Simon Jordan and Eni Aluko were involved in a heated exchange moments before an advert break ended (talkSPORT)
Eni Aluko and Simon Jordan were caught in a heated row during talkSPORT’s advert break after he told her on air that her ‘entitlement would re-sink the Titanic’.
During the interview, Jordan took exception to Aluko’s view on why she was overlooked by ITV with a scathing attack on her personality.
‘As far as expertise are concerned, when I listen to her as a pundit, the times I’ve listened to her, I don’t think that she is particularly enlightening, or illuminating, or engaging or charismatic, or sometimes comes across particularly likeable, but that’s my view and some people have the same view about me,’ Jordan told Aluko.
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‘And my view of punditry is, when I listen to a pundit, whoever that pundit might be, whether it’s male, female, black, white, yellow, green, it’s, ‘do I learn something, do they engage me, and do they merit my attention?’.’
Aluko replied: ‘It’s an opinion which we are all entitled to. Everybody has them, I’m not going to listen to a mob on X who have never, ever put themselves in any situation to do anything close to what I’ve done in my career. I listen to the professionals, I listen to the people who have hired me for the last 11 years around the world, the biggest broadcasters in the world, by default if I’m working with the people who are considered the brilliant broadcasters, then if I’m in the same team as them, next to them, then by default I’m also considered a brilliant broadcaster.
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‘So I take everything you’re saying, but the reality is I’ve been good enough for 11 years. As I said, I’m the person who would go and seek out feedback for someone to go, ‘I think you’re struggling’, it’s never happened.’
Jordan then said: ‘See, the language that you use, Eni, is steeped in a sense of entitlement. I mean, the sheer weight of the entitlement that you seem to believe you have would re-sink the Titanic.
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‘I think you’ve been quite fortuitous. I think because of initiatives like DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion], they’ve allowed people to be put into positions in the men’s game that I don’t think they’ve merited, and they now seeds an attitude that you become a stalwart in the women’s game.
‘I listened to your observations about Ian, and Ian Wright is in the Ian Wright business, always has been, I’ve known Ian for 25 years and I have my own views on him, Ian is not in any shape or form obligated to provide any support structure for you or to give you a sense of entitlement.
‘Your position now as a broadcaster will be determined by the value of you. And he fact people aren’t potentially booking you now should give you pause for thought about why they might not be.’
Aluko replied: ‘Hold on, the reason people aren’t booking me is because I’ve taken myself out of the firing line. My last conversation with ITV was I’m taking a break from broadcasting.’
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After talkSPORT cut from the first advert break back to the studio, the pair could be seen having an argument with Jordan forcefully gesticulating towards Aluko.
Jordan then stayed silent for the next eight-minute segment of the interview and was not asked any questions by the show’s host Jim White.
Aluko was later asked by White about people accusing her of being a ‘DEI hire’.
She replied: ‘I think it’s racist. I think it’s extremely racist to reduce someone to the colour of their skin without an assessment of all of the qualifications that get them the job.
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‘It’s been considered racist by a criminal court to say that, by the way. You’ve got to be very careful to say that to a black person who can reel off a bunch of qualifications to do any job.
‘Listen, I’ve not done any job on the basis of my identity, I’ve always been the person who can back it up.’
Eni Aluko has called on Ian Wright to take a step back from broadcasting in women’s football (Getty)
Aluko also accused Laura Woods of ‘gaslighting’ her after the ITV host described Aluko’s suggestion that women’s football should only hire female broadcasters as ‘one of the most damaging phrases I’ve heard’.
When asked about Woods’ comments, Aluko replied: ‘I respect Laura’s opinion and always have done. I think it’s helpful for her to outline a lot of the attributes that go into a brilliant pundit.
‘Caps is part of that, as I explained, it’s not the decider, but it’s an objective way to say this person has enough experience to talk about this specific game.
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‘Now, it’s interesting because Laura is one of the people I would consistently go to, we got on like a house on fire, I’d got to her and say: ‘How do you think it went? What do you think?’.
