Almost three quarters of England is now in drought, with officials warning conditions under the record-breaking dry spell are ‘worsening’. 

More than 27million people in England and Wales are under hosepipe bans after the driest-ever July – which saw some parts of the country receive just 1 per cent of the expected rainfall.

The National Drought Group today found that 71.3 per cent of England is under drought conditions, with around 45million people affected.

The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs became the latest areas to receive the classification.

Conditions in affected regions have been described as a flash drought – which is one that develops rapidly and is brought about by very low rainfall and higher temperatures.

Nowhere in England is currently considered to be under ‘normal’ conditions, after the North East and Yorkshire have moved to ‘prolonged dry weather’ – the stage before drought.

Tony Grayling, Drought Lead at the Environment Agency and Chair of the National Drought Group, said: ‘Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so until we see significant and sustained rainfall.

‘We know the hot and dry weather is taking a real toll on farming and there will be long-lasting impacts on our environment.

People walk on the bed of Howden Reservoir where the water level has dropped significantly

Dried yellow grass at Parliament Square, after the driest July on record

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Almost three quarters of England is now under drought conditions

‘We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated over the summer, but we need everyone’s help in using a little less water to make sure our current water reserves last. 

‘Every drop we can save is a drop more for your local farmers, local wildlife and local rivers.’

Water Minister Emma Hardy has told water companies they must do more to reduce the amount of water lost to leaks, which increases during hot weather.

Rainfall in July ranged from one per cent of the average for south-east England to 26 per cent in north-west England. 

Some parts of Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex have not had a rain day for 59 days. 

Meanwhile, Chessington World of Adventures Resort was forced to shut today due to a water outage today.

Thousands of disappointed families were turned away from the theme park in Surrey after a burst water main forced it to close in the middle of the summer holidays.

Thames Water, which supplies Chessington, said engineers were fixing a burst main on a road leading into the attraction which was affecting customers in the KT9 area.

A ban has been in place for Thames Water customers since July 23. The company is one of nine which have brought in restrictions meaning their customers are legally banned from using hosepipes to water gardens or wash cars, patios or boats.

Visitors being turned away at the Chessington front gate were being invited to visit other Merlin Entertainment attractions such as Thorpe Park and Legoland instead.

They were also offered to return to Chessington for free another day – but were not being offered transport. Visitors were also being told Legoland is very busy today.

Facebook user Momo Lin wrote that ‘all children are disappointed’. Another, Sammy Louise, said: ‘We’ve re-routed to Thorpe Park, absolutely dreading the queues as Thorpe Park and Legoland are going to be hit with Chessington guests.’

Visitors outside the entrance to Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Surrey today

A Chessington customer assistant informs members of the public of the closure today

A deserted Chessington World of Adventures Resort today after it closed due to a water outage

Emergency works underway by Thames Water outside the entrance gates to Chessington

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A Chessington customer assistant informs members of the public of the closure today

Damage to Leatherhead Road in Chessington today following the burst Thames Water main

A spokesperson for Chessington said: ‘We are currently experiencing operational disruption due to a burst water main that is affecting the local area.

‘As a result, the attraction is closed today while our teams work closely with Thames Water and local partners to restore normal operations as quickly and safely as possible.

‘We appreciate the patience and understanding of our guests and can confirm that anyone impacted will be automatically revalidated under our return promise.

‘The safety of our guests and employees remains our highest priority.’

Chessington has enacted its ‘return promise’, which allows customers who have pre-booked tickets to return for free within nine months of their visit on selected dates.

The site, which is owned by Merlin Entertainments, has not specified which dates will be open for a free return visit, but the school holiday period typically ends at the start of September.

Thames Water has switched off the burst main on Leatherhead Road directly outside the theme park, and repairs have begun.

A Thames Water spokesman said: ‘We’re sorry to customers in the Chessington area who are currently without water, and to anyone whose plans to visit Chessington World of Adventures Resort who have been affected following today’s outage.

‘Our specialist team is on site and have located a burst water main on Leatherhead Road. Repairs are under way and we are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore supplies. Once the repair is complete, water should begin returning to taps.’

Meanwhile car washes and swimming pools could face a water ban over the coming weeks.

