Tenants living in a block of flats at Drake Hall Lane, Daisy Hill, were served with eviction notices on March 26 which incorrectly stated the owner wanted the property back and they would have to leave by May 31.

But the landlords – partners John Martindale and Barbara Cook – said this was not true and never indicated to Be One Homes a wish to repossess their flats.

John Martindale has owned the property in question for decades, working with Be One Homes for around 13 (Image: Dan Dougherty)

The block of flats, although owned by the two, are managed by Be One Homes, and have been for over a decade.

They are located very near another block of Be One Homes flats where tenants were recently served with section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices after being told the property owner wanted to sell.

John said: “I’m very angry with Be One Homes – I’m concerned about the tenants finding new places to live.

“The chances of 16 people finding low-cost accommodation in Westhoughton in three weeks is practically nil.

The property at Drake Hall, Westhoughton (Image: Google Maps)

“This caused problems for us as well, as understandably the tenants were angry with us because they thought we’d decided to sell.

“The tenants then received a letter from Bolton at Home telling them that they would have to leave their properties, and if they did not do so they may have to go to court and would be liable for Bolton at Home’s legal fees.

“I’ve been a private landlord for decades and I wouldn’t treat people like that.”

John starting working with Be One Homes – then Bolton at Home – around 13 years ago, when the social housing provider approached him with an offer to manage his property.

The lease was originally agreed for 10 years, which went by smoothly before another three year deal was agreed between them.

But despite agreeing to a three-year deal extension, John stated that Bolton at Home, as it was called then, never actually signed their end of the contract.

This first came up in September 2025, when John alleges that Bolton at Home told him that he did not lease a property with them.

Residents at this property on New Drake Green – directly across the road from John’s property – were also handed eviction notices last week (Image: Ross Cruickshanks)

John contacted the land registry to try and prove that he in fact did, after which Bolton at Home withdrew their statements, he said.

“Why didn’t they come to me first?” said John.

“We could have sorted something out, rather than serving the residents with eviction notices.”

After contacting Be one Homes to complain, John says he was told by an employee that no such letter had been sent.

When John was able to produce the letter, Be One Homes sent another letter to residents, this time stating that they were being evicted because they were ‘winding down the leasing scheme and returning properties back to the owner’.

This came as a shock to John, who said he did not have any idea that Be One Homes no longer want to manage the property, leaving him without support at short notice.

A notice was attached to this letter that indicated to residents that they would be liable for Bolton at Home’s legal fees if they failed to leave the property before an updated date of June 7.

David Cobane lived in the Drake Hall property for 13 years before being served an eviction notice at the end of March (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“I’ve never been homeless before,” said tenant David Cobane, aged 60.

“I’m working with a private housing officer and they’ve been good so far – they’re my main hope at the moment.

“This was totally out of the blue.”

David’s flat is spotless – as it usually is, according to John, who also stressed that David has paid his rent on time every month for 13 years.

“What is going on is not ok,” David continued.

“It’s just a waiting game at the moment – waiting for letters, waiting for housing options to come up.

“I had a phone call last week from someone at Be One Homes who said they would be back in touch with more housing information, but I haven’t heard anything since.

“The call lasted about 90 seconds.”

John feels that the notice was too aggressive in tone, especially considering many of the residents are vulnerable.

John also claims he has found it difficult to discuss these issues with Be One Homes.

Noel Sharpe (CEO of Be One Homes) (Image: Be One Homes)

At one point, he said, Be One Homes told him the issue had been discussed with a ‘Mrs Martindale’, despite no such person existing.

The Renters Rights Act came into force on Friday (May 1), banning section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions from that point onwards.

The act also increases the amount of notice landlords must give tenants if they wish to sell to four months.

David is hoping he can find new accommodation before the June 7, the date of the eviction, and is open to suggestions.

John has also been left in limbo with who will be able to manage the complex, as Be One Homes has done so for the last 13 years.

