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Celtic Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell statue unveiled in his hometown

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Celtic legends attended the statue unveiling for European Cup-winning hero Tommy Gemmell.

Tommy Gemmell statue unveiled as Celtic boss Martin O’Neill pays tribute to Hoops legend

A statue paying tribute to Celtic European Cup-winning hero Tommy Gemmell has been unveiled in his hometown. Emotional spectators, including Hoops boss Martin O’Neil, attended the ceremony in Craigneuk this afternoon.

The sculpture pays homage to local icon Tommy Gemmell who scored in two separate European Cup finals for the Parkhead side, including their first goal in Celtic’s famous victory over Catenaccio giants Inter Milan. The landmark project, to honour the Lisbon Lion who passed away aged 73 on the March 2, 2019, was led by the Tommy Gemmell Project Committee and supported by our Community Partnership Team.

Tommy’s wife, Mary Gemmell, said: “It’s just incredible. The statue looks so like Tommy, the likeness is unbelievable. Andy Edwards has done such an outstanding job. When I first saw it properly, it really took my breath away.

“This has always been about more than a statue. It’s about bringing Tommy home and celebrating him in the community he loved so much. I can’t thank everyone enough for the support, the fundraising and the kindness shown throughout this whole journey.”

Hundreds gathered for the unveiling, including current Celtic FC manager Martin O’Neill and club legends Roy Aitken, Tom Boyd, Peter Grant and Joe Miller. They were joined by a number of well-known faces, including actor Tony Roper.

A piper kicked off proceedings before Martin O’Neil left the crowd in stitches with a beautiful tribute to his former Nottingham Forest teammate.

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“It was my first year there at 19 and Tommy was 104. Sorry Mary, he wasn’t,” he joked.

He continued: “I couldn’t wait to speak to Tommy. I was fawning all over him, I must admit.

“I said to him, ‘Tommy, that was a great goal you scored in the European Cup final’. He then said, ‘Which one son?’.

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“Tommy was not a modest man. You couldn’t pay Tommy any higher compliments which he hadn’t already paid to himself.

“I had about four months with him and we was fantastic company. He really looked after me. I am honestly honoured to be speaking for just a moment this afternoon.

“It’s a great tribute to Tommy and the community.”

A countdown then commenced and the statue was unveiled showing Tommy in the famous hoops while carrying a football. Martin McCrum from the Tommy Gemmell Project Committee, paid tribute to the sculptor and the community effort behind the project.

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He said: “Andy Edwards is an incredibly talented artist and he’s captured Tommy perfectly, the stance, the expression, even that quiet determination. It’s like he’s standing there ready to strike a ball again.

“I was lucky enough to call Tommy a close friend for many years. We travelled together, did business together, and spent hours talking, not just about football, but about Craigneuk. He never forgot his roots. He cared deeply about this area and the people in it.

“When Tommy passed, people said we needed a statue. At first, I wasn’t sure I was the right person to lead it. But after seeing the challenges our community faced, I knew we needed something positive. Something that could inspire hope.

“That’s why this has always been about more than a statue. It’s about giving the community something to believe in, a focus for good, and a reminder that someone from here made it to the very top, and never forgot where he came from.”

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Provost Kenneth Duffy helped officially unveil the statue and he praised the wide range of support that made the event such a success.

He added: “This has been a special day for Craigneuk and for North Lanarkshire. The council was proud to support the project, and I want to thank our events team, Community Partnership and Roads teams, and the staff at the Jim Foley Community Centre for their hard work behind the scenes to make today run so smoothly.

“A huge thank you as well to the pupils and teachers from Berryhill PS who took part in the ceremony, and to the council school pipe band for piping guests on the day, including well-known football figures from past and present. It was a real community celebration, just as Tommy would have wanted.

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“The statue is not just a tribute to a footballing great, it is a symbol of community spirit, resilience and ambition. Tommy Gemmell is home. And his legacy now stands proudly in the place it all began.”

