Oil prices have fallen and stock markets are clawing back some lost ground after Donald Trump raised hopes that Iran war disruption to the global economy would soon be over.

Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, tumbled below $90 a barrel at one stage early on Tuesday after climbing above $118 – a six-year high – in the previous session.

The key worry is the effective closure of the narrow Strait of Hormuz shipping lane just off the Iranian coast.

Iran latest: Trump’s key messages on war’s objectives

It’s currently off limits due to the threat of attack by Tehran’s forces in retaliation for the US-Israeli airstrikes that targeted its leadership and key infrastructure.

President Trump gave mixed messages on the status of the war on Monday evening, after describing US objectives as “complete” and declaring that it “could be over soon”.

He added: “I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply, and if Iran does anything to do that, they’ll get hit at a much, much harder level.”

The strait usually accounts for about a fifth of global oil and natural gas deliveries, but they have almost ground to a halt over the past 10 days.

It has stoked market fears that a new wave of energy-led inflation is on the way – a surge in the pace of price increases globally brought on by higher oil and gas costs that will affect everything from filling up at the petrol pumps and home heating, to the manufacturing industry and even fresh food production.

For the UK and wider Europe, it is already being seen through a leap in fuel prices, especially diesel.

Average pump costs have risen by more than 9p a litre since the start of the hostilities in the Middle East but some forecourts have passed on prices that are double that figure.

The government and competition regulator warned the industry that any profiteering will be called out.

The G7 advanced economies, including Britain, plan to release reserves if needed to ease the squeeze from the loss of Middle East output and deliveries.

Brent was trading on Tuesday at $90 a barrel in volatile trading in Asia.

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The FTSE 100 opened 0.5% higher at 10,300, recovering all the ground lost yesterday following the 1.8% decline seen at Monday’s open.

The energy price declines were hurting the oil majors while mining and banking stocks were recovering some lost ground.

The UK’s top flight index remains almost 5% up on the year despite a 4.6% hit to values this month caused by war uncertainty.

Miners have suffered due to the likelihood of negative effects for the global economy while banks have felt pain over fears central bank interest rates may have to rise to help counter upwards pressure on the pace of price rises from the lift in energy costs.

UK natural gas prices are down 20% today but remain 60% higher this month.

Stock markets in other parts of Europe and in the US had ended Monday’s session in positive territory after also starting the day with steep losses.

Read more:
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Sentiment remained stronger in both Asia and in continental Europe on Tuesday, but market analysts widely described the mood as cautious.

Nigel Green, chief executive of the asset manager and consultancy deVere Group, said of the shifts: “Markets are beginning to trade the end of the conflict before it has actually happened.

“Oil dropping back below $90 and equities pushing higher tells us investors are already pricing a scenario in which tensions cool and supply disruptions remain limited.

“Financial markets are extremely forward-looking but, in situations like this, they can move ahead of geopolitical reality.”

Satellite navigation, commonly known as sat nav, is now a staple of car journeys. Once a novelty in premium cars, sat navs, like dash cams, became mainstream in the mid-2000s, though early models were not always reliable.

Today, satellite navigation is integrated into most new cars and smartphones. Google Maps has transformed how we travel, offering free mapping to billions of users worldwide. So why buy a dedicated unit today?

“For customers whose vehicles don’t have a built-in navigation system, a sat nav is a simple way to upgrade their driving experience without replacing the car,” explains Yousaf Kharal, technology buyer at Halfords.

Prices range from under £50 to over £800, with leading brands including Garmin, TomTom and Spedal.

I tested the latest models to see if they are worth using instead of a mobile phone. You can read my reviews below. If you’re in hurry, here’s our top five.

The best sat navs, at a glance:

JUMP TO REVIEWS

How to choose the best sat navs

The biggest name in the sat nav market is TomTom, which has been selling navigation systems for over two decades. It’s joined by Garmin, a global giant best known for smartwatches and sports technology.

There are also thousands of smaller off-brand devices, many of which are obsolete. And then there’s the most obvious alternative: a smartphone capable of connecting to a dashboard mount, though this has its own downsides.

