Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the third star for this year’s series and it’s Aussie icon Delta Goodrem, who just competed in Eurovision.

The BBC have already announced Dani Dyer and EastEnders legend Lacey Turner as the first celebs to sign up.

The former Love Island star is hoping to get a second shot at the trophy after being forced to drop out of the competition last year due to injury.

Meanwhile, newly revealed Delta, 41, finished fourth at the Eurovision Song Contest last month with her song Eclipse.

Speaking about Strictly, she said: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!

‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!’

The Australian singer-songwriter was just 15 years old when she signed a recording contract with Sony Music, with her debut album Innocent Eyes then topping charts.

It reached number nine in the UK and it still holds the title as one of the highest-selling Australian albums of all time.

In the 23 years since, she’s gone on to release a further six albums, selling more than nine million copies worldwide.

Of course, no Australian star’s career would be complete without a stint on Neighbours, where she starred as Nina Tucker for over two years.

Throughout her career, Delta has faced several significant health hurdles – including being diagnosed with cancer when she was just 18.

She later suffered a paralysed nerve in her tongue following 2018 salivary gland surgery, which left her unable to speak or sing properly for nearly a year.

In more recent years, she’s become well known as a judge on The Voice Australia alongside stars like Boy George and Ricky Martin.

When speaking to Metro previously, Delta shared: ‘I was only 26 years old when I joined The Voice as a coach. I had started my career as a teenager and a decade later I was on this show with icons.

‘They were at different stages in their careers, and each year another icon would join our stage, and I was always learning from them, as well as the artists. I am always learning and listening.’

The singer added: ‘‘But on that show being surrounded by music and peoples’ dreams – you are celebrating and watching and studying. It was an incredible show to be a part of for so many years.

‘I loved learning from everybody there, as well as shared what I was learning each year with my artists. Some of them were actually older than me too!’

Strictly is set to return with a brand new set of hosts, after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly revealed during last year’s series that they would be stepping down.

The Voice UK host Emma Willis, former Strictly pro Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe will be taking over, bringing a fresh new feel to the beloved show.

The BBC flagship show has surprised fans by beginning to announce the stars earlier than usual, a clear indicator that this titan of British TV isn’t going anywhere.

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will return in September this year.

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A number of people have posted on social media criticising the closure of Malton’s market place from this morning (Friday) for the Summer FEASTival.

The event is scheduled to run over the weekend featuring a wide range of street foods, homemade groceries, a real ale and cider bar, live music stage and children’s entertainment from the Old Tyme Funfair.

However, people said that despite the entire market place being closed to traffic, stalls were only located outside St Michael’s Church and the usual Saturday market area.

A spokesperson for the organisers, Zoom Events, said: “We’ve seen a small number of negative comments on our own socials.

We believe negative comments started with the road closure. We expect the event to be busier on Saturday and Sunday (Fridays can be quiet), especially around the live music stage.

“This is a brand-new event and also Zoom’s FEASTival format – this is smaller than their established food and drink festivals, it’s their street food and live music format.

The Malton Summer FEASTival will be open, Saturday: 9am – 6pm and Sunday: 10am – 4pm.

The music line up is as follows:

SATURDAY

12pm: Howlin’ Matt

2pm: Harrison Puckering

4pm: Killer no Filler

SUNDAY

12pm: A Guy Called Si

3pm: Just Another Jester

The Malton Summer FEASTival will be open, Saturday: 9am – 6pm and Sunday: 10am – 4pm.

Further information can be found at: https://www.zoomevents.co.uk/events/malton-summer-feastival-2026

PC Jess Turnbull, 19, had been responding to a crash on the A189 Spine Road near Cramlington, Northumberland late on Monday (June 8) when she was struck by the Merecedes.

The car was unconnected to the original incident.

She was taken to hospital but died on Wednesday, surrounded by her loved ones, having served with Northumbria Police’s response policing team in Northumberland for less than a year.

Detectives are piecing together the movements of the 09-plate black CLC seen in the Blyth and Cramlington area on the day PC Turnbull was killed.

