Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on the streets of New York City, has requested an unexpected hearing. 

The sudden move has sparked speculation that the 28-year-old might get a plea deal over the December 2024 killing of Brian Thompson in Manhattan, NBC News reported. 

Mangione’s lawyers and prosecutors filed a joint letter requesting the hearing be held at 11am on Friday in Manhattan Federal Court, and it has been approved, according to the outlet. 

The Maryland native has been charged with two counts of stalking resulting in death in federal court. Two other counts, including murder through use of a firearm, were dismissed. 

He has also been charged in state court with second-degree murder, multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a forged instrument. 

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges.  

If he accepts a plea deal in the federal case, his state criminal charges could possibly be thrown out because of New York’s double jeopardy rules. 

Federal and state governments can prosecute for the same conduct because they are considered independent of each other, but under New York state law, double jeopardy can come into play when a prior prosecution for the same conduct ends in a conviction by guilty plea or a resolution at trial. 

The fatal shooting was captured on camera as Brian Thompson made his way to a hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, 2024

One potential reason for the surprise hearing is that Mangione has agreed to a plea deal with federal prosecutors so he could get a lower sentence than if he went on trial, a legal expert told the Daily Mail.

Former federal prosecutor David S. Weinstein said that such an outcome would be a ‘victory’ for Mangione, who was staring at the death penalty or the rest of his life after his arrest.

He has also been charged in state court with second-degree murder over the killing of Thompson (pictured)

‘Any time they’re going to get a penalty that’s anything better than Mangione spending the rest of his life in jail, that’s a victory’, Weinstein said.

If he accepts the possible deal, Mangione could be handed a far lower potential sentence in his federal case, the expert added. 

‘A plea deal allows you to negotiate a bunch of different variables which impact the sentencing range, which is at the discretion of the judge. 

‘It allows you to get points for acceptance of responsibility, if you have no prior convictions you get additional points off.

‘Then you have negotiated a sentencing range that’s lower than if you go to trial. That’s why it would be a benefit.

‘Any sentence I can get him that allows him to have a light at the end of the tunnel instead of headlights from the hearse is going to be a sentence that’s beneficial to him.’ 

Weinstein said that the double jeopardy law is also another major benefit if a plea deal is presented. 

He has gone on to attract a large fan base following Thompson’s death. On Tuesday, a judge ruled that the jury in Mangione’s trial will be anonymous because of the high-profile nature of his case

‘If they [Mangione’s legal team] craft their resolution in a way that allows the NY state law to apply then it takes care of the New York state case. 

‘If they say these are crimes that arise out of the same matter then they can’t prosecute him.

‘They will file a motion to dismiss based on double jeopardy, so there won’t be a trial on Sept 8th’.

Mangione himself appears to have understood for months the issue of double jeopardy.

During a February hearing in his state case, he could be overheard saying: ‘One plus one is two’ after the judge said he wanted to proceed to trial.

‘Double jeopardy by any common-sense definition.’ 

Mangione could serve a decades-long sentence – and emerge from behind bars before he turns 50. 

His federal case is slated to go to trial early next year. 

The news comes just months after Mangione’s legal team had unsuccessful talks with federal prosecutors about a potential plea deal for their client, per the report. 

Marc Agnifilo and Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangione’s attorneys, leave his pretrial hearing on Tuesday

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At the time, Mangione’s defense attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said that the prosecution was trying to ‘manipulate public opinion’ against the alleged assassin. 

Around that time, Mangione’s lawyers also unveiled a new strategy ahead of his murder trial that would see them deploy a psychiatric defense.

They presented the defense at a pretrial hearing in June, according to presiding judge Gregory Carro. They said they plan to argue that he was ‘extremely emotionally disturbed’ at the time of the alleged killing.

In response, Carro has ordered the defense to produce Mangione’s psychiatric records immediately and to unseal records from a secret hearing two weeks prior. 

The latest decision to meet in court on Friday comes after Mangione appeared in court on Tuesday. 

During that hearing, the judge ruled that the jury in his trial will remain anonymous because of the high-profile nature of the case. 

Since his capture, Mangione has gone on to attract a large fan base – mainly of women – who show up to court in support of the alleged killer. 

