LIVERPOOL 2-4 LEEDS UNITED: Daniel Farke’s men scored four goals in 25 second-half minutes to stun the Reds and win in the Premier League Summer Series on Sunday

Liverpool were left stunned as Leeds United produced a scintillating second-half comeback to come from 2-0 down and beat the Reds 4-2 in the Premier League Super Series.

Fresh off the back of beating Sunderland and Championship side Wrexham, Andoni Iraola’s side started on the front foot against Leeds and opened the scoring inside the first seven minutes. Luke Chambers was the goalscorer for the Reds as he smashed home from close range.

Although Leeds did have some opportunities, Liverpool controlled most of the first half and ended up doubling their advantage just before the break. Florian Wirtz found the net for Iraola’s side, as he finished off an excellent team move, tucking the ball home into the corner.

Both teams made four substitutions at half-time and it was Leeds who came out as the stronger after the break. Brendan Aaronson capitalised on a mistake to pull one back for Daniel Farke’s side on the hour mark, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised with a finish from inside the box.

The comeback was then complete soon after with Sean Longstaff firing home following some neat play from Aaronson. Calvert-Lewin added his second and Leeds’ fourth late on to ensure the Whites were crowned as the winners of the 2026 Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

Mirror Football looks at the big talking points from the game…

Fast Liverpool start

Liverpool scored the first goal in each of their first two pre-season friendlies and that theme continued against Leeds. Chambers, who has come into central defence since Joe Gomez suffered a new muscle injury in the 4-2 win over Sunderland last week, was the man who gave the Reds the lead.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s outswinging corner was flicked on by Milos Kerkez and Chambers was there free inside the box to slam home from eight yards. In truth, it was a smart finish from the 22-year-old, who could have easily got underneath the ball but he kept his head over it before lashing beyond goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

Huge Leeds injury blow

One of Daniel Farke’s main wishes going into the fixture against Liverpool would have been to avoid any fresh injuries with three weeks to go until the start of the Premier League season. Well, unfortunately for him and the Whites Gabriel Gudmundsson hobbled off with what looked like a hamstring problem.

After going down in the opening stages with a knock, Gudmundsson carried on before being substituted in the 34th minute. The Sweden international went down appearing to hold his hamstring and was treated by the Leeds medical staff before going off and being replaced by Sebastiaan Bornauw.

Impressive Wirtz

Following a mixed first season and Liverpool’s lack of attacking transfer business so far this summer, it does feel as though there is some pressure on Wirtz to produce in 2026/27. But the German showed in his first appearance back after the World Cup that he can step up and deliver after scoring the Reds’ second against Leeds.

It was well-worked move by Liverpool as Trey Nyoni’s cross-field pass found Jeremie Frimpong who cut the ball back for Wirtz to sweep home first time from inside the box. With just seven goals in 49 matches in his debut season at the Reds, Wirtz will be no doubt wanting to improve on that total this term.

Liverpool punished for mistake

Although it’s much better to iron out mistakes in pre-season, of course, Liverpool won’t want to give too many goals like the one Leeds scored against them in Chicago.

Milos Kerkez, who endured a difficult first season at the Reds following his move from Bournemouth last summer, gave the ball away inside his own half and Leeds punished them. Ampadu collected the ball and drove at the Liverpool back-line before playing in Aaronson and he slotted low past Giorgi Mamardashvili. It was a slack piece of play from Kerkez and he must eradicate them if he wants to be a success at Anfield.

Impressive comeback from Leeds

Leeds were much-improved after Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Sean Longstaff and Harry Wilson came on at half-time and they produced a scintillating comeback to stun Liverpool.

After Aaronson pulled one back, Calvert-Lewin levelled for the Whites in the 71st minute. A long-throw from Ampadu caused chaos in the box and Joe Rodon’s flick-on was hammered home by Calvert-Lewin from close-range.

