The Farnworth and Kearsley Neighbourhood Team carried out a proactive operation in and around Highfield on Saturday (May 9), focusing on the use of illegal e-bikes.
During the operation, officers seized two bikes and conducted multiple stop-searches and vehicle stops.
A stolen moped was recovered on Anchor Lane, having been taken from Bolton in April.
The stolen moped (Image: GMP)
An illegal e-bike was also seized in Highfield after being found with throttle control and capable of reaching 22mph without pedal assistance.
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A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We will continue our proactive work around Farnworth and Kearsley, and we are dedicated to taking all illegal e-bikes, off-road bikes, and illegal Sur-Ron’s off our streets.
“Please continue to report the use of these bikes in your area to help us build an accurate intelligence picture.”
Greg Davies is hosting the BAFTA TV Awards tonight and has been candid about his three-stone weight loss using Ozempic after a doctor’s warning, and the lasting effect it has had on his appetite
Greg Davies has revealed a difficulty he encountered following a three-stone weight reduction. The 57-year-old resorted to Ozempic after being cautioned by his GP.
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Ozempic is a medication used to treat people with type 2 diabetes helping to manage blood sugar levels (HbA1c) by stimulating insulin secretion, reducing liver glucose production, and slowing digestion. But many people use it to lose weight, including Greg.
Speaking to The Times, the comic stated: “Three stone fell off me. But I didn’t really like it, it made me a bit gaunt.”
Greg nevertheless acknowledges he now confronts a challenge after taking the treatment. He continued: “My appetite’s never gone back to the way it was. I can’t ram things in the way I used to.”
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While Greg concedes he desired to shed weight, he has previously confessed he isn’t frightened of growing older, even considering it might benefit his profession. He told The Times: “I think that’s probably good in my game, isn’t it?”
The Inbetweeners performer has cultivated a comedic approach that he describes frequently involves “turning the gun on myself”. He routinely makes jokes about his embarrassing masturbation experience as a teenager, the dimensions of his own penis, and his struggles with an enlarged prostate.
He explains that his choice to direct jokes at himself stems from his appearance. He says he “looks weird” and describes himself as a “pot-bellied giant”.
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Greg, however, believes it is a “very British style of humour”. Despite this, it still managed to win over Hollywood star Ryan Gosling, who dissolved into fits of laughter during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show in 2016 when Greg recounted a bout of diarrhoea that struck him while wearing his mother’s underwear.
He acknowledges that making himself the target of the joke feels “safer”. He added: “I know who the victim of that material is – it’s me – and I know that I can take it.”
Greg will host the prestigious annual Bafta ceremony tonight from London’s Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with the event broadcasting from 7pm on BBC One.
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He succeeds actor Alan Cumming, who presented the 2025 television awards show and who recently also hosted the Bafta film awards in 2026.
Greg said: “I see the whole event as an opportunity to wave a flag for this beloved medium and, with the exception of one commissioner, two execs and a co-star that I have personal beef with, I will do everything I can to ensure it’s a night of warm celebration for all.”
Stand-in captain Charlie Dean and 18-year-old debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman salvaged a tense one-wicket victory from an underwhelming overall performance to ensure England’s summer began with a win in the first-one day international against New Zealand.
Despite dismissing the White Ferns for 210, England, who open the T20 World Cup at Edgbaston in a month, leaked runs in the field and then slipped to 160-7 in their chase atChester-le-Street.
And while tailender Lauren Bell put on an important 35 with Dean, 10 were still needed when last batter Corteen-Coleman emerged.
However, the teenager appeared as nerveless as she did in taking 2-49.
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She finished three not out while Dean, who was crucially dropped with seven run required, ended unbeaten on 31 as England won in the penultimate over.
But though England are able to celebrate the win, there remains plenty of room for improvement before the World Cup.
Maia Bouchier put down a straightforward chance offered by Georgia Plimmer, while a number of misfields helped New Zealand to their score, with Maddy Green hitting 88 and Amelia Kerr 55 as their fielding problems returned.
The remaining ODIs in the three-match series are on Wednesday and Saturday.
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After that the World Cup preparation ramps up when the teams switch to the T20 format.
Emergency services were called but it was only later the body of a man aged in his 90s was discovered in the wreckage
Kirstie McCrum and Zena Hawley
18:05, 10 May 2026
An investigation has been launched following the death of a man after an explosion and fire tore through a property on Saturday evening (May 9).
