In a busy day for the Coastguard crews four children were also reported missing and successfully found

The public were warned to be extra careful when taking to the water in the current hot spell after two girls were saved from a drifting dinghy.

As more people cool off in the sea and inland waters, Newcastle Guard were called into action in Minerstown, Co Down, on Sunday, July 12. The pair had entered the sea in a rubber boat with their dachshund before an offshore breeze blew them further out and into danger.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who spotted them in distress. Newcastle RNLI were tasked to the scene and found the girls and brought them to safety.

In a busy day for Northern Ireland’s Coastguard crews, four children were also reported missing at Murlough Nature Reserve, near Dundrum, and successfully found.

Tragically in the UK two men died after going into the water at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool to try to help two children who had got into difficulty.

Posting on Facebook, Newcastle Coastguard wrote: “Two teenage girls had a lucky escape on Sunday afternoon after being swept out to sea in an inflatable dinghy off the Co Down coast.

“The girls, and a one year-old dachshund, went out in the dinghy off Minerstown just after 1pm but were quickly swept out to sea by a strong offshore wind.

“The girls were eventually spotted by a member of the public who dialled 999 and alerted the Coastguard. Newcastle RNLI went to the girls assistance returning them to Tyrella beach and into the care of Newcastle Coastguard team. They did not require any medical attention.

“The Coastguard would urge members of the public to be very mindful of wind direction and strength if using any inflatable at the beach. Ideally such equipment should be used in a swimming pool.

“The call out was one of three that Newcastle Coastguard team responded to within 15 minutes on Sunday afternoon.

“The team also responded to two separate calls after a total of four children were reported missing at Murlough Nature Reserve, near Dundrum. The children were all successfully located.”

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

The comedian has been waxing lyrical about why he plays and loves the sport

Benidorm star Johnny Vegas is swapping the screen for the green as he urges fans to get involved in the Bowls and Para Bowls competitions at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

King Charles will officially declare the Games open as he concludes the King’s baton relay at the OVO Hydro on July 23. The baton first left Buckingham Palace in March 2025, to mark 500 days until the start of the sporting event.

And King of comedy and lifelong bowls fan Johnny, has been waxing lyrical in a video about why he plays and loves the sport, which is one of the Commonwealth’s fastest growing.

He said: “A black beacon of hope leaves the palm and sets off on its course towards destiny. It comes in like a friendly neighbour just gently nudging people out of the way for a better view. It’s a coronation of brilliance, of genius, of why we left the caves in the first place. Exhilarating, at a gentle pace.”

Bowls and Para Bowls will take centre stage at the SEC in a new format injecting fun and an upbeat atmosphere into the event, with four rinks to watch and music.

Johnny, who bowls at his local club on Merseyside, added: “It’s something I’ve played all my life. It has this magical take on you that you just go “pfft, the other stuff can wait. (At Glasgow 2026) you can watch it, be inspired by it and it won’t cost you a fortune to play it the next day yourself – you just need a couple of bits of wood that are round.

“It’s the only safe sense of intoxication. We sit back in awe and majesty at those masters of the wood, of the bowl, of the length, of the distance. How is it that they get an audience with the gods while we just look on? It’s a rolling sense of magnificence. Don’t be consumed by envy, enjoy the majesty of it!

“You’ll watch the best of the best, but at every level there’s someone out there that wants to roll some woods with you. When that bowl rolls, we continue to exist, we move forward as a species. We evolve into something beautiful.”

Taking place indoors for the first time in Games’ history, the atmosphere is set to be electric bringing fans closer to the action in a spectacle of drama, unpredictability and guaranteed entertainment.

In an era where accessibility is a growing priority, the 55-year-old Lancastrian was also keen to highlight the inclusivity Bowls has long offered. Open to all ages and abilities, it is a sport where people from entirely different walks of life can find common ground.

The Commonwealth Games place from 23 July to 2 August with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories set to compete in a world- class programme of 10 sports and six Para sports in four iconic venues across the city.