Paul Lowe, Director of Customer and Communities at Be One Homes, said: “We recently apologised to some of our customers in Westhoughton for our lack of communication when we served formal notices to end tenancies for homes we lease from private owners.

“We have acknowledged the worry this caused and have since been in touch with all customers affected to ensure they are fully informed about what’s happening and how we’re supporting them to find a new home.

“Throughout this process we have also kept the private owners of these properties informed, though we recognise some information in our initial communication with customers was incorrect. This information was corrected in our follow-up communication with customers and we’re sorry for any confusion caused by the inaccuracies in our original letter.

“Ensuring everyone affected transitions to a safe, suitable place to live remains our absolute priority. We’re working directly with each household to do this where possible and for some customers we have already secured a new home that meets their needs.”

Major aviation disruptions were reported across Italy, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK as passengers were left stranded after more than 1,700 flights were delayed.

Flights across popular European travel spots have been disrupted, leaving passengers stranded ahead of the summer holidays.

Major aviation disruptions were reported across Italy, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. Busy airlines were also affected as 63 flights were cancelled and 1,755 were rescheduled. The reason for the disruptions across Europe is unclear, but airlines across the world have reported concerns over jet fuel costs and supply.

Jet fuel supply has been shocked by the US-Iran war which sparked after the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites on February 28. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the Middle East and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route, through which 20% of global oil trade passes. This has choked global oil supply and impacted flights, reports the Mirror.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport was the worst-affected hub, reporting the highest number on delayed flights. Passengers were left waiting after 313 flights were delayed from the airport, while 13 other flights were cancelled.

Other major hubs affected include:

• Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, Spain with 284 delays and three cancellations
• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Netherlands with 235 delays and eight cancellations
• Frankfurt Airport, Germany with 228 delays and three cancellations
• Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, Italy with 213 delays and 10 cancellations
• Munich International Airport, Germany with 145 delays and two cancellations
• London Heathrow Airport, UK with 144 delays and five cancellations
• Copenhagen Airport, Denmark with 67 delays and 10 cancellations
• Amerigo Vespucci Airport, Italy with 48 delays and five cancellations
• Naples-Capodichino International Airport, Italy with 41 delays and two cancellations
• Palermo Airport, Italy with 37 delays and two cancellations

Air France recorded the highest number of delays across the airlines affected, with passengers on 117 flights left waiting and 17 flights cancelled.

Other major carriers affected include:

• Vueling Airlines with 143 delays
• Lufthansa with 112 delays and five cancellations
• KLM with 111 delays and eight cancellations
• ITA Airways with 82 delays
• Ryanair with 81 delays
• easyJet 68 delays
• British Airways with 66 delays and three cancellations

Travel and Tour World also reported that United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Eurowings, Condor, Air Dolomiti, Transavia Airlines and Norwegian Air Sweden also faced disruptions.

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Just Smile Designs started out as a dream of Kerry Elstob’s in 2017.

An artist, Kerry had created a collection of trinkets based on her own designs and illustrations and began selling them at local craft fairs and markets.

Recommended reading:

Success came quickly after she secured a shipping container in SPARK, York.

And in 2019 she was able to open her very own brick and mortar shop in Bootham.

Kerry’s designs feature on intricate keepsakes sold in her (Image: Just Smile Designs)

She said: “This was just a few months before lockdown – a worrying and challenging time for everyone.

“But it also gave me time to work on my designs and online presence.”

Kerry runs her shop with her mum, who helps the artist sew her creations.

Just Smile Designs in Bootham (Image: Just Smile Designs)

The shop sells everything from greeting cards to bags, clothing, hand-painted crockery and household items.

Kerry said: “My illustrations are whimsical with a cottage core aesthetic.

“I love drawing cute animals, flowers and anything nature related.”

“I hope my designs brighten up their day, leaving them with a smile on their face.” (Image: Just Smile Designs)

Kerry said she wants her customers, who visit from across the world, to feel “welcomed and relaxed”.