The car is believed to have been in the area between about 3pm and 11.30pm on Monday, and officers want to hear from anyone who saw it or captured it on dashcam or CCTV.

(Image: NORTH NEWS & PICTURES LTD)

Sergeant Dave Roberts, from Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said their thoughts “very much remain” with Jess’s family, friends and colleagues as the inquiry continues.

He urged anyone with even small pieces of information about the black Mercedes, or footage from the Spine Road and surrounding routes, to get in touch as it “could prove important” to the investigation.

Officers remain particularly keen to speak to members of the public who stopped at the scene on Monday night to help, and have asked them to come forward if they have not yet spoken to police.

Information, images and footage can be submitted via a dedicated online portal set up for the investigation, or by calling 101 and quoting reference NP-20260608-1198.

(Image: NORTH NEWS & PICTURES LTD)

A 73-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and taken to hospital, where he was later discharged.

He was subsequently further arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed while the investigation continues.

PC Turnbull had been dealing with a collision involving two cars in which the occupants of one vehicle fled the scene before she was struck.

Her death is understood to be the first time a Northumbria Police officer has been killed on duty since 2006, when PC Joseph Carroll was fatally injured after a prisoner pulled the handbrake in a moving patrol car.

The Sunderland-born midfielder arrived back on Wearside this afternoon to be met by family, friends and fans after a final 28-mile run into the city on the last leg of her fundraising journey.

The challenge began on Monday at Wembley, the scene of England’s Euro 2022 triumph, and took Jill through a series of landmark football grounds.

She alternated long-distance cycling and running each day, including a 112-mile ride to Villa Park, another 99-mile leg towards Merseyside, a 38-mile run between Liverpool and Manchester, and a punishing 111-mile “Tour de France-style” ride into the North East before today’s marathon-plus finale – even stopping all along the course’s length to dish out high fives and selfies to her supporters.

Former Lioness Jill Scott arrives at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. (Image: SCOTT HEPPELL/PA)

Speaking after crossing the line in Sunderland, Jill told the BBC it had been “community and support” that had got her through the five days.

She admitted she was “in a lot of pain”, describing how her legs were numb, her blisters had all burst and even her ribs were hurting after the final run into the Stadium of Light.

People line the streets of Sunderland this Friday afternoon to cheer on legendary Lioness Jill Scott MBE. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

But she said the money raised was her way of giving back, calling the challenge an attempt to support the next generation and the projects Sport Relief funds.

Jill Scott arrives at the Stadium of Light. (Image: SCOTT HEPPELL/PA)

The Northern Echo has followed Jill’s progress through the region over the past 36 hours, as she arrived into County Durham on the penultimate day of the challenge.

People line the streets of Sunderland this Friday afternoon to cheer on legendary Lioness Jill Scott MBE. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

On Thursday night she reached Bishop Auckland more than four hours behind schedule after her 111-mile ride, battling strong winds and heavy rain on what she described as the toughest stretch so far, but was still welcomed by crowds who turned out to cheer her through the Market Place.

People were urged to line the route as she set off again this morning, heading through West Auckland, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Durham and Houghton-le-Spring before dropping into Sunderland for her Stadium of Light finish.

Jill, who grew up in Sunderland and started her senior career with her hometown club, said finishing on Wearside had always been central to the challenge.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge has denied a request from the Kennedy Center to pause a ruling ordering President Donald Trump’s name removed from building.

That denial came Friday. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled last month Trump’s name was illegally added to the iconic Washington performing arts facility. Cooper ruled only Congress could institute a change to the Kennedy Center’s name and ordered references to Trump to be removed by Friday.

‘A June 4 memo to staff from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel said email signatures, letterhead and other documents must reflect the name as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”

The Kennedy Center’s website has dropped Trump’s name. And an email earlier this week sent to members offering ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony came from the Kennedy Center without including Trump’s name.

After ignoring the Kennedy Center for much of his first term, Trump has wielded tremendous influence over the venue during his return to office. Just a month into his second term, he ousted the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a handpicked board of trustees that named him chairman.

He also admitted he’d love to see a Spice Girls reunion

Sir David Beckham revealed his secret to a 27-year marriage with Victoria Beckham as he opened up about life as a partnership.

