A 19-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence, remains in custody, West Midlands Police said.

The comedian’s show was halted after a “potential suspicious bag” was found.

In an update on Saturday morning, police said: “Following searches of the Utilita Arena last night, no items of a suspicious nature were found.

“A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence and remains in custody this morning as our inquiries continue.

“We’re grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always our priority is the safety of the public.”

Witnesses said two members of staff came onto the stage about 45 minutes into the performance, whispered into Kay’s ear, and then escorted him off.

Steve Aspinall, who was at the gig with his wife, told the Press Association: “Two guys came on, one with a mic and headphones, one guy whispered to Peter Kay and then he and Peter Kay shot off down the side.”

He said the audience was told to look for security guards and listen out for any announcements.

“To be honest, I thought it was part of the show at first,” Mr Aspinall, who lives in Bideford, Devon, said.

“It was a strange atmosphere, eerie, just confused really (about) what was happening.

“But it was alright and everyone was calm and left quite quickly with no panic.”

A spokesperson for the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) said: “Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby.

“The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority. We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure.

“Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course.”

Pace bowler Mark Wood is hoping to bowl later in the summer as he looks to come back from the knee injury that ruined his Ashes.

Wood had surgery on his left knee in March 2025 and returned to play for England in the first Test against Australia in November. He bowled only 11 overs in Perth before being ruled for the rest of the series.

The 36-year-old is among the fastest bowlers to ever play for England, but has regularly been hit by injuries in his 38-Test career. Prior to the Ashes he had not played Test cricket for 15 months, firstly because of an elbow injury, followed by the knee problem.

“I need to take it slow,” Wood told the BBC’s Strategic Timeout programme., external

“Realistically I’ve got maybe one more chance at doing this right. If I rush it back, then it’s not good, that could be it.

“I’m still trying to get back to bowling, hopefully later on in the summer.”

Last month, Wood admitted to having thoughts about what life after his playing career could look like if this latest rehabilitation does not go well.

The Durham right-armer is centrally contracted by England until the autumn. Despite this latest injury, he said he will “laser” on the goal of adding to his 146 caps across all formats.

“You’ve got to keep your eye on the prize, which is ultimately for me trying to get to playing for England,” he said. “That’s my focus.

“It’s mega frustrating. It’s been a long time, over a year since I had the initial surgery.

“To build it back up for seven months to play one game, and then be out again takes its toll.

“With the age I’m at, I don’t want to miss games. You want to be involved. I was bowling quickly and well before this injury started and I haven’t been able to get back to that level.”

Detectives have issued an appeal to identify a cyclist who they believe could have important information about the incident

A man in his 40s remains in hospital with a significant head injury after a suspected racially aggravated assault. Suffolk Police were called by the ambulance service at 7:45pm on Saturday, April 18, to reports of an injured man in the Tesco car park in Cangle Road, Haverhill.

It was reported that the victim was assaulted at around 7pm on the old railway line footpath in Haverhill. The man was walking with his partner when he was reportedly approached by a group of approximately five males who shouted verbal abuse.

After he tried to speak to them, one of the males allegedly hit him on the head with a large branch. The injured man was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with a significant head injury where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Suffolk Police are treating the attack as an incident of racially aggravated grievous bodily harm. Detectives have issued an appeal to identify a cyclist who could have important information about the incident.

The potential witness was cycling near the skate park by the old railway line, just off Howe Road, just over 25 minutes after the attack is believed to have occurred. The cyclist encountered two of the suspects and so could have important information.

Anyone with relevant CCTV or doorbell camera footage or anyone driving in the area at the time with a dash camera is asked to contact police. The cyclist, or anyone with information about this incident, is asked to contact West CID at Bury St Edmunds Police Station, quoting reference: 37/22010/26.

On a grey Tuesday morning, a handful of people are milling around the centre of St Helens.

It is market day but the town is quiet, with just a handful of locals making their way between the offerings of clothes, phone cases, flowers and fresh produce.

Among them is Janet Wylde, who has always called this corner of Merseyside home, but doesn’t mince her words when asked about how it has changed.

“It’s awful”, Janet tells The Independent in no uncertain terms.

She and her sister Sandra Hilton, 75, meet up in the town centre every week but they don’t claim to enjoy it.

“There’s no joy coming here – we look at the markets because there’s no shops”, she adds.

Now retired, the 79-year-old used to work in the head office of glass company Pilkington. Founded in 1826, it revolutionised production and, alongside coal mining and pharmaceuticals, powered St Helens’ growth as a thriving industrial town.

Pilkington is the only remaining large employer – itself now stripped back and a subsidiary of a Japanese firm.