To find out more, visit glasgow2026.com

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In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

LONDON (AP) — British police arrested a 28-year-old man late Saturday on suspicion of murder over the death of former politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect was arrested in South Yorkshire county in northern England, more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the southwest England village where Widdecombe was found dead on Thursday.

Earlier, police released a 26-year-old man arrested Friday a few miles from the scene of the attack, saying he was no longer under investigation. The force said detectives are working “at a significant pace” to find the killer, and they don’t believe there is a risk to the public.

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead in her isolated rural home in the village of Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Police did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that she had sustained “serious injuries.”

Police said they believe Widdecombe was attacked at around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Concerns were raised for her after she failed to appear for a scheduled TV interview on Wednesday afternoon.

The force said counterterrorism officers supported local police in carrying out Saturday’s arrest, but there is “no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident.”

Security has been tightened for politicians after the murders of two serving members of Parliament in the past decade. Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, and Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group.

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party to which Widdecombe belonged, said staff had searched party emails to check for patterns of abuse directed at her, but had not found anything.

Speaking after leaving a wreath of flowers outside Widdecombe’s home, Farage said “we can’t identify, from our data, any individual” who appeared to be targeting her.

The death sent shock waves through British politics, where Widdecombe had been a prominent voice for decades, known for her robust personality and socially conservative views opposing abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ rights.

She was a lawmaker in the House of Commons as an MP from 1987 to 2010, serving in roles including prisons minister in Prime Minister John Major’s 1990s Conservative government.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called her death “really shocking news,” and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she “really struggled to find the words to say.”

“It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family,” Badenoch said.

Amanda Holden has revealed how she maintains her incredible bikini body. 

The presenter, 55, is never afraid to strip off for a sizzling snap and now she’s revealed the work that goes into ensuring she’s always camera ready. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Amanda explained that she follows Elizabeth Hurley‘s diet advice of one good meal a day, indulging in an egg white omelette with spinach, feta and avocado with a green juice for breakfast and then won’t eat again until the evening. 

‘I’m a vegetarian, so I think I’m probably accidentally pretty healthy,’ she mused. ‘But I do love my food and I love my alcohol, especially an Aperol Spritz in this weather!’

Insisting she allows herself the odd indulgence, she continued: ‘I applaud whatever works for anybody else, but I can’t be one of those people that cuts stuff out.

‘I just think life is tricky as it is, so just let yourself have what you want within good reason. A little bit of everything is good.’

‘I’m a vegetarian, so I think I’m probably accidentally pretty healthy,’ she mused. ‘But I do love my food and I love my alcohol, especially an Aperol Spritz in this weather!’

Revealing the key to nailing her bikini poses she confessed: ‘I breathe in! I think as women you naturally breathe in, it’s inherent. 

‘But there’s no like trickery or anything. My mum’s pretty slim, my nan is, my sister is, so I feel like it’s genetic, and I just love getting on my Peloton!’ 

She explained she loved getting on the bike at home two or three times a week because it doesn’t matter what the weather is and she can easily fit it around her life.  

While Amanda is often showered with praise for her stunning snaps, she is not immune to trolling. 

Yet she insisted that she isn’t bothered by any negativity, as she explained: ‘I always say, “I’m never knowingly understated” is what will go on my tombstone.

‘I don’t have any time for people who have negative comments, I just don’t scroll down.

‘If I see anything bad on Instagram I sort of weigh it up. Do I want to block them? Am I amused? Is it saucy? 

‘I understand people have different ways of coping with things, but I’m of the mindset that if you’re putting yourself out there, you have to take the rough with the smooth. 

‘That is very sadly our industry and you build a tougher skin from it, and I’m like, do you know what, come and say it to my face and let’s see how you get on!’ 

On how she has the confidence to go out and face the world everyday, she mused: ‘I’ve always said my makeup is my armour. You will never catch me without a lash and a bit of lip gloss.

