A crash has closed a main road near York.

Police and an air ambulance have been called to the scene on the A19 south of York near Deighton on Sunday afternoon (August 9).

The AA said the road is closed in both directions from Naburn Lane to Howden Lane after the collision first reported at 3.15pm.

Traffic is queuing due to the crash, it said.

An eye witness said drivers are being turned around towards Crockey Hill.

By ALEX DOYLE, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 22:56 BST, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 23:09 BST, 9 August 2026

They were friends for decades, sharing a love of music – and a lorra lorra laughs.

And no doubt Cilla Black would have enjoyed the touching tribute from Cliff Richard, 85, in his annual calendar.

The singer has released images from his 2027 edition, including a shot of him wearing a tie-dye jacket and shorts, and standing at the back of a boat named ‘Cilla’.

Sir Cliff and Ms Black, who died in 2015 at the age of 72, had enjoyed a close friendship for more than 50 years and they both had holiday homes in Barbados where they spent time together.

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His latest calendar cover shows the singer, whose many hits include The Young Ones and We Don’t Talk Anymore, depicted on a postage stamp, standing in front of a cruise ship. 

In one month Sir Cliff is shown lying on a cream sofa, and holding a hardback copy of his first autobiography, It’s Great To Be Young, which he released in 1960 at the ripe old age of 19.

Sir Cliff Richard has released images that are included in his 2027 calendar

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These images included a shot of him wearing a tie-dye jacket and shorts, and standing at the back of a boat named ‘Cilla’

Sir Cliff and Ms Black, who died in 2015 at the age of 72, had enjoyed a close friendship for more than 50 years and they both had holiday homes in Barbados where they spent time together

The pop veteran started releasing a calendar in 1979 and they are thought to have earned him more than £2million.

According to Calendar Club, which tracks sales, his 2022 release was the bestselling of any music star’s calendars, beating Harry Styles.

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In 2023, Sir Cliff stopped posing shirtless for the calendar, saying: ‘It’s time to gracefully exit the Chippendales market.’

‘Not going to make it, I’m sorry,’ I typed. ‘I know in my heart it won’t impact how amazing your day is, and I already wasn’t up for participating, so in a way it’s for the best.’

Before I sent this text telling my best friend, Cinthya*, that I wasn’t coming to her destination wedding the evening before my flight, I knew it was a foul move.

I was part of her bridal party, after all.

It actually occurred to me this was the ultimate friendship betrayal. But as I thought about the selfish way Cinthya had behaved that year, I decided I didn’t have much of a friend left to lose.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the 17 years of friendship that accounted for more than half our lives, ever since we’d sat next to each other in sixth-grade science, age 13.

And then I clicked send, exhaling hundreds of memories away.

It’s hard to pinpoint when Cinthya’s bridal era became my villain origin story.

When she announced that her boyfriend had proposed in February 2023, I flew from my home in Minneapolis to hers in Miami for her engagement party. Although I was going through a hard time personally, I knew the moment called for me to suck it up and celebrate my best friend, and I did. It was a no brainer – I loved her partner and couldn’t be happier for them to take this next step.

But by the time I’d landed in Puerto Rico a few months later for her bachelorette trip, my personal life had snowballed into a blizzard.

My grandmother, who helped raise me, had stage four cancer. I had just left my partner of four years; and I had moved to a new city, away from my friends, where I was working a stressful job that made me feel like the walls were caving in every week.

I wish I’d had the wisdom to tell Cinthya I wasn’t in the position to be the fabulous bridal gay she wanted me to be, and that I couldn’t fathom being on her bachelorette trip, because I was also trying to get sober.

But I didn’t.

I felt so alone, without a moment to breathe. Not to mention, I was becoming fed up listening to all the petty drama that accompanied Cinthya planning her big day – most annoying was listening to cattiness about some of the bridesmaids she’d chosen – and resentment began to build as I realised she hadn’t asked me about my life since she’d got engaged.

In the end, that particular weekend went fine. But there were still moments that irked me – like when she asked me to fetch coffee for the group, or offer everyone water. She and I stayed a couple of extra days, just the two of us, and she refused to get lunch with my friend on the island; even though I had spent the previous three days with a dozen of hers.

Fast forward to her bridal shower when, after four months, I flew to Miami once again. At this point, I was thinking twice about what I meant to Cinthya, but our friendship didn’t hit rock bottom until I saw her seating arrangements.