Janet and Sandra believe the town centre, punctuated by empty units, takeaways and vape shops, is indicative of its struggles. It is a story seen in post-industrial towns across the North West.

As concise as her sister, Sandra describes the scenes around her as “horrendous”. They are in agreement that St Helens feels forgotten about, with Janet offering a reason why: “I think Liverpool gets the most money”, she says.

St Helens may be part of the Liverpool City Region, but this is not Liverpool. It is around 15 miles away from the city and you will not hear many Scouse accents here. Most prominently though, this is a rugby league town, with football very much secondary.

But what Liverpool and St Helens do share is a story of post-industrial decline.

While the port city’s docks endured a slump in the second half of the 20th century, coal and glass jobs left this part of Merseyside.

Whereas urban regeneration, culture and a thriving hospitality industry powered Liverpool’s recovery from the dark days of post-war deindustrialisation, there is a strong feeling here that they are still waiting for their turn.

Change is on the horizon, however. Much of the town centre is now a building site as work continues on wide-ranging upgrades – made up of a new market hall, a hotel, homes and shops – while a new £35m transport interchange is also being built nearby.

It might be the change that many in the town have been asking for, but it could have come too late.

Market trader Paul Donovan, 61, is not sold on the idea that a hotel will change its fortunes.

“It needs people”, he says. “And it needs more shops. Because all it’s got is a bakery, bookies and barbers.

“All the big boys have left, all the big shops have gone to the retail park. Each time the town has gone boom, onto the floor.”

St Helens will go to the polls next week to elect its borough council.

As an industrial town, its ties with the Labour party run deep. Other than a six year period of no overall control in the 2000s, it has always been run by Labour, which has 28 of its 48 councillors.

But there is growing feeling that this could be the first area in the red stronghold of Merseyside to fall for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

On a visit to nearby Southport in early April, Mr Farage told the BBC his party will give Labour a “run for their money” in elections on Merseyside, having last year enjoyed success in the wider region when it took control of Lancashire County Council.

“I don’t want to overly raise expectations, but what I will say is the map of local government will look very different after 7 May across the North West”, he said.

Speaking to the Daily Mail last week, Mr Farage mentioned the borough by name as he said that Reform could win in dissatisfied ‘red wall’ areas which did not even contemplate voting for Boris Johnson and the Conservatives when he swept parts of the north in 2019.

“Boris never got a sniff of winning Gateshead,” he said. “Or Barnsley, or Tameside or St Helens.

“This is going way beyond anything that remarkable Brexit election produced in 2019, and my view is that this switch is not a one-off… this is a fundamental shift away from the Labour Party.

The Labour mood on the ground in St Helens appears to be rather despondent – Reform poses a new threat, one which is not burdened with the baggage that the Conservative name carries here.

Latest figures from PollCheck suggest a huge swing to Reform would give it 25 councillors required to control the local authority, with Labour set to fall to nine.

A Merseyside Labour source tells The Independent that it is “inevitable” that Reform will control the council after next month’s elections.

“I think the best case scenario for Labour is that it’s the largest party but not a majority”, the insider adds.

“The worst-case scenario, which is much more likely, is that Reform win an outright majority.

“I think Reform will clean out the Labour party. I think they’ll clean out the Green party and take out most Labour councillors.”

There is no love lost for Labour among those who speak to The Independent in the centre of this town, which is the 29th-most-deprived local authority in the country.

The feeling is that the party they have always voted for no longer represents areas like this – a factor that Mr Farage will hope to take advantage of – and that nothing has changed while Labour has been in power.

Janet is just as withering about the Labour Party as she is about St Helens itself.

“We were always Labour”, she says. But asked if she will be voting for the party next month, she is clear.

“Definitely no – and don’t get me wound up on them. It’s not Labour. That’s a cover. It’s not the old Labour we had.”

Her sister Sandra asks: “What have they done? We’ve got family waiting for houses and they can’t get one.

“I’m sorry, but they put all the immigrants in the new houses and they’re still waiting.”

She is not the only person to raise concerns about immigration in this town, which at the last census saw 93.5 per cent of the local population say they were born in England.

It is high on the list of concerns for market trader Ray Watt, who travels to St Helens from Liverpool for work.

“The country can’t cope with it”, the 58 year old says. “The country can’t cope with that and Labour are just soft in my eyes.

Though Ray says he “probably wouldn’t vote for Reform”, he has a theory on why Labour has held power in towns like this for so long.

“I don’t even think some people think too much about it”, he says. “I think they’re on autopilot – well we’re working class so we’re Labour. We’re just Labour. Well, they’re f***ing useless.”

The Liverpool City Region’s Labour mayor Steve Rotheram believes that a Reform win in St Helens, a prospect he describes as a “big if”, would threaten the “trajectory” of regeneration projects his combined authority is working on in the town.

