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Jim Magilton expects ‘soul-searching’ week after Glentoran take much-needed win at Solitude

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Belfast Live

With Reds boss Jim Magilton turning down overtures from east Belfast during the week, there were subplots aplenty ahead of kick-off

Glentoran shrugged off the ongoing managerial vacancy at the club to earn a gutsy victory over Cliftonville at Solitude on Saturday.

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With Reds boss Jim Magilton turning down overtures from east Belfast during the week, there were subplots aplenty ahead of kick-off. And after defeat on home turf, former Northern Ireland star Magilton admits there will be a lot of soul-searching in north Belfast this week.

“I’ve been in the game long enough. My only focus was on getting a result today for Cliftonville,” said Magilton. “But we didn’t defend well, our two centre-halves didn’t win enough headers. We weren’t aggressive enough.

“We’ve got a big week ahead, a bit of soul-searching. That wasn’t anywhere near the levels I’d expect of our team.”

His side took the fight to the visitors from the off and came close to scoring inside a minute.

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Ben Quinn delivered a dangerous free-kick into the box which deflected off a Glentoran head and was set to dip under the bar until Andrew Mills got a hand to it to tip it over.

The Glens grew into the contest and some sharp pressing from Ben Gallagher almost led to the opener as he caught Dean McMaster dawdling in possession before drawing a fine save from Peter Morrison.

Further slack play from Cliftonville was duly punished in the 15th minute. Shaun Leppard failed to clear his lines, heading weakly to Ross Clarke, who clipped a cross to the back post for Jack Malone to nod home.

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Liam McStravick passed up a good chance to equalise, drilling a low shot against Mills’ legs after Quinn’s pass had sent him scampering clear.

A moment of magic from McMaster levelled it in the 33rd minute. Taking aim from 25 yards, the midfielder whipped a beautiful free-kick over the wall and beyond Mills.

Quinn teed up McStravick again shortly after, with Mills making another important stop for the visitors, and the sides went in all square at the break.

Glentoran came out for the second half on the front foot but it was Cliftonville who nearly went ahead after Brian Healy pounced on Marcus Kane’s header back to Mills, only to lift his shot over the bar from five yards.

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The busy Mills pulled off another fine save, denying Quinn after Cliftonville skipper Rory Hale unlocked the Glentoran defence with a slide-rule pass into the winger’s path.

The home side’s frustration intensified when McMaster’s corner found Leppard unmarked in front of goal and the defender slammed a volley against the crossbar when he really should have scored.

At the other end it was Morrison’s turn to perform heroics, somehow deflecting the ball over when Clarke spun and shot from point-blank range.

But the Cliftonville keeper was powerless to stop the Glens’ 83rd-minute winner, as Jordan Jenkins capitalised on a frantic spell of pinball in the box to rifle into the net from eight yards.

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Five minutes later, Malone — who had earlier been booked following an altercation with McStravick — saw a second yellow for a late hack on Hale.

But the Reds were unable to take advantage of the extra man as the Glens dug in for all three points.

Cliftonville: Morrison, Samuels (Conlon 20), Campbell, Hale, Healy, Leppard, McClelland, McMaster, Quinn (Gormley 71), Bannon, McStravick (Hawthorne 63).

Glentoran: Mills, Cooney, Kane, Clarke, Stewart, Sloggett (Kelly 76), Brown, Gallagher (Jenkins h-t), Larmour, Malone, Douglas.

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Homeowners urged to wipe autumn condensation from windows

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Homeowners urged to wipe autumn condensation from windows

Neglecting to do so could lead to mould and rot, experts at Lifestyle Blinds have warned.

Condensation forms when warm, moist indoor air meets cold window glass, causing moisture to collect on the surface.

If ignored, it can either evaporate back into the room or run down the frame, increasing the risk of mould and, in the case of wooden windows, rot.

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Heath Showman from Lifestyle Blinds said: “Autumn is a particular problem time for condensation.

“As outdoor temperatures drop, warm, humid indoor air meets glass that’s much colder than it was during the summer.

“The moisture drops out of the air onto the glass, causing condensation.

“We also have windows shut for longer, meaning ventilation drops, the nights are longer and cooler and the weather wetter.

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“There are lots of gadgets on the market to help keep windows condensation free, and whilst they do work, there are much cheaper ways to do it.

“Simply wiping it down is certainly the most cost effective – just make sure it’s part of your daily routine to keep on top of it throughout the coming months.”

The advice is simple and low-cost.

Mr Showman recommends using a microfibre cloth or squeegee to wipe away condensation.

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He also advises wringing the cloth out over a sink or outside the room, rather than near the window.

It’s also important to clean not just the glass but also the sills and frame edges, where moisture can collect and cause the most harm.

Once the area is dry, opening the window briefly can help clear the damp air.

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Following this routine each morning can help prevent long-term issues.

Additional tips to reduce indoor moisture include covering pans while cooking, using extractor fans, and drying clothes outside or in well-ventilated spaces.

Keeping bathroom doors shut and fans running during baths or showers can also help.

To improve airflow, Lifestyle Blinds suggests opening windows daily for a short period, keeping window vents open, and leaving space around furniture to allow air to circulate.

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Consistently following these steps can help protect homes from avoidable damage throughout the colder season.

Do you make sure you wipe your windows every day? Let us know in the comments.