‘Laura consistently – and I had to look at the messages again and go hold on, I feel a bit gaslit here, said to me, ‘I think you’re a brilliant broadcaster, I think you’re a brilliant pundit’.
‘So, I think there’s a little bit of serving an argument at this point, which I respect, she doesn’t agree and that’s fine, but I think there’s an insinuation in there, that you don’t meet the standard.
Laura Woods described Eni Aluko’s view on broadcasting in women’s football as ‘damaging’ (Getty)
‘Again, I’ve worked too hard for people to conclude that because you’re not seeing me on screen, I’m not good enough, that’s not true.’
When asked by White about her use of the phrase ‘gaslit’, Aluko replied: ‘Well, not gaslit, I don’t want to say that because she has a view and I appreciate her view.
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‘She mentioned about little boys being important as well, I agree, but when I see little boys coming to the games now, they’ve got women on their shirts, they don’t have men pundit names on their shirts.’
When asked again about her feeling of being gaslit, Aluko added: ‘Well to the extent that I feel there’s an potential insinuation there, that if you’re sitting in the stands and not on screen then you don’t meet all of these things that make a brilliant broadcaster.
‘But as I said privately, she’s told me many times, and reassured me many times, that she thinks I’m a brilliant broadcaster, which I will forever appreciate from Laura.’
The county’s police say they want a key witness to come forward after an incident in Manham Hill in Eastfield on Wednesday, April 8 at about around 11pm.
A force spokesman said: “A woman in distress stopped a member of the public whilst crossing the road.
“We are appealing for this person or anyone else who witnessed this to come forward to see if you can assist in our enquiries.
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“A 41-year-old man a has been arrested in connection with the investigation and released on bail.”
Please call North Yorkshire Police or call 101, alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Jason Faulkner has died just two days after serving as a pallbearer at his sister Scarlett’s funeral in Limerick on Friday.
The devastating news of Jason’s passing over the weekend was confirmed on social media on Sunday evening by the siblings’ cousin, Melissa McCarthy, who urged people to keep the Faulkner family in their prayers, reports the Irish Mirror..
“My heart, 2 days after burying your sister Scarlett, your [sic] gone now Jason, her lovely brother. The laughs we had, oh Jason what are the family gonna do? I can’t get my head round it, no doubt Scarlett Faulkner was there to meet you – together again forever,” Melissa wrote.
“Please keep my aunt Mary and Banny and family in yere [sic] prayers,” she added.
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Another family member shared a heartbreaking post expressing disbelief at Jason’s death.
“Sad world we live in – poor Banny and Mary buried there [sic] daughter Scarlett two days ago and now there [sic] son – God may mind them keep them strong pray for all the family again this is a painful world – rest in peace Jason,” the relative wrote.
Messages of condolence continue to pour in for Jason, with one friend calling him an “angel”.
“So heartbreaking, two lovely angels gone to heaven – rest in peace Jason Faulkner my heart goes out to your family. God wrap your arms around Banny, Mary and family.” Another mourner commented: “This is just beyond devastating, the nation needs to keep the Faulkner family in their taughts [sic] and prayers, how much heartache can this family take?”
Scarlett, 28, from Limerick, had been on life support at Cork University Hospital for three weeks following catastrophic injuries sustained in a vicious roadside assault on the R494 near Birdhill on March 21.
Her heartbroken family, who maintained a round-the-clock bedside vigil, confirmed she died on Monday April 13.
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At her sister’s funeral, Victoria Faulkner said: “You were Daddy’s girl and Mommy’s world, we will love you forever, our sleeping beauty, from your ten sisters and five brothers, and most importantly you’re beautiful daughter Oceanna, who you loved dearly, the same way she loved you.”
She added: “You have left a big hole in each and everyone of our hearts but you also touched the hearts of many others in this world.
“You were a good mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, friend to us all, you have left us with a beautiful little girl, ‘Oceanna’ – a gift from god, who reminds us of you so much.”
