“Foodbanks are about much more than food. They’re about dignity, compassion and making sure people know they are not alone.”

Derry actress Jamie-Lee O’Donnell is set to appear on ITV’s Celebrity Catchphrase this Saturday in support of Foyle Foodbank.

The Derry Girls star will take on the famous “say what you see” challenge as she helps raise awareness of the hardships faced by local people and families across the city.

Foyle Network Foundation, which operates Foyle Foodbank, said Jamie-Lee’s support will help shine a light on the growing need experienced by many people across the city.

Karen Mullan, Director of Foyle Network Foundation, said the organisation was hugely grateful to Jamie-Lee for choosing to support the charity.

She said: “We are absolutely delighted that Jamie-Lee is supporting Foyle Foodbank on Celebrity Catchphrase. It means so much to us and to the people we support every single day.

“Jamie-Lee has always been a fantastic ambassador for Derry and for communities, and her support helps raise awareness of the reality many families are facing at the minute.”

Mrs Mullan said the appearance also highlights the generosity of people across the city who continue to back local appeals and donate to help others.

She added: “The people of Derry are incredibly generous. Time and time again we see local people stepping up to support neighbours, friends and families who may be struggling.

“Whether it’s donating food, supporting fundraising appeals or simply spreading awareness, it all makes a real difference to people’s lives.

“Foodbanks are about much more than food. They’re about dignity, compassion and making sure people know they are not alone.”

Viewers can tune into Celebrity Catchphrase on ITV1 this Saturday, May 9, at 5.45pm to cheer Jamie-Lee on as she plays in support of Foyle Foodbank.

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Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have issued an appeal today, Wednesday, May 6, for assistance in finding a missing girl from Bolton.

Officers are searching for Layla, who is only 14-years-old, and say she was last seen on Marsey Road yesterday, Tuesday, May 4.

Police said they want to make sure Layla is safe and described her as “a white female, around 5ft 9in tall, with a slim build and long brown hair with blonde highlights.”

Police have asked for the public’s help (Image: GMP)

A spokesperson, via social media, said: “Have you seen Layla (14) from Bolton?

“She was last seen on Marsey Road, Bolton on 04/05/26.

“Officers want to make sure she is safe and well.

“Any info? Call us on 0161 856 2661 quoting log 3374 of 04/05/26 or reference number MSP/06KK/0000926/26”

The appeal on social media also said that officers “are becoming increasingly concerned” about Layla.

Pedestrian Graham Wright, 43, died following a car crash near Dumfries on Sunday, May 3.

A man who died after being hit by a car on the A75 near Dumfries has been named by police. Graham Wright, 43, was killed after he was hit by a car in the early hours of Sunday morning, May 3.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Lockerbie Road near to the roundabout at the A701 following the incident at around 3am.

A pedestrian and an silver Ford Fiesta were involved in a collision before the car subsequently crashed with a silver lorry travelling in the opposite direction.

Despite paramedics best efforts, Graham, the pedestrian, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other serious injuries were reported and the road remained closed for a number of hours while investigations are carried out and the roadway was repaired.

Police are continuing to appeal for any information, particularly any dash-cam footage, which could assist their enquiries.

Road Policing Sergeant Wayne Carnochan said: “Our thoughts remain with Graham’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

“Our enquiries into the crash continue and I’d like to thank everyone who has come forward with information already. I’d ask anyone who hasn’t yet spoken to police, and witnessed the collision or has dash-cam footage which could assist us, to get in touch.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The man who died following a fatal collision in Dumfries has been named as Graham Wight.

“Around 3am on Sunday, May 3, we were called to a crash involving a pedestrian and a silver Ford Fiesta on the A75, between the roundabout at Lockerbie Road and the roundabout for the A701.

“The car subsequently crashed into a silver lorry travelling in the opposite direction.

“Emergency services attended, but the 43-year-old pedestrian, Graham Wight, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0526 of May 3.“

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The actor teased the beloved BBC sitcom is not finished, as he confirmed he is already writing new material.