‘I’m mostly always wearing sunglasses as well, because if you are having an off day you just put on a pair of shades and you’re a winner straight away.’

Amanda explained that she follows Elizabeth Hurley’s diet advice of one good meal a day, indulging in an egg white omelette for breakfast and then won’t eat again until the evening

On Monday, Amanda hosted the L’Oréal’s Professional Color Trophy awards at the O2 Arena in London, describing it as ‘one of the most out of body experiences I’ve ever had as a host’

On Monday, Amanda hosted the L’Oréal’s Professional Color Trophy awards at the O2 Arena in London. 

Discussing her time at the show, Amanda shared: ‘It was one of the most surreal, out of body experiences I’ve ever had as a host.

‘It was packed to the rafters, there was a massive catwalk in the middle of it, everyone enjoying dinners and two huge hair shows in the middle of all the awards I was hosting. 

‘As you would expect, there were all kinds of hair colors, designs, outfits, 6ft models with hair that went up to the ceiling, everybody was up for it, it felt like I was in some sort of rave for hairdressers! 

‘I loved it, I felt completely like I’d found like new people, like new friends, it was unbelievable.’

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Neighbours of Ann Widdecombe saw a man carrying a ‘wooden stick’ near her home on the day she was murdered, it is understood. 

A man is believed to have driven nearly 300 miles to the 78-year-old former MP’s Dartmoor home on the morning of her death. 

Neighbours claimed they saw him putting ‘some kind of wooden stick’ into the passenger side of a red car before driving off. 

Police were today continuing to search the home of the man, who was arrested by armed officers on suspicion of murdering Ms Widdecombe. 

Forensic experts remain inside the mid-terraced address on a council estate in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with uniformed officers on guard outside.

Neighbours said around a dozen armed officers surrounded the property last night before knocking loudly at the door – an hour before England’s World Cup match against Norway kicked off.

The suspect, one of three brothers who locals described as a ‘loner’ who normally rarely left the house since his father died last year, answered the door and was arrested.

One of the man’s brothers is believed to live in Devon, while a second brother and his mother are said to live locally.

This afternoon, the house remained cordoned off and guarded by police, with a dark blue tactical support unit, another police van and a police four-wheel drive vehicle parked outside.

Forensic officers were seen heading into the house, after it was confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the murder was politically motivated

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Ann Widdecombe was killed in her home on Wednesday last week and discovered 24 hours later

Shocked neighbours had gathered outside in the sunshine to watch as officers in white forensic suits continued to search the address.

Courtney Foster, 25, who lives next door with partner Rayed Astle, 26, said: ‘We were in the kitchen and just saw the officers running up. Some were armed. Then they banged on the door very loudly.

‘They didn’t smash the door down because he opened it. They asked him his name, he confirmed it and they took him away.’

Ms Foster said she was also concerned about the man’s dog but that she understands police also took the pet.

She added: ‘There were about 12 officers and quite a few cars. It was quite a shock.’

Describing the neighbour, Mr Astle said that he had barely spoken to anyone since his father, who he had moved in with around a year ago, died last December.

He said: ‘He was someone you’d have a conversation with but that changed after his dad died. He became very quiet. He kept himself to himself and wouldn’t really speak to anyone.’

Ms Foster added: ‘He was always in the house and I don’t think he worked.’

Other neighbours said the man’s red Vauxhall Corsa ‘barely moved’ from the drive – to the extent weeds were growing on it.

Another local said: ‘He is one of three brothers but the others moved out, so he was living on his own.

‘His father died before Christmas and I think it affected him. He seemed to change because he became even more introverted.

‘You would barely see him – to the point where you’d presume the house was unoccupied.

‘Now and again you’d see the upstairs light on but that was it.’

One of the man’s brothers is believed to live in Devon, while a second brother and his mother are said to live locally.

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: ‘The police came at about 9.10pm. 

‘There were about a dozen officers armed with guns, both in the front garden and the back garden.

‘They knocked on the door and he opened up. They asked his name and he was taken away.