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Celtic v Rangers LIVE: Team news and line-ups from Old Firm as Celtic under pressure and eyeing revenge

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Celtic v Rangers LIVE: Team news and line-ups from Old Firm as Celtic under pressure and eyeing revenge

Arrivals at Celtic Park

Here’s both teams entering the building a little earlier ahead of this Old Firm clash

(Getty)
(PA)
(PA)
(PA)

Luke Baker20 September 2026 11:10

Rangers team news – unchanged from last week

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. After their 3-0 demolition of Celtic last week, Derek McInnes has opted for an unchanged starting XI.

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All eyes will be on James Penrice again to see if he’s at left-back again in a four-at-the-back or if he pushes up into midfield, leaving a back three.

Djeidi Gassama and Kevin Kelsy both impressed on the wings last week, and will try to do so again.

Rangers XI: Pandur; Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice; Raskin, Neil; Gassama, Kim, Kelsy; Naderi

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:59

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Celtic team news

Here’s the team news for today, starting with Celtic.

Not unsurprisingly, Martin O’Neill has opted for Viljami Sinisalo in goal after Sam Johnstone’s very shaky display in the Old Firm last weeked.

Once again, Haissem Hassan is only on the bench but Luke McCowan gets the start rather than Sebastian Tounekti. I fear that still won’t be the most popular with Celtic fans though…

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Camilo Duran looks to be leading the line with record signing Kasper Hogh on the bench and 3/5 at the back appears to be the order of the day again

Celtic XI: Sinisalo; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Baur; McCowan, Duran, Nygren

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:53

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Team news imminent

Ok, we’re a couple of minutes away from finding out today’s team news.

Who will be in goal for Celtic? And will Derek Mcinnes go for three at the back again?

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:44

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Scottish Premiership table

Here’s how the Scottish Premiership table looks currently. Celtic are a perfect six wins from six, with Rangers trailing them by five points.

But all three points for the Gers today would suddenly start to flip things somewhat.

Celtic top the Scottish Premeirship table
Celtic top the Scottish Premeirship table (Screenshot / spfl.co.uk)

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:38

Celtic endure more misery with disheartening Europa League loss ahead of Old Firm

There was more misery for Celtic in midweek as they were turned over 3-1 by Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

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It was another disappointing day for Martin O’Neill and co, and suddenly the Bhoys are under pressure after back-to-back defeats

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:32

LAST TIME OUT: Sublime Rangers lay down early Old Firm marker with League Cup hammering of Celtic

It was an unhappy day last weekend for Celtic as they were hammered 3-0 by their bitter rivals in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals.

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Skipper Dan Neil was the hero with two goals as Derek McInnes earned a first real statement win as Gers boss

Read a full report from the game

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:26

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Why are away fans banned at the Celtic v Rangers Old Firm derby this afternoon?

Celtic and Rangers fans have been banned from attending away matches between the Old Firm clubs in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup this season, which includes this afternoon’s Premiership clash at Parkhead.

The “temporary arrangement” follows the disruption at the Scottish Cup quarter-final between the teams at Ibrox last season, which has led to behind-closed-doors punishments for both clubs in their next home fixture in that competition.

An independent review into the Scottish Cup match at Ibrox found that that “crushing” and “life-threatening violence” were narrowly avoided after Rangers fans stormed the pitch to confront Celtic supporters who had spilled onto the field in celebration.

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:20

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Early Rangers team news

Rangers are missing captain Lawrence Shankland and the injured Youssef Chermiti.

Derek McInnes surprised Celtic last weekend by playing three at the back and packing the midfield – will he opt for a similar tactic this time or revert to a back four?

Possible Rangers XI: Pandur; Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice; Raskin, Neil; Naderi, Kim, Gassama; Kelsy

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James Penrice moved into midfield last week
James Penrice moved into midfield last week (Getty)

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:13

Early Celtic team news

Celtic are missing Yang Hyun-Jun while he is on international duty at the Asian Games, while Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Jota are out injured.

Martin O’Neill faces a goalkeeping dilemma after Sam Johnstone looked very shaky in last weekend’s Old Firm but Viljami Sinisalo has also been unconvincing for large parts of this campaign.

Possible Celtic XI: Sinisalo, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales; McGregor, Baur; Hassan, Nygren, Duran; Hogh

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Will Viljami Sinisalo start in goal?
Will Viljami Sinisalo start in goal? (PA)

Luke Baker20 September 2026 10:09

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KEMI BADENOCH: Of course the captains of industry and wealth creators are quitting Britain when Labour treats them as cows to be milked

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Kemi Badenoch is seen during a visit to Global Technologies Racing in Fontwell, West Sussex, earlier this month

Labour has made it very clear to wealthy people that they are not welcome in the UK. 

Whether it’s threats of a ‘mansion tax’, or an exit tax if they dare leave the country, there can be no doubt: under Andy Burnham, Britain is becoming a hostile environment for the very people we need to create jobs and prosperity. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of the hugely successful petrochemical firm Ineos and Manchester United’s co-owner, said on Saturday that he had lost confidence in Britain. 

The UK’s biggest taxpayer, betting billionaire Fred Done, joined Sir Jim by saying he would leave these shores if he wasn’t so old and has ‘never felt so gloomy’ about the outlook for the UK since he opened his first bookies in Salford in 1967. 

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Done and Sir Jim are not just names on a rich list – they are serious contributors to our economy. The latter was once handing the Exchequer more than £100million a year. 

Responding to Sir Jim, Labour’s pensions minister Torsten Bell – a public-sector man through and through – had the audacity to say he was not a patriot. It was a crass response that revealed more of Bell’s own inadequacies before a hugely successful entrepreneur than anything I could write here. 

