Ronnie O’Sullivan won a tense deciding frame against China’s Wu Yize at the World Open in Yushan to reach a first ranking final in more than two years.

It came the day after he produced the sport’s highest-ever professional break of 153 in his 5-0 quarter-final victory over Welshman Ryan Day.

The seven-time world champion was never behind against Wu but struggled to break clear of the world number 11 before finally completing a 6-5 victory.

Wu had the first chance in the decider, opening a decent lead with a break of 43, but 50-year-old O’Sullivan punished a poor safety shot by sinking a long red then held his nerve with a clearance of 89.

The Englishman is into his 66th final in a ranking event – but his first since beating Judd Trump to win the World Grand Prix in January 2024.

On Wednesday, March 19, Simon Lycett, a leading UK floral designer known for his work at royal events and for clients such as Elton John, spent the day with floristry students at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus in Durham.

The visit followed the announcement that the college will represent the North East at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Scott Bullock, principal and chief executive of East Durham College, said: “We were incredibly proud to have welcomed Simon Lycett to East Durham College.

“His visit has provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to learn from one of the very best in the industry.

“Experiences like this not only inspire creativity but also build confidence as our learners prepare to showcase their talents on a national stage at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“We are grateful to our staff and sponsors for supporting these opportunities and helping our students achieve their full potential.”

Mr Lycett spent the day reviewing student designs, offering professional feedback, and sharing experience from his high-profile career.

His input comes as students prepare to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural events.

The day also brought together staff, sponsors, and supporters, including MKM Durham, Durham Parish Council, Jewson’s, the National Trust, and Bon Bloeman, who were given a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the collaborative efforts between students and the college’s floristry team.

Mr Lycett said: “After being made an RHS Ambassador for floristry and floral art back in 2022 and the team asked me if I wanted to become a judge and I said no I don’t want to become a judge, I want to become a mentor because I’m getting old and we need more florists – and how fabulous to be up here amongst so may florists of every age.

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“I’ve never seen such a brilliant gathering of creatives.

“The designs they are working on are so exciting as they exactly fit the brief, what they are creating is so unique and each of them has come to it with their own ideas and thoughts.

“It’s become a fascinating and very collaborative project between the students and the floristry team, and it’s using lots of different techniques – it’s going to be a phenomenal showcase of the fabulous world of being a florist.”

Looking to queue up another sci-fi thriller rather than stepping outside this weekend to face the tundra? We’ve got you covered.

Or rather, the Metro readers have. We asked for your favourite little-known sci-fi gems, and you certainly came through.

The list includes time-travelling shenanigans, the far-off corners of outer space and even a misfit detective with some otherworldly cases to crack.

Some stick to the hard-and-fast conventions, while others play around within your expectations of the genre — and they’re all well worth your time.

Heck, you even mentioned Farscape! That’s a deep pull!

So here’s the list of sci-fi thrillers that might not have crossed your screens yet…

Farscape

You’re in for a treat, because this one was the most recommended choice among readers.

Farscape debuted back in 1999 and soon became one of TV’s leading sci-fi cult classics. The show stars Ben Browder as astronaut John Crichton, who ends up caught in the swirl of a wormhole. 

It chucks him out in a distant corner of the universe, where he bands together with a bunch of alien refugees on the ship Moya. But life is never peaceful far out in the cosmos, and they’re being chased by Peacekeepers – think the Hunger Games militaristic version, and you’re not far off who they are here.

The plan for Farscape was to make a five-season arc, but the show was abruptly cancelled before the final instalment, going out with 88 (!) episodes in the bank. The worst thing about the cancellation was it ended on a loose end. Until 2004, when the show returned with the three-hour miniseries Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars to tie everything up.

Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Muppets was how reader Lee Miles, who owned the box set back in the day, billed the show. 

Ali Luck put it bluntly enough: ‘I don’t want to have to say Farscape because people should all know about it. But just in case… Farscape.’

Continuum

Read the synopsis of Continuum, and it has a clear tinge of the mind-bending Black Mirror – this wouldn’t be a list of sci-fi thrillers if we didn’t bring up Charlie Brooker’s opus somewhere.

Having run from 2012 to 2015, this sci-fi thriller meets cop drama stars 2077 cybernetically enhanced cop Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols), who is trapped in present-day Vancouver.