She said: “I hope my designs brighten up their day, leaving them with a smile on their face – hence my business name ‘Just Smile Designs’.

“It’s so nice to have a community of people who have now become friends since opening my little pink shop.”

The shop sells everything from greeting cards to bags, clothing, hand-painted crockery and household items (Image: Just Smile Designs)

Just Smile Designs is the seventh finalist in the Press’ Best Independent Retailer competition.

It comes after thousands of our readers nominated their favourite spot in the city.

Speaking about this, Kerry said: “It was so nice to be nominated and then make the top 10 with other fabulous independent businesses.

“It is a lovely feeling to know that other people appreciate what you are doing and hopefully my work puts a smile on their faces.”

The next step of the awards is now open, and readers are being encouraged to vote for their favourite finalist by filling out voting slips attached to each edition of the paper until Thursday (May 14).

Victoria Brighton, 43, was involved in a street incident with the two children after she was sent a message that people may be trying to break into the relative’s house, York Magistrates’ Court heard.

Defence solicitor Byron Chatzis alleged: “Leading up to this day, there had been a number of other incidents of harassment and threats and similar.”

He claimed the emergency services had been sent to the property more than once following the incident up to January this year.

He also claimed the children assaulted by Brighton had been interviewed by the police and the CPS had decided that they should not be prosecuted.

After viewing CCTV of the incident involving Brighton on July 6, deputy district judge Clare Walsh said: “Whatever you or anyone may think of their behaviour, these two individuals very much look like children.

“You didn’t take into account their age, their physical stature or their level of development when you, as an adult, confronted them on that day.”

She added: “I can understand to some degree why your reaction against these two young people was so strong, given what you had been told.”

She gave Brighton, of The Wandle, Chapelfields, a 12-month community order with a four-week nightly curfew, 10 days’ rehabilitative activities, fined her £200 and ordered her to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 statutory surcharge.

She also made her subject to a two-year restraining order banning her from any contact with the two teenagers.

Brighton pleaded guilty to two charges of assault on the basis she grabbed a girl by the hair and that her action “may have caused her hair to fall out” and that her arm recklessly connected with the other teenager  during the incident with the girl and that “possibly caused him to fall back”.

The girl suffered the loss of a clump of hair and the boy suffered pain but no visible injury, York magistrates heard.

Mr Chatzis said Brighton may lose her job as a result of the incident.

“This appears to be out of character,” he said. Brighton had no previous convictions.

She regretted her actions and the decision she made on that day when she could have walked away from the incident.

At the time, she was subject to a number of stresses including the deaths of two people close to her, said the defence solicitor.

Police had been informed both of the potential break-in and another incident involving a relative of Brighton’s but had said they couldn’t attend immediately.

These are your latest rugby headlines on Monday, May 11.

Wales announcement – James likey amid Williams concern

Wales head coach Steve Tandy is to name his squad for this summer later today, with England Under-20s international Kane James likely to be named if fit.

Exeter Chiefs back rower James could be the stand-out new face after pledging his allegiance to Wales following talks with Tandy and England head coach Steve Borthwick. The highly-rated 21-year-old from Haverfordwest represented England at age-grade level but sees his senior future playing for Wales.

He has been out injured with an ankle problem since January but is expected back soon.

Elsewhere, the likes of Morgan Morris and Angus O’Brien are hoping for their maiden call-ups but there is a concern over scrum-half Tomos Williams after he injured his shoulder playing for Gloucester on the weekend. Williams, who was forced off in considerable pain just five minutes into the second-half of the match against Sale would be a huge miss if he were unavailable.

A busy summer campaign will see Tandy’s side play four matches, with an uncapped game against the Barbarians on June 27 followed by the first ever set of Nations Championship fixtures.

After facing Fiji in an ‘away’ game at the Cardiff City Stadium on July 4, Wales will travel to Argentina (July 11) and South Africa (July 18) as part of the new global tournament, which is designed to pitch the best teams in the northern and southern hemisphere against each other.