Then, just two minutes later, the fightback was complete as Leeds took the lead for the first time in the game. Longstaff was the scorer on this occasion for Leeds, as he swivelled inside the area before drilling home.

The Whites would go on to score a fourth goal to seal the win and it came from another long throw. This time it was Bornauw who got the flick on and Calvert-Lewin was there once more to tap home from four yards.

It was an impressive comeback from Leeds and excellent character after falling 2-0 down and looking like the game was over at half-time. But Farke has instilled some belief into his side and it was on show in full flow again.

Liverpool transfer priorities clear

If it wasn’t clear before that Liverpool need to sign some players, it certainly is now. The Reds have got to bring in at least two, if not, three ready-made first-team starters before their Premier League opener against Newcastle United.

They have been among the quietest clubs in the top flight when it comes to signing players this summer and it’s seen Iraola’s squad look threadbare with Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah moving on. Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz have come in, but neither have made an appearance for the Reds so far.

The Reds are so light in a number of areas and the one that looked the weakest against Leeds was the centre-back area. While Jacquet is coming in to join Virgil van Dijk and the returning Giovani Leoni, Gomez’s latest injury blow should see Iraola’s side dip into the market to sign another central defender. That is a must.

As well as that, the Reds are lacking a serious right winger following Salah’s departure, while it does still feel like they need a new left-back to help Kerkez and a high-profile central midfielder.

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Amid Argentina’s post-match celebrations, clips soon circulated of Bellingham hitting Barco seemingly without provocation on the back of the head as the new Chelsea signing joined his team-mates on the pitch, prompting an angry response from the midfielder and those around him.

Team Scotland proudly wore their cone heads as flags were waved in the air from around the Commonwealth.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games reached its finale with a spectacular Closing Ceremony at the city’s Ovo Hydro on Sunday, which saw a wealth of Scottish musicians handover to next year’s hosts in India.

The Games, which saw around 3000 athletes from 74 nations take part, left Scotland in fourth place in the final medal table.

The competition took over the city for eleven days, with pop ups and special events at Glasgow cathedral, the City Chambers, Scotland House and the Merchant City.

Scotland’s top talents made sure the Games finished in style at a spectacular closing ceremony as supporters, volunteers and communities came together for one last celebration.

Singer Sandi Thom kicked off the closing ceremony and opened the show to chants of no Scotland no party wearing a Saltire dress.

She then sang ‘I’m proud to be from Scotland’ to the tune of her hit ‘I wish I were a punk rocker’ surrounded by pipes and drums.

Cammy Barnes then launched straight into Whisky Roll on the big screen asking whose up next just before Australian Delta Goodrem took over on the live stage.

Pyrotechnics fired off as a flurry of colour filled the stage representing each nation of the Commonwealth as she sang Ecliose form the Eurovision and Warrior.

Team Scotland proudly wore their cone heads as flags were waved in the air from around the Commonwealth.

Leading Indian performers including singer composer Shankar Mahadevan, actress Manushi Chhillar, singer Bhoomi Trivedi and musicians Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan thrilled the audience.

Simple Minds provided one of the evening’s biggest highlights by reminding people ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, while Australian singer and songwriter Delta Goodrem represented original hosts Victoria who had to pull out due to financial restrictions, raising the roof with Eurovision style vocals.

Delta said: “Closing ceremonies have such a special energy – they’re a celebration of everything the athletes have achieved and of all the people who have come together through sport. It feels especially meaningful to return to a Commonwealth Games ceremony 20 years after performing “Together We Are One” at Melbourne 2006.”

Inverness folk group Elephant Sessions kept things traditional adding a bit of funk along the way.

BBC presenter and singer Shereen Cutkelvin also took part, alongside Rapper Bemz.

And to ensure the crowd showed up for the party, Radio DJ and GBX’s George Bowie kept things upbeat with a set worthy of an arena and had the crowd moving with his classic tune, Bits and Pieces.

Dance group Diversity also showed off some impressive moves with an energetic performance, bringing their well known choreography and dramatic style to the Hydro stage.

