MR Ryder, (Letters July 6, 2026), tells us that Burnham’s plan is a ‘folly’.

Not true Mr Ryder. The greatest political folly since the second world war was Brexit.

If we had stayed in the EU, the Treasury would have had an extra £90 billion per year to spend on welfare, defence, education etc. without creating new taxes or raising tax rates. No nation in living memory has acted so foolishly in peacetime. Our international friends and allies still cannot believe we actually did it.

A Conservative government was elected on May 11, 2010 with David Cameron as PM. On July 5, 2024, Labour, with Keir Starmer as PM, thankfully ended the most disastrous 14 years and 61 days of UK politics that I have ever witnessed in my 86 years. They left the UK economy as a busted flush.

Labour has three more years to prove themselves before the next General Election is due in July 2029.

I say that we should all (including Mr Ryder) cut Labour some slack as, so far, they have done well with a very difficult economy.

If Labour MPs feel that a new leader is needed for the next three years, then so be it.

Quentin Macdonald,

Manor Farm, Church Lane,

Nether Poppleton,

York

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Tributes have been paid to a 21-year-old man who has died in an incident at a lake in Eryri National Park. Rowan Booth, from Prestatyn, got into difficulty while paddleboarding at Llyn Geirionydd near Trefriw on Tuesday night.

A large-scale operation involving police, mountain rescue, and underwater dive teams was launched but they were unable to save him and his body was subsequently recovered.

His employer, DW Property Maintenance of Prestatyn, has now posted a heartfelt tribute to the young man, reports North Wales Live.

They said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the heartbreaking news that our dear friend and colleague, Rowan, has sadly passed away.

“Rowan wasn’t just a valued member of our team-he was family. He brought kindness, laughter, loyalty, and genuine friendship into our workplace every single day. He touched the lives of so many people and his absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled.” You can read more here.

Mitch McConnell has broken his month-long silence over the mysterious medical episode that forced him from the Senate and posted a photo of himself alongside his wife 73-year-old Elaine Chao.

McConnell revealed how he briefly lost consciousness, was hospitalized after a fall and later developed pneumonia as he released his first public photograph since disappearing from Capitol Hill.

The 84-year-old acknowledged that his prolonged absence had prompted concern and questions from constituents, saying he and his wife had been grateful for the support they had received. 

Speculation surrounding McConnell’s health had intensified in recent days because Donald Trump‘s MAGA loyalists, such as Laura Loomer, have said McConnell is ‘brain dead.’ 

But in a photo released on Sunday evening, a smiling McConnell appeared to quash such rumors as he appeared to be holding a copy of Sunday’s Washington Post Sports section. 

In a lengthy written statement addressed directly to the people of Kentucky, the veteran Republican senator disclosed new details about the health scare that has kept him away from Washington for the past four weeks.

‘To my fellow Kentuckians,’ McConnell began, ‘when you elected me to a seventh term and made me our Commonwealth’s longest serving Senator, you did so trusting that I’d keep showing up to fight for you every day.’

‘Over the past several weeks, Elaine and I have appreciated both your well wishes and your honest questions about what was keeping me away from the Senate.’

McConnell admitted he initially struggled with sharing personal health information, saying members of his generation often prefer to keep such matters private.

‘You all know how folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older,’ he wrote.

‘Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct – I can’t help it.’

At around 8.30am on Monday, June 14, emergency responders wheeled the 84-year-old Kentucky senator into an ambulance after an apparent cardiac arrest

In order to counter claims of AI, the senator appeared to be holding Sunday’s copy of the Washington Post Sports section

The Republican leader then revealed exactly what happened.

‘But at the same time, I’ve had more than my share of experience with physical vulnerabilities,’ McConnell said.

‘Surviving childhood polio meant spending my entire life with mobility challenges. They haven’t exactly gotten easier to manage with age. And last month, I took a fall which landed me in the hospital.’

He sought to reassure supporters by ruling out several of the most serious medical possibilities.

‘My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages.’

‘But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital.’

While undergoing treatment, McConnell said doctors also diagnosed him with a mild case of pneumonia.

The senator said he had complied fully with his doctors’ recommendations as they worked to determine what caused him to lose consciousness.