Emergency services rushed to Church Lane in Selston at 7.18pm, where the body of a man in his 90s was later recovered from the wreckage. Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency crews, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Firefighters from across Nottinghamshire, including Ashfield, attended the incident, and nearby residents were urged to keep their doors and windows shut. Road closures were put in place at the junction of Church Lane and Station Road, and Church Lane and Stoney Lane, but have since been lifted, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Residents in the surrounding area were evacuated while emergency services worked at the scene. A joint police and fire investigation remains ongoing to determine the cause of the blast.
Detective Sergeant Millie Gillett, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with the man’s family at this difficult time. They continue to be supported by our officers.
“There is no indication at this stage of any wider threat to the public, and it’s being treated as an isolated incident. I would also like to acknowledge the cooperation of local residents and thank them for their patience.”
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Group Manager Jonathan Holford, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, stated: “On behalf of everyone at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), we would like to express our sincere condolences to the man’s family, friends and all those affected by this tragic incident.
“Our crews worked alongside partner agencies throughout the incident, and we would also like to thank local residents for their patience and cooperation while emergency services carried out their work.”
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And they are certainly the favourites coming into the tie. They have lost just one of their last 15 matches, and also got the better of Real when these two sides met last.
That came in the Supercopa, a fixture which ended 3-2 in Barcelona’s favour thanks to Raphinha’s late strike, which came before Frenkie de Jong was dismissed in injury time.
Real Madrid have their work cut out for them if they are to delay Barcelona’s title celebrations here. They have been all over the press this week, for all the wrong reasons.
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Alvaro Arbeloa is set to be relieved of his duties with Los Blancos staring down the barrel of a trophyless season – Jose Mourinho is being lined up as his successor – and tensions are rising within the squad.
Kylian Mbappe is reportedly causing rifts and a fan petition calling for him to leave the club has garnered millions of signatures. Elsewhere, Federico Valverde was hospitalised after a physical altercation with Aurelien Tchouameni, for which both parties were fined €500,000.
Where to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7.30pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
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Live stream: Premier Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Premier Sports website.
Angela Rayner has issued a dramatic ultimatum to Sir Keir Starmer that his government takes a hard turn to the left ahead of the embattled prime minister giving a speech to save his political career on Monday morning.
With speculation mounting that she is ready to launch a leadership challenge, the former deputy prime minister, who still has to resolve issues over unpaid tax, has warned Sir Keir: “What we are doing isn’t working, and it needs to change. This may be our last chance.”
It comes as Labour MPs believe that former minister Catherine West is closing in on the number of parliamentarians she would need to launch a stalking horse leadership challenge.
While Ms West has not formally asked for nominations yet and made it clear she will wait to hear the prime minister’s make or break speech, it is understood that already around 70 of her colleagues are willing to back her to ensure there is a contest.
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Ms West would need the support of 80 MPs to formally launch a leadership bid but could trigger the process simply by contacting the party’s National Executive Committee.
Rayner has issued an ultimatum to Starmer (PA)
It comes as the prime minister was warned that he will need to “give the speech of his life” if he is to hope to remain in office with the number of Labour MPs publicly calling for him to quit increasing by the hour.
Former home secretary Lord David Blunkett told Times Radio: “I think either Keir pulls out the stops and there’s a massive transformation in how we relate to the public. Or he and [his wife] Victoria will have to talk about the best way of doing it in a seemly fashion and someone else will take over. The jury’s well and truly out.”
MPs have reacted with outrage over Sir Keir giving an interview over the weekend suggesting that he wants to be prime minister for a decade.
Meanwhile, Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite the union, warned: “The Labour Party is in danger of going extinct.”
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Catherine West has said she will launch a leadership challenge if nobody else does (Reuters)
But along with Ms Rayner, health secretary Wes Streeting, energy secretary Ed Miliband and defence minister Al Carns, a former Royal Marines commanders, are all thought to be preparing bids.
Looking at the results of last week’s local elections Ms Rayner noted: “We are in danger of becoming a party of the well-off, not working people.”
And in a barbed attack on Sir Keir’s time as prime minister she said: “The Peter Mandelson scandal showed a toxic culture of cronyism. Decisions like cutting winter fuel allowance just weren’t what people expected from a Labour government.”