The question inept Labour ministers such as him should be asking themselves is: who replaces the tax paid by these captains of industry when they leave? 

Labour can dislike billionaires as much as it likes. But when a man paying £330million a year in tax leaves Britain – as happened when hedge fund boss Chris Rokos moved his tax residency to Greece this month – the Treasury doesn’t stop needing £330million. 

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Kemi Badenoch is seen during a visit to Global Technologies Racing in Fontwell, West Sussex, earlier this month

Chris Rokos moved his tax residency to Greece this month

Chris Rokos moved his tax residency to Greece this month 

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How should Britain balance fair taxation with keeping its top talent and wealth creators at home?

The answer is that the money will, of course, come from the rest of us. That is why Labour is now floating ‘wealth’ taxes and ‘mansion’ taxes that are going for middle-class families and their family homes. 

Only days ago, Andy Burnham gathered entrepreneurs in Downing Street and promised that his government would be a ‘partner for growth’. The sort of nice words we’ve come to expect from our Prime Minister as he is, after all, a people-pleaser. 

He tells everyone whatever they want to hear, but his actions speak louder than his words. And the wealthy voting with their feet to leave Britain speaks volumes of a country that no longer welcomes investment and job creation but treats business and entrepreneurs as cows to be milked. 

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Of course, it is not just tax receipts they take with them, but jobs too. Government can’t redistribute prosperity that has not been created. It won’t be in Britain that the next generation of firms will build itself from start-ups to small- and medium-sized businesses and beyond. It will be another country, less hostile to enterprise, that will benefit from the jobs that process will bring. 

Here, the teenagers and graduates searching for work, the apprentices desperate for a start, and the risk-takers dreaming of turning their passion into a business will all lose out. 

Britain has almost a million young people not in education, employment or training. Ministers try to blame Conservative school reforms that shot our pupils up international league tables, when the reality is that it was Labour’s reckless tax rises and red tape that fed this dire situation. 

The fundamental problem is that this current crop of Labour politicians isn’t tough enough to make difficult decisions. 

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Whether it’s refusing to cut welfare and instead offering ’employment support’, or Burnham saying ‘national security cannot come at the expense of social security’, the Prime Minister’s entire political proposition is that difficult choices can be avoided. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe said on Saturday that he had lost confidence in Britain

Sir Jim Ratcliffe said on Saturday that he had lost confidence in Britain

Fred Done said he would leave these shores if he wasn't so old and has 'never felt so gloomy' about the outlook for the UK since he opened his first bookies in Salford in 1967

Fred Done said he would leave these shores if he wasn’t so old and has ‘never felt so gloomy’ about the outlook for the UK since he opened his first bookies in Salford in 1967

They cannot. Just look at the decisions on oil and gas. Sir Jim criticised Britain importing energy unnecessarily, attacked North Sea taxation and raised concerns about gas storage. He called our failure to exploit our own resources ‘insanity’.

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He is being polite. The Government’s bovine response, that it remained ‘confident’ about supply, shows how clueless they are of a crisis waiting to happen.

Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, which bypassed the troublesome Strait of Hormuz, has been badly damaged by drone attacks. Houthi bandits threaten shipping routes into the Red Sea. British families and businesses can see perfectly well that another shock is coming to their energy bills.

Yet our Prime Minister and his Cabinet are behaving like a flock of ostriches, heads buried so deep in the sand they could strike oil themselves.

British industry is currently crushed by some of the highest electricity bills anywhere in the world.

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We have oil and gas fields in the North Sea waiting to be approved that could bring down those costs. And yet, despite being signed off under the Conservatives, Sir Keir Starmer and now Burnham have dithered for more than two years. 

The Conservative answer is straightforward. We must end Labour’s ban on new oil and gas licences, maximise North Sea extraction and scrap the Energy Profits Levy. 

The Jackdaw and Rosebank fields are ready to drill, and workers are primed, yet Burnham appears more worried about a by-election in north London than he does in bringing down bills. 

I have my views on why Labour keeps getting things wrong. My Shadow Chancellor, Andrew Griffith, has more private-sector experience than the whole Labour frontbench combined. Andrew spent decades in business, including as a FTSE100 finance director, and has actually made the sorts of decisions that Labour ministers are too scared to contemplate. 

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Conservatives always have to clean up the huge mess that Labour leaves behind. That’s why my economic team is devising policies that will revitalise business in the UK, create jobs and hopefully convince the wealth drivers and entrepreneurs that Britain is still worth investing in. 

We are asking the questions that need to be asked. How do we make Britain richer? How do we persuade somebody to build their company here rather than in America or China? How do we convince investors to choose Britain over Paris, Dubai or New York? 

At the same time, Burnham is gazing out of the window of No 10 ‘North’, longing for the pre-Thatcher economic era, when the state owned much of the economy and the public suffered through rolling blackouts, uncollected bins and even gravedigger strikes. 

When Labour reaches for the taxpayer’s credit card one more time and discovers it has been declined, it will look around and ask where all the money went. 

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The uncomfortable answer will be staring the party in the face – the Government drove it away. 

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Church leader confronted over exhibition that honoured Hamas terrorists triggers outrage for claim ‘history is complex’

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The Church of England has removed a memorial to those killed in Gaza after it was accused of paying tribute to jihadist fighters

Church of England leaders have shut down a Gaza memorial exhibition after it was found to be honouring Hamas terrorists among the dead.