“Unlike smartphones, sat navs don’t rely on a mobile data connection, making them more reliable in areas with poor or no signal,” continues Kharal. “Additionally, it’s illegal to handle a phone while driving, whereas a sat nav is designed for safe, hands-free use and often has a clearer, more driver-friendly display.”

High-end sat navs can show live traffic updates and receive instructions by voice command. These cost hundreds of pounds. More affordable units have fewer features, but are a better price for occasional users.

Brands such as TomTom may also require you to pay a subscription fee and if you only need to get from A to B on simple routes, a cheap smartphone mount is an acceptable alternative. The OtterBox Car Vent Mount is my current favourite.

How we test sat navs

The 35-year-old singer was 24 when she first froze her eggs, before doing it again three years later

Rita Ora says being told to freeze her eggs in her 20s was “the best advice”. The 35-year-old star was 24 when she first froze her eggs, before doing it again three years later.

The singer has now recalled how “everyone went mad” at the time, but “now everyone’s doing it”. She told Women’s Health magazine: “[Back then] a doctor told me it was a really good time to preserve the best quality [eggs].

“It was actually the best advice, because now I’m in my mid-thirties and I have a lot of friends really trying to figure it out. It will just be more of an expansion when the time comes. Davina [McCall] is always like, “Hurry up – you can do it!”‘

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Rita is stepmother to husband Taika Waititi’s children Te Kāinga o te Hinekāhu, 13, and Matewa Kiritapu, nine, and she is delighted with her role.

She said: “I don’t know if anything really prepares you, you just have to figure it out in the moment. “I’ve loved every second – the girls are just a dream. I think I got very lucky. We have a lot of fun – doing nails, going shopping. I love hanging out with them.”

It comes as Rita recently revealed that being a stepmother has changed her perspective on life. She told The Sun newspaper: “It’s really easy. We wake up, we work out together with the kids running on the treadmills. It’s a family affair.

“I have to say it’s been a real eye-opener to understand that sometimes there’s more to life than what you care about in that moment. I’ve realised there’s so much more, so (becoming a stepmum) did give me that.”

The singer and actress – who also works as a judge on The Masked Singer – is always excited to learn new skills, and she hopes to empower future generations.

Speaking at The Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, she explained to the Daily Mail last year: “I can talk about events like this for hours, in a nutshell, there’s so many moments I think we’ve seen as women, from equal pay to being shy to talk about menopause to everything we hold as a woman.

“It’s almost as if it’s being questioned, and it’s like, why is it even something that is discussed with women being in the same room supporting one another? I think it should just be a thing and be natural and normal and I don’t see a world without it. I’m very lucky to say I’m embracing that kind of energy, and I want to keep that going for the future generations.”

Newsboy has run the rule over all seven races on opening day of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival with Talk The Talk leading the Irish charge and Golden Ace fancied to retain her crown

TALK THE TALK (1.20) is the pick to ‘walk the walk’ and deliver the first 2026 Cheltenham Festival victory to the Irish. A record of three wins from four starts would be a flawless 4-4 for the Joseph O’Brien-trained five-year-old, if not for a stumble on landing at the final obstacles at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Runner-up in a bumper for Stuart Crawford, Talk The Talk made a winning start over hurdles, and for O’Brien, in a maiden hurdle at Limerick in October before a Grade 3 triumph at Fairyhouse the following month. Elevated to the top level for the Future Champions Novice Hurdle in Foxrock two days after Christmas, my selection had just taken the lead on the run to the last flight, where disaster struck.

At least JJ Slevin’s ride redeemed itself at the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival – and in a manner that bodes well for today.

Towards the back of the pack turning for home, Talk The Talk made steady progress in the straight to pip leader Ballyfad by a short head.

Talk The Talk deserves additional praise for winning that day, and a good pace and Cheltenham’s uphill finish should prompt another personal best. Old Park Star , Mighty Park , Leader D’Allier and Sober Glory are all newcomers of interest in a tantalising opening course, reports the Mirror.

NEWBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 TALK THE TALK, 2 OLD PARK STAR, 3 SOBER GLORY.

LULAMBA (2.00) is anticipated to maintain his unbeaten record over fences and secure Nicky Henderson a record-breaking ninth Arkle Challenge Trophy victory.

Narrowly beaten by Poniros for the Triumph Hurdle a year ago, the French-born horse impressively reversed that result at Punchestown and has made an outstanding start to his fencing career.

A low sun meant Lulamba and Nico de Boinville had to clear just eight at Exeter when the five year old was the 2-5 favourite for his chase debut, and the duo did what was required with a 10-length lead.

Henderson then set his sights on the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park in December and, starting at the same odds, Lulamba breezed home nine and a half lengths ahead of Be Aware.

The bay son of Nirvana Du Berlais completed his Festival preparations by defeating Saint Segal by six and a half lengths in Newbury’s Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at the start of last month.

Lulamba had to fight hard that day – he was less than smooth early on and found himself boxed in on the turn for home – but he surged home once finding daylight and has so much more to give.

Kopek Des Bordes is considered the biggest threat, followed by Kargese, Steel Ally and Jax Junior.

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 LULAMBA, 2 KOPEK DES BORDES, 3 JAX JUNIOR.

MANLAGA (2.40) has a promising profile that is expected to thrust her into the spotlight in a highly competitive race.

The daughter of Maxios was enlisted to race for Nicky Henderson and JP McManus following a compelling three-length victory on her hurdles debut at Auteuil last March.

She made her first appearance for her new team in a Listed juvenile hurdle for mares at Doncaster in January and, having her first run for 315 days, delivered a performance that hinted at great potential, finishing a three-quarter-length second to the undefeated Manganese.

Manlaga then headed to Haydock Park three weeks later and improved on her previous result, moving from the back of the pack to overtake leader Pourquoi Pas Papa on the approach to the final jump, winning by two and a quarter lengths.

The British Horseracing Authority handicapper has assigned my preference a rating of 130 for her first venture in this category – an evaluation that seems achievable for a filly who is far from being out of contention.

Saratoga caught the attention of many at Naas last month and should be considered, along with Ammes, Madness D’Elle and Bibe Mus.

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 MANLAGA, 2 SARATOGA, 3 MADNESS D’ELLE.

QUEBECOIS (3.20), returning to Cheltenham and back at three miles, stands out.

It’s straightforward to make the case that Paul Nicholls’ seven year old has so far been more ‘miss’ than ‘hit’ over fences – he has yet to secure a win in four attempts in the discipline and has been soundly defeated in three of them, at Exeter, Sandown and Newbury.

But there’s one piece of form that makes Harry Cobden’s mount a compelling contender, and by his supporters’ good fortune it came at Cheltenham’s Trials Day fixture in January.

Quebecois went off at 12-1 for the card’s two-and-a-half-mile novices’ handicap chase, a race won by Stage Star (2023) and Ginny’s Destiny (2024) on their way to the National Hunt Festival.

My selection jumped with confidence and worked his way to the front two fences from the finish, only to be headed in the final stride by nose victor Jordans Cross, who is unbeaten over the larger obstacles when staying on all fours.

A 4lb rise for that brave defeat looks manageable and Quebecois should flourish for this three-mile test, having recorded his best effort of today’s distance as a novice hurdler.

The short-list is a lengthy one and has the JP McManus-owned pair Jagwar and Johnnywho at the top of it, followed by Blow Your Wad.

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 QUEBECOIS, 2 JAGWAR, 3 JOHNNYWHO.

GOLDEN ACE (4.00) gets the nod to retain the crown she won in admittedly fortunate circumstances 12 months ago.

The falls of Constitution Hill and State Man contrived to gift victory to Jeremy Scott’s doughty mare, but that pair are absent, along with her six-length conqueror in Kempton Park’s Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day, Sir Gino.