Southern Water imposed a hosepipe ban in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on July 10 – but it could now go further by applying to the Government for a Drought Order and Non-Essential Use Ban (NEUB), which would affect businesses.

A NEUB would prevent companies from washing cars and windows with hosepipes or other mechanical devices, or filling non-domestic swimming or paddling pools.

The pool ban would cover facilities restricted to members of a private club, gym or association rather than general walk-in users. It would include pools at hotels, holiday parks or private health clubs if they do not meet open public access criteria.

An NEUB would also force businesses to stop watering outdoor plants on commercial premises; fill or maintain a pond; clean any vehicle, boat, aircraft or train; clean industrial plants; suppress dust; or operate cisterns on unoccupied buildings.

If Southern Water’s application is granted, it would be the first NEUB since one was given to Sutton and East Surrey Water in 2006 – which was itself the first since 1995.

The dry grass of a football pitch at Hackney Marshes in east London are pictured today

The depleted Hollow Pond and Leyton Flats near Wanstead in east London today

Grassland at Wimbledon Common today is straw-like or non existent, replaced by dust

Dried out ground around the Maiden Castle Iron Age hillfort in Dorchester, Dorset, today 

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Firefighters continue to battle a blaze at the Holme Fen Nature Reserve in Peterborough today

The pond in Caversham Park near Reading is pictured today, having completely dried up

A worker trims the grass on a cricket pitch in Birmingham today, surrounded by dry ground

If the separate Drought Order application is successful, it would allow Southern Water to take the same amount of water from the River Test even if river flows are lower.

A Southern Water spokesman said: ‘Due to the ongoing dry weather, and following the declaration of drought in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, we have reached the trigger level requiring us to apply to Defra for a Drought Order and Non-Essential Use Ban in these areas.

‘These are precautionary measures and making an application does not mean they will be introduced. However, we must follow the regulatory process to protect water supplies and the environment if dry conditions persist.

‘Protecting the River Test remains a priority, and any future drought measures would be subject to strict environmental monitoring and controls.’

Eight other companies have brought in hosepipe bans so far – Affinity Water, Anglian Water, Cambridge Water, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, South East Water, South West Water and Thames Water.

The latest of these was South West Water which announced restrictions last Friday for all 1.8million customers across Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset and Somerset and the Isles of Scilly.

This week, parts of the UK are set to see their sixth heatwave of the summer with temperatures expected to reach 36C (97F) or higher.

The Met Office has warned of possible impacts to railway lines and power networks as forecasters consider issuing rare amber or red extreme heat warnings.

Today will be slightly cooler before temperatures rise again tomorrow.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: ‘We’ll probably see highs reaching the mid-30s quite widely on Wednesday, and indeed on Thursday too for England and Wales.

‘On Wednesday, probably the Midlands, maybe a little bit further south, the M4 corridor, west of London, up towards the Midlands, is where we might have a small chance of reaching 36C in one or two spots.

‘But Thursday at this stage looks the most likely hottest day of the week. So 36C is a fairly reasonable probability locally on Thursday and there’s a small chance it could get even higher than that.’

Drought was declared last month for all of Wales and more than half of England – covering parts of the South East including London, West Midlands and all of the South West.

The Environment Agency has said several further unspecified areas could be moved from ‘dry weather’ to drought status when officials meet at the National Drought Group today.

Dried grass at Marlow Cricket Club in Buckinghamshire yesterday as dry weather continues

A sunbather reads while relaxing on the scorched grass of Hyde Park in London yesterday

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People walk on parched earth and sun-damaged grass near Tower Bridge in London yesterday

Parched land around Bratton Camp Iron Age hillfort and the White Horse of Westbury yesterday

Parched grass at St James’s Park in London yesterday as the extremely dry weather continues

People look at the Thames Estuary in Allhallows, Kent, yesterday ahead of the new heatwave

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Beachgoers at St Anthony Head in Cornwall yesterday as fresh heat health alerts began

The Wisley Golf Club in Woking, Surrey, has the odd area of green among otherwise dry ground

Beaverbrook Golf Club in Leatherhead, Surrey, is very dry apart from a few patches of green

A drone view shows parched grassland around Stonehenge in Wiltshire on July 31

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A green square surrounded by dry grass at Maidenhead and Bray Cricket Club on July 25 

Around 16million people could move into drought status as public water supplies ‘remain under increasing pressure with continued dry weather and high demand’.