Jurors’ names and personal information will remain a secret from the public, the judge ruled, adding that both the defense and prosecution need to come up with questions for prospective jurors. 

That questionnaire will determine how much possible jurors know about the case, their experience with the law, and more factors, NBC News reported. The judge will have the final say on what they are asked. 

During the hearing, the judge also acknowledged the number of people expected to be allowed in the main courtroom, and what should be done about the large crowd. 

More than 80 news outlets are set to cover the trial, including independent journalists and major news publications. 

Similar to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ blockbuster trial, there will be an overflow room for Mangione’s state trial, the judge ruled. 

Mangione did not speak during his recent hearing. 

Before news of Friday’s hearing came to light, he was next due in court on September 8 for the start of jury selection. 

All of that could change depending on what happens on Friday. 

If he doesn’t get a federal plea deal that ends his state case, Weinstein said there could be an ‘uproar’ from Thompson’s family and from Mangione’s devoted supporters. 

The Daily Mail contacted Mangione’s lawyers and prosecutors at the Southern District of New York for comment. 

Modern Funktion, a London-born brand known for its curated take on underground house, will host its first-ever Newcastle showcase at NX as part of its fifth-anniversary tour.

The event, taking place on October 16, will feature a line-up led by Irish DJ and producer Saoirse, who is widely regarded as one of the most respected selectors in contemporary electronic music.

A spokesman for NX said: “Modern Funktion has built a fantastic reputation within underground house music over the last five years and we’re delighted they’re bringing their anniversary celebration to Newcastle for the first time.

“The line-up speaks for itself, with internationally respected artists alongside some of the most exciting names on the underground circuit.

“It’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking electronic event we’re passionate about bringing to NX, and we’re looking forward to introducing the Modern Funktion experience to audiences across the North East.”

Founded by Phill De Janeiro and Benji King, Modern Funktion has grown from a London-based club night into one of the UK’s most respected underground house brands.

Benji King & Phill De Janeiro (Image: Modern Funktion)

The brand is known for championing both established and emerging talent, with a focus on community, discovery, and carefully curated line-ups.

Alongside Saoirse, the Newcastle event will feature Dutch producer and DJ Boss Priester.

Boss Priester has released music on respected underground labels including X-Kalay, Dungeon Meat, Locus, and Ba Dum Tish.

Also on the lineup is Dutch DJ Job de Jong, a familiar name on the European underground circuit, recognised for his stripped-back house selections.

Additional sets will come from Jamback, along with Modern Funktion residents Mya and Izzy, who have become familiar faces at the brand’s events, helping shape its musical identity through regular appearances in London and across its expanding European programme.

The Newcastle showcase is part of Modern Funktion’s wider anniversary tour, which includes stops in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Manchester and Ibiza.

It also continues NX Newcastle’s commitment to bringing internationally recognised club brands and artists to the city, further strengthening Newcastle’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading destinations for electronic music.

Modern Funktion has spent the past five years building a loyal following through its intimate atmosphere and commitment to pushing electronic music forward.

The event is strictly for those aged 18 and over, with valid physical photo ID required for entry.

Tickets are on sale now, priced from £17.50 plus booking fee.

Doors open at 9pm, with the event running until 4am.

The 32-year-old man complained of headaches for two months before his death

A family believes medical staff “missed opportunities” to prevent the death of a man who died after he had a cyst on his brain. Adam Cornell, who grew up in Peterborough, died on June 11, 2023, after it was discovered he had a build-up of fluid causing severe pressure on his brain.

In the months prior to his death, Adam suffered from headaches. Adam sought help from Herts Urgent Care to treat his headaches and dizziness.

An inquest into Adam’s death, held at Vantage House in Huntingdon on July 29 and 30, concluded that there were “red flag” symptoms that should have been recognised. It also heard that there were “missed opportunities” to try and help Adam.

Adam’s mum Maria Cornell said that son’s death should have “never happened” after the inquest. She said: “Adam was a kind, compassionate and extraordinary person who touched the lives of so many people. He was devoted to his family and friends, always helping others and putting their needs before his own.

“I am grateful that Adam’s case has been examined so thoroughly by the coroner. It has been extremely painful to hear the evidence about what happened in the days and hours before he died, but it was important that the circumstances of his death were properly investigated.

