People have been invited to “pay their respects” on Saturday afternoon by lining roads in Newton and Mumbles, a seaside suburb of Swansea, while others began gathering outside her home in the morning.

“She was lovely – just like a friend you’d known all of your life,” said Angela Powell who was among the first to arrive.

“My mam used to cut Gaynor’s husband Bobbie’s hair and so he would let her into the nightclubs [which he managed] in the town without having to queue.

“She actually met my father in one of them, The Townsend, where Bonnie would regularly perform.

“My father is unwell so my mam is home looking after him and can’t be here, so I wanted to come on behalf of us all to thank her.

“I’ve met her a few times – in Marks and Spencer and on a flight to Portugal.”

Andrea Witts from Bryncoch and Maggie Phillips from Gorseinon said they both grew up with Tyler’s music and wanted to honour her.

“Many years ago I worked in Skewen and taught her niece. The whole family were lovely. I would often bump into her in local shops and restaurants and was she was always lovely,” said Maggie.

There was another reason this row had such a high profile. Jason Arday was a celebrity academic known as much for the remarkable life story he told, of an autistic child who didn’t speak until 11, or learn to read and write until 18.

Other aspects of his personal narrative came under scrutiny, and he had to clarify that £5m raised for charity had been as part of a group effort, and that a 600 mile running challenge had taken twice as long as originally claimed.

Some who had signed a public letter of support quietly removed their names.

By the time he resigned his Cambridge position last week Jason Arday said the “relentless accusations” had taken a “profound toll” on him and his family. He suggested they had been racially motivated.

There are many unanswered questions which a coroner will no doubt be expected to consider about his circumstances and state of mind in the days before his death.

In the immediate aftermath of his death, his family said Jason Arday had been subjected to a “campaign of misinformation” that was too much for this “gentle man”.

Others think that he attracted so much scrutiny because he was a black man in a prominent position.

Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said Jason Arday had been “the victim of a pernicious public shaming that other people in his position simply wouldn’t have faced. His death was a tragedy, but once again it should be a wake up call for all of us.”

There has been deep unease among some academics of colour who feel the ferocity of the debate was due to Jason Arday being a young black academic.

Professor of Black Studies Kehinde Andrews, a friend of Arday, told Newsnight in the wake of his death: “This is not just something that has happened in the past two weeks, we’ve seen the stories, this goes back three and a half years.

“The very day he got the position at Cambridge he had a Freedom of Information request asking about his credentials. He had all the right-wing people in America and the UK writing in to see if he was credible.

“Some people didn’t believe a black man should be in that position at Cambridge.

“It’s been a three-and-a-half-year toll which has come its head now.”

What is certain is that Jason Arday had sought to defend his reputation, using a high-profile firm of lawyers to send a letter to a journalist from Times Higher Education who first questioned his work.

The University of Cambridge initially robustly defended Jason Arday then announced an investigation into his appointment and tenure amid growing disquiet.

In 2023, as an elite university which had been criticised for a lack of diversity, Cambridge had been keen to make some high-profile non-white appointments. It had already made a huge effort to ensure admission of students was more diverse.

Whoever was appointed into such a high profile post would have faced scrutiny and Jason Arday had a slighter research track record than some others in the field.

Dr Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, described Jason Arday’s death as “devastating”.

“There are so many questions that need to be answered. The level of harassment he suffered and the racism he was subjected to, has been sickening. It must be investigated.”

For the University of Cambridge now there will be the difficult task of holding together an academic community divided and shocked by the controversy and now the death of Jason Arday.

It had announced an investigation into his appointment and tenure at the university and a review of how senior staff are chosen.

Now all of that has been overtaken by his sudden and shocking death.

Celine was reported missing from her home in Annfield Plain, having last been seen at 7.10pm on Friday (August 14). 

Durham Police said it is becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of the 61-year-old, who is deaf and also has dementia. 

She may be wearing a pink long sleeved top and black trousers.