I had already realised how little significance I carried when she decided to not let me wear my chosen tux matching the bridesmaids, instead asking me to match the groomsmen and stand on their side. It felt like a dagger to our friendship and that’s not what I had agreed to when accepting to be part of her bridal party.

I poured myself several glasses of wine and thought about what a bitch Cinthya had become

Then, at the bridal shower, I immediately noticed there was no room for me on Cinthya’s table at the meal. A random person I’d never heard of was in what I had assumed would be my seat – Cinthya explained that she didn’t want this person to sit alone, since they didn’t know anyone.

I was already angry at things in my own life that I couldn’t control – and it was easier to be furious at Cinthya over superficial things like this than it was to open a Pandora’s box of emotions about what was going on at home by thinking about how everything about my life had changed.

So I poured myself several glasses of wine and thought about what a bitch Cinthya had become.

As Cinthya’s wedding approached, in November 2024, I couldn’t believe it when I found out I was the only person in the bridal party not given a plus one.

‘Only people with partners,’ Cinthya explained to me – which hurt, considering I had best friends, like her, who meant so much more to me than a partner.

It was obvious she didn’t feel the same.

It hit me that I’d be spending the entire weekend alone – and suddenly, I realised I didn’t have to.

That’s when I sent her that message.

My emotional bandwidth had run dry. I was determined to abstain from drinking, and she had taken away the possibility of having someone who loved me there to keep me company the whole weekend.

After I’d messaged her, I knew Cinthya was upset, but she didn’t show it. I just felt her energy in the absence of a reply.

I felt relieved skipping the wedding. I visited my grandmother instead, and it was a very special weekend.

Both Cinthya and I gave each other space, despite never getting in an actual fight about the situation – and a few months later, I reached out only to tell her I decided we weren’t best friends anymore. At the time, I said this was because I wanted to live authentically; but looking back, I realise I just wanted her attention.

She assured me we were still best friends, thinking I thought she was mad at me. I explained, again, that I didn’t want to be friends with her at all.

By ALEX BURGHART, SHADOW CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Published: 22:48 BST, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 23:03 BST, 9 August 2026

By MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 21:00 BST, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 23:01 BST, 9 August 2026

A Brazilian footballer plummeted down a tunnel in frightening fashion during a match, only for his goal to be disallowed.

The incident occurred when Coritiba hosted Chapecoense in Brazil’s top flight on Saturday.

Coritiba defender Jacy thought he had scored to put his side 2-0 up in the first half, with the 29-year-old jumping over the advertising hoardings in celebration.

Unbeknownst to Jacy, a tunnel leading to the dressing rooms had been uncovered in preparation for half-time.

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Jacy ultimately fell straight down the hole and into the tunnel, with a horrified security guard seen sprinting down the stairs to attend to the defender.

Anxious Coritiba team-mates were seen peering over the advertising hoardings to check on the condition of their team-mate.

Brazilian football Jacy jumped over advertising hoardings to celebrate a goal, which was later ruled out for offside

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The defender was unaware a tunnel to the dressing rooms was open, leading to him plummeting down a hole

Anxious team-mates came across to check on his condition, with Jacy appearing to emerge unscatched from the incident but later needed to be substituted

Jacy returned following the fall and received treatment from Coritiba’s medical staff.

The incident became more painful for the Brazilian after his goal was ultimately ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

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Jacy was able to continue the match briefly but was forced off two minutes into the second half as the defender continued to feel the after effects of the fall.

Remarkably it was not the first time a player has fallen down the tunnel at the Couto Pereira stadium.

Back in 2014, Coritiba striker Joel fell down the open tunnel as he celebrated one of his two goals in a match against Sao Paulo.

The same security guard who attended to Joel was also on hand to provide Jacy with assistance.

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Coritiba recorded a 2-1 victory over Chapecoense on Saturday despite Jacy’s goal being disallowed.

The match did see a more serious medical incident with Chapecoense midfielder Max Alves having been taken to intensive care after colliding with his own team-mate.

Alves underwent surgery to have a chest drain inserted, with the Brazilian having also been diagnosed with multiple rib fractures following the incident.

Rod Stewart’s daughter has announced the birth of her second child in a cure Instagram post, with the new addition becoming the rocker’s sixth grandchild

Rod Stewart has become a grandfather for the sixth time. The rockstar’s daughter, Ruby, welcomed her second child with fiance Jake Kalick and shared the news on social media.

Ruby, 39, gave birth to a son, Levi. Posting pics of her newborn to Instagram, she said: “We welcomed our little (big) Levi Rhodes Kalick at 6:58pm on 8/4/26 at 9lbs 20inches….”