“That genuinely all has a question mark against it if you have somebody who doesn’t believe in the same things that Labour in St Helens does”, the mayor tells The Independent.

However, Mr Rotheram is concerned that noise in Westminster is distracting from his party’s local campaigning and a flurry of u-turns in government has meant its successes have not cut through.

“There’s definitely a feeling that the ‘own goals’, the number of U-turns that the party made, have reflected really badly on everything else,” he says.

The mayor adds: “I think the way in which we need to approach these elections is a hyper-local, a really granular level – knocking on every single door and explaining that it’s not currently an election for national issues. It’s who’s going to run your town hall.

“Once we break beyond the people who are not supporting the likes of Keir Starmer, when we get beyond that and explain the type of town hall that Labour are proposing, then we get a much fairer hearing.”

Labour face an uphill struggle to hold onto this town. Even if the mayor is right and the local elections will be fought on local issues, people in St Helens will need convincing that their loyalty to the party should remain.

Sitting on a bench in the town centre, Keith Twist, 68, is looking over the town centre and sums up the dilemma Labour faces.

“I vote Labour but I don’t think I’ll be doing so this time”, he says,

Asked why, Keith says: “Well, can you see what’s happening here?”

Hull City host Norwich City this lunchtime, hoping for favours elsewhere

Hull City’s play-off hopes hang in the balance ahead of their home clash against Norwich City this lunchtime.

The Tigers head into the last day neck and neck on points with Wrexham, who occupy the final play-off spot.

Both teams are on 70 points heading into the final round of Championship fixtures, with the Welsh club boasting a better goal difference – but by the finest of margins.

Derby County are also lurking in the shadows in eighth and will be looking to pounce should either of the teams above them slip up against their respective opponents.

Here is everything you need to know about the Tigers’ match today.

What time is Hull v Norwich kick-off?

The game kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday, May 2, at the MKM Stadium, Hull.

Is the game on TV?

Yes, the game will be shown on Sky Sports+.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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What about streaming?

Sky Sports customers can stream the game via the Sky Go app.

How the table looks at present

6th: Wrexham P45 W19 D13 L13 GD4 – PTS 70

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7th: Hull City P45 W20 D10 L15 GD3 – PTS 70

8th: Derby P45 W20 D9 L16 GD9 – PTS 69

Quotes corner

Sergej Jakirovic: “We won the league in Bosnia Herzegovina with seven games to go (with Zrinjski Mostar in 2022),” he recalled. “We won the league in Croatia (with Dinamo Zagreb, two years later), two games to go.

“So we haven’t had this before. Even the relegation battle with Kayserispor (last season), we did it with three games to go. This is first experience like this. But I have a lot of games (of experience).

“We have 10 people there (on the coaching staff). So it’s very easy. You have internet.”

Philippe Clement: “The players did amazing stuff in the last couple of months. They showed they were playing for this badge.

“Today they went behind, you are disappointed, but they dug in and went for the equaliser and after they went for the second goal.

“We were the best team in the first half. We should have scored two or three.

“In the second half, from the side it looked a clear penalty on [Mohamed] Toure but we don’t get that one. They are massive decisions that go against us.

“But I am proud of what the team is showing in mentality and quality.”

LIV Golf caused a major split in 2022 when it started luring star names away from the PGA Tour with the offer of huge pay increases.

DeChambeau joined LIV Golf in 2022 and, along with fellow stars Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith, turned down the chance to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year.

The PGA Tour set up a returning member programme, which was open until 2 February, and accepted Brooks Koepka back on the American circuit as part of the initiative following his departure from LIV Golf.

“We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each team is looking to build junior golf academies,” added DeChambeau. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now.

“We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months, because we want to do something special by the Team Championship. There’s definitely some really cool things in the works.”

DeChambeau’s LIV contract is up at the end of this season and he was looking to sign a lucrative new deal.

Speaking recently before the announcement of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund withdrawing its funding, DeChambeau said: “As long as LIV is here, I would figure out a way for it to make sense.

“We’re still working on a potential contract. I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year.”

The new look cricket ground in Edgworth is being hailed as a major boost for the village, and is set to open today [2 May].

While the building work at The Barlow has caused some disruption, The Barlow said the long‑term benefits are clear.

The project has been funded by AO boss John Roberts and his wife, Sally, through the Jolly Foundation, with work underway to improve facilities at the popular ground.

John Marriott, chairman of The Barlow, said: “Sometimes it can be a hindrance with all the building work, but we’ve worked around it and worked together.

John Marriott. (Image: NQ)

“All this is possible because of the two wonderful people, John and Sally Roberts. They’ve invested the money in this area, and we’re incredibly grateful.

