Not much has changed in Sarratt since its rolling green fields provided the backdrop for Hugh Grant‘s bumbling best man speech in Four Weddings And A Funeral.

Its quintessentially British scenery – admired by the millions who turned out to see that quintessentially British rom-com – remains untouched, while a list of its attractions would still consist exclusively of three excellent pubs and a Post Office.

From the distant sound of horses’ hooves clipping the surface of its narrow roads to the complete absence of Uber, solid phone signal or any semblance of public transport, Sarratt is stuck in a bygone era many would like to return to.

But the Hertfordshire village is facing an existential threat at the hands of Government housing targets that locals say could ‘ruin’ their rural idyll forever.

Planning applications are proposing 289 newbuild homes on the area’s Green Belt land – an increase of 53.5 per cent, according to campaigners.

An initial development was blocked in 2023 but later approved on appeal after being taken all the way to the Planning Inspectorate.

At the time, officials said the village was an inappropriate location for such projects and recommended the development be the last of its kind.

But families living in Sarratt have been hit by a slew of fresh building proposals – and are concerned this is just the beginning.

They worry the vast housing projects will be a blot on the landscape, and threaten local wildlife, as well as their peaceful rural environment.

The picture postcard location was the setting for Hugh Grant’s bumbling wedding speech in classic British rom-com Four Weddings And A Funeral, pictured

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Helen Lynch – who has expanded the campaign against the encroaching developments from a small WhatsApp group to a village-wide revolt – fears the centuries-old Sarratt way of life is under attack.

The local, 61, told the Daily Mail: ‘We are worried about the long-term impact on nature and wildlife, and the fact that once it’s gone, it’s gone.

‘They are trying to use every argument they possibly can to just concrete over the fields.

‘The walks are circular walks that link up the pubs and it’s been like this for hundreds of years. Unfortunately they are going to go.’

The plans include 97 approved properties adjacent to Church Lane, as well as a further 108 pending decision off the same road.

Meanwhile, another 64 houses are touted for Dawes Lane – pending a decision – and a further 20 in a field behind the Cock Inn on the southern tip of the village.

One developer, Burlington, who the Daily Mail has contacted for comment, is particularly unpopular after campaigners accused the company of using ‘bully boy’ tactics during the legal dispute. 

Barbara Bivens, who has lived on the village green at the end of Dawes Lane for 30 years, agreed that the unique character of the place was under threat, saying: ‘It’s a pretty area. There’s wildlife. It’s going to spoil the environment.

‘Horses come up the lane, hikers go down the lane. You’re going to spoil it all for them. 

‘This is just a lovely village. And we are going to have all these dumper lorries coming up and down. It won’t work.

‘It will be awful. It’s Green Belt land, but that doesn’t mean anything any more does it?’ 

The Campaign To Protect Rural England (CPRE) has recognised Sarratt as ‘Washed-Over Green Belt’ – where every last metre can be classed as Green Belt. 

Planners need exceptional circumstances to build on this land, but the bar for this appears to be falling ever lower and many areas are now being redesignated as Grey Belt, much to the dismay of those who adore them. 

Three Rivers District Council originally proposed 5,000 new homes in their local authority, campaigners say, but Labour argued this was not enough.

The area also lacks an established Local Plan to protect it from such projects – a problem which has heavily harmed the campaign.

The idyllic Hertfordshire village is facing an existential threat at the hands of Labour housing targets that locals say could ‘ruin’ their rural idyll forever (Pictured: Sarratt’s local Post Office)

Helen Lynch, pictured, has expanded the campaign against the encroaching developments from a small WhatsApp group to a village-wide revolt

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And yet, furious locals remain terrified of being branded with the dreaded title, ‘NIMBY’, so are at pains to cut the emotion out of their arguments and stick to the facts.

Indeed, they claim they were even told there was ‘no place’ for sentimental points at a July inquiry into the project.

Their main gripe is with the impact of having potentially dozens of heavy lorries travelling down Sarratt’s narrow lanes during the development process.

It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to leave the idyllic village, but when the Daily Mail had to head home after a recent visit, we realised how cut-off the place really is. 

Buses only depart to the hubs of Watford and Hemel Hempstead every two or three hours, and modern taxi services, like Uber, have a very limited presence in the area.

Ultimately, we had to rely on generous locals to provide lifts and even then the car had to squeeze perilously past other vehicles on tight country lanes, and take lengthy diversions to avoid minor roadworks. 