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Grassington on Channel 5 All Creatures Great and Small

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Grassington on Channel 5 All Creatures Great and Small

Already admired for its cobbled market square, stone cottages and surrounding Dales scenery, Grassington has found a new audience after doubling as the fictional town of Darrowby in Channel 5’s hit series All Creatures Great and Small.

Now, with filming underway for series seven and the show recently crowned Best Drama Series at the TV Choice Awards, the spotlight on this picturesque Dales town shows no sign of fading any time soon.

Long before television crews arrived, Grassington was regularly praised by visitors as “beautiful,” “full of character,” and “idyllic”.

Grassington (Image: ANDREW QUINN/NORTHERN ECHO CAMERA CLUB)

Its historic square, lined with independent cafés, galleries and small shops, has always made it a natural stop for day-trippers exploring Wharfedale.

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But since the 2020 reboot of All Creatures Great and Small, inspired by James Herriot’s beloved veterinary tales, the town has taken on a second identity.

Each series sees Grassington carefully transformed into 1930s and 40s Darrowby.

Modern signage disappears, shopfronts are redressed, and vintage props line the cobbled streets, transporting visitors back almost a century.

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Producers chose Grassington for its authenticity.

The town’s stone-built architecture and preserved market square require little alteration to recreate the world of Herriot’s stories.

Fans wandering through the square will quickly spot familiar backdrops.

The Devonshire Arms is reimagined on screen as The Drovers Arms, where many of the drama’s key scenes unfold.

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Just outside Grassington (Image: BRIAN GRAY/NORTHERN ECHO CAMERA CLUB)

The Stripey Badger bookshop becomes Endelby’s Grocers, while a private residence in the town serves as Skeldale House, the surgery and home of James Herriot and his colleagues.

The Devonshire Arms previously described being approached by a location scout in summer 2019, initially unaware that the production would be a remake of All Creatures Great and Small.

“Little did we know that this would be the beginning of a huge adventure,” the pub said, recalling how the show became “the worst-kept secret in the Dales”.

They added that watching the transformation process, from dressed shopfronts to props such as the temporary portico and even period post boxes, has been “fascinating”.

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The square has also hosted large-scale scenes, including the annual Darrowby Show, bringing much of the fictional community together on screen.

The series has become Channel 5’s most successful drama to date, reaching more than 14 million viewers across its first five series and remaining the channel’s top programme year after year.

It has also developed a strong international following, particularly in the United States, through PBS.

That popularity has translated into a surge of visitors to Grassington.

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Filming for All Creatures Great and Small (Image: CHANNEL5)

Tourists often arrive clutching maps of filming locations, eager to stand outside the pub, the grocer’s shop and the vet’s surgery they recognise from television.

Local businesses have reported steady increases in trade, from overnight stays to café footfall, as the town cements its place on the tourist map.

While filming can bring temporary road closures and disruption, many residents have embraced Grassington’s starring role, expressing pride at seeing their home celebrated on screen.

The cast and crew recently thanked fans after the show was named Best Drama Series at the TV Choice Awards.

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In a social media message marking the end of series six, which concluded with an emotional Christmas Eve episode set in 1945, the team said: “What an honour to be named Best Drama Series.

“Thank you to every single person who voted and supported Series 6. Your support truly means the world to us.”

With series seven now filming in the Yorkshire Dales and both series seven and eight confirmed, Grassington’s future as Darrowby appears secure.

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Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5, described the programme as “a jewel in 5’s drama crown”, praising its warmth, humour and heart set against the beauty of Yorkshire.

Yet even without its television fame, Grassington offers plenty to draw visitors.

Beyond browsing the square’s independent shops and stopping in its traditional pubs, visitors can explore riverside walks along the River Wharfe, head onto Grassington Moor for panoramic views or plan their trip around one of the town’s well-known events, including its Christmas market and summer arts festivals.