Prior to that defeat, Golden Ace had emerged victorious in the top-level Fighting Fifth Hurdle, another race of high drama, at Newcastle in November. With Constitution Hill falling at the second hurdle, Golden Ace was closing in on leader The New Lion when that competitor fell at the same obstacle, which by then was the race’s penultimate hurdle, leaving the eight year old and Lorcan Williams to hold off Anzadam by a length and a half.

Those efforts made a subpar performance at Wetherby irrelevant and she approaches her title defence with the honour of having won at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, defeating Brighterdaysahead as a novice in 2024.

In essence, she brings skill and consistency to the Tuesday feature, and those dual attributes should see her reward each-way backers – at the very least.

Lossiemouth, undefeated in four appearances at the track – including three at its flagship event – is tipped to make amends for her Irish Champion Hurdle defeat by Brighterdaysahead – Poniros was third and Anzadam fourth – and chase Golden Ace home.

Poniros is favoured over up-and-comers Tutti Quanti and Alexei for the final spot on the podium.

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 GOLDEN ACE, 2 LOSSIEMOUTH, 3 PONIROS.

DOWN MEMORY LANE (4.40) hasn’t yet become the horse he promised to be – but there’s still time.

When Gordon Elliott gave the son of Walk In The Park his chasing debut at Navan in November 2024, those who witnessed my selection’s seven-length thrashing of stablemate King Of Kingsfield were convinced they had seen a potential star.

Down Memory Lane then encountered four losses but had mucus in a nostril following a significant Galway Plate setback last July, and his winter return at Navan in December was quite promising.

Held back at the rear of the nine-runner field by Jack Kennedy, the eight year old made effortless progress to challenge in the straight and merely needed to be encouraged forward to defeat another stablemate, Search For Glory, by a length and a half.

An 8lb higher mark makes things more challenging but Elliott has intentionally kept Down Memory Lane fresh for the Cheltenham Festival, and there’s untapped potential to exploit.

In a race with countless possible outcomes, the well-handicapped Madara, Zurich and Will The Wise all merit a second glance.

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 DOWN MEMORY LANE, 2 MADARA, 3 ZURICH.

ICEBERG THEORY (5.20) is continually improving over fences – and another strong performance is expected.

The winner of one of his eight attempts over hurdles, the Paul Nolan-trained seven year old delivered a promising effort on his fencing debut with a staying-on second to Majestic Force beginners’ chase over three miles and a furlong at Wexford last March.

Maintaining his novice status for this season, Iceberg Theory went one better with a two-length victory in a similar event at Limerick in May and followed up in handicap chase at Cork in November.

Sent off the 11-2 favourite in a field of 15, Conor Stone-Walsh’s mount powered clear to beat O’Toole by six and a half lengths. That contest was run over two miles and five, and the extra nine furlongs here should unlock fresh opportunities.

If the additional distance does spark a career-best performance, then a British Horseracing Authority handicap mark of 133 is well within reach for a horse who has considerable scope for further progress.

As Tuesday’s action draws to a close, Backmersackme, Grande Geste and Kurasso Blue are three more names to consider in the mix.

OVER the past 15 years, support for disabled people with significant, but not the most severe, impairments has been steadily eroded.

The government’s latest proposals in the Green Paper would accelerate this cruel trend, hitting people hardest just when they need help most.

These changes will not help people into work. They will push some of those who could work even further away from employment, force many from poverty into deep poverty, harm physical and mental health, and increase homelessness.

The creeping, insidious rise in hardship may not happen overnight, but it is coming. The benefits system must reflect real lives, not political soundbites.

Politicians talk about “simplifying” the system. But simplification should never mean cutting vital support.

A sophisticated benefits system manages complexity internally so that claimants don’t bear the burden of navigating it. Disabled people need targeted support tailored to their unique needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach that punishes them for being unwell.

Many disabled people want to work but cannot find jobs, not because they lack desire, but because employers fail to make reasonable adjustments. Shockingly, countless stories reveal people forced out of work unnecessarily. Real support would ensure employers make reasonable adjustments and the Government made sure essential services like Access to Work are provided in time.

Yet financial support is equally essential. Cutting benefits does not encourage work, it reduces the very support that allows people to stay in employment or return to the workplace. Framing benefit cuts as a “moral” duty is not morality; it’s cruelty.

