusual fireworks out on the moors, what is more common is fires started by the likes of disposable barbecues, people smoking and small campfires” he said.

However he said the ground was ‘tinder-dry’ and that ‘fireworks on dry moors are as much of a no-no as barbecues and small fires in the open.’

“If that becomes a line of our investigation that will be so” he said. “But at the moment, our priority is the safety of our firefighters whilst they’re on the moors fighting this fire.”

In a statement confirming the arrest of the woman, Detective Inspector Andrew Day from GMP’s Oldham CID said: “We are aware of social media posts circulating regarding this incident and would like to stress that this is a live police investigation.

“We would encourage people to stop speculating regarding this and if you do have information, please report it to ourselves.

Saddleworth Neighbourhood Sergeant Andy Holian added: “Officers would like to thank all emergency services who have dealt with and continue to deal with this incident. In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

“Firefighters have been working tirelessly in extremely challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread, with strong winds adding to an already difficult situation.

“They are putting themselves at risk to protect our communities, the environment and local wildlife, and they deserve our utmost respect and support.”

Andy Burnham has effectively been confirmed as the new Labour leader after 349 MPs have nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer.

It is now mathematically impossible for a rival to run against the MP for Makerfield, with Burnham on track to become prime minister on 20 July.

He still requires the backing of three organisations affiliated to the Labour Party, at least two of which must be trade unions, although this is expected to be a formality for him.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester will field questions from Labour MPs as the only participant in an online hustings on Monday evening.

It marks an extraordinary rise to power for a man who only returned to Westminster three weeks ago following his historic by-election win in Makerfield.

In a statement on Thursday after receiving the backing of 322 MPs in the first day of nominations, Burnham said support for him had come from across the party and reflected a “shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics”.

“That is the circuit breaker I am offering: power out of Westminster, an economy rewired for ordinary people, and good growth in every postcode,” Burnham said.

Burnham’s own by-election victory and heavy Labour losses in May’s local elections left Sir Keir facing calls from his own MPs for him to stand aside and allow Burnham to replace him.

Sir Keir quit as Labour leader on the same day Burnham was sworn in as an MP.

Burnham has twice before run to become the Labour leader, in 2010 and 2015 – losing to Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn respectively.

This time round, he has run unopposed and his route to No 10 will not require a vote over the summer among party members and affiliated trade union supporters.

Wes Streeting, Sir Keir’s former health secretary, had been seen as a possible challenger, but he endorsed Burnham shortly after the prime minister’s resignation.

Former Defence Minister Al Carns, who resigned from government following a dispute over the funding plan for the military, was then seen as the most likely remaining challenger to Burnham, but he ruled himself out of contention last Wednesday.

Burnham has faced calls from some within Labour to offer more details on policies he will look to implement in government.

Burnham left Westminster in 2017 to run for the Greater Manchester mayoralty. He was elected three times.

But it has meant his opportunities to forge strong relationships with MPs elected since 2017, who make up the bulk of the Parliamentary Labour Party, have been limited.

He has also faced accusations of avoiding media scrutiny since he announced his intention to stand to replace Sir Keir. He has not taken questions from journalists after speeches and has so far only given an interview to Andrew Marr on LBC.

Burnham’s approach to social media is also a central part of his team’s strategy. The former Greater Manchester mayor frequently posts videos setting out areas of policy, and he has also held an online Q and A session for Reddit users.