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Except it might be better there, because 2077 is run by huge corporations. (Are we far off that though…?)

Like 1984 before it, the world has become hi-tech and hugely reliant on surveillance to keep everyone in check. Not that everyone does, because Kiera is tasked with chasing the dissenting terrorist organisation Liber-8 through time.

Continuum was a show that got smarter the further it went along. Plus, Adam Whatford said it had a ‘valid political commentary’ when it first aired in the 2010s, adding: ‘Unfortunately, the commentary is still very much valid today.’

12 Monkeys

You might be thinking, ‘Isn’t that a Brad Pitt film?’ Well, yes, it is, but it was also a TV show with a few of the same characters. Plus, it feels like a good sign if there are multiple versions of something, right? Why else would they both?

Here, the time-travelling plot focuses on James (X-Men’s Aaron Stanford), a scavenger in 2043 – okay, this was a bit further away when the show aired in 2015 than it is now. 

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That is indeed the year he returns to in order to prevent the contagion of a gruesome plague, called the Kalavirus, which led to a small little thing called the decimation of humanity. James’ mission is to eliminate those 12 monkeys that first caused the virus.

We jump back and forth between the present day 2010s and the future of the 2040s as we go, so it’s a lot of fun for anyone who enjoys Loop-style cause-and-effect hokey cokey. 

Ben Dieter Holt had particularly high praise for the show, writing: ‘One of the best things I’ve ever watched and probably surpasses the original film.’

Word on the street is the first season is a bit lacklustre, but persevere because it’s upwards from there on out. 

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Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

With an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, you can’t go wrong with this, and it’s easily available to watch over on Netflix. 

Based on Douglas Adams’ detective novel series, this sci-fi entry first aired back in 2016 and follows bellhop Todd Brotzman, played by one of the legends of another hugely popular genre, Elijah Wood.

It’s just another day at work for Todd, until he comes under suspicion for having murdered a millionaire in the hotel penthouse – not good! Rescue comes in the form of titular smooth-talking detective Dirk Gently (extra points for the fun name) Dirk Gently (Samuel Barnett).

Instead of suspecting Todd, he convinces the bellhop to work with him on cracking the case. But this is when the sci-fi elements comes into play, because it turns out that his work tends to involve the paranormal. 

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You might not have heard of the show before, but Justin Bodle has and described it as the ‘best program on Netflix’ before its unfortunate cancellation with two seasons in the bank.

Space – Above and Beyond

Nathan Hobbs recommended Space – Above and Beyond, calling it ‘one of the best and most overlooked sci-fi series ever made’, adding that it was 30 years ahead of its time.

Set in 2063, the show follows members of the US Marine Corps 58th Squadron of the Space Aviator Cavalry known as the Wildcards.

This rag-tag group has been cobbled together from Earth’s military following an attack on our solar system by a mysterious alien race known as The Chigs and represents humanity’s last hope of defeating the extraterrestrial menace.

While the series only ran for one season, it’s fondly remembered by sci-fi fans and regularly appears on lists of underappreciated TV series.

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Indeed, Starburst Magazine said in a 2018 review that ‘it’s stunning how well the series has aged since its original run’ while Jesse Alexander of i09 claimed you could see the influence the series had on beloved shows like Lost, 24, and Alias.

Sliders

Chris Jrj, meanwhile, proved he’s a man of exquisite taste when he recommended the woefully underrated Sliders.

They wrote: ‘Real heroes will mention Sliders. Legendary heroes remember watching Sliders long enough for it to get a bit rubbish.’

This weird show followed a group of interdimensional explorers who invented a miraculous piece of technology that allowed them to ‘slide’ from dimension to dimension.

Unfortunately, on their first adventure, they lost the coordinates to their home reality, forcing them to leap from one alternate universe to another, hoping each time that their next leap would be the leap home (wait, that sounds familiar…).

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While the concept might have been a bit derivative of other shows, it was a fun idea that allowed the writers to tell a variety of stories. There were episodes where Nazis controlled America, tales where dinosaurs still walked the Earth, and, of course, there’s a zombie episode.

It was daft and delightful, but as Chris Jrj said, as time went on, it did fall off a bit. If you slide on over to Reddit, you’ll find several people saying seasons one and two are brilliant, but the rest is a bit disappointing.