For those who cannot realistically work, the proposals would trap many in deep poverty. Society must recognise that people’s value is not determined by their ability to work. Everyone deserves dignity, a decent standard of living, and protection from destitution.

These proposals also risk breaking the law. They conflict with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Equality Act 2010, particularly where they cause loss of income for disabled claimants.

Sally’s story

Sally had a professional career until 15 years ago when she became ill. She had post-operative complications; her employer failed to make reasonable adjustments and fired her. She wanted to continue working and considered going to an employment tribunal to contest her dismissal but was ill and when she looked at what would be involved, she could not face the stress.

Since then, her condition has significantly worsened. She has had numerous operations and has a stoma and a feeding tube. She has lost a lot of weight, and her body struggles to absorb nutrients. She has also developed rheumatoid arthritis which means she is in pain a lot of the time and finds walking very difficult. She has difficulty sleeping. She is exhausted a lot of the time.

Her social life is very limited, any trip out means that she must do nothing for several days before and after the outing.

She would love to work but believes that sadly this is now unrealistic. She was doing a small amount of voluntary work but had to give it up because she never knew when she would have a bad day.

Sally receives UC with an additional component (LCWRA) and PIP. She received 10 points in the PIP daily living assessment but didn’t score 4 points for any activity so would lose that PIP under the government’s proposals for change. She is very worried about how she would manage with much less PIP and horrified how someone in her position on an even lower income will be expected to manage.

The solutions are clear:

● Restore different levels of support for different needs, PIP, Universal Credit, and work allowances must reflect the extra costs faced by people with significant impairments.

● Make assessments realistic, factoring in pain, exhaustion, diagnosis, age, experience, and the actual likelihood of returning to work.

● Compel employers to provide reasonable adjustments so those who can work are not pushed out.

● Ensure disabled people living alone or caring for dependents get a self-care element to cover essential costs.

● Simplify the system without stripping out support, so claimants can access what they need without stress or confusion.

This is not about generosity, it’s about fairness, dignity, and social justice. Every one of us has a role to play. Write to your councillors, email your MPs, make your voice heard. Demand a benefits system that is just, dignified, and responsive to real lives.

If we stay silent, it will not just be policy on paper. It will be real people in our communities, being written off. That is something no decent society should allow.

If this and Sally’s story has affected you, take action today, Every voice counts. Every action matters. Don’t let the most vulnerable in our communities be ignored.: Contact your local councillor or MP and demand better support for disabled people.

Rachael Maskell MP

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

Phone number: 020 7219 4525

Email: rachael.maskell.mp@parliament.uk

Luke Charters MP

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

Email: luke.charters.mp@parliament.uk

Find you local councillor at: https://democracy.york.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx

Citizens Advice York is a small independent charity providing support and advice to York residents on all of the topics mentioned here! Whilst City of York Council remain consistent and generous funders, we still have to raise £30,000 to £40,000 each and every year (and sometimes more!) to cover the full cost of this important service.

We could not operate without the generosity of donations to fill this gap. We are incredibly grateful of support, especially when everyone is feeling the effects of this current cost of living crisis. We know that times are hard, but if you are able to help please donate so we can keep on helping others.

You can make a one off donation or become a “Friend of Citizens Advice York” and make a monthly subscription. You will receive a quarterly newsletter and an invitation to our AGM and annual fundraising event.

Help us at: www.citizensadviceyork.org.uk/donate/

Or, for details of how to become a Friend of Citizens Advice York, please email admin.team@cayork.org or call 01904 623648

Flights between Manchester Airport and the Middle East continue to be disrupted

Flights between the UK and the Middle East continue to be disrupted due to the conflict in the Middle East which is now in its second week.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been impacted by the airspace closures which have affected major travel hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Passengers have been left stranded not just in the Middle East but as far as South East Asia and Australia.

Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways continue to operate limited services to and from the region. Although Emirates recently announced that it is planning on restoring “full network operations” in the coming days.

