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FIRST NIGHT REVIEW: Take That bring the Circus back to life in spectacular sun-soaked style

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Manchester Evening News

Clown outfits, trapeze artists and yes, that giant walking elephant meant for a classic 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ night out from Take That, as our Dianne Bourne discovered on the first night in Southampton. Roll on Manchester…

“Today this could be the Greatest Day of our lives,” so sings Gary Barlow to open The Circus Live, Take That’s record-breaking tour rebooted and most definitely besuited after 17 years for its 2026 stadium return. And as some 40,000 fans sing those words along with Gary, Howard Donald and Mark Owen at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton under the clearest of blue skies it certainly felt like the Greatest Day.

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The giant cloud balloon is back bobbing up at the start of the show, as are the 40-strong cast of bouncing acrobats, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers and clowns who release a spectacular balloon riot out across the audience to herald the arrival of the Manchester pop idols.

It’s impossible to adequately describe the magic of this show, it’s one that really needs to be seen to believed. Goosebumps from the opening piano chord to the final streamers and confetti bursts shooting out across the crowd.

As Gary said ahead of this show about the performers on stage “this is the best of the best” and he’s right. This is more than just a Take That show – it’s a full on Circus spectacular, a feast for the eyes as much as the ears as Mark, Howard and Gary wrap their biggest hits around the theatrical set pieces worthy of their own Big Top (which aptly shrouds the stage at the start of the night).

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When they announced plans last year to take the Circus Live tour back out on the road, fans could barely believe their luck. For those who saw it first time around it made perfect sense – it’s perhaps the band’s most perfect live extravaganza – blending their pop anthems with Las Vegas style showmanship. For those kicking themselves that they missed out back then? Well it’s been the perfect chance to see what they’ve been missing all this time.

If anything the razzle dazzle is even more ramped up for this big return, and anyone who has bagged tickets for the 16 upcoming UK and Ireland shows over the next two months can rest assured they will well and truly be getting their money’s worth with this humdinger of a show. And after all, everybody loves a circus show, as Gary memorably sings in his twinkly-lighted, goosebumps performance of The Circus as a tightrope walker tiptoes across the skyline.

The greasepaint and clown outfits are also back, albeit pimped up with a plethora of sequins, for the up tempo romp through the pop band’s 90s hits – complete with the camp dance moves to the delight of the crowd. The unicycles too return as Howard and Mark show off their athleticism, while Gary is happy to play it for laughs instead on his own little bike.

The trio also sound in better voice than ever.

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And what of this show’s most famous moment? When the band emerge on top of a 30ft elephant to be chauffeur driven, pachiderm-style, to the main stage while singing fan anthem The Garden? If anything it’s more mesmerising (and tear-inducing) than the first time around.

There’s no comedown from that – instead we hurtle headlong into the big top as if fired from a cannonball into a glitzy, showgirl-dancing, acrobat-bouncing, tightrope-walking extravaganza for Shine.

These pop stars have a true talent of connecting with their audience, breathlessly taking us from tearjerkers to crowd pleasers in the blink of an eye.

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It’s everything you could possibly want from a Take That show – well, bar bringing out departed members Jason Orange and Robbie Williams of course.

Fans had been pondering how the show would work in Jason’s absence, as he had been such a major part of the last Circus Live tour. In particular, his one solo number, Wooden Boat. Would it remain on the setlist? Well, no.

How Did It Come To This is the other omission, the other major song that Jason sings lead vocals on from The Circus album.

In their place is Take That’s newest song, You’re a Superstar, an ode to the fans who have stuck with them through thick and thin, through five then four then three.

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There’s also the surprise addition of Babe, allowing Mark to head centre stage for a lovely rendition of the tender 90s classic, while Gary gets to tinkle out a couple of extra treats on the piano too.

As if Take That on stage for two hours were not enough of a treat, we get to hear pop princess Belinda Carlisle in fine voice (and barefoot dancing) to open proceedings with her pop anthems. It was then up to The Script to show off their own stadium-filler form, supporting Take That here fresh from announcing their own big arena tour later this year.

Fans may remember they also supported on the Circus last time around and they did it again here in some style – blasting out with Superheroes and getting the entire stadium in an arm swing along.

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Frontman Danny O’Donoghue even urged one fan to ring up their ex – for him to then serenade poor “Alfie” with break-up anthem Nothing.

He also revealed that he went to meet Take That fans who were camping out the night before and even jumped in one tent to the delight of one fan.