As staycations continue to appeal to travellers seeking slower, more scenic breaks, Grassington stands out as both a quintessential Dales market town and a small-screen star.

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Millions of dollars placed on prediction markets after US airstrikes on Iran as global unrest provides get-rich-quick opportunities

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Millions of dollars placed on prediction markets after US airstrikes on Iran as global unrest provides get-rich-quick opportunities

Online betting platforms have provided a new means for people to become war profiteers, with millions of dollars reportedly spent on bets related to the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, according to a new Axios report.

Early on Saturday morning, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes on Iran. Since then, Iran has retaliated, launching its own drone strikes and missiles at U.S. allies in the region, with Trump saying the attack killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

As bombs fell and people died, gamblers around the world took advantage of the chaos to make a buck.

Kalshi, a prediction market, reportedly saw $36 million in bet volume related to whether or not there will be a regime change in Iran.

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A similar online betting site, Polymarket, saw more than $31 million in trade volume relating to whether or not Khamenei would still be in power come March 31.

Gamblers have poured millions of dollars into prediction market bets related to President Donald Trump’s military strikes on Iran
Gamblers have poured millions of dollars into prediction market bets related to President Donald Trump’s military strikes on Iran (US Central Command)

Other questions — drawing in millions of dollars in bets — asked whether or not a ceasefire will be announced or if the U.S. will carry out a full invasion of Iran.

It’s not the first time gamblers have made major money by betting on Trump’s military actions. When the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, an individual with a relatively new account pumped $30,000 into a bet that Maduro would be ousted. Hours later, the Trump administration captured Maduro, earning the gambler more than $436,000.

That wager led to speculation that someone with insider knowledge used the market to enrich themselves. While betting using insider knowledge is prohibited on the platforms, enforcement of those rules is left up to the sites themselves, not regulators.

Now there are suspicions that other insiders used the Iran strikes to get rich. Six accounts on Polymarket reportedly won approximately $1.2 million by predicting the U.S. would launch a strike on Iran on February 28, according to CoinDesk.

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Blockchain analyzer Bubblemaps noted that the bets were made just hours before the strike, and that the accounts had no activity before making the Iran strike bets.

The Independent has requested comment from Polymarket.

For those hoping to get some geopolitical bets in, there are plenty of questions still open on the market.

Kalshi has an entire Iran section, where bettors can wager on whether or not Tehran will close the Strait of Hormuz and who will become the next Supreme Leader. Currently, the leading response to that question is that the position will be abolished, suggesting a belief that there will be regime change.

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Polymarket is still accepting bets on whether or not Khamenei will be leading Iran come March 31. Right now, 93 percent of bettors say no.

Real gamblers can bet on which country the U.S. attacks next. As of this report, more than $2 million has been bet on that question, and 93 percent of gamblers have picked Somalia as Trump’s next target.

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Noel Gallagher’s censored BRIT Awards speech and what he really said

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The Oasis star was honoured with the Songwriter of the Year award at the Brit Awards in Manchester, but his acceptance speech was censored by ITV

Noel Gallagher’s expletive-laden speech was bleeped out as he accepted the Songwriter of the Year award at the Brit Awards. The prestigious music event took place in Manchester for the first time ever.

The Oasis frontman – who reconciled with his brother Liam Gallagher last year for a series of performances following years of bitter disputes – faced criticism over receiving the honour, particularly as he hadn’t put out any fresh music in the previous 12 months.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola presented Noel with a tribute message, praising the rock legend. Taking to the stage, Noel initially expressed gratitude to his brother before acknowledging his fellow band members.

He concluded his remarks with a reference to his cherished Manchester City, exclaiming “up the f*****g blues”, alluding to the club’s traditional colours. His outburst was greeted with considerable jeering throughout the venue – presumably from rival Manchester United supporters.

Addressing the debate surrounding his victory despite releasing no new material during the period, Noel commented: “I haven’t written a song for two years. I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one, but I’ll take it”, reports the Mirror.

