The Funny Way To Be Comedy Club will host four evenings of new material at The Witham in Barnard Castle throughout July and August.

Acts will include established names and rising stars as they prepare for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and upcoming UK tours.

Craig Hill (Image: Steve Ullathorne)

Peter Dixon, who manages Funny Way To Be Comedy, said: “July is always an exciting month for live comedy, with performers preparing for new tours and Edinburgh Fringe appearances.

We’re delighted to welcome such a high-quality mix of established favourites and rising stars to Barnard Castle.

It’s one of our strongest summer seasons yet.”

Brennan Reece (Image: Supplied)

The season kicks off on Thursday, July 9, with a double bill featuring Larry Dean and Brennan Reece.

Dean is a three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee known for his sharp storytelling and self-deprecating humour.

Reece, an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and winner of English Comedian of the Year, is known for his heartfelt routines and comedic family tales.

Gareth Mutch (Image: Supplied)

On Saturday, July 18, the popular Sneak Peeks format returns with Scottish comedians Craig Hill and Connor Burns.

They will be joined by special guest Daniel Petrie, winner of the 2023 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year.

Later in the month, on Saturday, July 28, Funny Way To Be Comedy’s annual showcase will feature four performers in one day: Gareth Mutch, Bilal Zafar, Hayley Ellis, and Jess Carrivick.

Larry Dean (Image: Supplied)

Discounted day tickets are on sale until the end of June, after which individual show tickets will be available.

Jess Carrivick (Image: Supplied)

The season wraps up on Friday, August 21, with Carl Hutchinson previewing material for his forthcoming Fine Whine tour.

Tickets for Hutchinson’s show have already sold out.

Tickets for all other performances are still available through the Funny Way To Be Comedy website.

The full programme and booking details can be found at www.funnywaytobe.com.

Hayley Ellis (Image: Supplied)

Connor Burns (Image: Melody Joy Main)

The North Yorkshire County Show returned on Sunday (June 21) at Otterington Hall near Northallerton.

The show was temporarily cancelled back in 2024 due to a shortage of volunteers, but after it returned in 2025, it was back again for 2026 on Father’s Day.

(Image: Andy Futers)

The 2025 return proved a triumphant one, with the show scooping a hat-trick of awards including Best Agricultural Tourism Experience of 2025 at the UK Enterprise Awards.

More than 100 trade, craft, and food stalls filled the showground this year, alongside livestock judging, show jumping, vintage tractors, baking competitions, and emergency services displays.

Other main ring highlights included the Grand Parade of Champions, high-stakes show jumping, and the Parade of the Hurworth Hunt Hounds.

The show secured sponsorship from H&H Insurance Brokers for its 2025 and 2026 editions.

The show has roots back to 1840 when it was known as Northallerton and District Agricultural County Show, but for many years it was simply known as Northallerton Show until 1974, when local county boundaries were re-drawn and it became known as the North Yorkshire County Show.

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

(Image: Andy Futers)

Liam Payne died without making a will but his entire fortune is expected to go to his nine-year-old son Bear, who he shares with his ex Cheryl Tweedy

Liam Payne’s son Bear is set to inherit a massive £21 million fortune from his late father when he’s older. The nine-year-old is believed to be the sole beneficiary of the One Direction star’s entire fortune. But it’s thought it will be put into a trust until he is an adult.

Mum Cheryl Tweedy and music lawyer Richard Bray – who has also represented stars like Ed Sheeran – are said to have been granted power of administration in legal documents related to Liam’s estate.

According to the Daily Mail, newly released probate documents lodged with the High Court show that Liam’s estate can be used immediately to ‘benefit’ Liam and Cheryl’s son, whose full name is Bear Grey Payne.

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Sources close to Cheryl told the publication that the Girls Aloud star will “always do the right thing by her beloved son”.

Speaking about Bear’s inheritance, the source said: “It’s a small consolation that Bear will never want for anything, that he will at least benefit from that.

“Liam had some very sensible people around him for a time and he adored Bear so much. He always wanted to do the right thing by him financially.”

The Sun added that court documents including the new Letters of Administration means that parts of the estate can potentially be spent to help Bear now, while the remainder of the fortune will be placed in trust for him until he is 18 years old.

But Kate Cassidy – Liam’s girlfriend at the time of his tragic death aged just 31 – may not get anything as they were not married or in a civil partnership. She claimed that they did plan to marry before he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aries in October 2024.

Sharing a tribute to Liam shortly after his death, Kate revealed how the couple were “manifesting their lives together” in the weeks before he died. He is even said to have written her a note saying he wanted to marry her within a year.

Calling him the “love of her life”, Kate penned on Instagram: “Liam, you had the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit. It feels like I’ve lost the best part of myself. I can’t imagine a day without your laughter and love. You brought so much light into my life.”

She continued: “A few weeks ago, we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our lives together. I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said, “Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444.” Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way we had planned. You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel.”

Concluding her heart breaking post, Katie wrote: “I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me everywhere I go. Forever yours, Katelyn 444.” The angel number, 444, conveys a message of love, support as well as guidance from your angels.