One woman who lives on McConnell’s block told the Daily Mail: ‘When he came out, I actually wondered if he was dead. He did not look good. He was not conscious. His eyes were closed, he had oxygen [tubes] strapped to his nose’

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Neighbors say they almost never see McConnell’s wife of 33 years, Elaine Chao

‘I can assure you that I’ve been a good patient,’ he wrote. ‘At my age, I tend to do what my doctors tell me to do.’

He added that he had undergone extensive medical testing.

‘I’ve submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident. And I’m continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery.’

McConnell also disclosed that his condition has improved enough for him to leave the hospital.

‘With signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength.’

Despite the progress, the longtime Kentucky senator said his doctors have not yet cleared him to resume voting on the Senate floor.

‘As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. On the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet.’

Even so, McConnell insisted he has not stepped away from his responsibilities.

‘Rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you.’

He said he has continued working closely with both his Washington legislative staff and his Kentucky team while also remaining in contact with fellow Republican senators.

Prior to the June incident McConnell had been seen at the Capitol being escorted by aides and using a wheelchair in recent months

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‘I’ve been working closely with my legislative staff on current issues, and with my Kentucky team who help me provide timely constituent services across our Commonwealth.’

‘I’ve also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between.’

McConnell reiterated that his decision to retire at the conclusion of his current term was made with the physical demands of the Senate in mind but emphasized he still intends to finish the job voters elected him to do.

‘You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you.’

‘Part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work. 

‘But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do.’

He closed by promising to continue updating Kentuckians on his recovery.

‘I’ll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible. And I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my recovery.’

‘Until then, I’m so grateful for your prayers and well wishes.’

Last week, never-before-seen footage was released that depicted McConnell being wheeled on a stretcher into an ambulance outside his Washington, DC, home following an apparent cardiac arrest.

McConnell’s neighbor filmed the incident on the morning of June 14 as emergency responders arrived to provide medical assistance to the Kentucky lawmaker, according to CNN. 

The video is shot from a distance and McConnell’s face is not visible. The person on the stretcher can be seen with their lower legs covered by an orange blanket as their feet remain exposed.

CNN reported that a separate neighbor said McConnell was not wearing an oxygen mask when he was loaded onto the stretcher.

The episode was the latest in a string of health scares for McConnell, who was hospitalized for more than a week earlier this year with ‘flu-like symptoms.’  

Questions about his condition first drew national attention in 2023, when he froze on camera multiple times, appearing briefly unable to respond to reporters’ questions. 

He has also weathered several falls, including a March 2023 trip at a Washington dinner event that left him with a concussion.

McConnell has been seen at the Capitol being escorted by aides and using a wheelchair.  

First elected in 1984, McConnell served as the Senate Republican leader from 2007 to 2025, making him the longest-serving party leader in the Senate’s history.

Conor McGregor suffered a disastrous return to the octagon after a five-year absence on Saturday night, when he lost to Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.

The Dubliner has pledged to return to the octagon despite sustaining yet another significant injury.

The former two-division UFC champion lasted just 69 seconds before apparently injuring his knee. Supporters quickly speculated that McGregor was carrying an injury entering the bout, but the Irishman maintained he was fit – and vowed he would be back.

“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened,” he posted on social media. “The talk of me being off while walking into the fight is nonsense.

“I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”

Any suggestion that the Dubliner’s pulling power had waned in America over recent years was swiftly put to rest at the pre-fight press conference, where McGregor was met with a thunderous reception from a packed crowd at the T-Mobile Arena.

Yet back home in Ireland, his standing has taken a considerable knock following a string of incidents over the past decade.

Here is a list of controversies McGregor has been embroiled in since his 2017 boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather:.

November 10, 2017: Attends a Bellator MMA event at the 3Arena in support of his SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward. Following Ward’s win, he jumps into the cage in celebration before shoving referee Marc Goddard when told to leave, as he was not an official cornerman

April 5, 2018: Launches a dolly at a bus window carrying UFC athletes to a press event at New York’s Barclays Center. The shattered glass leaves several fighters injured, including Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg, forcing them to withdraw from UFC 223, scheduled just days later.

McGregor is subsequently charged with three counts of assault and criminal mischief. Following a plea deal, McGregor pled guilty to a single charge of disorderly conduct.

The agreement required him to complete five days of community service, undertake an anger management programme and pay full restitution to the bus company for damages.

September 20, 2018: Ridicules Khabib Nurmagomedov, a devout Muslim, after the Russian declined to drink a shot of his Proper 12 Whiskey at a press conference. He then labelled Nurmagomedov’s Egyptian manager Ali Abdelaziz, also a Muslim, a ‘terrorist rat’.