Mr Morgan said: ‘If it wasn’t for this incredible summer that we’re currently seeing, then we’d be talking about these temperatures as being really, very unusual. But of course, we’ve had such an exceptional summer, people have become a bit used to it.

‘There is a potential for impacts, so impacts to infrastructure, things like railway lines and power networks, impacts to vulnerable people as well.’

Health officials have warned of the effect on vulnerable people in the upcoming hot weather, with significant impacts possible in health and social care settings and a potential rise in deaths because of the heat.

Amber heat health alerts have been issued for the East Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, London, North West, South East, South West, and West Midlands, while a yellow heat health alert has been issued for the North East, from tomorrow at 9am until Friday at 9pm.

Meanwhile, the Met Office is considering issuing rare extreme heat warnings ahead of the scorching temperatures forecast later in the week.

‘We sometimes issue extreme heat warnings, amber and red warnings, which we did back in June, so that’s under consideration at the moment,’ Mr Morgan said.

Another record is set to tumble this week after yesterday was the 34th day so far this year when temperatures exceeded 30C (86F) somewhere in the UK, equalling the record from 1995.

So far, the extreme weather of summer 2026 has included two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths.

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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts across England

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A UK heatwave is official when a location records at least three consecutive days of daily maximum temperatures which meet or exceed a specified threshold – which varies by region

Two more heatwaves in July, the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836, have fuelled drought and wildfires. 

The fifth heatwave of the year was confirmed on Monday last week.

Much of southern England is now close to two months without any meaningful rainfall – with Wisley in Surrey having had more than 50 consecutive dry days.

The exceptional weather resulted in a record number of wildfires for England and Wales last month – with firefighters attending 395 blazes in the three weeks to July 31 amid fears the ‘whole country is like one giant tinderbox’, reported The Times.

On the A31 near the New Forest in Hampshire yesterday, police told drivers to leave their cars ‘if you want to stay alive’ as a van fire sparked a wildfire.

Fears are also growing over more water-related deaths, after a 19-year-old died on Saturday after getting into difficulty in the water at Grasmere in the Lake District.

Yesterday, an 18-year-old man died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Camber Sands in East Sussex. 

This brings the number of deaths in open-water incidents over the hot and dry summer to more than 40, according to Press Association estimates.

Downing Street has defended the Government’s response to the heatwave and wildfires, with today’s meeting of the National Drought Group bringing together ministers, officials and the water companies.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We know these conditions are having a significant impact on communities, farmers and businesses across the country.

‘Our climate is changing. Droughts are becoming more common, which is why we’re focused on both the immediate response and long-term resilience.

‘That includes working through the national drought group with the Environment Agency, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations to protect water supplies and minimise environmental damage.

‘And we’re also backing major investment in water infrastructure, including new reservoirs, whilst making clear that water companies must do more to cut leaks and improve resilience.’

The European Union’s earth observation programme Copernicus said average temperatures across western Europe reached 21.61C (70.92F) for June to July, breaking the record set in 2022.

Globally, this year is just behind 2024 and 2025 as the third hottest year on record.

Firefighters were called to the scene in Bishopdyke Road, Sherburn in Elmet, near Selby, shortly before 3.40pm on Monday (August 10).

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire measured 15m by 5m and caused less than 10 per cent of damage to the building.

A service spokesperson said the cause of the blaze was accidental.

They said crews used hose reel jets and a thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire.

Opener Emilio Gay is set to be fit for England’s first Test against Pakistan next week.

The 27-year-old will play for a Professional County Club (PCC) Select XI in a four-day game against the tourists at Beckenham on Wednesday, a sure sign he will take his place in the England team at Headingley on 19 August.

Gay retired hurt with a shoulder problem when playing for Durham in their One-Day Cup game against Middlesex last Friday.

The left-hander had a scan on Saturday, revealing no serious damage.

It was initially thought he would not play in Beckenham, but instead travel to the match to be around the medical team for further treatment and assessment.