I’ve no doubt fans will be camping out at every single one of these shows ahead.

I was there for the Circus tour in its first incarnation and was wowed back then. But I don’t remember it being this good, feeling this good.

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The greatest show on earth they say, or so says the giant (and I do mean giant) ringmaster that emerges for the fire festooned finale of Relight My Fire and who would argue with that?

Fireworks end it all because, of course they do. Take That have thrown everything at this show and we have four homecoming nights in Manchester at the Etihad Stadium to look forward to in June and July. It’s really not one to be missed.

Setlist St Mary’s Stadium Southampton May 29, 2026:

Greatest Day

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Hello

Could it Be Magic

Pray

A Million Love Songs

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Back For Good

The Garden

Shine

Up All Night

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Babe

You’re a Superstar

Love Ain’t Here Anymore

Nobody Else

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The Circus

What is Love

Do What U Like/Promises/It Only Takes a Minute/Take That and Party

Said it All

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Never Forget

Patience

Relight My Fire

ENCORE:

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Hold up A Light

Rule The World

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M&S fashion review of Amelia Dimoldenberg fronted range

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M&S fashion review of Amelia Dimoldenberg fronted range

This embellished M&S co-ord genuinely looks far more premium than I expected. A matching cami top and embellished trouser set perfectly capture that confident, glamorous summer energy the collection is all about.

The cami top is the real hero piece for me. The all-over beaded embroidery catches the light beautifully and gives the top a luxe eveningwear finish that looks much more expensive than it is.

I am no fashion model, but I felt comfortable in this M&S co-ord – and my dogs were big fans (Image: Jade Wright)

I also love the elegant scoop neckline, which keeps the silhouette soft, flattering and easy to wear. The regular fit means it drapes beautifully without feeling restrictive, making it comfortable enough for summer parties or holiday evenings.

As part of the wider M&S Summer of Love That campaign – which celebrates confidence, compliments and feel-good summer fashion – this embellished set perfectly delivers that “main character” energy Amelia Dimoldenberg brings to the Casa del Compliments collection.

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What I particularly love is how wearable the outfit feels despite the statement embellishment.

M&S Embellished cami, £30, and balloon trousers £46 (Image: M&S)

Sometimes heavily embellished pieces can feel overdone, but this set still manages to feel modern, effortless and very on trend.

The rich brown shade also feels incredibly current for 2026 and offers a softer alternative to classic black.

It’s available here, but be quick as the hot weather has seen stocks flying out this week.

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M&S Embellished balloon trousers £46 (Image: M&S)

The matching embellished trousers completely pull the look together. The flowing wide-leg shape gives the outfit movement and elegance – it’s better when it moves than in the picture.

They’re pretty see-through but the built-in shorts make sure there’s no wardrobe malfunctions.

The elasticated waistband adds comfort without compromising the silhouette, and the gathered detailing creates a beautiful drape through the fabric that moves effortlessly when walking.

Together, the pieces create a standout co-ord that needs very little styling. I paired mine with my usual jewellery and flat sandals, or heels, and the embellishment did all the work. I also love that the trousers can easily be styled separately with a simple satin camisole or blazer, making them feel even more versatile.

The soft viscose fabric also makes the outfit surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods, which is something I always look for in occasionwear. It feels glamorous without feeling heavy or uncomfortable.

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It’s stylish, flattering and has that instantly uplifting effect where you genuinely feel more confident the second you put it on.

If you’re looking for affordable high street occasionwear that looks elegant, expensive and fashion-forward without designer pricing, this M&S embellished co-ord is easily one of the standout pieces from the Summer of Love That collection.

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Thundery showers possible amid wet weekend weather in Northern Ireland

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Belfast Live

The Met Office has warned of possible thundery showers today

There is a chance of some thundery showers in Northern Ireland on Saturday as the dry and sunny weather ends this weekend.

The Met Office has said that May 30 could see thundery showers alongside outbreaks of heavy rain in the afternoon and evening. This follows a week of sunny weather with rain forecast throughout the week ahead.

It said in its Saturday forecast: “Some early brightness in southeast, but generally a cloudy morning with outbreaks of occasionally heavy rain. During the afternoon the rain turns more showery and perhaps thundery.

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“Showery rain will push northeast through the evening, occasionally heavy and perhaps thundery at times. Clear spells and scattered showers overnight.”

Sunday is forecast to see a combination of sunny spells and rain throughout the morning which will become drier in the afternoon, with temperatures reaching 18 degrees. However rain is due to return later in the evening.