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“Well, I think the BRITs is all based on record sales, and I’m not sure there was another single songwriter that sold… I mean, we sold a million records last year. Didn’t even get off the couch and I’m not sure there’s a songwriter that can match that. But you know, if anybody’s got a problem with it, meet me there. We’ll have it out on the red carpet.

“If any of those wet wipes songwriting teams, all 11 of them, want to write a song between the lot of them, want to have it out on the red carpet, I’m there.”

Nevertheless, Noel did acknowledge he’d be creating fresh material. “I’m in the studio now, so I’d better do something out soon. If I am honest I think they just were desperate to get someone from Oasis up there cos it is in Manchester,” he stated.

When questioned at the time whether his brother Liam would attend the Brits alongside him, he responded: “We’re just organising tickets for the Carabao Cup final today, but no, I haven’t spoke to him about that, no.”

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Liam has also stoked speculation about appearing with Noel at the ceremony. When a supporter posted regarding train times to Manchester, Liam quipped in a since-deleted comment: “I’m already there, drove up last night. Can’t wait to see some old faces.”

When one admirer asked “You winding us up now?” he subsequently dismissed the speculation and joked: “I am I’m not going to the awards I’m just in the area keeping an eye on things.”

Announcing Noel as Songwriter of the Year, Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, said: “For more than three decades, Noel has crafted songs that have become part of our collective story – bold, brilliant, and always recognisable.

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“His songs have soundtracked memories for multiple generations and defined the spirit of British music globally. Honouring Noel as Songwriter of the Year celebrates a remarkable body of work and a creative force that continues to connect and inspire artists and fans worldwide.”

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Police warn drivers in Haxby Road not to park on footpath

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Police warn drivers in Haxby Road not to park on footpath

Officers were called Haxby Road, close to York St John University Sports Fields, on Saturday (February 28) after “multiple” calls were made to North Yorkshire Police from businesses and members of the public, police said.

A force spokesperson added: “This was due to players and spectators visiting the University sports park.

“We’re asking all visitors to the sports facility to keep pavements, footpaths, and access routes clear at all times.

“Blocking the pavement – even for a short period – create hazards for pedestrians, wheelchair users, people with pushchairs, and those with visual impairments.”

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Police said an officer helped ease traffic and had entered the sports fields, asking those with cars parked up to check they were not causing obstructions on the pavement.

Motorist have been warned not to obstruct the pavement outside the facility (Image: Google Maps)

In a statement, a force spokesperson said: “After a lengthy period of time, some of the vehicles still had not been moved.

“Obstructing the pavement can force people out into the road – putting them at risk.

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“Your cooperation helps keep the area safe and accessible for everyone.”

 

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2026 Brit Awards: Olivia Dean preaches ‘the art of loving’ as she sweeps ceremony in Manchester

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2026 Brit Awards: Olivia Dean preaches ‘the art of loving’ as she sweeps ceremony in Manchester

It was Olivia Dean’s night at the 2026 Brit Awards, as she took home the two top prizes for Artist and Album of the Year at a ceremony marked by frequent bouts of censorship and awkward moments.

Dean, who won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the ceremony in January, has proved to be one of the UK’s biggest breakthroughs in years, winning over fans and critics with her soulful pop sound. She was one of a number of stars who attended the annual music awards show, which was held outside London for the first time in the award show’s history, instead taking place at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester.

Accepting her award for Artist of the Year, Dean said: “I want to say thank you to my whole team, everybody down there, I love you, my band… it takes a lot of people to be a good artist, and it’s not lost on me that I’m very lucky to have good people around me. So thank you.”

The awards show was hosted once again by comedian Jack Whitehall, who kicked off proceedings with a sketch that showed him obsessively on the look-out for pop star Harry Styles, in hope that he would return with new music. Whitehall, 37, was seen out jogging and mistaking an older woman for the former One Direction star, visiting his waxwork at Madame Tussauds, and eventually hearing the news that Styles would be singing live at the ceremony.