Scarlett, a well-regarded member of a Traveller family from Limerick county, was savagely attacked by a gang armed with weapons at the roadside on the R494 in Birdhill.
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A woman and a 16 year old girl have been charged in connection with the serious assault of Scarlett.
The reason for the brutal attack remains unknown. Emergency services discovered Scarlett at the roadside with devastating head injuries.
It is believed she was set upon by one or more armed individuals at around 5.30pm on Saturday, March 21.
Gardaí are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry in connection with the assault, amongst them the possibility that innocent Ms Faulkner may have been travelling in a vehicle that was deliberately rammed by occupants of another car, before being dragged out and brutally attacked with weapons at the roadside.
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Detectives based at Nenagh Garda Station are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Anyone with information relating to the attack is urged to get in touch with Nenagh Garda Station on (067) 05450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any local Garda station.
The poll, if replicated at the election, could make the SNP vulnerable to losing power at Holyrood for the first time since 2007.
A new poll has found the pro-UK parties could hold the majority in Holyrood after the election. The survey, carried out for More in Common, suggested the SNP would continue to be the largest party.
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But John Swinney’s party and the pro-independence Greens would fall one seat short of a majority, leaving the SNP vulnerable. Such a result could lead to the pro-UK parties teaming up to install Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar as First Minister.
More than 5,000 Scots were spoken between February 4 and April 10 for the poll. According to the survey, the SNP would drop to 56 seats – down from 64 at the last election.
Reform UK would move into second place on 22 seats, while Labour would fall to 17 MSPs and remain in third. Nigel Farage’s party would be the main winner on the regional lists, with at least two MSPs in every area and up to four in West Scotland.
The Tories would drop to 12 seats, compared with 31 in 2021. The Lib Dems would jump to 14 MSPs – eight of which would be in constituencies.
The Scottish Greens, who are projected to take eight seats, would claim their first constituencies in Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill, as well as Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith.
Even though the pro-indy parties are projected to lose their majority in this poll, the SNP would likely argue they would have the moral mandate to continue in office.
Despite being projected to come second, no other party would likely vote for Reform leader Malcolm Offord to become FM. If the pro-UK parties were determined to topple the SNP, they could put Sarwar in Bute House instead.
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More in Common found that 39 of the 73 constituency seats in Scotland are considered marginal, the pollster’s UK director Luke Tryl said.
“Having been in power for almost two decades, the SNP are clearly suffering from the curse of incumbency that has afflicted governments around the world,” he said.
“Although they look set to maintain power in Holyrood it will almost certainly be with significantly diminished vote share and this model estimates a lower seat count too.
“The SNP benefit however from a further fragmentation of the unionist vote with Reform UK emerging as the strongest unionist party and official opposition as Farage finally breaks through north of the border.”
Commander Helen Flanagan, of CTP London, said earlier on Saturday: “At this stage last night’s arson is not being linked to other incidents in the north-west London area over the last week or last month’s arson in Golders Green, but counter-terrorism officers are leading due to the similarities of each attack.
Operation Take Off was rolled out at Teesside International Airport this week, with officers stopping drivers arriving home from trips abroad to ensure they were not driving under the influence.
The campaign aims to make travellers think twice about driving under the influence, ultimately reducing fatalities across the County Durham and Darlington area.
Durham Police launched Operation Take Off following the devastating loss of baby Zackary Blades and his aunt Karlene Warner who were killed on their way home from Newcastle International Airport, in May 2024.
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Zackary Blades, left, and Karlene Warner who were killed by drink driver on A1(M) in County Durham in May 2024 (Image: Durham Constabulary)
Their killer, Darryl Anderson, had also landed at the airport and selfishly decided to get behind the wheel even though he was nearly three times over the drink drive limit making his way back to his home in South Yorkshire.
Darryl Anderson, 38, from South Yorkshire, jailed for more than 17 years for two counts of causing death by dangerous driving (Image: Durham Constabulary)
Officers have been conducting Operation Take Off in the years since, in a bid to spread awareness, educate drivers and prevent further fatalities.