The Met Office has also forecast cloudy and rainy weather on Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2, to start the week.

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

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Serious late-night crash in Porthcawl sparks police appeal

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Wales Online

A main road was shut late on Friday evening following a collision

Police are appealing for information after a serious late-night crash in Porthcawl. The collision happened shortly before midnight on Friday on Pyle Road north of the town.

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Police say two drivers were involved, but have not disclosed any further information. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “We are investigating a serious road traffic collision that happened at around 11:48pm last night, Thursday May 29, on Pyle Road, Nottage, Porthcawl.

“The incident involved the drivers of two cars – a black Ford Mondeo and a blue Vauxhall Corsa.

“If you saw anything at the time or were in the area and may have dash cam footage, we’d really like to hear from you – even the smallest detail could make a difference. Please contact us online or by calling 101, quoting reference 2600168610.”

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Rescuers free 4 men who had been trapped in flooded Laos cave and search for 2 still missing

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Rescuers free 4 men who had been trapped in flooded Laos cave and search for 2 still missing

BANGKOK (AP) — Rescue workers in Laos said Saturday they have safely evacuated four villagers trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days, the day after another one was successfully extracted. Two men remain missing.

Lao and Thai rescue groups posted about the successful operation on social media, along with photos of the men lying on stretchers, wearing oxygen masks and being wrapped in foil blankets.

The villagers had reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by flash flooding that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped in time and alerted the authorities to the seven left behind.

Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People said on its Facebook page that the water level inside the cave receded low enough for them to leave with divers who had gone in to deliver food and water. They said they will continue their search for the two who remain missing.

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The first man was safely evacuated on Friday. According to rescuers, that operation took about 30 minutes. Videos showed the moment he emerged from the water alongside a diver, catching his breath before struggling to crawl through a narrow, flooded passage and rising unsteadily to his feet. As rescuers helped him away from the tunnel, one could be heard warning others to be careful because his hands were injured. He was then wrapped in a foil blanket and helped into a seated position.

Another video showed the man getting out from the cave’s entrance with a lamp strapped to his forehead. He was walking unsteadily with the assistance of two men, who handed him over to other team members amid a waiting crowd.

The villagers had reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by flash flooding that blocked their way out. One other villager escaped in time and alerted the authorities to the seven left behind.

Five of them were found alive Wednesday. They were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen.

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The men had been supplied with water, soft food and foil blankets to keep them warm, although videos shot inside the cave suggested that their conditions continued to deteriorate.

Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand were joined by Japanese and Malaysian colleagues. Indonesian, French and Australian specialists also reportedly arrived at the site in a rugged area in the central province of Xaisomboun, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Vientiane.

Several of them had taken part in the complicated 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand of 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach.

More risky tasks await rescuers

In a video shot Friday, just about an hour before the evacuation of the first man began, Thai rescuer Kengkaj Bongkawong of the Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin detailed the challenge they are facing in the operation.

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The team has set up a station in a large chamber inside the cave, accessible only by navigating more than 200 meters (yards) of twisting, narrow, flooded passages with jagged walls. From there, divers need to dive through a flooded tunnel about 30 meters (yards) before reaching the trapped men.

“To dive in a cave, there are issues with the temperature, narrow areas, control of movement, and managing the panic of the survivor, which will be difficult, but we have to do it,” Kengkaj said.

There is a significant risk for the team of guiding the survivors without diving skills through zero-visibility water.

A video showed Thai diver Norrased Palasing and Finnish diver Mikko Paasi teaching the men how to use diving gear, including breathing techniques underwater.

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“All the way, breathe through your mouth only. Do not ever breathe with your nose, do you understand?” Norrased said during the session.

Rescuers are also preparing to search for the two villagers who remain missing.

Kengkaj said the team plans to explore an area deeper inside the cave, about 20 to 25 meters (yards) beyond where the survivors were found. However, he cautioned that the section is heavily flooded.

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Mikel Arteta urged to take major Arsenal selection gamble against PSG | Football

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Mikel Arteta urged to take major Arsenal selection gamble against PSG | Football

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In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Previews of every single World Cup team in your inbox, featuring the players to look out for, games you shouldn’t miss and Metro’s big England predictions.

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Plans for major transformation of London’s Fleet Street unveiled

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Plans for major transformation of London's Fleet Street unveiled

Alderwoman Grekos said: “Fleet Street is one of London’s most iconic and historic streets, and this project gives us a unique opportunity to reimagine it for the future. The design options we are bringing forward reflect valuable input from local businesses, residents and stakeholders, and demonstrate our ambition to create a greener, safer and more welcoming environment for everyone who uses this important route.