October 6, 2018: His loss to Nurmagomedov is marred by a mass brawl, leading to McGregor being handed a $50,000 fine and six-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his role in the incident.

March 11, 2019: Arrested and charged with strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief after an altercation with a fan in Miami who was trying to photograph him. Both charges and a subsequent civil action are later dropped.

March 26, 2019: Reports emerge that he faces investigation over an alleged sexual assault at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. This subsequently results in civil proceedings being brought to court by Nikita Hand.

Shortly after the story emerged, McGregor declared his retirement from MMA for the second time.

April 3, 2019: Once again targeted Nurmagomedov’s faith by posting an image of the Russian fighter with his wife in a niqab from their wedding, captioning it: “Your wife is a towel mate”. The post was subsequently removed, with McGregor stating: “I want to move forward, with my fans of all faiths and all backgrounds.”

August 15, 2019: Footage emerges showing him punching 50-year-old Desmond Keogh at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin after Keogh refused a shot of his whiskey.

November 1, 2019: Admits guilt to assault in relation to the pub incident and is handed a €1,000 fine.

September 10, 2020: Detained on the French island of Corsica following allegations of sexual assault and indecent exposure connected to a reported bar incident. The charges were later dropped in April 2021 owing to insufficient evidence.

July 10, 2021: After his second loss to Dustin Poirier in six months, McGregor, while sitting on the canvas with a broken leg, yelled that the American’s wife had been messaging him.

September 12, 2021: Got into an altercation with American rapper Machine Gun Kelly on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center. McGregor tried to hit Kelly but didn’t make contact.

October 16, 2021: Italian musician and television personality Francesco Facchinetti claimed McGregor attacked him at a Rome nightclub. Facchinetti alleged that McGregor broke his nose and later filed charges.

McGregor’s representatives never publicly provided a comprehensive response to the allegations, and the matter has remained a private legal issue since.

March 22, 2022: Held on driving-related charges in Dublin, with Gardaí seizing his Bentley.

November 22, 2022: Faces legal action from former friend and training partner Artem Lobov over unpaid earnings from the sale of his Proper Twelve Whiskey business. The high-profile High Court case reaches a settlement in April 2026, though the terms of the agreement were not made public.

January 24, 2023: An Irish woman alleges McGregor attacked her aboard his yacht in Ibiza during July 2022, claiming he hit her and threatened to drown her. McGregor denies the allegations.

Her vehicle is subsequently set alight weeks later before she withdraws her civil proceedings.

June 9, 2023: Punches Miami Heat mascot Burnie during a comedy skit at Game 4 of the NBA Finals, landing a further blow after the mascot falls to the ground. The individual inside the costume is taken to hospital.

June 11, 2023: Faces allegations of sexually assaulting a woman at the basketball game in Miami. She claims he “aggressively kissed her” while attempting to pressure her into sexual activity.

McGregor denies the accusation, with charges later dropped several months on due to insufficient evidence.

November 23, 2023: Declares Ireland is at “war” following a stabbing attack in Dublin. The incident sparks the Dublin riots, with McGregor tweeting: “Do not let any Irish property be took over unannounced. Evaporate said property.”

In the aftermath of the riots he writes: “You reap what you sow”.

July 31, 2024: Admits guilt at Blanchardstown District Court to dangerous and careless driving offences relating to an incident in March 2022. He is handed a five-month suspended prison sentence, a €5,000 fine, and a two-year driving ban.

November 22, 2024: A High Court jury finds McGregor civilly liable for the assault of Nikita Hand, who alleges he raped her in a hotel room in 2018. She is awarded close to €250,000 in damages.

March 17, 2025: Launches an anti-immigration tirade before meeting Donald Trump at the White House on St Patrick’s Day and criticises the Irish government. He claims “Ireland is on the cusp of losing its Irishness” and that an “illegal immigration racket” is “running ravage on the country”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemns the comments.

July 31, 2025: His appeal against the Nikita Hand jury verdict is rejected.

September 15, 2025: Withdraws from the Irish presidential election, though insists it won’t be the last election he contests.

October 7, 2025: Receives an 18-month ban from the UFC anti-doping programme Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) following three missed drug tests between September 2024 and June 2025. The suspension is backdated and expires on March 20, 2026.