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Jack Whitehall made a number of gags during his sixth stint hosting the Brit Awards

Jack Whitehall made a number of gags during his sixth stint hosting the Brit Awards (ITV)

One of the anticipated moments of the evening was Styles’s performance, which opened the show with a live rendition of his No 1 single “Aperture”. Backed by a troupe of dancers, he leant into the track’s dance and electronic influences with a dizzying light display, receiving a standing ovation from the live audience. “Aperture” serves as the lead single from the 32-year-old’s fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. It is scheduled for release next week on Friday 6 March, the same day Styles returns to the Co-Op Live for a headline show.

Harry Styles performed live at the Brit Awards

Harry Styles performed live at the Brit Awards (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Whitehall seemed intent on ruffling a few feathers by cracking jokes about the stars in attendance, referring to singer-songwriter Alex Warren as “Ed Sheeran if you ordered him on Temu” and producer Mark Ronson as “Nick Grimshaw if he learnt to use GarageBand”. He also took a swipe at the controversy at the previous week’s Baftas, in which Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award.

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However, it was Whitehall’s gags about Manchester, the ceremony’s host city, that drew particular ire from viewers at home, with some going so far to accuse him of classism. He made jokes about drug use in the city as well as making digs at people from Preston, Lancashire, while also mocking a man in the audience for his suit, which he suggested was not Prada but rather “100 per cent polyester”. He also suggested that Manchester’s idea of black tie was the brand Stone Island, known for its casualwear.

Fans watching from home were left confused by the frequent bouts of censoring, including for Whitehall’s joke about Peter Mandelson in the wake of his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. Geese frontman Cameron Winter was also censored as he shouted “Free Palestine” while collecting the New York rock band’s award for Best International Group.

A number of famous faces turned up to present awards, including Robbie Williams who was on hand to present the first award of the night, Song of the Year, which was voted for by the public – this went to Dean and Sam Fender for their collaboration, “Rein Me In”. Rock band Wolf Alice took Group of the Year, following the release of their 2025 album The Clearing, ahead of a live performance of single “The Sofa”. Jeff Goldblum presented the prize for Album of the Year, while Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie introduced Noel Gallagher as the recipient for Songwriter of the Year.

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Wolf Alice took home the prize for Group of the Year

Wolf Alice took home the prize for Group of the Year (AFP via Getty Images)

Producer Mark Ronson, who was honoured with a gong for Producer of the Year, also delivered a special mashup of some of his biggest hits, from his debut single “Ooh Wee” with rapper Ghostface Killah to “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse, to his and Winehouse’s rendition of “Valerie” by The Zutons and “Uptown Funk”, his No 1 hit with Bruno Mars. For his track “Dance the Night Away” from the Barbie soundtrack, Dua Lipa descended from a giant mirror ball before switching to her song “Electricity”, overseen by Ronson’s “super-producer group” with Diplo, Silk City.

There were plenty of spectacular live performances, from Olivia Dean’s rendition of her hit single “Man I Need” to a dazzling, big band-backed medley from RAYE, who dominated the awards in 2024. Spanish artist Rosalía gave a jaw-dropping performance of her song “Berghain”, an operatic opus she sings in German while backed by a choir and orchestra. Bjork, who features on the track as a guest artist, also made a surprise appearance. Rosalía later gave a moving acceptance speech for the International Solo Artist award, in which she urged listeners to “accept otherness”, and to embrace other languages and cultures.

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Rosalia won International Solo Artist at the Brit Awards 2026

Rosalia won International Solo Artist at the Brit Awards 2026 (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Dean echoed this sentiment as she was announced as the winner of Album of the Year for The Art of Loving, telling the audience at the Co-Op Live arena: “Making this album has changed my life, I feel so proud to have made it, and to work with everybody that I did on it…

“Thank you so much for believing in me when I didn’t really believe in myself sometimes… this album is just about love and loving each other in a world that feels lovelessness right now, so I don’t know, thank you.”