This article was originally published on November 22, 2025.

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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE: Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon dies aged 54

MORE: Kerry Washington: ‘I want fans to let go of Scandal while watching my new thriller’

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Reports suggest that Roy’s Rolls cafe, owned by character Roy Cropper, will be burned down in an arson attack in the coming weeks.

The blaze is expected to spread and destroy the cafe, all while Roy is inside the property.

Further claims suggest that Roy will be left fighting for his life, with the cafe owner being rushed to the hospital.

Coronation Street to destroy Roy’s Roll cafe

The scenes of the cafes burning down are expected to air in April.

According to The Sun, questions will arise over who would want to target Roy and burn the cafe down.

A source said, “Roy’s Rolls is targeted by a mystery fire starter who breaks in and douses the cafe with petrol whilst Roy sleeps upstairs in his flat.

“When residents spot smoke coming out of the windows, emergency services are called. As the fire rages and people realise Roy is trapped inside, the race is on to get him out alive.

“Will Roy be rescued in time, and what about his precious collection of railway memorabilia and memories of Hayley? Is this the end of Roy’s Rolls as we know it, and who wanted to burn down the iconic cafe?”

Coronation Street stars sign new contracts on cobbles

Tony Maudsley and Jodie Prenger, who play George and Glenda Shuttleworth, have signed new contracts to continue acting on the iconic ITV soap.

Both stars will remain for at least another year.

Maudsley, who joined the soap in 2020 as the local undertaker, confirmed that his time on the show had been extended in a post on social media.

It could be seen alongside a picture of the former Benidorm star with a glass of fizz.

He wrote in a caption on Sunday (1 March): “New contract? Cheers Corrie, don’t mind if I do.

“(I bit their hand off!) Can’t wait to see what’s around the corner for George (aside from more corpses).”

How much of the new release do you play? How many of the fan favourites do you keep in the set?

Gorillaz at Co-op Live, Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)

In launching the Mountain tour at Co-op Live, Gorillaz delivered a masterclass in how to bring a new album to the stage and still delight the doting crowd with hit after hit.

This was so much more than a gig. In typical Gorillaz fashion it was also a live art installation with the Co-op Live’s massive screens being put to full use as Jamie Hewlett’s cartoon creations and delicate illustrations provided the backdrop for an astonishing array of musicians to spellbind us.

At the centre of it all, Damon Albarn was part ringmaster, part high priest – an almost delicate figure in British Rail jacket – the stage was his pulpit as he spread his message of compassion and unity.

Damon Albarn and Joe Talbot of Idles during Gorillaz show at Co-op Live Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)

The Mountain is a spiritual album, reflecting on love, loss and the hereafter, not the subjects you would think would translate into a 20,000+ arena setting. But the world rhythms and driving beats created a hypnotic effect which was mesmerising.

On the screens there were cameos from Sparks, on a wonderful The Happy Dictator, and Bobby Womack on Stylo.

More guests came on stage in person with Joe Talbot of Idles sharing the microphone for The God of Lying, Omar Souleyman on Damascus and Bootie Brown on Dirty Harry.

Damon Albarn and Kara Jackson during Gorillaz show at Co-op Live Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)

The encores illustrated perfectly how balanced and nuanced this special show was. Two songs from the new album – The Hardest Things and Orange County, featuring Kara Jackson. And then the explosive finale as De La Soul’s Pos whipped the crowd into a frenzy for Feel Good Inc with the show ending with Clint Eastwood leaving the crowd delighted and exhausted in equal measure.

Several times Damon Albarn climbed down from the stage to stand at the barrier with the fans who hung on his every word. He looked genuinely moved by the welcome he’d received in Manchester and it was richly deserved.

Music needs genuine artists, people who are prepared to think outside the box, stick to their convictions and produce work you can tell is special to them.

Gorillaz at Co-op Live, Manchester (Picture: Luke Dyson)

You may not like everything they do but you have to admire and appreciate the fact they do it and do it so well.

On this showing, Gorillaz are still the trail-blazers they were when the first drawings of 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs first appeared some 28 years ago.