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Uncertainty still remains around air travel, early on Tuesday morning flights were temporarily paused due to a missile threat from Iran at around 4.30am GMT. The closure was lifted around 30 minutes later, tracking data showed.

According to FlightAware, a total of 1,582 flights were cancelled globally yesterday. So far today 961 flights have been cancelled.

In its latest statement Manchester Airport has warned that flights to the region are still subject to delays and cancellations, with passengers urged to check with their airlines before they travel. A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all flights to the region are subject to cancellations and delays.

“This includes connecting services and some services that would usually have flown over the area to other destinations. Passengers due to travel to the region are advised to look out for updates from their airlines.”

The Manchester Evening News understands that the outbound Emirates flights carry minimal passengers, with the majority of those on board airline staff. It comes as the UK Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to the UAE. Inbound flights remain full with airlines bringing back stranded travellers to the UK.

Below is a found up of cancelled flights from Manchester Airport today, March 10.

Departures

• 7.45am Qatar Airways flight QE22 to Doha
• 8.25am Etihad Airways flight EY78 to Abu Dhabi
• 1.40pm Etihad Airways flight EY74 to Abu Dhabi
• 2.05pm Qatar Airways flight QR28 to Doha
• 9.30pm Qatar Airways flight QR24 to Doha

Arrivals

• 6am Qatar Airways flight QR21 to Doha
• 6.10am Etihad Airways flight EY77 to Abu Dhabi
• 12.15pm Etihad Airways flight EY73 to Abu Dhabi
• 12.20pm Qatar Airways flight QR27 to Doha
• 7.40pm Qatar Airways flight QR23 to Doha

For more of today’s top stories, click here.

Former US Open champion Gary Woodland has said he “can’t waste energy any more” hiding his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder after undergoing brain surgery in 2023.

Woodland, who won the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2019, had an operation to remove a brain tumour in September 2023.

The American returned to the PGA Tour at the start of 2024 and has played regularly since, but has revealed he was diagnosed with PTSD about a year ago.

“I can’t waste energy any more hiding this, and I’m blessed with a lot of support out here on the Tour,” Woodland told the Golf Channel.

“I appreciate that love and support. But inside, I feel like I’m dying and I feel like I’m living a lie.”

The 41-year-old received the PGA Tour Courage Award in 2025 in recognition of his return to the sport following his surgery, but his return has been far from easy.

Woodland recalled an incident at the Procore Championship in California last year when symptoms overwhelmed him on the course.

“A walking scorer startled me, got close to me from behind. I pulled my caddie and said, ‘You can’t let anybody get behind me’,” Woodland explained.

“Next thing you know, I couldn’t remember what I was doing. My eyesight started to get blurry.”

Woodland said he decided to keep playing, against the advice of his caddie, because he was competing alongside two members of the US Ryder Cup team, for which he was about to serve as a vice captain.

“I went into every bathroom to cry the rest of the day. When I got done, I got in my car and got out of there,” he added.

“There are days when it’s tough – crying in the scoring trailer, running to my car just to hide it. I don’t want to live that way any more.”

Woodland said he has discussed his mental-health struggles with veterans and he is hopeful his return to golf can inspire others.

“I hope somebody that’s struggling sees me out here still fighting and battling and trying to live my dreams,” he said.

“I want to help people, too. I realise now I’ve got to help myself first and hopefully this is the first step in doing that.”

Megan Nicholls will be front and centre for ITV racing at the Cheltenham Festival having transitioned from jockey to pundit

Megan Nicholls will provide analysis for ITV Racing once again at the Cheltenham Festival this week. The 27-year-old is the daughter of perennial champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

The action from Prestbury Park will soon get underway as punters flock to the high point of the National Hunt season. Over 200,000 were in attendance across all four days of the Festival last year.

For those who won’t be heading to the Cotswolds, ITV will provide its usual coverage on every day of the meeting. Former Flat jockey Nicholls will be one of the broadcaster’s brightest stars.

She retired from a career in the saddle at just 25 to focus on media and has since become an ITV staple. We take a look at her iconic racing family and her former and current flame.