The diverse and upbeat ceremony was the final celebration from the city following an impressive run of events.

And the mix of rock, pop, folk, rap, dance, and broadcasting alongside some typical Glasgow cultural references was the perfect send off.

India received the Commonwealth Games flag as the centenary edition of the multi sport event will be held in Ahmedabad in four years time.

The President of Commonwealth Sport, Donald Rukare, officially passed the Commonwealth Sport flag to Neeraj Chopra of Team India.

It was handed over as the Shiamak Davar Dance Troupe performed a dance and song production that was worthy of the biggest Bollywood movie, with illuminated batons twirled in the air as around a hundred dancers filled the stage.

A collaboration between sitar player Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and bagpiper Ross Ainslie, closed the ceremony with a musical tribute to the Indian 2030 host city.

The whole event also recognised the achievements of the athletes who had competed during the Games, from swimming and netball, boxing and judo to gymnasts, bowlers and the para athletes.

Volunteers and organisers, who took part in a mass ceilidh. were also acknowledged for the important role they played in ensuring that the event played out brilliantly.

George Black, chair of Glasgow 2026, said: “We have created an unforgettable games now from Glasgow to Ahmedabad – two great river cities.

“As we say in parts of Scotland ‘slanjevar to your good health’ until we meet again.”

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Harry Styles proved he is every inch the showman as he managed to rectify a stage fall while performing his Together, Together tour in Mexico this weekend.

The crowd gasped as the singer, 32, went flying into the air after slipping while performing his song Are You Listening Yet?

Harry looked horrified as he realised what was happening midway through the song, with his arms flailing as he skidded across the stage.

But somehow he managed to land in a perfect pose on his side with his head resting on his cheek, as he seamlessly continued the track.

The incident happened during night two of the Mexico City leg of his tour, at the GNP Seguros Stadium, during the opening song of his gig.

Harry appeared wearing a red blazer with a black shirt and trousers, teamed with a colourful tie, in typical stylish fashion.

The crowd gasped as the singer, 32, went flying into the air after slipping while performing his song Are You Listening Yet?

Harry looked horrified as he realised what was happening midway through the song, with his arms flailing as he skidded across the stage

It is possible that the floor was wet following storms that hit the city before the show began on Saturday. 

Addressing the 68,000-strong stadium, he said: ‘Viva México! Thank you so much for being here. Is everyone all right? OK, it’s just like sweating if you think about it. You survived the rain. Thank you for being here. It means so much to us.’

Harry was forced to delay the concert after heavy rain swept through the city and concerns for safety were raised. 

British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith, who is opening for Styles in Mexico, was unable to perform due to the timing changes. 

Before heading to Mexico, Harry was forced to cancel his concert in São Paulo, Brazil on due to a ‘health issue’, which he did not disclose.

He offered refunds to fans after the last minute cancellation and a small batch of tickets for the next show were made available.

A statement from Live Nation Brasil confirmed: ‘We deeply regret to inform you that the Harry Styles show scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at MorumBIS has been canceled due to a health issue on the tour. 

‘Tickets for this show will be refunded through the same purchase channel. An email with more information will be sent by @ticketmasterbr to all ticket holders.

‘The Friday show, July 24, 2026, will take place as scheduled. 

‘Ticket holders for the Tuesday show (July 21) will have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive batch of tickets for the Friday show (July 24), while supplies last. More information will be provided in the email sent by Ticketmaster Brasil to buyers.

But somehow he managed to land in a perfect pose on his side with his head resting on his cheek, as he seamlessly continued the track

Harry’s fall wasn’t the first time he has sparked concern during his tour, during one of his 12 Wembley nights he choked on water before collapsing to the ground 

‘We have worked with the event venue to release as many tickets as possible for the Friday show, but please keep in mind that availability is extremely limited.’

Harry’s fall wasn’t the first time he has sparked concern during his tour, during one of his 12 Wembley nights he choked on water before collapsing to the ground.