The Bishop of Leeds pulled the event after local Jewish leaders gave him a dossier showing that a tribute tapestry on display carried the names of at least 25 terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The two groups led the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing nearly 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.

After the closure, Leeds Minster’s rector, Canon Paul Maybury, apologised in a statement, saying he condemns all violence, particularly the killing of civilians and the taking of hostages by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

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But on Saturday night it emerged that Canon Maybury told Jewish protesters at the exhibition that ‘history is complex’ when asked to denounce the terrorists’ kidnapping and killing of civilians.

A 36-second video shows him making the insensitive remarks when asked specifically about the abduction of Ariel Bibas, four, and his nine-month-old brother Kfir, and their mother Shiri, 32.

The three, who were seized from a kibbutz in southern Israel on October 7, later died in Hamas captivity.

Pictures of the screaming mother clutching her two red-haired boys as she was dragged away by masked terrorists became some of the defining images of the attacks.

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When Canon Maybury was pressed further, he said ‘no comment’ and walked away.

The Church of England has removed a memorial to those killed in Gaza after it was accused of paying tribute to jihadist fighters

The tapestry, called Stitch Their Names Together, listed the names of people who have died in the conflict with Israel and had been due to remain on display at Leeds Minster until Sunday

The tapestry, called Stitch Their Names Together, listed the names of people who have died in the conflict with Israel and had been due to remain on display at Leeds Minster until Sunday

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His remarks were condemned last night by Jewish leaders and relatives of October 7 victims.

The latest row comes days after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, was forced to withdraw an award she had presented to Muslim cleric Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi after it emerged he had praised Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

At least 90 panels bearing 16,800 names were displayed at the memorial, titled Stitch Their Names Together. The names were taken from the Hamas-run health ministry’s list of the dead in Gaza.

Researchers from the Leeds Jewish Representative Council (LJRC) identified at least 25 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists on the tapestry. 

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One of them, Hatem Suleiman Abu Sharia, 28, belonged to the Mujahideen Brigades, one of the smaller terrorist groups in Gaza that kidnapped the Bibas family and handed them to Hamas. 

Abu Sharia, who was killed in May 2024, was a senior figure on the group’s military council. He was released from an Israeli prison just months before the October 7 attacks. 

Others include Salah Shaaban Ismail, 50, who led Islamic Jihad’s sniper unit, was killed in May and has been hailed as a ‘martyr commander’ in the group’s online tributes. 

Another is Hamdi Saeed Yousef Toulan, 39, a Hamas field commander killed in December 2024. 

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Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi (pictured, left) and his wife (centre, left) being presented with The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation by Dame Sarah Mullally (centre, right)

Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi (pictured, left) and his wife (centre, left) being presented with The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation by Dame Sarah Mullally (centre, right)

Tributes calling him a ‘martyr’ and ‘a company commander in the Artillery Battalion of the Northern Brigade’ appeared on Hamas social media channels. 

A photograph also showed Toulan in Hamas combat dress. 

Other Hamas fighters named on the tapestry include Mohammed Sami Awad Ghurab, 20, and Salem Mohammed Salem Jouda, 43, who are described as ‘martyrs’ on social media, where photographs show them in military fatigues. 

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The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Reverend Dr Toby Howarth, closed down the exhibition when the LJRC submitted its dossier to Leeds Minster. 

On Saturday night, Itai Galmudy, from the anti-Semitism campaign group Stop The Hate, said: ‘Leeds Minster’s decision to host an exhibition honouring Hamas terrorists was an appalling betrayal of the Church’s own values. That a senior church leader then described Hamas’s murder of children as ‘complex’ is beyond belief. 

‘There is nothing complex about the slaughter of innocent children. The Church should be a voice of moral clarity, not an apologist for terrorism.’ 

Leo Brosh, Yorkshire Manager of the Jewish Leadership Council, said: ‘While it is welcome that Leeds Minster has closed the exhibition, serious questions remain about how they failed to do the most basic due diligence on such a sensitive issue. 

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‘Without an appropriate response, this episode risks damaging the relationship between British Christians and British Jews at a time of growing antisemitism in the UK.’ 

Heidi Bachram, a British anti-Semitism campaigner whose husband lost family members during the October 7 attacks, said: ‘It was shocking to me that the church still put on this exhibition even when they were told there were terrorists on it.

‘Paul Maybury’s deeply insensitive response to the kidnapping of the Bibas children was inhuman. How can it be that terrorists get more empathy than the innocent children they murder?’

The Church of England did not comment on Canon Maybury’s ‘complex history’ remarks. 

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UK weather: Temperatures to soar to 26C this week as Britain basks in late summer sun

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UK weather: Temperatures to soar to 26C this week as Britain basks in late summer sun

Parts of the UK will be hotter than Athens next week as temperatures soar to 26C as late-summer warmth returns.

Greece’s capital city will struggle to see temperatures above 24C at the start of next week, while large swathes of England are forecast to bask in the mid-20s.

The south will get the best of the sun, but most areas will see warmer-than-usual temperatures for late September.

Met Office forecasts show Tuesday will be the hottest day of the week, with the mercury soaring to 26C across the south-east of England.

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Monday and Wednesday will also see temperatures above 20C across most of England, with the mercury only taking a slight dip towards the end of the week.

Temperatures are set to soar to the mid-20s next week
Temperatures are set to soar to the mid-20s next week (Met Office)

A build up of high pressure across the UK is responsible for the temperatures creeping up compared to the milder weekend.