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By MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER and ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: 22:41 BST, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 23:12 BST, 12 July 2026

The United States has launched additional strikes on Iran in an effort to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway.

US Central Command announced on Sunday that at 5pm EDT, forces began launching strikes on the country ‘to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz.’

It noted that President Donald Trump directed the strikes to ‘hold Iranian forces accountable’ after he declared on national television that the strait was open. 

The governor of Qeshm Island near the strait also told Iran‘s state-run IRNA news agency that projectiles were fired at military targets, with no casualties. Explosions were also heard in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas and Hajiabad city to the north.

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A US official speaking with the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity said a few strikes were conducted on missile and air defense systems and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard boats at a couple of locations to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping.

A spokesperson for US Central Command also claimed on CNN that Iranian forces had launched more attacks on commercial ships passing through the Strait, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. 

President Donald Trump directed additional strikes on Iran on Sunday to secure the Strait of Hormuz waterway

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Shipping vessels are pictured in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday

The strait, which has long considered an international waterway, has become a sticking point in ceasefire negotiations.

As tensions remained, Iranian forces attacked a container ship in the strait, setting it ablaze and leaving one crew member missing on Saturday.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vowed revenge, saying: ‘Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.’ 

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The US military then retaliated by hitting some 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, communication equipment and other sites, the military said earlier on Sunday.

‘We bombed the hell out of them last night,’ Trump added to NBC’s Meet the Press.

Iran then responded with attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman – the nation on the other side of the strait that Tehran has pressed to collaborate in managing shipping traffic.

But Iranian officials insist they alone must control the strait – and have the authority to potentially charge vessels for traveling through it. 

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‘The era of one-sided deals is OVER,’ Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and a main negotiator, wrote on social media. 

‘We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.’ 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also declared the strait closed until further notice after the attack, vowing to attack ‘additional enemy bases in the region’ if it faced more attacks.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and a main negotiator for the country, declared that Iran must maintain control of the Strait of Hormuz

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US Central Command posted dramatic video earlier on Sunday of the retaliatory strikes against Tehran after the Middle Eastern country fired on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz

The US said that the munitions hitting the Iranian targets on Saturday had been launched by aircraft, drones and vessels

Yet the US military said more than 140 ships had transited the strait over the past week. 

A multinational body overseen by the US Navy also said traffic continued ‘at reduced levels’ off both Oman and Iran, and that nearly 140 vessels transited daily before the war.

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But Iranian forces claimed the Cyprus–flagged container ship that was targeted on Saturday, which American authorities named as the M/V GFS Galaxy, was attempting to use an unauthorized route to cross the strait.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. 

Due to strong winds, smoke from the fire has travelled a great distance from the original site, with people able to smell it as far as Manchester City Centre.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service are advising anyone affected to keep their windows and doors shut where it is possible to do so.

(Image: Newsquest)

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue put out a statement: “Firefighters remain at the scene of a moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir and continue to work with partner agencies to contain the fire and prevent further spread.

“Due to strong winds, smoke from the fire has travelled significant distances, with people reporting haze and the smell of smoke as far as Manchester city centre and other parts of Greater Manchester. Residents affected by smoke are advised to keep windows and doors closed where possible.

“Please continue to avoid the area to allow emergency services and partner agencies to work safely.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

(Image: Ken Bennett)

The Met Office has said the scorching heatwave conditions experienced by much of the UK are due to last into the coming week, with most areas expected to stay dry, sunny and very hot.

Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, warned that such conditions “significantly increase wildfire risk”.

“But most wildfires start because something provides the spark,” he added.

(Image: NQ)

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were first alerted to reports of the blaze shortly before 8.45pm on July 11.

The incident occurred just hours after the tragic death of Karl Holland, 18, who died after entering the water at the site.

Following his death, Greater Manchester Police have reminded people about entering water during hot weather.

Detective Inspector Steven Horton of the Oldham district said: “I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of the dangers of open water.

“We strongly encourage people to stay safe and refrain from entering large bodies of water including reservoirs, rivers, canals, or ponds.”

Sacha Baron Cohen was spotted back as his iconic Ali G character at Wimbledon on Sunday amid rumours he is filming a new movie. 

The Hollywood actor, 54, was dressed in a white and green Wimbledon themed tracksuit with ‘Da Championshipz’ and a leaf printed on the badge as he took his seat on Centre Court. 

‘Official Ganja Dealer’ was printed on the back of the tracksuit and the star also wore a hat, a heavy gold chain and trademark tinted glasses.