These are all aspects of the village residents point to when they argue that conducting large-scale developments in the area is highly impractical. 

‘The infrastructure and the road will not take it – this was a track until 1963 when the curb was built,’ Ms Bivens, 78, said. ‘You struggle to get an ambulance down there. You won’t get a lorry through.

‘They are going to have to put double yellow lines all down here. What are they going to do when the fair is here? Parking is manic.’

Gill Goldfinch, who has lived with her husband Steve Goldfinch on the Green for three decades, said: ‘The roads are narrow. The entry to the one they have approved on Church Lane is on the bend of one of the main roads.

‘It just defies any logic that anybody who knows anything about the area would approve something like this.’

To live in Sarratt without a car is to leave yourself virtually stranded – or at least at the mercy of the unreliable transport network.

It follows, then, that hundreds of new neighbours will bring hundreds of new vehicles to a village where parking spaces are already scarce, especially on busy weekend days.

‘At the weekend, so many people come here. We have three very popular pubs. People come here because it is Sarratt and it is in the countryside and they can go walking.

‘But the parking on those days is ridiculous. It is already under strain just with visitors. The weekend we just had, there was just an amazing amount of cars and people.’

Andy Sceats, who lives on Church Lane, said: ‘At the weekend, so many people come here. We have three very popular pubs. People come here because it is Sarratt and it is in the countryside and they can go walking.

Pictured: A portion of Green Belt land adjacent to Dawes Lane in Sarratt which is set to be ‘concreted over’ with newbuild homes

Steve and Gill Goldfinch, pictured, who have lived in the village for three decades, are both concerned about the dangers of increased traffic in the area

‘But the parking on those days is ridiculous. It is already under strain just with visitors. The weekend we just had, there was just an amazing amount of cars and people.’

Ms Goldfinch said: ‘We are appalled. Traffic is already a nightmare. It leads on to the M25 so it is constant. At school time, it is chaos.’

Tony and Jane Spicer – who moved to Sarratt 10 years ago from nearby King’s Langley to enjoy the ‘fresh air and small village feel’ – said: ‘It will be ruined by new houses. The roads will not be able to handle the traffic.’ 

Pre-empting accusations of inviting extra air pollution, developers have plans for green travel baked into their proposals.

One of them – a scheme to turn a small private road next to the Church Lane site into a cycle path – was the subject of the inquiry at the Three Rivers District Council offices in Rickmansworth on July 21.

Locals branded the path ‘dangerous’, featuring two sharp bends and leading on to a 60mph road, and said a woman was killed there several years ago.

Mr Goldfinch said: ‘Part of their argument is that it is in cycling distance to stations – and they’re not. 

‘Cyclists take their lives into their hands round here. It’s a recipe for disaster.’

Ian McClelland, who lives on Church Lane, added: ‘Quite unusually, the local authority laid on a free bus for school children in the village to Sir Clement Danes School because the route has been deemed dangerous.’

Developers are even offering to provide one e-bike per property on the new sites to encourage cycling, but locals say this will not make things any safer on the narrow streets. 

In an area where locals claim school capacity, water supply, phone signal and sewage systems are already creaking – and power cuts are not an uncommon occurrence – there are substantial fears the tsunami of new properties will be unsustainable.

Campaigners say they understand that houses need to be built to ease the strain on the UK housing market.

But they insist there are better places on which to erect them than Green Belt land which overlooks Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty – including the vast swathes of Brownfield land which sits nearby.

Mr Goldfinch said: ‘Everyone’s called a NIMBY – but it just doesn’t make sense.

‘We are not opposed to development on brownfield sites, but it’s not happening.’

‘CPRE told us how much brownfield there was, and more than enough to cope with building requirements,’ Mr Sceats added. ‘But it probably costs more money to clear a brownfield site than to just stick something in a field, whether that field is appropriate or not.

‘They build round here because it is convenient for the developers.’

The proposed homes are touted for ‘affordable housing’ options – properties available at below the market average for the area.

But in Sarratt the average house sells for more than £730,000, according to Rightmove, begging the question of how ‘affordable’ these homes can really be.  

Ms Bivens said: ‘It’s supposed to be affordable housing, but it won’t be affordable for kids in the village. Affordable to someone on £90k maybe.’ 