In a clip posted to TikTok, he could be seen blowing water out of his mouth for his famous ‘whale’ spit before visibly choking.

Harry is then captured falling to the floor while he continues to choke for a few seconds.

Thankfully, the star managed to get back up to a seated position, but many fans were left worried about the hitmaker. 

One concertgoer told the Daily Mail: ‘As Harry ran down the stage for the final time in preparation for his famous whale, he sprayed the crowd before he then started to cough. 

‘Managing to suppress his chokes, he performed the whale before falling to the floor where he lay on his back and continued to cough and splutter. It was quite worrying but he quickly got up to continue with the gig.’

Commenting on the heat at the concert, they added: ‘After the first two songs, he took off his jacket and his shirt was already soaked with sweat, and he was like “oh god look at that! I’ve only done two songs!”

In a clips posted to TikTok, the singer could be seen blowing water out of his mouth before visibly choking

Harry is then captured falling to the floor while he continues to choke for a few seconds

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Worried fans took to the comments on the video 

Worried fans shared their concerns on social media, penning: ‘When he fell to his knees, my heart stopped in shock. Harry is incredible, it surely takes immense strength and stamina to perform in these temperatures, and yet he always gives it his all ❤️’,

‘He’s too dedicated to us, just Breathe Harry,’

‘I nearly had a heart attack watching the live stream!! Thought he collapsed from heat or exhaustion!!! Love you dearly Harry!!’ ‘I was soo worried about him,’  ‘I was so scared, i was like oh noo,’ ‘I got so scared for a second,’ ‘I thought he passed out,’ ‘I DONT LIKE THIS’, ‘Is he okay?’

The Daily Mail contacted Harry’s representatives for comment.

More than 10,000 people attended the race at Knavesmire today (August 2) with everyone taking a total of 15 minutes to cross the line after the race started just after 9.30am.

Participants took on a scenic tour of the city, passing notable landmarks such as Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and the medieval walls – all while raising money for a good cause and hoping to get a personal best on the flat track.

Can you see yourself or your loved ones below? Full report to follow.

The names have been inspired by Greek mythology

This summer has seen the incredible success of Christopher Nolan’s star studded retelling of an epic Greek poem wit The Odyssey. With the movie garnering rave reviews, it might come to you as no surprise that it has left an impact on viewers.

One way this has been exhibited is through baby names. The release of the Odyssey has placed Greek mythology back into focus, inspiring a comeback for timeless names like Penelope, Atlas, Apollo and Athena.

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Recently, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name data analysed by JoJo Maman Bébé has revealed which names inspired by Greek mythology are proving most popular with today’s parents.

Anne Varsanyi, head of buying at JoJo Maman Bébé, said: “Choosing a baby’s name is one of the first opportunities parents have to express something about their family, whether that’s honouring tradition, celebrating heritage or simply choosing a name they love.

“What’s particularly fascinating about this year’s data is seeing how quickly tastes can change. Some names that once filled classrooms have become increasingly rare, while others that were barely heard a generation ago are now among the country’s favourites.”

Top five most popular Greek mythological names for girls

• Penelope – The famously faithful wife of Odysseus
• Athena – Goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare
• Rhea – Titaness and mother of the original Olympian gods
• Persephone – Queen of the Underworld and goddess of spring growth
• Gaia – Goddess of the Earth

Top five most popular Greek mythological names for boys

• Atlas – The Titan condemned to carry the weight of the heavens
• Ares – The God of war and courage
• Apollo – God of music, light, truth and healing
• Artemis – Traditionally, the Goddess of the hunt
• Perseus – The demigod who defeated Medusa

JoJo Maman Bébé analysed the latest ONS data. Analysis included the most popular names in 2025, names experiencing the largest increases in popularity since 1996, and names experiencing the largest declines in popularity since the same year, reports the Echo.

Data was collected from the ONS Baby Names in England and Wales release, published on July 9, 2026.