The Met Office said: “The change begins with developments over the Atlantic. A deep area of low pressure is expected to form well to the west of the UK. Although this system is not forecast to move directly across the country, it is likely to drag warmer air up from the continent and subtropical Atlantic.

“High pressure will then build across the UK alongside this warmer air during the latter part of the weekend and into next week. This would mean a transition to predominantly dry and bright conditions, with sunny spells becoming more widespread.”

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However, the Met Office also said the warmer weather could also be cut short by the expected arrival of a colder front from the west, the timing of which remains uncertain.

After this, conditions are likely to become “changeable”, according to the Met Office’s longer-term forecast, “with spells of rain and showers interspersed with some short-lived spells of more settled weather and temperatures returning to near normal overall”.

It comes after an unbearably hot summer this year, marking the UK’s hottest on record.

The consecutive heatwaves had a devastating impact on the country, resulting in droughts and wildfires, and despite recent rainfall and fresher conditions, the nation is still paying the price.

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Met Office five day forecast

Today:

Rain clears to the south by morning, leaving a drier and brighter day with lighter winds. A few showers continue in Scotland. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

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Sunny spells on Monday and Tuesday, and turning warmer. A brief spell of rain moves into the north on Wednesday, but staying dry for many.

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RECAP – Multi-vehicle crash on M60 with emergency services

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RECAP - Multi-vehicle crash on M60 with emergency services

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Doctors dismissed my husband’s headaches before we found out the devastating truth

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Wales Online

An oncologist told the couple that had they not returned to hospital when they did, Joshua Smith may not have survived another two or three months

A Welsh woman says her husband’s agonising headaches and unusual symptoms were initially “dismissed” by doctors, before a scan revealed a 4.5cm brain tumour. Now, as Joshua Smith battles aggressive glioblastoma, the couple from Wrexham are campaigning for better access to clinical trials and treatment in Wales.

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2026 was meant to be their year. After meeting on a dating app a decade ago, building a life together, getting married in Scotland and spending weekends exploring Wales in their newly renovated camper van, Kelly and Joshua Smith were ready for their next chapter. They had their two dogs. They had their home. Next they wanted to start a family.

“This time last year, I was looking forward to the possibility of having a family,” Kelly, 33, said. “Having a little baby. But our plans were turned upside down.”

In January, 34-year-old Joshua started to experience strange symptoms. It started as something of a brain fog. Feeling spaced out. Then came a strange tingling sensation down the left side of his body. But, things took a real turn when he developed a migraine so severe that he told Kelly it felt as though “his head was going to explode”. It lasted for 10 days.

“We went away in our camper van one night during those ten days and he was literally crying because of the pain,” she recalled. “That’s when I knew – something is seriously not right here.”

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Kelly, who is a nurse, pushed Joshua to see his GP; however they were reassured that there was nothing seriously wrong.

“I remember saying there were red flags,” she said. “Josh hadn’t been to the GP since 2009, and for him to have 10 days of migraines just wasn’t normal.”

Kelly flagged these concerns to the doctor, pushed for blood tests and said they would seek private medical care if they had to. Instead, Joshua was referred to an optician.

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The checks came back clear but Joshua’s pain did not. The migraines continued.

And then they became unbearable.

“He just kept saying his head was going to explode,” Kelly said. “Then while he was in work, he phoned me and said he didn’t feel right so I said – ‘That’s it. We have to go to A&E.’”

At hospital, Joshua was assessed and given morphine before being sent home, according to Kelly, with advice to return if his condition became worse. But in the early hours of Saturday morning, Kelly’s instincts told her they needed to go back.

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“By 3am, I just knew something wasn’t right,” she said. “I can’t explain it. I think, being a nurse myself, it was just instinct. Josh even tried to go to work, but I said: ‘No, we’re going back.’”

This time, doctors carried out further tests, including a CT scan.

However, nothing could have prepared them for what that scan had found. “They pulled us into a room as a family and told us they had found a 4.5cm mass on his brain.”

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In an instant, the future they had been planning seemed to disappear.

Joshua struggled to comprehend what he was being shown. “I think Josh thought it was just a smudge on the screen,” Kelly said. “He asked if doctors were sure they had the right person.”

But Kelly knew immediately that the scan was showing an abnormality.

Following this, Joshua remained in hospital and they were lifted up by the possibility that the mass was not cancerous. “They told us it wasn’t cancer, they thought it was some kind of infection,” Kelly claimed. “That gave us hope.”

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But that hope lasted just 24 hours. The following day, the couple were given devastating news.

“They came to us and said, ‘We are sorry – it looks like glioblastoma.’ We were like, ‘What’s that?’,” she recalled. “That’s when they said ‘glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumour….with not a great outcome’.”

Glioblastoma is a grade 4 brain tumour that tends to grow quickly and infiltrate surrounding brain tissue. Even following treatment, it can return.

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For Joshua and Kelly, the word itself was almost impossible to process. “To hear that after being told that it was likely not cancer… that was devastating,” Kelly said. “It felt like we’d been lifted up and then completely crushed.”

The couple knew only one person who had publicly spoken about having glioblastoma – Tom Parker, the singer from The Wanted, who died from the disease in 2022.

“You never think it’s going to be one of your own,” Kelly said. “That something like this could happen to you.”

Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, the couple powered forward – with Joshua determined to remain positive about the situation. They travelled to The Walton Centre to meet a surgeon, where Joshua was given three options. They could leave the tumour where it was. They could take a biopsy. Or they could attempt to remove as much of it as possible.

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They chose the third option.