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If Starmer is to step down, one of the questions will be about what he will do next.

To be a former PM is an odd thing. Business in the House of Commons moves on, but the agenda is no longer set by you. A new pair of hands takes up the reins with different policy ideas and style. You might even have to remain tight-lipped as the new PM – dealing with the weight of the office, acquainting themselves with Larry the Cat and a poky London flat above Number 10 – tries to make a symbolic break with the past by making a critical parting shot.

Mired in a row over his resignation honours, Boris Johnson left Parliament altogether in June 2023, just nine months after he left Downing Street when the support from fellow Tories melted away.

Tony Blair, feeling the brunt of 10 gruelling years as PM, left Parliament straight away and took up a role as Middle East envoy for the United Nations, European Union, United States, and Russia. Blair is known to have made millions since he was PM.

Others choose to stay, taking to the quieter life outside of high office and instead engaging in good, old-fashioned constituency work. Starmer may want to ring Gordon Brown, Rishi Sunak, Theresa May or John Major if he wants the blueprint for that kind of work.

That said, if posh new jobs or the endless rigmarole of constituency casework doesn’t take your fancy, then you can always indulge in a bit of conspiracy theory-based ranting, blaming the ‘globalist elite’ for your shortcomings. Liz Truss, the expert, here.

The trains will be lifted from the site and transported away by road as an investigation remains ongoing to establish how the crash happened

An update has been issued by Network Rail following the train crash near Bedford, which killed one train driver and injured 100 passengers.

A temporary road has been built on the field next to the train track where the collision took place and will be used by cranes that will contribute to the “complex” recovery operation.

The process will see two 110-tonne rail-mounted Kirow cranes lift the carriages from the site before a road-mounted crane will move them onto a specialised trailer specialised in carrying extremely heavy equipment.

The carriages will then be transported away from the site by road, Network Rail has confirmed.

Following this, engineers will assess the track and carry out any repairs before reinstating the overhead lines and completing final safety checks ahead of reopening the railway.

A statement from Network Rail reads: “A complex recovery operation has begun to remove the damaged trains and carriages from the railway before engineers assess any damage and complete necessary repairs.

“The Overhead Line Equipment – the electrical wires that provide power to the electric trains – must be removed while a temporary access road and concrete foundation is constructed to support the operation of a crane.”

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Shaun Burton has been named as the train driver who died in the collision. The 60-year-old joined East Midlands Railway in 2019 and has been described as “a dedicated railway professional whose commitment, service and professionalism touched the lives of colleagues and passengers alike”.

One hundred passengers suffered a range of injuries during the incident, with nine of them in critical condition.

The crash took place on Friday afternoon (June 19) near Bedford when the 4.40pm EMR service from Corby to London St Pancras crashed into the rear of the 3.50pm service from Nottingham to London St Pancras.

Network Rail has warned those planning to travel through Bedford next week that the route will be disrupted until June 28.

As a result, there will be no Greater Thameslink Railway services north of Luton and no EMR services south of Bedford.

The former Match of the Day host made the comments during a surprise appearance on ITV’s coverage of the World Cup, criticising costs as unaffordable for many supporters.

Mr Lineker said: “I think for fans having to take out a second mortgage or sell their car to be able to afford to watch a football match, to fill the pockets of what is supposedly a not-for-profit organisation, I just don’t understand what Fifa are doing and why they are making it so difficult.

“It’s incredible that so many fans have come here despite that.”

He appeared on screen during ITV’s broadcast of Germany versus Ivory Coast, where he briefly took on presenting duties before being interrupted by regular host Laura Woods.

Ms Woods said: “Gary, that’s my job,” to which Mr Lineker replied, “Sorry, sorry. Old habits.”

He also appeared to poke fun at the BBC’s decision not to have a studio in one of the host countries during the tournament.

Mr Lineker is set to return to television later this year as the host of ITV’s new game show, The Box.

Mr Lineker said: “I have been doing a show daily for Netflix, we’re Times Square but I did desperately want to come and see your set.

“I think it’s absolutely amazing and I can confirm that it is real.

“What a backdrop.”

A Fifa spokesperson responded to Mr Lineker’s comments, saying the organisation remains “committed to ensuring fair access” to the competition and offering group stage tickets at $60 (£45), which it described as “an extremely competitive price for a once-in-a-lifetime major global sporting event”.

Mr Lineker left the BBC in May last year after criticism over sharing political opinions on social media.

His departure followed a row over an Instagram post about Zionism, which featured an image of a rat—a symbol historically associated with antisemitism.

“Basically they’re saying you were a stiff No.9 that couldn’t move” 🤣

Harry Kane or Alan Shearer. Who’s England’s greatest ever striker? AD @GoogleUK pic.twitter.com/svHV1UVTLi

— The Rest Is Football (@RestIsFootball) June 17, 2026

The broadcaster later apologised, saying he had not noticed the rat in the image and did not believe “anyone actually believes I would’ve posted that”.