Penelope, the heroine at the heart of The Odyssey, already reigns supreme as the number one mythological name, with 1,174 babies born in 2025.

Athena (519 babies) and Atlas (355 babies) have transitioned from ancient legends to modern playground favourites, both proving incredibly popular for parents wanting a name with strength and stature.

While names like Rhea and Ares are on the rise, parents looking for something truly unique might look to Apollo (39 babies) or Perseus (eight babies) for a standout name.

For medieval people, reputation was paramount. To be considered reliable, reputable and respectable was important at all levels of society, from the king to the peasantry.

Being of “ill fame” (bad reputation) had serious consequences, which might include social ostracising, legal impediments and financial hardship. A person’s name mattered and medieval people were more than willing to go to court to protect it.

Based on the legal foundation of the Council of Oxford of 1222, a defamation case could be brought against someone if they publicly and “maliciously impute a crime to any person who is not of ill fame among good and serious men”. Common cases involved accusations of theft, perjury, heresy, adultery or forgery.

Defamation could have financial repercussions and petitioners often reported the damages that the crime was said to have caused. This might involve the loss of goods and trade. It could even involve the claim of a wife whose husband “refused to admit her to his bed as he was accustomed to” because of the slanderous words.

Such monetary losses were largely irrelevant in the church courts, but they featured prominently in manorial or borough courts. In these jurisdictions, defamation was treated akin to trespass and monetary damages were regularly claimed.

Many cases involving women centred on accusations of sexual impropriety or abusive and slanderous language. Some were deliberate attacks upon business ventures, such as that upon Christine Colmere in 1413. Witnesses in the case claimed that people were afraid to drink her beer because she had been accused of having leprosy by her competitors.

Changes to the way defamation cases were handled reveal the broadening of concerns surrounding reputational damage in late medieval England.

Initially, a person needed to have been accused of a crime – and often a specific crime – for a defamation proceeding. A case against a woman in 1417 was dismissed because she was accused of having said to a priest: “I do not know how to piss holy water as you do.” Such words were abusive but not considered defamatory because no crime was alleged.

Yet increasingly by the end of the 15th century, abusive words could themselves result in a defamation suit. Accusations like “false piking knave”, “town bull” and “son of a butcher” begin to appear within court records. The definition of defamation therefore expanded to move beyond false accusations of criminal activity to include all defamatory or malicious words.

Such was the concern over reputational damage that pressure might be applied on those making accusations. In 1440, Richard Blackburn, a monk of Durham cathedral priory, was accused of fornicating with Margaret, widow of Robert Soulby. The accuser, one Robert Whyte, feared the prior intended to excommunicate him because he himself had defamed Richard. Robert thought this absurd because he had offered no words to slander Richard and Margaret, except to say that he had often seen them spending the night in bed together.

The prior offered Robert the opportunity to amend or withdraw his statement. Choosing his words very carefully, Robert decided not to revoke them, instead confirming that he had seen Richard and Margaret many times in bed, alone with each other, lying naked and exerting (“laborantes”) together, as it appeared to him, though he could not possibly say whether Richard knew her carnally or not.

Public restoration of a person’s good name

The seriousness with which people took any attempt to impugn their reputation can be seen in the lengths John Oll, another Durham monk, went to clear his name in 1446. Accused of being of peasant birth by his enemies, Oll gathered the great and the good of the county to attest publicly to his free status. One witness recalled John Oll playing football in his youth, a game reserved for the better free men of the manor.

Receiving a positive verdict in the courts was not enough in itself. The restoration of a person’s good fame needed to be made public. Documents might even be issued to confirm the restoration of a person’s reputation.

This public restoration was especially important for women who were accused of sexual misconduct. The potential for a good future marriage might depend on such outcomes. For example, Margaret was “falsely and wickedly defamed” of falling pregnant with Robert Cresswell in 1450. She received letters from the prior of Durham asserting that she was innocent of the offence, “free and absolved and utterly reputed among her neighbours to be uncorrupted and untainted by a man’s touch”.