Joshua signed consent forms acknowledging the risks of major brain surgery – including death, paralysis and the possibility that he could be left significantly changed afterwards.

The operation was scheduled for Tuesday, February 24.

“It was a rollercoaster,” Kelly said. “One week we didn’t even know he had this in his head – the next he was having major brain surgery.”

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The operation lasted around two to three hours, with surgeons removing approximately 95% of the tumour, according to Kelly. However, in the middle of one of the darkest periods of their lives, came a moment of unexpected normality.

Kelly had returned home to let their dogs out when her phone rang. It was the theatre nurse. Joshua had woken up… and he wanted KFC.

“He was demanding a KFC… a bargain bucket,” Kelly said with a laugh. “I had to get one of them on speed dial.”

Within three days, Joshua was home; for Kelly, seeing him walking and talking so soon after brain surgery was extraordinary. “It’s incredible that someone can have brain surgery and be up, walking and talking within 24 hours,” she said. “But in a weird way, I also think that almost makes it harder to process, because everything feels so normal when it’s not.”

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But Joshua had made his position clear from the beginning.

“He said he will never give up,” Kelly said. “He has always been strong in that. He’s very brave.”

This mindset would be crucial in the period that followed, as Joshua began six weeks of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Glan Clwyd Hospital in April.

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Every day meant a journey of around an hour from home, with radiotherapy sessions just 15 minutes at a time. Kelly arranged appointments in the morning to make sure Joshua had to get out of bed and keep moving, even on days when treatment made doing so difficult.

“He did amazing, to be honest,” she said. “He showed up every day.”

But then came one of the most terrifying moments of the journey. Joshua was at home when he told Kelly he didn’t feel right. The next moment, he was staring at her.

“I said ‘Josh, can you talk to me?’ And then he just went into this seizure,” Kelly shared. “That was the most frightened I had been – I thought I was going to lose him.

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“I put him into the recovery position but he was in the seizure for 12 minutes. He went to A&E after that, but was discharged the next day and went for radiotherapy again. It was like a vicious cycle.”

During this, the couple began looking at clinical trials and Joshua was put forward for a treatment called Optune, available in Clatterbridge, England. But there was a condition: he needed a stable scan to be eligible.

After completing radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Joshua underwent an MRI, however the scan showed slight progression; meaning he could not enter the trial.

“It was devastating to learn that,” Kelly said. “You get your hopes up and it feels like all that we’ve had is bad news.”

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Joshua was transferred back to Glan Clwyd, where he underwent two further cycles of chemotherapy. Then another scan brought more difficult news.

There had been further progression. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here

“It was one thing after the other but then we were told about another a trial… this time in Cambridge. We had a meeting with the specialists based there and they went through the side effects of this trial – one of the major effects being, Josh could lose all of his vision.”

This side effect – paired with the fact that the couple would have to drive three hours there and three hours back, four days a week – led them to decide against it.

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“It wouldn’t have been a good quality of life,” Kelly said.

As a result, Joshua is now having even stronger chemotherapy treatment – however if this does not work, the couple may have exhausted the options available to them through the NHS.

“We have explored alll treatments on the NHS and they wouldn’t be able to offer anything else, which is why we set up the GoFundMe page,” Kelly shared.

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“I never thought we’d do something like that – we aren’t the type of people to ask others for money but we’d soon be having to look at going private or trials abroad which costs a stupid amount of money.”

The couple don’t know exactly what treatment might come next, but they want to be prepared. “If there comes a time soon where we have to look elsewhere, at least we know that the money is there to do that,” she added. The GoFundMe can be found here.

Researching clinical trials, genomic testing and treatment options, also made the couple increasingly aware of what they believe are gaps in access to treatment and research opportunities for patients in Wales.

“When Josh found out he had further progression, he said, ‘Even if it’s not for me, I would like change for the future and help families in the future who may have to go through this,’” Kelly said. “So he has put all his efforts into trying to make a change.”

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The couple began working with Brain Tumour Research and became involved with its work around brain tumour treatment and research in Wales.

Among the priorities highlighted in the charity’s Welsh manifesto are increasing access to clinical trials, making trials available more widely across Wales and improving access to genomic testing.

Indeed, Joshua has undergone genomic testing himself, and Kelly believes the results have influenced which trials have been open to him. “If that was given to everybody, that would make things so much easier,” she said.

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This week, Kelly and Joshua were invited to the Senedd with Brain Tumour Research to speak to a Senedd member about the issues they have experienced.

For them, it is another step in a campaign they never expected to be fighting.

“Trying to make a change is keeping Josh here,” she said. “I think it would be so easy for him to go into a downward spiral, but he’s choosing not to.”

For Kelly, Joshua’s story also carries a message for anyone who feels that something about their health is not right.

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“Listen to your body,” she said. “We always say that if anybody feels something’s not right and they’re not themselves, then go to the GP or take yourself to A&E.”

Kelly says Joshua’s oncologist told them that, had they not returned to hospital when they did, he may not have survived another two or three months.

“That really puts things into perspective.”

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But Kelly refuses to let a prognosis become the entirety of Joshua’s story.

“Accept the diagnosis, not the prognosis,” she added. “I say to Josh – I could go out tomorrow and get hit by a car. You never know what lies ahead. Just take every day as it comes and make it count… I say that to people who aren’t even going through what Josh is.”

And that is what they are doing; they are still travelling when they can; they are still spending time with their dogs; they are still making plans where possible.

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And they are still holding onto the ordinary moments that existed before the diagnosis.