The Mountain tour is back at Co-op Live tonight before heading around the UK

Setlist

The Mountain

The Happy Dictator

Tranz

Tomorrow comes today

19/2000

Rhinestone Eyes

The God of Lying (idles)

The Moon Cave

El Manana

On Melancholy Hill

The Empty Dream Machine

New Genious

Saturnz Barz

Delirium

Andromeda

Stylo

Damascus

Dirty Harry

Casablanca

The Sad God

Encores

The Hardest Thing

Orange County

Feel Good Inc

Clint Eastwood

TOKYO (AP) — Senior U.S. and Japanese officials tend to shy away from anything but very careful public comments about Japan’s 1941 sneak attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor. So there was embarrassment, confusion and unease on Saturday in Japan after President Donald Trump casually used the World War II attack to justify his secrecy before launching the war against Iran.

The Japanese discomfort was compounded by the fact that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was sitting awkwardly at Trump’s side as he spoke.

Partly, the reaction is linked to the crucial security and economic role that the U.S. plays for Japan, its top ally in the region. Put simply, Japan needs to make sure the U.S. relationship thrives. That’s why Takaichi was in Washington.

But it’s also a reflection of just how fresh the political debate about Japan’s role in World War II remains here, even 80 years after its end.

Senior leaders, including Takaichi, have argued that Japan has apologized enough for what happened in the war. Takaichi herself has recently hinted at visiting Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine, where Japanese war criminals are honored among the 2.5 million war dead.

It is, however, somewhat startling for Japan to see these history questions spill over into a White House summit.

On Friday, when asked by a Japanese reporter why he didn’t tell allies in Europe and Asia ahead of the U.S. attack on Iran, Trump cited Pearl Harbor to defend his decision, saying, ‘Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?”

The liberal leaning Asahi newspaper said in an editorial Saturday that Trump’s comments “should not be overlooked.”

“Making such a remark to justify a sneak attack and boast about its outcome is a piece of nonsense that ignores lessons from history,” Asahi said.

Claims of rudeness

Social media reaction has ranged from accusations of ignorance and rudeness by the U.S. president to claims that he didn’t see Japan as an equal partner. There were calls for Japan to protest what Trump said.

Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, said in an online opinion piece published in the Nikkei newspaper Saturday that the comment signaled that Trump was “not bound by existing American common sense.”

“I get the impression that the comment was intended to bring the Japanese reporter (who asked the question) or Ms. Takaichi into complicity in order to justify his ‘sneak attack’ on Iran during diplomatic negotiations and without telling allied countries,” Watanabe said.

There’s also a feeling that an unspoken understanding exists between U.S. and Japanese leaders to tread carefully on the subject. Both sides need each other, with Washington relying on Japan to host 50,000 troops and an array of powerful hi-tech weapons, and Japan relying on the U.S. nuclear umbrella to deter hostile, nuclear-armed neighbors.

Japan’s post-World War II constitution bans the use of force except for its self-defense, but Takaichi and other officials are now seeking to expand the military’s role.

When it comes to U.S.-Japan reconciliation, many here look to the example of former leaders Barack Obama and Shinzo Abe, who in 2016 paid tribute together at the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor and at the Hiroshima Peace Park.

Mixed reaction for Japan’s leader

Takaichi, a hard-line conservative, was praised for not reacting to the comments by Trump, letting them pass with a roll of her eyes and a glance at her ministers seated nearby.

After all, the goal of her summit was to deepen ties with her most important ally, not debate World War II. She arrived shortly after Trump suggested that Japan was among the nations that did not quickly join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Some, however, criticized Takaichi for not speaking up.

Hitoshi Tanaka, a former diplomat and a special adviser at the Japan Research Institute think tank, wrote on X that he felt embarrassed to see Takaichi flattering Trump.

“As national leaders, they are equals. … To make an equal relationship is not to flatter,” he said. “Just doing what pleases Trump and calling it a success if you are not hurt is too sad.”

Reporter criticized

There was initial blame on social media of the Japanese reporter who asked the question that prompted Trump’s Pearl Harbor comment.

The reporter, Morio Chijiiwa with TV Asahi, later said on a talk show that he asked the question to represent the feelings of Japanese who are not happy about Trump’s one-sided attack on Iran, and because other countries, including Japan, are being asked to help out.

“So that’s why I asked the question. I was meaning to say, Why didn’t you tell us, why are you troubling us?” he said. “Then President Trump hit back with the Pearl Harbor attack. … I found it extremely awkward for him to change the subject.”