Long before society was concerned with the reputations of celebrities and politicians or the relationship between defamation and free speech, rumour and gossip abounded. Medieval people were acutely aware of how others viewed them and went to great lengths to stave off any threats to their good name.

Officers with the Bolton North Neighbourhood Team carried out the raid at the property in Hill Cot Road.

A spokesman for the neighbourhood team said: “Inside the property, officers discovered that it had been converted into a cannabis farm. A total of 113 cannabis plants were seized and have now been destroyed.

“Enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.

“If you have any information about crime in your area, you can contact the independent charity, CrimeStoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

The raid is the latest to be carried out across Bolton in the fight across drugs, with a number of cannabis farms found in recent months and years, including in town centre properties.

Earlier this year, the proactive work of Bolton’s Town Centre Neighbourhood Team led to the dismantling of a large-scale cannabis operation and the successful prosecution of two men at Bolton Crown Court.

Both are due to be deported following the completion of their custodial terms.

Officers executed a warrant at an address on Newport Street on 23 December 2025, uncovering a substantial and fully operational cannabis farm.

The premises had been professionally adapted, including the illegal bypass of the electricity supply to power the large-scale grow.

Enquiries by neighbourhood officers, including detailed CCTV work, identified a black van attending the property in the days leading up to the warrant. Two men were captured accessing the secured building.

The party says it would send the Royal Navy into the Channel to intercept all migrant boats and return them to France or Belgium under a plan called ‘Operation Fortress’

Reform UK is proposing to launch “the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two” in a bid to halt small boat crossings from France.

Under a Nigel Farage-led government, the Royal Navy would be deployed into the channel to intercept all migrant vessels and return them to France or Belgium as part of a strategy dubbed “operation fortress”.

The party maintains the plan complies with international law and would both stop small boat arrivals and serve as a humanitarian measure.

Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesman, said: “Britain is being invaded. Tory and Labour governments responded with a free ferry service and free hotels.

“Reform UK will respond by launching the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two.

“Nigel Farage will order his Majesty’s Royal Navy to ensure that not a single unauthorised vessel crossing the English Channel makes it to the shores of the United Kingdom.

“Those who attempt it will be intercepted by our Armed Forces and returned to France.”

He claimed the measure would render the border “impenetrable” and that “nobody” would succeed in reaching UK shores by small boat.

The party pointed to events in the North African Spanish enclave of Ceuta, where approximately 60,000 migrants breached the border to enter Spanish territory earlier this week, as evidence of the “urgency” behind Reform’s proposals for the UK.

The majority of migrants in Ceuta had returned to neighbouring Morocco by Sunday. Reform UK has described the central aim of its proposals as humanitarian, claiming it would save lives in the Channel.

According to the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, a total of 162 people lost their lives in the English Channel between 2018 and 2025.

The party is proposing the establishment of a joint military command, drawing on units from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF and British Army, alongside a surveillance operation to monitor incoming vessels.

Armed forces would intercept any unauthorised boats and detain those on board, providing water, food and a medical assessment before returning them under naval escort.

Emergency legislation would be passed “as necessary” to grant the joint command any additional powers required.

Last Wednesday was the busiest single day for small boat crossings in the English Channel so far this year, with 752 migrants reaching the UK.

However, overall arrival figures for 2026 to date have fallen compared with the same period last year.

The provisional total for the year stands at 14,526, which is 43% lower than the figure recorded at this point last year (25,436) and down 14% on the equivalent period in 2024 (16,903).

Coronation Street fans knew that Cassie Plummer’s exit was on the cards. But that won’t make it any harder to watch the gobby Rovers’ regular tear-jerking goodbye, especially since according to actress Claire Sweeney, those tears were real.’

The soap star announced back in January that she was leaving the Street back in January, as she’s been cast as Miss Hannigan in the UK tour of musical Annie.