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With Tandy set to name his choices at the Vale Resort this afternoon, it is expected that the Wales boss will opt to name an extended squad before whittling it down, particularly as he is unlikely to have access to English-based players immediately.

One very familiar face is set to return, with captain Jac Morgan back in the fold after missing the majority of the last two international campaigns through injury.

Quins smash Newcastle

By Press Association

Welsh star Bryn Bradley was on the scoresheet as Harlequins ran in 12 tries to thrash Newcastle 76-17 in the Gallagher Prem.

A basement battle between the two bottom teams at Kingston Park started with Alex Dombrandt, Benson and Bryn Bradley all scoring in the opening 15 minutes for the visitors before Adam Brocklebank replied.

The damage was ultimately done in the first half where a ruthless display saw Cadan Murley, Sam Riley, Marcus Smith and Will Hobson all cross along with a Josh Hodge effort for Newcastle as Harlequins took a mammoth 45-10 lead at the break.

Luke Northmore grounded early in the second half before Benson scored twice in quick succession to complete his hat-trick and tries from Bradley and Jimmy Staples secured Quins’ fourth Prem win this season.

Harlequins went ahead three minutes into the contest when skipper Dombrandt reached over the line to touch down, with Smith adding the extras.

Newcastle were handed a blow when Ben Healy was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and the visitors soon capitalised on their player advantage with their second try of the match. Riley picked the ball up and burst forward before offloading into Benson on the left flank to cross, but Smith’s conversion flew wide.

Just two minutes later Cameron Anderson broke through to play in Bradley for the centre to race over the line and ground, with Smith’s kick successful.

Newcastle pulled one back when prop Brocklebank powered over from close-range, but Brett Connon could not convert. However, Quins soon found further success on the left wing when Murley eased through to ground. Smith missed his conversion attempt.

Riley then struck from a quickly taken penalty, easily stepping through to cross, with Smith adding the extras. The England fly-half soon bagged a try of his own after latching onto Dombrandt’s offload and racing underneath the posts before converting his own attempt.

Harlequins’ rampant first-half display continued when Hobson charged through the home defence and dived between the sticks, with Smith slotting the kick.

A dominant first half performance was soured slightly for Quins when Benson was shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on and the hosts capitalised when Hodge grounded in the left corner, but Connon could not convert.

Early in the second half, Northmore sprinted from just inside the Newcastle half to score and Smith’s conversion attempt smashed the post. A good move on the left saw Northmore turn provider to play Benson in and he coolly crossed before Smith converted.

Benson brought up his hat-trick three minutes later after combining with Will Porter to go over, with Smith’s kick successful, and Quins scored their 11th try of the game shortly afterwards when Bradley easily slipped through the defence.

Hodge earned his second try of the match for Newcastle after going over in the left corner and Healy added the extras. However, Harlequins capped off a dominant afternoon when Staples dived through to score on his Prem debut, with Smith converting.

Exeter fight back to sink Bath

By Press Association

Reigning champions Bath missed the opportunity to go to the top of the Gallagher Prem table as Exeter took a huge step towards an end of season play-off spot with a deserved bonus-point victory at Sandy Park.

Exeter looked likely losers at half-time but a disjointed Bath had no answers to a determined effort from the spirited Chiefs in the second half, who were helped by a red card for Quinn Roux and a yellow one for Tom de Glanville on the way to a 35-12 success.

Josh Iosefa-Scott, Paul Brown-Bampoe, Len Ikitau and Campbell Ridl scored Exeter’s tries with Henry Slade kicking three penalties and two conversions. Harvey Skinner also added a conversion. Dan Frost and Sam Underhill scored Bath’s tries with Finn Russell converting one.

Exeter, playing with the advantage of a stiff breeze, took a third-minute lead with a penalty from Slade. Bath conceded three penalties in the first 12 minutes and Slade made them pay with a second successful kick and on the restart they immediately conceded another when Roux high tackled Slade which resulted in the visitors’ dazed lock being red carded.