Former football star Sir David Beckham married Spice Girls icon Victoria Beckham in 1999, with them since giving birth to their four children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper.

Victoria first rose to fame in the 90s as a member of The Spice Girls, alongside Melanie “Mel B” Brown, Melanie “Mel C” Chisholm, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell-Horner.

Before starting her successful career in fashion, Lady Beckham featured on the track Out Of Your Mind with True Steppers and Dane Bowers, and released her eponymous debut solo album in 2001, reaching number 10 on the albums chart.

She also released the songs A Mind Of Its Own in 2002 which charted at number six, followed by This Groove/Let Your Head Go in 2004, which reached number three.

For many years, fans have been hoping that the Spice Girls would reunite on stage after officially disbanding over 25 years ago. The group has reunited for several special events, including The Return of the Spice Girls Tour in 2007, but David admitted he’d love for them to perform again.

In an interview with Variety, he said: “Look, I’m a Spice Girls fan and always have been. I ended up marrying a Spice Girl, so now I’m even more of a Spice Girls fan than I was back in the day. Everyone was a Spice Girls fan! It doesn’t surprise me but still shocks me a little bit just how popular they are all over the world.

“I’m not sure there’s many girl bands that have been together for that long that have that much of a following. I’ve always tried to get my wife to perform again. I think they’re all doing their own thing and are busy, but I’m always hoping for the girls to get back together and perform at some point.”

Revealing his favourite song, he continued: “‘Say You’ll Be There.’. That was the song that I first saw Victoria performing and I turned around to my friend and said, ‘I’m going to marry that girl’. And I did it! I stalked her down and I did it.”

Over recent months, their family has been at the front and centre of major headlines after eldest son Brooklyn posted an explosive statement where he informed followers that he had removed himself from the family.

Asked about the situation, Lady Beckham told The Wall Street Journal: “I think that we’ve always – we love our children so much. We’ve always tried to be the best parents that we can be, and you know, we’ve been in the public eye for more than 30 years right now, and all we’ve ever tried to do is protect our children and love our children, and you know, that’s all I really want to say about it.”

When asked about the “feud” in the interview, David responded: “I’m sorry to stop you there, but that’s a private matter. That’s the one thing that I don’t want to talk about.”

However, David and Victoria’s marriage still remains strong after 27 years, and David spilled the secret of a successful partnership. He gushed: “We’ve been married for 27 years this July. We’ve been together for 29 years. We’ve got four incredible kids. We’ve got businesses that we work hard on.

“But we always make time for each other, and we always have. I want Victoria to be the best version of herself, and vice versa. And as busy as we are, our family always comes first. That’s our priority, and that’s what makes it work when you’ve been together for so long. Our priority will always be our family.”

The 44-year-old was convicted of child sexual abuse offences against three young victims aged between five and thirteen

A 44-year-old man from Belfast has been sentenced today for a string of child sexual abuse offences carried out against a young girl over a three-year period.

Neil Jackson – who was also found guilty of child cruelty and abuse offences against two young girls and a young boy spanning five years – received a 20-year prison sentence. It will be made up of 10 years behind bars followed by 10 years on licence. He will also be placed on the child sex offender’s register for life.

Jackson was convicted of 45 offences against three victims aged between five and thirteen. The charges ranged from rape of a child under 13 to common assault and other serious sexual offences.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Brennan stated: “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the appalling crimes committed by Neil Jackson against vulnerable young children.

“Over a prolonged period, Jackson subjected them to horrific sexual and physical child abuse, robbing them of their childhood, subjecting them to horrific acts and causing trauma that will remain with them for many years. His actions were predatory, manipulative and entirely depraved.

“I want to pay tribute to the three victims in this case for the exceptional courage and resilience they have shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court proceedings. Coming forward to report such deeply personal and traumatic experiences requires immense strength and I hope this conviction gives encouragement, to anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, to come forward.

“We recognise that no sentence can undo the harm caused, however we hope today’s outcome provides some measure of justice and reassurance that those who commit offences against children will be held accountable.