However, he will now tune up for the Test in his first red-ball match since the series against New Zealand concluded at the end of June.

As one of the England Test team not taking part in The Hundred, Gay’s appearance for the PCC XI was planned before he suffered the shoulder injury.

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir will also play at Beckenham.

Gay’s fitness is welcome news for England, who had already been forced into a reshuffle following the retirement of former captain Ben Stokes and a knee injury to Jacob Bethell that has forced the batter out of the three-Test series.

Jordan Cox will take Bethell’s place at number three, while Dan Lawrence will bat at six and bowl his off-spin as England make a first attempt to balance their team without Stokes.

England are likely to field four frontline seamers at Headingley, probably Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson.

While Tongue and Atkinson could be playing in the latter stages of The Hundred over the weekend, Archer was rested from Southern Brave’s final game against Trent Rockets on Monday.

With Brave already eliminated, it means Archer has more than a week off before the first Test.

Like Gay and Bashir, Robinson has not been part of The Hundred. Robinson’s wife is due to give birth to their first child, but England are planning for the 32-year-old to be available at Headingley.

These plans can change quickly. England named Jamie Smith in their XI for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval in June, only for Smith to pull out following the birth of his second child.

Headingley will mark the return of Joe Root as full-time captain, while Marcus Trescothick acts as interim head coach before Stephen Fleming takes charge for the winter tour of South Africa.

New Zealander Fleming will arrive in the UK in September, but there is no clarification on whether he will be here before the end of the Pakistan series.

A teenager joins an online video chat. Within seconds, artificial intelligence analyses their face and gives them a score out of ten for “attractiveness”. They are compared in real time with another user who scores higher and is declared the winner. The game is live-streamed, and the audience ridicule the loser in the chat.

This is one example from a growing number of websites and apps that rate people’s faces – sometimes comparing users, identifying supposed flaws or recommending ways to improve their score.

AI appearance-rating platforms present attractiveness as though it can be measured with scientific precision. But beauty cannot be captured by a mathematical calculation or a fixed set of programmed rules. What people find attractive varies between cultures and individuals.

AI systems also reflect the assumptions and biases in their training data and design. A critical comment from another person can often be recognised as an opinion. A precise score from a computer may carry an illusion of authority or objective fact.

AI appearance-rating tools form part of a wider online culture in which appearance is treated as something to measure, rank and optimise. This is particularly visible within the “looksmaxxing” subculture, where users share advice intended to make them more “conventionally attractive”.

Some of this advice concerns personal grooming, clothing or exercise. Other content promotes cosmetic procedures, extreme dieting or dangerous practices. The language of optimisation can encourage users to see their face or body as a problem requiring constant correction.

A 2026 study explored the vulnerability of young people to body image disorders, as appearance-focused content saturates their online feeds. For young men in particular, this can take the form of muscle dysmorphia, a condition characterised by the persistent belief that the body is not muscular enough.

Looksmaxxing is part of a wider online environment that can expose young people to narrow appearance ideals. AI ratings add a number, which may turn an insecurity into something that feels like an objective verdict.

My research examines how social media algorithms expose users to narrow societal body ideals, and how appearance-focused content on platforms such as TikTok may affect how users see and feel about their bodies. AI appearance ratings go a step further by scoring the individual user against these ideals. This could lead to restricted eating, over-exercising or other appearance-changing methods.

Potential harms

As I describe in my research, appearance evaluation, objectification and social pressure can contribute to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Online environments that amplify these pressures may make existing difficulties worse.

Researchers do not yet know the impact of receiving these scores on users’ behaviour. Eating disorders are complex conditions, and no single platform explains why somebody develops one. However, turning appearance into a competitive score may reinforce the idea that personal worth depends on measurable physical improvement.

My research during the COVID pandemic found that most participants with experience of eating disorders reported their symptoms had worsened during the UK lockdown. Participants described several pressures including disrupted routines and support, social isolation, and greater exposure to triggering messages online.

Although preceding the emergence of AI ratings, that study showed how appearance-focused online content can affect people who are already vulnerable. Eating disorders are also associated with a substantially increased risk of premature death, which is one reason potential new sources of appearance pressure deserve careful study.