If you have seen Celine, or know where she is, please contact the force on 101, quoting incident number 248 of August 15.

The latest explosive claims from new warts-and-all biography about Brand Beckham allege new friction within the famous family with Victoria said to have stepped in to prevent Cruz and Brooklyn deviating from their cultured image

An expose on life behind the veil at Brand Beckham leaves no stone unturned in its claims about David and Victoria’s relationship with their family, and each other. Brand Beckham: The Fame. The Feuds. The Fallout by Alison Boshoff goes into explicit detail about the inner working of the family and how Brooklyn, 27, allegedly wasn’t the only sibling to try and carve a career away from the shadow of the Beckham name. Brooklyn effectively ended his relationship with parents David and Victoria, his siblings and the lucrative family brand following the publication of a lurid six-page statement earlier this year.

Ever since, interest in the machine behind the power family has hit fever pitch. Here are the most explosive claims.

Victoria ‘scuppered’ plans for Cruz to drop Beckham name for the sake of his career

He’s currently half a dozen singles into a burgeoning music career, but Cruz Beckham’s decision to launch himself as the charismatic frontman of indie band The Breakers followed the sacking of his entire management team.

According to Boshoff, concerned mum Victoria stepped in after management firm TaP attempted to separate the young musician from Brand Beckham and inevitable nepo baby connotations by dropping his surname and playing a series of ‘ordinary London pubs… to make his rise look more organic.’

The former Spice Girl’s subsequent decision to share footage of Cruz performing at film director friend Guy Ritchie’s pub went against their plans, and TaP ‘parted company’ with Cruz ‘on friendly terms,’ with a source adding: ‘The whole point was to distance him from being Posh Spice’s baby boy – she scuppered it.”

Cruz eventually relaunched his career with the Breakers in October 2025, with parents David and Victoria promoting his music across their own hugely followed social media channels as he prepared to release his first single, the double-A side Optics/For Your Love.

Victoria allegedly stopped Brooklyn from launching a fashion line

The book claims fashion designer Victoria, 52, also denied Brooklyn use of his own surname after he planned to launch a £3million clothing range with affordable online brand BoohooMan, purportedly because of its association with ‘fast fashion’ – despite previously launching her own cost-effective range with Target.

According to sources, Victoria had a ‘change of heart’ after initially agreeing to the use of his surname. “It did get into a bit of the war with the brand,” an insider told Boshoff. “And the deal then did not happen.”

Brooklyn ‘feels the pain’ and is ‘so sad’ about family estrangement

Despite the acrimony, the US based cooking influencer allegedly mourns the absence of his immediate family, with friends claiming he feels the ‘pain of separation keenly’ and is ‘so sad about it still.’

Additionally, actress wife Nicola Peltz, 31, is believed to be open to her husband maintaining a relationship with his immediate family and will ‘never stop’ him travelling to the UK for a potential reunion, despite being ‘over’ the ongoing drama herself.

Nicola Peltz and Victoria are ‘very similar’

Victoria’s notorious wedding dance with Brooklyn is one of the biggest takeaways from his six-page Instagram statement, but sources claim there are distinct parallels between the former Spice Girl and her daughter-in-law, Nicola.

According to the book, Brooklyn ‘married his mother’ after exchanging vows with Nicola at her family’s sprawling Florida home in 2022. ‘Nicola and Victoria are very similar people,’ a source added.

Friends also claimed how Brooklyn was often naïve while dating and became easily ‘besotted’ by girlfriends, among them influencer Hana Cross, long before his first meeting with Nicola.

It’s claimed the family members expressed concern over his ability to be ‘absorbed’ by whoever he is dating with the alleged comment: ‘If they like poodles, he likes poodles.’

Victoria had a ‘low status’ in The Spice Girls and was repeatedly teased by one bandmate

Girl Power may well have been the ethos that turned them into global icons, but female empowerment didn’t always extend to The Spice Girls’ attitudes towards each other, according to the new book.