But it wasn’t until recently that her final denouement really kicked off, thanks to the introduction of the villainous Ross Wilkes (Ian Burfield). Ross took advantage of Cassie when she was fifteen and paid her for sex, resulting in the birth of their son Tyrone Dobbs’ (Alan Halsall).

We’ve already seen Ross threaten Cassie’s life to stop her interfering in his relationship with his long-lost son.

This week, Cassie’s mission to oust Ross from her family blew up in her face when she was caught spiking his smoothie to make sure he failed a drug test for his new job. This resulted in her being rejected by Tyrone, not to mention her long-time boyfriend Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) who caught her red-handed with the drugs and breaks up with her.

Despite knowing that she was going to leave, Claire admitted to being taken by surprise when it came to finally departing the Cobbles for good in a recent chat with Metro.

‘Honestly, I was in total denial. I just carried on as if I wasn’t leaving at all because I was having such a wonderful time with the storylines. I was absolutely loving every minute of it. It only really hit me about a week before the end, particularly when I started clearing out my flat in Liverpool and had to pack up my dressing room.’

‘I remember standing there thinking, “I can’t take these things out of my dressing room.” Even now, I still feel a bit in denial. Because I’m still in touch with everyone—chatting to Alan and Simon every few days—it doesn’t feel like I’ve moved on yet. For a while I hadn’t even started rehearsing for Annie, so it feels like I’m still part of the family.’

‘I couldn’t believe the quality of the writing they gave me for the end; it was beautiful. And Ross is played by Ian, who is just a brilliant actor. The scenes we shot were so poignant.’

The story takes a particularly heart-breaking turn when Cassie is forced to say goodye to her beloved grandchildren, Hope Stape (Isabella Flanagan) and Ruby Dobbs (Billie Naylor).

‘There was one specific scene at the end, saying goodbye to Hope and Ruby in the Dobbs house, where I literally sobbed. The tears were completely real. At one point, the director even asked me to hold back a little bit because it looked like I was having a breakdown on camera, but that was just how it felt. It was so genuine that the children started crying during the take, too. It was incredibly emotional.’

However, that’s not even Cassie’s final scene. The last we see of her is after she’s accepted a job as a cleaner on a cruise ship, then Ross arrives and offers her a lift in his car. He speeds off with Cassie in the passenger seat, leaving her end chillingly ambiguous. Claire reflects on Kathy’s fate.

‘She feels she has absolutely no choice. She has been rejected by the love of her life, Steve, and everyone else has turned their backs on her. She feels her life there has been destroyed. The only option left is to take that job on the cruise ship. Whether she actually makes it to that ship or what happens when Ross takes her—that’s the beauty of it. No one knows, and it’s left wonderfully open.’

First joining the show in 2023, Cassie was introduced as the long-lost mother of Tyrone, who struggled with drug addiction for many years, and finally managed to get clean and be the mum he always needed. In that time, we have seen her full character arc and redemption into the no-nonsense switchboard operator of Street Cars that we know and love… and Claire Sweeney has loved every moment of it.

‘It’s been an absolute joy.’ Claire gushes. ‘I’ve been blessed with brilliant, multifaceted storylines from start to finish. I went from being a “baddie” to someone who softened, particularly with Steve, who really brought out her vulnerability and honesty. I loved the comedy, the motherly instincts she developed with Tyrone, and the wonderful, forgiving friendship she had with Ken. Even the comedic elements of living with Tracy (Kate Ford) and Steve—the scripts were just brilliant. I’ve been so lucky.’

Her time on Coronation Street maybe coming to a close, but Claire’s managed to hold on to one keepsake from her days on the Cobbles.

‘I intended to take my battered old trainers, but I actually ended up leaving my dressing room table exactly as it was. I think it was a subconscious thing—I just wasn’t ready to let go. However, I did keep one special thing, the Heart badge with Cassie written on it, I was given during my very first scene with Simon Gregson at the speed dating event in the Rovers. It’s on my fridge now as a little reminder of where it all began.’

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