A 2026 review of looksmaxxing research, which drew on a small body of academic research and grey literature – material published outside conventional academic journals, such as reports, theses and conference papers – identified concerns about body dissatisfaction, constant comparison and features associated with body dysmorphia and disordered eating. Some looksmaxxing communities discuss extreme dieting, steroid use and cosmetic interventions.

The review described “bone smashing”, in which people repeatedly strike their faces with hard objects in the belief that injury will produce a sharper jaw. There is no evidence that this improves appearance. The review also stressed that high-quality research on looksmaxxing remains scarce.

À lire aussi :
‘Bone smashing’: broken bones, tooth loss and blood vessel damage are just a few of the harms of this bizarre TikTok trend

AI-rating tools could also be incorporated into coercive relationships. Body shaming is a recognised feature of coercive control. Abusers criticise their partners’ appearance, control what they eat or wear, and undermine their sense of worth.

Prosecutors in England and Wales recognise that changes in appearance, including weight loss, can indicate controlling or coercive behaviour. Research has also identified links between intimate partner violence and eating disorders.

Research shows that abusive partners use a range of technologies to monitor, harass and control victims. An abuser could use a low AI-generated attractiveness score to demean a partner. For someone whose confidence has already been worn down, the apparent agreement of a machine may make the criticism harder to challenge.

There is no direct academic evidence yet that AI appearance ratings are being used in this way. But research on technology-facilitated intimate partner violence suggests this possibility deserves attention. It is also something that frontline professionals working with domestic abuse should be alert to.

These risks are not limited to adults. Some AI-rating platforms which say they are intended for adults do not use robust age checks.

In the UK, social media, search and other online services covered by the Online Safety Act that are likely to be accessed by children must assess and reduce risks to them, including risks from content that encourages disordered eating, bullying and dangerous activities.

Regulators have not specifically classified AI appearance scoring as harmful content. However, competitive appearance rankings, contact with strangers and public commentary are potential risks that platforms should consider when assessing how their services may affect children.

An algorithm can turn subjective opinions into a convincing-looking number. But it cannot discover somebody’s objective level of attractiveness, because no such measurement exists.

Researchers and regulators now need to examine how users interpret these scores, and whether competitive rating systems expose users to avoidable harm.

The Boro Breakdown Podcast, which covers the latest news from Middlesbrough FC, posted on Monday (August 10), flagging the problematic comments.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the fan-run podcast said: “Incredibly disappointed to say we’ve had to report and delete a significant amount of misogynistic and sexually inappropriate comments from our recent podcast episode.”

Incredibly disappointed to say we’ve had to report & delete a significant amount of misogynistic & sexually inappropriate comments from our recent podcast episode.

As a group, we’ve decided we will stop recording the show if this continues any further.

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– Team BB https://t.co/XTaG54ffYU

— The Boro Breakdown Podcast (@Boro_Breakdown) August 10, 2026

The post added that “as a group, we’ve decided we will stop recording the show if this continues any further.”

This abuse on X linked to the podcast’s 2026/27 season Middlesbrough FC preview, which unpacks all of the latest transfers, squad news and latest on everything surrounding the club.

It also follows a similar plea from the podcast in June this year, calling on fans to be respectful.

That post, posted to the podcast’s Facebook page, said: “We’ve noticed a significant increase in abusive comments on our posts recently, and we want to make our position clear.

“Healthy debate and differing opinions are always welcome – that’s part of football. However, personal insults, abusive language, and any form of harassment are very much not.

“Any comments that cross that line will be removed, and the individuals responsible will be banned from the page.

“Keep it respectful and up the Boro.”

The Inbetweeners star James Buckley has revealed he has been diagnosed with a genetic disease. 

The actor, 38, said he underwent a health check after his wife Clair was taken to hospital in an ambulance suffering from severe dehydration. 

James then asked doctors for further tests after a blood test he had done previously highlighted concern. 

In this week’s episode of The Buckleys podcast, the actor revealed he is at risk of cardiovascular incident due to having high Lipoprotein(a), a genetically inherited type of blood cholesterol, and has had to give up drinking and cut down on takeaways. 

It promotes faster plaque buildup in arteries, increases inflammation and increases the risk of blood clotting. 