Sacha, who was last seen playing the character in 2014, sported his alter ego’s facial hair and attitude as he was spotted on the BBC‘s coverage of the men’s singles final, which saw Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev.

Speaking from the crowd in an Instagram video, Ali G said: ‘Is at the men’s singles in Wimbledon. It’s like the World Cup of something called tennis, which is like a c**p version of ping pong.

The Hollywood actor, 54, was dressed in a white and green Wimbledon themed tracksuit with ‘Da Championshipz’ and a leaf printed on the badge as he took his seat on Centre Court

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‘Them say that tennis is better played on grass, which is why I intend to sell as much of it while I was here,’ Ali said, before he jokingly went on to plug a variety of recreational drugs he was ‘selling’ at the tournament. 

He captioned the post: ‘I iz BACK! And if u iz at dis borin wimbledore final lookin 2 get grand slammed, I iz here wif de hookup. dm me, especially if u iz fit’ (sic). 

He also shared a shot of a DVD of his TV series and wrote: ‘dm me if u want to buy one of these DVD box sets.

‘Me iz got like 10,000 of dem. Dey iz very rare. Free pickup in the northwest surrey area.’ (sic). 

Sacha attended day 13 of Wimbledon on Saturday as himself dressed in a smart white suit and green shirt. 

Fans took to X to say they couldn’t believe their eyes when they spotted Ali G in the star-studded crowd held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. 

They wrote: ‘Ali G randomly showing up at Wimbledon wasn’t on anyone’s 2026 bingo card’;

‘Bro is a creative genius, Ali G has always been my favorite character of them all tho. booyakasha’;

‘That was never Sacha Baron Cohen at Wimbledon dressed as Ali G was it. If so, we need clips!; I think it’s safe to say we all miss Ali G’.

Last year, Sacha was reported to be ‘bringing back his iconic comic creation Ali G’, more than two decades after the character first appeared on screens.

The actor was spotted filming new material while in full Ali G mode at a wildlife park in the Cotswolds.

‘Official Ganja Dealer’ was printed on the back of the tracksuit and the star also wore a hat, a heavy gold chain and trademark tinted glasses

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Last year, Sacha was reported to be ‘bringing back his iconic comic creation Ali G’, more than two decades after the character first appeared on screens  

Sacha, who was last seen playing the character in 2014, sported his alter ego’s facial hair and attitude as he was spotted on the BBC’s coverage of the men’s singles final

Speaking from the crowd in an Instagram video, Ali G jokingly pretended to sell a variety of recreational drugs 

‘Them say that tennis is better played on grass, which is why I intend to sell as much of it while I was here. So if you want some herbal remedies, M’s got anything you want,’ he said

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Sacha attended day 13 of Wimbledon on Saturday as himself 

Dressed in a bold new look featuring a colourful crocheted rastacap, gold bling and trademark tinted shades, the actor was unmistakably back as the Staines-born MC.

Fans in Chipping Norton were left stunned to see the cult character back in action, as Sacha was surrounded by a full production crew while shooting scenes on location.

A source told The Sun: ‘He was with a whole film crew and was in full character.

‘He seemed very comfortable in the role. I was amazed, I thought to myself “that’s Ali G”. He clearly updated Ali G’s wardrobe.

‘He’s replaced his tracksuit and skull cap, but he still had gold jewellery and tinted shades.’

Ali G, known for his infamous line ‘Is it coz I is black?’, first appeared in 1998 on Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show.

The streetwise satirical figure quickly gained popularity, going on to star in Da Ali G Show and hit 2002 movie Ali G Indahouse.

The new wardrobe hints at a modern twist for the classic character, but the essence of Ali G remains intact – complete with the same swagger, shades, and gold jewellery fans remember.

Sacha’s return as Ali G comes after years of focusing on other projects, including his award-winning turn in Borat and more recent political satire work.

It’s not yet confirmed whether the footage will form part of a TV special, online release or a brand-new series and details of the new project remain under wraps, but the sighting has sparked major excitement among longtime fans.

The Daily Mail has contacted Sacha Baron Cohen’s representatives for comment.

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Fans took to X to say they couldn’t believe their eyes when they spotted Ali G in the star-studded crowd held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Elsewhere at Wimbledon it was a very star-studded affair for the men’s singles final on Sunday afternoon.