The support from family, friends, colleagues and strangers has also become a source of strength. One woman even gave the couple tickets to watch Wrexham play – something Kelly says has been one of Joshua’s biggest wishes.

“Honestly, everyone’s kindness has blown us away,” she said. “We have been so lucky to have amazing people around us, from our family to our work family to strangers. Thank you to everyone who has supported and donated to the page. It has been overwhelming, and meant the absolute world.”

The future they imagined at the beginning of the year may look very different now but Joshua’s fight has not stopped. Neither has Kelly’s.

And alongside the treatment, the fundraising and the campaign for change, there is still the life they are determined to live, one day at a time.

“Joshua’s story is still being written,” Kelly said. “And we’re holding onto every bit of positivity we can.”

For more information on the Brain Tumour Charity, click here. To donate to Josh’s GoFundMe, click here.

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Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Sunday, September 20)

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Wales Online

Delays are expected in Swansea on Sunday as parts of the city host the annual Swansea Bay 10K.

According to traffic monitoring service Inrix: “Delays expected due to the Swansea Bay 10k with road closures now in place until 5pm on Roads between Swansea Beach, along the coast and towards Mumbles Beach (Oystermouth Square).”

You can see a full list of road closures here.

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Chris Appleton ropes in best pal Kim Kardashian to judge his Strictly moves as Shirley Ballas begs A-lister to join the BBC show panel

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Chris Appleton has roped in his best pal Kim Kardashian to judge his Strictly Come Dancing moves in a new video shared to Instagram on Saturday

Chris Appleton has roped in his best pal Kim Kardashian to judge his Strictly Come Dancing moves in a new video shared to Instagram on Saturday. 

The celebrity hairstylist, 43, performed his Strictly moves in an underground car park as the reality star held up a score padle from a car. 

Chris joked that ‘Kim was a tough judge’ as she held up a score of two after messing up and laughing during the dance. 

Kim, who was dressed to the nines in a brown leather bralette and skirt, said: ‘For that, not being good under pressure, just because you are you,’ she held up the number two padel. 

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Chris insisted his dance moves ‘don’t look as good here’ in the carpark as he performed a second Strictly move which Kim awarded him an eight. 

Kim replied in the comments: ‘You better work on dancing under pressure. But what do I know?! Have u seen my DWTS??? Maybe don’t take advice from me, YOU’RE GONNA KILL IT!!!’ 

Chris Appleton has roped in his best pal Kim Kardashian to judge his Strictly Come Dancing moves in a new video shared to Instagram on Saturday

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The celebrity hairstylist, 43, performed his Strictly moves in an underground car park as the reality star held up a score padel from a car

The celebrity hairstylist, 43, performed his Strictly moves in an underground car park as the reality star held up a score padel from a car

Head judge Shirley Ballas begged the SKIMs mogul to join the BBC show panel, she penned: ‘I mean our desk IS big enough for five chairs ngl.’ 

It is currently unknown whether Kim will make an appearance during the BBC show but she has recently spent time in London for the opening of a Regent Street branch of her SKIMS store. 

During Saturday’s show, it was revealed that Chris is paired with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden.

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The celeb contestants were split into groups of five to take part in three specially choreographed dance routines to find out their partner, in a new show shakeup. 

During the opening show the new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe made their debut.

The trio took over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series. 

The hosts joined the dance floor for the first ever time as they welcomed back judges Shirley BallasCraig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

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Sharing his nerves, Josh said: ‘It’s a little bit overwhelming to be here but we are so excited…’

‘We cannot wait to spend the next 13 weeks with all of you,’ Emma said.

Chris joked that 'Kim was a tough judge' as she held up a score of two after messing up and laughing during the dance

Chris joked that ‘Kim was a tough judge’ as she held up a score of two after messing up and laughing during the dance

Chris insisted his dance moves 'don't look as good here' in the carpark as he performed a second Strictly move which Kim awarded him an eight

Chris insisted his dance moves ‘don’t look as good here’ in the carpark as he performed a second Strictly move which Kim awarded him an eight

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Kim replied in the comments: 'You better work on dancing under pressure. But what do I know?! Have u seen my DWTS??? Maybe don’t take advice from me, YOU’RE GONNA KILL IT!!!'

Kim replied in the comments: ‘You better work on dancing under pressure. But what do I know?! Have u seen my DWTS??? Maybe don’t take advice from me, YOU’RE GONNA KILL IT!!!’

Head judge Shirley Ballas begged Kim to join the BBC show panel, she penned: 'I mean our desk IS big enough for five chairs ngl'; L-R Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley and Anton Du Beke

Head judge Shirley Ballas begged Kim to join the BBC show panel, she penned: ‘I mean our desk IS big enough for five chairs ngl’; L-R Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley and Anton Du Beke

During Saturday's show, it was revealed that Chris is paired with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden

During Saturday’s show, it was revealed that Chris is paired with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden 

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Viewers at home hailed Emma ‘the goddess of British TV’ as she launched the series in a plunging glitzy dress.

While the TV personality went down a hit with fans, bemused fans asked: ‘Why do we need three hosts?’ as they shared their verdict on social media.

Users wrote on X: ‘i love emma, jojo and josh but it feels so odd without tess and claude, this is gonna take some getting used to; I can’t understand why we need 3 presenters???; 3 hosts are different but I love emma willis so happy she’s part of this,’

‘Emma and Johannes have got this but Josh just does not fit #Strictly.’