The lead of a cherished BBC sitcom has hinted at its continuation, confirming it hasn’t reached its conclusion.

Greg Davies both created and stars in The Cleaner, which first broadcast in 2021.

Adapted from a German comedy, the show centres on Greg as Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead, a crime scene cleaner who encounters diverse individuals through his distinctive profession.

Featuring guest appearances from the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, David Mitchell, Ruth Madeley, and Layton Williams, it depicts Wicky navigating peculiar scenarios while removing all traces of death from crime scenes.

The BBC synopsis reveals: “After CSI have done their stuff, the cleaner mops up the grisly remains. For Wicky, a bloodbath and the pub is all in a day’s work,” reports the Mirror.

Almost two years following the third series’ conclusion in October 2024, Greg has now suggested further instalments are on the horizon.

During Wednesday’s appearance on The One Show, the Taskmaster presenter revealed: “I’ve been told I’m not allowed to say much, but all I can tell you is, it’s not over. The Cleaner is not finished, we’re working on something.”

He continued: “I’ll be writing, yes, but I am not allowed to tell you what form it’s in. Something is happening, I’m writing it. I’m chuffed that Wicky is coming back.”

This follows fans praising The Cleaner as the “perfect British comedy”, with one viewer commenting: “One of the best shows in recent years.”

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Another remarked: “Haven’t laughed so much in a long time. Just happened upon this little gem. Was in stitches within minutes….brilliant!” One viewer commented: “Blasted through all episodes, and this was a little gem to find,” while another declared: “Hooked already.”

A further fan remarked: “The Cleaner is unexpectedly quirky and original. I have never seen anything like it. I laughed so hard that I had to pause the show to collect myself as I was losing the dialogue. Greg Davies is a comic genius.”

“Easily bingeable,” another viewer noted, with someone else stating: “Every episode a gem. Just one of the best TV series this year.”

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Greg has previously discussed what he believes draws audiences to The Cleaner and his character Wicky, explaining to the BBC: “Well, it’s not for me to presume they did but what I like about the character is that in many ways he is quite innocent, almost childlike. He has settled into a very straightforward personal life but does a job that is constantly challenging that.

“He is forced to consider things about life that, left to his own devices he’s probably ‘brushed under the carpet’. Rarely does Wicky leave a crime scene without having learned something.”

He continued: “I love that each week is a new adventure for him. He is challenged by eccentric characters with colourful lives.

“It’s really nice to work intensely with a small cast week on week and it may seem petty but I like that, regardless of the guest actors illustrious careers, I’m always the tallest person on camera.”

The Cleaner is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Martin Anstee, 56, was evacuated on a medical flight this morning along with two others

A British man who was evacuated from the MV Hondius after falling sick amid a suspected outbreak of the hantavirus has been named.

Martin Anstee was an expedition guide on board the cruise ship. He was removed from the vessel alongside two other people this morning and flown to Europe for treatment.

Mr Anstee was removed from the vessel along with a Dutch colleague, 41, who was the ship’s doctor, and a 65-year-old German passenger, the Telegraph reported.

His wife Nocila told reporters he appeared to be on the mend following “a very traumatic few days,” the Mirror reports.

“The fear with this virus is it can deteriorate very quickly so it’s been a bit up and down for him,” she said. “I don’t believe he’s in imminent danger now, but it was horrible.

Mr Anstee’s family were relieved that he had been evacuated from the ship and taken to Holland for treatment, as early treatment is important for recovery from the virus, she said.

“We’re just glad the authorities managed to get to Cape Verde to evacuate them, so it’s just relief at the moment,” she added.

Mrs Anstee said she found out her husband was ill on Sunday. At first his sickness had been mild but his symptoms became “more serious” she said, adding that his condition seemed to have now stabilised.

The Atlantic Odyssey voyage departed from Ushuaia in Argentina on April 1 with several expedition crew members, including Mr Anstee. His role saw him help guide guests around some of the remotest islands in the world, where the boat stopped off. His work took him to South Georgia, Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha and St Helena.