“What happened to Adam should never have happened. We sought help repeatedly because we could see how seriously unwell he was becoming, but there were too many missed opportunities to recognise the warning signs and provide the care he needed.”

Adam attended several medical appointments to try and find out what was wrong with him in the week before his death. These included an urgent outpatient CT scan and blood tests taken on June 6.

During this appointment, an examination of the back of Adam’s eyes, known as a fundoscopy, should have been taken. However, the coroner said that this scan was not taken.

Maria said this scan “could have helped identify how serious” Adam’s condition was. Adam’s family contacted HUC again on June 7 and wanted him to get an emergency department appointment.

While his family waited for a call back Adam’s condition deteriorated, causing him to become unresponsive. He was sent to Peterborough City Hospital and scans revealed that his condition “was not survivable”. He was placed on life support and this was withdrawn on June 11. He died later that day.

Maria said: “I hope Adam’s story helps raise awareness of the importance of severe or worsening symptoms being taken seriously and encourages people to speak up and ask whether further checks may be needed if they feel something is being missed.

“That awareness could help save lives. I hope the health professionals involved, and the wider healthcare system, take lessons from Adam’s death. Families should be listened to, warning signs must not be missed, and no other family should have to endure the pain and loss that we live with every day.”

During the inquest, Adam’s family was represented by Leigh Day solicitors. Solicitor Nadine Refaat said: “The evidence heard during this inquest showed Adam and his family sought medical help repeatedly in the days before his death as his condition deteriorated.

“The coroner’s thorough investigation and conclusion validate the family’s concerns that Adam’s worsening condition was overlooked on multiple occasions and that opportunities to diagnose and treat him were missed.”

The solicitor said that the coroner said “emergency treatment would have prevented Adam’s death at that time”. Nadine added: “Had these opportunities not been missed, Adam’s death could and should have been avoided, and he could still be enjoying life with his family and friends today.

“Maria and the rest of Adam’s family have shown remarkable courage throughout the inquest process. They remain determined that lessons are learned from Adam’s death and hope that any necessary changes are made to help prevent other families experiencing a similar tragedy in the future.”

Herts Urgent Care declined to comment.

Hometown hero Matthew Hudson-Smith lived out a childhood dream as he was crowned European 400m champion on the track that made him.

The 31-year-old blitzed the field from lane nine and held firm on the home straight to land his fifth continental gold and become the most decorated British man in the history of this competition.

He celebrated by heading straight into the stands and pointing at the stand which bears his name as he soaked up the acclaim of an adoring second city crowd.

“Words can’t describe how much that meant to me,” he said.

“My coach said to me ‘this is your home, defend it’. I knew it would take a hell of an effort for someone to get past me.

“No-one was going to beat me on this track, this is my home. I have been here since I was nine, I know this track like the back of my hand.

“I knew I was the best in the world, I knew I am faster than every single one of these guys. It was just me against the clock.”

Hudson-Smith’s semi-final the previous night saw him surge out the traps before being reeled in up the home straight.

It turned out he was just saving energy. Lining up in the outside lane, Hudson-Smith took control from the outset and built his lead as he surged down the back straight.

This time, there was no catching him and he crossed in 44.17 to land his eighth European medal in all.

“The whole point of rounds is to survive and advance,” he said.

“I was trying to conserve rounds and we were just laughing all the way through, me and my coach.

“I just followed the gameplan and went from there.”

Five European golds puts him level with Roger Black and Sir Mo Farah, while only Dina Asher-Smith has won more outdoor continental medals among British athletes.

Hudson-Smith’s triumph was followed by silver in the women’s 400m hurdles for rising star Emily Newnham.

The 22-year-old won a medal of the same colour at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and kicked on to new heights in Birmingham, clocking a lifetime best of 53.33 to trail only dominant Slovakian Emma Zapletalova.

“I’m so happy,” she said. “I told myself a medal was mine today and I just had to believe it.

“I needed to get out hard, which I am not known for, but being in lane nine that was required.

“Pressure is a privilege and I just wanted to show what I could do.”

Amy Hunt kept her bid for a remarkable European quadruple on track by easing into tonight’s 200m final in Birmingham.