Famed for her Posh Spice moniker, Victoria allegedly had a ‘low status in the band’ and was frequently teased by her bandmates – notably Scary Spice Mel B.

Following the departure of Geri Halliwell the group eventually embarked on respective solo careers in 2000, but the financial lure of The Spice Girls brand prompted a tense reunion in 2007, during which Geri ‘annoyed everyone.’

Victoria later claimed The Spice Girls’ publicist once told her to say her famous black tube dresses were purchased at Gucci – ‘even though they were from Miss Selfridge.’

The Mirror approached representatives for Victoria, David, Brooklyn and Cruz Beckham, Boohoo Man, Mel B and Geri Halliwell for comment.

Brand Beckham: The Fame. The Feuds. The Fallout by Alison Boshoff is available to purchase now.

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It has been named among the best wedding venues in the county

A wedding day is one of the most important events in a couple’s love story and making the right decisions to create a wedding they will remember for the rest of their lives is a delicate matter. Thankfully, Cambridgeshire is home to so many beautiful venues to tie the knot.

However, one wedding venue featuring a gold room with an 18-carat gold leaf ceiling and an intriguing wartime past to impress the history enthusiasts particularly stands out. Holmewood Hall is a stunning Tudor Gothic-style manor surrounded by 10 acres of manicured grounds & parkland in the charming village of Holme and near Stilton.

The venue has stunning reception spaces that are steeped in history and exuding elegance. Its ultimate draw is its Gold Room which you can exchange vows in.

The room offers seating for up to 77, a 50-foot-long aisle for a grand entrance, an incredible 18-carat gold leaf ceiling, period fireplace and huge stained glass windows.

Holmewood Hall dates back to 1611 when it was sold to the 1st Baronet of Connington, Sir Robert Cotton. Later, the Cotton family went on to sell the manor to London merchant Thomas Truman.

After his death in 1769, Truman passed all of his Huntingdonshire estates including the now-loved wedding venue to Elizabeth, his niece, and her husband William Wells. The Wells family, who were responsible for much of the hall that can be seen presently, went on to built a beautiful legacy.

Work began again on site in 1873 and and it became virtually unrecognisable from the buildings that had stood there previously. The great hall and staircase were inspired by the Jacobean era, whilst the original drawing room was transformed into the venue’s iconic Gold Room.

Following the death of Sir William Wells in 1889, the house was passed onto John Ashton Fielden, one of the richest men in England.

Four decades later, Holmewood Hall took on a completely different role in wartime Britain as a base for the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Fast forward to nowadays, the venue has become a highly sought-after venue for couples to say ‘I do’.

Its website states: “With Personal Wedding Managers to guide you and a dedicated team of chefs to create your bespoke menu, the team at Holmewood Hall are backed by 25 years of experience in making wedding dreams come true.”

Depending on whether the weather is kind, the Mr and Mrs to be can have a magical outdoors ceremony at The Bandstand. The happy couple can experience dining to remember in the Banqueting Hall with captivating views across the lake, then party the night away in the Vault.

To complete your dreams, the venue offers 18 bedroom suites, including a bridal suite for the couple and their guests to retire to at the end of a long and beautiful day.

It was also named among the most popular wedding venues in Cambridgeshire by Hitched, the wedding tech platform, also globally known as The Knot, in its Wedding Awards for 2026.

With 4.6 stars out of five on Google, this wedding venue is truly sought after. One person wrote: “Holmewood Hall is the most stunning venue, and one my family, and I had the pleasure of experiencing prior to it being a wedding venue.

“We always knew this would be the place me and my now husband would choose for our magical day. The building is steeped in so much history, and the architecture and extensive grounds speak for itself. It is truly a royal, hidden gem.”

Another wedded pair said: “Even from our first visit, we fell in love with the venue and grounds, and knew we wanted to get married there. The bridal suite in particular completely blew us away, it is such a stunning room!”