Junji Miyako, 53, said Takaichi flattering Trump felt more condescending to him than the President’s Pearl Harbor remark.

“I was so frustrated to see Takaichi didn’t even say anything to Trump to stop the war,” he said. “I think Trump’s Pearl Harbor comment was stupid, but to me the war he started is a much bigger problem.”

A woman has admitted she is being ‘driven insane’ every evening after getting home from her ‘highly stressful’ job owing to the behaviour of her neighbour’s son

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A woman who is desperate to deter her neighbour’s child’s annoying habit has admitted that doing so poses one problem preventing her from taking action. Taking to Reddit to talk about her neighbour issue, she detailed an issue that is her driving her “insane” after a basketball hoop was installed on the border that divides their two properties.

“I moved into this house about three years ago and everything was fine until my neighbour decided his teenage son needed to become the next NBA star,” the woman elaborated in the Neighbours From Hell community. “About two weeks ago he installed one of those heavy duty portable basketball hoops but instead of putting it near his garage or in the middle of his driveway he tucked it right against the edge of my property.”

The woman went on to reveal that the hoops’ backboard is just inches from her own exterior wall, where her master bedroom is located.

“Every single time that kid misses a shot the ball slams into the side of my house with a massive thud that shakes the pictures on my walls,” she slammed. It starts at around 4pm when he gets home from school and goes on until 9pm or even later some nights.”

Owing to her “highly stressful” job, the woman said she longs to be able relax when she gets home from work, rather than being subjected to the “rhythmic thumping sound” every five seconds throughout the evening.

“I tried talking to the dad nicely and asked if they could move it just 10 feet to the left so it wasn’t leaning against my house,” she continued. “But he just shrugged and told me that his driveway is levelled better on that side and that it’s a free country.”

The “worst part” of the situation, however, is the fact the ball keeps landing in the woman’s flowerbeds, meanwhile. “I spent a lot of money and time on my landscaping this spring and now half of my hydrangeas are snapped because the kid just tramples through them to get his ball back,” she said.

The woman added that she had even caught the youngster on her Ring doorbell trampling on the flowers without a care in the world and after heading outside to confront him, she was met with a “blank stare” and a lack of understanding as to why she was so upset.

“I feel like a prisoner in my own home,” she confessed. “I cant even have the windows open because the shouting and the constant metallic clanging of the rim is so loud. I checked the local ordinances but apparently as long as they aren’t playing past 10pm there isn’t much the city can do about noise.”

The irate woman closed by advising that she was considering erecting a high fence, but this would set her back “thousands” for the privilege. “It’s not even about the kid playing sports it is the fact that they chose the one spot that impacts me the most,” she said.

Writing in response, one Reddit user joked: “I think you need to install a motion-activated sprinkler for those poor hydrangeas. Every time that kid misses a shot, he gets soaked.”

To which the woman conceded: “Part of me loves this idea way more than I should. Realistically I’d probably end up starting a whole new war, but the image of him getting blasted while trampling my flowers is very satisfying.”

Whilst a second person declared: “He can’t be damaging your house and property like that. There are rules about things like that out there. Ask them to move it and to stop hitting your house. They should be some kind of city code about this in your area. Also contact the cops and ask them to come trespass the kid for coming it your property and destroying your flower and siding.”

The woman replied: “You’re probably right. I kept second guessing myself because I didn’t want to be the uptight neighbour, but once it’s hitting my siding and they’re walking through my flower beds, it’s clearly past being a minor annoyance.”

According to the government, you can ask your local council for help if the neighbour dispute involves an activity that is damaging to health or a nuisance. This is known as a ‘statutory nuisance’.

This could include:

• noise (including loud music and barking dogs)
• artificial light (except street lamps)
• dust, steam, smell or insects from business premises
• smoke, fumes or gases
• a build-up of rubbish that could harm health

Your council has a duty to investigate any statutory nuisance.

It includes the movie with the ‘greatest twist ever’

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In a significant expansion to its existing catalogue, every film from the ‘most shocking ever’ horror franchise is currently streaming for free.

Over two decades since it first mesmerised and repulsed audiences, the entire Saw franchise is now accessible via ITVX for no extra cost. This encompasses all the main instalments alongside every sequel and spin-off.