He is a keen nature photographer and snapped rare birds, including the Wilkins’s finch, the Inaccessible Island rail and the Nightingale Island finch, captured while he was exploring the Tristan da Cunha islands.

Arsenal await as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain contest the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie in Germany tonight. There are huge expectations for another pulsating showdown between two of Europe’s biggest clubs after last week’s nine-goal thriller at the Parc des Princes, a modern classic that saw so much scintillating attacking football and jaw-dropping shifts in momentum as holders PSG eventually triumphed 5-4. It was the highest-scoring contest in the history of Champions League semi-finals and one of the best games in recent memory.

Donald Trump has paused a military operation to free stranded ships off Iran as a possible peace deal emerges – giving millions of holidaymakers hope of a summer getaway after all.

The nine-week Middle East conflict has seen fuel prices soar because of Tehran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and led to airlines scrapping planned flights to cope with shortages.

Yesterday it was revealed seating capacity on planes has fallen by 2 million this month, with 13,005 flights cancelled around the world.

But the US president yesterday said his Project Freedom was being put on hold as a deal – said to based on a 14-page A4 document – was possible.

‘If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,’ Mr Trump posted.

Mr Trump said previously in a post on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen ‘assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption.’

Oil prices plunged on news of a possible deal. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell more than 10% to below $100 per barrel. Though still well above the average $70 before the conflict began, the fall helped US stock markets rise.

Only two merchant ships are known to have passed through the route protected by American ships and aircraft, and hundreds of merchant ships remain stranded.

But a shaky ceasefire had largely held, despite exchanges of fire, and the sinking of six small Iranian boats, as the operation in the strait began on Monday.

The carefully optimistic situation was put to test this evening after US fighter jet fired at an Iranian-flagged ship to stop it from reaching a blockaded port, the US Central Command said.

US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said the offensive stage of the war, Operation Epic Fury, is over.

Iran’s hard-line religious regime said the statements meant the US had ‘retreated’ but did not respond to suggestions a deal was close.

Mr Trump has argued the war – which began on February 28 with a missile attack that killed Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86 – was to stop it building a nuclear bomb.

The proposed deal is said to involve Iran halting all uranium enrichment for 12 to 15 years, with extra years added if it violates terms. It would also have to agree to move stockpiles of its highly enriched uranium out of the country. It has claimed its stocks are for a nuclear power programme – not weapons.

Mr Trump has called his predecessor Barak Obama’s 2015 agreement with Iran the ‘worst deal ever’. But the new plan is said to echo it, with sanctions lifted and assets worth billions gradually released.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei later said the proposal to end the war is ‘still being considered’. But another official described the plan as more of a ‘wish-list than reality’.

Both sides hope China can bridge the gap between them, after the repeated breakdown so far of peace talks brokered by Pakistan.

Mr Trump is due to visit Beijing next week to meet president Xi Jinping. His country’s close economic and political ties to Tehran give it unique influence.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was there yesterday for his first visit since the US and Israel attacked.

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi said the conflict ‘has not only caused serious losses to the Iranian people, but also had a severe impact on regional and global peace’. He added: ‘China is deeply distressed by this. We believe a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed.’

But at a White House briefing Mr Rubio responded: ‘I hope the Chinese tell him (Araghchi) what he needs to be told… that what you are doing in the strait is causing you to be globally isolated. You’re the bad guy in this.’ Aviation analytics company Cirium revealed 120 flights from the UK have been axed so far this month as jet fuel prices soar.

Around 20% of global oil is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, off Iran’s coast. Though the figure represents only 0.53% of all departures it has cut capacity by 7,972 seats. The final week of May is half-term at many schools, and a peak getaway period.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander vowed summer holiday plans will not face major disruption as fuel for planes is being imported from the US.

But Paul Charles, founder of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said if the conflict continues ‘there will need to be many more cancellations as the jet fuel supply is squeezed’.