Donald Trump has threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory, escalating his rhetoric over control of the waterway amid the war with Iran.

The US president said he would make the designation “pretty soon”, as Tehran and Washington remain at an impasse over the future of the strait nearly six months after it was closed when the US and Israel launched their war on 28 February.

“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz strait a territory of the United States,” Mr Trump told a crowd of law enforcement officers.

“Essentially, that’s what it is. We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to.”

Iran has remained defiant in its stance, calling on the US to accept defeat and declaring that Tehran had decided not to resume talks.

“This strait will be opened and closed only under Iran’s command, and so long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in fantasies, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade,” Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, posted on X early on Saturday.

On Friday, just two vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz with no crude oil shipments visible, according to analysis from ship-tracking firm Kpler. Before the war, more than 130 ships would transit the strait daily.

Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Iranian news outlet Shahrara News in an interview published on Saturday that Washington must meet Iran’s conditions on the strait in order for shipping to resume.

Addressing the June ceasefire which has been left in tatters, Mr Araghchi added: “We did not have a ceasefire in the first place that we would now want to extend. We had ‘the end of the war’, and now there is a new situation.”

But Mr Trump, speaking to a political rally in New York’s Garden City, warned Americans they will have to accept higher gas prices as the war continues.

That paying “a tiny little bit more for your gasoline” is worth it to ensure “a very evil country” cannot have a nuclear weapon, is one of the president’s stated rationales for the war.

The average US price of a gallon of gasoline was about $4.08 (£3.02) on Friday, up 29 per cent from a year earlier, according to the American Automobile Association.

Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez also return following their post-World Cup breaks, though United remain without Benjamin Sesko as they build up to next weekend’s Premier League opener against Hull. The Red Devils held their nerve to defeat rivals Leeds on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Dublin in midweek, having also impressed against Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Rosenborg after beginning the summer with a narrow defeat by Wrexham.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended prioritising the Ervebo vaccine for testing in a clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The vaccine was originally developed to protect against Zaire ebolavirus, the species responsible for the devastating west African epidemic just over a decade ago. It was not designed for the Bundibugyo species responsible for the current outbreak – which raises the question of why scientists are considering it at all.

The current Ebola outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern in May 2026. By August 9, there had been 4,402 confirmed cases and 2,013 deaths. All but 21 of these cases were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with 20 cases in Uganda and one in France.

These figures make the current outbreak the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record, surpassed only by the west African epidemic of 2014–16, where 11,000 people died.

At present, there are around 75–100 new cases being reported each day. The UN has described it as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, said the current outbreak is on track to become the world’s largest.

Unfortunately, there is still no clear evidence that the outbreak is coming under control, and the number of infections may still be rising rapidly.

Ebola outbreaks are usually brought under control through a combination of vaccination and public health measures. During an outbreak, vaccines can be particularly effective, especially when used quickly.

Health authorities may carry out large-scale vaccination campaigns. They can also use a strategy known as “ring vaccination”. This involves offering the vaccine to people who have been in close contact with someone who has been infected. The aim is to create a protective ring around each case and stop the virus from spreading further.

Public health measures are also crucial. These include finding cases early, tracing contacts and moving infected people to specialist treatment centres where they can be cared for safely and isolated from others until they recover. Caring for someone who is seriously ill with Ebola carries a particularly high risk of infection.

Public education is also important, including advice on caring for patients safely and reducing the risk of transmission during funerals.

No licensed vaccine

The challenge is that, unlike the Zaire species of Ebola, there is currently no licensed vaccine for Bundibugyo virus disease. There are also no licensed vaccines for some other Ebola species, including Sudan virus disease and Taï Forest virus disease. As a result, vaccination has not yet played a role in controlling the outbreak.

Several Bundibugyo vaccines are under development. Two have already entered phase 1 clinical trials. One has been developed by Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India, while another is being developed by Moderna.