It affects roughly one in five people worldwide, typically presenting no physical symptoms until a cardiovascular event occurs. 

 James revealed he is at risk of cardiovascular incident due to having high Lipoprotein(a), and has given up drinking and cut down on takeaways

He explained: ‘I’ve also had health problems as well. It’s something to do with my Lipoprotein(a), something to do with that.

‘There’s nothing you can do about it, by the way. And the doctor’s just been like, “you need to change”.’ 

James has given up drinking for the time being and overhauled his diet. 

He went on: ‘I’m at a high risk now for a cardiovascular incident. My heart, my arteries. I’m not a religious man, but sometimes I feel like there is a God that sort of goes “that’ll teach you”. 

‘I feel like I’ve been on this podcast slagging people off that don’t drink. Yeah, we have boring stuff. And now I’ve been told to try not [laughter] in rein it in [sic].

‘But I’m going to have a beer soon.’

James added he is also worried because it’s genetic that their two sons may have inherited it. 

The actor, 38, said he underwent a health check after his wife Clair was taken to hospital in an ambulance suffering from severe dehydration

It comes after reports a new Inbetweeners movie is on the horizon – with all four core members of the cast set to return.

The show became an instant classic when it aired for three seasons between 2008 and 2010, with two film spinoffs made as well.

While there have been whispers in the past about a reboot, The Sun has now claimed that the four main actors, namely Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison, have all signed on the dotted line to star in a third movie for Netflix.

However, the newspaper also said that streaming bosses aren’t satisfied with just the main men returning – they also want to see Emily Atack, 36, reprise her role as Charlotte ‘Big Jugs’ Hinchcliffe.

The move comes as a surprise after Emily was axed from the Inbetweeners reunion five years ago following a ‘past fling’ with James.

A source told the publication: ‘The creators of the show have written the script and are ready to roll – but Emily is one of the missing pieces in the project they’re keen to get in place.

‘Fans will already be delighted that the four main leads are returning as there was concern that a reboot might see new, younger actors cast in the roles of the lads, who were all supposed to be teenagers in the show.

‘But it’s fair to say getting Emily back would be the cherry on the Inbetweeners cake.’

The Sun added that all four of the main actors were ‘thrilled’ to be asked back, but noted that things would be a bit harder for Emily to commit to a reboot movie considering everything she’s got going on at the moment.

Joe Thomas, Simon Bird, James and Blake Harrison have all signed on the dotted line to star in a third movie of The Inbetweeners for Netflix

Streaming bosses aren’t satisfied with just the main men returning – they also want to see Emily, 36, reprise her role as Charlotte ‘Big Jugs’ Hinchcliffe

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In 2019, Emily was reportedly axed from the Inbetweeners reunion after James told producers ‘it’s her or me’ following a past fling they had when they were both single.

Reports suggested at the time that James was afraid his wife Clair would find out about the brief relationship they had during their days in the show during 2008 to 2010.

As well as starring in Disney series Rivals, Emily is in the process of making a new programme for the BBC called Reputation.

She’s also waiting to find out whether or not ITV will commission a second series of Nobody’s Fool – the game show she hosts with Rivals castmate Danny Dyer.

If filming on the Inbetweeners kicks off soon, the results could air as early as 2027, the source added.

Emily has been asked about a potential Inbetweeners return on numerous occasions in the past, telling Capital FM recently: ‘I don’t know. We’d all be quite a lot older now.

‘What was quite funny was when we filmed the series I was only 17, I’d just left school, but the boys were well into… I think they were in their late twenties, early thirties.’

Saudi government official and boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has abandoned his proposed takeover of Derby County.

Derby were in discussions with Alalshikh’s Lion Sport over the purchase of controlling interest in the Championship outfit, but talks will no longer proceed with the club now “off the market”.

The acquisition process had been sanctioned by both the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) and the EFL, notification of which Derby received last week.

But in a stark change of course, Derby confirmed on Monday: “Today the club received notice that Lion Sport no longer wanted to continue with the purchase.

“For the benefit of any doubt, the club is now off the market and will continue to operate under the loyal, committed and unwavering support of Clowes Developments.”

Alalshikh cited the length of time for his takeover to get ratified by the IFR as one of the primary reasons he chose to pull out of a deal, which left him with “no time” to make preparations for the upcoming season.