Hollywood stars and British A-listers descended on south-west London as the two-week tournament came to a close with Sinner’s clash against Zverev.

Sinner fought off a full-blooded challenge from Zverev to successfully defend his Wimbledon title.

Pop sensation Jennifer Lopez, 56, looked the epitome of glamour as she arrived in a tight nude midi dress which she paired with a stylish hat and towering heels.

Elsewhere actress Nicole Kidman, 59, looked chic in a white suit as she joined Dame Anna Wintour in the Royal Box – where the Vogue icon enjoyed a rare laugh as she chatted to the Australian star.

Departing Strictly host Tess Daly, 57, and her daughter Phoebe, 21, Daisy Edgar-Jones, 28, Twiggy, 76, and Nicki Hilton, 42, also made their arrivals earlier in the afternoon and sported glamorous dresses.

Meanwhile Ben Stiller and Rami Malek looked delighted to see each other and hugged as they took their seats early in the Royal Box ahead of the doubles final match.

Also in the prestigious area – alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales and two of their three children George and Charlotte – was Sienna Miller, 44, who wore a pretty frilly mini dress.

It’s a tough old time for us regular TV-watchers, with a World Cup that is sucking up much of the oxygen and airtime as the summer rumbles on.

Amid that drama drought, you can imagine my delight at a nuts-and-bolts ITV crime thriller landing on our screens to tide us over until autumn. 

Based on GR Halliday’s debut novel, The Dark is True Detective in the Scottish Highlands, with an opening scene that throws us into the wilderness, where a naked corpse has been gruesomely staged.

The detective on the scene is DI Monica Kennedy, played by Laura Donnelly. She’s new in the job and, like most of the dogged coppers before her, has enough baggage to fill an airport luggage carousel.

The victim is a young, lonely man who quickly becomes the first of many in a serial killer’s spree, making use of a uniquely nightmarish method of murder. 

Distraught mother Bethany Morgan (Helen Baxendale, who played the infamous Emily from Friends) undergoes her own journey after the loss of her son, which is at odds with her husband’s (Emun Elliott) knee-jerk response.

As the six episodes go on, we see the murderer only as a hideous mask and a heavy-breathing off-screen presence. It’s incredibly effective at scaring the bejesus out of you, even if the effect does start to wear off the more we see them.

They watch over Monica’s attempts to piece together their identity. So goes this classic cat-and-mouse tussle.

Monica’s partner in crime-fighting is DC Connor Crawford (Mark Rowley), who finds his new colleague something of a mystery. With a strange branding mark on her upper arm, it’s clear she and her little daughter have a checkered past. I know what it is, but am under strict spoiler warnings not to tell you.

Except all of The Dark is already on ITVX. If you so please, you could stop reading this and binge all six episodes right now to find out for yourself.

And what a disappointment that is. Maybe it’s made worse by the current dearth of event TV that isn’t sports-related or Love Island (RIP Jasrenzo).

I won’t pretend to understand the machinations of ITV’s release strategy; I’m sure the show is being dropped like this for some business-savvy reason that goes above my head.

But I feel like I’m standing at the office water cooler waiting for someone to join me with something other than the Taylor/Travis wedding to talk about. With a week-to-week release schedule, I reckon The Dark could have delivered. 

Perhaps it was the grisly murders or the small-town paranoia, but the show put me in mind of an ITV forebear, Broadchurch.

2013’s theorising and speculation around the killer’s identity reached such a fever pitch that Olivia Colman had to enter something approaching self-imposed witness protection. Whether the reveal was satisfactory is by-the-by when the build-up is that rabid.

The Dark does manage to avoid the repetitive pitfalls of violence against women in crime drama, while also introducing a compelling theme around young, vulnerable men in rural communities (without getting all ‘what about the men’ with it). 

The filming makes the most of the glen’s breathtaking backdrop and the cast is light on duds. I would have liked a bit more of the wider feel of the place and the impact these horrific crimes would no doubt be having on the whole community.

But what I wanted even more was an old-school release strategy. Nobody had heard of Widow’s Bay when it dropped, to little fanfare, in April. Now it’s an Emmy darling with a vocal audience, thanks to word-of-mouth and a week-to-week build. More of that please.

The Dark is available to stream on ITVX. The show continues on ITV1 at 9pm on Monday.

MORE: Amazon Prime’s new gangster thriller is edge-of-your-seat viewing

MORE: ‘I wrote ITV’s chilling new thriller because it wasn’t about women being massacred’

MORE: Who are the BBC and ITV World Cup presenters, pundits and commentators?