The newly-crowned fastest woman on the continent over 100m was able to ease up down the home straight after a flying start and won her semi-final in 22.37.

“I knew I needed to put down a really hard turn, kill them to 150m and no-one was ever going to hang with me,” she said.

Asher-Smith joins Hunt in the showpiece after a similarly stress-free semi.

The 30-year-old, a world and European champion over this distance in the past, cruised to victory in the opening semi-final in 22.49.

“I don’t really think about what’s gone before or what lies ahead, I’m just trying to stay in the moment and execute,” she said.

British champion Success Eduan advanced as one of two fastest losers in 22.56 to ensure all three home hopefuls will be on the start line.

Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage. Find out more at www.novuna.co.uk

Atletico Madrid have agreed a £34.2m (40m euros) fee to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham.

The 28-year-old is set to become Atletico’s fourth signing of the summer, while Spurs will also retain a 15 per cent sell-on clause as part of the deal.

Argentina international Romero was the subject of interest from Premier League champions Arsenal in recent days, but Tottenham did not want to sell their captain to their north London rivals.

He leaves Tottenham after five seasons, having made 156 appearances for them, scoring 13 times, following an initial campaign on loan from Atalanta in 2021.

The centre-back played for Argentina during their run to the World Cup final this summer, missing just one game.

Romero was scheduled to return to pre-season with Spurs in the coming week after being given extra time off following the tournament in North America.

He captained the side last season as Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League.

Having signed permanently from Atalanta in a £42.5m deal, Romero became a key figure in their defence.

The news will be a blow to Spurs fans who are also set to lose Djed Spence to Inter Milan, who are in advanced talks to sign the England full-back in a £25.6m (30m euros) deal.

With the additions of midfielders Kang-in Lee and Morten Hjulmand and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, Atletico are set to take their transfer spending over £100m this summer should they complete the Romero deal.

Head coach Diego Simeone is aiming to strengthen his squad after they finished fourth in La Liga last season, with Villarreal beating them to third place.

Double killer Simon Levy was ordered to serve a whole life sentence today as a victim’s mother said her daughter had lost her life to save countless women from a monster.

The 40-year-old sexual predator who murdered two women, raped and almost killed a third while he was on bail for multiple sex attacks, will now die behind bars.

In a series of blunders by police and prosecutors, Levy was left free to kill Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, Sheryl Wilkins, 39, and rape a third woman last year after being repeatedly released on bail.

Levy had been preying on women for years, committing at least 13 sexual assaults between 2018 and 2025, but police, prosecutors and magistrates failed to remand him in custody even when he was under investigation for murder.

Now campaigners have called for the Metropolitan Police to be disbanded saying the case shows that the ‘criminal justice system is in a state of collapse’.

Today the mother of his final murder victim said Sheryl’s death in August last year had saved countless lives as it forced police to act.

In a victim impact statement, Mary Wilkins told the partially blind killer: ‘Simon Levy, you have completely destroyed our lives.

‘You have done this before and wouldn’t have stopped.

‘Our Sheryl has ended your chances of hurting anyone else, she lost her life to do this, but we truly believe Sheryl has saved countless women from being subjected to your disgusting and horrendous acts. 

An artist’s impression of Levy appearing at the Old Bailey, London, today

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Sheryl Wilkins was murdered by Levy on August 28, 2025. The killer left her body in the same location as an earlier rape attack, just minutes from his own home

‘I hope you never walk the streets again as you are a threat to all women.’

Sheryl’s sister Lindsey Hicks wept at the Old Bailey as she told him: ‘I hope you rot in prison for the rest of your life.’

Detectives believe Levy may have been carrying out daily attacks for years, escalating from groping women on the London Underground to rape, suffocation and eventually murder.

Although he had a shocking record for sexual violence dating back to 2018, British Transport Police (BTP), the Metropolitan Police and magistrates all failed to appreciate the danger he posed, releasing Levy on bail four times leaving him free to daily stalk the transport network claiming countless victims.

While on bail he carried out at least six sexual assaults on the tube, Levy raped and suffocated a sex worker leaving her for dead in January last year before going on to commit two murders months later.