“We understood that the IFR process takes time and fully respect the importance of that,” he posted on X.

“But unfortunately with the season already started, it would leave us with no time to prepare the team or the club for the season ahead.

“After careful consideration, we don’t feel it is right to proceed at this time without the necessary preparation in place, but we will remain in conversation with the club and see what is possible in the future.”

Alalshikh, who is the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, is at the heart of boxing and is the co-founder of promotion Zuffa alongside UFC president Dana White.

Derby begin their league campaign at Charlton on Saturday.

Additional reporting from PA

By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: 16:22 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 17:51 BST, 10 August 2026

Labour will seek closer ties with Brussels under Andy Burnham, according to the senior minister appointed to lead reset talks with the EU.

In comments that have enraged Brexiteers, Hamish Falconer has said he wants Britain to have a ‘deeper’ and ‘more ambitious’ relationship with the bloc.

The European Relations minister was promoted by Mr Burnham to lead talks with the EU and said that while Labour had ‘red lines’, he was open to bending them as far as he could.

It will raise questions over whether Labour is prepared to backslide over freedom of movement, after Mr Falconer told The Guardian he was interested in a deal that would give Britons visa-free travel on the continent.

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Under the current agreement British nationals can travel visa-free for only 90 days. But any renegotiation would almost certainly see Brussels ask for a quid-pro-quo for EU citizens visiting Britain.

Mr Falconer, the son of Blair-era Labour minster Charlie Falconer, referenced his past career as a diplomat in the Middle East, saying: ‘We’re committed to our manifesto red lines, but all of my experiences as a negotiator and the art of the possible is in part shaped by the nature of the relationship between two people negotiating.

‘I used to be a negotiator with the Taliban. With the EU, this is a negotiation with our friends, with whom we share our values and with whom we feel solidarity.’

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In comments likely to enrage Brexiteers Hamish Falconer said he wanted the UK to have a ‘deeper … more ambitious relationship’ with Brussels on his watch

The former Foreign Office Minister, was promoted by Mr Burnham to lead talks with the bloc, said that while Labour had ‘red lines’ he was open to bending them as far as he could

He highlighted the service sector as an area where a closer arrangement could be made, adding: ‘There’s also a whole range of areas in relation to services where I’d really like it to be progressed. 

‘Services is obviously an area where the EU itself is less closely integrated and there’s a lot of discussion within the EU about where to take the productivity challenge for them – that’s a challenge we can recognise here in the UK as well. So, particularly on services, I’m really interested in where we can go further.’  

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But Tory frontbencher Alex Burghart said Labour was ‘clutching at straws’.

‘To fix the economy they need to open up the North Sea (oil and gas industry), cut public spending, cut taxes and regulation, get the national debt down and build the conditions for growth. None of this needs a deal with the EU which itself has low growth.

‘Burnham and his team are going to give us a bad deal which hands control of our regulations to Brussels and doesn’t fix the problems at home.

‘While Labour remains fixated on the past, only the Conservatives, under new leadership, are focused on delivering a serious plan for Britain’s future.’

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When running for his return to Westminster as Makerfield MP, Mr Burnham in May said he was not proposing the UK rejoin the European Union, warning against getting stuck in a ‘permanent rut’ of Brexit arguments.  

He said Brexit had been ‘damaging’ but ‘the last thing we should do right now is re-run those arguments’.

Mr Burnham has previously said he would like to see the UK back in the EU within his lifetime.

At a fringe event at the Labour conference in September 2025 he said his ‘long-term’ goal would be to seek to return to the EU.

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‘People prosper more when they’re part of unions,’ he told the audience.

Tributes have been paid to a ‘beautiful’ 16-year-old cheerleading coach who died in a ‘terrible’ boat accident while on a family holiday in the Dominican Republic.

Abbie Lainton, from Swindon, Wiltshire, died after a vessel burst into flames off the coast of the Caribbean island.

Two of her siblings were among more than 20 tourists ‘badly injured’ after the catamaran exploded into a fireball off Soana island on July 27 as it made its way back to Bayahibe.