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US commander meets with Cuban military officials

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US commander meets with Cuban military officials

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Latin America met with Cuban military leaders Friday in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” near the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, the latest official to visit the island nation as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on its leaders.

Trump has warned that Cuba “is next” after U.S. military forces captured Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a January raid. In the months since, the Trump administration has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, maintained warships in the Caribbean Sea and indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on federal charges.

Gen. Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, met with Lt. Gen. Roberto Legrá Sotolongo and other Cuban military officials.

Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces said in a statement that both sides viewed “the meeting positively because it addressed security issues along the perimeter separating the military enclave, and they agreed to maintain communication between the two military commands.”

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Top Trump aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, also have met with Cuban officials to explore possible improvements in relations. But the U.S. side has come away unimpressed from those talks, leading to even more sanctions imposed on the Cuban government.

Besides the meeting, Donovan also assessed the security of the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay and discussed the “safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness with base officials,” U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X.

The U.S. maintains the base despite decades of friction with Cuba’s socialist leaders, whom Trump wants removed from power.

The U.S. military has a handful of Navy ships, including at least one amphibious assault ship, in the Caribbean, a much smaller force than was present at the time of the Maduro raid.

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On Friday, the Pentagon announced that a new unit of 1,300 sailors and Marines would be replacing the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed to the region last summer.

___

Associated Press writer Andrea Rodríguez in Havana contributed to this report.

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Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Saturday, May 30)

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Wales Online

There were delays on the M4 outside Cardiff early on Saturday morning due to a crash.

Two lanes of the motorway were shut on the westbound side near Junction 30 following a collision at around 7am. Traffic Wales advised motorists to expect delays and to allow extra time for travel.

Both lanes reopened at around 7.45am.

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Old photos of York’s most famous royal visits over decades

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Old photos of York's most famous royal visits over decades

Our gallery features old photos of York’s most famous royal visits over decades.

One of the most notable occasions came on June 8, 1961, when York Minster hosted the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, attended by the Queen Mother, a young Prince Charles, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen.

Wedding of Duke and Duchess of Kent, York Minster, 8 June 1961. From left Queen Mother, Prince Charles, Duke of Edinburgh, and the Queen. (Image: The Press)

In 1971, Her Majesty returned as York marked 1,900 years since the founding of Roman Eboracum, with large crowds turning out for the celebrations.


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The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were again given a warm welcome in July 1977, arriving at Micklegate Bar during the Silver Jubilee tour.

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1977 – The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive outside Micklegate Bar on their Silver Jubilee visit to York on July 13th (Image: The Press)

And in November 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana drew enthusiastic crowds to the city centre during their visit, capturing the excitement of a new royal era.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles meet crowds in York November 1981. (Image: The Press)


Share your memories

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

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It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email nadia.jeffersonbrown@newsquest.co.uk

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Water warning at Cambs beauty spot after ‘recent tragedies’

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Cambridgeshire Live

Due to underwater hazards and dangers of cold water on hot days people have been told not to swim in the river

A Cambridgeshire beauty spot has warned visitors not to swim in its river due to there being ‘many dangers’ in the water. Houghton Mill, a popular National Trust site in Huntingdon with green spaces, stunning views and a pretty café, has issued a swimming warning after several deaths across the country.

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Houghton Mill has been a popular place for swimmers, but the trust has warned that there are many dangers in the water, such as dangerous currents and other underwater hazards. In a statement, the trust said: “In the light of recent tragedies related to outdoor swimming, we’d like to remind you that we do not recommend swimming in the river at Houghton Mill.

“We know the Mill has been a popular spot for water activities for a long time; however, the waters are dangerous, and we strongly advise you not to swim. The water depth varies a great deal – some areas are suddenly very deep. There are underwater hazards that could injure or entangle you. The sluice gates could open at any time, and the waterwheel creates dangerous currents. The area is unsupervised, and there are no lifeguards present.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the water safely. If you have children who might be unsupervised near the river, please remind them not to swim near the Mill and to stay clear of the sluice gates at all times. “

Houghton Mill was almost demolished many years ago. It was then saved by the local villagers and restored to working order to carry on the tradition of milling on this site for over 1,000 years. Set in an idyllic village location on an island on the Great Ouse River, Houghton Mill has inspired artists and photographers for generations.

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