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Brit Award viewers spot ‘awkward’ moment as they question ‘live’ Jack Whitehall show

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Those watching described as an ‘awkward’ moment during the ceremony as it was broadcast live on ITV

Viewers watching the BRIT Awards 2026 unfold live from Manchester were left baffled by what they described as an ‘awkward’ moment during the ceremony as it was broadcast live on ITV.

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Saturday night’s (February 28) awards bash saw the prestigious music event move north for the first time, with a multitude of stars descending on the city as Co-Op Live hosted the ceremony.

But for those not able to make it inside the arena, the ceremony, hosted by comedian, presenter and actor Jack Whitehall, was broadcast on ITV and ITVX.

Click here to prioritise Manchester news in Google from the MEN

Harry Styles opened the show with a performance of his latest single Aperture. The former One Direction star, who is known for his flamboyant style, removed the jacket of his Chanel suit for the performance, and took to the stage in his suit trousers and tie.

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He was joined by a gospel choir for the performance, which opened with synchronised hand shaking and head movements and concluded in the same way.

The performance comes three years after his last performance on the Brits stage at the awards in 2023, which saw him take home four gongs following the release of his album Harry’s House.

Meanwhile, Olivia Dean later performed Man I Need against a pink backdrop in a black sparkling dress, and Raye sang her hit Where Is My Husband! Also, Rosalia brought out Icelandic pop star Bjork for her performance of Berghain, which also features Yves Tumor, who was played on the PA system.

But the big moments of the night were also the awards themselves, with Olivia, Rosalia , Wolf Alice and Lola Young among the winners. However, some of those watching the ceremony unfold from home were confused when a number of awards were seen being given out in a compilation section.

It left many flocking to social media questioning whether the show was live, with it confirmed by insiders at the event that the awards were for Best R&B Act, Best Pop Act, Best Alternative/Rock Act, Best Hip-hop/Rap/Grime Act and the Critics Choice Award -were given out during the ad breaks.

@userdemisexual said: “This is so awkward? why wouldn’t you show this live? #Brits2026.” @Christi17553827 commented: “Thought the #Brits2026 was live?! When were these other awards given out?!”

@Bex0111 complained: “@BRITs whose idea was it to not show a chunk of awards live?! Given us a montage. We enjoy the nominations & guessing who would win. Do better please #Brits2026.” @acotswoldvoice added: “Why have they turned this into the BAFTAs where the minor awards are presented in the breaks #BRITs2026.”

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Multiple people injured in Dubai airport incident on day of Iranian strikes across region

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Multiple people injured in Dubai airport incident on day of Iranian strikes across region

Multiple people have been injured after an incident occurred at Dubai International Airport.

The Dubai media office confirmed an incident took place at the airport on Saturday (28 February) in which four people were hurt, as Iran continued to launch strikes on U.S. bases in the region.

“Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,” the media office said on X.

A spokesman said: “Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities. Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention.

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“Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers. Further updates will be provided as they become available.”

It is not known if the incident is link to retaliatory Iranian strikes in the country.

Dubai airport
Dubai airport (Simon Calder)

Follow live updates here.

Thousands of Britons have been left stranded in the Middle East after global airlines grounded hundreds of flights due to US and Israeli strikes against Iran.

Iran and Iraq’s airspaces were closed due to the escalating military action, which has seen blasts reported in multiple countries across the region, and Dubai International Airport, the biggest global aviation hub, suspended all flights on Saturday.

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On a typical day, around 250,000 passengers arrive and depart at Dubai. Qatar Airways has also suspended all flights to and from its base in Doha.

Explosions have been heard in Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan and Qatar after the Iranian regime warned it would retaliate to any strikes by the US and Israel – which were launched in the early hours of Saturday

Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu launched co-ordinated strikes across Iran in what they described as a “preventative attack”.