But laying out a left wing agenda, she insisted: “We have the chance to fix this.”
She called for more interventions in cutting household bills, increased planning reforms, more community ownership and taking private companies into public ownership.
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She criticised Sir Keir for blocking Andy Burnham from returning to parliament claiming: “We can only prove we mean it by putting the common interest ahead of factionalism.”
And with an implied threat to the leadership she added: “The prime minister must now meet the moment and set out the change our country needs.
“Change our economic agenda to prioritise making people better off, change how we run our party so that all voices are listened to, and change how we do politics.
“Labour exists to make working people better off. That is not happening fast enough, and it needs to change — now.”
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The fallout from last week’s catastrophic results for Labour has fuelled fears on the left of the party that health secretary Wes Streeting is planning a coronation to replace Sir Keir.
Health secretary Wes Streeting (PA)
A source close to Mr Streeting denied he had told Sir Keir he is ready to be prime minister but confirmed that having failed to endorse the prime minister on Friday, the health secretary is not planning on any further interventions until Thursday when new NHS data is set to be published.
Meanwhile, one member of the 2024 intake of Labour MPs confirmed that a leadership team is being put together for Mr Carns.
They said: “Why are we turning once again to the same familiar faces to solve problems they were involved in creating? If we want to demonstrate genuine change to the public, we need a fresh face leading that change. Members of the 2024 intake are still hopeful of persuading Al Carns to stand should there be a contest, and support for that view appears to be growing.”
Ms West’s move over the weekend has forced the different rivals to Sir Keir’s crown to reset their plans but supporters of Ms Rayner have privately claimed that Mr Streeting will get some of his backers to nominate her to launch a contest which he could then enter himself without taking the blame for starting it.
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Nervousness in Downing Street over another crisis week for the prime minister ahead of the King’s speech on Wednesday was underlined by a delay in a trail for the keynote speech aimed at resetting his government.
It is understood that Sir Keir wants to discuss reversing key parts of Brexit as he tries to regain the initiative after his party was almost wiped out in Wales, suffered its worst ever result in Scotland and lost around 1,500 council seats in England.
Almost 40 Labour MPs have come out publicly to call for him to go or set a timetable for his departure with many more agreeing privately.
Earlier, education secretary Bridget Phillipson issued a defence of Sir Keir.
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She told Sky News: “I’ve knocked on doors right across the country and in my own community, as colleagues will have done too and as party members will have done as well.
“And what I heard was not a desire for a leadership contest, for the Labour party to spend more time talking amongst ourselves.
“What I heard loud and clear from voters was their deep sense of frustration that they’d voted for change in 2024, they were hopeful that that change would be delivered and they don’t feel that we as a party or we as a Labour government have delivered what they wanted.”
But among a number of MPs to come out demanding Sir Keir departs, Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne wrote for The Independent: “The direction Keir has taken the Labour Party has not only seen us lose councils and councillors who are delivering for the local people but it is also destroying the Labour party.”
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Others urged the party to resist a coup and take time to choose a new leader.
Leeds East MP Richard Burgon, who chairs the Socialist Campaign Group and wants Mr Burnham to return and take the leadership, said: “What we need instead is for Keir to set a date for his departure, followed by a full and proper democratic contest that can look at what went wrong and how we change course to win back trust and support, with a broad range of candidates and viewpoints represented.
“And that process has to involve all MPs, not just the Cabinet, as well as trade unions and party members, all of whom must have a democratic voice in choosing Labour’s future direction.”
This band had just a couple of thousand followers before one post unexpectedly blew up this week (Picture: Instagram/@bandreignofficial)
A local New Jersey band has gone viral after its post seeking replacement group members, having been forced to drop two for ‘unforeseen and disgusting reasons’, was served up on millions of users’ feeds.
Reign were communicating with their loyal fanbase of a couple of thousand followers on Instagram this past week, only to see the post unexpectedly reach over two million accounts, all around the world, on the platform.
And the band’s messy drama fascinated many who were unintentionally reading about the fallout, with several comparing it to Fleetwood Mac’s legendary spats and tangled love lives once further details were revealed.
‘Due to unforeseen and disgusting reasons, Ryan and Aubrey are no longer in Reign. Their actions in zero way are a reflection of the morals of the band and everyone who is involved with the band,’ the original post began, written on behalf of remaining members, guitarists CJ and Aiden, and drummer Cork.