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Emma marked her first ever Strictly show with an emotional post on Instagram, writing: ‘Week one… I guess it’s officially happening then. Dress on, game face ready and fully prepared for the glitter to take over… Strictly, let’s be having you.’

As the hosts previously explained, the new presenting format is fluid with no ‘like-for-like’ replacements for Claudia and Tess. 

Instead, seasoned TV presenter Emma, comedian Josh and Strictly pro dancer Johannes tried out different combinations during the launch show episode.  

Pre-recorded last week, it saw the new crop of celebrities find out who they will be dancing with for, potentially, 13 weeks as they vie for the Glitterball trophy.

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Taking to Instagram before the show, Tess wished the new trio the best of luck as she wrote: ‘BBC Strictly class of 26! So excited for tonight! And to finally be able to watch Strictly in flat shoes’.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER 

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AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC’s EastEnders 

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m so excited and terrified at the same time but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.’

DELTA GOODREM

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AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!’

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CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!’

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

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BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain’s most successful Paralympian 

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.’

BETHANY ANTONIA 

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AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.’

GRAEME ‘THE DOGFATHER’ HALL

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AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!’

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TABBY STOECKER 

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’

MELANIE WALTERS 

AGE: 64

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BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.’

DANI DYER

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AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!’

CHRIS APPLETON

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AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars – including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.’

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WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!’

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

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BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.’

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 

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AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!’

LAWRENCE ROBB

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AGE: 34

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV’s Emmerdale

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!’

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JOHN NELLIS 

AGE: 33

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel

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WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’

 

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X Factor fans spot major clue the reboot is happening with quiet update

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X Factor fans spot major clue the reboot is happening with quiet update
Rumours of an X Factor return continue to pick up steam (Picture: Shutterstock)

The X Factor has added fuel to the fire of speculation with the release of an update to its Facebook page.

It was reported earlier this month that a reboot of the ITV talent show has been in the works since December, with those in the know sworn to secrecy.

Before being axed, The X Factor had run every year from 2004 until 2018, producing 15 series (plus a celebrity spin-off in 2019).

During this time, it was responsible for discovering some of the biggest names in British music, including Alexandra Burke, Olly Murs and One Direction.

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ITV confirmed that the show had officially been cancelled in 2021, while forging ahead with Simon Cowell’s other star-making behemoth, Britain’s Got Talent.

With rumours of a reboot picking up steam, The X Factor has suddenly changed its profile picture on Facebook – leaving fans more convinced than ever that the show is coming back.

The X Factor Facebook logo
The X Factor’s Facebook page has updated its profile picture (Picture: The X Factor/ITV/Facebook)
Premium Mandatory Credit: Photo by Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock (623433af) Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh 'Billy Elliot The Musical' charity gala performance, Palace Theatre, London, Britain - 22 Nov 2006
Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh (L-R) served as the original judging line-up (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

This weekend, The X Factor quietly updated its Facebook page, changing the profile picture back to that of its 2016-2018 logo.

This is the third redesign of the branding, which stripped away the words ‘The’ and ‘Factor’ from the design, leaving only the iconic X.

Its final redesign, released in 2018, was a gold version of the logo with a bigger series of X’s at its core.

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This update was the validation fans needed that their beloved show is coming back, with Rhodri writing on Facebook: ‘So this has confirmed the speculations about the show is coming back.’

Emma described it as ‘a sign,’ while Lynne was convinced that the show is ‘making a comeback’

‘It’s time to get the band back together!’ Bethan exclaimed, as Ellie added: ‘If it’s not Sharon, Simon and Louis, I don’t want to know.’

Editorial use only. No book publishing. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/REX/Shutterstock (1041867ce) Dermot O'Leary and Stacey Solomon 'The X Factor' TV Programme, London, Britain. - 21 Nov 2009
While serving as host, Dermot O’Leary saw such massive names as Stacey Solomon rise to fame on the show (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Sharon Osbourne, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh are perhaps the show’s most well-known iteration of the judging panel, having debuted when the show first aired in 2004.

In the years that followed, judges came and went, with the likes of Cheryl, Gary Barlow, Tulisa and Nicole Scherzinger all bringing their expertise to the panel.

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Prior to its cancellation, the show’s 15th series saw Simon lead a judging panel which consisted of Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and Ayda Field.

If the 2016-2018 iteration of the logo serves as a clue, then Louis, Sharon and Nicole all appeared on those series, with Simon once again leading the charge.

During this time, the show was hosted by Dermot O’Leary, in the second of two presenting stints.

The This Morning star, who hosted The X Factor from 2007-2014 and 2016-2018, is rumoured to be coming back when (or if!) the show makes its return.

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Maya Jama attends
Maya Jama is rumoured to be in the running as host (Picture: Shutterstock)

However, he played coy when questioned by Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain this month.

‘It’s six years since it was on air which doesn’t sound like that much of a long time, but the world has changed and the music’s changed, and how we communicate and how we watch things has changed so much in those six years,’ Dermot said.

He continued: ‘I’m fascinated as to what they’ll do if they do bring it back. It’d have to be, in many ways, a very different show [but] you still want the nostalgia of how it was in the first place.’

It was also reported that Love Island host Maya Jama is a ‘frontrunner’ in talks to host the rebooted X Factor.

An insider told The Sun that Maya is ‘perfect for the reboot,’ with ‘plenty of experience hosting live shows and is one of the hottest talents on telly right now.’

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‘The X Factor want to appeal the show to younger viewers and they feel Maya’s Love Island hosting and her huge following make her an ideal candidate.’

Metro has contacted ITV for comment.

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