Mr Goldfinch added: ‘I haven’t seen an awful lot of people in favour of the development. I understand the arguments, but affordable housing round here…I don’t understand it.’

For many, the dream of a peaceful rural life in a picture postcard village is fizzling out fast – but even those considering a move elsewhere are finding it impossible to sell.

‘While they’re doing this, if you want to sell your house, you’ve got no chance,’ Mr Goldfinch said. ‘Prior to this, as soon as property comes on the market, it goes. Now it is sitting there for years.’

Already looking ahead to future battles, Mr McClelland is particularly concerned about the unstoppable ‘urbanisation’ of his beloved local area.

He said: ‘Many years ago, residents were asked if they wanted street lights and they opposed it. People liked the darkness and the feeling they were out in the countryside.

‘Now one of the aspects of the cycle path is they will put lighting in there.

‘Slowly you will get a little rural village urbanised and it will change the character. It’s crazy.’

The situation seems hopeless with councillors ‘hamstrung’ and held hostage by central government targets as well as a move to give planning inspectors more power, according to residents.

Despite this, a truly encouraging campaign has emerged – and gained the support of dozens of passionate locals.

Ms Lynch, who returned to Sarratt three years ago after a spell in Watford, kickstarted Operation BOB (Bog Off Burlington) when she discovered plans to build on the land next to Dawes Lane.

‘There is a very strong sense of community here and this is bringing it together further,’ she said. ‘We are all very defiant we want to keep Sarratt as it is for future generations.

Tony and Jane Spicer, pictured, moved to Sarratt 10 years ago from nearby King’s Langley to enjoy the ‘fresh air and small village feel’ but now think the area will be ‘ruined’

Pictured: A portion of land behind The Cock pub in Sarratt which is touted for newbuild homes

‘We will carry on fighting. There is a fear these greedy developers are going to keep on going.

‘We’ve seen how Burlington work. Their lawyer in the Church Lane appeal used such bully boy tactics, he bullied the inspector, he bullied everybody.

‘If that’s how they behave, that is probably filtering down to the planning level. It will be very difficult not to pass things. 

‘It feels like David and Goliath. We haven’t got the money, we haven’t got the power. All we can do is fight.’

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said:

‘For too long we have not built enough housing, which has put secure homes out of reach.’

‘To meet that challenge we need all areas, including in Three Rivers, to play their part and ensure we build the homes communities need – supported by the right level of infrastructure and services.’

The Daily Mail has approached Three Rivers District Council for comment. 

Paul Coull, 50, first contacted the other person via Hornet, a social media website for members of the LGBTQ+ community, said Rachel Landin, prosecuting at York Crown Court.

Unknown to him, the “Luke” profile purporting to be a 14-year-old boy was operated by adult members of an online anti-paedophile vigilante group who told police about his sexual conversations.

Coull, of Surtees Street, Clifton, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. He had no previous convictions.

“As far as you were concerned, this was a 14-year-old boy,” the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, told Coull. “This court must protect young boys and girls from harm on the internet.

“You richly deserve to go immediately to prison. But Parliament said any sentence under 12 months has to be suspended unless there are really exceptional circumstances and I cannot say there are (in this case).”

He passed a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months on condition Coull does 15 days’ rehabilitative activities and 250 hours’ unpaid work and made him subject to a sexual harm prevention order for seven years. Coull will be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

The judge said much of the conversation between Coull and “Luke” had been innocent. “However it did sink into the unacceptable,” he said.

He added: “There was a degree of persistence by the vigilante group” that a real teenager would not have shown.

Defence barrister Rachel Webster handed in character and work references on Coull’s behalf.

She said the online conversations took place at a time when Coull was experiencing low mood and was depressed. He was extremely lonely and craved attention but had looked for it in the wrong place.

He was on medication for depression, but had not been formally diagnosed.

Ms Landin said Coull didn’t ask the age of the person operating the profile on Hornet when they first started talking in the autumn of 2024. 

Eventually “Luke” said he was 14.  Coull responded by saying “Luke” was too young and that sexual acts with him would be illegal. He told the profile he was 48 and “Luke” responded by saying that was all right.

They had a lot of non-sexual conversations and Coull had told “Luke” about the difficulties he had had when he “came out”.

The conversations moved onto WhatsApp where Coull had asked if “Luke” would like him to take his virginity and other sexual topics.

Ms Landin said police had examined Coull’s phone but had found no evidence that Coull had been looking online for indecent images of children.