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‘The things going on behind the scenes that were brought to the light was simply unacceptable and THAT is the honest and genuine truth. Now that we look to the future we are looking for a new vocalist and bassist because this is 100% not the end of this band and we plan to move the same way as before,’ the statement continued, promising further details in a future post.
However, the details that Reign ended up sharing first were about Ryan and Aubrey’s transgressions – and the updates had people locked in.
Reign are seeking new group members – and the internet is hooked on the gossip (Picture: Instagram/@bandreignofficial)
A further comment from the band, adding ‘context for those who ask/assume the wrong stuff’ then explained: ‘Aubrey cheated on our drummer (Cork) with Ryan months ago and kept the relationship a secret for months.
‘As soon as we found out we decided it was best to kick out both members because at the time (Tuesday) they were still together and were persistent on being a thing. We kicked them because these are supposed to be people that we can trust and the fact they did that to our drummer was enough for us to do what we did (that’s not the only reason).’
The comment then touched on darker territory, alluding to ‘other horrific things that Ryan has done to other women’ coming to light, meaning that the band want ‘absolutely nothing to do with him whatsoever’.
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In another comment after questions clearly sprang up in the wake of the last one, Reign’s account added: ‘We feel the need to make it clear. The reason Aubrey is not in the band is because of how the relationship with her and Cork (our drummer) ended (which we didn’t know how until Tuesday).’
‘We have been talking to her (and she fully understands why she’s not in the band) because of course we still care about her and want the best for her,’ the group promised, before clarifying that Aubrey was ‘no longer associated with Ryan after seeing all of the awful things about him that have come to the light’.
‘This is a wild first post to see from a band I’ve never heard of,’ observed Alex Mulder in a comment that attracted over 37,000 likes.
‘Instagram just be dropping me off anywhere,’ quipped @belladonnapaniic, attracting another 33,000 likes while Alicia added: ‘Well damn now I gotta stick around to see the new band even tho I never knew the old one.’
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‘We have always stood with and supported @bandreignofficial ever since the very first post of theirs that we came across,’ announced group Allbrook Station. ‘Which is this one.’
‘Well that’s one way to find a new band to listen to,’ chimed in Dominik Knoll.
‘To everyone new here that’s never heard of us. We seriously have no f**king clue why this is blowing up the way it is,’ shared Reign in a later post, before revealing a snapshot of the account’s dashboard and the 1.4 million accounts the post had reached.
It also got them 191,527 profile visits and 3,626 new followers at the time of sharing.
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‘A whole lotta drama I never knew I needed, my algorithm is absolutely wild,’ replied content creator account Lucie Woos, before echoing what many others had pointed out: ‘I’m glad something good came out of this for your band and more people know you exist.’
‘I’m excited to give you guys a listen once you get the situation figured out!’ responded Alex in the original thread.
Reign, which formed in 2022, is booked to play Chaos & Carnage at nightclub Reverb in Reading, Pennsylvania, and is seemingly determined to press ahead with the gig.
‘Unfortunately we don’t have a bassist and vocalist anymore (CHAOS IS STILL HAPPENING DON’T WORRY) so please hit us up and share this all over,’ the band shared on a post seeking its new members.
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This Morning’s Alison Hammond was jokingly accused of causing ‘trouble’ during her visit to the Netflix Bridgerton set, with Luke Thompson playfully exposing her cheeky antics on the backlot
TV presenter Alison Hammond was left gobsmacked after being accused of stirring up “trouble” on the set of a hit Netflix series.
However, it was while visiting the period drama Bridgerton’s set where Alison apparently landed herself in “trouble”.
The Birmingham native is a devoted super fan of the Netflix sensation, and received an invitation to Shepperton Studios in Surrey, the production’s main filming location.
She assumed interviewing responsibilities for YouTube channel Still Watching Netflix, speaking with the show’s fourth series leads Luke Thompson, who portrays Benedict Bridgerton, and Yerin Ha, who portrays Sophie Baek, reports Birmingham Live.
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During their discussion about Alison’s set visit, Luke seized the moment for some cheeky teasing.
Alison remarked: “You know I’ve been to the set,” to which the actor replied: “I do know you’ve been to the set. I think you got in trouble.”
The presenter appeared shocked by the claim, laughing: “Did I get in trouble? What did I get in trouble for? I don’t remember that Luke. Moving on. Let’s get into Bridgerton. Don’t know what he’s talking about.”