“This will be a huge win for the community. It will improve the area, and it’s already one of the most popular villages around here.”

Mr Marriott said the refurbishment would strengthen Barlow’s role as a community hub.

The cricket ground. (Image: NQ)

The cricket ground forms part of a wider group of facilities, including the Barlow Institute and bowling club, which host events for residents of all ages.

Alongside the cricket ground is a refurbished shed which will sell pizzas, which was successful before refurbishments.

Mr Marriott said increased use of the site would benefit everyone involved. “It’s a full benefit for the Barlow, no matter what happens here.

“More people using the facilities helps us all.”

The new building. (Image: NQ)

He also praised the charitable nature of the project, as Mr Roberts has donated millions, and John praised it as a good investment for the community.

Once complete, the refurbished ground is expected to attract more players, spectators and visitors, further strengthening community life inThe Barlow.

The improvements are expected to enhance not only the playing facilities but also the overall experience for visitors, helping to secure the future of grassroots cricket in the village.

He said the refurbished ground would encourage more young people to get involved in sport, while providing a welcoming space for families and residents to come together.

“It’s about making sure The Barlow continues to be a place where people want to spend time,” Mr Marriott added. “This kind of support helps us do exactly that.”

One Direction star, Harry Styles, and actress, Zoe Kravitz, sent fans into a frenzy last week when Zoe was papped in London rocking a huge sparkler on her left hand

Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz’s wedding will be nothing short of showstopping. The loved-up pair sent fans into a frenzy last week when they were papped arm and arm in London, with Zoe rocking a huge diamond.

The couple, who have been dating since last August, are yet to confirm they’re walking down the aisle. However, their early plans for their nuptials have reportedly been revealed – with no expense spared.

From a summer wedding in either Italy or France, to gorgeous dress designs and stylish themes, Harry and Zoe, who was previously engaged to Magic Mike star, Channing Tatum, are said to be pulling out all the stops for their big day…

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Summer wedding in France or Italy

Reports suggest the couple’s wedding may take place as early as this summer in the South of France – or Italy, as it is special for Harry and Zoe after they spent time together in Rome last year.

Seen strolling around the Italian capital arm in arm – hitting all the headlines – they looked every inch the happy couple, just under a year before they have reportedly taken the next step in their relationship.

Speaking to The Sun, a source Zoe is particularly taken by France, saying: “She talks about it all the time – beautiful locations like Paris or the French Riviera, lots of flowers, stunning outfits, and a ­celebration that lasts all day and night, surrounded by love.”

Could they elope?

While a European wedding looks like it’s on the cards, Zoe is said to be debating between a huge wedding full of family and friends and a far quieter affair with just her and Harry. The source continued: “She’s torn between a very intimate ceremony – possibly even eloping – and a larger celebration with all their loved ones, though a bigger wedding may ultimately win out.”

Already discussing wedding dress styles

With her eclectic style, Zoe, who is the daughter of rocker, Lenny Kravitz, is sure to choose a showstopping frock for her big day. She is said to want something unique and has started discussing ideas for outfits, themes and designs.

Harry is also no stranger to experimenting with fashion, having graced the cover of Vogue magazine, and will no doubt make sure all eyes are on him when he becomes a married man.

Baby plans

As rumours of their wedding begin to swirl, it’s now been suggested that the couple could also be ready take things to the next level.

Harry’s pal told Page Six of the former One Direction star: “He really wants a baby, he’s been telling his friends that.”

“He is completely smitten,” a source previously told the outlet amid the wedding speculation. “He would jump off a cliff for her.” Harry also spoke about his plans for the future with Zane Lowe on The Zane Lowe Show, admitting that he just wants “to be fulfilled”.

He said on the Apple Music series: “I think I had a real honest conversation with myself about, okay, in five years, what do I want my life to look like? And then how do I make changes to aim at that? I don’t want to be the guy who’s on his own but was like, oh, I really did it.

“I want to be fulfilled and I want to be in great relationships with people. I want to have great friendships with people. I want a family. I want these things. It just allowed me to go like, okay, what do I have to do to create space to allow these things to happen? I can’t just expect them to just happen to me.”

Highlighting the importance of being with the right partner, he concluded: “They hold you accountable to the person that they know you want to be. I think accepting flaws and stuff is like, yes, having understanding is wonderful, but you know that I want to be better than that. So when you challenge me on something. It’s a gift to me, actually.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Out of 75 councillors, 49 are Conservative, nine Liberal Democrat and Independent Group, six Labour, one Reform, eight in the the Non-Aligned Group (2 Canvey Island Independent Party, 2 Residents for Uttlesford, 1 Independent Loughton Residents Association, 3 Independents), as well as two vacancies.