READ MORE: Get a FREE William Hill shop bet every day of the Cheltenham Festival

Nicholls’ father, Paul, is an iconic figure in the National Hunt sphere. He has been crowned Champion Trainer a staggering 14 times, operating out of Ditcheat in Somerset. He has trained over 3500 winners and has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on four occasions, training some of the game’s greatest horses, including Kauto Star, Denman and Big Buck’s.

Nicholls followed in her father’s footsteps to some degree and became a jockey, but she rode on the Flat, tallying 110 winners. Her sister, Olive, is an amateur National Hunt rider.

In 2022, at the age of 25, Nicholls decided to leave her riding career behind to focus full-time on bloodstock and the media. She made her ITV Racing debut in 2021 and hasn’t looked back.

Explaining her decision, she told the Racing Post: “I felt my riding career had hit a point where I was going back down. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with natural talent and you can work as hard as you want, but when you have people ahead of you it’s hard.”

Since her first appearance, Nicholls has often starred alongside the likes of Ed Chamberlin, Mick Fitzgerald and AP McCoy for ITV. She also features on Racing TV.

While she has left the riding behind, Nicholls did continue with a high-profile relationship after her retirement. She dated Group 1-winning jockey Kevin Stott.

The pair met while riding out in Dubai and they began seeing one another in late 2019/early 2020. Stott had previously had a trial with Premier League side Tottenham but reverted to riding after this footballing ambition fell apart.

Nicholls and Stott dated for two years before their relationship ended. Now, if social media posts are anything to go by, she may be seeing up-and-coming jockey, Tristan Durrell.

Durrell landed one of the biggest winners of his young career earlier this season when he steered the Dan Skelton-trained Panic Attack to Coral Gold Cup glory. Pictures of Durrell and Nicholls on dinner dates are commonplace on the ITV star’s Instagram.

Wireless earbuds have taken over the world, offering excellent sound and dramatic noise cancelling effectiveness all in a convenient package.

There are multiple things to consider, especially with the wide range of ‘true wireless’ earbuds on the market. Having overtaken all the best headphones (the over-ear sort) in 2020, wireless stereo earbuds now account for 72.6 per cent of the smart personal audio market in 2024, according to analyst Canalys, with 77 million units shipped.

However, despite Apple’s AirPods earning $18 billion in 2023, more than companies such as Nintendo and Spotify, AirPods aren’t necessarily the best wireless earbuds in terms of price, noise cancelling abilities or sound. I tried some of the best models, including Beats, Samsung and Sony, picking out my top 10, including one pair that costs less than £50.

If you are after more detail, the full, in-depth reviews for each style are further down. You can also find the answers to frequently asked questions for more information.

The best wireless earbuds: At a glance

JUMP TO THE REVIEWS

How to choose the best wireless earbuds for you

If you’re in the market for some new wireless earbuds, you need to figure out what you need them for.

James Roth, Head of Consumer Electronics at technology platform TG0, says: “True wireless earbuds offer a compact and lightweight option, making them great for on-the-go sports and travel. You’ll want earbuds that offer great sound quality, good battery life and ease of use, but it’s also worth looking out for waterproofing.“You probably won’t wear them in the bath, but proper waterproofing can prevent headphones from going ‘phut’ in heavy rain,” James says.

“Active noise cancelling (ANC) models – where the design reduces unwanted ambient sound – are a terrific choice for those listening on planes, trains and automobiles,” he adds. “Today’s best Bluetooth earphones can actually give the best noise cancelling headphones a run for their money on sound quality,” he says.

It’s worth doing a bit of research to get the best sound out of your earbuds. There are various different “codecs” – software which transmits data from your phone to your headphones – and these make a huge difference to sound quality, with Apt-X and LDAC codecs offering near CD quality sound for users of Android smartphones.

You’ll also want to weigh up your budget and how the buds fit in your ear, plus make sure the style you choose is compatible with your mobile phone.