Mr Lineker is set to return to television later this year as the host of ITV’s new game show, The Box.

He also continues to front The Rest Is Football podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

The podcast will become a daily television show on Netflix during the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

What are your thoughts on the World Cup? Let us know in the comments

Rod, 81, admitted to the crowd that he had nearly fainted during the gig in Utah.

Scots singer Rod Stewart ‘nearly fainted’ during a gig in the United States and was given oxygen on stage.

The rock star was performing at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City on Friday, June 19, when he required the assistance from backstage.

In a video shared online, Rod can be seen leaning against musical instruments, barriers and a pole at the side of the stage as he was visibly struggling to continue with his set.

Rod, 81, wasn’t moving around the stage in his usual manner before he paused the concert to receive help.

According to TMZ, crew members backstage brought out an oxygen tank after Rod doubled over.

The Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? singer managed to plough on after getting support and addressed the audience, admitting that he had nearly fainted, while still managing to raise a few laughs to ease the tension.

However, he finished the show sitting down following the incident.

Rod was forced to cancel a number of shows following a bout of flu and, most recently, was unable to perform in San Diego as a result of laryngitis.

He was, however, able to take in some of the World Cup in Boston as he attended one of Scotland’s matches to support Steve Clarke’s men.

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Need to know

The ‘Revival’ singer is on his way to Belfast

Everything you need to know

1. Zach Bryan is set to take to the stage at Boucher Playing Fields on Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday 24.
2. Around 80,000 fans are set to descend on the venue in South Belfast across both dates.
3. Belfast is the final stop on his UK and Ireland tour before he heads off on the European leg.
4. The event is completely sold out with absolutely no tickets remaining.
5. There is no parking in the vicinity of the venue. Boucher Playing Fields is well served by public transport. We would strongly encourage concert-goers to use public transport.
6. Boucher Playing Fields will open at 5pm on the show day, the show starts at 18:00 with support Fey Fili, followed by Dijon at 6.30 pm and Zach Bryan will be on stage at 7.30 pm.
7. There will be a designated Neurodivergent Area at the Zach Bryan concerts in Boucher Road Playing Fields. To gain access to this area, you will need to purchase a specific Neurodivergent Area Ticket through Ticketmaster. This will be a dedicated area with specialist facilities.
8. Drinking water fountains will be available at various points throughout Boucher Playing Fields.
9. Official merchandise will be available in several outlets located inside the venue.
10. Bars and food outlets will be available throughout the venue.
11. Early Queuing is not permitted on the streets around the venue. Boucher Road Playing Fields, located in a residential area, organisers have asked ticket holders to please respect the privacy of the residents and businesses in the local community.
12. Road closures will be in place along Boucher Road and Stockman’s Lane from 9 pm to Midnight.
13. Bags must be smaller than A4 size (8.5in x 11 inch). Bags under A4 size will be subject to a search, which will result in queuing.
14. Flag poles, selfie sticks, and sticks for banners are not allowed. Only small banners of other (A4 or A3 size) will be permitted into the event as anything larger can obstruct the views of other fans.
15. Any large lens professional cameras or any form of video recorder WILL NOT be admitted. Only small 35mm cameras will be permitted.
16. Umbrellas are not permitted in the venue. In the event of adverse weather conditions, we would advise bringing a rain mac or disposable raincoat/ poncho.

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“The question now is whether Sir Keir leaves in a manner of his choosing or is dragged into a contest that would wound Labour and distract the country”

Time, it seems, is running out for Sir Keir Starmer.

A prime minister can survive bad polls, bitter briefings and bruising by-elections. He cannot survive when his own side stops believing he can lead them through the next storm.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle’s admission that it would be “delusional” to deny the forces moving against him said what Downing Street could not. The authority has weakened.

The question now is whether Sir Keir leaves in a manner of his choosing or is dragged into a contest that would wound Labour and distract the country. He deserves credit for returning Labour to power and ending years of Tory chaos. But politics is ruthless, and governing demands more than past achievement.

After Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster, an increasing number of Labour MPs have made their calculation. Mr Starmer must make his.

If he truly believes in service before self, Monday could bring a clean timetable, a calm handover and no bitterness.

Land of the free

Donald Trump loves America to be called the land of the free. He may be less keen on the free speech now echoing around its World Cup stadiums.

For years, Trump has tried to distance himself from Jeffrey Epstein, his disgraced former friend. But supporters from England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand have carried that association onto a global stage with chants no White House aide can spin away.

This is what happens when politics meets the terraces. The carefully managed rallies, soft ball interviews and obedient interviewers vanish.

In their place comes the brutal verdict of ordinary people with loud voices and long memories. If Trump is too thin-skinned to face football fans, he should not expect to lift football’s greatest prize.

Champagne for divorce

After 23 years and two daughters, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are doing something all too rare in the public eye: divorcing like grown-ups.

No solicitors’ fees racking up, no mudslinging, just a cheap online split, shared champagne and continued friendship. No fighting over the £6 million pot, no bitterness, just two adults parting as friends.

More couples should take note.