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Luke responded: “It was lovely. You were wearing one of Golda’s (Bridgerton actress Golda Rosheuvel) wigs, I believe. And you looked, I think the happiest I’ve seen anyone, ever. You were just crossing the backlot.”
Filming for Bridgerton’s fourth season has now wrapped, with the hit period drama already commissioned for a fifth series.
Meanwhile, Alison Hammond has revealed why she declined Strictly Come Dancing – while also claiming to have turned down Celebrity Traitors.
The presenter competed in the 2014 series of Strictly, placing 10th alongside professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec.
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She has been heavily rumoured to take over following last year’s surprise departure of veteran hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Alison says she was approached about the position but couldn’t commit due to her hectic diary. She also confirmed she won’t feature in the upcoming series of Celebrity Traitors owing to scheduling conflicts.
She told The Radio Times: “I’m so busy, that I’m not sure it [Strictly Come Dancing] is going to happen. It’s unrealistic. I’m so happy they considered me but, like Traitors, I can’t do it because everything clashes
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“I would have loved to have done it, anybody that gets it, they’re going to land the perfect job. But I’m so happy with everything I’ve got. What would I drop, to do Strictly?”
Alison can be seen on For The Love of Dogs on ITVX.
Aimee-Ffion Edwards, who was born in Newport, has had some major roles before ITV drama Believe Me
Aimee-Ffion Edwards is poised to captivate audiences in Believe Me.
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The four-part drama on ITV tells the story of convicted criminal John Worboys, who became known as the ‘black cab rapist’ following his attacks on women under the cover of being a legitimate taxi driver. In 2009, he was convicted of offences including sexual assault and drugging with intent against 12 women.
The series centres on the experiences of Sarah, who is played by Aimee-Ffion, and Laila, who is played by Aasiya Shah. The story tells how Sarah and Laila – both pseudonyms – reported sexual assaults by Worboys, and how their complaints were not thoroughly investigated, reports the Mirror.
As audiences watch the distressing drama unfold, they might be curious about where they’ve previously encountered Welsh star Aimee-Ffion.
What has Believe Me actress Aimee-Ffion Edwards been in?
The Newport-born actress launched her television career almost two decades ago and has featured in numerous popular programmes, including Skins, Luther and Casualty prior to Believe Me. She also appeared in Being Human, and has had parts in Wolf Hall and the beloved crime drama Death in Paradise.
Nevertheless, audiences will most likely remember her from two of her most prominent television successes – Peaky Blinders and Slow Horses.
Aimee-Ffion featured in multiple episodes of period crime drama Peaky Blinders, portraying Esme Shelby between 2013 and 2017 before reprising the character in 2022.
Esme, who came from the Lee gypsy family, made her debut in the opening season of the historical drama. She married John Shelby (Joe Cole), the brother of Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy). The union was designed to forge peace between the Shelby and Lee clans, though the couple subsequently developed a strong bond.
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The actress previously told Cosmopolitan of the role: “I feel like I got to do some really good stuff, and the storylines were really strong, and I could make the best of Esme.”
In Gary Oldman’s thriller Slow Horses, which follows a dysfunctional group of MI5 operatives, the actress portrays Shirley Dander.
Shirley made her debut in the second series of the Apple TV+ success, appearing as one of the intelligence officers based at Slough House.
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She finds herself allocated to Jackson Lamb’s (Oldman) unit following an assault on a superior and battles with substance abuse problems.
“There’s so much stuff that I really enjoy,” she told Flickering Myth about the series. “I really love the scenes with lots of the slow horses and Slough House. I just think they’re so brilliantly written and the dynamics between all the characters, they’re just so important.”
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, http://www.victimsupport.org.uk.
Barcelona and Real Madrid face off tonight at the end of a week which has attracted the world’s attention for all the wrong reasons.
All the drama has revolved around Madrid, who have had to put out fire after fire in the past few days.
First, star striker Kylian Mbappe was criticised by supporters after he was pictured on holiday in Sardinia while his team-mates faced Espanyol in the league.
The French forward is out with a hamstring injury, and manager Alvaro Arbeola defended him after the incident, insisting that he was like any other injured player and was able to do as he pleases.
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Madrid confirmed those reports later in the day after president Florentino Perez held crisis talks, and an official statement revealed that “disciplinary proceedings” had been opened against both players.