Devastating images from the scene show the doomed vessel which was carrying 35 people become engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

Abbie reportedly suffered 60 per cent burns in the blast on the packed boat and although she was rushed to hospital, she sadly died three days later. 

The three children were understood to have been on the boat without their parents Gary and Rebecca Lainton.

The teenager coached athletes at the Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club and was a former pupil at Tanwood School for Performing Arts, a youth musical theatre group.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said it is providing consular support to Abbie’s family and assisting other British nationals and their families affected by the incident.

It is in contact with the local authorities.

According to a fundraising page set up to raise money for Abbie’s family, the schoolgirl died on July 30 in a ‘terrible accident’.

She had been enjoying the summer with her friends and was looking forward to receiving her GCSE results, the page reads.

Abigail’s cheerleading club Swindon Lightning paid tribute to ‘her kindness, infectious smile, unwavering encouragement and love for cheerleading’

The tourist boat was returning from the Saona Island when a ‘pop’ was heard before it accelerated and then burst into flames

Those who live nearby to Abbie’s family in Swindon said they have lived there for ‘quite some time’ and have told of their shock at the news. 

One neighbour told the Mail: ‘I heard the two girls and the lad were on the boat and must have been near where it exploded.

‘It’s terrible. The young girl’s not too bad, she’s got a broken leg and her brother’s got some burns but he’s not too bad now. They’re all back in the UK now.

‘I’ve known them for a long time. It’s heartbreaking.’

Reports said at the time that 24 people were injured and taken to local hospitals, with many of them suffering burns.

An eyewitness said empty boats in the sea had dashed to rescue those on the damaged vessel.

One news anchor stated on TV: ‘This type of case is not the first time it’s happened in our country. There have been several. Every vessel on beaches in tourist areas must have a valid permit and authorisation.

‘But what worries me most is the necessary maintenance given to those vessels to transport tourists.’How often are they supervised by the authorities?’

One neighbour said: ‘It’s unbelievable. We heard about it from a friend of a friend. It’s extremely, extremely upsetting. They’ve not been out the house much.

‘We were just aware that something wasn’t right. They’re a nice family, very nice family.’

Gisell Segovia was on the boat with her 35-year-old husband Navin Torres and told The Sun Abbie ‘did not go out without a fight’.

The tourist boat was returning from the Saona Island when a ‘pop’ was heard before it accelerated and then burst into flames. 

Gisell described people being thrown from their seats with broken pieces of the boat ‘flying everywhere’. 

She said she remembered Abbie because of her ‘beautiful eyes’. 

The blast left some people with broken bones and spinal injuries with an official in the Dominican Republic adding ‘we will offer every assistance that we can during this sorrowful time. Our prayers are with the family’.

Writing on Facebook, Tanwood School for Performing Arts shared the news of Abbie’s death and posted photos of her as a young child dressed in various dance costumes.

The school said: ‘Abbie joined Tanwood as a dinky dot and was part of an exceptional group of dancers who formed strong friendships which spilled over to the audience when they performed together.

‘She always performed with a huge smile, and those beautiful feet! Abbie took her dance training and joined Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club where she once again excelled and competed all over the world.

Abigail, pictured with her parents Becky and Gary and siblings Carley and Bradley, was involved in a fatal incident on July 30

‘Abbie’s family have been part of the Tanwood family for years, and have always offered unwavering support.

‘We are all in complete shock at this heartbreaking news and send so much love and support to her family and friends at this unimaginable time. You will always be in our hearts.’

Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club paid tribute to the ‘beautiful athlete and coach’ in a post on Instagram.

It said: ‘There are simply no words that feel enough. Abbie was a much-loved member of our Swindon Lightning family.

‘Her kindness, infectious smile, unwavering encouragement and love for cheerleading touched the lives of so many athletes, coaches and families over the years. She brought so much light to our gym, and her loss has left us all heartbroken.’

Also among those to pay tribute was cheerleading champion, and star of the Netflix docuseries Cheer, Dillon Brandt.

He wrote on Instagram: ‘Abbie was an amazing athlete and coach, a part of Swindon Lightning. This beautiful and talented person has passed away, the dedication to be a dedicated and loving person in the world did not go unnoticed.

‘Please take the time to pray for her family, friends, and Swindon Lightning family during this time.’