Slade departed for an HIA before Ted Hill infringed for the second time in the opening quarter and Bath were made to pay from the resulting line-out.

Australian international centre Ikitau burst away to put the defence on the back foot before Iosefa-Scott was on hand to crash over, with Skinner’s conversion giving Chiefs a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bath did not strike a blow during that period but five minutes later their pack produced an unstoppable line-out drive which resulted in Frost touching down.

Slade returned, having passed his HIA, with Charlie Ewels introduced at the end of the 20-minute suspension for Roux but the second quarter saw the hosts unable to capitalise on the elements in their favour so a 13-5 half-time lead did not appear at that stage to be sufficient.

However four minutes after the restart, Bath full-back Tom de Glanville was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on and it proved costly as slick passing from Chiefs ended with Brown-Bampoe outflanking the cover to score.

Bath introduced four from the bench including Cam Redpath for his 100th appearance for the club and in time to see Ridl sin-binned for a high tackle on Russell. Almost immediately Bath capitalised when Underhill broke away from a driving maul to score, before Slade missed a 35-metre shot at goal.

Ridl returned and immediately saw Ikitau dart over from close-range for his first top-flight try, before he atoned for his earlier indiscretion by racing away for the bonus-point try. Slade converted and added a last-minute penalty to complete a miserable afternoon for Bath.

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The pathologist’s report is in: Theo Silverton’s (James Cartwright) death wasn’t caused by a fall from the scaffolding in the Coronation Street murder week climax; he was intentionally struck in the head.

Weatherfield’s premiere police posse, Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) and Kit Green (Jacob Roberts), received the news on this Monday’s (May 4) episode, with Kit indignant at the prospect of Lisa ever considering what happened to be an accident.

Over a glossy montage that saw Danielle Silverton (Natalie Anderson) drop flowers at the scene of Theo’s demise, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) reading an online article about the death, Gary Windass (Mikey North) watching CCTV footage of himself taking a sledgehammer to Theo’s van and Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) reading a page of her journal emblazoned with the words ‘Theo is a monster’, Lisa and Kit pondered over whether Todd’s loved ones could’ve done the deed.

As the montage segued into Todd, sobbing in his former flat while reliving Theo’s most vicious and disgusting acts, Kit surmised that if he’d been as dehumanised as Todd by a sadist, he would’ve done the exact same thing, pondering if Todd had finally hit back.

With the investigation underway and interrogations taking place, we thought we’d take a closer look at the official suspects.

While each and every character listed had a motive, who took it that step further and decided to put a permanent end to Theo’s reign of terror?

Who killed Theo?

George Shuttleworth

George possesses a true father’s love for Todd, and it was evident in everything he did and said that he’d go to the ends of the Earth for him, and there was the curious case of the changed jumper…

…the bloodied changed jumper that Christina later found, and that Lisa found them holding when she paid the funeral parlour a visit. The friendly undertaker was the first to be arrested for Theo’s murder.

He was released the following day, but a mysterious ‘walk’ he took on the night of Theo’s death remains an enormous question mark.

Did George finally snap and kill Theo to keep Todd safe?

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Gary Windass

Gary’s protective streak and hatred of bullies previously worked in Theo’s favour, when he battered sick conversion therapist Noah Hedley (Richard Winsor) in his new friend’s defence. When that protective streak turned against him, though, Theo was evidently intimidated by Gary’s fury.

While Gary desperately deleted the footage of him smashing Theo’s van to bits, he ended up being hauled into the station for an interview with Lisa. Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) came to his rescue, providing him with an alibi and a reason for the deleted footage that Lisa was looking for.

Still, it’s obvious that Gary is Kit’s number one suspect, and photographs taken by Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) place Gary firmly at the scene of the crime.

Could Theo’s former best mate have decided to take out another bully?

Summer Spellman

Summer’s journal, filled with furious scrawlings about Theo, certainly painted her in a certain light.

Are they the ramblings of a girl, heartbroken at having to live with the knowledge that Theo killed one of her adoptive dads and viciously tortured the other?