Andy Burnham has appointed three times as many Northern Cabinet ministers as Southern as he attempts to transfer power away from London.

Backbenchers boasted of the ‘march of the Northern Queens’ as the Prime Minister paraded his new Cabinet for the cameras on Tuesday.

Mr Burnham’s top team also includes triple the number of private school pupils as Sir Keir Starmer‘s – as well as nearly twice the number of Oxbridge graduates.

However, questions were raised about the integrity of some of his appointments, which include a convicted fraudster and a stamp duty dodger.

The so-called ‘King of the North’ has spoken at length about devolving power outside of Whitehall and creating a ‘No 10 North’. 

Now he has rewarded many of his allies – known as the ‘Manchester Mafia’ – with powerful jobs. 

His Cabinet includes 14 members from northern constituencies – including a ‘band of strong, Northern power women’.

Four represent the Midlands, four represent London, two represent the South, three represent Wales and one Scotland.

He made Louise Haigh First Secretary of State despite being a convicted fraudster

New Education Secretary Lucy Powell caused controversy last year after dismissing the grooming gang scandal as a ‘dog whistle’ issue

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Mapping of the areas Mr Burnham’s Cabinet represents indicates that the geographic centre of power has shifted north, it now sits between Sheffield and Knowsley in Merseyside.

But his pitch as a ‘man of the people’ is at odds with his elite Cabinet. Nearly a quarter attended private schools (24 per cent) – a significant increase on the 8 per cent under the previous administration, the Sutton Trust found. 

In comparison, just over 6 per cent of the general population go to fee-paying schools.

The AI minister Kanishka Narayan went to Eton College – where fees are up to £65,000 a year – on a scholarship. 

Hamish Falconer, the minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, attended Westminster School, which costs up to £63,000 a year. 

And Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant went to Cheltenham College – which costs up to £60,000 a year – on a scholarship.

Meanwhile, Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander attended the elite Pearson College in Canada, which costs $73,000 (£39,000) a year, on a scholarship.

However, 41 per cent of the top team was educated in the North.

Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson leaves 10 Downing Street following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first cabinet meeting

Lisa Nandy retained her position as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

And more than half went to Oxford or Cambridge (54 per cent), compared to 29 per cent of Sir Keir’s Cabinet, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute. Only 1 per cent of the general population attend Oxbridge.

While there are more women in Mr Burnham’s Cabinet, fewer have big jobs. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is now the only woman to hold a great office of state.

Backbencher Oliver Ryan enthused about the ‘stellar appointments’, posting:  ‘Personally I’m completely here for the march of the Northern Queens: Lou, Anneliese, Ange, Lucy, joining Lisa and Bridget – what a squad’.

But the PM faces questions over some of the appointments. He made Louise Haigh First Secretary of State despite being a convicted fraudster. 

And Angela Rayner, reappointed to the housing brief, resigned from government after failing to pay £40,000 of stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove. 

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds apologised last year for lying about working as a solicitor despite not being qualified before he became an MP. 

And new Education Secretary Lucy Powell caused controversy last year after dismissing the grooming gang scandal as a ‘dog whistle’ issue.

Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative Party chairman, said: ‘It is a damning indictment that this is seemingly the best Labour can offer the country.

‘Not only will the public question whether they can trust this ragtag bunch, they will also ask whether they are fit to run the country.’

A humanitarian worker is being ‘monitored and assessed’ by specialists in a London hospital after contracting suspected Ebola.

It’s reported the worker, a British resident, was ‘exposed’ to the disease while working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The UK Health Security Agency said he was evacuated on a chartered flight as a precautionary measure but ‘remains well’ with no current symptoms.

There has been no recorded case of Ebola in the UK since 2015, when three health workers returned from Africa with the disease.

‘The risk to the general public remains low,’ Richard Pebody, Director, Epidemic & Emerging Infections at UKHSA, claimed.

‘This individual has been transferred out of an abundance of caution, and we’re pleased they remain well.’ 

DR Congo has been facing a ‘substantially faster’ outbreak, which has so far claimed 930 lives, with 2,344 cases reported on Saturday alone.

Ebola can take between two to 21 days to incubate, with patients needing to isolate during that time.

First declared in May, this is becoming the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record, and so far there have been 20 confirmed cases outside DR Congo.