Today the surviving rape victim described Levy as a ‘monster’ saying: ‘He took away my soul that night and he took away my dignity. He took my soul like a parasite to make him feel strong and make me feel weak.

‘That night was worse than all the hell of trafficking.’

The woman who was sex trafficked into the UK in 2012 said police had made her feel ‘like a child’ when she reported the attack, adding: ‘No one ever listened to me.’

She said: ‘This monster chooses girls he thinks won’t go to the police.’ 

Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo was found face down in a stairwell of a disused block of flats in Southwark, south east London

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John spoke outside the Old Bailey after Levy was found guilty

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Earlier, Levy, who wore sunglasses throughout the sentencing hearing, smiled as he entered the dock to be sentenced.

Judge Mark Lucraft, said the double killer had a ‘morbid fascination with sex, rape and crime’ adding: ‘You are clearly someone who ruthlessly exploits others for your own personal sexual satisfaction.’

Levy showed no emotion as he was sentenced.

One family member shouted ‘Yes’ as the judge handed Levy a whole life sentence.

The partially blind offender was first jailed for three years in 2021 for sex attacks on two women at Notting Hill Carnival and a Camden street party in 2018.

In jail he groped a prison officer in 2022.

When he was released in February 2023, Levy ventured on the tube for prey, roaming stations across London at peak times when he knew carriages would be packed.

Travelling free on the tube with an Oyster card stolen from a bus driver, Levy tied a jumper around his waist to hide his wandering hand as he grabbed the women around him.

Levy was supposed to be supervised by both probation and police.

But his chilling fascination with rape and murder went unnoticed as the pervert secretly amassed a huge collection of newspaper stories about notorious offenders he lionised like black cab rapist John Worboys, paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein.

Levy was arrested in November 2024 for two sex attacks on the tube, but a BTP officer delayed doing basic ID checks for weeks, opting instead to extend his bail on January 21, 2025.

Emboldened, that night Levy rape and almost killed a prostitute, breaking her collar bone before raping her while he suffocated her with one hand squeezing her neck and another covering her face with a finger down her throat, leaving her near death.

On March 17 he killed Ms Valencia-Trujillo using the same tactic, compressing her neck and smothering her face.

A photo taken of Levy during one of his Tube attacks – he carried out at least six sexual assaults while on bail

He was arrested days later but was released him bail after the cause of the 53-year-old drug user’s death was deemed to be ‘unascertained’ in a postmortem.

Levy accelerated his offending, carrying out four further attacks on the underground.

On May 2, he was charged with five sex assaults on the tube, but he was released on bail by magistrates even though he was also suspected of murder.

Levy failed to show up at court when he was charged with a sixth sex assault charge on June 3, but officers failed to issue a warrant.

Three weeks later he was spotted on the underground by a BTP officer and charged with breaching his bail condition by going on the tube, failing to appear at court and committing two sex attacks.

Incredibly when he appeared at court, Levy was granted bail again.

He failed to attend further hearings on July 18 and August 11, yet no warrant was sought for his arrest.

On August 28, Levy killed Ms Wilkins using the same method leaving her body in the same location as the rape attack, just minutes from his own home.

Police arrested him on September 5 after he was identified at the scene on a facial recognition camera.

In February this year Levy was convicted of carrying out 11 sexual assaults between April 2022 and May 2025.

Harriet Wistrich, CEO of the Centre for Women’s Justice said: ‘The catalogue of combined failures in this case provides terrifying evidence – if it was needed – that our criminal justice system is in a state of collapse.

‘Given the series of catastrophic failures by the Met Police on top of an appalling history of police failures including those involved in the Worboys case to the more recent scandals in relation to police perpetrators, Wayne Couzens, David Carrick and others, we must conclude that the Met Police is not fit for purpose.

‘We must have an independent inquiry.

She added: ‘It is time to disband the Met Police and restructure and repurpose policing so that it can effectively tackle male violence and some semblance of trust and confidence can be restored.’

Commissioner Mark Rowley said the force had apologised, but described the case as a ‘whole system failing’.

Two men have been charged after a third man was ‘seriously injured’ after an alleged disturbance in Glasgow.

A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder following an incident near a park in Glasgow.