Detective Constable Natalie Horner, of the force’s Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Despite his horrendous actions, Anderson told officers during his arrest that he was ‘not a bad guy’ and that ‘mistakes happen’.
“We disagree.
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“There is no excuse for driving under the influence and we will continue to carry out these important operations in memory of Zackary and Karlene whose deaths were completely avoidable.
“Their families continue to live with the pain of losing their loved ones which is why we will continue to do everything in our power to help prevent this happening again.
“Thankfully everyone who was stopped this morning and passed the breathalyser test.
“We want to thank them for doing their bit to keep other road users safe.”
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She added: “Remember, don’t fly, drink, then drive.”
Anderson, 38, was jailed for 17 years and three months after admitting two county of causing death by dangerous driving at Durham Crown Court, in July 2024.
Future state pension age rises are also still under review, leaving middle-aged workers uncertain about exactly when they will be able to retire with their state pension. While it has caused some concern, one expert believes some people could benefit from the current and future age rises but warned workers to educate themselves.
Dr Kathy Hartley, Interim Subject Head, Human Resource Management Group at the University of Salford, explained that state pension age increases could mean some people have more time to build up their retirement funds and make themselves more financially secure in retirement by working longer than their predecessors may have.
She said: “In one sense, some workers have been choosing to remain in employment beyond what was once the norm for some time now, particularly since the default retirement age of 65 was removed back in 2011.
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“For some, this is clearly beneficial financially, even if it involves reduced hours or, in some cases, less strenuous forms of work, especially in the context of rising living costs. Others remain in roles they find intrinsically interesting, feel motivated and healthy, and see no reason to stop what they have been doing.”
Even in these cases where extra years in the workforce could benefit workers, Dr Hartley noted there’s a risk it may create for employers as an employee’s performance and health may start causing more disruptions as they age.
Another group that may benefit from spending more years in the workforce are those that have made mid-life career transitions, as the expert noted that people over the age of 60 only just beginning “new starts” are becoming more common than before.
She added: “Some older workers decide to take on new challenges, perhaps working part-time at what they have done for years while combining this with other forms of work that may have interested them for some time, effectively creating a new or ‘portfolio career’ later in life.”
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Regardless of where people stand in their careers and when they expect to access their state pension, the expert warned: “One thing that many of us need, however, is greater ‘financial literacy’, or simply to pay closer attention to the state of our pension pot and what kind of future it is likely to provide.
“For more of us to have genuine choice over whether to stay in the workplace for longer, financial understanding and planning will be key, as will employer support in relation to flexible working and adjustments. Such support has risen in recent years, driven by various changes in employment law, and the need for this – along with open conversations about employees’ longer-term aspirations – is unlikely to lessen.”
Dr Hartley admitted that for young people just entering the workforce, it’s very difficult to even anticipate what the state pension age will be when they hit their 60s and she revealed this is already being reflected in the workforce.
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She added: “Younger people (are) less inclined to rush into paid employment than previous generations. Pressure on entry-level jobs, combined with expectations of working into one’s later years (70 and beyond,) may help to explain some of this hesitancy.”
It was only fitting that Kane scored on a historic afternoon in Munich on Sunday.
There have been several standout performers for Bayern this season, but none more so than the number nine.
It was only two years ago that Kane was being challenged about his decision to move to Germany as Bayern ended a season trophyless for the first time in 12 years.
But fast forward to the present day and Kane has not only helped his side return to the summit of German football by winning back-to-back titles, but has also put himself in contention to win football’s most prestigious individual accolade – the Ballon d’Or – after netting 32 goals in 27 Bundesliga appearances this term.
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No player in Europe’s top five leagues has managed more goals than Kane’s 50 in all competitions.
Now in his third season at Bayern, Kane is also delivering in the Champions League.