“Protecting children and pursuing those who seek to exploit and abuse them remains a priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”

In an anonymous statement, the young female victim of sexual abuse said: “For a long time, I carried the weight of what happened to me in silence. Speaking out was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I knew I could not allow what happened to define the rest of my life.

“Today’s sentence cannot change the past, but it does mean that the person responsible has finally been held accountable for the pain and trauma he caused.

“He is nothing but a disgusting child predator who manipulated me at an incredibly vulnerable age and took everything away from me. Today, I can begin to claim it all back.

“I am grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this process and believed me when I found the strength to speak. I hope this outcome encourages other victims and survivors to know that they are not alone and that there is support available.”

Anyone who has been affected by sexual abuse can report their concerns to police by calling 101, or in the case of an emergency dial 999.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Bosnia and Herzegovina squad: Nikola Vasilj, Martin Zlomislic, Osman Hadzikic, Sead Kolasinac, Amar Dedic, Nihad Mujakic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic, Stjepan Radeljic, Dennis Hadzikadunic, Nidal Celik, Amir Hadziahmetovic, Ivan Sunjic, Ivan Basic, Dzenis Burnic, Ermin Mahmic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Amar Memic, Armin Gigovic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Ermedin Demirovic, Jovo Lukic, Samed Bazdar, Haris Tabakovic, Edin Džeko

The council has launched a plan to tackle the issue.

People are calling for action on empty houses which have become a ‘blight’ on Manchester’s streets.

There are at least 1,000 empty homes across the city according to Manchester council which has launched a new appeal to tackle the issue.

Neighbours in Whalley Range said a property on Park Drive has been ‘neglected’ for years.

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A resident named Aimee, 27, said: “It’s a bit of an eyesore and blight on the area. I would say it could affect house prices in the area. Someone would just look at it and think it’s too much effort.

“It’s always better to have them back in use with the housing crisis we’ve got, but rents are getting high, it can be £900 a month for a flat in this area.”

Another 71-year-old resident in the area, who did not want to give their name, added: “It’s been empty for quite a while, there was a divorced couple and both have died, and sadly the house has fallen into disrepair.

“People who look at it might think it’s a neglected house, but that’s not the experience of people in this estate who are caring and look after their properties.

“I would like to see it brought back to use, we know there’s a housing crisis and there are families that need more houses.”

Around the corner on Clarendon Road another home appeared to be empty.

A nearby neighbour named Sam said the house is owned by his uncle who was ‘too busy’ to speak about it.

Sam said: “It’s been empty for about ten years, there’s no valid reason for it, it was just family circumstances.

“There’s been no impact on the area, but recently people have been noticing the broken windows. The council got on to him about it so he’s sorting it out now.”

Manchester council said it is trying to bring as many long-term empty homes back into use as possible.

A report at its recent cabinet meeting revealed that there are currently more than 400 ‘active cases’ of empty homes which the council is trying to bring back into use.

It has launched an appeal for residents in the city to report empty properties so it can take action to get it back into use.

This can be done on the ‘Help with Empty homes’ section of the council website.

Councillor Gavin White is the lead on housing matters in Manchester and said: “For more than a decade the council has worked across the city on long-term interventions to tackle empty homes and open up housing for those that need it most.

“And while we have achieved lots in that time, bringing empty homes down to a record low, those that remain represent some of the most stubborn – homes that have a complex history and often impact neighbourhoods most.

“The new and expanded empty homes team have done some great work since November 2024 to bring nearly 600 homes back into use all across the city.

“To think, if we could bring all empty homes back into use, then we could provide more homes for those on the housing register and take pressure off the whole housing system.

“The potential of making empty homes a thing of the past is huge for Manchester families looking for a place to call home – and a significant part of tackling the housing crisis.

“One of our first lines of defence is local intelligence. That’s residents keeping an eye out in their own neighbourhoods and quickly reporting a home they think is empty. We are really keen to hear from you.

“We can help to remove a blight from your street. It’s never just a property – it could be a lifeline home for someone in need.”

According to Manchester Move, there are currently more than 20,000 people on the city’s housing register, with ‘extremely high demand’ for social housing.

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