McIlroy’s attention now turns to The Open, which gets underway on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport

Rory McIlroy secured a share of seventh place at the Scottish Open following an impressive final round of 64 on Sunday, matching the day’s best score.

The Holywood golfer recorded just two bogeys during his closing round, notching eight birdies to finish the tournament at 12-under-par, five strokes behind champion Tom Kim.

McIlroy’s attention now turns to The Open, which gets underway on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport. The-37 year-old earned $270,675 for his performance in Scotland, while Kim claimed the winner’s cheque of $1,575,000.

Speaking afterwards, McIlroy said: “It’s nice to sign this week off with a good score, but I know I need to do a bit of work between now and next Thursday to feel really comfortable with my game.”

He added: “I felt like I was pretty much in control of everything after the first two days. Then had a long day yesterday [Saturday] waiting around,” reports the Irish Mirror.

McIlroy continued: “I didn’t get off to the best of starts, then didn’t finish the third round off particularly well. I sort of pieced it together and realised what I was doing, tried to figure it out on the range before I went out for my final round.”

Reflecting on his form, he stated: “At least I know what I am doing. It’s a matter of sort of rectifying it. I don’t feel like it’s too far away. There’s definitely some positive signs.”

He concluded: “I know what the problem is and it’s just about fixing it. Obviously there was some good in there today, but there was some bad as well. So I am going to need to work a little bit over the next couple of days to be ready for Thursday.”

After one poor shot on the 16th hole, McIlroy could be heard saying, “Oh my god, I am so bad at golf.”

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The Scottish singer was brought to tears as he played for thousands of fans in London.

Lewis Capaldi kicked off his two headline shows at Hyde Park on Friday, July 11, with thousands of fans queuing in the hot weather to see the Scottish star. However, the Whitburn-born singer was seen to hold back tears as he admits that he “didn’t know if this would be possible”.

Making his debut at the British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park, London, Lewis played a number of his chart-topping tracks to more than 60,000 fans. And with thousands more flooding the park for his second headline gig, the shows mark the 29-year-old’s successful return to music after taking time off for his mental health.

Lewis became emotional at the end of the set as fans could see him holding back tears as he spoke about his struggles with Tourette’s during his 2023 Glastonbury performance and how he wasn’t sure if he would ever return to music.

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In clips on social media of the star at Hyde Park, Lewis was seen to take a few moments to compose himself before singing his song The Day That I Die. While sitting at his piano, fans can be heard cheering for the Someone You Loved singer.

Holding back tears, Lewis admitted: “I didn’t know if this was going to be possible again, so being here is very special for me.”

Fans have since flooded the comments sections of the clips, sharing their love and admiration for the singer. One person wrote: “What an amazing night at BST Hyde Park last night. Watching this real emotion was heartbreaking but at the same time very special as you put on an amazing show for all of us in the crowd.”

While another person expressed: “Go ahead and cry. You should be overwhelmed; it’s a phenomenal achievement. We’re crying with you. Love ya Lad.”

Fans watching from Hyde Park and through the concert’s live link also confessed to being emotional in that moment, with one fan sharing: “I bawled my eyes out when he sang that song.”

However, while Lewis took a moment to take in how far he has come, he also included his usual banter and comic ramblings throughout the show.

At one point he joked that some of the crowd may leave due to the England vs Norway World Cup match taking place during the concert.

He joked: “I’m Scottish, most of you are English. Can’t we all live in peace and harmony?” Receiving a mixed reaction from the crowd, he jokingly exclaimed: “No!”

Fans were also ecstatic to see Lewis bring out singer and friend Sam Fender for a surprise performance of Rein Me In, which is Sam’s first number one hit which he released with Olivia Dean.

Sharing the moment on Instagram, Lewis captioned the post: “From releasing our first singles on the same day (March 31st 2017) to playing on stage at Hyde Park in London together almost 10 years later, what a ride. Love ya brother.”

Lewis’ Hyde Park debut comes just over a year after he returned to the Glastonbury stage in 2025 following his hiatus for his mental health.

Sharing a tribute post on June 27, Lewis wrote: “One year back in the saddle and from getting back on stage at Glastonbury to now what a year it’s been. Celebrating by playing to 70 thousand people in Exeter over the next two days. Thanks for everything my guys.”