Among those 20 cases have been two deaths, one in Uganda and one in France.

The Democratic Republic’s Ministry of Health said on Monday: ‘Patient care and support capacities are consolidating, with 22 new recoveries recorded in 24 hours.’ 

Last month, there was some concern over a potential patient in Scotland, with part of a Glasgow hospital sealed off to stop the spread.

Ultimately, the person – who had been to an Ebola-affected country – tested negative.

In 2014, a Scottish nurse became the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the UK after treating patients in the ‘Red Zone’ in Sierra Leone’s disease-stricken Kerry Town.

Colleagues believe that she may have contracted the illness after attending a church service without her hazard suit on Christmas morning.

In June, a French doctor tested positive for Ebola after returning home. France’s health ministry said the patient had been on a humanitarian mission and they are said to have recovered.

Those who may have come into contact with the patient are being traced, and the general risk the outbreak presents in Europe remains low.

Last month, it was revealed that the ‘first line of defence’ against the deadly strain of Ebola has collapsed.

Known as Bundibugyo, this strain is rare and currently has no vaccine or treatment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency last month following the outbreak.

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Harper Beckham‘s beauty brand name has been ‘revealed’ after her first choice was ‘denied trademark in America’. 

The daughter of David and Victoria Beckham, 15, is preparing to blow up the beauty market next year with her very own skincare business. 

The teenager will reportedly sell products, aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha, under the brand name Harlo by Harper.

While Harper’s final list of products are being kept under wraps, it’s understood the range will include facial washes and creams.

‘Harper has been working on a name with the team working on the brand for a while and came up with Harlo By Harper. The trademark applications are signed and sealed.

‘Although there is no set date for a launch yet, the aim is to officially start the roll out at some point next year.

‘Victoria has been guiding and supporting Harper every step of the way in this venture. Both Victoria and David couldn’t be more proud of Harper’, a source told The Sun. 

The daughter of David and Victoria Beckham, 15, is preparing to blow up the beauty market next year with her very own skincare business

Daily Mail have contacted the Beckhams’ representatives for comment.  

In May it was revealed that Harper suffered a blow to her business plans as she was denied her first choice naming rights in the States. 

Back in October, it was revealed the Beckhams had trademarked the name HIKU BY Harper in the UK, putting the steps in motion for the upcoming beauty line.

However, Brand Beckham suffered a setback after the US Patent and Trademark Office issued an ‘initial refusal’ to the name as it could be confused with existing companies.

The Sun has reported the denial came as ‘Harper’ is registered for brooms and scrubbing brushes, while ‘Hiku’ is trademarked for toiletry and fragrance products.

The Beckhams applied for the trademark in November and now have six months to appeal the initial decision.

They planned for the name to be trademarked on make-up and acne skincare, footwear and clothing, keyrings, stickers, hair decorations and brushes.

Daily Mail contacted the Beckhams’ representative for comment.

Earlier this year, proud mum Victoria revealed Harper’s ‘really bad’ battle with acne had inspired the teen to launch her very own beauty brand.

Appearing on Emma Grede’s podcast Aspire, Victoria explained: ‘She came to me two or three years ago and she was really struggling with her skin.

‘She used to have beautiful skin, but like all young girls she was enticed by beauty brands and she was putting a lot of product on her face that was not suitable for her skin and consequently ended up going to see a dermatologist because her skin was really, really bad.’

Victoria detailed her own battles with acne and said she could relate to her daughter’s struggles: ‘[Harper] said “I want to create a brand because I know what I want and I don’t want other people to have to go through what I have been through”‘.

While Harper’s final list of products, aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are being kept under wraps, it’s understood the range will include facial washes and creams

Victoria said the ambitious teen even approached her with PowerPoint presentations in the early stages of getting her beauty line off the ground.

‘One [PowerPoint] about this brand that she wanted to create because she was struggling with her skin’, she said. ‘And the other one was a reason as to why I should let her have a perm’.

Victoria added: ‘I’m so proud of all my children, but you know Harper is very ambitious, she’s very appropriate but I don’t know what I expected to be honest.

‘I mean, she’s been sitting on my lap taking part in beauty development meetings ever since she was little.’

The business-savvy family have long protected the rights to their children’s names, with Victoria famously registering Harper’s name for use in a range of branded products, including make-up, toys and clothing when she was just five years old.