‘It was quite quiet, really. There was no commotion. Everyone was watching the England game, so I think the whole thing passed people by.

‘It was very quiet how they turned up. There were no lights, no noise – our Ring doorbell didn’t even go off.’

Neighbour Kingsley Whybrow, 29, said: ‘I’ve never seen anyone come in and out of that house, ever.

‘He drove a red Corsa that was parked outside – it had started to rust and there was vegetation growing on it.

‘They came at about 3am to tow it away.’

A local who saw the man taken away said he appeared ‘calm’ as he was escorted out by two police.

‘He was calm and was led to a van. He had one officer on either side holding an arm each and then they put him in the back of the marked van.’ 

Neighbours told The Telegraph that the suspect was one of three boys and was believed to be the youngest of his siblings.

His mother is understood to have worked at a school as a teaching assistant for at least part of her career.

One woman, who did not wish to be named and said her child had gone to school with at least one of the boys, said: ‘They were three lovely boys as children, all very well brought up.

‘At school he was timid, well-mannered, reserved. He was one of three boys.

‘The eldest boy is in his forties I think.’

‘I’m very shocked if he has been arrested for something like that.’

Another local in Rotherham said: ‘I never dreamt it would be linked to what happened to Ann Widdecombe. That’s very far away from us.

‘I was about to watch the football and I could hear a helicopter overhead and my wife shouting ‘look what is happening at the front of house’. I saw many undercover police outside. I knew they were not neighbours coming to visit!

‘Then on the back garden I saw 2 police officers with big guns on the man’s neighbours garden. We just watched and then it went quiet. So I just went back to watch the game. My neighbour said they took away a red Corsa around 3am’.

It’s believed he has lived there around a year. ‘I had only seen him about twice,’ they said. 

Speaking at a press conference today, detectives confirmed the suspected attack was ‘not politically motivated’ – despite counter-terrorism officers being involved in the raid.

The former MP and MEP was found dead by her gardener at her cottage in Haytor, Devon on Thursday morning.

Officers detained a white British man on Saturday and he remains in custody.

A cordon remains Ms Widdecombe’s bungalow in Haytor, Dorset, and police said locals will notice a heightened presence for the next few days

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Floral tributes have been left on the grass outside her home, including a framed photograph of Ms Widdecombe

Detectives said earlier the case is ‘moving at significant pace’ and ‘our priority remains identifying those responsible’ for Ms Widdecombe’s death.

Officers at Devon and Cornwall Police had initially arrested a 26-year-old man – but he was released yesterday morning and is said to no longer form part of the investigation.

Speaking this morning, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no information to suggest the incident was terror-related but officers remain ‘open-minded’ about the motive.

He added that police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged murder.

This is despite reports earlier today that the force had been hunting the driver of a ‘suspicious car’ seen near Ms Widdecombe’s home in Haytor.

A manager of a garage in Haytor said he had alerted the force after his colleague noticed ‘something out of the ordinary’ at around 9am on Wednesday, with a dark VW Golf Mk4 reportedly parked in a ‘strange place’.

He said: ‘[The Golf] was at the top of the lane near Ann’s place. If it was a local they would have parked in the car park or one of the lay-bys.

‘He was doing up his walking boots. He was in his late 20s, maybe early 30s. He was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I remember thinking ‘Why is he parked there?’ He was halfway out the lay-by.

‘It didn’t look like he fitted in. You don’t see many late 20s, early 30s men around here. He was heading up in that direction [of Ann’s house].’

Police asked the garage to provide CCTV of the vehicle but they did not have any, it is understood.

Assistant Chief Constable Longman said this morning there was nothing to suggest a wider threat, adding the force had received more than 120 tips with information from the public.

Detectives believe Ms Widdecombe was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, just half an hour before she was due to appear on TV.

The Dark is a new ITV crime drama inspired by a best-selling serial killer crime novel.

ITV’s The Dark has arrived, with viewers keen to discover more about its “beautiful” setting.