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Two scientists on their race to make a new Ebola vaccine

A phase 1 clinical trial is the first stage of testing a new vaccine in people. These studies are mainly designed to assess safety and identify any side-effects. It is not yet clear how long it will take before these vaccines could become widely available if they prove successful. Neither are being tested in Africa.

Without a vaccine, efforts to control the outbreak depend entirely on public health measures. But putting these measures into practice can be difficult, especially during a fast-moving outbreak.

Fear and uncertainty are common during outbreaks of dangerous diseases. Misinformation and rumours can spread quickly. During the west African Ebola epidemic, reports suggested that some families hid sick relatives because they feared they would be taken away by health authorities. In some settings, there have also been reports of mistrust towards official responses to outbreaks and concerns about the motives of outside organisations involved in disease control efforts.

The current situation in the DRC is made even more difficult by the ongoing armed conflict in some of the affected areas. Conflict can make it much harder for health workers to reach communities, track cases and implement control measures.

There have already been several attacks on Ebola treatment centres in the country this year. In one incident, a treatment centre was set on fire after a dispute over the handling of the body of an infected person.

Another worrying sign is that many newly diagnosed patients had not previously been identified as contacts of earlier cases. This suggests that the virus may be spreading unnoticed in some communities.

Against this backdrop, the WHO advisory group has recommended testing the Ervebo vaccine.

Ervebo was developed to protect against the Zaire species of Ebola and is estimated to be around 84% effective against that species from ten days after a single dose.

Why scientists are considering using it in the current outbreak

The idea that it might also help against Bundibugyo has been raised before. In 2011, researchers found that a single dose protected monkeys from dying after they were later exposed to the Bundibugyo virus. Animals that survived also developed less severe illness and had lower levels of virus in their bodies.

Researchers have also found signs that the vaccine stimulates an immune response against Bundibugyo in people. In 2019, scientists reported that people who received Ervebo produced antibodies that recognised the Bundibugyo virus, although the response was weaker than the one seen against the Zaire species. A more recent study has confirmed these findings.

That leaves an open question: how well Ervebo actually works against Bundibugyo in the real world.

The available evidence suggests that Ervebo can trigger an immune response against the Bundibugyo virus. However, scientists still do not know how well it works against this species in real-world conditions.

The animal studies provide reasons for optimism. If the vaccine offers even partial protection, it could reduce the number of deaths. By lowering the amount of virus in infected people, it might also help reduce transmission.

Researchers also need to investigate whether additional doses could strengthen protection.

For now, the important question is whether Ervebo can provide meaningful protection while purpose-built Bundibugyo vaccines are still being developed. With the outbreak continuing to grow and control efforts facing significant difficulties, clinical trials could provide urgently needed answers.

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two will be hosted by former contestant Ellie Taylor, it has been announced today ahead of the new series of the show.

Emma Willis, 50, who hosts a Saturday lunchtime show on BBC Radio 2, was the first to share the news publicly after months of speculation.

Ellie joined Emma on her programme for a ‘Strictly special’ where her new role was announced, as Emma gushed she is ‘so glad they are in it together’. 

Emma told listeners: ‘With me right now is the brand new host of It Takes Two! Mystery host of It Takes Two…,’ before revealing it was Ellie.

Ellie said: ‘I am over the moon! I feel giddy. So nice to get the secret out. I’ve had the theme tune in my head since I found out… I was like stop it woman!

‘It was the same when I found out I was a contestant. I am so thrilled to be back in the Strictly world. I found out a month ago, but I’ve been a good girl.

Ellie pictured arriving to Emma’s BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday

‘I told mummy and my partner. I didn’t tell the kids.’ 

Sharing a statement about the news, Ellie said: ‘What a total joy to return to Strictly in this new role. I feel incredibly honoured to follow in the footsteps of the phenomenal line-up of hosts who’ve made Strictly – It Takes Two so loved over the years. 