At the time, an intellectual property expert said it was unprecedented to trademark a child’s name because the move is usually reserved for those who are already celebrities.

Oliver Bray, a partner at international law firm RPC, told the Daily Mail: ‘It normally happens when your career is getting going and a lawyer says, “Let’s get some protection in place.”

‘As opposed to the future-proofing which is what Victoria Beckham has done with her children.

‘It may be a sign of the times with social media and the whole way in which celebrities are exploited.

‘In order to give you more levers to control your image, a trademark is an obvious place to go and it might be that society is driving the Beckhams to use these levers to protect their children in this more manipulative world in which we live.

‘But from another point of view, you could call it savvy and looking to the future.’

GLP-1 medications are now available in pill form rather than injections for people who are eligible

A doctor has explained why weight-loss pills might be better than injections for those who are eligible. Doctor Amir Khan discussed some of the differences between GLP-1 medications on a recent episode of his podcast.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a naturally occurring gut hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. The use of GLP-1 inhibitors, or receptor agonists, has soared in popularity in recent years due to their demonstrated effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and aiding weight loss.

These medications, which were initially only available as injections, can be prescribed through the NHS or bought privately. The UK’s first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss and weight management received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) last month.

This latest development means that patients now have the choice of taking a tablet instead of having an injection. But what does this actually mean for patients?

Speaking on his podcast, No Appointment Necessary, Dr Amir was asked by his co-host Cherry Healey: “Recently, they released a weight loss pill. How is that different to the injections, and do you think it’s a good thing?

“And will it mean that there’s more access to the drug to the people who really need it?” He replied, explaining that the pill is semaglutide, which is the same as the injectable drug.

The main difference is that the pill must be taken daily, while the injection is given once a week. Dr Amir said: “It’s that one GLP-1 hormone in there. It’s a daily pill you have to take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water [official guidelines state a 120ml of water] so it goes all the way down and you are not allowed to eat for about half an hour afterwards.

“So that’s the kind of the mechanics of it all. Works in very much the same way as the jabs.”

However, he admitted that the pill might be more accessible to certain people. He continued: “In terms of accessibility, it might make it more accessible to people who are needlephobic.

“It might make it more accessible to people who find it difficult to store the injections in the fridge – they have to be stored in the fridge at all times otherwise the drug breaks down in room temperature.

“And so perhaps if you’re going on holiday for two or three weeks you can take the pills instead of the jabs. So from that point of view it’s more accessible and acceptable, I think.”

Who could get the pill

Two groups of people could be eligible for the pill through the NHS. These include adults in the UK who are:

• Living with obesity with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or
• Overweight with a BMI between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related comorbidity

How to take the Wegovy pill

Guidance supplied by Superdrug says you must:

• Take the Wegovy pill first thing in the morning when you wake up on an empty stomach and before eating, drinking, or taking any other medication
• Swallow one Wegovy pill whole with 120ml of water. Do not take the pill with any other drink, such as tea, coffee, or juice. It must only be taken with plain water
• Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other oral medication. You can wait longer, but 30 minutes is the minimum. If you do not wait 30 minutes, the active ingredients in the Wegovy pill may not reach your bloodstream and will not be effective

Side effects

On GOV.UK, the MHRA said: “Common gastrointestinal side-effects of GLP-1RAs treatment (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation) can persist for several days and may affect more than one in 10 patients.

“This may result in dehydration, which if severe may lead to other serious health complications such as kidney damage resulting in hospitalisation. Throughout treatment stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids (such as water) to avoid dehydration, which can sometimes occur after experiencing gastrointestinal side-effects including vomiting and diarrhoea

“Other serious but less common side-effects of GLP-1RAs include acute gallstone disease, pancreatitis, and serious allergic reactions.” If side effects become severe, persist, or prevent you from eating and drinking normally, you should contact your doctor for advice.

The venue, one of the North East’s longest-running theatres, has built a reputation in recent years for pulling in big-name talent alongside its regular programme of touring musicals and local productions.

This year’s line-up spans comedy, music, and stage royalty, offering something for audiences of all ages right through to the new year.

Miriam Margolyes

Harry Potter and Blackadder star Miriam Margolyes will bring her live show, Miriam’s Full English LIVE, to the venue on Wednesday, November 18.

Known for her outspoken wit as much as her decades-long acting career, Margolyes has built a huge following through her recent travel documentaries and candid chat show appearances, making her one of the biggest individual draws on this year’s Hippodrome calendar.