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

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Two people who returned independently to the UK from the cruise ship that was hit by a hantavirus outbreak have been told to self-isolate

Two people who returned independently to the UK from a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak have been instructed to self-isolate. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the guidance while stating that “the risk to the general public remains very low.”

The Government is “working urgently” to support British nationals caught up in the outbreak, which is linked to three deaths. A total of 19 British passengers and four British crew members were listed on the vessel as it sailed from Argentina toward Cape Verde.

Two Britons—one passenger and one crew member—are among those who have fallen ill during the suspected outbreak. Investigators have traced the source of the infection to a birdwatching expedition in Argentina, which two passengers attended before boarding the ship.

The crew member, understood to be a doctor on the ship, along with a Dutch crew member and another passenger were taken from the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius on Wednesday for onward travel to the Netherlands, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

Spanish health officials said the British medic is now in a more “stable condition” after previously being in a “critical condition”.

The Associated Press reported that a medical evacuation flight arrived at Amsterdam’s airport on Wednesday evening.

The passenger was medically evacuated from the ship on April 27 and taken to Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Foreign Office said that it was “working urgently” to help get Britons “safely home with proper protection for public health”.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The outbreak of hantavirus is very serious and deeply stressful for those affected and their families.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting added: “The outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius will be worrying many.

“The Government are taking this incredibly seriously and are working urgently to support the British nationals involved.

“We are working across DHSC, UKHSA and the FCDO to ensure all those affected get home safely.”

The evacuation means the ship can now continue on its three-day journey to the Canary Islands after Spanish authorities gave permission for the boat to dock.

But a row erupted after the president of the Canary Islands expressed concern over the ship docking in Tenerife.

In an update posted online, Spanish health authorities said that the ship is expected to arrive within 72 to 96 hours.

Officials said that passengers will be disembarked in a “controlled” way with “direct transfer from the port to the airport and subsequent return to their countries of origin, avoiding at all times transit through spaces open to the general population”.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said that everyone on board should be considered as a “close contact”.

A Threat Assessment Brief posed by the European health agency states: “We consider everyone on the ship to be close contacts, due to the closed setting and shared social areas and activities, aligned with the precautionary principle.”

But it said that the strain of the virus “does not transmit easily so it is unlikely that it would cause many cases or a widespread outbreak in the community, if infection prevention and control measures are applied”.

The technical brief says people with symptoms should be medically evacuated while passengers without symptoms should receive a test when they disembark. However, it points out that a negative test “may not exclude infection”.

“Disembarking passengers should be provided with clear instructions and recommendations until their diagnosis is confirmed or ruled out,” it adds.

The Associated Press reported the Argentine government’s hypothesis is that a Dutch couple contracted the virus during a birdwatching outing in the city of Ushuaia before boarding.

Two Argentine officials told the news agency that the couple visited a landfill during the birdwatching tour where they may have been exposed to rodents carrying the infection.

The ship has been anchored off Cape Verde. Passengers are confined to their cabins while “disinfection and other public health measures are carried out”, the WHO said on Tuesday.

It is understood that none of the remaining passengers on board have symptoms and two extra medics have been flown in to assist.

The WHO said there are eight cases, three of which are confirmed, after a passenger on the boat presented himself to a hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, and was confirmed to have the virus.

Health officials in South Africa are looking for people who had possible contact with one of the suspected cases.

The South African Health Ministry said officials have traced 42 out of 62 people they believe had contact with the two infected passengers who travelled there, the Associated Press reported.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced via social media today, Wednesday, May 6, that they are trying to trace the family of a man named Alan Ross.

Officers said the 78-year-old died on Sedgefield Drive in Bolton on April 30.

The force said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and urged anybody with information to contact the Police Coroner’s Office in Bolton.

A spokesperson, via social media, said: “Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace the family of Alan Ross, 78, who died on Sedgefield Drive, Bolton on 30 April.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

“Anyone with information should contact the Police Coroner’s Office in Bolton on 0161 856 4687.”

Once the police have the details that they need, they will be passed along to the Coroner’s Office to let full cause of death be established.