…or are they the signs of a guilty conscience?

Christina Boyd

Could Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) be involved?

Her sheer panic over George’s arrest seemed to indicate that she doubted him, as did her worrying to Todd over George’s mysterious ‘walk’.

But was she panicked because she knew he was truly innocent, because she did the deed?

Could she have been pushed to step in and deal with the biggest problem in her boyfriend’s life?

Danielle Silverton

Danielle went through hell at the hands of Theo, when he struck up an affair with Todd and later left her to set up home with him.

Her re-appearance this week, determined to discover if Todd killed her ex-husband led to her validating his experience and affirming that she, too, had been a victim of Theo’s controlling nature, even offering to support Todd as he navigates life free of abuse.

But what if it was all a ploy?

With whispers reverberating around the street that hell hath no fury like that of an ex-wife scorned, could she have finished Theo off?

Todd Grimshaw

With Todd in fear for his life as Theo chased him like a cat playing with it’s food in the aftermath of his escape, could he have decided there was only one way to end the torture?

Todd’s struggled with grief since Theo’s death, lost in the quagmire of emotions between his love for the man Theo could be and the monster he truly was.

While his heartbreak doesn’t instantly lend itself to having murdered Theo, could Todd have actually taken final, and fatal, action to free himself from his tormentor forever?

MORE: Coronation Street exit confirmed for major player in Theo murder story

MORE: A new Theo suspect is revealed in Coronation Street – and he’s killed before

MORE: Coronation Street spoiler videos confirm Jodie caught out as police pursue murder culprit

Peaches Boutique, on Wigan Road, has been shortlisted for The Bolton News’ Best Independent Retail Business Award 2026.

It has built a loyal customer base over the last 15 years, growing from a small home-run business into a shop with customers across the world.

Owner Lyndsey Evans said the nomination came as a surprise.

Lyndsey Evans on the left. (Image: Lyndsey Evans)

She said: “I started at home 15 years ago with one rail, about 10 items on it. That quickly progressed and went crazy.

“I was at home for three months, it was originally so busy.”

Awards (Image: NQ)

The business later moved into a rented retail space before opening its current shop.

Peaches Boutique now sells clothing online and in-store, with new stock arriving daily and orders shipped internationally.

(Image: Lyndsey Evans)

Ms Evans added: “We have a huge online presence. We sell lots of made-in-Italy items, and we ship out all over the world.

“It just is 24/7.”

Despite its online success, Ms Evans said the business remained rooted in the local community.

The boutique regularly hosts events for customers and has become known for its close relationship with shoppers.

(Image: Lyndsey Evans)

Ms Evans said: “We’re not just a clothes shop. We’re part of the community.

“We have loads and loads of regulars who just pop in for a chat. You don’t have to come in and buy something, we’re that much of a community.”

She said many customers had supported the business since its early days, functioning day-to-day from her home.

Ms Evans added: “They’re not customers, they’re like friends.

(Image: Lyndsey Evans)

“It’s just nice. Somebody having a down day can come here, have a cup of tea, and hopefully leave a bit happier.”

The business previously won recognition at the Bolton Women in Business Awards.

To celebrate the latest nomination, the boutique plans to hold one of its regular “Peaches parties”, featuring discounts, treats and giveaways for customers in-store and online.

Ms Evans said: “It was absolutely lovely that somebody has thought of us.

“It would be absolutely amazing.”

Pick up a copy of The Bolton News to vote.

It is the 70th edition of the competition, and is taking place in Vienna, Austria, after it won last year’s contest with the song “Wasted Love” by JJ.

There are 35 countries taking part, which is two fewer than in 2025 and the smallest number of participants since 2003, before the introduction of semi-finals.

Five countries opted not to participate this year, including one of the “big five”. Here are which ones and why they pulled out.

What are the 5 countries boycotting Eurovision 2026 and why?