The Harry Potter star is coming to the North East (Image: James Manning / PA)

Chris Ramsey

North East comedian Chris Ramsey performs his Here Man! show over two nights on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22.

Ramsey, who has strong regional ties and a loyal fanbase from Sunderland and across the North East, is one of the highest-profile home-grown names on the bill this year, having built his profile through his podcast ‘S*****d Married Annoyed’ with his wife Rosie.

Chris Ramsey is from South Shields (Image: Contributed)

Harry Enfield

Comedy legend Harry Enfield brings his stage show Harry Enfield and No Chums to Darlington on Wednesday, November 11.

The comedian, famous for decades of sketch characters including Kevin the Teenager and Tim Nice But Dim, is expected to draw audiences from across generations who grew up on his television work.

(Image: Southend Theatres)

Paul Potts

Britain’s Got Talent’s first-ever winner, Paul Potts, stars in Opera Boys on Friday, October 23.

Potts shot to fame in 2007 after his audition performance went viral worldwide, and he has toured internationally as an opera singer ever since.

Ore Oduba

Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba headlines The Vintage Boys on Saturday, October 24.

Oduba, who won Strictly in 2016, has built a career across TV presenting and musical theatre, and brings his singing talents to Darlington as part of this vintage-themed show.

Sir Derek Jacobi

Acting royalty also features on the bill, with veteran actor Sir Derek Jacobi appearing in conversation with Richard Clifford on Sunday, November 15.

Jacobi, celebrated for his stage work and screen roles including I, Claudius and Gladiator, offers Darlington audiences a rare chance to hear directly from one of British theatre’s most respected performers.

He will be in town in November time (Image: Clive Conway Productions)

Matt Baker

The celebrity additions come ahead of the Hippodrome’s biggest seasonal draw: North East favourite Matt Baker, who will lead the cast of this year’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, playing Jack from Friday, December 11, through to Sunday, January 3, 2027.

Baker, who grew up in County Durham and became a household name presenting The One Show and Countryfile, will be joined by returning Darlington panto favourites Josh Benson as Silly Billy and Jamie Jones as Mrs Potty.

Oh yes, he is in Darlo! (Image: Supplied)

Looking ahead

Just outside the current calendar year, Winterwatch presenter and Strictly winner Hamza Yassin is booked for January 12 next year.

This will give Darlington audiences even more reason to keep an eye on the Hippodrome’s expanding celebrity line-up.

By BRIDIE ADAMS

Published: 00:09 BST, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 06:05 BST, 22 July 2026

Manchester United have returned to preseason training as they continue to prepare for the upcoming Premier League season

Harry Maguire is “really impressed” with Andrey Santos after his strong debut for Manchester United.

The midfielder arrived at Old Trafford from Chelsea in July, signing a five-year deal for an initial £48million fee. Santos became the first acquisition of the Michael Carrick era and got down to business against Wrexham.

Maguire captained United in the first half and played alongside the 22-year-old. It was here and in training that the veteran defender was left impressed.

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Appearing on the Sky Sports Golf channel for The Open, Maguire admitted that the Brazil international had already caused a stir. He said: “Andrey played yesterday. He really impressed us in the first week and I think we’ve signed two great players there,” also referencing Youri Tielemans.

Carrick also praised Santos before his first United appearance, saying: “He’s settled in really well, he’s a fantastic character. He’s settled in so quickly and he’s buzzing to be here, you can see that.”

The 22-year-old watched on as United fell to a 1-0 defeat against Wrexham after being subbed off at half-time. Despite the loss, Carrick had plenty to say about Santos’ initial debut.

He said: “There’s loads of little positives to take from the game. I thought Andrey and Mason [Mount] did some really good things and connected really well. I could see some positives there.

“[At the] top end of the pitch, just because it is a week in, those sharp little movements and bright moments that you are looking for, they come as you progress through the weeks of training. That is what it is. There were good signs from Andrey on his first one, he’s getting in the rhythm and feel of it again, so it was good to see him in a red shirt.”

Santos admitted his desire to start strong and his excitement about working with his new teammates. He said: “I can learn a lot too from Bruno, so I’m so excited to play with my team-mates, with Bruno, with Matheus, with Kobbie [Mainoo], with Amad, with Diogo [Dalot], with Harry [Maguire], so with everyone.”

Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

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