Altogether, this includes 10 films released between 2004 and as recently as 2023. It may well prove the ultimate test for even the most devoted horror film enthusiast attempting a marathon viewing session.

The franchise was conceived by James Wan and Leigh Whannell, launching with the inaugural entry in 2004. Saw 1 swiftly evolved into a global cultural sensation, particularly renowned for its inventive and grisly on-screen deaths coupled with an unforgettable twist conclusion, reports the Mirror US.

Wan is also responsible for The Conjuring films, whilst Whannell is recognised for Insidious. The original Saw synopsis read: “Photographer Adam Stanheight and oncologist Lawrence Gordon regain consciousness whilst chained to pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom.”

It continues: “As the two men realize they’ve been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed Jigsaw and must complete his perverse puzzle to live, flashbacks relate the fates of his previous victims.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon’s wife and young daughter are forced to watch his torture via closed-circuit video.” The film’s triumph and enduring fan appeal led to nine subsequent instalments. These encompass direct sequels alongside inventive spin-offs, including 2021’s Spiral, which featured Chris Rock portraying a police detective pursuing a Jigsaw imitator.

For ease of reference, all Saw films currently available on ITVX comprise:

• Saw (2004)
• Saw II (2005)
• Saw III (2006)
• Saw IV (2007)
• Saw V (2008)
• Saw VI (2009)
• Saw: The Final Chapter or Saw 3D (2010)
• Jigsaw (2017)
• Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
• Saw X (2023)

Enthusiasts remain as passionate as ever about the Saw franchise. Regarding the original film, one viewer remarked: “Saw is an extremely compelling and gruesome horror film that introduced one of the most iconic killers in cinema, Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell.

“The concept of capturing victims and forcing them to confront their sins through deadly traps is horrifying yet fascinating. The film’s tension and twists keep viewers on edge, whilst the screenplay cleverly connects this movie to the rest of the franchise.”

Another commented: “Do not spoil this movie, it has the greatest twist of all time at the end. Mind blowing, extremely well made! It shows that good filmmaking with a low budget will always outclass crappy filmmaking with a high budget.”

The tenth instalment has garnered the franchise’s highest ratings, with many declaring it the finest since the inaugural film. One viewer stated: “This brought back the spark that I felt the previous saw films lost, felt like the original ‘2004 Saw’ we all know and love.”

The Saw collection is streaming on ITVX and Prime Video.

Lindsay Blake, a watch manager with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, began her career in 2009, driven by a passion for helping others.

After 15 years as a firefighter, she transitioned into a role with the brigade’s Business Fire Safety Team.

County Durham firefighter Lindsay Blake has shared how her career in the fire service led to a life-changing neurodiversity diagnosis after joining in 2009. (Image: CDDFRS)

However, she soon found the work—which involves concentrating on legal documents for long periods of time—particularly challenging.

Ms Blake said: “Business Fire Safety is built around legislation, so attention to detail is key.

“The qualifications that you need to carry out the role were challenging and it was after I completed these that I realised I may be neurodiverse.

“That’s why I decided to go and get tested for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and dyslexia.”

The diagnosis has since helped her better understand herself and the support available to help her manage her workload.

Ms Blake said: “Understanding my ADHD it has given me the skillset I needed to be able to manage at work and organise myself better.

“Just because I am neurodiverse doesn’t mean I can’t do different roles in the Service, it just means I need to find different ways to manage myself.”

She hopes that sharing her story during Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 16 to 20) will encourage others to seek support at work if they need it.

Ms Blake said: “Everyone is different and has different skillsets.

“Just because someone doesn’t think and act like you, it doesn’t mean they can’t do the job.

“I would encourage everyone to be understanding and embrace our differences.

“I’d also urge anyone who is neurodivergent, or think they might be, to be open about the things that you struggle with at work so your line manager support you and look at other ways tailored to you to achieve the same objectives.”

The move comes a day after queues at the main vaccination centre stretched back for half a mile on Friday, with some students left waiting in line for seven hours

NHS bosses have brought in extra staff to work at its largest meningitis vaccination centre following reports students were queuing for up to seven hours for the jab.

More than 700 people were estimated to have been treated at the pop-up clinic inside the University of Kent’s sports centre on Saturday morning. Some waited outside from as early as 5am, but the queue moved considerably faster than in previous days and by 11.15am there was no queue, allowing patients to go straight inside.