‘I can’t wait to immerse myself in all the gossip and sequins flying out of the ballroom in order to bring my fellow Strictly fans everything they need to know. I’m so excited, I could cha cha! (But I won’t – don’t worry… no one needs to see that again.)’

Ellie was hotly tipped to be announced as the new host of the show earlier this month after the former hosts were axed in this year’s huge show revamp.

The show has had a huge overhaul ahead of the 2026 series as main presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been replaced by Emma, Josh and Johannes while several pros have been given the boot. 

A source has told The Sun: ‘Ellie was hugely popular with viewers when she appeared as a contestant on Strictly in 2022, and her infectious personality was also a hit with the senior production team.

‘She very much featured in the discussions when they were looking to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the main show, and although she didn’t get that job, she remained in the executive team’s thoughts.

‘They were very keen to get her on It Takes Two which they felt was too boring and needed a major revamp. So she’s been hired for the It Takes Two hosting job.’

Most recently, Fleur East and Janette Manrara hosted It Takes Two during the 2025 series but it was announced that they were being replaced.

Ellie appeared as a contestant on the show in 2022 with professional partner Johannes Radebe, who was announced as one of the main show’s new hosts

Emma pictured arriving to BBC studios ahead of announcing the news on her show

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Emma has returned to her regular slot after ‘a few weeks off’ on holiday, but revealed she was now back into the swing of work and ready to kickstart Strictly season.

She said that Friday was her ‘first full work day’ with her co-hosts with Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as they filled the day doing press for the show.

Emma told listeners: ‘It’s a Strictly special. Because I’m going to introduce you to the brand new host of It Takes Two, they’re in the building and coming into the studio!

Yesterday Strictly Come Dancing’s new hosts Emma and Johannes were seen arriving for a photoshoot alongside the stars of this year’s series.

In October, Tess Daly caused shockwaves when she announced she was stepping down from hosting after 21 years alongside her co-host Claudia Winkleman, who had fronted the show alongside Tess for 15 years.

After months of speculation, in May it was announced Emma and Johannes, 39, would be joining Josh Widdicombe in hosting the show, following a bloodbath among the line-up of pros – of which Johannes was previously included.

While the duo looked delighted to be arriving, there has been much discussion over the line-up – with some branding the cast ‘the worst to date’.

Some of the best known of the line-up are Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Jaime Winstone, Will Best and Gavin & Stacey actress Melanie Walters, however many of the stars have been deemed unrecognisable to viewers. 

After months of speculation, in May it was announced Emma and Johannes, 39, would be joining Josh Widdicombe in hosting the show, following a bloodbath among the line-up of pros – of which Johannes was previously included

Emma looked sensational in an androgynous ensemble comprising a cropped, unbuttoned waistcoat layered over a sleeveless shirt and trousers. 

She wore her trademark cropped locks slicked back while wearing minimal make-up and thin wired glasses for her big first day.

While he may be used to the dancefloor, Johannes was taking on a whole different job as he too headed in sporting a slick white jumper. 

Strictly is one of the BBC‘s most popular shows, with millions tuning in every weekend and the professional dancers quickly becoming household names. 

This year, however, there’s been one big problem – that the dancers are better known than the ‘stars’ they’re set to partner up with. 

YouTuber John, for example, doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page. 

But that doesn’t seem to matter to producers, who are said to have specifically selected stars who have large social media followings.

Stars such as Kim Kardashian’s hair stylist Chris might not be a household name, but he does boast a huge social media following with 4million fans on Instagram. 

John has an even bigger fanbase, with 15.7million YouTube subscribers.

However, loyal fans have been left scratching their heads over the lineup, with many of the comments on the Strictly social posts asking who the celebrity is, rather than expressing any excitement. 

Indeed, while bosses may be keen to attract Gen Z (14 to 29 years old), the majority of Strictly viewers are currently Gen X (46 to 61 years old) and Baby Boomers (62 to 80 years old).