This month he scored home and away against Real Madrid in the quarter‑finals to help Bayern reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2024, while equalling Frank Lampard as the highest‑scoring Englishman in the knockout stages of the competition with 15 goals.
“I could score 100 goals this season, but if I don’t win the Champions League or the World Cup, you’re probably not going to win the Ballon d’Or,” said Kane in November.
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“It’s the same with any player. You have to be winning those major trophies.”
If he can help Bayern to a seventh Champions League title and play a leading role for England at this summer’s World Cup, Kane would surely have a strong case to become the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
Primrose Holidays, a coach tour operator based in the region, is targeting the growing market of older travellers—and offering hassle-free, experience-led travel across the UK and Ireland.
‘Silver tourists’ generally refers to people aged 55 and over.
Shaun Read, owner of Primrose Holidays and a board member of the Coach Tourism Association, said: “Today’s older travellers are increasingly discerning.
“They’ve holidayed more than previous generations, they’re comfortable travelling and they want to continue exploring – but without the hassle of planning and booking every trip from scratch.
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“At Primrose Holidays, we remove the pain points.
“We’ve chosen each destination for its rich mix of things to see and do, hand-picked every hotel for its high standard of rooms, meals and facilities, and selected the most interesting attractions based on visitor feedback.”
Famous Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct in Scotland (Image: Georgy Krivosheev)
The company offers curated coach tours with a focus on comfort and convenience.
Many packages include a door-to-door transfer service from areas in south Northumberland, the east coast, Sunderland and Durham.
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Mr Read said: “Primrose Holidays will collect customers from their homes and transfer them directly to and from the comfort of our executive coaches.
“It’s all part and parcel of our more personalised offer for older travellers, prioritising quality over quantity to deliver a more relaxed holiday.”
The company says it supports the growing appeal of ‘slower tourism’—spending longer in fewer places, and travelling outside peak season to less crowded destinations.
Mr Read also believes coach travel offers a positive social experience.
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He said: “Coach holidays can be a really social way to holiday, whether for solo travellers, couples or groups, providing shared experiences in a safe, friendly and supportive setting.”
The programme includes trips covering railways, canals, historic houses, Scottish landscapes, and an ABBA-themed weekend in London.
Liverpool news as two players who could join Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson through the Anfield exit door are named
The end of the season cannot come soon enough for Liverpool following a deeply disappointing title defence. Despite spending £450million last summer, the Reds have gone backwards, raising questions over Arne Slot’s future.
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Liverpool may have to rely on the Premier League’s bonus spot, fifth place, to secure Champions League football next season. Thanks in part to Chelsea’s slump in form, that looks like it will be salvaged, but it will be of little consolation.
It’s clear the squad needs a revamp ahead of next season, with at least two departures,Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, already confirmed. Mirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest news from Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones could also be heading out of Anfield this summer. According to football journalist Alan Nixon’s Patreon page,the pair are at the top of the list of players who could be potentially sold, which would free up funds for signings.
In keeping with the team in general, Mac Allister has been a shadow of his former self this season. And with the Reds reportedly in the hunt to sign Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, the Argentine could make way. A strong showing at the World Cup would drive up his value.
Jones, who surprisingly started at right-back against Everton with Jeremie Frimpong on the bench, could be looking for a fresh start, with Aston Villa among the clubs believed to be tracking him. As a homegrown player, his transfer fee would be recorded as pure profit on the balance sheet. A sale could be best for both parties.
Klopp’s plans clear
If Slot departs, many Reds fans will be hoping for an emotional return for Jurgen Klopp. Since leaving Anfield, the German has taken on roles as head of global football with the Red Bull Group and as an advisor to the German Football League.
However, he has distanced himself from a return to club management, recently rubbishing reports linking him withReal Madrid. According to AS,the only job that would tempt him back into the dugout is with Germany.
The Spanish title reports that managing his country is his long-term ambition. Whether he gets to fulfil that ambition in the near future could hinge on how Germany fare at the World Cup under Julian Nagelsmann, who has a contract until after Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
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