It came after officials announced the number of cases has risen to 34, up from 29 on Friday. They include 23 confirmed infections and 11 under investigation, as well as the deaths of 18-year-old Juliette Kenny and a 21-year-old University of Kent student.

READ MORE: BBC Breakfast interrupted for meningitis breaking newsREAD MORE: BBC Sport star left in coma and nearly dies in meningitis battle as symptoms shared

On Friday, queues at the same centre stretched back for half a mile before around 200 people at the back, including some who had been waiting for three hours, had to be turned away. Among them was second year student Archie Corke, 20, from Whitstable, Kent, who returned early on Saturday morning for another go.

He said: “We got here yesterday about 12.30pm and the queue was huge. We got in the back of it and waited. But at 3.15pm they stopped the queue in front of us.” Asked if he found it frustrating he said: “A little bit, but we got here at 8am today. We’ve only had to wait two hours. It’s moved a lot quicker than yesterday.”

Another student who got the jab with a friend on Saturday morning, said: “We arrived at 7am and there were still 30 to 40 people ahead of us. We waited for two hours until the centre opened at 9am.

“I was at Club Chemistry that night so I wanted to get the vaccine. We’ve had the antibiotics already. We just want to be safe.”

The student, who asked not to be named, added: “We know someone, a friend, who was ill. She had to have a spinal tap. She was in hospital for six days, but they now think it was something else and not contagious. She’s fine now.”

Patients are attending four vaccination clinics, including two in Canterbury and others in Ashford and Faversham. Health officials are considering opening a fifth this weekend to meet demand. Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura Video, Acting Vice Chancellor posted on university social media on Friday: “This has been an incredibly difficult week for our university community. My deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected.

“We are all feeling the devastating loss of a student, and we continue to hold those in hospital in our thoughts, along with their loved ones. I want to thank the NHS and all those caring for our students and staff.” She added: “Public health advice remains clear. Meningitis spreads through close and prolonged contact, and those most at risk are being contacted directly. Please continue to follow NHS and UKHSA guidance.

“We know this has been a worrying time. Support is available, and I encourage anyone who needs it to reach out. Thank you for the care and compassion you have shown one another. Please stay vigilant and continue to look out for each other.”

Earlier on Friday, a public health official had warned that the terrifying outbreak could get even worse. Asked whether the outbreak may not yet have peaked, Professor Dr Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council Director of Public Health, said: “I would say yes to that. There might be more cases. We don’t know and we won’t know for sure until next week. It takes about four weeks for this thing to really subside.”

Prof Ghosh said the most likely scenario now was that small outbreaks would develop in parts of the country outside Kent due to students returning home for Easter. He said: “If they were incubating the disease when they left and then caused some cases, there may be small sporadic household clusters elsewhere.”

The disease’s incubation period can be up to 10 days. Prof Ghosh added that this outbreak was highly unusual for its speed and intensity. He explained: “It’s never happened that we’ve had so many cases at such a pace. It could be there is something different about this particular strain, but that is only my personal opinion.”

He added that the bulk of cases were young people, with the median age around 18 to 26. Officials have set up contact tracing for more than 10,000 people after identifying a “super-spreader event” at a nightclub in Canterbury earlier this month.

On Thursday, officials widened the offer of vaccines and medicines to anyone who visited Club Chemistry in the city from March 5 to 15, in a bid to stop the spread. It emerged that an infected patient may have returned to the nightclub for a second visit, potentially infecting other clubbers. Previously, only those who visited on March 5, 6 and 7 were included in the offer, but officials cannot be sure whether the patient was infectious on their second visit.

Images posted on Club Chemistry’s Facebook account since the nights in question show young clubbers partying while holding each other and even kissing – one of the main ways the bacterial disease is thought to spread. Some 6,500 doses of the meningitis vaccine have so far been delivered to Kent and Medway from the national stock. Officials requested another 5,000 doses yesterday morning and say they have plenty of supplies.

Asked whether the vaccination programme should be rolled out to include younger teenagers, Clare Winslade, consultant in Health Protection, UK Health Security Agency South East, said the decision would be made by a panel of government experts. She said: “They have been asked to consider it. I think it’s really important we wait for the expert committee.”