The five countries that are boycotting Eurovision 2026 are:

• Iceland
• Ireland
• The Netherlands
• Slovenia
• Spain

It marks the largest number of boycotting countries in the contest’s history since 1970.

The countries’ omission from Eurovision is Israel’s participation and the Gaza war, which began in 2023.

Calls for the country to be excluded and demonstrations against its participation happened at both the 2024 and 2025 Eurovision events.

Performers at both competitions were put under pressure by fans to pull out, with viewing figures also dipping over the last two years.

Despite Austria winning the contest last year, Israel’s entry, Yuval Raphael, won the public vote.

Several participating broadcasters called for a rework of the televoting system and an independent audit of individual countries’ televoting results following the 2025 final.

Ahead of the 2026 contest, broadcasters from Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain announced their intention to boycott if Israel was allowed to compete.

When they were granted permission to take part on December 4, broadcasters from the four countries announced they would go ahead with their boycott, followed by Iceland on December 10.

Eurovision director Martin Green said at the time: “We respect the decision of all broadcasters who have chosen not to participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest and hope to welcome them back soon.”

Recommended reading:

When is Eurovision 2026?

The Eurovision 2026 semi-finals will be broadcast on May 12 and 14, with the grand final taking place on May 16 at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle.

UK viewers can watch all shows live on BBC One and iPlayer, or listen on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with the coverage beginning on TV at 8pm.

Will you be watching Eurovision this year? Let us know in the comments.

Gary Neville believes Arsenal defender Ben White was ‘asking for trouble’ by making a ‘weak’ challenge that led to a worrying injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season.

White went down in pain following a clash with West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville in the first half of Arsenal’s huge win at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who has regained his place in the team in recent weeks following a frustrating season, immediately looked concerned and soon hobbled off assisted by of one of Arsenal’s medical staff.

Mikel Arteta was unable to give a clear update on White’s injury after the game but suggested he was a doubt for Arsenal’s final two Premier League fixtures and the Champions League final at the end of the month.

‘We don’t know, but he doesn’t look good at all,’ a concerned Arteta said. ‘So he needs some further testing tomorrow probably and I know a bit more.’

If serious, the injury could even rule White out of this summer’s World Cup just weeks after his England recall under Thomas Tuchel.

Neville said he ‘hopes’ it does not come to that but suggested White had to shoulder some of the blame for the injury given his ‘pretty weak’ challenge.

Speaking on Sky Sports commentary after White’s injury, Neville said: ‘Ben White just hangs his leg there. It’s poor from the right-back.

‘He’s up against Summerville; he’s got to be stronger than that. He’s hurt himself there.

‘That’s easily prevented if you go in strong and with a real sturdy block. He’s hung his leg out in pretty weak fashion, you’re asking for trouble.’

Speaking after the game, Neville revealed he had suffered a similar injury in training during his Manchester United career.

‘Ben White hangs his leg out and I’ve actually done what he did,’ he said on The Gary Neville podcast.

‘I did it in training, I went out for a drink on the Saturday night, which I never did but we didn’t have a game for ten days. I actually did my medial ligament in training on the Monday morning.

‘I went in for a challenge like how Ben White did. If you go in for a tackle and just hang your leg out away from your body like that, you will get that rock of your knee.

‘You have to go in strong and really block with power because if you just hang your leg out you’ve got a good chance of doing your medial ligament.

‘Ben White will regret that because that could see him out of the World Cup. We don’t know, we haven’t got the diagnosis yet, but they can be four to six-week injuries which would obviously be a big problem for Ben White in terms of the World Cup and the Champions League final.

‘Let’s hope it’s not that bad but that type of injury comes from that challenge.’

White’s injury was the only real blemish from an Arsenal point of view as they clinched a dramatic 1-0 win over West Ham to move a step closer to winning the Premier League.

Leandro Trossard’s late goal broke the deadlock at the London Stadium and West Ham had an injury-time equaliser ruled out following a VAR check.

Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City while West Ham’s defeat means they sunk ever closer to relegation.

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