President Donald Trump confirmed a “major combat operation” in an eight-minute speech, stating Iran could never have a nuclear weapon and adding: “It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to take it any longer.”.

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UN chief condemns US-Israeli attacks on Iran

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UN chief condemns US-Israeli attacks on Iran

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations chief condemned the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran and called for an immediate return to negotiations “to pull the region, and our world, back from the brink.”

Secretary-General António Guterres told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday that everything must be done to prevent further escalation. “The alternative,” he warned, “is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.”

Guterres said the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes violated international law, including the U.N. Charter. He also condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, insisted the U.S. military action was lawful.

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“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he told the council. “That principle is not a matter of politics. It’s a matter of global security. And to that end, the United States is taking lawful actions.”

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, speaking to reporters before the meeting, said it was “hypocrisy” to condemn the airstrikes. He said Iran is responsible for the actions of its proxies in the Middle East and for its nuclear and missile programs, and Israel and the U.S. acted “to prevent an irreversible and immediate threat.”

The attack on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The Associated Press has reported. The assassination of the second leader of the Islamic Republic, who had no designated successor, raised the prospects of a protracted conflict given Iranian threats of retaliation. President Donald Trump on social media called his passing “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.”

Russia’s ambassador condemned the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, while China’s ambassador was more measured in his criticism.

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“We demand that the United States and Israel immediately cease their aggressive actions,” Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. “We insist on the immediate resumption of political and diplomatic settlement efforts … based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests.”

China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong said China was very concerned by “the sudden escalation of regional tensions” and supported Russia’s call for a return to diplomatic negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a letter to the secretary-general, accused the United States and Israel of “flagrantly” violating Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the U.N. Charter. He said Iran was exercising its right to self-defense under the charter in response.

He urged the council members “to take the necessary and immediate measures to halt this unlawful use of force and to ensure accountability.” And he called for an unequivocal condemnation of “this act of aggression … as it undoubtedly poses an unprecedented threat to regional as well as global peace and security.”

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Five council members — Bahrain, which is the Arab representative on the council, France, Russia, China and Colombia — called for the emergency meeting.

In a joint statement, the leaders of Britain and France — both veto-wielding members of the council — along with Germany’s chancellor called for a resumption of U.S.-Iranian talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. The three countries, part of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal in 2018.

The three European leaders strongly condemned Iranian airstrikes in the region — not the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes — and urged Iran’s leaders to seek a negotiated solution, saying: “Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”

The Security Council meeting is taking place on the last day of the United Kingdom’s presidency and a day before the United States takes over the rotating presidency for the month of March.

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Amiri reported from Atlanta.

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UK-Middle East flights disrupted – as Dubai and Doha airports suspend services | World News

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Dubai International Airport has grounded flights. File pic: Reuters

UK flights to the Middle East have been cancelled – and airports in Dubai and Doha have grounded all services – after the US began attacking Iran.

Multiple cities in Iran were hit by missiles, while counter strikes targeted US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait – as well as sites in Israel.

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) warned Britons in those countries to “immediately shelter in place” and to avoid travel to Israel and Palestine.

Iran latest: US launches ‘major combat operations’

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“Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities,” advised the FCDO.

It said it was “working around the clock” to support British nationals affected.

UK citizens are being urged to sign up to Register Your Presence and travel advice emails so the Foreign Office can send the latest information.

Thousands of Britons are potentially stuck due to the temporary closure of airspace and airports in countries such as the UAE and Qatar.

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British Airways cancelled Saturday’s Dubai, Doha, Amman and Abu Dhabi services, as well as flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain up to 3 March.

A BA flight from London to Doha, Qatar‘s capital, was among dozens forced to turn around or divert mid-flight early on Saturday, according to flight tracking websites.

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Dubai International Airport has grounded flights. File pic: Reuters

London Heathrow said “a small number of flights” had been cancelled or delayed.