How we test wireless earbuds

Artists revealed today (March 10) also include Dermot Kennedy, CMAT and Myles Smith on the Radio 1 Main Stage, with Alessi Rose, Ezra Collective, FLO, Holly Humberstone, Jorja Smith (Party Set), Maisie Peters and Odeal performing on the Radio 1 New Music Stage.

They join acts already announced across the weekend, including Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera, who headline on Friday, May 22, alongside a packed Saturday line-up featuring Zara Larsson, Louis Tomlinson, Lola Young and Nothing But Thieves.

Radio 1’s flagship live music festival will take place in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland from Friday, May 22, until Sunday, May 24, 2026, with more than 100,000 music fans expected to attend across the weekend.

The line-up for Sunday, May 24

Radio 1 Main Stage

• Charlie Hedges
• CMAT
• Dean McCullough
• Dermot Kennedy
• Jeremiah Asiamah
• Kehlani
• Maia Beth
• Melvin Odoom
• Myles Smith
• Nat O’Leary
• Niall Horan
• Olivia Dean
• Rickie Haywood-Williams
• Vicky Hawkesworth

Radio 1 New Music Stage

• Alessi Rose
• Ezra Collective
• FLO
• Holly Humberstone
• Jack Saunders
• Jorja Smith (Party Set)
• Maisie Peters
• Odeal

Tickets for Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, will be available from 5pm on Wednesday, March 11 and general admission tickets will cost £44.50 (£40.00 + £4.50 booking fee).

As with previous Big Weekends, tickets will be geographically weighted with an element of preference given to residents.

BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend (Image: PA MEDIA)

Thirty per cent of tickets will be reserved for those living in Sunderland; 60 per cent will be reserved for those living in the surrounding NECA region, while the remaining ten per cent of tickets will be available for the rest of the UK.

The booking process will be handled by Ticketmaster.

The station has also announced its outreach plans, with Radio 1’s Life Hacks hosting a series of live panels across the North East from Tuesday, March 24 to Friday, March 27, bringing honest conversations, practical advice and inspiring local voices directly to young people.

Taking place at East Durham College, Sunderland College, South Tyneside College and Red House Academy, the panels will explore topics such as building a future, navigating life after education, managing mental health and understanding modern relationships.

Olivia Dean (Image: Doug Peters/PA WIRE)

The sessions will feature local organisations, charities and entrepreneurs, connecting young people with support, opportunities and real-life experiences from across the area.

BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the festival site across the weekend, with performances and highlights available live and on demand across Radio 1’s iPlayer channel and BBC Sounds.

When is BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend?

Radio 1’s Big Weekend will take place over three days – May 22, 23 and 24.

Where is it being held?

The Big Weekend is being held at Herrington Park, in Sunderland this year. If you aren’t familiar of where that is, the park can be found opposite iconic landmark Penshaw Monument.

The last time it was held in the region was in 2019, in Middlesbrough, and it was held in Herrington Park in 2005.

Headliners back then included the Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas.

How much are tickets?

Ticket prices have this week been confirmed – here’s how much you’ll need to pay to get in.

Friday

General admission – £34.50

VIP admission – £86.00

Saturday

General admission – £44.50

VIP admission – £106.00

Sunday

General admission – £44.50

VIP admission – £106.00

Where can I buy tickets?

The tickets will be available to buy via Ticketmaster, and you can find the ticket link by going on the BBC website.

When do they go on sale?

The ticket sale dates are staggered.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday (May 23 and 24) will go on sale on March 11.

Are tickets allocated by region?

Yes – the BBC say they have been put into three ‘pots’.

The first pot, which is 30 per cent of tickets, are allocated to Sunderland residents.

A further 60 per cent are for the wider North East including County Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland.

Then, the final 10 per cent will be available to the rest of the UK.

Can I go to all three days?

No. It has been confirmed that you can’t buy tickets for all three days.

You can buy a maximum of two tickets per person per day.

You are allowed to go on Friday and either Saturday or Sunday, but not both.

Are there age restrictions?

Yes, there are age restrictions.

You can only attend on Friday if you are 18 or over.

No restrictions are placed on Saturday or Sunday, but anyone aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.