It follows further reports that there have been other clashes between playing and coaching staff alike, as Madrid come to terms with a campaign where they may end trophyless.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Barcelona vs Real Madrid is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off today, Sunday, May 10, 2026.
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The match will take place at the Nou Camp.
Where to watch Barcelona vs Real Madrid
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Premier Sports 1.
Live stream: Premier Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Premier Sports website.
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Barcelona vs Real Madrid team news
The big news is that the two sides’ biggest stars will not feature here.
For Barca, Lamine Yamal is out for the season with a hamstring injury that initially threw his World Cup hopes into doubt, but it is believed he will play this summer.
Andreas Christensen is Barca’s only other absentee as he sits out the season with an ACL tear.
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For Madrid, Mbappe has been ruled out of the game after failing to shake off an injury.
Scrappers: Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde
Getty
Elsewhere, Valverde is reported to have suffered a head injury after his brawl with Tchouameni, having to go to hospital in the process. He will play no part, but his French counterpart has been included in the matchday squad.
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Madrid are without Dani Carvajal, who suffered a stress fracture in his foot, as well as Rodrygo and Eder Militao, who are both out for the season.
Arda Guler will also not feature with a muscle injury, while left-back Ferland Mendy is out with a thigh problem.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction
Barca will be keen to rub salt into Real’s wounds this weekend, particularly with everything that has happened in the capital.
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What would be even sweeter for Hansi Flick’s side would be to seal the title against their historic rivals, who are missing a whole host of key men.
Starmer plans to use a speech on Monday to argue that he can change tack and revive his government’s fortunes. But his position is fragile as rivals weigh their options. One lawmaker, Catherine West, said she will try to trigger a leadership contest if she doesn’t like what she hears in the speech.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, often seen as a potential challenger, said the party “needs to change,” though she did not explicitly call for Starmer to go.
She said “the prime minister must now meet the moment and set out the change our country needs.”
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Starmer is trying to regain momentum after heavy losses for his center-left party in local elections across England and legislative votes in Scotland and Wales. Last week’s elections were widely seen as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, whose popularity has plummeted since he swept to power in a landslide less than two years ago.
His government has struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living, and been hamstrung by repeated missteps and policy U-turns on issues including welfare reform. He has been further hurt by his disastrous decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tarnished friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.
Last week’s elections saw Labour squeezed from both right and left, losing votes to both the anti-immigration Reform UK and the “eco-populist” Green Party. It reflects the increasing fragmentation of British politics, long dominated by Labour and the Conservatives.
Still, Starmer told The Observer newspaper on Sunday that he wants to remain in office for a decade. He’s pinning his hopes on Monday’s speech and an ambitious set of legislative plans to be set out in a speech Wednesday by King Charles III at the State Opening of Parliament.
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A key policy is closer ties with the European Union, which the United Kingdom left in 2020, four years after the “leave” side narrowly won a membership referendum. Starmer’s government has already moved to ease some of the trade restrictions that have burdened British businesses since Brexit, and he says he will secure a youth mobility deal so young people can spend a few years working across the continent.
“Brexit has held back our young people,” Starmer told The Observer, adding that “we have to be closer to Europe.”
Labour campaigned to stay in the EU during the 2016 referendum campaign, but has been reluctant to reopen a debate that bitterly divided the country. Starmer has ruled out seeking to reenter the EU, or to rejoin the EU’s customs union or single market, two things that would make a big difference to U.K. businesses.
Starmer’s future hangs in the balance
None of the high-profile Labour politicians considered potential challengers to Starmer — including Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham — has called for him to resign.
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But a growing number of Labour lawmakers urged the prime minister to set a timetable for his departure. British politics allows parties to change leader midterm without the need for a new election.
Josh Simons, a formerly loyal Labour lawmaker, wrote in the Times of London that Starmer “has lost the country” and “should take control of the situation by overseeing an orderly transition to a new prime minister.”
West, a former junior minister, is trying to hurry the process along, vowing to try to trigger a leadership contest unless Starmer delivers a barnstorming speech on Monday. West acknowledged she does not have the support of 81 colleagues, needed to force a contest, and her move appeared to be an attempt to force more high-profile contenders to make a move.
“Working people sent us a message,” West said. “We have to listen to that, and we have to change and we have to do it quickly.”
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