Its departures board on Saturday afternoon showed cancellations including an Emirates flight to Dubai, a Qatar Airways flight to Doha, and an Etihad service to Abu Dhabi.

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A Gatwick spokesperson said it was also “expecting disruption to our Qatar and Emirates flights”.

Manchester Airport departures showed a Saturday night Emirates flight to Dubai had been scrapped as it shared a post advising people to check with their airline.

Wizz Air also confirmed flights between London Luton to Tel Aviv were suspended in both directions until 7 March but that “operational decisions will continue to be reviewed”.

Virgin Atlantic said journeys from destinations including India and the Maldives could take longer as the routes were being altered for safety reasons.

Many other large airlines have also paused flights to the Middle East, as well as some routes flying over the region, including Delta, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines.

India’s airlines are also suffering serious disruption.

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Its aviation ministry said more than 400 flights by domestic carriers had been cancelled on Saturday and a similar number were expected on Sunday.

Dubai airports at standstill

The worst disruption is likely to be caused by the grounding of flights at Dubai’s main airport, the world’s busiest for international traffic.

People jetting out for a winter break – and the thousands who change aircraft there – are set to have their plans upended after the UAE closed its airspace.

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All flights at Dubai’s International, Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have been suspended.

Jets were avoiding Iran on Saturday, while UAE traffic also ground to a halt. Pic: Flightradar24
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Jets were avoiding Iran on Saturday, while UAE traffic also ground to a halt. Pic: Flightradar24

At least 90,000 people transfer every day in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi on just three airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, according to analytics firm Cirium.

People in Dubai were earlier filmed running for shelter as air raid sirens sounded and witnesses told Reuters at least three big blasts were heard over the city.

A fire broke out near the entrance of the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel after debris reportedly fell from an Iranian missile.


Dubai five-star hotel on fire after ‘missile strike’

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Big blasts heard over Dubai as people run for cover
Where has been hit by strikes and counter-strikes?

A Dubai airports statement called the closures an “exceptional precautionary measure”, while Emirates said safety was its “highest priority” as it halted flights.

“You have crews, planes and passengers stranded all over the world. It’s a massive logistical nightmare,” a Gulf airline source told Reuters.


Moment free-falling missile hits Doha

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Qatar’s international airport also suspended all services after the country’s airspace was locked down in case of more attacks from Iran.

People were earlier forced to run for cover as a missile – which was likely intercepted – tumbled out the sky and exploded in a residential area of Doha.

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America’s largest regional air base, al Udeid, is near the city and Iran has deemed all US bases in the region as fair game.

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Four injured after Dubai International Airport hit by Iranian missile strike | News World

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Four injured after Dubai International Airport hit by Iranian missile strike | News World

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Four people have been injured after a missile hit Dubai International Airport.

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The Dubai media office said on Saturday the airport sustained damage due to an ‘incident’, as Iran continued to launch strikes on U.S. bases in the region.

They said: ‘Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained.’

The country, along with the rest of the Middle East, has been bombarded with missile strikes as Iran retaliates against the US-Israel’s ‘Operation Epic Fury’.

The two countries launched ‘preemptive’ missile attacks in Tehran, reportedly killing the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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The Dubai media office said on Saturday the airport sustained damage due to an ‘incident’ (Picture: @WISEWISDOM_2022)
Dr Sharp Sharp @WISEWISDOM_2022 Dubai International Airport a few minutes ago Dr Sharp Sharp @WISEWISDOM_2022 Dubai International Airport a few minutes ago
Rubble seen from inside the airport (Picture: @WISEWISDOM_2022)

Other buildings in Dubai have been struck, including the iconic Palm Jumeirah resort which was hit by falling debris.

Smoke and flames were seen billowing from near the beachside Fairmont The Palm Hotel, after several bangs were heard by holidaymakers across the Emirati city.

Footage of the incident showed the five-star £245 million ($330 million) hotel engulfed in flames as air defence systems intercepted several Iranian missiles bound for targets in the UAE.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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