She added that her favourite moment was when her eldest son Otis met his little brother: “His name Levi means My Heart and his arrival has grown our hearts to 10 times the size… seeing Otis and Levi meet for the first time might have been the greatest experience of my life so far… Otis is already the best big brother and we are already so in love with this sweet boy… Welcome sweet Levi!”

In the pictures, Ruby’s mother, Kelly Emberg, 67, could be seen smiling down at her new grandbaby. Kelly and Rod, 81, dated for several years in the 1980s.

Rod has eight children. His eldest child is Sarah Streeter, who is also the child of Susannah Boffey. Sarah was adopted and raised by her parents, Gerald and Evelyn Thubron. Rod also had two children with his first wife Alana Collins. Their children are Kimberly and Sean Stewart. After having Ruby with Kelly Emberg, Rod had Renee and Liam with his second wife Rachel Hunter and Alastair and Aiden with his third wife Penny Lancaster.

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Renee hopped into the comments of her sister’s post to say: “Levi. Love you guys.” Ruby’s husband Jake also commented: “Boy mum!” This came after Ruby announced her pregnancy in April by debuting her baby bump at a jazz festival in New Orleans, where her dad was performing.

Alongside Ruby’s two sons, Rod has four other grandchildren. Kimberly has a daughter, Delilah, whom she shares with Benicio Del Toro, and a son that was born last year. Liam Stewart also has two children, Louie and Elsie.

Rod was recently criticised by fans after he cancelled a gig just hours before it was due to start, citing health issues, only to head to the World Cup alongside sons Liam and Alastair.

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His Instagram post, in which he and his sons were on their way to watch Scotland play, was captioned: “Me and the boys off to Boston to see our Scotland in the World Cup! No Scotland no party.”

The cheerful message came after a statement from his team broke the news to fans on Instagram of his cancelled gig. It said: “Rod Stewart very regretfully has had to cancel his show tonight in Chula Vista, California.

“He travelled to the venue and made every effort to perform, but on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take to the stage this evening.”

After sharing the post to Instagram, one fan replied: “Missed you last night in San Diego Rod – we hope you are doing better!!” Another said: “Seems like he is on the mend.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Hibernian at Ibrox in a match overshadowed by a controversial VAR penalty decision and injury concerns over Youssef Chermiti

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A lunar eclipse is approaching this week.

Yet at Ibrox, anxieties are mounting once more that they face another campaign living in Celtic’s considerable shadow.

Just three matches into the club’s latest new chapter and Rangers supporters are still awaiting Derek McInnes’ promised revival to materialise.

What should have been a match made in heaven with the former Ibrox favourite taking the manager’s position has thus far been clouded in uncertainty.

And unless circumstances align swiftly to deliver the offensive reinforcements he desperately requires, Rangers can abandon any ambitions of halting Martin O’Neill’s revitalised Hoops, reports the Daily Record.

Celtic’s confidence returned emphatically at Rugby Park.

Rangers, by contrast, continue stumbling about trying to identify their strongest XI.

David Gray’s Hibs arrived under pressure themselves following their disappointing opening to the campaign.

However, this proved precisely the tonic they needed as a contentious Josh Campbell spot-kick and Callum Wright’s dramatic late strike extinguished a Rangers comeback after Miguel Chaiwa’s own goal.

Precious few inside Ibrox could fathom why Hibs had been granted a 10th-minute penalty – even after glimpsing replays on their mobile devices.

Fresh Serbian acquisition Vanja Dragojevic – making his maiden start in an unaccustomed right-back position – appeared bewildered as referee Don Robertson was directed to the monitor to review his clash with Jason Kerr at a Hibs set-piece. At most, it appeared generous, yet referee Robertson alongside VAR official Matt MacDermid deemed the infringement worthy of awarding a penalty.

Campbell seized the opportunity without hesitation, calmly converting the opening goal.

Despite considerable time remaining, Ibrox’s recent history meant supporters couldn’t stay composed, with anxiety quickly engulfing the stadium.

Opportunities arose for Rangers to equalise, though their finishing let them down repeatedly in crucial attacking areas.

The away side’s determination to hold onto their advantage only intensified the home crowd’s growing exasperation.

Shankland nearly scored when his strike rattled the woodwork, but Rangers eventually found parity with just four minutes remaining.

A catastrophic defensive pass from Felix Passlack was intercepted by Thelo Aasgaard, before Djeidi Gassama’s delivery was turned into his own goal by Chaiwa.