Police sealed off residential streets around Queen’s Park after the alarm was raised on Monday night, August 10. Emergency services were responding to reports of a disturbance on Balvicar Drive shortly after 7pm.

A heavy police presence was in place overnight on Pollokshaws Road and blue tape was erected around Balvicar Street and Queen’s Drive, at the Queen’s Park Hotel.

A 31-year-old man was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after he sustained “serious” injuries. Police Scotland confirmed that two men, aged 25 and 33, have been charged in connection with the incident.

John Marshall, the 33-year-old, appeared for a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday. Marshall, of Glasgow, was charged on four counts including assault, assault to severe injury, attempted murder and robbery, assault and attempted robbery, and possession of a bladed weapon in a public place.

He made no plea, was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. He is due to appear in court again in the next eight days. The 25-year-old man will appear at a later date.

Leavitt has had a sometimes combative relationship with the media during her tenure, accusing some reporters of being biased or left-wing.

In February last year, her office seized control of the White House press pool, stripping organisational duties from the White House Correspondent’s Association, as well as initially barring the Associated Press over its refusal to adopt the term “Gulf of America”.

Among supporters of the Trump administration, however, she was widely praised for remaining “on message” and ferociously defending the president’s policies.

“Watching it in person was even better than watching it online,” Fox host and conservative activist Riley Gaines wrote on X after one particularly feisty briefing room exchange. “Karoline Leavitt is so good at her job.”

She is the second longest-serving press secretary in either of Trump’s administrations, following only Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

It is unclear who will now become Trump’s sixth chief spokesperson across his two administrations.

During Leavitt’s roughly seven-week maternity leave earlier this year, a series of senior Trump administration figures took the podium including Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of the Interior Doug Bergum.

The BBC has contacted the White House for comment on potential choices and the timeline of her replacement’s selection.

In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller – who called Leavitt a “close friend” and “role model”.

“We’re going to continue working together every single day,” he added. “Her story is just beginning. I can’t wait to see what her future holds.”

Millions of people throughout the UK and Europe gathered to watch the 2026 solar eclipse, the most significant of its kind since 1999.

More than 90% of the sun was covered by the moon for most of the UK, with a rare total eclipse visible from Iceland and parts of Spain.

In Greater Manchester, pupils, parents, and staff gathered at Sharples High School in Bolton for the once-in-a-generation celestial event.

Headteacher Caroline Molyneux was delighted at the turnout, with dozens of children and their families attending.

“I got back from holiday last week and put a post up on Facebook about the event,” she said.

“Obviously it’s the summer holidays, so to get 40 or so kids down is brilliant.

“We’re so lucky to have an observatory on site at the school, se we felt we should definitely put something like this on for such a major event.”

The eclipse through a pinhole projector. (Image: Tom Adams-Smith)

Mrs Molyneux explained that due to the positioning of the sun relative to other school buildings, the best place to see the eclipse was actually from the playground.

“We couldn’t see from the observatory because of the angle of the sun and the buildings in the way, so we came outside instead.

“We’ve got all kinds of equipment to let the children view the eclipse safely – eclipse glasses, colanders, pinhole projectors and special binoculars.”

Headteacher Caroline Molyneux and former teacher Mukesh Songadia. (Image: James Chittick)

Former science teacher Mukesh Songadia – after whom the school’s observatory is named – spent 40 years at Sharples before retiring.

He explained that those in other parts of Europe may have been treated to an even better view of the eclipse.

“When the moon totally covers the sun in a total eclipse, what you can see is the glow of the atmosphere around the sun – the corona,” he said.

“And then as the moon just slightly moves away, you get the diamond ring effect, where the whole thing looks like a diamond ring, it’s amazing.

“We won’t see it like that in the UK, but in Spain and Iceland they’ll see the totality as they’re further West.

The eclipse was seen by millions across Europe. (Image: Sam Lovelock)

“It’s incredibly lucky for us to witness an event like this,” continued Mr Songadia.

“It only happens because the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, but the sun is exactly 400 times further away during the eclipse, meaning the moon covers the sun perfectly.”

Among the many excited children at Sharples were Dante, Raphael, and Deo, who had made a box full of pinhole projectors so that people could safely view the eclipse.