Following the discovery of a young man’s body in pristine wilderness, it swiftly becomes clear that a serial killer is at large.

This triggers Detective Monica Kennedy’s (portrayed by Laura Donnelly) perilous game of cat and mouse as she embarks on a treacherous investigation to apprehend the murderer.

As ITV audiences prepare to immerse themselves in the unsettling world inspired by GR Halliday’s novel From the Shadows, here’s everything you need to know about The Dark’s filming locations.

Where is ITV’s The Dark filmed?

The Dark on ITV is situated in the rural Scottish Highlands, with production occurring in Greenock, Inverclyde, the broader Glasgow region and neighbouring rural areas.

Last September, actress Donnelly and actor Mark Rowley were photographed filming The Dark with crews at James Watt College’s Finnart Street campus.

The cast were also observed at Annexe Park, Fox Street, Greenock, Newton Street, Cathcart Square, alongside Inverclyde Academy and St Mary’s Primary School.

Numerous sequences were also captured across Greater Glasgow’s rural terrain, which served as a stand-in for the isolated Scottish Highlands.

Writer Matt Hartley revealed to the Royal Television Society that filming in Scotland proved a significant attraction when seeking locations and creative inspiration.

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“I grew up in the Peak District and live in Wales so the space and atmosphere in the ­Highlands and areas around where we were filming was intrinsic to me.

“There’s a line early on that says: ‘This is where people come to bury bodies, not display them.’

“That was one of our key thoughts: this is a world of mystery, where people disappear.”

Meanwhile, French-born director Gilles Bannier held vastly different expectations about filming in Scotland.

He revealed: “It met all my expectations except one.

“I wanted these rolling clouds, amazing mist – the Scottish weather we all know.

“In fact, it was the most beautiful summer and autumn they’ve ever had in Scotland.

“So we were chasing a single cloud, a single drop of rain.”

The Dark premieres on Sunday, July 12, at 9pm, on ITV.

Conor McGregor’s comeback fight lasted all of 69 seconds before he was forced to quit after badly injuring his knee when landing from the first kick he threw

Conor McGregor has teetered over this precipice before and stumbled.

Five years ago he broke his leg so badly he feared he would struggle to play with his four children. He battled back to the cage only via the detours of drink, drugs and a harrowing court case. But his knee collapsed 69 seconds into his comeback fight against Max Holloway and he now finds himself firmly rooted to square one.

McGregor, who turns 38 tomorrow, had promised to roll back the years to his reign as double world champion a decade ago. But he threw a needless kick seconds into his rematch with Holloway and twisted his knee on landing. He struggled gamely through the opening minute before reality set in and he accepted defeat.

I cannot comprehend why he threw such a kick at such a point. His coach John Kavanagh has said they practised it over and over again in the gym, but that is no substitute for an adrenaline-fuelled comeback fight. Granted, most observers felt McGregor’s best chance of victory was an early KO.

But throwing a kick as he did smacked of desperation. Either that, or he was already injured and he threw it as a Hail Mary. Why not work your way into your first fight for half a decade? McGregor will surely be wrestling with such questions now. For the Irishman’s next fight is not with his broken body but with his spiralling mind.

“I am in shock at what has taken place,” he said. “The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here but I am not engaging. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here and I can only describe it as hell.”

McGregor had barely hobbled back to his dressing room when fans rushed to conclude he had injured himself before the fight. He appeared to struggle to put his shoes on at Friday’s weigh-in and Sin City’s money flooded in for Holloway in the hours leading up to the first bell.

But the Dubliner insisted: “I was so sharp and ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened. “The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense; I was calm, ready, and confident. I had no injuries going into the fight; I was throwing kicks all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred, I will return.”

McGregor has one fight left on his lucrative UFC contract. But even if he returns to play salesman again, he may struggle to find a buyer. There had been a huge appetite for this comeback but there may be no such hunger next time.The McGregor era could now be over.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.