It looked like a frantic finale was brewing in added time. Yet it was Hibs who broke forward, with Passlack setting up Wright whose strike took a deflection off Tuur Rommens before nestling in the net, sparking wild celebrations amongst the travelling faithful.

Here’s five talking points from Ibrox Stadium:.

McInnes’ Rangers’ recipe still missing vital ingredient

While still in the early stages, what has become apparent is that McInnes continues to search for his ideal starting line-up. After rotating five players from the season’s opening fixture at Tannadice for Thursday’s Europa League encounter in Poland, McInnes was back at it again with a further six alterations for this match.

The substitutions persisted at the interval as Dragojevic became the sixth player across just three fixtures to be withdrawn at the break – yet all this shuffling has produced thus far is a side appearing fragmented and lacking in confidence.

The Ibrox boss has made it plain he’s still seeking to bolster his attacking options before the transfer deadline – with negotiations for Couhaib Driouech ongoing.

Meanwhile, he must extract performances from the offensive players at his disposal. Should he fail to do so promptly, he may discover the title race has already reached its conclusion.

VAR sends Del demented again

Scotland’s VAR controversy reached unprecedented levels last season. Just two matches into the current campaign, it appears we’re set for another twelve months of heated debate and frustration.

McInnes is already serving a three-match suspension following the “disgusting” tirade he delivered last term criticising officiating standards during Hearts’ championship challenge.

And he has legitimate grounds to feel equally hard done by after witnessing referee Don Robertson and VAR official Matt MacDermid collaborate to award Hibs their disputed penalty which opened the scoring.

Dragojevic was culpable of being caught in an awkward position while grappling with Jason Kerr at a Hibs set-piece, though both players had their arms raised in a tussle that involved minimal contact. The match officials, nonetheless, judged there to be sufficient contact to grant the penalty, which Campbell confidently converted.

The Ibrox crowd responded with fury – while McInnes appeared equally shocked by the decision.

Choked up Chermiti

Prior to kick-off, reports emerged that Rangers had rejected what would represent a club-record £22million bid from Galatasaray for Youssef Chermiti.

The decision was made in anticipation that the Turkish club would come back with an improved offer.

However, those hopes now appear uncertain following a distressing incident just before the interval, which saw the 22-year-old Portuguese forward stretchered from the field.

The ex-Everton player committed fully to a tackle with Megwa but was clearly in considerable pain from the resulting injury, leaving the pitch with his face concealed.

Should this result in an extended absence, it will fall to Ibrox executives Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe – both present ahead of Monday’s shareholder summit – to clarify how they intend to finance a replacement.

Forging a fortress

Earlier this week, McInnes challenged his side to put opponents “under greater stress” at Ibrox, having observed from afar how Rangers sides have frequently struggled with home expectations in recent campaigns.

In fairness, he couldn’t have selected better opposition to begin strengthening Ibrox’s reputation as a difficult venue.

Across his previous 17 home fixtures managing St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Killie and Hearts, the new Rangers manager had maintained an unbeaten record against the Edinburgh outfit. Yet Gray’s team showed no signs of intimidation, displaying the same composure they had when securing victory here against Danny Rohl’s Rangers in May, snatching another dramatic late winner just as they had on that occasion.

The growing unease at Ibrox isn’t doing the Light Blues any favours, with much of the discontent from the terraces filtering down to the players. However, the only remedy for that is to begin collecting victories.

Hibs’ hounds have their day

Two lacklustre Europa League performances sandwiched between their home defeat to Motherwell had intensified the scrutiny on Gray.

However, he’ll take immense pride in how his players threw themselves into the battle.

The number of crucial blocks was impossible to tally, but Megwa, Kerr and Adam Mayor all warrant recognition for their valiant efforts as Rangers mounted wave after wave of attacks.

Wright’s clinical strike was the perfect culmination of a well-earned triumph.

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The old section of Heighington Lane once carried traffic between Aycliffe Village and Heighington.

It was later bypassed by the modern B6444, leaving the former road hidden among trees.

Vehicles no longer use the old alignment, which now serves as a route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The entrance to the old road (Image: GOOGLE)

Despite becoming overgrown, much of the original road can still be followed between the area near Heighington railway station and the village.

The abandoned stretch has attracted interest from enthusiasts who explore “ghost roads”, roads which have been bypassed, closed or left without a clear purpose.

For many local people, however, it is remembered as part of an everyday journey.

One horse rider said on a social media group: “I regularly use this lane on my horse. Lovely ride out.