Dante, Raphael and Deo made lots of pinhole projectors. (Image: James Chittick)

“You hold it up to the sun like this and then light goes through the hole and projects onto the paper at the back, that way you don’t hurt your eyes,” they explained.

That wasn’t the only way of seeing the sun projected onto a surface, though.

The boys also spotted a stunning pattern on one of the school walls, with hundreds of crescent-shaped shadows appearing through the trees as the eclipse reached its peak.

The shadows on the wall perfectly showed the crescent-shaped eclipse. (Image: James Chittick)

As the sun began to emerge from behind the moon and the crowds started to leave the schoolyard, Mrs Molyneux said: “Hopefully they’ll remember for years to come that this is where they watched the solar eclipse.”

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, Heaton Park saw enormous crowds gathered for the viewing party organised by the Astronomical Society.

One young boy at the event remarked: “I’ve never seen so many people in Heaton Park – there’s thousands and thousands!”

Park staff were reportedly having to turn people away from the queue for eclipse glasses.

But that did not deter the huge numbers who turned out to view the sun disappearing behind the moon.

With clear skies across most of the region, conditions were near-perfect to see the eclipse in Greater Manchester.

Even where there was some cloud cover, the view was no less beautiful throughout the UK.

The eclipse from Lancaster. (Image: Molly York)

It’s just as well that so many were able to see such a rare event so clearly, though.

The next solar eclipse that will see more than 90% of the Sun covered by the Moon won’t happen until 2081.

For those lucky enough to still be around in 55 years, up to 99 per cent of the sun will be obscured by the moon on September 3 that year.

Cornwall and the South Coast will be the best places to view that one from. 

But for now, people across Greater Manchester and beyond will have to be content with the memories and photos from this year’s incredible eclipse.

A couple from Bedfordshire’s dream of finding a permanent home in Norfolk and starting a new business has been dealt a major blow

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A Bedfordshire couple’s plans to find their dream home and start a new business in the countryside have suffered a major setback.

The couple appeared on Wednesday (August 12) episode of Escape to the Country and the property they had hoped would become their forever home slipped through their fingers.

Ray and Vicky had been searching for more than just a new house. The couple wanted to leave their busy life in Bedfordshire behind and create a quieter future in the Norfolk countryside.

They also hoped their move could mark the beginning of a new chapter financially, with plans to use their new home and land to create an income stream, potentially by running a bed and breakfast.

Presenter Margherita Taylor was on hand to help as they explored properties around rural Norfolk. Ray and Vicky met while serving in the Military and have spent the past 33 years building a life together, including living in different countries and raising their three children, James, Connor and Alicia.

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Now with their children grown up, they were hoping Norfolk would become their final destination. Their plans were ambitious. With a budget of £680,000, they wanted a detached property in a peaceful location with at least three bedrooms.

The couple were also looking for somewhere that could accommodate their son Connor, their two dogs and chickens, while offering enough space or land to potentially start a business.

Margherita unveiled the mystery property. Located in West Bilney, Norfolk, the characterful property came with five bedrooms and around ten acres of land. It was on the market for £695,000 and appeared to offer almost everything Ray and Vicky had been looking for.

Vicky was immediately captivated. Before they had even stepped inside, she exclaimed: “Wow. I’m so excited right now. My mind is blown.”

As they explored the property, her excitement only grew. “It’s all just stunning. It’s exactly what we dreamed of, really,” she said.

She later admitted she loved almost everything about the house and could already picture herself living there. “I just want to rush home, sell the house and come here tomorrow and just start living here,” she said.

The flexible layout and substantial amount of land also appeared to give the couple the opportunity to turn their plans for a business into reality.

It looked like the kind of property that could finally give them the permanent base and lifestyle they had been searching for.

Keen to make the move happen, Ray and Vicky wasted no time putting their current home on the market and making an offer on the Norfolk property.

But despite finding a property they described as their dream home, their plans were thrown into doubt when another buyer made a higher offer

Margherita revealed the disappointing news, explaining that while the couple had made an offer on the mystery house, another buyer had offered more.

“Sadly for them they were outbid,” she told viewers. The setback meant the couple’s search for their permanent Norfolk home would have to continue.

You can stream Escape to the Country on BBC iPlayer