“But I also remember when this was the Aycliffe Village to Heighington main road.”

Others recalled travelling along it before the bypass was constructed.

A former Heighington signalman said he remembered the work being carried out, placing it in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

Another resident remembered the original layout having a staggered junction and crossroads near the Heighington end.

The old road is believed to have been bypassed as routes around Heighington, School Aycliffe and Aycliffe Village were improved.

Its replacement created a more direct route for traffic while removing vehicles from the older lane.

An aerial view of the new road and the old road (Image: GOOGLE)

The old lane is also remembered by people who travelled to Aycliffe Stadium for stock car racing.

One former visitor said the road formed part of regular Sunday journeys to the track, which closed around the end of the 1980s.

The former road also runs close to one of County Durham’s most important railway heritage sites.

Historic England describes the former Heighington and Aycliffe station building as the world’s first railway station.

The Grade II*-listed building is on the route of theh the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in September 1825.

It was also at Heighington that George Stephenson’s Locomotion No 1 was first placed on the rails before hauling the railway’s pioneering passenger service.

Much of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway route remains part of the national rail network today.

Although it no longer carries cars, Heighington’s forgotten road has not vanished completely.

It survives as a quiet reminder of how people once travelled between Aycliffe and the village before bypasses and modern road layouts changed the area.

The Wales-filmed adaptation of Liz Jensen’s novel has wrapped up on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

BBC’s The Rapture is coming to an end after launching earlier this month.

Filmed entirely in Wales, the psychological thriller is adapted from Liz Jensen’s bestselling novel and has a star-studded cast list including Ruth Madeley, Sam Hazeldine, Jack Farthing, Stephen Campbell Moore, Ruth Jones, India Amarteifio, Iwan Rheon, Lisa Palfrey, Siena Kelly, Naby Dakhli, Richard Elis, Dean Rehman, and Robert Rhodes. You can find out more about the cast in full here.

The five-part series is about a teenager accused of killing her mother, who claims she has the ability to predict disasters. The Rapture has been described as a high-stakes drama that crackles with wit and danger, while also exploring them.

A synopsis for the series reads: “After a life-altering car accident killed her husband and left her paralysed, psychologist Dr Gabs Fox starts a new job at a psychiatric hospital where she is assigned 17-year-old inmate Bethany Krall. Two years before, Bethany was sectioned for the brutal murder of her mother, Carys Krall. The case shocked the nation, not least because Bethany’s father, Leonard Krall, is the charismatic leader of the Faith Way, a spiritual movement with millions of online followers.

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“Bethany seems to know private details about Gabs’ life and insists she can see visions of the future, which she communicates through disturbing sketches of disasters: storms, fires and floods. Bethany’s nurse Rafiq insists Bethany’s predictions always come true, but Gabs is sceptical, determined to find a clinical explanation.

“As the heat intensifies, Gabs begins to notice unsettling connections between Bethany’s prophetic drawings and the world outside, forcing Gabs to re-examine her assumptions. Could Bethany be innocent after all? If she didn’t kill Carys Krall, who did and why?

“With the help of journalist Dick Carwyn and engineer Frasier Melville, Gabs digs deeper into the history of the Kralls. As she falls further down the rabbit hole, Gabs is forced to question – is Bethany telling the truth, or is she being manipulated by a deeply troubled teenager?”

But the drama will come to an end on Sunday, August 9 at 9pm, and many people will be wondering what is replacing the series in the primetime slot on Sunday and Monday nights.

The BBC has confirmed that it will be airing coverage of the European Athletic Championships from Monday, August 10. Coverage of the Championships will start on BBC Two, before BBC One takes over at 8pm with Gabby Logan presenting coverage of the evening session on day one from Alexander Stadium.

The women’s 100m final is the concluding event of the night. The BBC said of their coverage: “Europe’s biggest athletics stars are heading to Birmingham this August for a landmark moment in British sporting history – and audiences can watch every thrilling second live across the BBC.

“For the first time ever, the European Athletics Championships will be staged in the United Kingdom, with Birmingham providing the backdrop as Team GB competes for glory in front of passionate home crowds.

“With the roar of the home support behind them, Britain’s biggest athletics stars will be aiming to create unforgettable moments on home soil against Europe’s very best.”

Comprehensive live coverage will be available across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer between August 10 and August 16, with daily coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

The BBC has said that fans can also follow every twist and turn via the BBC Sport website, BBC Sport app and BBC Sport’s social media channels.

The Rapture will air its final episode on Sunday, August 9 at 9pm on BBC One.